Administration or asiento in building works in Spanish Louisiana A controversy between the Commander of Engineers and the Intendant (1800–1801)

During the final years of Spanish rule in Louisiana, there was an extensive correspondence between the director-engineer and the intendant from 1800 to 1801: among the references to drafters of treaties, topics of discussion included technical details and power struggles, the modalities of execution of public works by the administration or asiento. This controversy illustrates the clash between artistic ideals and the commercial networks of the English, French, and North Americans.