He feared some outbreak on the part of the Spanish sympathizers, and, to prevent such a mischance, he not only embodied the comparatively small portion of the Creole militia whom he could trust, but also a number of American volunteers, concerning whose fidelity in such a crisis as that he anticipated there could be no question.

It was not until December first, 1803, that he took final possession of the provinces.

Twenty days afterwards he turned it over to the American authorities.
Claiborne Made Governor.
Wilkinson, now commander of the American army,--the most disgraceful head it has ever had--was entrusted with the governorship of all of Upper Louisiana.

Claiborne was made governor of Lower Louisiana, officially styled the Territory of Orleans.

He was an honest man, loyal to the Union, but had no special qualifications for getting on well with the Creoles.