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THE   TERRITORIAL   PAPERS 
OF   THE  UNITED   STATES 


THE  TERRITORIAL  PAPERS 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 


Compiled  and  edited  by 

Clarence  Edwin  Carter 


VOLUME  XVI 

The  Territory  of  Illinois 
1809-1814 


UNITED  STATES 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

WASHINGTON  :   1948 


For  sale  by  the  Superintendent  of  Documents,  Washington,  D.  C.     -     -     -     -     -    Price  $3.25  (cloth) 


Publication  No.  3087 


PREFACE 


'I'yVT^.The  following  pages  of  volumes  XVI  and  XVII  of  The  Territorial 
'    Papers  of  the  United  States  embody  a  selection  of  the  official  papers  of 
the  Territory  of  Illinois  as  found  in  the  Federal  archives  in  Washington, 
,    D.  C,  the  greater  portion  of  which  are  now  centralized  in  the  National 
J^  Archives.    The  files  of  the  Departments  of  State,  War,  Interior,  and 
■"  Justice,  and  the  papers  of  the  Senate  are  in  that  depository.     While 
p  these  volumes  were  in  process,  the  files  of  the  Post  Office  and  Treasury 
Departments  were  moved  to  the  National  Archives  and  the  House  of 
r^Representatives  papers,  which  had  been  in  the  Manuscripts  Division 
^of  the  Library  of  Congress,  were  also  transferred  to  the  National 
r\  Archives.     Various  manuscripts  of  the  Library  of  Congress  other 
^  than  the  House  of  Representatives  papers  and  the  files  of  the  General 
Accounting  Office  have  also  contributed  important  items  to  the  con- 
tents of  these  books.     And  the  Illinois  State  Library  has  generously 
supplied  a  number  of  missing  links.     The  publication  of  the  territorial 
records  here  presented  has  been  made  possible  by  a  succession  of  acts 
V  of  Congress  approved  March  3,  1925,  February  28,  1929,  February  14, 
•  1936,  June  28,  1937,  and  July  31,  1945. 

Headnotes  to  the  documents  identify  the  sources  from  which  they 
have  been  taken.     In  this  connection  it  is  necessary  for  the  reader  to 
understand  that  the  present  series  of  volumes  was  in  the  process  of 
compilation  and  publication  antecedent  to  the  beginning  of  the 
centralization  of  the  Federal  archives  referred  to  above,  and  has  pro- 
ceeded simultaneously  with  the  progressive  removal  and  reclassifica- 
"L  tion  of  the  official  records  which  previously  rested  in  the  various 
departments  and  agencies  of  the  United  States.    This  fact  has  made 
^  inevitable  certain  changes  in  the  forms  of  citation  in  headnotes  and 
~  footnotes.     It  is  not  believed,  however,  that  the  apparent  lack  of 
-^  uniformity  of  citation  will  result  in  serious  confusion.     In  the  present 
offering,  the  forms  of  citation  have  been  brought  into  conformity  with 
the  current  classification  insofar  as  that  work  has  been  concluded. 

The  prefaces  to  previous  volumes  of  the  series  of  which  the  present 
one  is  a  part  have  established  the  general  boundaries  of  the  publication 
as  a  whole  and  of  each  volume,  or  set  of  volumes,  in  particular.  Since, 
however,  the  published  papers  dealing  with  a  given  territory  stand 
alone  in  certain  respects  and  will  be  used  by  many  persons  who  will 
'  have  no  occasion  to  consult  other  volumes  of  the  series,  it  has  been 
,-  deemed  essential  to  repeat  for  each  territory  the  definitions  which  have 


VI  PREFACE 


open  to  deal  with  materials  pertaining  to  this  aspect  of  the  history  of 
the  territories  as  the  occasion  from  time  to  time  and  from  territory  to 
territory  warrants.  In  any  event  the  documentation  of  any  given 
territory  cannot  be  complete  with  the  Indian  phase  entirely  erased, 
whether  in  its  political  or  commercial  aspects.  And  although  the 
process  of  selection  is  at  times  a  painful  one,  an  endeavor  has  been 
made  to  avoid  as  far  as  possible  the  element  of  caprice  in  its  execution. 

In  this  regard  the  defense  of  the  territory,  with  which  the  territorial 
government  was  materially  concerned,  has  been  considered  as  possess- 
ing a  relationship  to  administration,  at  least  in  some  of  its  ramifica- 
tions. Furthermore,  the  governor  of  the  territory  was  also  super- 
intendent of  Indian  affairs  within  the  confines  of  his  jurisdiction,  and 
his  twofold  functions  were  often  closely  identified.  Events  connected 
with  one  branch  of  the  service  not  infrequently  impinged  upon  those 
pertaining  to  the  other.  For  example,  the  governor's  militia  powers 
(he  was  commander-in-chief  of  the  militia  of  the  territory)  were  plainly 
a  part  of  his  executive  prerogatives,  and  papers  relating  thereto  in 
connection  with  the  protection  of  the  territory  from  Indian  attacks 
must  be  viewed  as  relevant.  The  governor  was  also  in  nominal  con- 
trol of  the  Indian  agencies,  and  although  the  men  who  officered 
these  agencies  were  appointed  from  Washington,  they  reported  to 
him  as  well  as  to  their  superiors  in  the  Federal  Government  and  were 
subject  as  well  to  his  instructions  under  certain  conditions. 

The  governor  was  also  drawn  into  close  relations  with  the  officials 
of  other  principal  extraterritorial  establishments  either  through  joint 
instructions  to  all  territorial,  Indian,  and  military  officials,  or  by 
reason  of  the  necessity  of  cooperation  between  himself  in  his  dual 
capacity  and  the  heads  of  the  various  establishments  mentioned. 
With  respect  to  the  Federal  military  posts  within  the  territory  and 
the  problem  of  territorial  defense,  there  was  frequent  necessity  for 
consultation  by  the  governor  not  only  with  the  Secretary  of  War 
but  also  with  the  commandants  of  the  various  posts.  The  creation 
from  time  to  time  of  new  Indian  agencies  was,  moreover,  a  forecast 
of  the  beginning  of  white  settlements  over  which  the  territory  would 
have  jurisdiction.  This  extension  of  settlement  made  it  necessary  to 
acquire  title  to  Indian  lands,  in  which  respect  the  governor  was  usually 
either  the  negotiator  or  joint-negotiator;  in  any  case  documents  which 
concern  the  acquirement  of  title  to  Indian  lands  possess  an  immediate 
relevancy.  It  is  with  this  class  of  papers  that  those  relating  to  the 
public-land  system  tend  to  dovetail.  Although  the  administration 
of  the  factory  system  was  distinctly  extraterritorial,  the  offices  of 
factor  and  Indian  agent  were  sometimes  united,  and  at  all  times  the 
factories,  located  at  strategic  points  in  the  territory,  were  tangent  at 
certain  ob\-ious  points  with  the  political  phases  of  Indian  affairs. 

Finally,  there  is  no  hesitation  in  publishing  the  truly  unique  docu- 


PREFACE 


ment  which  bears  no  apparent  relationship  to  any  other  in  the  various 
categories  described  above  but  which  nevertheless  pertains  to  the 
territory. 

It  should  be  plain,  therefore,  that  in  the  application  of  the  foregoing 
procedures  comparatively  little  room  is  left  for  random  selection. 
The  fact  of  course  still  remains  that  as  between  two  documents 
touching  the  same  subject,  where  there  is  space  but  for  one,  another 
compiler  might  have  fallen  upon  a  different  choice. 

With  respect  to  previously  published  materials  on  the  Territory  of 
Illinois,  mention  should  be  made  of  N.  W.  Edwards's  History  of  Illinois 
and  Life  and  Times  of  Ninian  Edwards  (Springfield,  1870),  which 
contains  a  documentary  section  embodying  a  considerable  number  of 
letters  and  other  documents  falling  within  the  period  under  treatment. 
The  materials  there  reproduced  were  drawn  chiefly  from  papers  then 
in  the  possession  of  its  compiler,  not  all  of  which  can  now  be  traced. 
The  volume  contains  no  index  and  the  documents  are  not  arranged  in 
sequential  order.  An  attempt  has  been  made  in  the  present  instance, 
however,  to  cite  all  the  relevant  item.s  in  the  work  described  so  that  its 
use  may  be  facilitated. 

Another  source  of  importance,  based  on  the  Edwards  Papers  in  the 
Chicago  Historical  Society,  is  E.  B.  Washburne's  edition  of  the 
Edwards  Papers  (Chicago  Historical  Society  Collections,  vol.  Ill,  Chi- 
cago, 1884).  The  Territorial  Papers  of  the  United  States,  vols.  II  and 
III  (Northwest  Territory),  and  vols.  VII  and  VIII  (Indiana  Territory), 
form  an  appropriate  introduction  to  the  present  work,  since  Illinois 
evolved  from  both  the  territories  mentioned.  The  Territorial  Records 
of  Illinois  (Illinois  State  Historical  Library  Publications,  no.  3,  Spring- 
field, 1901),  edited  by  E.  J.  James,  contains  the  Executive  Register, 
1809-1818,  corresponding  to  the  Journal  of  Executive  Proceedings  of 
other  territories,  the  Journal  of  the  Executive  Council,  1812,  and  the 
Journal  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  1812.  The  first  of  these 
documents  is  here  reprinted  from  the  original,  now  in  the  Illinois 
State  Archives,  by  reason  of  serious  defects  in  its  former  printing. 
In  the  American  State  Papers  series  (Gales  and  Seaton  ed.),  vol.  II  of 
Public  Lands,  and  vol.  II  of  Indian  Affairs  are  indispensable.  Fre- 
quent use  will  also  be  made  of  Miss  Margaret  Norton's  Illinois  Census 
Returns,  1810, 1818  {Illinois  Historical  Collections,  vol.  XXIV).  The 
imminent  publication  in  the  latter  series  of  Dr.  Francis  S.  Philbrick's 
Laws  of  Illinois  Territory  will  open  up  an  important  body  of  source 
material.  For  the  Wisconsin  area,  which  was  a  part  of  Illinois  Terri- 
tory until  the  latter  became  a  State  in  1818,  the  various  volumes  of 
the  Wisconsin  Historical  Collections  embody  many  pertinent  documents 
on  Indian  relations. 

An  index  is  supplied  for  each  of  the  present  volumes,  which  it  is 
expected  will  supplement  the  footnotes  in  the  use  of  the  documents. 


vin  PREFACE 


The  placement  of  the  papers  is  chronological,  with  the  exception  of 
enclosures,  which  are  usually,  though  not  always,  retained  with  their 
covers.  The  textual  matter  is  divided  for  reasons  of  convenience  into 
several  parts  corresponding  approximately  to  the  successive  adminis- 
trations in  the  office  of  governor.  Editorial  interpretations  of  the 
text  are  excluded. 

C.E.C. 
Washington,  D.  C. 
September  1,  1948. 


CONTENTS 
VOLUME  XVI 

Page 

Preface iii 

Symbols xi 

Part 

One:  Papers  Relating  to  the  Foundations  of  the  Territory  of 

Illinois,  1809 1 

Two:  Papers  Relating  to  the  Administration  of  Acting  Gover- 
nor Pope,  1809 27 

Three:  Papers  Relating  to  the  First  Administration  of  Gov- 
ernor Edwards,  1809-1812 43 

Four:  Papers    Relating    to    the    Second    Administration    of 

Governor  Edwards,  1812-1814 241 

Index 453 


SYMBOLS 

AD  autograph  document 

ADS  autograph  document  signed 

AGO  Adjutant  General's  Office 

AL  autograph  letter 

ALS  autograph  letter  signed 

C  copy 

CHC  Chicago  Historical  Collections 

CHS  Chicago  Historical  Society 

CS  copy  signed 

D  draft 

DS  document  signed 

Dup  duplicate 

E  extract 

GAO  General  Accounting  Office 

GLO  General  Land  Office 

HF  House  of  Representatives  Files 

IHC  Illinois  Historical  Collections 

ISL  Illinois  State  Library 

LC  Library  of  Congress 

LS  letter  signed 

NA  National  Archives 

OIA  Office  of  Indian  Affairs 

GIT  Office  of  Indian  Trade 

PO  Post  Office 

SD  State  Department 

SF  Senate  Files 

SG  Surveyor  General 

SGO  Surv^eyor  General's  Office 

SW  Secretary  of  War 

SWDF  Secretary  of  War  Document  Files 

TD  Treasury  Department 

Tr  translation 

WD  War  Department 

WHSC  Wisconsin  Historical  Collections 


PART  ONE 

Papers  relating  to  the  Foundations  of 
Illinois  Territory 

1809 


PART  ONE 


COMMITTEE  REPORT:  DIVISION  OF  THE  TERRITORY  OF 
INDIANA 

[LC:HF.  10  Cong.,  2  sess. :  AD  '] 

[December  31,  1808] 
M''  Thomas  from 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  refered  the  resolution  to  enquire  into 
the  expediency  of  dividing  the  Indiana  Territory  ^  made  the  following 
Report. 

That  by  the  fifth  article  of  the  Ordinance  of  Congress  for  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  Territory  of  the  United  States  North  West  of  the  river 
Ohio,'  it  is  stipulated  that  there  shall  be  formed  in  the  said  Territory, 
not  less  than  three,  nor  more  than  five  States;  and  the  boundaries  of 
the  States,  as  soon  as  Virginia  shall  alter  her  act  of  Session,  and  con- 
sent to  the  same,  shall  become  fLxed  and  established  as  follows,  towit: 
The  Western  State  shall  be  bounded  by  the  Mississippi,  the  Ohio  and 
Wabash  rivers;  a  direct  line  drawn  from  the  Wabash  and  post  Vin- 
cennes  due  north  to  the  Territorial  line  between  the  United  States 
and  Canada;  and  by  the  said  Territorial  line  to  the  Lake  of  the  Woods 
and  Mississippi — 

The  Middle  State  shall  be  bounded  by  the  said  direct  line,  the 
Wabash  from  post  Vincennes  to  the  Ohio;  by  the  Ohio,  by  a  direct 
line  drawn  due  north  from  the  Mouth  of  the  Great  Miami,  to  the 
said  Territorial  line,  and  by  the  said  Territorial  line — 

The  Eastern  State  shall  be  bounded  by  the  last  mentioned  direct 
line,  the  Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  said  Territorial  line:  Provided 
however,  and  it  is  further  understood  and  declared,  that  the  boun- 
daries of  these  tliree  States,  shall  be  subject  so  far  to  be  altered,  that 
if  Congress  shall  hereafter  find  it  expedient,  they  shall  have  Authority 
to  form  one  or  two  states  in  that  part  of  the  said  Territory  which  lies 
north  of  an  east  and  west  line  drawn  through  the  southerly  bend  or 
extreme  of  Lake  Michigan — And  whenever  any  of  the  said  States, 
shall  have  sixty  thousand  free  inhabitants  therein,  such  state  shall 
be  admitted,  by  its  delegates,  into  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 

•  Printed  also,  with  variations,  in  A.S.P.,  Misc.,  I,  945-946. 

2  House  Journal,  vi,  385. 

=  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  ii,  48-49. 

314574 — 48 2  3 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


on  an  equal  footing  with  the  Original  States,  in  all  respects  whatever; 
and  shall  be  at  liberty  to  form  a  permanent  Constitution  and  State 
Government:  Provided  the  Constitution  and  Government  so  to  be 
formed,  shall  be  Republican,  and  in  Conformity  to  the  principles  con- 
tained in  these  articles;  and  so  far  as  it  can  be  consistent  with  the 
General  Interest  of  the  Confederacy,  such  admission  shall  be  allowed 
at  an  earlier  period,  and  when  there  may  be  a  less  Number  of  free 
inhabitants  in  the  State  than  Sixty  thousand. — 

By  the  aforesaid  article  it  appears  to  yoiu-  Committee  that  the  line, 
fixed  as  the  boundary  of  the  States  to  be  formed  in  the  Indiana  Ter- 
ritory— is  unalterable  unless  by  common  consent 

That  the  line,  of  demarkation,  which  the  Wabash  affords  between 
the  Eastern,  and  Western,  portions  of  said  Territory,  added,  to  the 
wide  extent  of  Wilderness  Country  which  seperates,  the  population 
in  each,  constitute  reasons  in  favour  of  a  division  founded  on  the 
soundest  policy,  and  conformable  with  the  natural  Situation  of  the 
Country — The  vast  distance,  from  the  settlements  west  of  the 
Wabash,  to  the  present  seat  of  Territorial  Government,  renders,  the 
administration  of  Justice,  burthensome  and  expensive,  to  them  in 
the  highest  degree — The  Superior  Courts  of  the  Territory  are  by 
Law  established  at  Vincennes,  at  which  place  suiters  residing  in  every 
part  of  the  Territory,  are  Compelled  to  attend  with  their  witnesses, 
which  to  those  who  reside  west  of  the  Wabash,  amounts  almost  to  a 
total  denial  of  Justice — The  great  difficulty  of  traveling  through  an 
extensive  and  loathsome  wilderness,  the  want  of  food,  and  other 
necessary  accomodations  on  the  road,  often  presents  an  insurmount- 
able, barrier,  to  the  attandance  of  Witnesses,  and  even  when  their 
attendance  is  obtained,  the  accumulated,  expence  of  prosecuting 
suits,  where  the  evidence  is  at  so  remote  a  distance  is  a  cause  of  much 
embarrassment  to  a  due  and  impartial  distribution  of  Justice  and  a 
proper  execution  of  the  Laws  for  the  redress  of  private  wrongs — 
In  addition  to  the  above  considerations.  Your  Committee  conceive, 
that  the  scattered  situation  of  the  settlements  over  this  extensive 
Territory,  cannot  fail  to  enervate  the  powers  of  the  executive,  and 
render  it  almost  impossible  to  keep  that  part  of  the  Government  in 
Order- 
It  further  appears  to  your  Committee  that  a  Division  of  the  said 
Territory  will  become  a  matter  of  right  under  the  aforesaid  Article 
of  the  Ordinance,  whenever  the  General  Government  shall  establish 
therein  a  State  Government,  and  the  numerous  inconveniences,  which 
would  be  removed,  by  an  immediate  seperation,  would  have  a  direct 
tendency  to  encourage  and  accelerate  migration  to  each  district,  and 
thereby  give  additional  strength  and  security,  to  those  out  posts  of 
the  United  States  exposed  to  the  inroads  of  a  savage,  neighbour, 
on  whose  friendly  dispositions  no  permanent  reliance  can  be  placed. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY 


Your  Committee  have  no  Certain  data,  on  which  to  asscertain  the 
number  of  inhabitants  in  each  section  of  the  Territory,  but  from  the 
most  accurate  information  they  are  enabled  to  collect,  it  appears, 
that  west  of  the  Wabash,  there  are  about  the  number  of  Eleven 
thousand,  and  east  of  said  river,  about  the  number  of  Seventeen  thou- 
sand, and  that  the  population  of  each  section  is  in  a  state  of  rapid 
increase — 

Your  Committee  after  maturely  considering  this  subject,  are  of 
opinion  that  there  exists  but  one  objection  to  the  establishment  of  a 
seperate  Territorial  Government,  west  of  the  river  Wabash,  &  that 
objection  is  based,  on  the  additional  expence,  which  would  in  conse- 
quence thereof  be  incurred  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 
But  it  is  also  worthy  of  observation  that  the  encreased  Value  of  the 
public  Lands  in  each  District,  arising  from  the  public  institutions, 
which  would  be  permanently  fixed,  in  each,  to  Comport  with  the 
Convenience  of  the  Inhabitants,  and  the  augmentation  of  emigrants 
all  of  whom  must  become  immediate  purchasers  of  these  Lands,  would 
far  exceed  the  amount  of  expenditure  produced  by  the  Contemplated 
temporary  Government,  and  your  Committee  deem  it  always  just, 
and  wise  policy  to  grant  to  every  portion  of  the  people  of  the  Union 
that  form  of  Government,  which,  is  the  object  of  their  wishes,  when 
not  incompatible,  with  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  nor, 
subversive  of  their  allegiance  to  the  National  Sovereignty.*  Your 
Committee  therefore  respectfully  submit  the  following  resolution. 

Resolved  that  is  is  expedient  to  divide  the  Indiana  Territory,  and 
to  Establish  a  seperate  Territorial  Government,  west  of  the  River 
Wabash,  agreeably  to  the  Ordinance  for  the  Government  of  the 
Territory  of  the  United  States,  north  west  of  the  River  Ohio,  passed 
on  the  thirteenth  day  of  July  1787.  * 

[E7idors€d]  Report  (M'  Thomas)  from  the  Committee  App"  on  the 
13.  instant  to  enquire  into  the  expediency  of  Dividing  the  Indiana 
Territory  31"  Decem""  1808.  Referred  to  a  committee  of  the  whole 
House  on  Monday  next  ^ — 

♦(being  convinced  that  it  is  the  wish  of  a  large  majority  of  the  Citizens  of  the 
said  Terri"  that  a  seperation  thereof  should  take  place)  [Footnote  on  the  MS.] 

*  See  memorials,  petitions,  and  resolutions  by  the  inhabitants  of  Randolph  and 
St.  Clair  counties  in  the  so-called  Illinois  Country  of  Indiana  Territory,  in  1803, 
1805,  1806,  1807,  and  1808,  urging  a  division  of  that  territory,  printed  in  Terr. 
Papers  (Ind.),  vil,  140-145,  544-554,  and  in  Dunn  (ed.),  "Slavery  Petitions  and 
Papers",  Ind.  Hist.  Soc.  Pubs.,  II,  483-491,  498-506,  510-512;  and  resolutions  of 
the  Indiana  Territorial  House  of  Representatives  in  1808  to  the  same  effect, 
Terr.  Papers,  op.  cit,  pp.  601-602.  See  also  petitions  against  division,  from  Knox 
County,  in  1807,  ibid.,  pp.  619-622,  and  from  Randolph  County,  in  1807,  Dunn, 
op.  cit.,  pp.  512-515.  Earlier  reports  of  committees  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives on  certain  of  these  petitions  are  printed  in  Terr.  Papers,  op.  cit.,  pp.  157-158, 
163-164. 

'  House  Journal,  vi,  432. 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


AN  ACT  FOR  THE  DIVISION  OF  INDIANA  TERRITORY 

INA:SD,  Original  Statutes  «] 

[February  3,  1809] 
An  Act  for  dividing  the  Indiana  territory  into  two  seperate  governments.'' 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  Hotise  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  Congress  assembled.  That  from  and  after  the  first 
day  of  March  next  all  that  part  of  the  Indiana  Teritory  which  lies 
west  of  the  Wabash  river  and  a  direct  line  drawn  from  the  said  Wabash 
river  and  Post  Vincennes  due  north  to  the  territorial  line  between  the 
United  States  and  Canada,  shall,  for  the  purpose  of  temporary  govern- 
ment, constitute  a  separate  territory,  and  be  called  Illinois. 

Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  there  shall  be  established 
within  the  said  territory  a  government  in  all  respects  similar  to  that 
provided  by  the  ordinance  of  Congress,  passed  on  the  thirteenth  day 
of  July,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty  seven,  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  territory  of  the  United  States,  North- West  of  the  river 
Ohio;  *  and  by  an  act  passed  on  the  seventh  day  of  August,  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  eighty  nine,  intituled  "An  act  to  provide  for 
the  government  of  the  territory  North- West  of  the  river  Ohio;"  '  and 
the  inhabitants  thereof,  shall  be  entitled  to,  and  enjoy  all  and  singular, 
the  rights  privileges,  and  advantages,  granted  and  secured  to  the 
people  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States,  north-west  of  the  river 
Ohio,  by  the  said  ordinance. 

Sec.  3.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  officers  for  the  said  terri- 
tory, who,  by  virtue  of  this  act,  shall  be  appointed  by  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate, 
shall  respectively  exercise  the  same  powers,  perform  the  same  duties, 
and  receive  for  their  services  the  same  compensations,  as  by  the  ordi- 
nance aforesaid,  and  the  laws  of  the  United  States;  have  been  pro- 
vided and  established  for  similar  officers  in  the  Indiana  territory;  "* 
and  the  duties  and  emoluments  of  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs 


'  Printed  also  in  2  Stat.  514-516,  and  in  Verlie  (ed.),  III.  Consts.  (IHC,  xiii), 
12-14,  the  latter  being  based  on  the  former.  The  differences  between  the  original 
act  as  approved  and  these  printed  versions  are  numerous,  the  most  important 
consisting  of  changes  in  punctuation. 

'  The  legislative  history  of  the  act  may  be  found  in  House  Journal,  vi,  472,  476, 
477,  503,  505,  509,  Senate  Journal.  IV,  329,  331,  332,  335,  336,  337.  No  debate 
is  reported  in  the  Senate,  but  the  bill  was  evidently  debated  at  length  in  the 
House.  See  Annals,  10  Cong.,  2  sess.,  1093-1094,  for  a  summary  of  arguments 
for  and  against  passage  of  the  bill. 

8  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  II,  39-50. 

» Ibid.,  pp.  203-204. 

11  See  ibid.  (N.W.),  ill,  86-88;  ibid.  (Ind.),  vu,  7-10. 


ILLINOIS   TERRITORY 


shall  be  united  with  those  of  Governor;  "  Provided,  That  the  President 
of  the  United  States  shall  have  full  power,  in  the  recess  of  Congress, 
to  appoint  and  commission  all  officers  herein  authorized,  and  their 
commissions  shall  continue  in  force  until  the  end  of  the  next  session  of 
Congress. 

Sec.  4.  And  he  it  further  enacted,  That  so  much  of  the  ordinance  for 
the  government  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States,  North  West  of 
the  Ohio  river,  as  relates  to  the  organization  of  a  general  assembly 
therein,  and  prescrbes  the  powers  thereof,  shall  be  in  force  and 
operate  in  the  Illinois  territory,  whenever  satisfactory  evidence  shall 
be  given  to  the  governor  thereof,  that  such  is  the  wish  of  a  majority 
of  the  freeholders,  notwithstanding  there  may  not  be  therein  five 
thousand  free  male  inhabitants  of  the  age  of  twenty  one  years,  and 
upwards:  Provided,  That  until  there  shall  be  iive  thousand  free  male 
inhabitants  of  twenty  one  years  and  upwards,  in  said  territory,  the 
whole  number  of  representatives  to  the  general  assembly  shall  not  be 
less  than  seven,  nor  more  than  nine,  to  be  apportioned,  by  the  gover- 
nor, to  the  several  counties  in  the  said  territorj',  agreeably  to  the 
number  of  free  males  of  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  and  upwards, 
which  they  may  respectively  contain. 

Sec  :  5.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  nothing  in  this  act  contained 
shall  be  construed  so  as  in  any  manner  to  affect  the  government  now 
in  force  in  Indiana  territory,  further  than  to  prohibit  the  exercise 
thereof  within  the  Illinois  territory,  from  and  after  the  aforesaid 
first  day  of  March  next. 

Sec:  6.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  all  suits,  process  and  pro- 
ceedings, which,  on  the  first  day  of  March  next,  shall  be  pending  in 
the  court  of  any  county  which  shall  be  included  within  the  said 
territory  of  Illinois;  and  also,  all  suits,  process  and  proceedings,  which, 
on  the  said  first  day  of  March  next  shall  be  pending  in  the  general 
court  of  the  Indiana  territory,  in  consequence  of  any  writ  of  removal, 
or  order  for  trial  at  bar,  and  which  had  been  removed  from  any  of  the 
counties  included  within  the  limits  of  the  territory  of  Illinois  aforesaid, 
shall,  in  all  things  concerning  the  same  be  proceeded  on,  and  judg- 
ments and  decrees  rendered  thereon,  in  the  same  manner  as  if  the 
said  Indiana  territory  had  remained  undivided. 

Sec:  7.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  nothing  in  this  act  contained, 
shall  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  the  collection  of  taxes  which  may, 
on  the  first  day  of  March  next,  be  due  to  the  Indiana  territory,  on  lands 
lying  in  the  said  territory  of  Illinois. 


"  Cf.  ibid.  (N.W.),  ii,  189-190;  ibid.,  iii,  24-25;  ibid.  (S.W.),  iv,  18-19;  ibid. 
(Miss.),  V,  20;  ibid.  (Orleans),  ix,  405;  ibid.  (Mich.),  x,  6;  ibid.  (La.-Mo.),  xiil, 
92;  Rowland  (ed.),  Claiborne  Lei.  Bks.,  ni,  217-218. 


8  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Sec:  8.  And  he  it  further  enacted,  That  until  it  shall  be  otherwise 
ordered  by  the  legislature  of  the  said  Illinois  territory,  Kaskaskia  on 
the  Mississippi  river  shall  be  the  seat  of  government  for  the  said 
Illinois  territory. 

J  B  Varnum  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
Jn°  Milledge  President  of  the  Senate,  pro  tempore. 
February  3,  1809.    Approved 
Th:  Jefferson 

I  certify  that  this  act  did  originate  in  the  House  of  Representatives. 
Patrick  Magruder    Clerk. 


RICHARD  M.  JOHNSON  "  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[NA:SD,  Applications :ALS] 

Congress  Hall.  Feb.  10""  09 
James  Madison  Esqr,  Secretary  of  State, 

Having  mentioned  &  recommended,  to  your  Consideration,  M' 
Thomas,  delegate  from  the  Indiana  Territory,  for  a  Judical  appoint- 
ment, in  the  Illinois  Territory;  &  Nathaniel  Pope  Esq  for  the  office  of 
Secretary  of  s'^  Territory,  that  duty  which  I  owe  to  you,  &  which  I 
hope  ever  to  611  feel— induces  me  to  state  in  writting,  their  preten- 
sions to  your  confidence — 

M'  Thomas  has  been  in  the  Practice  of  Law,  about  five  years — 
He  has  served,  in  the  Legislature  of  the  Indiana  Territory;  &  was  a 
member  when  elected  to  Congress — He  has  presided  in  the  Indiana 
Legislature  four  Sessions — I  have  the  best  evidence  that  his  appoint- 
ment would  give  very  general  Satisfaction  in  the  new  Territory — I 
have  had  no  personal  acquaintance,  with  M''  Thomas,  untile  this 
Sssion.  But  from  the  knowledge  I  have  of  his  character  from  others 
&  what  I  know  myself;  I  am  satisfyed,  that  he  will  discharge  the 
duties  of  a  Judge,  if  appointed,  with  fidelity— &  give  Satisfaction  to 
the  people  of  the  Territory— I  have  very  little  personal  acquaintance 
with  Mr  Nat.  Pope — But  no  man  of  his  age  in  the  Western  Country 
has  a  higher  reputation  as  to  moral  character,  his  abilities  or  his 
information.  He  has  lived  several  years,  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Mississippi;  but  ho  has  attended  the  Courts  of  the  Indiana  Territory — 
in  that  part  now  erected  into  a  Territory — There  is  no  doubt  of  his  the 
Satisfaction,  which  his  appointment  would  give  in  the  Territory,  as 
he  is  very  popular  &  much  beloved  by  the  people  there,  as  I  am  well 

"  A  Representative  in  Congress  from  Kentucky. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  Q 

informed — I  am  authorised  to  Say  that  M'  Boyle  would  prefer,  from 
many  considerations,  the  the  Government  of  the  Illinois  Territory  or  the 
office  of  Judge  in  the  s"*  Territory,  to  the  Government  of  the  Mississippi 
Territory — But  he  wishes  it  to  be  understood,  that  if  any  person 
should  have  been  thought  of,  as  the  Governor  of  the  Illinois  Territory, 
he  does  not  expect  the  appointment,  &  will  gratefully  accept  a  Judicial 
appointment  in  the  new  Territory — With  Sentiments  of  high  con- 
sideration &  real  attachment  your  &c 

Rh.  M.  Johnson 

[Endorsed]    Johnson  R.  M.     Feb^  10.  1809    J.  B.  Thomas  Judge 
IlHnois 


DAVID   HOLMES"  TO   [THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE] 

[NA:SD,  Applications  :ALS] 

[February  10,  1809] 
Dear  Sir/  The  act  of  Congress  passed  a  few  days  ago  for  the 
division  of  the  Indiana  Territory  creates  the  usual  Offices  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  Government  in  the  New  Territory  M''  J  B  Thomas  the 
present  Delegate  is  willing  to  accept  that  of  a  Judge.  From  the  un- 
equivocal testimony  the  people  have  given  of  their  confidence  in  this 
Gentl™  I  cannot  doubt  but  that  his  Appointment  to  the  Office  would  be 
in  every  Respect  acceptable  to  them.  My  acquaintance  with  M"' 
Thomas  is  not  of  long  standing  Nor  can  I  say  more  of  his  learning  in 
the  law  than  that  Ive  understood  he  practised  as  an  Attorney  and 
Counsellor  for  some  Years  in  the  Indiana  Territory  As  a  Delegate  in 
Congress  He  has  attentively  and  faithfully  discharged  his  duty  His 
conduct  as  a  Gentl"  has  been  Such  as  to  gain  the  esteem  and  respect 
of  his  acquaintances  I  therefore  take  the  Liberty  of  recommending 
him  to  your  Attention 

I  am  with  great  respect  Sir  Your  ob'** 

David  Holmes 
10'"  Feh^  1809 

PS     M'  Thomas  is  a  friend  to  the  present  administration  I  concur  in 
opinion  with  M"'  Holmes    Tho  Kenan  '* 

[Endorsed]  Holmes  David  Feb^  10  1809  J.  B.  Thomas  to  be  Judge 
of  Illinois  Territory 

"  A  Representative  in  Congress  from  Virginia;  appointed  Governor  of  Missis- 
sippi Territory,  Mar.  7, 1809. 

"  A  Representative  in  Congress  from  North  Carolina. 


10  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

BUCKNER  THRUSTON,»»  JOHN  POPE,'"  AND   BENJAMIN 

HOWARD  "  TO  (THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE] 

[NA:SD,  App!ications:LS  >»] 

Washington  February  11  "■  1809. 
Sir    Having  Reason  to  believe  that  M'  John  Boyle  of  Kentuclcy 
would  accept  the  Office  of  Governor  of  the  new  Territory  of  Illinois, 
We  take  the  Liberty  of  proposing  him  to  you  for  that  Place. 

M'  Boyle  is  too  well  known,  to  require  any  attestations  from  us 
either  to  his  Virtue  or  Talents.  If  however  we  were  to  say  any  Thing 
in  Regard  to  them,  we  might  with  great  Confidence  &  Justice  speak  in 
Terms  of  Praise  of  both,  as  also  of  his  conciliating  Manners,  his  firm 
and  decided  Character,  and  his  republican  Principles  manifested  during 
a  long  course  of  Service  in  Congress. 

We  do  not  hesitate  to  declare  that  we  know  of  no  Person  who  could 
be  selected  for  this  important  Office,  in  whom  are  united  more  Claims 
to  Consideration  either  as  regards  the  general  Government  or  the 
Territory;  for  the  Welfare  of  both,  &  the  particular  Happiness  of  the 
People  over  whom  he  will  preside,  in  Case  of  receiving  the  Appoint- 
ment.   We  are  Sir  most  respectfully  your  ob'  Servants. 

B.  Thruston 
John  Pope 
Benjamin  Howard 

[Endorsed]  Thruston,  B.  &  al:  Feb''  11.  1809  John  Boyle  to  be  Gov' 
of  Illinois  " 


BUCKNER  THRUSTON  AND  BENJAMIN  HOWARD  TO  [THE 

SECRETARY  OF  STATE] 

[NA:SD,  Applications  iLS""] 

Washington  Feh^  11'"  1809. 
Sir  The  Confidence  we  have  in  the  fitness  of  M'  Nathaniel  Pope 
of  Upper  Louisiana  to  fill  the  Office  of  Secretary  in  the  newly  created 
Territory  of  Illinois  induces  us  to  propose  him  to  you  for  that  Appoint- 
ment. M'  Pope  has  resided  for  some  years  at  S'  Genevieve,  within  a 
few  Miles  of  Kaskaskias  the  Seat  of  Government  of  the  new  Territory; 
he  has  been  well  educated,  and  his  Character  stands  fair  &  honorable. 
We  have  every  Reason  to  believe  that  he  is  popular  in  the  Territory 

'»  A  Senator  of  the  United  States  from  Kentucky. 

'•  Do.;  Governor  of  Arkansas  Territory,  1829-1835. 

"A  Representative  in  Congress  from  Virginia;  Governor  of  Louisiana  Territory, 
1810-1812. 

"In  Thruston's  hand. 

'»  Boyle  was  also  recommended  by  Congressman  John  Rowan,  of  Kentucky,  in  a 
letter  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  Feb.  21, 1809  (NA,SD,  Applications). 

"  In  Thruston's  hand. 


ILLINOIS   TERRITORY  H 

and  that  he  would  be  acceptable  to  the  People  thereof.  We  have  a* 
a  personal  Knowledge  of  IM''  Pope  and  3omc  one  of  us  a  particular 
Acquaintaince  with  him,  which  authorizes  in  our  Opinion,  the  Repre- 
sentations we  have  made  respecting  him.  We  have  the  Honor  to  be 
Sir  Your  mo.  ob'  Serv't^ 

B:  Thruston 
Benj°  Howard 
[Endorsed]  Thruston  B.  &  al.  Feb''  11. 1809  Nath'  Pope  Secretary  of 
Illinois 


JESSE  B.  THOMAS  "  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[NA:SD,  Applications:ALS] 

Washington  11.  Feh.y  1809 

Sir  In  a  recent  conversation  with  M''  John  Boyle  of  Kentucky  I 
took  Occasion  to  Solicit  him  to  suffer  me  to  name  him  to  the  president 
of  the  United  States  as  a  suitable  person  to  fill  the  Office  of  Governor 
of  the  Illinois  Territory;  He  has  since  signified  to  me  his  willingness  to 
Accept  that  Office  should  he  be  Appointed.  If  it  does  not  interfere 
with  Your  Arrangements  and  should  you  think  proper  to  make  M'' 
Boyle  Governor  of  that  Territory  it  would  be  very  satisfactory  to  me 
and  I  have  not  a  doubt  but  it  would  be  pleasing  to  the  people 

I  also  take  the  liberty  of  recommending  to  your  Consideration  M' 
Nathaniel  Pope  as  a  man  everj'  way  qualified  to  discharge  the  duties 
of  the  Office  of  Secretary.  M"'  Pope  has  for  several  years  resided  in 
the  Louisiana  Territory  Within  a  few  miles  of  Kaskaskia  the  seat  of 
Government  for  Illinois  and  having  practiced  Law  in  the  Courts  of  the 
Western  Di\asion  of  Indiana  has  become  well  acquainted  with  the 
people  of  that  Country,  and  very  many  of  them  are  personally 
Attached  to  him  indeed  he  is  universally  esteemed  by  his  Acquain- 
tances He  is  truly  an  Amiable  Character  has  been  Liberally  educated 
and  possesses  very  respectable  talents — Should  you  deem  it  expedient 
to  give  him  the  office  I  feel  Confident  that  the  people  of  the  Territory 
would  be  Highly  gratified.--' 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Sir  your  Most  obedient  &.  very  Hum*"  Serv' 

Jesse  B.  Thomas 

Hon"'*  Jajnies  Madison  Secretary  of  State 

[Endorsed]  Thomas  Jesse  B  Feb''  11.  1809  John  Boyle  Gov^  Illinois 
John  Boyle 

"  At  this  time  Thomas  was  Delegate  in  Congress  from  Indiana  Territory.  See 
biographical  sketch  in  Philbrick  (ed.),  Laws  Ind.  Terr.,  1801-1809  (IHC,  xxi), 
cclv. 

"  John  W.  Moss,  of  Kentucky,  applied  for  the  position  of  Secretary  of  Illinois 
Territory,  Feb.  15,  1809  (NA,  SD,  Applications);  and  Joseph  Grigsby,  of  Rock- 
bridge, Va.,  was  recommended  for  appointment  to  the  same  position  by  Andrew 
Moore,  Feb.  11,  1809,  loc.  cit. 


12  TERRITORIAL   PAPERS 

JOHN  POPE  TO  [THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE] 

INA:SD,  Applications :ALS1 

[February  25,  1809] 
D'  Sir  I  take  the  liberty  to  send  you  enclosed  a  recommendation 
of  Mr  Thomas  to  the  office  of  Judge  in  the  Illinois  Territory  '" — My 
acquaintance  with  him  commenced  during  the  present  session — I 
believe  he  is  qualified  &  that  his  appointment  would  be  very  popular 
in  that  Territory — 

I  am  very  respectfully  yours  &" 

John  Pope 

Senate  Chamber— Fe&rMari/  25'"  1809 — 

[Endorsed]  John  Pope  in  favor  of  J.  B.  Thomas  as  Judge  in  Illinois 
25'"  Feby  1809  M'  Pope  &  others  recommend  M'  Thomas  as  Judge 
of  the  Illinois  Territory  ** — 


WILLIAM  RECTOR  »*  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 

INA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  ii:ALSl 

Kaskaskia  March  4'"  1809.* 
D'  Sir  Agreeably  to  the  Instructions  of  the  Board  of  Commis- 
sioners We  have  laid  off  &  resurveyed  as  many  tracts  of  the  common- 
field  lands,  as  we  could  with,  that  certainty  that  they  recommend  in 
their  letter  to  me  dated  June  1"  1808."  which  letter  you  will  herewith 
receive.  We  have  also  resurveyed  some  of  the  patented  claims  alluded 

••  Not  present. 

"  For  appointment  to  the  newly  created  Illinois  territorial  bench,  William  0. 
Allen  and  John  Johnson,  both  of  Kentucky,  were  recommended  to  the  Secretary 
of  State  by  John  Pope,  Mar.  5,  1809  (N.\,  SD,  Applications);  James  Priestly, 
of  the  same  State,  was  recommended  by  John  Boyle,  Feb.  27,  1809,  and  by  Pope, 
.John  Rowan,  and  Matthew  Lyon,  same  date,  loc.  cit.;  John  Edward  King,  of 
Cumberland  Co.,  Va.,  was  recommended  by  Lyon,  Feb.  13,  1809,  loc.  cit.;  and 
Walter  Reid,  of  Kentucky,  was  recommended  by  Pope,  Joseph  Desha,  and  Benja- 
min Howard,  Feb.  13,  1809,  loc.  cit.  Judge  John  Griflin,  of  Michigan  Territory, 
also  sought  appointment  as  Judge  in  Illinois,  Apr.  14,  1809  (Terr.  Papers,  Mich., 
X,  276). 

"  For  Rector's  career  as  st^rveyor  in  Indiana  Territory,  consult  Terr.  Papers 
(Ind.),  VII,  index. 

"  A  previous  relevant  letter  from  Rector  to  Mansfield,  dated  Feb.  9,  1809,  is 
printed  ibid.,  pp.  638-640.  The  present  volume  resumes  the  correspondence  as 
affecting  what  had  become,  on  Mar.  1,  Illinois  Territory. 

«'  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  13 

to  in  said  letter.  Pre\ious  to  my  lea\ing  Cincinnati  I  made  an  ar- 
rangement with  W  John  F.  Mansfield ;  to  present  to  you  any  returns 
I  might  forward  to  him  &  also  authorised  him  to  settle  with  you  for 
me  &  pass  to  you  the  necessary  receipts,  Several,  blank  receipts  I 
signed  and  left  with  him  for  that  pui'pose,  I  have  therefore  directed 
our  Surv'eys  together  with  Connected  plans  of  the  Commonfield  lands 
to  him,  with  a  request  that  he  would  lay  them  before  you  and  do 
every  thing  necessarj^  in  the  business.  But  should  he  be  absent  at 
the  time  M''  Funk  reaches  your  office  I  hope  you  will  receive,  the  Sur- 
veys, and  cause  the  necessary  receipts  from  me  to  you  to  be  filled 
up  (which  receipts  I  signed  &  left  with  M''  John  F.  Mansfield),  and 
every  thing  necessary  in  the  business  done  that  I  could  do  were  I 
personally  present. 

jM'  Ftmk  has  advanced  to  us  Five  hundred  &  Eighty  Dollars  for 
which  sum  Elias  Rector  &  myself  have  given  him  a  draft  to  you  payable 
at  Cincinnati,  I  hope  it  will  be  convenient  for  you  to  give  him  a 
Bill  on  General  Findley  for  that  siun.  For,  the  balance  of  the  amount 
of  Our  work;  I  wish  you  to  send  us  by  M"'  Funk  a  Bill  on  the  receiver 
at  Vincennes. 

We  are  now  engaged  in  laying  off  the  balance  of  those  lands  that 
have  been  surveyed  under  the  authority  of  the  Governors  of  the 
Territory.  This  business  we  find  extremely  tedious  and  troublesome, 
as  they  are  scattered  over  so  extensive  a  country,  and  much  time  is 
unavoidably  lost  in  hunting  up  the  Township  lines  &  connecting  our 
surv'eys  with  them;  should  the  United  states  continue  to  withold 
from  us,  the  fees  we  ask  and  have  earned  we  shall  be  compelled  to 
abandon  the  business — for  the  fees  we  can  receive  agreeable  to  M" 
Gallatins  construction  of  the  law  is  far  from  being  sufficient  to  defray 
the  expences  that  attend  doing  the  work  ^ — 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  much  respect  Your  Ob'  Hbl^  Serv' 

W"  Rector 

I  am  interested  in  the  above  mentioned  business  &  do  wish  you  to 
do  as  therein  requested.    Elias  Rector 

Jared  Mansfield  Esq"^ 

[Adrfressecf]  The  Honbl*  Jared  Mansfield  Surveyor  General  of  the 
United  States  Cincinnati  Ohio  p"'  M"'  Jacob  Funk 

"  Answered  posi,  p.  20. 


14  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

COMMISSION  OF  OBADIAH  JONES  AS  JUDGE  ^ 

[NA:  SD,  Misc.  Permanent  Comras.,  C:C1 

[March  7,  1809] 
James  Madison,  FVesident  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting: 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 
Wisdom,  Uprightness  and  Learning  of  Obadiah  Jones,  of  Georgia,'" 
I  have  nominated,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Senate  do  appoint  him  One  of  the  Judges  in  and  over  the  IlHnois 
Territory;  "  and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute  and  fulfil 
the  duties  of  that  office  according  to  Law;  and  to  Have  and  to  Hold 
the  said  Office,  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  Emoluments  to  the 
same  of  right  appertaining  during  his  good  beha\'iour,  or  during  the 
existence  of  the  Government  established  by  the  act  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States  passed  3"*  February  1809  entitled  "An  Act  for 
dividing  the  Indiana  Territory  into  two  Separate  Governments"  " 
and  the  Ordinance  of  Congress  passed  on  the  13""  July  1787  therein 
referred  to;  he  to  reside  in  the  said  Territory. 

In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  these  letters  to  be 

L.s    made  patent,  and  the  Seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  hereunto 
affixed.     Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington  the 
Seventh  day  of  March  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  Eight 
hundred  &  Nine;  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  U  States  of  Amer- 
ica the  Thirty  third.'' 

James  Madison 

By  the  President. 
R.  Smith  Sec"  of  State 


"  The  commissions  of  the  three  Judges  are  here  placed  in  the  order  in  which 
their  names  appear  in  the  President's  message  transmitting  their  nomination  to 
the  Senate.     This  order  has  no  special  significance. 

">  See  Terr.  Papers  (Miss.),  v,  405. 

"  Nominated  Mar.  6  and  confirmed  Mar.  7,  1809  {Senate,  Exee.  Journal,  II, 
119,  120).  The  nomination  and  confirmation  of  the  other  two  Judges,  whose 
commissions  follow,  occurred  on  the  same  dates,  loc.  cit.  On  identical  dates 
John  Boyle,  of  Kentucky,  was  nominated  and  confirmed  as  Governor  of  Illinois 
Territory,  loc.  cit.  Ina.smuch  as  Boyle  resigned  the  appointment  in  question, 
post,  p.  18,  Nathaniel  Pope,  whose  nomination  and  confirmation  as  Secretary  of 
Illinois  Territory  also  occurred  on  the  same  dates  as  those  of  the  other  officials 
mentioned  {Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  ii,  119,  120),  served  as  Acting  Governor  until 
the  appointment  and  qualification  of  Ninian  Edwards  as  Governor,  post,  p.  45. 
The  initial  commissions  of  Pope  and  Edwards  are  printed  in  the  Register,  post, 

vol.  XVII. 

»-  Ante,  p.  6. 

"  His  initial  pay  as  Judge  was  from  Mar.  7,  the  date  of  his  commission,  to 
June  6,  1809,  in  the  sum  of  $300,  at  $1,200  per  annum  (GAG,  Misc.  Treas.,  Acct. 
No.  21,924  [1809]). 


ILLINOIS   TERRITORY  15 

COMMISSION  OF  JESSE  B.  THOMAS  AS  JUDGE 

[NA:SD,  Misc.  Permanent  Comms.,  C:C] 

[March  7,  1809] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting: 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 
Wisdom,  Uprightness  and  Learning  of  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  of  the  IlUnois 
Territory,  I  have  nominated,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent 
of  the  Senate  do  appoint  him  One  of  the  Judges  in  and  over  the  said 
Illinois  Territory;  and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute  and 
fulfil  the  duties  of  that  office  according  to  Law;  and  to  Have  and  to 
Hold  the  said  office  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  emoluments 
to  the  same  of  right  appertaining  during  his  good  beha\iour  or  during 
the  existence  of  the  Government  established  by  the  act  of  Congress 
of  the  United  States  passed  the  3"  February  1809  entitled  "An  Act 
for  di\'iding  the  Indiana  Territory  into  two  separate  Governments!"], 
and  the  ordinance  of  Congress  passed  on  the  13  July  1787  therein 
referred  to;  he  to  reside  in  the  said  Territoiy. 

In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 

L  s    made  patent,  and  the  Seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  hereunto 

affixed.     Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington  the 

Seventh  day  of  March  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  Eight 

hundred  &  nine;  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  the 

Thirty  third.=* 

James  Madison 
By  the  President, 
R  Smith  Sees'  of  state. 


COMMISSION  OF  ALEXANDER  STUART  AS  JUDGE 
[NA:SD,  Misc.  Permanent  Comms.,  C:C1 

[March  7,  1809] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting. 

Kjiow  ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the  Wis- 
dom, Uprightness  and  Learning  of  Alexander  Stuart,  of  Virginia, 
I  have  nominated,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Senate  do  appoint  him  One  of  the  Judges  in  and  over  the  Illinois 
Territory;  and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute  and  fulfil 

"  Judge  Thomas  received  his  initial  salary  payment  for  the  period  from  Mar.  7 
to  Mar.  31,  1809,  in  the  sum  of  $83.33  (ibid..  Acct.  No.  21,442  [1809]).  No 
reason  is  assigned  for  the  varying  periods  of  pay  as  between  Thomas  and  the 
other  Judges. 


16  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  duties  of  that  office  according  to  Law;  and  to  Have  and  to  Hold 
the  said  office,  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  emoluments  to  the 
same  of  right  appertaining  during  his  good  behaviour,  or  during  the 
existence  of  the  Government  established  by  the  act  of  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States  passed  3"  February  1809  entitled  "An  Act  for  divid- 
ing the  Indiana  Territory  into  two  separate  Governments",  and  the 
Ordinance  of  Congress  passed  on  the  13  July  1787  therein  referred  to; 
he  to  reside  within  the  said  Territory. 

In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 
L  s    made  patent  and  the  Seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  hereunto 

affixed. 
Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington  the  Seventh  day 
of  March  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  One  thousand  Eight  hundred  & 
nine;  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  U  States  of  America,  the  Thirty 
third." 

James  Madison 
By  the  President, 
R.  Smith  Sec^  of  State 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  SECRETARY 

POPE 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13 :LS] 

Treasury  Department  March  10'"  1809. 

Sir,  To  prevent  difficulties  which  have  been  heretofore  experienced 
in  some  of  the  Territories,  respecting  the  simis  appropriated  for  con- 
tingent expenses,  I  have  thought  it  proper  to  apprize  you  at  this  time 
of  the  kind  of  expenses  which  are  considered  as  provided  for  by  the 
annual  appropriation  of  three  hundred  &  fifty  dollars,  and  of  the 
manner  in  which  you  are  to  receive  monies  for  this  object  from  the 
Treasury  and  account  for  the  same. 

Office-rent,  stationery,  and  the  printing  of  such  blanks  as  may  be 
necessary  for  the  use  of  the  Secretary's  office,  are  the  only  expenses 
which  will  be  allowed  at  the  Treasury,  excluding  office-furniture  & 
fuel,  the  printing  of  laws  &c* 

You  are  authorised  to  draw  on  me  for  one  hundred  &  fifty  dollars 
on  account  of  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  for 
which  sum  you  will  be  charged.  At  the  close  of  each  quarter — viz' 
on  the  last  days  of  March,  June,  September  &  December,  in  each 
year,  you  will  render  an  account  of  your  expenditures,  each  charge 

"  Stuart's  first  salary  payment  was  from  Mar.  7  to  June  7,  1809,  in  the  sum  of 
$300  (ibid.,  Acct.  No.  21,679  [1809]).  It  will  be  noted  that  the  Judges'  salaries 
commenced  as  a  rule  on  the  dates  of  their  commissions.  Cf.  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.), 
VII,  22,  n.  42. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  17 

being  supported  with  a  proper  voucher  viz.  a  bill  and  receipt.  It  is 
indispensable  that  these  accounts  be  rendered  regularly,  as  no  future 
payments  will  be  made,  unless  they  shall  have  been  received. 

Your  salary  will  be  paid  on  your  draft,  at  the  Treasury:  or  if  you 
shall  choose  to  adopt  that  mode  (as  Governor  Boyle  has  done)  to 
the  Bank  of  the  United  States  as  your  Attornies.  This  last  mode 
will  be  most  convenient  to  this  Department,  and  will  have  the  effect, 
to  prevent  you  from  being  charged  on  the  books  of  the  Treasury, 
for  any  advances  on  account  of  your  salary. 

I  am,  very  respectfully  Sir,  Your  Obed.  Serv' 

— Albert  Gallatin 

Nathaniel  Pope  Esq''  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  Territory  Kaskaskia. 


MATTHEW  LYON '«  TO  JOHN  EDGAR  " 
[NA:SF,  11  Cong.,  2  sess.:ALS] 

Washington  March  11*"  1809. 

Dear  Col — I  have  at  lenght  Seen  the  Accomplishment  of  the  project 
I  formed  when  at  your  house,  The  Seat  of  Government  of  the  Illinois 
Territory  is  fixed  at  the  Beatiful  Town  of  Kaskaskias — 

I  have  Steadily  &  unceasingly  labourd  to  bring  this  object  about 
&  have  never  been  dismayed  by  repulses.  M"  Thomas  who  is  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  Judges  came  opportunely  to  help  out  with  this 
business  when  I  had  got  the  minds  of  the  members  prepared  for  it. 
Indeed  there  has  been  no  time  since  I  have  been  a  Member  of  Congress 
when  my  power  to  help  in  such  an  object  has  been  so  great  as  in  the 
Present  Session — altho  I  have  been  much  heard  to  in  Congress  my 
influence  with  the  Executive  (if  I  ever  had  any)  is  at  this  time  at  low 
ebb — The  course  persued  by  the  Administration  with  respect  to  our 
foreign  relations  has  for  some  time  passed  appeared  to  me  improper — I 
have  therefore  been  opposed  to  them  in  that  respect,  I  was  opposed 
to  the  Election  of  M''  Madison,  this  accounts  for  my  not  Mentioning 
your  Name  for  Governor  as  one  of  the  Oldest  Inhabitants  &  a  man 
best  acquainted  with  the  Habits  &  ways  of  thinking  of  the  people  & 
best  beloved  by  them — 

M'  Boyle  who  is  appointed  is  a  Worthy  well  informed  well  disposed 
man,  he  will  give  satisfaction  to  the  people.  M'"  Thomas  I  think 
highly  of,  the  people  ought  to  remember  his  Services  with  Gratitude. 
Secretary  Pope  I  hear  a  Good  Character  of.     I  respect  him  much  for 

"  A  Representative  in  Congress  from  Kentucky. 

"  For  an  account  of  John  Edgar,  merchant  and  land  speculator  on  a  large  scale, 
who  settled  in  the  Illinois  Country  in  17S4,  see  Philbrick  (ed.),  Laws  Ind.  Terr., 
1801-1809  (IHC,  XXI),  cclxiii-cclxv. 


18  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

his  brother's  sake  who  is  a  friend  of  mine,  the  other  judges  I  am  not 
acquainted  with.  I  recommended  none  of  them  on  this  ground  I 
stood  it  was  not  necessary.  I  named  A  Gentleman  from  Kentucky 
for  a  Judge  With  but  little  expectation  he  was  not  noticed — I  have  a 
printing  press  &  Apparatus  that  I  have  long  designed  for  Kaskaskias 
when  it  became  the  Seat  of  Government — I  have  a  Nephew  who  lives 
at  S'  Genevive  in  Mercantile  business  he  long  worked  at  that  press  & 
in  the  printing  business.  There  is  nothing  to  be  made  by  printing  a 
newspaper  in  the  Country  nor  much  by  any  other  business  they  can 
get  in  such  a  place  as  Kaskaskias,  more  than  half  the  printers  who 
set  up  in  the  Country  fail  of  Getting  a  liveing  by  the  trade  &  either 
go  about  something  else  or  become  journymen  in  the  Cities,  yet  I 
have  hinted  to  M^Arthur  my  Nephew  that  it  might  be  well  to  set  this 
business  up  at  Kaskaskias,  if  encouraged  properly  &  he  knowing  how 
to  superintend  the  Economy  of  it  he  might  hire  a  Journey  man  & 
carry  it  on  with  out  much  loss,  it  would  be  a  Set  off  to  Your  Seat  of 
Government,  &  I  have  said  to  him  "Col  Edgar  ought  to  give  you  a 
lot  of  Land  in  Town  &  his  Countenance  in  trade" — 

I  think  I  shall  come  &  see  you  in  the  fall.  I  hope  All  your  land 
affairs  will  be  settld  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  people  of  the  Country 
the  Commissioners  will  find  themselves  under  A  necessity  of  finishing 
their  duties  now  &  I  hope  it  will  be  done  satisfactorily.  I  am  sorrj* 
M'  Backus  has  lost  your  friendship.  I  did  think  very  well  of  him 
The  new  Governor  is  instructed  to  look  into  the  Complaints  against 
the  Commissioners  &  the  causes  of  them,  I  hope  Bakus  has  had  no 
hand  in  the  Murder  ^ — 

With  my  respectful  Compliments  to  Mrs  Edgar  &  to  Mess"  Morrison 
and  all  my  acquaintance  I  am  Dear  Col  truely  yours 

M  Lyon 

Col  Edgar— 

[Endorsed\  Mathew  Lyons  letter  Washington  March  11*"  1809  5 
Commiss*"  had  a  quarrel  with  Edgar  3  year  befor  setlng  on  his  Claims. 


GOVERNOR  BOYLE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
INA:SD,  111.  Terr.  Papers  :ALS] 

Frankfort  Kentucky  A-pril  3. 1809 
Sir    It  is  with  some  regret  that  I  find  myself  placed  in  circum- 
stances that  render  it  inexpedient  for  me  to  fulfill  my  engagements 
with  the  Government  of  the  U  States  in  continuing  to  hold  the  office 
of  Governor  of  the  Illinois  territory — I   do  therefore  resign  said 

"  Referring  to  the  murder  of  Rice  Jones,  for  which  see  Hid.,  p.  xciv,  n.  2. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  19 

office'' — I  shall  endeavour  to  make  such  arrangements  that  no  con- 
siderable public  inconvenience  will  result  from  my  resignation  *" — 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  with  great  respect  &  esteem  Your  ob*  St 

John  Boyle 

Robert  Smith  Esq'  Secretary  of  State 


JOHN  MASON  TO  MATTHEW  IRWIN  « 
[NA:OIT,  Supt.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  A] 

Office  Indian  Trade  Geo:  Town  4""  April  1809 
M"'  Math"  Irwin  Philadelphia 

Sir  Since  the  reception  of  your  letter  of  the  16""  Nov:"  I  have 
not  had  the  pleasure  to  hear  from  you — I  address  this  to  you  at  Philad' 
to  learn  if  you  are  yet  there,  and  if  so  when  you  are  about  to  set  out 
for  Chicago,  as  the  season  has  now  arrived  when  you  shou'd  be  on 
your  way — 

I  am  &c  &c  J  M  Sup  In  Tr 


GOVERNOR  BOYLE  TO  [THE  PRESIDENT] 
[NA:SD,  Resignations:  ALS] 

Frankfort  Kentucky  April  6. 1809 
Sir  I  owe  to  you  an  apology  for  the  resignation  of  the  office  of 
Governor  of  the  Illinois  Territory  which  you  so  lately  had  honoured 
me  with  &  I  had  agreed  to  accept — When  I  reached  this  State  a 
vacancy  had  taken  place  in  the  court  of  appeals  the  spring  term  of 
which  was  immediately  to  commence — Owing  to  the  unexpected 
absence  of  another  of  the  judges  an  apprehension  was  entertained 
unless  the  vacancy  could  instantly  be  supplyed  that  there  would  be 
a  dissolution  of  the  court  &  a  whole  term  lost  to  the  State 

"  The  evidence  is  sufficiently  conclusive  from  the  text  of  the  above  letter  that 
Boyle  resigned  the  office  of  Governor  rather  than  declined  the  appointment;  but 
if  more  proof  is  needed  that  he  was  viewed  as  Governor  prior  to  the  date  of  the 
letter,  reference  may  be  made  to  the  fact  that  he  was  actually  paid  his  salary  as 
such  for  the  period  Mar.  7  to  Mar.  31,  1809,  in  the  sum  of  $138.88  (GAO,  Misc. 
Treas.,  Acct.  No.  21,443  [1809]). 

*»  After  Boyle's  resignation.  Col.  John  Allen,  of  Kentucky,  was  recommended 
for  appointment  to  the  vacant  post  by  John  Fowler,  of  the  same  State,  Apr.  14, 
1809  (NA,SD,  Applications).  The  following  applications  are  also  found,  loc.  cit.: 
Christopher  Greenup,  of  Kentucky,  Apr.  11,  1809,  and  Arthur  Campbell,  of 
Virginia,  Apr.  18  and  Apr.  22,  1809. 

"  Appointed  agent  of  the  Indian  factory  at  Chicago,  in  1808,  in  succession  to 
J.  B.  Varnum,  Jr.,  transferred  to  the  Michilimackinac  agency  {Terr.  Papers, 
Ind.,  VII,  586,  589).     See  post,  p.  35. 

"  Not  found. 


20  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Under  these  circumstances  pressed  by  the  solicitude  of  the  gentle- 
men of  the  bar  &  by  the  wishes  of  my  family  &  friends  as  well  as 
urged  by  the  difficulty  the  executive  had  experienced  in  making  a 
proper  selection  to  fill  the  vacancy  I  have  accepted  the  appointment — 
I  ought  also  to  mention  that  owing  to  the  peculiar  &  delicate  state 
of  my  family's  health  I  would  not  have  been  able  to  have  gone  to  the 
Territory  for  several  weeks  yet,  so  that  if  the  vacancy  occasioned 
by  my  resignation  can  be  immediately  filled  my  successor  will  be 
but  a  few  weeks  later  than  I  would  have  been  in  arri\ang  at  the  seat 
of  the  territorial  government 

These  circumstances  will  I  hope  in  your  opinion  furnish  some  excuse 
if  not  justifycation  for  my  conduct — 

Pennit  me  now,  Sir,  to  recommend  Ninian  Edwards  as  a  proper 
person  to  fill  the  appointment  of  Governor  of  the  Illinois  Territory 

He  is  a  man  of  great  talents  &  of  unquestionable  integrity — No 
man  in  the  state  has  a  juster  claim  to  an  office  of  that  kind. 

He  is  willing  to  accept  the  appointment  &  will  be  ready  to  proceed 
immediately  to  the  territory  should  he  be  honoured  with  the  appoint- 
ment— I  refer  you  to  M'  Pope  or  M''  Johnson  or  M'  Howard  if  any 
of  them  should  be  at  Washington  for  more  satisfactory  information  if 
required  as  to  M''  Edwards  qualifiycations  for  such  an  office 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  with  great  respect  &  esteem  your  ob'  S' 

John  Boyle 

M'  Pope  has  strongly  recommended  M'  Edwards  ^ 

[Endorsed]  M"-  Boyle  6'"  April  ISOO—Rec"  22"  April  Resigns  the 
Govt  of  Illinois  and  recommends  M'  Edwards  to  succeed  him — 


JARED  MANSFIELD  TO  WILLIAM  RECTOR 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Sent:  D] 

Cincinnati  April  10*"  1809. 
Sir,  Your  letter  of  the  4'"  of  March"  was  handed^  me  by  M'  French, 
a  few  days  ago. — We  are  now  examining  the  surveys,  you  have  for- 
warded, in  order  to  ascertain  their  amount,  &  as  well  as  their  correct- 
ness; of  this  last  I  should  entertain  few  or  no  apprehension,  where  you 
personally  were  engaged  in  the  work;  though  we  cannot  be  so  good 
judges  of  this,  much  less  of  the  necessity  of  resurveying  so  extensively 
at  the  expense  of  the  U.  States  as  the  Commissioners,  who  know  what 
ought  to  be  the  Contents  of  the  claims — You  mention  instructions  of 
the  board  of  Commissioners  for  surveying  the  those  tracts;  of  which 
you  have  forwarded  surveys.    It  is  certain  that  instructions  or 

"  In  pencil,  possibly  in  another  hand. 
"  Antr,  p.  12. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  21 

positive  Orders  are  necessary  for  my  security  as  Pay  Master  in  behalf 
of  the  U.  States;  for  in  this  business,  I  have  no  Authority,  but  to 
appoint  a  Surveyor,  whose  duty  it  is  to  survey  such  tracts  as  the 
Commissioners  may  direct,  &  to  pay  for  those  which  in  their  judgment 
ought  to  be  paid  by  the  U.  States.  It  is  evident  too,  that  If  I  had  the 
Authority,  I  have  not  the  means  of  forming  a  judgment  in  this  case, 
Viz,  the  papers  &c.  in  the  hands  of  the  Commissioners.  The  Com- 
missioner letter  of  May  22"  1808  to  me,"  I  consider  as  a  sufficient 
Voucher,  for  the  payment  of  your  surveys  of  the  Common  field  lands 
of  Kaskaskia,  Prairie  Duroucher,  Cahokia  Town  Tract,  Fort  Chartes 
&c — as  there  enumerated,  but  the  letter  of  June  P'  1808,"  contains 
no  additional  Authority,  &  for  the  surveying  of  patented  &  located 
claims,  which  may  have  been  confirmed  by  the  Governors,  refers  to 
the  direction  of  the  Surveyor  General.  I  may  have  advised,  but  I 
certainly  have  no  authority  to  du-ect  any  of  these  surveys,  or  if  I 
should,  it  would  be  of  no  Authority,  &  it  belongs  to  the  Commissioner 
to  say  at  whose  expence  the  surveys  are  to  be  executed — It  is  a  certifi- 
cate of  their  judgment  respecting  those,  who  are  to  pay  for  the  surveys 
which  is  wanted,  &  without  this,  payment  on  our  part,  would  not  only 
be  insecure,  but  reprehensible  &  in  the  judgment  of  some  might  be 
considered  as  wholly  disqualifying  to  an  Officer.  I  heartily  wish  that 
All  the  claims  could  be  surveyed  by  you,  at  the  public  expence,  &  if 
I  had  the  power,  according  to  my  present  Icnowledge,  of  the  claims, 
should  not  hesitate,  a  moment,  to  direct  them  thus  to  be  surveyed; 
but  I  would  at  the  same  time  follow  my  own  system,  of  running  out 
the  Vacant  lands  into  sections  &  ascertaining  their  Contents.  If 
these  patented  tracts  are  run  Out  now  before  the  Sectional  lines,  it 
appears  to  me  that  their  boundaries  must  be  resurveyed,  unless  you 
have  blazed  the  lines  extremely  well,  &  unless  they  lie  together  in  a 
body,  the  Object  of  the  U.  States  will  be  frustrated,  as  to  the  advantage 
of  the  present  Surveys. 

I  must  therefore,  unless  you  have  more  Authority,  than  any 
exhibited  to  me,  request  you  to  suspend  the  surveying  of  located 
tracts.  If  however  you  Obtain  such  Authority  from  the  Commis- 
sioner, under  the  impression  of  extravagant  boundaries  in  those 
tracts,  excessive  quantities  &c — You  can  then  safely  proceed  in  the 
business.  My  ignorance  of  their  position  will  not  enable  me  to  form 
a  correct  judgment  of  any  point  concerning  them;  but  for  your 
Advantage  I  will  propose  another  mode.  It  is  this;  If  those  claims  lie 
in  Any  of  the  following  townships  Viz.  Towns  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15, 
16,  R  3  W.  Towns  9,  10  R.  4.  W,  Towns  8,  9,  R  5  W.  T  7  &  8  R. 
6  W.  Town  7  R  7  W.  Town  7  R  8  W.  You  are  at  liberty  to  survey 
both  claims  &  Sections,  so  as  to  discriminate  the  claims  from  the  U. 

«  Not  found. 
*'  Not  found. 


22  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

States  lands,  &  ascertain  the  Contents  of  the  latter.  In  such  case, 
you  will  have  both  the  surveys  of  the  claims  &  of  the  public  vacant 
lands  at  Once.  The  latter  if  duly  executed,  will  be  paid  for  in  the 
usual  Way.  The  payment  of  the  former  must  depend  on  the  judgment 
of  the  Commissioners.  I  have  no  orders  for  any  public  Surveys,  & 
no  monies  as  yet  have  been  credited  me;  I  nevertheless  take  on  myself 
for  once,  the  liberty  of  attempting  thus  much,  principally  with  a  view 
of  encouraging  you  in  your  arduous  business,  &  because  I  know  the 
Object  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  be  that  of  ensuring  to  the 
public  a  due  discrimination  of  their  lands  from  those  of  individuals. 
For  pajTnent  however  of  the  public  surveys,  you  must  wait  'till  the 
appropriatins  are  made,  or  due  authority  is  given  me  to  pay  for  them — 
As  to  the  Work  you  have  forwarded,  I  have  reckoned  that  only, 
which  I  conceived  to  be  authorized  by  the  Commissioners  letter  of 
May  22"  1808 — The  rest  shall  be  paid  for  when  we  have  the  due 
authority  for  Surveying  from  the  Commissioner — 

[Endorsed]  Letter  to  William  Rector    April  10'"  1809 


JAMES  GARRARD  "  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 
1NA:SD,  Applications :ALS] 

Kentucky,  April  11'"  1809 
Sir  Being  informed  M"^  Boyle  has  declined  accepting  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Illinois  Territory,  having  accepted  the  appointment  of 
Judge  of  the  court  of  appeals  in  this  State.  I  would  take  the  Liberty 
to  recommend  Ninian  Edwards  Esq'  the  present  Judge  of  the  court 
of  appeals  in  this  State;  it  but  justice  to  M'  Edwards  to  say  he  is  a 
man  of  known  talents  and  integrity,  and  one  in  whom  confidence  may 
be  placed  beyond  any  kind  of  doubt,  and  should  he  meet  your  ap- 
probation I  entertain  no  doubt,  but  he  will  give  compleat  satisfaction 
both  to  yourself,  and  the  people  over  whom  he  will  be  appointed  to 
preside.     I  am  Sir  with  perfect  respect  y'  ob'  Serv' 

James  Garrard 

[Addressed]  James  Madison  Esq'  President  of  the  United  States 
Washington     [Postmarked]  Paris  K,  13'"  Ap'     Free 

[Endorsed]  M'  Geirard  11'"  April  1809  recommends  Nenian  Edwards 
for  the  Cover'  of  the  Illinois  Territory 

•'  A  former  Governor  of  Kentucky. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  23 

THE  GOVERNOR  OF  INDIANA  TERRITORY  TO  ACTING 

GOVERNOR  POPE 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13:ALS] 

VmcENNES  12"^  April  1809 

Sir  Application  has  been  just  made  to  me  in  behalf  of  some 
Gentlemen  of  Kaskaskias  to  demand  James  Dunlap  the  murderer 
of  M'  R  Jones,  of  the  Governors  of  the  New  Orleans  and  Mississippi 
Territories  in  one  of  which  he  is  supposed  to  have  taken  refuge — 
But  with  this  request  I  am  unable  to  Comply  as  the  part  of  the  Terri- 
tory in  which  the  murder  was  Committed  has  been  formed  into  a 
seperate  Government  by  a  late  law  of  Congress  in  which  there  is 
an  express  provision  prohibitting  the  officers  of  the  Indiana  Territory 
from  exercising  any  Jurisdiction  therein — Of  the  New  Territory  you 
have  been  appointed  Secretary  and  as  in  the  absence  of  the  Governor 
you  are  invested  with  all  His  Authority  I  beg  leave  to  recommend 
the  subject  to  yoiu-  attention 

Lest  you  may  not  have  received  j^our  appointment  Commission 
I  have  herewith  enclosed  you  the  official  paper  containing  the  appoint- 
ment &  one  containing  the  division  law  *'^ 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  very  Respectfully  y'  Hum  Svt 

Will"  Henry  Harrison 

Hon'*  N.  Pope  Esq' 


JOHN  POPE  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 

[NA:SD,  Applications :ALS1 

[April  19,  1809] 

Sir  I  have  received  a  letter  from  the  Hon""  Ninian  Edwards  the 
present  chief  justice  of  the  state  of  Kentucky  in  which  he  expresses  a 
wish  to  succeed  Mr  Boyle  in  the  government  of  the  Illinois  Territory, 
for  which  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you  he  is  in  every  respect  eminently 
qualified — From  some  conversation  I  had  with  him  when  in  Kentucky 
last  year,  I  believe  he  would  prefer  an  appointment  in  the  Mississippi 
Territorj' — If  such  an  arrangement  could  be  made,  of  which  I  entertain 
no  doubt  it  would  in  my  opinion  be  weH  better  to  send  Major  Holms  to 
Illinois  &  the  new  Governor  to  the  Mississippi  Territory — With 
regard  to  expense  of  living,  duration  of  the  office  &  difficulty  &  trouble 
in  the  administration  of  the  government,  the  Illinois  is  much  the  most 
eligible  &  I  am  convinced  Major  Holms  would  consent  to  the  change — 
Mr  Edwards  has  served  filled  the  Office  of  judge  of  our  circuit  Courts 

*'•  Answered  post,  p.  30. 


24  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

&  Court  of  appeals  with  great  credit  to  himself  &  satisfaction  to  the 
people — He  possesses  very  considerable  popular  talents — He  has 
been  a  member  of  our  legislature  &  an  elector  of  President  &  Vice- 
president  of  the  United  States — Although  not  more  than  thirty-four 
years  of  age  few  men  better  understand  the  human  character  or  can 
penetrate  with  more  quickness  &  certainty  the  designs  of  others; 
And  I  know  no  man  better  calculated  to  watch  &  counteract  the  work- 
ings of  those  choice  Spirits  in  the  lower  country  who  are  supposed  to 
be  hostile  to  the  administration  &  by  some  hostile  to  the  Union — It 
is  perhaps  unnecessary  to  add  that  he  is  a  decided  friend  to  the  present 
administration  &  has  been  particularly  active  for  the  last  eighteen 
months  in  support  of  the  measures  of  the  government — Had  any  of  the 
Kentucky  delegation  been  here  I  should  have  declined  making  this 
representation  to  you  in  his  favour,  because  he  is  my  relative  &  my 
brother  is  secretary  of  the  Territory^ — Believing  however  that  he  could 
render  the  ft4mi«i3t ration  government  important  services  in  the 
character  of  governor  particularly  in  the  lower  country  I  have  complied 
with  his  request  by  naming  him  to  you  as  a  candidate  for  the  office — 
With  sentiments  of  the  highest  I  have  the  honor  to  be  yours  «6c 

John  Pope 
Wednesday  morning — 

[Addressed]  The  President 

[Endorsed]  M'  Pope  19""  April  1809 — Recommends  M'  Edwards  as 
governor  in  the  Illinois  Territory  "—1809.  Ninian  Edwards.  Recomd" 


JOSEPH  CHARLESS  TO  ACTING  GOVERNOR  POPE 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13 :ALS1 

St.  Lewis  April  20'"  1809. 
Honorable  Nathaniel  Pope, 

Sir.  I  take  the  liberty  to  Solicit  the  printing  of  such  public  Work 
as  may  be  Wanting  for  the  Territory  of  Illinois 

I  have  all  the  Materials  necessary  to  perform  such  Work  and  will 
engage  to  execute  it  as  well,  And  on  as  Moderate  terms  as  it  can  be 
done  elsewhere.  And  Will,  if  required,  procure  a  legal  character  here 
to  examine  the  proof  Sheets,  or  Send  them  to  You  (Weekly)  for 
revision. 


•'  Edwards  was  also  recommended  to  the  President  by  Henry  Clay,  Apr.  10' 
1809,  in  a  letter  printed  in  N.  W.  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  p.  27.  Clay  likewise  wrote 
on  the  same  date  to  the  Secretary  of  State  m  commendation  of  Edwards,  ibid., 
pp.  27-28.  Edwards  had,  in  addition,  been  recommended  to  the  President  by 
William  Wirt,  post,  p.  29.  See,  in  this  connection,  relevant  passages  in  Wirt  to 
Edwards,  June  23,  1809,  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  p.  467,  and  Aug.  24,  1809,  ibid.,  pp. 
441-442. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  25 

As  I  am  very  little  known  to  you  as  to  character  or  profession  I  beg 
leave  to  refer  you  to  His  Excellency  Gov.  Lewis,  Hon""  F.  Bates  or 
Gen.  W"  Clark. 

Should  you  employ  me  as  printer  for  Your  Territory,  the  favor  shall 
be  gratefully  remembered  by  Sir,  Your  Obed'  Ser' 

Joseph  Charless 


JOHN  MASON  TO  MATTHEW  IRWIN 
[NA:  OIT,  Supt.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  A] 
Indian  Trade  Office  Geo:  Town  21«'  Apn7  1809 
M'  Math'"  Irwin  Philadelphia 

Sir,  Your  letter  of  the  10'"  Ins'  only  reached  me  two  days  agoe," 
Gen'  Gansevoort  in  his  letters  of  Ocf  last  speaking  of  the  Michili- 
mackinac  Goods  having  stored  &■=  takes  occasion  to  remark  that  they 
may  be  sent  on  in  april,  I  cannot  therefore  with  propriety  consent  to 
your  delaying  longer  than  the  end  of  this  month  or  at  fif*t  farthest  the 
first  week  in  may,  as  to  the  advance  you  ask  I  am  willing  to  place  you 
exactly  on  the  footing  you  stood  when  you  left  hom^e  last  fall;  that  is 
by  paying  up,  before  you  set  out  again  what  money  may  have  accrued 
for  salary  &  subsistence  money  from  the  time  of  commencement  of  your 
compensation  say  9'"  Sep'  to  the  time  you  will  again  leave  home  and 
thus  leave  the  original  $500,  paid  still  as  an  advance  in  your  hands, 
more,  I  cannot  do  &  I  think  you  will  on  consideration  find  it  as  much  as 
I  ought  to  do,  on  this  principle  I  shall  have  to  give  you  about  420 
Dollars 

I  am  &"  &"  J  M  Sup  In  Tr 


«« Not  found. 


PART  TWO 

Papers  relating  to  the  Administration 
of  Acting  Governor  Pope 

1809 


PART  TWO  1 

WILLIAM  WIRT  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 

[NA:SD,  Applications:ALS] 

Richmond.  April  26""  1809 
Dear  Sir,  I  understand  that  M''  Boyle  has  resigned  the  government 
of  the  Ilhnois  territoiy,  and  that  Ninian  Edwards,  the  President  of  the 
Court  of  Appeals  of  Kentucky,  has  been  thought  of  and  perhaps 
named  to  you,  as  a  fit  successor.  Having  known  M'  Edwards,  per- 
sonally, from  the  time  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age  until!  he  grew  up 
to  manhood  and  having  for  several  years  past  maintained  an  intimate 
correspondence  with  him,  I  hope  you  will  excuse  me  for  yielding  to  the 
wishes  of  his  friends  in  stating  my  impressions  of  his  character. 

M''  Edwards  is  a  man  of  great  firmness  and  boldness  of  character, 
which  is  evinced  as  well  by  his  manner  as  the  cast  and  tone  of  his 
sentiments.  His  mind  is  naturally  strong,  acute  and  discriminating; 
but  not  much  practised  on  any  other  subjects  than  our  political  and 
municipal  institutions.  It  is  capable,  however  of  atchieving  any- 
thing, and  he  has  an  ardent  and  determined  emulation  of  spirit  which 
scarcely  any  difficulty  could  damp  or  check.  In  point  of  integrity 
there  is  no  character  more  irreproachable;  and  as  to  politics,  there 
has  never  been  in  him  the  faintest  shadow  of  turning  from  those 
republican  principles  which  sup-  [MS.  torn;  several  words  missing] 
and  introduced  the  present.  If  I  am  correctly  informed,  his  political 
zeal  &  intelligence  have  been  eminently  active  &  useful  in  the  western 
country.  The  honors  which  he  has  borne  in  Kentucky  and  which 
he  has  supported  with  great  respectability  give  him  a  weight  of 
character  that  would  render  his  appointment  acceptable  to  the  people 
of  the  territory  and  facilitate  the  exercise  of  his  authority.  In  short 
for  honesty,  sound  judgment,  enterprize,  firmness  and  that  native 
and  inherent  vigor  of  mind  which  qualifies  a  man  so  highly  for  the 

'  It  fell  to  Nathaniel  Pope,  commissioned  as  Secretary  on  Mar.  7,  1809,  to 
effect  the  preliminary  organization  of  Illinois  Territory,  which,  according  to  the 
act  approved  Feb.  3,  1809,  ante,  p.  6,  was  theoretically  in  existence  on  Mar.  1. 
The  principal  steps  in  the  organization  of  the  Territory  and  the  course  of  Pope's 
brief  admmistration  until  the  arrival  of  Governor  Edwards  on  June  11,  1809, 
may  be  followed  in  the  Executive  Register,  post,  vol.  XVII. 

29 


30  TERRITORIAL    PAPERIS 

reclamation  and  government  of  a  new  Territory,  like  the  Illinois,  I 
believe  that  M'  Edwards  will  not  be  easily  surpassed. 

I  am.  Dear  Sir,  Yo.  obt.  Serv' 

W"  Wirt 

James  Madison  Esq'' 

[ETidorsed]  Edwards,  President  of  the  Court  of  Appeals  of  Kentucky. 
1809.     (Madison)  

THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  JOSEPH  B.  VARNUM,  JR.* 
[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  B] 

War  Department  26  Ajrril  1809 
J.  B.  Varnum 

Sir,  Your  letter  of  the  18'"  of  February  last  addressed  to  my 
predecessor  in  office  has  been  received  ' — I  have  also  been  favored  by 
Gen'  Mason  with  a  perusal  of  your  letter  to  him  under  date  of  the 
12'"  of  March.' 

Having  maturely  considered  the  subject,  it  is  thought  best,  both 
as  it  respects  yourself  and  the  public  interest  that  you  should  be 
charged  with  the  Factory  at  Michilimacinac;  to  which  place  you  will 
immediately  repair  on  the  arrival  of  M'  Irwin  at  Chicago,  to  whom 
you  will  make  over  all  the  public  property  at  that  Place,  now  under 
your  direction,  with  such  Advice  as  may  be  useful  to  him  in  conducting 
the  business  as  your  Successor. 

Should  the  building  at  Michilimacinac  mentioned  in  your  Letter 
to  Genl  Mason,  appear  on  examination  to  be  well  calculated  for  a 
public  Store,  you  will  please  to  consult  with  the  Officer  commanding 
at  that  Post,  on  his  relinquishing  of  it,  for  some  other  situation,  whitch 
it  is  hoped  may  be  procured,  that  will  equally  well  accommodate 
him  * 

I  am  &c 


ACTING  GOVERNOR  POPE  TO  THE  GOVERNOR  OF 

INDIANA  TERRITORY 

IISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corn,  1809-13  :CS] 

Kaskaskia  27'"  April  1809 
Sir    I  have  delayed  to  acknowledge  the  rec'  of  your  favour  *•  by 
M'  LaChapelle  because  I  considered  it  premature  to  say  anything  on 
the  subject  officially  of  the  application  made  to  you  to  demand  James 

'  Appointed  agent  of  the  Indian  factory  at  Chicago,  in  1807,  in  succession  to 
Thomas  Hayward,  resigned  {Terr.  Papers,  Ind.,  vn,  451,  460). 

'  Not  found. 

*  Answered  July  31,  1809,  Terr.  Papers  (Mich.),  x,  281.  See  also  ibid.,  pp. 
233,  278. 

<«  Ante,  p.  23. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  31 

Dunlap — I  can  inform, you  that  I  have  rec"  my  Commission  and  am 
exercising  the  Government  of  the  Illinois  Territory.  The  Governor 
has  resigned 

No  application  has  as  yet  been  made  to  me  to  demand  Dunlap. 
Your  letter  refers  me  to  no  documents  nor  persons — Nor  do  I  know  to 
this  moment  the  persons  who  made  the  application  to  you — When  the 
subject  comes  properly  before  me  I  will  give  it  due  consideration — • 

Yr^  With  Sentiments  of  Esteem  &  high  consideration 

(A  Copy)    Nat,  Pope 

His  Excellency  Willum  H  Harrison  Governor  of  the  Indiana 
Territory, 


ROBERT  ROBINSON  TO  ACTING  GOVERNOR  POPE 

[ISL:  Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13:  ALS] 

Kaskaskia  April  28'"  1809 
Sir  I  am  informed  you  now  exercise  the  functions  of  Governor  of 
this  Territory — Under  this  impression  I  beg  leave  to  State  to  you,  in 
your  Official  Capasity,  that  Charges  will  be  exhibited  to  you  in  a 
Short  time  against  Robert  Morrison,  late  Clerk  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas — Wherefore  I  desire  that  you  will  have  the  goodness 
to  Suspend  the  appointment  of  Clerk  untill  further  information 
Your  ob'  Serv' 

R  Robinson 
N:  Pope  Esq' 

M'  Robinson  has  shown  me  the  above  &  to  it  I  subscribe  most 
wittingly    Jn°  Rector. 

[Endorsed]  Letter  from  Rob'  Robinson  &c  respecting  Rob'  Morrison 
Dated  28  April  1809 


RECOMMENDATION  OF  WILLIAM  CLARK  AS  GOVERNOR 

[NA:SD,  Applications:DS] 

[April  29,  1809] 

At  a  numerous  and  respectable  meeting  of  the  free  holders  of  S' 
Clair  County  in  the  Illinois  Territory  at  the  house  of  Robert  Reynolds 
in  s"  county  on  Saturday  29th  April  Ano  Dom  1809 — Whereupon  it 
was  adjudged  proper  that  Robert  Reynolds,  William  Biggs,  John 
Messinger,  William  Whiteside,  Samuel  Simpson  Kennedy,  Uel 
Whiteside,  John  Huitt,  James  Stockton  and  Joseph  Meacham  Es- 
quire's be  a  Committee  for  said  county,  to  consider  report  &c — 

1"  Resolved  unanimously  that  Robert  Reynolds  esq.  be  Appointed 
Chairman  and  Samuel  Simpson  Kennedy  esq.  be  appointed  Secretary 
of  this  Committee — 


32  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

2"  Whereas  this  committee  having  received,  authentic  information 
that  the  Hon:  John  Boyle  who  was  Appointed  Governor  of  this  Terri- 
tory has  actually  resign 'd  his  said  Appointment  Therefore  resolved 
unanimously  that  this  committee  have  compleat  and  entire  confidence 
in  the  fortitude,  courage,  fidelity  and  good  conduct  of  General  William 
Clarke  of  Lousiania  and  beg  leave  to  inform  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  or  the  Senate  thereof  (as  the  case  may  be)  That  it  is 
our  sincere  and  unfeign'd  wish  that  Gen'  Clarke  may  be  appointed  to 
Supply  the  Vacancy  occasioned  by  the  above  Resignation,  And  to 
justify  our  application  we  beg  leave  to  offer  in  part  the  following 
reasons.  1"  We  have  ever  considered  Gen'  Clarke  a  republican  from 
principle  and  firmly  attached  to  the  government,  honor  and  interest 
of  the  United  States — 2"^  Gen'  Clarke  is  our  neighbour,  and  born  and 
reared  in  the  Western  country,  consequently  better  acquainted  with 
our  local  circumstances  than  a  stranger  &c.  3"  As  the  bill  for  the 
division  of  the  Indiana  Territory  consolidates  the  Indian  agency  of 
the  Illinois  Territory  with  the  Office  of  Governor:  Respecting  which 
we  would  humbly  observe,  that  Gen '  Clarke's  name  alone  is  ef  carries  a 
reverential  awe  Amongst  the  Neighbouring  Tribes  of  Indians — PYom 
which,  together  with  many  others  we  hope  he  may  be  Appointed,  and 
ourselves  Gratified — 

Done  in  Committee  on  Saturday  the  29th  day  of  April  Ano  Dom 
1809.  At  the  house  of  Robert  Reynolds  esquire  Illinois  Territory  and 
County  of  S'  Clair. 

Rob'  Reynolds 
Atteste — Sam  S:  Kennedy  Secretary —  Chairman — 

[Endorsed]  En"  Reynolds  &  others  29""  April  Reed  2"  June  1809— 
Recommend  Gen'  Clarke  as  Governor  of  the  Illinois  Territory.  1809 
W"  Clarke  Recomd 


WILLIAM  SHANNON  TO  ACTING  GOVERNOR  POPE 

(ISL:  Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13:  ALS] 

Kaskaskia  29"  April  1809 
Sir  I  have  reasons  to  believe  that  James  Dunlap,  who  is  charged 
with  the  Murder  of  Rice  Jones  and  who  has  fled  from  Justice  has 
taken  refuge  in  the  Territory  of  Orleans.  I  hereby  request  you  to 
demand  him  to  be  apprehended  &  secured  by  the  Governor  of  that 
Territory  to  the  end  that  he  may  be  brought  to  Justice — 
Y"&c 

W"  Shannon 

Nathaniel  Pope  Esq"'  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  Territory  and 
Exercising  the  Government  thereof, 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  33 

ACTING  GOVERNOR    POPE    TO    THE   GOVERNOR  OF 
ORLEANS  TERRITORY 

[ISL:  Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13:  CS] 

Illinois  Territory  KjVSKaskia  April  29""  1809 
Sir  An  application  has  just  been  made  to  me  to  demand  of  you 
a  certain  James  Dunlap,  who  is  charged  with  the  Murder  of  Rice 
Jones  in  this  Town.  It  is  suggested  to  me  that  the  said  James 
Dunlap,  who  has  fled  from  justice,  has  taken  refuge  in  the  Territory 
of  Orleans — I  therefore  request  you  to  cause  to  be  arrested  and 
secured  the  said  James  Dunlap  to  the  end  that  he  may  be  brought  to 
Justice, 
Y"&c 

(A  Copy)     Nat  Pope  Secretary  of  the 
Illinois  Territory  and  Exercising 
the  Government  thereof 

His  Exc"=>'  Willum  C  C.  Claibourne  Governor  of  the  Territory 
of  Orleans 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  GOVERNOR 

EDWARDS  » 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One] 

Treasury.  Department.    Apn7.  30'"  1809. 
His.  Excell^  Ninian  Edwards.     Governor,  of  Illinois. 

Sir.  As  the  public  Salt  Springs  on  Saline  Creek  fall  within  the 
boundaries  of  the  Illinois  Territoiy,  it  is  the  intention  of  the  President 
to  place  them  under  your  superintendence.* — 

In  order  that  you  may  fully  understand  their  present  situation,  I 
enclose  copies  of  the  lease  to  the  present  lessees,  of  a  subsequent 
agreement  made  with  them,  and  of  a  letter  from  Gov"'  Harrison,  dated, 
15 "^  Jan"  last.'' 

The  object  of  Government  has  uniformly  been  to  lessen  the  price  of 
salt,  and  for  that  purpose,  the  following  principles  had  been  adopted .  1 : 
To  require  a  very  trifling  rent, — little  more  indeed  than  was  necessary 
to  pay  to  the  Indians,  the  annuity  in  salt,  which  they  reserved  when  they 
ceded  the  Springs  to  the  United  States.  It  became  however  necessary, 
in  order  to  prevent  an  evasion  of  the  terms  of  the  lease  by  the  Lessees, 
to  purchase  from  them  in  conformity  with  a  right  reserved  by  the 

'  Kdwards  did  not  assume  office  until  June  11,  1809,  on  which  date  he  published 
his  commission,  which  had  been  dated  Apr.  24,  1809  (Register,  yost,  vol.  XVIl). 

^  Consult  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  VII,  index,  under  "Salt  springs"  for  the  history 
of  this  issue  up  to  1809. 

'  Not  found. 


34  TERRITORIAL    PAPERIS 

lease,  all  the  salt  they  made  at  a  price  fixed  by  that  Contract.  This 
has  been  sold  again  at  a  small  advance,  which  has  been  sufficient  to 
pay  the  Agent  &  defray  Contingencies,  and  had  left  in  the  Agents 
hands,  on  the  10'"  day  of  August  last  a  surplus  of  $5,153.10  Cents 
applicable  to  improvements  of  a  permanent  nature  on  the  works. — 

2"'"  To  make  it  a  condition  of  the  Lease  that  a  certain  quantity 
of  salt  should  be  made  annually.  This  as  you  will  perceive  by  the 
lease  amounts  to,  200,000.  bushels.  But  an  examination  of  Mr. 
White's  accounts,  copies  of  which  are  also  enclosed,  will  shew  that  the 
Lessees  had  not  in  the  beginning  fulfilled  that  part  of  their  contract. 

3rdiy  fjiQ  f^x  the  price  of  salt  at  the  lowest  rate,  which  bidders  for 
the  lease  would  propose.  It  is  now  70.  Cents,  and  is  sold  again  by 
the  United  States  at  [blank]  Cents  per  bushel. 

Notwithstanding  those  efforts  on  the  part  of  Government,  numer- 
ous and  encreasing  complaints  are  daily  made,  all  owing  to  the  simple 
fact,  that  a  much  less  quantity  of  salt,  is  made  at  the  Saline,  than  is 
wanted  for  the  consumption  of  the  adjacent  Country.  Whence  it 
necessarily  follows,  that  as  the  demands  of  all  the  Applicants  cannot 
be  satisfied,  those  who  are  disappointed  complain  of  every  arrange- 
ment attempted  to  produce  an  equal  distribution.  And  the  price 
at  which  Government  sells,  being  much  less  than  the  true  market 
price  (which  last  must  necessarily,  so  long  as  a  sufficient  quantity  is 
not  made  be  regulated  by  the  demand)  the  salt  is  again  sold  by  those 
who  can  obtain  it  from  Gov'  at  an  advanced  price.  The  difference 
between  the  Gov'  and  Market  price  is  received  by  those  applicants 
who  get  the  salt,  and  the  forbearance  of  Gov'  in  not  receiving  it  pro- 
duces only  a  partial  &  exclusive  benefit  in  favor  of  those  few. 

It  appears  to  me  from  that  view  of  the  subject,  that  our  attempts 
to  reduce  the  price  by  selling  the  salt  below  its  market  value,  are 
fruitless  and  unpopular;  and  that  the  object  can  be  obtained  in  no 
other  way,  than  by  encreasing  the  quantity  annually  made.  To 
that  I  therefore  beg  leave  to  call  your  particular  attention,  and  as 
the  lease  will  expire  in  March  next,  no  time  is  to  be  lost  in  preparing 
the  plan  best  calculated  to  effect  the  object.  For  that  purpose  it 
seems  necessary  to  require  a  rent  more  proportionate  to  the  value  of 
the  lease,  and  to  fix  the  maximum  at  which  salt  may  be  sold  by  the 
Lessees  at  somewhat  near,  but  still  below  the  market  price:  because 
the  payment  of  an  adequate  rent,  and  the  permission  to  sell  the  ar- 
ticle at  near  its  market  value  &  therefore  much  above  its  prime  cost 
to  the  Lessees  will  be  powerful  inducements  for  them  to  endeavour  to 
make  the  greatest  possible  quantity.  My  reasons  for  proposing  that 
it  should  still  be  fixed  somewhat  below  the  market  price,  are  the  pre- 
vention of  monopoly,  and  the  hope  of  a  reduction  of  that  market  price, 
during  the  continuance  of  the  next  lease.  The  only  other  important 
alteration  which  has  been  suggested,  is  to  divide  the  lease,  so  as  to 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  35 

create  competition  amongst  the  Salt  Makers.  The  effect  of  this  would 
probably  be  very  beneficial,  and  the  only  difficulties  are,  how  a  division 
can  be  made,  and  whether  in  every  instance,  responsible  men  with  a 
sufficient  Capital,  to  erect  the  furnaces,  purchase  the  Kettles  &'=*  can 
be  obtained. 

The  whole  subject  is  referred  to  you :  and  you  are  requested  to  com- 
municate as  early  as  possible  such  plan,  as,  after  having  viewed  the 
premises  &  investigated  the  subject,  may  to  you  appear  most 
eligible.* — • 

I  enclose  a  Copy  of  a  letter  written  this  day  to  Govt  Harrison  '  with 
whom  you  will  be  pleased  to  arrange  what  relates  to  the  payment  of 
the  Salt  annuity,  to  the  Indians. — 

I  have  &ca 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  MATTHEW  IRWIN 
[NA:OIA,SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  B] 

War  Department  6  May  09 
Mathew  Irvin 

Sir  On  the  26'"  Aug"  1808.  the  Pres'  of  the  U.  S.  appointed  you 
an  Agent  at  their  factory,  at  Chikago  in  the  Indiana  Terr" 

I  am  &c — 


JOHN  MASON  TO  IS'IATTHEW  IRWIN 
[NA:OIT,  Supt.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  A] 

Indian  Trade  office  George  Town  (Washington)  6'"  May  1809 
Mr.  Math"  Irwin  at  Philad* 
Sir    I  have  this  day  received  3^0 ur  a  letter  from  Major  L,  H, 

'  The  reply  to  this  letter  has  not  been  found.  But  that  Edwards  wrote  at  some 
length,  not  only  in  regard  to  the  issue  of  salt-spring  leases,  but  also  concerning  the 
difficulties  currently  encountered  by  the  land  commissioners  at  Kaskaskia  is 
evident  from  Secretary  Gallatin's  answer  thereto,  dated  Sept.  8,  1809  (Edwards 
Papers,  CHS,  printed,  Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  CHC,  m,  46-48).  See 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  Edwards,  Nov.  25,  1809  (Edwards  Papers,  CHS, 
printed,  Edwards,  HUi.  III.,  pp.  529-532),  respecting  regulations  governing  the 
salines.  A  copy  of  this  letter  is  in  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One).  It 
was  in  answer  to  "several  communications"  from  Governor  Edwards,  no  one  of 
which  has  been  found.  See  also  id.  to  id.,  Mar.  14,  1810  (loc.  cil.,  printed,  Ed- 
wards, op.  cit.,  p.  532),  referring  to  Edwards's  letter  of  Feb.  5,  1810  (not  found), 
containing  the  lease  of  the  saline  to  John  Taylor,  Charles  Wilkins,  and  James 
Morrison.  A  letter  from  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Feb.  9,  1810 
(not  found),  relating  to  the  disposal  of  salt  by  the  lessees  is  mentioned  in  the  same 
communication.  With  respect  to  the  sale  of  salt  by  the  lessees,  see  in  addition, 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  Edwards,  June  29,  July  5,  July  11,  and  Aug.  1, 
1810  (Edwards  Papers,  CHS,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp.  532-534).  Copies 
are  also  in  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One).  In  these  letters,  relevant  com- 
munications from  Edwards  dated  June  5,  June  22,  June  28,  and  June  30,  1810, 
are  mentioned.     No  one  of  these  letters  has  been  seen. 

•  Printed,  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vii,  650. 

314574 — 48 4 


36  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Gansevoort  military  agent  at  Albany,  informing  me  that  he  had  al- 
ready forwarded  the  Goods  intended  for  Michilimackinac  and  stored 
at  Albany  last  fall,  but  that  if  you  go  on  immediately  you  will  yet  over- 
take them  at  Niagra,  where  the  public  vessell  will  be  ready  to  receive 
them  immediately  after  the  15'"  May  this  is  then  to  request  that  you 
will  with  the  least  possible  delay  go  on  to  Niagra,  take  charge  of  the 
Goods  for  mackinac  now  at  that  place  and  proceed  to  Mackinac  and 
Chicago  as  instructed  last  fall,  you  will  as  you  pass  Albany  call  on 
Major  Gansevoort  with  whom  you  will  find  such  other  dispatches  and 
instructions  as  I  may  find  requisite  to  forward  by  mail  in  consequence 
of  the  tenor  of  my  last  letter  I  presume  this  will  find  you  ready  to 
move  at  one  days  warning  and  request  you  will  report  to  me  by  mail 
the  day  on  which  you  leave  Phila"  '" 

I  have  considered  your  reasons  for  an  additional  advance  I  had  fixed 
for  you  as  reasonable,  and  consent  with  reluctance,  because  in  public 
offices  there  must  be  rules  which  individual  arrangements  ought  not 
to  interfere  with  and  I  must  beg  you  will  be  cautious  on  this  score  in 
future — 

You  will  please  call  on  Mr.  Waterman  agent  in  your  city  for  this 
office  who  will  deliver  you  a  remittance  of  six  hundred  Dollars  and 
receive  your  rents  therefor" — 

I  am  &c  &c  J.  M  Sup  I.  T 

Rescript  this  date  Bank  of  Columbia  to  Bank  of  Pennsyl"  my  favor 
endorsed  to  you  for  $600,  

ACTING  GOVERNOR  POPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDFiALS"*] 

Illinois  Territory  Kaskaskia  May  11**  1809 
Sir    As  the  tranquillity  of  this   Territory    depends    materially 
(perhaps  more  immediately  than  any  part  of  the  Union)  upon  the 
result  of  the  deliberations  of  the  next  Congress,  I  beg  leave  to  call 
your  attention  to  it. 

From  the  best  information  I  could  obtain  since  I  have  directed  the 


'0  Cf .  Mason  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Apr.  18, 1809,  Terr.  Papers  (Mich.),  X,  278 

"  No  reply  found. 

"*  The  original  draft  of  this  letter  is  in  the  Illinois  State  Archives,  and  is  printed 
in  A.H.A.  Repl.,  1909,  pp.  40.3-404.  A  comparison  of  the  draft,  as  printed,  with 
the  original  letter  sent  as  here  reproduced  discloses  some  differences.  The  letter 
sent  is  much  briefer,  and  omits  entirely  one  paragraph  respecting  the  militia, 
which  is  deemed  of  sufficient  importance  to  extract:  "A  difficulty  has  arisen 
among  the  militia  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  in  this,  a  considerable  number  volun- 
teered their  services  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  under  the  act  authoriz- 
ing the  President  to  accept  the  services  of  thirty  thousand  volunteers.  These 
persons  doubt  whether  the  Executive  of  the  Territory  has  any  controul  over  them, 
either  to  make  them  muster  with  Militia  or  to  call  them  out  when  danger  threatens. 
This  doubt  embarrasses  me  extremely  in  the  organization  of  the  Militia  of  this 
Territory." 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  37 

affairs  of  this  Territorj',  I  am  strongly  led  to  believe  that  the  British 
emissaries  from  Canada  have  been  preparing  for  the  worst  and  in 
the  Event  of  War  with  England  will  exert  themselves  to  arm  the 
Indians  of  the  Mississippi  and  Lake  Michigan  and  send  them  upon 
our  Frontier — 

They  have  been  endeavouring  to  collect  all  the  foregoing  Indians 
at  Detroit  in  this  month — I  cannot  imagine  what  can  be  the  object 
of  this  convention,  unless  it  is  to  effect  a  general  combination  against 
the  United  States — 

The  British  Merchants  have  deposited  at  Prairie  du  Chiens  about 
ten  or  twelve  thousand  pounds  of  Powder  and  an  equivalent  of  Balls 
of  various  sizes  suitable  to  the  guns  of  the  Indians — This  amunition 
will  be  immediately  dealt  out  to  the  Indians,  when  War  shall  be  pro- 
claimed. If  that  resource  can  be  cut  off  the  Indians  will  not  be  able 
to  do  us  any  immediate  injurj-.  I  therefore  suggest  the  propriety 
of  my  ha\-ing  the  Earliest  possible  adnce  of  War,  (if  declared)  that 
I  may  seize  upon  all  British  property'  in  my  Territorj^  I  mean  such 
property  as  can  be  useful  to  the  Indians  in  an  attack  upon  us — This 
is  the  first  considerable  deposit  of  amunition  ever  made  at  that 
place  by  the  British — It  seems  however  not  to  have  attracted  the 
notice  of  M"'  Boilvain  Indian  Agent  at  that  post;  he  must  have  seen  it; 
yet  does  not  mention  it  in  any  of  his  communications  to  the  Gover- 
nor of  Louisiana  Territorj- — This  latter  received  it  from  a  private 
individual  and  ad\-ised  me  to  seize  the  lead  &  powder  and  have  it 
deposited  at  fort  Belle-\-ue'^  and  then  detained  until  we  should 
know  unequivocally  the  dispositions  of  the  Indians — But  I  did  not 
think  that  circumstances  justified  such  a  rash  and  nolent  measure 
General  Clark,  who  is  Indian  Agent  for  several  Nations  who  would 
be  benifited  by  a  distribution  of  this  amunition,  thought  with  me  that 
it  might  be  productive  of  many  evils;  it  might  facilitate  the  coalition 
among  the  different  nations  of  Indians,  so  much  desired  by  the  British. 
Besides  Boilvain  ha\-ing  bestowed  no  attention  on  that  fact  (to  wit 
of  the  Powder  &  Ball  being  there)  I  did  not  know  that  such  a  step 
ought  to  be  taken  upon  the  information  of  an  indi\-idual.  In  the 
event  of  War  this  Territorj',  every  foot  of  which  might  m.ay  be  called 
a  Frontier,  ought  to  be  furnished  with  arms  and  amunition;  Lead 
can  be  had  here;  but  Powder  is  Scarce.  I  cannot  at  this  moment  state 
the  strength  of  the  Militia  no  returns  have  as  yet  been  made — 
I  am  with  high  respect  Sir,  Yr  Ob'  Sev'  Nat  Pope 

The  Hon"''  William  Eustis  Secy  of  War  City  of  Washington 
[Endorsed]   Kaskaskias  11'"  May  09    N.  Pope  Relative   to   the 
hostile  \aews  of  the  Indians  &  the  negligence  of  ^I^  Boilvain    Ask 
gov"  Lewis  to  enquire.    Reced  3  June  09" 

"  Another  name  for  Fort  Madison,  on  the  present  site  of  Fort  Madison,  Iowa. 
"  No  reply  found. 


38  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

ACTING  GOVERNOR  POPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13  :CS1 
(A  Copy)  Kaskaskia  May  11'"  1809 

Sir  I  wrote  you  on  the  27'"  Ult."'  advising  you  that  I  had  taken 
the  oath  of  Office  before  the  honorable  Otho  Shrader  Judge  of  the 
General  Court  of  the  Louisiana  Territory  This  I  was  advised  to  by 
M'  Boyle,  who  thought  I  might  take  the  oaths  before  any  one  author- 
ised to  administer  oaths — 

It  is  insisted  here  by  some  persons  of  influence,  viz  Robert  Morrison 
&  John  Edgar  that  I  have  not  been  properly  sworn  into  office  and 
that  I  have  no  power  to  act.  Of  their  Motives  in  saying  this  I  shall 
say  nothing,  but  it  is  calculated  to  embarrass  me  in  the  organization 
of  the  Government,  &  to  weaken  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  the 
Executive,  in  these  times  of  danger — 

If  you  would  answer  &  tell  me  whether  you  think  me  regularly 
sworn  into  office  or  if  not  prescribe  the  method,  you  will  relieve  me 
from  no  little  anxiety — 

Y"  With  High  Consideration 

Nat  Pope 

The  Hon"'«  Robert  Smith— Sec"  of  State  of  the  U.  States 

P.  S.  Not  one  of  the  Judges  has  as  yet  arrived    N.  Pope 

[Endorsed]  Copy  of  a  Letter  to  R.  Smith  Secretary  of  State  dated 
11'"  May  1809  and  put  into  the  post  office  12'"  May  1809 


ACTING  GOVERNOR  POPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE 

TREASURY 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13:CS] 

(A  Copy)  Kaskaskia  May  11'"  1809 

Sir.  I  herewith  transmit  you  an  ace'  for  Office  Rent,  with  my 
receipt  for  the  am'.  I  have  resided  in  this  place  since  the  month  of 
December  last — 

I  wish  to  deal  candidly  with  you.  I  have  lived  in  a  house 
belonging  to  my  Wife's  father,  who  certainly  would  never  have 
charged  me  any  rent — But  if  a  friend  should  furnish  the  Secretary 
with  an  Office  for  nothing;  it  being  a  personal  favour  it  is  no  argument 
against  his  charging  the  Government  a  reasonable  price  for  the  occu- 
pation of  it— thereupon  I  submit  to  you  to  allow  or  reject  my  Claim — 
I  have  drawn  on  you  for  $150.00  on  account  of  the  contingent 
expences  of  the  Illinois  Territory — 

"■  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  39 

It  is  not  in  my  power  to  make  arrangements  with  the  Bank  of  the  U. 
states  to  draw  my  Salary,  because  I  do  not  know  how  ^^^ — 
With  high  Consideration  I  am  Sir  Y'  Mo'  Ob'  H"''  Serv« 

Nat  Pope 

The  Hon"'"  Albert  Gallatin, 

[Enclosure] 

Expense  account  and  receipt 

Treasury  Department  of  the  United  States 

To  Nathaniel  Pope  Sec>'  of  the  Illinois  T"-  D' 

1809  March  31"  To  Office-Rent  from  the  7'"  March  1809  to  this  day, 

24  days  at  $12.00  per  Month  $9.47 

Received  the  amount  of  the  above  ace'  of  nine  Dollars  and  forty 
seven  cents  of  Natn'  Pope  Sec''  of  the  Illinois  Territory, 

Nat.  Pope 


ACTING  GOVERNOR  POPE  TO  INDIAN  AGENTS 
[ISL  :  Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13  :  CS] 

Kaskaskia  25'"  May  1809 
To  Any  Indian  Agent  residing  in  the  Illinois  Territory 

Sir  Complaint  has  this  day  been  made  to  me  that  divers  Citizens 
of  St  Clair  County  in  this  Territory  have  lost  a  number  of  horses 
amounting  to  eleven  or  twelve  and  there  being  strong  reasons  to 
suspect  that  the  horses  were  stolen  by  some  of  the  Pottawatamies 
and  Ottawas,  I  have  authorised  tne  persons  whose  names  are  hereunto 
annexed  to  pass  through  the  Indian  Nations  residing  in  this  Territory 
in  search  of  their  stolen  property;  I  therefore  require  you  to  render 
them  any  assistance  in  your  power  in  order  to  reclaim  their  property 
and  if  it  is  found  that  the  Indians  have  stolen  it,  to  use  your  influence 
with  the  Chiefs  of  the  Nation  or  Nations  to  which  the  Offenders 
may  belong  to  prevail  upon  them  to  deliver  up  the  property  and  in 
case  of  refusal  to  procure  and  transmit  to  me  such  Testimony  on 
the  subject  may  be  in  your  power — 

The  persons  whose  names  here  follow  are  embraced  in  the  foregoing 
and  are  some  of  the  persons  who  have  lost  the  horses  — 

Jesse  Cain  Jesse  Waddle,  Davis  Stockton,  [blank]  Pruit  and  [blank] 
M'^Faggon 

Y"&c 

(A  Copy)    Nat  Pope 

[Endorsed]  Permission  to  Cain  &  others  to  go  in  search  of  their 
Horses  supposed  to  be  stolen  by  the  Indians    dated  25  May  1809 

•">  Answered  post,  p.  41. 


