| 1803 January |
While Daniel Clark is out of town Acting Consul William Hullings is asked by the U. S. government to investigate the reasoning and origin behind the closure of the Port of New Orleans. |
| 1803 March 23 |
Claiborne writes to Hullings that he is still in the dark in respect to the power and intentions of the Spanish Intendant. |
| 1803 April |
Pierre
Clement de Laussat is met by Hullings who is again acting as the unofficial
American consul. Hullings sends dispatches to Secretary of State Madison
which say that Laussat denies that the order to close the port last year
was a French decision. Laussat does not recognize any consuls in New Orleans at this time and declares that he expects a large number of French troops to arrive soon. |