 They are quickly forced to resign as a result of numerous complaints, and the city authorized to engage mulattoes, which are placed under the authority of white officers, became a part of the United States on December 20, 1803 by virtue of the Louisiana Purchase.In 1804 a patrol militia was organized under James Pitot, the Mayor of New Orleans, two years later the body dissolved.With urbanization, in 1817, the city had 46 commissioners, it was divided into four police districts (Old Square, Faubourg Tremé (in), St. Mary and Faubourg Marigny).