40  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE   SECRETARY   OF  THE   TREASURY  TO    GOVERNOR 

EDWARDS 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One] 

Treasury  Department  May  31"  1809. 
His  Excell''  Ninian  Edwards.     Governor  of  Illinois  Terr'' 

Sir.  Herewith  you  will  receive  enclosed,  Copies  of  the  last  accounts, 
received  from  Isaac  White,  U.  S.  Agent  at  the  Saline  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Wabash,  which  with  those  before  enclosed  to  you,  contain  the 
whole  returns  of  Salt,  received  and  sold,  under  the  last  lease  to  Taylor 
&  Bringman. — 

Iam&" 


CHARLES  JOUETT  "  TO  THE  ACTING  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,SWDFlALS] 

Chicago  31"  May  1809 
Sir  Your  communication  with  its  enclosures  were  received  the  14th 
instant "  The  Laws  transmited  will  be  duly  attended  to.  Since  my 
communication  of  the  13'"  March  '*  nothing  respecting  the  Indians  of 
my  Agency  has  occured  of  importance.  The  Sauks  who  are  under  the 
Superintendance  of  Governor  Lewis  indicates  a  disposition  for  War 
against  the  United  States,  as  appears  they  have  within  a  few  days 
invited  the  poutawatamies  to  lift  the  hatchet  against  America." 
I  have  no  reason  to  believe  the  Poutawatamies  will  accept  the  hatchet, 
and  as  it  respects  the  Saukes  have  made  the  necessary  communications 
to  Governors  Harrison  &  Lewis,  in  the  mean  time  do  me  the  honour  to 
believe  I  will  minutely  watch  their  movements,  I  am  with  the  highest 
respect  your  Obedient  Servant 

C  JOUETT 

[Addressed]  M'  John  Smith  Acting  Secretary  of  War  Washington 
The  care  of  M'  Johnston.     [Postmarked]  Dayton  0  June  16'"  Free 

[Endorsed]  Chikago  31  May  09  C.  Jouett  Has  reced  Letter  &c  of  the 
15  March,  Relative  to  the  Disposition  of  Indians — Reced  3  July  09  " 

"  See  indexes  to  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vil,  and  ibid.  (Mich.),  x,  for  references  to 
Jouett's  activities  as  Indian  agent. 

'» Not  found. 

"  This  statement  suggests  the  confusion  in  which  the  Indian  agents  at  authorized 
posts  were  sometimes  involved.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  Sauk  Indians  residing 
east  of  the  Mississippi  were  legally  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Governor  of 
Illinois  Territory.  Cf.  post,  pp.  65,  69,  n.  33.  See  also  Terr.  Papers  (La.-Mo.), 
XIII,  488. 

"  No  reply  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  41 

THE   SECRETARY  OF    THE   TREASURY  TO   SECRETARY 
POPE 

[ISL  :  Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13  :  LS] 

Treasury  department  June  8'"  1809. 

Sir,  The  accounting  officers  of  the  Treasury  to  whom  I  referred 
the  voucher  for  office  rent  annexed  to  your  letter  of  the  11'"  ultimo,"" 
are  of  opinion,  that  the  most  regular  mode  will  be  for  your  father 
in  law  to  sign  the  account  &  receipt  for  the  money,  which  he  may 
afterwards  make  a  present  of  to  j^ourself  or  any  other  person — It  is 
proper  however  to  add,  that  forty  dollars  p"'  annum  is  considered  as 
the  highest  sum  which  ought  to  be  allowed  for  the  rent  of  an  office.'"" 

I  am,  very  respectfully  Sir,  Your  Obed.  Serv' 

—  Albert  Gallatin 

Nathaniel  Pope  Esquire  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  Territory 
Kaskaskia  — 


"•  Ante,  p.  38. 

'">  Answered  post,  p.  49, 


PART  THREE 

Papers  relating  to  the  First  Administration 
of  Governor  Edwards 

1809-1812 


PART  THREE 

COMMISSION  OF  NINIAN  EDWARDS  AS  GOVERNOR 
[NA:SD,  Misc.  Permanent  Comms.,  C:C] 

[June  21,  1809] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting: 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 
Patriotism,  Integrity,  and  Abilities  of  Ninian  Edwards,  of  Kentucky, 
I  have  nominated,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Senate  do  appoint  him  Governor  in  and  over  the  Illinois  Territory;* 
and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute  and  fulfil  the  duties  of 
that  office  according  to  Law;  and  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  said  office, 
with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  Emoluments  to  the  same  of  right 
appertaining  for  the  term  of  three  years  from  the  day  of  the  date 
hereof,  unless  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  the  time  being 
should  be  pleased  sooner  to  revoke  and  determine  this  Commission. 
In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 
L.s    made  patent,  and  the  Seal  of  the  U  States  to  be  hereunto 

affixed. 
Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington  the  Twenty  first 
day  of  June  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  Eight  hundred  & 
Nine;  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  the 
Thirty  third. 

James  Madison 
By  the  President, 

R.  Smith  Secy  of  State 


WILLIAM  MORRISON  AND  JOHN  EDGAR  TO  GOVERNOR 

EDWARDS 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13:LS] 

[June  16,  1809] 
Sir,  Impressed  with  a  sense  of  respect  equally  due  to  ourselves  and 
the  public,  we  beg  leave  to  approach  the  first  Magistrate  of  our 
Country — and  by  a  plain  statement  of  facts  suggest  to  your  Excellency 

'  Nominated  June  16  and  confirmed  June  17,  1809  (Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  II, 
122,  124).  See  his  temporary  commission  in  the  Register,  post,  vol.  XVII.  His 
active  administration  commenced  on  June  11,  1809.  See  under  that  date,  loe. 
cit.,  for  the  beginning  of  the  record  of  his  official  acts. 

45 


46  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

that  James  Gilbreath  the  present  Sheriff  is  an  highly  improper  char- 
acter to  fill  that  responsible  and  important  office,  first,  when  the 
atrocious  murder  of  Rice  Jones  Esquire  was  committed,  this  man 
possitively  refused  to  accept  the  warrant  for  the  apprehension  of  the 
murderer  alledging  that  it  was  not  his  duty,  secondly,  on  a  late  im- 
portant trial  he  forcebly  entered  the  Jury  Room  and  destroyed  papers 
that  had  been  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Jury  under  the  directions  of 
the  Court — 

Indepei.dent  of  these  sources  of  complaint  we  can  produce  much 
testimony  to  your  Excellency  tending  to  prove  the  inadequacy  of  M' 
Gilbreath 's  principles  to  discharge  the  duties  of  that  office — 

Sir,  we  are  with  high  consideration  your  most  ob'  Humble  Servants 

W"  Morrison 
J.  Edgar 

June  le*"  1809— 


THE  GOVERNOR  OF  INDIANA  TERRITORY  TO  GOVERNOR 
EDWARDS 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govt.  Corr.,  1809-13:ALS1 

ViNCENNES  19  •"  June  1809 

Sir  Your  favor  of  the  8*"  of  June  '*  did  not  reach  me  until  about 
ten  days  ago.  [MS.  illegible]  written  from  Kaskaskias  on  the  14'" 
Inst.'*  arrived  last  night  I  must  beg  you  to  believe  that  I  would  not 
have  Suffered  a  post  day  to  pass  without  answering  your  first  commu- 
nication if  I  had  no!  been  informed  that  there  was  no  probability  of 
your  being  at  Kaskaskias  when  my  letter  would  arrive.  I  received 
this  information  from  M'  Stovl  who  understood  that  you  were  to 
leave  Kaskaskias  the  day  after  his  departure. 

I  had  however  previously  to  your  arrival  directed  the  Agent  of  the 
Saline  to  receive  your  orders.  So  that  I  hope  no  inconvenience  has 
resulted  from  the  delay  of  my  answer. 

It  would  indeed  have  given  me  great  pleasure  if  it  had  suited  your 
Convenience  to  have  taken  this  route  to  Kaskaskias  as  well  for  the 
opportunity  it  would  have  given  me  to  Show  my  personal  respect 
for  yourself  &  my  friend  Major  Short  as  for  the  facility  of  arranging 
Certain  Matters  relating  to  the  Indian  Department.  I  shall  leave 
the  day  after  tomorrow  fef  the  on  a  visit  to  two  of  the  distant  Counties 
of  this  Territory  &  shall  be  absent  about  3  Weeks — permit  me  to  hope 
that  you  will  return  by  this  route  to  Kentucky  if  you  should  not  be 
able  to  leave  your  Territory  before  my  return  [MS.  illegible]  that  you 
will  do  me  the  favor  to  Spend  a  few  days  with  me. — 

'•  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  47 

I  have  forwarded  to  Fort  Massac  by  Lieut.  Whitlock  the  goods 
Sent  for  the  Kaskaskias  Annuity  for  the  present  year  Subject  to 
your  order  I  have  also  placed  in  the  Hands  of  Peter  Jones  Esq''  of 
this  place  five  Hundred  Dollars  in  Cash  being  the  ballance  of  the 
Annuity  for  the  s"*  Tribe  which  he  will  deliver  to  yourself  or  the  Sec>' 
in  your  absence — He  intends  to  leave  for  Kaskaskias  in  a  few  days — 

I  have  heard  that  you  intended  to  Commence  a  building  Shortly  at 
Kaskaskias  if  so  permit  me  to  recommend  to  you  M'  Joshua  Bond 
of  this  place  as  a  most  excellent  Workman  and  a  very  respectable  & 
Honest  man — His  Brother  &  Uncle  two  of  your  more  worthy  Citizens 
reside  in  S'  Clair  County. 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  high  Respect  Sir  your  Himi"'  Serv' 

Will"  Henry  Harrison 

His  Exc  N.  Edwards  Esq"' 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  JAMES   GILBREATH 
[ISL:Exec.  File,  1790  to  date:CS] 

Kaskaskia,  28  June  1809 
M'  James  Galbreath 

Sir.  Soon  after  my  arrival  at  this  place  I  discovered  very  much 
to  my  regret  that  a  considerable  degree  of  party  spirit  di\ided  the 
people  of  this  Territory — To  guard  against  the  consequences  of  it — 
to  render  the  streams  of  justice  unexceptionable  &  pure — to  protect 
the  equal  rights  of  the  good  people  over  whom  I  am  called  by  my 
country  to  preside — and  inspire  them  with  Confidence  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  public  justice  have  been  objects  that  have  engaged  my 
most  anxious  solicitude — 

The  office  you  at  present  hold  is  one  of  the  most  important  nature, 
the  man  who  fills  it  should  not  only  be  free  from  all  prejudice  bias  & 
partialities  but  should  be  entirely  free  from  the  suspicion  of  either — 
This  is  a  principle  so  perfectly  correct  &  so  self  evident,  that  it  must 
be  recognized  and  admitted  by  any  man  who  ieeks  sees  thro  any 
unprejudiced  medium — Impressed  with  the  force  of  it  and  feeling  its 
justice,  I  coiald  not  hesitate  a  moment  and  did  not  in  comeing  to  a 
determination  to  remove  you — Ab4  while  fe^  when  I  found  you  a 
partizan — At  the  same  time  that  I  formed  this  determination  in  your 
case,  from  similar  motives  I  also  determined  that,  I  would  appoint 
no  one  of  the  adverse  party  to  fill  the  office  you  hold.  I  therefore 
sent  for  Maj"'  Benjamin  Stephenson  a  gentleman  whose  long  experi- 
ence in  the  same  business  rendered  him  amply  qualified,  and  whose 
worth  integritj'  and  unblemished  reputation  must  render  him  not 
only  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the  Territory  but  acceptable  to  all 
those  whose  object  is  to  promote  the  public  good.    He  has  arrived. 


48  TERRITO.RIAL    PAPERS 

has  consented  to  accept  the  office  of  Sherriff  and  at  the  same  time  that 
this  letter  determines  and  puts  an  end  to  your  power  to  act    A  com- 
mission issued  to  him  to  supply  the  vacancy — You  will  therefore  know 
to  whom  to  right  to  deliver  y''  papers. 
Y^  Obd'  S' 

NiN'  Edwards 


WILLIAM  KELLY  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

(ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13 :ALS1 

[June  28,  1809] 
Sir — Having  had  the  honor  of  Serving  as  Adjutant  in  the  Indiana 
Territory  during  the  administration  of  his  Excellency  S'  Clair — and 
Harrison — And  not  yet  having  received  my  former  appointment — 
And  being  informed  that  Honor  is  confered  on  Michael  Jones  Es- 
quire— I  appeal  to  you  as  the  fountain  of  Justice  for  redress — I 
herewith  transmit  two  Commissions  as  a  proof  of  my  standing  with 
the  former  Executives — 
I  am  your  Excellencies  Most  obedient  and  Very  Humble  Servant — 

William  Kelly 

June  28'"  1809—  

THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  MICHAEL  JONES 

AND  ELIJAH  BACKUS 

(NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One] 

Treasury  Department  June  30""  1809 
Michael  Jones  &  E  Backus  Esq"  Land  Commissioners  Kaskaskia — 

Gentlemen,  I  enclose  copy  of  an  Act  authorizing  the  appointment 
of  an  Agent  for  the  land  office  at  Kaskaskia,  and  allowing  compensa- 
tion to  the  Commissioners  and  Clerk.  For  the  compensation  thus 
allowed  the  Officers  are  respectively  authorized  to  draw  on  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury.  I  have  appointed  your  present  Clerk  M' 
Robinson,  agent  for  the  purposes  intended  by  the  First  section  of  the 
Act. 

I  am  &" 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  ROBERT 
ROBINSON 

[NA:GL0,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One] 

Treasury  Department  June  30*"  1809 — 
Robert  Robinson  Esq'  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Land  Commissioners 
Kaskaskia 
Sir,  In  conformity  with  the  provisions  of  the  First  Section  of  the 
enclosed  Act,  I  have  appointed  you  Agent  for  the  purposes  therein 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  49 

mentioned,  and  rely  on  your  Zeal  and  previous  knowledge  of  the 
claims  and  of  the  nature  of  the  evidence  heretofore  adduced,  as  suffi- 
cient pledges  that  no  endeavour  shall  be  wanted  on  your  part  to  repel 
unfounded  and  particularly  fraudulent  Claims,  To  large  Speculative 
claims  your  attention  is  specially  called 
I  am  &" 


SECRETARY  POPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE 

TREASURY 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13 :D] 

Kaskaskia  July  4*"  1809 

Sir  Yours  under  date  of  the  8'"  Ult"'  came  while  I  was  making 
out  my  return  of  the  Contingent  expences  of  the  Illinois  Territory'" — 

I  have  in  consequence  made  an  alteration  as  to  the  Office-Rent — 
I  have  charged  the  Secretary  five  Dollars  per  Month,  which  is  the 
lowest  price,  at  which  the  Secretary  can  accommodate  himself  with 
such  an  Office  as  he  ought  to  have  for  his  own  use  &  for  the  Con- 
venience of  those  persons  who  may  have  business  in  his  Office.  M"' 
Backus  has  no  agent  in  this  Country  except  myself,  and  I  have  no 
power  of  Attorney  in  Writing,  but  as  one  of  his  family  I  attend  to  his 
business — He  has  never  been  in  this  Country  since  I  received  My 
Commission  nay  not  since  Jan^  last — You  require  me  to  make  my 
return  quarterly  and  that  "No  future  payments  will  be  made  unless 
they  shall  have  been  received"^ — Now,  Sir,  it  seems  plain  that  I  am 
entitled  to  the  usual  allowance  Whether  I  produce  a  receipt  or  not. 
I  state  to  you  that  I  cannot  procure  a  suitable  room  for  less  than 
Sixty  Dollars  per  annum.  Suppose  that  I  make  an  Office  of  a  Room 
in  my  own  house,  with  Whom  am  I  to  make  a  Bargain  and  from  whom 
to  take  a  receipt?  Yet  would  you  refuse  to  allow  me  for  Office  rent? 
I  am  sure  you  would  not — I  could  wish  that  you  would  satisfy  your- 
self as  to  the  usual  price  of  Rooms  of  that  description  and  let  me  have 
a  credit  for  so  much  every  quarter — There  can  be  no  cheat  in  it 
because  an  Office  I  must  have  and  the  Government  cannot  be  injured 
by  the  arrangement — As  to  all  other  Charges  they  ought  to  be 
supported  by  proper  vouchers,  because  they  depend  upon  the  con- 
sumption in  the  Office — • 

Now  Sir  With  respect  to  my  charge  of  $12.00  per  Month  for  Office 
Rent  I  beg  leave  to  remark,  that  at  the  time  I  made  My  return  I  was 
ignorant  of  the  Object  of  the  appropriation  for  Office-Rent — ^I  advised 
with  Gentlemen  better  acquainted  with  such  affairs  than  myself,  they 
thought  it  amounted  to  house  rent  for  the  Secretary,  as  I  was  not 

""  Ante,  p.  41. 

'"  Copies  of  expense  vouchers  are  present  with  the  above  letter. 


50  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

convinced  that  they  were  correct  I  determined  to  try  the  principle  by 
forwarding  the  Account  to  the  31"  of  March,  knowing  that  if  the 
appropriation  did  embrace  the  Charge  that  you  could  correct  it — It 
seems  to  me  that  the  Secretary  ought  to  have  two  Rooms — one  to 
lodge  in  &  the  other  for  the  public  Papers  of  his  Office — In  a  Country 
where  Society  is  very  rude  &  the  buildings  indifferent  it  is  improper 
that  the  public  Papers  should  be  exposed,  by  being  left  in  a  house  in 
no  one  lodged — If  I  am  entitled  to  two  Rooms  Sixty  Dollars  would  not 
be  sufficient — The  forgoing  are  are  suggestions  for  your  consideration 
— But  I  assure  you  that  forty  Dollars  are  entirely  inadequate  to  the 
object — 

point  i  coniiidcr  it  the  aamo  as  malcing  a  Bargain  with  myoclf — You 
have  not  instructed  me  how  much  of  the  Ace*  already  rendered  by 
Me  will  be  admitted  or  Whether  any — 

I  wish  to  know  whether  the  Secretary  is  bound  to  supply  the  Gov' 
with  Stationary  * — 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  CHARLES  JOUETT 
[NA:OIA,SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  B] 

War  Department  5  July  09 
Ch' Jouett 

Sir  Your  letter  of  the  !•*  April  last,'  enclosing  a  Copy  of  one  to 
this  Department  of  the  13  July  1808,'  has  been  received.  You  will 
please  to  discharge  McDonald  from  the  Service,  and  in  future  have 
all  the  Indian  Blacksmith  work  done  by  the  Artificers  of  the  Garrison 
to  whom  you  will  pay  ten  Cents  &  one  Gill  of  Whiskey  each,  per  Day, 
on  account  of  the  Indian  Department,  for  every  Days  labor  performed 
for  the  Indians — The  enclosed  order,'  on  the  commanding  officer  at 
Chikago  will  authorise  you  to  call  upon  him  for  the  purpose — The 
necessary  Iron  &  Steel  for  the  Indian  Work,  should  be  supplied  by  you 

I  am  &c. 


WILLIAM  BIGGS  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13:ALS1 

Cahokia  10'"  July  1809 
Sir  I  arived  in  this  Village  this  Morning  there  is  no  Court  held 
here  this  day  I  am  told  next  Monday  is  the  term  of  Court  for  this 
County,  I  have  dated  Sent  all  the  Proclamations  you  give  in  my 
Charge  to  the  different  officers,  Which  I  Exspect  the  will  all  receive 
them  by  tomorow  evening — 

•  Answered  pod,  p.  56. 

•  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  51 

I  have  had  an  opportunity  of  Conversing  with  Several  of  the  People 
of  this  County  respecting  your  Sistom  of  appointing  the  Militia 
officers,  and  the  all  apear  to  be  highly  pleased  with  your  plan  and 
privilage  y©«  that  you  have  gave  them,  please  to  let  me  know  when 
you  will  leave  Kaskaskia 

I  am  with  respect  Sir  your  Most  obed'  and  Very  Hum"''  Serv' 

W.  Biggs 


JOHN  HAY  TO  SECRETARY  POPE 
(ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13 :ALS] 

Cahokia  10'"  July  1809 

Dear  Sir,  I  received  your  favor  by  M'  Biggs  Your  Information  is 
sufficiently  Ample  as  to  M'  Hays,  I  really  believe  you  have  been 
wrong  informed,  for  I  believe  I  can  safely  say  that  M'  Hays'  name 
will  not  be  found  on  Any  petition  whatever,  and  I  really  believe  that 
of  all  men  in  the  County  he  is  one  of  those  that  meddles  the  least  in 
Party  Business — 

he  followed  my  principles,  which  were,  that  men  of  Office  should 
keep  clear  of  party  business — 

I  remain,  D'  Sir  Yours  Sincerely 

John  Hay 

N.  Pope  Esq'' 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  HAYS  * 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

Juhj  12  1809 

John  Hays  P  M  Cahokia  I  T 

We  omitted  accidentally  to  insert  your  office  in  our  advertisement; 
it  is  inserted  in  the  new  contract  ° 

GG 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  13  July  1809 
Sir  Ducoigne  the  Chief  of  the  Kaskaskia  tribe  of  Indians,  has 
formally  complained  to  me  of  the  Kaicapoos  haveing  killed  his  wifes 
brother  and  stolen  about  thirty  horses  from  his  tribe  I  believe  no 
doubt  exists  of  the  truth  of  his  charges  and  he  demands  the  protection 
promised  by  treaty  with  the  United  States — He  also  complains  most 

•  A  resident  of  Cahokia  since  1793.    For  biographical  sketch,  see  Philbrick 
(ed.),  Laws  Ind.  Terr.,  lgOl-1809  (IHC,  xxi),  cclxxi-cclxxii. 
'  Not  found. 

314574 — 48 5  • 


U.  OF  ILL  UB. 


52  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

loudly  and  bitterly  of  the  people  of  this  village  selling  spirituous 
liquours  to  his  tribe  (a  thing  not  prohibited  by  any  law  that  I  have 
seen  &  which  it  seems  impossible  to  prevent)  Those  Indians  are 
constantly  drunk  in  these  streets  and  I  have  told  Ducoigne  that  I 
would  positively  direct  the  magistrates  whose  duty  it  is  to  conserve 
the  peace  &  prevent  disorder  to  commit  them  to  jail  whenever  they 
are  seen  drunk,  with  this  he  seems  well  pleased,  and  thinks  it  may  have 
a  happy  effect. 

I  should  be  happy  to  know  the  Presidents  wishes  on  these  subjects. 

With  the  highest  consideration  I  am  Y'  M"  Obd'  Serv* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  Robert  Smith  Esq'  Secretary  of  State 
Washington  City    Mail    [Postmarked]  Kaskaskia  July  14*"  Free 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskias. — Illinois  July  13.  1809 — Governor  Edwards 
(addrest  to  R.  Smith  Esq'',  Sec'  of  State)  Relative  to  complaints  of 
Ducoigne,  Chief  of  the  Kaskastia  Tribe  against  the  Kaicapoos,  for 
having  murder'd  some  of  his  kindred,  and  stolen  about  30  Horses; — 
he  demands  the  protection  of  the  United  States,  agreably  to  Treaty. — 
Rece"  Oct'  2"  1809.« 


GEORGE  HOFFMAN  '  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

(NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

MICHILIMACKINAC,  July  20'"  1809. 
Sir,  M'  Julian  Dubuque  at  the  request  of  the  late  John  Campbell 
Esq  of  LaPrairie  du  Chien  acted  as  Indian  Agent  there ' — He  furnished 
&  gave  to  the  Indians  the  goods  &"  mentioned  in  the  enclosed 
Account — For  which  he  demands  pa>Tnent — The  goods  forwarded  by 
Government  for  the  Indians  in  that  Quarter  were  last  summer  in 
consequence  of  the  death  of  M'  Campbell  detained  &  stored  at  Michi- 

*  No  reply  found. 

'  For  Hoffman's  status  as  an  official  in  Indiana  and  Michigan  territories, 
consult  indexes  to  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vol.  vii,  and  ibid.  (Mich.),  vol.  X. 

'  Campbell  was  killed  on  Aug.  12,  1808,  in  a  duel  with  Redford  Crawford,  of 
the  Michilimackinac  Company;  the  former  was  on  a  visit  to  Michilimackinac  at 
the  time.  For  an  account  of  the  affair,  and  other  relevant  facts  concerning  the 
appointment  of  Dubuque  to  carry  on  Campbell's  duties  at  Prairie  du  Chien 
pending  action  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  see  the  following  documents  in  NA 
(WD,  SWDF):  Hoffman  and  Abbott  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Aug.  15,  Aug.  17, 
and  Aug.  18,  1808,  the  last-cited  letter  enclosing  Campbell  to  Hoffman  and 
Abbott,  without  date,  requesting  them  to  attend  to  his  affairs  in  the  event  of  his 
death,  and  Hoffman  and  Abbott  to  Dubuque,  Aug.  17,  1808,  informing  the  latter 
of  Campbell's  death  and  of  his  request,  with  a  subenclosure.  Governor  Lewis  to 
Campbell,  June  2,  1808,  containing  instructions;  and  Hoffman  to  the  Secretary 
of  War,  Aug.  17,  1808,  enclosing  a  letter  from  Campbell  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
Apr.  7,  1808.  Campbell  had  been  Indian  agent  at  Prairie  du  Chien  since  1802. 
See  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  VII,  519. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  53 

limackinac  by  Cap*  Howard  the  commanding  officer  there.  Should 
the  account  of  M"^  Dubuque  pass  in  its  present  shape  it  will  suit  him 
to  receive  the  amount  of  it  from  either  the  pay  master  at  the  fort  near 
river  Dumoin  a  branch  of  the  Mississippi  or  from  the  pay-master  at 
Detroit — It  will  oblige  a  very  respectable  man,  much  attached  to  the 
interests  of  the  U.  States,  &  who  has  great  influence  with  the  Missis- 
sippi Indians,  to  have  his  account  speedily  liquidated  &  paid — Should 
it  be  necessary  for  M"'  Dubuque  to  have  his  account  supported  by 
Affidavits  or  rendered  in  a  different  form  from  that  in  which  it  is  now 
presented,  by  informing  Samuel  Abbott,  Esq,  of  this  place,  I  presume 
your  instructions  on  that  head  will  be  fulfilled. 
With  the  highest  respect,  sir.  Your  Ob*  S* 

G°  Hoffman. 

The  Hon:  The  Secretary  at  War  of  the  United  States  Washing- 
ton City  Maoinao 

[Addressed]  The  Hon:  The  Secretary  at  War  of  The  United  States, 
Washington  City.     [Postmarked]  Detroit  4  August    Free 

[Endorsed]  Michilimackinac,  July  20'"  1809.  Geo:  Hoffman,— 
relative  to  sundry  Supplies  furnished  to  divers  Tribes  of  Indians  by 
Julien  Dubuque,  who  acted  as  Indian  Agent  per  interim  at  Prairie  du 
Chien,  upon  the  Death  of  John  Campbell,  previously  charged  with 
that  Agency: — enclosing  a  Letter  of  M"'  Dubuque  &  his  Account. 
Rece"  Sepf  1=*  1809.' 

[Enclosure:  ALS] 

Julien  Dubuque  to  Samuel  Abbott  and  George  Hoffman 

Prairie  du  Chien  13  Juin  1809 — 
Mess"  Abbot  &  Hoffman 

Messie^ — J'ai  eu  I'honnur  de  recevoir  votre  lettre  le  22"  Sep' 
dernier  en  date  du  17  d'Aouet  precedent,  par  laquelle  j'ai  appris  la 
triste  nouvelle  de  la  mort  de  notres  respectable  Amie  feu  John  Camp- 
bell, et  appres  avoir  donn^  a  sa  memoire  toutes  les  marques  des 
respects  et  de  regrets  que  je  devois  a  son  triste  et  a  son  amitie  pour 
moi,  je  me  suis  mis  a  accomplir,  Selon  le  meilleur  des  mes  Connois- 
sance,  Ses  dernier  volunt^  d  l^gard  de  son  Emploi  comme  agent  des 
sauvages  pour  les  Etas  unies.^ — Quoique  dans  cet  Moment,  ma  saint6 
etois  tres  foibles  et  mes  forces  presque  epuis^  par  une  Maladie  lan- 
goureuse,  je  ne  puivez  pas  decider  autrement  que  de  faire  attention 
aux  dernier  volunte  d'un  ami  respectable,  communique  par  Vous 
Mess" 

Je  I'ai  done  accepts,  mais  au  bout  d'un  mois  et  vingt  huit  jours 
trouvant  que  la  maladie  que  m'accabl6  augmente  de  jours  en  jours  je 

•  No  reply  found. 


54  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

me  suis  adress6  au  Gouverner  Lewis  pour  lui  prier  de  mettre  quelqu'  in 
a  ma  place,  ma  demande  fut  accepts  et  Mon''  Boilvin  k  arrivd  le  28* 
de  Novembre  a  que  j'ai  ced<5  tous  les  papiers  qu'ettois  alors  entre  mes 
mains  en  me  de  mettant  du  place  d'agent  pour  les  sauvages. — 

Durant  le  temps  que  j'ai  servi  comme  agent,  la  Situation  du  paix 
etais  tres  critique,  et  je  fut  ia  quoUc  tft-  oblig4— pour  tenir  les  Sauvages 
dans  la  tranquilite  fque  la  mort  du  Defunct  avoient  trouble)  de  leurs 
faires  des  Present  pour  la  Montant  du  Compte  ci  enclos — N'ayant  pas 
d'ordres  particulier  d  cette  egard,  mais  voyant  la  necessity  absolu  de 
cette  demarche,  j'ai  pris  sur  moi  meme  de  le  faire  dans  I'espoir  que  le 
government  des  Etas  Unis,  n'hesiterets  pas  k  confirmer  ce  que  des 
circonstance  si  critique  exig^. — 

Je  vous  prie  bien  Messieurs  de  vouloir  vous  interesser  pour  moi 
pour  me  trouver  des  moyens  de  obtenir  du  Government  la  paiement 
de  Demande  que  j'ai  si  bien  merits  par  mes  services. — 

En  attendant  la  plaisir  de  vos  reponse  J  ai  I'honneur  d'etre  avee 
bon  coup  de  Considration  votre  tres  humble  et  tres  obeissant  Serviteur 

J  Dubuque 

[Addressed]  Mess"  Hoffman  et  Abbot  Michilimackinac 

[Eyidorsed]  Julien  Dubuque. — Prairie  du  Chien,  le  13°  Juin  1809. 
avec  Compte  de  Fourniture  aux  Bands  de  Sauvages,  mont'  a  $307. 

[Translation] 

Prairie  du  Chien,  June  13, 1809. 
Messrs.  Abbott  and  Hoffman. 

Sirs:  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  on  September  22  last  your  letter 
under  date  of  the  preceding  17th  of  August,  by  which  I  learned  the 
sad  news  of  the  death  of  our  respected  friend  the  late  John  Campbell. 
And  after  having  offered  to  his  memory  all  the  marks  of  respect  and 
of  sorrow  which  I  owed  to  his  death  and  to  his  friendship  for  me,  I 
set  myself  to  accomplish,  according  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge, 
his  last  wish  with  regard  to  his  employment  as  the  agent  of  the  savages 
for  the  United  States.  Although  at  that  time,  my  health  was  much 
enfeebled  and  my  strength  exhausted  by  a  lingering  sickness,  I  could 
not  decide  otherwise  than  to  devote  my  attention  to  the  last  wish  of 
a  respected  friend,  communicated  by  yourself. 

I  then  accepted  it,  but  at  the  end  of  a  month  and  twenty-eight 
days  finding  that  the  sickness  which  oppressed  me  increased  from 
day  to  day,  I  wrote  to  Governor  Lewis  asking  him  to  put  some  one 
in  my  place.  My  wish  was  granted,  and  M.  Boilvin  arrived  on  the 
28th  of  November,  to  whom  I  have  turned  over  all  the  papers  in  my 
hands  which  gave  me  the  position  of  agent  for  the  savages. 

During  the  time  I  acted  as  agent,  the  situation  as  to  peace  was  very 
critical,  and  I  was  obliged — in  order  to  hold  the  savages  tranquil  (the 
death  of  the  departed  had  troubled  them) — to  make  them  presents  as 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY 


55 


shown  by  the  account  here  enclosed.  Having  no  particular  orders 
in  this  respect  but  seeing  the  absolute  necessity  of  this  step,  I  took 
it  upon  myself  to  make  them,  in  the  hope  that  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  would  not  hesitate  to  confirm  that  which  critical  cir- 
cumstances demanded. 

I  beg  you,  gentlemen,  to  interest  yourselves  for  me  to  find  for  me 
the  means  of  obtaining  from  the  Government  the  paj-ment  of  that 
which  I  have  so  well  merited  by  my  services. 

Awaiting  the  pleasure  of  your  reply,  I  have  the  honor  to  be  with 
the  greatest  consideration  your  very  humble  and  very  obedient 
servant, 

J.  Dubuque 

[Addressed]  Messrs.  Hoffman  and  Abbott,  Michilimackinac 

[Endorsed]  Julien  Dubuque. — Prairie  du  Chien,  June  13,  1809. — 
With  account  of  supplies  given  to  bands  of  savages,  amounting  to  $307. 

[Enclosure:  ADS] 

BiU  of  Julien  Dubuque  for  goods  furnished  the  Indians 


The  United  States  D'  To  Julien  Dubuque- 
Indians  at  the  Prairie  du  Chien. — 


[June  14,  1809] 
-For  Sundries  furnished  the 


Sundries  given  to  an  Indian  sent  by  the  Chief  of  the 
Renards  with  a  Letter  from  the  Secretary  of  War 
adressed  to  the  Deceased  John  Campbell"' . 

12'"  Tobacco.  6'"  Powder  &  8  loaves  Bread  &  1 
Keg  Rum  to  the  Renards  of  the  Grand  Maqua- 
quitais 

To  the  Band  of  the  Petite  Mequaquitais  for  To- 
bacco Powder  &  Provissions 

To  the  Band  of  the  Rivire  Au  D'inde     .... 

To  the  Puants  "  of  the  Rock  River  for  Tobacco 
Powder  Rum  et  Provissions 

To  the  Band  de  Chemin  for  Powder  Tobacco,  & 
Provissions 

To  the  Band  of  Puants  at  the  Grande  Masquatine 
for  Tobacco  &  Provissions 

To  the  Sawkes  in  head  Tobacco  &  Provissions    . 

To  several  bands  at  different  times      .... 

To  Indians  of  diferent  nations,  who  from  time  to 
time  Visit  this  place 


Cents 


"  Not  seen.     Cf.  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  VII,  519. 


"^Or  Winnebago. 


56  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

The  foregoing  account  contains  a  just  &  true  Statement  of  the 
Amount  of  different  Articles  furnished  by  me  to  the  different  Nations 
at  this  place  during  the  time  I  was  in  the  service  of  the  United  States 
as  agent  for  the  Indians  in  the  place  of  the  Deceased  John  Campbell 
commencing  the  22"  of  September  &  ending  the  20""  November  1808. 

Prairie  du  Chien  14  June  1809. — 

J  Dubuque 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JAMES  FINNEY  " 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  QJ 

July  24,  09 


James  Fenny  p  m  Kaskaskia  I.  T. 
Bond  &c  to  be  executed  by  John  M'Arthur 


GG 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  SECRETARY 

POPE 

(ISL  :  Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13  :  LS] 

Treasury  Department  July  29'"  1809. 

Sir,  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  4'"  instant.'^*  It  is  most 
regular  that  you  should  transmit  a  voucher  for  the  pajmienl  of 
office-rent;  but  if  you  make  use  of  a  house  or  a  building  of  your  own 
for  an  office,  you  may  state  that  fact  quarterly  and  charge  fifteen 
dollars,  or  at  the  rate  of  sixty  dollars  a  year  for  the  rent. 

As  you  could  not  have  occupied  an  office  before  you  received  your 
commission,  and  as  this  was  not  probably  received  before  the  first 
of  April,  I  do  not  perceive  now  you  can  charge  for  office-rent  before 
that  day. 

You  are  authorized  to  furnish  the  Governor  with  such  articles 
of  Stationary  as  are  nece.ssary  for  his  use  in  transacting  the  public 
business  of  the  territory.'^*" 

I  am  respectfully  Sir,  your  obed'  serv' 

—  Albert  Gallatin 

Nathaniel  Pope  Esq'  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  Territory. 


JOHN  HAYS  TO  SECRETARY  POPE 

[ISL  :  Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13  :  ALS] 

[August  16,  1809] 
Sir    I  have  been   Informed   that  there  are  Certain   Malicious 
persons  have  sent  Depositions  to  the  Governor  against  me,  in  Con- 

"  See  biographical  sketch  of  James  Finney  in  Philbrick,  op.  eit.,  p.  cclxxi, 

»•  Ante,  p.  49. 

•">  Answered  post,  p.  60. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  57 

siquence  of  two  Indians  Escaping  from  Prison.  I  beg  you  would  be 
so  good  to  Inform  the  Governor  that  I  am  ready  to  meet  those  persons, 
and  their  depositions,  at  any  time  he  may  think  proper,  the  Sooner 
the  better,  and  hope  to  defeat  them  to  then*  own  disgrace  and  my 
own  Satisfaction,  and  Convince  the  Governor  of  their  false  Assertions 
&•— 

Inclosed  is  my  Bond  to  the  Governor 

I  am  Respectfully  Your  Obd'  Serv' 

John  Hays 

Nath'  Pope  Esq^  16'"  Awg'  1809 


SECRETARY  POPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[ISL  :  Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13  :  CSJ 
Kaskaskia    September  1"  1809    Secretary's  Office  — 

Sir  I  herewith  have  the  honor  to  transmit  you  a  Copy  of  the 
Laws  passed  by  the  Governor  and  Judges  since  the  first  day  of  March 
last  and  also  a  *Kie  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Governor  in  his 
Executive  Capacity'^" — 

I  regret  ainccrcly  extremely  that  it  was  rot  in  my  power  to  Make 
the  report  in  my  own  hand  writing — The  Clerk  I  was  obliged  to 
employ  has  made  many  mistakes.  A  severe  attack  of  the  Bilious 
fever  which  confined  me  to  my  bed  nearly  the  whole  of  Last  Month 
and  from  which  I  am  not  now  recovered  disqualified  me  from  attending 
to  any  business  — 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  Sir,  Your  Ob'  Serv* 

Nat  Pope 

The  Honb'^  Robert  Smith  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  MICHAEL  JONES  » 

AND  ELIJAH  BACKUS  '* 

(NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One] 

Treasury  Department  Sept'  9'"  1809 
Michael  Jones  &  Elijah  Backus  Esq"  Land  Commiss"  Kaskaskias 
Gent"  I  have  received  Gov'  Edward's  Letter  containing  the  result 
of  the  investigation  into  the  charges  against  you,'*  as  those  papers 
will  not  be  laid  before  the  President  till  his  return  here,  towards  the 
end  of  this  month,  it  may  be  premature  in  me  to  express  an  opinion. 

"°  For  the  proceedings  (Executive  Register),  see  post,  vol.  xvii. 

'3  Jones  was  first  appointed  register  of  the  land  office  at  Kaskaskia,  Apr.  9, 
1804.     See  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vil,  185,  n.  69. 

"  Backus  was  appointed  receiver  of  the  land  office  at  Kaskaskia,  Oct.  5,  1804. 
See  ibid.,  p.  201,  n.  13. 

"  Not  found.  It  was  answered  by  Gallatin,  Sept.  8,  1809  (Edwards  Papers, 
CHS,  printed,  Washbume,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  CHC,  ui,  46-48). 


58  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

But  I  think  it  of  primary  importance  earnestly  to  recommend  promp- 
titude in  your  decisions  and  final  report.  I  trust  this  will  be  made, 
so  as  to  close  the  whole  business,  in  time  to  be  laid  before  Congress  at 
the  ensuing  Session,  but  let,  at  all  events  your  report  of  confirmations 
so  far  as  you  have  made  up  your  opinion  be  immediately  prepared  & 
transmitted;  &  let  this  be  generally  known.  I  think  that  it  will  have 
a  vor}^  strong  tendency  to  quiet  the  public  mind,  &  that  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  in  order  to  reconcile  the  Mass  of  the  inhabitants  to  the 
General  Government.  It  is  indeed  an  act  of  Justice  due  to  the 
honest  Claimants  who  have  been  injured  by  delays  which  were  not 
in  any  degree  due  to  them.  There  is  an  other  subject  on  which  I 
have  no  right  to  instruct,  but  you  will  permit  me  to  say  that,  in 
the  present  distracted  state  of  the  territory,  I  am  of  opinion  that  you 
or  the  Agents  interfering  in  its  local  politics  will  be  injurious  to  your- 
selves and  to  the  General  Govern'  " 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &C 


ELIJAS  BACKUS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY 

(NA:GLO,  Kaskaskia,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALSl 

Kask"  Sevi'  24'"  1809 

Sir,  After  waiting  till  the  middle  of  July,  at  Marietta,  for  your  dis- 
patches; I  embraced,  notwithstanding  my  ill  health,  the  first  oppor- 
tunity to  descend  the  Ohio,  and  opened  the  Commissioners  Office, 
about  a  month  since. — 

But  I  write  this  letter.  Sir,  to  inform  you,  that  on  my  arrival,  I 
found  my  Colleague,  Co'  Jones,  to  have  been  taken  by  a  criminal 
process,  and  bound  over  to  Court,  as  accessory  to  the  murder  of  Jones 
(of  whom  you  have  heard) — That  a  Bill  of  Indictment  has  been  found 
by  a  Grand  Jurj^  four  of  whom  (as  I  am  informed)  only  were 
acquainted,  either  with  him,  or  his  accusers,  or  were  residents  in  this 
part  of  the  Country — That  he  instantly,  demanded  his  trial,  altho  the 
principal,  Docf  Dunlap,  had  not  been  taken — That  after  much  oppo- 
sition on  the  part  of  the  prosecution,  a  day  was  granted  him  for  trial 
(Friday  last) — That  on  that  day,  on  motion  of  the  Attorney  Gen', 
his  trial  has  been  deferred  to  April  next,  —  and  that  I  have  no  doubt, 
a  copy  of  this  Indictment  will  be  forwarded  to  the  President,  accom- 
panied with  this  question  "whether  it  is  proper  that  a  man  indicted 
for  murder,  should  be  continued  as  a  Public  Officer"  " 

"  See  Philbrick,  op.  cit.,  pp.  xciii-xciv,  for  an  account,  with  citations,  of  the 
political  repercussions  resulting  from  the  decisions  of  the  land  commissioners  at 
Kaskaskia. 

"  Rice  Jones,  son  of  John  Rice  Jones,  was  murdered  by  Dr.  James  Dunlap  on 
Dec.  7,  1808.  Michael  Jones  was  indicted  on  July  20,  1809,  and  acquitted  Apr. 
10,  1810.  See  post,  p.  95.  Dunlap  escaped  and  was  never  brought  to  trial. 
Others  named  as  co-conspirators  were  Backus,  Robert  Robinson,  James  Gil- 
breath,  James  Finney,  and  Langlois  (Philbrick,  op.  cit.,  pp.  xciv,  ccliv). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  59 

A  similar  indictment  has  been  unsuccessfully  attempted  to  be  ob- 
tained against  me — 

Lest  the  presumption  arising  from  these  facts  should  be  back"  by- 
high  authority  and  make  an  impression  upon  the  mind  of  the  Presi- 
dent; I  give  this  information,  as  preliminary  to  a  request,  that  he  might 
suspend,  in  this  case,  his  judgment  till  he  shall  receive  a  train  of  depo- 
sitions &  documents,  which  will  afford,  not  only  a  full,  but  an  over- 
whelming conviction  on  this  subject — 

These  documents,  are  now  nearly  compleated ;  and  will  be  sent  by  the 
first  safe  conveyance  (I  say  safe  because  our  dispatches  have  already 
been  plundered  from  the  public  mail— 

These  documents.  Sir,  may  have  a  more  extended  reach,  than  is 
expected  but  they  will  rest  on  their  own  basis — 

If  indeed  your  Commissioners  have  been  guilty  of  miu-der,  it  is 
agreed,  on  all  hands  that  they  ought  to  be  hung — 

But,  if  an  attempt  has  been  made,  to  stretch  a  Board  of  National 
Officers,  on  the  Plains  of  Kaskaskia,  for  the  benefit  of  perjured  claims; 
the  spectacle  is  an  awful  one — 

I  am  Sir  Y' 

E  Backus 

Oct'  14'"  1809 
Sir,  I  am  requested  by  my  Colleague  to  transmit  to  you  the  fore- 
going, it  being  a  copy  of  a  letter  already  sent  to  you  by  the  Gov" 
Sheriff— 

As  the  enquiry  into  the  conduct  of  the  Commissioners  which  (in  our 
letter  of  the  28'"  of  Dec''  last) ''  we  requested  might  be  made,  has  been 
made  by  the  Gov''  in  my  absence,  and  transmitted  with  his  report, 
which  I  have  never  seen  altho  it  has  been,  it  seems,  sent  by  him  to  our 
great  land  claimants  at  this  place;  I  desire  to  know  1"'  what  this  report 
is — 2**  whether  he  has  transmitted  to  you  the  following  depositions 
VZ  of  R  Robinson  James  Gilbreath,  J  Finney,  P  Fouke,  W.  Arundel, 
W"  Biggs,  H  Levins,  Louis  Seguin,  Jerome  Danis,  J  Noval,  J.  Reynor, 
W  Chaffin,  T.  Todd,  C.  Cairnes,  S  Bond  Senior  &  Ju''— T  F  Perry- 
N  Jarrot — John  Hay — J  Hays — J  Manegle — Louis  Pillette — A. 
Stallion  ''— 

3<*  As  the  Gov''  has  informed  my  family  (with  whom  he  resided  dur- 
ing his  stay  here)  that  his  report  would  not  respect  me;  I  wish  to  know 
whether  it  does  relate  to  me,  &  if  so  whether  I  am  at  liberty  to  reply  to 
it — It  must  be  here  remarked  that  I  have  never  yet  seen  but  a  part  of 
the  charges  against  us  &  know  not  their  contents — 

''  Not  found. 

"  No  one  of  these  documents  has  been  seen. 


60  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

You  must  be  prepared  Sir  for  a  train  of  documents  on  this  subject 
which  will  give  you  some  siu"prize — 
I  am  Sir  respectfully  Y'  hb  Sv' 

E  Backus 
Hon  a  Gallatin  Esq' 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  Oct.  14.  1809.    E.  Backus  Rec'  Pub.  monies 
de  charges  ag'  him  &  the  Governor's  reports. 


SECRETARY  POPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE 
TREASURY 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13:CS1 

A  Copy  Kaskaskia  September  30'"  1809 

Sir  I  herewith  transmit  to  you  my  account  of  the  Contingent 
expences  of  the  Illinois  Territory  from  the  1"  day  of  July  to  this  day 
amounting  to  thirty  Dollars  and  twenty  two  Cents — Among  the 
Vouchers  you  will  find  one  from  M'  Backus  for  the  quarter  ending 
the  thirtieth  day  of  June — 

Being  unacquainted  with  the  regulations  concerning  the  Secre- 
taries, I  supposed  that  I  was  as  much  entitled  to  Office  rent  as  to 
my  Salary  previous  to  the  receipt  of  my  Commission  particularly 

i  «H»  ftet  rcaaonably  entitled  -te  any  pay  ppcviouo  to  *he  receipt  ef 
HW  Commisjion,  which  was  m  April — 
I  am  respectfully  Sir  y'  ob'  Serv* 

Nat  Pope 

Albert  Gallatin  Esq'  Sec'  of  the  Treasury 


JUDGE  JONES  TO  WILLIAM  H.  CRAWFORD 

(GAO:Misc.  Treas.,  Acct.  No.  22.721  (1810) :ALS] 

Louisiana  Oct'  22,  1809 
My  Dear  friend  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  but  one  line  from  you 
since  I  left  Georgia,  I  WTote  you  from  Cahokia  3  weeks  past,  but  am 
doubtful  whether  you  will  shortly  get  my  letter,  as  I  hear  the  post 
boy  lost  his  horse  &  has  managed  so  foolishly  as  to  detain  the  Mail  2 
weeks  longer  than  was  necessary,  In  my  letter  I  informed  you  that 
the  deed  you  mentioned  was  in  the  hands  of  M'  Cobb,  I  send  you 
enclosed  in  this,  by  the  hands  of  Co'  Smith,  a  draft  for  $300  from 
J,  B,  Thomas,  with  his  line  to  me  on  the  occasion,  I  expected  one 
due  sooner  but  am  in  hopes  it  will  answer — He  sent  it  me  on  the 
instant  of  my  departure  for  this  place,  &  I  had  not  time  to  see  him 
again  before  I  started  lest  Co'  Smith  should  be  gone  before  I  got  here — 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  gi 

I  hereby  authorise  you  to  draw  in  my  name  for  all  that  is  due  to  me, 
when  you  leave  Washington;  or  if  it  is  usual  to  draw  for  something 
in  advance,  as  I  am  told  it  is;  for  that  also;  &  be  so  good  if  home- 
sickness will  permit  you,  as  to  see  Joshua  Perry  of  N.  Carolina, 
Franklin  County,  &  make  the  purchase  for  me  that  we  talkd  of.  I 
feel  much  disposed  to  have  that  in  reserve,  if  I  should  not  think  fit  to 
settle  elsewhere  for  life, — I  have  been  thro'  the  American  bottom;  & 
expect  in  about  8  or  10  days  to  visit  Turkey  hill  &  the  Goshen  Settle- 
ments; the  land,  perhaps  has  no  superior,  on  earth;  but  I  think  it  is 
a  Sickly  Country;  &  as  for  Society  except  a  very  few,  "I  shall  say 
nothing  about  it"- — The  Hill  Country  I  expect  is  much  healthier,  & 
the  land  quite  rich,  &  as  to  the  Inhabitants  I  expect,  to  give  you  some 
of  my  thoughts  about  in  my  next, — I  have  been  2  days  at  Co'  Smiths 
&  have  visited  some  of  the  lead-mines,  I  have  no  doubt  of  its  being  a 
healthy  country,  nor  have  I  any,  that  a  man  may  make  Considerable 
Money  with  prudence  &  industry,  at  least  double  or  treble  what  he 
could  in  Georgia  if  he  would  pursevere  a  few  years;  but  in  the  mean 
time  he  would  be  almost  banish'd  from  Civil  Society,  &  have  to  Buffet 
the  billows  of  barbarism,  Co'  Smith  has  been  good  enough  to  promise 
to  buy  100  Acres  of  land  for  me,  if  he  Can,  &  give  me  the  refusal  of 
taking  it  or  not  hereafter;  it  lies  about  2  miles  from  his  house,  &  not 
quite  as  far  from  the  mines,  has  a  good  Spring  on  it,  &  about  25  Acres 
cleard,  it  is  excellent  land,  &  he  informs  me,  that  he  has  always  been 
able  to  sell  his  Com  for  a  dollar  per  bushel;  &  devote  the  the  best 
months  for  digging,  to  wit,  the  fall  &  winter,  with  little  inconvenience 
to  his  farm  after  it  is  once  open'd,  &  those  months  have  prov'd  very 
profitable — If  I  should  ever  bring  my  family  to  this,  or  the  western 
Country,  I  feel  at  present,  as  tho'  I  should  like  to  make  a  trial  of  the 
mines,  especially  as  I  am  Convinc'd  it  is  healthy;  but  at  the  same  time 
I  should  not  like  to  give  up  my  appointment;  &  altho'  it  would  be  a 
breach  of  the  letter  of  the  law,  I  might  Comply  with  the  Spirit  of  it, 
for  I  should  be  nearer  to  the  places  of  holding  Courts  than  I  should 
be,  in  many  parts  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  not  to  have  recourse  to 
president;  for  Judge  Coboum  still  resides  in  Kentucky  &  presides  in 
Louisiana!  but  if  I  can  get  a  Convenient  passage  down  the  river,  in 
the  spring,  I  shall  probably  go  by  the  Natches  &  thro'  the  Mississippi 
T,  as  I  return  to  Georgia;  when  I  hope  once  more  to  have  the  pleasure 
of  consulting  with  my  wife  &  particular  friends;  before  which  time, 
I  am  determin'd  Not  to  be  determind  possitively  what  to  do  in  the 
premises — I  hope  &  expect  to  write  to  you,  &  hear  from  you,  much 
more  frequently  after  your  arrival  at  Washington,  if  the  mail  does  not 
lose  itself  entirely, — You  will  know  that  I  am  no  News-monger,  nor 
indeed  are  there  many  in  Casca;  this  perhaps  is  partly  owing  to  their 
being  so  remote  from  the  margin  of  Commercial  Controversy,  partly 


62  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

from  private  animosity  arising  from  party  rage  on  account  of  dividing 
the  Territory,  &  partly  from  disappointment  in  having  their  land 
Claims  Confirm'd ;  &  I  do  not  know  but  native  indolence  of  mind  may 
justly  lay  in  her  claim  for  some  share — Pray  let  me  know  how  the 
Georgians  as  well  as  the  Yankees,  seem  dispos'd  to  stand  the  Second 
Embargo,  what  is  the  price  of  c[otto]n  in  Georgia,  &  what  for  Crops 
are  made  there;  who  are  elected  in  Oglethorpe  for  the  assembly,  & 
who  for  County  Officers?  &c  What  seems  to  be  the  movements  & 
views  of  Napolione  &  George?  does  it  seem  probable,  that  they  will 
ever  respect  the  natural  rights  of  man,  &  seek  the  Interest  &  happiness 
of  their  Subjects,  or  that  they  will  rashly  pursue  the  bubble  of  ambi- 
tion &  folly  'till  kind  Heaven  in  Compassion  to  the  affliction  [of]  their 
deluded  subjects,  stops  the  breath  of  their  [nos]trils  &  furnishes  the 
earth  with  a  nause[ous]  Morsel,  &  his  Satanic  Majesty  with  trouble- 
some Companions? — 

How  well  I  should  like  to  live  here,  under  the  impression  of  being 
useful  to  my  family,  if  I  could  but  enjoy  the  privilege  of  spending  a 
few  of  my  heavy  evenings  with  my  family,  &  a  few  choice  friends; 
One  tried  friend  of  talents  &  integrity,  is  worth  more  to  me  than  a 
whole  Territory  of  [blank] 

Our  Governor  has  not  come  on  yet  but  is  expected  shortly,  With 
Sincerest  friendship  I  remain  Y"  &c. 

Obadiah  Jones 

[Addressed]  William  H,  Crawford  Esq'  Senator  in  Congress  Wash- 
ington City.    Politeness  Co'  Smith. 


PETITION   TO   MATTHEW   LYON   BY   INHABITANTS   OF 
SHAWNEETOWN 

[LC:HF,  11  Cong.,  2  sess.iDS] 

[November  13,  1809] 
To  the  Honorable  Matthew  Lyon  Esq' 

Permit  us  to  Address  you  as  the  Organ  of  our  solicitation,  situated 
as  we  are,  remote  from  the  seat  of  Goverment  and  without  the  privi- 
lidge  of  representation,  allso  permit  us  to  indulge  a  hope  of  success 
through  the  means  of  your  correct  and  disinterested  principles,  as 
well  towards  Citizens,  of  the  United  States  as  to  the  Citizens,  of  the 
state  to  which  you  particularly  Represent.  In  you  whome  we  have 
the  greatest  confidence,  we  desire  and  believe,  our  situation  and 
rights  too;  will  be  appreciated  and  truly  represented,  we  wish  it 
done  through  you  in  such  a  manner  as  you  may  deem  most  propper. 
Apprehensive  as  we  are,  that  this  town  is  scarcely  known  to  the 
United  States   goverment.    Other    than  that  of   the  Saline   salt- 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  63 

works.  We  the  subscribers  inhabitants  of  this  town  having  been 
indulged  by  our  former  governor  belonging  to  the  Indianna  Territory'-, 
and  having  made  many  improvements.  We  think  it  hard  that  we 
cannot  be  permitted  to  injoy  them,  until!  the  Goverment  shall  deem 
it  propper  to  receive  the  benifits  themselves.  Now  it  is  our  wish  that 
a  town  be  laid  off  in  lotts,  and  sold  to  the  Highest  bider,  or  leased  by 
Goverment  for  a  term  of  Years,  as  we  suppose  the  latter  will  be  the 
plan  adopted,  for  the  present.  We  hope  you  will  make  Application  to 
the  secretary  or  to  the  United  States,  in  our  behalf,  as  it  appears  our 
present  Governor  is  not  Authorised  to  do  anything  with  this  place, 
from  his  answers  to  the  Applicants  of  this  place,  we  are  fearfull  that 
some  Monopolizing  company  or  set  of  men  may  by  some  means  Get 
a  lease  for  the  whole  of  this  place,  which  we  think  would  be  an  impol- 
itic thing  and  an  ingurj'  to  the  community  at  large,  as  the  relative 
situation  of  this  place  to  the  Saline  Makes  it  Nessessarj'  for  two  thirds 
of  the  salt  made  at  that  place,  to  pass  through  this,  which  of  course 
will  be  a  cause  of  a  Great  many  people  passing,  and  repassing  to  and 
from  the  saline,  Who  we  conceive  could  be  better  accommodated,  by 
a  number  than  by  a  few,  and  as  all  men  are  Born  with  eaqual  privi- 
lidges,  in  the  United  States. — We  think  when  our  situation  becom.es 
known,  and  the  situation  of  this  place  to  Goverment,  that  there  will 
not  be  a  lease  Granted  to  any  indi\idual  but  impartially  to  any 
persons  who  may  wish  to  give  to  goverment  the  best  price. — This 
address  is  from  thirty  families  now  li\4ng  on  the  primeces,  there  is  not 
the  least  doubts  there  would  be  twenty  to  one,  in  the  course  of  a  very 
short  time,  it  being  the  only  elligible  place  for  a  town,  on  the  River 
between  the  Wabash  and  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio — and  the  only  place 
where  a  town  would  be  Usefull,  to  the  comunity  at  large,  the  improve- 
ments allready  made  are  compact  and  within  the  limmits  of  a  single 
sextion  of  land,  and  in  time  this  situation  would  be  as  elligible  for  a 
county  town,  as  much  so  however  as  Kaskaskia  is;  both  situated  on 
the  extreme  boundery  of  the  Teritorj-  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles 
from  each  Other.  A  Repository  is  nessessarily  required  for  the 
conveniance  of  holding  large  quantities  of  Salt  Grain  meat  Goods  &c 
which  is  exchanged  and  conveyed  by  waggons  &c  to  &  from  the  saline 
and  by  Boats  to  the  States  of  Ohio  Kentucky  Tenesse  and  the  Other 
Teritories.  There  being  no  other  place  where  the  purchaser  and  the 
sellar  can  be  so  well  and  eaqually  accomodated.  Nature  seems  to 
have  declared  this  place  the  favour,  d  spot,  The  distance  from  this 
place  to  the  Saline  Works  is  at  least  twelve  or  fourteen  IMiles — 
Admitting  the  United  States  to  reser\-e  a  sufficiant  Quantitj^  of  lands 
for  Wood  for  the  Saline,  would  not  twelve  miles  all  around  give  a 
sufficiant  quantity,  it  would  give  them  five  hundred  and  seventy  six 
squar-miles  and  it  is  Well  known,  that  the  consumption  of  wood  have 


64 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


not  eaqualled  one  squar-mile  pr  Year.  Could  any  one  imagine  that 
there  would  be  a  want  of  wood  When  sevenety  years  has  matured  the 
sublimest  Groves  in  the  Whole  Country,  and  on  the  very  lands  within 
that  limmit,  besides  much  Wood  if  nessessarj'  could  be  brought  With 
much  more  ease  down  the  saline  Crick,  than  from  this  place,  this 
town  may  be  well  supplied  With  stone  coal,  there  are  Beds  of  it,  in  the 
banks  allso  with  stones  in  abundance  which  serve  at  present  to  form 
the  Eddy  and  would  answer  a  valuable  purpose  in  building,  this 
Eddy  constitutes  one  of  the  best  harbours,  the  most  conveniant  and 
safest  of  any  Other  from  the  Wabash  to  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  for 
all  sorts  of  crafts  of  any  size  Therefore  there  can  be  no  reasonable 
objection  to  this  place  becoming  a  town  It  is  with  deliberation  we 
pledge  ourselves  for  the  truth  of  these  our  observations  to  you — We 
allso  pledge  ourselves  to  support  our  common  country  its  constitution 
and  laws  with  our  lives  and  property.  We  must  beg  leave  to  make 
mention  with  diffidence  least  a  Misconception  be  prepossessed  from 
misrepresentations  that  there  are  amongst  our  number,  both  moral 
and  Relidgeous  as  well  as  many  enterprizing  and  industrious  people. — 
Shawneytown  noV  13  AD  1809  ^ 


John  Robinson 
John  Reid 
Robert  Dixon 
Ge°  Robinson 
Adrian  Davenport 
John  Davenport 
Marmduke  S.  Davenport 
John  Reburn 
J.  G.  Whelan 
J,  Wilson 
Fred:  Delanej^ 
Henry  Boyers 
William  Akers 
Pierre  Moulin 
Henry  Kenyon 
Emanuel  Ensminger 
Elihu  Howard 
John  Handlee 
Ephraim  Hubbard  Sen"^ 
Elias  Hubbard 
Augustus  Hubbard 
Jacob  Zellers 
Samuel  Robb 
Saml  Moore 
Walker  Scanland 


John  IManson 
Joseph  Love 
Isaac  Sibley 
William  Coen 
Robert  Cox 
Meshake  Sexton 
N  D  Anderson 
Michal  Sprinkle 
Reuben  Fox 
Abner  Wilks 
William  west 
John  Williams 
Enoch  Brown 
Joseph  Lang 
John  Forester 
Sam'  Barks 
John  M'Connel 
John  Johnston 
W"  Morgan 
John  Voodry 
Peter  Bono 
James  Logan 
James  Wilson 
Andrew  English 


'"  This  and  the  succeeding  document  were  evidently  submitted  by  Lyon  and 
referred  on  the  same  date.     See  next  note. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  65 

PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  INHABITANTS  OF 
SHAWNEETOWN 
[LC:HF,  11  Cong.,  2  sess.:  DS] 

[November  13,  1809] 
To  the  Honorable  the  Congress  of  the  United  States — The  Petition  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  Shawnee  Towti  in  the  IlHnois  Territory  respectfully 
shews  that  there  are  thirty  families  Settled  in  said  Town  on  &  Near  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio  River  at  the  place  most  convenient  for  the  landing 
loading  &  unloading  the  Supplies  Going  to  &  the  Salt  comeing  from 
the  Great  Saline  belonging  to  the  United  States — Your  Petitioners 
fvirther  State  that  their  Settlements  are  nearly  all  on  one  Section  of 
Land  &  they  fear  that  some  Monopolizer  will  purchase  or  lease  the 
whole  Tract  &  thereby  not  only  defraud  the  United  States  out  of  a 
Great  Share  of  the  real  Value  of  the  Property  but  distress  your  pe- 
titioners by  either  driveing  them  from  their  Settlements  or  Exacting 
from  them  Extravagant  Rents  for  their  own  improvements.  Your 
petitioner  therefore  prays  that  the  proper  officers  may  be  authorised 
to  lay  out  the  lands  in  Question  into  Small  Lots  from  one  to  two  acres 
&  put  them  on  Sale  to  the  highest  bidder  &  we  as  in  duty  bound  &c 

George  Robinson  for  the 
Petitioners  46  in  Number — 

SHAWNEETOWN  NoV  13'"  1809 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  Sundry  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Shawnee, 
Illinois  territory.  31°*  January,  1810.  Ref"  to  the  Committee  on  the 
Public  Lands.    5'"  April,  1810.    Bill  reported.^'    M'  Lyon  ref*  lands 


CHARLES  JOUETT  TO  [THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR] 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Chicago  30^;i  Nov.  1809 
Sir  I  have  this  moment  examined  the  map  of  the  Ellinoie  Territory 
and  find  its  western  boundary  runs  within  a  very  few  miles  directly 
parallel  with  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  divesting  me  entirely 
of  my  powers  as  an  agent,  as  the  Indians  &  traders  who  have  been 
hitherto  in  my  agency  are  now  within  the  Ellinoie  Territory.  This 
fact  presents  a  striking  picture  of  the  unimportance  of  the  Chicago 
establishment,  under  exacting  circumstances.  I  shall  however  con- 
tinue to  discharge  my  duties,  and  should  any  contravention,  of  the  laws, 
take  place,  sfeali  make  the  necessary  communications  to  the  Governor  of 
the  Ellinoue  Territory.  Should  these  facts  induce  you  to  discontinue 
my  Agency  here,  I  trust  you  will  do  me  the  honor  altho  to  you,  a 
personal  stranger,  to  confide  to  me  some  other  employment,  esspecially 

"  House  Journal,  Vii,  207,  349. 


66  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

when  you  reflect  that  I  have  been  nearly  eight  years  devoted  to  the 
services  of  my  Country,  and  in  situations  too  not  without  their  perils 
and  difficulties,  Previous  to  any  change  taking  place  in  my  official 
concerns,  I  request  the  honour  of  visiting  you  at  the  seat  of  Govern- 
ment, from  whence  I  have  been  absent  upward  of  five  years. 
I  am  your  Obediant  Servant. 

C.  JOUETT 

[Addressed]    Gen'  James  Wilkinson.** 

[Endorsed]  Chicago,  Nov^  30'"  1809.  C.  Jouett— Relative  to  the 
unimportance  of  his  present  Agency  in  consequence  of  the  new  Terri- 
torial arrangements,— &c.    Rec"  Jan  >•  9 '"  1810  ^ 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  JARED 

MANSFIELD 

[NA:GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  li:ALSl 

Treasury  Department  Dec"  9'"  1809 

Sir  Your  letter  of  28""  Nov"  has  been  received;  '*  and  the  im- 
mediate completion  of  the  surveys  of  those  townships  necessary  for 
ascertaining  &  laying  out  private  claims  in  the  Kaskaskia  district 
appears  proper  and  necessary.  The  requested  additional  credit  of 
three  thousand  dollars  with  the  receiver  of  public  monies  at  Cincinnati 
has  been  directed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  Sir  Your  obed'  Serv* 

— Albert  Gallatin 

Jared  Mansfield  Esq"  Surveyor  General  Cincinnati 

[Addressed]  Jared  Mansfield  Esq'  Survey'  General  Cincinnati 
[Postmarked]  Wash"  City  11  Treasury  Department  Albert  Gallatin 
Free 

[Endorsed]  M'  Gallatin's  Letter  Decemb'  9">  1809 


MATTHEW  IRWIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
(NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS1 

Chicago  30'"  Decern'  1809. 
Sir,  I  should  think  my  duty  as  a  citizen,  but  more  particularly  as 
an  officer,  badly  performed,  if,  when  evils  of  a  public  nature  exist, 
I  did  not  endeavor  to  have  them  corrected.     Under  this  impression, 

^  This  address  was  not  written  by  the  same  hand  as  the  letter.  Presumably 
the  letter  was  forwarded  by  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Wilkinson.  Obviously,  either 
"EUinoie"  in  the  first  line  or  "western"  in  the  second  line  is  incorrect. 

*•  No  reply  found. 

"  NA(GL0,  Lets,  from  SG);  the  relevant  portion  is  printed,  Terr.  Papers 
(Ind.),  VII,  605,  n.  97. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  67 

I  cannot  conceive  the  power  is  given  to  the  Commanding  Officers  of 
garrisons,  to  compel  their  dependants  to  purchase  at  such  Stores  as 
may  be  dictated  to  them :  yet  such  is  the  case  here;  &  under  circum- 
stances pecuharly  indeUcate.  The  son  of  the  Commanding  officer  is 
made  the  Sutler  by  his  father!  The  Surgeons  Mate,  (Docf  Cooper) 
is  his  partner!  No  check,  exists,  in  their  dealings,  against  extortion! 
A  circumstance  the  more  to  be  regretted;  as  some  of  the  soldiers  who 
conceived  they  were  paying  too  high  for  some  articles  for  merely 
observing  to  their  Commanding  officer  that  'they  thought  it  a  hard 
matter  they  could  not  purchase  at  what  Store  they  pleased',  have  been 
punished!  And  those,  with  the  exception  of  one,  who  have  the  power 
of  punishment  in  their  hands,  viz^  the  Commanding  Officer;  ^°  The 
first  lieutenant  ^°  (who  is  the  son-in-law  of  the  Comg  officer) :  &  the 
Surgeons-Mate,  (forming  a  Majority  of  three  fourths  of  the  officers) 
have  the  inhumanity  &  barbarity  to  punish  those  who  dare  to  ani- 
madvert on  their  injustice. 

If  Officers  of  the  Army  are  allowed  to  be  sutlers,  innumerable  evils 
will  naturally  follow.  The  temtation  to  extortion  is,  with  ordinary 
minds,  irresistible.  The  soldiers  who  are  to  be  victims  of  imposition 
must  then,  if  they  have  the  hardihood  to  complain,  be  silenced  by 
severe  punishments;  or,  on  the  Other  hand,  quieted  by  indulgences 
calculated  to  insubordinate  them.  This  garrison  presents  a  striking 
example  of  such  consequences.  The  subtle  unprincipled  Soldier  is 
here  raised  to  the  level  of  his  Officers;  whilst  those  with  less  art  and 
more  honesty  are  subjects  of  punishment. 

To  give  you  an  idea.  Sir,  that  either  a  great  deal  of  money  is  spent 
(and  it  is  generally  believed  that  more  than  three  fourths  of  the  soldiers 
pay  is  spent  at  the  sutlers);  or,  that  the  proffits  are  immense,  a  M'' 
Langley  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  offered  Docf  Cooper  $2000  to  relinquish 
his  claim  to  the  partnership! 

In  making  this  communication,  I  can  with  safety  say  I  have  no 
personal  animosities  against  the  commanding  officer.  It  would  be 
inhuman,  wantonly  to  injure  him,  as  he  is  old  &  infirm,  &  has  a  large 
family  to  support  &  educate.  My  object,  without  a  shadow  of  inten- 
tion to  injure  any  one  where  no  cause  exists,  is,  simply,  to  relate  what 
I  conceive  my  my  duty  impels  me  to;  &  to  have  an  end  put  to  an  evil 
more  pregnant  with  mischief  than  can  be  easily  immagined. 

If  blame  should  attach  any  where,  it  should  be  with  Docf  Cooper, 
who,  particularly,  as  he  was  entrusted,  advised  &  prevailed  on  the 
Com*  officer  to  adopt  the  course  he  has.  Previous  to  this  gentlemans 
arrival  here,  as  I  am  credibly  informed,  all  was  peace  &  harmony. 
The  reverse  is  now  the  case — nothing  but  discord  prevails. 

"  Referring  to  Capt.  John  Whistler.     See  Jouett's  opinion  of  Whistler.  Terr, 
Papers  (Ind.),  vil,  496. 
"  Thomas  Hamilton. 

314574 — 48 6 


68 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


As  I  have  not  the  honor,  Sir,  of  a  personal  acquaintance  with  you, 
I  feel  somewhat  diffident  in  thus  addressing  you  on  the  Conduct  of 
the  Officers  here;  but,  for  the  verity  of  the  facts  stated,  I  beg  leave 
to  refer  you  to  major  Jouett,  who  informs  me  he  will  leave  here  for 
Washington  in  Sept'  or  October  next." 

With  the  greatest  respect,  I  am  Sir,  Your  Most  ob'  serv' 

Math'  Irwin 

The  Hon"'*  W°  Eustis  Secretary  of  war  Washington 

I  have  enclosed  a  list  of  prices  of  such  articles  as  are  most  in  use 
among  the  soldiery,  which,  they  have  to  purchase  at  the  sutlers: 
which  also  embraces  the  same  articles,  with  the  prices,  to  be  had  at 
the  store  of  a  Citizen —    M.I. 

[Addressed]  The  Hon""  W°  Eustis  Secretary  of  War  Washington 

[Endorsed]  Chicago,  Dece'  30""  1809.  Mathew  Irvine  relative  to 
the  impositions  practised  upon  the  soldiery  at  the  above  mentioned 
Post  by  the  connivance  of  the  Commanding  Officer  with  the  Sutler; — 
enclosing  a  comparati"*  list  of  prices  of  certain  articles  of  consumption. 
Rece"  Feb"  19'"  ISIO.^ 

[Enclosure] 

A  comparison  of  prices 

[December  30,  1809] 
Comparative  Note  of  Prices  at  the  Sutler's  &  another  Store,  at  Chicago — 
Dece'  1809.» 
Cooper  &  Whistler's  J.  Kinzey's 


Whiskey    .     . 

50 

Cents  quart  Whiskey    . 

37}^  cents  quart 

Tobacco — .     . 

75 

"      lb         Tobacco    ,     . 

50       "       lb 

B.  Sugar—     . 

25 

B.  Sugar   .     . 

16%    " 

Black  Ball .     . 

50 

"      Stick   Black  Ball      . 

25       "       Stick 

Shoe  Brushes  , 

,  75 

"      pair     Shoe  Brushes , 

.  50       "       pair 

Thread      .     . 

ey* 

"      skain   Thread      .     . 

6Ji    "       Skain, 

"  See  Whistler  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Jan.  26,  1810  (NA,  WD,  SWDF), 
protesting  any  representation  which  might  be  made  by  Irwin,  factor  at  Chicago. 
In  this  connection  see  Col.  Jacob  Kingsbury,  commander  of  the  1st  regiment, 
stationed  at  Detroit,  Michigan  Territory,  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mar.  16,  1810, 
toe.  cit.,  enclosing  copies  of  detailed  specifications  against  Whistler,  Hamilton, 
and  Cooper,  among  which  is  Irwin's  covering  letter  to  Kingsbury,  Feb.  24,  1810, 
enclosing  the  formal  charges.  See  also  Whistler  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  May 
31,  June  1,  Oct.  1,  and  Oct.  31,  1809,  loc.  cit.,  regarding  affairs  at  Fort  Dearborn. 
In  the  same  file  is  a  letter,  id.  to  id.,  no  date,  received  July  5,  1810,  regarding 
Whistler's  relinquishment  of  the  command  to  Captain  Heald  and  concerning  his 
quarrels  with  Irwin,  Jouett  and  others.  In  the  latter  regard,  Governor  Cass,  of 
Michigan  Territory,  attempted  to  absolve  Whistler  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  Apr.  12,  1811,  loc.  eU. 

2*  No  reply  found. 

"  This  heading  is  on  the  reverse  of  the  enclosure. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  gg 

SECRETARY  POPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE 

TREASURY 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13 :CS] 

(A  Copy)  Illinois  Territory  Secretary's  Office 

January  1"  1810 
Sir     I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  enclose  y©«  my  an 
account  of  the  Contingent  expences  of  the  Illinois  Territory  amount- 
ing to  twenty  seven  Dollars  and  fifty  Cents  with  the  Vouchcr3  te 

SUpporu  It 

You  will  oblige  me  by  informing  me  how  my  account  stands  at 
the  Treasury' — I  am  unable  to  ascertain  it  myself  in  consequence  of 
my  mistake  respecting  the  Charge  for  Office  Rent  ^^ — 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  Sir  Yo.  Mo.  Ob'  Serv' 

Nat  Pope 

The  Hon'"^  Albert  Gallatin  Esq' 


NICHOLAS  BOILVIN  ^^  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:LS] 

Prairie  du  Chien,  Jam.  27'",  1810. 
Honored  Sir!  Since  my  last  Letter  which  I  forwarded  in  Septem- 
ber last/'  I  have  had  the  Honor,  to  receive  Your  Letter  of  the  16  "■ 
Sept:^'  a  p.,  and  was  happy  to  find  that  in  Regard  of  the  Indians  in 
this  Quarter  some  Arrangement  should  take  place,  when  Governor 
Lewis  should  arrive  at  Washington  the  unhappy  Fate  which  has 
brought  this  Gentlemen  to  an  untimely  Death,^^  has  frustrated  my 
Hopes,  to  hear  of  an  Result  in  the  Spring  following,  as  Governor 
Lewis  was  entirely  acquainted  with  the  Situation  of  this  place,  though 
I  hope  to  have  some  Information,  as  I  understand  General  Clark 
has  been  at  Washington,  and  might  have  given  some  Communication 
on  the  same  Subject. — I  find  myself  in  a  very  critical  Situation,  then 
I  expect  not  less  then  Two  Thousand  Indians  here  in  the  Spring, 
they  are  in  great  Hopes  to  receive  some  News  and  assistance  from 
their  New  Father. — I  can  say  with  Confidence,  that  I  have  had  the 

^•'  Copies  of  vouchers  present. 

^'b  Answered  post,  p.  74. 

»"  A  Canadian  of  French  extraction,  appointed  subagent  for  Indian  affairs  at 
Prairie  du  Chien  by  Governor  Harrison,  of  Indiana  Territory,  Aug.  18,  1806 
{Terr.  Papers,  Ind.,  VII,  384),  under  John  Campbell,  who  had  been  appointed 
agent  as  early  as  1802,  ibid.,  p.  519.  He  was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace 
under  Illinois  Territory,  and  died  in  1824  (WHC,  II,  150).  See  also  Terr.  Papers 
(La.-Mo.),  XIII,  index,  under  "Boilvin". 

"  Not  found. 

'^  Lewis  died  in  Tennessee,  Oct.  11,  1809,  while  traveling  from  St.  Louis  to 
Washington  {Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv,  index;  Diet.  Amer.  Biog.,  XI,  222). 


70  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

good  fortune  to  bring  them  on  such  a  footing  as  they  never  were 
before,  they  are  quiet  and  peacable,  they  are  reconciled  with  our 
Government,  and  express  their  Wishes,  to  go  hand  in  hand  with  their 
father  and  live  in  friendship  Some  of  the  Chiefs  have  a  Wish  to  go 
to  Washington  to  see  their  New  father.  Having  understood  that 
M'  Jefferson  has  resigned,  if  Government  consents  to  their  Proposal, 
Your  Honor  will  please  to  inform  me  thereof,  to  make  a  Choice  of  the 
Chiefs, 

The  Uncertainty  in  which  I  live  here,  makes  my  situation  also 
uneasy,  then  I  do  not  know  if  it  is  the  Will  of  Government  that  I 
shall  stay  here,  or  be  relieved. 

I  have  made  some  Purchases  of  Houses  of  the  Estate  of  M'  Camp- 
bell, in  hopes  to  be  of  Use  to  Government,  having  the  House  constantly 
full  of  Indians,  but  I  am  at  a  Lross  to  commence  to  repair  the  Buildings. 
M'  Bates  writes  me  that  it  was  regarded  that  I  lived  under  the 
Government  of  this  Territory,  untill  other  Arrangements  are  made." 

If  this  Place  is  once  put  on  a  regular  footing,  so  that  the  Indians 
may  repair  hither  for  some  little  assistance,  now  and  then  to  be  given, 
they  will  be  hereafter  of  very  Little  Expence  to  the  Government, 
and  this  Place  will  be  the  Security  of  all  our  frontiers. 

"  Referring  probably  to  Frederick  Bates,  Secretary  and  Acting  Governor  of 
Louisiana  Territory,  to  Boilvin,  Nov.  4,  1809  (Marshall,  ed.,  Bates  Papers,  II, 
106-107),  containing  information  of  the  death  of  Governor  Lewis,  and  advising 
Boilvin  against  any  action  within  the  limits  of  Illinois  Territory,  in  which  Prairie 
du  Chien  was  located,  respecting  the  Indians  residing  therein  without  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Governor  of  that  Territory;  or  to  id.  to  id.,  Nov.  2,  1809,  t6td.,  pp. 
103-104,  relating  that  Acting  Governor  Pope,  of  Illinois  Territory,  had  complained 
that  Boilvin  was  issuing  trading  licenses  in  Illinois  Territory,  and  pointing  out 
that  Boilvin  had  no  authority  in  that  territory  other  than  as  directed  by  the 
Governor  thereof. 

Unfortunately  in  this  early  period  no  clear  line  of  demarcation  is  discernible 
between  the  various  Governors  in  their  capacity  as  Indian  superintendents  or 
between  the  Indian  agents  in  the  different  districts.  See,  for  example,  respecting 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Governor  of  Michigan  Territory  after  1815,  Terr.  Papers 
(Mich.),  X,  576,  n.  10.  In  the  period  under  consideration,  the  spheres  of  authority 
of  the  different  officials  mentioned  seem  to  have  been  determined  in  part  by  in- 
structions from  the  home  government,  in  part  by  the  efficiency  and  vigor  of 
individual  officers,  and  in  part  by  natural  modes  of  communication.  For  example, 
the  Green  Bay  region,  which  by  statute  was  a  part  of  Illinois  Territory,  was 
administered  in  so  far  as  Indians  were  concerned  by  the  Governor  of  Michigan 
Territory  as  will  appear  clearly  from  the  correspondence  published  in  the  present 
volume.  Chicago  was  likewise  more  closely  bound  to  Detroit  than  to  Kaskaskia, 
and  Prairie  du  Chien  generally  looked  to  the  seat  of  government  of  the  successive 
territories  of  Louisiana  and  Missouri  at  St.  Louis  for  guidance.  It  may  be  sug- 
gested, however,  that  this  phase  of  the  subject  of  Indian  management  remains 
to  be  clarified  as  to  detail.     Cf.  post,  vol.  xvii,  under  date  of  Oct.  21,  1816. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  71 

Enclosed  I  have  the  Honor  to  foreward  a  List  of  the  Different 
Nations  which  pass  by  and  visit  this  Place,  from  which  your  Honor 
may  conclude,  the  Importance  of  this  Post. 

Having  no  more  to  add,  I  have  the  Honor  to  be.  Your  Honor's 
most  Obed'  &  hble  Serv' 

N:  BoiLVlN««"* 

The  Honorable  W  Eustis  Esq"'  Secretary  of  War  Washington. 

[Endorsed]  Prairie  de  Chien,  Jan^  27'"  1810.  Nicholas  Boilvin,— 
relative  to  Indian  affairs  in  that  quarf — is  anxious  to  receive  Instruc- 
tions from  Government ; — and  encloses  a  List  of  Indians  who  annually 
visit  or  pass  at  that  station. — Rece*  April  11'"  1810.'* 
[Enclosure:DS] 
List  of  Indians  visiting  and  passing  Prairie  du  Chien 

[January  26,  1810] 
A  Ldst  of  the  different  Nations  of  Indians  which  visit  and  pass  by  this 

Place  every  year,    viz' 

Ten  different  Bands  of  Sioux  consististing  from  18.  Lodges  to  500 
Lodges  each  Band,  without  counting  those  who  live  higher  up  the 
River,  on  the  River  S'  Peter  untill  the  Missouri,  the  above  Ten  Bands 
makes  only  a  small  Number  of  them. 

Eight  Villages  foxes,  containing  800.  Men. 

Three    d"    Puants  containing  300.  Men. 

One  Village  Fols  Avoines,  cont:  200  Men. 

and  other  strange  Nations  which  pass,  by  such  as  Outawas.  etc:  etc: 

N.  Boilvin 

Prairie  du  Chien  Janr.  26.  1810. 

[Endorsed]  List  (Estimate)  of  Indians  who  annually  pass  by  or 
visit  Prairie  de  Chien. 


THE  GOVERNOR  AND  JUDGES  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF 

STATE 
[NA:SD,  Applications :LS«] 

Kaskaskia  2'>  Fehy  1810 
Sir  Understanding  that  it  is  probable  that  a  Vacancy  in  the  Judi- 
ciary of  this  Territory  will  occur  by  the  resignation  of  Judge  Jones. 
We  beg  leave  in  that  event  to  recommend  Nathaniel  Pope  Esq' 
as  a  proper  person  to  fill  the  Vacancy,  and  to  represent  to  you  as  our 
opinion  that  in  legal  Science  in  firmness  of  Mind,  respectability  of 

"  No  reply  found.  , 

»°  In  the  hand  of  Judge  Thomas. 


72  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Character  and  Solidity  of  Understanding  he  is  second  to  no  Lawyer 

in  this  or  any  of  the  adjacent  Territories. 

Alex'  Stuart 
Jesse  B.  Thomas 
NiNiAN  Edwards 
The  Hon*'"  R  Smith  Secretary  of  State 

[Endorsed]    Recommendation   by   Alex'   Stewart   J.  B.  Thomas 
&  N.  Edwards  of  N.  Pope  to  Judgeship  of  Illinois  Territory 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS   BY  THE   GOVERNOR, 

SECRETARY,  AND  JUDGES  OF  THE  TERRITORY 

[LC:HF,  11  Cong.,  2  sess.:DS] 

[Referred  February  7,  1810] 
To  the  Honorable  The  Senate  and  Hotise  of  Representatives  of  the  United 

States 

We  the  Governor  Judges  and  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  Territory 
beg  leave  respectfuly  to  represent  to  your  honorable  body  that  by 
virtue  of  our  several  offices  we  are  by  law  compelled  to  hold  certains 
quantities  of  land  within  the  Territory  that  is  to  say  The  Governor 
one  thousand  acres  and  the  Judges  &  Secretary  five  hundred  acres 
each.  Hitherto  we  have  been  unable  to  purchase  of  Individuals 
any  lands  on  which  we  are  willing  to  settle  ourselves,  and  if  this  were 
not  the  case  the  titles  of  Individuals  are  involved  in  so  much  doubt 
and  uncertainty  that  on  this  account  as  well  as  for  other  reasons  which 
we  forbear  to  mention  we  should  greatly  prefer  to  purchase  from  the 
United  States  wherefore  we  pray  your  honorable  body  to  permit  us 
to  locate  so  much  land  as  we  are  severally  compelled  to  hold  upon  any 
such  terms  and  restrictions  as  congress  may  think  right  to  prescribe 
&  we  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &c  &c 

NiNiAN  Edwards  Obadiah  Jones 

Jesse  B.  Thomas  Nat  Pope 

Alex'  Stuart 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  the  Governor,  judges  and  Secretary  of  the 
Illinois  territory.  7'"  Feby,  1810.  Ref**  to  the  Committee  on  the 
Public  Lands.  21"  Feb^  1810.  Report  made,  agreed  to,  and  petition 
rejected,  against  M'  Johnson  ref*  lands  " 

»•  House  Journal,  vii,  222,  239-240.     See  report,  post,  p.  74. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  73 

ELIJAH  BACKUS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE 

TREASURY 

[NA:GLO,  Kaskaskia,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALS] 

Kask^  Feh^  10*"  1810 

Sir  Since  the  date  of  my  letter  to  you  (of  two  months  since," 
to  which  I  have  received  no  answer)  I  have  seen  the  Governor's 
reports  on  the  charges  against  us — I  cannot  but  smile  at  them — Have 
we  indeed  been  more  deeply  concerned  in  local  politics  than  is  decent 
in  our  situations  as  public  officers? — 

The  documents  we  shall  send  you  together  with  the  Gov"  certificate 
of  his  having  been  mistaken  will  settle  this  point — No  Sir  the  Gov'' 
has  acted  from  misinformation  and  will  be  candid  enough  to  ac- 
knowledge it — The  idea  is  equally  ridiculous  that  the  mass  of  the  people 
of  this  country  is  opposed  to  us — The  truth  of  fact  is  that  every  man 
in  this  country  will  be  found  to  approbate  our  conduct,  except  those 
whom  it  will  be  our  painful  duty  to  prove  guilty  of  perjury^ 

I  have  Sir  drawn  on  you  for  three  hundred  dollars,  in  part  of  the 
five  hundred  due  me  by  act  of  Congress  of  last  summer's  session — We 
have  finished  our  business.  Our  report  will  be  sent  you  by  dispatch 
next  week;  and  I  flatter  myself  this  draught  will  be  honoured — 

I  am  Sir  with  feelings  of  gratitude  y''  Obed*  Serv* 

Elij"  Backus 

Hon'  a  Gallatin  Esq' 

[Addressed]  Hon'''*  Albert  Gallatin  Esqr  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
City  of  Washington  [Postmarked]  Kaskaskie  Feb''  10*"    Free 

[Endorsed]  Letter  of  advice  M'  Sheldon  Kaskaskia  Feb.  10,  1810. 
rec"  Mar.  15.  E.  Backus  Rec'  Pub.  monies — de  Governor's  report — 
advice  of  a  draft  for  $300— W*  N°  Mar.  19,  1810.  for  $300— 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  HAYS 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

16  Feh'^  1810 
John  Hays  PM  Cahokia  II.  Terr'' 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  25*"  Dec'^&fined  the  Contractor 
to  the  extent  of  the  Penalties  that  he  has  incurred. 
GG 

»'  Not  found. 


74  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  SECRETARY 

POPE 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13:LS] 

Treasury  Department  17'"  Febrtiary  1810. — 
Sir,  In  answer  to  your  letter  of  the  1.  Jan"  last,  ^  I  have  to  inform 
you  that  on  the  Settlement  of  your  account  for  contingent  expenses 
to  the  31.  December  1809,  there  appears  to  be  remaining  in  your 
hands  of  the  Sum  heretofore  advanced  to  you,  forty  two  dollars 
twenty  eight  cents,  to  be  applied  to  the  payment  of  future  expenses. 
I  am  respectfully  Sir,  Y'  obt  Serv' 

—Albert  Gallatin 

Nathaniel  Pope  Esq''  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  Territory 


REPORT  OF  HOUSE  COMMITTEE  ON  PUBLIC  LANDS 
[LC:HF,  11  Cong.,  2  sess.iAD] 

[February  21, 1810] 
Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Public  Lands  on  the  petition  of  the  Cover' 

nor,  judges  and  secretary  of  the  Illinois  territory. ^^* 

By  the  ordinance  for  the  government  of  the  said  territory  it  is 
required,  that  the  governor  shall  have  a  free  hold  estate  of  one  thousand 
acres  of  land  within  the  territory  while  in  the  exercise  of  his  office,  and 
the  judges  and  secretary  five  hundred  acres  each.  It  appears  by  the 
statement  of  the  petitioners  that  they  have  been  unable  to  purchase 
from  individuals  any  lands  on  which  they  are  willing  to  settle  them- 
selves, and  that  the  titles  of  individuals  are  involved  in  so  much  doubt 
and  uncertainty  that  they  would  prefer  to  purchase  from  the  United 
States — They  pray  that  Congress  would  permit  them  to  locate  so 
much  land  as  they  are  severally  required  to  hold  upon  such  terms  and 
under  such  restrictions  as  may  be  thought  reasonable. 

It  appears  to  the  Committee  that  the  case  stated  by  the  petitioners 
will  not  justify  a  departure  from  the  usual  mode  of  disposing  of  the 
public  lands,  especially  as  it  is  believed,  that  the  public  lands  in  that 
territory  will  be  offered  for  sale  in  the  Course  of  the  ensuing  summer, 
therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  ought  not  to  be  granted. 

[Endorsed]  [M''  Morrow.]  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Public 
Lands  on  the  petition  of  the  Governor,  judges  and  secretary  of  the 
Illinois  territory.  21'*^  February,  1810  Agreed  to,  and  petition 
rejected  " 

M  Ante,  p.  69. 

»«•  Ante,  p.  72. 

»•  House  Journal,  vii,  239-240.     The  brackets  are  on  the  MS. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  75 

GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  Feby  24. 1810 

Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  Ducoigne  the  Chief  of  the 
Kaskaskia  Tribe  of  Indians  for  himself  and  them  has  requested  that 
their  annuity  should  in  futui-e  be  sent  to  this  place  and  he  has  fur- 
nished me  with  the  enclosed  list  of  the  articles  and  money  which  he 
wants.'"' 

In  the  treaty  with  those  Indians  *'  the  United  States  have  stipulated 
to  pay  three  hundred  dollars  towards  the  erection  of  a  church  for  them. 
This  stipulation  Ducoigne  informs  me  (and  I  believe  it)  has  never 
been  complied  with.  And  as  the  major  part  of  the  tribe  are  about  to 
remove  from  this  village  to  the  lands  reserved  to  them  by  the  treaty 
it  is  their  wish  that  the  money  should  now  be  appropriated  to  im- 
provements on  their  land — If  this  proposition  should  be  acceeded  to. 
they  wish  the  money  sent  out  with  their  next  annuity  Whenever 
any  of  the  Indians  come  here  to  receive  their  annuities  or  the  Chiefs 
come  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  Governor,  either  as  a  manifestion  of  their 
friendship  or  to  adjust  any  business  they  expect  to  be  supported  dur- 
ing their  stay  by  the  United  St=  and  on  some  occasions  they  calculate 
on  receiving  and  it  is  customary  to  give  them  some  little  presents  as 
a  mark  of  friendship.  With  none  of  those  articles  usually  disposed  of 
in  this  way  have  I  been  furnished  " — 

Having  no  precident  whatever  to  guide  me  here  and  being  but  little 
acquainted  with  Indian  affairs — I  should  be  very  happy  to  receive  some 
general  instructions  from  you  on  the  subject 

I  am  with  sentiments  of  the  highest  respt  Sir  Yr  Mo  Obd'  S' 

NiNLAj^  Edwards 

The  Hon'*  William  Eustis  Esq'  Secretary  of  War  Washington 
City 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  William  Eustis  Esqr  Secretary  of  War 
Washington  City  Mail  [Postmarked]  Cincinnati  22  March  1810 
Free 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  111"'"'  Terr:  Feb^  24^"  1810.  Gov''  Ninian 
Edwards, — Relative  to  the  Annuities,  &c.  due  the  Kaskaskia  Tribe 
of  Indians,  enclosing  memorandum  of  the  articles  they  desire  to 
have: — Gov"'  E.  also  requests  Instructions  relative  to  Indian  Affairs, 
&c.  &c.— Rece""  Mar:  31,  1810.«  Answ" 

«  Present. 

<i  Treaty  of  Aug.  13,  1803.     See  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vii,  190,  n.  84,  for  citations. 

"  See  ibid.,  pp.  360,  447,  568. 

**  Answered  post,  p.  88. 


76  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

WILLIAM  RECTOR  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  ni:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Feh^  24'"  1810, 

D'  Sir  This  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Major  Robert  Robinson" 
whom  I  beg  leave  to  introduce  to  your  acquaintance; 

Major  Robinson  is  the  United  States  Agent  or  Attorney  who  was 
appointed  to  oppose  the  fraudelent  claims  for  land  that  have  been 
exhibited  to  the  Board  of  Commissioners  for  this  District,  and  will 
pass  through  Cincinnati  on  his  way  to  the  City  of  Washington,  where 
he  is  going  to  make  a  Report  of  the  descesions  of  the  Commissioners 
together  with  his  remarks  thereon,  He  wishes  to  be  employed  in  laying 
off  into  sections  &c  a  part  of  the  United  States  lands  " — Should  you 
have  employment  for  him  you  may  rely  on  his  performing  the  business, 
with  fidelity.  He  has  acted  as  Clerk,  and  Translator  of  the  French 
papers  for  the  Board  of  Commissioners  for  more  than  four  years  past, 
for  which  he  has  received  from  Government,  merely  what  was  suffi- 
cient to  support  his  family,  which  was  far  from  being  adequate  to  the 
important  services  he  has  rendered, — He  is  therefore  desirous  to 
embark  in  the  Surveying  business,  under  an  expectation  that  he  will  be 
better  rewarded  for  his  Services,  I  hope  you  will  have  it  in  your  power 
to  give  him  employment,  he  does  not  wish  a  large  job  as  he  intends 
shortly  to  resume,  the  practice  of  Law. 

I  am  very  respectfully  Your  Ob*  Serv* 

W"  Rector 

Gen'  Mansfield. 


WILLIAM  RECTOR  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 

[NA:GL0,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  ilirALS] 

Kaskaskia  Feh"  24'"  «  1810. 

D'  Sir  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  receive  a  letter  from  Elias  Rector 
dated  the  22"''  of  December  *''  at  Washington  in  which  he  informs  me 
that  Congress  had  passed  a  Law  authorising  the  payment  of  the  fees 
we  have  asked  for  Resurveying  the  Land  of  individuals  *^ 

He  also  states  that  M'  Gallatin  informed  him  that  he  had  appoved 

"  The  little  that  is  known  of  Robinson,  other  than  what  is  contained  in  the 
textual  matter  of  the  present  volume,  is  noted  by  Philbrick  (ed.).  Laws  Ind.  Terr. 
(IHC,xxi),celxxxi. 

«  See  Robinson's  request  in  his  letter  to  Mansfield,  June  8, 1809  (NA,  GLO,  SG, 
NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  II). 

"  The  figure  24  has  been  written  over  a  single  figure.  This  may  explain  the 
oddity  of  the  postscript's  date,  Feb.  17,  being  earlier  than  the  date  of  the  letter. 

«  Not  found. 

"  Approved  Dec.  28,  1809  (6  Stat.  87).  See  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vii,  661,  707. 
See  also  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  Mansfield,  Jan.2,  1810  (NA,  GLO,  SG, 
NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  in),  enclosing  the  act,  with  instructions  to  settle  the  account. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  TJ 

of  your  plan  of  laying  off  into  Sections,  &c  all,  those  Townships  wherein 
there  are  private  claims  and  that  he  had  written  you  to  that  effect. — 
Since  which  I  have  been  anxiously  expecting  to  receive  from  you 
written  instructions  to  proceed  to  subdivide,  those  Townships  general- 
ly. But  as  yet  have  received  none. 

We  have  nearly  completed  the  subdivision  of  the  Townships  South 
of  the  Base  line  (passing  through  this  place)  except  some  of  the  Frac- 
tional Townships  at  the  lower  end  of  the  District  a  great  part  of  which 
have  been  so  covered  with  water  that  it  has  been  impracticable  to  lay 
them  off.  But  the  latter  part  of  the  winter,  has  been  remarkably  dry 
and  I  beleive  we  shall  soon  be  able  to  finish  that  work. 

A  few  days  ago  I  set  Nelson  Rector  to  subdividing  those  townships, 
North  of  that  line,  wherein  there  are  private  claims  and  ]\'P  Barcroft 
will  go  to  work  in  the  same  quarter  as  soon  as  he  gets  his  part  of  the 
work  done  below  the  line  (which  will  be  in  a  few  days.)  You  may 
perhaps  think  me  premature  in  this  business  inasmuch  as  I  have  no 
written  instructions  from  you.  But  I  have  been  induced  to  proceed 
as  above  Stated  from  the  following  considerations,  which  appears  to 
me  to  justify  what  I  have  done  and  I  hope  &  beleive  you  will  approve 
of  the  course  I  have  taken. 

1°'  When  I  was  last  at  your  office  you  made  known  to  me  that  you 
had  in  a  communication  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  Suggested 
the  propriety  of  subdividing  into  sections  &c  all,  the  Townships  where- 
in there  are  private  claims,  and  that  as  soon  as  the  Secretary  should 
approve  of  your  plan."  I  might  proceed  to  do  the  whole  of  this  work 
I  find  from  Elias  Rector's  letter  that  IvP  Gallatin,  does  approve  of 
your  plan.  Consequently  I  consider  myself  verbally  authorised  by 
you  to  do  the  business.  However  I  wished  very  much  to  have  had 
subsequent  instructions  from,  you  But  the  distance  from  this  place  to 
the  Surveyor  Generals  office,  and  the  difficulties,  that  attend  a  com- 
munication between  the  two  places  at  this  Season  of  the  year,  forbid  a 
hope  that  I  could  get  an  answer  to  a  letter  I  might  have  written  on  the 
subject,  until  great  part  of  the  season  for  surveying  would  have 
elapsed,  and  I  did  and  now  do  feel  confident  that  the  course  I  have 
taken,  will  be  approbated  by  the  Surveyor  General, ' 

I  know  it  is  the  wish  of  Government  and  greatly  the  interest  of  the 
inhabitants  generally  of  this  country  (who  are  extremely  anxious  on 
the  Subject  particularly  the  claimants)  that  the  claims  of  individuals 
should  be  surveyed  out  as  soon  as  possible  so  that  emigrants  and 
others  may  have  an  oppertunity  to  purchase  of  these  lands  or  of  that, 
which  will  remain  to  the  United  States,  for  these  claims  are  scattered, 
through  the  most  desirable  part  of  of  this  Territory,  and  most  of  the 
Townships  ought  to  be  subdivided  before  the  claims  are  run  out.  I 
was  apprised  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  get  good  chain  carriers  &c 

«  See  ante,  p.  66. 


78  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

in  this  Country.  Consequently  I  brought  from  Ohio  &  Kentucky, 
the  most  of  my  hands,  whom  I  engaged  for  a  length  of  time,  and  if  I 
had  waited  until  I  got  a  more  formal  authority  to  work  North  of  the 
line  I  must  have  paid  these  hands  wages  for  doing  nothing  or  dis- 
charged them  altogether — in  either  case  it  would  have  been  a  great 
injury  to  me  and  would  have  greatly  procrastinated  the  completion  of 
the  business 

I  have  forwarded  by  Major  Robinson  to  M'  John  F  Mansfield  the 
field  notes  of  a  part  of  the  work  we  have  done  with  a  request  that  he 
will  make  out  the  necessary  returns  &c.  and  forward  to  me  by  mail  a 
Bill  on  the  receiver  at  Vincennes  for  the  amount  after  deducting  two 
hundred  and  Thirty  thee  dollars  for,'"  which  sum  I  have  drawn  on  you 
in  favor  of  Major  Robinson  I  presume  there  will  be  no  inconvenience, 
in  paying  that  sum  at  Cincinnati  only  that  it  will  create  more  trouble 
in  making  out  two  Bills — it  is  with  reluctance  I  give  you  this  trouble, 
but  I  was  obliged,  to  borrow  that  sum,  of  Major  Robinson  to  enable 
me  with  convenience  to  go  on  with  my  business.  Should  M"'  J.  F. 
Mansfeild  be  absent  when  Major  Robinson  reaches  Cincinnati,  I 
hope  you  will  receive  the  field  notes  &  pay  my  draft 

You  will  perceive  from  the  field  notes  that  some  of  our  Surveys 
does  not  close  as  well  as  could  be  wished.  But  the  country  where  they 
lye  is  so  extremely  rough  that  it  was  impossible  to  close  them  better. 
Where  Nelson  Rector  is  now  Surveying,  the  Country  is  more  level 
and  the  Surveys  close  extremely  well 

I  beleive  I  am  fully  in  possession  of  the  Ideas,you  entertained  respect- 
ing designating,  the,  publice  and  private  lands  on  the  same  plat  and 
also  the  manner  of  executing  the  work — but  knowing  it  possible,  that 
I  may  have  misunderstood  some  part;  I  should  be  glad  you  would 
reduce  the  plan  to  writing  and  forwarded  it  to  me  as  soon  as  conven- 
ient which  shall  in  all  cases  be  rigidly  attended  to. 

I  have  had,  from  the  time  I  last  commenced  Surveying  and  now  have 
in  my  employ  as  a  chain  carrier  M'  James  B.  M'Call  a  young  Gentle- 
man of  respectable  connexions,  amiable  character  and  great  indoustry, 
who  is  an  excellent  Surveyor  both  in  Theory  and  Practice — I  should 
be  extremely  glad  to  have  the  privilege  to  employ  M'  M'^Call  occasion- 
ally ft9  to  assist  me  in  surveying  for  the  nature  of  my  business  is  such 
that  great  part  of  my  time  must  necessarily  be  employed  in  copjdng 
and  arranging  the  claims  of  individuals,  and  some  few  of  those  claims, 
in  several  directions  are  ft*  more  than  one  hundred  miles  distant  from 
this  place;  so  that  it  is  necessary  that  I  should  have  some  person  to 
send  to  make  those  scattering  surveys;  &c,  M''  M'^Call  possesses  such 
qualifications  as  would  make  him  very  useful  to  me  and  would  greatly 

••  Marginal  notation:  "$233.00—100." 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  79 

facilitate  the  completion  of  the  business.     I  therefore  hope  you  will 
permit  me  to  employ  him, — please  to  let  me  know  by  letter." 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  much  respect  Your  Ob'  Serv' 

W"  Rector 

Gen*  Mansfield 

P.S.  On  my  arrival  here  the  Commissioners  told  me  that  they 
would  in  a  Short  time  furnish  me  with  a  Transcript  (or  rather  allow 
me  to  take  it)  of  all  the  confirmed  claims,  within  this  District  but  on 
refering  to  their  instructions  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  they 
found  that  they  were  directed  to  keep  their  descisions  from  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  claimants  (except  those  relative  to  the  antient  Grants  and 
such  other  claims  as  had  been  confirmed  by  the  Governors)  until 
after  their  descisions  should  be  sanctioned  by  Government, — So  that 
I  can  only  get  a  Transcript  of  the  latter  description  of  claims;  which 
will  create  to  me  much  trouble  as  I  must  necessarily  go  over  the  same 
quarter  of  the  Country  twice,  and  will  probably  procrastinate  the  com- 
pletion of  the  business.  However  after  the  Townships  wherein  these 
claims  fall  are  subdivided  it  will  not  take  us  long  to  lay  off  the  claims 
that  will  remain  to  be  Surveyed.  In  the  course  of  the  present  season 
I  presume  we  shall  be  able  to  lay  off  all  the  antient  grants  &  Governors 
confermations  and  subdivide  the  Townships  wherein  they  fall,  we  are 
now  going  on  very  well  with  the  business  all,  enjoying  good  health  and 
nothing  as  has  yet  taken  place  to  prevent  us  from  work.  We  found 
the  country  below  this  place  extremely  rough;  The  Mississippi 
bottoms  being  very  wide  and  excessively  brushy,  and  much  broken 
with  ponds.  The  country  near  to  the  bottoms  are  very  hilly.  So 
that  in  this  quater  we  can  get  on  but  slowly. 

Notwithstanding  the  roughness  of  this  part  of  the  country  there  is 
within  it  a  considerable  quantity  of  valuable  land  The  lands  in  the 
bottom  between  the  ponds,  is  generally  high  dry  and  extremely  rich 
and  a  considerable  part  of  the  hills  near  the  bottom  is  rich,  and  in 
many  places,  there  is  sufficient  quantities  to  admit  of  small  farms,  this 
quarter  is  generally  well  timbered  with  large  and  valuable  timber  and 
is  pretty  will  watered  with  Creeks  brooks,  &  some  Springs  of  good 
waters 

Your  Ob'  Serv'  W"°  Rector 

Feb^  l?*"  1810.— 

Gen'  Mansfield. 

Your  late  plan  of  Subdividing,  the  Townships,  in  which  there  are 
private  claims  previous  to  laying  off  those  claims  (except  where  there 
is  a  considerable  body  of  claims  together)  is  certainly  a  good  one,  for  I 
find  that  the  business  can  be  done  with  more  ease  and  accuracy  and 

"  No  reply  found. 


80  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

that  it  will  not  cost,  the  United  States  but  very  little  if  any  thing  more, 
than  it  would  have  done  had  the  former  plan  been  persued, 

I  have  learned  in  what  Townships,  there  are  such  bodies  of  claims 
and  shall  avoid  them  until  those  claims  are  run  out. 

W.R 

[Addressed]    Jared    Mansfield    Esquire    Surveyor    Gen'    of    the 
United  States    Cincinnati  Ohio    Fav"  P  Major  R.  Robinson 


JONATHAN  ROBINSON  "  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 
[NA:SD,  ApplicationsrALS) 

Washington  February  26'"  1810 
Respected  Sir  I  take  the  Liberty  to  recommend  to  your  Notice 
the  Hon"  Stanly  Griswold  for  the  Appointment  to  the  Office  of  a 
Judge  of  Some  one  of  the  Teritories  fully  believing  him  to  be  a 
Gentleman  of  good  abilities  of  high  Integrity  and  very  Meritorious — 
as  Very  few  have  done  or  Suffered  more  than  him  in  promoting  the 
best  Interests  of  the  United  States  and  the  present  Gov'  of  his 
Country  ^ 

I  am  with  high  Consideration  yours  &c 

Jon"  Robinson 

James  Madison  President  of  the  United  States — 

{Endorsed]  Robinson  J.  Feb"  26'"  1810  Griswold  Stanley  recomm" 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 

[NA:SD,  Applications  :ALS] 

[February  28,  1810] 
D'  Sir.     My  long  acquaintance  with  Stanley  Griswold  Esq'"  and  the 
Solicitude  of  his  numerous  acquaintance — emboldens  me  to  depart 
from  a  rnle  to  which  1  have  generally  conform <", — Of  not  interfering 
to  recommend  any  candidates  for  Office — 

M'"  Griswold  and  myself  were  educated  at  the  same  time  at  Yale 
College  and  our  acquaintance  has  continued  ever  since. — He  is  a  man 
of  Science,  and  has  ever  sustained  the  character  of  An  upright,  faithful 
Citizen  devoted  to  the  liberties  of  his  Countrj'. — It  was  owing  to  him 
that  New-Hampshire  was  revolutionized  &  the  unfortunate  dispute 

"  A  Senator  of  the  United  States  from  Vermont. 

•'  Consult  Terr.  Papers  (Mich.),  x,  index,  for  a  record  of  Griswold's  service 
as  Secretary  of  Michigan  Territory.  See  his  letter  of  application  for  the  Illinois 
judgeship,  ibid.  (Miss.),  vi,  51.  After  his  resignation  as  Secretary  of  Michigan 
Territory  in  1808,  he  was  appointed  U.  S.  Senator  from  Ohio,  in  which  office  he 
served  from  May  18  to  Dec.  11,  1809. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  gl 

between  him  &  Gov''  Hull  has  most  essentially  injured  his  affairs. 
He  has  read  law  with  Judge  Huntington. 

It  is,  Sir,  my  firm  belief  That  should  it  be  the  pleasure  of  the  Presi- 
dent to  bestow  on  him  a  territorial  Judgeship,  he  would  be  an  useful 
&  faithful  Office  and  that  his  appoint''  would  be  highly  pleasing  to  all 
the  leading  Republicans  of  New  England.'* 

With  great  Esteem  &  Respect  Yours 


G  Granger 


Feb:  28.  1810 

[Addressed]  The  President 

[Endorsed]  Grlswold  S.  rec"  Feb''  28*"  1810 


WILLIAM  H.  CRAWFORD  "  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 
[NA:SD,  Resignations :ALS] 

Senate  Chamber  1"  March  1810 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States. 

Sir.  By  yesterday's  mail  I  rec"*  a  letter  from  Obadiah  Jones  Esq' 
one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  in  answer  to  one  which  I 
had  written  him,  stating  the  probability  that  an  opportunity  would 
shortly  occur,  of  removing  him  to  the  Mississippi  territory  In  his 
answer  he  authorises  me  to  accept  of  the  appointment  in  his  name,  if 
it  should  be  made,  &  in  his  name  to  sign  a  resignation  of  his  present 
appointment. 

I  am  Sir  respectfully  your  most  Ob*  humb*  Serv* 

W"  H  Crawford 

[Endorsed]  1  &  8'"  March  M''  Jones  resigns  his  appointment  as 
Judge  in  the  Illinois  Territoiy  and  accepts  a  similar  appointment  in 
the  Mississippi  Territory  Crawford  W"  H.    March  1"  1810 


REPORT  OF  THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  CONGRESS 
[PC:  P.M.  Letter  Book  Q:E] 

[March  1,  1810] 
In  obedience  to  the  Act  of  Congress  of  the  21=*  April  1808  concerning 
public  Contracts;  The  Post  Master  General  has  the  honor  of  laying 

"  There  are  also  other  brief  letters  commending  Griswold  for  the  appointment 
in  question  in  NA  (SD,  Applications),  as  follows:  from  J.  G.  Jackson,  Repre- 
sentative in  Congress  from  Virginia,  Mar.  1,  1810;  Obadiah  German  and  Uri 
Tracy,  U.  S.  Senator  and  Representative  in  Congress,  respectively,  from  New 
York,  Mar.  2,  1810;  Elisha  Mathewson,  U.  S.  Senator  from  Rhode  Island,  Mar. 
2,  1810;  and  Jeremiah  Morrow,  Representative  in  Congress  from  Ohio,  Mar.  7, 
1810.     No  additional  information  is  supplied  in  the  letters  cited. 

