On August 20, 1802, Napoleon appointed Pierre-Clement Laussat to the position of Colonial Prefect of Louisiana, making him the highest ranking civilian officer in the province. Following the Louisiana Purchase, though, his office was changed to that of official commissioner of the French government for the retrocession of Louisiana from Spain to France, and then from France to the United States.
Laussat took formal possession of Louisiana for France on November 30, 1803 and on that date also established a municipal government for the city of New Orleans, composed of a Mayor, a Municipal Council of twelve members, and a Recorder-Secretary. The city was governed by these officers until March 11, 1805, when the new Mayor and Conseil de Ville were installed, as provided for in the 1805 city charter
From the description of Letters, proclamations, and decrees of Pierre-Clement de Laussat, Colonial Prefect of Louisiana, 1803-1804. (New Orleans Public Library). WorldCat record id: 21964793
