[LOUISIANA PURCHASE]. DE BLANC. Autograph letter signed to an unidentified official, [n.p., but presumably New Orleans], 10 January 1804. 1 page, 4to, 245 x 205 mm. (10 3/4 x 8 1/2 in.), uniformly darkened, a few minuscule perforations from acidic ink, folding cloth chemise and slipcase, in French. An interesting letter from one French Louisiana official to another just after the crucial transfer of sovereignty from France to the United States: "I am sending you the Proclamation made by the American Government and other papers; you can publish the decree concerning the policing of slaves. Do your duty, as I am sure you will, regarding the murder committed at your door, and provide the Commissioner with a report... Nothing new in the city, other than a fire that was put out early on. We'll soon be having American commissioners - and from the proclamation you'll see that nothing will be changed as far as M. Laussat is concerned...." Pierre Clément Laussat was the French Prefect of New Orleans, who retained his office after the territory came under U.S. jurisdiction.