"  At  this  time  a  Senator  of  the  United  States  from  Georgia. 


82 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


before  Congress,  the  following  Statement  of  all  the  Contracts  which 
have  been  made  in  his  Department,  during  the  preceding  Year,  Viz  " — 


Routes  for  carrying 
the  Mail 


Number 
of  times 
the  Mail 
is  carried 
p'Week 


Names  of  Con- 
tractors 


Date  of 
Contracts 


Duration  of 
Contracts 


Russelville 
Massac 


Fort 
Kas- 


Vincennes 

kaskia 
Kaskaskia  -  Fort 

Massac 


Once 


fort- 
night 
Once 


Elijah  G.  Ga- 
lusha 

Jn">  M'Arthur 

Jn°  M'Arthur 


June  10 
1809 


do 
do 


1    Oct.  '09 
to  1  Oct. 
1811 
do 

do 


480 

880 
770 


All  which  is  respectfully  submitted — 
Gen'  p.  Office  1  March  1810. 


WILLIAM  H.  CRAWFORD  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 
[NA:SD,  Acceptances :ALS] 

Senate  Chamber  8*"  March  1810 
The  President  of  the  United  States. 

Sir.  Pursuant  to  the  authority  given  me  by  Obadiah  Jones  Esquire 
one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  I  Send  you  his  resignation 
of  the  appointment  of  Judge  of  that  territory,  and  his  acceptance  of 
the  appointment  of  Judge  of  the  Mississippi  Territory  lately  conferred 
upon  him."    I  am  Sir  respectfully  Your  most  ob'  humb*  Serv* 

W"  H  Crawford 

for  Obadiah  Jones 

[Endorsed]  Crawford  W"  H.    March  8'"  1810 


"  Relevant  items  only  have  been  extracted  for  the  present  printing. 

"Other  relevant  correspondence  is  printed,  Terr.  Papers  (Miss.),  vi,  51-52, 
93-94,  292.  Jones  participated  in  the  various  functions  pertaining  to  the  office 
of  Territorial  Judge  from  at  least  as  early  as  July  20,  1809,  when  he  signed  the 
territorial  laws  of  that  date,  to  as  late  as  Feb.  24,  1810.  According  to  vol.  I  of 
the  Records  of  Cases  decided  by  the  General  Court  at  Kaskaskia,  he  was  in  at- 
tendance at  every  meeting  of  the  Territorial  Court  during  the  September,  1809, 
term,  but  in  none  thereafter.  The  last  document  to  which  his  signature  is  attached 
is  a  recognizance,  dated  Feb.  24,  1810,  ibid.,  ii,  167.  Acknowledgment  is  made 
to  Professor  Francis  S.  Philbrick  for  the  foregoing  data. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  83 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  THE  COMMANDING 
OFFICER  AT  MICHILIMACKINAC 

[NA:OIA,SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War-Department  March  12'"  1810 
The  Commanding  Officer  at  Michilimackinac. 

Sir,  Please  to  deliver  to  Joseph  B.  Varnum  J"'  United  States 
Factor,  out  of  the  packages  holden  by  you  subject  to  the  order  of 
John  Campbell  Esq''  Indian  Agent  at  Prairie  de  Chien,  all  Articles 
answerable  for  the  Indian  Trade. 

Distinct  accounts  of  the  Articles  received  and  of  those  not  received 
by  him,  with  their  Invoice  prices,  should  be  transmitted  to  this  OfRce. 

Respectfully  &c.  (signed)     W.  EusTis 


COMMISSION  OF  STANLEY  GRISWOLD  AS  JUDGE 

[NA;  SD.Misc.  Permanent  Comms.,  C:C] 

[March  16,  1810] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting: 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 
Wisdom,  Uprightness  and  Learning  of  Stanley  Griswold,  late  of 
Connecticut,  I  have  nominated  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  the  Senate  do  appoint  him  One  of  the  Judges  in  and  over  the 
lUinois  Territory;^' and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute 
and  fulfil  the  duties  of  that  office  according  to  Law;  and  to  Have 
and  to  Hold  the  said  office  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  Emolu- 
ments to  the  same  of  right  appertaining  during  his  good  behaviour,  or 
during  the  existence  of  the  Government  established  by  the  act  of  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States  passed  the  3*  February  1809  entitled 
"An  Act  for  dividing  the  Indiana  Territory  into  two  Separate  Govern- 
ments", and  the  Ordinance  of  Congress  passed  on  the  13  July  1787 
therein  referred  to;  he  to  reside  in  the  said  Territory. 

In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 

L.s     made  patent,  and  the  Seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  hereunto 
affixed. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington  the  Sixteenth  day 
of  March  1810;  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  said  United  States 
the  Thuty  fourth. 

James  Madison 

By  the  President 

R.  Smith  Secy  of  State 

"  Nominated  Mar.  9  and  confirmed  Mar.  16,  1810  (Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  U, 
140,  141-142). 

314574 — 48 7 


84  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

WILLIAM  AND  ELIAS  RECTOR  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iii:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  March  23'"  1810. 

D'  Sir  Your  instructions  of  the  13'"  of  last  month,  "•  Authorises 
us  to  Subdivide  into  Sections  &c.  all  those  Townships  wherein  there 
are  private  claims — provided  that  in  the  Judgment  of  the  Commis- 
sioners that  course  Should  be  expedient 

You  will  perceive  from  the  commissioners  certificates,  (a  Copy  of 
which  you  will  herewith  receive)  that  those  Gentlemen  are  not  only 
of  opinion,  that  all,  the  Townships  wherein  there  are  claims  ought 
to  be  Subdivided  into  Sections  &c  but,  that  the  intermediate  Town- 
ships in  which,  there  are  no  claims  should  also  be  laid  off  into  Sections 
«&c,  inasmuch  as  that  part  of  the  country,  through  which  these  claims 
are  scattered  is  generally  will  Timbered,  Good  Soil  and  near  to 
Settlements.     Consequently  the  most  desirable  part  of  this  District 

In  your  said  instructions  you  require  to  be  informed  by  us  of  the 
Situation  of  the  principal  bodies  of  claims  &c. — We  have  not  yet  got  a 
transcript  of  all  the  claims,  but  those  the  situation  of  which  we  do 
know  (which  is  the  greater  part  of  them)  are  on  and  near  the  Mis- 
sissippi River  and  but  few  of  which  are  at  a  greater  distance  from 
the  river  than  24  miles,  and  not  many  of  them  set  near  so  far. 

We  this  day  shewed  your  instructions  to  the  Commissioners  and 
requested  that  they  would  inform  us,  where  those  claims  that  has 
not  yet  come  to  our  Knowledge  are  Situated  to  which  they  replied, 
that  the  whole  of  the  claims,  lye  on  and  near  to  the  Mississippi  River 
and  within  the  Wooded  Country  so  that  we  are  pretty  sure  that  there 
€k«4  fettt  tkft*  there  are  but  very  few  if  any  claims  that  lye  farther 
from  the  Mississippi,  than  those  were  turned  to  your  office  last  sum- 
mer, the  Situation  of  which  will  appear  by  a  referance  to  the  con- 
nected Plats  in  your  office 

We  expect  to  complete  the  Subdivision  of  the  whole  of  those  Town- 
ships and  lay  off  such  private  claims  as  the  commissioners  have  and 
may  direct  to  be  Surveyed  in  the  course  of  the  present  Season 

We  make  it  a  rule  never  to  run  a  Sectional  Line  the  whole  of  which 
would  fall  within  a  private  claim  or  claims  For  Example,  When  we 
commence  the  subdivision  of  Township  N"  1  North.  Range  8  W. 
(see  the  plat  in  your  office)  we  shall  begin  at  the  comer  (in  the  range 
line)  to  sections  25  &  36  and  run  west  blazing  as  we  proceed  until  we 
come  to  the  Eastwardly  boundary  of  Pierre  Menards  Sur\-ey  N"  381. 
here  we  establish  a  comer,  to  fractional  Sections  N"  25  &  36  and  marke 
trees  as  at  other  Sectional  comers.  Then  measure  along  Menards  line 
to  his  North  Easterly  comer  seting  down  in  the  field  Book  the  course 
(agreeable  to  the  tme  meridian)  and  distance 

•»  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  85 

We  shall  then  travel  along  Menard's  line  till  we  come  to  the  North- 
westerly corner  of  William  Scotts  Survey  N°  389 — Then  measure 
along  Scotts  line  to  the  Range  line  where  a  comer  must  be  established 
for  Fractional  Section  N°  36,  T  1  N  R  8  W  and  for  Fractional  Sec- 
tion N°31.T1NR7W,  it  will  then  in  order  to  fee  afefe  enable  us  to 
ascertain  the  exact  quantities,  of  those  fractional  sections  be  necessary 
to  measure  along  the  range  line  to  the  Township  corner,  or  to  the  1/4 
Section  post,  North  of  the  corner  last  established. 

We  shall  then  travel  to  the  corner  of  Sections  24  &  25  from  where 
run.  West,  at  40  chains  set  1/4  Sec.  post  at  80  chains  establish  a  corner 
to  Sections  23,  24,  25  &  26  T  1  N  R  8  W.  Then  run  South  between 
Sec^  25  &  26,  at  40  chs,  establish  1/4  Sec,  comer  and  at  the  inter- 
section with  the  Northwardly  boundary  of  Menards  said  Survey 
establish  a  comer  for  fractional  Sections  N°  25  &  26,  then  measure  to 
Menards  North  Westerly  comer,  — &c  &c  &c— 

We  shall  be  careful  to  do  the  work  with  accuracy,  and  keep  the  field 
notes  in  a  concise  manner  and  so  plain  that  they  cannot  be  misunder- 
stood— And  on  the  whole  we  flatter  ourselves  with  the  pleasing  hope 
of  performing  the  whole  of  the  business  you  have  Assigned  to  us  to 
your  entire  satisfaction. 

We  are  with  great  respect  your  Ob'  Serv" 

W"  Rector 
Elias  Rector 
Gen'  Mansfield. 

[Addressed]  Jared  Mansfield  Esq"'  Surveyor  General,  of  U,  S,  Cin- 
cinnati Ohio,  p,  mail  [Postmarked]  March  24"  paid  25  Kaskaskia 

[Enclosure] 

Michael  Jones  and  Elijah  Backus  to  William  and  Elias  Rector 

(A  Copy.)  Commissioners  Office  Kaskaskia  March  23'"^  1810 

Gentlemen  We  perseive  that  the  Surveyor  Gen'  in  his  Instruc- 
tions to  you  of  Feb^  13'"  last  has  authorised  you  to  proced  to  the 
Surveying  of  such  private  claims  within  this  District  as  in  the  opinion 
of  the  Commission  may  be  necessary ;  as  also  to  subdivide  into  Sections 
&  all  those  Townships  within  which  there  are  private  claims  provided 
this  Board  should  think  it  expediant — It  is  our  opinion  first — that 
private  claims  ought  not  to  be  survey*  untill  the  decision  of  Gov' 
on  our  report  respecting  them  be  known  which  it  probably  will  be  in 
a  few  Weeks — Secondly — that  the  Townships  in  which  private  claims 
lie  ought  to  be  surveyed  &  laid  off  immediately — Thirdly— That 
the  inteiTnediate  Townships  in  which  there  are  no  private  claims 
should  be  laid  off  in  like  manner — Our  Ground  for  this  later  opinion 
is  that  the  said  private  claims  are  interspersed  through  that  part  of 
the  Country — bounding  on  the  Mississippi  which  is  Wooded,  &  most 


86  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

of  all  favourable  to  Settlement  and  that  these  later  Townships  cer- 
tainly contain  much  good  land,  and  that  land  of  an  inferior  quality, 
will  be  quite  as  likely  to  sell  speedily  as  that  which  is  better  but  at 
a  Distance  from  Settlements — 
We  are  Gentlemen  your  Humbl  Sev" 

signed    Mich'  Jones — 
E  Backus 
To  Mess"  William  &  Euas  Rector 


WILLIAM  RECTOR  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iii:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  March  30'"  1810. 

D'  Sir  I  received  per  last  mail  your  letter  of  the  28'"  Ult"  " 
&  in  compliance  with  your  wish  tendered  to  M'  W"  C  Greenup,  a  part 
of  work  you  assigned  to  me  on  as  liberal  terms  as  I  could  consistant 
with  doing  justice  to  myself  which  induced  him  to  Accept  of  it  He  will 
set  out  in  a  few  days  to  perform  the  business.  I  shall  go  with  him 
until  he  gets  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  manner  of  doing  the 
work — . 

You  entertain  a  correct  opinion  of  M'  Greenup  He  is  capable, 
indoustrious  &  faithful. 

I  conclude  from  your  last  letter,  that  you  are  of  opinion  that  the 
claims  of  indi\-iduals  occupy  a  more  extensive  tract  of  Country,  than 
than  they  really  do.  In  my  letter  of  the  23""  Ins* "  I  gave  you  the  gen- 
eral outlines  of  that  part  of  the  country  which  is  interfered  with  by  these 
claims.  But  since  the  receipt  of  your  last  letter  I  conclude  it  would 
be  more  Satisfactory-  to  you  to  be  informed  of  the  particular  Townships 
&  fractional  TowTiships  wherein  there  are  any  claims,  And  in  order  to 
afford  you  this  information  I  have  used  every  means  in  my  power 
to  ascertain,  what  Townships  above  the  Base  line  are  interfered  with, 
from  which  enquiry  I  find  that  the  whole  or  nearly  the  whole  of  the 
claims  are  confined  to  the  following  Townships  and  fractional  Town- 
ships—  (see  the  next  page). 

It  is  beleived  the  whole  of  these  Townships  have  some  claims  within 
them,    but  it  is  possible  some  of  them  may  not  contain  any. 

Townships  N°  6  South  of  Ranges  N°  2.  5.  6.  7.  8  &  9— W 
Townships  N°  5  S.  of  Ranges  N°  7.  8.  9  &  10— W  .  . 
Townships  N°  4  S  of  Ranges  N°  6.  7.  8.  9.  10  &  11  W  . 
Townships  N°  3  S  of  Ranges  N°  5.  6.  7.  8.  9.  10  &  11  W 
Townships  N°  2  S.  of  Ranges  N°  6.  7.  8.  9.  10  &  11  W    . 

">  Not  found. 
"  Supra. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  87 

Townships  N"  1  S.  of  Ranges  N°  7.  8.  9.  10  &  11  W 5 

Townships  N"  1  North  of  Ranges  N"  7.  8.  9.  10  &  11  W  ...    .  5 

Townships  N"  2  North  of  Ranges  N°  8.  9  &  10  W 3 

Townships  N°  3  N.  of  Ranges  N"  8.  9  &  10  W 3 

Townships  N"  4  N  of  Ranges  N"  8.  9  &  10  W 3 

Townships  &  fractional  Townships 48 

Fractional  Townships 13 

35 

The  13  fractional  Townships  bounded  by  the  Mississippi  River  are 
principally  taken  up  with  private  claims  so  that  we  shall  have  but 
little  Surveying  to  do  within  them,  there  are  also  some  other  Town- 
ships a  considerable  part  of  which  is  occupied  by  claims.  I  presume 
the  whole  of  this  business  will  not  much  exceed  8  Townships  a  peice 
for  each  Company  that  are  engaged  in  doing  the  work  (Viz  Elias 
Rectors  Nelson  Rectors  Elias  Barcrofts  &  my  own  assisted  by  W"  C 
Greenup.)  We  can  complete  the  whole  of  this  business  by  the  begin- 
ning or  early  in  June. 

I  do  not  calculate  or  wish  to  receive  pay  for  such  parts  of  Sectional 
lines  as  will  fall  within  those  Surveys  of  individuals  for  which  Govern- 
ment has  paid  or  yet  has  to  pay  us  for  making.  But  expect  to  receive 
pay  for  the  Sectional  lines  that  do  not  fall  within  that  description  of 
private  Claims  and  also  as  much  as  I  should  have  had  a  right  to 
receive  for  connecting  those  claims  with  the  Sectional  lines,  calcu- 
lating as  tho  these  claims,  had  been  Surveyed  the  before,  the  Town- 
ships were  Subdivided 

I  am  convinced,  that  the  loss  of  lines  that  will  fall  within  these 
claims  will  not  much  if  any  exceed  the  extra  connecting  lines  that 
would  have  been  indispensably  necessary  if  these  claims  had  been 
first  laid  off.  Therefore  laying  off  the  Townships  into  Sections 
before,  Surveying  the  claims  (except  where  there  is  a  considerable 
body  of  them  together)  is  certainly  the  better  plan,  for  the  whole 
buseness  is  done  with  more  ease  expedition  &  accuracy. — The  extra 
connecting  lines  above  spoken  of  is  not  the  only  objection  to  laying 
off  the  claims  first  for  where  the  Country  is  only  laid  off  into  Town- 
ships, much  time  is  lost  in  hunting  up  the  lines.  And  it  appears  to  me 
desirable  that  a  tree  in  each  corner  of  a  fractional  Section  should  be 
marked  with  the  number  of  the  Range  Township  &  Section — Should 
the  Surveyor  General  deem  this  necessary  the  trouble  in  most  cases 
in  connecting  the  Surveys  we  have  made  &  marking  the  comers  would 
amount  to  a  resurvey  of  those  claims.  But  as  we  established  the  cor- 
ners of  these  Surveys  by  taking  bearing  trees.  I  have  supposed  that 
where,  they  become  boundaries  to  fractional  sections  they  will  serve 


88  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

as  such  without  the  additional  expence  of  marking  trees  in  the  corners 
near  to  them — Should  you  wish  trees  marked  in  these  comers  please 
to  signify  it  to  me  and  it  shall  be  done. 

In  your  last  letter  you  express  some  doubts  as  to  the  propriety  of 
subdividing,  those  Townships,  wherein  there  are  but  few  claims, 
But  have  refered  the  matter  to  the  Commissioners — you  will  I  presume 
before  this  reaches  you  receive  my  letter  of  the  23'"  Ins*  covering  a 
copy  of  the  Commissioners  certificate  on  that  subject  by  which  you 
will  see,  that  those  Gentlemen  are  of  opinion  that  all  Townships 
wherin,  there  are  claims  ought  to  be  subdivided  and  also  interme- 
diate Townships  in  which  there  are  no  claims  for  reasons  therein 
stated. — Should  you  however  wish  any  part  of  this  work  omited  please 
to  signify  it  to  me  as  soon  as  convenient — I  mean  any  part  of  the 
Townships  in  which  there  are  claims — . 

Should  you  think  with  the  Commissioners,  that  the  intermediate 
Townships  ought  to  be  subdiveded,  and  it  is  perfectly  agreeable  to 
you  to  employ  us  to  do  the  work  we  shall  be  in  readiness  to  attend 
to  the  business  at  any  time  you  may  direct — we  are  sensible  of  the 
many  favors  you  have  done  in  giving  us  emploj-ment  &C  &C  &C  and 
feel  truly  grateful  therefor,  and  would  by  no  means  trouble  you  with 
Solicitations  for  further  employment  unless  it  should  be  entirely 
agreeable  to  you  if  to  give  it  to  us."^ 

I  am  with  much  respect  your  Ob'  Serv*  W"  Rector 

P  S.  I  calculate  to  be  at  your  office  some  time  in  June  next.    W  R 

Gen'  Mansfield 


THE   SECRETARY   OF   WAR    TO    GOVERNOR   EDWARDS 
[NA:OIA,SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War-Department  April  3"*  1810 
NiNiAN  Edwards. 

Sir,  Your  Excellency's  letter  of  the  24'"  of  February  last  has  been 
received."  The  Invoice  of  Articles  which  the  Kaskaskias  wish  to 
receive  for  their  present  year's  annuity,  came  too  late  to  be  acted 
upon. — On  the  13'"  of  February — Goods  to  the  amount  of  $600 — 
similar  to  those  procured  for  the  Annuity  for  1809 — were  ordered  to  be 
purchased  for  the  Kaskaskias  annuity  for  1810  and  to  be  sent  to  you 
at  Kaskaskia  for  distribution.  For  the  $400  being  the  residue  of  their 
Annuity,  your  Excellency  is  authorized  to  draw  on  this  Department; 
also  for  One  hundred  Doll"  to  be  paid  to  the  Roman  Catholic  Priest 
for  1810— as  well  as  for  the  $300  due  the  Kaskaskias  by  treaty,  on 
account  of  the  erection  of  a  Church,  stating  on  the  face  of  each  bill, 
the  purpose  for  which  it  is  drawn. 

I  am  &c.  (signed)    W.  EusTIS 


••  No  reply  found. 
•Ante,  p.  75. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  89 

WILLIAM  RECTOR  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GLO.SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iii:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  April  7'"  1810 

D''  Sir  I  wrote  you  on  the  30*"  of  last  month."  giving  you  a  State- 
ment of  all,  those  Townships,  in  which  (from  such  information  as  I 
was  able  to  collect)  I  supposed  there  were  private  claims — Since  which 
I  have  ascertained,  that,  there  are  no  claims  within,  the  following 
Townships.  Viz  T  3  S.  R  5  W.  Townships  2  &  3  S.  of  Range  6  W— 
There  may  be  some  other  Townships  enumerated  in  said  letter,  in 
which  there  may  be  no  private  claims.  Should  I  discover  this  to  be 
the  case,  the  Subdivision  of  such  Townships  Shall  not  be  gone  into 
until  I  receive  further  further  instructions  from  you. 

We  are  going  on  very  well  with  the  business  generally  but  find 
considerable  difficulty  in  completeing  the  subdivision  of  some  of  the 
fractional  Townships  on  the  Mississippi  near  the  lower  end  of  the  work 
on  ace'  of  the  many  ponds  that  are  within  them.  I  calculate  however 
to  get  through  with  that  part  of  the  work  early  in  the  next  Month 

I  am,  with  much  respect  Your  Ob'  Serv'  W™  Rector 

[Addressed]  Jared  Mansfield  Esquire  Surveyor  Gen'  of  the  U. 
States  Cincinnati  Ohio.  Mail  [Postmarked]  Kaskaskia.  April  7"" 
1810    25 


A  BILL  CONCERNING  THE  TRAPPIST  ORDER 
[NA:SF,  11  Cong.,  2  sess.iPrinted] 
XLIII. 

In  Senate  of  the  United  States  April  7th,  1810. 

Mr.  Brent,  from  the  committee  appointed  on  the  subject,  reported  the 
following  bill,  which  was  read  and  passed  to  the  second  reading. 

A  BILL  Concerning  the  society  of  the  order  of  La  Trappe. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  Congress  Assembled,  That  the  United  States 
relinquish  to  Urban  Guillet,  for  the  benefit  of  the  religious  order  of 
La  Trappe,  their  right,  if  any  they  have,  to  the  four  hundred  acres  of 
land  in  the  Illinois  territory,  situate  about  four  miles  from  St.  Louis; 
which  said  four  hundred  acres  of  land,  was  a  donation  from  N.  Jarrot 
to  the  said  Urban  Guillet,  and  his  associates,  and  upon  which  they 
have  made  an  establishment,  for  the  gratuitous  education  of  youth, 
in  the  various  branches  of  literature  and  mechanical  arts. 

Opp     a_     AnjJ.  ha  ii  -fiirfftrr  rnnrfrrJ    T'li n f.  fViA  qprrrf nr-.7  «f  tVin  trrmiirv 

CTtJTjT    TTr    j:XrtW  W  TV  J  tirtrtVr   ViKJbVtVlJt,    X  ilUiU  UxttS  JL/Vl  U  tUl  Jf^   CtT   TmtJ    VI  UUo»^A  J 

DC  flu  till  onocd,  find  iio  is  ncrcCTV  dircotccl,  upon  cippiicfition  Dcin^  nxo-fl" 
M  Ante,  p.  86. 


90  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

tO  nWttj  "to  QlflpOOO  ©r  ftTlQ  ftOit  tO  OPDttn  ^jrUlilOty  CI  HO  nl9  ftSSOOl  ft  t'C9  j  tOP 

tbe  benefit  el  their  order  ©f  ta  Trappc,  ft»ti  fe?  t^  maintcnanco  ef 
*fee  catablbliment  above  mentioned,  fetH"  thousand  aorcrf  ef  public 

lull  CI  J    ftr    1)1  tC    pPiCO   Or    tWO    ClOiluF3    JJGP    ftCrC '}    WiiiOIi   9ftiCt   OftlO   Sttftri    O© 

upon  ft  credit  ef  twelve  ^'cora,-  without  intercat;  Provided,  That  44ie 
sai4  ,Guillct,  ftR4  his  aooooiatco,   shall   locate  t^ie  warrant  fef  *he 

Sulu  x0wP  l'iiOU'3ull(i  ftOPCy  Or  ItXIlQ j  Ou  ftli V  txixloOutJCu  toXi^  uCuFC3u  tj©  Or 
ctCljOlXllOS  vOClP  9uiU  C" tfttWi^triHTOIitTr 

[Endorsed]  11  Cong  2  Sess  A  Bill  concerning  the  Society  of  Order 
of  La  Trappe.  1810  April  7  Read  &  to  2  Read*  April  9  Read  14'"  to 
3"  Rea'  14'"  3"  R.  &  passed  •» 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  McARTHUR 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

18  April  1810 
John  M'Arthur  Kaskaskia  111.  Terr' 

Your  negligence  is  intolerable — the  Mail  from  Vincennes  to  S'  Louis 
has  failed  more  the  past  than  any  preceding  winter — I  shall  rigidly 
exact  every  penalty  that  you  have  incurred,  and  if  the  Mail  is  further 
neglected,  I  shall  undoubtedly  place  it  in  other  hands. 

G.G. 


ROBERT  ROBINSON  TO  RETURN  J.  MEIGS 
[NA:SF,11  Cong.,  2  sess.:ADS] 

Washington  20th  April  1810— 
Sir    The  following  remarks  were  deemed  necessary  to  an  explana- 
tion of  my  account  herewith  exhibited — 

On  the  1''  item  in  this  account  it  may  be  remarked — first  that  by 
an  act  of  the  26'"  of  March  1804  the  government  had  provided  & 
appointed  a  national  Board  of  Officers  to  decide  on  the  Claims — 
Secondly — that  that  Board,  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  in  which 
it  was  placed — in  a  French  poppulation — neither  of  the  Commissioners 
understanding  the  language— many  of  the  papers  exhibited  and  the 
oral  testimony  to  be  taken  being  in  French,  was  compelled  to  employ 
an  interpreter  &  translator  before  they  could  come  to  a  decision  on  a 
single  claim  where  such  evidence  was  produced — As  interpreter  I  was 
then  employed  by  the  Board  and  I  did  not  hesitate  to  undertake  it 
from  the  assurances  of  the  Board  that  the  Gov'  would  make  me  an 
adequet  compensation — It  is  true  that  the  act  organizing  the  Board 
made  no  allowance  for  this  part  of  the  business — but  as  an  interpreter 
was  indespencable  it  was  believed  to  have  been  left  to  the  discration  of 

«  Senale  Journal,  iv,  478,  480,  488,  489.  In  the  House  the  bill  as  passed  by 
the  Senate  was  read  twice  and  committed.     No  further  action  is  noted. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  91 

the  Commissioners;  as  in  the  case  of  a  Marshal  whom  they  found  it 
necessary  to  appoint — They  were  commanded  to  commence  on  a  cer- 
tain day  (1=*  of  Jan'y  1805)  and  to  finish  their  reports  on  a  given  day — 
but  without  an  interpreter  and  translator  this  could  not  be  done  nor 
could  they  progress  in  decisions— On  imploying  the  interpreter  and 
translator  for  the  periods  I  mention  one  of  two  things  seems  to  me  to 
result — Viz — Either  that  the  Board  or  the  Government  was  bound 
in  Justice  to  pay  a  reasonable  Compensation  and  I  presume  that  the 
Gov'  never  did  intend  to  cast  this  weight  on  Officers  whoes  Compen- 
sation has  been  believed  to  be  far  below  what  they  really  merited — 

I  come  now  to  the  Second  item  in  my  account — as  to  this  permit  me 
to  remark  that  after  the  1"  day  of  November  1805  notices  of  claims 
could  not  be  rec"*  by  the  Register  of  the  land  office — nor  does  he  seem 
to  have  been  bound  to  translate  any  papers  which  were  not  at  this  period 
filed  in  his  office — and  it  very  frequently  occured  that  Claimants 
throu'  ignorance  or  other  causes  had  omitted  to  have  their  papers  in 
the  French  language  filed  and  translated  and  many  of  these  documents 
were  by  the  claimants  produced  at  the  moment  the  Board  was  about  to 
decide  on  their  pretentions — In  this  as  well  as  in  the  duty  of  inter- 
prating  will  be  seen  the  Oeconomy  of  the  Board;  for  had  they  im- 
ployed  any  other  than  the  Clerk  they  must  have  promised  such 
compensation  to  him  as  would  have  kept  him  always  near  the  Board 
during  its  Sessions — 

The  third  item  is  for  interprating  generally — As  to  this,  it  was  im- 
possible for  the  Board  to  proceed  without  examinations  and  re-exami- 
nation of  PYench  witnesses  in  Order  to  ascertain  the  limits  and  extent 
of  ancient  possessions  disputes  &c  and  Conflicting  Claims;  and  to 
test  the  Credability  of  Witnesses  by  their  own  Contadictions 

The  duty  of  interprater  became  highly  important  to  the  United 
States  when  after  a  decision  had  been  made  by  the  Board  in  favour 
of  Claimants  to  a  large  amount  a  scene  of  profligate  corruption  (scarce 
equaled)  was  exhibited — About  200,000  acres  it  was  discovered  had 
been  decided  favourable  to  the  Claimants  who  had  obtained  such 
decisions  by  the  greatest  frauds — Forjery  and  Perjury — In  unraveling 
&  detecting  such  villanies  transactions  much  time  &  investigation 
were  necessary  and  those  imployed  in  this  vile  trade  as  witnesses  were 
chiefly  ignorant  Frenchmen  who  did  not  understand  English — Indeed 
I  found  it  frequently  necessary  to  imploy  an  assistant  Clerk  at  my 
own  expence  while  ingaged  in  these  examinations  which  terminated  in 
the  rejection  of  these  fraudulant  Claims — I  have  to  regret  that  the 
reports  of  Board  perticularly  that  relating  to  testimony  is  not  before 
you  as  it  would  verify  my  claim  to  be  well  founded — if  any  doubts  are 
intertained  I  beg  that  the  Sec'y  of  the  Treas'y  may  be  requested  to 
give  information  on  this  subject 

On  the  subject  of  my  4'"  Item  permit  me  to  say  that  I  have  traveled 


92  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

about  1,000  miles  in  the  worst  season  of  the  winter  at  the  Special 
request  of  the  Board  as  will  appear  by  their  Official  letter  to  the 
Sec'y  of  the  Treas'y — an  extract  of  which  is  before  the  Committee — 
All  which  is  most  respectfully  submitted  for  the  consideration  of  the 
Hon'ble  Committee  to  whom  my  petition  was  refered  &c 

R:  Robinson 
[Addressed]    The  Hon'ble  R  J  Meiggs  Chairman  of  Com*"  Senate 
of  the  U  S: 

[Endorsed]    Rob*  Robinsons  Papers — 
[Enclosure:El 
Elijah  Backtis  and  Michael  Jones  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
N"  1  [Febrtiary  26,  1810] 

Extract  from  an  official  communication  of  E.  BacktLS  and  M:  Jones, 
commissiones  in  the  District  of  Kaskaskia,  to  M'  Gallatin  Sec'y  of 
the  Treasury  of  the  U:  S:— Dated  Feb'y  26'"  1810  "— 
"As  our  dispaches  of  last  year  were,  you  know.  Sir,  plundered  from 
the  public  mail,  we  have  thought  that  this,  the  most  important  of 
all  Our  communications,  involving  not  only  property,  but  Character, 
could  not  be  trusted  to  any  other  then  a  Spacial  messenger — 

"M"'  Robinson  (the  bearer)  the  agent  for  the  U:  States  for  this 
District  is  able  to  give  any  further  details  which  may  be  required  ("] 
The  above  extract  is  a  true  copy  of  the  document  alluded  to  now 
on  file  in  the  Coumptroller's  Office  And'  Ross,  Clk 

[Endorsed]  Extract  of  the  letter  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  to 
M'  Gallatin— Feb'y  26'"  1810— 

[Enclosure] 
Account  of  Robert  Robinson 

[April  20,  1810] 
The  United  States  to  Robert  Robinson  D"' 

1"  For  translating  and  interpreting  the  French  language  at  the  Spacial 
request  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  (of  land  land  claims)  in  the 
District  of  Kaskaskaskia  from  the  1"  of  Jan'y  1805  untill  the  30'" 
of  April  ensuing,  the  date  when  the  act  of  March  1805  appointing 
a  translator  was  rec*  at  the  Office — at  $1  p'  day — .  .  .  $110 
2^  For  translating  deeds,  concessions  and  &c  which  not  having  been 
regularly  filed  with  the  Register  of  the  land  office  and  which  were 
considered  as  not  appertaining  to  his  Office  as  translator  from  the 
30'"  of  April  1805  untill  the  1"  of  Jan'y  1810— inclusive— .  .  50 
3"  For  interpreting  all  oral  testimony  and  examining  witnesses  before 
the  Board  at  their  request  from  the  said  30'"  day  of  april  1805 
untill  the  said  1"  day  of  Jan'y  1810  at  $175  per  Annum  (say  4 
years  &  8  months) 793.20 

"  Original  not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  93 

4'"  For  transporting  the  Papers  and  decisions  of  the  said  Board  of 
Commissioners  from  Kask*  to  Washington  by  the  Spacial  Order  of 
the  Board  as  per  their  official  letter  to  the  Sec'y  of  the  Treas'y 
will  appear — (including  all  expence  and  trouble) " 

Contra 

By  30$  allowed  and  paid  William  Arundel,  as  translator  and  inter- 
preter, (in  my  absence), — by  the  Sec'y  of  the  Treas'y — 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  ROBERT  ROBINSON 

[NA:SF,  11  Cong.,  2  sess.:ALS] 

[No  date,  1810] 
To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives  of  the  United 

States — 

The  undersigned  respectfully  represents,  that  on  the  first  day  of 
January  1805  he  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners 
(of  land  claims)  in  the  District  of  Kaskaskia;  °*  and  that  he  continued 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  that  office  untill  the  final  adjudication  of  the 
Claims  pending — that  the  quantity  of  land  claimed  may  be  estimated 
at  about  900,000  acres; — that  the  title  Set-up  to  a  considerate  portion 
of  this  land  was  attempted  to  be  supported  by  orial  testimony  which 
the  Clerk  was  ordered  to  commit  to  writing; — that  the  Illinois  Country 
was  anciently  and  almost  exclusively  inhabited  by  Frenchmen, — that 
it  is  still  so  in  a  great  measure;  and  that  it  was  from  some  of  these 
ancient  inhabitants,  who,  are  yet  living  and  who  are  intirely  unac- 
quainted with  the  English  Language,  that  the  Board  had  to  recieve 
testimony  on  which  many  of  the  claimants  founded  their  pretentions — 

That  all  the  papers  relative  to  land-titles  from  the  first  Settlements 
in  the  Illinois  down  to  the  organization  of  the  Northwestern  Territory 
were  written  in  the  French  Language  and  that  the  Board,  under  these 
circumstances,  found  it  impossible  to  proceed  without  the  aid  of  an 
interpretor  and  translator — Your  memorialist  being  well  acquainted 
with  the  French  Language,  and  it  being  difficult  to  procure  an  In- 
terprator  and  Translator,  the  Board  urged  him  to  undertake  these 
duties — assuring  him  at  the  same  time  that  tho'  there  was  no  specific 
appropriation  for  these  Servises  the  very  nature  of  the  Case  would 
induce  Government  to  allow  a  Compensation — 

The  Organic  law  of  this  Board  gave  it  Power  to  Subp'  and  compell 
the  attendence  of  Witnesses;  *'  yet  this  law  did  not  point-out  the  man- 
ner in  which  it  should  be  done — The  Board  were  then  constrained  to 
assume  a  constructive  power  to  appoint  a  Marshal  to  execute  process — 
they  did  so;  and  his  fees,  as  well  as  the  fees  of  the  witnesses  by  him 

•'  No  figures  are  entered  here. 

«8  See  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vn,  326. 

"  See.  4  of  act  approved  Mar  26, 1804  (ibid.,  p.  177;  2  Stat.  279). 


94  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

summoned  have  been  regularly  audited  and  paid  by  the  Treasury 
Department. 

Your  Memorialists  respectfully  states  that  in  his  opinion  the  same 
reasoning  applys  with  equal  force  to  the  appointment  and  pay  of  an 
interprator,  for  as  the  Board  could  not  proceed  without  a  Marshal  so 
neither  could  they  have  come  to  final  adjudications  without  the  aid 
of  an  interprator  and  translator  of  the  French  language— Added  to 
these  considerations,  your  Memorialist  begs  leave  to  observe,  that 
for  Simular  Servises  considerable  sums  of  money  have  been  allowed  in 
Louisiana  '"  &c  while  no  appropriation  was  made  for  the  District  of 
Kaskaskia  untill  the  year  1807  and  then  only  for  a  specific  description 
of  papers  on  file  in  the  Office  " — 

Your  memorialist  further  represents  that  after  much  difficulty 
the  Board  came  to  a  final  adjudication  of  the  Claims  about  the  last 
day  of  December  1809, — that  as  the  roads  from  Kaskaskia  to  Wash- 
ington are  at  all  times  difficult  and  in  the  winter  almost  impass- 
able— as  the  mail  does  not  at  that  season  perform  the  rout  with  dispach 
and  safety  and  as  it  was  important  that  the  reports  of  the  Board 
should  reach  the  seat  of  Government  before  the  close  of  the  present 
Session,  it  was  resolved  that  the  Clerk  of  the  Board  should  be  the 
bearor  of  the  Reports  and  this  your  memorialist  has  performed  (re- 
cently) at  considerable  expence  and  trouble  which  must  necessarily 
attend  a  Journey  of  1,000  miles  in  the  depth  of  Winter — 

It  now  rests  with  your  Honorable  bodies  to  decide,  whether  these 
important  trusts  were  to  be  performed  by  your  Memorialist  without 
compensation;  or  whether  in  Justice  he  is  not  intitled  to  a  merited  re- 
ward; and  he  prays  that  this  his  petition  may  be  heard  at  the  present 
Session  of  Congress,  as  a  posponement  untill  the  next  Session  would  be 
highly  injurious  to  his  domestice  affairs,  and  imbarassing  in  his  pecu- 
niary arangements — It  is  not  going  beyond  truth  to  State  that  in  the 
discharge  of  these  Official  duties, — duties  which  martialed  against 
your  Memorialist  and  the  Board  the  whole  phalanx  of  Fraudulent 
Speculators — he  hazarded  his  life  and  property — all  which  he  humbly 
conceives  may  be  proved  by  the  Official  Communications  of  Governor 
Edwards  and  the  Commissioners  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury — 

Your  Memorialist  respectfully  prays  &c  &c 

Robert  Robinson 

[Endorsed]  11  Cong  2  Sess:  Petition  of  R.  Robinson  praying  addi- 
tional compensation  for  certain  services.^'    Petition  of  R  Robinson. 

"  See  sec.  6  of  act  approved  Mar.  2,  1805  {Terr.  Papers,  Orleans,  ix,  413;  2 
Stat.  328). 

"  See  sec.  6  of  act  approved  Mar.  3,  1807  {Jerr.  Papers,  Ind.,  vii,  435;  2  Stat. 
447). 

"  Robinson  was  allowed  $500  as  extra  compensation  by  an  act  approved  May  1, 
1810  (6  Stat.  94). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  95 

MICHAEL  JONES  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY 
[NA:GLO,  Kaskaskia,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Afril  21=*  1810. 

Sir  On  the  10*"  Instant  I  put  myself  on  my  Country  for  trial — 
When  the  Attorney  General  (M''  Crettendon)  had  gone  thro'  the  exam- 
ination of  his  witnesses,  it  was  percieved  by  my  council  that  he  was 
convinced  of  the  perjuries  of  those  Honorable  Gentlemen,  Jackaway 
and  RejTiolds,  they  concieved  it  therefore  unnecessary  to  examine  all 
my  witnesses  &  submitted  the  cause  without  argument:  The  Jury  who 
had  made  up  their  minds  at  the  bar  retired,  &  in  a  few  minuts  return'd 
a  Verdict  of  not  Guilty — The  Court  (Judge  Stewart)  then  observed 
"Co'  Jones  you  are  discharged — it  gives  me  pleasure  to  declare  that 
the  Verdict  rendered  by  the  Jury  meets  the  entire  approbation 
of  the  Court"  The  Judge  then  address'd  the  Attorney  Gen' — "From 
what  has  passed  before  the  Court  this  day  upon  the  trial  of  this  Cause, 
it  will  be  worthy  of  your  consideration  whether  prosecutions  for  per- 
jury ought  not  to  be  instituted  against  some  of  the  Witnesses  examined 
during  the  trial"  Jackaway  in  the  meantime  made  his  escape,  but  was 
pursued  by  the  sheriff  and  brought  back,  he  stands  recognized,  by  the 
Court;  to  appear  at  our  next  term  on  a  charge  of  Perjury — Actions  of 
tresspass  on  the  case  have  been  brought  by  me  against  Rob*  Morrison, 
William  Morrison  &  John  Edgar  each  in  the  sum  of  nine,  twelve  & 
fifteen  thousand  Dollars — in  order  to  enable  me  to  prosecute  these  suits 
with  effect,  it  becomes  necessary  that  I  shou'd  be  in  possession  of  the 
Documents,  defamatory  of  my  character,  which  these  Gentlemen 
have  from  time  to  time,  forwarded  to  you  and  the  President.  Shou'd 
there  be  no  impropriety  in  forwarding  them,  you  will  in  that  case  please 
to  send  them  by  mail,  under  cover  to  M'  Nath'  Pope,  or  shoud  M' 
Robinson  not  have  left  the  City  they  can  be  forwarded  by  him 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be  Sir,  your  Obed'  &  Hum'  Ser* 

Mich'  Jones 

P.S.  On  the  18*"  Instant  I  drew  on  you  in  favour  of  M'  Shaw  for 
the  amount  of  an  account  for  Sundries,  which  I  hope  will  be  honored — 
M:  Jones 

The  Hon'  Albert  Gallatin  Sec"  of  the  Treas^  of  the  united  States 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'  Albert  Gallatin  Secref  of  the  Treas^  of  the 
united  of  the  U  States  Washington  [Postmarked]  Kaskaskia  April 
28*"  Free  Mail. 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  Apr.  21. 1810  rec"  May  16.  Michael  Jones 
Reg  "■  of  the  Land  Office — result  of  prosecution  against  him — wants 
copies  of  charges  made  against  him — advice  of  a  bill  for  am*  of  an 
account  transmitted.  Answ"  May  18.  1810."  Authenticated  eepy 
wr  tjiio  pftpcrs  tO  00  uiuu'O  CO  TjrftiismiiTtjCd  t^  ^^ipti  * 

n  Post,  p.  102. 


96  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  THE  SPEAKER 
OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 

[NA:SF,  11  Cong.,  2  sess.:ALS] 

Treasury  Department  Aipril  23. 1810 
Sir,  The  reports  &  decisions  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  to 
settle  the  claims  to  lands  in  the  District  of  Kaskaskia  have  been 
received,  and  are  too  voluminous  to  be  transcribed  in  time  before  the 
adjournment  of  Congress.  Understanding  that  although  the  subject 
of  rejected  claims  may  require  investigation,  no  difficulty  was  appre- 
hended respecting  the  claims  which  have  been  confirmed,  I  have  the 
honor  to  transmit  a  list  of  them,  extracted  from  the  reports  above 
mentioned, 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c  Albert  Gallatin. 

The  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

[Endorsed]    N»  Kaskaskia  Sent  to  HR  Ap'  24.  1810.    Quire— The 
list  within  referred  to.  also— The  utility  of  printing  the  reports  entire. 


ELIAS  RECTOR  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  in:ALSl 

Kaskaskia  Avril  26""  1810 
Dear  Sir  I  have  read  your  letter  to  W°  Rector  ''*  Containing 
Instructions  to  him  and  my  self  how  to  perform  the  work  assined  us 
&c  You  therein  suggest  that  we  had  better  proceed  Slow  or  spar- 
ingly— I  am  sure  when  you  are  well  Acquainted  with  the  real  necessity 
of  this  works  being  spedily  performed — you  will  not  Oppose  the  early 
completion  of  it.  It  is  desirable  that  this  work  should  be  soon  done 
for  Obvious  reasons  Viz  1°'  The  United  States  would  derive  grate 
advantage  by  having  the  private  Claims  together  with  Subdivisions 
of  the  public  Land  which  lie  adjoining  them  soon  Made,  as  then  Land 
in  this  district  might  be  sold — 2°"  The  individuals  who  hold  land 
here  are  anxious  for  their  land  to  be  survey"  which  will  enable  them 
to  make  settlements  which  would  enhance  the  value  of  tfe©  Land  of  the 
United  States,  At  present  the  titles  of  Land  is  so  uncertain  that 
emmigrants  are  unwilling  to  purchase  Consequently  the  Country 
remains  unsettled  All  for  want  of  the  Surveys  being  complete  I  can 
say  for  myself  If  I  could  not  proceed  with  dispatch  I  had  rather  aban- 
don the  business.  Otherwise  at  the  end  of  5  or  6  years  my  fees  for 
Surveying  would  about  Meet  the  expence  of  the  business.  It  requires 
more  money  to  prosecute  this  business  here  than  in  a  thick  settled 
Country 

I  have  no  other  business  or  object  in  this  Country  but  surveying — 

"  Feb.  23,  1810  (not  found);  cf.  ante,  p.  84. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  97 

which  I  wish  to  Complete  as  soon  as  I  can  Consistant  with  your 
instructions  which  had  &  shall  allways  be  my  Guide  in  the  work  I  am 
sensible  of  your  friendship  te  hi«  in  assuring  Me  work  when  there  ai'e 
such  a  Crowd  of  Applicants  and  I  hope  my  attention  to  and  performance 
of  the  business  will  meet  your  Approbation  I  shall  proceed  in  con- 
formity with  the  instructions  you  gave  me  till  the  15*"  of  June  after 
that  it  is  my  intention  to  visit  Cincinati  where  I  hope  to  find  you  & 
family  in  Good  health  &c 
With  Considerations  of  respect  &  esteem  I  am  your  ob*  serv* 

Elias  Rector 

PS    please  present  my  respects  to  Mistress  Mansfield  and  family 
E.  Rector 

Gen'  Mansfield 

[Addressed]  The   Hble   Jared    Mansfield    Surveyor    Gen'   U.    S. 
Cincinati  Ohio.     [Postmarked]    Kaskaskia  April  28'"    25 


MATTHEW  LYON  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  in:ALS] 

Washington  April  29'"  1810 
Dear  Sir  Congress  have  authorised  you  to  lay  out  a  Town  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio  not  exceeding  two  Sections,  Town  lotts  a  quarter 
of  an  acre,  out  lots  at  your  discretion  '° — I  take  the  liberty  to  request 
you  to  Employ  my  friend  Will"  Dobbins  who  lives  near  Eddiville 
Ken^  to  do  this  job  " — I  have  understood  his  work  heretofore  done 
in  that  way  pleased  you,  he  is  very  Convenient  to  Shawnee  Town 
not  more  than  a  large  days  ride — The  bill  as  it  went  from  our  house 
left  the  size  of  the  lotts  with  the  Secretary  &  you,  &  contemplating 
that  they  would  be  an  acre  the  smallest  we  had  fixed  the  price  at 
Eight  dollars  but  the  Senate  fixed  the  Size  at  A  Quarter  for  the  In 
lotts  &  left  the  price  Eight  dollars  Standing  so  I  hope  altho  the 
Whole  of  the  Sextions  may  be  laid  out  into  lotts,  there  will  be  but  a 
small  proportion  of  those  Eight  dollar  lotts,  as  the  Out  lots  are  limited 
at  no  more  than  5  $  an  Acre — 32  Doll°  an  Acre  is  too  much  for  land 
in  that  Country— On  this  Subject,  I  will  speak  to  the  Sec"  of  the 
Treasury — 

Our  friend  Granger  has  had  a  bad  Winter  he  sometimes  thought 
of  dying  he  is  now  recovered,  though  not  in  Confirmed  health  is 
doing  business 

"  Referring  to  Shawneetown,  provided  for  in  sec.  6  of  an  act  approved  Apr. 
30,  1810  (2  Stat.  591). 

"  See  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  viii,  18,  117. 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


I  will  thank  you  for  a  line  left  for  me  at  Cincinati  post  office  on  the 
Subject  of  Employing  Judge  Dobbins  and  with  great  respect  yours 

M  Lyon 

I  got  this  Shawney  town  bussiness  done  at  the  request  of  a  large 
number  of  people  *h«fe  liveing  on  the  land  and  as  it  will  be  an  accomo- 
dation to  them  to  have  the  lotts  soon  laid  out  so  that  they  may 
set  their  buildings  in  conformity  thereto    The  sooner  it  is  laid  out  the 

better 

f 

[Addressed]  Jared  Mansfield  Esq'  Surveyor  General  Near  Cin- 
cinatti    Ohio  State  [PostmaTked]  M  Lyon  Free 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  MICHAEL  JONES 
[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One] 

Treasury  Departm*  7*"  May  1810 
Mich'  Jones  Esq'  Register  &c  Kaskaskia 

Sir  I  enclose  an  Act  confirming  the  decisions  of  the  Commis- 
sioners in  favor  of  the  Claimants  of  Land  in  the  district  of  Kaskaskia." 

The  transcripts  of  favorable  decisions  dated  31  decern'  1809  trans- 
mitted by  the  Commiss"  to  the  Sec"  of  the  Treasury  being  made  by 
the  Act  matter  of  record,'*  I  will  cause  authenticated  Copies  of  the 
same  to  be  transcribed  and  transmitted  to  you.  In  the  mean  while 
your  own  Minutes  &  copies  will  enable  you  to  give  the  necessary 
information  to  the  claimants  whose  titles  are  thus  confirmed. 

Another  Law  will  be  wanted  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  owners 
of  donation  &  Militia  claims  to  locate  &  siu-vey  their  tracts,  &  for 
also  enabling  both  these  and  all  other  confirmed  Claimants  to  obtain 
patents. 

It  is  highly  probable  that  the  Law  will  in  every  respect  be  similar 
to  that  passed  on  the  S""  March  1807  in  relation  to  the  Vincennes 
confirmed  claims,  and  to  which  I  refer  you  for  information." 

In  the  mean  while  it  is  necessary  that  the  tracts  contemplated  by  the 
first  section  of  the  Act  of  21  April  1806  should  be  designated  by  the 
Register  &  Receiver  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  the 

"  Approved  May  1,  1810  (2  Stat.  607). 

"  See  transcripts  of  recommendations  for  confirmation,  submitted  by  Jones 
and  Elijah  Backus,  the  receiver,  Dec.  31,  1809,  in  A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  II,  157-174. 
The  originals  are  in  NA  (SF).  These  lists  of  recommendations  are  under  the 
familiar  heads  of  (1)  ancient  rights,  (2)  improvement  rights,  (3)  donations  to 
heads  of  families,  and  (4)  militia  donations.  In  the  same  report  and  printed 
ibid.,  pp.  127-156,  are  lists  of  rejected  claims,  with  reasons  for  the  commissioners' 
disallowance.  The  prior  history  of  the  land-claims  situation  in  Illmois  Territory 
may  be  traced  in  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  vols.  II  and  ill,  and  ibid.  (Ind.),  vol.  vii; 
consult  indexes  under  "Land",  "Kaskaskia",  "Illinois  Country",  and  the  like. 

'•  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vii,  433-435;  2  Stat.  446-448. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  99 

Treasury  according  to  Law.*"  For  you  know  that  I  disapproved  of 
the  former  selection.  In  my  opinion  the  Tracts  together  ought  not 
to  exceed  in  quantity  the  aggregate  of  all  the  claims  both  confirmed  & 
rejected  which  may  (supposing  Congress  should  confirm  even  those 
claims  which  you  have  rejected)  be  located  therein.  That  will 
certainly  give  sufficient  choice  to  confirmed  claims.  As  to  the  position 
&  boundaries  of  those  Tracts,  they  should  as  far  as  practicable  include 
all  or  the  principal  part  of  the  improvements  made  by  the  owners  of 
bona  fide  claims.  For  notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  the  2" 
Section  of  the  Act  of  21  April  1806,  perhaps  Congress  may,  as  far  as 
they  may  be  found  within  the  boundaries  of  the  Tracts  to  be  thus 
laid  out,  permit  a  location  on  the  owners  improvements.  It  is  neces- 
sary that  the  selection  should  immediately  be  made  by  you  &  communi- 
cated to  the  Secref  of  the  Treasury  in  order  that  the  Surveyor  Gen- 
eral may  be  instructed  to  surve}'  the  same  this  Season.  But  I  do  not 
intend  to  confirm  your  choice  so  as  to  authorize  any  location  till  after 
the  meeting  of  Congress;  for  this  reason  amongst  others,  that  you  have 
not  in  j^our  decisions  actually  confirmed  or  rejected  any  of  the  Gover- 
nors confinnations.  It  results  that  not  a  single  claim  of  that  kind  is 
confirmed  by  the  enclosed  Law;  &  as  many  are  certainly  good,  it  would 
be  unjust  to  exclude  such  from  an  equal  chance  in  making  locations. 
On  the  subject  of  your  report  respecting  Governors  confirmations, 
which  must  necessarily  be  amended,  I  will  write  at  large  in  a  few  days.^' 
I  am  &c 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  MICHAEL  JONES 
[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One] 

Treasury  Department  May  14'"  1810 
Mic'  Jones  Esq'  Register  &c  Kaskaskia 

Sir  As  some  time  may  elapse  before  the  authenticated  copies  of 
the  transcripts  of  favorable  decisions  confirmd  by  the  last  Act  of 
Congress  &  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  V"  ins*  *-  can  be  completed  & 
transmitted;  and  as  it  is  important  that  j'ou  should  not  in  the  mean 
while  mistake  what  are  the  decisions  thus  understood  to  be  confirmed ; 
it  is  proper  to  inform  you  that  the  Act  of  Congress  embraces  &  con- 
firms the  favorable  decisions  of  the  Commissioners  1°'  in  favor  of  the 
persons  or  representatives  of  persons  designated  as  confii-med  in  the 
four  transcripts  of  ancient  grants,  rights  of  improvements,  donations 
to  heads  of  Families,  and  Militia  donations  transmitted  to  the  Treas- 

«>  2  Stat.  395. 

*'  Answered  Tpost,  p.  109. 

62  AnU,  p.  98. 


100  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

ury,  excepting  only  such  persons  as  had  not  filed  their  claims  accord- 
ing to  Law,  and  in  behalf  of  whom,  as  the  Commissioners  were  not 
authorized  to  decide  on  their  Cases,  a  special  provision  must  be  made 
by  Law: 

2"'^  In  favor  of  the  rightful  proprietors  respectively  of  the  Town 
lots,  common  field,  allotments,  &  commons  in  the  several  tracts 
designated  in  the  transcripts  of  the  Commissioners  by  the  name  of 
Kaskaskia,  Grand  Prairie,  Prairie  du  Rocher,  Fort  Chartres,  St 
Philips's,  Prairie  dupont,  and  Kahokia,  excepting  also  claims  not 
filed.  But  as  there  may  be  some  doubt  respecting  the  true  construc- 
tion of  the  Commissioners  decisions  respecting  those  Village  Tracts, 
I  add  what  appears  to  me  to  have  been  their  meaning,  with  a  request 
that  if  in  any  respect  mistaken,  they  will  state  it  immediately.  It  is 
indeed  possible  that  it  will  be  better  to  apply  for  a  new  special  law  in 
relation  to  that  object. 

I  am  &c 

Substance  of  the  Commissioners  confirmation  in  relation  to  Village 
Tracts. 

1  All  the  following  tracts  as  laid  domi  in  the  several  annexed  plats 
are  respectively  confirmed  to  the  legal  representatives  of  the  original 
Concedees  or  Grantees  from  the  French  Government  or  India  Com- 
pany; the  tracts  designated  by  the  name  of  commons  being  for  the 
common  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Villages  respectively,  and  the 
Village  or  town  lots,  &  allotments  in  the  common  fields  or  in  the 
tracts  divided  into  Lots,  being  the  respective  property  of  the  several 
owners;  no  regard  being  had  so  far  as  relates  to  the  claims  of  indi- 
viduals either  to  any  pretended  grants  from  officers  of  the  british 
Government,  or  to  any  former  special  confirmations  in  favor  of  indi- 
viduals whether  made  by  the  Commiss"  appointed  &C  or  by  the 
Governors  of  the  Territory:  &  leaving  it  to  the  several  individuals 
having  claims  within  the  Tracts  hereby  confirmed,  to  adjust  &  settle 
their  respective  claims  &  boundaries,    that  is  to  say  — 

1"  The  lands  contained  in  the  commons,  town  Lots  &  common 
fields  of  the  Village  of  Kaskaskias,  as  laid  down  in  the  plat  annexed, 
executed  by  David  Robinson  &  bearing  date  21  Sep'  1807,"  bounded 
by  the  river  Kaskaskia,  by  the  Missisippi  and  by  the  upper  line  of 
the  common  field  land  (as  laid  down  in  the  plat  also  annexed  executed 
by  W"  &  Elias  Rector  not  dated  *^)  being  eleven  &  one  half  arpens 
above  the  upper  line  of  the  Indian  Village  (so  called). 

2  The  Claims  falling  within  the  Grand  Prairie  Tract,  lying  between 
the  lower  lines  of  Butchet's  &  E  L'anglois's  tracts  &  bounded  as  per 
the  annexed  plat.     (Plat  neither  signed  nor  dated.*') 

•»  Reproduced  in  A.S.P.,  op.  cit.,  facing  p.  183. 
"  Reproduced  loc.  cit. 
w  Reproduced  loc.  cit. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  IQl 

3  The  Lands  contained  in  the  common  field  Village  &  lower 
commons  of  Prairie  du  Rocher  including  a  grant  to  M''  Boisbrient  & 
thirteen  Arpens  of  the  grant  of  seventeen  arpens  to  Chafin  &  Delisle 
bounded  west  by  the  Missisippi,  east  by  the  range  of  Hills,  south  by 
the  northern  boundary  of  the  Grand  Prairie  Tract  and  on  the  north 
by  the  remainder  (viz'  four  arpens)  of  the  tract  originally  granted  to 
Chafin  &  Delisle,  as  per  the  annexed  plat  signed  by  W"  Rector  & 
bearing  date  Janu''  29'"  1810  ^  &  also  the  commons  being  a  tract 
lying  east  of  the  last  mentioned  tract  thus  confirmed,  but  extending 
in  breadth  only  from  the  southern  boundary  thereof  to  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  Tract  originally  granted  to  Boisbriant,  and  in  depth 
one  league 

4  All  the  Lands  contained  in  the  allotments  of  the  Fort  Chartres 
establishm'  as  laid  down  in  the  annexed  Plan  signed  by  W"  Rector  & 
bearing  date  June  2'*  1809."  Bounded  southerly  by  the  upper  line 
of  the  Prairie  du  Rocher  common  field,  northerly  by  the  lower  line 
of  the  grant  to  Philip  Renault  out  of  which  has  emanated  the  Village 
&  establishment  of  S'  Philips  westerly  by  the  Coul6  de  Neaud,  by  the 
base  line  (so  called)  established  by  the  french  Government,  and  so 
far  as  relates  to  the  four  upper  arpens  in  front  of  the  Grant  to  Chafin 
&  Delisle  which  form  the  lower  part  of  the  Fort  Chartres  Tract,  by 
the  Missisippi  extending  in  depth  eastwardly  to  the  Range  of  Hills 
only  so  far  as  relates  to  the  last  four  mentioned  arpens  extending  in 
depth  eastwardly  one  league  so  far  as  relates  to  a  Tract  twelve  arpens 
in  front  lying  behind  &  opposite  Fort  Chartres  originally  granted  to — 
Boisbriant  extending  in  depth  eastwardly  fifty  arpens  so  far  as  relates 
to  all  the  residue  of  the  allotments  aforesaid  situated  south  of  the  upper 
line  of  the  concession  of  three  arpens  in  front  made  to  Naud :  all  which 
last  mentioned  allotments  are  therefore  bounded  eastwardly  by  a  line 
parallell  to  and  fifty  arpens  distant  from,  the  Coul6  de  Neaud  &  the 
base  line  above  mentioned  and  extending  in  depth  eastwardly  to  the 
Marais  or  Ponds  Ijang  at  the  foot  of  the  Hills  so  far  as  relates  to  all 
the  allotments  situated  north  of  the  upper  line  of  the  above  mentioned 
concession  to  Neaud :  But  no  claim  of  Lots  in  the  former  Village,  or 
of  commons,  or  to  any  of  the  Lands  lying  between  the  Missisippi 
River  and  the  western  boundary  of  the  Tract  as  above  described,  or 
to  any  of  the  lands  lying  east  of  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  same  as 
above  described  is  hereby  confirmed  or  recognised — 

5  That  part  of  a  grant  made  to  Philip  Renault  "  known  by  the 
name  of  S'  Phillips  as  laid  down  in  the  annexed  plan  signed  by  W° 
Rector  and  bearing  date  June  2*  1809  **  bounded  southwardly  by  the 

"  Reproduced  ibid.,  facing  p.  186. 

^  See  commissioners'  report  on  the  Renault  grant,  Feb.  24,  1810,  ihid.,  pp. 
189-192. 
**  Reproduced  ibid.,  facing  p.  192. 


102  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

upper  line  of  the  Fort  Chartres  allotments  extending,  in  front  of  the 
Missisippi  eighty  six  arpens  &  a  half,  and  in  depth  from  the  Mis- 
sisippi  to  the  Hills — 

II  And  all  the  Lands  contained  in  the  Town  Lots,  common  fields 
and  Commons  of  the  Villages  of  Cahokia  &  Prairie  du  Pont  as  laid 
down  in  the  annexed  Plans  bearing  date  May  23"  1808  and  signed  the 
first  by  W°  Rector  &  the  other  by  Elias  Rector  are  confirmed,**  the 
Commons  to  the  common  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Villages  re- 
spectively and  the  Village  or  town  Lots  and  allotments  in  the  common 
fields  to  the  respective  claimants  now  in  possession  as  set  down  in  the 
plats  above  mentioned;  it  being  also  understood  that  no  regard  is  to 
be  had  to  any  special  former  confirmations  either  by  the  Commis- 
sioners appointed  &C  or  by  the  Governors  of  the  Territory,  &  particu- 
larly that  none  of  the  allotments  in  the  Cahokia  commonfield  extend 
towards  the  Missisippi  beyond  the  Rigolet  or  River  LAbb^,  the  Land 
included  between  the  said  Rigolet  or  River  and  the  Missisippi  being 
altogether  without  the  boundaries  of  the  allotments  aforesaid."" 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  MICHAEL  JONES 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One] 

Treasury  Department  18  May  1810 
Mic'  Jones  Esq'  Regis''  &c  Kasskaskia 

Sir  Your  letter  of  21"  Ult°  has  been  received  " — I  hear  with 
great  pleasure  the  result  of  the  wicked  attempt  which  had  been  made 
against  j-ou  &  hope  that  the  parties  may  be  brought  to  punishment. 
I  cannot  however  consistent  with  Usage  give  you  the  papers  which 
had  been  addressed  to  the  President,  and  on  which  the  enquiry  into 
your  conduct  was  grounded;  nor  do  I  believe  that  they  would  be  of 
any  use  in  the  object  which  you  have  in  view — The  Bill  drawn  by 
you  in  favor  of  M''  Shaw  founded  on  an  account  and  vouchers,  which 
have  been  received  will  be  paid  when  presented.  It  is  proper  to 
inform  you  that  a  Bill  drawn  by  yourself  &  M'  Backus  jointly  in 
Octo'  1807  for  $67.26,  was,  through  some  error,  for  one  dollar  more 
than  the  Vouchers  which  you  sent  amounted  to,  they  being  for  only 
$66.27;  this  difference  of  one  dollar  has  been  debited  to  your  personal 
account  and  I  apprize  you  of  it  that  the  accounts  may  be  made 
regular,  by  your  next  draft  for  a  quarters  Salary  being  drawn  for 
$124 — ,  only,  stating  either  in  the  Body  of  the  Bill,  or  in  the  letter 
of  advice,  the  reason  as  above,  why  it  is  drawn  for  one  dollar  less  than 
the  full  amount  of  a  quarters  Salary 

lam&C 


"  Both  reproduced  ibid.,  facing  p.  194. 
•0  Answered  post,  p.  109. 
«  Ante.  p.  95. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  103 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  MICHAEL  JONES 

AND  ELIJAH  BACKUS 

INA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One] 

Treasury  Depart'  Maij  23"  1810 
Mic'  Jones  Esq'  Regis'  &C  Elijah  Backus  Receiv'  &C  Kaskaskia 

Gentlemen  It  appears  to  me  that  you  have  not,  in  your  reports 
respecting  Governor's  confirmations,  sufficiently  explained  your  opin- 
ion, which  should  have  been  either  a  distinct  confirmation  or  absolute 
rejection  according  to  your  respective  conclusions  on  each  case.  I 
therefore  transmit  Copies  of  your  transcripts  in  that  respect,  and 
request  that  you  wall  subdivide  each  of  the  four  transcripts  (Ancient 
Grants,  Improvements,  Heads  of  Families  donations,  Militia  dona- 
tions) into  two  seperate  transcripts,  viz'  one  of  confirmations,  the 
other  of  rejections  by  yourselves.  You  will  perceive  by  reference  to 
the  Act  confinning  the  report  of  the  Vincennes  Commissioners,'^  that 
all  the  Governors  confirmations  not  actually  rejected  by  the  Commis- 
sioners were  confirmed  by  Congress;  &  it  is  not  improbable  that  the 
same  course  will  be  pursued  in  relation  to  the  Kaskaskia  decisions. 
This  shews  the  necessity  of  correcting  your  report  in  the  manner 
which  I  have  pointed  out :  nor  does  that  mode  work  any  injury  to  the 
Claimants,  as  it  will  leave  those  whose  claims,  being  rejected  by  you  not- 
withstanding the  Governors  confirmation  shall  not  be  finally  confirmed 
by  Congress,  at  liberty  to  avail  themselves  nevertheless,  of  the  Gover- 
nors confirmation  (if  conferring  an  indisputable  title)  before  a  Court 
of  Law,  against  any  other  person  to  whom  the  United  States  might 
sell  the  Land. 

In  the  corrected  return  which  you  will  transmit  as  early  as  possible 
to  this  department  you  will  also  be  pleased  to  distinguish  the  Cases 
in  which  patents  of  confirmation  were  issued  by  the  Governor  from 
those  where  he  only  confirmed  without  granting  Patents. — 

I  beg  leave  to  add  a  few  observations  on  those  Governor's  confirma- 
tions, not  as  may  relate  to  impropriety  or  Fraud  which  may  have  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  Commissioners  in  any  particular  Case,  but 
only  as  respects  the  Governor's  powers. 

1  In  relation  to  donations  to  heads  of  Families  or  for  Militia  services 
he  was  limited  as  to  location  of  the  claims  when  allowed,  to  tracts  of 
land  laid  out  in  conformity  with  the  resolution  of  Congress  of  20'''' 
June  1788.«^  For  the  Resolution  of  28  Aug'  1788  prescribing  a  differ- 
ent mode  of  locating  those  tracts  '*  is  repealed  by  the  Act  of  S"*  March 
1791 '° — I  observe  that  the  Militia  donations  of  100  Acres  are  generally 

«  Approved  Mar.  3,  1807,  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vn,  433-435;  2  Stat.  446-448. 
«  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  ii,  112-115. 
"/6td.,  pp.  144-145. 
»»/6id.,  pp.  339-342. 


104  TERRITORIAL   PAPERS 

located  &  surveyed.  Was  this  done  in  every  respect  in  conformity 
with,  and  within  the  boundaries  prescribed  by  the  Resolution  of  20th 
June  1788? 

2  Ancient  Grants  were  defined  both  by  the  said  resolution  and  by  the 
2"  Section  of  the  Act  of  3"  March  1791  to  be  such  as  they  had  possessed, 
and  which  had  been  alloted  to  them  according  to  the  Laws  &  Usages 
of  the  Government  under  which  they  had  respectively  settled.  It 
follows  that  unless  there  was  or  had  been  possession  besides  the  Grant 
the  Governor  could  not  confirm  under  that  Section.  But,  what  is 
more  important,  the  power  in  that  respect  was  limited  to  alottments 
according  to  the  Laws  &  usages  &C.  And  it  seems  evident  that  the 
british  Grants  (so  called)  were  not  allotments,  and  were  granted  not 
only  contrary  to  the  Laws  &  usages  of  the  Country,  not  only  without 
authority  from  Government  or  superior  Officers,  but  also  contrary  to 
the  public  Proclamation  of  1763:"  so  that  the  parties  accepted  the 
Grant  knowing  that  there  was  no  authority  to  make  it. — 

3  If  any  power  was  vested  in  the  Governor  to  confirm  such  grants  it 
was  under  the  4'"  Sect"  of  the  Act  of  3"  March  1791,  the  words  being 
"under  a  supposed  Grant  by  any  Commandant  or  Court  claiming 
Authority  to  make  such  Grant"  And  yet  the  Commandant  Wilkins 
does  not  even  appear  to  have  claimd  the  Authority.  But  at  all 
events  the  authority  is  limited  to  tracts  actually  improved  and 
cultivated  not  exceeding  to  any  person  four  hundred  Acres. 

4  The  improvement  rights  which  the  Governor  had  a  right  to  con- 
firm were  only  1  (under  the  2'^  Sect"  of  the  Act  of  3"  March  1791) 
such  as  had  before  the  year  1783  been  alloted  &C  (in  cases  where  those 
allotments  are  not  considered  as  legal  &  complete  grants)  2  such  ?s  had 
been  made  under  a  supposed  grant  of  a  Commandant  or  court.  It 
follows  first  that  the  Governor  had  no  right  to  confirm  by  virtue  of 
improvement  right,  unless  that  right  was  supported  either  by  an  allot- 
ment made  prior  to  1783,  according  to  Law  &  Usage,  or  by  a  Com- 
mandant's or  Court's  supposed  Grant:  2dly  that  in  improvement  claims 
derived  from  allotments  as  above  mentioned  the  quantity  confirmed 
might  exceed  400  Acres,  but  that  in  improvement  claims  derived  from 
Commandant's  or  Court's  supposed  grants,  the  Governor's  confirma- 
tion cannot  exceed  400  Acres — 

5  By  the  Act  of  7  May  1800  all  that  part  of  the  north  west  Terri- 
tory now  composing  the  Territories  of  Indiana  &  Illinois,  was  after 
the  4'"  day  of  July  1800  erected  into  a  seperate  territory  then  called 
Indiana."    The  Officers  (including  the  Governor)  for  the  new  Terri_ 

»«  Oct.  7,  1763,  Shortt  and  Doughty  (eds.),  Docs.  rel.  Const.  Hist.  Can.,  1759- 
1791,  pp.  119-123;  Alvord  and  Carter  (eds.),  Critical  Period  (IHC,  X),  39-45.  For 
a  critical  study  of  the  proclamation,  see  Alvord,  "Genesis  of  ihe  Proclamation  of 
1763"  (Mich.  Pion.  and  Hist.  Colls.,  xxxvi,  20-52). 

»'  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  ill,  86-88. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  105 

tory  were  to  exercise  the  same  powers,  perform  the  same  duties  &c  as 
by  the  Laws  of  the  U  States  had  been  provided  &  estabhshed  for 
similar  officers  in  the  north  west  Territoiy.  Nothing  in  that  act  was 
to  be  construed  so  as  to  effect  the  Governm*  then  in  force  in  the  ter- 
ritory north  west  of  the  Ohio,  further  than  to  prohibit  the  exercise 
thereof  within  the  Indiana  Territory  after  the  said  4'"  day  of  July  1800. 
On  that  day  therefore,  all  the  powers  of  the  Governor  of  the  north 
west  Territory  ceased  in  the  Indiana  Territory;  and  it  is  a  matter  of 
fact  that  without  any  other  authority  Gov"'  Harrison  did  make  con- 
firmations in  the  Indiana  Territory.  Either  these  are  all  null  (v/hich 
in  my  opinion  would  be  absurd)  or  those  of  Governor  S'  Clair  after  the 
4*"  of  July  1800  are  null.  Yet  Governor  S'  Clair's  patent  to  Edgar 
&  S*  Clair  for  a  tract  of  13,986  acres  (said  to  contain  more  than  double 
that  quantity)  is  dated  Aug'  12""  1800 

You  will  be  pleased  to  observe  that  the  preceding  observations  are 
not  intended  to  encroach  on  what  is  within  your  own  province,  viz'  to 
decide  according  to  your  own  view  of  the  subject  but  merely  for  the 
piuT)ose  of  bringing  to  your  recollection  some  points  which  might 
perhaps  in  the  great  haste  with  which  you  were  obliged  to  complete 
your  business  have  escaped  your  attention  '* — 

I  am  &c 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  GOVERNOR 

EDWARDS 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2] 

Treasury  Depm'  28"'  May  1810. 

Sir,  Two  applications,  one  by  Benj°  Wallace  &  others,  and  the 
other  by  Ficklin  &  Prince,  having  been  made  for  leasing  a  supposed 
lead  mine,  in  the  Illinois  Territory.  The  President  has  authorised 
you  to  lease  the  same  accordingly  to  the  respective  applicants,  on  the 
usual  terms.  And  I  now  enclose  for  that  purpose  the  applications 
aforesaid,  and  a  copy  of  the  lease  to  Gist  and  Bledsoe.  But  as  under 
colour  of  obtaining  such  leases,  attempts  might  be  made,  solely  with 
the  intention  of  getting  temporary  possession,  of  valuable  and  large 
tracts  of  land,  you  are  requested  not  to  grant  the  leases  unless  you  are 
satisfied  both  of  the  intention  of  the  parties  and  of  the  existence  of  the 
mine. 

I  cannot,  from  the  description  as  given  by  the  applicants,  ascertain 
whether  the  application  of  both  be  not  for  the  same  tract  or  mine. 
Should  that  be  the  case  it  is  the  intention  of  the  President  that  the 
lease  should  be  in  favor  of  those  who  made  the  first  discovery  or  are 
connected  with  such  person. 

I  have  &ca. 

His  Excellency  N.  Edwards  Esq.  Governor,  Illinois  Ter^ 

"8  Cf.  posi,  p.  141. 


106  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

JOHN  MESSINGER  "  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 

[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iii:ALS] 

Clinton  Hill  Illinois  Ty.  May  28'"  1810 
Sir, — I  gratefully  received  Yo-ors  of  the  22"*  of  Feb''  about  the  first 
of  April  ' — Just  previous  to  whih,  a  Young  M'  Rector  Run  a  line  by 
my  house,  and  informed  me  that  they  had  only  those  Townships  to 
Subdivide,  in  which  there  were  private  claims,  as  mentioned  in 
Yours;  which  work,  as  Htcntionod  as  You  observe,  was  most  proper  for 
those  to  do  also,  who  had  the  private  Claims  on  hand— Though,  at  the 
same  time,  I  am  so  well  acquainted  with  the  surveys  of  private  claims, 
in  this  County,  that  I  would  have  been  willing  it  had  been  my  lot  to 
had  a  share,  near  where  I  live— M'  W"  Rector  in  conversation  last 
season,  observed  to  me,  that  he  did  not  wish  to  undertake  any  more 
siirvejing,  than  that,  he  was  then  engaged  in,  which  was,  the  private 
claims  &  an  Indian  boundarie,  probably;  and  when  I  first  heard  that  he 
&  his  Brother  Elias,  had  several  surveying  parties  in  the  field  and  had 
to  Subdivid  the  Townships  Survey'd  by  me,  I  was,  somewhat  alarmed, 
as  to  my  hopes  of  getting  any  more  work,  and,  although  You  have 
Politely  answered  my  letter  of  Jan^  8'",^  and  gave  me  this  consola- 
tion— that  You  "have  as  high  an  opinion  of  my  competency,  as  that 
of  any  surveyor  ["];  I  am  Yet  fearfull  that  something  has  gone  wrong 
as  it  respects  me,  since  my  returns  of  those  surveys  made  by  me;  but 
perhaps  my  fears  are  without  a  cause — 

I  sincerely  regret  that  the  present  circumstances  of  my  family  will 
not  permit  me  to  make  you  a  visit  this  summer,  which  would  be  a 
satisfaction  to  me  (as  I  conceive  it)  whether  I  get  any  more  work  in 
surveying  or  not — It  appears  by  the  subdivisions  in  the  Townships 
near  where  I  live  that  the  surveyors,  have  not  the  same  instructions 
as  those  forwarded  to  me,  which  obliged  the  Chain  earners  to  carry 
a  Plumb  on  all  uneven  grounds — I  was  with  Young  Rector  a  little 
when  running  about  me,  and,  observed  that  his  Chainmen  did  not 
carry  a  Plumb — he  said  that  the  chainmen  made  allowance  on  uneven 
grounds  of  course,  the  horrizontal  measiu-e  depended  on  the  Judgement 
of  the  Chainmen;  In  consequence,  of  which  (or  my  errors)  they  make 
from  three  to  six  &  H  Chains  excess  on  the  North  of  those  townships 
that  I  made  the  exact  measure  of  Six  Miles  agreeable  to  my  private 
instructions — The  Chain  that  M'  Rector  had  when  here,  agrees  with 
mine  exactly — I  have  a  piece  of  timber  prepared,  on  which  I  scribed 
the  exact  Measure  of  thirty  three  feet  which  corresponds  with  the 
measure  forwarded  to  me  by  letter  from  Your  Office,  by  which  I  often 

••  For  biographical  sketch,  see  Philbrick  (ed.),  Laws  Ind.  Terr.  (IHC,  XXI), 
ccl-ccli. 
»  Not  found. 
»  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  107 

corrected  my  Chain  while  in  the  field,  and  my  assistant  likewise — 
Young  Rector  applied  his  Chain  to  the  same  measure  when  with  me, 
and  it  agreed  exactly,  so  the  difference  of  our  measure,  is  not  in  the 
different  lengths  of  our  Chains — If  the  difference  in  the  measure  of 
the  external  or  Township  lines,  &  those  of  the  subdivisions  is  worth 
notice,  time,  &  accurate  examination  will  determine  which  is  cor- 
rect— For  my  part  I  am  sure  that  my  instructions  and  Oath,  Obliged 
me  to  carry  a  plumb  with  the  chain  to  determine  the  horrizontal 
measure  on  uneven  grounds — which  I  am  conscious  was  strictly 
attended  to  by  my  chainmen;  for  in  many  uneven  places  I  walked  by 
the  side  of  them  untill  they  were  well  practiced,  and  the  same  chain- 
men  continued  with  me  through  the  whole  Job ; — They  were  americans 
and  as  good  in  my  opinion  as  can  be  obtained  any  where — Should 
you  have  occasion  to  write  to  me  again,  direct  to  Clinton  Hill  Post 
Office  St  Clair  County  Illinois  Territory — I  keep  the  ofl^ce  ' — 

I  am  Sir  very  Respectf fully  Your  Obed*  Hum'  Ser' 

J  Messinger 

Jared  Mansfield  Eqr 

[Addressed]  Jared  Mansfield  Esq''  Surveyor  Gen'  Cincinnati  Ohio — 
[Postmarked]  May  28'"  Free  J  Messinger  P  M.  Clinton  Hill-Ill° 
Ty- 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iii:E] 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  the  Governor  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  dated  5*'' 

June  1810  * 

I  perceive  that  a  Town  is  to  established  at  a  place  called  Shawnee 
Town,  and  although  I  really  feel  the  greatest  diffidence  in  6ffering  my 
advice  when  it  is  not  asked  for,  yet  I  think  I  can  to  you  Sir  venture  to 
recommend  that  the  United  States  should  retain  or  purchase  Lots  as 
a  necessary  appendage  to  the  Saline,  for  unless  great  changes  take 
place  (and  I  hope  they  will)  Shawnee  Town  must  for  a  long  time  be 
a  place  of  deposit  for  Salt,  &  the  U  S  are  too  much  interested  to  deprive 
themselves  of  the  benefit  of  some  proper  situation  for  the  object. 

A  will  also  beg  leave  to  suggest  for  consideration  the  plan  on  which 
I  would  advise  that  the  Town  should  be  laid  out.  I  would  have  but 
one  Street;  that  should  be  upon  the  Margin  of  the  River,  It  will  then 
be  on  the  best  &  highest  Ground;  every  Lot  will  be  of  equal  value, 
having  an  equal  advantage  of  the  River,  and  an  equal  prospect  of 
advantage  from  all  who  pass  through  Town,  retaining  the  Ferry  at 
the  upper  end  of  the  Town  where  it  now  is  all  persons  passing  to  or 

»  Reply  not  found. 

*  Enclosed  in  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  Mansfield,  July  5,  1810  (NA, 
GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  in). 


108  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

returning  from  the  Saline  or  any  place  on  this  side  of  the  Saline  would 
have  to  pass  by  every  Lot  in  Town.  The  road  leading  as  it  now  does 
from  the  lower  end  of  Town.  And  moreover  every  Lot  would  be 
equally  Convenient  to  the  out  Lots  designed  for  our  support.  Upon 
this  plan  I  am  confident  I  could  sell  the  Town  for  at  least  five  times  as 
much  as  it  could  be  sold  for  on  any  other. 
I  have  the  honor  &C 


DANIEL  SHELDON,  JR.,  TO  EDWARD  COLES  » 

[NA:SD,  Misc.  Letters  :ALS1 

[July  2,  1810] 
Dear  Sir,  Obadiah  Jones  a  Judge  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  it 
appears,  by  the  record  of  his  commission  at  the  Depm'  of  State,  was 
appointed  a  Judge  of  the  Mississippi  Territory  on  the  6'"  of  March 
last;'  and  on  the  16*"  of  March,  Stanley  Griswold  was  appointed 
Judge  of  the  Illinois  Territory  in  his  room.'  This  arrangement  not 
being  known  at  the  Treasury,  M'  Jones  has  been  paid  (by  virtue  of  a 
Power  given  by  him  for  the  purpose  to  Mr.  Crawford  of  the  Senate) 
as  Judge  of  the  Illinois  Territory  to  the  31st  of  March  last.  A  bill 
is  now  presented  for  payment  drawn  by  M"'  Griswold  for  his  salary 
commencing  on  the  16'"  of  March  last,  including  consequently,  fifteen 
days  for  which  M''  Jones  has  already  been  paid.  It  is  stated  at  the 
Depm'  of  State,  that  no  evidence  exists  there  of  M'' Jones's  consent  to 
the  exchange;  and  as  he  could  not  be  transferred  to  the  Mississippi 
Territory  without  his  consent,  it  is  presumed  that  this  must  have 
been  signified  to  the  President  himself.  Will  you  be  good  enough  to 
inquire,  &  send  to  the  Treasury  something  upon  which  we  can  regularly 
act;  either  the  original  letter  of  M'  Jones,  or  a  line  from  the  President 
stating  the  fact  of  M'  Jones's  assent  to  the  transfer. 
I  am  respectfully  Yours  &c  D'  Sheldon  j' 

M'  Coles.    July  2.  1810. 

[Endorsed]    M'  Sheldon.     2"  July  1810 


MEMORANDUM  BY  DANIEL  SHELDON,  JR. 

[GAO:Misc.  Treas.,  Acct.  No.  23,747  (1811) lALS] 

[July  3,  1810) 
Mem,  in  relation  to  the  account  of  Obadiah  Jones,  as  Judge  of  the  Illinois 

Territory,  &  as  Judge  of  Madison  C°  Mississippi  Territory. 

On  the  1"  of  March  1810,  W"  H.  Crawford  Senator  from  Georgia 
informed  the  President  that  he  was  authorized  by  M'  Jones,  upon 

'  Private  secretary  to  President  Madison ;  later  a  G  overnor  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 
•  Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  II,  140. 
'  Ibid.,  pp.  141-142. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  109 

being  appointed  a  Judge  of  the  Mississippi  Territory,  to  resign  his 
place  as  Judge  of  the  Illinois  Territory.  Accordingly  on  the  6""  of 
March,  M"'  Jones  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Miss'  Terr^  and  on  the 
8'"  of  March,  M''  Crawford  in  behalf  of  M"'  Jones,  resigned  the  place  of 
Judge  of  the  Illinois  Terr''  and  accepted  that  of  Judge  of  the  Miss' 
Ter^ — The  two  letters  of  M'  Crawford  to  the  President  dated  Mar. 
1"  &  8'"  1810,  have  been  sent  to  the  Treasury;  but  at  the  request  of 
the  President,  are  deposited  in  the  Departm'  of  State  to  remain  there 
on  file.'* 

Stanley  Griswold  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Illinois  Terrif  in  the 
room  of  M''  Jones  on  the  16""  of  March  1810. 

M'  Jones  ought  then  to  be  paid  as  Judge  of  the  Illinois  Ter^  to  the 
5""  of  March  1810,  and  from  that  time  forward,  as  Judge  of  the  Miss' 
Terr^ — But  he  has  already  been  paid,  (by  virtue  of  a  power  given  to 
M"'  Crawford)  as  Judge  of  Illinois  to  the  31,  Mar.  1810.  It  will  be 
proper  therefore,  on  the  settlem'  of  M'  Jones's  first  account  as  Judge 
of  the  Miss'  Terr^  to  give  him  credit  for  his  salary  as  such,  from  the 
6"^"  of  Mar  1810,  and  then  to  charge  him  for  the  amount  he  has  already 
received  for  his  salary  as  Judge  of  Illinois  from  the  6""  to  the  31, 
March  1810.  M'  Griswold's  salary  will  of  course  commence  on  the 
16,  Mar.  1810. 

No  appropriation  has  been  made  for  the  payment  of  the  new  Judge 
of  Madison  C°  Mississippi  Terr^  which  is  the  place  M'  Jones  now  holds. 

D'  Sheldon  j' 

July  3,  1810 

[Endorsed]  Memorandum  of  M"'  Sheldon  relative  to  the  Acco'  of 
Obadiah  Jones  one  of  the  Judge's  of  the  Mississippi  Territory,  to  be 
attended  to  on  the  settlem'  of  his  first  Ace'  of  Salary,  $86.67  to  be 
deducted  which  he  has  rec"  as  Judge  of  the  Illinois  being  his  Salary 
from  the  6'"  to  the  31  Mar:  1810  inclusive. 


MICHAEL  JONES  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY 
[NA:GLO,  Kaskaskia,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  July  13'"  1810 
Sir  Your  letters  of  the  7. 14  &  18'"  of  May,  came  to  hand «— The 
substance  of  the  Commissioners  confirmations,  in  relation  to  Village 
tracts,  is,  I  believe,  correctly  stated  in  your  letter  of  the  14'"  on  this 
subject  M"'  Backus  and  myself  will  however  write  to  you  officially — 
The  designation  of  tracts,  in  conformity  with  the  act  of  Congress,  di- 
recting the  location  of  unlocated  Claims,  shall  also  be  made  and  for- 


'•^n«e,  pp.  81,  82. 
8  Ante,  pp.  98,  99,  102, 


110  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

warded  to  you  in  a  Short  time ' — I  regret  sincerely  Sir,  that  it  is  not 
consistent  with  usage  to  transmit  to  me  the  libellous  communications 
made  to  you  by  my  persecutors — The  letter  to  you  of  the  29'"  Decem' 
1808,  written  by  John  Edgar,"  contains  libellous  words,  on  which  my 
attomies  have  declared,  on  an  Action  of  Slander — I  have  therefore 
found  it  necessary  to  apply  for  a  dedimus  to  take  your  deposition — 
Should  you  still  deem  it  improper  to  forward  the  original,  you  will  in 
that  case  please  to  answer  the  interrogatories  annexed  to  the  dedimus, 
as  soon  as  possible  after  it  reaches  the  commissioners  (Thomas  Herty 
&  Sam'  H.  Smith)  to  whom  I  shall  enclose  them  by  next  mail;  too  late, 
I  fear,  to  answer  my  purposes— A  late  law,  requiring  ten  days  notice 
to  the  adverse  Party,  has  unexpectedly  procrastinated  the  departure 
of  the  Dedimus  &  Documents — The  Post-rider,  on  his  rout  from 
Vincennes  to  this  place  has  been  found  dead — The  mail  is  gone.  There 
is  much  reason  to  conclude  that  he  has  been  murdered  and  staked  down 
under  water. — Did  your  transcripts  of  our  Reports  on  land  claims 
come  on  in  this  mail?  I  hope  not — If  they  have  been  forwarded  in 
the  mail  which  has  been  thus  plundered,  Other  Copies  may  be  sent 
to  this  office,  for  we  wish  not  to  make  public,  any  documents  but  the 
transcripts  received  from  you." — 

I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully    Your  most  Ob*  &  H"  S' 

Mich'  Jones 

The  Hon'  Albert  Gallatin 

Sir,  On  the  urgent  request  of  my  Colleague  I  add  this  post- 
script— Should  you  think  any  observations  of  mine  on  this  point 
improper — you  must  attribute  them  to  the  deep  feelings  impressed  on 
my  mind  by  the  horrible  attempts  which  have  been  made  against  his 
character  and  life — 

It  has  not  yet  been  determined  in  our  Court  whether  a  copy  of  the 
document  now  requested  will  be  received  in  evidence — If  it  should 
not  be,  I  am  afraid  IVP  Jones  will  fail  in  his  action — I  am  unwilling  to 
believe  under  the  extraordinary  circumstances  of  his  situation  that 
any  document  will  be  withheld  to  preclude  him  from  that  retribution 
which  eternal  Justice  requires — Altho  Sir  no  man  can  make  a  merit  of 
doing  simply  his  duty;  yet  it  seems  to  be  but  a  moderate  compensa- 
tion to  a  public  officer  who  has  risqued  his  life  to  preserve  his  honesty — 
to  escape  the  Gallows — It  seems  to  be  hard  that  a  man  who  might 
have  made  fifty  thousand  dollars  without  your  knowledge,  should  now 
be  refused  documents  necessary  to  enable  him  to  recover  that  prop- 
erty which  has  been  torn  from  him — for  I  assure  you  Sir  that  my 
Colleague  has  for  the  year  past  been  obliged  to  spend  the  whole  sum 

•  Not  identified.     Cf.  post,  p.  329. 
'o  Not  found. 

"  The  transcript  was  sent  from  the  Treas'  with  a  letter  dated  June  27,  1810. 
D.S.    [Marginal  note  on  the  MS.] 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  \\l 

in  defending  himself,  which  it  has  pleased  his  Country  to  allow  him 
for  doing  his  duty  '^ 
I  am  Sir  &c.  E  Backus 

[Addressed]  The  Honorable  Albert  Gallatin  Seer''  of  the  Treasury  of 
the  United  States.  City  of  Washington  pr  mail  [Postmarked\  Kaskaskia 
July  14'"    Free 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  July  13'"  1810— rec.  Aug.  9'"  M.  Jones  Reg' 
Land  Office — ack^°^  rec'  of  letters  respect^  confirm"^ — has  obt"  dedimus 
to  take  testimony  of  Sec^  Treas^  respect^  charges  preferred  against 
him — murder  of  mail  carrier  &  robbery  of  the  mail. 

Please  to  ascertain  whether  the  mail  carrying  the  transcripts  could 
have  been  this:  I  believe  it  impossible.    — A.G." 

M'  Sheldon 

I  have  inquired  at  the  Gen'  Post  office,  and  they  can  give  no  inform" 
on  the  subject.  But  it  is  impossible  that  a  letter  sent  from  hence, 
could  have  proceeded  beyond  Vincennes,  &  there  have  been  taken 
from  the  post-rider,  in  time  for  the  circumstance  to  have  been  known 
\t  Kaskaskia  on  the  13'"  July.  The  transcripts  therefore  could 
not  have  been  contained  in  the  mail  that  was  robbed.    D.S. 


MICHAEL  JONES  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY 
[NA:GLO,  Kaskaskia,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  July  23"  1810 
SlE  I  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  to  you  a  letter  addressed  to 
Thomas  Herty  Esq",  containing  a  Dedimus  "  authorizing  him  and 
Samuel  H  Smith  to  take  your  deposition  relative  to  a  letter  written 
to  you  by  John  Edgar  of  this  place  dated  29  Decern''  1808,"  which 
you  will  please  to  send  either  of  those  Gentlemen 
I  am  very  respectfully  Sir  Your  most  Ob'  S' 

Mich'  Jones 
The  Hon'  A  Gallatin 

[Addressed]  The  Honorable  Albert  Gallatin  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury City  of  Washington  [Postmarked]  Louisville  Ky  31  July  Free 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  July  23"  1810.  rec"  Aug'  13.  M.  Jones 
Reg'  Land  office  enclosing  a  letter  for  Tho°  Herty  with  a  commission 
to  take  deposition  of  the  SeC  Treas''.  Sent  the  letter  to  M'  Herty 
Aug' 13.'"    D.S. 

"  No  reply  found. 

'» This  paragraph  and  "Mr.  Sheldon"  are  in  Gallatin's  hand. 

"  Not  present. 

»5  Not  found. 

"  Not  found. 


112  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  McARTHUR 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

17  August  1810 
John  M'=Arthur    Kaskaskia  I.  T" 

I  regret  to  be  again  under  the  necessity  of  addressing  you  on  the 
subject  of  your  riders  failure^but  my  duty  compels  me  to  notice  the 
recent  failures,  at  S*  Charles — as  well  as  your  permitting  the  Mail  to 
be  carried  by  a  man  of  Color,  &  contrary  to  law  to  that  Office;  one 
of  two  Courses  you  must  pursue,  either  carry  the  mail  according  to 
Contract  or  withdraw  from  our  Service,  as  remonstrances  have  here- 
tofore failed,  I  shall  take  a  stronger  measure,  if  further  failures  are 
suffered  to  take  place 

GG. 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  McARTHUR 
IPO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

21  August  1810 
John  M "Arthur    Kaskaskia  L  T^ 

On  the  inclosed  monthly  mail  register,  I  have  copied  the  periods  of 
your  riders  arrival  at  S'  Charles  during  the  Months  of  March,  April, 
May,  June  &  July  on  comparing  the  Arrivals  with  your  Schedule  it 
will  appear  during  those  Months,  he  never  did  in  any  Instance  carry 
the  Mail  according  to  his  Contract.  I  have  directed  you  to  be 
charged  for  failing  to  arrive  at  S'  Charles  on  the  6'"  13'"  20'"  &  27 
March— On  the  3"  10'"  17'"  &  24  of  April.  On  the  1''  8'"  15'"  22" 
&  29'"  May  on  the  5'"  12,  19'"  &  26  of  June— On  the  3"  10'"  17'" 
24'"  &  31''  July— in  all  22  failures  at  $13  73/100  per  trip,  makes 
$148  6/100  which  sum  will  be  deducted  out  of  your  pay 

G.G. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  JARED 

MANSFIELD 

[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  lii:LS] 

Treasury  Department  August  21"'  1810 
Sir  I  have  received  your  favor  of  24'"  Ulf."  The  laying  out  of 
the  Shawanee  town  being  a  species  of  Service  different  from  the 
ordinary  Surveys  for  which  the  compensation  of  three  dollars  a  Mile 
has  been  fixed  by  Law,  a  larger  allowance  may  be  made,  but  you  will 
take  care  that  it  do  not  exceed  what  is  reasonable,  &  what  a  fair 
compensation  for  the  labour  may  require;  observing  to  report  to  me 
at  what  rate  you  shall  fix  it. 

"  NA(GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1807-1812). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  II3 

From  a  general  view  of  the  credits  which  have  been  furnished  to 
you  on  the  Receiver  at  Cincinnati  it  appears  as  far  as  your  bills  have 
reached  the  Treasury,  that  between  three  &  four  thousand  dollars  of 
the  credits  heretofore  given,  still  remains  at  your  disposition.  A 
further  credit  on  that^Receiver  for  eight  thousand  dollars  is  this  day 
given. 

I  am  Sir  very  respectfully  your  obed*  Serv* 

— Albert  Gallatin 

Jared  Mansfield  Esq' 

[Addressed]  Jared  Mansfield  Esq''  Surveyor  General  Cincinnati 
[Postmarked]  New- York  27  Aug  Treasury  Departm*  Albert  Gal- 
latin   Free 

[Endorsed]  Credit  $8000 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  Aug^  25, 1810 

Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  find  it  extremely  difficult 
to  organize  the  Militia  of  this  Territory  without  the  aid  of  a  Brigadier 
General — And  utterly  impossible  to  do  it  according  to  the  present 
Militia  Law,  or  any  that  I  have  yet  been  able  to  see  that  could  be 
adopted — 

If  under  these  circumstances  the  President  should  think  proper  to 
appoint  a  Brigadier  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  M'  William  Rector  for 
that  appointment.  I  know  no  man  in  this  country  who  has  higher 
pretensions.  Like  any  other  who  could  be  appointed  he  would  have 
many  duties  to  learn — But  I  am  certain  he  has  capacity  to  learn  them, 
and  firmness  &  intigrety  to  fulfill  them  with  honor  to  himseK  and 
advantage  to  the  Government — To  a  modest  gentlemanly  and  un- 
assuming deportment,  which  has  gained  him  the  confidence  and  at- 
tachment of  all  parties  here — he  unites  an  integrity  universally  ac- 
knowledged— a  sound  discriminating  mind  &  a  dauntless  intrepidity — 

In  making  this  communication  I  feel  no  other  motive  and  have  no 
other  inducement  than  the  public  interest.  Neither  M'  Rector  nor 
any  of  his  friends  know  of  this  recommendation — nor  do  I  know 
either  directly  or  indirectly  that  he  ever  thought  of  the  appointment — 
I  think  no  man  could  stand  higher  than  he  does  with  every  officer  of 
the  Presidents  appointment  in  this  Gov'  as  to  the  qualities  &  proper- 
ties I  have  attributed  to  him 

I  am  with  the  highest  resp*  Sir  Yr  M°  Obd*  Serv* 

Ninian  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Honble  William  Eustis  Esq'  Secretary  of  War 
Washington  City    [Postmarked]    Kaskaskia  Aug.  25.    Free 


114  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia,  111 :  T"  Aug'  25*"  1810.  Gov'  Ninian  Edwards, 
— stating  the  insuperable  difficulties  he  meets  with  in  attempting  to 
organize  the  Militia  of  that  Territory  for  want  of  the  aid  of  a  Brigadier 
General;— and  cordially  recommends  M"'  W°  Rector  for  that  appoint- 
ment.—Rece"  Sept'  12'"  1810.'« 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  McARTHUR 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

28  Aug'^  1810 
Jn"  M'Arthur  PM.  S'  Genevieve  L.  T. 

I  have  just  read  yours  of  the  4'"  July  " — I  pray  you  to  make  use  of 
every  effort  to  discover  the  murderer,  &  to  bring  him  to  condign  punish- 
ment. Take  hold  of  the  suspicious  person  immediately  if  there  is 
danger  of  his  quitting  you;  if  not,  obtain  if  practicable  such  testimony 
as  may  render  his  being  held  to  trial  at  all  Events,  do  not  despair  of 
the  recovery  of  the  Mail,  but  spirit  up  your  people  in  attempts  to  find  it 

G.G. 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  Sept'  1,  1810 
Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  you  copies  of  a  petition  from 
Charles  Relle  &  Baptiste  and  Francis  Paguier  to  M'  Bates  and  M' 
Bates'  letter  to  me  ^  on  the  subject:  If  he  is  right  in  supposing  the 
application  should  have  been  made  to  me,  having  no  instructions  at 
present  from  your  department  of  any  kind  relative  to  Indian  matters 
I  have  nothing  to  guide  me  but  the  [MS.  torn]  which  I  find  requires 
the  previous  instructions  of  the  President.  Laws  of  the  U.  S.  Vol.  6. 
p  46  S14  "  But  I  doubt  whether  the  demand  ought  to  be  made  by 
M'  Bates  or  myself,  the  offence  is  against  the  municipal  laws  of  Louisi- 
ana where  if  the  guilty  persons  should  be  delivered  up  they  must  be 
tried.  Horse  stealing  is  punished  here  with  death— there  only  with 
whipping — 

I  also  inclose  for  the  Presidents  inspection  and  to  obtain  his  instruc- 
tions to  me  the  case  of  Tho'  D  L.  Weeks  with  Copies  of  the  testimony 
to  support  it 
With  sentiments  of  the  highest  respts  I  am  Sir  Y'  M"  Obd  Ser* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 


"No  reply  found. 

>•  Not  found. 

"  The  letter,  dated  Aug.  2,  1810,  is  present;  it  is  printed,  Washburne  (ed.), 
Edtoarda  Papers  (CHC),  lii,  54;  and  in  Marshall  (ed.),  Bates  Papers  (MHS),  II, 
149-150. 

"  Sec.  14  of  act  approved  Mar.  3,  1799  (1  Stat.  747). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  115 

The  Honble  William  Eustis  Esq''  Secretary  of  War  Washing- 
ton City 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia,— 111°'=  T.,  Sept'  1.  1810— Gov'  Ninian 
Edwards, — transmitting  sundry  Documents  in  behalf  of  Tho=  D.  L. 
Weeks — Charles  Relle — and  Baptiste  &  Francis  Pequier  who  claim 
from  the  United  States  Indemnity  for  Robberies  committed  by  the 
Indians:  &c  &c  &c— Rece*  Sepf  19""  ISIO.^^ 

[Enclosure] 

Petition  of  Charles  Relle  and  Baptiste  and  Francis  Pequier 

[August  3,  1810] 
To  Frederick  Bates  Esq'  Secretary  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana  and 

Exercising  the  government  thereof 

The  petition  of  Charles  Relle  as  well  in  his  name  as  in  the  name  of 
Baptiste  and  Francis  Piquer  humbly  sheweth 

That  some  time  in  November  last  a  party  of  Kickapoo  Indians 
came  to  S'  Charles  District  of  S'  Charles  and  took  away  from  the 
petitioners  a  certain  red  mare  Branded  on  the  right  thigh  CI  which 
he  the  said  deponent  appraised  to  the  value  of  Eighty  five  Dollars 
being  the  amount  of  the  sum  which  he  paid  for  the  same 

That  on  satursday  last  the  28'"  of  July  last  another  party  of  the 
said  Kickapoos  Indians  came  to  S'  Charles  district  aforesaid  &  robbed 
from  him  the  aforesaid  petitioner  a  certain  white  mare  branded  C, 
and  for  which  said  petitioner  paid  one  hundred  Dollars 

That  on  the  said  satursday  last  the  same  party  of  Kickapoo  Indians 
robbed  a  certain  grey  mare  from  one  Baptiste  Pequier  branded  on  the 
right  thigh  J.  D.  and  for  which  said  Baptiste  paid  100  Dollars  and 
that  on  the  same  day  28*''  July  last,  the  same  party  of  Kickapoo 
Indians,  robbed  a  certain  grey  horse  the  property  of  Francis  Piquer 
Branded  on  the  right  thigh  JD  and  for  which  said  Francis  paid  ninety 
Dollars 

In  consequence  of  which  and  of  the  injuries  and  damages  which  said 
petitioners  suffer  from  the  said  robberies,  he  in  his  name  as  well  as  in 
the  names  of  Baptiste  &  Francis  Piquier  applies  to  you  for  redress 
and  to  take  the  necessary  means  in  order  to  receive  the  aforesaid 
horses  or  the  value  thereof 

St  Louis  3'"  August.  1810 

his 

Witness  Charles    X    Relle 

mark 

Baptiste  &  francis  Pequier 
This  petition  is  sworn  to  be  true  by  Charles  Relle  N.  Edwards 
[Endorsed]    Relle  &c  petition 


"  No  reply  found. 

314574 — 48 


116  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

[Enclosure  :ALS1 

Thomas  D.  L.  Weeks  to  Governor  Edwards  " 

[No  date,  1810] 
To  HIS  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Govenour  of  the  Illinois 

Territory 

Sir  On  the  night  of  the  third  of  Aprile  last  a  party  of  Indians 
headed  by  a  noted  Chief  called  Main  Pock  stole  from  me  on  board  of 
my  perogue  property  to  the  value  of  six  hundred  and  five  Dollars 
and  fifty  four  cents  &  one  eighth  of  a  cent,  as  contained  in  the  list 
herewith  presented  to  you,  The  place  where  they  stole  it  is  opposite 
the  mouth  of  the  Missouri  on  the  East  Bank  of  the  Mississippi  and 
about  Thirty  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River,  In  support 
of  my  claim  I  must  refer  you  to  the  inclosed  depositions  marked  A. 
B.  C.  D  E— 

I  am  determined  to  look  to  the  United  States  for  redress  and 
therefore  pray  your  Excellency  to  take  such  measures  as  may  be 
most  effectual  in  attaining  that  object— I  have  the  honour  D'  Sir  to  be 
your  most  Ob'  Serv' 

Kaskaskia 

Tho'  D.  L  Weeks 
By  Nathaniel  Pope  his  agent 

[Enclosures] 

Depositio7i  of  Louis  Brisson 

St.  Clair  County  Sc'  [April  30,  1810] 

Personally  came  before  me  the  subscriber  a  Justice  of  the  Peace 
of  the  said  county  Louis  Bisson  a  trader  of  Paoria,  who  being  duly 
sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangely  of  allmighty  God,  deposed  and  said  that 
about  the  Eighteenth  or  Ninteenth  days  of  this  month  at  Peoria  he 
saw  in  the  possession  of  Main  Pocks  (a  Peutawatomie  chief)  wives 
several  articles  of  white  womens  dresses  such  as  gowns  of,  homespun, 
callico,  peticoats,  flowered-muslin,  childrens  gowns  a  mans  jacket, 
coverlids,  one  of  which  was  of  square  of  divers  colours  and  other 
articles  he  cannot  at  present  recollect,  also  a  large  demijohn  or  Big 
bottle  that  generally  contains  upwards  of  20  quarts.  The  said 
deponent  further  saith  that  those  articles  struck  him  to  appertain  to 
some  American  family  and  surmising  that  perhaps  they  had  stolen 
them  he  the  deponent  ft?ke4  taxed  the  wives  of  main  Pock  to  have  stolen 
them,  upon  which  they  replied  it  was  taken  out  of  a  canoe  they  found 
thrown  on  a  sandbar  and  that  they  the  said  women  told  him  there 
was  also  a  quantity  of  Beacon  &  other  things  as  Dutch  ovens  &c  which 
articles  except  some  part  of  the  beacon  they  left  in  the  Canoe,  and  the 

"  This  appears  to  be  the  original. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  117 

deponent  further  saith  that  the  women  had  told  him  that  they  had 
taken  and  found  many  other  articles  which  they  sold  about  the 
Village  &  vicinity  of  Peoria  afores" — And  further  this  deponent  further 
saith  not — 

Louis  Brisson 

Sworn  to  and  subscribed  to  before  me  at  Cahokia  this  30'"  Aprile 
1810    John  Hays  J.  P 

[Endorsed]  A 

Deposition  of  Jean  Baptiste  Champlain 

S'  Clair  County  Set  [April  30, 1810] 

Personally  came  before  me  the  subscriber  a  justice  of  the  peace  of 
said  county,  John  Baptiste  Champlain,  who  having  been  duly  sworn 
deposed  and  said,  that  on  the  nineteenth  instant  at  Poiria,  he  saw 
in  the  possession  of  one  of  Main  Pocks  wifes  the  following  articles 
Waggon  chains  chissels,  one  big  iron  chissel  on  which  it  appeared  was 
used  to  beat  a  scythe  on  an  old  hammer  and  moreover  he  saw  in  M'' 
Labroix  a  coverlid  made  in  small  squares  of  divers  colours  a  p''  cotton 
cards,  a  ball  of  spined  cotton  a  womans  hat  a  flitch  of  Bacon — which 
articles  were  claimed  and  looked  upon  as  the  property  of  Main  Pock, 
a  Poutowatomie  chief  who  was  there  camped  with  his  band  at  M"' 
Labroix's  The  deponent  further  saith  that  by  the  several  articles 
appearing  in  the  possession  of  the  Indians,  he  the  deponent  inquired 
of  one  of  the  wives  of  main  Pock  how  they  came  by  those  articles 
they  answered  it  was  a  perogue  or  canoe  they  found  drifting  down  the 
Mississippi 

J.  B'^  Champlain 

Sworn  and  subscribed  to  before  me  at  cahokia  this  30*"  Aprile  1810 
John  Hay  J.P 
[Endorsed]  B 

Deposition  of  Joseph  Dagenais 

S'  Clair  Sc'  [April  30,  1810] 

Be  it  remembered  that  on  the  30*"  Aprile  1810  personally  came 
before  me  the  subscriber  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  said  County  Joseph 
Dagenais,  who  being  duly  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangely  of  almighty 
God  deposed  and  said,  that  on  the  19'"  day  of  this  inst — One  of  the 
wives  of  Main  Pock  (a  Poutowatomie  chief)  came  to  his  shop  (Black- 
smith) and  asked  me  to  cut  two  Iron  chains  which  appeared  to  me  to 
be  waggon  chains  for  the  geers,  to  cut  them  and  make  them  shorter, 
and  put  a  hook  at  the  End  so  as  to  make  them  answer  for  a  pot-hook 
which  I  did.  They  had  also  three  different  chissels  an  old  hammer 
and  the  clevis  of  a  plow  They  paid  me  for  my  trouble,  for  cutting 
the  two  chains,  by  giving  the  aforesaid,  chissel.  Hammer  &  clevis  & 


118  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

remaining  part  of  chains — The  deponent  further  saith  as  he  suspected 
they  might  have  stolen  those  things  he  enquired  of  her  where  she  got 
them  she  answered  it  was  a  craft  that  they  found  drifting  the  Missis- 
sippi which  they  stoped  and  took — and  further  this  deponent  saith  not 

Mark  of 
Joseph    X    Dagenais 

Sworn  &  subscribed  to  before  me  the  day  &  year  first  above 
written.    John  Hays  J.P 

[E?Mforsed]  C 

Deposition  of  Antoine  Robidoux 

S'  Clair  County  Sc'  [April  30,  1810] 

Personally  appeared  before  me  the  subscriber  Justice  of  the 
peace  for  said  county  Antoine  Robidoux  who  being  duly  sworn  on  the 
Evangely  of  almighty  God  deposed  and  said  that  about  the  Eighteenth 
&  nineteenth  day  of  this  instant,  At  Peoria  he  saw  in  the  possession 
of  Indian  Women  Wives  of  main  Pock  (a  Poutowatomie  chief) 
several  articles  of  dress  of  white  people  such  a  home  spun  gowns, 
flowered  muslin  childrens  gowns  stockings,  mens  jackets,  callico 
Petticoats,  coverlids,  one  of  which  was  made  of  small  squares  of 
divers  colours,  and  other  articles  he  cannot  at  present  recollect — He 
further  saith  that  it  struck  him  that  those  articles  must  of  belonged 
to  some  American  family — And  further  this  deponent  saith  not 

Mark  of 
Antoine    X    Robidoux 

Sworn  &  subscribed  to  before  me  at  Cahokia  this  30'"  Aprile  1810 
John  Hays.^ — J.P 
[Endorsed]  D 

Deposition  of  James  Beeman 

[June  16,  1810] 
Illinois  Territory,  of  the  U.  States  St.  Clair  County  Set. 

Be  it  remembered  that  on  this  day  personally  appeared  James 
Beeman  known  to  be  an  inhabitant  of  the  said  county  by  John  Hewit 
&  Robert  Pullum  now  present  being  aged  about  Forty  years.  Before  me 
W"  Euel  Whitesides  Justice  assigned  to  keep  the  peace  of  said  county 
he  being  duly  sworn  on  the  holy  evangely  of  almighty  god  Deposeth 
and  saith  that  he  was  present  and  assisted  in  loading  a  pirogue,  with 
the  reputed  household  stuff  of  Thomas  D  I.  Weeks  on  the  3""  of  Aprile 
last  at  the  landing  of  Eli  Langford  on  the  East  Bank  of  the  Mississippi 
said  county  and  Territory,  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri  and 
about  30  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River  that  he  seen 
said  perogue  on  the  evening  of  the  said  3'"  Aprile,  made  fast  by  a 
rope  to  a  saplin,  that  he  the  said  deponent  was  at  said  place  next 
morning  the  perogue  was  gone  and  by  the  appearance  of  a  piece  of 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  ng 

the  rope  left  fast  to  the  said  sapHn  that  it  was  actually  cut  and  ac- 
cording to  all  circumstances  and  facts  this  deponent  hath  no  doubt 
but  said  perogue  and  cargo  was  stolen  from  said  place  at  the  said 
time. — The  said  deponent  rclatca  recollects  that  the  said  Cargo  of  said 
perogue  consisted  generally  of  the  articles  set  forth  in  the  annexed 
invoice  shewed  and  produced  by  said  Weeks  on  this  date:  The  said 
deponent  further  states  on  his  oath  aforesaid  that  he  saw  Main  Pocks 
party  of  Indians  encamped  on  the  East  side  of  the  Mississippi  about 
one  half  mile  above  the  place  said  perogue  was  loaded,  a  few  days 
before  and  believes  the  said  Indians  moved  off  at  the  time  the  Perogue 
was  taken  away  Question  of  the  Justice  "Is  it  usual  that  people  of 
the  neighbourhood,  where  sad  perogue  was  stolen,  to  suffer  by  theft 
from  Indians["]  Answer  by  the  deponent,  I  have  lived  in  that  settle- 
ment mentioned  in  the  question  near  two  years  and  have  known  3  or 
4  instances  of  the  Indians  to  steal  horses  and  other  loose  property — 
And  further  saith  not — sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  me  at  Wood 
river  this  16""  daj'  of  June  A  D.  1810  in  the  county  aforesaid 

James  Beeman 
Uel  Whitesides  J  p.    (seal) 

[Endorsed]  E 

Deposition  of  Thomas  D.  L.  Weeks 

[June  12,  1810] 
Illinois  Territory  Randolph  County  set 

This  day  appeared  before  me  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  Territory 
&  county  aforesaid  The  above  Tho'  D  L  Weeks  and  made  oath  that 
the  foregoing  list  is  a  correct  inventory  of  property  ^*  stolen  from 
him  on  the  night  of  the  3'''^  Aprils  last  at  Eli  Langfords  ferry  on  the 
Mississippi  river  in  the  Illinois  Territory  &  oposite  the  mouth  of  the 
Missoiu"i  and  about  thirty  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River 
and  that  the  prices  annexed  to  each  article  is  just;  And  further  that 
he  verily  &  conscientiously  believes  they  were  stolen  by  a  party  of 
Pottawatomies  Indians  headed  by  a  chief  of  that  nation  called  Main 
Pock  which  party  was  encamped  about  a  half  a  mile  above  the  ferry 
on  the  Mississippi  on  that  night  and  were  gone  next  morning.  That 
the  property  contained  in  the  foregoing  inventory  was  in  his  pirogue 
tied  to  the  shore  and  that  about  midnight  he  discovered  it  was  gone 
and  the  rope  had  been  cut  by  some  sharp  toole.  That  the  deponent 
is  informed  &  believes  that  a  party  of  Pottawattomies  Indians  passed 
by  portage  de  sacoux  the  next  morning  there  disposed  of  some  articles 
which  the  deponent  saw  and  Knew  were  in  his  pirogue  when  it  was 
stolen  &  he  firmly  believes  it  was  the  same  party  that  was  headed  by 
Main  Pock    This  deponent  further  declares  that  he  personally  knows 

"  Present,  but  not  here  printed. 


120  TERRirORIAL    PAPERS 

the  above  Main  Pock  and  saw  and  spoke  to  him  the  same  evening 
the  goods  were  stolen  &  knows  he  encamped  just  above  the  ferry — 
This  deponent  further  declares  that  he  is  informed  and  believes  that 
one  of  the  wives  of  Main  Pock  was  seen  in  possession  of  articles  re- 
sembling those  in  the  foregoing  inventory — This  deponent  has  no 
doubt  of  their  being  the  same 

Tho.  D  L  Weeks 

Sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  the  undersigned  one  of  the  justices 
of  the  Peace  for  the  county  of  Randolph  at  Kaskaskia  this  12'"  June 
1810.    William  Arundel 


JUDGE  THOMAS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  5.  Sep.  1810. 

Sir  I  am  told  by  Governor  Edwards  that  he  has  submited  to  your 
consideration  the  propriety  of  appointing  a  Brigadier  General  for 
this  Territory,  and  that  he  has  recommended  M"^  William  Rector  to 
fill  the  office  should  it  be  thought  proper  to  make  such  an  appointment. 

I  know  nothing  of  this  Gentlemans  Talents  as  a  Military  man,  but 
I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  I  believe  M'  Rector  is  a  man  of 
undoubted  integrity,  and  of  great  respectability  of  character  and 
solidity  of  understanding,  and  that  I  know  no  man  who  stands  higher 
with  all  parties,  in  the  Territory  than  M'  Rector. 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  Sir  with  great  respect  your  most  ob'  and  very 
Hum'"  Serv' 

J.  B.  Thomas 

The  Hon  William  Eustis  Esq'  Secretary  of  War. 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia— Sep*  5'"  1810.  J.  B.  Thomas,— in  Recom- 
mendation of  William  Rector  for  the  appointm'  of  Brig'  Gen'  of 
Militia  in  the  Illinois  Territory:— &c.  &c.     Rece*  Oct"  6'"  1810. 


JOHN  EDGAR  TO  [THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY] 
[NA:GL0,  Misc.  Lets.  Reed.,  E:LS] 

Kaskaskia  6'"  September  1810 
Sir/  The  natural  obligation  which  every  man  feels  to  defend  not 
only  his  property  but  (which  is  of  far  greater  consequence)  his  fair 
fame  and  reputation  against  every  attempt  made  to  destroy  them; 
will  be  my  apologj-  for  addressing  you  in  your  official  capacity,  to  beg 
your  attention  to  a  correct  statement  of  facts  and  request  you  to 
render  me  that  Justice  which  the  Commissioners  of  the  Land  Office  of 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  121 

this  District  deny  me.  Before  proceeding  to  this  Statement,  I  will 
beg  leave  to  premise,  that  until  this  Country  became  agitated  by 
political  disputes  (of  merely  a  local  nature)  in  which  the  Commissioners 
took  a  very  active  part,  all  Testimony  relating  to  land  claims  before 
them,  v.'ere  openly  taken  in  presence  of  the  parties;  but  since  that 
event,  witnesses  on  the  part  of  Government  were  privately  examined 
ex  parte,  without  giving  the  claimants  notice  to  attend,  or  any  oppor- 
tunity either  to  cross  examine  the  witnesses  or  support  their  rights; 
alledging  they  had  your  orders  to  proceed  in  that  manner  and  keep  all 
their  proceedings  secret — And  so  cautious  were  they  to  obey  these 
supposed  orders  at  their  sittings  since  the  passage  of  the  Law  of  May 
1809,  that  a  kind  of  Serjeant  at  Arms  was  constantly  kept  at  their 
Office  Door  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  any  person  not  agreeable  to 
them — That  such  orders  were  given  by  you  I  did  not,  and  from  your 
known  public  character  and  love  of  justice,  cannot  believe — 

In  1784  when  I  came  to  this  Country,  where  I  have  ever  since  re- 
sided, lands  were  to  be  bought  very  low,  the  Inhabitants  attaching 
little  value  to  them,  most  of  their  attention  being  paid  to  the  Indian 
Trade — foreseeing  that  real  property  would  in  time  become  valuable 
I  thought  a  fair  opportunity  presented  itself  of  retrieving  the  losses  I 
had  sustained,  and  personal  injuries  I  had  suffered  during  the  Revo- 
lutionary \Yar;  the  whole  of  my  property  to  the  amount  of  many 
thousand  Dollars  ha\ing,  merely  on  account  of  my  attachment  to  the 
American  Cause  been  seized  by  the  British  Commanding  Officer  at 
Detroit,  and  myself  put  in  irons  and  sent  as  a  State  prisoner  to 
Montreal  where,  I  was  detained  several  years,  before  an  opportunity 
occured  of  making  my  escape;  which  I  did  at  the  extreme  hazard  of 
my  life  from  the  pursuit  made  after  me;  and  immediately  on  my 
arrival  communicated  to  the  then  Gov  Clinton  now  Vice  President  of 
the  United  States,  the  important  Intelligence  of  the  secret  Expedition 
then  fitting  out  in  Canada  under  Col  St  Ledger,  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  possession  and  with  the  connivance  of  many  friends  in  the 
Country  placing  Strong  Gan-isons  in  several  parts  of  the  now  State  of 
Vermont — This  communication  was  thought  of  so  much  consequence 
that  I  was  sent  with  it  to  General  Washington  at  Philadelphia  who 
immediately  ordered  a  large  detachment  under  Lord  Sterling  to  op- 
pose the  Enemy  and  frustrate  their  designs,  in  which  he  succeeded — 

The  Titles  to  all  the  Lands  I  bought  were  at  the  time  thought  valid, 
but  having  been  brought  up  to  the  Sea  Service;  being  wholly  un- 
acquainted with  legal  forms,  and  ha\ing  no  legal  Characters  to  advise 
with,  I  was  obliged  to  trust  entirely  to  my  own  Judgment,  bad  as  it 
was,  not  only  as  to  the  titles  but  as  to  the  Conveyances  to  me. — 

Ha\ing  in  due  time  presented  my  notices  of  claims  and  proper 
Documents  and  proofs  in  support  of  them  I  was  in  the  fall  of  1807 
called  upon  by  the  Commissioners  to  attend  them  at  their  Office  for 


122  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  purpose  of  proceeding  to  the  Investigation  of  my  Claims — .  I  did 
so,  when  the  whole  of  them  (with  the  exception  of  a  few  only  which 
were  postponed  for  further  consideration)  were  approved  of  by  them, 
and  as  they  then  informed  me  and  I  believe,  entered  in  their  Books 
as  confirmed. — 

In  the  Spring  of  1808  a  vacancy  occured  in  the  representation  from 
this  Country  to  the  Assembly  of  the  Territorial  Legislature.  The 
Commissioners,  and  myself  with  William  and  Robert  Morrison  took 
opposite  sides;  they  supported  Robert  Robinson  their  clerk,  and  we 
supported  with  success  Rice  Jones,  the  young  man  who  was  shortly 
after  murdered  by  one  of  their  partizans  From  that  moment  the 
conduct  of  the  Commissioners,  especially  M^  Backus  became  visibly 
hostile  to  us,  and  Shortly  after  the  Election  which  took  place  in 
August  1808  and  not  before,  it  began  to  be  reported  in  whispers  that 
the  Commissioners  would  charge  William  Morrison,  Robert  Morrison 
and  myself  with  having  committed  forgery  and  perjury — Conscious  of 
my  own  innocence  and  believing  that  these  reports  were  only  calcu- 
lated to  widen  the  breach  between  the  Commissioners  and  myself,  I 
paid  no  attention  to  them  until  March  last,  when  they  were  so  well 
authenticated  to  have  originated  with  the  Commissioners,  that  William 
Morrison,  Robert  Morrison  and  myself  wrote  them  a  letter  (to  which 
no  answer  has  been  made)  of  which  the  following  is  a  Copy.    Viz — 

"Gentlemen/ — Having  understood  that  you  have  forwarded  to  the 
proper  department  your  reports  on  the  Claims  to  lands  laid  before 
you  as  Commissioners  for  ascertaining  the  titles  to  lands  in  the  dis- 
trict of  Kaskaskia,  and  that  you  have  in  the  reports  not  only  rejected 
a  number  of  those  claims  laid  in  by  us,  but  also  charged  us  with  the 
Crimes  of  forgery  and  subornation  of  perjury  and  other  misdemeanors 
implicating  our  reputation  in  a  high  degree, — we  think  ourselves  en- 
titled to  request  from  you,  or  either  of  you  without  delay,  complete 
Copies  of  all  and  every  the  reports  you  may  have  made  not  only  in 
Regard  to  our  land  Claims,  but  also  in  regard  to  any  charges  or 
Insinuations  you  may  have  made  against  us  either  collectively  or 
Individually  in  order  that  we  may  be  able  to  make  our  defence  against 
those  charges  and  Insinuations  by  proper  proofs  and  testimony. — We 
are  well  aware  of  your  declarations  that  you  had  orders  to  keep  your 
reports  secret  and  not  divulge  them  even  to  the  Claimants  interested.— 
Whatever  might  have  been  the  policy  of  the  measure  while  you  were 
exercising  the  duties  of  your  Office,  we  cannot  think  that  at  this  time 
when  those  duties  as  well  as  the  office  itself  are  accomplished  and 
expired,  that  any  legal  or  political  motive  can  be  adduced  against  our 
receiving  Copies  from  a  public  Office,  which  we  conceive  yours  to  be, 
of  all  papers  and  reports  that  are  filed  and  recorded  there  relating  to 
such  Claims  as  we  are  interested  in. — We  shall  wait  your  answer  until 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  123 

to-morrow  Evening  before  which  time  we  beg  you  to  inform  us  whether 
the  Copies  will  be  furnished  or  not;  if  in  the  affirmative  when. — The 
Copies  we  will  pay  for  whenever  they  are  ready  for  deliver^'. — We  shall 
consider  yoiu"  silence  as  a  refusal  of  our  demand. — 
Kaskaskia  March  22°"  1810.  ["] 

Having  learned  between  the  date  of  the  above  letter  and  the  16'" 
of  last  month  that  they  had  specified  the  Stanley  cases,  I  wrote  to 
them  the  following  letter    Viz.- — 

"Kaskaskia  16'"  August  1810.— 
"Gentlemen/ — From  reports  generally  circulated  thro'  the  Territory 
and  said  to  have  originated  in  your  Office,  I  am  induced  to  believe 
that  you  have  in  your  Official  Report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
made  several  observations  tending  to  accuse  me  and  others  of  forgery, 
perjurj''  and  subornation  of  perjury. — From  the  secrecy  of  your  pro- 
ceedings as  Commissioners  of  the  Land  Office,  especially  to  the  parties 
implicated,  I  have  not  been  able  clearly  to  ascertain  on  what  ground 
those  charges  had  been  made,  but  am  informed  that  some  of  them 
are  founded  on  the  Claims  laid  in  by  me  as  Assignee  of  Abraham 
Stanley,  John  Stanley,  David  Stanley,  and  Jacob  McCarty  or  some 
of  them. — Conceiving  the  Commissioners  Office  to  be  a  public  one, 
from  which  all  persons  interested  have  right  on  payment  of  legal  fees 
to  procure  Copies  of  all  papers  and  Documents  filed  therein,  and  which 
hy  law  are  directed  to  be  preserved  by  the  Register  of  the  Land 
Office — Conceiving  also  that  the  Reasons  which  induced  the  issuing 
of  the  Orders  bv  you  said  to  have  been  received  from  the  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury  to  keep  your  proceedings  Secret,  cannot  at  this  time 
when  your  Official  functions  are  ended  as  Commissioners  of  the  land 
Office,  no  longer  exist,  and  that  every  person  whose  property  and 
reputation  is  attempted  to  be  so  materially  injured,  ought  to  be 
possessed  of  the  means  of  making  his  defence,  I  have  to  request  you 
to  furnish  me  with  certified  Copies  of  all  the  depositions  filed  in  your 
Office  relating  to  the  above  mentioned  Claims,  stating  by  whom,  the 
day  when,  place  where,  and  before  whom  taken. — And  also  with 
Copies  of  such  parts  of  your  Official  reports  and  observations,  as  tend 
in  any  manner  to  accuse  me  of  any  of  the  above  mentioned  crimes  or 
any  other  in  any  degree  derogatory  to  my  character  and  reputation, 
with  the  depositions  or  other  documents  on  which  those  charges  may 
have  been  founded. — These  Copies  are  requested  for  the  purpose  of 
enabling  me  to  make  my  defence  and  refute  the  Charges  before  the 
proper  tribunal. — 

"Should  you  not  think  yourselves  justifiable  in  giving  Copies  of  the 
whole  or  any  parts  of  your  reports  and  observations,  I  at  least  think 
myself  entitled  to  Copies  of  all  the  depositions  required. — Any  charges 
that  may  be  made  for  the  Copies,  I  will  pay  daily,  or  otherwise,  as 


124  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

you  may  think  proper,  when  they  will  be  called  for  at  the  Register's 
Office.— I  beg  your  answer  in  the  course  of  four  days,  informing  me 
whether  you  will  wholly,  or  in  part  comply  with  my  request. — After 
which  time  your  silence  will  be  considered  as  a  refusal." — This  letter 
was  not  answered  until  Friday  Evening  the  31''  of  the  same  month, 
when  Mr  Greenup  brought  me  Copies  of  five  •'  Decisions  of  the  Board 
rejecting  those  Claims  marked  N"  2003,"  2012,^  2013  =•  &  2014  ™ 
with  two  others  marked  N"  2046,"  &  2097  "—together  with  a  letter 
from  Mr  Robert  Robinson  Clerk  to  the  Board  of  Commissioners  anf^ 
United  States  Agent,  of  which  the  following  is  a  Copy. — 

"  Kaskaskia  August  30*''  1810 
"Sir/  The  Commissioners  have  shewn  me  a  letter  of  the  16*" 
received  from  you  in  which  you  request  Copies  of  the  testimony  and 
the  decisions  of  the  Board  in  several  cases,  which  you  have  in  the  said 
letter  specified  I  Sir,  as  Agent  of  the  United  States  for  this  District 
make  the  following  reply. — The  duties  of  the  Commissioners  are  not 
yet  ended. — They  cannot  be  at  an  end  until  the  General  Government 
has  passed  its  sanction  upon  their  decisions." — It  has  not  yet  done 
so. — Of  course  the  powers  as  well  as  the  duties  of  the  Board  are  still 
["]  iji  Esse" — And  Sir,  you  have  long  known  that  they  have  been 
forbidden  by  the  Administration  to  make  public  their  Decisions  in 
any  case  which  has  not  been  acted  on  by  Congress — It  is  not  for  me 
to  enquire  for  what  reason  these  instructions  were  given. — But,  Sir, 
as  you  have  demanded  Copies  of  certain  decisions  which  you  think 
prejudicial  to  your  Character  the  Board  have,  on  their  own  responsi- 
bility, and  in  Opposition  to  their  directions  agreed  to  supply  you  with 
them;  and  in  this  measure  I  concur. — We  have  all  been  induced  to 
this  measure. — First  because  a  complaint  has  been  industriously 
circulated  thro'  this  Country  that  you  with  other  Claimants 
have  been  condemned  unheard — Secondly,  because  the  Stanley 
Claims  are  cases  cited  by  you  (and  indeed  communicated  to  the 
Governor)  as  being  cases  in  which  you  can  defend  yourself,  and  in 
which  (if  it  be  possible)  the  Commissioners  have  done  you  injustice. — 
"Now,  Sir,  the  Board  of  which  I  am  that  Member  whose  particular 
duty  it  is  to  look  to  the  Interest  of  the  Nation  are  willing  to  meet  you 
on  this  ground;  and  as  you  have  requested  these  documents  for  the 
purpose  as  you  State  "of  making  your  defence  before  a  proper 

"  But  only  four  numbers  follow. 

"  A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  II,  218. 

"  Ibid.,  p.  147. 

"  Loc.  eil. 

»  Loe.  eit. 

"  Ibid.,  p.  239. 

«  Ibid.,  p.  164.     These  citations  refer  in  part  to  the  so-called  "Stanley"  claim*. 

"  This  had  already  occurred,  in  an  act  approved  May  1,  1810  (2  Stat.  607). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  125 

tribunal,"  I  will  suggest  to  you,  that  the  place  of  all  others,  in  which 
you  can  make  a  defence  with  most  advantage  to  yourself  (if  you  are 
an  honest  man)  is  the  Country  in  which  you  have  been  accused — I  will 
further  observe  that  as  you  are  an  Officer  of  this  Territory,  and  as  it 
is  the  duty  of  the  Executive  to  see  that  no  man  unworthy  of  Office  is 
either  appointed  or  continued,  the  most  proper  tribunal  (in  the  mean 
time)  is,  in  your  case  to  be  found  in  the  Executive  of  this  Colony.  Of 
his  integrity  the  Board  will  not  doubt,  and  you  know  Sir,  that  you 
possess  his  friendship. — 

"Come  then  Sir,  appeal  to  this  tribunal,  and  let  the  people  of  this 
Country  see  whether  you  are  guilty  or  innocent — .  As  I  do  assure  you 
that  no  man  on  Earth  will  be  more  rejoiced  to  find  you  innocent  than 
the  Board  of  which  I  am  a  member; — and  that  it  is  not  now  too  late, 
if  Injustice  has  indeed  been  done  you,  to  rectify  the  proceeding;  and 
that  the  Board  will  do  it  with  the  most  infinite  satisfaction. — You 
will  observe  Sir,  that  in  the  Stanley  cases  (which  you  have  stated)  you 
stand  charged,  first  with  having  forged  the  several  deeds;  and  Secondly 
with  having  supported  the  Claims  with  perjured  testimony. — With 
respect  to  the  first  charge  we  are  told  you  have  produced  a  letter  of 
Attorney  from  the  Stanley  family  to  Abraham  Stanley,  empowering 
him  to  execute  to  you  the  Deeds  on  which  you  have  grounded  your 
claim. — We  invite  you  Sir,  to  produce  this  document. — 

"We  have  to  expect  the  original,  not  a  Copy. — I  further  observe, 
that  if  you  indeed  have  a  power  of  Attorney  authorising  the  Execution 
of  the  deeds  presented  to  the  Board,  the  tiu^pitude  of  the  Act,  will  I 
presume  in  the  opinion  of  the  Board,  be  entirely  taken  away;  altho' 
the  deeds  may  still  be  said  to  have  been  forged  by  you  in  a  friendly 
way". — When  Sir,  you  shall  have  cleared  up  this  business  now  pre- 
sented to  you  (which  God  grant  you  may  be  able  to  do)  the  Board  will 
exhibit  to  you  other  cases,  of  which  they  have  a  great  number,  in 
which  your  character  is  implicated ; — but  we  wish  it  to  be  understood 
explicitly,  that  this  instance  is  to  form  no  precedent  for  others — 
Your  violent  attempts  against  the  Board  will  plead  its  excuse  to  the 
Government,  since  they  have  consented  to  furnish  you  with  these 
Documents,  as  the  Cases  to  which  they  relate  have  been  publicly  cited, 
to  shew  that  the  Board  have  done  you  injustice. — On  subjects  of  this 
nature  Sir,  you  are  to  expect  no  answer  but  thro'  the  Agent  of  the 
United  States  for  this  District  — . 

Having  cursorily  looked  over  the  papers  and  findings  they  contained 
only  Copies  of  rejections  (of  which  I  was  before  apprised)  without 
any  of  the  depositions  of  Witnesses,  or  the  days  when,  and  before 
whom  taken  (which  was  material  for  me  to  know)  according  to  the 
requisition  of  my  letter  to  the  Commissioners,  I  then  refused  taking 
of  them,  but  thinking  on  more  mature  reflection,  that  they  might, 


126  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

imperfect  as  they  were,  be  of  some  service,  I  sent  for,  and  obtained 
them  early  next  morning. — Shortly  afterwards  M'  Robinson,  (as  I 
was  informed)  waited  upon  the  Governor,  with  Copies  of  the  same 
papers  and  a  letter  requesting  him  to  investigate  my  conduct  and 
character  and  deprive  me  of  the  Commission  of  justice  of  the  peace, 
the  only  one  I  ever  held  in  the  Territory  of  Illinois,  notwithstanding 
it  was  well  known  I  had  declined  acting  as  such  since  last  fall,  and 
another  magistrate  had  in  consequence  been  appointed  in  my  stead; 
but  as  I  had  not  formally  resigned  my  commission,  and  got  my  resig- 
nation filed  in  the  Secretary's  Office,  that  measure  was  resorted  to 
with  the  view  of  punishing  me  for  having  dared  to  make  a  request  to 
the  Board. — I  must  solicit  your  indulgence  while  I  explain  the  cir- 
cumstances attending  my  purchase  of  the  Stanley  Claims. — Abraham 
Stanley  who  resided  in  Tenessee  came  to  me  in  1798  proposing  to  sell 
his  Claim,  and  those  of  his  father  David  his  brothers  John  and  David, 
and  his  brother  in  Law  Jacob  M'=Carty,  from  whom  he  produced 
letters  of  Attorney.  Not  being  able  to  agree,  we  concluded  that  he 
should  give  me  conveyances  of  the  lands;  that  I  should  bear  all  ex- 
pences  of  claiming  and  getting  the  rights  confirmed,  and  I  was  to 
reconvey  one  half  of  the  lands  confirmed. — 

In  pursuance  of  this  agreement  the  several  Deeds  alluded  to  were 
signed  and  executed  by  Abraham  Stanley  who  I  then,  and  until  lately 
from  my  ignorance  of  legal  forms,  I  thought,  I  had  a  right  to  do  so. — 

I  am  now  however  informed  that  they  were  not  properly  executed, 
but  that  Abraham  Stanley  ought  to  have  executed  the  whole  of  them 
(except  his  own)  as  Attorney  in  fact  for  the  others. — This  view  of  the 
subject,  will,  I  hope  convince  you,  that  altho'  proper  legal  forms  were 
not  pursued,  that  no  moral  turpitude  or  improper  motive  can  be  at- 
tributed to  me  in  the  transaction. — Inclosed  you  will  find  Office  Copies 
of  the  letters  of  Attorney  and  the  Agreement  between  Abraham 
Stanley  and  myself. — To  the  Claims  as  assignee  of  Lasonde  '*  and 
Degagnie  I  can  at  this  time,  when  my  papers  are  in  the  Commissioners 
hands  only  observe,  that  those  deeds  are  genuine,  and  that  if  I  could 
have  recourse  to  them,  could  prove  them  so,  notwithstanding  the 
great  pains  taken  by  the  Commissioners  to  prove  them  otherwise — 
But  this  is  denied  me,  with  what  degree  of  Justice  I  will  not  pretend 
to  Judge,  the  common  excuse  being  set  up,  that  they  have  your  orders 
to  Justify  their  Conduct. — As  far  as  in  them  lies,  they  fix  an  oppro- 
brium on  my  character  and  deny  the  opportunity,  which  every  man 
ought  to  have  of  trying  his  right  to  the  lands  confirmed  by  them  in 
these  Cases,  before  the  proper  tribunal. — I  must  however  observe  that 
in  several  instances  I  made  verbal  purchases,  and  afterwards  when 
the  deeds  were  made  out,  sent  them  by  others  to  get  executed;  and 

•*  The  commissioners  ruled  that  the  deed  from  Louis  Lasond  to  Edgar  was 
forged  {A.S.P.,  op.  cit.,  p.  160). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  127 

especially  by  one  Philip  Rochelblave  who  now  resides  near  New 
Orleans  who  got  most  of  those  I  purchased  at  Prarie  Du  Rocher 
where  those  two  vendors  resided,  executed. — 

From  the  Copies  of  the  reports  furnished  me,  I  find  frequent  allu- 
sions made  to  what  is  there  called  general  testimony,  which  I  am  told 
mean  depositions  taken  at  St  Charles. — I  never  did  approve  of  and 
will  not  now  pretend  to  justify  them. — But  thus  far  I  am  safe  in 
avering  positively  that  I  never  was  in  St  Charles  in  my  life  until  a 
few  days  past,  that  I  never  had  either  directly  or  indirectly  any  hand 
or  concern  in  getting  or  procuring  those  depositions. — That  I  had  no 
occasion  for  or  inducement  to  have  them  taken,  as  the  proofs  furnished 
me  by  Abraham  Stanley,  and  adduced  to  the  Board,  were  by  them, 
at  the  time  found  to  be  sufficient.  And  further  if  within  I  further  aver 
that  when  M'  Backus  informed  me  of  those  depositions,  I  requested 
him  to  pay  no  attention  to  any,  if  such  there  were  as  applied  to  any  of 
my  claims,  and  even  desired  him  if  any  of  them  went  to  prove  some  of 
my  claims  to  destroy  them  if  in  his  power  to  do  so. — I  have  however 
been  informed  that  one  INPFerson  '"  also  claimed  the  Stanley  lands  and 
that  he  went  up  towards  that  Country  about  the  time  the  Deposi- 
tions were  taken. — On  the  7""  August  1808,  a  few  days  before  or  after 
the  Election  Mr.  Backus  sent  me  a  letter  of  which  the  following  is  a 
Copy  Viz. — 

"Col  Edgar, —  Sir  I  cannot  forbear  at  this  particular  moment  to 
address  myself  to  you.  I  should  have  been  silent.  Sir,  I  should  not  have 
opposed  your  Candidate  had  I  not  believed  it  necessary  to  defend  my 
own  reputation  as  a  public  Officer,  altho'  in  point  of  politics  I  am  in 
favor  of  the  sort  of  Government  which  we  have  for  two  years  past 
petitioned  for. — The  Curtain  is  now  for  ever  drawn  between  your 
friendship  and  mine. — At  this  period  so  dreadful  to  my  feelings,  I 
cannot  deny  myself  the  melancholy  pleasure  of  assuring  you  that  I 
have  at  all  times,  as  far  as  I  could  do,  sincerely  endeavoured  to  sub- 
serve your  interest. — That  notwithstanding  all  the  severe  things  you 
may  say  against  me  I  will  always  continue  to  do  so. — That  I  have 
never  uttered  an  Expression  disrespectful  to  your  Character  and 
never  will. — How  can  I  forget  the  parental  kindnesses  which  you  have 
heaped  upon  me? — How  can  I  forget  the  (perhaps  more)  generous 
attentions  which  M"  Edgar  has  at  all  times  paid  to  my  family? — 
"As  I  know  you  feel  hostility  towards  me,  I  beg  you  not  to  send  me 
any  answer  to  this." — 

"I  am  Sir,  with  much  Gratitude  and  sincere  affection — Your  Ob 
Serv' 

"August  7'"  (Sunday  Evening)  1808—  "E  Backus" 

''  Probably  referring  to  John  McPherson;  see  claim  no.  2554,  in  A.S.P.,  op.  cit., 
p.  153. 


128  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

I  have  never  but  once  (and  that  at  a  dinner  table,  on  general  topics) 
exchanged  a  word  with  that  gentleman,  nor  since  the  date  of  the  above 
letter  do  I  know  of  any  Circumstances  that  could  induce  him  officially 
either  to  change  his  opinion  of,  or  charge  me  with  the  Commission  of 
such  heinous  offences. — If  he  had  a  knowledge  of  them  prior  to  the 
quarrel,  and  date  of  his  letter,  why  not  make  them  known  before? 
WTiy  keep  on  such  an  intimate  footing  with  me?  Why  write  me  such 
a  letter?  or  why  join  in  the  confirmation  of  those  lands  which  he  has 
since  rejected  If  he  has  subsequently  obtained  that  knowledge,  it 
must  have  been  ex  part6  testimony,  without  giving  me  an  opportunity 
to  examine  the  witnesses,  or  be  heard  in  my  defence,  as  no  testimony 
has,  to  my  knowledge  been  taken  on  any  of  my  claims  subsequent  to 
December  1807. — You  will  please  to  excuse  me  for  noticing  a  peculiar 
circumstance  attending  the  rejection  of  some  of  the  Stanley  Claims. — 
They  as  well  as  McCarty's  Claims  are  rejected  (see  claims  N°  2013- 
2014)  because  the  testimony  of  Cromstock  ^°  varies  from  those  of  the 
other  witnesses  in  support  of  the  Claims,  as  to  the  time  of  the  Claimant 
leaving  the  Country. — And  altho'  John  Stanley  in  his  deposition  taken 
before  the  Board,  is  contradictory  to  Cromstock  and  agrees  with  the 
depositions  of  the  other  witnesses,  yet  his  Testimony  in  this  respect 
could  not  have  been  credited  by  the  board;  for  if  it  had,  the  claims  he 
testified  to,  would  have  been  confirmed. — That  part  however  of  his 
Evidence  (even  where  he  was  materially  interested)  which  operates 
against  me,  is  by  the  Commissioners  thought  worthy  of  credit,  and  on 
the  faith  of  it  they  condemn  me,  even  unheard,  as  guilty  of  forgery. — 

Having  given  these  statements  of  facts,  I  shall  not  pretend  to  make 
any  Comments  on  them;  believing  that  you  too  will  not  condemn  me 
unheard ;  and  that  the  representations  made  by  the  Commissioners  to 
my  disadvantage,  will  not  prejudice  your  mind  against  me — I  cannot 
however  forbear  expressing  the  hope  that  you  will  order  not  only  all 
the  testimony,  but  also  the  proceedings  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners 
to  be  laid  open  for  the  use  and  inspection  of  all  the  parties  interested 
by  their  decisions;  so  far  at  least  as  to  enable  them  to  know  for  a 
certainty  what  testimony  was  given  against  them,  and  what  they  are 
charged  with. — Without  this  advantage  no  man  can  with  any  prospect 
of  success  appeal  from  their  decisions,  or  get  any  redress. — All  I  want 
is  an  opportunity  of  a  fair  and  impartial  Trial  before  unprejudiced 
Judges — .  Since  writing  the  above  the  within  letter  and  deposition  was 
delivered  me." — On  which  it  would  perhaps  not  be  proper  for  me  to 
make  any  remarks. — I  shall  content  myself  with  only  observing  that 

"  Thomas  Comstock;  see  claim  No.  2118  (A.S.P.,  op.  ciL,  p.  162). 
»'  Post,  p.  132. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  129 

Mr  Penrose  will  I  am  sure  on  application,  satisfy  you  of  the  truth  of 
the  information  contained  in  it. — It  is  probable  that  Mr  James  Lowry 
Donaldson  ^'  who  resides  in  Baltimore  will  also  recollect,  and  give  the 
same  information.'' — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  high  respect  and  consider- 
ation— Sir  Your  most  obedient  humble  Servant  ■"• 

J  Edgar 

[Enclosures] 

Power  of  attorney  by  David  Stanley 

[April  14,  1797] 
Know  all  Men  by  these  presents  That  I  David  Standlee  of  the 
State  of  Kentucky  and  County  of  Logan  have  made  ordained  Consti- 
tuted and  Appointed  and  by  these  presents  do  make  ordain  Consti- 
tute and  appoint  Abram  Stanlee  of  the  State  and  County  Aforesaid 
my  true  and  Lawful  Attorney  for  me  in  my  name  and  to  my  use  to 
Act  in  laying  in  My  Claim  for  a  tract  of  land  in  the  Elenoy  Country 
and  by  these  presents  Granting  to  my  Said  Attorney  my  sole  and  full 
power  and  Authority  to  take  persue  and  follow  such  legal  courses  for 
the  Recovery  Receiving  and  0[b]taining  of  the  same  as  I  myself 
might  or  could  do  ware  I  personally  present — 

In  Witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  Set  my  hand  and  Seal  this 
fourteenth  day  of  April  one  thousand  Seven  hundred  and  ninety 
Seven — 

David  Stanlee  Jun"'    (seal) 
Witness  present 
John  M'^Gough 
Charles  Irby — 

Illinois  Territory    Randolph  County  Set 

I  William  Arundel  Recorder  of  the  said  County  of  Randolph  do 
hereby  Certify  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true  Copy  of  the  Original  on 
file  in  my  Office — 

In  Testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  Set  my  hand  and  affixed 

the  Seal  of  Said  Office  at  Kaskaskia  the  eighteen  of  January 

[l  s]     in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 

ten  and  of  the  Independance  of  the  United  States  the  thirty 

fourth — William  Arundel 


3'*  A  former  clerk  of  the  land  board  in  Louisiana  Territory. 

"  For  other  examples  of  Edgar's  claims  rejected  for  fraud  and  perjury,  consult 
A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  n,  index,  under  John  Edgar.  See  also  Philbrick  (ed.),  Lairs 
Jnd.  Terr.  (IHC,  XXI),  Ixxxiii,  Ixxxvi,  Ixxxviii,  xc,  cclxv,  for  citations  to  proofs 
relative  to  Edgar's  frauds. 

•o  No  reply  found. 


130  T  E  li  HIT  O  RIAL    PAPERS 

Power  of  attorney  by  John  Stanley 

[April  14,  1797] 
Know  all  Men  by  these  Presents  that  I  John  Standlee  of  the  state 
of  Kentucky  and  County  of  Logan  have  made  Ordained  Constituted 
and  Appointed  and  by  these  presents  do  make  Ordain  Constitute  and 
Appoint  Abram  Standlee  of  the  State  and  County  Aforesaid  my  true 
and  Lawful  Attorney  for  me  and  in  my  name  and  to  my  use  to  Act 
in  laying  in  my  claim  for  a  tract  of  land  Lying  in  the  Elenoy  Country 
and  by  these  presents  Granting  to  my  Said  Attorney  my  sole  and 
full  power  and  authority  to  take  pursue  and  follow  Such  legal  courses 
for  the  Recovery  Receiving  and  Obtaining  of  the  Same  as  I  myself 
might  or  could  do  ware  I  personally  present.  In  Witness  whereof  I 
have  hereunto  Set  my  hand  and  Seal  this  fourteenth  day  of  April 
in  the  year  one  thousand  Seven  hundred  and  ninety  Seven — 

John  Standlee    (seal) 
Witness  Present 
Charles  Irby — 
John  AI'Gough — 

Illinois  Territory    Randolph  County  Set 

I  William  Arundel  Recorder  of  the  said  county  of  Randolph  do 
hereby  Certify  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true  Copy  of  the  Original  on 
file  in  My  Office — 

In  Testimony  Whereof  I  have  hereunto  Set  my  hand  and  Affixed 
the  Seal  of  said  Office  at  Kaskaskia  the  eighteenth  Day  of 
[L  s]     January  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred and  ten  and  of  the  Independance  of  the  United  States 
the  thirty  fourth — William  Arundel 

Power  of  attorney  by  David  Stanley  and  Jacob  McCarty 

[April  17,  1797] 
Know  all  Men  by  these  presents  That  we  David  Stanly  and  Jacob 
Mackarty  of  the  state  of  Tenesee  and  Robison  County  do  Authorize 
and  empower  with  full  Power  of  Attorney  as  if  we  were  personally 
present  our  True  and  Trusty  friend  Abram  Stanly  of  Kentucky  State 
and  Logan  County  to  Receive  all  our  Debts  in  that  State  and  likewise 
to  pay  what  we  owe,  and  likewise  to  Act  in  every  part  and  particular 
for  us,  and  likewise  to  Act  for  us  concerning  our  claims  of  lands  that 
we  have  Emproved  in  the  year  1783  and  1784  and  Eighty  five  as  it 
was  our  Intent  from  the  present  time  to  Establish  our  Claims  as  Soon 
as  Possible  we  could  hear  or  See  a  Regular  Order  for  a  Settlement  in 
that  Same  State,  as  we  have  now  beared  that  there  is  a  Regulation 
to  be  in  that  Country  in  May.  as  the  Commissioners  are  to  sit  and 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  131 

have  the  Claims  Regulated  we  therefore  depend  upon  our  Trusty 
friend  to  do  all  for  us.  Whereunto  we  have  set  our  Hands  and  Seals 
This  seventeenth  day  of  April  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
ninety  Seven — 

Jacob  M'Cabty    (seal) 
Test —  DAvm  Stanly    (seal) 

Dan'  Rogan 
Martin  Duncan  J  P 

Illinois  Territory    Randolph  County  Set 

I  William  Arundel  Recorder  of  the  said  County  of  Randolph  to 
hereby  Certify  that  the  foregoing  Page  is  a  true  Copy  of  the  Original 
on  file  in  My  OfRce — 

In  Testimony  Whereof  I  have  hereunto  Set  my  hand  and  affixed  the 

Seal  of  said  Office  at  Kaskaskia  the  eighteenth  day  of  Jan- 

[L  s]      uary  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred 

and  ten  and  of  the  Independance  of  the  United  States  the 

thirty  fourth — William  Arundel 

Deposition  of  Abraham  Stanley 

[March  12,  1798] 
Know  all  Men  by  these  presents.  That  I  Abraham  Standley  of  the 
State  of  Tennesee  at  present  of  the  County  of  S'  Clair  in  the  North 
West  Territory  By  Virtue  of  Powers  Vested  in  me  By  my  Father 
David  Standley  and  by  power  from  my  Brother  John  Standley  and 
David  Standley  Jun'  and  by  Powers  Vested  in  me  By  my  Brother  in 
Law  Jacob  McCarty  have  made  a  sale  in  Trust  of  all  our  Improve- 
ments Rights  on  lands  in  the  Illinois  Country,  to  John  Edgar  of  the 
same  place  for  the  better  purpose  of  Claiming  the  same  Improvement 
Rights,  and  getting  them  confirmed  by  the  Governor  of  the  North 
West  Territory  By  Virtue  of  These  Presents.  Sealed  with  my  Seal  at 
Kaskaskia  the  12'"  day  of  March  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
ninety  eight — 

The  Condition  of  the  above  obligation  is  such  that  if  the  above 
Abraham  Standley  in  case  the  said  DaNad  Standley  Sen'  and  John 
Standley  and  David  Standley  Junior  and  Jacob  M'^Carty  their  heirs 
or  Assigns  do  make  a  Deed  of  two  hundred  Acres  of  land  from  each  of 
their  Improvement  Rights  to  John  Edgar  for  his  trouble  of  paying 
every  Expence  in  Getting  them  Confirmed.  On  Account  of  the  said 
Abraham  Standley,  David  Standley  Sen"'  John  Standley  Jun"'  and 
Jacob  McCarty  then  the  above  sale  made  in  Trust  to  the  said  John 
Edgar.  By  the  said  Abraham  Standley  to  be  void  and  of  none  effect. 
The  said  John  Edgar  signing  two  obligations  of  the  same  Tenor  and 


132  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Date.  One  which  each  of  the  Parties  will  Keep  for  the  Due  perform- 
ance of  the  Above  Signed  Sealed  and  Delivered  at  Kaskaskia  the 
Day  and  year  above  Written — 

his 
Abraham    X    Standley    (seal) 

In  Presence  of 
James  Edgar  John  Edgar  (seal) 

William  Dunn 

Ilunois  Territory    Randolph  County  Set 

I  William  Arundel  Recorder  of  the  said  County  of  Randolph  do 
hereby  Certify  that  the  foregoing  Page  is  a  true  Copy  of  the  Original 
on  file  in  my  Office — 

In  testimony  Whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  Affixed 

the  Seal  of  Said  Office  at  Kaskaskia  this  eighteenth  Day  of  January 

in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  ten 

[l  s]     and  of  the  Independance  of  the  United  States  the  thirty 

fourth — William  Arundel 


WILLIAM  MORRISON  TO  JOHN  EDGAR  " 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Reed.,  M:ALS1 

[Septemher  6,  1810] 

Sir/  when  I  was  last  at  S'  Louis  I  waited  on  M'  Penrose  and 
made  the  request  I  was  desired  to  make — he  said  when  M'  Donaldson 
&  himself  came  to  Kaskaskias  about  4  years  ago,  E  Backus  Esquire  in 
a  conversation  held  with  them  observed  that  they  were  Two  young 
fools — that  they  ought  not  to  go  on  so  rappidly  in  thier  business,  but 
ought  to  take  time  and  make  difficulties  if  none  appeard  in  order  to 
get  more  pay  from  the  Government 

M'  Penrose  said  that  he  did  not  like  to  give  a  certificate  of  M"' 
Backus  observation,  but  if  call"  on  in  a  legal  way  that  he  would  make 
oath  of  it — 

I  am  Sir  Y'  very  Humble  Sev* 

W"  Morrison 

Sept'  6'"^  1810 

[Addressed]  Co'  John  Edgar — 

[Endorsed]    Sep^  6— 1810    W°  Morrison 

«'  Originally  enclosed  in  the  preceding. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  133 

[Enclosure] 

Affidavit  of  William  Morrison  and  John  Rice  Jones 

[September  6,  1810] 
Illinois  Territory  Set 

Before  me  Jesse  B  Thomas  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  said  Territory 
personally  came  William  Morrison — (within  named)  and  John  Rice 
Jones  of  Kaskaskia  Esq"  who  severally  made  oath,  the  said  William 
Morrison  on  his  part,  that  the  within  letter  contains  in  substance  the 
declarations  made  to  him  a  few  Days  ago  by  Clement  B  Penrose  *^ 
Esq"'  at  S'  Louis — And  the  said  John  Rice  Jones  on  his  part  saith 
that  the  said  mr  Penrose  about  two  months  ago,  made  the  same 
Declarations  -fee  in  substance  to  him,  excepting  that  part  which  express- 
ed his  unwillingness  to  give  a  Certificate  of  it,  which  he  did  not  request 
him  to  do.^ 

Sworn  before  me  W"  Morrison 

J.  B  Thomas  Jn°  Rice  Jones 


JOHN  RICE  JONES  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY 
[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Reed.,  i:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  8*"  September  1810 
Sir/    Wishing  to  intrude  as  little  as  possible  on  your  time,  I  shall 
immediately  proceed  to  the  business  on  which  I  have  the  honor  of 
addressing  you. 

on  IS'"  January  1797  George  Atcheson  Esquire  conveyed  to  me 
two  Tracts  of  land  of  400  Acres  each,  in  Exchange  for  other  lands  of 
mine;  all  of  them  situate  in  the  now  District  of  Kaskaskia — The  lands 
I  conveyed  to  Atcheson  have  been  confirmed,  but  one  of  the  Tracts 
by  him  conveyed  to  me  has,  as  I  am  informed,  been  rejected  by  the 
Commissioners. 

Some  weeks  since  I  applied  to  M^  Mich'  Jones  Register  of  the  land 
office,  to  deliver  me  the  original  Conveyances  of  the  rejected  Claim, 
which  I  had  filed,  as  Evidence,  in  his  office  (pursuant  to  the  Direction 
of  the  Acts  of  Congress)  at  the  time  notice  of  the  Claim  was  given 
him — This  Application  was  made,  and  so  expressed  at  the  time,  for 
the  purpose  of  enabling  me  to  bring  and  carry  on  a  Suit  against 
Atcheson's  heirs,  who  are  wasting  his  Estate.  M'  Jones  then  agreed 
to  the  propriety  of  my  Request  &  promised  to  deliver  me  the  Deeds. 

JK  ft  rCiT   J_^tiy'9 

In  a  few  days,  however,  he  delivered  me  Copies  of  them,  certified 
as  such  by  him  in  his  official  Capacity,  at  the  same  time  observing, 
that  he  himself  had  no  objection  to  deliver  me  the  originals,  but  that 

"  One  of  the  land  commissioners  in  Louisiana  Territory. 


134  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

M'  Robinson  the  U.  S.  Agent  had  protested  against  his  doing  so,  as 
you,  mentioning  your  name,  had  instructed  him  to  suffer  no  papers  to 
be  delivered  out  of  the  Register's  office,  untill  further  orders  should  be 
received  from  you. 

From  the  little  legal  knowledge  I  possess,  I  had  thought  tho'  per- 
haps erroneously  that  the  true  Intention  of  the  Acts  of  Congress,  in 
requiring  Claimants  to  present  their  Evidences  of  Claim  to  be  recorded 
by  the  Register,  was  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  Commissioners  to 
have  the  Records  of  those  Evidences  in  their  own  possession  and  power 
to  refer  to,  when  they  came  to  decide  on  the  particular  claim;  and 
that  as  soon  as  those  Evidences  were  recorded,  or  at  furthest  as  the 
Claims  had  been  decided  on,  the  parties  had  a  right  to  their  deeds 
again,  except  indeed  in  Cases  where  there  were  suspicions  of  fraud, 
perjury,  or  forgery,  which  M'  Jones  assured  me  were  not  entertained 
of  me. — If  the  originals  were  intended  to  be  kept  in  the  Register's 
office,  the  laws  would  not  have  compelled  the  Claimants  to  pay  fees 
for  recording  them. 

Had  a  suggestion  been  made  that  any  of  my  deeds  were  suspected 
to  be  forged  or  fraudalant,  or  the  Claims  supported  by  perjury  or 
subornation  of  perjury  I  certainly  should  not  have  applied  for  them. 

Being  of  opinion  that  any  orders  you  may  have  given,  (if  any  there 
were  on  this  head)  must  have  been  misunderstood  or  misapplied,  I 
take  the  liberty  of  informing  you  of  the  Circumstance,  under  the 
Conviction  that  if  any  Error  has  been  committed  or  misconstruction 
of  your  orders  taken  place,  that  they  will  be  immediately  rectified. 
I  hope,  however  to  be  pardoned  for  suggesting  that  I  cannot  believe 
you  have  given  such  orders,  especially  to  the  Extent  put  on  them  by 
M"^  Robinson  &  the  Commissioners 

I  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  attaching  blame  on  M'  Jones's 
Conduct  in  this  business,  he  having  (in  my  opinion)  been  misled  by 
the  Protest  and  assertion  of  M'  Robinson. 

In  the  prosecution  of  my  Suit  ag'  Atcheson's  heirs,  it  may  be 
necessary  for  me  to  have  an  Inspection  of  such  parts  of  the  Commis- 
sioners Books  and  proceedings  as  relate  to  the  rejected  Claim,  and  per- 
haps have  them  produced  in  Evidence.^ — This  I  am  told  cannot  be 
expected,  your  orders  to  the  Commissioners  being  positive,  to  keep 
their  proceedings  secret. 

I  must  again  express  my  disbelief  of  such  orders  having  emanted 
from  you. — The  fact  is  however  certain,  that  they  are  as  rigidly 
acted  upon  as  if  they  had.— My  weak  capacity  cannot  think  of  any 
good  reason  that  can  be  suggested  for  keeping  secret  the  proceedings 
of  any  public  body  vested  with  such  powers  as  the  Commissioners 
possessed.  If  their  Conduct  and  proceedings  have  been  fair  and  im- 
partial, the  publication  of  them  to  the  world  cannot  but  redound  to 
their  honor  and  Advantage — At  all  events,  I  humbly  contend  that 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  135 

persons  who  conceive  themselves  injured  or  aggrieved  by  their  De- 
cisions ought  to  have  an  Inspection  of  their  books  and  proceedings, 
the  better  to  enable  such  of  them  as  wish  it  to  appeal  to  the  national 
legislature,  which,  in  all  probability,  in  whatever  manner  the  suit  may 
be  determined,  will  be  resorted  to  in  the  above  mentioned  Case,  M"' 
Jones  one  of  the  Commissioners  having  informed  me,  there  were  many 
favorable  Circumstances  attending  it.*' 

With  Sentiments  of  high  Respect  and  Consideration,  I  have  the 
honor  to  be  Sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  Servant 

Jn°  Rice  Jones 

The  Honble  Albert  Gallatin,  Esq' 

[Endorsed]    Kaskask"  8  Sep''  1810  J.  Rice  Jones 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  JARED 

MANSFIELD 

[NA:GLO,  Lets,  to  SG,  I] 

Treasury  Department,  October  12'"  1810 — 
Jared  Mansfield  Sur''  Gen'    Cincinnati 

Sir  I  had  the  honour  to  receive  your  letter  of  the  26""  Ultimo  " — 
The  opposition  of  the  Indians  is  an  unexpected  obstacle  to  which  we 
must  Submit  When  in  my  letter  of  11'"  July  *^  I  used  the  expression 
"to  subdi\'ide  into  quarter  Sections"  I  meant  in  the  manner  directed 
by  law,  that  is  to  say  by  running  the  Section  lines  and  making  corners 
on  said  lines  for  the  Quarter  Sections,  and  not  by  actually  running 
the  subdividing  lines  of  said  Quarter  Sections. 

I  have  &c. 


WILLIAM  BIGGS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Reed.,  B:ALS] 

S*  Cair  County  Illinois  Territory  31''  October  1810— 
Sir/    I  hope  to  be  excused  the  liberty  I  now  take  in  addressing 
myself  to  you  on  the  Subject  of  my  land  Claimes  in  the  District  of 
Kaskaskia  and  the  Extraordinary  Conduct  of  the  Commissioners 
towards  me — 

Prior  to  the  Election  of  a  Delagate  to  Congress  from  the  Indiana 
Territory  in  1808,  by  the  legislature  thereof,  in  which  I  was  Chosen 
as  one  of  the  Representatives  from  this  County,  both  the  Commis- 
sioners frequently  assured  me  that  the  Claims  to  land  in  their  District 

"  No  reply  found. 

"  Not  found.    But  there  is  a  pertinent  letter  of  Sept.  28  in  NA  (GLO,  SG,  Lets. 
Sent). 
«5NA  (GLO,  Lets,  to  SG,  I). 


136  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

which  I  had  entered  (seven  in  number)  were  all  Confirmed  by  them; 
my  proofs  having  been  sufTicient,  and  that  no  other  testimony  was 
necessary  to  Support  them — A  few  days  before  the  Election  of  the 
Delegate  took  place  at  Vincennes,  M'  Messinger,  the  Other  Member 
from  S*  Clair  Received  a  letter  from  M'  Bachus  Requesting  him  to 
Vote  in  favor  of  particular  persons,  Viz.  Michael  Jones  his  Colleague 
in  office,  M'  Robinson  their  Clerk,  or  himself  as  Delegate,  and  at  any 
rate  prevent  the  Election  of  [John]  Rice  Jones;  also  Requesting  him  to 
give  me  the  perusal  of  the  letter  and  then  Consign  it  to  the  flames, 
which  was  done.  When  the  Election  came  on,  we  both  of  us  Voted 
against  M'  Michael  Jones,  and  Consequently  voted  Contrary  to  M"' 
Bachus's  wishes;  but  in  direct  Conformity  to  those  of  our  Constituents 
and  our  own  opinions — Some  time  in  July  or  August  1809  I  went  to 
Kaskaskia  and  applied  to  M'  Rector,  the  Public  Surveyor  to  survey 
two  of  the  tracts  by  me  Claimed  Situate  about  15  miles  from  Kaskaskia 
and  on  the  East  Side  of  the  river  of  that  name;  he  to  my  surprize  in- 
formed me  that  one  of  my  these  Claims  had  not  been  entered  on  the  list 
given  him  by  the  Commissioners.  I  then  Applied  to  M'  Michael  Jones, 
M'  Bachus  being  out  of  the  Territory  to  know  the  reason  of  the  Omis- 
sion— He  informed  me  that  that  Claim  appeared  on  their  Books  as  not 
having  been  acted  upon.  And  declined  giving  me  any  further  Satisfac- 
tion or  answer  to  my  repeated  enquiries  why  it  was  not  acted  on  than 
"that  he  did  not  know". — He  however  the  next  day  gave  M'  Rector 
verbal  Orders  to  make  the  Survey,  adding,  "if  the  Claim  is  Confirmed, 
it  will  be  good,  if  not  it  will  only  be  so  much  Money  paid  for  nothing," 
— The  Survey  was  accordingly  made — On  the  27""  Instant  I  enquired  of 
M'  Rector  whether  he  had  made  a  return  of  the  Survey  to  the  Surveyor 
General,  who  informed  me  that  he  thought  not,  and  that  he  was 
instructed  by  the  Com"  not  to  do  so — on  the  29*"  I  Applied  to  M' 
Jones  to  inform  me  what  had  been  done  on  the  Subject  of  that  Claim; 
Who  answered  he  could  not  tell — On  my  repeated  desire  to  know  what 
was  to  be  done  with  it,  he  told  me  he  was  willing  to  go  into  the  Examin- 
ation of  it,  if  M'  Bachus  would. — The  next  day  I  applied  to  M' 
Bachus  and  requested  to  know  the  decisions  made  on  my  Claims,  and 
more  particularly  that  one  M''  Jones  had  informed  me  they  had  not 
acted  on;  to  which  M'  Bachus  answered, — "that  he  had  got  particular 
Instructions  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  not  to,  make  known 
to  any  Claimant  the  Situation  of  his  Claims,  untill  the  Commissioners 
had  gone  thro  their  decisions — And  further  observing  that  he  Shortly 
expected  to  receive  instructions  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
to  go  into  the  investigation  of  the  Governors  Confirmations  and  that 
he  would  neither  do  nor  act  on  any  business  in  the  Com"  oflTice  untill 
he  should  receive  these  instructions — 

My  Conduct  thro  life  has  been  Such  that  I  do  not  beleive  any  one 
who  ever  knew  me  doubted  my  Honor  veracity  or  integrity — As  a 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  137 

proof  of  my  standing  in  this  Country,  I  will  mention  my  Election  and 
Service  as  a  representative  from  this  County  during  the  whole  time 
the  now  Illinois  Territory  formed  a  part  of  the  Indiana — And  that 
the  Commissioners  frequently  Called  on  and  summoned  me  to  attend 
and  be  examined  on  behalf  of  the  United  States,  to  give  evidence  on 
Claims  depending  before  them,  and  which  my  residence  in  this  Coun- 
try (with  very  few  Intervals)  Since  the  year  1781 — enabled  me  to 
have  great  knowledge  of- — These  Summonses  I  duly  attended,  and 
my  depositions  taken,  on  which  the  Com"  Seemed  and  I  believe, 
placed  great  Confidence  and  such  was  their  Confidence,  that  they 
sent  me  a  General  Dedimus  to  take  Depositions  on  Claims  laid  in 
before  them,  to  be  adduced  as  evidence  before  the  board,  in  making 
their  decisions,  which  I  frequently  acted  on,  and  remitted  them- — As 
I  understand  you  came  from  the  back  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  perhaps 
you  have  Some  Knowledge  of  my  Brothers  Gen'  Benj°  Biggs  of  West 
liberty,  and  Zaccheus  Biggs  late  receiver  of  the  public  Monies  at 
Stubenville — 

I  am  persuaded  in  my  own  mind  that  if  I  had  Sacrificed  Principles 
and  opinion  to  Interest,  and  Voted  for  M"'  Michael  Jones  as  Delegate 
to  Congress  from  Indiana,  That  no  difficulty  would  have  been  made 
by  the  Com"  with  regard  to  the  Confirmations  of  my  Claims. — They 
had  before  that  time  assured  me  they  were  Confirmed,  and  no  tes- 
timony has,  to  my  knowledge  or  belief,  ever  been  taken  on  any  of 
them  Subsequent  to  that  information — Among  many  other  Circum- 
stances which  induce  me  to  form  this  Opinion  and  is  Convincing  on 
my  mind  is  a  Circumotanco  Conversation  which  took  place  between 
me  &  M"'  Henry  Levens  (who  was  a  friend  of  mine,  and  a  Partizan  of 
the  Com"  and  warm  Supporter  of  all  their  measeures) — whom  I  saw 
on  my  way  to  Kakaskia  to  apply  to  M'  Rector  to  Survey  that  tract 
of  land,  whieh  this  Conversation  was  substantially  as  follows — He 
asked  me  when  I  meant  to  get  my  land  on  the  Kaskaskia  river  sm^ 
Tcycd,  (which  is  the  tract  I  am  now  told  the  Com"  have  not  acted  on) 
Surveyed, — To  which  I  answered  that  I  was  then  on  my  way  to  get 
it  done  by  M''  Rector — On  this  M'  Levens  said  he  was  afraid  I  was 
too  late— I  told  him  I  thought  not  and  enquired  his  reason  for  think* 
so — to  which  he  answered,  that  I  had  not  as  many  friends  in  Kas- 
kaskia as  I  formally  had — I  then  asked  him,  who  was  not  my  friends 
there;  he  told  me  the  Commissioners  were  not.  That  he  had  heard 
M"'  Bachus  say  that  Biggs  would  have  done  better  in  hunting  up 
his  Improvement  over  the  Kaskaskia  river  than  in  Voting  at  Vin- 
cennes  as  he  had  done — And  that  he  had  heard  M'  Micheal  Jones 
say  that  I  never  should  have  that  land  over  the  Kaskaskia  river  in 
Consequence  of  my  having  Voted  as  I  had  done  at  Vincennes  & 
that  he  had  heard  these  Gentlemen  make  the  above  observations, 
when  the  Intelligence  reached  Kaskaskia  of  the  result  of  the  pro- 


138  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

ceeding  in  the  legislature,  and  before  I  had  returned  from  it — Little 
did  I  then  think  that  it  was  possible  that  M'  Levens  information 
could  be  correct;  but  on  my  arrival  in  Kaskaskia  and  Conversation 
with  M'  Rector,  and  one  of  the  Com"  I  was  fully  convinced  its  being 
so — When  an  Enquiry  was  instituted  at  Kaskaskia  last  summer  was 
a  year  into  the  Conduct  of  the  Com"  by  order  of  the  president,  I 
was  Called  on  by  M''  Michael  Jones  to  attend  and  give  my  testimony 
on  their  behalf  adding  that  if  I  would  not  do  so  Volintarily  a  summons 
Should  be  issued  for  me — To  avoid  unnecessary  trouble  I  attended 
and  give  my  deposition — On  my  Cross  examination  by  the  person 
appointed  on  behalf  of  the  petitioners  against  them,  I  was  obliged  to 
relate  the  Conversation  above  alluded  to  between  M'  Levens  and 
myself — 

From  the  above  statement  of  facts,  I  think  myself  Justifiable  in 
asserting  it,  as  my  firm  belief  &  opinion  that  impartial  Justice  cannot 
be  exspected  by  those  who  opposed  the  Views  or  Wishes  of  the  Com" 
who  have  a  party  in  the  country  and  took  very  active  parts  in  its  little 
local  politics — The  great  question  in  agitation  was  the  Division  of  the 
Territory;  M'  Bachus  was  for  a  long  time  in  favor  if  it,  and  was 
elected  by  the  people  of  Kaskaskia  and  acted  as  a  member  of  a  Com- 
mittee formed  from  among  the  different  parts  of  the  now  Illinois 
Territory  for  the  purpose  of  entering  into  Resolutions  Expressive  of 
the  sense  of  the  people  at  large,  and  taking  every  Step  in  their  power 
to  obtain  that  object — A  little  before  the  Setting  of  the  legislature 
immediately  preceeding  the  divison  of  the  Territory  M'  Bachus  sud- 
denly Changed  sides,  and  became  apposed  to  it;  because,  as  he  told 
me  both  before  and  since,  he  did  not  wish  it  to  be  accomplished  thro 
the  means  of  those  who  exerted  themselves  in  favor  of  it,  meaning 
John  Edger  and  the  Morrisons  as  he  told  me —  altho  he  was  still  in 
favor  of  the  Division,  if  obtained  by  any  Other  means — The  heat  of 
Party  then  became  more  Violent  and  exceedingly  so,  on  the  shamefull 
murder  of  Rice  Jones  by  James  Dunlap,  one  of  the  Com"  warm 
partizans;  and  it  is  not  known  what  lengths  would  have  been  resorted 
to; — had  not  the  wise  and  firm  but  Moderate  Conduct  of  Governor 
Edwards,  and  The  Territorial  Judges  Considerably  alleviated  them.** 

I  believe  Sir  that  little  else  is  now  wanting  to  render  this  Territory 
tranquil  and  happy,  but  a  just  and  equitable  decision  on  and  location  of 
their  land  Claims  by  unprejudiced  Judges  on  the  Spot— few,  if  any  of 
the  Claimants  have  the  means  or  can  afford  the  time  to  go  before 
Congress  to  support  their  rejected  Claims,  and  I  may  with  ease  assert, 
that  a  rejection  by  the  Com"  however  unjust,  will  in  almost  every 
case,  produce  the  effect  of  a  final  one;  and  put  an  end  to  all  their  hopes 

♦'  Biggs  signed  a  memorial  in  March,  1808,  recommending  Baclius  for  appoint- 
ment as  one  of  the  territorial  Judges  (Terr.  Papers,  Ind.,  vii,  543).  See  also 
ibid.,  pp.  245,  544,  with  respect  to  his  support  of  the  division  of  Indiana  Territory. 


ILLINOIS  -TERRITORY  139 

and  expectations — All  I  want  and  all  that  any  one  ought  to  wish  for,  is 
strict  and  impartial  Justice — this  I  know  will  not  be  denied  by  the 
Goverment  and  I  cannot  doubt,  Sir  your  ready  concurence  and 
assistance  in  devising  the  means  of  obtaining  it  for  them.*^ 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  Consideration  and  respect — Sir  Your 
Most  obed'  Servent 

W.  Biggs 

NB  I  forgot  to  mention  that  the  tract  of  land  not  aefced  upon  fey 
Returned  to  the  Surveyor  General  by  the  Commissioners,  was  by 
them  given  to  the  Auditor  as  Confirmed  and  Consequently  taxed  to 
the  land  tax,  which  I  was  obliged  to  pay,  or  Suffer  my  interest  to^be 
sold  by  the  Shff,  according  to  law —    W.B. 

The  Hon""'^  Albert  Gallatin  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  Wash- 
ington 

[Endorsed]  S»  Clair  C"  Octo  1810  Kaskaskia  William  Biggs- 
Written  18'"  April  to  Register.*' 


ACTING  POSTMASTER   GENERAL  TO  JOHN  McARTHUR 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

31  OcV  1810 
John  M "Arthur    M.  C.    Kaskaskias  I.    T"— 

Inclosed  are  five  Drafts  which  you  will  be  pleased  to  collect  &  receive 
on  A/C  of  carrying  the  Mail,  viz 

On  Rufus  Eastin         for    $300—    On  Trueman  Tuttle  for       52.41 
"   Charles  Elliott        "       200—      "   Henry  Skinner       "        40— 

"  Jos"  M'Ferron        "         50—  

$642.41 
AB.  P 


ACTING  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  TRUEMAN  TUTTLE 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

31  Oct"  1810 
Trueman  Tuttle    Late  PM.    Fort  Massac  I  T^ 

A  Balance  of  $52  41/100  remains  due  from  you  on  your  A/C  as  late 
PM.  at  Fort  Massac  as  will  appear  by  the  inclosed  Statement,  which 
is  taken  from  the  books  of  this  office— For  that  much  I  have  this  day 
made  a  draft  on  you  favor  of  John  M ''Arthur  which  you  will  be  pleased 

*'  No  reply  found.  For  official  record  of  six  claims  entered  by  Biggs,  of  which 
three  were  rejected  and  three  confirmed,  see  A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  11,  140,  142,  143, 
162,  163,  218. 

"  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2),  but  the  case  of  Biggs  is  not  mentioned 
by  name. 


140  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

to  pay  when  presented  &  inclose  to  me  his  receipt — The  Draft  sent 
you  on  Mathew  Adams  for  $12.99  I  presume  has  been  paid — If  not 
you  will  pay  that  much  less  of  my  Draft  to  M'  Jn°  M'' Arthur — If  any 
of  the  quarterly  balances  in  the  Statement  vary  from  your  books  the 
difference  has  arisen  from  corrections  made  in  the  A/Cs  on  their 
examination  here 

AB.  J' 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  URBAIN  GUILLET 

(LC:HF,  11  Cong.,  1  sess.:ADS] 

[November  29,  1810] 
To  the  Honorable  The  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 

United  States 

the  petition  of  Urbain  Guillet  &  his  associates  known  under 
the  name  of  the  Society  of  La  trappe  now  resident  in  the  Illinois 
territory — 

Respectfully  Sheweth  that  thier  association  composed  at  present  of 
about  thirty  members  has  for  its  peculiar  object  the  promotion  of 
useful  Literature,  husbandry  and  Machanical  arts,  not  only  among 
the  western  American  Settlers  but  also  among  the  Neighbouring 
Indians — 

that  they  have  already  under  their  care  thirty  five  Schollars  and 
propose  to  admit  as  many  more  as  their  progressive  means  will  afford 
to  maintain  &  educate  (Gratis)  in  any  of  the  above  mentioned  pursuits 
to  which  their  respective  inclinations  Capacities  or  their  parents 
Views  may  direct  them — 

Your  petitioner  is  now  possessed  of  a  tract  of  four  hundred  acres  of 
Land  (given  by  M'  N.  Jarrot  about  9  miles  above  cahokia)  on  which 
their  present  useful  establishment  has  been  commenced — this  quantity 
is  by  no  means  sufficient  for  such  an  extensive  institution  as  they 
contemplate — They  can  with  ease  employ  between  three  &  four  thou- 
sand acres,  in  agriculture,  and  in  the  erection  of  different  Branches  of 
manufacture  for  Meadows  for  their  cattle  wood  for  Sundry  purpose 
but  as  all  the  Lands  adjoining  to  their  now  establishment  belong  to 
the  United  States  and  your  petitioners  are  unable  to  purchase  from 
Government. 

They  humbly  pray  they  may  be  permitted  to  Locate  &  Lay  adjoin- 
ing their  establishment  such  a  number  of  acres  of  Land  as  They  may 
be  able  to  procure  from  individuals  to  whom  military  &  donation 
Rights  have  been  confirmed  &  are  not  yet  Located  as  will  be  sufficient 
to  employ  their  Talents  &  industry  &  as  to  you  in  your  Wisdom  may 
think  proper. 

And  Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  ever  pray 

Urbain  Guillet 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  141 

Illinois  Territory  November.  29'"  1810 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  Urbain  Guillet  &  his  associates  of  the 
society  of  La  Trappe,  now  resident  in  the  Illinois  territory — 10'"  Jan' 
1811.  Ref*  to  the  Committee  on  the  Public  lands."  M'  Johnson 
ref "  lands 


MICHAEL  JONES  TO  JEREMIAH  MORROW 
[LC:HF,  11  Cong.,  3  sess.:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Dec'  1='  1810 
Dear  Sir.  The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  in  his  letter  of  May 
last  ,8°  promised  the  Commissioners  instructions  relative  to  Governors 
confirmations;  since  then  we  have  delayed,  from  mail  to  mail,  the 
investigation  of  Governors  decisions,  in  hopes  of  receiving  the  prom- 
ised instructions,  which  have  not  yet  reached  us — as  a  preparetory 
step,  the  agent  has  calld  in  some  of  the  most  antient  Inhabitants,  by 
which  means  we  shall  be  enabled  to  make  some  progress  in  prepareing 
for  a  revision  of  such  confirmations  as  may  have  been  surreptitiously 
obtained.  But  it  will  become  necessary  to  pass  a  law  expressly 
authorizing  the  Commissioners  to  reinvestigate  these  confirmations — 
I  have  reason  to  believe  that  attempts  will  again  be  made,  to  procure 
our  removal  from  office;  and  also  to  procure  a  division  of  this  dis- 
trict— but  I  trust.  Sir,  that  any  further  attempts  by  the  Land  jobbers, 
against  men  who  have  sacrafised  their  peace  of  mind,  their  Interests 
and  hazarded  their  lives  in  doing  their  duty,  will  have  no  weight  with 
our  Government  '■ — 

The  erection  of  a  new  district,  or  Land  office,  on  the  Ohio,  within 
the  limits  of  the  present,  would  reduce  the  emoluments  of  the  officers 
of  this  district,  so  low,  that  no  man,  possessing  common  means,  would 
hold  either.  The  tract  of  country  that  would  remain  attached  to  this 
district,  is  principally  covered  with  private  claims;  the  balance  may 
be  said  to  be  refuse,  and  but  little  of  will  sell  Would  it  then.  Sir,  be 
just  to  have  kept  us  in  expectancy  for  six  years,  and  in  the  mean  time 
imposed  on  us  the  most  painful  duties,  for  a  very  inadequate  compen- 
sation, and  at  the  close  of  our  arduous  labours  and  sacrafises,  deprive 
us  of  those  emoluments  which  we  had  a  right  to  consider  as  annexed 
to  our  offices — I  trust,  Sir,  that  when  you  are  informed  of  the  Geo- 

*^  House  Journal,  vil,  479. 

"  Ante,  p.  98. 

"  See  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  Edwards,  July  16,  1810  (Edwards 
Papers,  CHS,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp.  534-535),  in  reply  to  Edwards's  of 
June  23  (not  found),  commenting  on  the  reports  of  the  land  officers  in  Illinois  anH 
giving  his  own  altitude  respectmg  the  issues  involved. 


142  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

graphical  situation  of  this  district,  you  will  not  feel  it  a  duty  to  become 
an  advocate  for  the  erection  of  a  land  office  in  that  quarter — Should 
it,  however,  be  deemed  necessary  to  erect  a  new  district;  in  that  case, 
I  would  suggest  the  propriety  of  moving  this  office  Eastwardly,  to- 
wards the  Wabash  or  Ohio,  and  erect  one  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
present  District,  annexing  to  that,  the  tract  of  Country  purchased 
from  the  Sac  &  Fox  Indians,  which  now  forms  a  part  of  this  district — 
for  let  it  be  understood  that  the  present  district  extends  considerably 
farther  northwardly  than  Eastwardly.  But  Sir  as  the  present  extent 
of  this  district  is  not  complained  of  by  the  people;  and  as  it  will  be  a 
saving  of  one  thousand  dollars  p''  year  to  United  States,  I  can  see  no 
reason  for  gratifying  the  few  advocates  for  such  a  measure  who  have 
perhaps  in  view,  more  the  carving  out  offices  for  themselves  or  friends, 
than  the  convenience  of  the  people. — 

Our  claim  for  the  allowance  of  $500.  dollars,  as  commissioners,  for 
the  present  year,  will  I  hope,  meet  your  sanction  This  sum  bears 
no  proportion  to  the  expences  which  I  have  necessarily  incured  in 
defending  my  reputation  and  my  life  against  the  unparallel'd  perse- 
cution that  grew  out  of  an  honest  discharge  of  my  duty — 

I  am  Dear,  Sir,  Very  respectfully  your  friend 

Mich'  Jones 

P.S.,  We  have  inclosed  to  the  sec^  of  the  Treasiuy  a  plat  of  that 
part  of  our  district  which  has  been  subdivided  into  Sections  &  quarter 
sections — Range  3  W  down  to  Township  N°  10  and  all  the  Ranges 
above  and  North  west  of  N°  10  on  the  mississippi,  as  laid  down  on 
that  plat  have  been  disignated  by  the  commissioners  for  satisfying 
private  claims  within  which  all  the  private  claims  are  situated  From 
this  it  will  be  seen  that  should  the  tract  below  on  the  Ohio  and  Wabash 
be  erected  into  a  new  district  we  should  have  but  a  very  small  portion 
of  land  for  sale  in  our  district,  and  that  of  a  very  inferior  quality  and 
a  great  part  of  it  uninhabitable — 

Y'  M  J 

The  Hon'  Jeremiah  Morrow 

[Addressed]  The  Honble.  Jeremiah  Morrow  Representative  in 
Congress  Washington     [Postmarked]  U  S.  Saline  18*"  Dec'    Free 

[Endorsed]  Letter  from  Mchael  Jones,  one  of  the  Commissioners 
for  the  district  of  Kaskaskia 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  143 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  JOHN  GAILLARD 
AND  JOSEPH  B.  VARNUM 

[TDiLetters  &  Reports  to  Congress,  ser.  E,  vol.  v"] 

Treasury  Department  December  31"  1810. 
The  Honorable  The  President  of  the  Senate  &  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives, 
Sir,  I  have  the  honor  in  conformity  with  the  acts  of  March  26'" 
1804  "  and  IMarch  3.  1805  "  to  transmit  a  copy  of  the  report  of 
rejected  claims  made  by  the  Commissioners  appointed  for  the  purpose 
of  examining  the  claims  of  persons  claiming  lands  in  the  district  of 
Kaskaskia.  This  consists  of  a  General  Report,  sundry  documents 
thereunto  annexed,  and  four  alphabetical  lists  of  the  rejected  claims 
under  the  heads  of  Ancient  Grants,  Impovement  Claims,  Donations 
to  heads  of  Families  and  Militia  Donations,^^  It  is  provided  by  the 
act  of  March  3.  1805,  that  tlie  lands,  the  claims  to  which,  though 
rejected  by  the  Commissioners  were  derived  from  actual  possession 
improvement  and  settlement,  shall  not  be  otherwise  disposed  of  until 
the  decision  of  Congress  thereupon  shall  have  been  made.  It  will  be 
perceived  by  the  report,  documents  &  lists,  that  either  want  of  proof 
or  fraud  ai-e  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  Commissioners  for  the  rejec- 
tion of  the  greater  part  of  that  description  of  claims.  In  addition  to 
the  transcripts  of  decisions  made  by  the  Commissioners  in  favor  of 
claimants  which  were  transmitted  towards  the  close  of  the  last  session 
of  Congress,  the  Commissioners  made  several  special  reports  in  favor 
of  persons  claiming  towrv  lots,  out  lots,  and  a  common  right  in  the 
commons  &  common  fields  of  the  several  villages  of  the  District. 
These  reports  not  being  included  in  the  general  transcripts  of  favorable 
decisions,  and  ha\ing  been  annexed  to  the  plats  of  survey  of  the  tracts 
to  which  they  refer,  were  not  discovered  till  after  the  adjournment 
of  Congi'ess.  They  are  now  transmitted  together  with  a  special 
Report  of  the  Commissioners  on  the  subject  of  Renault's  claims,*' 
and  with  the  copy  of  a  letter  written  on  the  14'"  May  1810  to  the 
Commissioners  "  on  the  subject  of  their  confirmations  to  lots  and 
commons  which  were  not  in  every  respect  distinctly  understood.  In 
relation  to  Renault's  claims  it  is  proper  to  state  that  they  embrace 
not  only  the  tracts  in  Kaskaskia  district  reported  on  by  the  Com- 
missioners, but  also  some  valuable  lead-mines  in  Louisiana.  The  lots 
are  out  lots  of  the  former  \allage  of  S'  Philip  in  the  District  of 

"  Printed  also  in  A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  u,  123. 
"  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  VII,  173-184. 
»Ibid.,  pp.  263-266. 

"Printed,  A.S.P.,  op.  cit.,  pp.  123-156.     See  reports  of  House  Committee  on 
Public  Lands,  Feb.  15  and  Dec.  17,  1811,  ibid.,  pp.  254-255,  257-258. 
"/6id.,  pp.  174-202. 
"Ante,  p.  99. 


144  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Kaskaskia  appear,  by  the  report  of  the  Commissioners  to  have  been 
uniformly  claimed  by  persons  deriving  their  title  from  the  said 
Renault.  But  the  claim  to  other  tracts  &  particularly  to  the  lead 
mines  had  lain  dormant  for  more  than  sixty  years,  from  the  year  1744 
when  he  left  America,  till  after  the  organization  of  the  Boards  of 
Kaskaskia  and  Louisiana. 

The  transcripts  of  favorable  decisions  confirmed  by  the  act  of  Con- 
gress of  last  Session,  &  the  reports  of  rejected  claims  as  above  stated 
do  not  embrace  any  claims  which  might  have  been  prexnously  con- 
firmed by  the  Governors  of  the  North  West  and  Indiana  territories. 
On  these  the  Commissioners  have  made  a  separate  report,**  to  which 
are  annexed  lists  of  those  confirmations  arranged  under  the  same 
heads  as  the  Commissioners  decisions." 

The  report  and  the  observations  annexed  to  the  claims  raised  doubts 
respecting  the  validity  or  propriety  of  several  of  those  confirmations 
by  the  Governor,  but  the  Commissioners  have  not,  as  was  done  by 
those  for  the  district  of  Vincennes,  distinctly  stated  which  of  those  in 
their  opinion  ought  to  be  confirmed  and  which  appeared  liable  to 
objections.  A  letter  was  written  to  them  on  that  subject  on  the  28"" 
of  May  last,"*  to  which  no  answer  has  yet  been  received.  Copies  of 
the  report,  lists  of  confirmations,  and  letter  aforesaid  are  now  trans- 
mitted. 

The  act  of  last  session,  confirming  the  favorable  decisions  of  the 
Commissioners  has  not  provided  the  manner  in  which  the  donation 
claims  shall  be  located  and  surveyed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &" 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  MICHAEL  JONES 
AND  ELIJAH  BACKUS 
[NA:GLO,  MUc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2] 

Treasury  Department  Jari'  16. 1811 — 
Michael  Jones  &  E.  Backus  Kaskaskia 

Gentlemen  Your  letters  of  of  30  Nov''  &  1  Dec''  have  been  reC  •' 
By  that  of  30'"  Nov'  I  perceive  that  you  had  not  received  mine  of 
23  May  1810  '^  respecting  Gov'''  confirmations  of  which  I  now  enclose 
a  Copy — It  was  not  my  intention  to  suggest  that  you  should  call  any 
new  evidence  on  that  Subject,  but  simply  from  that  already  in  your 
possession  that  you  should  subjoin  your  opinion  to  each  claim 

I  am  respectfully  &c 

"  Feb.  24,  1810,  ihid.,  pp.  203-209. 

••  Not  printed. 

w  Not  found.  But  see  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  Jones  and  Backus, 
May  23,  1810,  anle,  p.  103.  Apparently  the  above  date  of  May  28  is  a  copyist's 
error  for  May  23. 

"  Not  found. 

•>  Ante,  p.  103. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  145 

WILLIAM  RECTOR  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iii:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Feh^  2""  1811. 

D"'  Sir  You  will  herewith  recieve,  the  Field  Notes.  Plats  and 
Descriptions  of  the  following  Fractional  Townships  (\y\vig  below  the 
Base  Line  of  this  place)  Viz  Townships  N"  10  &  11  South  Range  N°  3 
West  Townships  N°  9  &  10  S.  Range  4  West. 

And  also  the  Field  notes  and  a  connected  plan  of  several  Surveys 
in  the  Commonfield  of  Kaskaskia  which  I  have  made  agreeably  to  the 
instructions  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  as  will  appear  by  the  Cer- 
tificate on  the  back  of  the  connected  plan.  In  order  to  render  this 
package  more  portable  I  have  made  out  but  one  set  of  plats  &  Descrip- 
tions and  have  written  to  M"'  John  F  Mansfield  requesting  him  to  make 
or  cause  to  be  made  the  necessary  number  of  copies  and  file  them  in 
your  office — and  have  also  authorised  M"'  Mansfield  to  settle  with  the 
S.  Gen'  and  receive  pay  for  the  above  mentioned  work  and  to  pay  the 
following  drafts  which  Elias  Rector  and  myself  have  drawn  on  you 
for  Viz. 

One  for  two  hundred  dollars  in  favor  of  Nicholas  Wilson  and  one  for 
One  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  in  favor  of  William  Shannon  both  dated 
January  12'"  1811  &  made  payable  forty-five  days  thereafter  and  also 
one  other  draft  for  two  hundred  and  ten  dollars  and  fifty  five  cents, 
dated  the  19'"  of  Jan''  1811  and  made  payable  to  Thomas  Prather  45 
days  thereafter. 

In  consequence  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  having  notified  the 
Board  of  Commissioners  that  all  those  Claims  for  land  which  was 
confirmed  by  the  Governors  of  the  Territories  (and  which  have  not 
been  acted  on  by  the  Board.)  must  undergo  an  investigation  by  the 
Commissioners.*'  They  declined  giving  us  a  transcript  of  that  de- 
scription of  claims  (which  in  fact  forms  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
whole  of  the  claims  of  this  District)  I  presume  under  an  impression 
that  many  of  them  would  be  revised  or  set  a  side — This  unexpected 
course  will  greatly  procrastinate  the  completion  of  the  business  and 
will  operate  very  much  against  our  interests.  But  as  complaints  are 
unavailing  and  not  very  pleasant  I  will  not  trouble  you  with  them. 

We  are  now  in  possession  of  Copies  of  all  the  claims  that  have  been 
affirmed  by  the  Board  of  Commissioners  and  Sanctioned  by  Govern- 
ment, very  many  of  which  have  not  yet  been  located  consequently 
cannot  now  be  Surveyed.  Such  of  them  as,  are  in  a  state  of  readiness 
to  be  Surveyed  we  are  running  out  as  fast  as  practicable  and  are  also 
engaged  in  subdividing  those  Townships  and  fractional  Townships  in 

^  The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  Jones  and  Backus,  May  23, 1810,  ante,  p.  103. 
This  letter  evidently  foreshadowed  the  act  approved  Feb.  20,  1812  (2  Stat. 
677-678),  which  made  such  revision  mandatory.  See  reports  of  the  commis- 
sioners pursuant  to  this  act  in  A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  11,  210-239. 


146  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

which  it  is  Known  there  are  claims  and  where  they  will  fall,  by  the 
time  the  balance  of  the  claims  are  ready  for  surveying  we  shall  have 
the  business  in  such  a  train  as  will  enable  us  to  complete  the  work  in  a 
short  time. 

I  intend  to  viset  Cincinnati  as  soon  as  the  Surveying  Season  is  over 
and  altho  my  contract  with  the  Surveyor  Gen'  does  not  authorise  me 
to  demand  pay  for  the  work  we  shall  do  above  the  Base  Line  until  the 
whole  of  the  private  claims  are  surveyed .  I  trust  the  Surveyor  General 
will  find  it  consistent  with  his  inclination  and  rules  to  pay  us  for  such 
of  the  work  as  we  may  then  have  executed.  Government  have  thrown 
obstacles  in  the  way  that  renders  it  impossible  for  me  to  perform,  the 
business  I  have  undertaken  until  those  obstacles  are  removed.  If  I 
had  been  put  in  possession  of  a  transcript  of  all  the  claims  at  or  soon 
after  my  arrival  here,  I  should  not  have  thought  of  returning  any  part 
of  the  work  above  the  Base  line,  until  the  whole  business  was  completed 
But  since  M"'  Gallatins  instructions  to  the  Commissioners  have  had 
the  effect  to  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  do  a  great  part  of  the  business. 
I  hope  my  expecting  pay  for  that  part  of  the  work  which  we  shall 
actually  perform  will  be  thought  reasonable:  I  wish  you  however  to 
understand  me!  that  I  expect  to  ensure  the  completion  of  this  busi- 
ness by  such  surety  as  will  be  fully  satisfactory  to  the  Surveyor 
General.  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  inform  by  a  line  whether  I  may 
expect,  to  receive,  pay  for  such  surveying  we  may  do  by  the  time  I 
next  go  to  your  office." — 

Please  to  tender  my  respects  to  M"  Mansfield  &  Miss  Mary 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  much  respect  Your  Ob*  Serv' 

W"  Rector 

Gen'  Mansfield 

[Addressed]  Jared  Mansfield  Esquire  Surveyor  Gen'  of  the  U.  S. 
Cincinnati 


WILLIAM  RECTOR  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  m:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Feb'  3"  181L 
Sir    I  am  fully  persuaded  that  Government  ought  to  pay  for 
Surveying  all  the  claims  of  individuals  within  this  District,  whether 
heretofore  legally  Surveyed  or  not. 

I  have  been  induced  to  form  this  opinion  from  the  following  reasons 
Viz  Because  Government  have  directed  that  all  the  claims  shall  be 
Surveyed  immediately  and  declare  the  object  is  to  ascertain  the  vacant 
and  unappropriated  lands  adjacent  thereto.  The  most  of  the  lines  of 
these  Surveys,  not  only  serve  to  bound  the  claims  but  also  become 

"No  reply  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  147 

permanent  boundaries  to  the  lands  of  the  United  States.  Is  it  then 
reasonable  that  Government  should  compel  the  claimants  forthwith  to 
Survey  their  lands  when  the  avowed  object  is  to  ascertain  and  estab- 
lish the  lines  of  the  lands  of  the  United  States,  especially  as  it  is 
notorious  that  many  of  the  claimants  have  not  the  means  or  power  to 
raise  money  to  pay  the  Surveying  fees. 

The  Surveyor  of  these  claims,  by  contract  with  the  Surveyor  General 
stands  bound  in  the  penalty  of  three  thousand  dollars  to  complete  the 
whole  of  the  surveys  of  the  claims  within  a  short  period,  by  which 
contract  it  appears  that  the  Surveyor  General  agreeable  to  the  present 
Law  on  the  subject  is  only  authorised  to  pay  for  Resurveying  those 
claims  that  have  heretofore  been  legally  Surveyed.  If  then  the 
Surveyor  should  proceed  to  lay  off  such  claims  as  have  not  heretofore 
been  Siirveyed  agreeably  to  law,  without  being  employed  by  the 
proprietors  it  is  evident  that  he  could  not  recover  from  them  his  fees 
for  Surveying  their  lands. 

It  cannot  then  be  equitable  for  Government  to  require  of  an  indi- 
vidual his  Services  and  the  considerable  expenditures  that  is  necessary 
to  carry  on  a  difficult  &  laborious  business  for  the  benefit  of  the  U. 
States,  without  renumerating  him  for  those  services  &  expenditiires 

It  is  well  known  that  the  principal  part  of  these  claims  are  scattered 
through,  that  fertile  tract  of  countiy,  that  is  bounded  by  the  Missis- 
sippi River  from  M'^Ilmurrays  Station,  to  some  distance  above  Wood 
river  (occupying  a  base  on  said  river  of  considerably  more  than  one 
hundred  miles)  and  that  after  the  claims  are  satisfied  a  great  part  of 
these  lands  will  remain  the  property  of  the  United  States — It  cannot, 
then  be  politic  for  Govemm  to  compel  the  claimants  to  pay  the  fees 
for  Surveying  their  lands,  for  in  that  case  they  would  necessarily  be 
allowed  a  reasonable  time  to  do  the  business  in,  which  in  a  remote 
country  like  this  (chiefly  inhabited  by  poor  people  who  have  not  the 
means  of  raising  money)  would  be  several  years.  Therefore  in  that 
case  the  most  desirable  and  valuable  part  of  this  Country  would  be 
kept  out  of  market  and  in  a  savage  &  uncultivated  State  for  a  long 
time  which  it  is  plain  would  keep  the  country  in  a  depressed  state,  and 
would  prevent,  considerable  sums  of  money  from  going  into  the 
Treasury  of  the  United  States,  which  it  is  beleived  would  speedely 
arise  from  a  sale  of  these  lands. 

Should  the  Surveyor  General,  think  with  me,  that  an  Act  of  Congress 
ought,  to  be  passed  providing  for  the  payment  of  the  fees  for  Sur- 
veying those  claims,  I  hope  he  will  forward  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  this  statement  together  with  his  opinion  on  the  subject,  or 
take  such  other  course  to  procure  the  passage  of  a  Law  to  that  effect 
as  he  may  deem  advisable  °° 

"  No  reply  found. 


148  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect  your  Ob'  Hble  Serv' 

W"  Rector 
Gen'  Mansfield 

In  The  opinion  expressed  in  the  foregoing  letter  we  most  fully  agree, 
that  the  measure  proposed  is  founded  both  in  justice  and  good  policy — 

E.  Backus 
Mich:  Jones 

[Addressed]  Jared  Mansfield  Esquire  Surveyor  Gen'  of  the  United 
States    Cincinnati  Ohio. — 

(Enclosure  :ALS1 
Statement  of  Robert  Robinson  re  Rector's  claims 

I  have  seen  M'  William  Rector's  statement  on  the  subject  of  the 
private  Surveys,  which  are  yet  to  be  made  in  the  Illinois  &  District 
of  Kaskaskia — I  cannot  but  think  that  his  claim,  under  the  peculiar 
situation  of  this  Country,  is  reasonable  &  I  believe  that  were  the  Sur- 
veys made  at  the  expence  of  the  U:S:  it  would  be  a  Saving  to  the 
Government;  as  the  claimants  are  not  bound  to  survey;  and  as  it 
must  be  an  object  with  the  U:  S:  to  fix  the  boundary,  as  early  as  may 
be,  between  private  and  public  property — 

Febr'y  3"  1811— 

R:  Robinson    AU:S: — 

District  of  Kaskaskia 

[Endorsed]  The  opinion  of  Mj'  R.  Robinson  (United  States  Agent, 
relative  to  Land  claims)  respecting  surveying  private  claims 


WILLIAM  DOBBINS  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
INA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  ni:ALSl 

Shawts'OE  Town  Feb"  4'"  1811 

Sir  Yours  of  Nov"^  2°'*  "  I  had  the  pleasure  to  Recive  And  Note 
the  Contents  The  Corrections  Or  Amendments  you  have  Recom- 
mended Shall  be  Scrupulously  Attended  to  And  I  have  not  a  Doubt 
but  that  they  Will  be  of  Publick  Utility  And  Amongst  those  Capable  of 
Judging  Will  Meet  With  Universal  Approbation — 

Agreeable  to  Your  Instructions  I  did  Commenc  Surveying  About 
the  first  of  January  But  from  the  Inclemency  of  the  Weather  High 
Water  &  my  progress  has  been  Much  Retarded  But  shall  Without 
Instructions  from  you  to  the  Contrary  Continue  here  Untill  the  Busi- 
ness Is  Compleated 

Any  Orders  Or  Communications  you  May  Chuse  to  Make  please 
Direct  to  this  place    Many  Appear  Anxious  to  Know  \Vhen  the  Lotts 

«•  Post,  p.  425. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  149 

Will  be  Sold    I  Should  Thank  you  for  Your  Opinion  On  that  Subject 
I  Am  Sir  With  Sentiments  of  Esteem  your  H.ble  Serv'  & 

W"  Dobbins 
Jared  Mansfield  Esq"' 

[Addressed]  Jared  Mansfield  Esquire  Surveyor  General  U,  States 
Cincinnatti  [Postmarked]  Shawnee  Town  February  25""    25 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  SECRETARY 
POPE 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govt.  Corr.,  1809-13 :LS] 

TREASxmY  Department  Feb.  14.  1811. 

Sir,  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  1"  of  Jan''  last  ^"^  with 
your  contingent  account  for  the  4'"  quarter  of  the  year  1810. 

The  Judges  of  the  Territory  keep  no  office  except  that  of  their 
Clerk,  who  must  of  course  provide  his  own  stationary.  It  is  not 
perceived  that  stationary  for  any  official  purpose  can  be  required  by 
the  Judges. 

A  reasonable  charge  for  a  screw  for  the  official  seal,  will  be  allowed. 

I  am  respectfully  Sir,  your  obed'  Serv' 

—Albert  Gallatin 

Nathaniel  Pope  Esq'  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  TerritorJ^ 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  JOHN  SINGLETON  AND 
OTHERS 

[LC:HF,11  Cong.,  3  Sess.:ALS] 

[Referred  February  14,  1811] 
To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Represetatives  of  the  United  States  in  Cong- 
ress  assembled. 

The  Pettition  of  John  Singleton  praying  that  Congress  would  grant 
him  one  Sexion  of  Land  at  the  Mouth  of  Wood  River  on  the  Misissipi 
and  the  fraction  if  any  then  should  be  lying  between  the  Said  Sexion 
and  the  River  for  the  purpose  of  laying  out  a  Town  in  St  Clair  County 
Illionnoise  Territory  at  two  Dollars  per  acre  to  be  Subject  to  the 
terms  of  payment  as  the  other  Lands  of  the  United  States  are  when- 
ever the  Sales  of  the  other  Lands  in  the  Said  Township  Shall  commence 

John  Singleton 

We  whose  names  are  here  unto  Subscribed  do  think  that  the  place 
mentioned  in  the  above  Pettition  is  a  convenient  place  for  a  Town 
and  nessessary  for  the  settlement  that  there  should  be  one  we  therefore 
pray  that  Congress  would  grant  the  above  Pettition  agreeable  to  the 
Prayer  thereof 

"•  Not  found. 


150 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


James  Hall 
Joseph  Bartlet 
Benja™  Carter 
Toliver  wright 
W"  Ogle 

Wm  Montgomery 
Rezin  Reagan 
John  Hamilton 
James  Hamilton 
Sam'  Rhodes 
Martin  Wood 
James  Stockton 
Davis  Price 
Davis  Stockton 
Jacob  Whiteside 
John  Powel 
John  Bateast  Allare 
Thomas  Gillhim 
Rowland  Huitt 
Jn°  Robeson 
Joshua  Vond 
Chales  Desherly 
Samuel  Yeaton 
Isaac  Gilham 
H  Gillham 
Joseph  M'Cormik 
Micael  Dod 
George  Sanders 
Orman  Beeman 
Jacob  Whitson 
Rydorus  C  Gillham 
James  Gillham 
James  Smith 
Davis  Whiteside 
John  J  Whiteside 
J»"  B  Moore 
W"  Rutherford 
John  L  Whiteside 
David  Everitt 
Matthew  J  Cox 
John  Scott 
John  Jarvis  Jun 
Samuel  Scott 
W^illiam  Adams 
Charles  Warker 
James  Pulliam 
W"  L  Whitesde 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  John  Singleton  of  the  Illinois  Territory. 
Feb^  14.  1811.  Referred  committee  on  the  Public  Lands.**— Pet- 
ti tion 


James  Talbott 
Tho'  H  Talbott 
William  Kinney 
Samuel  Chears 
Robert  Pulleam 
George  Moore 
John  Rusell 
Martain  Prewet 
Phillimen  Higgins  Sen 
Thos  Blankenship 
Sollomon  Prewett 
James  Prewett 
William  Prewett 
Sam'  Whilliams 
Uel  Whiteside 
John  forgeeson 
W"  Whiteside 
Absolom  AVoolams 
William  Gillham  Jr 
Isaac  Forgson 
Isaac  Smith 
Abraham  Pruit 
Joseph  Edun 
William  W  Arnett 
John  Forgeson 
John  Starkey 
Jesse  Starkey 
William  forgeson 
William  Huitt 
William  regan 
george  harmon 
Upton  Smith 
J  P  Davidson 
William  Jones 
Richard  Rattan 
Abel  Moore 
William  Moore 
John  Finley 
John  Vicary 
Philimon  Higgens 
Joshua  Talbott 
Arthur  Morgan 
Elijah  Talbott 
Jacob  Clark 
John  Primm  Jun 
Mich'  Masterson 


Mb  House  Journal,  11  Cong.,  3  sess.,  p.  260. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  151 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  McARTHUR 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

16  Feh'^  1811 
John  IVPArthur  St.  Gene\-ieve    Louis.  Terr^ 

The  PM.  at  Cahokia  states  that  for  five  Weeks  preceding  the  25'" 
Dec'  last  that  yovoc  rider  had  not  called  at  his  office  with  the  mail — I 
have  directed  that  $100  be  retained  from  your  pay  until  a  satisfactory 
explanation  be  given 

GG 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  MESSINGER 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

16  Feh'^  1811 
J.  Messixger  PM.  Clinton  111.  Terr'' 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  PM.  at  Kaskaskia  &  of  every  other  PM.  to 
forward  letters  to  the  places  to  which  they  are  addressed 

GG 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  INHABITANTS  OF  THE 

TERRITORY 

[LC:HF,  11  Cong.,  3  sess.:DS] 

[Referred  February  21,  1811] 
To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 

States  in  Congress  assembled 

The  petition  of  the  undersigned  inhabitants  of  the  East  end  of 
Illinois  Territory  Respectfully  sheweth  that  the  have  Saw  two  peti- 
tions signed  by  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Territory  adressed 
to  your  Body  the  one  in  opesition  to  the  other  the  first  of  these  we 
obgect  to  for  the  reasons  aduced  by  the  second  to  the  second  we 
obgect  for  its  being  so  Contracted  and  Illiberal  in  asking  only  a 
faavour  for  the  few  that  has  been  so  fortunate  as  to  have  obtained 
permits  from  the  Regesters  of  the  Land  office  We  your  petitioners 
humbly  Conceives  that  in  our  openions  that  would  be  unjust  for  thare 
is  in  the  temtory  a  Large  number  of  setlers  Especially  in  this  Ende 
of  it  that  had  not  an  oppertunity  of  obtaining  permits  none  haveing 
been  Granted  to  any  that  was  supposed  to  be  within  the  boundry 
designated  by  Governor  Harrison  for  the  use  of  the  United  states 
saline  Lick  a  boundry  of  atlest  thirty  miles  Long  on  the  Ohio  River 
and  Extendin  about  twenty  miles  from  said  River  including  more  good 
Land  than  Can  be  shown  in  as  much  bounds  in  any  other  part  of  the 
Territory  we  your  petitioners  hope  that  you  in  your  wisdon  will  Grant 
to  Each  and  Every  actual  setler  on  the  unsold  publick  Lands  in  the 


152 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


Territory  one  quarter  Section  of  Land  including  their  improvement 
at  the  price  fixed  by  Goverment  or  that  may  hereafter  be  fixed  that 
is  if  the  are  able  to  Comply  with  said  terms  if  not  let  it  be  solde  to 
him  that  will  give  the  moste  for  it  he  paying  the  setler  a  resonabl 
recompence  for  his  improvement  this  will  be  doing  Equal  Justice  to 
all  and  not  Grindig  the  face  of  the  poor  by  making  Sale  of  their  Labour 
which  is  as  much  theirs  as  any  other  spcious  of  property  the  holde 
you  have  already  Granted  and  ordered  a  Town  to  be  Lade  of  at 
Shawenee  Town  in  said  bounc}ry  above  mentioned  we  hope  you  will 
fix  and  Establish  a  certain  boundry  for  said  Lick  sufficient  to  suply 
the  Lick  with  wood  for  Ever,  and  at  the  Largest  Calculation  three  or 
four  miles  on  Each  side  of  the  Saline  Creek  be  ginning  as  far  above 
the  woorks  as  will  be  thought  necessary  Extending  down  to  the  mouth 
of  said  Creek  which  will  be  amply  sufficiant  your  petitioners  further 
prayeth  that  you  would  grant  to  Each  man  actually  setled  in  the 
boundry  Lade  of  for  a  town  one  in  and  out  Lot  nearest  to  their  Several 
improvements  and  also  give  them  the  privelege  of  moveing  their 
Houses  and  fences  unto  said  lots  the  paying  the  price  for  said  lots  set 
by  goverment  as  a  number  of  them  has  made  Consitherable  improve- 
ments and  has  Laboured  under  many  dificultyes  and  through  them 
the  place  is  become  valuable  and  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound 
will  Ever  pray  &c 


Samuel  F  Carlisle 
Wm  P  Cool 
Bamy  Braceler 
Henry  Kenyon 
J  Campbell 
Charles  Linn 
Joseph  Green 
Charles  Ewing 
James  Fraziaur 

D,  Trimble 

E,  A,  Keeling 
James  Kelly 
Charles  Edets 
Simon  M.  Hubbard 
Charles  Stewart 
Abrem  Stanley 
Geo,  Robinson 
Emanuel  Ensminger 
M  S  Davenport 
Walker  Scanland 
Tho,  Robinson 
Joshua  Sexton 
Adrian  Davenport 
Harris  Wilson 
Jeremiah  Vinson 


Samuel  Robb 
John  Wilson 
Cronton  "  Wilson 
John  Murphy 
Ossbom  Powell 
Mikel  Cambell 
Thonton  tanby  " 
Jeames  Linn 
James  Smith 
Ruben  Cambell 
James  Willes 
Jacob  Willes 
John  Choissen 
William  Kinchlow 
Isaac  Davis 
John  Reid 
John  young 
John  Davis 
Isaac  Morgin 
Enoch  Brown 
John  Forrester 
John  Damewood 
Wardnar  Buck 
Fredrick  Buck 
Jacob  Zellars 


"  Reading  uncertain. 
••  Reading  uncertain. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  153 

A  Davenport  Jur  Alexander  Lomax 

Otho  Davenport  Samuel  Mcclure 

William  West  Alex'^"'  Wilson 

John  Craw  John  Robinson  Jn' 

James  Nathan  Alex"'  Robinson 

Gabriel  Voodrey  W"  Robinson 

Alexander  Druer  John  Robinson  Sn' 

Charles  Dmer  Ge"  Robinson  Jn"' 

Ephraim  Hubbard  Sen''  James  Wiseman 

William  Akers  Samuel  Devall 

Robert  M'^Mullen  John  W  Langford 

Henry  Boyers  John  Kersey 

Isaac  Mclsack  Henry  Green 

John  Reybum  Lewis  Dewall 

Jonathan  Hampton  David  Uley 
William  Standlee 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  East  End  of  the 
Illinois  territory— 21"  Feb^  1811.  Ref'*  to  the  Committee  on  the 
Public  Lands.'"    M'  Lyon  ref""  lands 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  GEORGE  ROBINSON  AND 
OTHERS 
[LC:HF,  11  Cong.,  3  sess.:ADS] 

[Referred  February  23,  1811] 

To  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  The  Petition  of  George 
Robison  in  behalf  of  himself  &  the  Inhabitants  of  Shawnee  Town  &  its 
Vicinity  in  the  fediana  Illinois  Territory  Most  respectfully  Represents 
that  the  Country  on  &  Near  the  Ohio  &  Wabash  rivers  is  Surveyed 
&  ready  for  sale.  That  there  are  many  Setlers  on  said  Lands  who  wish 
to  purchase,  they  have  also  many  friends  in  the  States  Easterly  & 
Southerly  of  the  Said  Territory  who  wish  to  become  purchasers  of  the 
public  lands  in  that  part  of  the  Said  Territory — That  There  is  but 
one  land  office  in  the  Indiana  Territory  which  is  at  Kaskaskias  many 
hundred  miles  from  some  parts  of  those  lands  which  are  to  be  offerd 
for  sale,  That  there  is  a  Wilderness  of  very  considerable  extent  between 
the  whole  of  the  said  Country  &  Kaskaskias,  which  will  long  remain 
such  for  want  of  Wood  &  Water — That  great  Inconvenience  will 
attend  the  Setlers  aforesaid  should  they  be  oblidged  to  go  to  Kas- 
kaskias to  attend  to  their  Land  business  there.  That  this  Circum- 
stance will  tend  to  discourage  purchasers  and  very  much  retard  the 
Settlement  of  the  Country  as  well  as  the  payments  for  land  into  the 
Treasury. 

That  Congress  haveing  at  their  last  session  Established  a  Town 
where  many  of  your  petitioners  live  by  ordering  a  portion  of  the 

"  House  Journal,  Vii,  565. 


154  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

public  land  to  be  Surveyed  into  small  lots  the  price  of  one  of  which 
can  not  be  as  much  as  the  Expence  of  going  to  Kaskaskias  to  pay 
for  it — Your  petitioners  from  these  Considerations  are  induced  to 
hope  that  Congress  will  see  the  Necessity  of  Establishing  a  land 
office  ftt  at  Shawnee  town  or  some  other  place  in  the  Illinois  Territory 
near  the  Ohio  River — for  which  as  in  duty  bound  we  most  respectfully 
pray 

George  Robison  for 
himself  &  the  people  mentioned 
in  the  Petition — 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  George  Robinson,  in  behalf  of  himself  and 
the  people  of  Shawnee  town  and  its  vicinity,  in  the  Illinois  territory. 
23-^  Feby.  1811.  Ref  to  the  Committee  on  the  Public  Lands."  The 
petition  of  George  Robison  &  others  praying  for  the  Establishment 
of  a  Land  office  on  the  Ohio  River  in  the  Illinois  Territory— M'  Lyon 
ref"  lands 


NICHOLAS  BOILVIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,SWDF:LS  "1 

Georgetown  March  5'"  1811. 

Sir  Prairie  des  chiens  is  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Mississippi, 
Illinois  Territory,  about  Six  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Ouisconsin 
and  700  Miles,  by  estimation  above  S'  Louis  tho'  the  distance  is  prob- 
ably overrated,  as  a  well  manned  boat  is  able  to  ascend  from  the  latter 
to  the  former  place  in  about  10  days,  but  it  generally  take  double  the 
time  for  a  loaded  boat  to  perform  the  Same  route. 

The  plat  of  ground  on  which  the  village  Stands  may  be  Said  to 
be  an  island  of  about  three  miles  long  and  about  one  mile  broad; 
but  in  the  Season  of  low  water,  the  back  channel  is  dry,  except 
when  it  forms  a  small  pond  or  lake,  which  may  be  easily  drained — In 
fine  the  back  channel,  is  nothing  more  than  a  Small  creek  or  bayou. 

Prairie  des  chiens  is  an  old  Indian  town  which  was  sold  by  the  Indians 
to  the  Canadian  traders,  about  thirty  years  ago;  where  they  have 
eversince  rendezvoused,  and  dispersed  their  merchandize  in  various 
directions.  The  Indians  also  sold  them  at  the  same  time  a  tract  of 
land  measuring  six  leagues  up  and  down  the  river,  and  about  six 
leagues  back  of  it.    The  village  contains  about  30.  or  40.  houses." 

"  House  Journal,  vii,  570. 

"  A  version  of  this  letter,  under  date  of  Feb.  2,  1811,  is  printed  in  Washbume 
(ed.),  Edwards  Papers  (CHC,  ni),  59-63,  and  in  WHSC,  XI,  247-253,  based  on 
what  is  presumably  a  draft  found  among  the  Edwards  Papers  in  CHS.  There 
are  a  sufficient  number  of  variations  between  the  different  versions  to  justify 
the  publication  here  of  the  original  letter. 

^  At  this  point  there  is  inserted  in  the  Washbume  (Edwards)  version  the 
short  paragraph  which  in  this  printing  follows  Boilvin's  first  signatttfe. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  155 

[If  is  one  of  those  I  bought  at  public  auction  from  Nich'Jarot"  Esq' 
administrator  on  the  estate  of  the  late  M'  Campbell  agent,  the 
property  is  bounded  on  the  south  side  by  the  property  of  the  company 
of  Mackinna,  on  the  north  side,  by  the  property  of  M"'  Dixon,  and 
extends  east  and  west  from  the  river  Mississippi  to  the  Bayou  S' 
Frist.'^  The  improvements  on  it  are:  One  house  sixty  feet  front  about 
twenty  five  feet  deep,  covered  with  bark,  One  ditto  new  thirty  feet 
by  Twenty  five,  not  quite  finished,  One  kitchen  and  Milk  house,  and 
two  old  buildings  for  Stables,  and  a  Spacious  garden  about  four 
acres  fenced  in  with  about  2000  Cedar  posts:  On  the  back  part  of  the 
property  is  a  Small  iminence  which  has  always  been  considered  as  the 
most  Suitable  place  for  a  fort,  Such  is  the  description  of  the  property 
which  I  acknowledge  to  have  Sold  to  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  from  whom  I  also  acknowledge  to  have  received  five  Hundred 
Dollars  for  the  full  pajTnent  of  the  Same. 

N:  BoiLViN] 

There  lives  on  the  tract  of  land  mentioned  above  about  32  famillies; 
so  that  the  whole  settlement  contains  about  100  families;  the  men 
are  generally  french  Canadians  who  have  mostly  maried  Indian  wives: 
Perhaps  not  more  than  12  white  females  are  to  be  found  in  the  Set- 
tlement. 

These  people  attend  to  the  cultivation  of  their  land,  which  are 
extremely  fertile — They  raise  considerable  quantities  of  siu-plus  prod- 
uce, particularly  wheat  and  corn — They  annually  dispose  of  about 
Eighty  thousand  weight  of  flour  to  the  traders,"  and  Indians  besides 
great  quantities  of  meal,  and  the  quantity  of  surplus  produce  would 
be  greatly  increased,  if  a  suitable  demand  existed  for  it — All  kind  of 
vegetables  florish  in  great  perfection  and  such  is  the  beauty  of  the 
climate,  that  the  country  begins  to  attract  the  attention  of  settlers- 
Different  fruit  trees  have  lately  been  planted,  and  promise  to  grow 
well — 

Prairie  des  Chiens  is  surrounded  by  numerous  Indian  tribes  who 
generally  depend  on  it  for  their  supply,  it  is  annually  visited  by  at 
least  6000  Indians,  and  hitherto  they  have  resorted  to  the  Canadians 
traders  for  goods;  because  our  own  apprehended  much  danger,  in 
attempting  to  carry  on  a  trade  with  them:  particularly  as  the  Cana- 
dians generally  prevail  on  the  Indians  either  to  plunder  them,  or  to 
drive  them  away.  Only  one  trader  of  our  own  ventured  into  that 
quarter  during  the  last  year 

'*  Bracketed  portion  (brackets  are  editorial)  is  not  found  in  the  Washburne 
version. 

"  See  A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  v,  312. 

"  The  number  of  acres  by  estimation  should  be  stated.  [Marginal  note  on 
the  MS.] 

"  State  the  price  of  grain.     [Marginal  note  on  the  MS.] 


156  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Great  dangers,  both  to  individuals  and  to  the  Government,  is  to  be 
apprehended  from  the  Canadians;  they  endeavor  to  incite  the  Indians 
against  us,  partly  to  monopolise  their  trade,  and  partly  to  secure 
their  friendship,  in  case  a  war  should  breack  out  between  us  and 
England — they  are  constantly  making  large  presents  to  the  Indians 
which  the  latter  consider  as  a  sign  of  approaching  war,  and  under 
this  impression  frequently  apply  to  me  for  advice  on  the  subject 
hitherto  I  have  been  able  to  keep  them  friendly — 

The  United  States  have  it  in  their  power,  by  the  adoption  of  one 
simple  measure,  to  turn  the  current  of  Indian  trade  on  the  upper 
Mississippi,  and  to  put  an  end  to  the  subsisting  intercourse  between 
the  Canadian  traders  and  the  Indians.  Prairie  des  chiens  from  its 
central  position  is  well  calculated  for  a  garrison  and  factory;  it  affords 
health — plenty  of  fine  timber,  and  good  water,  But  as  the  Indians 
are  numerous,  a  garrison  at  that  place  will  require  at  least  two  com- 
panies of  men — The  Sacs,  Foxes  and  lyowais  Can  be  as  well  supplied 
at  that  place  as  at  Fort  Madisson  '*  particularly  as  they  have  mostly 
abandoned  the  chase,  except  to  furnish  themselves  with  meat,  and 
turned  their  attention  to  the  manufacture  of  lead,  which  they  procure 
from  a  mine  about  Sixty  miles  below  prairie  des  chiens.  During  the 
last  season,  they  manufactured  four  hundred  thousand  pounds  of 
that  article,  which  they  exchanged  for  goods.  The  Sioux  and  other 
Indians  in  that  quarter  have  excellent  mines,  and  might  be  easily 
prevailed  on  to  open  them;  especially  as  the  profits  of  this  manufac- 
ture are  much  greater  and  less  precarious,  then  the  laborious  pursuit 
of  peltries. — A  few  tools  will  be  necessary  for  them,  and  perhaps  a 
blacksmith  to  repair  them  would  be  of  great  use. 

As  soon  as  the  Indians  in  general  turn  their  attention  to  lead,  the 
Canadian  traders,  will  wholly  abandon  the  country,  as  they  have  no 
use  of  that  article,  at  least  in  the  way  of  commerce,  to  encourage 
then  the  manufacture  of  lead  requires  only  the  adoption  of  the  meas- 
ures I  have  mentioned.  The  factory  at  Prairie  des  chiens  ought  to 
be  well  supplied  with  goods,  and  lead  ought  to  be  received  in  exchange 
for  the  merchandise.  This  trade  would  be  the  more  valuable  to  the 
United  States,  as  lead  is  not  a  perishable  article,  and  is  easily  trans- 
ported; whereas  peltries  are  bulky,  and  large  quantities  are  annually 
spoiled,  before  they  reach  the  market — Under  such  a  system  the 
Canadian  trade  would  be  extinguished — 

I  have  not  the  least  doubt  but  that  William  Morris  Esq'  of  Kas- 
kaskia  would  supply  the  troops  at  Prairie  des  chiens  as  cheap  if  not 
cheaper  than  any  body  else,  perhaps  at  35.  perhaps  at  30  Cents  p' 
ration.    This  gentleman  is  as  able  to  furnish  as  any  other  man  in 

"  Fort  Madison,  on  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  the  same  name,  was  estab- 
lished in  1808  by  Lt.  Alpha  Kingsley  ("Fort  Madison",  AnnaU  of  Iowa,  ser.  3, 
lu,  97-110). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  157 

the  country,  as  he  is  a  merchant  of  extensive  business,  and  has  most 
of  the  people  in  his  debt.  At  any  rate  I  am  convinced  that  I  can 
procure  the  rations  to  be  furnished  at  Prairie  des  Chiens  as  cheap  as 
they  are  now  furnished  at  Fort  Madison — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Sir  with  esteem  Your  obedient  Servant '° — 

N:  BoiLViN  "«' 

[The  ^^  land  adjoining  the  buildings  sold  to  the  United  States,  at 
Prairie  des  Chiens,  aforementioned  contains  on  estimate  about  Forty 
acres — 

Flour,  can  always  be  purchased  at  Prairie  des  Chiens  at  three 
Dollars  p  CWt — &  Com  at  Seventy  five  cents  p  Bushel] 

[Addressed]  The  Honorable  The  Secretary  War  City  Washington 

[Endorsed]  Georgetown,  5""  Mar:  1811  Nich^  Boilvin — a  descrip- 
tion of  Prairie  des  Chiens — stating  the  advantages  which  would  be 
derived  to  the  U.  S.  from  the  Establishment  of  a  Garrison  &  Factory 
at  that  place.    ReC*  8""  March  1811      file 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  ELIAS  RECTOR 
[NA:WD.  SW  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  5] 

War  Department,  March  8. 1811. 
Brig'  Gen'  Eli  as  Rector, 

Sir,  Enclosed  herewith  you  will  receive  a  Commission  as  Brigadier 
General  of  the  Militia  of  the  Illinois  Territory.  You  will  please  to 
notify  this  Department  of  your  acceptance." 

I  am  &c — 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  GEORGE  ROBINSON 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

20  March  1811 
Geo  Robinson  PM  Shawnee  Illenois  1^ 

The  2"  set  of  Papers  were  sent  you  by  mistake.  We  have  settled 
with  your  Agent  Col.  Lyon  for  carrying  the  mail  to  Livingston  C^  K^ 
&  expect  you  to  continue  in  that  service  till  1  Ocf  1811 

GG. 


"  See  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Boilvin,  Mar.  14,  1811  (NA,  OIA,  SW,  Lets. 
Sent,  Bk.  C,  printed,  Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv),  appointing  Boilvin  Indian 
agent  at  Prairie  du  Chien. 

™  Bracketed  portion  (brackets  are  editorial)  is  in  the  Washburne  version. 

"  See  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Edwards,  Mar.  12,  1811  (Edwards  Papers, 
CHS,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  p.  535),  advising  of  the  former's  error  in  naming 
Elias  rather  than  William  Rector,  and  instructing  that  the  commission  be  returned 
for  correction. 


158  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  LEONARD  WHITE 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  Q] 

20  March  1811 
Leon""  White  PM  U.  S.  Saline    111'  Terr" 

In  answer  to  yours  of  the  11""  Ulto  '^  I  have  to  remark  that  the 
2"  set  of  Papers  were  forwarded  by  mistake 

G.  G. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  MICHAEL  JONES 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2) 

Treasury  Department,  Afril  18""  1811. 
Michael  Jones  Esq''  Register  of  the  Land  Office  Kaskaskia 

Sir,  I  wish  to  obtain  your  opinion  respecting  the  propriety  of  com- 
mencing the  public  sale  for  lands  in  your  District.  Cannot  a  tract,  or 
some  tracts  be  selected  particularly  along  the  Ohio  sufficiently  clear 
of  private  claims  and  of  which  the  surveys  have  been  returned? 

Referring  you  to  my  letter  of  16'"  January  last,*'  I  must  repeat  that 
the  Register  and  Receiver  have  ceased  to  exist  as  a  board  of  Com- 
missioners, and  I  want  only  their  opinion  annexed  to  each  Governors 
confirmation. 

I  foresee  that  the  omission  on  the  part  of  the  Commissioners  to 
transmit  the  substance  of  the  evidence  in  the  rejected  claims  will  give 
rise  to  a  new  investigation,  as  Congress  for  want  of  that  evidence 
cannot  form  an  opinion  of  the  correctness  of  the  Commissioners's 
decision. 

It  has  upon  several  occasions  been  stated  to  me  that  claimants  have 
been  refused  their  papers  or  copies  of  the  decisions  against  them  on 
the  ground  that  I  had  given  instructions  to  that  effect.  You  know 
that  my  instructions  extended  only  to  a  prohibition  of  giving  copies  of 
decisions,  which  were  liable  to  revision  by  the  board  itself,  until  the 
business  was  completed  and  the  reports  &  transcripts  required  by 
law  had  been  made  to  Congress.  Without  pretending  to  prescribe 
any  rule  respecting  papers,  the  safe  keeping  of  which  is  entrusted  by 
law  to  the  Register,  and  the  preservation  of  which  may  in  many 
instances  be  essential  to  support  the  Commissioners  decisions  and  to 
repel  improper  claims,  I  will  only  observe,  that  so  far  as  relates  to  any 
instructions  from  this  Department  on  that  subject,  or  rather  on  that 
of  communicating  the  decisions  or  the  evidence  on  which  they  rested, 
they  have  ceased  to  exist  from  the  moment  the  reports  of  the  Com- 
missioners were  made,  and  that  in  those  respects  the  Register  must 
exercise  his  own  discretion. 

••  Not  found. 
»  Ante,  p.  144. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  159 

It  has  been  suggested  that  Commissioners  had  asserted  that  they 
acted  by  my  instructions  in  carrying  on  the  examination  of  witnesses 
with  shut  doors.  I  do  not  pretend  to  give  any  opinion  respecting  that 
practice  which  under  existing  circumstances  may  have  been  proper. 
But  as  no  such  instructions  were  given  by  this  Department,  I  presume 
the  report  to  be  unfounded.'* 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 


GOVERNOR    EDWARDS    TO    THE    SECRETARY    OF    WAR 
[NA:  WD,  SWDF:  ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Randolph  Cty  Illinois  Territory  Aipril  27.  1811 
Sir  By  the  last  mail  I  was  honored  with  your  letter  of  the  12  March 
on  the  subject  of  the  appointment  of  a  Brigadier  Genl  of  the  Militia 
of  this  territory.^'  I  immediately  made  it  a  point  to  see  Elias  Rector 
(who  is  the  adjutant  genl  of  the  territory)  concerning  the  mistake 
which  has  occm-ed  he  informed  me  that  he  had  not  Received  any  letter 
from  you  but  that  if  the  commission  should  arrive  that  he  w*  immedi- 
ately give  it  to  me  for  the  purpose  mentioned  by  you.  Of  this  you 
need  entertain  no  doubt.  And  as  the  mail  is  so  very  uncertain,  if  you 
choose  (to  avoid  delay)  to  send  me  a  commission  for  William  Rector, 
It  shall  not  be  delivered  till  the  other  shall  be  returned 
Very  respectfully  I  am  Sir  Y"  Mo  ob'  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  William  Eustis  Esq"'  Secretary  of  War 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia.   Ill:  T:  April   27.   1811.     Ninian    Edwards 
relative  to  a  commission  of  Brig:  General.     Rec"  May  24,  1811  *° 


MATTHEW  IRWIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:  WD,  SWDF:  ALS] 

Chicago  13'"  May,  1811. 
Sir,  We  have  had  intelligence  communicated  to  us,  from  some 
confidential  Indians,  purporting  that,  in  the  early  part  of  the  ensuing 
Summer,  an  assemblage  of  Puttawattamis,  Shawanese  &  Kikapoo 
Chiefs,  with  their  tribes,  is  to  take  place  at  the  mouth  of  the  Theakiki 
river  *'  (about  forty-five  miles  from  this  place,)  which  is  a  branch  of 

^  Reply  not  found.     A  copy  of  this  letter  was  sent  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  to  Governor  Edwards,  Apr.  18, 1811  (NA,  GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2) . 
85  Edwards  Papers  (CHS),  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  p.  535. 
8«  Answered  post,  p.  160. 
"  Kankakee  River. 


160  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  Illinois;  and,  after  the  objects  of  the  meeting  are  developed,  are  to 
proceed  to  the  British  Garrison  at  Amherstburgh,  which  is  in  Canada, 
18  miles  from  Detroit. 

It  is  supposed  the  assemblage,  if  it  takes  place,  will  owe  its  origin 
to  the  Shawanese  Prophet;  and  that  the  result  of  it  will  be  hostile  (in 
the  event  of  a  war  with  Great  Britain)  to  our  Country!  This  infor- 
mation, I  convey  to  you.  Sir,  as  I  received  it,  without  being  able  to 
answer  for  its  authenticity;  but,  nevertheless,  deem  it  of  sufficient 
importance  to  communicate;  and  am.  With  considerations  of  Great 
respect,  Sir,  your  most  Ob'  Serv* 

M.  Irwin 

The  Hon"'*  The  Secretary  of  War,  Washington. 

[Endorsed]  Chicago  IS'*  May  1811  M.  Irwin,  relative  to  the 
hostile  disposition  of  the  Potawattime  &  other  Indians.  Rece**  14'" 
June,  1811 »« 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:  WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  5] 

War  Department  May  25. 1811 
Gov'  Edwards 

Sir  Your  letter  of  the  27""  April  ult°  has  been  received.*'  I  now 
inclose  herewith  a  Commission  for  W"  Rector  appointing  him  Briga- 
dier General  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  which  you  will  please  to  have 
delivered  to  him. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  GOVERNOR 

EDWARDS 

[NA-.GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2] 

Treasury  Depm'  31"  May  1811 
Sir,     Your  letter  of  24"'  ult"  '*  has  together  with  its  enclosures  been 
laid  before  the  President  of  the  U.  S,  who  has  approved  the  lease  of  the 
Lead  Mine  to  W"  Ficklin.    The  copy  of  my  letter  to  you  of  May  28'" 
1810."  on  that  subject  having  been  mislaid,  I  will  thank  you  to 
furnish  me  with  a  copy,  in  order  that  it  may  be  recorded  in  this  Office. 
I  have  &ca. 
His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Esq"^  Gov'  Illinois  Territory. 

>s  No  reply  found. 
"  Ante,  p.  159. 
»»  Not  found. 
•'  Avie,  p.  105. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  161 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  ROBERT 
ROBINSON 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2] 

Treasury  Depmt,  June  10"  1811 
Sir,  Your  letter  of  18"  ult"  has  been  received.'^  The  board  of  Land 
Commissioners  at  Kaskaskia  ceased  to  exist  as  such  when  their  reports 
were  made.  But  I  sent  them  copy  of  that  on  Governor's  confirma- 
tions not  for  further  investigation,  but  merely  in  order  that  they 
should  add,  as  they  ought  at  first  to  have  done,  their  opinion  on  each 
case.  Instead  of  this  they  had  only  made  a  special  report  on  those 
confirmations,  tending  to  discredit  them  generally,  without  enabling 
Congress  to  judge  which  of  them  were  unobjectionable.  I  did  not 
authorize,  for  I  had  not  the  power  to  authorize  a  new  investigation  & 
the  calling  of  witnesses;  nor  could  I  after  the  reports  made  as  afore- 
said consider  you  any  longer  as  the  Clerk  of  a  Tribunal,  not  longer 
existing.  There  could  not  have  been  any  misapprehension  on  that 
subject  if  my  letter  of  23"  May  1810 ''  enclosing  copies  of  these  Gov- 
ernor's confirmations  had  been  received.  As  it  was  not  received,  &  the 
Commissioners  of  course  had  no  instructions  whatever,  how  these 
could  have  been  misunderstood,  or  rather  why  they  acted  at  all,  is 
not  understood.  Still  I  am  perfectly  satisfied  that  both  they  and  you 
acted  with  a  view  to  the  public  service  &  it  is  therefore  my  desire  that 
youi-  advances  for  witnesses  &  fees  may  be  reimbursed.  If  you  will 
before  the  meeting,  of  Congress  transmit  an  account  of  the  same,  it 
will  be  submitted  to  the  Land  Committee,  in  order  that  an  appropria- 
tion may,  if  practicable,  be  obtained.  That  no  further  expenses  should 
in  the  mean  while  be  incurred,  is  evident.'^ 
I  am  &ca. 

R.  Robinson  Esq"^  late  Clerk  of  the  Land  Commissioners  Kaskaskia. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  GOVERNOR 

EDWARDS 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2] 

Treasury  Depm*  22*  June,  1811. 
Sir,  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  10'"  ult".''  It 
seems  proper  from  the  tenor  of  the  Bond  of  which  you  sent  me  copy, 
that  it  should  be  lodged  for  collection  in  the  Bank  of  Kentucky,  and 
that  notice  of  it  should  be  given  to  the  Lessees.  Payment  will  be 
received  at  the  Bank  or  at  its  Lexington  Branch 

•2  Not  found. 
"  Avie,  p.  103. 
"  Reply  not  found. 
«  Not  found. 


162  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Is  it  explicitly  understood  that  the  alteration  in  the  price  of  salt 
and  reduction  in  the  rent  are  definitively  agreed  on?  and  is  the  price 
of  salt  reduced  accordingly?  It  does  not  seem  just  that  a  delay  in 
signing  should  leave  with  the  Lessees  the  alternative  of  confirming  or 
rejecting  the  Agreement  as  they  please. 

I  have  &ca. 

His  Excellency  N.  Edwards  Sidney  Grove,  Illinois  Territory 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade"  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  June  27. 1811 

Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  party  who  pursued 
the  Indians  that  committed  the  murder  which  I  communicated  in  my 
letter  of  the  22  Inst  "  were  not  fortunate  enough  to  overtake  them. 

Since  then  five  Pottawattimies  who  resided  near  Peoria  were  de- 
scending the  Missisippi  river  near  one  Squires  ferry  just  as  he  was 
crossing  a  family  in  his  boat.  On  discovering  the  boat  the  Indians 
immediately  made  towards  it.  Squires  repeatedly  by  words  and  signs 
which  could  not  be  misunderstood  ordered  them  not  to  advance  on 
him  which  proving  ineffectual  he  fired  at  and  mortally  wounded  one 
of  them  who  by  accounts  since  received  was  a  chief 

Today  I  have  heard  of  another  white  man  being  killed  on  the 
frontiers,  but  I  do  not  know  that  the  report  is  to  be  relied  on.  A 
considerable  number  of  Indians  from  those  bands  that  appear  to  be 
most  hostile  are  collecting  on  our  frontier  near  the  Missisippi — They 
descend  the  Illinois  in  Canoes. 

In  consequence  of  those  appeares  &  unfavorable  prospects  i  have 
deemed  as  a  necessary  precaution,  I  have  issued  orders  to  erect  a  chain 
of  block  houses  in  advance  of  the  settlements  at  about  twenty  miles 
from  each  other  commencing  on  the  bank  of  the  Illinois  river,  and  a 
sufficient  force  to  be  distributed  among  them,  with  orders  to  scout 
from  one  to  another  every  day,  to  give  notice  of  all  parties  who  may 
be  coming  into  the  settlements  &  persue  the  trial 

Those  stationed  on  the  bank  of  the  river  I  have  directed  to  permit 
no  Indians  to  pass  who  cannot  give  a  satisfactory  account  of  the 
object  of  their  visit— and  to  effect  this  it  would  be  very  desii-able  to 
have  a  small  part  of  the  military  force  stationed  near  S'  Louis,  to 
assist  me — 


•<  The  name  of  Edwards's  home  farm,  named  in  honor  of  his  wife  (Stevens, 
"111.  in  War  1812",  Trans.  III.  Slate  Hist  Soc,  1901^,  p.  141). 

"  NA  (WD,  SWDF),  enclosing  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  William  Whiteside, 
June  21,  1811  (present),  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  p.  287,  but  without  the 
enclosure.  See  Edwards  to  Whiteside,  June  18  and  June  22,  1811,  ibid.,  pp. 
284-286,  287-288,  concerning  measures  of  defense. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  163 

All  the  accounts  which  I  have  received  relative  to  the  Prophet 
agree  that  he  is  embodying  a  considerable  force  on  the  Wabash,  that 
it  is  daily  increasing,  and  that  his  object  is  to  strike  one  grand  and 
decisive  stroke  as  soon  as  he  is  prepared. 

These  circumstances  produce  such  alarm  &  distress  among  the 
people  as  is  difficult  to  be  conceived  and  I  am  earnestly  entreated  by 
them  &  warmly  pressed  by  the  officers  of  this  government  to  solicit 
the  aid  &  protection  of  so  much  of  the  regular  military  force  as  can  be 
spared  without  a  material  injury  to  the  interest  of  the  United  States — 
Many  eligible  situations  for  a  garrison  could  be  pointed  out,  and  1 
beg  leave  to  observe,  in  addition  to  the  above,  that  no  territory  can 
be  more  exposed  than  this  &  none  is  worse  prepared  to  defend  itself 
for  I  do  not  believe  that  more  than  one  man  in  ten  is  furnished  with  a 
rifle. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sr  ¥"■  M°  Obd'  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  W"  Eustis  Esq'  War  Depart"  Washington  City 

PS  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  copy  a  letter  which  I  yesterday 
rec"  under  cover  from  Gen'  Clarke  '* 

I  should  be  happy  if  any  plan  could  be  devised  for  supplying  this 
territory  with  arms  from  the  manufactory  of  the  United  I  would 
agree  to  be  responsible  either  for  them  if  delivered  to  me  or  what  they 
would  sell  for  to  the  citizens — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Sir  ¥■■  Ob'  S'  N  Edwards 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  June  27.  1811  Gov"'  Edwards— relative  to  the 
Indians,  asks  the  aid  of  a  Milita  force  &  arms,  inclosing  a  letter 
to  Gen'  Clark.— ReC  July  17"'  1811 »» 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  JARED 

MANSFIELD 

[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  m:LS] 

Treasury  Department  July  2>^  1811 

Sir    The  Land  Commissioners  of  the  Kaskaskia  district  having 

made  their  report  on  private  claims,  I  request,  with  a  view  to  the 

public  sales,  that  you  will  state  1.  what  tract  or  tracts  of  land  within 

that  district  have  been  surveyed  and  subdivided  into  quarter  Sections. 

"  Not  present  and  not  seen.  See  also  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  June 
7,  1811  (NA,  WD,  SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp.  285-286),  relative  to 
Indian  depredations  and  the  need  for  an  interpreter.  This  was  answered  June 
26, 1811  (NA,  OIA.  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C;  NA,  WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  5, 
printed  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  p.  536). 

"  Answered  July  18,  1811  (NA,  OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C),  approving  calling 
out  the  militia,  but  expressing  regret  at  its  necessity. 


164  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

2"  What  portion  of  the  Tract  appears  from  M"'  Rectors  returns  to  be 
free  of  private  claims;  3"  whether  all  the  private  claims  founded  on 
old  grants  &  settlement  rights  or  otherwise  already  located  have  been 
surveyed  &  the  returns  thereof  made  to  your  office. 
I  am  very  respectfully  Sir  your  obed'  Serv' 

— Albert  Gallatin 

Jared  Mansfield  Esq'  Surv"'  General    Cincinnati 

[Addressed\  Jared  Mansfield  Esq'  Surveyor  General  Cincinnati 
[Postmarked]  Wash"  City  Jul  6  Treasury  Departm' — Albert  Gallatin 
Free 

[Endorsed]  W  Gallatins  Letter    July  3"  1811 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  July  6.  1811 

Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  a  Captain  of  the  militia 
whom  I  had  sent  out  on  a  scouting  party  has  sent  in  an  express  to  me 
with  information  of  several  other  murders  ha\'ing  been  committed 
by  the  Indians  on  the  frontiers — 

Such  is  the  terror  produced  by  actual  and  threatened  hostility  that 
the  country  exhibits  a  perfect  scene  of  distress — Whole  settlements  of 
considerable  extent  are  deserted,  many  families  are  moving  from  all 
parts  of  the  territory  to  Kentucky  and  the  total  loss  of  many  crops  is 
inevitable. 

This  is  the  only  territory  yet  attacked  it  is  the  least  able  to  defend 
itself  and  is  daily  getting  weaker  from  the  causes  above  mentioned 
I  therefore  hope  I  may  take  the  liberty  to  solicit  aid  from  the  regular 
army  and  as  many  fire  arms  as  can  with  propriety  be  allotted  us  or 
as  can  be  entrusted  with  me  to  dispose  of  in  any  way  for  the  joint 
advantage  of  the  U.  S.  and  the  security  of  the  territory.  The  people 
have  not  arms,  nor  can  they  buy  them,  because  there  are  very  few 
brought  to  this  country  for  sale  and  those  are  sold  at  the  most  ex- 
orbitant prices. 

I  have  ordered  out  three  companies  of  the  Militia  for  our  defense 
And  as  the  movements  of  considerable  bodies  of  men  always  produce 
a  great  effect  on  Indians,  this  may  prevent  us  at  present  from  being 
attacked,  but  there  is  no  security  for  peace — 

In  fact  I  ettft  btrt  consider  peace  as  totally  out  of  the  question. 
We  need  never  expect  it  till  the  Prophets  party  is  dispersed  and  the 
bands  of  Pottowattimies  about  the  Illinois  river  are  cut  off. 

Hostility  with  them  is  grown  into  a  habit — there  is  no  reason  to 
believe  that  they  will  make  sufficient  satisfaction  for  the  murders  they 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  165 

committed  and  the  goods  &  horses  which  they  stole  last  year  or  for 
the  very  agravated  and  increased  instances  of  similar  hostilities  in  the 
present  year,  nor  do  I  suppose  that  the  government  of  the  U.  S.  will 
be  disposed  to  submit  to  such  conduct,  since  it  is  evident  that  the  most 
dangerous  consequences  must  result  from  this  kind  of  forbearance — 

At  present  we  have  no  cause  of  quarrel  but  with  those  Indians  to 
whom  I  have  alluded  in  this  there  is  nothing  to  induce  other  tribes  to 
make  a  common  cause  with  them.  By  punishing  those  who  have 
aggressed  on  us  we  would  deter  others — By  permitting  those  aggres- 
sions to  be  repeated  and  to  pass  unpunished  all  other  tribes  will  cease 
to  fear  us,  in  which  case  we  would  have  good  cause  to  fear  them,  for 
in  that  situation  they  are  always  dangerous,  because  they  then  are 
never  to  be  trusted. 

We  have  no  prospect  of  ever  gaining  any  thing  from  the  prophets 
friendship — We  have  nothing  to  fear  and  much  to  hope  for  from 
hostility  towards  him — for  such  is  the  inveteracy  of  his  enmity,  that  it 
cannot  be  increased,  nor  can  his  disposition  to  injure  and  annoy  us  be 
rendered  more  operative — (Energetic  measures  would  lessen  his 
power  of  forming  coalitions  with  other  tribes  by  manifesting  his 
inability  to  resist  us,  and  the  danger  to  which  they  would  subject 
themselves  by  uniting  with  him).' 

And  indeed  the  situation  in  which  he  places  us  is  the  most  mortifying 
and  embarrassing — Whilst  he  offers  us  every  insult,  encouraging  the 
villainous  outcasts  and  vagabonds  to  attack  our  frontiers,  whilst  he  is 
soliciting  coalitions  against  us,  collecting  his  forces  and  making  every 
preparation  with  the  avowed  object  of  committing  hostilities — we  have 
not  the  power  of  taking  any  efficient  measures  to  arrest  his  progress. 

If  we  do  not  make  preparation  to  meet  him  an  attack  is  certain,  if 
we  make  preparation  formidable  enough  to  deter  him,  tho  no  war 
actually  take  place,  we  have  to  encounter  all  the  expenses,  incon- 
veniences &  injury  to  which  war  with  him  would  subject  us — And 
there  seems  to  be  no  reasonable  ground  to  hope  for  a  change  for  the 
better.  Whilst  he  is  permitted  to  increase  his  strength  from  im- 
punity— This  much  I  have  felt  it  my  duty  to  suggest  from  the  danger 
to  which  this  territory  in  common  with  the  adjacent  ones  is  sub- 
jected— I  forbear  to  enlarge  on  the  subject,  least  I  might  be  supposed 
to  be  too  presumptious  or  to  Transgress  the  rules  which  the  strictest 
propriety  and  decorum  impose  on  me 

I  am  at  a  loss  to  loiow  how  the  militia  of  this  territory  are  to  be  paid. 
The  territory  is  unable  to  pay  them  and  as  there  were  no  troops 
here  like  there  were  in  the  adjacent  territories  and  as  this  was  in 
every  point  even  more  defenceless  than  either  the  necessity  for  order- 
ing the  militia  into  service  was  very  obvious  yet  the  measure  was  not 

'  Parentheses  on  the  original;  they  appear  to  have  been  added  at  some  later  date. 


166  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

taken  without  the  best  advice  and  the  utmost  deliberation.  The 
mail  rout  by  Vincennes  is  now  considered  very  dangerous  &  therefore 
conveyances  thro  that  channel  are  very  uncertain  should  you 
therefore  have  any  instructions  to  give  me  I  suggest  the  propriety 
of  sending  duplicates  one  to  come  tkfe  TcDncsao  by  Russelsville  in 
Ky,  the  other  by  Vincennes.* 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  the  highest  resp'  Sir  Your  mo  Obd'  S* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Hon"'*  William  Eustis  Esq'  War  Department  Washington 
City 

[Endorsed]  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  July  6*"  1811. 
Gov'  Edwards  states  the  outrages  of  the  Indians,  his  is  the  only 
territory  attacked  &  least  able  to  defend — has  heard  of  several 
murders,  peace  out  of  the  question — thinks  the  Prophet  should  be 
punished — has  ordered  out  three  companies  of  Militia — wants  aid 
from  the  Army  &c.  Rec"  Augt.  7'"  1811^  From  Gov'  Edwards  to 
the  Sec''  of  War  Illinois  Terr^  July  6. 1811 — relative  to  Indian  Affairs 
in  that  quarter. — 


NICHOLAS  BOILVIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

MISISIPIE  Riviere  a  la  roc  le  1  juliele  1811  a  La  mine  Le  10 
A  MoNSiEURE  Le  Trais  honorrable  SaicretaireDeGaireW justice 
Monsieur — Depuis  que  jais  Laissez  Wachintone  dou  jais  hus 
Lhoneure  De  recevoire  mais  EnstucSiont  de  vous  poure  La  preris  du 
Chient  je  nais  hus  rien  de  nouvaux  a  vous  aprandre  quil  merrite 
votre  atenssiont,  jais  qu  aujourdhuis  que  jarrive  dans  Le  cceure  des 
nassiont  a  La  riviere  a  la  roche  ou  Tous  Les  Sac  et  Les  renard  Sont 
rassembles  poure  tennire  consaiye  et  Savoire  Les  nouvelle  que  ja 
porte  poure  heux  de  Leure  pere  Lamerriquien,  il  Sont  baucoup 
Enyaisu  de  voire  Le  Convoy  quil  me  Suis,  a  La  mine  au  daifent 
dubuc  qui  a  Etez  vendus  Et  adguges  a  M'  more  Ede  Et  Le  Collonelle 
Smite  Et  veulle  En  prendre  possessiont  centre  La  vollontez  des 
Sauvage  quil  Si  oppose,  dissent  quil  Lavoit  donnfe  Sette  mine  a  M' 
Dubuc  que  poure  Sa  vie  durrente,  Et  aprais  que  Sa  Leure  retournerrais 
a  Leure  nassiont,  je  Sui  Enbarrasse  de  La  maniere  de  mi  prendre 
poure  quil  Lhuis  Eye  point  dacsidant  quil  puise  arrivez  jus  qua  Se 
que  jaiye  recu  Des  Enstrucs  Siont,  de  vous,  que  Sil  doive  Li\Tes  I^a 
mine  ou  nous,  que  Sais  de  La  pare  du  Gouvernement  quil  La  Livres 

»  See  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  June  20, 1811  (NA,WD,SWDF,  printed, 
Edwards,  Hisl.  III.,  pp.  286-287),  reporting  murders  by  Indians,  the  abduction 
of  Rebecca  Cox,  and  enclosing  the  latter's  affidavit  (present  in  NA,  op.  eit., 
but  not  printed). 

•  No  reply  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  167 

ponre,  LOrse  il  ni  aiiras  acune  dificultez  mais  petaitre  quelque  mecon- 
tantement,  tous  Les  Sioux  En  Grende  caultitez  Sont  venus  amont 
absence  a  la  preris  du  Chient  Et  mont  atendus  Lhongtans  poure  me 
voire  Et  Savoire  Des  nouvelle  de  Leure  pere,  Sure  Leure  SituasSiont, 
voyent  que  je  narrivais  poins  M'  Roc  Enterprete  que  javais  Lessez 
a  ma  plase,  Les  a  renvoyez  En  Leure  donnant  quelque  provissiont, 
Et  il  ont  Laissez  tous  Leure  pipe  Et  Leure  parrolle  a  la  maisont  a  la 
Preris  du  Chien  En  me  priEnt  de  Leure  Envoye  M'  Roc  a  mont 
arrive  Leure  portez  Les  nouvelle  Et  une  pipe  de  tabac  poure  fumes 
Et  un  peut  du  Lais  de  Leure  pere  qui  Est  wiskay  poure  boire  un  coup, 
jai  Suis  faChez  de  ne  mi  Etre  pas  trouve  vus  que  que  tout  Les  difair- 
rente  nassiont  Etois  tous  rassembles  poure  tennire  Consaiye,  baucoup 
de  Sauvage  Sont  alles  voire  Les  En  Glais  au  daitrois  vus  quil  Sont 
demendes  de  Leure  pere  LenGlais,  mais  il  ni  as  aucun  Chefe  Con- 
sidairres  dalles  que  dois  jeune  Cout,  je  vous  Ecrirres  Le  ReSultas  de 
mont  arrive  a  la  preris  du  Chient  je  nais  point  EnCore  reSus  Les 
medalle  que  vous  avie  ordonnes  de  menvoy  nis  Les  anuitez  poure  Les 
Sac  Et  Renard.  Le  Generalle  Clarke  mapromis  de  vous  Envoye  Les 
Deux  paux  dourse  que  vous  mav^e  Recommendes  Et  poure  Les 
present  Sauvage  je  vous  Les  Envoirre  Sette  hotone  Si  je  vas  a 
Wachentone  menn^s  Les  Sioux  Et  Les  autre  Chefes  que  vous  mavez 
mordonnerres  de  faire  vennire  qui  Serras  bien  naissaite,  je  ne  ferres 
rien  que  je  naiye  reSus  vos  ordre  autant  que  je  doit  alles  En  aten- 
dant  Se  plaisire  je  vous  pris  de  me  croire  RP  toujoure  daivouye  a  mon 
devoire  Et  vous  pres  de  me  Croire    M'  Votre  trais  hunble  Serviteiu* 

N:  BoiLVEN  agen 

arrivez  a  la  mine  des  pagne  Le  10  juliete  avec  M''  more  Ede  Et 
Enverront  60  home  poure  prendre  possessiont  Dais  taire  quil  avoit 
achettez  de  feux  Dubuc,  Les  Renard  Sont  tous  rasembles  poure 
tennire  Consaiye  avai  que  moy  a  se  Sujais  il  se  sont  aupossez  alhuis 
Laissay  prandre  Et  maime  De  Le  Laissez  daibarquez  Sure  Leure 
taire  disent  quil  venais  que  poure  Leure  autez  Lepain  de  La  bouche 
de  Leure  fame  Et  Enfant,  Et  que  Sil  Leur  paire  Lhuis  avoit  ordonnes 
de  prendre  possession  quil  me  Laurais  dis  Et  poure  Lorse  il  ne  se 
Sen-ais  point  oppossez  Contre  Le  Gouvemement,  jais  hus  de  La  pene 
a  arrette  une  mauvaise  afaire  tous  dune  parre  que  De  Lautre  vus 
quil  Etais  dispossez  de  Se  batre  Jtous  dune  pare  que  de  Lautre  mais 
Les  blans  Etois  trop  feble  Le  Generalle  Clarke  vous  Ecriras  Le  Con- 
tonnus  vus  que  jenvoy  Les  Chefe  aLhuis  Et  au  Guvemeur  poure 
arrenges  Sette  afaire  Et  mais  crire  Le  reSultas  Et  jarengerres  Le 
Reste  je  voy  aussi  un  prisonnie  Sac  qui  etaes  un  frens  say  dans  La- 
boisont  de  veut  que  jarrive  Lhuis  qui  a  Etez  a  Waschentone  il 
Lhuis  a°  5  anes  qui    Se  nome  Le  prense  on  Wapalla 

N»  BOILVIN 


168  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

[Addressed]  A  Monsieur  William  y  Eustice  SaiCrtaire  de  Gaire — 
Wachentone  federale  Sitez 

[Endorsed]  River  la  roche  11  July  1811  N.  Boilvin  detailing  a 
differenc  between  the  Indians  &  certain  settlers — also  about  bear 
Skins  &  an  intended  visit  of  the  Indians— Some  have  gone  to  See 
the  English— will  give  the  result  of  their  visit  &c.  &c.  (vide  trans- 
lation inclosed)  Rec"  20'"  Augt  1811  * 

[Contemporary  translation] 

7'"  July  1811 

Sir  Since  I  left  Washington,  where  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  my 
instructions  from  you  for  the  Praire  du  Chien,  I  have  had  nothing 
to  inform  you  of,  worthy  your  attention — I  arrived  in  the  heart  of 
the  Nation  at  the  river  la  roche  this  day  where  the  Sacs  &  foxes  are 
assembled  to  hold  a  council  &  to  know  the  news  I  have  brought  to 
them  from  their  American  Father — They  are  much  troubled  at  ob- 
serving the  convoy  which  follows  me  to  the  mine  of  the  deceased 
Dubuc,  which  has  been  sold  to  M'  More  ede  &  Col.  Smite,  and  they 
would  take  possession  of  it,  in  opposition  to  the  will  of  the  Savages, 
who  oppose  it,  saying  that  they  had  given  that  mine  to  M'  Dubec  ' 
during  his  life,  after  which  it  was  to  revert  to  the  nation — I  am  em- 
barrassed about  what  method  to  take  to  prevent  accidents  which 
might  arise  from  this,  until  I  have  received  instructions  from  you,  to 
deliver  it  up  or  not,  &  know  the  opinion  of  the  Government,  when 
there  will  not  be  any  difficulty,  but  perhaps  some  discontent. 

The  Sioux  in  great  numbers,  came  in  absence  to  the  Praire  du 
Chien,  and  waited  a  long  time  to  see  me  &  learn  the  intelligence  from 
their  Father  about  their  situation— Seeing  I  did  not  arrive,  M'  Roc, 
interpreter,  who  I  left  in  my  place,  sent  them  back  to  their  homes 
with  some  provision — They  left  their  pipe  &  their  talk  at  the  house 
at  praire  du  chien,  and  beged  that  I  would  send  M'  Roc  to  them  on 
my  arrival  with  a  pipe  of  tobacco  to  smoke  &  whiskey  to  drink — I 
am  sorry  I  was  not  there,  as  the  different  tribes  had  assembled  to 
hold  a  council 

Many  Indians  have  gone  to  visit  the  English  at  Detroit  to  which 
they  were  aske^  required  invited  by  their  English  Father,  but  no 
considerable  chief  accompanies  them — I  will  inform  you  of  the  result 
on  my  arrival  at  praire  du  chien. 

I  have  not  yet  rec""  the  medals  which  you  ordered  to  be  sent  to  me, 
nor  the  annuities  for  the  Sacs  &  Foxes. 

Gen'  Clarke  promised  me,  to  send  to  you  the  two  bear  skins,  which 
you  wished  <fe  fey  tfeis  I«di«ft  they  are  not  yet  obtained,  I  will  send 
them  to  you  in  the  fall.  If  I  go  to  Washington,  to  conduct  the  Sioux 

•  Answered,  Aug.  29,  1811  Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv). 
'  Dubuque? 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  169 

&  other  chiefs  as  you  have  ordered  me  I  shall  do  nothing  but  by 
your  orders  before  I  depart — In  waiting  your  pleasure  I  pray  you  to 
believe  me  Sir  always  attending  to  my  duty  &c.&c. 

Arrived  at  the  mine  des  paque  °  the  10'"  July  with  M'  Moore  ede  & 
about  60  men  to  take  possession  of  the  land  which  he  had  bought  of 
the  late  Dubec — The  Foxes  are  assembled  to  hold  a  council  with  me 
upon  this  subject.  They  were  opposed  to  letting  him  take  possession, 
or  even  to  suffer  them  to  debark  upon  their  Territory  saying,  that  he 
came  there  for  nothing  but  to  deprive  their  wives  &  children  of  bread, 
and  that  if  their  Father  had  orderd  him  to  take  possession,  that  he 
would  have  told  me — And  then  they  would  not  oppose  the  government 
— I  had  great  difficulty,  to  prevent  mischief  to  both  sides — as  they 
were  disposed  to  fight  on  both  sides  &  the  Whites  were  weak — Gen' 
Clarke  will  write  more  about  this  as  I  sent  the  Chiefs  to  him  &  the 
Governor,  to  arrange  this  affair,  and  requesting  them  to  write  me  the 
result,  &  I  would  settle  the  rest — I  met  also  a  french  man,  who  was 
a  prisoner  to  the  Sacs — he  was  at  Washington  about  5  years  since — 
his  name  is  Wapalla.  

GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade,  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  Aug*- 11. 1811 

Sir  I  had  the  honor  last  night  to  receive  your  letter  of  the  18  Ulti.' 

As  nothing  less  than  the  most  perfect  conviction  of  the  necessity  of 

the  measure  could  have  induced  me  to  call  out  the  militia.     They  were 

discharged  as  soon  as  I  could  be  satisfied  that  their  services  were  not 

absloutely  &  indispensibly  necessary — 

The  report  of  the  murders  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the  6  Ulti  * 
proved  to  be  unfounded.  And  in  general  the  little  bands  who  were 
hovering  about  our  frontiers,  became  alarmed  at  our  movements  and 
returned  to  their  villages.  In  one  instance  however  about  the  middle 
of  last  month  a  small  party  made  an  attack  upon  some  people  on  the 
frontiers  but  no  injury  was  done. 

I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  you  a  copy  of  a  talk  which  is  to  be 
delivered  in  a  council  that  I  have  required  to  be  held  on  the  Illinois 
river  ' — This  has  been  sent  on  by  Captain  Levering  '"  who  is  well 

'  D'Espagne? 

^  NA  (OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C),  in  answer  to  Edwards's  of  June  20,  June  22, 
and  June  27. 

8  Ante,  p.  164. 

"Present,  under  date  of  July  21,  1811;  it  is  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  pp. 
45-47.  This  action  by  Governor  Edwards  was  in  response  to  a  request  from 
Governor  Howard  and  William  Clark,  of  Louisiana  Territory,  to  apprehend  and 
punish  the  murderers  of  certain  white  people  in  the  latter  Territory.  For  the 
Louisiana  phase  of  the  episode  see  Terr.  Papers  (La.-Mo.),  xiv.  See  also  post, 
p.  174. 

"  Commissioned  May  20,  1811  (Register,  post,  vol.  xvil). 


170  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

qualified  to  discharge  the  duties  required  of  him.  he  ascended  the 
Illinois  in  a  boat  with  8  or  10  oarsmen,  and  if  successfull  in  the  object 
of  his  mission  will  be  prepared  to  bring  with  him  the  offenders. 

The  outrages  that  have  been  committed  are  of  the  most  serious 
nature  and  I  thought  it  expedient  to  make  the  demands  contained  in 
the  talk  in  the  strongest  terms. 

Little  indeed  do  I  know  of  Indians  but  that  little  induces  me  to 
believe  without  a  doubt  that  our  best  policy  is  to  u.se  the  most  con- 
ciliatory course  with  those  who  treat  us  well — And  the  most  prompt 
and  energetic  measures  with  those  who  treat  us  otherwise. 

Such  measures  being  right  in  themselves — just  towards  the  Indians 
and  necessary  at  all  times  to  our  safety — appear  to  me  to  be  equally 
proper  whether  we  are  to  have  peace  or  war  with  England  In  the 
latter  case  by  punishing  those  who  have  so  seriously  aggressed  on  us 
when  we  can  fight  them  single  handed,  the  more  they  would  be  de- 
tered  and  consequently  the  more  difficult  would  it  be  to  rally  them 
hereafter  against  us — 

I  can  see  no  reasonable  probability  of  avoiding  a  confiict  with  the 
Prophet  &  his  party.  They  have  taken  a  hostile  attitude  against  us 
and  so  long  as  we  permit  them  to  continue  it,  their  confidence  will 
increase,  the  seeds  of  discontent  will  be  sown  far  and  wide  and  they 
will  be  continually  adding  to  their  strength — 

Their  situation  is  such  that  they  can  loose  no  more  by  war,  than 
by  any  pacifications  which  Gov'  will  be  disposed  to  offer  them — They 
set  up  a  claim  to  land  which  has  been  ceeded  to  the  United  states  and 
they  have  in  the  most  formal  and  unequivocal  manner  declared  to 
Gov''  Harrison  (a  high  official  organ  of  the  gov')  that  they  will  main- 
tain their  claim  by  force,  nor  are  these  mere  empty  declarations,  for 
being  fully  sensible  of  the  danger  to  which  they  lead  we  all  know  that 
they  are  preparing  to  meet  it.  by  collecting  forces  from  various  tribes 
and  concentrating  them  on  the  spot — Now  whether  the  Prophet  in- 
tends to  make  war  or  not  partial  war  must  continue  to  be  the  conse- 
quence— The  hostility  which  he  excites  against  the  U.  S.  is  the  cement 
of  union  among  his  confederates  And  such  is  the  nature  of  Indians 
that  they  cannot  be  collected  and  kept  together  under  such  circum- 
stances without  having  their  minds  prepared  for  war — and  in  that 
situation  it  is  almost  impossible  to  restrain  them  from  premature  acts 
of  hostility. 

Were  this  the  only  danger  it  would  be  sufficient  to  justify  the  dis- 
persion of  the  prophets  party.  But  we  cannot  I  think  reasonably 
expect  that  the  Prophet  will  without  a  struggle  yield  up  all  the  fruits 
of  his  ambition  and  abandon  schemes  which  he  has  been  so  long 
maturing,  the  promulgation  of  which  has  given  to  him  or  his  brother 
such  great  consequence  among  his  own  and  the  neighbouring  tribes. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  171 

If  his  object  be  to  keep  the  land  he  claims  he  will  not  suffer  the 
force  he  relies  on  for  this  purpose  to  be  dispersed — If  his  object  be 
glory  or  ambition  he  will  not  pusillanimously  surrender  it  after  all 
his  vauntings  without  the  utmost  effort  in  his  power  to  maintain 
it — nor  will  he  in  this  case  consent  to  the  dispersion  of  his  warriors 
and  thereby  render  himself  unable  to  make  such  effort  by  reducing 
himself  to  insignificance  and  contempt. 

In  fact  there  is  a  crisis  approaching  between  him  and  us.  and  it  only 
rests  with  our  gov'  to  decide  when  it  will  be  most  expedient  to  meet 
it.  I  have  said  this  much  of  the  Prophet  because  I  have  not  a  doubt 
but  that  he  is  the  cause  of  all  the  mischiefs  and  vexation  te  which  has 
agitated  this  territory. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Very  respectfully  Sir,  Yr  Mo  obd'  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  W  Eustis  Esq"'  War  Departm*  Washington  City. 

PS.  I  should  be  very  happy  to  obtain  swords  &  pistols  enough 
for  two  companies  of  horse  if  they  can  be  spared  In  this  Praire 
country  they  might  be  very  useful.     Y'  Obd'  St.N  Edwards 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  Aug.  11.  1811  Gov.  Edwards  forwarding  a 
talk  for  the  Indians — Gives  good  reasons  that  the  Prophet  will  not 
relinquish  his  designs  without  a  contest — Wishes  swords  &  pistols  for 
two  troops  of  horse.    Rec"  Sept  3.  1811  " 

[Enclosure] 

Governor  Edwards  to  William  Whiteside 

June   8'"   1811 

Sir  Continue  the  party  you  have  ordered  out  till  further  orders, 
I  presume  they  will  be  sufficient  for  the  purpose  for  which  they  are 
intended  being  numerous  enough  to  make  discoveries,  and  resist  mere 
straglers — 

Have  the  Militia  under  your  command  immediately  classed,  and 
prepared  to  march  at  a  moments  warning;  order  every  Captain,  at 
least  those  on  the  frontiers,  to  be  ready — 

Should  any  depredations  be  committed  within  the  bounds  of  his 
company  to  repel  the  attacks  or  to  follow  and  take  those  Indians, 
who  may  commit  those  outrages  Should  circumstances  clearly 
justify  a  reasonable  belief  of  an  Invasion  by  any  tribe  of  Indians,  you 
will  designate  such  officers  &  such  force,  as  you  may  think  adequate 
to  repel  it.     And  transmit  an  accoimt  thereof  to  me — 

Should  immediate  persuit  be  made  after  any  Indians,  who  may  have 
stolen  horses,  or  committed  murders  &c.  and  they  be  overtaken  with 
the  property  in  their  possession,  or  be  otherwise  clearly  assertained  to 

"  Answered  post,  p.  173. 


172  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

be  the  identical  persons  who  committed  those  offences — your  orders 
must  be  for  the  men  to  take  them  peaceably  if  possible  that  they  may 
be  brought  to  trial  in  a  legal  way,  and  be  made  examples  of — But  if 
they  cannot  otherwise  be  taken,  to  let  not  a  single  man  escape  alive — 

As  many  men  might  be  disposed  to  take  advantage  of  the  latitude 
here  given,  I  shall  request  you  to  select  as  officers  (where  it  is  in  your 
power)  those  in  whose  discretion  you  can  best  confide — 

Enjoin  it  on  the  officers  not  to  make  an  attack  upon  any  party  of 
Indians,  under  any  of  the  above  orders  without  being  fully  prepared, 
and  determined  to  make  it  successfully" 

Y'&c. 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

[Endorsed]  Gov  Edwards  to  Colo  Whiteside 


ROBERT  HEATH  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

[NA:SD,  Misc.  Letters:ALS] 

Saint  Charles  20'"  awg'  1811 
Dear  Sir  feeling  a  disposition  to  make  some  Experiments  at  a 
salt  spring  on  or  near  the  Mississippi  about  100  Miles  above  St  Louis 
in  the  Illinois  Territory  at  a  place  called  the  lost  Slie  nearly  opposite 
the  Entrance  of  salt  River  I  applied  to  Gov'  Ninian  Edwards  for 
permission  to  make  Experiments  or  to  have  a  certain  term  of  the 
place  " — who  informed  me  by  letter  that  he  had  nothing  to  do  with 
&  that  it  was  out  of  his  power  to  act,  '*  &  I  have  since  learned  from 
an  intelegent  gentleman  that  it  is  the  business  of  the  Secretary  of 
State — that  Superintend  such  affairs — if  so.  I  ask  (under  reasonable 
restrictions)  a  term  of  said  Saline  that  I  may  improve  Experience  & 
if  it  be  lucrative  to  reimburse  my  Expence — or  that  some  Subagent 
be  authorized  to  contract  &  agree  with  me  for  that  purpose — that 
justice  might  be  certain  to  be  done  the  Government  &  well  as  the 
Citizen  by  all  parties  making  the  arrangment  under  view  of  the 
object — it  is  a  long  distance  from  the  inhabitant  (and  population  the 
principal  benefit  to  such  establishments)  in  the  Indian  ranges,  though 
on  Harrison  purchase)  No  certainty  of  the  quantity  or  quality  of 
the  water:  and  what  there  is  in  a  praire  one  mile  from  timber  and 
Salt  making  no  great  object  here  as  it  sells  now  at  this  place  &  St 
Louis  at  one  dollar  per  bushel — But  if  you  will  permit  me  to  take 
possession  and  continue  it — for  three  years  if  I  find  it  my  interest  I 
will  leave  to  the  U  States  all  the  improvements  &  fixture  necessarily 

"  There  is  also  present  a  third  enclosure  with  the  letter  of  Aug.  11,  1811,  con- 
sisting of  the  short  journal  of  Captain  Hebert,  who  accompanied  Captain  Lever- 
ing on  his  mission  to  the  Kiclcapoo. 

'»  Not  found. 

'*  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  173 

used  in  Salt  making — or  for  two  years  with  liberty  to  remove  moveables 
attached  to  the  Establishment,  in  either  case  I  would  Commence 
operations  thirty  days  after  your  grant  reaching  me — If  this  water 
shou'd  prove  of  good  Quality  and  in  plenty  it  will  Certainly  be  of 
the  greatest  advantage  to  the  inhabitants  of  Louisiana  &  Illinois, 
they  need  something  to  lighten  their  burden  of  Salt  Expence  &c — it 
may  please  you  appoint  some  good  man  to  act  for  you  in  this  affair 
that  lives  convenient,  an  answer  as  soon  as  convenient  " 


Respectfully  yours 


Robert  Heath. 


[Addressed]  James  Monroe  Sec'y  State  Washington  City — Mail 
[Postmarked]  S'  Louis  Aug'  22°"  Free 

[Endorsed]  24.  Augt  1811  Rob'  Heath — proposes  to  make  salt 
above  S'  Louis — 24  August  1811.  Robert.  Heath  proposing  to  make 
salt  above  S'  Louis. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Dept  Sept  4*''  1811 
Gov.  Edwards 

Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Excellencys 
letter  of  the  11'"  of  Aug  '*  inclosing  a  proposed  talk  to  the  Chiefs  of 
the  Putawattamies 

It  appears  from  returns  made  to  this  Dep'  that  all  the  Swords  & 
Pistols  have  been  issued  from  the  Arsenal  at  Newport  to  Gov*  Harrison 
&  Howard  excepting  Sixty  pairs  of  pistols.  Any  part  of  these  which 
may  be  necessary  to  equip  the  Cavalry  for  immediate  Service,  may 
be  delivered  by  the  Military  Store  Keeper  to  the  order  of  Your 
Excellency,  on  the  terms  on  which  the  rifles  were  authorized  to  be 
issued,  by  my  letter  of  the  18'"  July  last.  '' 


WILLIAM  LOWRY  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

[NA:SD,  Applications :ALS] 

Balt"  9'"  Sep'  1811 
SIR.  Understanding  that  the  death  of  M'  Elijah  Backus  late  Re- 
ceiver of  the  Publick  monies  for  the  Land  office  of  the  District  of 
Kaskaskias  has  left  a  vacancy  in  that  office,  I  take  the  liberty  of 

"  No  reply  found. 

"  Anle,  p.  169. 

1'  NA  (OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C). 


174  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

soliciting  your  interest  with  the  President,  to  be  appointed  his  suc- 
cessor. 

I  have  now  acted  as  Deputy  Naval  Officer  of  this  Port  for  six  years 
past,^ — The  unfortunate  state  of  our  Foreign  trade  has  so  reduced  the 
Fees  of  office,  that  my  proportion  for  the  last  3  years,  has  been  scarcely 
sufficient  to  support  my  family.  The  fixed  salary  of  the  oflice  I 
solicit,  is  small,  but  I  understand  that  living  is  cheap,  and  the  Country 
delightful,  besides  I  have  a  daughter  married  at  Kaskaskias,  who  is 
extremely  desirous  of  my  removal  to  that  Climate. 

There  are  many  of  my  Countrymen  (Irish)  who  I  believe  would  be 
easily  induced  to  follow  my  example,  and  remove  with  their  families, 
to  a  country  so  favourably  spoken  of;  a  circumstance  that  I  suppose 
would  be  desirable  to  Government. — It  would  be  strengthening  the 
Frontiers,  and  introducing  orderly,  and  well  disposed  Citizens  among 
many  who  are  turbulent,  and  difficult  to  be  governed  in  any  Society. 

I  hope,  sir,  that  my  devotion  to  the  present  Government,  &  my 
exertions  to  be  useful  as  a  Militia  officer,  may  not  be  altogether  un- 
known, and  that  possibly  I  might  be  of  some  service  in  the  latter 
Capacity,  where  I  now  solicit  to  be  sent. 

As  I  have  not  the  honor  to  be  known  to  any  of  the  heads  of  depart- 
ments but  yourself,  I  must  rest  altogether  upon  your  friendly  good 
offices  upon  this  occasion,  which  in  fact  I  have  no  other  claim  to  than 
what  arises  from  your  own  goodness." 

I  am,  sir,  with  true  respect  your  ob*  hub  s* 

W"  LOWRY 

[Addressed]  The  honorable  James  Monroe  esq  Sec^  of  State  Wash- 
ington   Free 

[Endorsed]  9  Septem.  1811.  William  Lowry. — wants  appm'  as 
Receiver  of  public  monies  for  the  Land  office  of  the  District  of  Kas- 
kaskias. M'  Lowry  9  Sep""  11  solicits  to  be  appointed  Receiver  of 
publick  monies  for  the  land  office  of  district  of  Kaskaskias — 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  Sep^  28. 1811 
Sir,  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a  letter  from  Captain  Levering 
the  gentleman  whom  I  sent  on  the  mission  to  the  Tribes  of  Indians  on 
the  Illinois  river  and  its  waters  together  with  the  speeches  of  two  of 
the  principal  chiefs  which  will  shew  the  unfavorable  result  of  the  mis- 
sion.— It  appears  that  they  either  believed  that  I  had  threatened  to 
kill  their  women  and  children,  or  that  they  pretended  to  believe  so — 

"  John  Caldwell,  of  Indiana  Territory,  was  nominated  to  the  vacant  post, 
Mar.  30  and  confirmed  Apr.  1,  1812  {Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  II,  242). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  175 

In  this  however  they  were  corrected  by  Cap.  Levering.  The  Little 
Chief  was  at  first  extremely  impudent  and  insulting,  having  a  flag  of 
the  United  States  he  turned  it  upside  down  and  suspended  it  in  that 
position  at  the  door  of  the  house  he  occupied,  merely  for  the  purposes 
of  insult — This  happened  before  they  went  into  council,  and  being 
observed  by  Captn  Levering  he  required  that  the  flag  should  be  taken 
down  or  its  position  changed  which  for  one  day  was  refused — He  then 
in  the  most  positive  manner  informed  the  little  chief  that  if  the  insult 
was  persisted  in  he  would  not  deliver  the  talk  I  had  sent  but  would 
instantly  return — This  produced  the  desired  effect,  and  before  the 
council  was  ended  the  Little  Chief  became  the  most  submissive  & 
complaisant  among  the  Indians  who  were  present — 

Capt°  Levering  after  his  return  was  making  out  his  journal  which 
from  what  I  have  seen  of  it.  would  have  contained  a  great  deal  of 
useful  information  but  before  he  compleated  it  he  was  taken  sick  and 
died. 

A  severe  attack  of  fever  has  hitherto  prevented  me  from  making 
this  communication  &  the  same  cause  renders  me  totally  unable  to 
be  more  particular  at  present- — The  enclosed  papers  were  received 
when  I  was  extremely  ill  and  I  am  not  able  now  to  review  them'' 

I  am  with  the  highest  respect  Sir  Yr  Mo  Obd*^  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Hon"'*  W"  Eustis  Esq"  War  Department  Washington  City 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  Sept  28.  1811  Gov.  Edwards  Inclosing  the 
result  of  a  mission  to  the  Indians.    Rec"*  Oct  16,  1811-° 

[Enclosure:  ALS] 

Samuel  Levering  to  Governor  Edwards 

PlORiA  August  12'"  1811 
Sir    The  arrival  of  a  canoe  at  this  place,  from  Michillimackinack, 
bound  to  S'  Louis,  fortunately  furnishes  an  opertunity  of  writing  to 
your  Excellancy 

On  our  ascending  of  the  Illinois  river  we  soon  discovered  the  appre- 
hensions of  the  Indians,  by  the  recent  disertion  of  their  camps.  Noth- 
ing extraordinary  occured  on  our  passage  to  this  place,  where  we 
arrive  on  the  S"*  Ins',  my  intention  was  to  proceed  immediately  on  to 
Gomaux  Village,  but  whilst  I  was  engaged  in  delivering  letters,  and 
willing  for  the  men  to  take  some  refreshment  &  rest  for  a  moment; 

"  In  addition  to  Levering's  letter,  there  are  two  other  enclosures  present:  the 
speeches  of  Gomo  and  the  Little  Chief,  both  under  date  of  Aug.  17,  1811,  though 
Gome's  speech  was  probably  delivered  on  Aug.  16.  Both  are  printed,  Edwards, 
Hist.  III.,  pp.  47-50,  which  also  contains  a  full  account  of  Levering's  mission, 
ibid.,  pp.  38-55. 

"  Acknowledged  post,  p.  179. 


176  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

I  was  informed  that  an  Indian  had  gone  to  apprise  Gomaux  of  our 
arrival  and  call  him  to  Pioria.  It  then  appeared  likely  to  me  that 
in  going  up  by  water,  we  should  pass  him  coming  down  by  land  I  imme- 
diately dispatched  a  letter  (the  inclosed  is  a  copy  ^■)  to  Gomaux  by 
M'  Foumier,  disiring  him  to  wait  on  me.  The  Indian  reached  the 
Village  before  Foumier,  and  reported  that  fifty  whites  armed  cap-a-pie, 
had  arrive,  and  the  probability  was  that  this  was  a  decoy  to  entrap 
Gomaux  and  notwithstanding  M'  Fourniers  representations  to  the 
contrary  Gomaux  came  with  fourteen  of  his  armed  men.  The  next 
morning  after  another  message  he  appeared  in  all  the  stern  solemnity 
of  Indian  usage — 

I  read  and  delivered  to  him  your  letter  "  which  I  had  interpreted, 
He  answered  that  he  was  glad  we  had  come  among  them,  and  would 
immediately  return  home,  the  next  day  prepare  and  equip  his  young 
men,  so  that  they  might  be  started  the  succeeding  morning  to  call 
the  Chiefs  to  counsill.  He  answered  my  inquiries  respecting  the 
number,  situation,  and  distances  of  the  several  Chiefs  of  the  Putowa- 
tomies,  but  I  believe  he  did  not  answer  with  candour— I  have  not 
however  hinted  a  suspicion  of  this,  that  my  eye,  and  ear  may  have  a 
free  range.  He  had  no  knowlege  of  the  Chiefs  on  Yellow  creek! 
He  could  give  me  no  information  of  the  Putowatomies  on  the  Fox 
river,  whether  they  had  a  Chief  or  not!  But  on  further  enquiry  found 
their  Chief  resides  at  Millwackee  on  lake  Michigan,  and  two  days 
after  he  told  me  of  a  Chief  on  Fox  river,  by  name  Po-so-tuck,  and 
would  endeavor  to  have  him  at  the  councill— 

Perhaps  the  difficulty  of  translating  commimicating  the  Putowa- 
tomy  through  the  French  language,  into  the  English,  does  measurably 
prevent  the  meanings,  and  he  might  have  been  under  suspicions  of  my 
being  a  courier,  to  spy  &  gain  information  for  an  efficient  force  that  he 
is  under  considerable  dread  of  other  chiefs,  there  can  be  no  doubt.  He 
is  unpleasantly  situated,  he  is  the  nearest  to  our  frontiers  except  a 
Band  of  Kickapoos  of  about  40  to  the  north  &  east  of  this,  on  his 
opposite  quarters,  he  is  surrounded  by  Tribes  that  find  themselves 
further  removed  from  our  vengeance.  And  in  case  they  wish  to 
depredate  on  us,  they  pass  by  him  making  his  nation  serve  as  a  cover 
to  their  retreat  Yet  by  his  endeavors  he  must  be  our  friend,  or  he 
is  a  deceitful  scoundrel  and  aflfraid  of  the  Americans 

I  set  out  on  the  6'"  Ins*  to  visit  him  at  his  village  and  as  he  could 
not  promise  to  send  for  and  bring  to  the  councill  (in  the  time  I  could 
wait)  as  many  Chiefs  as  I  though  advisable,  I  wished  to  reach  his 
Village  that  evening  before  the  Runners  were  dispatched  to  urge  the 
necessity  of  inviting  &  convening  the  greatest  number  of  Chiefs  that 
was  practicable  to  the  Councill  the  wind  being  a  head  could  only  reach 

"  Not  present. 
M  See  ante,  p.  169. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  177 

the  first  Village  about  dark  eight  miles  short  of  Gomaux's,  where  I 
got  two  Indians  to  take  myself  &  M"'  Fournier  in  a  canoe  4  miles  by 
water,  &  the  rest  of  the  way  by  land,  to  the  Village,  where  we  arrive 
about  midnight  The  Runners  were  not  prepared  to  set  out  the  next 
day,  but  start  the  day  after  (the  S"") 

The  next  morning  (7'"),  Gomaux  furnishing  horses,  we  set  out  for 
our  Boat,  attended  by  Gomaux  the  Chief  15  of  his  men  &  4  women  & 
were  met  on  the  way  by  an  Ottoway  Chief  just  from  Detroit  who 
joined  our  party  to  the  Boat — I  invited  this  Chief,  Gomaux,  and  his 
two  brothers  into  the  cabin,  provided  breakfast  for  the  whole,  lighted 
pipes  &  had  a  long  conversation.  Gomaux  was  more  communicative 
than  at  first  meeting 

Main-Pock  is  gone  to  Detroit.  They  told  me  of  a  variety  of  talks 
among  the  Indians  which  they  conjectured  to  be  the  occasion  of 
Mainpock  and  so  great  a  number  of  the  Indians  from  the  different 
towns  having  gone  towards  Canada  They  expressed  great  satisfaction 
at  our  having  been  sent  on  this  errand,  promised  that  they  would 
exert  themselves  to  get  as  many  to  the  councill  as  they  possibly 
could,  yet  they  did  not  calculate  on  being  able  to  assemble  more  than 
five  Chiefs.  But  the  said  nevertheless,  whatever  number  might 
attend  or  however  small,  they  hoped  that  I  would  not  hesitate  to  tell 
tjiem  all  that  I  had  to  say.  For  that  if  any  Indian  was  to  communicate 
such  information  to  other  Indians,  he  would  not  gain  credit  by  it,  but 
that  "they  would  call  him  Sugar  mouth" — charge  him  with  being 
excited  by  fears,  or  moved  with  treachery. 

Gomaux  told  me  there  were  two  of  the  stolen  horses  among  his 
people,  and  that  he  himself  had  a  third,  that  he  bought  for  a  gun,  not 
knowing  the  property  (at  that  time)  to  be  stolen — That  it  was  likely 
the  Chiefs  of  Sand  river  would  wait  until  they  could  collect  the  stolen 
horses  belonging  to  their  Villages  &  bring  them  in  with  them,  that 
they  would  be  here  in  six  nights  (7  days)  from  the  time  of  the  Runners 
leaving  his  Village 

Altho  it  remains  a  question  with  me  whether  your  Excellencies 
orders  go  so  far  as  to  authorise  me  to  call  on  the  Chiefs  residing  out  of 
the  Territory  for  offenders,  Yet  I  fain  would  give  that  construction 
to  them,  from  a  conviction  of  the  necessity  of  making  an  impression 
on  the  minds  of  the  whole  of  them  that  it  is  obligatory  on  them,  and 
is  a  positive  duty,  to  seek  for,  and  surrender  up,  all  Offenders  to  Justice, 
so  that  instant  and  ample  attonement  may  be  made  for  all  depreda- 
tions and  offences — I  fear  the  calling  on  a  part  of  the  tribe  at  one  time 
and  place — and  another  part  at  another  time  and  place,  will  have  a 
tendency  (ultimately)  to  encourage  them  in  their  aggressions — For 
even  should  the  murderers  be  in  the  Village  when  an  Officer  may 
arrive  to  make  a  demand  of  them,  they  can  easily  slip  out  of  his  way — 
The  Indians  are  all  on  the  alert  on  the  appearance  of  a  stranger  among 


178  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

them — They  know  the  Jurisdiction  of  our  territorial  Goverments  (I 
judge  this  from  the  fact  of  their  sliping  from  one  to  the  other)  And  I 
have  not  that  confidence  in  Indians,  to  suppose  that  they  would  not 
aid  in  securing  a  retreat  to  offenders,  while  they  are  saying  "They  are 
not  here" 

Indians  generally  believe  that  the  Americans  are  from  unavoidable 
circumstances  their  natural  enemies,  continually  intruding  on  them — 
This  together  with  their  natural  ambition  to  have  it  to  say  (as  they 
continually  do  in  their  frolicks)  "I  am  a  man  Who  can  gainsay  it? 
I  have  killed  an  Osage!  I  have  killed  a  White"!  This  excites  them 
to  outrage;  and  frequently  escaping  with  impunity  further  encour- 
ages their  already  but  too  presumptions  hopes  of  continuing  to  do 
so — And  as  even  trivial  circumstances  diffuses  more  extensive  im- 
pressions and  effects  among  Indians  than  other  people,  They  are  lead 
to  believe  that  the  Americans  are  supine  &  indolent,  and  their 
suppositions  are  often  not  as  honorable,  nor  their  consequences  as 
favorable  to  our  settlements 

At  present  the  Putowatomies  are  so  far  one  Nation,  that  those  of 
another  name  and  nation  aggrieved  by  any  of  them  revenge  themselves 
on  the  first  Putowatomie  they  meet,  no  difference  what  tribe,  or 
whether  situated  north  of  the  lakes  in  Michigan,  Indiana,  or  Illinois 
Territories— Yet  there  are  different  interests,  and  opposing  ambitions 
and  jealousies  among  the  tribes — If  it  would  not  be  impolitic  to  unite 
them  closer  in  one  interest,  I  presimie  that  a  demand  on  the  nation  for 
offenders,  and  stolen  property  to  have  the  disired  effect  should  be  made 
by  a  joint  mission  from  Michigan  Indiana,  Illinois,  and  Louisiana, 
whether  one  man  or  more. 

The  Mission  might  call  their  counill  at  Chicago  and  have  the  Chiefs 
to  attend  from  Green  bay  and  north  of  it,  from  Michigan,  S'  Josephs 
the  Kankikee,  Wabash,  Illinois,  and  its  waters,  and  this  would  be 
nearly  central  for  the  whole. 

Your  excellency  will  observe  that  I  can  expect  but  a  small  part  of 
the  Putowatomy  Chiefs  to  meet  me  in  Counill  at  this  time  &  place 
Gomaux  promised  to  send  to  Mainpocks  Village  and  if  there  should 
be  no  Chiefs  there  to  invite  two  Elders  to  the  Councill — I  expect  the 
Little  Chief  — Also  Blackbird  an  Ottoway  Chief  These  last  are  allied 
and  married  with  the  Putowatomies.  Gomaux  expects  Peso-tuck  from 
the  Fox  river,  also  one  other  chief,  and  if  possible  (says)  he  will  have 
Migango  and  the  Chiefs  from  Yellow  river.  But  the  probability  is 
(according  to  Gomaux  relation)  that  the  Chiefs  of  S'  Josephs,  Yellow 
Creek,  and  Megango,  are  gone  towards  Canada 

I  expect  the  Chiefs  tomorrow  or  next  day — as  soon  as  they  arrive 
we  shall  go  to  councill — 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  179 

I  enclose  two  depositions  relative  to  the  names  &c  of  the  murderers  ^' 
in  order  that  your  Excell'^  may  have  it  in  your  power  (should  you 
deem  it  necessary)  to  make  a  demand  of  them  from  the  Governors  of 
the  Territories  within  whose  Jurisdiction  they  are  said  to  be 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  Excellencies  Most  Obedient  and  very 
hum"'  St 

Sam'  Levering 

To  HIS  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Esq' 

[Endorsed]  Leverings^letter^from  Pioria 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 
[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Dept  Oct  16'"  1811 
Gov.  Edwards    111.  T. 

Sir    Your  Excellencys  letters  of  the  15*"  '^  &  28*"  of  September," 
with  their  inclosiu-es  have  been  received. 


MATTHEW  IRWIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
(NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Chicago  October  30*"  1811. 

Sir,  As  several  British  traders  have,  in  despite  of  the  nonimporta- 
tion law,  entered  at  several  parts  of  the  American  Territory,  with 
British  goods  for  the  Indian  Trade;  &  as  their  names  &  persons  are 
known,  &  as  it  is  expected  they  will  visit  this  place  next  Spring,  I 
suggest  it  for  consideration,  whether,  in  case  the  fact  can  be  clearly 
ascertained  that  they  committed  a  breach  of  the  non-importation  law, 
it  would  be  proper  to  seize  their  persons,  &  have  the  honor  to  be,  with 
great  Respect,  Sir,  Y"'  Mo*  Ob*  Serv* 

M.  Irwin 
The  Hon"'«  the  Sec^"  of  War,  Washington. 

[Endorsed]  Chicago  Oct.  30*"  1811.  M.  Irwin  suggesting  the  pro- 
priety of  siezing  British  traders,  when  violating  the  non-imp"  law. 
ReC  Dec^  10*"  1811  ^^ 

They  may  be  sued  for  penalties,  but  cannot  be  arrested  without  a 
writ  from  some  court  having  jurisdiction.  I  do  not  know  in  what 
territory  Chickago  is?    — A.  G." 

P.S.  Request  him  to  give  the  information  to  Collector  of  Michilli- 
makinac. 

"  Not  present. 

'*  Not  found. 

"  Ante,  p.  174. 

2'  Answered  post,  p.  180. 

"  This  paragraph  and  the  postscript  are  in  Gallatin's  hand. 

314574 — 48 -13 


180  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  WILLIAM  ARUNDEL 
(PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

November  6*"  1811 
W"  Arundel  Esq.  P.M  Kaskaslda  Illinois  Ter 

Yours  of  the  IS""  October  is  received,^  it  appears  from  your  letter 
that  M'  Givens  did  not  arrive  at  your  ofRce  untill  the  15'"  Ult.  do 
we  understand  you  correctly,  if  so,  he  has  given  us  but  a  bad  specimen 
of  his  energy,  if  we  allow  him  four  days  to  pass  from  Henderson  to 
your  office,  it  will  make  a  weeks  difference  in  you  correspondence  east- 
ward, for  he  cannot  without  great  difficulty  return  in  three  days,  which 
he  must  do  to  meet  the  corresponding  mails  at  Henderson — I  have 
requested  the  postmaster  of  Louisville  to  procure  four  portmanteaus 
and  forward  them  to  your  office,  that  you  may  dispose  of  them  for 
the  use  of  this  office — The  Post  Office  law  points  out  Postmaster's 
compensation  and  by  that  you  must  be  governed — 

GGr— 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  MATTHEW  IRWIN 
[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  CI 

War  Dep*  13  Dec'  1811 
M.  Irvine  Chicago. 

Sir.  Yoiu-  letter  of  the  30  Oct'  has  been  receved.*  All  informa- 
tions of  violations  of  the  revenue  laws,  and  all  good  reasons  for  sus- 
pecting that  any  violation  is  contemplated,  which  may  come  to  your 
Knowledge,  you  will  without  delay,  communicate  to  the  Collector  of 
Michelemakinac,  who  by  the  duties  of  his  office,  is  empowered  to  take 
a  proper  notice  of  them. — 


JARED  MANSFIELD  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE 
TREASURY 

[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Let.  Sent:C] 

Cincinnati  December  20'"  1811 
Sir  The  office  of  Receiver  of  Public  Monies  at  Kaskaskia  being 
vacant,  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  you,  M'  Elias  Rector  at  that 
place,  as  a  proper  person,  to  supply  that  vacancy,  I  have  had  an 
acquaintance  with  M'  Rector,  during  the  greater  part  of  the  time, 
since  I  have  resided  in  this  country,  have  been  considerably  connected 
with  him  in  Official  transactions,  His  Manners  and  accomplishments 
are  those  of  a  gentleman,  His  reputation  for  honor  and  integrity  is 
indisputable,  and  has  always  been  scrupulously  maintained,  in  all 

"  Not  found. 
"  Ante,  p.  179. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  181 

concerns  with  this  Office,  His  talants  and  quahfications,  I  presume  are 
fully  adequate  to  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  Receiver,  His  residence 
at  Kaskaskia  has  afforded  him  a  good  knowledge  of  the  circumstances 
of  public  Affairs  there,  as  connected  with  the  land  business,  and  his 
entire  disconnection  with  speculation  and  Abhorance  of  the  Arts 
practised  for  that  Object,  would  carry  with  his  appointment  a  peculiar 
fitness, 

I  heartily  wish  success  to  the  appointment  of  M'  Rector  as  one 
who  in  my  opinion  is  worthy  of  it. 

I  am  most  respectfully  your  Ob'  Hble  Sev' 

Jared  Mansfield 

The  above  is  a  true  coppy 

Hon  Albert  Gallatin 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  WILLIAM  ARUNDEL 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

December  2S"^  1811 
W"  Arundel  Esq'  P.M.  Kaskaskia,  II:  Ter 

I  have  yours  of  the  2°^  ins'  before  me,^"  we  intended  some  time  since, 
to  have  given  an  order  to  the  postmaster  of  Louisville  Ky.  to  send 
you  some  portmanteaus,  but  it  unfortunately  happened,  that  the  order 
escaped  our  recollection,  he  is  this  day  instructed  to  send  you  five — The 
postmasters  of  Frankfort  &  Louisville  are  instructed  to  send  mails  for 
your  quarter  of  the  country  via  Hendersonton,  the  extreme  unpro- 
ductiveness of  the  post  road  between  Vincennes  and  the  Saline, 
operates  against  sending  a  weekly  mail  on  that  road — 

G  Gr— 


WILLIAM  DOBBINS  TO  JARED  MANSFIELD 
[NA:GL0,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  ni:ALS] 

Shawnoe  Town  Decmher  31"  1811 
Sir/  Yours  of  the  15th '"» and  17th  ='  of  March  I  Had  the  pleasure  to 

Receive 

In  My  Last  I  flattered  Myself  And  Informed  you  that  I  Should 

Compleat  the  Survey  Before  I  Left  this  place  But  High  Water  And 

a  Low  State  of  Health  Occasioned  By  the  Severity  of  the  Season 

Compelled  Me  Reluctantly  to  Give  it  Over  to  Fall 
I  Was  Again  Unfortunate  the  Sickly  Season  Commenced  There 

Were  few  In  Our  parts  Escaped  I  Was  Amongst  the  Unfortunate 

5»  Not  found. 
s»«  Post,  p.  425 
"  Not  found. 


182  TERRITORIAL   PAPERS 

Number  As  Early  As  I  found  Myself  Capable  of  Working  I  Proceded 
On  to  Shawnoe  But  being  Weak  the  Fatigue  Brought  On  Several 
Relapses  Which  Together  With  Bad  Weather  And  Other  Untoward 
Circumstances  Has  put  it  Out  of  my  power  as  yet  to  Compleat  the 
Same  However  there  is  Only  the  Fractional  Part  to  Survey  &  the 
Lots  to  Number,  Should  the  Weather  prove  favourable  I  Shall 
Shortly  finish  the  Work  Although  I  had  made  Considerable  Progress 
Before  your  Last  it  Was  in  My  power  to  Extend  farther  Down  the 
River  So  As  to  Confrom  to  your  Instructions 

I  had  taken  up  An  Idea  from  the  Law  that  yourself  and  Not  the 
Secratary  Was  the  Sole  Judge  of  the  plann  of  the  Town  How  it 
Can  Without  a  Resurvey  Be  Correct  Or  Amended  By  him  I  am  at 
a  Loss  to  Know 

Being  a  Stranger  to  What  the  United  States  has  Generally  Given 
their  Surveyors  for  Laying  of  Town  Lotts  I  Will  Thank  you  for  your 
Opinion  on  that  Subject — Before  I  make  Out  My  Charge — 

I  Should  Make  Out  the  plan  Before  I  Leave  this  place  But  I  Can 
Neither  procure  paper  Suitable  Nor  Any  Kind  of  Paints 

I  Will  take  it  as  a  favour  of  you  to  Write  me  As  Early  As  Con- 
venient 

I  am  Sir  With  Sentiments  Of  Esteem  yours  Sincerely 

W"  Dobbins 

Jared,  Mansfield  Esquire 

[Addressed\  Jared  Mansfield  Esquire  Surveyor  General  of  the 
United  States  Cincinnatti  [Postmarked]  Shawnee  Town  Jan- 
ary  31th    25 

[Endorsed]    Answered  Feb  IS'"  1812  « 


THE    POSTMASTER    GENERAL   TO    WILLIAM    ARUNDEL 

IP0:P.  M.  Letter  Book  R] 

January  3^"  1811  [1812] 
William  Arundel  Esq'  P.M    Kaskaskia  Illin.  Ter 

We  tendered  the  conveyance  of  the  mail  between  your  office  & 
New  Madrid  at  the  rate  of  $117  quarterly  to  John  Hays,  which  he 
declined  accepting.  I  wish  you  to  find  a  contractor  for  that  route 
at  a  rate  not  exceeding  $500  pr  annum,  for  that  purpose  I  have 
enclosed  you  a  bond  and  contract,  when  executed  I  will  thank  you 
to  return  them  and  we  will  forward  a  duplicate  of  the  contract  to  the 

w  Post,  p.  425. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  183 

contractor,  the  price  offered  is  much  above  the  ordinary  sums  paid 
for  equivalent  services  in  other  places — 

G.  Gr— 


THE    POSTMASTER    GENERAL    TO    JOSEPH    McFERRON 

[PO:P.  M.  Letter  Book  R] 

January  3^"  1812 
Joseph  MTerron  Esq'  P.  M    Cape  Girardeau  II.  Ter 

As  it  appears  from  your  letter  of  the  2°"^  Ult.'^  that  M'  Hay  will 
not  carry  the  mail  on  the  terms  we  have  offered  him,  we  have  author- 
ized the  postmaster  of  Kaskaskia  to  make  a  contract  for  that  route, 
at  a  rate  not  exceeding  $500  p' An;  untill  M'  Arundell  makes  a  contract, 
we  wish  M'  Hayes  to  continue  the  mail,  and  we  will  pay  him  for  the 
service  at  the  rate  of  $650  p'  An : 

G  Gr 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  WILLIAM  RUTTER  AND 

OTHERS 

[PO:P.  M.  Letter  Book  R] 

January  9*"  1812 
M''  W°  RUTTER  &  others  near  Fort  Massac  II.  Ter. 

I  hope  that  circumstances  will  permit  us  to  send  a  weekly  mail  on 
the  route  pointed  out  in  your  address  ^*  of  the  [blank]  in  the  course 
of  another  year — 

G.  Gr. 


REPORT  OF  THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  CONGRESS 

[PO:P.  M.  Letter  Book  R:E] 

[January  9,  1812  "] 
In  Obedience  to  the  Act  of  Congress  of  the  21°'  of  April  1808  con- 
cerning public  contracts,  the  Postmaster  General  has  the  honor  of 
laying  before  Congress  the  following  statement  of  all  the  contracts 
which  have  been  made  in  his  Department  the  last  year,  and  also 
sundry  others  contracts  agreed  upon  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year 
1810,  which  went  into  operation  the  last  year  ^^ — 


"  Not  found. 

'*  Not  seen. 

"  This  date  is  taken  from  the  position  of  entry. 

"  Relevant  items  only  have  been  extracted  for  the  present  printing. 


184 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


Number 

of  times 

Contractors 

the  mail 

Routes 

Date  of 

Duration 

^t 

names 

is  car- 

Contracts 

of  contracts 

2  ^ 

ried  pr. 

F  ^ 

week 

3-0 

w  a. 

Samuel  Clark 

fort- 

Eddyville &  Cape 

July   6,11 

Oct'  1,  11 

400 

night 

Girardeau 

to  Dec 
31,  14 

Joseph  R  Givens.. 

once 

Henderson  &  Kas- 
kaskia 

July  6, 1811 

...do 

850 

MATTHEW  IRWIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS1 

Chicago  Jan'^  19'"  1812. 

Sir,  It  is  the  opinion  of  some  persons,  conversant  in  the  System  of 
Indian  Warfare,  that,  unless  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  different  tribes 
of  Indians  that  were  lately  unpacific  should,  before  the  early  part 
of  the  ensuing  Summer,  treat  for  a  peace,  a  War,  at  that  time,  is  not 
improbable. 

Should  that  opinion  have  any  foundation,  a  regard  for  the  safety 
of  this  place  would,  I  conceive,  warrant  me  in  recommending,  first, 
that,  instead  of  never  having  more  than  one  day's  consumption  of 
fuel  on  hand,  the  Commanding  Officer  be  ordered  to  use  every  effort 
to  have  a  Supply  sufficient  for  two  or  three  months.  For  should 
hostilities  take  place,  the  peculiar  situation  of  this  place,  would  render 
it  impossible  to  obtain  that  article,  without  incurring  almost  certain 
death.  Secondly,  that  the  public  buildings  (about  20  or  30  yards 
from  the  Fort)  be  either  fortified  or  destroyed.  For,  if  fire  were  set 
to  them,  the  safety  of  the  Fort  would  be  endangered.  Their  Con- 
struction, with  an  expence  of  about  twenty  doll'  would  render  them 
Capable  of  being  defended,  &  afford,  in  case  of  accident  happening 
the  Fort,  an  Asylum  to  the  Troops  &  others.  They  could  be  de- 
fended by  the  settlers.  Some  irregularities  also  justify  me  in  pro- 
posing the  following:  That  (but  undoubtedly  the  power,  by  impli- 
cation, is  already  given)  the  said  Officer  be  authorised  to  stop  boats, 
&c.  arriving  with  goods,  &c.  for  the  Indian  Trade,  and  hold  in  Cus- 
tody, unless  they  are  lawfully  imported.  The  omission  to  do  which, 
is  the  cause  of  a  large  quantity  of  goods  &  liquors  being  brought  into 
this  country,  for  the  Indian  Trade. 

That  he  be  authorised  to  demand  of  M''  John  Kinzie  (lately  ap- 
pointed by  Cap.  Heald,  the  exclusive  Suttler  to  this  Fort)  by  what 
authority  he  brought  from  70  to  80  pieces  of  Strouds  accompanied 
with  bankets,  powder,  ball,  &c.  &c.  to  this  place. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  185 

Those  goods,  &c.  were  brought  here,  within  a  few  weeks,  on  horses, 
at  different  periods.  One  of  the  persons  employed  therein,  not  hav- 
ing been  treated  well,  avowed  that  they  were  smuggled  by  a  British 
Trader  (IM'  Kinzie's  partner)  from  the  Town  of  Amherstburg,  in 
Canada,  via  River  Rouge  &  thence  through  the  Wilderness  to  this 
place.  Other  concurring  Circumstances,  induce  me  to  believe  they 
were  smuggled. 

Lastly,  that,  if  an  exclusive  right  is  necessary  to  be  given  to  he  who 
supplies  the  Troops  with  their  Wants,  their  Com«  Officer  be  ordered 
to  regulate  the  prices  thereof,  to  prevent  imposition,  &c.  The  doing 
which  would  render  their  situation  more  comfortable;  would  prevent 
a  further  reduction  of  their  number,  &,  if  done  impartially,  would 
destroy  the  subserviency  of  the  Officers  to  the  Suttler.  Upon  the 
latter  article,  I  can  make  it  appear  what  creates  that  Subserviency. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect  Sir  Y'  Most  Ob'  Serv' 

M.  Irwin 

The  Hon"''  the  Sec  of  War. 

Jav7  22*  After  a  little  reflection,  I  feel,  when  connected  with  past 
events,  a  consciousness  that  an  investigation  into  that  part  of  my 
letter  which  relates  to  Smuggling,  as  well  as  to  that  having  reference 
to  the  Suttling  business,  might  render  my  situation  very  unpleasant — 
perhaps  dangerous.  Nevertheless,  I  am  not  certain  whether  that 
consideration  ought  to  weigh  against  others  of  equal — perhaps  of 
greater  magnitude. — M.I. 

I  am  happy  to  find  (without  his  being  aware  of  my  ideas  upon  it) 
that  the  Surgeons  Mate  is  opposed  to  the  monopoly  spoken  of  in  this 
letter.    M.I.— 

Jan'  23**  I  now  have  it  in  my  power  to  say,  without  ha-ving  time 
to  state  particulars,  that  the  monopoly  spoken  of,  is  not  granted  from 
disinterested  motives.    M.I. — 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"''  the  Secretary  of  War,  Washington. 

[EndcTsed]  Chicago  Jan^  19,  1812  i\I.  Irwin.  States  the  apparent 
hostile  conduct  of  the  Indians — means  of  defence — officers  countenance 
smuggling  Repair  &  render  defensible  the  buildings  refer'd  to — 
regulate  the  charges  of  the  Suttler    ReC  April  4'"  1812  " 


SECRETARY  POPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[NA:SD,  111.  Terr.  Papers:  ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Jany  28'"  1812 
Sir    I  have  the  Honor  to  transmit  herewith  My  Semi-annual  return 
to  your  department'* — My  domestic  Misfortimes  consisting  of  the 

»'  Answered  jiosl,  p.  210. 

"Mar.   1,  1811,  to  Aug.  31,  1811,  Register,  post,  vol.  xvii.     Also  enclosed 
were  copies  oi  laws  passed  during  the  same  period;  these  are  not  present. 


186  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

deaths  of  my  children  and  the  ill  health  of  Mrs  Pope  have  caused 
this  delay — 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  Sir  Y'  Mo'  Ob'  &  H"'"  Serv' 

Nat  Pope 

The  Hon''"  James  Monroe  Secretary  of  State 

[Endorsed]  Nat  Pope  (111.  Ter)  to  Secty  of  State  28  Jan'  1812 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS1 

Elvirade  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  Feby.  13. 1812 
Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  an  express  has  just  arrived 
with  a  letter  from  Governor  Howard  to  me  covering  the  enclosed 
communications,  which  are  deemed  by  him  and  myself  of  such  im- 
portance, that  I  shall  instantly  employ  an  express  to  carry  them  to 
the  P.  Office  at  the  united  states  Saline  (the  mail  carrier  not  having 
arrived — )  to  be  forwarded  to  you  from  thence  with  the  utmost 
dispatch 

1  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y"^  M°  Obd'  S' 

Ninian  Edwards 

P.S.  Governor  Howard  among  other  things  in  his  letter  says 
"Much  information  has  been  received  here  (S'  Louis)  corroborating 
the  opinions  expressed  by  those  agents  (Bolvine  &  Blondeau)  I 
expect  ere  long  our  frontiers  will  witness  scenes  which  they  have  not 
yet  experienced  and  I  trust  we  shall  be  as  well  prepared  for  the  event 
as  unfavorable  circumstances  will  allow." 

respectfully  I  am,  Y'  M"  Obd'  S'    N  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  William  Eustis  Esqre  Secretary  of  War 
Washington  City 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  Feb  13.  1812  Gov.  Edwards  forwarding  copies 
of  inclosures,  received  express  from  Gov.  Howard,  relative  to  the 
threats  of  the  Indians.    ReC*  March  10'"  1812 '» 

[Enclosures] 

Nicholas  Boilvin  to  the  Governor  of  Louisiana  Territory 

Prairie  du  Chien  the  5'"  Jan^  1812 
To  Governor  Howard 

The  news  of  Gov'  Harrisons  Victory  does  not  appear  to  please  the 
Indians  here.  I  hope  he  will  follow  up  his  conquest,  but  if  not  we  are 
badly  situated  at  this  place,  and  are  also  the  frontiers.  The  30""  of 
last  month  arrived  here  40  F*uants  at  my  door,  they  were  all  armed — I 

"  Answered  post,  p.  197.  See  Governor  Howard  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
Jan.  13,  1812  {Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  187 

went  out  and  called  them  in  the  Council  room— The  Chiefs  that  I  made 
last  year — Daicaies,  good,  Indian-Brave  fellow,  loving  the  Whites, 
said  my  (Father  bad  news)  we  have  been  killed  by  the  Americans  at 
the  Shawanies — I  answered  you  probably  have  deserved  it.  After  a 
few  words  I  told  them  to  go  to  rest —  that  next  day  I  would  hear  them 
and  answer  them.  I  give  them  to  smoke  &  provisions  I  kept  the 
Chief  with  me — the  next  day  they  come  to  council,  and  said  through 
Roc.  Interpreter  (the  son  Caramanis)  "We  Brave  Chiefs  &  Warriors, 
come  and  take  you  by  the  hand  but  we  have  been  killed  by  the 
Americans,  we  do  not  think  bad  of  you,  because  you  told  us  of  it  last 
fall  that  there  would  be  an  American  Army  go  to  the  Prophets  town, 
to  demand  the  murderers,  and  that  if  they  should  not  be  given  up, 
they  would  Strike,  Therefore  Father  we  know  it  is  not  your  fault; 
they  would  have  left  the  Prophet,  but  many  of  their  people  being 
sick,  they  could  not  leave  them." 

Dacaies  the  Chief.  "My  Father — I  have  come  with  all  these  men, 
to  take  care  of  them — all  you  see  here  are  of  three  Bands,  those  are 
from  Roc  river  they  have  always  been  foolish,  and  this  day  they  are  in 
affliction,  I  will  not  answer  for  them:  They  are  not  men  of  their  word. 
This  day  you  have  given  me  a  medal;  will  send  for  me  when  you  will, 
you  shall  know  what  I  can  do,  inform  below  that  they  may  take  care 
of  those  bad  men. — 

The  4'"  Jan^  a  fox  Indian  arrived  from  the  mines,  with  news  that 
30  Puants  had  killed  two  men  of  M'  Hunts,  and  burnt  down  the 
houses,  and  stole  the  Merchandize  of  Hunt  &  Prior,  if  it  had  not  been 
for  the  Foxes  they  would  have  all  been  killed — I  am  fearful  for  the 
Americans  on  the  frontiers,  I  have  sent  expresses  all  round  me.  I  do 
not  yet  know  whether  Hunt  and  Prior  are  in  safely — I  expect  so  soon 
as  the  Soux  and  followvoins  know  of  it.  I  shall  then  with  the  Militia  be 
in  security.  I  shall  keep  the  Militia  on  foot  until  I  hear  from  you. 
I  have  told  Major  Wilson  to  write  Gen'  Clark  the  same  thing — I  hope 
you  will  take  a  part  in  our  concerns  and  help  us,  if  not  by  forces,  do  it 
by  instructions — As  for  my  part  I  am  afraid  at  this  time.  I  do  not 
know  how  to  act — But  under  the  safeguard  of  the  Master  of  life  we 
can  hazard  all — for  two  days  ago  I  was  dead  but  I  am  at  present 
living.  My  wife  tenders  her  respects  to  M"  Howard — Believe  me  for 
life  your  Obedient  H.  Servant 

N.  BOILVIN 

True  Copy     (Signed) 
Maurice  Blondeau  to  [the  Governor  of  Louisiana  Territory]  *" 

Spanish  Mines  Jan^  1812 
Sir  I  received  your  letter  in  which  you  recommend  to  mention  the 
articles  to  the  Indians  in  it.     At  the  same  time  I  inform  you  ef  the 
"  Or  to  William  Clark. 


188  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

hostilities  of  the  Winnebagoes  on  the  last  of  December,  committed  at 
the  lower  mines 

M'  Prior  and  M'  Hunt  were  saved  by  the  Foxes  by  saying  they  were 
Englishmen — two  men  of  M'  Hunts  were  killed,  and  cut  in  ever  so 
many  pieces,  their  houses  and  every  other  article  they  could  not  carry 
with  them  burnt 

After  this  unfortunate  affair  hapned,  I  sent  one  Fox  Indian  with 
Wampums,  to  the  Winnebagoes  to  learn  their  intention— They  took 
the  Wampum  saying  thay  had  not  determined  yet  if  they  would  go 
to  war  again  the  French  people  or  not,  but  they  were  determined  to 
perish  or  revenge  themselves  on  the  Americans,  for  what  Governor 
Harrison  had  done  to  their  nation,  at  the  time  they  went  to  see  the 
Prophet — At  present  the  Winebago  Chiefs  gather  the  whole  Nation 
to  attack  Fort  Chicago  and  Madison  and  the  settlement  on  salt 
River,  and  below  that.  They  will  leave  their  wintering  ground  by 
the  15'"  or  20""  Ins'  for  said  places 

One  of  the  Fox  Chiefs  has  told  me  Wampums  were  sent  to  them  by 
the  British  to  Join  other  nations  of  Indians  to  attack  the  American 
frontiers.  They  will  not  consent  to  do  this  and  offer  themselves, 
now  to  perish  with  the  White  people  that  are  here  if  the  Winebagoes 
should  attack  this  place 

I  found  it  necessary  to  erect  a  fortification  to  defend  the  lives  and 
property  of  all  the  Inhabitants  living  on  this  Island.  The  season  will 
not  permit  any  one  to  leave  this  place — and  forces  every  one  to  stay 

I  am  with  due  respect  your  most  obedient 

Maurice  Blandau 

A  Copy — (signed) 

Resolutions  of  Militia  Officers  of  St.  Clair  County  " 

[February  7,  1812] 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Militia  Officers  of  S*^  Clair  County  Illinois 
Territory,  at  Cahokia  of  the  7'"  day  of  February  1812— Present  Col" 
William  Whiteside  Majors  Whiteside  &  Prewit— Captains— Judy, 
Stallion  Short,  Whiteside,  Hebert,  Brazeal  Savage  and  Moore  Lieu- 
tenants Pierre  Martan,  Cook,  Gilham  &  Vaughn  Ensigns  Pincinneau, 
Wagnor,  Mitchell,  Grgg  Gilham  and  Whitlock 

Col"  Whiteside  appointed  Chairman  and  Cap*  Jacob  Short  Secretary 
to  this  Committee 

1  Resolved,  that  with  pain  we  look  back  at  the  many  depredations 
committed  by  Indians,  on  our  frontier  Inhabitants,  by  stealing  horses 


"  This  and  the  following  enclosure  were  obviously  first-hand  enclosures  by 
Edwards. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  igQ 

to  a  very  considerable  amount,  plundering  of  other  property,  and  by 
the  massacre  of  many  of  the  inhabitants,  these  many  years  past  with- 
out the  least  recompense  or  satisfaction — • 

2  Resolved — that  it  is  also  with  pain  we  view  the  situation  of  our 
frontier  to  continue  (as  usual)  unprotected  and  as  much  exposed  as 
ever  to  Indian  violence  destitute  of  the  common  defence  afforded  to 
the  neighboring  Territories  by  the  parent  Government.  By  having 
regular  soldiers  stationed  on  the  vulnerable  passes  of  Indians  &c 

3  Resolved,  that  we  view  with  sorrow  the  breaking  up  of  so  many 
fine  settlements  on  the  frontier  of  this  county  by  the  peoples  moving 
away  to  other  parts  of  the  Union  occasioned  by  the  distresses  set 
forth  in  the  two  first  resolutions 

4.  Resolved,  that  it  is  a  sense  of  this  meeting  and  a  conviction  on 
these  minds  that  the  General  Government  will  give  this  country  the 
necessary  protection  when  a  constitutional  representation  is  made  of 
their  situation  and  that  representation  cannot  be  so  well  made  before 
we  have  a  Delegate  in  Congress — To  which  \'iew  this  meeting  requests 
the  attention  of  their  fellow  citizens,  of  this  Territory  in  general 

Resolved,  that  it  is  the  desire  of  this  meeting  that  the  Governor  of 
this  Territory  do  use  his  lawful  means  to  establish  the  second  Grade 
of  Territorial  Government,  as  it  appears  to  us  that  by  having  a  Dele- 
gate in  Congress  will  much  help  the  declining  situation  of  our  frontiers, 
and  elevate  ovir  country  one  stride  towards  that  greatness  which  the 
God  of  nature  dictated 

Resolved  that  the  aforesaid  Resolutions  shall  be  signed  by  our  Chair- 
man and  Secretary,  and  that  a  copy  of  the  same  be  sent  to  his  Excel- 
lency Governor  Edwards,  desiring  his  approbation  and  one  to  the 
Editor  of  the  Louisiana  Gazette  for  publication 

Jacob  Short  Secretary  W""  Whiteside 

Statement  of  Militia  Officers  of  St.  Clair  County 

[February  7,  1812] 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Militia  officers  of  S'  Clair  County  at  Cahokia 
on  the  7""  of  Feb"   AD.  1812 

Being  from  the  different  parts  of  said  County  enables  said  Officers  to 
have  a  compleet  knowlege  of  the  strength  situation  &c  of  the  various 
divisions  of  the  same  which  prompts  them  to  make  the  following 
statement,  (with  due  submission)  to  his  Excellency  Governor  Edwards 
The  general  Opinion  of  the  frontier  inhabitants  are  that  a  general 
and  formidable  number  of  the  Indians  situated  on  the  waters  that 
empty  convenient  to  the  s"*  frontiers,  are  in  an  actual  state  of  warfare 
with  the  U.  States,  and  that  the  said  frontier  inhabitants  is  as  much 
exposed  to  the  hostile  \'iolence  of  these  savages  as  any  other  part  of 


190  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  Union,  also  that  those  frontier  people  do  not  think  themselves 
adequate  to  meet  such  attacks  as  may  and  is  usual  and  probable  to 
be  made  by  such  a  numerous  vindictive  army  of  Bloodhounds,  the 
consequence  have  been  almost  the  depopulation  of  the  (lately  fine 
settlements  on  the  waters  of  Shoal  and  Silver  creeks,  and  an  awful 
appearance  of  the  like  on  the  uper  settlements  of  the  Missisippi  at 
present 

After  duly  considering  these  facts  the  said  Officers  think  that  it  will 
be  necessary  and  expedient  to  immediately  order  out  at  least  twenty 
five  foot  militia,  to  station  at  the  different  Blockhouses  built  on  the 
vulnerable  situations  of  said  frontier  and  are  of  Opinion  that  such 
force  would  incourage  the  people  to  stay  in  this  neighborhood,  and 
make  a  begining  to  raise  crops  in  the  spring  which  is  now  at  hand, 
and  the  usual  time  to  suffer  by  Indian  depredations,  it  is  a  convic- 
tion to  the  mind  of  said  officers,  that  unless  the  above  request,  or 
something  else  done  of  the  like  nature,  that  the  frontier  people  will 
move  away,  an  idea  which  must  be  painful  to  all  friends  of  their 
country — 

Said  officers  would  wish  to  be  understood:  that  the  said  numbers  of 
militia  men  may  be  support  in  case  the  U  States  send  a  competent 
army  into  the  Indian  country  with  a  competent  General,  if  not  it 
will  be  hard  to  predestinate  the  destiny  of  the  frontier  people  of  this 
county  and  the  conferred  number  is  forced  on  them  by  a  due  con- 
sideration of  the  weight  of  such  service  on  their  fellow  citizens 

And  with  due  submission  said  officers  believe  it  will  likewise  be 
incumbent  on  his  Excellency  to  order  out  the  like  number  of  mounted 
Militia  men  to  range  in  advance  of  said  frontier,  to  intercept  all 
maurading  parties  of  the  enemy,  but  is  of  opinion  that  the  latter 
service  may  be  kept  back  until  the  season  arrives  when  the  heat  of 
the  sun  is  more  favorable  to  the  savage  habits  of  warfare  and  that  the 
guard  reqested,  be  continued  without  intermission  until  the  appearance 
of  Indian  hostilities  should  change.  The  said  officers  beg  leave  to 
offer  their  service  to  his  Excellency  Governor  Edwards  assuring  him 
that  they  will  if  necessary  risk  a  sacrifice  of  their  lives  and  fortunes 
to  the  service  of  the  territory  and  honor  of  the  U  States,  and  will  to 
the  best  of  their  abilities,  punctually  obey  his  orders — By  order  of 
the  Board  of  Officers  signed,  consisting  of  the  Colonel  two  Majors 
eight  Captains  and  the  Captain  of  Cavalry  six  Lieutenants  and  seven 
Ensigns—  by  the  President  and  attested  by  the  Judge  Advocate 

Rob*  Reynolds,  Judge  Adv'  W"  WHiTEsroE— president 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  191 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  LEONARD  WHITE 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

Fehry  18,  1812 
Leonard  White  Esq'  P.M.  U.  S.  Saline  Illin  Ter— 

I  have  received  yours  of  Jany  31''  "  and  I  am  surprised  at  the 
negligence  of  the  contractors,  I  thank  you  for  the  information  and  will 
be  obliged  for  further  attentions  in  the  same  way 

G.  Gr. 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOSEPH  GIVEN 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

February  18—  1812 
M'  Joseph  R.  Given  Kaskaskia  II —  Ter 

In  reply  to  yours  of  Jany  11,"  I  observe  that  we  cannot  con- 
sistently with  our  duty  to  the  public,  consent  to  the  alteration  you 
have  proposed,  if  we  divide  your  route  in  any  way,  the  division  will 
inevitably  produce  a  delay,  with  due  exertion  your  route  can  be  per- 
formed, and  it  is  indispensably  necessary  that  it  be  regularly  &  duly 
performed — 

G.  Gr. 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  WILLIAM  ARUNDEL 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

February  24—1812 
William  Arundell  Esq'  P.  M.  Kaskaskia  II.  Ter. 

I  have  received  yours  of  the  1°'  Ult,"  the  contractor  is  bound  to 
convey  the  whole  mail,  and  if  he  leaves  any  part  of  the  mail  on  the 
road  he  subjects  himself  to  a  penalty,  I  wish  you  to  apprise  the  post 
rider  or  contractor  of  this  circumstance  that  he  may  not  incur  any 
further  penalties,  I  have  very  little  expectation  that  Congress  will 
make  any  grants  of  land  to  support  ferries  on  the  road  you  have 
referred  to, — 

G.  Gr. 


"  Not  found. 
"  Not  found. 
"  Not  found. 


192  TERRITORIAL   PAPERS 

THE   POSTMASTER    GENERAL   TO   MATTHEW   LYON 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

February  24—1812 
Col.  Matthew  Lyon— Eddyville  K" 

I  fear  that  this  letter  will  more  fully  convince  you  that  we  are  all 
"Crazy  in  the  General  Post  Office"  than  the  incidents  mentioned  in 
your  letter  of  the  23''''  Ult."  for  we  have  consented  to  yield  to  your 
importunity  and  have  established  a  weekly  mail  between  Eddyville 
and  Kaskaskia  and  directed  the  contractor  to  pass  by  Centerville  an 
office  that  we  had  accidentally  considered  to  be  the  same  as  Salem. — 

G.  G'— 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  WILLIAM  ARUNDEL 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

February  26'"  1812 

William  Arundell  Esq'  P.M.,  Kaskaskia — II.  Ter 

Your  letter  of  the  4'"  "  has  excited  no  small  degree  of  surprize,  you 
did  right  in  sending  on  the  mail,  and  I  wish  you  to  do  so  in  every  in- 
stance that  the  contractor  fails,  and  to  state  the  sum  you  pay  for  each 
trip  that  we  may  charge  the  contractor  who  has  evidenced  very  little 
disposition  to  carry  his  contract  into  effect,  if  the  Portmanteaus  have 
not  yet  reached  you,  do  upon  some  terms  procure  some  of  a  suitable 
size,  and  I  wish  you  to  inform  the  contractor  that  he  can  receive  no 
further  pay  until  he  satisfies  this  office,  that  it  was  not  possible  for 
him  to  prevent  the  failures  complained  of.  I  have  ordered  a  weekly 
mail  to  be  sent  from  Eddy\-ille  "  to  Cape  Girardot  **  and  I  wish  a 
weekly  mail  to  be  extended  from  thence  to  your  office,  for  which 
service  you  can  allow  two  hundred  dollars  over  and  above  the  sum 
mentioned  in  my  letter  to  [you]  relative  to  the  New  Madrid  mail,  the 
mail  from  Cape  Girardeau  to  New  Madrid  is  to  pass  but  once  a  fort- 
night, the  Eddyville  mail  is  to  arrive  at  Cape  Girardeau  every  Monday 
by  10  A.M,  and  it  is  to  depart  the  same  day  by  2  P.M,  you  will  of  course 
make  the  mail  from  your  office  arrive  at  and  depart  from  that  office 
at  the  same  hours  and  on  the  same  days  that  the  mail  from  Eddj'^'ille 
does,  may  we  hear  from  you  on  this  subject 

G.  Gr. 


"  Not  found. 
"  Not  found. 
•'  Kentucky. 
*^  Cape  Girardeau,  Louisiana  Territory. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  193 

THE    SECRETARY    OF    WAR    TO    GOVERNOR    EDWARDS 
[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent.,  Bk.  C] 

War  Dep'  February  28'"  1812 
GovE'"  NiNiAN  Edwards  Elvirade  111.  T. 

Sir,  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Excel- 
lencys  letters  of  the  18'"  "  and  25'"  of  Jany'"  No  muster  rolls  of 
militia  called  out  by  you  in  1811  having  been  received  by  this  Dept 
no  estimate  was  offered  and  no  appropriation  made  for  paying  them. 

Whenever  the  rolls  and  vouchers  shall  be  received  an  estimate  will 
be  made  and  submitted  to  Congress."* 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  March  3. 1812 
Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you.  that  from  the  recent  and 
increasing  indications  of  hostility  in  the  neighbouring  tribes  of  In- 
dians. I  found  it  necessary  to  visit  the  upper  county  of  this  territory 
to  put  it  in  an  attitude  of  defense — In  my  tour  (from  w"  I  have  just 
returned)  I  had  a  conference  with  Gov'  Howard,  each  of  us  believing 
our  frontiers  greatly  exposed  have  ordered  out  a  company  of  rangers 
and  made  such  arrangements,  that  they  will  cooperate  with  each 
other 

Gov'  Howard  Gen'  Clarke  &  myself  unite  in  the  opinion  that  we 
have  good  cause  to  apprehend  a  formidable  combination  of  Indians 
and  a  bloody  war — And  if  there  is  any  confidence  to  be  placed  in  the 
agents  sub-agents,  and  spies  engaged  in  these  territories  in  the  Indian 
Department  who  have  had  an  opportunity  of  forming  an  opinion,  no 
other  event  can  be  expected.  The  Prophet  is  regaining  his  influ- 
ence— Tecumseh  has  visited  the  tribes  on  our  Northwestern  frontier 
with  considerable  success — 

An  Indian  called  (I  think)  the  White  Pidgeon  lately  visited  the 
Indians  of  the  Illinois  &  Missisippi  rivers,  tried  to  engage  them  to 

"  NA  (WD,  SWDF),  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  p.  293,  urging  that  arrange- 
ments be  made  to  pay  the  militia  for  their  services  in  defense  of  the  Territory  in 
the  summer  of  1811. 

'"  NA,  op.  cit.,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp.  294-295,  excepting  an  enclosure, 
Whiteside  to  Edwards,  Dec.  4,  1811  (present  with  the  original),  relative  to  the 
location  of  hostile  Indians.  In  his  letter  of  Jan.  25,  Edwards  stated  he  was 
unable  to  prevent  the  people  of  St.  Clair  County  from  organizing  an  expedition 
against  the  Indians. 

"  Answered  May  6,  1812  (NA,  WD,  SWDF,  prmted,  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp. 
312-315). 


194  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

attack  our  frontiers — promised  them  British  protection,  and  invited 
them  to  Fort  Maulden  to  receive  arms  ammunition  &'  &*=  This  infor- 
mation has  been  received  through  four  different  channels  and  the  fact 
cannot  be  doubted 

In  part  we  know  he  has  been  successful  in  his  machinations — 

Two  more  men  have  lately  been  killed  in  this  territory — Mj'  spies 
a  few  days  ago  discovered  a  trail  of  Indians  leading  into  one  of  our 
settlements  they  persued  it  and  found  that  the  Indians  had  been 
waylaying  the  house  of  one  of  our  citizens — 

Various  indications  of  a  similar  character  have  been  discovered 
in  Louisianna — 

We  have  receive  positive  information  that  the  Kickapoos  &  Potto- 
wattomies  lately  held  a  council  near  Pioria  in  which  it  was  determined 
to  attack  our  frontiers 

We  have  been  positively  assured  that  the  murder  of  Oniels  family 
(ten  in  number)  which  I  lately  communicated  fey  *li«9e  indinnn  was 
perpetrated  by  those  Indians — In  addition  to  this  positive  information 
the  spies  who  were  sent  out  immediately  report  that  they  persued  a 
trail  of  about  twenty  Indians  from  Oniels  house — and  that  it  crossed 
the  Illinois  river— 

If  the  Indians  have  hostile  views  they  will  certainly  be  greatly 
encouraged  by  such  multitudes  leaving  the  territory  as  is  daily 
witnessed — Indeed  I  think,  the  antient  settlements  of  the  country 
will  soon  become  the  frontier — And  I  should  be  very  happy  if  even 
the  small  garrison  at  Massac  which  is  useless  there,  could  be  removed 
to  this  part  of  the  country — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y"^  M°  Obd'  S' 

N  Edwards 

The  Honble  Wiluam  Eustis  Esqre  Secretary  of  War  Washington 
city 

[Addressed]  The  Honble  William  Eustis  Esqr  Secretary  of  War 
Washington  City    Free 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  March  3.  1812  Gov.  Edwards  Stating  the 
e\'idences  of  hostilities  by  the  Indians— murders  committed — Serious 
cause  of  alarm.    Rec"  March  24,  1812  " 


No  reply  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  195 

MATTHEW  IRWIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
INA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Chicago  March  10'"  1812. 

Sir,  I  had  the  honor,  on  a  late  occasion,  to  address  you  on  the 
subject  of  Indian  concerns,  &  held  out  the  anticipation  that  unless 
an  arrangement  were  effected  with  the  refractory  chiefs,  before  the 
ensuing  Spring  or  Summer,  an  Indian  War  would  be  the  inevitable 
consequence.  Perhaps  it  might  be  expected  that  on  so  interesting 
a  subject  every  information  should  be  communicated  tending  to 
elucidate  it.  If  such  is  the  fact,  nothing,  at  this  time,  can  be  stated 
of  a  positive  character.  Were  we  to  credit  rumors,  we  might  be 
induced  to  believe  that  the  Winnibagoes  are  resolved  for  War,  & 
that  the  Pottewattamies  being  intimidated  by  the  Winnebagoes,  feel 
themselves  constrained  to  unite  with  them.  On  the  other  hand,  if 
we  give  credit  to  the  declarations  of  the  Winnebagoes  (a  party  of 
whom  from  the  Fox  River  were  here  a  few  days  ago)  they  would 
lead  us  to  believe  that  they  are  pacifically  disposed.  One  thing, 
however,  is  pretty  certain,  viz'  the  Chipeway  &  Ottawa  nations, 
hearing  that  the  Winnebagoes  &  Pottawattomies  were  hostilely  in- 
clined to  the  Whites,  have  sent  speeches  to  them,  the  purport  of  which 
is  to  desire  them  to  change  their  sentiments  respecting  the  Whites,  to 
live  in  peace  with  them,  representing  them  as  friends,  &  depicting 
the  miseries  a  War  would  lead  to. 

If  we  wish  to  know  the  actual  views  or  sentiments  of  the  Indians, 
we  ought  to  have  a  confidential  Indian  employed,  whose  business  it 
should  be  to  scour  the  country  from  time  to  time,  &  by  affecting 
hatred  to  the  Whites,  gain  if  possible,  such  information  as  might  lead 
to  the  forming  more  accurate  conclusions  as  to  those  Views  or  Senti- 
ments. This  has  been  practised  elsewhere  with  some  success,  &  as 
we  are,  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  nearly  environed  by 
different  tribes,  we  might  possibly  succeed  as  well,  or  at  least  be 
enabled  to  form  opinions  without  having  them  oftener  contradicted 
than  confirmed. 

I  also  had  the  honor  to  touch  upon  some  irregularities  respecting 
the  Suttling  business.  I  did  it  from  a  persuation  that  whenever  there 
were  persons  in  the  public  employ,  so  lost  to  virtue  as  to  interest 
themselves  in  concerns  which  would  not  bear  the  light,  that  it  did 
not  become  me  to  be  a  passive  spectator — my  feelings  not  only  revolt 
at  it,  but  I  feel  almost  persuaded  that  it  will  lead  to  serious  conse- 
quences. 


196  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

One  of  the  inducements  (and  I  have  reason  to  beHeve  there  is 
another)  for  appointing  a  Sutler  is,  the  officers  get  their  Wants  sup- 
plied at  costs  &  charges;  and,  in  consequence,  it  is  understood  that 
the  Suttler  may  charge  those  for  the  soldiery,  in  such  manner,  as  will 
reimburse  him  for  his  liberallity  to  the  officers. 

I  shall  not.  Sir,  tire  you  with  a  detail  of  the  evils  attending  this 
business,  because  on  former  occasions,  I  exposed  some  of  them;  but 
I  cannot  help  remarking  upon  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  Garrison  order 
that  instead  of  "The  Articles  for  the  trade  of  the  Troops"  being 
"furnished  on  reasonable  prices"  they  have,  since  the  appointment  of 
Suttler,  been  advanced  from  25  to  50  p.  Ct. 

I  hope,  Sir,  you  will  pardon  me  the  loss  of  time  this  may  occasion 
you,  &  permit  me  to  remain,  with  great  respect.  Sir,  Y'  Mo*  Ob* 
&  Most  hum'  Serv* 

M.  Irwin 

The  Hon""  W.  Eustis,  Sec^"  of  war,  Washington. 

P.S.  11'"  I  have  lately  ascertained  it  to  be  an  absolute  fact  that 
Mess"  Kinzie  &  Forsyth,  offered  a  gentleman  400$  per  annum  to  get 
them  appointed  at  Washington  the  Suttlers  for  this  place.  Perhaps 
few  men  are  less  deserving  of  Public  favors.  It  is  very  well  known 
that  they  (during  the  Campaigns  of  Gen''  S'  Clair  &  Wayne)  supplied 
the  Indians  with  Balls  &  Powder.  That  one  of  them  declared  to  some 
Englishmen  that  he  had  it  in  his  power  (during  those  campaigns)  to 
save  the  lives  of  some  American  Prisoners,  by  giving  a  few  quarts  of 
whiskey  but  that  he  would  not  sacrifice  his  property  for  the  sake  of  a 
few  d — d  Americans!     M.I. 

[Addressed]  The  Hon,  W"  Eustis,  Sec"  of  War,  Washington. 

[Endorsed]  Chicago  March  10, 1812.  M  Irwin  relative  to  the  threats 
of  the  Winebago  &  Potawattomie  Indians  &c.  also  inclosing  a  copy 
of  the  order  for  the  Suttlers.    Rec"  April  17'"  1812  " 

[Enclosure] 

Garrison  order  by  Nathan  Heald 

Fort  Dearborn  Jan^  17'"  1812. 
Garrison  Orders 

The  Commanding  officer  hereby  informs  the  Soldiers  &  Citizens 
that  Mess"  Kenzie  &  Forsyth  are  considered  as  the  proper  Suttlers 
for  this  Garrison  and  so  long  as  they  continue  to  furnish  the  necessary 


••  No  reply  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  197 

articles  for  the  Trade  of  the  Troops  on  reasonable  prices,  no  Certifi- 
cates of  pay  due  will  be  given  to  any  other  trader. 

(signed)     N.  Heald  Cap'  Com"* 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Dep'  March  11'"  1812 
His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  111'  Territory 

Sir  Your  Excellency'  letters  of  the  10'"  "  13'"  ^^  &  15'"  february^' 
were  received  yesterday. 

By  the  return  mail  I  have  only  time  to  inform  you  that  W"  Boling 
Whiteside  has  been  nominated  Cap'  of  the  Company  of  Rangers,  for 
the  Ilinois  Territory — So  soon  as  the  nomination  is  confirmed,^'  the 
commission  and  necessary  instructions  will  be  forwarded  to  your 
Excellency,  in  the  meantime  you  will  make  such  arrangements  for 
organizing  the  company  under  Cap'  Wliiteside,  as  you  may  deem 
expedient  and  proper.  The  subalterns  will  be  appointed,  as  soon  as 
suitable  persons  are  recommended. 

Two  companies  of  Rangers,  which  it  is  presumed  will  be  raised  in 
the  State  of  Ohio,  by  the  time  you  receive  this  letter,  one  company  to 
be  raised  in  Indiana,  one  in  Illinois,  and  one  from  Kentucky,  will  it 
is  conceived  be  competent  to  protect  the  frontiers,  and  to  accompany 
and  assist  a  detachment  of  regular  troops  which  will  be  ordered  to 

"  NA  (WD,  SWDF),  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp.  300-302,  informing  that  he 
had  been  unable  to  prevail  on  the  Kickapoo  and  Potawatomi  chiefs  to  meet  him 
in  conference;  that  the  Winnebago  were  reported  ready  to  attack  the  frontier; 
and  that  great  numbers  of  people  were  leaving  Illinois  Territory  in  fear  of  an 
uprising. 

"  Aide,  p.  186. 

''  NA  (WD,  SWDF),  printed.  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp.  302-303,  stating  he  now 
believed  Harrison's  victory  would  not  result  in  permanent  peace,  and  that  British 
agents  would  continue  to  try  to  foment  trouble.  With  the  original  are  the  fol- 
lowing enclosures:  a  copy  of  Edwards  to  the  President,  Oct.  16,  1811,  relative  to 
Indian  hostilities,  in  which  were  enclosed  copies  of  resolutions  of  the  people  of 
St.  Clair  County,  no  date,  urging  more  protection  for  the  frontier;  a  resolution 
of  the  militia  officers  of  St.  Clair  County,  no  date,  relative  to  the  need  of  regular 
troops  in  the  Territory;  and  a  memorial  from  the  people  of  the  same  county,  no 
date,  asking  for  protection  for  the  Territory.  The  original  of  the  letter  of  Oct.  16, 
1811,  with  its  enclosures,  is  also  found  in  NA,  he.  cit.,  under  its  date,  and  is 
printed,  with  enclosures,  in  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp.  288-291;  the  enclosures  are 
printed  in  A.S.P.,  Ind.  Affairs,  I,  802-803. 

"  Nominated  Mar.  11  and  confirmed  Mar.  13,  1812  {Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  11, 
234,  236). 


198  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

establish  a  post  at  the  Pioria  Village.^  A  mutual  communication 
between  the  Governors  of  the  States  and  Territories,  appears  to  be  a 
probable  means  of  producing  a  concert  of  operations  by  the  force 
which  has  been  and  will  be  provided  ^* 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

March  ll'"  1812 
Hon"'"  N.  Edwards,  Elvirade  Randolph  county  Illinois  Ter. 

I  have  received  yours  of  the  14'"  ^  on  the  subject  of  leasing  lands  on 
the  post  route  which  accords  with  opinions  I  have  frequently  expressed 
on  that  subject  and  I  have  forwarded  the  same  to  the  Chairman  of  the 
Land  Committee — 

G.  Gr. 


**  In  accordance  with  the  request  embodied  in  a  second  letter  from  Edwards  of 
Feb.  10,  1812  (Edwards,  op.  cit.,  p.  299),  which  also  recommended  W.  B.  White- 
side as  commander  of  the  rangers  in  Illinois  Territory.  In  the  same  connection 
see  Edwards  to  Senator  Pope,  same  date,  tbt'd.,  p.  300.  See  the  Secretary  of  War 
to  Edwards,  Mar.  16,  1812  (NA,  OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C),  embodying  instruc- 
tions for  raising  the  company  of  rangers  assigned  to  Illinois  Territory,  and  trans- 
mitting the  commission  for  the  commander  of  the  company,  which  was  in  con- 
formity with  the  act  approved  Jan.  2,  1812  (2  Stat.  670),  authorising  the  forma- 
tion of  six  companies  of  rangers  in  the  northwestern  territories.  This  letter  is 
nearly  identical  with  one  to  Governor  Harrison,  of  Indiana  Territory,  Feb.  28, 
1812  {Terr.  Papers,  Ind.,  viii,  168).  See  also  Edwards  to  Governor  Scott,  of 
Kentucky,  Feb.  13,  1812,  to  Governor  Howard  and  William  Clark,  of  Louisiana 
Territory,  Feb.  16,  1812,  and  to  Howard,  Feb.  27,  1812  (Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp.  302, 
303-304,  310-311).  With  respect  further  to  the  militia  situation,  see  id.  to  Col. 
Thomas  Levins,  1st  Illinois  regiment,  Feb.  21, 1812,  and  to  Col.  William  Whiteside 
(two  letters).  Mar.  15,  1812,  ibid.,  pp.  305-306,  309-310,  and  to  William  B. 
Whiteside,  Mar.  2,  1812,  ibid.,  pp.  311-312,  enclosing  the  latter's  commission  as 
captain  of  rangers  and  embodying  instructions.  Doubt  may  be  cast  on  the  date 
of  this  letter  as  given  in  the  printed  version  (the  original  has  not  been  found), 
since  the  commission,  according  to  the  above  letter,  could  not  have  been  forwarded 
from  Washington  until  after  Mar.  13. 

"  Answered  May  6,  1812  (NA,  WD,  SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp. 
312-315),  a  letter  of  great  length,  in  which  is  discussed  again  the  conference  at 
Cahokia  of  Apr.  16,  1812,  and  the  hope  is  expressed  of  obtaining  consent  of  the 
Indians  to  construct  a  fort  on  the  Sainquemon  (Sangamon)  River  where  the 
trace  crossed  from  Cahokia  to  Peoria.  There  is  also  additional  information  con- 
cerning Indian  hostilities  and  the  organization  of  the  rangers.  This  letter  was 
answered  June  4,  1812  (NA,  WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  5,  printed,  Edwards, 
op.  cit.,  p.  536),  in  which  Edwards  was  assured  the  militia  called  out  by  him  would 
be  paid  upon  presentation  of  muster  and  pay  rolls,  and  that  the  subalterns  named 
for  the  company  of  rangers  would  be  nominated. 

»°  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  199 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JEREMIAH  MORROW 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

March  11,  1812 
Hon"'*  Jeremiah  Morrow,  Chairman  of  the  Land  Committee. 

I  take  the  Hberty  to  enclose  the  letter  of  Ninian  Edwards  Esq'  on 
the  subject  of  increasing  facihties  to  aid  the  progress  of  the  mail  which 
requires  the  aid  of  your  committee  *' — What  he  proposes  would  be 
useful  to  this  office — 

G.  Gr. 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  RICHARD  M.  JOHNSON 
[LC:  HF,  12  Cong.,  1  sess.:  ALS  «»] 

Elvirade,  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  March  14.  1812 

Dear  Sir  I  hope  the  sincere  desire  which  I  feel  to  serve  the  people 
of  this  territory  &  their  having  no  delegate  in  congress  will  be  accepted 
as  an  apology  for  the  trouble  which  this  letter  will  give  you. 

At  no  time  since  the  first  organization  of  this  gov*  have  the  people 
as  far  as  I  can  learn  been  better  satisfied  with  their  territorial  officers 
than  at  the  present  juncture.  But  a  variety  of  different  wishes  and 
motives  have  combined  to  induce  them  to  wish  to  enter  the  second 
grade  of  territorial  gov*  merely  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  delegate 
to  congress — which  I  always  supposed  might  with  as  much  propriety 
have  been  allowed  them  without  their  being  obliged  to  incur  for  that 
purpose  alone  the  expences  of  the  second  grade — more  especially  since 
if  the  same  rights  should  be  extended  to  them  that  are  enjoyed  by  the 
Indiana  territory  the  delgate  will  be  wholly  independent  of  the  legis- 
lature— 

The  population  of  this  territory  as  appears  by  the  late  census 
amounts  to  12.282.''  in  the  whole  of  which  there  does  not  exceed 
between,  two  &  three  hundred  freeholders  (two  hundred  and  twenty 
I  am  convinced  is  the  extent  of  the  number.)  this  is  owing  to  the 
sale  of  public  lands  having  been  postponed  much  beyond  any  period 
that  was  anticipated  from  the  appointment  of  a  register  &  [receiver 
to  this  district — 

This  very  small  portion  of  freeholders  have  the  exclusive  right,  of 
determining  upon  the  contemplated  change  of  gov*  after  which  they 
alone  will  have  the  right  to  vote  for  the  members  of  the  legislature 
who  will  be  elected  for  two  years  with  the  right  to  nominate  the 

"  Letter  not  seen. 

"  Printed  also  in  Edwards,  op.  eil.,  pp.  306-309. 

"  Referring  to  the  census  of  1810,  the  only  extant  fragment  of  which  is  printed 
in  Norton  (ed.),  III.  Census  Returns,  1810, 1818  (IHC,  xxiv),  1-53.  The  returns 
thus  published,  presumed  to  be  wholly  from  Randolph  County,  total  7,275. 


200  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Council  who  will  be  appointed  for  five  years  by  which  a  small  minority 
will  have  the  power  to  fix  upon  a  very  large  and  respectable  majority 
of  their  fellow  citizens  a  course  of  measures  which  may  not  be  changed 
however  disagreeable  to  the  majority  for  five  years — Even  if  the 
danger  to  be  apprehended  should  be  considered  problematical  still 
such  are  the  jealous  and  independent  dispositions  of  freemen  that 
they  never  will  be  satisfied  to  depend  for  the  security  of  their  rights 
upon  the  mere  courtesy  of  others — 

A  number  of  petitions  have  been  presented  to  me  by  the  freeholders 
in  favor  of  organizing  a  general  assembly — and  not  one  against  the 
measure  has  been  rec"  so  that  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  change  will 
very  soon  take  place  and  I  have  this  day  issued  a  proclamation  for 
taking  in  a  formal  manner  the  sense  of  the  freeholders  on  the  subject — 

Under  these  circumstances  I  am  sure  I  do  not  miscalculate 
when  I  suppose  your  attachment  to  republican  principles  will  lead 
you  to  wish  to  extend  their  salutary  influence  to  the  people  of  this 
territory  by  extending  endorsing  the  right  of  suffrage — It  is  the  more 
just  and  necessary  because  it  is  not  the  fault  of  the  people  that  they 
are  not  freeholders  for  many  of  them  are  able  and  anxiously  waiting 
to  buy  land  as  soon  as  the  public  sales  are  open — Those  sales  will  cer- 
tainly commence  shortly  and  the  number  of  freeholders  will  thereby 
be  greatly  augmented  yet  unless  immediate  provision  be  made  for 
them,  they  may  for  the  reasons  before  given  be  excluded  from  the 
benefits  of  representation  for  five  years — 

These  considerations  also  demonstrate  the  propriety  of  giving 
the  people  of  the  territory  the  right  to  elect  their  delegate  to  congress, 
as  was  done  for  Indiana,  whilst  this  territory  was  an  integral  part  of 
that — A  delegate  was  designed  to  represent  the  whole  people  of  the 
territory  &  not  any  particular  description  of  citizens  only — except 
as  to  the  right  of  voting  in  congress — he  stands  precisely  in  the  same 
relation  to  the  people  of  a  territory  that  any  representative  in  con- 
gress does  to  the  people  of  his  district.  Why  then  should  the  election 
of  the  one  be  made  by  the  legislature  and  the  other  by  the  people 
themselves — It  is  more  necessary  that  the  people  here  should  have 
this  right  secured  to  them,  than  any  where  else,  for  owing  to  the 
peculiar  situation  of  this  territory,  in  consequence  of  the  sale  of  public 
lands  being  so  long  delayed,  one  hundred  and  thirty  freeholders 
having  an  interest  distinct  from  that  of  the  great  body  of  the  people 
feftv©  by  uniting  would  constitute  the  majority  of  the  freeholders  and 
could  elect  the  delegate  in  opposition  to  the  interest  and  wishes  of  all 
the  rest  of  a  population  consisting  of  12282  persons — It  surely  is 
enough  that  such  an  inconsiderable  mnjority  minority  should  possess 
the  power  of  of  legislating  for  the  whole  territory — But  to  secure  also 
the  additional  advantage  of  a  delegate  to  congress  is  a  reason  strongly 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  201 

urged  to  press  into  the  second  gi-ade  of  gov'  before  the  public  sales 
shall  open  and  thereby  increase  the  number  of  persons  who  could 
havo  ft  right  te  participate  in  the  equal  rights  of  free  government — 

Independent  of  the  strong  m  favor  ef  -tfee  »ca3urc  reasons  growing 
out  of  the  peculiarity  of  our  situation  in  favor  of  the  measure.  It  is 
strongly  recommended  by  considerations  of  justice  &  policy  upon 
general  principles — Our  house  of  representatives  will  consist  of  seven 
members  the  legislative  council  of  five  making  in  the  aggregate, 
twelve — -Whilever  these  men  have  the  sole  right  to  elect  the  delegate, 
scenes  of  intrigue  or  to  use  a  Kentucky  term  loggroUing  will  constantly 
present  themselves — which  although  while  they  may  gratify  the 
ambition  of  indi\-iduals  will  CoBticually  greatly  disturb  the  repose 
and  tranquility  of  any  territorial  gov'  and  hazard  much  of  the  best 
interest  of  the  best  citizens  thereof — • 

The  situation  of  the  setlers  between  Kaskaskia  and  the  Ohio  most 
cogently  demands  consideration — The  appointment  of  a  register  & 
receiver  to  this  district  several  years  ago  induced  those  people  to 
believe  (as  the  obvious  and  common  duty  of  such  officers  is  to  sell 
land  &  receive  the  money)  that  the  sales  v/ould  very  shortly  thereafter 
commence,  by  which  means  aed  with  a  view  te  fe«y  ^his  iaed  they 
were  induced  to  settle  on  the  land  they  proposed  to  buy — they  now 
constitute  at  least  one  third  of  the  whole  population  of  the  territory — 
and  a  great  portion  of  them  will  become  freeholders  as  soon  as  the 
sales  shall  be  open — Yet  imless  Congress  interpose  to  extend  to  them 
the  right  of  suffrage  &c  they  must  be  deprived  of  the  benefits  of  repre- 
sentation— The  ordinance  &  laws  amendatoiy  thereof  require  that  so 
soon  as  the  Governor  shall  receive  satisfactory  CA-idence  that  the  or- 
ganization of  a  general  assembly  in  the  territory  is  the  wish  of  a  major- 
ity of  the  freeholders — he  shall  order  an  election  for  representatives 
whose  number  shall  not  be  less  than  seven  nor  more  than  nine  and 
these  he  shall  apportion  to  the  several  counties  in  the  territory  accord- 
ing to  the  number  of  free  males  abo\Te  the  age  of  21  years — at  present 
there  are  but  two  counties  in  the  territory,  so  that  I  must  give  at  least 
four  representatives  to  one  and  three  to  the  other — This  power  is 
given  to  the  Governor  for  the  purpose  of  getting  the  second  grade  of 
gov'  in  operation  after  which  he  has  no  power  to  apportion  the 
representation  by  taking  a  member  from  one  or  both  the  counties  to 
which  he  had  pre\nously  given  him.  this  must  depend  on  the  legis- 
lature ef  which  consits  of  the  representatives  of  two  counties  only 
and  it  is  not  a  safe  calculation  that  they  will  have  magnanimity 
enough  to  relinquish  all  that  justice  would  require — the  people  of 
whom  I  have  spoken  as  residing  between  Kaskaskia  and  the  Ohio 
are  in  Randolph  County — will  be  counted  for  it  in  the  apportionment 
of  representatives  and  yet  will  have  no  vote — -If  I  seperate  those  people 


202  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

from  Randolph  by  laying  off  a  new  county  (which  I  have  only  been 
prevented  from  doing  in  consequence  of  their  being  in  legal  estima- 
tion intruders  on  public  land.)  and  should  apportion  to  them  their 
share  of  representatives  still  I  do  not  know  that  there  is  one  man 
among  them  that  is  qualified  to  be  a  representative  by  having  a 
freehold  of  200  acres  of  land,  and  not  more  than  three  or  four  quali- 
fied to  vote  by  ha\ang  a  freehold  in  fifty  acres  ef  km^  which  are  the 
qualifications  fixed  by  the  ordinance — Con\'inced  as  I  am  that  noth- 
ing more  than  a  fair  representation  of  the  situation  of  the  people 
of  this  territory  at  the  present  time  to  congress  can  be  necessary  to 
procure  them  the  justice  which  their  situation  imperiously  calls  for. 
I  beg  leave  in  their  behalf  most  earnestly  to  intreat  your  aid  in  pro- 
curing the  passage  of  law  to  extend  the  right  of  suffrage,  in  all  cases 
ift  which  ftfty  »ew  have  «  right  te  f^)^  and  for  the  election  of  the 
delegate  to  Congress  by  the  people  at  large  instead  of  by  the  legisla- 
ture. An  early  passage  of  the  law  alone  can  secure  *e  the  advantages 
which  it  may  propose,  as  otherwise  the  second  grade  will  be  forced 
ov[MS.  torn]  so  as  to  defeat  its  beneficial  purposes 

The  business  of  territories  however  urgent  it  is  understood  is  too 
often  postponed  i»  con3cqucncc  when  they  are  unfortunately  not  rep- 
resented because  no  one  particularly  feels  sufficient  interest  to  take 
upon  himself  exclusively  the  trouble  of  preparing  and  attending  to 
it — If  under  such  circumstances  the  people  should  be  fortunate  enough 
to  obtain  your  aid — I  am  sure  they  will  feel  &  be  proud  to  acknowledge 
everlasting  obligations  to  you — 

I  would  thank  you  to  inform  me  what  may  be  the  prospect  of 
having  the  right  of  suffrage  extended,  because  should  I  be  assured  that 
that  event  W  certainly  take  place  I  would  certainly  postpone  the 
elections  a  little  beyond  the  period  I  should  otherwise  appoint  for 
them — I  therefore  shall  be  greatly  obliged  if  you  can  find  it  convenient 
to  write  me  on  the  receit  hereof 

Y'  friend  &« 

N  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'*  Rich""  M  Johnson  Esqre  Washington  City 
Direct  to  Sidney  Grove  office  [Postmarked]  Sidney  Grove  March 
17*"    Free 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD.SWDF:ALS1 

Illinois  Territory  March  the  17. 1812 
Sir    I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  received  certain 
information  of  another  miu*der  being   committed    by  the  Indians 
accompanied  with  the  most  unheard  of  barbarity — 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  203 

And  some  friendly  Indians  have  informed  the  garrison  at  Fort 
Maddison  that  it  will  shortly  be  attacked  by  a  combination  of  Winne- 
bagoes  Kickapoos  Pottowottomies  and  Shawnees  &".'* 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  sir  ¥"■  Mo  Obd*  S' 

N  Edwards 

NB.  I  write  from  here — with  great  inconvenience  &  hope  you 
excuse  the  form  of  this  communication  &  the  necessary  haste  with 
which  it  is  written  &  the  paper    N  E 

\AMressed\  The  Honble  William  Eustis  Esqr  Secretary  of  War 
Washington   City    \Postmar'ked\   Sydney  Grove  March  17*"     Free 

\Endorsed\  Illinois  Territory  March  17,  1812  Gov.  N  Edwards- 
informs  of  another  murder  by  the  Indians,  and  that  Fort  Madison  is 
threatened  with  an  attack  Acknowlege  the  letter.  Rec"*  April 
4.  1812 »» 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  INHABITANTS  OF  THE 

TERRITORY  »» 

[LC:HF,  12  Cong.,  1  sess.:DS] 

{March  24,  1812] 

To  the  Honab^^  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  we  your  Peti- 
tioners Citizens  of  the  Territory  of  Illinois  beg  leave  most  respectfully 
to  represent  to  yoiu*  Honab'°  body  that  by  the  Law  which  establishes 
our  Territorial  Gov*  it  is  provided  that  a  General  Assembly  Shall  be 
organized  therein  as  soon  as  the  Gov''  thereof  Shall  receive  Satis- 
factory evidence  that  such  is  the  wish  of  a  majority  of  the  freeholders. 
The  Said  Gov''  in  consequence  of  haveing  received  many  petitions  for 
that  purpose  has  issued  his  proclamation  for  takeing  the  sense  of  the 
freeholders  on  the  subject"  and  we  have  no  doubt  but  that  the 
measure  will  succeed — Nor  have  we  any  objections  thereto.  But  we 
are  anxious  that  the  benefits  and  advantages  thereof  Shall  extend  to 
the  whole  of  our  fellow  citizens  and  not  to  a  favoured  few 

To  obtain  which  we  beg  leave  to  state  our  Situation  to  your  Hon- 
ab''  body.    Our  population  about  two  years  ago  consisted  of  twelve 

«  See  also  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  'War,  Feb.  18,  1812  (NA.WD.S'WDF, 
printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  p.  305),  with  other  information  concerning  Indian 
hostilities,  and  referring  the  Secretary  to  John  Rice  Jones,  then  in  'Washington, 
for  advice  relative  to  possible  future  military  establishments  in  the  Territory. 
Edwards  also  stated  that  he  and  Governor  Howard  had  decided  to  order  out  a 
force  of  rangers  to  protect  the  frontier.  Cf.  Howard  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
Mar.  19,  1812  (Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  XIV),  for  additional  details. 

"  Answered  post,  p.  210. 

«»  Enclosed  in  a  covering  letter  from  Governor  Edwards  to  the  Speaker  of  the 
House,  Mar.  30,  1812  (LC,  HF). 

"  Mar.  14,  1812,  Register,  pos(,  vol.  XVII. 


204  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty  two.  of  which  there  are  not  more 
than  between  two  and  three  hundred  free  holders.  These  have  the 
sole  right  of  determining  upon  the  change  of  Gov'  and  electing  the 
representatives  to  the  General  assembly  for  two  years,  those  repre- 
sentatives will  have  the  right  to  nominate  the  council  who  will  be 
appointed  for  five  years.  And  as  no  law  when  once  passed  can  be 
repealed  without  the  consent  of  the  majority  of  each  branch  of  the 
Legislature  the  very  Small  Minority  of  our  population  being  free- 
holders: will  have  the  power  of  Governing  such  an  immense  Majority 
for  five  years  Altho  we  should  become  freeholders — The  Legislature 
thus  brought  into  existence  by  a  bare  majority  of  the  free  holders 
among  us  will  have  the  sole  right  of  electing  the  delegate  to  Congress — 
And  we  cannot  but  view  with  the  aversion  natural  to  free  men,  re- 
publicans and  lovers  of  equal  rights  every  manifestation  of  a  desire 
among  our  fellow  citizens  to  limit  the  exercise  of  all  the  rights  affore- 
said  to  a  flew  individuals  to  the  exclusion  of  the  Great  body  of  the 
People  many  of  whom  are  now  Serving  their  country  by  opposeing 
the  inroads  of  the  Savages  and  who  are  in  every  respect  equally 
meritorious. 

Many  of  us  are  now  freeholders  &  others  would  long  Since  have 
become  so  if  the  Sale  of  public  lands  had  not  been  unexpectedly  de- 
layed ;    All  are  attached  to  the  country  and  interested  in  its  Support. 

We  therefore  respectfully  Solicit  that  your  Honorable  body  will 
kindly  interpose  and  extend  the  right  of  Sufferage  and  place  us  upon 
a  footing  with  our  Sister  Territories  particularly  Indiana  of  which  we 
were  once  a  part  by  permitting  the  deligate  to  Congress  to  be  elected 
by  the  people  at  large.  He  certainly  was  designed  as  the  represen- 
tative of  the  whole  and  not  a  part  only— And  altho  Some  of  us  may 
lose  the  oportunity  of  voteing  for  members  of  the  Gen'  assembly  in 
consequence  of  its  being  about  to  take  place  so  shortly,  Still  it  will 
be  in  your  power  to  authorise  the  people  to  vote  for  the  Deligate  to 
Congress  in  the  fall  as  the  Election  cannot  take  place  much  Sooner. 
All  which  we  respectfully  Submit,  And  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever 
pray  &c.  fee" 

{March  24'"  1812) 

W"  Rector  Cha'  C.  Himiphreys 

B.  Stephenson  John  Agen 

Patrick  Lamer  Michael  Smith 

Elias  Barcroft  Geo  Fisher 

Stephen  Rector  Jacob  Fisher 

Sam  Rector  James  Tailor 

N:  Rector.  Laurance  M"  M«Closky 

mark 
••  See  post,  P-  213. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  205 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  WILLIAM  ARUNDEL 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

March  25—1812 
W.  Arundel  Esq'  P.  M,  Kaskaskia  II.  Ter. 

We  are  satisfied  with  the  terms  of  the  contract  which  you  have 
entered  into  with  M'  Morrison— 

G.  Gr. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  GOVERNOR 

EDWARDS 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2] 

Treasury  Depm*  26*"  March  1812 
Sir,  I  enclose  the  copy  of  a  letter  from  M''  Leonard  White,''  Agent 
at  the  United  States  saline,  giving  information  of  certain  operations  of 
the  Lessees  adverse  to  the  interest  of  the  U.  States;  and  request  that 
you  will  take  such  measures  as  in  your  opinion  are  best  calculated 
to  promote  and  insure  the  sale  of  the  U.  S;  salt,  as  mentioned 
therein. 
I  have  &c* 

His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Governor  of  the  Illinois  Ter" 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  CITIZENS  OF  THE 

TERRITORY 

[LC:HF,  12  Cong.,  2  sess.:DS] 

[No  date,  1812] 
To  the  Honorable  the  Congress  of  the  United  States 

we  your  petitioners.  Citizens  of  Illinois  Territory  and  Inhabitants 
of  the  Land  district  East  of  Kaskaskia  which  has  been  established 
during  your  present  session.'" 

Beg  leave  most  respectfully  to  represent  to  your  Honorable  body 

That  the  district  recently  created  contains  one  third  of  the  whole 
population  of  the  Territory 

That  in  consequence  of  the  preparations  which  the  United  States 
seemed  to  be  making  several  years  ago  for  the  sale  of  the  publick  land 
by  surveying  the  same  and  appointing  a  register  and  receiver  to  the 
district  that  included  it,  we  were  induced  to  settle  thereon  with  the 
hope  and  expectation  of  being  able  shortly  thereafter  to  purchase  the 
Land  we  occupied  and  to  become  freeholders 

No  sale  however  has  yet  taken  place  and  we  have  so  far  been  dis- 
appointed— but  during  our  residence  in  the  Territory  we  have  endeav- 

«»  Not  seen. 

"  Approved  Feb.  21,  1812  (2  Stat.  684). 


206  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

ored  faithfully  to  fullfill  all  the  duties  required  of  us  and  have  never 
failed  to  comply  promtly  with  any  requisition  that  has  been  made  for 
our  portion  of  Militia  to  defend  the  country  against  the  depredations 
of  our  savage  neighbors — 

To  all  our  privations  hitherto  we  have  submitted  with  patience  in 
consequence  of  their  resulting  from  the  peculiar  form  of  government 
adopted  for  the  Territory.  But  we  felicitated  ourselves  with  the 
pleasing  anticipation  of  events  that  would  admit  us  to  an  enjoyment 
of  the  Equal  rights  of  free  men.  And  at  the  very  Instant  that  our 
hopes  seemed  likely  to  be  realized,  by  the  prospect  of  the  sale  of  publick 
Land  being  shortly  opened  they  are  exchanged  for  a  conviction  of 
their  fallacy  without  the  aid  of  your  Honorable  body  immediately  and 
kindly  interposed  to  relieve  us  as  you  will  perceive  by  the  following 
plain  statement 

By  the  Law  establishing  this  Territorial  Government,  it  is  declared, 
that  a  General  assembly  shall  be  organized  so  soon  as  satisfactory 
evidence  shall  be  given  to  the  Governor  that  such  is  the  wish  of  a 
majority  of  the  free  holders — 

He  is  then  to  apportion  the  representitives  who  shall  not  exceed 
nine  nor  be  less  than  seven  to  the  several  counties  according  to  the 
number  of  free  male  Inhabitants  above  the  age  of  Twenty  one,  nothing 
less  than  a  free  hold  in  fifty  acres  of  Land  can  authorise  any  one  to 
vote  for  representatives,  who  must  themselves  have  a  free  hold  in  two 
Hundred  Acres  and  be  Elected  for  two  years.  Those  Representatives 
will  have  the  right  to  nominate  the  members  of  the  council  who  must 
be  appointed  for  five  years — 

And  the  legislature  thus  constituted  will  have  a  right  to  elect  the 
delagate  to  congress,  we  beg  leave  to  represent  that  the  freeholders  in 
the  Territory  do  not  exceed  between  two  and  three  Hundred  and  our 
population  was  about  two  years  past  Twelve  Thousand  two  Hundred 
and  Eighty  two  so  that  your  Honorable  body  can  not  fail  to  perceive 
that  a  bare  majority  of  this  very  small  number  of  Free  holders  have 
the  power  by  the  exercise  of  the  exclusive  right  aforesaid,  to  govern 
the  immense  majority  consisting  of  the  whole  of  the  residue  of  our 
population  for  five  years — and  to  deprive  us  of  an  Equal  representa- 
tion in  the  legislature 

At  present  there  are  but  two  counties  in  the  Territory  and  If  the 
second  grade  of  Government  now  take  place  the  Governor  must 
apportion  the  whole  of  the  representatives  to  these  counties  And 
there  is  no  power  given  to  him  to  take  them  away,  and  make  new 
apportionments  when  new  counties  shall  be  made — This  must  depend 
upon  the  Legislature  composed  of  the  representatives  of  the  two 
Counties  only — and  we  do  not  like  to  rest  upon  the  precarious  de- 
pendance  of  their  magnanimously  resigning  a  sufficient  portion  of 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  207 

their  power — At  present  we  are  a  part  of  Randolph  County  must  be 
counted  for  it  in  the  apportionment  of  representatives — and  yet  we 
have  not  a  man  among  us  quahfied  to  be  a  representative  nor  more 
than  three  or  four  qualified  to  vote.  And  before  any  radical  change 
can  take  place  we  expect  certainly  to  be  included  in  a  new  county — 
We  are  sorry  to  add  that  we  have  two  much  reason  to  believe  that  a 
portion  of  the  present  free  holders,  seeing  that  the  publick  sales  are 
about  to  commence  and  that  the  number  of  free  holders  will  conse- 
quently be  greatly  augmented  are  disposed  to  hasten  into  the  second 
grade  of  Government  to  exclude  us  from  an  Equal  participation  in 
its  benefits  and  to  monopolize  the  whole  power  in  their  own  hands 
They  have  already  presented  numerous  petitions  to  the  Governor 
praying  for  the  change.  He  has  Issued  his  proclamation  for  taking 
the  sense  of  the  free  holders  on  the  subject  and  we  have  no  doubt  the 
measure  will  succeed 

We  therefore  pray  your  Honorable  body  to  extend  the  right  of 
suffrage  and  authorize  the  people  to  elect  the  Delegate  to  Congress  '• 
without  which  he  instead  of  being  the  representative  of  the  whole 
territory  may  be  the  actual  representative  of  a  small  favored  minority 
very  little  exceeding  the  number  of  One  Hundred  what  we  ask  for 
has  been  granted  to  our  sister  Territory  Indiania  of  which  we  were  a 
part  "  And  we  beg  leave  further  to  observe  that  If  the  generous 
interposition  thus  respectfully  solicited  shoiJd  not  be  granted  at  an 
early  period  It  will  be  too  late  after  the  legislature  shall  have  convened 
and  elected  the  delegate.    We  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &C  &C 

Tho=  E.  Craig  Phill  Buckner 

Jo=  R:  G:  Poole  Harrison  Wilson 

Ja°  Ratcliff  Jacob  Sexton 

Thomas  Shannon  Joshua  Sexton 

Benjamin  Talbott  James  Gobin 

John  Davidson  Taylor  Maulding 

Matter  Pearce  Charles  White 

Thomas  Dawson  Edmond  W  Bages 

Thomas  Chinoweth  Seth  Hargrave 

Absalom  Ashley  William  Johnston 

Fr^  Wheatly  George  Robertson 

Walker  Scanland  John  Summers 

John  ormsby  William  Pate 

Israel  Hale  John  Smith 

William  Owens  W"  H  Ramsey 

Dorris  Elisha  Colbart 

Edward  Farley  John  Wilson 

E  Keeling  Thomas  Wallss 

James  [MS.  illegible]  Alfred  Wood 

"  See  act  approved  May  20,  1812  (2  Stat.  741-742),  which  not  only  extended 

the  suffrage  as  prayed  but  also  provided  for  the  election  of  a  Delegate  to  Congress. 

"  By  acts  approved  Feb.  27, 1809  and  Dec.  15, 1809  (2  Stat.  525-526,  554-555). 


208 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


John  Morris 
George  Jackson 
James  Willson 
Alexandre  Blare 
david  Setz 
Joshua  Williams 
Chissom  Esters 
Samuel  Omelveny 
Alexand  Parkison 
Thomas  Rose 
Lewis  Conkey 
Job  Patteys 
W"  Patteys 
John  Williams 
David  Baultinger 
Nathan  Young 
John  Weeks 
Ja'  Ford 
Joseph  Upton 
Isaac  Hall 
James  Hanna 
Tomas  Little 
William  Ditterline 
William  M«Henry 
.'homas  M'CoUister 
John  Wren 
Joseph  Jordan 
Nicholas  Wren 
John  Morris 
John  Stapleton 
Will-  Reid 
Joseph  Rogers 
Bethel  Pue 
John  Groves 
Brice  hanes 
Carraway  Gates 
John  Wilson 
J  W  Buchner 
Thomas  Hatfield 
Thompson  M  Harris 
Morris  May 
Robbert  Harris 
Enoch  Brown 
John  Woods 
John  Forester 
Ch"  Hill 
Elsha  Gordon 
James  Phipps 
W°  Kincheloe 
John  Robinson 
Tho»  Berry 
Jno,  Browning 
Elisha  Browning 
Ja"  Tramell 


Fr'  Jordon 
Richard  Riddels 
William  M'Kinny 
Samuel  Hargrave 
Leo"  White 
Sam  W.  White 
Samuel  E  H  [MS.  torn] 
Daniel  Diddrick 
Joel  Madcalf 
Elias  Morgan 
Tho«  F  Glenn 
Mannuel  Madcalf 
John  Black 
G  B  Stovall 
Squire  Stovall 
Jacob  Nicols 
Samuel  Bratton 
Nedham  Johnston 
W"  Watson 
James  Watson 
Elisha  Hall 
Andrew  Bratton 
Demsy  Stanly 
Sphen  Stanly 
Abraham  Stovall 
John  Stovall 
Joseph  Fisher 
Plesant  Rose 
Lewis  Watkins 
Benoney  Lee 
Sollomon  Redfem 
Samuel  Roberts 
Daniel  Vinyard 
George  Vinyard 
Joseph  Estes 
David  Goss 
Joseph  Riley 
Jery  Miah  Pixley 
John  Palmer 
Abraham  Shelby 
Elert  Rose 
John  Moore 
John  Smyth 
Ryly  Houdson 
Absalom  Estes 
Jn°  Vineyard 
Willam  Vinyard 
Alexander  Clark 
Valentine  Cook 
David  cooley 
John  Woodell 
George  Morriess 
Thomas  Willson 
George  Patterson 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  209 

ANONYMOUS    PROTEST    AGAINST    TRANSITION    TO 
SECOND  GRADE  OF  GOVERNMENT 

[LC:  HF,  12  Cong.,  1  sess.:AD] 

[No  date,  1812  c] 

It  is  a  maxim  no  less  just  than  true  in  all  well  regulated  Govern- 
ments, that  Taxation  &  representation  should  be  proportionate;  the 
very  reverse  of  this  maxim  will  take  place  in  Case  the  bill  before 
Congress  allowing  an  universal  Suffrage  in  the  Illinois  Territory 
should  pass  into  a  law — as  That  Territory  by  entering  into  the  second 
Grade  of  Government,  will  have  a  considerable  revenue  to  raise  for 
defraying  the  Expences  thereof.  And  The  only  object  she  has,  (and 
the  only  one  which  has  been  resorted  to  in  all  these  Territories,) 
of  Taxation  is  the  land  held  by  Individuals,  who  will  have  the  whole  to 
pay,  while  those  who  do  not  possess  any  will  be  clear  of  any  additional 
Expence — If  then  the  freeholders  onlj'  are  to  pay  all  the  extra  Expences 
of  the  2"*  Grade  of  Gov'  would  it  not  be  unjust  that  those  who  do  not 
contribute  to  it,  should  have  a  voice  in  the  representation — The 
qualification  is  only  50  acres  of  land,  which  at  Congress  price  may  be 
got  for  $75  &  from  Individuals  at  a  less  price,  which  is  surely  as  little 
a  qualific"  as  could  be  desired  even  by  the  most  liberal — 

iinothcr  Effect  The  passage  of  the  law  will  have  the  farther  Effect 
of  extending  to  unlawful  Intruders  on  the  public  lands,  the  same  rights 
as  those  possess  who  live  on  their  own — It  is  an  undoubted  fact  that  by 
far  a  majority  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Territory  are  unlawful  in- 
truders on  the  public  lands,  and  that  all  those  li\-ing  on  the  Ohio  & 
Miss'  rivers  below  Kaskaskia,  are  with  the  Exceptions  perhaps  of 
4  or  5  of  this  description,  and  that  they  amount  to  nearly  one  half  of 
the  population  of  the  Territory, 

The  laws  of  Congress  say  that  those  men  are  guilty  of  a  misde- 
meanor, &  liable  to  punishment,  the  passage  of  this  bill  into  a  law  will 
in  fact  countenance  the  Infraction  of  the  fonner  laws  and  by  giving 
them  equal  rights  with  other  Citizens  render  their  Situation  much 
more  eligible — It  may  be  said  that  those  Intruders  eft  public  kftds  will 
purchase  their  lands  they  Uve  on,  whenever  the  Sales  of  the  public 
lands  shall  take  place  which  it  is  expected  wiU  shortly  be — A  few  no 
doubt  will  do  so,  but  I  am  convinced  that  a  great  majority  of  them 
have  neither  the  Intention  nor  the  means  of  doing  so,  and  if  we  look 
into  the  history  of  the  popoluation  of  all  the  western  parts  of  the 
Countrj%  it  will  be  found  that  the  first  settlers,  (being  intruders 
generally,)  are  but  mere  birds  of  passage  &  as  Gov'  &  population 
advance,  move  further  back — 

By  the  ordinance  of  Congress  of  1787  it  is  provided  that  when' 
there  shod  be  5000  free  male  Inhab"  of  full  age  in  the  Territory, 
they  should  be  entitled  to  enter  into  the  2"  Grade  of  Gov'  &  elect  a 
Delegate  to  Congress;  but  by  the  Act  of  Congress  for  dividing  the 


210  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Ind*  Territory,  they  are  permitted  to  enter  into  this  Grade  whenever 
a  majority  of  them  should  think  proper,  notwithstand'g  there  may  be 
less  than  5000  free  male  Inhab"  therein— By  the  late  Census  it  appears 
there  was  then  about  12250  only  in  the  Territory,  since  that,  on  acct. 
of  the  apprenhion  of  Indian  hostilities  the  number  had  greatly  di- 
minished ;  admitting  however  there  should  be  the  same  n°  at  this  time 
as  at  the  time  of  taking  the  Census,  there  cannot  be  exceeding  2400 
men  of  full  age  in  the  Territory',  which  is  less  than  half  the  number 
required  by  the  Ordinance — a  few  ambitious  men  however,  will  have 
the  2"  Grade  of  Gov'  &  by  that  means  again  plunge  the  Territory  not 
only  into  an  unnecessary  Expence,  but  also  into  that  State  of  ferment 
&  Confusion  from  which  she  is  just  emerging  &  which  she  was  thrown 
into  when  forming  a  part  of  the  Indiana  Territory,  where  the  2''  Grade 
of  Gov'  was  imprudently  entered  into,  and  which  consequently  threw 
the  whole  into  a  State,  almost  of  Anachy,  but  certainly  of  Strife  & 
discord 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  MATTHEW  IRWIN 
[NA:WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  5] 

War  Dep'  April  7'"  1812 
M.  Irwin  Esq'  U.  S.  factor  Chicago. 

Sir  Your  letter  of  the  19'"  Jan''  is  received."  The  officer  com- 
manding at  Chicago,  will  be  directed  to  take  the  necessary  measures 
to  fortify  and  guard  the  public  buildings,  and  to  regulate  the  charges 
of  Suttlers. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 
[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Dep'  April  7'"  1812 
His  Excellency  N.  Edwards    Kaskaskia 

Sir  Your  Excellency"  letter  of  March  17'"  has  been  received.'' 
By  this  time  it  is  presumed  that  the  different  companies  of  rangers 
which  have  been  authorised  are  in  operation  and  ready  to  check  any 
incursions  on  the  part  of  the  Indians.  This  force  it  is  hoped  will 
serve  to  remove  the  apprehensions  which  have  been  excited." 

"  Antt,  p.  184. 

"  Ante,  p.  202. 

"  Answered  May  12,  1812  (NA,WD,SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp. 
319-321,  but  without  the  maps  which  are  enclosed  in  the  original),  giving  a 
detailed  report  on  Indians  within  the  Illinois  Territory.  There  is  also  another 
letter,  id.  to  id..  May  (no  day),  1812,  ibid.,  pp.  315-318,  containing  a  description 
of  the  location  of  the  various  tribes  of  Indians  within  his  jurisdiction  and  beyond. 
See  also  id.  to  id.,  Mar.  23,  1811  (NA,  op.  cit.,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  ci<.,  p.  311), 
inquiring  how  the  rangers  were  to  be  paid,  and  expressing  no  doubt  of  the  hostile 
intentions  of  the  Indians  between  the  Lakes  and  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  211 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  LEONARD  WHITE 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

April  7.  1812 
Leonard  White  Esqr  P.  M,  U.  S.  Saline  Ind  T. 

I  have  reed  yours  of  Feby  28'"  '*  the  contractor  who  undertook  to 
convey  the  mail  between  Hendersonton  ^'  &  Kaskaskia  so  far  departed 
from  the  covenants  of  his  contract,  that  we  deemed  it  to  be  our  duty 
to  place  that  mail  in  other  hands — 

G.  Gr. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  JOHN  CALDWELL 
[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2] 

Treasury  Depm'  16'"  April  1812. 

Sir,  Enclosed  you  will  receive  a  Commission  from  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  appointing  you  to  be  Receiver  of  public  monies 
at  Kaskaskia.'"  I  have  to  request  that  you  will  immediately  qualify 
yourself  by  taking  an  oath,  to  support  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  and  for  fidelity  in  Office;  with  a  bond  executed  by  yourself 
and  one  or  more  good  sureties,  in  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars. 
The  bond  and  oath  to  be  forwarded  to  this  Office. 

A  form  of  the  bond  is  enclosed,  as  well  as  a  copy  of  the  law.     I  am 

&c* 

John  Caldaa^ll  Esq'  Vincennes. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  THOMAS  SLOO 
[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  2] 

Treasury  Depm'  16'"  April  1812. 

Sir,  Enclosed  you  will  receive  a  commission  from  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  appointing  you  to  be  a  Commissioner  for  examining 
and  enquiring  into  the  validity  of  claims  to  land  in  the  District  of 
Kaskaskia,  which  are  derived  from  confirmations  made,  or  pretended 
to  have  been  made,  by  the  Governors  of  the  North  West  and  Indiana 
Territories  respectively. 

I  am  &c* 

A  copy  of  the  law  is  enclosed. 
Thomas  Sloo  Esq"'  Cincinnati. 

''  Not  found. 

"  The  present  Henderson,  Ky.  The  route  in  question  was  a  section  of  the 
longer  post  route  extending  from  Hardinsburg,  Ky.,  through  U.  S.  Saline  to 
Shawneetown,  Illinois  Territory,  and  on  to  Kaskaskia. 

*■  Nominated  Mar.  30  and  confirmed  Apr.  1,  1812  {Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  ii, 
242). 

314574 — 48 15 


212  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

MATTHEW  IRWIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS1 

Chicago  Ajnil  16'"  1812. 

Sir,  On  the  6'"  inst.  a  party  consisting  of  about  10  or  11  Indians, 
surrounded  a  small  farm-house  which  is  on  the  Chicago  River,  about 
four  miles  from  this  Fort.  There  happened  to  be  in  &  about  the  house 
four  persons,  viz'  three  men  &  a  boy.  one  of  whom  &  the  boy,  seeing 
the  Indians  were  not  altogether  well  disposed,  took  occasion,  under  a 
promise  to  the  Indians  that  they  would  return  in  a  few  minutes,  to 
escape.  No  sooner  were  they  out  of  danger,  then  they  heard  the 
discharge  of  fire  arms  &  concluded  the  men  they  left  behind  were  shot. 
In  a  few  hours  after,  two  men  were  sent  to  investigate  the  fact,  who 
confirmed  it — adding  they  were  not  only  shot,  but  scalped,  and  stabbed 
in  various  places.  Their  names  are  Liberty  White  &  John  BabtisL 
Cardin.  The  former  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  &  the  other 
of  Canada. 

The  persons  who  escaped,  aver  that  the  above  party  belong  to  the 
Winebagoe  tribe,  &  all  young  men — armed  with  guns,  tomahawks,  & 
knives.  In  consequence  of  this  transaction,  the  inhabitants  have  fled 
from  their  homes,  &  now  occupy,  for  their  greater  secui'ity,  the  Indian 
Agency  house,  which  has  been  partially  fortified.  They  form  a  body  of 
13  or  14  effective  men,  &  make  frequent  excursions,  with  intention  to 
discover  unfriendly  Indians,  &  will  be  in  the  event  of  an  Indian  War,  of 
great  utility,  considering  the  want  of  men  in  the  Fort,  to  this  place. — 

The  loss  of  the  men  above  alluded  to  has  created  so  great  a  sensation 
that  a  number  of  friendly  Indians  of  the  Chippeway  &  Ottawa  tribes, 
who  resided  near  this,  have  been  ordered  away.  Propositions  were 
openly  made  to  murder  them  as  well  as  some  French  persons  (with 
Indian  wives)  who  have,  ever  since  they  have  been  here,  manifested 
peaceable  dispositions.  The  principal  persons  who  advised  &  insisted 
upon  such  measures  being  carried  into  effect,  were  the  Suttler  for  this 
garrison  &  his  Son-in  law — L'  Helm. — 

Thinking  it  would  lead  to  a  general  Indian  War,  I  have  exerted 
myself,  &  not  without  effect  to  subdue  this  bloodthirsty  spirit. 

The  business  of  the  Trading  house  is  suspended  in  consequence  of 
the  Indians  being  ordered  from  this  place;  nor  is  it  permitted  those 
who  come  from  a  distance  to  dispose  of  their  furs,  &c.  This  is  a  sin- 
gular kind  of  policy  to  adopt  towards  friendly  Indians;  but  it  answers 
very  well  for  a  few  pretended  Americans,  who,  while  they  can  dispose 
people  to  believe  that  the  Indians  are  generally  unfriendly,  reap  the 
fruits  of  it  through  their  agents  at  other  places." — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect.  Sir,  Y'  Mo'  Ob*  Serv' 

M.  Irwin  U.  S.  Factor 

>■  See  Nathan  Heald  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Apr.  17,  1812  (NA,WD,SWDF), 
containing  a  briefer  account  of  the  incident  related  above. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  213 

The  Hon"'"  W"  Eustis  Sec''  of  War,  Washington. — 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'"  W"  Eustis,  Washington  City    [Postmarked] 

Piqua,  Oh.    May  1='    Free 

[Endorsed]  Chicago  April  16.  1812    M.  Irwin  States  the  murder  of 

two  men  by  the  Indians,  consequent  alarm,  conduct  of  the  garrison 

&c.— ReC'  May  15*"  1812  ^^ 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  WILLIAM  ARUNDEL 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

April  IT'"  1812 
William  Arundell  Esq'  P.M,  Kaskaskia  111.  Ter. 

I  have  received  yours  of  the  30*"  Ult,  ^^  we  agree  that  you  give  two 
hundred  &  seventy  five  dollars  per  annum  for  transporting  the  mail 
once  a  fortnight  between  your  office  and  Girardot,  he  must  meet  the 
rider  from  Eddyville,  we  can  extend  the  time  for  performance  as 
far  as  you  may  judge  it  necessary.  We  have  again  requested  the 
postmaster  of  Louisville  to  send  you  four  more  portmanteaus,  No  218 
can  be  extended  as  you  propose — - 

G  Gr 


SUBSCRIBERS  TO  PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  FROM 
CITIZENS  OF  THE  TERRITORY  «* 

[LC:HF,  12  Cong.,  1  sess.] 

[Tabled  April  22,  1812] 

Charles  M^Nabb  John  Dix 

John  M  Harrison  G  D  Kramer 

James  M^Nabb  Thomas  Van  Swearingen 

William  Hambleton  John  Postelweight 

Samuel  Taylor  Ephraim  Carpenter 

W"  Eront  W.  L.  Ney 

W"  C.  Greenup  Louis  Seguin 

P.  Fouke  Ant.  Z.  Chenet «' 


'»  No  reply  found. 

*"  Not  found. 

'<  This  list  of  autograph  signatures  is  not  completely  and  conclusively  identified. 
It  is  found  detached  from  the  petition  to  which  it  belonged  but  it  is  believed  to 
have  been  originally  attached  to  the  petition  of  Mar.  24,  1812,  ante, -p.  203;  or  it 
may  have  been  attached  to  a  duplicate  of  the  same  petition,  the  text  of  which 
has  disappeared.  Both  conjectures  amount  to  the  same  thing.  It  will  be  noted 
that  there  is  no  endorsement  on  the  petition  of  Mar.  24,  1812,  and  that  the  en- 
dorsement on  the  back  of  the  present  list  of  names  and  the  corresponding  Journal 
entry  tally  exactly  with  the  petition  in  question.  Only  one  petition  from  Illinois 
Territory  relating  to  suffrage  during  that  session  of  Congress  has  been  noted,  if  it 
may  be  assumed  that  the  House  Journal  is  complete  in  that  regard.  It  is  there- 
fore highly  probable  that  the  present  document  is  a  part  of  the  petition  mentioned. 

^  Reading  uncertain. 


214 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


W"  Bilderback 
Jn"  Lucas 
John  Haque  " 
Matin  Brewer 
Francois  Colien 
Edward  Boles 
John  Wilson 
John  M.  Wilson 
Alexand  Clark 
W"  Barnett 
Samuel  Leard 
John  Campbell 
Arch"  Thomson 
Sam'  Crozier 
James  M.  Foster 
Jonathan  Pettit 
David  Pettit 
Joseph  M'Courtny 
thom'  handcock 
Shadrach  Lively 
John  Millar 
Jams  Lee 
Alex'  barber 
Joseph  Liveley 
George  Belsha 
James  Lash  ** 
John  Bilderback 
James  Cury 
James  Slater 
William  Hammelton 
W"  Roberts 
John  Fulton 
Cyrus  Fulton 
Andrew  M'^Cormack 
Daniel  Buell 
Thomas  Fulton 
David  Fulton 
EdW  Summers 
Daniel  Bilderback 
Joseph  Conway 
J.  Milton  Moore 
Jo'  Barton 
Ralph  Lee 

Samule  Postleweight 
Clement  C  Conway 
S  Lachapelle 
Aaron  Burr 
Moses  Burr  "^ 
George  Glenn 
Elias  Roberts 


Hugh  White 

G.  W.  Frazer 

Clement  Drewry 

David  Weyer 

William  Thomp  [MS.  torn] 

Alexander  X  Carleton  X 

John  Stublefield 

Preston  Brickey 

James  Adkins 

Joseph  Riggs 

Thomas  Roberts 

Silas  hathaway 

Robert  Morrison 

William  fisher 

Tho»  C.  Patterson 

Hugh  J.  Maxwell 

J  Gilbreath 

P  Haralson 

Tho°  Levens 

Henr>^  Levens 

Otho  Levens 

Owen 

James  Leard 

Nath'  Hill 

Samuel  Vermilion 

William  Been 

Raleigh  Ralls 

Joseph  Eberman 

Stace  Mcdonough 

Samuel  fulten 

Henry  Mill 

John  Hill 

James  Liveley 

J.  Finney 

George  Baggs 

Solomon  Allen 

John  Irwin 

James  bages 

Abolom  Cox 

William  M'Daniel  Sen' 

W"  M-^Bride 

John  Anderson 

David  Anderson 

James  Couch 

Millentun  Couch 

rechard  beasly 

James  Patterson 

John  M'^Bride 

William  Little 

Rob«  Hill 


"  Or  Hague;  neither  name  is  found  in  the  census  lists. 

"  Or  Tash. 

"  Doubtful  reading;  MS.  faded. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  215 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  sundry  citizens  of  the  Illinois  territory. 
22^  Ap'  1812.  Ordered  to  lie  on  the  table.'^  M--  Speaker  lie  on  the 
table 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

INA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

COHOKiA  S'  Clair  County  Illinois  Territory  April  24.  1812 

Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  lately  held  a 
council  with  the  Pottowattomies  Kickapoos  Ottowas  &  Chippewas 
who  reside  on  the  Illinois  river  and  near  Lake  Michagan  '' — and  have 
some  hopes  that  it  may  eventuate  in  peace  with  those  bands — which 
would  be  very  important  to  us.  The  means  I  have  employed  I  hope 
hereafter  to  be  able  to  show  you  were  well  calculated  to  produce  the 
desired  effect.  But  there  is  very  little  dependance  in  the  sincerity  of 
the  Indians — 

Some  of  the  hostile  bands  are  now  most  certainly  approaching  our 
settlements  with  a  view  to  commit  depredations — &  I  set  out  this 
moment  to  the  frontiers  for  the  purpose  of  arresting  their  progress — 
This  business  has  already  kept  me  from  home  about  two  weeks  and  I 
know  not  when  it  will  be  in  my  power  to  return — 

The  opinion  of  the  celebrated  british  trader  Dixon,'*  is  that  in  the 
event  of  a  British  War  all  the  Indians  will  be  opposed  to  us — and  he 
hopes  to  be  able  to  engage  them  in  hostility  by  making  peace  between 
the  Sioux  and  Chippawas.  two  very  large  nations,  and  ea^giftg  them 
eg'  tt9  getting  them  to  declare  against  us.  This  he  thinks  will  decide 
those  either  disposed  to  be  hostile  or  who  are  wavering  and  by  intimi- 
dation bring  all  who  are  disposed  to  be  friendly  into  an  active  coopera- 
tion against  us. 

I  write  in  great  haste,  not  having  a  moment  to  spare 

Very  respectfully  I  am  Sir  y  M"  Obd*  S' 

N  Edwards 

P.S.  I  have  called  out  in  addition  to  the  rangers  a  company  of 
mounted  rifle  men — which  will  be  kept  out  till  some  other  company 
of  rangers  shall  join  us. 

I  have  not  had  it  in  my  power  to  recommend  proper  persons  as 
subalterns  for  Capt  Whitesides  company — I  at  first  organized  the 
company  for  three  months  and  the  men  chose  their  subalterns  and 
are  well  pleased  with  them  Tbe  foot  Liea'  is  Wr  not  knowing  those 
men  I  cd  not  recommend  them — and  I  had  no  other  applications 
The  first  Lieu'  is  W°  Savage,  2  Lieu'  Isaac  Hill— The  former  from 

^  House  Journal,  viii,  297.    . 

"  Held  at  Cahokia,  Apr.  16,  1812.     See  speech  of  Edwards  to  the  assembled 
chiefs  and  Gomo's  reply,  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  pp.  56-65. 
"  Robert  Dickson. 


216  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

every  infortnation  which  I  have  rec""  I  can  I  think  very  safely  recom- 
mend the  latter  I  have  heard  a  favorable  account  of  but  I  do  not 
consider  myself  sufficiently  informed  to  recommend  him — 

The  Ensign  that  has  been  acting  is  George  Green  of  whom  I  know 
nothing  except  that  he  is  thought  to  be  a  brave  man— &  has  the 
approbation  of  the  company — 

Respectfully  I  am  sir  Y'  Obd'  S'    N.  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Honble  William  Eustis  Esq'  Secretary  of  War 
Washington  City     [Postmarked]  Cahokia  24  April    Free 

[Endorsed]  111.  T.  Cohokia  April  24  1812  Gov  N.  Edwards  has  held 
a  council  with  the  Indians — no  dependence  to  be  placed  upon  them — 
Is  about  to  start  to  oppose  some  hostile  Indians.  Rec"  May  23"* 
1812  »* 


MATTHEW  IRWIN  TO  JOHN  MASON 

(NA:OIT,  Lets.  Reed.:  ALSl 

Chicago  April  28*"  1812. 

Sir,  On  the  17""  inst."  I  had  the  honor  to  state  that  "in  conse- 
quence of  an  unfortunate  circumstance  which  took  place  here,  no 
business  had  taken  place  with  the  Indians,  since  the  6'"  inst."  Since 
which  the  facts  in  relation  thereto,  have  partly  been  elucidated,  & 
Yesterday  receiving  Ohio  papers  which  inform  that  a  treaty  is  con- 
cluded with  the  Indians,  &  it  being  confirmed  by  the  Indians  them- 
selves," &  at  this  time  being  visited  by  Indians  of  different  tribes, 
who  profess  a  great  deal  of  friendship,  accordingly  the  business  of 
this  Trading  house  is  again  resumed,  though  not,  at  the  particular 
time  it  was  interdicted,  without  having  lost  a  valuable  part  of  the 
Indian  Trade. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect.  Sir,  Your  Mo*  Ob'  Serv' 

M.  Irwin 
U.  S.  Factor 


Gen'  John  Mason,  Sup*  In.  Trade,  Georgetown,  Dis*  Col* 

[Addressed]  Gen'  John  Mason,  Sup*  Indian 
lis*  Col« 

[Endorsed]  1812  Mathew  Irwin  Chicago  28  apl 


[Addressed]  Gen'  John  Mason,  Sup*  Indian  Trade,  Georgetown, 
Dis*  Col« 


»»  No  reply  found. 
•«  See  arde,  p.  212. 
"  There  was  no  Indian  treaty  in  1812. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  217 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  AND 
TO  THE  GOVERNOR  OF  KENTUCKY 

[NA:  OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Department  May  2"^  1812. 
Their  Excellencies  Charles  Scott,  &  Ninian  Edwards 

Sir,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency  that  Colonel 
William  Russell  of  the  United  States  Army  will  take  command  of  the 
Rangers  raised  in  the  States  of  Kentucky  &  Ohio,  and  in  the  Terri- 
tories of  Illinois  and  Indiana,  conformably  to  the  Act  of  January  2""* 
1812,"'  authorizing  such  force  for  the  protection  of  the  frontiers  of  the 
United  States."'— 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  BAR  TO  JUDGE  STUART 

[NA:  SD,  Resignations:  LS] 

Cahokia  May  2.  1812 
Sir    The  Members  of  the  Bar  and  Officers  of  the  Court  beg  leave 
to  take  this  last  opportunity  of  expressing  to  you  their  entire  satis- 
faction with  you  in  your  official  Station  and  our  deep  regret  at  the 
prospect  of  losing  you  as  a  friend  and  Judge 

Accept  Sir  from  us  the  assurance  that  in  our  opinion  you  have  dis- 
charged your  Official  duties  in  such  manner  as  to  give  dignity  to  the 
Judge  and  advantage  to  the  Territory.  And  we  have  a  pleasure  in 
Saying  to  your  Honor  that  we  have  at  all  times  had  entire  Confidence 
in  the  puritj'  of  your  Motives  and  we  have  no  hestitation  in  believing 
this  opinion  to  be  general  in  the  Territory. 

W"  0  Allen  E.  Hempstead 

Nat  Pope  R  S.  Thomas 

RuFus  Easton         W"  Mears 
John  Hays  John  Hay 

Reuben  Anderson 

[Endorsed]  Hon  Alexander  Stuart  The  address  of  the  Members 
of  the  bar  to  A  Stuart  1812 


"  2  Stat.  670. 

"  See  Russell  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  June  17,  1812  (NA,  WD,  SWDF), 
relative  to  measures  taken  for  the  defense  of  Indiana  and  Illinois  territories.  See 
also  Edwards  to  Russell,  same  date  {loc.  cit.,  printed  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  p.  327), 
informing  him  of  the  situation  on  the  Illinois  frontier;  and  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  June  23,  1812  (NA,  op.  cit.,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp.  327-328),  advising 
that  he  had  given  Russell  his  views  and  further  informing  the  Secretary  concerning 
the  strength  of  the  hostile  Indians. 


218  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  THOMAS  MARTIN 
(NA:  WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  5) 

War  Department,  May  9'"  1812. 
Th.  Martin  Esq'  M  S  K  '  Newport  Ky. 

Sir,  On  the  requisition  of  the  Governor  of  the  Indiana  or  Illinois 
Territory,  you  will  issue  such  Arms,  Ammunition  &  Military  Stores 
as  may  be  required.  You  will  also  take  measures  for  having  the  Lead 
in  Store,  manufactured  into  Musket  Balls  &  Buck-shot.^ — 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

(NA:WD,SWDF:ALS1 

Sydney  Grove  Post  office  Randolph  County 

Illinois  Territory  May  12,  1812 

Sir  I  have  just  rec*  information  that  the  Fox  nation  of  Indians 
have  commenced  a  war  with  the  Winnebagoes  and  have  killed  two  of 
their  warriors — I  communicate  this  information  hastily,  relying  on  its 
correctness  and  believing  it  would  be  the  very  best  policy  that  the 
Gov*  of  the  U.  S.  could  persue  under  existing  circumstances — to 
support  the  Foxes — 

It  is  a  measure  that  w*  at  *h«  mme  injure  and  annoy  the  most  fero- 
cious Indians  in  the  world  (the  Winnebagoes)  but  its  most  decisive 
advantage  would  be  to  prevent  the  Foxes  &  Sacs  from  joining  the  hostile 
confederacy  against  us,  and  at  the  same  lessen  our  danger  from  the 
confederacy  as  it  exists,  by  dividing  its  attention  &  destroying  the 
hopes  it  entertains  of  eventually  bringing  all  the  different  tribes  into 
it— 

As  to  the  manner  of  support  I  will  say  nothing— only  taking  the 
liberty  to  suggest  the  thought  for  consideration 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd*  S' 

Ninian  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Honble  William  Eustis  Secretary  of  War  Wash- 
ington City     [Postmarked]    Sydney  Grove  May  12*''    Free 

[Endorsed]  Illinois  Territory  May  12.  1812  Gov  N  Edwards. 
Has  learned  that  the  Fox  Indians  have  commenced  a  war  against  the 
Winebagoes— suggests  the  propriety  of  encouraging  the  same.  Rec* 
[MS.  torn]  2"  1812  ' 

'  Military  storekeeper  for  the  8th  military  district  {A.S.P.,  Mil.  Affairs.i,  387). 

'  See  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Edwards,  May  13,  1812  (NA,  OIA,  SW,  Lets. 
Sent,  Bk.  C),  briefly  informing  Edwards  of  the  above  instruction. 

»  Answered  June  4, 1812  (NA.WD.SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  5,  printed,  Edwards, 
Hist.  Ill,  p.  536). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  219 

MATTHEW   IRWIN   TO   THE   SECRETARY   OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Chicago  May  15'"  1812. 

Sir,  Presuming  it  would  be  agreeable  to  you  to  be  apprised  at  this 
time  whether  the  Indians  of  this  part  are  friendly  or  otherwise  dis- 
posed, I  have  the  satisfaction  to  state  that  since  the  late  murders  that 
were  Committed  near  this  by  a  party  of  Winibagoes  (the  facts  of 
which  I  had  the  honor,  on  a  late  occasion,  to  relate)  *  everything  has 
been  tranquil — indeed  the  Indians  north  of  this  as  far  &  beyond 
Millewakee  take  all  occasions  to  manifest  a  friendly  disposition  & 
those  settled  on  the  big  &  little  Calumet  including  those  in  &  about 
S'  Joseph  continue  in  the  same  disposition,  and  if  we  may  judge  from 
the  circumstances  of  their  having  resisted  the  importunities  of  the 
Prophet,  we  might  perhaps  not  hesitate  to  believe  them.  However, 
till  we  can  ascertain  it  with  the  greater  certainty,  we  have  refused  to 
supply  them  with  ammunition  or  any  article  with  which  they  might 
do  mischief. 

We  have  been  visited  occasionally  by  some  Indians  who  do  not 
properly  belong  to  this  jurisdiction;  whose  business  was  simply  to 
declare  themselves  well  disposed;  &  at  this  time  there  is  a  party  here 
consisting  of  five  Sauquies  &  their  Chief  whose  residence  is  about  60 
miles  this  side  of  Fort  Madison.  When  such  parties  have  come  upon 
such  business,  as  well  as  others  belonging  to  this  jurisdiction,  we  have 
felt  it  incumbent  on  us  to  use  every  effort  to  show  them  the  impro- 
priety of  the  conduct  of  their  fellows,  &c.  &c.  that  they  might  impress 
it  upon  them.  But  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  this  disposition  on  our  part 
has  been  opposed  by  a  person  whose  name  is  John  Kinzie,  &  who  is 
suttler  for  this  garrison. 

This  person  has  embraced  all  opportunities  to  inflame  the  minds  of 
the  Subalterns  against  a  reconciliation  with  the  Indians,  which  has 
been  carried  to  such  length  that  the  acting  Agent  has  actually  been 
obstructed  in  his  intercourse  with  the  Indians.  I  have  been  present 
on  such  occasions  when  the  most  improper  &  indecent  expressions  have 
been  made.  At  another  time  Ens°  Ronan  threatened  to  shoot  the 
Interpreter,  &  very  lately  L*  Helm  swore  "he  would  take  the  Scalp 
of  the  Factor". 

I  have,  sir,  on  former  occasions  related  to  you  the  blood  thirsty 
disposition  of  those  persons  &  have  now  to  state  that  a  plot  was  on 
foot,  in  which,  though  without  revealing  the  object,  they  had  engaged 
two  of  the  Non  Commissioned  Officers,  a  few  privates  &  some  settlers, 
to  murder  the  Sauquies  above  spoken  of.  I  had  been  apprised  of  their 
intention  by  the  Surgeons  Mate  &  took  timely  measures  to  have  it 

« Avie,  p.  212. 


220  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

prevented.  Such  conduct  has  been  carried  to  such  extent,  that,  in 
conjunction  with  openly  breaking  a  very  important  garrison  order 
which  had  been  issued  a  few  days  before,  the  Com"  Officer,  not  finding 
a  disposition  on  the  part  of  his  Subaltern  (Ens"  Ronan)  to  do  it,  felt 
himself  obliged  to  arrest  L'  Helm  who  after  making  a  slight  apology, 
was  released. 

I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  &  it  is  the  opinion  of  others  that  all  such 
conduct  originates  through  &  is  supported  by  Kinzie.  His  general 
character — the  suspicion  ever  entertained  against  him  since  his  resi- 
dence in  the  Indian  Country — The  many  circumstances  which  have 
come  to  our  knowledge,  warrant  the  assertion.  He  is  the  same  person 
who,  some  years  ago,  in  conjunction  with  a  late  Com^  Officer,  by  a  deep 
artifice,  made  out  to  swindle  the  former  contractor  for  this  place  out 
of  a  large  sum  of  Money  &  afterward  exposed  the  officer — The  same 
who  before  &  since  the  late  battle,  has  had  an  agent  trading  with  the 
Prophet  &  his  party.  The  same  who  has  agents  at  Millewakee,  at 
Rocky  or  Stony  River,  at  the  Peorias  &  generally  throughout  the 
Indian  Country;  All  whom  have  been  doing  business  with  the  Wine- 
bagoes  &  others.  The  same  who  has  at  different  periods  smuggled 
large  quantities  of  goods  into  this  country.  The  same  who  on  the 
part  of  himself  &  the  late  Michilemackinac  Comp"  offered  to  the 
Indian  Interpreter  a  larger  salary  than  he  receives  from  this  Trading 
House  if  he  would  take  measures  to  prevent  the  Indians  from  doing 
business  thereat.  The  same  who  has  rendered  the  subalterns  sub- 
servient to  his  views  by  a  management  which  I  have,  on  a  former 
occasion,  exposed.  Indeed,  Sir,  were  I  to  expose  the  many  circum- 
stances which  have  come  to  mine  &  other  persons  knowledge  con- 
cerning this  man,  it  would  be  occupying  too  much  of  your  time  & 
perhaps  be  improper  on  my  part.  Those  which  have  already  been 
exposed,  will,  I  trust,  speak  a  pretty  plain  language  &  shew  as  I 
think  it  will,  the  dangerous  Character  of  the  man — particularly  when 
I  assure  you.  Sir,  that  he  masks  his  conduct,  &c.  under  the  most 
Clamorous  &  ardent  professions  of  patriotism  for  our  government, 
which  may  partly  account  for  his  being  a  Magistrate,  but  which,  he 
says,  he  has  thrown  up  with  disdain. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect.  Sir,  Y"^  most  Obd'  Serv' 

M.  Irwin,  U.  S.  Factor. 

The  Hon"'*  the  Sec  of  War,  Washington 

[Addressed]  The  Hon*""  the  Secretary  of  War,  Washington. 

[Endorsed]  Chicago  May  15. 1812  A.  Irwin.  States  that  the  Indians 
are  quiet — The  Officers  of  the  garrison  turbelent  &  enraged  against 
the  Indians.  &c.  &c.  Rec"  July  11,  1812.  * 

»  No  reply  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  221 

MATTHEW  IRWIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Chicago  May  15*"  1812. 

Sir,  The  enclosed  copy  of  a  deposition  will  inform  that  a  person 
who  calls  himself  Jean  Francois  Reheaum,  *  was  on  the  latter  part  of 
last  Month,  taken  up  at  this  place  on  the  supposition  of  his  being  a 
British  emissary.  The  Indian  guides  mentioned  in  the  deposition 
were  not,  as  had  been  recommended,  secured,  but  suffered  to  remain 
at  a  distance  from  the  garrison,  &,  as  might  have  been  expected,  made 
their  escape,  &  have  without  doubt,  proceeded  to  Green  Bay.  It  is 
presumed  whatever  object  is  in  view  in  sending  those  persons  to  Green 
Bay  that  the  most  secret  part  is  confided  to  the  guides.  That  they 
have  a  knowledge  of  the  nature  of  their  expedition,  is  partly  to  be 
inferred  from  Reheaum's  deposition,  as  well  as  from  this  expression: 
"We  are  poor  &  must  do  something  for  a  living,"  which  was  made  to 
an  imputation  as  to  their  being  concerned  in  an  unwarrantable 
business. 

It  is  very  well  known  that  the  person  (M''  Robert  Dixon  a  British 
Subject)  whom  Reheaum  was  employed  to  go  in  quest  of  is  perhaps 
the  most  influential  man  in  the  Indian  Country — particularly  with 
the  Scious  &  other  nations,  with  whom  he  trades. 

Another  person  whose  residence  is  in  Amherstberg  (upper  Canada) 
who  is  a  British  Subject  &  whose  name  is  Caldwell  was  seen  at  S' 
Joseph's,  on  Lake  Michigan,  in  company  with  an  Indian  guide,  & 
were  bending  their  course  towards  the  Prophets  encampment.  I 
have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect.  Sir  Y'  Mo'  Ob'  Serv' 

M.  Irwin.  U.  S.  Factor. 

After  relating  the  above,  I  cannot  avoid  mentioning  what  befel 
Reheaum  after  his  departure  from  this  place,  when,  without  doubt, 
he  presumed  himself  secm-e  in  consequence  of  a  promise  (and  which 
was  known  to  the  lowest  individual  in  this  place)  made  him  by  the 
com*  Officer  that  his  person  should  not  be  molested  if  he  would  reveal 
the  object  of  his  mission;  which  being  done,  he  departed  for  Fort 
Maiden  &  had  during  the  morning  reached  the  outlet  of  the  Chicago 
River,  when  Patrick  M'^Gowen  (lately  a  private  &  employed  as  a  spy 
for  the  Garrison)  presented  a  musket  to  his  breast  which  missing  fire 
three  times,  gave  him  an  opportunity  of  closing  with  his  opponent 
during  which  he  pulled  the  flint  from  the  musket — thereupon  M'- 
Gowen  drew  a  knife  &  was  in  the  act  of  Stabbing  when  the  other 
wrested  it  from  him  after  which  he  would  have  proceeded  on  his 
journey  when  at  a  little  distance  he  saw  two  men  concealed,  whom 


«  May  1,  1812;  present.     A  copy  was  also  forwarded  by  Governor  Howard,  of 
Louisiana  Territory,  June  14,  1812;  it  is  printed,  Terr.  Papers  (La.-Mo.),  xiv. 


222  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

he  supposed  to  be  murderers  which  caused  him  to  retreat  to  the 
garrison  A  spirited  remonstrance  was  made  against  such  conduct 
&  measures,  in  consequence,  taken  to  assure  his  safety. 

In  this  business,  Y  am  inchned  to  think  the  Com^  Officer  had  no 
concern.  But  whether  his  Subalterns  had  none  is  very  doubtful. 
One  of  whom,  as  I  am  credibly  informed  declared  that  Reheaum 
should  not  reach  the  Calumet  &  the  other  immediately  replied  "111 
join  you  in  it". 

This  transaction,  as  I  am  informed,  has  undergone  no  regular  exam- 
ination, although  an  order  had  but  a  few  days  before  been  issued  to 
prevent  the  men  from  leaving  the  esplinade,  and  M'^Gowen  &  the 
other  two  were  at  least  one  mile  from  it.'  M.  I — 

The  Hon"'"  the  Sec'"  of  War,  Washington.— 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'*  The  Secretary  of  War,  Washington. 


JOHN  CALDWELL  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE 
TREASURY 
INA:GLO,Kaskaskia,  Rec.  and  Reg.  Lets.  :ALS] 

Vincennes  20""  0/  May  1812. 
Sir,  I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  transmit  to  you  a  Bond  executed 
by  me  with  four  Solvent  Securities,*  Conditioned  for  the  faithful 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  Office  of  Receiver  of  public  monies  for 
lands  of  the  United  States  at  Kaskaskia  together  with  the  Oath 
as  Commissioner  to  examine  claims  to  land  in  that  district  &  the 
Oath  to  support  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  which  have 
been  prepared  in  obedience  to  Y"  request  of  the  IG""  Ult" 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  High  consideration  &  respect  Your 
Obedient  Serv* 

Jn"  Caldwell 

Albert  Gallatin  Esquire  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

[Addressed]  Albert  Gallatin  Esquire,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
City  of  Washington,  pr  Mail  [Postmarked]  Vincennes  20  May  Free 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  file  Vincennes  May  20,  1812.  rec"  June  3* 
John  Caldwell  Rec'  Pub.  monies  at  Kaskaskia,  with  official  bond,  and 
oath  of  office  as  Land  Commiss'  Bond  is  approved    A.G' 

Oath  and  Bond  sent  to  the  Comptroller's  Office,  4'"  June  1812. 
J  J  Moore 


'  No  reply  found. 

'  Not  present. 

»  Three  words  and  initials  in  Gallatin's  hand. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  223 

GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  May  22.  1812 
Sir  An  express  from  the  United  States  Sahne  has  just  arrived 
with  the  enclosed  communications — which  tend  to  show  the  embar- 
rassing situation  in  which  I  am  placed — having  no  authority  from  the 
President  to  call  out  the  militia,  and  believing  the  whole  country  to 
be  in  imminent  danger— Acting  however  for  the  best,  I  shall  sanction 
the  order  of  Colo  Trammel  and  continue  the  men  in  service  till  I  can 
hear  from  you  upon  the  subject 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd*  S' 

N  Edwards 

The  Honble  William  Eustis  Secretary  of  War  Washington  City 

[Endorsed]  111.  Territory  May  22°"  1812  Gov.  N.  Edwards  States 
that  Colonel  Tramell  has  called  out  a  company  of  militia  at  the 
Saline,  incloses  Letters  on  that  subject.    Rec""  June  5"*  1812'° 

[Enclosure:  ALS] 

Leonard  White  to  Governor  Edwards 

U  S  Saline  16""  Matj  1812 
Dear  Sir  Col  Tramell  has  ordered  Cap'  Hargraves  Volunteer 
company  into  actual  service  untill  he  can  hear  from  you  of  which  he 
informs  you  by  the  bearer  of  this,  he  was  induced  to  this  measure 
from  what  he  conceived  to  be  the  perilous  situation  of  the  settlement 
above  this  place,  and  in  fact  this  place  itself  which  I  am  induced  to 
believe  is  now  critically  situated  not  that  I  calculate  on  an  attact 
from  the  Indians,  but  from  the  loss  of  hands  should  there  be  a  few 
more  alarms  on  the  Wabash  (such  as  the  people  of  whom  are  now 
well  calculated  to  give)  I  am  convinced  it  would  be  impossible  to 
restrain  the  hands  from  leaving  the  place,  In  fact  the  owners  of 
hands  from  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  would  in  all  probability  send 
for  them  tho  fear  might  prevent  them  from  coming  themselves  which 
has  already  been  the  case  with  some;  as  the  reports  reaches  them 
with  all  the  agrevations  that  fiction  can  invent. 

I  have  been  apprehensive  that  you  might  possibly  not  approve  of 
keeping  this  company  out,  well  knowing  your  wish  to  run  the  Gov- 
ernment to  as  little  expense  as  possible,  but  do  most  sincerely  hope 
it  may  meet  your  approbation  and  that  they  may  be  kept  out  which 
I  think  would  intirely  ease  the  minds  of  the  people  and  am  well  con- 
vinced save  one  half  of  the  population  above  this  from  deserting  the 
Territory  a  cu-cumstance  in  itself  sufficient  to  encourage  further  depre- 

10  No  reply  found. 


224  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

dations  from  the  Indians  who  no  doubt  would  take  advantage  of  the 
general  alarm  as  they  have  already  been  making  observations  in  the 
settlements  lately  broken  up 
Your  Ob'  Sv' 

Leo"  White 

[Addressed]    His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Sydney  Grove 

[Enclosure:  ALS] 

Philip  Tramell  to  Governor  Edwards 

U  S  Saline  May  16'"  1812 

Dear  Sir  Yours  of  the  12'"  came  to  hand  yesterday  evening 
wherein  you  direct  me  to  send  out  Two  spies.  Previous  to  the  rec' 
of  your  letter  I  started  Cap'  Hargrave  with  a  party  of  about  twenty 
or  thirty  men  to  range  on  the  frontiers  of  the  Wabash,  I  was  induced 
to  this  measure  for  the  following  reasons  first  from  the  late  depreda- 
tions committed  in  this  and  the  other  Territory.  The  inhabitants 
on  the  Wabash  are  now  daily  weakening  the  Coffee  Island  settlement 
is  intirely  broken  up  Cap'  Weeks  who  had  a  tolerable  large  company 
now  has  only  two  families  in  his  company.  Cap'  M'Henry  has  with 
his  own  exertions  kept  his  settlement  from  braken  so  far.  But  it 
can  not  be  expected  he  will  long  be  able  to  do  it  without  the  assistance 
of  some  aid.  The  inhabitants  on  the  Saline  Creek  are  also  consider- 
ably alarmed  a  number  of  them  have  only  been  kept  in  the  Country 
by  the  expectation  of  the  Frontiers  being  shortly  guarded  by  a  company 
of  rangers.  I  shall  wait  for  your  answer  before  I  countermand 
Hargraves  orders  Should  you  countermand  those  orders  I  do  asshure 
you  sir  that  I  think  the  principal  part  of  the  inhabitants  near  to 
this  place  will  leave  the  country  and  that  this  place  will  be  affected 
by  it  and  probably  the  works  or  a  part  at  least  will  have  to  stop  for 
the  want  of  hands.  This  I  sincerely  hope  will  not  be  the  case,  but 
at  present  I  see  no  Earthly  reason  to  suppose  anything  to  the  contrary 

Since  writeing  the  above  Cap'  M'Henry  has  sent  a  messenger  to 
this  place  for  some  arms.  M'Henry  has  been  out  with  a  small  party 
reconnoiterring  the  Country  brings  information  of  his  ha\'ing  dis- 
covered considerable  Indian  sign  about  the  Coffee  Island  and  some 
bordering  on  his  own  settlements 

M'  Leach  a  few  days  from  Vincennes  informs  me  that  the  Troops 
have  marching  orders  from  that  place  and  was  to  set  out  on  Thursday 
last  for  Detroit  in  consequence  of  which  the  inhabitants  throughout 
that  Country  were  forting 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  225 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  sir  with  sentiments  of  esteem  You"^  Obt. 
Servt. 

Philip  Tramell 
[Addressed]  His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards    Sydney  Grove. 

[Enclosure:  ALS] 

Benjamin  Talbott  to  Governor  Edwards 

U.  S.  Saline  17'"  May  1812 
Dear  Sir  The  alarming  Situation  of  this  place  has  induced  me  to 
address  you,  There  is  scarcely  a  week  passes  without  hearing  of  some 
depredations  being  committed  in  this  or  the  Indianna  Territory,  from 
the  General  alarm  Co'  Tramell  has  been  induced  to  order  out  a  Captain 
with  his  company  to  act  as  Rangers  for  the  security  of  this  place  and 
the  adjacent  country,  which  I  do  ashure  you  I  conceive  to  be  highly 
necessary.  I  am  well  convinced,  that  should  there  be  any  depreda- 
tions comitted  within  Twenty  or  thirty  miles  of  this  place  it  would 
be  impossible  to  keep  the  work  hands  here,  they  are  mostly  negroes, 
and  their  masters  have  no  other  inducement  for  letting  them  remain 
here  but  the  Am'  of  their  wages,  which  they  no  doubt  would  think 
trifling  should  they  conceive  their  remaining  at  this  place  at  all 
hazardous.  On  the  slightest  intimation  of  danger  I  am  convinced 
they  would  remove  them.  The  Lessees  have  made  arrangements  for 
a  very  extensive  push  in  their  business  this  season,  &  should  they  be 
dissappointed  in  hands  they  will  certainly  sustain  a  considerable 
injury;  the  greater  part  of  the  western  Country  would  certainly  be 
considerably  affected  were  the  works  to  be  stoped  as  it  is  allmost 
the  only  dependance  for  supplies  of  Salt.  I  suppose  the  rangers  that 
are  now  in  service  will  be  a  sufficient  Security  and  quiet  the  minds 
of  the  people;  and  most  sincerely  hope  the  orders  of  the  Colonel  may 
meet  your  aprobation. 
Very  Respectfully,  Your  Exc^  Most  Ob'  Serv' 

Benjamin  Talbott 
Manager  for  the  Lessees 
His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards 

[Addressed]   His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Sidney  Grove  111. 
Territory 


226 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


MUSTER  ROLL  OF  ILLINOIS  MILITIA  " 

[NA:WD,AGO:DS] 

[May  31,  1812] 
A  Muster  Roll "  of  a  Company  of  Mounted  Rifle  Men  Commanded  by 
Capt  James  B.  Moore  of  St  Clair  County  Illinois  Territory  by  order 
of  kis  Excellency  Ninian  Edward  Governor  of  Said  Territory — 


No 

Names 

Rank 

1 

James  B  Moore 

Capt. 

2 

Jacob  Ogle 

1  Lieut. 

3 

Joshua  Vaughn 

2"  Lieut. 

4 

Simeon  Whitlock 

Ens- 

5 

John  T.  Lust  " 

1  Serg' 

6 

Septimus  Mace 

2  ditto 

7 

Thomas  Piper 

3"  ditto 

8 

Jessee  Miller 

4  ditto 

9 

Joseph  Ogle 

privet 

10 

Alexander  Beraum  " 

11 

William  Biggs 

12 

Moses  Quick 

13 

Isaac  Kermack  "* 

14 

Philip  Teter 

15 

Samuel  Watson 

16 

William  Gilham 

17 

Pleasant  Going 

18 

T.  Milton  Moore 

19 

W"  Lemon 

20 

Ekekial  Gillham 

21 

Joshua  Tolbut 

22 

John  Davidson 

23 

Francis  Kirkpatrick 

24 

Thomas  Randle 

25 

W»  C  Davidson 

26 

Aaron  Shook 

27 

Samuel  Whiteside 

28 

David  Robinson 

29 

Joseph  Bear 

30 

Hiram  Badgeley 

31 

Oath  Wilson 

32 

Thomas  Tolbut 

33 

Arther  Morgan 

34 

Isaac  Biggs 

35 

James  Tolbutt 

36 

Charles  P.  Walker 

37 

Richard  Wright 

38 

Elijah  Hook 

39 

Jessee  Bell 

40 

Isrial  Robinson 

41 

Henry  Mace 

See  footnotes  at  ead  o(  table. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  227 

A  Muster  Roll  of  a  Company  of  Mounted  Rifle  Men  Commanded  by 
Capt  James  B.  Moore  of  St  Clair  County  Illinois  Territory  by  order 
of  his  Excellency  Ninian  Edward  Governor  of  Said  Territory — Con. 


No 

Names 

Rank 

42 
43 
44 
45 
46 

Simon  Vanosdie  '° 
Daniel  Guice 
Samuel  Bonham 
James  Kirkpatrick  " 
Isom  Gillham 

privet 

"  This  and  the  three  additional  rolls  printed  post,  pp.  232, 234, 236,  were  enclosed 
in  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  June  30,  1812  (Edwards  Hist.  Ill,  pp.  328- 
329) .  The  original  of  this  covering  and  explanatory  letter  has  not  been  found,  nor 
is  the  copy  among  the  Edwards  Papers  (CHS).  Mention  is  made  in  the  letter  of 
additional  accompanying  pay  rolls,  but  these  are  not  present.  One  or  more  of  the 
enclosures  here  reproduced  may  also  have  been  enclosed  in  letters  of  July  6  and 
July  20,  1812,  but  these  letters  are  missing.  The  militia  companies,  volunteer 
companies,  and  rangers  in  question  were  those  called  out  for  special  and  temporary 
purposes  and  were  in  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

The  four  muster  rolls  here  reproduced  have  been  compared  with  the  several 
rolls  published  in  Trans.,  III.  State  Hist.  Lib.,  190i,  pp.  178-197.  The  latter 
includes  the  muster  rolls  of  the  following  companies:  (1)  Capt.  William  Alexander's, 
July  4,  1811-July  29,  1811;  (2)  Capt.  Henry  Cook's,  for  three  months'  tour,  by 
order  of  Mar.  3,  1812;  (3)  Capt.  John  Scott's,  Mar.  3,  1812;  (4)  Capt.  Jacob 
Short's,  Mar.  3,  1812;  (5)  Capt.  J.  B.  Moore's  (first),  Apr.  15,  1812-May  3,  1812; 
(6)  Capt.  J.  B.  Moore's  (second),  July  27,  1812-Aug.  11, 1812;  (7)  Ensign  Samuel 
Whiteside's  detachment  of  mounted  riflemen,  Aug.  7,  1812-Aug.  22,  1812;  (8) 
Capt.  Samuel  Whiteside's  volunteer  mounted  riflemen,  Aug.  22,  1812-Nov.  13, 
1812;  (9)  Capt.  Absalom  Cox's  detachment  from  various  companies,  mustered 
and  inspected  Sept.  3,  1812;  (10)  Capt.  Thomas  E.  Craig's  volunteer  rifiemen, 
Sept.  5,  1812-Dec.  2,  1812;  (11)  Capt.  Willis  Margrave's  mounted  volunteers,  no 
date,  1812;  (12)  Capt.  Philip  Tramell's  (Leonard  White's)  detachment  of  mounted 
militia,  Oct.  12,  1812-Oct.  31,  1812;  (13)  Capt.  Dudley  Williams's  company, 
4th  regiment,  Oct.  14,  1812-Nov.  5, 1812;  (14)  Capt.  Samuel  Judy's  spy  company, 
Oct.  18,  1812-Nov.  12,  1812;  (15)  Sergt.  James  N.  Fox's  detachment  of  rangers, 
Feb.  17,  1813-Mar.  1,  1813;  (16)  Capt.  J.  B.  Moore's  (third)  rangers,  Apr.  17, 
1813;  (17)  Capt.  Jacob  Short's  mounted  rangers,  Feb.  27,  1813-May  31,  1813; 
(18)  Capt.  William  Boone's  mounted  rangers,  Mar.  6,  1813-June  5,  1813;  (19) 
Capt.  Nathan  Chambers's  militia  company  (foot),  Apr.  12,  lS13-May  12,  1813; 

(20)  Capt.  Daniel  G.  Moore's  volunteer  infantry,  May  9,  1813-June  9,  1818; 

(21)  Capt.  William  Jones's  volunteer  infantry.  May  9,  1813-June  9,  1813;  (22) 
Capt.  J.  B.  Moore's  (fourth)  mounted  rangers,  June  1,  1813-June  16,  1813; 
(23)  Captain  Boultinhouse's  company  (last  one  called).  According  to  the  com- 
piler of  these  rolls,  the  musters  of  the  companies  of  rangers  of  Capt.  B.  Whiteside, 
Capt.  Samuel  Whiteside,  and  Capt.  Nicholas  Jarrot  have  not  been  found.  These 
were  the  companies  in  service  from  Feb.  27,  1813-May  31,  1813. 

No  one  of  the  muster  rolls  thus  cited  have  been  found  in  the  files  of  NA  (WD), 
and  although  the  four  published  in  the  present  volume  disclose  a  certain  over- 
lapping of  names,  both  in  respect  to  each  other  and  to  those  already  published, 


314574 — 48 


228 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


Recapitulation 


.1 

CD 

O 

1 

3 

1 

"3 

o 

1 

2 

1 

n 

42 

46 

I  do  certify  on  honor  that  the  foregoing  Muster  Roll  exhibits  a  true 
statement  of  the  men  under  my  Command  as  being  just  &  true 
this  31"  May  1812 

James  B  Moore  Cap* 

NiNiAN  Edwards  Gov'  &  Comd'  in  Chief 

\Endorsed\  Muster  Roll  of  Comp^"  of  Capt"  J.  B  Moore's  Mounted 
Riflemen  of  26  Illinois  Militia  from  17  to  31  May  1812    Muster  Roll  26 


THOMAS  FORSYTH  >«  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:^] 

PlORUS  8'"  June  1812 
(A  copy) 

I  have  the  honor  to  acquaint  you  that  I  arrived  here  on  the  6'" 
Ins*  and  immediately  sent  for  the  Kickapoos,  and  also  to  acquaint 

there  are  numerous  names  of  enlisted  men  as  well  as  officers  in  these  lists  not 
found  elsewhere,  which  explains  their  present  publication. 

"  The  original  muster  roll  has  seven  columns  but  in  this  printing,  for  reasons  of 
space,  only  the  first  three  columns  are  reproduced.  The  fourth  column  is  headed, 
"date  of  appointment  or  enlistment",  and  contains  only  one  entry,  which  is 
opposite  the  name  of  James  B.  Moore.  This  entry  reads,  "May  XT'"  1812"; 
below  it  are  ditto  marks.  The  fifth  column  headed,  "To  what  time  engaged  or 
enlisted",  is  empty,  as  is  the  seventh  and  last  column,  which  is  headed,  "Remarks 
&  alterations  since  the  last  muster — ".  The  sixth  column  headed,  "Names 
present",  is  the  attendance  record  and  duplicates  the  second  column  ("Names") 
except  for  instances  which  will  be  indicated  by  footnotes. 

'»  Lusk? 

"  Biron? 

"  Cermak  in  other  lists. 

'•  Vanarsdale  in  other  lists. 

"  "James  Kirkpatrick"  is  omitted  from  the  "Names  present"  column. 

"  Forsyth  (1771-1833)  was  a  native  of  Detroit;  he  was  early  engaged  in  the  fur 
trade  at  Saginaw  Bay  and  on  the  Mississippi,  and  in  1802  he  and  John  Kinzie,  a 
half  brother,  established  a  trading  post  at  Chicago.  After  1804  Forsyth  resided 
at  Peoria  until  1818,  when  he  was  appointed  Indian  agent  in  Missouri  Territory 
(see  Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv).  There  are  nine  volumes  of  his  MSS.  in  the 
Wis.  Hist.  Lib.,  and  also  a  large  collection  in  the  Mo.  Hist.  Lib. 

"•  Enclosed  in  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  June  16,  1812  (NA,  WD, 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  229 

Gomo  that  I  had  a  letter  for  him  from  you.  They  all  arrived  here 
yesterday,  and  I  explained  your  letter  to  the  Kickapoos,  thro'  your 
Interpreter  Mette. 

But  I  find  that  the  Kickapoos  are  much  changed  since  I  left  this 
place  to  go  down  to  S'  Louis  as  you  will  see  by  the  evasive  answer 
they  now  send  you  by  Mette. 

About  a  fortnight  ago  a  number  of  Miamies  have  come  to  this 
country  from  an  Island  of  woods  in  Praires  commonly  called  White 
or  Lynwood  Island,  distant  from  the  old  Kickapoo  towns  25  or  30 
miles — They  consist  of  twenty  odd  lodges  and  can  fiirnish  at  least 
from  120  to  150  warriors.  These  Miamies  are  only  about  the  half  of  the 
whole  that  were  at  the  above  mentioned  Island — The  other  half  is 
gone  to  the  S.  Prophet  and  will  make  his  number  greater  and  I  am 
of  the  opinion  that  those  Miamies  that  are  gone  to  the  Prophet  from 
Lynwood  Island  have  been  the  Indians  who  done  the  mischief  on 
Driftwood  creek  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Vincennes — I  am  sure  that  the 
number  of  Indians  now  at  the  end  of  this  lake  consisting  of  Putowa- 
tomies,  Kickapoos,  Miamies  and  Ottoways  must  exceed  six  hundred 
warriors  and  should  they  be  inclined  for  war,  they  can  in  the  course 
of  eight  or  ten  days  draw  from  Kiankakee  river,  from  the  upper 
parts  of  this  river,  from  Fox  river,  and  from  Roche  river  at  least 
600  warriors  more  which  would  make  an  Indian  Army  of  at  least 
1200  warriors,  exclusive  of  the  prophet's  band  which  is  now  consider- 
able, and  I  am  informed  that  they  are  augmenting  daily,  as  I  can 
assure  you  that  the  Indians  in  this  countrj^,  and  the  Missisippi,  have 
almost  weekly  intelligence  from  the  S.  Prophets  town  and  no  doubt 
but  the  prophet  has  the  same  intelligence  from  Detroit  country,  from 
this  line  or  method  of  conveying  intelligence,  the  Indians  on  the  Mis- 
sisippi have  news  conveyed  to  them  from  Detroit  Country  in  the  space 
of  15  or  16  days 

Gomo  informed  me  (after  I  had  explained  your  letter  to  him)  that 
the  time  was  not  come  to  fullfil  his  promise,  and  that  it  was  requisit 
to  have  a  general  council  with  the  whole  of  the  Putowatomies  Nation, 
to  come  to  some  determination,  that  the  Indians  could  not  get  arms 
nor  ammunition  at  the  Factory  at  Chicago — that  he  did  not  know 
what  the  Indians  would  do  if  the  traders  were  withdrawn  from  among 

SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  p.  326),  which  contains  a  summary  of  the 
contents  of  its  enclosure,  together  with  a  statement  of  the  purpose  of  the  nego- 
tiations in  question,  namely,  to  secure  the  murderers  of  the  O'Neal  family,  which 
murder  occurred  Feb.  10, 1812,  on  the  Louisiana  Territory  side  of  the  Mississippi. 
See  Terr.  Papers  (La.-Mo.),  xiv.  See  also  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
May  16,  1812  (NA,  WD,  SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  p.  321),  advising  of 
his  discovery  that  the  murder  of  the  O'Neal  family  had  been  committed  by  a 
band  of  Kickapoo  and  stating  that  there  was  no  use  to  demand  the  surrender  of 
the  murderers  unless  there  should  be  provided  a  sufficient  force  to  back  the 
demand. 


230  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  Indians  the  insuing  fall — that  there  must  be  a  change  among  the 
Indians,  otherwise  he  would  abandon  them  and  live  and  die  among 
the  White  people  of  this  place 

I  observed  to  him  the  number  of  Militia  that  had  awived  at  Detroit 
and  the  great  number  of  regulars,  on  their  way  if  not  arrived  at  Detroit 
That  the  communication  between  the  two  countries  was  stopped — 
That  the  whole  of  Detroit  river  from  one  end  to  the  other  was  lined 
with  troops  to  stop  the  communication  of  the  Indians  to  and  from 
the  British  Garrison  of  Maiden.  That  the  Indians  could  not  expect 
any  succours  from  that  quarter,  he  said  that  he  knew  all  that  I  told 
him  was  true  and  that  the  Main  Poc  was  at  the  B.  G.  of  Maiden 
and  could  not  get  across  the  river  to  return  home — 

Some  few  of  the  Indians  may  have  a  little  gunpowder  yet  left,  but 
may  suppose  if  they  are  not  supplied  shortly  they  will  be  much  in 
want  of  that  article  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  as  they  are  given 
to  understand  by  the  traders  from  Makinac  that  British  goods  will 
be  allowed  to  enter  the  post  of  Makinac  and  that  all  the  Indians  will 
get  their  necessary  supplies  for  the  ensuing  season.  The  Indians 
whole  dependence  is  on  those  traders,  as  they  give  the  Indians  exten- 
sive credits  in  Autumn  at  very  high  price,  and  if  an  Indian  pays  half 
of  his  credit  the  trader  will  be  sufficiently  paid  for  his  powder  &c. 
that  he  may  give  on  credit,  as  it  is  generally  small  articles  such  as 
cutlary  and  amunition  that  is  given  out  on  credit  to  commence  their 
hunt  in  the  fall  of  the  year 

Gomo  is  perfectly  aware  of  the  consequences  should  the  passage 
of  goods  &c  be  stopped  at  Chicago  and  the  mouth  of  this  river — And 
I  can  assure  you  that  it  is  the  only  plan  that  can  be  adopted,  should 
the  Indians  of  this  country  not  fuUfil  their  promise  or  be  inclined  to 
be  hostile  to  the  U.  States 

I  was  informed  yesterday  that  the  whole  body  of  Indians  now  in 
the  vicinity  of  this  place  have  been  counciling  for  some  time  past, 
and  no  person  can  find  out  what  they  are  about — I  shall  in  a  day  or 
two  send  a  person  up  to  the  Village  to  get  what  information  I  can 
and  should  it  be  of  consequence  I  shall  transmit  it  to  you  by  express, 
as  it  would  be  needless  to  send  any  person  up  to  the  Village  until 
all  is  over  and  to  find  out  their  descision 

The  whole  body  of  the  Indians  are  now  busy  planting  theu-  corn, 
but  for  the  want  of  clear  land  their  fields  will  be  rather  small,  so  you 
see  by  this  they  are  fixed  to  remain  this  season  in  this  part  of  the 
country — I  have  agreed  with  M'  Le  Clair  to  make  the  tour  you  wish 
him  to  make,  as  he  could  not  go  alone,  he  takes  his  son  with  him  and 
one  of  his  own  horses  for  his  son  to  ride  and  I  have  agreed  to  give  him 
two  dollars  per  day  and  should  the  Indians  steal  his  horse  during  the 
tour,  Gov'  is  to  replace  his  horse  by  giving  him  another  and  also  to 
be  found  some  provisions. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  231 


It  appears  that  the  Indians  have  scouts  out  continually  for  fear 
that  the  Americans  should  take  them  by  surprise — I  shall  watch  the 
motions  of  the  Indians,  and  should  any  thing  hapen  worth  commu- 
nication I  shall  acquaint  you  by  express. 

I  herewith  enclose  you  a  rough  scetch  of  the  country  about  Milwakee 
and  heads  of  Rockey  River,^  from  which  I  hope  you  can  form  some 
idea  of  that  part  of  the  country  " 

I  am  very  respectfully  Your  Excellencys  Most  Ob*  and  very 
humble  S' 

Thomas  Forsythe 

To  HIS  ExcELi^ENCY  Gov  EDWARDS  Kaskaskia 
[Endorsed]  Forsyth  to  Gov.  Edwards— Letter 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNORS  AND 

INDIAN  AGENTS 

[NA:OIA,SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

Circular  War  Department  June  11*"  1812. 

Their  Excellenys  William  Hull  W°  H.  Harrison  &  Nin° 

Edwards — 
Benj  F  Stickney  J.  B  Varnum  &  Jn"  Johnston  Ind.  Agents. 

Sir,  As  a  last  effort  to  preserve  peace,  and  to  save  from  destruction 
his  Red  Children,  the  President  has  been  pleased  to  appoint  special 
Commissioners  to  be  sent  out  immediately  from  Himself,  to  hear  any 
Representations  which  they  may  desire  to  make,  and  to  Communicate 
to  the  Indians  the  intention  and  final  determination  of  the  Govern- 
ment towards  them. — You  will  therefore  immediately  take  the  neces- 
sary measiu-es  and  in\ite  the  Chiefs  &  head  men  of  the  Several  Tribes 
within  your  Agency,  to  meet  in  Council  with  those  Commissioners 
and  with  the  Chiefs  of  other  Tribes  within  the  Territories  of  Illinois, 


2°  Not  present. 

"  This  mission  to  the  Kickapoo  Indians  was  conducted  under  instructions  from 
Edwards  to  Forsyth,  May  24,  1812  (Edwards,  Hisi.  III.,  p.  323).  Further  dis- 
cussion of  the  same  undertaking  is  found  in  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War 
May  26,  1812,  ibid.,  pp.  323-325,  and  June  2,  1812  (NA,  WD,  SWDF,  printed, 
Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp.  325-326).  In  the  latter  is  enclosed  a  talk  to  the  Kickapoo 
demanding  the  surrender  of  the  murderers,  which  Forsyth  carried  for  delivery; 
it  is  not  printed  in  the  foregoing  citation.  See  also  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  June  29,  1812  (NA,  op.  cit.,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  cU.,  p.  330),  advising  as 
to  the  British  plan  of  introducing  goods  into  the  Territory,  with  Green  Bay  as  a 
base,  and  referring  to  his  own  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War  of  June  23  (not 
found),  and  to  a  communication  from  Governor  Harrison  (not  found)  concerning 
proposed  depredations  by  a  Potawatomi  band  on  the  Kaskaskia  road.  Replies 
to  the  June  23  and  June  29  letters  have  not  been  found. 


232 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


Indiana  &  Michigan,  and  the  State  of  Ohio,  at  Piqua  Town  in  the 
State  of  Ohio,  on  the  first  day  of  August  next  ensuing." — 


MUSTER  ROLL  OF  ILLINOIS  MILITIA  « 
[NA:WD,''AGO:DS] 

[June  25,  1812] 
A  Muster  Roll  "  o/  a  company  of  mounted  Rifle  men  commanded  by 
James  B.  Moore  of  5'  Clair  county  Illinois  Territory  by  order  of 
His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Gov'  of  s"  Territory 


Names 


Rank 


1  James  B.  Moore  Cap' 

2  Jacob  Ogle  1  Lieu' 

3  Joshua  Vaughn  2  Lieu' 

4  Simon  Whitlock  Ensign 

5  John  T.  Lusk  1  Serg' 

6  Septimus  Mace  2  Serg' 

7  Thomas  Piper  3  Serg' 

8  Francis  Kirkpatrick  priv' 

9  John  Good  ditto 

10  Charles  R  Matheny  ditto 

11  Thomas  Randal  ditto 

12  Will"  C.  Davidson  ditto 

13  Moses  Quick  ditto 

14  Will""  Lemmon  ditto 

15  Pleasant  Going  ditto 

16  James  Talbot  ditto 

17  Hardy  Willbank  ditto 

18  Hezekial  Gilham  ditto 

19  '  Hiram  Badgley  ditto 

20  Philip  Teter  ditto 

21  Joseph  Beer  ditto 

"  See  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Edwards,  June  19, 1812,  circular  letter  (NA,  WD, 
SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  5),  informing  him  that  war  had  been  declared  on  Great 
Britain. 

»  Cf.  ante,  p.  226. 

«•  The  original  muster  roll  has  seven  columns  but  in  this  printing,  for  reasons  of 
space,  only  the  first  three  columns  are  reproduced.  The  fourth  column  is  headed, 
"date  of  appointment  or  enlistment",  and  contains  only  one  entry,  which  is  opposite 
the  name  of  James  B.  Moore.  This  entry  reads,  "June  ll""  1812";  below  it  is 
the  word  "ditto"  opposite  each  name.  The  fifth  column  headed,  "to  what  time 
engaged  or  enlisted",  contains  the  single  entry,  "June  25  1812".  The  word 
"ditto"  appears  below  this  date  to  correspond  with  each  name  in  column  two. 
The  sixth  column  under  heading,  "Names  present",  is  the  attendance  record  and 
duplicates  the  second  column.  There  are  no  entries  in  the  seventh  column,  which 
is  headed,  "Remarks  and  alterations  since  the  last  muster". 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY 


233 


A  Muster  Roll  oj  a  company  af  mounted  Rifle  men  commanded  by 
James  B.  Moore  of  5''  Clair  county  Illinois  Territory  by  order  of 
His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Gov'  of  s^  Territory — Continued 


No 

Names 

Rank 

22 

Joseph  Ogle 

Priv» 

23 

John  Davidson  ^° 

ditto 

24 

Sam'  Bonham 

ditto 

25 

Aaron  Shook 

ditto 

26 

Rich*  Wright 

ditto 

27 

J  Milton  Moore 

ditto 

28 

David  Robinson 

ditto 

29 

James  Kirkpatrick 

ditto 

30 

Jesse  Bell 

ditto 

31 

Isaac  Gilham 

ditto 

32 

Thomas  W.  Talbot 

ditto 

33 

Mathew  Cox 

ditto 

34 

Israel  Robinson 

ditto 

35 

Joshua  Talbot 

ditto 

36 

Will'"  Biggs 

ditto 

37 

Charles  P.  Walker  "^ 

ditto 

38 

John  L.  Whiteside 

ditto 

39 

Arthur  Morgan 

ditto 

40 

Henry  Mace 

ditto 

41 

Isaac  Biggs 

ditto 

42 

Otho  Willson 

ditto 

43 

Simon  Vanozdal 

ditto 

44 

Robert  Ivy 

ditto 

45 

Isaac  Smith 

ditto 

46 

James  M^Fadin 

ditto 

47 

Isaac  Gilham 

ditto 

48 

David  Ackman  ^' 

ditto 

49 

Antoine  Fouche 

ditto 

50 

T.  Blankenship  ^s 

ditto 

Recapitulation 


C 

a 

3 

.S? 
1 

Sfi 

5 

a 

3 

1 

o 

1 

1 

1 

1 

46 

50 

«  Reading  uncertain. 

"  In  the  sixth  column,  Charles  F.  Walker. 

"  Or  Ackerman. 

"  In  the  sixth  column,  Thomas  Blankenship. 


234 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


I  do  certify  on  honor  that  the  foregoing  Muster  Roll  exhibits  a  true 
statement  of  the  Men  under  my  command  as  being  just  and  true  this 
25*"  of  June  1812 

James  B.  Moore 

NiNiAN  Edwards  Gov'  &  Comd'"  in  Chief 

[Endorsee/]  27  Muster  Roll  of  Capt°  J.  B.  Moore's  Comp^  of 
Mounted  Riflemen  of  the  Illinois  Militia — from  11'"  to  25  June  1812 — 


MUSTER  ROLL  OF  ILLINOIS  MILITIA  » 

INA:WD,AGO:DS] 

[June  29,  1812) 
Muster  Roll '"  of  a  Company  of  Mounted  Rifle  Men  Commanded  by 
Cap^  Jacob  Short  of  S'  Clair  County  Illinois  Territory  by  the  order 
of  Ninian  Edwards  Governor  and  Commander  of  said  Territory — 


Names 


Rank 


Jacob  Short  . 
John  Moredock . 
Thomas  Swarengin  . 
Henry  Carr  . 


Capt. 
1"  Leu* 
2"  Lieu' 
Ensign 


Alexander  Scott . 
George  Mitchel  . 
William  Arandol 
Robert  Middleton 


1»'  Ser' 
2"  ditto 

3  ditto 

4  ditto 


John  Waddle 
William  philips  . 
Isaac  Carmack  . 
Jacob  Boren .     . 
peter  Wills    . 
Andrew  Bankston 
William  Steel      . 
Charles  Ratliff   . 
John  Bean    . 
James  Wilderman 


Private 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 


«»  Cf.  ante,  pp.  226,  232. 

"  The  original  muster  roll  has  seven  columns  but  in  this  printing,  for  reasons 
of  space,  only  the  first  three  columns  are  reproduced.  The  fourth  column  is 
headed,  "Dates  of  appointment  or  enlistment",  and  contains  the  entry  "31"  May 
1812"  opposite  the  name  of  Jacob  Short  followed  by  ditto  marks.  The  fifth 
column  headed,  "to  what  time  engaged  or  enlisted",  contains  no  entries.  Column 
six,  under  the  heading  "Names  present"  is  the  attendance  record  and  duplicates 
the  second  column.  The  seventh  column  which  is  headed,  "Remarks  and  alter- 
ations since  the  last  Muster,"  contains  an  entry  signed  by  Ninian  Edwards  as  fol- 
lows, "No  Rations  were  furnished";  also  against  the  name  of  Joshua  Vaune, 
no.  46,  an  entry,  "Left  the  Company  on  the  14"'  of  June".  The  latter  entry 
applies  also  to  the  seven  last  names,  being  so  indicated  by  "Do". 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY 


235 


Muster  Roll  of  a  Company  of  Mounted  Rifle  Men  Commanded  by 
Capt^  Jacob  Short  of  St^  Clair  County  Illinois  Territory  by  the  order 
of  Ninian  Edwards  Governor  and  Commander  of  said  Territory — Con. 


Names 


Rank 


Henry  Walker    . 
Field  Jarvis  . 
Elijah  Hook .      .      . 
William  Walker . 
Daniel  M'^Kinny      . 
George  Wilderman  . 
John  Briggant    . 
Hiram  Tidwell    . 
Henry  Stout . 
Jacob  Wilderman     . 
Thomas  Monney 
John  Cooper. 
John  B.  Wiser    . 
David  Kanada   . 
John  Mayens  ''  . 
James  Hendrix  . 
Moses  Short . 
Abram  Crownover  . 
W™  Crownover  . 
Rubin  Middleton     . 
William  Rittenhous 
Hugh  Walker 
Marshel  Hawkings  ^^ 
Davud  Chance  . 
John  Greenwood 
Isaac  Clark  . 
WHawl      .      .     . 
Samuel  Watson  . 
John  Davison     . 
Alexander  Biron 
Peter  Rittenhouse   . 
Hubbard  Short  . 
Thomas  Levens  . 
John  Brogley 
W"  Briggance    . 
Joshua  Vaune ''. 
John  Scott    . 
Peter  Wills    .     .     . 
Hiram  Arthurs  . 
W"  Harrenton    .      . 
Adam  Clover 
Daniel  Guise  ^*  . 
Thomas  porter   . 


Private 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 
Do 


31  Myars  in  the  fifth  column. 
"  Kaucliings  in  the  fifth  column. 


"  Vaughn. 

"  Also  spelled  Guyes  in  other  lists. 


236 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


Recapitulation 


a 

a 

a 

a 

!". 

J3 

?. 

9- 

13 

■P 

a 

a 

.3 

1? 

73 

o 

^ 

h 

H 

w 

O 

S 

rf's. 

o 

Present  for  Duty — 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

4 

45 

Unfit  for  Servise — 

Sick —  absent —     .     . 

Total.     .     .     . 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

45 

53 

I  certify  on  hounor  that  the  forgoing  Muster  Roll  exhibits  a  true 
State  of  the  Company  under  my  Command  and  the  Remarks  Set 
oposite  each  Name  are  accurat  and  just 

Jacob  Shokt  Capt" 

June  29""  1812 
NiNiAN  Edwards    Gov' &  Comd' in  Chief 

[Endorsed]  Muster  Roll  of  Capt°  Jacob  Short's  Compy.  of  Mounted 
Riflemen  from  31  May  to  29  June  1812  Illinois  Militia  Muster  Roll 
30  30  Muster  Roll  of  Capt"  Jacob  Shorts  C  from  31''  May  to  29'" 
June  1812    No.  2    N»2 


MUSTER  ROLL  OF  ILLINOIS  MILITIA  « 

[NA:WD,  AGO:DS] 

[June  29,  1812] 
Muster  Roll  Muster  Roll "  of  a  Company  of  Militia  in  the  Service  of 
the  United  States  Commanded  by  Capt.  Jacob  Short  being  Mounted 
Riflemen  of  St.  C^air  County  Illinois  Territory  by  the  order  of  Ninian 
Edwards  Governor  of  s*  Illinois  Territory. 


No 

Names 

Rank 

1 
? 

Jacob  Short  

John  Moredock 

Cap' 
1  Lieut 

3 
4 

Thomas  V  Swaringin 

Henry  Carr 

2  Lieut 
Ensign 

1 

Alexander  Scott 

1  Serg' 

? 

George  !Mitchel 

3 

Isam  Gilham 

« 

4 

Robert  Middleton 

" 

S«e  footnotes  at  end  of  table. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY 


237 


Muster  Roll  Musier  Roll  of  a  Compamj  of  Militia  in  the  Service  of 
the  United  States  Commanded  by  Capt.  Jacob  Short  being  Mounted 
Riflemen  of  St.  Clair  County  Illinois  Territory  by  the  order  of  Ninian 
Edwards  Governor  of  s*  Illinois  Territory — Continued. 


No 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 

32 

83 

34 

35 


Names 


William  Phillips . 
Isaac  Carmack  . 
Jacob  Boren. 
Peter  Wills  .     .     . 
Andrew  Bankston   . 
John  Bear     . 
James  Wilderman    . 
W"  Rittenhouse 
Henry  Walker  . 
Field  Jarvis 
W^  Walker  .     .      . 
Dan"  M "Kinney- 
George  Wilderman  . 
Hyram  Tidwell  . 
Henry  Stout 
Jacob  Wilderman   . 
Tho'  Marney     .      . 
John  Cooper 
John  B  Wires    . 
David  Kennedy 
John  Myres 
James  Hendrix  . 
Moses  Short 
Abraham  Crownover 
Sam'  Watson     . 
Peter  Rittenhouse  . 
Hubbard  Short 
Peter  Hill     .      .     . 
Adam  Clover     . 
Daniel  Guise     . 
Thomas  Porter  . 
John  Estis    . 
Samuel  Shook  . 
Samuel  Scott 
David  Akeman  . 


Rank 


Private 


»5  Cf.  ante,  pp.  226,  232,  234. 

»•  The  original  muster  roll  has  seven  columns  but  in  this  printing,  for  reasons  of 
space,  only  the  first  three  columns  are  reproduced.  The  fourth  column  is  headed, 
"Dates  of  appointment  or  Enlistment",  and  contains  the  single  entry,  "May  S"" 
1812",  followed  by  ditto  marks.  The  fifth  column  headed,  "To  what  engaged  or 
enlisted",  has  the  entry,  "May  IT""  1812".  Below  it  are  ditto  marks  to  corre- 
spond to  each  name.  The  sixth  column,  under  the  heading  "Names  present",  is 
the  attendance  record  and  duplicates  the  second  column.  There  are  no  entries 
in  column  seven,  which  is  headed,  "Remarks  and  alterations  since  our  Last", 
except  the  following  signed  by  Ninian  Edwards:  "No  rations  were  furnished  at 
the  public  expence". 


238 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


Recapitulation 


c 

e 
.2 

^ 

D, 

3 

n. 

■^ 

01 

> 

5 

u 

ij 

W 

w 

O 

^ 

eu 

H 

Present  for  duty    .... 

1 

2 

1 

4 

» 

.. 

35 

43 

Sick 

Absent 

•• 

' 

1 

2 

1 

4 

35 

43 

I  do  certify  on  Honour  that  the  foregoing  Muster  Roll  exhibits  a 
true  statement  of  the  Men  Under  my  Command  as  Muster  by  me  this 
29""  June  1812 

Jacob  Short  Capt 

NiNiAN  Edwards  Governor  &  Commander  in  Chief 

[Endorsed]  Muster  Roll  of  Capt"  Shorts  Comp^  of  Mounted  Rifle- 
men of  the  Illinois  Militia  from  3"  to  17  May  1812  Captn  Shorts  N° 
1    Nol. 


WILLIAM  RUSSELL  "  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

ViNCENNES,  ye  1"  July  1812. 
Sir,  The  people  of  this  and  Illinois  Territory's  are  extremely  affraid 
ef  the  intimodated  with  the  Indian's,  and  I  have  had  much  difficulty  in 
quieting  them,  what  danger  is  is  really  hard  to  discover  from  their 
present  moavments.  I  find  from  a  letter  I  have  recently  received  from 
Governor  Edwards,"  that  their  fears  still  continue  to  exist:  the  Gov' 
informes  me  that  a  large  body  has  collected  at,  and  near  the  Peoria  a 


•'  Col.  William  Russell,  of  Kentucky,  was  an  officer  in  the  American  Revolu- 
tionary army.  He  was  now  placed  in  command  of  the  several  companies  of 
rangers  authorized  to  be  raised  in  Ohio  and  in  Indiana,  Illinois,  and  Missouri 
territories,  to  be  known  as  the  7th  regiment.  Cf.  Trans.  III.  Stale  Hist.  Soc, 
190i,  p.  71. 

»»  Not  seen;  cf.  Edwards  to  Russell,  June  17,  1812  (Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  p.  327). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  239 

Town  on  the  Illinois  river,  Indians  to  the  amount  of  Six  or  Seven  hun- 
dred waiTiors,  this  alarmes  his  excellency  very  much  as  he  informes 
me  they  can  reach  Kaskaskias,  the  place  of  his  residence  in  four  days. 
I  find  from  comparison  that  the  Peoria,  is  nearer  to  this  spot  then  to 
Kaskaskas,  it  is  also  the  opinion  of  some  of  the  best  informed  setlers 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Illinoys  river,  that  their  distination  was  the 
Wabash,  by  uniting  their  force  with  that  of  the  Prophets,  at  his  own 
town.  I  have  however  been  much  at  a  loss  to  find  out  the  best  moad 
of  defence  for  these  scattered  frontiers  I  once  had  an  Idea  of  dividing 
my  little  band  along  the  frontier  so  as  only  to  act  as  Spies  on  those 
frontiers,  but  have  since  abandoned  that  moade,  and  have  very  drawn 
my  attention  to  those  two  Strong  points  \-iz  the  Peoria,  and  the 
prophets  party  paily  on  the  Wabash.  I  find  from  the  best  Information 
I  have  been  able  to  collect  since  my  arrival  at  this  place,  that  the  frontier 
under  my  care  extends  at  least  five  hundred  miles  in  length.  I  found 
all  the  Rangers  Mounted  on  My  arrival  in  the  teritory's,  and  indeed 
do  not  think  they  could  be  so  eflficient  otherwise,  as  the  countiy  is  very 
level  abounding  with  great  peraries, — I  have  ordered  on  Cap'  Purye's 
company  of  rangers  from  Ohio,  and  also  another  company  of  the  old 
troops  recruited  in  Ohio,  and  Kentuclcy  to  my  aid  in  this  place,  in 
order  to  strengthen  the  Tery^  and  also  ad  a  few  more  troops  to  fort 
Harrison,  so  soon  as  they  shall  arrive  I  shall  take  a  range  through  the 
Illinois  with  one  company,  and  try  to  sattisfy  those  people,  as  to  their 
cituation.  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  ordering  on  Lieu'  Robert  Todd 
of  the  7'*  from  Kentucky,  to  bring  on  those  recruits  to  this  place.  If  I 
have  acted  wrong  I  hope  you  will  give  an  order  to  the  contrary — I  do 
not  know  how  those  Indians  can  subsit  in  such  large  bodies  for  such  a 
length  of  time.  It  is  more  then  probable,  they  will  make  a  stroke 
somewhere  before  long  unless  they  should  be  waiting  to  see  what 
steps  are  taken  by  our  govermnent  as  to  great  Briton :  for  should  we 
have  war  with  that  power,  I  am  of  the  opinion  we  may  calculate  on  a 
general  war  with  the  Indians.  I  do  not  know  certainly  what  the 
governor's  answer  was  from  this  place  to  the  party  of  Chief's  recently 
at  fort  Harrison,  am  led  to  believe  it  was  not  satisfactory  to  them. 
I  have  much  difficulty  in  keeping  the  rangers  from  falling  on  the 
friendly  tribes,  but  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  effect  it.  I  have  no  hesi- 
tation in  saying  it  will  take  more  force  to  defend  the  frontier's  then 
would  be  required  to  burn  and  drive  them  of,  as  my  little  experience 
informes  me,  that  a  party  of  troops  mounted,  owing  to  the  facility  of 
their  moavments  can  always  distroy  a  Town  over  our  number — I 


240  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

hope  Sir  these  remarks  I  have  made  will  be  pardoned— I  have  the 
honor,  to  be  with  high  respect  You  obd'  Serv» 

W  Russell 
Col°  7'"  Commanding  Ye  District. 

[Addressed]  The  honorable,  William  Eustis  Esq"'  Secretary  of  the 
war  department,  Washington.  [Postmarked]  Vincennes,  1"  July  1812 
Free  Mail 

[Endorsed]  Vincennes  1"  July  1812  Col.  W"  Russell  States  that 
he  has  called  in  more  recioiits  from  Ohio — Thinks  that  in  case  of  a  war 
with  England,  a  general  Indian  war  will  follow    ReC*  July  14,  1812  " 

»« No  reply  found.  See  Russell  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  July  22,  1812 
(NA.WD.SWDF),  written  from  Vincennes,  Indiana  Territory,  stating  his  inten- 
tion of  going  to  the  Illinois  Territory  as  soon  as  new  recruits  arrived  from  Ohio 
and  Kentucky,  and  that  after  he  conferred  with  Governor  Edwards  he  would  fix 
upon  a  site  above  the  upper  Illinois  settlements  for  his  military  contingent.  See 
also  id.  to  id.,  July  29,  1812,  he.  cil.,  announcing  the  arrival  of  recruits,  the  dis- 
patch of  a  company  of  Ohio  rangers  to  Illinois,  and  his  intention  to  follow  the 
next  day  with  a  company  of  Kentucky  rangers. 


PART  FOUR 

Papers  relating  to  the  Second  Administration 
of  Governor  Edwards 

1812-1814 


PART  FOUR 

COMMISSION  OF  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS* 

[NA:SD,  Misc.  Temp.  Comms.,  I:C] 

[July  7,  1812] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting: 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 
Patriotism,  Integrity  and  Abilities  of  Ninian  Edwards,  of  Kentucky, 
I  do  appoint  him  Governor  in  and  over  the  Illinois  Territory;  and  do 
authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute  and  fulfil  the  duties  of  that 
office  according  to  Law;  and  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  said  Office 
with  all  the  powers,  privileges,  and  Emoluments  to  the  same  of  right 
appertaining  until  the  end  of  the  next  Session  of  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States,  and  no  longer,  unless  the  President  of  the  United  States 
for  the  time  being  should  be  pleased  sooner  to  revoke  and  determine 
this  Commission. 

In  Testimony  whereof  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 
L.S.    made  patent,  and  the  Seal  of  the  United  States  to  be 

hereunto  affixed. 
Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington  the  Seventh  day 
of  July  a:d:  1812;  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  the  Thirty  Seventh. 

James  Madison. 
By  the  President, 
James  Monroe,  Secretary  of  State. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:0IA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Department  July  9'"  1812. 
His  Excellency  Gov  Edwards. 

Sir,  Your  letter  of  June  16'"  has  been  received.^  The  enclosed 
copy  of  a  letter  to  Governor  Harrison '  will  show  you  how  far  your 
mutual  cooperations  are  relied  on — and  the  Instructions  to  Gov' 

'  A  recess  appointment. 

>  NA  (WD,  SWDF),  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  p.  326,  cited  also  an«e,  p.  229. 
»  Copy  present,  dated  July  9,  1812;  printed,  Esarey  (ed.),  Harrison's  Messages 
and  Letters,  II,  71. 

243 

314574—48 17 


244  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Scott  *  will  present  the  means  of  receiving  such  additional  Support  as 
Exigencies  may  require,  of  which  Governor  Harrison  &  yourself  will 
be  the  proper  judges.— 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS  •] 

Elvirade,  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  July  21, 1812 

Sir  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  by  the  last  mail  your  letters  of 
June  11.'  &  19."  to  the  contents  of  which  I  lost  not  a  moment  in  pajnng 
the  necessary  attention.  On  the  same  day  I  dispatched  a  messenger 
to  Peoria  with  a  talk  to  the  Indians  assembled  near  that  place,  and 
urged  them  (by  every  inducement  which  I  thought  likely  to  succeed) 
to  meet  the  commissioners  from  the  President  at  Pique  Town  in  the 
State  of  Ohio.  I  also  enjoined  it  on  my  messenger  to  exert  his 
influence  with  them  to  the  same  effect.  I  sincerely  hope  they  will 
comply  with  the  request.  But  I  can  not  flatter  myself  with  a  belief 
that  they  will  certainly  do  so. 

As  some  ef  objection  might  be  made  on  their  part  to  the  want  of 
timely  notice,  I  requested  that  they  should  set  out  as  soon  as  possible 
and  go  on  even  if  they  should  not  be  able  to  arrive  by  the  first  of 
August.     But  in  this  I  have  not  in  the  least  committed  the  President — 

The  Indians  have  for  some  time  past  been  in  real  want  of  powder. 
They  however  are  induced  to  believe  that  they  will  receive  all  their 
supplies  at  the  british  Fort  of  S'  Joseph  between  Lakes  Huron  & 
Superior  and  the  British  Traders  calculate  upon  carrying  goods  from 
Montreal  by  the  way  of  the  Utawas  river  to  that  place.  It  is  owing  to 
these  circumstances  most  probably  that  such  uncommonly  large 
numbers  of  Inds  are  collected  and  collecting  on  the  western  borders 
of  Lake  Michigan. 

I  continue  to  believe  that  we  may  expect  an  attack  in  this  quarter  as 
soon  as  corn  gets  into  roasting  ears,  which  will  be  very  shortly — The 
Indians  remain  embodied  near  Peoria  and  have  lately  killed  about 
twenty  head  of  Cattle  belonging  to  the  inhabitants  of  Peoria  that 
village. 

Should  Congress  have  passed  a  law  for  raising  ea  additional  companies 
of  rangers  &  it  be  considered  advisable  to  raise  them  in  this  quarter, 

*  July  9,  1812,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  p.  536.  See  Edwards  to  the  Secretary 
of  War,  Sept.  6,  1812  (NA,  WD,  SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp.  340-342), 
stating  that  he  and  Harrison  disagreed  on  the  interpretation  of  the  above  letter. 

»  The  body  of  this  letter  is  also  printed  in  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  pp.  331-332,  but 
the  lengthy  postscript  is  omitted  from  that  version. 

•  Ante,  p.  231. 

»  NA(WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  5);  and  NA(OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C), 
announcing  the  declaration  of  war  with  Great  Britain. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  245 

I  could  have  at  least  two  companies  raised  and  organized  in  a  weeks 
notice. 

The  situation  of  the  principal  settlements  in  this  territory  &  Louisi- 
ana in  relation  to  the  Indians  is  such  as  to  require  a  concert  &  union 
of  operations — for  the  danger  of  the  one  is  completely  identified  with 
the  other,  which  all  former  experience  has  proved  and  which  is  suffi- 
ciently obvious,  from  the  ee«fee  ef  -the  Missisippi  being  the  great  high 
way  of  the  Indians  and  the  residence  of  those  from  whom  we  have  most 
danger  to  apprehend,  being  either  on  it,  or  some  other  rivers  which 
empty  into  it  above  S'  Louis.  And  whereever  they  can  transport 
themselves  by  water  they  will  not  travel  by  land. 

I  beg  leave  to  recommend  Captain  James  More  of  this  territory  as 
a  gentleman  well  qualified  to  command  a  company  of  rangers. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  y  mo  obd'  S' 

N  Edwards 

The  Honble  W"  Eustis  Sec''  of  War  Washington  City 

P  S.  A  Frenchman  '  from  Milwakee  arrived  at  Peoria  about  the 
29'"  ult.  having  a  short  time  before  been  at  the  Winnebago  village — 
he  brings  information  which  fully  corroborates  that  given  by  Majr 
Jarrot,'  in  regard  to  the  collection  of  Indians  about  Lake  Michigan 
and  on  the  straits  of  S'  Marys,  he  gives  it  as  his  decided  opinion  that 
if  the  British  agent  at  S*  Josephs  should  tell  those  Indians  to  raise  the 
tommahock  they  will  to  a  man  turn  out  &  make  war  upon  the  U.  S. 
He  says  the  Winnebagoes  are  determined  to  make  war  upon  us  as 
long  as  there  remains  one  of  their  nation  alive. 

Pemwotam  the  great  chief  of  the  Kickapoos  has  gone  to  some  part 
of  upper  Canada  to  see  his  british  father,  his  object  is  supposed  to  be 
to  obtain  a  supply  of  powder,  he  took  ten  of  his  tribe  with  him — The 
Indians  have  lately  had  a  council  in  which  they  have  all  come  to  a  de- 
termination not  to  surrender  a  single  murderer  but  to  risque  the 
consequences  of  a  refusal. 

The  Pottowottomies  and  Ottowas  who  were  with  the  Prophet  have, 
I  am  infomied  lately  left  him  &  will  of  course  increase  the  number 
about  Peoria — where  they  can  subsist  with  less  difficulty  as  the  lake 
abounds  with  fish  on  which  they  have  been  accostumed  to  subsist — 
and  if  they  should  be  pressed  by  want,  they  can  take  the  cattle  belong- 
ing to  the  inhabitants  of  Peoria  which  are  numerous  enough  to  supply 
them  for  a  long  time 

A  short  time  past  ten  Indians  from  the  prophets  town  passed  near 
Pioria  on  their  return  from  the  Sacs  principal  village  where  they  had 

"  Antoine  LeClair. 

•  Nicholas  Jarrot  to  Edwards,  June  29,  1812,  enclosed  in  Edwards  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  July  7,  1812  (NA.OIA,  Lets.  Reed.,  both  printed,  Edwards, 
Hist.  Ill,  pp.  330-331). 


246  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

held  a  council  with  some  Sioux,  lowas,  Winnebagoes  &  the  Sacs 
themselves. 

On  the  13'"  Ult.  two  chiefs  Catfish  from  the  Wabash  &  Conque  from 
S'  Josephs  river  (both  Pottowottomies,  the  former  the  head  of  the 
band  that  committed  the  murders  in  Louisianna  in  1810)  arrived  at 
the  village  on  Illinois  with  a  talk  on  which  a  council  was  held — Gomo 
the  principal  chief  of  the  Illinois  bands  has  since  told  M'  Forsyth  that 
he  was  not  present  at  the  council  when  the  Prophets  messengers  spoke 
but  was  told  that  part  of  their  talk  was  very  hostile  the  U.  S.  and  that 
those  messengers  to  that  country  &  to  the  Missisippi  were  for  no 
good — Immediately  after  the  council  runners  were  dispatched  to  the 
Winnebagoes  &  to  the  Sacs  &  other  Indians  on  the  Missisippi. 

Naib-Woit  (a  Pottowottomie  who  was  the  leader  of  the  band  who 
committed  the  murders,  took  a  prisoner  &  plundered  a  great  deal  of 
property  here  last  years)  &  his  party  have  left  their  village  on  the 
Illinois  and  have  come  down  the  river  as  is  supposed  with  intention 
to  do  mischief  before  they  return — 

Main  Poque  the  celebrated  Pottowottomie  war  chief  has  by  this 
time  retiuTied  from  Maiden  (where  he  has  been  since  last  summer)  to 
his  town  on  the  Illinois — 

The  Indians  certainly  contemplate  an  attack  upon  Chicago,  and 
laugh  at  the  idea  of  its  holding  out  against  the  force  they  with  which 
they  can  attack  it — 

You  no  doubt  are  informed  that  about  600  cherokees  have  latterly 
removed  to  Arkensaw  river  in  Louisianna.'*  Some  of  the  Kaskaskia 
tribe  have  lately  been  into  that  quarter  two  returned  yesterday  and 
they  inform  me  that,  those  Cherokees  have  proposed  to  the  Shawonese 
&  Delawares  of  that  territory  to  remove  and  settle  with  them  &  unite 
in  a  war  against  the  U.  S. — declaring  that  in  case  of  refusal  they  will 
not  discriminate  between  them  &  the  White  people.  The  Kaskaskias 
represent  the  Shawonese  &  Delawares  as  being  intirely  friendly  but 
they  entertain  no  doubts  of  the  hostile  intentions  of  the  Cherokees. 

I  assure  you  that  nothing  is  easier  than  to  demonstrate,  that  this 
territory  is  now  &  has  been  for  some  time  in  a  more  perilous  situation 
in  regard  to  the  Indians  than  any  other  one  belonging  to  the  United 
States — The  greatest  number  of  Indians  from  whom  there  is  at  present 
any  cause  to  apprehend  hostility  reside  within  it.  It  exclusively 
suffered  "^  last  year,  WFtA  Not  a  year  has  past  for  a  considerable 
length  of  time  without  some  depredations  being  committed  in  it — And 
if  the  Indians  are  for  war  it  is  hardly  to  be  supposed  that  they  will  be  at 
the  trouble  of  passing  thro  our  territory  into  another  better  prepared  to 
repell  them.  Nothwithstanding  all  this,  we  have  no  assistance  from 
any  other  quarter — not  a  man  being  engaged  in  service  in  the  territory 

"  Cf.  Terr.  Papera  (La.-Mo.),  XIV. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  247 

who  is  not  a  citizen  of  it.  This  I  am  sure  is  not  a  state  of  things  which 
you  had  contemplated.  If  it  suited  the  views  of  the  President  equally 
well  and  I  should  be  continued  in  office  here,  I  would  greatly  prefer 
that  he  would  allow  to  me  such  a  force  as  he  thinks  proper  to  furnish 
for  the  defence  of  this  territory,  or  that  he  w*  combine  its  defence  with 
that  of  Louisianna — As  it  is  impossible  to  have  any  concert  in  defend- 
ing the  settlements  of  Indiana  and  our  settlements,  they  being 
seperated  by  an  immense  Praire  &  about  160  miles  apart. 

I  may  be  thought  imprudent  in  urging  the  certainty  of  a  formidable 
hostile  confederacy  of  indians,  and  a  bloody  indian  war — particularly 
as  I  discover  Gen'  Hull  has  stated  that  tranquility  is  already  restored 
to  the  frontiers — But  sir,  I  have  taken  great  pains  to  inform  myself  of 
the  vaews  of  the  indians  and  I  know  I  hazard  nothing  in  giving  this 
opinion. 

Their  plan  is  to  amuse  and  deceive  us,  till  they  are  prepared  to 
strike  a  decisive  blow — In  candor  and  honesty  I  can  say  nothing  less. 
And  I  am  well  persuaded  you  will  soon  be  convinced  that  it  is  correct, 
although  I  shall  regret  to  witness  the  evidence  which  will  soon  demon- 
strate it." 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  mo  ob**  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  William  Eustis  Secretary  of  War  Wash- 
ington City    [Postmarked]    Sydney  Grove  July  21"    Free 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  July  21,  1812,  Gov.  N.  Edwards— incloses 
further  evidence  of  Indian  hostility — they  threaten  Chicago — The 
defence  of  Illinois  better  united  with  Louisiana  than  Indiana.  Indians 
in  want  of  powder — have  sent  to  maiden  for  some.  Rec"*  Aug'  1, 
1812.  " 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskasku,  III  Ty  July  21.  1812 
Sir  Since  the  mail  closed  at  Sydney  Grove  I  received  the  letters 
copies  of  which  I  have  now  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you — for  which 
purpose  I  have  this  night  come  down  to  this  place — Comment  upon 
them  is  unnecessary — they  sufficiently  develope  what  I  have  imif  ormly 
believed  would  be  the  ultimate  determination  &  views  of  the  indians 
and  they  fully  demonstrate  the  perilous  situation  of  this  part  of  the 
country  where  there  is  ""  even  one  place  of  safety  for  public  papers  or 
an>'thing  else.  Never  was  a  man  in  a  more  awkward  situation  than 
I  am — not  knowing  whether  I  am  reappointed  &  having  no  authority 

"  Cf.  Esarey  (ed.),  Harrison's  Messages  and  Letters,  n,  231-234. 
•*  Reply  not  found. 
"•  Not? 


248  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

to  act — I  will  however  make  the  best  of  a  bad  situation  and  I  have 
little  doubt  of  being  able  to  rally  a  respectable  force  by  my  own 
personal  influence — Many  companies  from  Ky  have  tendered  me 
their  services.  But  even,  should  the  most  pressing  emergency  present 
itself  I  shall  not  fail  to  employ  them 

Gov'  Howard  writes  me  that  he  has  just  received  information  that 
there  are  about  1500  warriors  now  on  the  banks  of  Illinois  river  with 
canoes  enough  in  their  possession  to  transport  them  down  the  river  " — 

I  have  rec"*  similar  information  from  two  other  gentlemen  of 
respectability. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd*  S* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  W"  Eustis  Sec^  of  War  Washington  City 

[Addressed]    The  Honble  W°  Eustis  Sec"  of  War— Washington  City 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  July  21. 1812  Gov  N.  Edwards  States 
his  expectations  that,  an  Indian  war  will  soon  follow,  and  his  difficult- 
ies for  want  of  Authority.    Rec"  Augt.  7.  1812.  '* 

[Enclosures] 

John  Kinzie  to  Thomas  Forsyth  " 

Mouth  of  Fox  RIVER  T*"  July  1812 
D'  Thomas    I  am  just  informed  by  an  Indian  that  you  passed  here 
two  days  since  for  Chicago  &  take  on  me  the  sending  you  this  by  Perish 
to  acquaint  you  that  I  am  on  my  way  to  the  Piorias.  where  I  shall 
wait  your  arrival 

Your  favor  by  M'  A.  LeClere  I  received  at  Milwaakee  &  observe  its 
contents,  but  circumstances  have  not  allowed  me  to  act  according 
to  your  directions,  having  to  leave  Chicago  for  the  present,  I  have 
sent  you  a  letter  respecting  my  unfortunate  affair — therefore  I  must 
not  hinge  on  this  subject  for  the  present,  but  merely  answer  one  part 
of  your  letter,  with  respect  to  information  relative  to  Indian  affairs 

I  arrived  at  Milwaakee  on  the  21''  Ultimo  &  was  suspected  by  the 
Indians  (until  my  affairs  was  known  to  them  on  the  fourth  day) 
of  being  a  person  sent  to  spy  their  country  &c    They  then  came  for- 

>»  Not  seen.  See  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Aug.  4,  1812  (Edwards, 
Hist.  III.,  pp.  332-335),  embodying  a  lengthy  account  of  the  situation  as  of  that 
date.  The  original  of  this  letter  has  not  been  found,  nor  is  there  a  copy  among 
the  Edwards  Papers  (CHS).  See  also  William  Clark  to  Edwards,  Aug.  16,  1812, 
written  from  Washington,  D.  C.  (Edwards  Papers,  CHS,  printed,  Washburne, 
ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  CHC,  III,  80-81),  recounting  his  efforts  to  interest  the 
Secretary  of  War  in  suppying  adequate  military  forces  for  the  western  territories. 

'*  Reply  not  found. 

"  Kinzie  and  Forsyth  were  half  brothers;  for  the  relationship,  see  Quaife 
(ed.),  Askin  Papers,  I,  306,  307. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  249 

ward  &  shewed  me  every  act  of  friendship  They  took  me  to  the 
councils  during  my  stay  at  the  above  Post  which  was  eight  days 
A  party  of  Falsovoins  from  Green  Bay  conducted  by  two  Chipewas 
who  had  gone  on  with  letters  for  M"'  Dixon,  were  then  on  their  way 
to  Maiden  to  see  their  British  father.  They  made  a  stay  of  two  days 
at  Milwaakee — and  had  a  council  with  the  Putowatomies,  Chipewas 
&  some  other  strangers  that  were  present.  They  presented  four  pipes 
from  the  Sieuxs  nation  and  after  going  through  the  formallity  of 
smoking  in  them  &c  &c  the  Chipeway  made  the  following  speach 

My  Brothers  these  Pipes  represent  the  Sieux  nation  now  assembled 
on  the  Ouisconsin  river,  by  the  order  of  their  English  father  who  has 
desired  them  (the  Sieux  to  listen  to  his  voice  and  draw  near  to  hand 
to  enable  him  to  give  them  his  council.  We  the  Sieux  have  comphed 
with  his  request  &  send  by  our  brothers  the  Chipewas  and  Falsovoins 
our  answer 

Answer  of  the  Sieux  to  the  British  Agent  of  Fort 

Father  we  have  listened  to  your  words  sent  to  us  by  your  Agent 
and  have  complied  with  your  request.  Your  Voice  is  ours  &  we  have 
sent  with  your  Agent  (Red  Head)  Dixon)  thu-ty  of  our  respectable 
Chiefs  &  Warriors  to  hear  what  our  father  of  the  Island  of  S'  Josephs 
has  to  say  to  us,  and  we  have  sent  4  Pipes  to  you  our  father  at  Maiden 
to  give  you  to  understand  that  we  the  Sieux  are  ready  to  receive  your 
answers  and  wait  the  return  both  from  S'  Joseph  and  Maiden 

Father  we  are  convinced  of  the  truth  of  your  report  to  us  of  the  ill 
treatment  we  daily  experience  from  the  people  (meaning  the  Ameri- 
cans) and  we  find  a  satisfaction  that  you  will  step  forward  &  assist 
us"^I  was  then  told  that  they  had  no  more  to  say  on  that  subject  and 
I  withdrew  but  they  councilled  most  part  of  the  night 

The  next  day  I  enquired  what  number  of  Indians  went  on  with 
Dixon  &  was  told  30  Sieux  30  Winebagoes,  30  Falsovoins,  besides 
Chipewas  and  others,  that  they  meant  to  make  a  short  stay&  return 
that  their  object  was  to  determine  on  the  subject  of  war — That  all  the 
Indians  on  the  Missisippi  was  inclined  to  be  hostile  to  the  Americans 
&  that  Cadot,  Dice,  &  John  Askin  Jun'  were  collecting  all  the  princi- 
pal Chiefs  from  the  Grand  Portage  Fort  du  lac  Superior  and  Machinac 
on  Lake  Huron  to  attend  at  the  Island  of  S'  Joseph  this  summer,  and 
that  there  &  then  they  will  hear  the  voice  of  their  Father.  Those  I 
saw  appeared  in  high  Spirits  The  Putowatomies  of  Milwaakee  Fox 
River  &  Illinois  river  seem  all  to  be  in  a  ferment,  all  seem  to  be  anxious 
for  the  cry  of  an  English  War.  The  Winebagoes  seem  to  be  quietest  at 
present,  owing  to  a  reprimand  they  got  for  striking  the  blow  this  spring 
on  Chicago  By  this  they  think  the  Americans  have  got  the  alarm. 
They  could  have  wished  to  keep  the  factory  open  to  furnish  theu- 
wants  to  let  the  usual  traders  enter  so  as  to  be  able  to  be  prepared 


250  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

against  Spring — In  my  opinion  there  will  be  a  universal  blow  struck 
the  ensuing  Spring  on  my  way  down  the  Fox  river,  I  stopped  at 
several  small  Villages,  all  the  cry  is  War.  There  is  very  little  powder 
in  the  country — about  3  keggs  (150  lb)  was  distributed  to  the  River 
au  Sable  (Sandy  Creek  at  the  forks  of  this  river)  Indians  by  the 
traders  from  below  to  assist  in  assending  the  river  Chicago  with 
Canoes  &c  &c 

This  Sir  is  the  most  material  information  I  can  give  you  and  should 
I  be  obliged  to  return  again  among  the  Indians,  I  shall  try  to  collect 
what  in  future  may  come  to  hand,  particularly  by  the  answers  of  the 
British  to  the  Sieux  by  the  return  of  the  Falsovoins. 

I  remain  &c  &c  Signed    John  Kinzie 

To  Thomas  Forsythe,  Piorias 

Thomas  Forsyth  to  Governor  Edwards 

Piorias  13*"  July  1812 
Sir  Since  mine  of  the  29'"  Ult» "  I  have  been  at  Chicago,  and 
understand  that  all  the  professions  of  friendship  of  the  two  Putowat- 
omy  Chiefs,  by  saying  that  the  British  father  requested  the  Indians 
in  general  to  remain  quiet  in  case  of  a  War  is  false  (it  appears  that  this 
report  took  its  rise  from  a  council  that  was  held  at  Fort  Wayne)  when 
twelve  different  nations  agreed  to  remain  quiet  in  case  of  a  War  be- 
tween the  British  and  the  U.  States.  It  is  so  much  to  the  contrary  that 
I  was  informed  on  my  way  up  to  Chicago,  that  not  very  long  since 
that  the  whole  of  the  Indians  have  renewed  their  alliance  and  should 
they  be  attacked  in  any  one  part  the  rest  must  repair  to  their  assist- 
ance— The  Indians  in  this  country  send  word  to  the  Prophet  latterly 
that  if  he  had  asked  them  earlier  last  fall  for  assistance,  they  would 
have  given  him  all  the  assistance  in  their  power. 

The  Indians  throughout  the  whole  country  are  in  a  state  of  star- 
vation and  very  much  in  want  of  powder  The  factory  at  Chicago 
is  shut  up  but  their  whole  dependence  is  on  the  Mackinac  traders, 
all  which  I  have  explained  to  you  more  fully  in  my  last  letter — 

Your  Excellency  will  please  to  observe  that  my  situation  at  this 
time  is  very  critical  some  of  my  good  friends  the  white  People  have 
given  a  hint  to  the  Indians  of  my  writing  to  the  Americans  by  every 
opportunity.  An  Indian  lately  upbraided  me  for  so  doing  but  would 
not  give  his  author  and  told  me  if  I  was  an  American  to  go  down  to 
S*  Louis  &  live  there  I  was  obliged  to  deny  the  charge,  and  also  to 
deny  having  any  friends  whatsoever  in  or  about  S*  Louis — that  I 
was  not  acquainted  with  a  single  individual  in  S*  Louis  country  and 
I  said  that  if  the  Chiefs  should  drive  me  away  from  this  place  for  any 
lies  that  might  be  told  them  that  I  would  go,  and  that  I  would  make 

••  Not  seen. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  251 

my  complaints  to  the  different  Governors,  and  have  all  communica- 
tions between  them  and  the  Traders  cut  off.  by  which  means  the  In- 
dians would  not  be  able  to  procure  the  necessary  supplies  the  ensuing 
fall  &  winter,  since  which  I  have  heard  no  more  on  that  score." 
Should  you  at  any  time  have  occasion  to  write  me,  have  the  goodness 
to  charge  the  Bearer  of  such  letters  not  to  shew  them  to  any  person 
nor  to  say  what  business  they  may  be  on.  They  must  not  mention 
it  to  any  person  White  or  black — for  I  can  assure  you  that  the  country 
is  full  of  disaffected  persons  to  our  Government,  and  for  what  reasons 
I  really  believe  they  do  not  know  themselves 

On  my  way  down  from  Chicago  I  was  told  at  Sandy  Creek,  that 
two  Sakies  had  passed  by  that  place  from  Fort  Maiden,  that  a  great 
Chief  had  arrived  at  that  place  from  Quebeck,  and  that  another  Chief 
still  greater  was  on  his  way  up  with  a  very  large  quantity  of  goods 
&c  for  the  Indians  "  that  many  troops  had  arrived  at  F'  Maiden 
with  seventy  pieces  of  canon  that  the  Indians  were  requested  to  re- 
main quiet,  that  as  soon  as  the  Great  Chief  would  arrive  with  the 
goods  &c.  they  would  then  be  told  what  to  do.  That  some  of  the 
Sakies  remained  behind  until  the  arrival  of  the  great  Chief  to  bring 
out  the  news.  That  the  Main  Poc  was  to  receive  his  ammunition 
the  day  after  their  departure  from  F'  Maiden  and  would  immediately 
set  out  for  his  Village  on  Fox  river  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  he 
will  bring  a  budget  with  him.  Positively  they  laugh  at  the  idea  of 
giving  up  the  murderers  and  stolen  horses,  as  requested  by  Catfish  a 
Putowatomy  Chief  from  the  Wabash  and  friend  of  Governor  Harrison, 
and  the  Indians  say  that  when  War  takes  place,  the  Catfish  and 
White  Pidgeon  two  great  friends  of  the  Americans  must  be  killed. 
What  do  you  suppose  would  be  the  consequence  if  they  knew  the 
correspondence  between  your  Excellency  and  me — when  they  threaten 
their  own  people  who  only  tries  to  keep  peace — In  my  rout  to  Chicago 
I  was  told  by  Indians  that  the  Murders  that  was  committed  near 
Vincennes  last  spring  were  committed  by  the  same  two  fellows  who 
killed  Cap'  Coles  party  in  1810  in  Loutre  Settlement,  L.  Territory, 
and  their  relatives  viz  Retchekimink  and  three  of  his  brothers.  Ess- 
cot-tin-ni-my  and  two  of  his  brothers — two  Kickapoos  and  one 
Ottowa  making  a  party  of  ten  persons.  Ess-cot-tin-ni-my  was  the 
partizan.  and  with  his  friend  Retchekimink,  are  the  two  whom  I 
allude  to  having  committed  the  murders  &c  in  1810  in  Loutre  Settle- 
ment. L.  T.  These  fellows  with  all  their  relations,  and  others  of  the 
same  stamp  have  a  Village  near  the  river  des  Iroquois,  that  falls  into 
the  Teakakee  river,  and  they  have  been  heard  to  say  that  the  people 

"  Forsyth  was  in  the  secret  pay  of  the  United  States  (Kellogg,  Brit.  RSgime  in 
Wis.,  p.  292). 
>■  Possibly  referring  to  Robert  Dickson;  cf.  loe.  cit. 


252  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

about  Vincennes,  are  rather  wild,  but  near  the  Saline  they  are  not  so 
wild.  Those  fellows  have  a  number  of  stolen  horses,  As  I  passed 
Sandy  creek  one  of  the  young  brothers  of  Ritchekeemink  offered  me 
an  American  horse,  saddle  and  bridle  in  exchange  for  some  silver 
works,  and  said  he  had  five  more  of  his  own  that  he  had  stole  from 
the  Americans 

I  herewith  enclose  you  a  translation  of  M"'  LeClere  report  to  me 
of  his  tour  with  the  expendatures  for  provisions  &c  he  observed 
to  me  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  enquire  of  the  Indians  about 
the  Geography  of  the  country  as  they  might  surmise  that  he  wished 
to  get  acquainted  with  their  country  and  pilot  the  Americans  to  their 
Villages  or  communicate  it  to  their  enemies.  M"'  LeClair  observed 
to  me  that  the  Indians,  all  through  the  country  that  he  travelled  in 
speaking  of  the  Americans,  would  always  say  those  people  meaning 
that  they  did  not  wish  to  mention  the  name  of  an  American 

The  White  Pidgeon  a  Putowatomie  Indian  immediately  from 
Tepicanoe  has  brought  speaches  from  the  Shawanoes  who  reside  on 
the  Glaize  river  that  empties  itself  into  the  Miamis  of  the  Lakes, 
to  the  Indians  of  this  country,  requesting  all  the  Indians  of  this  country 
to  take  up  the  tomahawk  and  make  war  against  the  U.  States.  In 
the  speach  they  say,  that  to  remain  still  they  must  die,  and  should 
the  Americans  overcome  them  they  can  only  die  and  it  is  better  to 
die  as  men  at  once  than  die  a  lingring  death.  The  White  Pidgeon 
delivered  this  speach  today  to  the  Miamis  near  this  place  and  I 
understand  that  it  is  to  be  sent  tomorrow  or  next  day  to  the  Sakies 
&  other  Nations  of  Indians  on  the  Missisippi 

It  appears  to  me  that  all  their  promisses  of  peace  is  only  to  lull  the 
U.  States  until  they  are  ready  &  when  ready  they  will  make  a  desperate 
effort  I  have  to  acquaint  your  Excellency  that  some  people  of  this 
place  pays  no  manner  of  attention  to  your  proclamation  respecting 
the  selling  of  liquor — 

A  M'  Buisson  left  two  Barrels  of  Whisky  here  with  a  person  to  sell 
for  him  in  his  absence  to  Mackinac  and  told  him  to  sell  everyone, 
and  at  any  time  &  place  and  he  would  answer  for  the  consequence, 
on  which  another  fellow  by  the  name  of  Binett  is  gone  down  to  S' 
Louis  to  buy  whisky  and  powder  and  no  doubt  on  his  arrival  he  will 
carry  on  the  same  business,  making  the  Indians  drunk  in  this  place  and 
I  should  not  be  at  all  surprised  if  some  lives  will  be  lost  particularly 
in  this  critical  time — I  have  to  hope  you  will  pay  attention  to  this 
for  you  may  be  well  assured  that  my  situation  is  precarious,  what 
will  be  the  consequences  if  I  have  to  fly  from  this  &  leave  my  property 
to  merciless  savages.  I  may  and  I  may  not  get  off  with  my  life,  and 
you  may  well  see  that  it  is  not  for  the  lucre  of  my  Salary  that  I  serve 
Government  to  to  serve  my  country  and  more  particularly  at  this 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  253 

critical  period.     I  herewith  enclose  you  two  letters  I  rec"  lately  and 
have  to  beg  you  keep  the  names  of  the  writers  a  profound  secret 

I  shall  leave  this  tomorrow  for  Vincennes  on  the  unfortunate  business 
of  my  brother  as  I  mentioned  to  you  in  my  former  letter  &  shall  be 
absent  about  fifteen  days  but  have  requested  IVP  LeClair  to  take 
notice  of  what  will  pass  during  my  absence  &  should  you  have  occasion 
to  write  during  my  absence  please  to  write  to  M''  LeClair  in  french 

I  should  thank  your  Excellency  if  j'ou  would  have  the  goodness  to 
forward  to  Gov"'  Harrison  a  letter  of  introduction  as  I  have  not  the 
pleasure  of  his  acquiantance — I  should  also  thank  your  Excellancy 
to  acquaint  me  if  you  have  received  an  answer  from  the  Secretary  of 
War  to  your  letters  to  him  on  my  business 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Y"'  Excellencies  Most  Ob'  &c 

Signed    Thomas  Forsyth 

His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Esq'  &c 

N  B.  I  enclose  you  a  scetch  of  the  numbers  of  Indians  residing  in  the 
country  that  lies  in  the  Vicinity  of  Chicago  and  Illinois  river  "    T  F 

Report  of  Antoine  LeClair 

[July  14,  1812] 

Translation  of  a  Report  of  M'  Antoine  LeClair  in  a  Tour  from  Piorias 
to  Chicago — Mihcaakee — Coskquaiyiong,  Kitckeicakikee  and  down  Fox 
river  to  its  mouth  and  from  thence  to  the  Piorias 

On  the  15*"  June  I  left  Piorias  and  proceeded  to  Chicago  and  arrived 
there  on  the  22"*  on  my  way  up  the  Illinois  river,  I  halted  part  of 
a  day  at  Sandy  Creek,  and  was  informed  at  that  place  that  all  the 
Putowatomies  of  S'  Joseph  was  to  make  one  great  Village — that  the 
Sieux  had  been  at  Kitchewakikee  to  brighten  the  chain  of  friendship 
with  all  Indian  ^nations  and  to  be  informed  when  would  be  a  proper 
time  to  commence  hostilities,  as  the  Sieux  said  that  they  would  take 
Louisiana  Territory  for  their  share,  that  one  hundred  Saukies  were 
gone  to  Fort  Maiden  to  see  then-  British  Father — One  of  my  horses 
being  stole  I  was  obliged  to  hire  a  horse  from  an  Indian,  to  take  me 
from  this  place  (Chicago)  to  Milwakee  expecting  to  find  my  horse 

On  the  26'"  on  my  way  to  Milwaakee  I  met  26  Falsovoin  Indians 
from  Green  Bay  going  to  Fort  Maiden  to  see  their  British  father, 
that  they  were  sent  by  (Red  Head)  M''  Dixon,  as  their  British  Father 
wishes  much  to  see  them,  that  on  their  return  they  expected  to  bring 
news  of  War  being  declared  by  the  British  against  the  U.  States  and 
all  the  Indians  would  join  and  that  the  Americans  must  fall — that  M' 
Dixon  had  taken  many  Indians  on  with  him  to  the  British  Garrison 
on  the  Island  of  S'  Joseph,  to  hear  the  news  of  their  father  at  that  place 

*'  Not  present. 


254  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

On  27'"  I  arrived  at  Milwaakee  and  enquired  about  my  stolen 
horse,  I  was  informed  that  my  horse  was  at  the  Great  Woods  on 
Fox  river.  I  was  again  obliged  to  hire  horses  here  to  go  to  Cosquo- 
nong,  while  I  was  at  Milwakee  I  was  informed  by  the  flour  an  Indian 
Chief  of  the  Putowatomies  that  all  the  different  nations  of  Indians 
had  made  an  alliance  to  make  war  against  the  U.  States,  that  the 
Indians  was  now  only  waiting  for  word  from  the  British  and  that 
matters  was  so  arranged  that  the  Americans  would  be  attacked  at 
different  places  at  one  and  the  same  time 

On  the  30'"  I  left  Milwakee  for  Coshquonong  and  arrived  there  the 
next  day.  I  found  this  Village  much  larger  than  ever  it  was,  as  all 
the  Winebagoes  from  the  different  smaller  Villages  are  all  assembled 
here  to  live  together — On  my  arrival  at  this  place  I  found  the  Wine- 
bagoes dancing  the  War  dance,  saying  they  were  going  to  war  with 
the  Osages,  as  the  Indians  in  general  will  not  trust  any  white  man  of 
any  nation  But  I  was  informed  by  a  Putowatomie  Indian  that  the 
Winibagoes  were  dancing  to  go  to  war  against  the  Americans  and  the 
Putowatomie  Indians  told  the  same  news,  that  Flour  the  Chief  at  Mil- 
wakee told  me,  also  that  there  was  about  300  lodges  of  Sieux  Indians 
on  the  Ouisconsin  river  amounting  to  about  400  or  500  Warriors, 
waiting  the  word  from  their  British  Father  to  attack  the  Americans — 

On  the  3"  July  I  arrived  at  Kitchewaakeekee  and  I  was  told  there 
by  a  Falsovoin  the  same  news  that  I  heard  at  Cashqonong.  but  I 
never  could  find  out  what  part  of  the  frontier  the  Winebagoes  meant 
to  attack  as  it  is  seldom  known  to  themselves,  until  they  are  on  the 
rout.  At  this  place  I  understood  that  the  Indians  were  much  in  want 
of  Powder,  that  the  young  men  are  very  anxious  for  war  but  are  kept 
back  until  the  day  arrives — that  they  expected  large  supplies  of  powder 
from  Fort  Maiden  by  their  friends  that  were  gone  to  that  place  as  also 
that  they  expected  news  from  thence  (Fort  Maiden)  that  would 
regulate  them  in  future 

On  the  5'"  I  arrived  at  the  Great  Woods  on  Fox  river  (that  empties 
itself  into  the  Illinois  about  100  miles  above  this  place)  and  I  found 
that  my  stolen  horse  had  been  sent  to  Milwaakee,  to  the  traders  of 
that  place  as  the  Indians  understood  he  was  my  property — I  then  had 
to  send  back  the  horses  I  had  hired  &  buy  a  canoe  it  being  too  far  to 
return  to  Milwakee  for  my  horses  and  knowing  them  to  be  safe  at 
that  place — I  understood  by  Indians  whom  I  was  formerly  acquainted 
with  that  all  their  talk  is  war  with  the  Americans,  and  were  only 
waiting  (and  that  with  impatience)  for  the  word  from  the  British,  and 
the  first  place  they  meant  to  attack  was  the  Garrison  at  Chicago— that 
in  the  mean  time  they  meant  to  steal  all  the  horses  from  the  Americans 
they  could  and  when  ready  they  meant  to  go  to  Chicago,  to  drive  the 
horned  cattle  some  distance  off  from  the  Garrison  which  will  answer 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  255 

their  purpose  for  provisions  and  lay  seige  to  that  place — that  an  Indian 
named  Catfish  a  Putowatomy  had  lately  arrived  with  a  number  of 
horses  that  he  and  others  had  stolen  from  the  settlements  near 
Vincennes 

I  embarked  in  my  canoe  in  company  with  my  little  boy,  and  de- 
scended Fox  river,  and  arrived  at  a  Village  at  a  place  called  the  little 
Rock  and  found  a  number  of  Indians  from  the  lower  parts  of  this  river 
assending  to  hunt  &  fish,  as  the  whole  of  the  Indians  are  in  a  state  of 
starvation  &  much  in  want  of  powder.  Those  Indians  told  me  in 
substance  what  I  had  heard  before  and  observed  to  me  to  keep  out  of 
the  way,  as  the  chain  of  friendship  was  so  well  brightened  among  all 
the  red  skins  from  North  to  South  that  it  would  be  a  war  of  extermina- 
tion and  would  not  stop  while  there  was  an  American  living — 

On  the  8"  I  arrived  at  a  Village  at  the  Great  Rapid  it  is  a  large 
Village  &  it  is  here  that  the  Main  pock  sent  word  to  his  friends  and 
relations  to  make  a  Village 

They  told  me  that  they  had  not  heard  from  the  Main  Poc  latterly 
but  suppose  he  must  be  on  his  way  home,  that  they  are  waiting  his 
arrival  with  impatience  as  they  say  they  have  no  doubt  that  he  will 
bring  the  truth  and  good  news  of  War  from  their  British  Fathers,  that 
there  is  only  that  which  keeps  him  (the  Main  Poc)  back,  and  expects 
a  large  supply  of  powder  by  the  Main  Poc,  as  they  sent  him  word  to 
that  purpose  some  time  ago — 

The  Indians  at  this  place  told  me  the  same  news  I  heard  up  the 
River  &  elsewhere,  and  they  seem  to  understand  it  as  well  as  a  child 
does  his  A.  B.  C  I  left  that  place  and  nothing  of  consequence 
occurred  on  my  way  to  this  place  I  arrived  here  on  the  11*"  Inst — 

PiORlAS  14"'  July  1812, 

Signed    Antoine  LeClair 

B.  Caldwell  to  Thomas  Forsyth 

[July,  1812] 
Extract  from  a  letter  from  B.  Caldwell  to  M'  Forsyth 

You  wish  me  to  have  some  news  from  the  Wabash  I  will  endeavour 
to  give  you  a  sketch  of  what  is  going  among  the  Indians  as  now  occurs 
to  me  but  by  all  means  keep  it  a  profoimd  secret  &c 

Why  the  Indians  are  all  in  agitation  anxious  for  war.  but  wishing  to 
prolong  the  time  if  possible  by  promising  to  deliver  the  murderers  up. 
provided  the  Americans  will  give  them  time  for  the  Chiefs  to  execute 
their  authority  amongst  their  young  men  which  I  have  it  from  some  of 
themselves  notwithstanding  there  is  a  number  of  friendly  Indians  but 
what  are  they  against  the  party  thats  bent  for  hostilities 

B.C. 


256  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

MATTHEW  IRWIN  TO  JOHN  MASON 
INA:0IA,  Lets.  Recd.tALS] 

Detroit  Augt  6.  1812. 

Sir,  I  have  on  former  occasions  informed  you  I  should  leave  Chicago 
for  this  place  I  therefore  left  it  on  the  5'"  July  &  arrived  at  Mackinac 
on  the  16'",  being  the  day  previous  to  its  Capitulation  to  the  British, 
&  reached  this  the  2"*  inst. 

The  packs  from  the  Chicago  Trading  House  (99  in  number)  have 
fallen  with  several  public  letters,  directed  to  me,  fallen  into  the  hands 
of  the  British. 

The  quarterly  statement  ending  30'"  June,  the  Invoice  of  the 
paclcs  &  other  papers,  shall  be  forwarded  the  first  safe  opportunity. 
The  last  mail  from  this,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians.  There  will 
be  no  safety  in  leaving  this  place  till  they  suffer  a  severe  defeat. 
Gen'  Hull  informs  me  he  has  left  it  discretionary  with  Ga^  the  Com* 
Officer  at  Chicago  as  to  the  propriety  of  evacuating  that  post. 

The  Indian  Traders  &  a  large  body  of  Indians,  volunteered,  whilst 
I  was  at  Mackinac,  to  take  Chicago,  but  they  were  assured  it  could 
not  be  done,  without  orders  from  head  quarters.  This  day  I  have 
written  to  the  Sec''  of  War. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect.  Sir,  Y'  Most  Ob'  Serv* 

M.  Irwin 
U.  S.  Factor. 

Gen'  John  Mason,  Sup'  In.  Trade,  Georgetown,  Dis'  Col' 
[Addressed]    Gen'  John  Mason,  Sup'  Indian  Trade,  Georgetown 
Dis'  Columbia    [Postmarked]    Buffaloe  31'"  Aug.    Free 

[Endorsed]  1812  Math*  Irwin  Detroit  6'"  Aug.  Recv"  Ans  advice 
of  the  British  having  taken  99  packs  of  fur  belonging  to  Chicago 
factory. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Department  August  22"  1812. 
His  Excellency  The  Governor  of  Illinois  Territory 

Sir,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency  that  William 
Henry  Harrison,  Governor  of  the  Indiana  Territory,  has  been  ap- 
pointed a  Brigadier  General  in  the  Service  of  the  united  States,  and 
will  command  on  the  frontier  of  the  Territories. — He  has  been  in- 
structed to  communicate  with  your  Excellency  relative  to  calling  into 
Service  Volunteers  &  Militia;  and  I  am  commanded  by  the  President 
to  request  Your  Excellency  to  give  aid  to  the  Service,  &  call  out  and 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  257 

place  at  his  disposal,  such  portion  of  the  Detached  Militia  as  he  may 
require.^ — 

WILLIAM  RUSSELL  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
INA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Camp  Edwards/'  ye  24'"  August,  1812. 

Sir,  I  have  fixed  on  this  sight  as  a  proper  place  for  the  rangers, 
It  being  sentrel  between  the  Kaskaskia  river  and  the  Mississipia:  I 
keep  out  constantly  small  ranging  parties  from  this  to  each  river.  The 
troops  are  on  the  Illert  in  order  to  meet  events.  Two  companyes  of 
the  rangers  are  at  this  Camp,  Two  companys  at  Vincennes,  and  one 
in  the  State  of  Ohio,  all  with  instructions  to  range.  Governor  Edwards 
has  sent  on  to  this  camp  also,  two  companys  of  his  JNIilitia  and  says  he 
will  forward  on  to  me  two  companys  in  addition  to  the  above,-'  these 
troops  he  has  prevailed  on  me  to  train  and  exercise  in  the  way  I 
have  taught  my  rangers,  the  exercise  being  easy  and  Simple,  and  cal- 
culated for  men  armed  with  Rifles  and  Tomhock's.  It  is  the  exer- 
cise that  Gen'  Waj-ne,  taught  me  prior  to  his  action  with  the  In- 
dian's at  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  the  Miami  of  the  lake — My  citua- 
tion  is  rather  an  impleasant  one,  being  compeled  to  act  entirely  on 
the  defensive,  had  I  been  at  liberty  I  should  have  burnt  some  of 
their  Towns  before  this,  and  that  with  my  small  Corps,  or  perished 
in  the  attempt — My  men  are  geting  sickly  since  we  arrived  on  the 
waters  of  the  IMississipia.  I  have  not  ordered  a  Surgeon  to  attend 
them,  as  the  law  is  silent  on  that  subject.  I  leave  this  camp  early 
tomorrow  for  the  Mississipia,  in  order  to  errect  a  temporary  defence 
for  the  company  of  troops  under  the  command  of  Lieutenants  Ram- 
sey and  Todd,  below  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river  to  guard  against 
the  Indian's  by  water.  The  people  in  these  Territorys  believe  the 
ranger's  have  been  the  salvation  of  their  frontier's  in  this  quarter,  and 
approves  highly  of  the  plan. 

I  find  the  plan  of  the  rangers,  having  to  furnish  their  ration's  very 
injurous  to  the  Service,  as  these  men  have  to  range  the  country  for 
their  provisions,  and  consequently,  from  their  duty,  and  at  the  same 
time  it  operates  against  them  as  they  are  not  furnished  with  their 
pay,     I  believe  it  would  been  better  for  the  rangers  had  they  been 

20  See  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  Vin,  187-188,  189-193;  Esarey  (ed.),  Harrison's 
Messages  and  Letters,  ii,  81-101  and  passim.  See  a  lengthy  letter  from  Edwards 
to  Harrison,  Aug.  26,  1812  (Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp.  338-340),  in  which  are  raised 
questions  of  jurisdiction  and  of  command,  in  the  light  of  the  above  letter  and  of 
one  from  Harrison  (not  seen).  See  also  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Governor 
Howard,  Aug.  22, 1812,  Terr.  Papers  (La.-Mo.),  xiv,  and  footnote  citations  therein. 

"  A  short  distance  northwest  of  the  present  city  of  Edwards\-ille,  111. 

22  See  militia  order,  Aug.  26,  1812  (Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  p.  340). 


258  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

furnished  with  a  ration  by  the  Public,  even  should  they  had  to  pay 
25  cents  p'  ration 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  high  respect  your  obedient  Serv* — 

W  Russell  Co1» 
7"  Commanding  ye  District. 

[Addressed]  The  honorable  William  Eustis  Esq'  Secretary  of  war 
Washington.    Mail  [PostmaTked]  Sydney  Grove  Sept.  1"    FYee 

[Endorsed]  Camp  Edward  24  Aug.  1812  Col.  W.  Russell  States 
the  situation  of  his  rangers — wishes  to  act  offensively — it  bad  plan  to 
make  the  rangers  find  their  own  rations.    Rec"  Sept  17'"  1812. 


NICHOLAS  BOILVIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
(NA:  WD,  SWDF:  LS] 

Washington  Augxist  31.  1812. 
The  Hon'*  W"  Eustis    Secretary  at  war 

Sir  About  30  years  ago  the  late  M'  Dubuc  went  from  Montreal 
to  Michillimakinac  as  a  clerc  to  learn  the  Indian  trade;  and  with  his 
brother  Settled  on  the  Mississippi  among  the  Foxes  and  Sacs — In  the 
course  of  a  few  years  he  spent  a  great  deal  of  money  by  his  generous 
manner  of  acting,  he  making  many  presents  to  the  Indians,  and  re- 
fusing in  many  Instances  to  take  their  furs  in  exchange,  contrary  to 
the  custom  of  traders  among  them.  By  that  means  he  gained  the 
esteem  and  affection  of  the  Foxes  and  Sacs,  who  seeing  him  worthy 
of  pity,  (as  they  term  it)  declared  they  would  always  look  upon  him 
as  one  of  their  relations  and  told  him:  "We  have  discovered  a  lead 
mine:  in  this  crater  you  will  find  a  fine  vein  of  that  metal,  we  give  it 
to  you  during  your  life  time,  live  with  us  and  we  will  always  take  care 
of  you. 

M'  William  Tod  on  his  way  to  New  Orleans  where  he  was  going  to 
make  a  contract  with  the  Baron  de  Carondelet  then  Governor  of  that 
province,  told  M"^  Dubuc,  that  to  erase  from  his  mind  all  remembrance 
of  a  quarel  which  had  happened  some  time  before  between  them,  he 
wished  to  give  him  some  marks  of  his  friendship  and  how  much  land 
he  wished  to  have  at  that  place,  which  might  be  as  valuable  as  what 
he  possessed.  M"'  Dubuc  told  him  that  the  Indians  had  given  him  one 
square  league — M'  Tod  without  the  knowledge  of  M'  Dubuc  obtained 
from  the  Baron  de  Carondelet  a  grant  of  six  square  leagues  which  he 
made  a  present  of  to  said  Dubuc  and  engaged  him  to  go  to  S'  Louis, 
from  that  time  the  Indians  knew  not  what  Dubuc  had  done  with  their 
land.  After  his  death,  M'  Chouteau  son  as  an  administrater  came 
to  sell  his  property. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  259 

The  Indians  were  opposed  to  his  landing,  saying  that  the  land 
belong  to  them,  that  no  body  had  a  right  to  take  an  inch  of  it.  They 
came  for  me  at  Dog's  Prairie,  I  went  to  the  place  where  they  were  all 
assembled,  and  held  there  a  long  council  with  them:  They  exclaimed 
that  instead  of  a  friend  they  had  had  a  traitor  among  them,  who  wanted 
to  take  away  the  subsistence  of  their  wives  and  children,  that  they 
never  would  consent  to  their  land  being  sold.  I  replied  that  it  was 
to  pay  the  debts  which  he  had  contracted  in  the  purchase  of  goods  to 
cloath  them,  that  to  induce  the  great  spirit  to  receive  him  with  charity 
his  debts  must  be  paid.  They  then  consented  with  reluctance  to  let 
his  effects  be  sold,  but  as  soon  as  the  sale  was  over  and  the  people  had 
gone  away  they  sat  fire  to  the  house  and  swore  never  to  give  up  their 
land  untill  they  were  all  dead — It  would  be  useless  to  enter  into  a  long 
detail  of  what  passed  at  that  council,  the  above  is  the  true  substance. 

To  raise  all  difficulties  and  appease  the  Indians,  It  would  be  well 
perhaps  for  the  government  to  refund  to  the  owner  of  those  lands 
what  they  have  paid  for  them  and  to  make  a  present  of  them  to  the 
Indians  taking  from  them  a  mortgage  on  the  said  land — This  I  am 
sure  would  satisfy  all  parties 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted  to  your  consideration  by  Sir  Your 
very  humble  Servant 

N:  BoiLViN  agent 

[Endorsed]  Wash  Augt  31.  1812  N.  Boilvin  relative  to  a  lead  mine 
among  the  Sakes  &  foxes.     Rec"*  August  31.  1812    Lead  Mine 


GOVERNOR    EDWARDS    TO    THE    SECRETARY    OF    WAR 
INA:  WD,  SWDF:ALS] 
Elvirade  Randolph  Cty  III.  Ty  5ep'  2,  1812 
Sir    Governor  Howard  writes  me  that  on  the  night  before  last  he 
received  by  express  from  Fort  Madison  intelligence  of  the  capture  of 
Chicago  by  the  Indians  on  the  16  Ult." 

Colo  Bissil  also  received  a  letter  from  Lieut  Hamilton  confirming 
the  above  account  with  the  loss  on  our  part  of  60  killed  and  20  men  & 
10  women  taken  prisoners  and  giving  assurances  that  three  different 
nations  of  Indians  meditate  further  attacks  in  10.  or  15.  days 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd*  Serv* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  W"  Eustis  Secretary  of  War  Washington  City 

"  Not  seen.  For  an  exhaustive  account  of  the  Fort  Dearborn  massacre  see 
M.  M.  Quaife,  Chicago  and  the  Old  Northwest,  with  citations  to  sources,  pp.  211- 
226;  this  work  also  includes  a  number  of  sources,  pp.  378-436. 


260  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

PS.  Being  recognized  as  Gov'  by  your  letters  &  those  of  the  Pay- 
master and  others  at  Washington  I  continue  to  act  without  my  com- 
mission.    Very  respectfully  &c    N  E 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  Sept  2.  1812  Gov.  N.  Edwards  States  that 
he  has  heard  of  the  fall  of  Chicago,  expects  other  posts  to  be  attacked. 
Rec"  Sept  22°''  1812^* 


SECRETARY  POPE  TO  JUDGE  THOMAS 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govr.  Corr.,  1809-13 :CS] 

(A  Copy)  Kaskaskia  Sepl'  3'"  1812 

Sir  I  had  a  conversation  last  evening  with  Gov'  Edwards  in 
which  he  expressed  himself  in  substance  as  follows  "I  think  that  in 
the  present  state  of  this  Territory  a  Gen'  Court  ought  not  to  be  held 
in  this  County  or  St.  Clair — One  half  of  the  Militia  is  called  out  &  are 
ordered  to  march  immediately  to  the  Frontier  above  Cahokia  The 
other  half  ought  not  to  be  called  from  home  to  attend  Court,  for  in 
that  event  the  habitations  on  the  frontier  will  be  left  too  much  ex- 
posed He  therefore  thought  it  would  be  well  to  inform  the  people 
that  no  Court  would  be  held  at  the  next  Term  with  many  other 
considerations  too  tedious  to  enumerate — I  told  the  Gov'  that  I 
would  mention  to  you  &  he  said  that  he  would  be  glad  that  I  would — 
It  is  to  be  distinctly  understood  that  the  Gov'  did  not  intend  to 
interfere  with  you  in  your  Judicial  Capacity,  it  was  merely  intended 
as  an  Opinion  submitted  for  your  consideration — 

You  having  requested  this  communication  to  be  reduced  to  writing 
I  have  now  done  it 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  very  Respectfully  y'  ob'  Serv* 

Nat  Pope 

The  Hon"'*  Jesse  B.  Thomas 


"  No  reply  found.  Other  relevant  letters  from  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of 
War  (NA,  WD,  SWDF),  are  dated  Aug.  8  (recounting  recent  moves  of  the  Prophet 
and  stating  he  had  consented  to  Governor  Howard's  request  to  permit  the  militia 
of  Louisiana  Territory  to  cross  into  Illinois  Territory  for  the  safety  of  the  former), 
Aug.  15  (advising,  among  other  matters,  that  he  had  been  acting  as  Governor 
since  June  21  without  a  commission),  and  Aug.  25  (recommending  a  different 
course  of  campaign  from  that  proposed  by  Harrison,  and  enclosing  a  copy  of  a 
letter  from  Governor  Scott,  Aug.  20,  1812,  which  is  present).  These  letters  are 
printed,  with  the  exception  of  the  enclosure  mentioned,  in  Edwards,  Hist.  III., 
pp.  335-338. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  261 

THOMAS   FORSYTH  TO  THE   GOVERNOR  OF  LOUISIANA 
TERRITORY  2"* 

[NA  :  WD,  SWDF,  H372  :  C] 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  T.  Forsyth  to  His  Excellency  Governor  Howard 

Peorias  7'"  Sept'  1812 

May  it  please  your  Excellency,  I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your's 
of  the  1"  ins*-*"  And  since  my  arrival  from  Chicago  which  was  on 
the  24*"  Ult"  I  had  two  letters  ready  in  case  any  person  came  up  from 
S'  Louis:  but  receiving  reports  that  the  Indians  were  coming  to 
search  for  Powder  I  was  obliged  to  destroy  them:  And  as  we  were 
forbidden  by  the  Indians  from  stirring  from  this  place  it  was  impossible 
to  send  down  any  person — And  when  we  will  be  able  to  get  down 
to  S'  Louis,  God  knows,  as  there  are  Indians  continually  in  this  place 
watching  our  motions. — 

I  arrived  at  Chicago  on  the  IG*""  ult°  the  day  after  the  dreadful 
slaughter  of  the  poor  souls  of  that  Garrison — And  I  shall  give  you 
the  particulars  as  I  received  them  from  Mr  Kenzie  my  brother  who 
was  an  eye  witness  to  the  whole  Affair. — Some  time  in  the  latter  end 
of  July  Cap'  Heald  received  instructions  to  get  Chiefs  of  the  different 
nations  in  the  vicinity  of  Chicago  to  go  to  the  Council  at  Piqua. 
Mr  Kenzie  being  well  versed  in  Indian  Affairs  was  applied  to  by 
Cap'  Heald  to  assist  him  in  getting  the  Chiefs  to  go  to  the  council. 
Accordingly  17  Chiefs  &c  of  the  Potawatimies,  Ottowas,  Chippewas 
&  Winebagoes  set  out,  well  satisfied,  from  Chicago  &  got  to  a  place 
called  Terre  coupee,  distant  from  Chicago  about  90  miles  where 
they  met  Cap'  Wells,  Winemege  or  Catfish  a  Potawatimy  Chief  &  20 
or  25  Miamies  from  Fort  Wayne  who  told  them  that  they  must 
retiirn  back  to  Chicago  with  them  (Cap'  Wells  &  party)  as  the  Garrison 
was  to  be  evacuted  and  the  troops  to  be  marched  to  F'  Wayne: 
that  all  the  goods,  arms  &  ammunition  which  were  in  the  Factory 
were  to  be  given  to  the  Indians  as  Presents.  All  returned  back  to 
Chicago,  where  they  found  a  very  great  number  of  Indians.  Cap' 
Heald  received  from  General  Hull  a  letter  to  evacuate  the  Garrison 
&  march  his  company  to  Fort  Wayne  &  from  thence  to  Detroit. 
The  number  of  souls  who  were  to  receive  presents  amounted  to 
Seven  hundred  &  sixty  odd,  among  whom  there  were  between  400 
&  500  men.  Seeing  such  numbers  and  others  coming  in  daily  it  was 
thought  advisable  to  destroy  the  arms,  ammunition  and  Liquor — And 
in  the  course  of  the  night  previously  to  the  giving  out  of  the  presents, 
the  Indians  suspicious  of  something  of  ihe  kind,  listened  &  heard 

"«  Enclosed  in  Howard  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Sept.  13, 1812. 
"b  Not  found. 


262  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  breaking  of  the  heads  of  the  Kegs  of  powder — The  next  day 
when  the  goods  were  given  out  the  Indians  observed,  'there  was 
no  powder'  Cap'  Wells  said  that  there  was  none  in  the  Garrison 
to  give.  They  replied,  they  knew  there  was  none  now  as  he  had 
destroyed  the  whole,  the  evening  before.  Cap'  Wells  denied  the 
charge  &  a  few  words  passed  on  both  sides. — They  took  the  Goods  & 
all  finished.^ — On  the  14'"  ult°  a  little  before  sundown  an  Indian 
arrived  with  a  Belt  of  Wampum  which  was  sent  by  the  Main  Poc 
from  Fort  Maiden,  all  painted  red  with  vermillion,  acquainting  the 
Indians  that  the  British  and  their  allies  had  had  five  pitched  battles 
with  the  Americans,  and  that  the  British  were  always  successful: 
that  Gen'  Hull  was  encamped  on  the  British  side  of  the  Detroit 
River,  but  that  he  could  not  get  backward  or  forward:  That  the 
town  &  Fort  of  Detroit  was  taken  by  the  British,  that  a  vessel  would 
be  sent  out  shortly  to  Chicago  to  furnish  the  Indians  with  arms, 
ammunition  &  clothing  by  their  British  Father,  To  immediately 
take  up  the  tomahawk  and  strike  the  Americans.  The  discontent 
which  prevailed  among  the  Indians  on  account  of  their  not  receiving 
the  ammunition,  and  this  news  arriving  from  so  great  a  man  as  the 
Main  Poc  made  them  immediately  agree  to  attack  the  troops  the  next 
day  after  they  were  clear  of  the  Garrison. — Mr  K  with  others  advised 
the  Commandant  not  to  evacuate  the  place  but  poor  Cap'  Wells  was 
too  sanguine — and  on  Satiu-day  the  15'"  of  Aug'  about  10  OClock 
the  troops  amounting  to  fifty  four  Officers  &  Soldiers,  ten  Citizens 
nine  women  &  eighteen  children  left  the  Garrison  to  go  to  Fort  Wayne 
When  they  got  about  a  mile  from  the  Fort,  upwards  of  400  Indians 
followed  them  and  made  a  general  slaughter,  not  sparing  women  nor 
children.  The  horrid  affair  was  over  in  the  course  of  an  hour.  Thirty 
Soldiers  including  the  Doctor  &  Ensign  were  killed — 10  Citizens 
(being  the  whole  of  that  class  of  People)  two  women  &  twelve  poor 
cnildren — Twenty  four  Soldiers  including  the  Cap'  &  Lieu'  (both 
wounded)  Six  women  &  six  children  are  Prisoners.  Poor  Cap'  Wells 
is  among  the  slain  &  was  butchered  in  a  horrid  manner — his  heart 
taken  out  &  divided  among  the  different  Bands.  Poor  Mrs  Heald 
niece  of  Cap'  Wells  was  set  down  on  the  ground  &  the  worse  that 
a  savage  brute  had  his  arm  lifted  up  to  drive  the  war  club  into  her 
head,  when  a  young  French  Lad  who  had  just  caught  a  mule  ran  up 
&  bought  the  poor  Woman.  The  Indian  who  claimed  Cap'  Heald 
gave  him  his  liberty  to  go  with  his  wife  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  many 
of  the  Savages.  Three  Indians  were  killed  dead  and  three  wounded. 
Cap'  Heald  &  Mrs  H  are  both  wounded,  but  luckily  they  are  flesh 
wounds. — They  are  now  both  at  the  mouth  of  S'  Joseph's  river  at 
a  Mr  Burnett's  where  my  brother  &  family  also  are,  with  the  little 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  263 

remnants  of  our  property — for  in  this  unfortunate  affair  we  have  lost 
our  all  &  are  totally  ruined. — ■ 

After  my  arrival  from  Chicago,  myself  with  several  others  of  this 
place  went  up  to  Gomo's  village  to  know  when  we  could  go  down 
to  S'  Louis  for  flour,  tobacco  &°*  as  I  wished  to  make  a  pretence 
of  this  kind  to  try  if  possible  to  sent  a  letter  down,  but  he  gave  us 
to  understand  that  it  would  not  do  now;  that  we  would  have  time 
enough  some  time  hence.  Since  which  the  Indians  have  watched  us 
very  closely. — 

'Mackinac  was  taken  some  time  in  July  by  a  party  of  Indians  & 
Canadians,  headed  by  Dickson  whose  character  you  are  acquainted 
with  &  John  Askin  the  Indian  Agent  of  the  Island  of  S'  Joseph.  That 
Post  was  taken  without  firing  a  gun  or  the  loss  of  a  life  on  either  side. 

I  am  informed  by  an  Indian  from  Gomo's  today  that  the  Indians 
have  received  Tobacco  from  the  Main  Poc  a  few  days  ago,  saying, 
that  Detroit  has  certainly  fallen  (as  I  [blank]  this  news  with  some 
other  party  of  the  Main  Poc's  speech  when  I  with  others  was  at  Gomo's 
village  some  time  ago)  and  for  all  the  Indians  to  come  to  him  at 
Fort  Maiden  to  get  goods  &""  this  same  Indian  says  that  a  vessel  was 
seen  out  in  the  lake  near  Chicago  but  contrary  winds  blew  her  off. 

When  I  was  at  Fort  Chicago,  the  Indians  told  me  that  Fort  Wayne 
would  be  attacked  about  the  20'"  of  Aug'  by  a  great  number  of 
Indians  under  the  command  of  a  Potawatimy  Prophet  of  the  Elk's 
Heart  village — that  Fort  Madison  is  to  be  attacked — as  also  Fort 
Clark  (say  Fort  Osage)  on  the  Missouri. — Forty  Kickapoos  left  their 
village  a  few  days  ago.  Report  says  thay  are  gone  to  the  Shawanoe 
Prophet.  Other  reports  say  they  are  gone  to  the  settlements  on  the 
Kaskaskias  &  that  sixty  more  are  to  follow  in  a  few  days — Perhaps 
they  are  gone  by  this.  Today  a  Party  of  about  300  Indians  leave 
Gomo's  &  Shequenebec's  villages  to  go  down  to  make  war  against  the 
settlements  or  Block  Houses — They  are  headed  by  Gomo  &  Sheque- 
nebec;  and  he  (Shequenebec)  has  been  heard  to  say  that  'the  Great 
Spirit  will  deliver  him  a  Fort.  The  Shawanoe  Prophet's  party  will 
consist  in  a  short  time  of  900  or  1000  Warriors,  as  all  the  Winebagoes 
from  rockey  river  are  going  to  that  place — as  also  a  mmiber  of  Pota- 
watimies  from  S*  Joseph's. — I  saw,  when  at  Chicago,  the  murderers 
of  Coles's  party  &  of  the  families  of  vincennes.  One  of  them  said 
that  as  soon  as  he  got  home  he  meant  immediately  to  pay  a  visit  to 
the  Vincennes  People. — And  you  may  rely,  Lf  Fort  Harrison  is  not 
well  guarded,  that  the  Indians  will  make  a  tremendous  attack  on  the 
whole  country  of  Vincennes.  I  would  advise  you  therefore  to  ac- 
quaint Governor  Harrison  to  be  guarded  in  every  quarter,  other- 
wise they  will  make  great  havock.  You  may  rely  that  an  Indian  War 
is  inevitable. 


264  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

The  Kickpoos  who  formerly  lived  about  Portage  des  Sieux  meditate 
an  attack  on  your  frontier  shortly — Indeed  the  die  is  cast  and  the  U 
States  may  expect  nothing  but  war  from  the  Indians  as  you  will  hear 
in  a  very  few  days — And  unless  the  whole  frontiers  of  Michigan, 
Indiana,  this  (say  Illinois)  and  your  territory  (say  Missouri)  are  very 
well  guarded,  you  may  rely  that  a  very  great  havock  will  be  made  on 
the  poor  People  in  the  several  Settlements.  Your  Excellency  is  too 
well  acquainted  with  the  mode  of  Indian  warfare  not  to  know  that 
when  they  once  run  they  know  not  where  to  stop.  Vigilance  is  the 
great  point, — and  handled  roughly  in  any  one  place  once  or  twice, 
they  seldom  return  but  go  elsewhere — Therefore  I  would  advise  the 
Governors  of  the  different  territories  to  set,  immediately,  all  in  motion 
against  the  Indians  &  to  make  use  of  every  advantage  against  such 
barbarians  which  'God  &  nature  have  put  into  their  hands'  for  your 
Excellency  may  be  assiu-ed  that  no  conciliatory  measures  will  do — the 
time  is  past  for  that  &  a  War  of  extermination  must  do  the  business. 
The  Sackies,  Foxes  &  Sieux  are  all  waiting  to  see  how  their  brethren 
come  on.  When  an  opportunity  offers  it  will  be  like  a  Clap  of  thunder. 
Take  good  care  of  the  Sackies!  They  are  deceitful  People — 50  of 
them  went  to  Detroit  say  Maiden  last  Spring  &  the  Main  Poc  wanted 
them  much  to  stay;  but  after  they  got  their  presents  they  all  came  off 
except  ten  who  are  now  there  and  Tecumseh  with  his  10  or  12  followers 
who  went  to  Maiden  for  ammunition  are  also  there.  Better  those  two 
men  should  be  there  than  in  this  Country. — 

Your  Excellency  is  well  acquainted  with  my  situation  at  this  place. 
For  God's  sake  don't  mention  my  name  to  any  person,  for  if  the 
French  get  hold  of  it  my  life  is  gone.  I  expect  Gomo  &  his  party  here 
in  two  days.  After  you  hear  of  their  doing  some  mischief,  you  can 
send  up  a  person  by  land  on  the  west  side  of  this  river;  but  by  no 
means  let  him  come  along  the  water's  edge,  but  keep  out  from  the 
river  a  great  distance — Don't  you  write  by  him — let  Col"  Chouteau 
on  mercantile  affairs — about  his  boat  he  expects  from  'Mackinac  or 
some  other  affair — &  let  him  arrive  here  in  the  night  &  come  straight 
to  my  house.  lanace  Demouchelle  or  Mettee  who  lives  with  Gov 
Edwards,  are  the  only  two  in  your  country  (whom  I  know)  who  are 
fitting  for  a  business  of  this  kmd.  Let  them  take  care  that  there  are 
no  Indians  in  my  House  before  they  make  too  much  noise. 

Report  says  that  Gomo  &  his  Party  will  go  down  a  short  distance 
in  canoes,  as  they  are  fearful  of  falling  in  with  your  boat,  particularly 
as  they  understand  she  has  Swivels  on  board.  It  is  impossible  to  tell 
what  place  this  party  will  attack,  as  they  don't  know  themselves  imtil 
they  get  off.  Probably  also  it  may]^consist]|of||more  than][300  as^I 
understand  that  the  Fox  River  Indians  are  coming  down  as  also  some 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  265 

from  Millwaker  &  Sandy  Creek.     In  that  case  it  may  consist  of  400 

warriors 

In  haste,  I  remain,  Your  Excellency's  most  obt  Servant 

Signed    T.  Forsyth 


SECRETARY  POPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[NA:SD,  ni.  Terr.  Papers :ALS] 

Illinois  Territory  Sept'  8""  1812 
Sir    I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  inclosed  My  Semi  annual  return 
of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Governor  in  his  executive  Capacity  ^^  & 
have  the  Honor  to  be  very  Respectfully  Y"'  ob'  Hum"'  Serv' 

Nat  Pope 

The  Hon"'*  James  Monroe  Sec''  of  State  Un.  States— 


GOVERNOR    EDWARDS    TO    THE    SECRETARY    OF    WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 
Head  Quarters  Camp  Russel  Madison  County 

Illinois  Territory  Sepf  21. 1812 

Sir  The  perilous  situation  of  this  territory  is  now  becoming  so 
manifest  that  I  am  sending  off  my  family  to  Kentuckey  shall  secure 
my  papers  and  do  the  best  I  can  to  defend  this  country  with  the  forces 
I  have  collected  at  this  place. 

I  have  not  a  man  to  assist  me  beyond  those  I  have  raised  in  the 
territory  except  Lieuts  Ramsey  &  Todd  and  some  regulars  under 
thier  command,  and  these  refuse  to  obey  my  orders  unless  Colo  Russel 
shall  direct  them  to  do  so.  On  the  Recet  of  your  letter  on  that  sub- 
ject, I  requested  some  troops  immediately  of  the  Gov''  of  Kentucky 
they  were  promised  but  not  one  has  arrived. 

Not  a  man  whom  I  have  had  in  service  since  the  S'"  of  March  has 
received  a  cent  of  pay — they  are  extremely  much  distressed  for  the 
want  of  it  and  are  becoming  dissatisfied.  And  if  I  can  neither  get 
money,  to  pay  these  I  have  called  into  service  here,  nor  Troops  else- 
where you  must  be  convinced  that  I  cannot  defend  the  country  much 
longer. 

Not  doubting  your  desire  to  have  those  troops  paid,  I  beg  leave  to 
recommend  a  plan  that  will  prevent  your  wishes  on  this  subject  from 
being  disappointed — 

I  have  a  regiment  in  service,  &  have  prevailed  on  M""  Pope  the 
Secretary  to  consent  to  accept  of  the  appointment  of  pay  master  to 
it — I  have  sought  a  character  of  high  standing  hoping  thus  in  conse- 

"  Mar.  1,  1812,  to  Aug.  31,  1812,  Terr.  Papers  (111.),  xvii,  Register. 


266  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

quence  thereof  the  choice  might  be  approved  by  you  and  the  neces- 
sary funds  be  transmitted  direct  to  him — Nothing  but  patriotism 
would  induce  him  to  take  this  trouble  upon  himself 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd'  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'*  William  Eustis  Secretary  at  War  Wash- 
ington.   Free 

[Endorsed]  Camp  Russell— Sept.  21.  1812  Gov.  N.  Edwards  States 
the  impossibility  of  defending  that  country  unless  supported  with 
men  &  money — His  troops  want  pay — M'  Pope,  the  Sec"  will  be  P. 
Master    Rec^  Oct.  9.  1812  ^» 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Department  October  7'"  1812. 
His  Excellency  Nin"  Edwards  Gov'  of  the  Illinois  Territory — 

Sir,  Your  Excellency's  letters  of  Sept'  8'"  "  &  12"'  -'  have  been 
received.  General  Harrison,  who  is  charged  with  the  defence  of  all 
the  Western  Frontier,  has,  as  will  appear  by  the  inclosed  Extract,  -'' 
made  Arrangements  for  the  defence  of  the  Illinois,  and  it  is  presumed 
he  will  communicate  with  your  Excellency  in  relation  to  his  op- 
erations. ^  — 


"  No  reply  found. 

"  There  is  a  letter  of  Sept.  8,  1812,  printed  in  Edwards,  Hiil.  III.,  p.  342,  which 
is  identical  with  one  under  date  of  Sept.  12,  1812,  in  NA  (WD,  SWDF),  in  which 
Governor  Edwards,  in  referring  to  Harrison's  recall  of  Russell  and  his  forces  to 
Vincennes,  asks  whether  the  Governor  of  a  Territory  possesses  any  authority 
over  the  rangers  and  regular  troops  within  his  Territory.  There  is  no  letter  of 
Sept.  8,  1812,  in  the  files  in  NA.  See,  in  the  same  connection,  Edwards  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  Sept.  6,  1812  (NA,  op.  eit.,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  pp.  340- 
342),  expressing  astonishment  at  Russell's  recall,  and  stating  that  he  and  Harrison 
disagreed  on  the  meaning  of  the  Secretary's  letter  of  July  9,  ante,  p.  243. 

«»  See  n.  27,  supra. 

"  Not  seen. 

»»  Answered  Jan.  2,  1813  (NA,  loe.  eil.,  printed,  Edwards,  op.  eit.,  pp.  345-346), 
stating  that  Harrison's  plan  for  the  protection  of  the  Territory  rather  than 
Edwards's  had  apparently  been  accepted,  and  reviewing  at  length  the  military 
operations  in  Illinois  during  the  previous  fall. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  267 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 
[NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Department  October  24'"  1812. 
His  Excellency  Ninlvn  Edwards  Gov"'  of  the   Illinois  Territory 

Kask" 

Sir,  Your  Excellency's  letter  of  the  14'"  Instant  is  received.  '' — 

Herewith  inclosed  you  will  receive  an  Extract  of  a  letter  from 
General  Harrison,  which  shews  that  pro\asion  is  made  for  such  Rein- 
forcements as  may  be  necessary.  ^^ — 

Lieutenant  'WTiitlock  the  District  pay  Master  has  funds  &  Instruc- 
tions "  for  pajang  the  Rangers  and  Militia.  '* — 


JOHN  MASON  TO  MATTHEW  IRWIN 
[NA:OIT,  Supt.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

Indian  Office  27  Oct  1812 
Math"  Irwin  Esq    late  factor  for  the  U  S  at  Chicago 

Sir  In  consequence  of  the  factory  at  Chicago  having  been  broken 
up  by  the  events  of  the  war,  and  it  being  uncertain  in  the  present 
state  of  things  whether  it  will  be  re  established — I  am  directed  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States  to  inform  you  that  after  the  expiration 
of  the  present  quarter  your  services  as  factor  cannot  be  longer  engaged 
— that  your  salary  will  however  be  continued  untill  that  time  it 
being  understood  that  during  that  period  you  consider  yourself  ready 
to  perform  such  duties,  as  may  be  required  of  you  as  one  of  the  officers 
attached  to  this  ofRce  '^ — 

I  am  &c  &c  J,  M,  S  I,  T, 

»'  NA  (WD,  SWDF),  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  p.  343.  The  endorsement  on 
the  letter  gives  Oct.  14,  but  the  date  line  on  the  original  is  Oct.  4,  1812. 

*-  The  letter,  dated  Oct.  15,  1812,  is  printed  in  full  in  Esarey  (ed.),  Harrison's 
Messages  and  Letters,  n,  179-181. 

"  See  Robert  Brent,  paymaster  general,  to  Edwards,  July  20,  Nov.  7,  and  Nov. 
19, 1812  (Edwards  Papers,  CHS,  printed,  Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  CHC, 
UI,  78-79,  83-84,  84-85). 

»<  Answered  Dec.  25,  1812  (NA,  WD,  SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp. 
343-345),  denying  Harrison's  charge  that  he  was  responsible  for  the  defenceless 
state  of  the  Territory;  it  is  a  lengthy  vindication  of  Edwards's  policy. 

«  See  T.  Fackle  to  Bathhurst,  no  date,  1812  (WHC,  xx,  1-12K  expressing  the 
opinion  that  it  was  fortunate  for  the  British  that  Fort  Dearborn  had  fallen; 
and  that  the  American  factory  system,  though  but  meagerly  supported  by  the 
U.  S.  Congress,  had  been  successful  to  the  extent  that  it  seriously  threatened 
British  control  of  the  Indians.  See  also  Dickson  to  Jacob  Franks,  Oct.  2  and 
Oct.  14,  1812,  ibid.,  pp.  291-293,  relative  to  articles  for  the  Indian  trade  and 
stating  that  regular  troops  were  expected  from  England. 


268  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

JUDGE  STUART  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[NA:SD,  Resignations  :ALS] 

Richmond  October  28*"  1812 
Sir — As  the  time  approaches,  when  the  President  of  the  United 
States  will  have  to  appoint  a  Governor  in  &  over  the  Illinois  Territory; 
I  think  it  a  duty  I  owe  the  public,  to  state  through  you  to  M''  Madison; 
that  the  gentleman  who  has  fill"  that  office  for  the  last  three  years, 
has  in  my  humble  opinion  discharged  the  trust  confided  to  him  with 
firmness  impartiality  and  wisdom — I  should  not  have  taken  the  liberty 
of  saying  so  much;  did  I  not  know  with  what  facility  any  person  may 
be  misrepresented  who  resides  at  so  great  a  distance  from  the  seat 
of  Government — I  presume  it  is  unnecessary  to  add  that  Governor 
Edwards  is  a  friend  to  the  administration;  he  was  a  warm  advocate 
for  the  war  when  I  saw  him  last — I  shall  be  at  the  next  Gen'  Court 
to  be  holden  in  Illinois  after  which  I  shall  tender  to  the  president 
my  Commission  in  consequence  of  the  unhealthiness  of  the  Country 
I  am  very  respectfully 

Alex'  Stuart 

[Addressed\  The  Hon"'  James  Monroe  Washington  [Postmarkedi 
Richmd.  Va  Oct  31    Free  Mail 

[Endorsed]  28  Oct.  1812    Judge  Stuart. 


WILLIAM  RUSSELL  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Camp  Russell,  ye  31''  October  1812— 
Sir,  This  will  inform  you  that  I  arrived  at  this  place  from  Vin- 
cennes,  after  Gen'  Hopkins  had  marched  his  mounted  rifle  men  up  to 
fort  Harrison,  I  took  on  with  me  part  of  three  Company's  of  the 
United  States  Rangers  where  I  was  Joined  by  Gov'  Edwards  with  his 
mounted  riflemen,^*  the  whole  of  our  strength  only  amounted  to  360 
privates,  we  penetrated  very  far  in  the  Indian  Country  with  an 
expectation  of  Cooperating  with  Gen'  Hopkins,  who  by  appointment 
was  to  meet  us  at  the  Peoria,  on  the  Illinois  River,  in  this  we  were 
sadly  disappointed  as  we  could  get  no  intelligence  of  his  Army,  this 
prevented  us  from  doing  as  much  damage  to  the  Indian's,  as  otherwise 
we  could  have  done;  as  our  numbers  were  to  week  to  make  any  delay 
in  that  quarter  as  this  was  farther  then  any  troop's  had  hitherto 

••  On  Oct.  6, 1812,  Gen.  Samuel  Hopkins,  who  was  charged  by  Harrison  with  the 
defense  of  Indiana  Territory,  ordered  Russell  to  return  to  Illinois  Territory  with 
his  companies  of  rangers  and  to  proceed  up  the  Illinois  River  towards  Peoria. 
See  Hopkins  to  Harrison,  Oct.  6,  1812  (Esarey,  ed.,  Harrison's  Messages  and 
LeUers,  ii,  162-163). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  269 

penetrated — "  We  stole  a  march  upon  the  Selabrated  Pemertams 
Town,  situated  about  twenty  one  miles  above  Peoria,  and  immediately 
at  the  head  of  the  Peoria,  Lake,  this  was  a  well  built  Town,  and  con- 
tained a  number  of  Indian's,  between  the  Town,  and  river  was  a 
dismal  Swamp  in  which  they  immediately  flew  for  shelter,  returning 
a  few  scattering  shots,  our  men  nobly  persued  them  through  the 
Swamp  for  three  miles  up  to  their  waist's  in  mud  and  water,  and  killed 
some  of  them  in  the  Swamp,  and  also  others  as  they  were  crossing  the 
Illinois  river,  the  men  also  persued  them  to  the  oposite  bank,  and 
brought  back  some  of  their  canoes  and  several  dead  bodys — The  Gov' 
states,  to  be  upwards  of  twenty  killed  of  the  enemy.  This  was  a 
flourishing  Town,  with  an  immence  deal  of  Indian  plunder  in  it, 
togather  with  a  great  deal  of  corn,  all  of  which  was  committed  to  the 
flaime's.  I  believe  no  less  then  Eighty  horses  fell  into  our  hands 
belonging  to  the  Enemy.  Several  white  persons  scalp  were  also 
found  amongst  their  plunder — I  had  the  immediate  command  of  the 
Battallion,  and  the  Supream  Command  was  retaind  by  his  Excellency 
the  Governor — On  this  expedition  we  were  fortunate,  we  had  but  four 
men  wounded,  non  of  which  is  mortal.  This  tour  was  performed 
from  this  camp  and  back  to  the  same  place  in  thirteen  days — I  am  at 
this  time  trying  to  permote  an  expedition  in  the  same  quarter,  should 
Gen'  Hopkin's  not  decend  as  low  as  that  point,  and  for  that  perpose 
have  addressed  a  letter  to  his  excellency  Gov''  Howard.  My  object 
would  be  to  go  up  the  Mississippia  river  as  high  as  fort  Mason,  then 
make  a  dash  across  to  the  Illinois  river,  this  would  compleatly  ketch 
them  of  their  gard,  however  to  this  letter  I  have  as  yet  received  no 
answer — As  G.  Edwards  will  give  a  more  full  detail  of  this  subject  ^ 
then  I  can  do  at  the  present  I  shall  not  tire  your  patience  further — 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  high  respect  your  obd'  Serv* — 

W  Russell  Col" 
7'"  &  District  Commandant. 

[Addressed]   The  honorable  William  Eustis  Esq''  Washington.  Mail 

[Endorsed]  Camp  Russell  31.  Oct  1812  Colonel  Russell  Stating 
his  operations  &  his  destruction  of  an  Indian  Town — is  about  another 
expedition— ReC*  Dec'^  5*"  1812 

"  See  Shelby  to  Harrison,  Nov.  7,  1812,  ibid.,  pp.  201-202,  explaining  the 
failure  of  Hopkins.  See  also  Thomas  E.  Craig  to  Edwards,  Nov.  16  and  Dec. 
10,  1812  (Edwards  Papers,  CHS,  printed,  Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers, 
CHC,  III,  85,  86-90),  relative  to  the  same  campaign;  in  the  second  letter  he 
severely  criticizes  Thomas  Forsyth. 

"  See  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Nov.  18,  1812  (Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  pp. 
69-72),  embodying  a  full  account  of  the  expedition.  In  a  second  letter  to  id., 
Dec.  25,  1812,  ibid.,  pp.  343-345,  Edwards  defends  his  conduct  against  Harrison's 
charges  of  incompetence. 


270  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Ty.  Nov^  8.  1812 
Sir    I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  an  address  from  the  legislature 
of  this  territory  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  ^° — ■ 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully,  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd'  S* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

[Endorsed]     Kaskaskia  Nov  8  1812    Gov  N  Edwards  transmits  an 
address  of  the  Legislature  to  the  President.     Rec"  Jan''  1.  1812 


COMMISSION  OF  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:  SD,  Misc.  Perm.  Comms.,  D:C1 

[November  20,  1812] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting: 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the  Pa- 
triotism, Integrity  and  Abilities  of  Ninian  Edwards,  of  Kentucky, 
I  have  nominated,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  Consent  of  the 
Senate  do  appoint  him  Governor  in  and  Over  the  Illinois  Territory; 
and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute  and  fulfil  the  duties 
of  that  office  according  to  Law;*"  and  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  said 
Office,  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  Emoluments  to  the  same 
of  right  appertaining  for  the  term  of  three  years  from  the  day  of  the 
date  hereof,  unless  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  the  time 
being  should  be  pleased  sooner  to  revoke  and  determine  this 
Commission. 

In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be  made 

patent,  and  the  Seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  hereunto  affixed. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington  the  Twen- 

L.S.     tieth  day  of  November  a.d.  1812;  and  of  the  Independence 

of  the  U  States  of  America,  the  Thirty  Seventh. 

James  Madison 
By  the  President 
Jas  Monroe  Secy  of  State 

"  Not  present. 

*>  Nominated  Nov.  13  and  confirmed  Nov.  18,  1812  (Senate  Exee.  Journal, 
II,  303,  305). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  271 

PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  THE  TERRITORIAL 
LEGISLATURE 

[NA:WD,SWDF:DS] 

Illinois  Territory  30'"  November  1812 
We  the  Legislative  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of  Said 
Territorj' — 

Beg  leave  to  Represent — 

That  the  firm  and  Unavoidable  Policy  that  dictated  the  offensive 
measures  against  our  oppressors  (Great  Britain)  has  Subjected  our 
frontier  to  the  murderous  Tomahawk  of  a  host  of  the  most  inhuman 
and  ferocious  of  enemies.  A  War  with  a  Savage  foe  is  too  alarming, 
and  awful  to  be  long  sustained  by  a  people  thinly  scattered  over  so 
Vast  a  frontier  Settlement  as  ours  without  a  great  sacrifice  of  life 
and  property.  The  alarm  of  Indian  War  is  indiscribably  distressing 
to  a  people  Circumstanced  as  are  the  people  of  this  Territory  and 
joined  to  which,  our  Country  is  now  the  Seat  of  Indian  War — 

Being  Influenced  by  the  foregoing  considerations  we  take  the  Lib- 
erty of  Recommending  that  you  Represent  our  Situation  to  the  General 
Government,  and  Request  (the  natural  guardians  of  our  Safety  and 
prosperity)  that  measures  be  speedily  adopted,  which  will  have  for 
their  object,  the  Subjugation  or  total  extermination  of  those  faithless 
Sons  of  the  forest— 

The  Commander  in  Chief  of  this  Territory  (Gov"'  Edwards)  with 
the  limited  means  he  Possessed  has  so  far  been  Successful  in  preserving 
the  lives  of  our  frontier  Citizens,  that  by  a  well  timed  and  forced  march, 
he  had  the  Good  fortune  to  obtain  a  brilliant  Victory  over  a  consider- 
able part  of  the  Kikapoos.  Potowatamees  and  Miamies.  at  their  own 
town  on  Peoria  Lake,  But  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  the  Patriotic  Spirit 
which  Stimulated  many  Voluntarily  to  join  his  Standard  will  not 
again  perhaps  manifest  itself,  without  some  positive  assurance  of  a 
corresponding  remuniration  for  the  Sacrifice  and  peril  incident  to  a 
Soldiers  life — nor  can  any  effective  Operations  be  carried  on  without 
an  Organised  body  of  mounted  Troops  habituated  to  the  Indian 
mode  of  warfare.  Acquainted  with  their  IManners  and  their  country, 
and  determined  on  Success.  Such  men  to  the  number  of  four  com- 
panies could  (if  sufficient  inducement  was  held  out)  we  are  persuaded, 
be  raised  in  our  Country  By  IMajor  John  Moredock,  a  Citizen  of  our 
Territory,  who  held  a  Distinguished  rank  and  acted  a  Meritorious  part 
in  the  late  campaign  under  Governor  Edwards,  his  known  Valour  and 
fitness  for  Atchievement  of  that  kind,  has  gained  him  the  confidence 
of  the  Bravest  and  best  of  our  Indian  Warriors.  With  Such  men  as  he 
could  Raise  in  a  short  time  and  Officer,  it  is  confidently  believed,  that 
he  could  frequently  by  forced  marches  and  Surprise  route  out  those 


272  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

British  blood  hounds  from  their  Towns  and  hunting  Camps  and 
Compleatly  cover  our  frontier — 

We  further  presume  to  observe  that  those  Troops  ought  to  be 
engaged  for  one  year  unless  sooner  discharged.  Without  pretending 
to  dictate,  we  must  observe  that  a  Strong  post  at  Peoria  which  might 
be  erected  by  those  Troops,  would  Serve  (when  Garrisoned  by  two 
Companies  of  Regulars)  as  a  Rallying  point  from  whence  they  might 
Occasionally  make  Incursions  into  the  Indian  Towns  and  hunting 
camps.  In  the  Vicinity  of  that  place,  and  the  Illinois  River — 

On  Motion  Resolved  that  the  foregoing  Petition  be  Signed  by  the 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  President  of  the  Legisla- 
tive councel  and  be  transmitted  to  the  Governor  of  this  Territory 
Requesting  him  to  forward  the  Same  to  our  Delegate  in  Congress  to 
be  by  him  laid  before  the  National  Legislature— and  the  President  of 
the  United  States — 

Geo  Fisher 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
Pierre  Menard  President  of  the  Council. 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  the  Legislative  Council,  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  Illinois  Territories.  6'"  January,  1813.  Ref"  to  the 
Committee  on  Military  Affairs.  12""  Jan''  1813.  Committee  dis- 
charged and  ref  to  the  Secretary  of  War.  "  Disch  ref""  sec  War  M' 
Bond  ref"  Military  Com 


MEMORIAL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  CONGRESS  BY 

CITIZENS  OF  THE  TERRITORY 

[NA:SD,  ni.  Terr.  Papers:DS] 

ILINOI  Teritory  Big  Creek  Settlement— [December  6,  1812] 
To  his  Excellency  the  president,  and  Congress  of  the  united  States 

The  Memorial,  of  the  undersigned  Citizens  of  the  united  States 
Humbly  Sheweth — That  whereas  Many  thousands  poor  Industrious 
Inhabitants,  faithful  Citizens  of  the  United  States,  are  now  Struggling 
under  heavy  Burthens  for  the  want  of  a  necessary  portion  of  the  soil 
of  the  united  States;  and  whereas  many  Millions  of  acres  of  land,  lying 
West  of  the  river  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  are  unoccupied,  and  are  likely 
to  lie  so  for  many  Years,  unless  some  provisions  are  made  for  the  more 
speedy  Settlement  thereof — you  Memorialists  solicit  that  Some  More 
favorable  measures  May  be  taken,  that  the  poor  Industrious  people 
may  obtain  a  Sufficient  Quantity  of  land  for  the  support  of  them  and 

*'  House  Journal,  vni,  609,  613.  See  passage  in  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  Dec.  25,  1812  (Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  pp.  344-345),  containing  a  criticism  of 
the  proposal. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  273 

their  families  to  Enable  them  to  enjoy  the  sweets  of  liberty  and  inde- 
pendence and  so  become  useful  and  loyal  Citizens. — Many  have  hither- 
to been  Cruelly  oppressed,  for  want  of  their  equal  natural  rights: 
many  of  us.  Who  fought  for  Independence,  and  Sufered  every  thing 
but  death,  are  now  in  a  State  of  Indigence,  and  can  not  enjoy  the 
Common  Comforts  of  life;  and  the  lands  for  which  we  have  fought, 
are  at  this  time  So  dear,  and  money  so  Scarce  that  it  is  Impossible  for 
us  to  purchase  (at  that  rate)  a  Sufficient  Quantity  to  produce  the 
Comforts  of  life,  and  enable  us  to  enjoy  the  realities  of  Independence, — 

It  is  impossible  for  us  (without  Stooping  to  the  mean  paths  of 
Intrigue  which  We  Scorn)  to  remedy  ourselves  In  the  present  Crisis. 
We  humbly  Conceive,  that  the  Most  grievous  Complaints  among  the 
white  people  of  America  have  been  Occasioned  by  being  Cruelly 
deprived  of  our  original  right  of  Inheritance  We  Conceive,  that  every 
free  Male  Citizen  of  the  united  States  at  18  years  of  age  and  upwards; 
and  every  female  head  of  a  family,  ought  to  be  allowed  to  hold  a 
Sufficient  Quantity  of  what  is  Called  Congress  Land  for  their 
Support  that  no  one  ought  to  be  allowed  to  hold  more  than  200 
acres  by  Improvement,  We  humbly  Conceive,  that  if  Each  Citizen 
aforesaid,  was  allowed  to  hold  200  acres  of  land  by  Improvement 
at  12}2  Cents  pr  acre  payable  In  7  years  (without  Interest)  after 
Settlement,  that  the  taxes  arising  from  them,  would  Soon  produce 
a  greater  revenue,  than  disposing  of  the  lands  In  the  present  way— 
We  also  Conceive  that  being  put  in  possession  of  freeholds  Estates, 
would  produce  loyalty  in  each  Citizen  prevent  Rebellions,  remove 
animosities.  Cement  an  union,  and  promote  happiness  throughout  each 
department  of  the  family  of  the  united  States  We  your  memorialists 
humbly  pray,  that  this  subject  May  be  taken  more  fully  Into  Con- 
sideration, be  laid  before  the  Senate  and  Representatives  of  the 
union,  and  such  Measures  taken  as  Shall  be  Conducive  of  the  general 
good,  Nothing  but  a  compliance  with  our  reasonable  requests  Can 
emancipate  us  from  Civil  Oppression,  and  raise  us  to  the  dignified 
rank  of  free  bom  Americans,  In  hopes  of  obtaining  oiir  request,  your 
memorialists  in  duty  bound  will  Ever  pray 

December  the  6'"  Day  1812 

Tho^  Morrow  Sn'  Jonas  Long 

James  C  Miller  William  Standley 

Nathan'  Turner  John  Morrow 

Lenard  Price  Thomas  Sumner 

Thomas  Rattan  Spencer  Summer 

John  Sumner  Dennis  Standley 

Abraham  Womack  Stephen  Standly 

Thomas  Morrow  Jn''  Elisha  Hall 

James  Hall  J'  Richard  Lee 

John  Jorney  Steward  Claton 

Nathan  Story  Joseph  Plummer 


274 


TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


William  Summers 
Joseph  Jackson 
Samuel  Durry 
Alexander  Green 
John  Willis 
David  Morrow 
James  Johnson 
James  Morrow  Snr 
James  Morrow  Jnr 
elisha  Coulbird 
David  Sheely 
Jon  Smith 
Benj  Walden 
William  pitchford 
Abraham  Smith 
Amos  Chandler 
Daniel  Chandler 
Pleasant  Rose 
Evans  Smith 
Amanuel  Madcalf 
Henry  Persons 
John  Vineyard 
Thompson  Haris 
Peter  Etter 
James  Lee  Jnr 
James  Lee  Snr 
Benjamin  Lee 
Joseph  Easters 
Chisum  Estes 
Daniel  Dedrick 
ElsBury  Sparks 
Alfred  Wood 
Joseph  Riley 
Andrew  Jackson 
John  Morris 
Isom  Clay 
John  Jackson 
David  Tade 
George  Jackson 
Ja'  M 'Parian 
Ezekel  Clay 
Nathaniel  Hutson 
Hampton  Pankey 
W"  Frizell 
Benjamin  Browning 
Jeremiah  Neel 
Daniel  Vineyard 
Joshua  Williams 
West  Westly 
Samuel  Omelveny 


Thomas  Morow 
James  Russell 
James,  D,  Russel 
David.  B,  Russel 
Michl  Robison 
Nathan  Hearn 
Thomas  Boatright 
Stephen  Stilly 
John  Stilly 
David  Stilly 
Randal  Casy 
David  Self 
Gabrial  greathouse 
William  Andrew 
David  Pusley 
Pleasent  Rose 
John  Robison 
Jacob  Andrewson 
William  Morris 
Richard  Bennet 
James  Lee,  Jun 
William  Panky 
Da\id  Morris 
Erven  Morris 
Colemon  Hooe 
Nathan  P  campell 
William  Jackson 
James  Wilson 
Benoney  Lee 
Joseph  Estrech  " 
Isaac  Pyle 
James  Lee  senr 
John  King 

Elleksander  Parkenson 
Wiley  hutson 
Benjamin  Sparks 
James  Wilson 
Willim  Wilson 
Straingman  Modglin 
ASalum  Sparks 
Jacob  Gross 
Obed  Johnson 
John  W  Womack 
John  Stobaugh 
W"  Morgan 
David  Cooper 
Vance  Lusk 
Thomas  Wales 
Henry  Bateman  ** 
Enoch  Davis 


"  Doubtful  reading. 
**  Or  Boleman. 


ILLINOIS  TERRITORY  275 

Baywell  Davis  John  S.  Pattillo 

Nathan  Clampet  David  Taylor 

Thomas  Gill  George  Taylor 

John  Vineyard  Jacob  Self 

Walter  M''Coy  Nathaniel  Armstrong 

Sampson  Dunn  Larkin  Kesterson 

Right  Taylor  John  Tilly 

Nicholas  Taylor  Peter  Hammond 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  people  of  the  Illinois  Territory  to  the  President 
&  Congress  Dec.  6.  1812  « 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOSEPH  POLLARD 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

Dec'  7.  1812 
Mr.  Joseph  Pollard,  Louisville  Ky. 

Complaints  and  such  as  appear  to  be  well  founded,  are  made 
against  the  incompetency  of  your  riders  and  horses  on  the  Kaskaskia 
route,  look  well  to  this  charge,  and  to  be  under  the  necessity  of  taking 
this  mail  out  of  your  hands  would  be  very  unpleasant  to  this  office 
and  unprofitable  to  you. 

GGr. 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  GEORGE  ROBINSON 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

Dec'  7,  1812 
Geo:  Robinson  Esq'  P.  M.  Shawanee  Town  Ind  Ter 

I  have  received  yours  of  Novr  19,"  if  M"'  Pollard  does  forfeit  his 
Contract  it  is  probable  we  may  tender  you  the  conveyance  of  the 
mail  to  Kaskaskia  that  is  now  confided  to  him — 

GGr 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 

[LC:  Madison  Papers  :ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  Dec'  9. 1812 
Sir  According  to  the  request  of  the  legislature  of  this  territory 
I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  an  address  from  that  body  to  you.''* 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd*  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 
[Addressed]  The  President  of  the  US 

*'  No  entry  in  the  Journals  of  Congress  has  been  seen  indicating  that  the 
memorial  was  presented. 
«  Not  found. 

*'  Not  present.     The  reference  may  be  to  the  memorial  printed  ante,  p.  272. 
314574 — 48 19 


276  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JUDGE  GRISWOLD 

|PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

Deer  12.  1812 
Hon"'*  Stanley  Griswold,  Kaskaskia  II.  Ter: 

I  am  favoured  with  your  letter  of  Novr  17/'  I  very  much  regret 
to  leai'n  that  failures  are  suffered  to  take  place  in  the  transmission 
of  the  mail,  to  guard  against  such  occurrences,  I  issued  two  sets  of 
circulars  one  I  addressed  to  the  contractors,  urging  them  to  a  prompt 
and  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties,  the  other  was  addressed  to 
Postmasters,  requiring  them  to  dispatch  expresses,  whenever  a  failure 
or  delay  takes  place,  by  this  time  I  calculate  that  one  of  my  circular 
letters  has  reached  M'  Arundel,'"  and  he  will  then  find,  that  I  have 
made  it  his  duty  to  dispatch  expresses,  we  received  intelligence  on  the 
7"'  ins  of  Pollards  negligence  and  we  instantly  took  measures  to  put 
him  right — 

G  Gr 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  CITIZENS  OF  THE 
TERRITORY  " 

(LC:HF,  12  Cong.,  2  sess.tDS] 

[Referred  December  16,  1812] 
To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  &  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 

States  in  Congress  assembled. 

We  your  petitioners  Citizens  and  Inhabitants  of  the  Illinois  Territory 
respectfully  sheweth  To  your  Honorable  body,  that  under  the  im- 
pression that  a  Land  office  would  shortly  be  opened  for  the  sale  of 
the  Public  lands  in  this  Territory  we  were  indued  to  remove  to  it 
and  have  made  such  improvements  as  were  necessary  To  carry  on 
our  respective  occupations,  depending  Entirely  on  the  mercy  and 
Equanimity  of  our  Gov^ernment  &  the  Justice  of  our  cause  for  redress, 
We  therefore  pray  your  Honorable  body  that  a  Law  may  pass  Giving 
the  actual  setler  the  prevalige  of  entering  the  Quarter  Section  of  Land 
Includig  his  impovement  paying  to  the  United  States  the  stipulated 
price  set  on  their  Lands  &  in  the  same  way  that  other  Lands  that  are 
Enterd  are  paid  for  and  that  when  a  settlement  has  been  made  and 
the  resident  from  In  ability  Does  not  Enter  the  Quarter  Section  on 
which  he  resides  and  it  shall  be  sold  to  the  highest  bider  that  the 
purchacer  shall  be  obliged  to  pay  the  setler  the  value  of  his  improve- 
ment and  Doo  Such  other  things  as  to  you  in  your  wisdom  may  seem 
meet  and  your  petitioners  as  In  Duty  bound  will  Ever  pray  &c 

"  Not  found. 
"  Ante,  p.  192. 

•'  Enclosed  in  a  covering  letter  from  Governor  Edwards  to  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  Mar.  30,  1812  (LC,  HF). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY 


277 


Leonard  White 
Ja"  Ratcliff 
Tho=  Shannon 
Wm  West 
Benj"  Cummins 
Tho=  Robinson 
Geo.  Robinson 
John  Robinson 
WiUiam  Robinson 
Alex"'  Robinson 
George  Robinson  Jun' 
Thompson  Harris 
John  C  Slocum 
Isaac  Casey- 
James  Ratliff 
Joseph  Fisher 
Ritchard  Rathff 
Nathaniel  Armstrong 
W"  Penney 
Jeames  Heley 
Hiram  Penney 
W"  Panky 
John  Woods 
Ezekiel  Clay 
Richard  Stiles 
Wiley  hutson 
Wilham  Stiles 
Jacob  T  Swofford 
Lewis  Watkins 
John  King 
Peter  Etter 
Asa  Ledbetter 
John  Wallace 
James  Andrew 
W"  Casey 
Edward  Haley 
James  Fisher 
Rivers  Cormack 
Arthur  M'^Cree 
Sparling  Younge 
Emanuel  Madcaft 
Elisha  Browning 
Elias  Jurdan 
James  Gordan 
Aron  Neal 
W"  Jordan 
David  Shelby 
Isaac  Shelby 
Wm.  Jordon 


Welding  Manning 
Ernis  Chandler 
Benjamin  Talbott 
Bennoney  Lee 
Joseph  Estes 
Dickeson  Garrett 
Chisom  "  Estes 
James  Ford 
W°>  Wood 
W°  Chisholm 
Bennoney  Lee 
David  Self 
James  Lae 
Manning  Rose 
B°  Ri  Smith 
Georg  Ragland 
Thomas  Mazes 
Thomas  Wilson 
[MS.torn]han  Davis 
Edmd  Rose 
John  morris 
William  Mechegee 
Henry  Mechegee 
Warner  Buck 
Frederick  Buck 
John  Riche 
Nimrod  Talor 
Dennis  Clay 
John  Mitchell 
W"  M-^Coy 
haly  Bags 
Joseph  Carey 
Isaac  Moss 
John  Richey 
Enty  Richey 
Zekel  Macoy 
Walter  Macoy  . 
Brice  banner 
W"  Cayton 
Jessie  Wadke 
Edward  D  Prather 
William  Whitford 
W-"  Daniel 
William  Gordon 
Jo°  Pumroy 
Humphrey  Leach 
William  Wheeller 
John  Damwood 
John  Georg 


»2  See  Norton  (ed.).  III.  Census  Returns  (IHC,  xxiv),  250. 


278  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Moris  M  Rawlings  Juvriel  Gravlin 

John  Choissen  "  Ezekiel  Clay 

Samuel  Cermak  Mason  Harper 

Merril  Willis  Roger  Glass 

William  Willis  Dudley  Glass 

William  Ellis  Joseph  Fisher 

James  Morriss  Rufus  Inman 

John  Wilson  James  CrafTord 

John  Robinson  David  Standlee 

Matt"  Thomspon  John  Wallis 

Ja»  M'Farlan  W"  Ratlif 

Carraway  Gates  Elisha  Ratlif 

Al'  **  Wilson  David  lowry 

Elmo  Chaffin  A  Blair 

John  H  Cayton  Francis  Pash 

W"  Mekkele  John  Ratlif 

Henry  Kenyon  Alen  Miller 

William  Ellis  James  Flemming 

William  Akers  Beja  Walden 

James  Wright  Solomon  Redfern 
Jacob  Legg 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Illinois  Temtory.  16  Decem'  1812.  Ref"*  to  the  Committee  on  the 
public  Lands— 28  Dec'  1812.  Report  made  and  bill  presented.'*  M' 
Bond  "  ref  <•  lands 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JAMES  RATCLIFFE 

[PO;P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

December  17,  1812 
James  Ratcliffe  Esq'  P.  M,  U.  S.  Saline  Ind.  Ter; 

I  am  very  much  obliged  by  your  communication  of  Nov"'  20""'  and 
measures  are  taken  to  correct  the  negligence  of  the  contractor  M' 
Pollard.— 

GGr 


"  Doubtful  reading. 

>*  Home  Journal,  viii,  580,  597.  The  report  is  in  LC  (HF),  and  is  printed 
A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  ii,  751;  it  was  unfavorable  to  the  full  extent  of  the  prayer  of 
the  petitioners.     See  act  approved  Feb.  5,  1813  (2  Stat.  797-798). 

»'  Shadrach  Bond;  he  was  the  nephew  of  the  Shadrach  Bond  who  figured  promi- 
nently in  the  Illinois  Country  during  the  Northwest  Territory  and  Indiana  Terri- 
tory periods,  and  who  died  in  1812.  Authentic  biographical  sketches  of  both 
Bonds  are  offered  by  Philbrick  in  Laws  Ind.  Terr.,  1801-1809,  pp.  ccxlvi-ccxlix. 
Consult  also  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  II  and  in,  and  ibid.  (Ind.),  vil,  indexes,  under 
"Bond,  Shadrach."  The  present  Shadrach  Bond  was  elected  as  the  first  terri- 
torial Delegate  to  Congress  from  Illinois,  Oct.  10,  1812,  and  continued  as  such 
until  his  appointment  as  receiver  of  the  land  office  at  Kaskaskia,  Apr.  27,  1814. 

"  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  279 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  GEORGE  ROBINSON 

[PO:P.  M.  Letter  Book  R] 

Deer  17,  1812 
George  Robinson  Esq"'  P.  M.  Shawanee  Town,  Ind.  Ter, 

I  wish  you  whenever  the  mail  fails,  On  the  route  leading  from 
Hendersonton  to  Kaskaskia  to  dispatch  an  express  for  or  with  the 
mail  as  the  case  may  be,  for  each  trip  twenty  one  dollars  or  in  that 
proportion  for  any  part  of  the  route,  the  mail  to  go  through  in  seven 
days,  I  pray  your  attention  to  this  business— 

G.  Gr. 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  JAMES  BRYAN  &  COMPANY 
[LC:HF,  12  Cong.,  2  sess.:  DS] 

[Referred  December  18,  1812] 
The  Honorable,  the  Senate  &  House  of  Representatives  of  the  U.  S.  of 

America  in  Congress  assembled. 

Your  petitioners,  James  Bryan  &  Co.  of  the  Missouri  Territory 
having  discovered  in  the  Illinois  TeiTitory  a  mine  of  Antimony,  and 
wishing  to  work  the  same,  humbly  pray  that  you  will  authorize  by 
law,  a  lease  to  your  petitioners,  of  three  square  miles  of  the  land  of 
the  U.  S.  including  said  discovery,  for  the  tenn  of  ten  years,  reserving 
to  the  U.  S.  such  percentage  on  the  proceeds  of  said  mine,  in  con- 
sideration of  said  lease,  as  to  them  may  seem  proper:  and  your 
petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray. 

James  Bryan  &  Co 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  James  Bryan  &  Co.  of  the  Illinois  territory. 
18.  Decem"'  1812.  Ref*  to  the  Committee  on  the  Public  Lands. 
M^  Bond,  ref*  lands.^' 


RESOLUTION  OF  THE  TERRITORIAL  ASSEMBLY 

[LC:HF,  12  Cong.,  2  sess.:E] 

In  General  Assembly  December  22"  1812 
Whereas  from  the  Establishment  of  a  Land  Office  in  this  Territory 
several  years  ago  a  general  opinion  prevail'd  that  the  Public  Land 
would  shortly  thereafter  be  offered  for  sale  whereby  the  great  Majority 
of  the  Citizens  now  residing  in  the  Territory  were  induced  to  move 
into  it  and  settle  themselves  hoping  that  they  would  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  purchasing  the  Land  they  occupied  before  they  had  made 
such  ameliorations  thereon  as  would  tempt  the  Competition  of  avari- 
cious Speculators  in  which  reasonable  expectation  they  have  been 

w  House  Journal,  vin,  583. 


280  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

hitherto  disappointed  in  consequence  of  the  unexampled  postpone- 
ment of  the  sales  owing  to  Causes  well  understood  and  which  it  is 
unnecessary  to  detail. — And  Whereas  those  good  People  have  made 
valuable  and  permanent  improvements  on  the  Land  they  thus 
occupied  (at  the  same  time  that  they  have  serv'd  their  Country  as 
useful  orderly  Citizens  and  have  risqued  their  Lives  in  defending  it 
against  the  barbarous  Savages  who  invaded  it)  but  are  now  in  danger 
of  losing  the  whole  value  of  their  Labor  by  Competition  at  the  sales 
or  by  the  Holders  of  unlocated  Claims  being  permitted  to  locate  on 
their  improvements  And  Whereas  the  far  greater  portion  of  those 
unlocated  Claims  are  in  the  hands  of  a  few  Individuals  who  acquired 
them  on  easy  terms  and  few  of  whom  were  to  be  found  among  the 
brave  Volunteers  whose  services  have  lately  saved  our  Country  from 
the  ravages  of  a  Savage  Enemy  whilst  those  Meritorious  Settlers 
compos'd  the  body  of  those  Volunteers  And  Whereas  it  is  not  to  be 
supposed  that  the  United  States  would  wish  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  enhanc'd  Value  of  those  Lands  from  the  labor  of  others  And  it 
would  be  manifestedly  unjust  that  it  should  fall  into  the  hands  of 
Speculators  or  the  Holders  of  unlocated  Claims — Therefore  be  it 
resolv'd  by  the  Legislative  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  that 
our  Delegate  in  Congress  be  requested  to  use  his  best  Exertions  to 
prevail  on  Congress  to  pass  a  Law  authorizing  actual  Settlers  to 
Locate  any  unlocate<i  Claim  on  their  improvements  and  that  each 
and  every  person  holding  any  unlocated  Claims  shall  be  intitled  to 
Locate  such  Claims  on  unlocated  Lands  which  are  in  the  bounds 
prescrib'd  by  the  Commissioners  &  within  the  Settlements  and  that 
such  Location  shall  join  some  other  Located  Lands  unless  they  inter- 
fere with  some  improvements  And  whereas  by  a  Law  of  Congress 
regular  Soldiers  are  allow'd  a  Quarter  Section  of  Land  with  Food  & 
Clothing  and  all  the  necessary  Equipments  for  War  exclusive  of  their 
Wages:  it  is  reasonable  &  just  that  the  Citizens  of  our  Country  who 
furnish  their  own  Equipments  and  on  whose  gallantry  the  safety  of 
our  Country  depends  should  receive  an  equivalent  Bounty  from  the 
general  Government  or  if  neither  of  those  measures  can  be  obtain'd 
that  the  said  Settlers  shall  have  a  right  to  sue  any  purchaser  or  holder 
of  unlocated  Claims  who  may  purchase  or  appropriate  to  himself  or 
herself  such  improvements  and  recover  the  value  thereof  and  that  the 
Lands  so  purchas'd  or  located  by  such  purchaser  or  holder  of  an  un- 
located Claim  shall  be  held  liable  for  the  value  of  the  improvem.ents 
thereon.  Resolv'd  That  this  resolution  be  transmitted  to  our  delegate 
in  Congress  by  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  the 
President  of  the  Council- 
Extract  from  the  Journals  of  both  Houses 

Att:  W"  C  Greenup  Clk.  H.R 
J.  Thomas,  C.l.k.  L.C. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  281 

[Endorsee?]  Resolutions  of  the  legislature  of  the  Illinois  territory. 
8  February-,  1813.  Ref'^  to  the  Committee  on  the  public  lands.*" 
M''  Bond  ref"*  lands     M'  Bond 


KASKASKIA  LAND  COMIMISSIONERS  TO  THE  SECRETARY 

OF  THE  TREASURY 

[NA:SF,  12  Cong.,  2  sess.:LS  «•] 

Commissioners  Office  Kaskaskia  January  4'"  1813. 
Sir,  The  Commissioners  appointed  in  pursuance  of  the  act  of  the 
20*"  February  1812,'^-  for  the  purpose  of  enquiring  into  the  validity  of 
Claims  which  were  derived  from  confirmations  made  or  pretended  to 
be  made  by  the  Governors  of  the  North  West  and  Indiana  Territories 
respectively  with  much  trouble  and  difficulty  have  performed  that 
arduous  duty.  But  before  we  enter  into  a  detail  of  the  accompanying 
documents,  beg  leave  to  obserA-e — That  on  the  13'"  of  July  last,  we 
met  at  our  Office  in  the  Town  of  Kaskaskia  and  consulted  the  law 
under  which  we  have  the  honor  to  act;  from  a  view  of  which  it  was 
perceived  that  the  Office  of  agent  to  the  Board  was  created,  who  not 
appearing  our  progress  was  for  sometime  impeded  and  anxiously 
waiting  his  arrival,  but  beleiving  this  Officer  had  not  been  appointed 
we  determined  to  proceed  to  the  proposed  investigation  without  his 
aid  or  assistance — whereupon  we  came  to  the  resolution  to  summon  a 
number  of  the  most  ancient  &  respectable  inhabitants  of  the  several 
villages  and  settlements  and  examine  them  touching  the  validity  of  the 
claims  before  us.  From  such  a  course  it  was  perceived  the  Board 
would  be  enabled  to  approve  the  claims  which  would  be  supported  by 
that  respectable  testimony — and  such  claims  as  were  not  thus  sup- 
ported should  be  considered  as  impeached — But  in  order  that  the 
claimants  might  have  an  opportunity  to  adduce  further  evidence  in 
support  of  such  impeached  claims,  we  directed  lists  "  of  such  impeached 
claims  to  be  made  out — apprising  the  claimants,  that  the  Board  would 

">  Uouse  Journal,  vill,  663. 

"  Printed  also  in  A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  n,  210.  The  location  of  the  original  is 
offered  with  a  question  mark.  The  text  here  presented  is  that  of  a  transcript 
made  about  1926,  some  years  antecedent  to  the  removal  of  the  Senate  Files  to 
the  National  Archives.  The  transcript  in  question  bears  both  a  notation  indi- 
cating that  it  was  made  from  the  original  in  SF  and  also  a  citation  of  Parker's 
Calendar  of  Papers  in  Washington  Archs.  relating  to  the  Territories  of  the  U.  S. 
(1911),  doc.  no.  2556,  which  identifies  the  document  as  then  located  in  SF.  The 
earlier  publication  of  the  same  document  in  the  A.S.P.,  which  work  was  based 
upon  papers  in  SF,  means  therefore  that  it  has  been  seen  and  identified  at  least 
three  times.  At  the  present  time,  however,  the  original  cannot  be  located  and 
therefore  a  final  check  of  its  com.plete  accuracy  has  been  impossible. 

"  2  Stat.  677-678. 

"  These  lists  are  filed  with  the  letter  [Footnote  on  the  transcript]. 


282  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

receive  any  testimony,  that  might  he  offered  until  the  25*"  of  Novembr 
last — and  tliis  time  was  afterwards  prolonged — and  indeed  no  testi- 
mony that  was  offered  previous  to  the  completion  of  our  Reports  has 
been  rejected — 

Having  premised  thus  far  the  Commissioners  beg  leave  to  Report — 

N°  1. — Is  a  list  of  Claims  founded  on  ancient  French  Grants,  which 
in  the  opinion  of  the  Commissioners  ought  to  be  confirmed." — 

N"  2.1s  a  special  statement  of  Claims  also  founded  on  ancient 
Grants, — confirmed  by  Governor  St  Clair,  which  are  submitted  to 
the  consideration  of  Congress." 

N°  3. — Is  a  transcript  of  Claims,  likewise  said  to  be  founded  on 
ancient  Grants — confirmed  by  the  Governors  of  the  North  West  and 
Indiana  Territories,  which  in  the  opinion  of  the  Board  ought  not  to 
be  confirmed.** 

No"  4.  Is  a  list  of  Claims  founded  on  Improvement  &  cultivation, 
which  were  confirmed  by  the  Governors  of  the  N.  West  and  Indiana 
Territories — and  which  in  the  Opinion  of  the  Commissioners  ought  to 
be  confirmed  " — 

N"  5.  Is  a  special  statement  of  Claims  also  founded  on  improve- 
ment and  cultivation  ** — 

N°  6.  Is  the  special  confirmation  of  a  Claim  founded  on  Improve- 
ment &  cultivation — which  is  derived  from  a  confirmation  of  a  larger 
quantity  by  Governor  S'  Clair." 

N"  7.  Is  a  transcript  of  Claims  likewise  founded  on  Improvement 
and  Cultivation,  confirmed  by  the  Governors  of  the  North  West  and 
Indiana  Territories — but  which  in  the  opinion  of  the  Commissioners 
ought  not  to  be  confirmed — Although  from  a  view  of  the  testimony 
accompanying  this  species  of  Claims  it  will  be  perceived  that  some 
cases  have  some  merit,  yet  as  the  Board  confined  themselves  intirely 
to  the  spirit  and  meaning  of  the  law  governing  such  Claims,  have 
been  consequently  Rejected  by  us  and  submitted  to  Congress  '° — 

N"  8.  Contains  a  list  of  donations  confirmed  to  those  who  were  heads 
of  Families  in  the  Illinois  Country  (in  the  year  1783  or  1788)  by  the 
Governors  of  the  North  West  &  Indiana  Territories,  And  which  in  the 
opinion  of  the  Commissioners  ought  to  be  confirmed  " — 

N°  9.  Also  contains  a  list  of  Donations  confirmed  to  the  Heirs  of 
those  persons  who  were  heads  of  Families  in  the  Illinois  (before  1783 
and  subsequent  to  the  conquest  of  the  Country  in  1778)  by  the  Gov- 

•«  Printed,  A.S.P.,  op.  cit.,  pp.  211-212. 

"  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  213-214. 

••  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  214-217. 

•'  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  217-219. 

«»  Printed,  ibid.,  p.  219. 

»  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  219-220. 

"  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  220-226. 

n  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  227-229. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  283 

ernors  and  which  in  the  opinion  of  a  Majority  of  [the  Commissioners  '^] 
ought  also  to  be  confirmed  " — 

N°  10  &  11.  Likewise  contains  a  statement  of  Donations  to  those 
persons  who  were  Heads  of  FamiUes  in  the  Illinois  Country  in  1783  or 
1788,  which  were  omitted  by  the  late  Board  under  the  impression 
that  they  were  Governors  confii'mations  which  have  been  investi- 
gated by  the  present,  and  found  to  be  supported;  and  which  in  the 
opinion  of  the  Board  ought  to  be  confu'med  ^* — 

N°  12.  Is  a  transcript  of  Donations  to  the  Heads  of  Families  in  the 
Illinois  Country,  which  were  confirmed  by  the  Governors. — but  which 
in  the  opinion  of  the  Commissioners  ought  not  to  be  confirmed^From 
a  view  of  the  testimony  accompanying  this  class  of  Claims — it  will  be 
perceived  that  some  few  cases  have  merit;  but  as  we  before  observed 
the  commissioners  in  deciding  have  confined  themselves  within  the 
spii'it  and  meaning  of  the  Laws  governing  such  claims,  therefore  have 
consequently  rejected  them — and  submit  the  same  to  Congress." 

N°  13.  Contains  a  list  of  Grants  made  to  those  who  did  militia 
duty  in  the  Illinois  Country  on  the  l^'  Augt  1790,  and  which  in  the 
Opinion  of  a  majority  of  the  Board  (for  reasons  therein  assigned) 
ought  to  be  confirmed.'* 

N°  14.  A  transcript  of  the  same  species  of  claims,  which  in  the 
Opinion  of  the  Board  ought  not  to  be  confirmed." 

We  beg  leave  Sir,  to  remark  that  in  our  transcript  of  Improvement 
and  Militia  Donations  we  have  given  no  description  of  their  situation 
&  boundaries — which  we  presumed  could  be  of  no  use  either  to  the 
Government  or  the  Claimants — since  most  of  them  have  been  re- 
surveyed  by  direction  of  the  surveyor  General;  which  resurveys  in 
almost  all  cases  vary  the  boundaries  established  by  former  surveys 
under  the  authority  of  the  Governors,  which  we  find  have  generally 
been  imperfectly  made  and  the  Land  vaguely  described;  and  as  the 
latter  surveys  must  ultimately  Govern,  we  could  see  no  necessity  for 
giving  the  imperfect  description  found  on  our  Record. 

By  a  reference  to  the  lists  of  rejected  claims,  transmitted  by  the 
former  Board  as  well  as  from  a  \'iew  of  our  transcripts  it  will  be  seen 
that  in  a  number  of  cases  there  are  adverse  claimants,  and  in  some 
Instances  three  or  four  persons  are  found  to  claim  one  and  the  same 
right. — The  conveyances  too,  on  which  confirmations  have  been 
obtained  from  the  Governors,  have  been  protested  against.  But  as 
the  Board  for  want  of  time  and  the  conveyances  in  many  of  these  cases 

"  The  transcript  bears  the  notation  "omission"  at  this  point;  two  words  are 
supplied  from  the  printed  text. 
■3  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  229-230. 
»  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  229,  230. 
"  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  230-235. 
"  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  235-238. 
"  Printed,  ibid.,  pp.  238-239.     The  original  report  is  in  NA  (GLO). 


284  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


not  being  exhibited,  the  Commissioners  were  not  possessed  of  Infor- 
mation that  would  enable  them  to  decide  between  Individuals. 
They  have  therefore  thought  it  most  adviseable  to  Report  the  Claims 
in  the  names  of  the  confirmees  or  their  assignees  as  they  found  them, 
without  strictly  scrutinizing  the  validity  of  the  chain  of  titles,  on 
which  such  confirmations  have  been  grounded.  We  deem  it  advisable 
that  a  Law  should  be  passed  reserving  the  legal  or  equitable  right  of 
adverse  claimants.    All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted  ^' — 

We  have  the  Honor  to  be,  Sir  with  high  consideration  and  respect, 
your  most  Ob'  and  H""'  Ser"" 

Michael  Jones 
J""  Caldwell 
Tho'  Sloo. 

The  Honorable  Albert  Gallatin  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  of 
the  U.  S 


SHADRACH  BOND  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
(NA:SD,  Applications:  ALS) 

Washington  City  January  5. 1812[3]. 
Sir,     I  take  the  liberty  to  transmit  the  Enclosed  to  you,  with  a 
request  that  it  may  be  laid  before  the  President  of  the  U.  S. 
I  am  very  respectfully  yr  most  ob.  Ser' 

Shadrach  Bond 
[Addressed]    The  Hon"''  James  Monroe  Esq    Secretary  of  State 
Present. 

I  Enclosure  :LS1 

Alexander  Stuart,  Shadrach  Bond,  and  E.  Hempstead  to  the  President 

Washington  City  January  5.  1813. 
The  Undersigned  beg  leave  most  respectfully  to  State  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States:  that  they  Consider  Nathaniel  Pope  Esq' 
Secretary  of  the  Illinois  Territory  as  a  Gentleman  of  the  first  intelli- 
gence, talents,  worth,  and  integrity. — That  the  office  he  now  holds 
cannot  in  our  opinion  be  filled  by  any  one  with  more  ability  than  by 
him,  and  that  his  reappointment  to  that  office  will  give  general  Satis- 
faction to  the  inhabitants  of  that  Territory 

Alex'  Stuart 
Shadrach  Bond 
E.  Hempstead 


"  See  post,  p.  337.  See  also  Jones  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Jan.  18,  1813 
(NA,  SF,  printed,  A.S.P.,  op.  ci{.,  pp.  741-742),  enclosing  a  supplementary  state- 
ment of  claims  not  filed  with  the  register  within  the  time  limited  by  law,  with  a 
recommendation  of  confirmation. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  285 

[Addressed]  His  Excellency  James  Madison  President  of  U.  S. 
Present. 

[Endorsed]  5.  Jan''  1813.  Mess"  Stuart,  Bond  and  Hempstead 
recommend  M"'  Nathaniel  Pope  for  reappointment  as  Secretary 
Illinois  Territory. 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  WILLIAM  ARUNDEL 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

January  6.  1813 
W"  Arundel  Esq"'  Kaskaskia  I'  T 

I  have  received  yours  of  December  1":  "  I  am  sorry  that  your 
Post  office  compensation  is  not  more  equal  to  your  services  but  I 
am  governed  by  the  Post  Office  Law  and  the  Post  Office  Law  points 
out  the  compensation  to  Post  Masters  your  services  are  more  arduous 
than  most  Post  Offices  &  your  Official  conduct  is  highly  meritorious 
We  have  no  IMaps  on  hand 

G  Gr.^nger 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 

[LCrMadison  Papers:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  Jany  16.  1813. 

Dear  Sir,  As  no  one  in  this  country  has  been  so  fortunate  as  to 
hear  from  you  I  am  very  much  inclined  to  believe  our  letters  have 
miscarried  &  therefore  I  trouble  you  oftener  than  I  otherwise  should  do. 

The  weather  is  now  becoming  very  moderate  and  all  begin  to  appre- 
hend much  from  the  predatory  incursions  of  the  Indians  and  their 
allies.  Some  time  ago  I  wTote  you  that  I  had  received  information 
that  Dickson  was  preparing  for  a  descent  upon  this  country  at  the 
head  of  a  number  of  Canadians  &  Indians  from  S*^  Joseph  &c  Yester- 
day I  received  additional  information  on  the  subject  which  adds  to 
the  probability  of  such  an  event.  I  have  again  conversed  with  Colo 
Menard  who  assures  me  that  he  has  no  doubt  that  such  an  attempt 
will  be  made — he  gets  his  information  from  a  quarter  that  I  think  is 
much  to  be  relied  on — indeed  I  am  convinced  that  there  is  nearly  as 
regular  communications  between  Mackanac  &  this  country  as  between 
Washington  City  &  it — 

Great  quantities  of  goods  have  been  deposited  at  Mackinac  S' 
Joseph'  &  I  believe  at  Prairie  De  Chien — which  will  enable  the  british 
to  keep  up  the  war  between  the  Indians  &  us — So  long  as  the  British 
war  continues,  the  enemy  will  not  cease  to  employ  the  Savages  against 
the  U.  S.  and  if  Upper  Canada  should  be  taken  by  our  troops,  the 

w  Not  found. 


286  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

weight  of  the  hostile  confederacy  must  fall  upon  the  Missisippi 
country — The  confederacy  will  last  as  long  as  the  British  can  supply 
goods  and  untill  our  supplies  can  substitute  those  they  have  been 
accustomed  to  make — for  I  lay  it  down  as  an  undeniable  position,  that 
British  influence  is  much  greater  with  the  savages  than  ours,  &  if 
neither  of  us  shall  be  able  to  furnish  competent  supplies  their  in- 
fluence must  of  course  preponderate  and  subject  us  to  the  continuance 
of  a  predatory  warfare  at  least — 

If  Gen'  Harrison  succeeds  as  I  hope  he  will,  no  doubt  it  will  even- 
tually lead  to  very  beneficial  consequences,  but  prudence  requires  that 
we  should  not  prematurely  anticipate  then.  British  emissaries  can  keep 
up  the  hopes  of  the  Indians  from  whom  we  have  most  to  apprehend 
and  they  already  have  got  their  supplies. 

Suppose  Maiden  should  be  taken,  whither  will  the  hostile  Indians  go? 
Certainly  as  I  have  always  contended  to  the  country  between  the 
Missisippi  &  Lake  Michagan — This  is  not  mere  conjecture  with  me, 
for  I  am  in  possession  of  facts  which  will  prove  it  m^a^  satisfactorily  a 
most  rational  &  probable  event — Last  year  Tecumseh  with  about  12 
Warriors  passed  on  by  Fort  Wayne  to  Maiden  on  his  arrival  at  that 
place  he  declared  himself  in  favor  of  the  British.  Some  time  after- 
wards the  Prophet  with  about  one  hundred  followers  went  to  Fort 
Wayne,  making  great  professions  of  friendship  &".  During  the  stay 
of  the  latter  Tecumseh  dispairing  of  Maidens  being  able  to  hold  out 
against  us,  sent  an  express  to  his  brother  directing  him  "to  send  off  his 
women  &  children  to  the  Missisippi  country  (oiu-s)  collect  his  warriors 
strike  a  severe  blow  on  the  Vincennes  settlements  and  retire  to  that 
country  also  where  he  Tecumseh  proposed  to  meet  him  The  great 
Main  Poque  «ise  proposed  to  return  to  the  Illinois.  The  surrender  of 
Detroit  &"  prevented  that  plan  from  being  executed — Our  success  in 
that  quarter  will  again  renew  it — I  have  other  reasons  for  this  opinion 
which  I  have  not  time  to  communicate.  The  Kickapoos  &  Miamies 
that  I  defeated  at  the  head  of  Peoria  Lake  run  off  to  Rock  river  and 
are  now  with  the  Sacs  a  majority  of  whom  I  believe  to  be  as  hostile  as 
any  other  tribe  whatever — Their  proximity  to  us  and  their  numbers 
render  them  formidable — Too  long  have  we  confided  in  Indian 
professions,  the  most  melancholy  consequences  have  resulted  from  it. 
&  I  hope  we  shall  hereafter  profit  of  our  experience,  for  my  own  part 
I  have  »o*  been  deceived  as  little  as  any  one — -You  may  rest  assured 
that  nothing  but  fear  retrains  any  of  them—  and  with  what  they  w" 
consider  a  sufliicient  support  to  promise  success  they  would  all  declare 
against  us — the  number  of  those  who  could  attack  us  conveniently  is 
stated  in  my  letter  to  the  Gov  of  Kentucky  a  copy  of  which  was  trans- 
mitted to  the  War  Department  &  published  in  the  National 
Intelligencer  as  well  as  I  remember  on  the  20""  of  Sep'  last — 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  287 

Any  mistake  in  the  course  to  be  persued  in  regard  to  the  Sacs  will  be 
attended  with  the  most  disasterous  consequences — One  half  of  them 
are  acknowledged  to  be  hostile,  the  other  half  pretend  to  be  friendly — 
they  have  been  directed  to  seperate,  but  this  upon  the  present  plan 
will  never  answer  any  good  purpose — The  friendly  part  are  to  be 
permitted  to  approach  our  frontier  whilst  the  rest  are  confined  to 
their  great  village  three  miles  above  the  mouth  of  Rock  river — If  any 
depredations  are  committed,  the  perpetrators  thereof  will  retire  to  & 
take  shelter  with  the  friendly  pail,  and  it  is  more  than  we  have  a  right 
to  expect  -to  suppose  that  their  conduct  will  set  be  so  disapproved,  that 
the  friendly  part  will  not  conceal  it  &  afford  them  protection.  If  we 
attempt  their  conduct  to  carry  on  an  expedition  against  those  who  are 
hostile,  they  will  immediately  unite  with  the  others — As  to  myself  I 
believe  few  are  friendly  some  chiefs  &  old  men  may  be  so  but  neither 
their  influence  or  authority  will  be  sufficient  to  restrain  the  others — 
Under  these  circumstances,  The  plan  I  would  recommend  would  be 
either  to  make  the  whole  responsible  for  conduct  of  all,  or  to  bring 
those  who  may  be  friendly  with  their  women  &  children  into  the  interior 
of  this  country,  give  them  ground  to  make  com  &  furnish  them  with 
provisions — this  would  test  their  sincaiity,  if  they  refused  I  w''  attack 
all  If  they  were  to  accept  the  proposition,  it  w"^  be  highly  advantageous 
by  withdrawing  so  much  force  from  the  hostile  confederacy,  whilst  we 
are  carrying  on  war  against  it — Any  other  mode  of  seperating  them,  or 
discriminating  between  those  who  are  hostile  &  those  who  are  friendly — 
will  be  attended  with  every  advantage  to  them  &  every  disadvantage 
to  us — Surely  I  may  say  experience  has  proved  this — They  eagh  I  wish 
you  to  press  this  plan,  those  Indians  reside  in  this  territor3%  &  I  could 
effect  it — Unless  it  shall  be  adopted — what  are  we  to  do?  The  whole  of 
the  Kickapoos  are  among  them  enraged  at  their  defeat  &  preparing  for 
revenge.  Are  we  to  remain  passive  till  we  receive  their  meditated 
blow?  Are  we  to  let  them  invade  our  territory  &  to  be  prevented 
from  attacking  them  in  their  own  settlements?  And  how  are  we  to 
discriminate  between  them  &  the  Sacs?  for  the  good  of  this  Country 
I  beg  your  attention  to  this  subject,  &  that  you  will  let  us  know  the 
result  as  soon  as  possible— 

We  must  soon  expect  desultory  attacks  at  least  upon  our  settle- 
ments— I  would  advise  the  employing  of  a  regiment  of  mounted  men 
who  should  be  ready  to  persue  any  invaders — and  who  should  be  kept 
out  constantly  in  the  countiy  between  us  &  the  enemy.  Any  other 
species  of  force  they  regard  not.  Witness  the  number  of  lives  lost  in 
Ind"  Ty  last  year  while  an  immense  force  was  in  service  at  Vincennes — 
For  defence  of  the  territory  I  w*  not  give  one  reg'  of  IMounted  men 
for  ten  of  infantry,  the  Indians  generally  come  in  detachments  to 
their  rally  points  rallying  points  none  of  their  detachments  will  ever  be 


288  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

too  strong  for  a  reg'  &  by  keeping  it  out  it  w^  have  an  opportunity  of 
cutting  off  some  and  detering  others^Upon  this  plan  I  have  hitherto 
succeeded  for  two  years,  and  I  cannot  relinquish  my  predilection  for 
it — The  Mounted  reg'  could  afford  this  protection  till  a  campaign  c*" 
move  and  would  then  be  an  excellent  appendage  to  it — and  in  this 
way  it  would  cost  the  U.  S.  less  to  defend  the  country  than  any  other — 

I  would  also  employ  several  armed  boats  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Ouisconsing  and  in  the  Illinois  river  those  would  probably  be  suffi- 
cient to  prevent  the  enemy  from  coming  down  upon  us  by  water  or  if 
not  they  could  give  us  timely  notice  of  their  approach.  This  mode 
transporting  themselves  they  always  have  and  always  will  prefer  in 
this  country — fifst  it  is  more  expeditious  &  convenient  &  it  is  less 
hazardous  than  coming  in  a  body  thro  a  country  the  most  of  which  is 
Praire;  where  indians  never  will  fight  from  choice  &  in  which  they  will 
always  be  afraid  of  being  surprized  so  long  as  they  feel  the  influence  of 
fixed  habits — 

These  I  w"  adopt  as  precautionary  measures — &  I  would  prepare  as 
speedily  as  possible  for  a  campaigne  march  to  Peoria  build  a  fort, 
thence  to  the  mouth  of  Rock  river,  build  another  fort  there  and  thence 
to  the  Ouisconsing  &  erect  another  there — we  should  by  this  means 
completely  occupy  all  the  avenues  from  the  lakes  into  the  Missippi 
except  one  which  would  be  too  circuitous  to  be  profitable  to  the  enemy 
or  dangerous  to  us — And  we  should  also  have  excellent  positions  to 
command  a  permanent  influence  over  the  indians — that  w"  be  useful! 
to  us  at  all  times  hereafter.  We  should  have  hard  fighting  to  accom- 
plish these  objects  but  peace  is  not  to  be  obtained  without  it.  The 
advantage  of  this  line  of  march  cannot  be  fully  understood  without  a 
correct  knowledge  of  the  geography  of  this  country— the  roads  would 
be  fine,  and  the  Illinois  &  Missippi  would  furnish  great  facilities  in 
making  supplies  for  the  army  on  its  march— The  three  points  I  have 
recommended  to  be  thus  occupied  are  nearly  in  a  direct  line  from  this 
place — the  rout  by  land  to  Praire  de  Chien  is  thro  Peoria — the  French 
inhabitants  formerly  drove  their  cattle  to  the  former  place  upon  that 
road  and  Majr  LeCont  whom  you  well  know  among  the  rest — 

A  sufficient  portion  of  mounted  men  should  at  all  times  be  used  on 
any  campaigne  because  otherwise  the  indians  knowing  that  they 
cannot  be  persued  will  be  constantly  making  attacks  on  the  army 
when  it  reaches  their  own  country"'— 

I  have  began  to  prepare  for  sending  out  one  company  in  an  armed 
boat  under  the  Command  of  Francis  Menard,  who  is  I  think  better 
qualified  for  that  service  than  any  other  man  in  this  country— I  would 
thank  you  to  shew  these  hasty  remarks  to  M'  Hempstead — I  have  just 
heard  of  a  private  conveyance  &  have  written  in  a  great  hurry— 

"•  Howard  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Jan.  10,  1813  {Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  Xiv). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  289 

Armed  boats  on  our  rivers  would  be  as  useful  e»  eiw  rivcraj  as  ships 

upon  the  lakes. 
In  haste  Y'  friend 

N  Edwards 

The  pay  of  men  engaged  in  the  boat  service  ought  to  be  higher  than 
that  of  mihtia'" — 

[Endorsed]  Edwards,  ninian 


SHADRACH  BOND  "  AND  EDWARD  HEMPSTEAD  «^  TO  THE 
SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

INA:WD,  SWDFrLS] 

Washington  City  January  18. 1813. 
Sir  We  enclose  for  your  consideration  the  remarks  touching  the 
present  situation  of  the  Frontiers  of  the  Missouri  &  Illinois  Territories, 
which  our  leisure  has  permitted  us  to  make — We  shall  be  happy  to 
learn  the  result  of  the  deliberations  on  this  subject. 
We  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  Y"'  Ob'  Ser" 

Shadrach  Bond — 
E.  Hempstead. 

P.S.  For  the  satisfaction  of  our  constituents,  it  is  intended  to  make 
known  to  them,  the  plan  submitted  for  their  protection,  unless  it  is 
deemed  improper. — 

The  Hon'  The  Secretary  of  War 

[Endorsed]  Washington  City  Jan''  18.  1813  Hon  M"-  S.  Bond  &  M' 
E.  Hempstead  transmits  a  detailed  account  of  the  frontiers  of  Illinois 
&  Missouri,  advice  on  active  campaign  against  the  Indians — a  Brigade 
of  Mounted  Riflemen  to  be  raised.  Forts  to  be  established — pro- 
vision to  be  deposited,  Chicago  &  Macinac  to  be  retaken,  Indians 
pursued  vigorously  &c.    Rec"  Jan^  19.  1813 

[Enclosure:DS] 

Shadrach  Bond  and  Edward  Hempstead  to  the  Secretary  of  War 

[January  18,  1813] 
The  undersigned  beg  leave  most  respectfully  to  lay  before  the 
Honorable  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  following  observations  and  re- 
marks, touching  the  present  situation  of  the  Illinois  and  Missouri 
Territories. — They  connect  the  Statement  concerning  the  Two  terri- 

">  In  the  margin,  in  Edwards's  hand. 

91  Delegate  in  Congress  from  Illinois  Territory. 

^  Delegate  in  Congress  from  Missouri  Territory. 


290  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

tories,  under  the  Idea  as  they  are  only  Separated  by  the  Mississippi 
River,  the  danger  is  common  to  both  &  that  the  defence  of  the  Fron- 
tiers of  both,  can  form  but  one  plan,  hardly  susceptible  of  division. — 
More  especially  when  it  is  considered  that  those  great  Water  courses 
the  Mississippi,  &  Illinois  Rivers  (on  the  Missouri  River  the  Indians 
are  friendly)  and  their  tributary  streams  is  the  common  highway  on 
which  they  have  passed  almost  without  notice,  certainly  without 
interruption  to  the  frontiers  and  fallen  upon  their  defenceless  victims. — 

Every  appearance,  and  every  fact,  unite  to  establish  the  beleif, 
that  the  Savage  War  will  be  prosecuted  with  more  vigor,  in  that  quar- 
ter the  ensuing  spring,  than  heretofore. — The  Success  of  the  Army 
under  Gen'  Harrison  at  Detroit,  which  every  friend  to  his  Country 
most  devoutly  wishes,  and  reasonably  calculates  upon,  instead  of 
averting  danger  from  the  frontiers  of  Missouri  &  Illinois  will  most  prob- 
ably concentrate  the  Indian  forces  and  cause  those  frontiers  to  be 
attacked. — While  the  British  will  keep  a  watchful  eye  on  the  move- 
ments of  Gen'  Harrison's  army,  it  is  not  presumable  that  the  Indians 
force  would  be  very  serviceable  in  that  quarter  opposed  to  so  large 
an  Army.  And  any  attempt  to  regain  the  possession  of  Detroit  after 
Gen'  Harrison  had  once  taken  it,  it  is  beleived  would  be  unavailing — . 
The  Indians  then  must  be  kept  in  action,  and  (kept)  in  the  same  hostile 
disposition  towards  the  United  States. — and  some  active  and  vigorous 
attack  on  some  other  quarter  would  more  probably  be  made — There 
could  be  no  immediate  prospect  of  destroying  any  Settlements  and 
waging  successful  War  against  any  other  than  the  Frontiers  of  the 
Missouri  &  Illinois  Territories,  because  they  are  the  most  easy  of 
access  by  descending  the  Rivers,  and  have  no  means  of  defence — The 
more  remote  settlements  would  fall  an  easy  prey,  and  even  the  great 
Towns  could  not  withstand  the  Indian  attack. — Prairie  du  Chien 
and  Paoria  being  both  in  the  possession  of  the  British  &  Indians  aflford 
protection  to,  and  are  places  of  rendezvous  for  the  discontented,  the 
daring  and  the  con-upt  of  all  tribes — This  Hostile,  unfriendly  Spirit 
is  no  doubt  kept  alive  by  the  British  Traders,  in  that  quarter,  many  of 
whom  are  active  intelligent  men,  as  well  acquainted  with  the  situa- 
tion— defensive  force,  and  alarm  in  the  Country  for  its  safety,  as  any 
of  the  inhabitants— and  whose  great  and  resistless  influence  among 
the  Indians,  can  direct  the  Murderous  Aim  &  Savage  Yell  to  any 
particular  point— The  Success  of  Robert  Dickson  in  the  taking  of 
Michilimackinac  is  a  most  disastrous,  but  conclusive  proof  of  this. — 
and  it  is  believed  that  there  are  many  of  the  same  hostile  disposition, 
and  not  much  his  inferiors  in  point  of  talents  on  our  borders. — 

The  Country  is  unable  to  protect  itself  against  all  the  bands  of  Hostile 
Indians  (to  say  nothing  of  those  who  hardly  profess  to  be  friendly) 
who  infest  it  on  every  side,  and  all  classes  without  exception  unite  in 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  291 


the  apprehension  of  common  danger,  and  the  great  necessity  of  asking 
from  Government  effectual  protection — Many  have  ab-eady  aban- 
doned the  only  Spot  of  ground  they  claim  in  the  world — others  in 
squads  of  four,  six  or  eight  families  build  block  Houses  for  their  com- 
mon protection,  and  constantly  reside  in  them. — These  cannot  raise 
crops  sufficient  for  the  sustenance  of  their  families,  and  must  conse- 
quently suffer  considerably — and  would  willingly  embrace  the  first 
favorably  opportunitj^  to  abandon  a  Rich  Soil  &  healthy  climate, 
where  danger  was  apprehended  and  no  means  of  warding  it  oft",  for 
poorer  lands  &  a  more  unhealthj^  climate,  where  the  Savage  foe  would 
not  alarm  them:  and  it  is  a  melancholy  fact  that  unless  early  and 
efffcienc  aid  is  afforded  to  those  most  exposed  frontiers — Famine  or 
the  Tomahawk  will  most  inevitably  depopulate  a  great  portion  if  not 
the  whole  of  it — And  the  reason  is,  that  most  of  the  Settlers  live  by 
agriculture,  and  few  v/ithout  labouring  themselves.  This  labor  is 
necessary  to  give  bread  to  their  Children,  and  if  in  the  Spring,  they 
are  obliged  to  march  against  their  Savage  Invaders,  or  keep  on  the 
frontiers  in  bodies  to  ward  off  danger  from  the  Inhabitants — few  or 
no  crops  will  be  raised  and  distress  and  famine  will  complete  the  sad 
list  of  Calamities. — 

The  last  Season  the  most  danger  was  threatened  and  existed  after 
the  Crops  were  planted,  and  the  prudent  calls  of  the  Executives  of 
those  Territories  while  it  preserved  the  Country  from  a  General  attack 
&  afforded  competent  protection  for  the  time,  fell  lightly  on  the 
Volunteers  among  whom  the  duties  were  divided;  and  they  the  more 
cheerfully  performed  a  tour  of  thirty  days  duty,  and  often  more, 
when  it  was  known  that  at  the  completion  of  their  time  other  patriotic 
men  would  take  their  places  and  that  they  might  then  return  to  their 
usual  occupations.  The  sacrifice  though  great  with  some,  was  equally 
borne  by  the  volunteers,  and  was  most  cheerfully  submitted  to  at 
that  dangerous  period.  But  if  they  are  obliged  to  take  the  field  and 
perform  actual  Service  in  planting  time,  the  consequent  sufferings  of 
the  gi'eatest  portion  of  the  people  is  not  easily  imagined,  and  would 
be  most  painful  to  enumerate. 

The  Undersigned  profess  no  skill  in  Military  IMatters,  but  with  the 
past  sufferings  and  future  dangers  of  those  they  have  the  Honor  to 
represent  they  are  deeply  impressed. — and  perhaps  the  deep  interest 
they  feel  on  these  subjects,  will  plead  their  apologj'  for  submitting 
plans,  which  others  are  more  capable  of  forming.— 

The  War  in  that  quarter  ought  not  to  be  merely  defensive— 
Without  offensive  operations  the  frontiers  will  always  be  at  the  mercy 
of  those  faithless  Savages,  who  while  arrayed  in  hostility  against  us, 
ought  to  be  entirely  conquered  or  forced  to  submission — The  bare 
burning  of  an  Indian  Village,  may  cause  some  momentary  privation 


292  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

and  distress,  but  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  settlements,  Revenge 
meets  with  some  barbarous  gratifications  &  plunder  soon  supplies  the 
loss— The  destruction  of  the  Savage  Hut,  is  of  too  little  consequence 
to  give  him  much  pain,  he  sleeps  as  well  and  as  contented  under  the 
first  Tree  he  comes  to — a  few  hours  are  sufficient  to  make  another  Shell, 
and  he  retires  to  better  hunting  grounds,  or  revenges  the  injury  he  has 
sustained  by  some  wanton  act  of  Cruelty  committed  upon  some 
defenceless  family.  If  the  Savage  war  was  prosecuted  with  Vigor  & 
the  hostile  bands  were  closely  pursued  and  routed,  it  is  believed  that 
these  treacherous  Sons  of  the  forest,  so  fatally  wielded  by  the  British 
Government  and  its  agents  against  our  peace  and  happiness  would 
soon  be  taught  to  feel  and  fear  our  arms,  and  become  friendly — 

The  force  necessary  to  complete  this  most  desirable  object  would  be 
neither  great  in  number,  nor  expensive,  compared  with  the  magnitude 
of  the  End  to  be  attained 

Rangers  have  been  thought  the  most  effective  species  of  force  for 
those  frontiers  and  have  created  a  kind  of  confidence  in  that  kind, 
perhaps  superior  to  any  other — It  is  regretted  that  the  raising  of  more 
companies  have  not  been  authorized.  And  if  at  this  time  it  could  be 
done  consistent  with  the  plans  and  views  of  the  Government,  the 
undersigned  have  no  hesitation  in  declaring  their  beleif  that  it  would 
have  the  most  beneficial  effects — In  addition  to  the  four  Companies 
of  Regular  Troop  supposed  to  be  there  &  to  the  Two  companies  of 
Rangers,  it  is  supposed  that  Four  Regiments  of  Mounted  Riflemen  are 
necessary  for  those  Two  Territories — Each  Regiment  to  contain  Two 
battalions — each  Battalion  four  Companies,  and  each  Company 
eighty  privates — The  whole  force  to  be  raised  for  Six  Months  to  furnish 
and  equip  themselves,  and  be  entitled  to  the  pay  of  Rangers. — The 
whole  to  be  under  the  Command  of  a  Brigadier  General  &  field  officers 
to  be  appointed  by  the  President  &  Senate — The  other  officers  to  be 
chosen  by  the  companies  respectively  and  be  Commissioned  by  the 
President — the  force  to  be  raised  immediately  in  Kentucky — Missouri 
&  Illinois  Territories  and  to  be  ready  to  take  the  field  by  the  Tenth 
day  of  March  next. 

The  establishment  of  a  strong  fort  at  Prarie  du  chien  at  the  Junc- 
tion of  the  Ouisconsin  &  Mississippi  Rivers,  sufficient  to  hold  the 
whole  force  intended  to  be  raised  would  from  its  contiguity  to  the 
hostile  Bands,  &  being  very  central  as  to  Indian  population  at  present, 
form  the  best  point  for  sallying  upon  the  enemy  and  in  addition  to 
scouring  the  country — would  keep  off  the  Indians  from  the  frontiers, 
and  (in  conjunction  with  the  forces  proposed  to  be  raised  in  the  plan 
of  Col  Richard  M  Johnson  of  Kentucky  if  those  troops  are  raised), 
would  be  sufficiently  powerful  to  retake  the  Forts  at  Chicago  and 
Michilimackinac,  which  are  of  great  importance,  and  give  the  Com- 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  293 

mand  of  the  lakes  to  the  enemy — Another  Fort  at  Paoria  on  the 
Illinois  River,  the  Strong  fort  at  Prairie  du  Chien  taken  in  connexion 
with  Fort  Mason  &  Fort  Madison  each  of  which  could  be  garrisoned 
by  a  Company  of  Regular  Troops,  would  form  a  line  of  defence  and 
for  deposits  of  provisions  arms,  ammunition,  warlike  Stores  &c. — 
From  these  Forts  incursions  might  be  safely  made  into  the  Indian 
Country  be  safe  places  to  retreat  to  when  danger  pressed  upon  our 
troops  and  afford  competent  protection  to  both  Territories 

Deposits  of  Pro\isions  could  be  safely  made  in  all  of  the  forts— 
which  might  prevent  some  of  the  misfortunes  which  happened  to 
the  Kentucky  volunteers  in  Indiana  in  that  respect — Scouting  parties 
might  be  constantly  out  driving  the  enemy  in  every  direction,  and 
never  be  very  distant  from  some  one  of  the  Forts — It  is  understood 
and  believed  that  Governor's  Howard  and  Edwards,  and  General 
Clarke,  are  anxious  to  be  actively  employed  in  such  an  expedition. — 
and  would  no  doubt  with  their  Knowledge  of  the  Indian  Country, 
of  the  Indian  force,  and  of  their  mode  of  Warfare  carry  on  the  cam- 
paign with  energy  and  Success. — 

In  addition  to  this  force,  it  is  proposed  to  have  three  Bullet  proof 
boats  prepared  to  prevent  any  descent  upon  the  frontiers  by  Water, 
(which  was  attempted  the  last  season  and  the  attempt  frustrated  by 
one  boat  of  this  kind) — Each  boat  to  have  one  four  or  six  pounder, 
six  or  eight  Blunderbusses  and  manned  with  forty  men  armed  with 
Guns  &  Bayonets.  One  to  be  stationed  in  the  Illinois  River,  another 
in  the  Mississippi,  another  in  the  Missouri — These  boats  thus  pre- 
pared would  not  be  a  great  expence,  and  while  they  would  most  effec- 
tually prevent  an  attack  by  Water,  would  at  the  same  time  if  occasion 
required  serve  to  convoy  Pro\isions  &c  to  the  Forts. — • 

These  desultory  hints  (some  of  which  have  been  communicated 
to  one  of  us  by  Governor  Howard)  ai'e  with  great  deference  submitted, 
under  the  full  beleif  that  this  plan  (with  that  of  Col  Johnston's)  if 
caiTied  into  execution  will  be  productive  of  the  most  salutary  effects 
not  only  to  those  Territories,  but  to  the  United  States. 

Any  verbal  communications  or  explanations  on  the  subject  will 
be  most  cheerfully  given,  and  whether  foregoing  Ideas  meet  the  Sanc- 
tion of  the  Government,  or  not,  they  most  earnestly  recommend  that 
prompt  and  efficient  measures  may  be  adopted  to  afford  immediate 
protection  to  those  most  exposed  and  defenceless  frontiers — 

Shadrach  Bond — 
Edw  Hempstead 

Washington  City  January  IS'"  1813. 

The  Honorable  The  Secretary  of  War 


294  TERRITORIAL    FAPERS 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  SAMUEL  HAMMOND 
(PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  R] 

January  23,  1813 
Col.  S.  Hammon,  St  Louis  Missouri  T" — 

I  have  received  yours  of  the  23"  of  Deer  ^  the  failures  which  have 
taken  place  in  the  mail  which  passes  between  Hendersonville  K''  & 
Kaskaskia  111  Ter.  have  been  the  subject  of  well  founded  complaint, 
and  have  caused  great  mortification  at  this  office,  appreciating  the 
great  importance  of  the  mail  on  that  line,  and  with  a  view  to  its  strict 
regularity,  we  confided  its  conveyance  to  a  person  who  had  evidenced 
to  a  determination  to  punctually  fulfil  contracts  with  this  office  in 
V*  but  the  person  who  was  rigidly  punctual  as  a  carrier  or  mail  con- 
tractor for  a  number  of  years  in  V*  has  been  most  shamefully  remiss 
in  his  duty,  in  the  western  country  his  conduct  is  wholly  inexplicable 
to  us,     We  have  we  believe  prevented  the  recurrence  of  the  evil — 

GG 


WILLIAM  RUSSELL  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALSI 

Mount  Brilliant,  Lexington  Ky,  Jan^  ye  24""  1813. 
Sir,  Once  more  I  feel  compeled  to  trouble  you  with  a  few  remarks, 
which  I  deem  my  duty.  I  have  traveled  over  the  greater  part  of  the 
Indiana,  and  the  Illinois  Territorj'e,s,  thus  have  I  been  actively  em- 
ployed in  the  discharge  of  my  duty.  I  find  from  the  most  mature  re- 
flection as  to  the  saveges  in  that  quarter,  it  is  very  difficult  to  do  much 
with  them,  they  are  combined  in  such  strength,  and  these  combi- 
nations at  so  great  a  distance  from  our  settlements,  it  is  very  difficult 
to  surprise  them  and  this  can  only  be  effected  by  dysultory  attacks  or 
a  large  body  of  troops  to  March  into  the  heart  of  their  country,  there 
make  a  stand,  with  the  main  body,  and  send  out  from  this  Army, 
bodye's  of  mounted  Corps  under  Active  officers,  to  push  them  and 
their  women  and  children  hard,  then  they  would  be  compeled  to  fight 
us  in  detail,  and  it  is  then  they  are  to  suffer.  They  have  already  I 
think  made  choice  of  their  moad  of  warfare,  that  is  to  cut  of  small 
parties,  and  to  attack  on  such  ground  as  our  troops  cannot  for  their 
own  safety  opperate  for  some  time — should  the  government  prefer  an 
army  It  is  easy  to  point  out  the  spots  of  deposit,  where  pro\'ision  could 
be  deposited  for  their  reception;  and  that  can  be  done  by  the  way  of 
Illinois  or  Mississippia  river.s.  The  main  body  of  the  Indians  appear 
to  reside  between  the  Illinois  and  the  Wisconsin  rivers,  and  ti's 
probable  with  me  they  will  all  leave  the  Wabash,  and  cross  over  the 

a  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  295 


Illinois  and  plant  their  com  this  Spring.  Should  dysultory  attacks 
be  the  choice  of  government  I  would  recommend  an  efficient  body  of 
Mounted  rangers  to  attack  one  point,  and  the  next  time  they  should  be 
herd  from,  should  be  entirely,  a  different  rout;  this  I  could  have  effected 
in  several  instances  this  Summer  could  I  had  the  power  to  have  kept 
them  embodyed  at  one  place,  and  also  had  an  order  for  so  doing — ■ 

I  have  seen  Sir  Gov"  Edwarde's  report  directed  to  your  office;^*  it 
is  not  entirely  satisfactory  to  my  feelings  but  shall  make  but  few 
coments  on  it.  I  ask  you  Sir  how  you  are  to  know  how  Cap'  B.  White- 
sides  company  have  been  employed  this  season  by  his  report,  he 
states,  all  the  men  on  the  expedition,  fifty  rangers  excepted  that  came 
on  with  me  from  Vincennes  were  raised  in  his  Territory,  this  is  true 
for  Whitsidese's  company  were  certainly  raised  there,  and  by  your 
order  placed  under  my  immediate  command,  he  also  makes  no  mention 
of  the  company  of  Regulars  under  the  command  of  Lieu'  Ramsey, 
who  has  been  there  this  Summer;'^  he  in  his  detail  prior  to  our  expedi- 
tion when  rangers  were  kept  out  on  the  frontier  makes  no  mention 
of  my  haveing  taken  two  companys  of  rangers  on  his  frontier  selecting 
a  spot  for  the  encampment,  keeping  out  ranging  parties,  and  also 
drilling  his  militia  at  said  camp,  by  his  perticular  request,  untill 
ordered  away  by  Gen'  Harrison — This  I  should  not  have  troubled 
you  vnth.  had  the  Gov''  done  the  Government  that  Justice,  for  their 
troops  they  deserved  As  I  hope  Sir  I  shall  never  have  to  resort  to 
publications  to  boalster  myself  up,  and  if  my  Acts  as  an  officer  will 
not  do  that,  let  me  fall — After  writing  to  the  Governor  I  had  formed 
such  a  plan  for  the  expedition  to  the  Peoria  Town,  I  went  on,  and  did 
for  the  Service  of  my  Country  accept  of  a  Subbordinate  Command, 
when  my  command  was  as  independant  of  him,  as  his  was  of  me — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  high  respect  your  obd'  Serv' 

W  Russell 
Col°  7'"  Commandant 

[Addressed]  The  honorable  William  Eustis  Esq' 


"  Referring  to  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Nov.  IS,  1812  (Edwards, 
Hisl.  III.,  pp.  69-72).  The  original  appears  to  have  disappeared;  it  is,  however, 
calendared  in  NA  (WD,  SW,  Lets.  Reed.,  Bk.  7).  No  copy  is  found  in  the 
Edwards  Papers  (CHS).  See  also  Edwards's  address  to  the  St.  Clair  County 
militia,  Nov.  10,  1812  (Edwards,  op.  cil.,  pp.  73-76),  relative  to  their  part  in  the 
Peoria  campaign  in  which  the  same  ground  is  covered  as  in  the  report  mentioned. 
In  an  extract  of  a  letter  to  Shelby,  of  Kentucky,  dated  Dec.  20,  1812,  ibid.,  p.  77, 
Edwards  refers  to  an  attempt  to  deprive  him  of  credit  for  leadership  in  the  expedi- 
tion referred  to,  and  calls  attention  to  his  constitutional  duties  as  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  militia  of  the  Territory. 

"See  Ramsey  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Feb.  17,  1813  (NA,  WD,  SWDF),  in 
which  complaint  is  made  of  the  improper  treatment  with  respect  to  supplies  of 
regulars  at  Camp  Russell. 


296  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


[Endorsed]  Lexington  Jan»  4".  1813  Col  W.  Russell  States  the  best 
plan  of  operating  against  the  Indians — To  march  an  army  in  their 
country  and  send  out  detachments.  Complains  of  the  injustice  done 
him  in  Gov  Edwards  report.  Does  not  intend  however  to  bolster  up 
his  character  with  publications    Rec"  Feb.  10.  1813  "' 


A  RESOLUTION  OF  THE  LEGISLATIVE  ASSEMBLY 
[LC:HF,  13  Cong.,  2  sess.:DS] 

[Referred  January  25,  1813] 
Whereas  the  Sales  of  Public  Land  will  ere  long  be  directed  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States  and  whereas  the  Legislature  of  this 
Territory  will  avail  itself  of  its  Legitimate  right  of  Taxing  all  Land 
sold  unless  a  composition  is  entered  into  by  this  Territory  and  the 
United  States  relative  thereto  and  which  in  time  will  place  the  People 
of  the  Illinois  Territory  on  a  similar  footing  with  the  People  of  their 
sister  Territory  (now  the  state  of  Ohio)  By  the  Act  of  Congress  of  the 
30'"  of  April  1802  *'  it  will  be  seen  that  propositions  were  made  to  the 
People  of  the  State  of  Ohio  which  induced  the  Convention  to  wave 
the  right  of  the  State  to  Tax  any  Land  sold  by  the  United  States  for 
Five  Years  from  and  after  the  Day  of  Sale  on  condition  (among  others) 
That  one  Township  of  Land  including  the  Saline  on  the  Scioto  and 
Two  Sections  including  the  Saline  on  the  Muskingum  should  be  con- 
vey'd  to  &  become  the  Property  of  the  state  And  whereas  this  Territory 
has  and  will  have  similar  equivalents  to  offer  to  the  Genera!  Govern- 
ment for  the  Fee  of  One  Township  including  the  Saline  on  the  Saline 
Creek  in  this  Territory  Therefore  be  it  resolv'd  by  the  Legislative 
Council  and  House  of  Representatives  that  the  Legislature  of  this 
Territory  in  behalf  of  the  People  of  the  said  Territory  will  on  their 
part  conform  to  and  be  bound  by  propositions  similar  to  those  contain'd 
in  the  aforesaid  Act  and  which  said  propositions  when  acceded  to 
shall  be  taken  &  held  as  a  Compact  irrevokable  between  the  United 
States  and  this  Territory  *°  Resolved  that  our  Delegate  in  Congress  be 
requested  to  procure  a  Resolution  declaratory  of  the  intention  of 
Congress  on  this  Subject  and  that  he  use  his  best  Exertions  to  obtain 
concessions  similar  in  all  respects  to  those  contain'd  in  the  Act  of 

*•  An  error.     The  letter's  date  is  Jan.  24. 

*'  Reply  not  found. 

"  2  Stat.  179-180. 

«•  See  report  of  House  Committee,  Mar.  2,  1813  (A.S.P.,  Puh.  Lands,  U,  740), 
denying  the  prayer  of  this  resolution,  on  the  ground  that  a  compact  could  not 
with  propriety  be  entered  into  with  a  territorial  government. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  297 

Congress  above  mentioned  Resolv'd  that  our  said  Delegate  endeavour 
to  procure  instructions  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  authorising 
the  designation  of  the  Colledge  Township  reserv'd  to  the  People  of  this 
Territory  by  the  ordinance  and  Act  of  One  Thousand  Eight  hundred 
&  four.""  And  Whereas  Labor  in  this  Territory  is  abundant  and 
Laborors  at  this  time  extremely  scarce  so  much  so  that  the  Lessees 
and  others  engaged  in  making  Salt  at  the  Saline  near  Shawney  Town 
cannot  progress  only  on  a  small  scale  Resolved  therefore  that  our  Dele- 
gate be  requested  to  use  his  Exertions  to  procure  a  Law  authorising 
the  introduction  of  Negroes  into  the  reserv'd  Tract  call'd  the  Saline 
on  the  Saline  Creek  from  Kentucky  or  elsewhere  to  be  employ'd  within 
the  said  Tract  for  any  term  not  exceeding  three  Years  at  the  expiration 
of  which  term  the  Master  or  Employer  of  any  such  Negro  or  Negroes 
shall  be  at  Liberty  to  reconduct  the  said  Slave  or  Slaves  to  any  state 
or  Territory  where  Slavery  is  tolerated  any  Act  to  the  Contrary  in 
any  wise  notwithstanding  and  that  if  the  foregoing  requests  are  not 
granted  Be  it  resolved  that  our  Delegate  in  Congress  be  urged  to  use 
every  possible  exertion  to  obtain  an  appropriation  by  the  General 
Government  for  opening  a  Road  from  Shawnej^  Town  on  the  Ohio 
to  the  Saline  and  from  thence  direct  to  Kaskaskia  and  that  some  suit- 
able person  be  appointed  to  superintend  the  opening  of  said  Road — 
Resolv'd  that  the  foregoing  Memorial  and  resolutions  be  sign'd  by  the 
President  of  the  Legislative  Council  &  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  and  transmitted  by  them  to  our  Delegate  in  Con- 
gress— 

Geo  Fisher 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
Pierre  Menard 
President  of  The  Council 

[Endorsed]  Resolutions  of  the  Legislative  Council  and  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  Illinois  territory.  25*''  Jan''  1813.  The  three 
first  resolutions  ref*  to  the  Committee  on  the  public  lands,  and  the 
remaining  two  relative  to  the  introduction  of  negroes  in  said  territory 
to  a  select  Com"  of  Mr.  Bond,  Mr.  Hawes,  Mr.  Butler,  Mr.  Desha  & 
Mr.  Metcalf."  14  June,  1813.  Ref  to  Mr.  Bond,  Mr.  Alexander 
Mr.  Duval  Mr.  Brackenridge  Mr.  Tannehill  20  December  1813 
Ref  to  M''  Bond,  M""  Alexander  &  M''  Montgomery  ^'—W  Bond  to 
Select.  3. 


»"  Sec.  5,  act  approved  Mar.  26,  1804  (Terr.  Papers,  Ind.,  VII,  178). 
"  House  Journal,  vill,  634. 
«  Ibid.,  IX,  31,  178. 


298  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

EDWARD  HEMPSTEAD  AND  SHADRACH  BOND  TO  THE 

SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:LS"1 

Washington  City  January  26. 1813. 
Sir  Agreeably  to  your  request,  we  yesterday  called  at  the  War 
Office,  to  learn  the  result  of  our  late  application  for  the  protection  of 
the  Missouri  &  Illinois  Territories,  and  were  told  you  was  engaged. 
We  are  extremely  anxious  on  this  subject,  and  would  be  happy  to 
know  if  any  thing  has  been  determined  upon.'* 
We  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  Sir  Yr  ob  Ser 

E.  Hempstead 
Shadrach  Bond 
The  Hon.  The  Secretary  of  War 

[Endorsed]  Wash.  Jan^  26.  1813  Hon  M'  Hemstead  &  M'  Bond 
wish  to  be  informed  if  any  determination  has  yet  been  made  on  the 
proposal  to  attack  the  Indians    Rec*  Jan^  28.  1813 


JUDGE  STUART  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

1NA:SD,  Applications :ALS1 

Staunton,  Feh^  13'"  1813 
D'  Sir — In  consequence  of  the  misfortunes  of  a  brother,  sister,  & 
my  wifes  sister,  my  annual  expences  will  be  so  increased  as  to  become 
very  embarrassing  if  I  continue  to  reside  in  this  Country.  When  I 
saw  you  in  Washington  the  first  time  I  thought  my  wifes  sister  & 
daughter  entirely  independent  in  consequence  of  the  death  of  her 
brother;  but  his  estate  is  most  probably  insolvent  &  their  support 
therefore  devolves  entirely  upon  me— You  will  pardon  me  for  troubling 
you  with  this  statement;  I  felt  constrained  to  make  it  in  order  to 
account  for  my  apparent  fickleness;  having  determined  upon  the  most 
mature  reflection  to  settle  myself  in  the  Missouri  Territory  provided  I 
can  obtain  an  appointment  in  the  Judiciarj^  there — Inclosed  you 
will  receive  an  address  from  the  bar  composed  principally  of  Lawj'ers 
from  the  western  side  of  the  river;  "  also  an  open  letter  from  M' 
Bates  the  Secretary  of  the  Missoiu-i  Territory'  to  his  mother  which  I 
have  not  yet  had  an  opportunity  of  delivering,  &  being  open  I  pre- 
sume may  be  shewn  without  any  impropriety — I  will  also  add  that  I 
have  been  solicited  at  different  times  by  many  of  the  officers  of  that 
Government  &  some  of  the  most  respectable  Citizens  to  apply  for  an 


"  In  Hempstead's  hand. 

M  See  Bond  to  Edwards,  Feb.  7,  Feb.  13,  and  Feb.  25,  1813  (Edwards  Papers, 
CHS,  printed,  Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  CHC,  ni,  93-98),  relative  to  the 
results  of  the  joint  application  of  Hempstead  and  Bond. 

"  Not  present,  but  probably  the  document  printed  ante,  p.  217. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  299 

appointment  upon  their  bench — If  I  go  to  Missouri  I  can  take  my 
Slaves  with  me,  &  I  trust  will  be  able  to  find  a  situation  that  will  prove 
healthy — If  M'  Madison  should  not  nominate  me  to  the  senate  I 
will  thank  you  not  to  mention  the  rec'  of  this  letter  to  any  one,  the 
delegates  from  Illinois  &  Missouri  excepted  whom  I  feell  assured  will 
promote  my  views  if  they  do  not  stand  committed — I  refer  you  to 
Gov''  Howard  if  he  is  in  Washington  Be  so  good  as  to  return  me  the 
inclosed  papers  when  convenient.  I  shall  leave  Staunton  for  Illinois 
on  m.onday  next — Inclosed  is  a  conditional  resignation  of  my  judicial 
appointment  in  &  over  the  Illinois  Territory 
I  am  your  sincere  friend 

Alex"'  Stuart 

If  the  Government  should  stand  committed  at  all,  &  feel  disposed 
to  do  me  a  favor;  perhaps  the  successful  applicant  might  prefer  my 
situation  where  the  office  is  held  during  good  behavior  to  an  appoint- 
ment in  the  Missouri  Territory    Alex"'  Stuart 

The  Ho"'"  Ja^  Monroe 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'  James  Monroe  Secretary  of  State  Washing- 
ton. Mail  [Postmarked]  Staunton  Va  Feb  16  Free  [Readdressed] 
For  the  President 

[Endorsed]  Alex"'  Stuart,  Staunton,  February  13.  1813.  Applies 
for  a  judicial  appointment  in  the  Missouri  Territory;  and,  with  a 
friendly  valediction  from  the  lawyers  of  Cahokia,  encloses  a  conditional 
resignation  of  his  judgeship  in  the  Illinois;  together  with  a  letter  from 
M'  Bates,    place  filled 

[Enclosure  :ALS1 
Judge  Stuart  to  the  [Secretary  of  State] 

[February  13,  1813] 
If  I  should  be  appointed  a  judge  of  the  Missouri  Territory  by  the 
President  &  Senate  of  the  United  States;  I  do  in  that  event  tender  this 
as  my  resignation  of  the  office  I  now  hold  of  Judge  in  &  over  the  Illinois 
Territory  to  take  effect  from  the  time  of  such  appointment 

Alex'  Stuart 
Feb^  13*"  1813. 

[Endorsed]  1813  Alexander  Stuart 

[Enclosure:  ALSl 

Frederick  W.  Bates  to  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Bates 

S'  Louis  April  26.  1812 
My  Dear  Mother,  Judge  Stewart  of  the  Illinois  territory  being 
about  to  return  to  Richmond,  has  been  so  friendly  as  to  promise  that 
he  will  call  on  you.     I  beg  that  you  will  receive  him  with  every  atten- 
tion in  your  power. 


300  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

No  individual  honored  with  the  President's  confidence  in  the 
western  country  has  deser\-ed  it  better  than  Judge  Stewart.  His 
intelligent  and  upright  discharge  of  the  high  duties  entrusted  to  him, 
equally  with  his  personal  worth,  has  endeared  him  to  all  descriptions 
of  people.  His  departure  is  looked  forward  to,  with  regret- 
He  will  tell  you  my  situation  in  this  country,  better  than  I  can 
write  it. — 

I  am,  my  dear  &  honored  Mother,  Your  ever  affectionate 

Frederick  Woodson  Bates 
Mrs  Caroline  M.  Bates. — 

[Addressed\  Mrs  Caroline  Matilda  Bates  2  miles  above  Goochland 
C  House  on  James  River  Virginia 


A  BILL  CONCERNING  SALT  SPRINGS 

[NA:SF,  12  Cong.,  2  ses8.:Printed] 
XXXVIII. 

In  Senate  of  the  United  States.  February  26th,  1813. 

Agreeably  to  notice,  Mr.  Bibb  asked  and  obtained  leave  to  bring  in 
the  following  bill. 
A  BILL  Concerning  the  salt  springs  on  the  waters  of  the  Wabash  river 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  Congress  assembled.  That  for  the  purpose  of  sup- 
porting and  extending  the  establishments  of  salt  works  at  the  springs 
near  the  Wabash  river,  in  the  Illinois  territory,  leased  under  the 
direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  it  shall  and  may  be 
lawful  for  the  lessee  or  lessees,  their  heirs,  executors,  administrators, 
or  assigns,  to  introduce  and  employ,  within  the  boundaries  of  the  lease, 
persons  held  to  service  or  labor  under  the  laws  of  any  state,  any  ordi- 
nance or  act  of  Congress  for  the  government  of  said  territory  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding. 

[Endorsed]  12  Cong.  2  Sess.  S  A  Bill  Concerning  the  Salt  Springs 
on  the  Wabash  river.  February  26  Read  &  to  2"  Read*  27  2"  Read 
Mar  1     1  Mon  June'" 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  Feb^  28.  1813 
Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a  tender  of  Service  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  by  Cap'"  Short  his  officer,  and  a  com- 
pany that  he  has  raised  in  a  few  days— this  and  the  other  companies 

«'  Antials,  12  Cong.,  2  sess.,  109,  110,  112.     No  further  action  is  noted. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  301 

whose  services  have  been  tendered  are  ordered  into  service  by  myself 
for  the  present  defence  of  this  territoiy.  It  is  impossible  to  defend  so 
exposed  and  extensive  a  frontier  with  any  other  species  of  force.  And 
if  this  kind  is  to  be  employed  experience  I  can  assure  you  has  proved 
that  it  is  best  to  raise  them  in  the  territory,  as  those  who  are  sent  from 
other  parts,  cannot  as  easily  supply  themselves,  either  with  horses 
whenever  one  fails  or  dies  or  anything  else — not  having  the  same 
resomxes  or  credit  here. 

I  can  very  conscientiously  recommend  Capt"  Short  &  M^  Joumy  his 
first  Lieut,  as  valuable  and  well  tried  officers — the  other  subalterns 
are  highly  recommended  to  me — Cap*  Short  is  a  member  of  our  Legis- 
lature— &  Lieut  Joumy  has  been  a  Maj"'  in  the  Militia  a  long  time — 
was  a  capt"  in  my  expedition  to  Peoria,  &  would  do  honor  to  a  similar 
appointment  in  the  regular  army 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Yr  Mo  Obd'  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  Sec^  of  War — 

[Addressed]  The  Honble  Secretary  of  War  Washington  City    Free 

[Endorsed]  111.  Territory,  Feb.  28,  1813  Gov.  N.  Edwards  incloses 
the  offer  of  Capt  Short  and  his  Company  for  volunteer  rangers.  Rec" 
March  1813  ^• 

[KnclosureJ 

A  list  of  officers  and  soldiers  tendering  their  services  as  a  company  of 
rangers 

[February  28,  1813] 
We  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed  as  officers  and  soldiers 
do  hereby  tender  our  servses  to  the  prisident  of  the  united  States 
as  a  Company  of  rangers  or  mounted  Rifle  men  to  Continue  in  servis 
twelve  munths  unless  soner  discharged  '* 

Jacob  Short  Capt  John  Woods 

Nathaniel  Jurney  1  Liut  Jacob  wildermon 

Andrew  Bankston  2  Do  Moses  Short 

John  Jurney — Ens  John  fry 

John  Brigance  1  Sergt  John  pixley 

George  Michel  2  Do  Samuel  Lee 

Alexander  scott  3  Do  Robert  Anderson 

James  wiet — 4  Do  Richard  Ackes 

Samuel  ware  Isaac  Clark 

John  Retherford  Eden  posey 

John  Short  Edmon  brigmon 

''  No  reply  found.  On  Feb.  10,  1813,  Edwards  also  enclosed  to  the  Secretary 
of  War  the  offer  of  what  was  probably  another  company  of  volunteers;  the  letter 
is  calendared  in  NA  (WD,  SW,  Lets.  Reed.,  Bk.  7),  but  the  letter  itself  and  its 
enclosure  have  not  been  found. 

'"  The  list  is  in  Captain  Short's  hand. 


302  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

W"  Jumey  W"  Mekleroy 

John  Dunkom  jun  Daniel  Mckinney 

John  A  Wakefield  George  fry 

Nicholis  Daughter  W"  Walker 

John  Caruthers  W'°  Burgis 

W"  Johnson  George  wise 

Charles  Rivis  Henry  sely 

Isom  Rivis  francis  Scott 

W™  Edes  Jacob  Brimlerry 

Alexander  Madox  Hugh  Elexander 

Isaac  Darnel  John  Dunkom  senr 

W"  More  Marshel  Hawkins 

Bengemin  Cox  George  Wakefield 

Jacob  Kerns  Peter  wright 

thomas  Morris  gobert  Hues 

Jesse  Crownover  Vin^-^l^  ^"?" 

Bengemin  Chesney  Uil  Mcneal 

W"  Virgin  A  true  Coppy 

John  Walker  Jacob  Short  Cap' 


SHADRACH  BOND  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[NA:SD,  Applications  :ALS] 

Washington  City  March  2"  1813 
I  recommend  W°  Mears  Esq'  of  Cahokia  Illinois  Territory  as 
aturnney  of  the  united  States  for  said  Territory,"'  and  Phillip  Foucke 
Esqr.  of  Kaskaskia  of  the  aforesaid  Territory  as  Marshal — 

S.  Bond — 
The  Hon  Sec  of  State 
[Addressed]  The  Secretary  of  State  [Readdressed]  For  the  President 

[Endorsed]  2  Mar  1813.  S.  Bond  recommends  M'  Mears  as  District 
Attorney  Illinois — &  M'  Fouche  as  Marshal. 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOHN  CALDWELL 
(NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  oflnice,  6'"  March,  1813. 
Sir,  Herewith  enclosed,  you  will  receive  a  copy  of  an  act  of  Con- 
gress, entitled,  "An  act  giving  the  right  of  pre-emption  in  the  purchase 
of  lands,  to  certain  settlers  in  the  Illinois  Territory,"  '  the  provisions 


'•  The  office  of  attorney  of  the  United  States  for  each  of  the  territories  was 
created  by  an  act  approved  Feb.  27,  1813  (2  Stat.  806).  The  same  act  provided 
for  a  marshal. 

'  Approved  Feb.  5,  1813  (2  Stat.  797-798). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  303 

of  which  are  so  plain,  that  it  is  presumed  no  observations  are  requisite 
from  me,  for  your  government  therein. 
With  great  respect,  &"* 

John  Caldwell,  Esq''  Receiver  public  monies,  at  Kaskaskias, 
Illinois  T" 

A  similar  letter  to  Michael  Jones,  register  of  the  Land  office,  at 
that  place. 


COMMISSION  OF  SECRETARY  POPE  ^ 
[NA:  SD,  Misc.  Temp.  Comms.,  i:Cj 

[March  7,  1813] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting: 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 
Integrity,  Diligence  and  Abilities  of  Nathaniel  Pope,  of  the  Missouri 
Territory,  I  do  appoint  him  Secretarj^  in  and  for  the  Illinois  Territory; 
and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute  and  fulfil  the  duties  of 
that  office  according  to  law;  and  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  said  office, 
with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  Emoluments  to  the  same  of  right 
appertaining  during  the  pleasure  of  the  President  of  the  United  States 
for  the  time  being,  and  until  the  end  of  the  next  Session  of  the  Senate 
of  the  U  States,  and  no  longer. 

In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 

LS    made  patent  and  the  Seal  of  the  U  States  to  be  hereunto 

affixed.     Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington  the 

Seventh  day  of  March  a.d.  1813;  &  of  the  Independence  of  the  U 

States  the  Thirty  Seventh. 

James  Madison 
By  the  President 
Ja°  Monroe  Secy  of  State 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Nothern  Frontier  of  Illinois  Territory  March  13.  1813 
Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  rec"  last  night  (by 
express)  information  of  the  murders  of  a  M''  Baltenhouse  near  the 
little  Wabash  and  of  two  men  by  the  name  of  Moore  on  the  waters  of 
Muddy  river  (all  of  this  Ty)  by  the  savages.  These  &  the  murders 
I  have  heretofore  communicated  together  with  some  other  depreda- 
tions, &  positive  information,  will  shew  I  hope  satisfactorily  not  only 

'  A  recess  appointment. 


304  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  propriety  of  the  measures  I  have  adopted  but  the  absolute  neces- 
sity for  them.  There  being  as  yet  none  in  operation  on  the  part  of 
the  general  government. 

I  cannot  ascertain  the  exact  number  of  volunteers  that  I  have 
raised  but  it  is  between  three  and  four  hundred  out  of  the  militia  of 
the  territory  the  whole  amount  of  which  is  about  1500  men  ' —  Some 
I  have  ranging  on  horseback,  others  are  engaged  in  building  fortifica- 
tions and  along  our  most  dangerous  frontier  which  is  the  Nothem 
boundary  of  all  our  settlements  and  extends  from  the  Missisippi  to 
the  Kaskaskia  river,  I  shall  in  a  very  few  days  have  about  seventeen 
forts  in  good  order — These  measures  have  so  far  given  confidence  to 
the  inhabitants,  not  one  of  whom  talks  of  removing — But  as  I  know 
of  no  law  that  authorises  me  to  employ  mounted  men  (without  whom 
I  would  not  pretend  to  maintain  our  extensive  frontier  for  one  week — ) 
I  hope  to  hear  from  you  as  early  as  possible  on  the  subject — Acting 
without  instructions  in  so  critical  a  conjuncture,  besides  many  other 
embarrassments  exposes  me  to  pecuniary  responsibilities  which  taken 
altogether  renders  my  situation  very  unpleasant — 

I  should  not  have  repeated  my  wishes  on  this  subject,  nor  should  I 
also  invite  your  attention  to  the  claims  of  the  militia  of  this  territory 
to  pay  for  their  services  were  I  certain  that  my  former  letters  would 
reach  you  -  but  the  uncertainty  of  the  mail  rondcra  is  so  great  that  it 
cannot  be  depended  on.  in  this  part  of  the  World — I  shall  continue  on 
this  frontier  as  long  as  my  presence  may  be  necessary — 

I  beg  leave  to  suggest  the  propriety  of  permitting  me  to  raise  one 
or  two  companies  under  the  late  law  of  Congress  *  for  the  defence  of 
this  frontier  By  fixing  such  a  force  in  stations  at  convenient  dis- 
tances— the  population  would  increase  about  them  and  the  frontier 
would  soon  become  the  stronger  part  of  tHH*  population  the  ten'itory 
and  give  stability  to  our  settlements  whereas  at  present  if  the  frontier 
gives  ground  every  part  of  the  population  will  follow  the  example  and 
this  whole  territory  would  thereby  fall  into  the  hands  of  our  enemies— 

I  have  written  under  every  disadvantage — on  my  knee,  in  bustle  & 
confusion  &  therefore  beg  you  will  excuse  whatever  you  see  herein 
amiss 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  M»  Obd'  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 


'  See  calendared  letter  of  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mar.  2,  1813 
(NA,  WD,  SW,  Lets.  Reed.,  Bk.  7),  reporting  that  four  companies  of  rangers 
were  out  in  consequence  of  an  imminent  Indian  attack  and  asking  whether  his 
conduct  was  approved.     The  letter  has  not  been  found. 

*  Act  approved  Feb.  25,  1813  (2  Stat.  804),  providing  for  ten  additional  com- 
panies of  rangers. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  305 

P.S.  These  Companies  who  thro  me  tendered  their  services  to 
the  President  are  now  full  and  they  are  in  Service.  Captain  James 
Moore  whose  appointment  if  compatable  wnth  the  views  of  the 
President  would  be  very  gratifying  to  this  whole  Country  as  well  as 
myself  has  eighty  five  volunteers — I  cannot  forbear  to  recommend  to 
you  an  inquuy  into  the  disposition  that  has  been  made  of  the  rangers 
since  last  fall — &  where  some  of  them  now  are  &  how  they  are  en- 
gaged— Y"  respectfully  &c    N.E. 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  John  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War. 
Washington  City  [Postmarked]  Cahokia  14  March     Free 

[Endorsed]  111.  T.  March  3,  1813  Gov.  N.  Edwards  reports  the 
murders  lately  committed — has  in  Servdce  from  3  to  4,00  volunteers — 
solicits  instiTJctions  &  leave  to  raise  some  companies  of  12  Months 
men.    Rec"  April  1813.' 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Nothern  Frontier  of  Illinois  Territory  near  Fort  Russel Marc/z  14. 1813 
Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  some  information  which  I  have 
just  rec"*  Great  apprehensions  of  danger  exist  in  these  territories — 
The  people  of  S'  Louis  &  S'  Genevieve  are  fortifying  those  places — 
Many  people  are  moving  from  that  territory  one  that  I  can  hear  of 
from  this — 

My  own  opinion  is  that  the  British  have  cannon  but  I  have  no  idea 
that  it  will  ever  descend  to  S'  Louis — They  m.aj'-  bring  some  of  it  as 
low  as  F'  Madison — but  I  am  convinced  the  principle  object  is  to 
fortify  Pi'aire  du  Chien  which  m.ay  become  a  second  Maiden — Whilst 
they  are  engaged  in  this  object  they  will  press  the  Indians  upon  us — 
that  they  may  produce  a  diversion  of  our  force  from  that  point — and 
if  they  succeed  we  will  have  many  difficulties  to  encounter  in  conse- 
quence of  it — In  my  letter  to  the  Gov'  of  Kentuckey  of  the  20  of 
Aug'  last,  a  copy  of  which  was  sent  to  the  war  Department '  you  can 
see  a  short  account  of  the  different  tribes  from  which  a  hostile  force 
can  be  raised — 

I  am  preparing  to  defend  this  territorj'  against  savage  warfare 
only — I  would  strongly  recommend  bringing  the  Sauks  who  are  dis- 
posed to  be  friendly  into  the  interior  of  our  country — If  this  plan 


'  No  reply  found. 

»  Aug.  25,  1812  (NA,  WD,  SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  pp.  337-338); 
the  enclosure  is  present  with  the  original,  but  is  not  printed. 


306  rERRlTORlAL    PAPERS 

is  not  persued  I  have  no  hesitation  in  predicting  that  they  will  to 
a  man  unite  against  us  ' — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd*  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Miamies  alluded  to  in  the  enclosed  letter  lately  resided  on  the 
Wabash — and  I  am  convinced  that  the  whole  of  the  Wabash  Indians 
will  remove  if  they  have  not  already  done  so  to  the  country  between 
Lake  Michigan  &  the  Missisippi— they  have  no  other  place  of 
retreat —    N  E 

\AddTesBed\  The  Hon'ble  John  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War  Wash- 
ington City  {Postmarked]  Russellville  March  29'"  Free 

indorsed]  Fort  Russell  March  14  '13  Gov.  N.  Edwards  incloses  a 
letter  to  him,  Citizens  at  S'  Louis  fortifying  themselves — Thinlcs  the 
object  of  the  enemy  to  establish  another  Maiden  at  Praire  du  Chien — 
Rec*  April  1813 « 

[Enclosure] 

J.  R.  Widen  to  Governor  Edwards 

Cahokia  March  the  10th.  1813. 
Governor.  Just  at  the  time  Mr  Jarrot  departed  in  order  to  get  his 
boat  he  received  two  letters  addressed  to  Mr  Bolevin  who  has  sent 
them  to  him  so  that  he  might  let  you  know  the  contents  of  them 
giving  for  excuse  that  he  could  not  write  english  and  less  yet  trans- 
late Mr.  Jarrot  having  it  not  in  his  Power  to  stop  so  that  he  might 
WTite  himself  because  his  company  was  ready  for  their  departure 
begged  of  me  to  send  you  the  translation  of  the  two  letters,  hereafter 
mentioned.  One  from  the  Commander  of  Fort  Madison  and  the  other 
from  Mr  Gates  Interpreter  at  Fort  Mason  '  as  follows — 

Feb''  27'"  1813. 

At  this  instant  Mr  Blondeau  (Ind°  agent)  who  has  been  at  this 

place  with  a  number  of  Sacks,  Foxes  and  Miamies  departed  for  Prairie 

du  Chien.  as  he  was  too  busy  he  requested  me  to  inform  you  of  the 

Saviges  intention.    The  Sacks  of  the  Village  du  Blue  are  always  in  the 


'  See  calendared  letters  from  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Feb.  9,  Feb.  21, 
and  Mar.  8,  1813  (NA,  WD,  SW,  Lets.  Reed.,  Bk.  7),  saying  that  the  British 
agent  Dickson  was  organizing  the  Indians  to  attack  the  frontier  in  the  spring 
and  repeatedly  expressing  his  fear  for  the  safety  of  the  Territory.  The  texts  of 
the  letters  cited  have  not  been  found.  See  also  Edwards  to  Howard,  Feb.  16, 
1815  (Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xv). 

•  No  reply  found. 

'  On  the  present  site  of  Hannibal,  Mo.  For  its  establishment  see  Terr.  Papers 
(La.-Mo.),  XIV. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  307 

same  disposition  as  he  informed  you  some  time  ago.  Those  he  met 
with  here  state  that  a  Party  of  British  passed  on  the  ice  from  the 
Green  Bay  to  the  Winding  of  the  Pines  (Means  Pine  turn)  in  the 
Ouisconsin,  and  that  the  Nephew  of  Mr  Frank,  is  this  long  while  at 
Prairie  du  Chien  and  gathers  with  all  speed  as  many  saviges  as  he  can 
He  has  akeady  a  great  number  at  his  service  from  various  tribes  they 
have  plundered  Mr  Bartelotte  and  Poirier  as  Americans,  that  the 
Artilliery  waits  the  melting  of  the  ice  in  order  to  descend  to  the 
Prairie  The  Puants  have  lately  killed  two  foxes  so  the  latter  are  at 
war  with  the  Puants  who  came  and  entreated  the  Sacks  to  help  them 
in  this  war.  but  as  the  inhabitants  of  the  Namirto  Village  fear  the 
British  and  their  allies  they  reject  the  proposition  of  the  Foxes  and 
we  believe  them  disposed  to  side  with  the  British  as  soon  as  they  will 
arive- — among  themselves  they  are  veiy  much  embarrassed,  they  wish 
the  Americans  might  come  the  first  to  them  but  they  say  that  the 
British  are  more  vigilant  than  the  Americans  Mr  Frank  proposed 
to  the  young  Sioux  Chief  who  arived  lately  from  the  United  States 
to  join  the  British  but  he  refused  with  great  zeal  and  Mr  Frank 
threatened  him — On  the  Statement  of  an  old  Fox.  There  is  appearance 
that  a  party  of  Foxes  and  Sieux  are  going  to  give  a  blow  against  the 
expedition  of  Mr  Frank,  I  think  we  cannot  find  a  better  opportunity 
to  hinder  that  expedition  if  there  should  only  come  two  or  three 
hundred  men  with  the  Sacks  and  Foxes  the  whole  expedition  would  be 
routed — 

I  am  &c.  Barony  Vasques 

The  following  from  Fort  Mason  dated  Feb^  24 

Sir  Having  given  to  the  gi'and  Chiefs  of  the  Sacks  the  Counsel  you 
have  sent  me  the  Chief  called  Le  Bleu  Laigle,  Lalance  Les  Deux 
Cours,  answered  that  they  had  been  informed  by  their  people  that 
the  Sieux  of  the  Ayowa  river  and  the  Sieux  of  the  rver  du  Moins,  the 
little  and  Grand  Osages  would  in  a  short  time  come  in  an  Expedition 
against  the  Sacks  and  Foxes  and  they  were  moreover  threatened  by 
the  Kickapous  and  Potowatomies.  They  state  moreover  that  as 
soon  as  the  navigation  will  admit  that  the  above  mentioned  enemies 
mean  to  take  the  American  forts  and  besides  take  possession  of  St 
Louis.  If  our  American  Father  would  take  pity  on  us  and  put  our 
wives  and  children  in  place  of  Safety  we  should  be  all  for  him.  The 
three  Sacks  Le  Dardeur,  La  Prime,  and  Le  Brave  are  gone  with 
Blondeau  and  are  go  to  our  Enemies.  The  Sacks  are  divided  in  four 
Camps  ^except  ten  Lodges  they  rejected  last  fall  and  retired  to  our 
Foes  The  Chief  Le  Bleu  delivered  up  a  horse  which  had  been 
stolen  from  the  Americans,  and  the  owner  give  him  two  Gallons  of 


308  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Whisky  and  twenty  four  Pounds  of  tobacco — This  is  all  what  I  can 
inform  you  of  at  present 
Your  Most  &c.  John  P.  Gates 

I  am  with  Sentiments  of  high  respect  of  your  Excellency.  The  most 
hiunble  Servant 

J.  R  Widen 
[Addressed]  Gov'  Edwards 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  S] 

March  31,  1813 
His  Excellency  Governor  N.  Edwards,  Kaskaskia  111.  Ter. 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Exc''  letter  of 
the  2'"'  inst,'"  the  law  points  out  the  several  postmasters  compensation, 
and  as  a  postmaster  I  cannot  increase  M'  Arundel's  compensation, 
however  arduous  his  duties  may  be,  or  however  faithfully  he  may 
discharge  his  duties,  he  has  acted  as  an  agent  of  this  office  in  forward- 
ing expresses  and  superintending  the  several  mails  that  arrive  at  & 
depart  from  Kaskaskia,  for  this  service  I  can  allow  him  a  compensa- 
tion not  exceeding  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  annum,  when  I 
have  ascertained  the  time  that  he  began  to  despatch  expresses,  and 
the  extend  of  his  Services,  I  shall  decide  on  his  compensation.  It 
affords,  me  great  satisfaction  to  learn  that  his  conduct  is  so  highly 
approved  of — 

G  Gr 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  WILLIAM  ARUNDEL 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  S) 

March.  31,  1813 
W.  Arundell  Esq.  P.M.  Kaskaskia  111.  Ter 

It  is  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  me  to  find  that  your  official 
conduct  is  so  highly  approved  of  by  Gov"^  Edwards,  Judge  Griswold 
&  others,  the  post  office  law  defines  your  compensation  as  a  Post- 
master, but  as  you  have  acted  as  agent  to  this  office  in  forwarding 
expresses  &c  I  think  it  but  just  to  allow  you  a  compensation  for  that 
service  in  a  sum  not  exceeding  one  hundred  &  fifty  dollars  per  annum, 
with  a  view  to  do  you  justice,  I  wish  you  to  state  when  you  took 
a  general  charge  of  the  mail  eastward  and  how  much  time  has  been 
occupied  in  that  service  and  in  other  extra  official  acts. 

G  G— 


w  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  309 

JOSIAH  MEIGS  »  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN  " 
INA:GL0,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814 :LS] 
Surveyor  General's  Office  Cincinnati,  2  April  1813 

Sir  I  transmit  a  Copy  of  a  Plan  of  Shawnee  town,  the  Original  of 
which  was  received  at  this  Office  on  the  30*"  of  last  month.  The 
following  is  an  Extract  from  a  letter  of  William  Dobbins,  Deputy 
Surveyor,  dated  Eddyville  July  2^  1812— 

"There  is  four  hundred  &  sixty  seven  lotts,  all  regularly  Marked 
although  on  the  plat  some  of  them  are  so  small  that  the  numbers  are 
scarcely  legible,  you  will  observe  that  the  lotts  marked  with  black 
are  intended  for  a  Grave  yard  and  Church;  the  reason  I  laid  off  so 
many  was  that  they  had  buried  Promiscuously  on  the  Mounts,  I 
think  in  each  of  the  lotts;  the  surviving  friends  of  the  Deceased,  all 
appeared  anxious  that  they  should  be  reserved  for  that  purpose.  I 
have  marked  six  lotts  for  the  publick  square,  in  order  to  give  it  an 
opening  &  view  to  the  River  also  to  give  room  for  a  Market  house, 
which  will  soon  be  necessary — I  presume  the  loss  to  the  United  States 
will  be  amply  compensated  by  the  sales,  however  you  are  certainly  at 
liberty  to  curtail  if  you  think  necessary.  The  reason  I  placed  it  so  nigh 
the  upper  end,  was  that  the  ground  in  the  Center  was  neither  so  suitable 
or  Elevated  as  that  spot— You  will  observe  two  lotts  N°  297  &  298 
them  I  take  the  liberty  to  recommend  as  a  seat  for  an  Academy — 
the  seat  is  Elegant  and  has  the  advantage  of  an  excellent  Spring  con- 
venient; there  is  a  number  included  in  the  town.  But  as  they  all  come 
out  of  the  bank  I  thought  it  not  advisable  to  mark  them  down  on  the 
Piatt. — The  streets  are  all  one  Chain  in  width  Except  Main  street 
which    is   laid    off   one   Chain   and  a  half — 

"There  is  yet  some  flat  land  between  the  Street  and  the  River,  but 
as  it  Overflows  every  year  I  did  not  think  it  proper  to  lay  it  into 
lotts,  but  to  Reserve  it  for  a  Common, — I  would  suggest  to  you  the 
propriety  of  laying  off  and  reserving  for  the  use  of  the  Citizens  half  a 
Chain  outside  of  the  in  and  out  lotts  to  prevent  purchasers  of  the 
United  States  lands  from  Inclosing  them  in.  As  yet  there  is  a  ballance 
of  upwards  of  fifty  Acres  of  the  land  Appropriated  by  Congress,  Also 
to  establish  stones  or  posts  on  the  River,  and  at  the  Corner,  also  have 
the  same  well  marked." 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  Yours. 

J  Meigs 

Hon.  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire — 

"  Confirmed  as  Surveyor  General  in  succession  to  Mansfield,  Nov.  16,  1312 
(Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  u,  304).  He  arrived  in  Cincinnati  Mar.  22,  1813.  See 
Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vill,  215-216. 

'2  Confirmed  as  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office,  May  6,  1812  (Senate 
Exec.  Journal,  u,  263).  Relative  to  the  GLO,  see  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vni,  203, 
n.  21. 


310  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

[Addressed]  Honb'  Edward  Tiffin  Commissioner  of  the  General 
Land  Office    Treasury  Department    Washington  City — 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  2^  Apl  1813  J  Meigs  Surveyor  Gl  with  Map 
of  Shawnee  Town— Ans"  17  Ap"^  N°  5  rec"  April  13, 1813  J  Meigs 
Surveyor  Gen'  with  plat  of  Shawnee  town 


THOMAS  FORSYTH  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
1NA:WD.SWDF:ALS] 

S'  Louis  10'"  April  1813 
Sir — Being  appointed  Sub  Agent  of  Indian  Affairs  for  the  Post  of 
Peorias  in  the  Illinois  River,  I  think  it  my  duty  to  state  to  you 
the  reason  that  I  am  not  at  present  at  that  place,  as  also  the  impor- 
tance of  an  establishment  being  made  there,  or  they  people  who 
formerly  resided  there  to  be  encouraged  to  return  back  and  build 
up  their  Village;  they  whole  of  the  houses  being  burned  down,  except- 
ing two  that  belongs  to  two  British  traders.  Mess"  Buisson  and 
LeMoine.  The  information  I  collected  at  that  place  before  and  after 
the  commencement  of  the  War,  was  great,  I  had  got  every  thing  in 
such  a  train,  that  I  drew  information  from  Makinaw,  Detroit,  S* 
Joseph  River,  Chicago,  Millwakee  and  Green  Bay  and  many  other 
places,  and  nothing  could  stir  in  the  vicinity  of  these  places,  among 
the  Indians  without  its  coming  to  my  knowledge,  which  information,  so 
collected,  was  occasionally  transmitted  by  me  to  they  officers  of  govern- 
ment in  this  Country;  by  which  means  many  lives  was  saved:  but  more 
particularly  in  the  Month  of  September  last,  when  upwards  of  four 
hundred  Indians  was  equiping  themselves,  to  come  down  on  the 
frontiers  of  this,  and  the  frontiers  of  Illinois  Territory  but  Governor 
Howards  letters  to  me  arrived  at  Peorias  two  or  three  days  before 
the  arrival  of  this  large  body,  came  down  from  the  upper  parts  of 
Illinois  River,  by  which  means  my  answers  to  Gov :  Howard  gave  him 
and  Gov :  Edwards  time,  to  put  the  frontiers  of  both  Territories,  in  a 
state  of  defence  by  which  means,  the  whole  party  of  Indians  was  most 
compleatly  foiled,  they  doing  no  other  mischief  than  stealing  a  few 
horses,  and  robbing  a  house  or  two;  not  being  able  to  take  home  one 
Scalp,  but  on  the  Contrary  lost  one  of  their  warriours,  a  thing  hardly 
known  in  Indian  warfare.  Indians  allways  profess  the  greatest 
friendship  untill  the  moment  arrives  that  the  mean  to  make  an  attack, 
to  begin  a  War;  which  they  allways  do,  by  as  great  a  force  as  they 
possibly  can  collect,  allways  supposing  to  take  their  enemies  unawares, 
as  they  certainly  would  have  done  in  the  case  above  alluded  too,  had 
it  not  been  for  the  information  that  Gov:  Howard  received  from  me 


"  Poit,  p.  318,  under  date  of  Apr.  19. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  311 

at  Peorias.  After  the  return  of  this  great  party,  I  thought  it  prudent 
to  moave  down  to  this  place  my  most  valuable  effects  and  to  return 
to  Peorias  immediately,  which  I  did,  but  during  my  absence  the 
Piankeshaw  and  Kicapoo  Indians  robbed  the  whole  Village  of  Peorias 
of  every  article  they  could  carry  away;  driving  they  poor  people  away 
out  of  their  houses,  Men,  Women  &  Children  naked,  and  oblidged  to 
embark  on  board  of  canoes,  and  abandon  the  whole,  and  to  crown  our 
distress  still  more,  two  Boats  Commanded  by  Cap*  Craig  of  Shawanoe 
town,  got  up  to  Peorias  a  few  days  before  I  did,  and  took  on  board 
of  his  boats  the  remainder  of  our  property  (the  greatest  part  we  never 
got  nor  do  we  ever  expect  to  get  it)  and  ourselves  prisoners  amounting 
to  Forty  two  persons.  Men,  Women,  &  Children,  oblidging  us  to 
abandon  our  Houses,  Cattle,  Com  and  Wheat,  for  no  other  reason 
than  because  some  Indians  fired  on  they  boats;  all  which  provissions 
say  150  (at  least)  head  of  horn  Cattle,  besides  hogs,  and  Com,  was 
all  destroyed  during  the  last  Winter,  by  the  Indians,  four  houses  and 
four  bams  two  of  which  contained  Wheat,  was  burned  down  by  Craigs 
men,  before  we  left  the  Peorias.  when  we  were  taken  prisoners  we 
were  disarmed,  and  descending  the  Illinois,  he  would  not  give  us 
a  single  fusee  to  kill  a  few  ducks,  and  when  anived  and  discharged 
on  the  bank  of  the  Mississippi  18  miles  above  this  place,  part  only 
of  our  arms  were  given  up  to  us,  the  remainder  were  detained  to  the 
great  loss  of  the  owners,  not  to  mention  the  abuse  we  received  from 
Craig  and  his  men  at  different  times:  I  had  prevailed  on  some  people 
who  were  about  to  leave  the  Peorias  to  remain  there  (prior  to  our 
being  made  prisoners  by  Craig)  and  I  was  to  return  from  this  place 
to  Peorias  by  land,  but  a  day  or  two  after  everything  was  settled,  we 
were  all  made  prisoners,  and  our  property  destroyed,  and  it  was 
impossible  for  me  to  return  alone,  since  which  time  I  have  been  at 
this  place  &  regret  much  our  being  Oblidged  to  abandon  our  situation 
at  Peorias.^*  Peorias  is  certainly  the  most  important  place  in  all  the 
Indian  Country,  as  the  intercourse  with  the  Indians  at  that  place  is 
so  great,  that  Indians  going  to,  and  coming  from  Detroit,  generally 
call  to  rest  themselves,  and  get  a  little  tobacco  &'  for  their  journey, 
by  which  means  we  allways  had  monthly  intelligence  from  that  place, 
and  am  sure,  was  I  now  there,  I  would  be  able  to  collect  as  much 
information  as  formerly,  and  no  doubt  by  that  means  be  able  to 
frusterate  the  designs  of  they  enemies  of  this  Country,  but  as  I  have 
already  obser\-ed,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  make  a  stand  at  Peorias 
alone,  but  if  there  was  a  possibility,  of  three  or  four  families  being 
allowed  to  go  up  to  that  place,  I  would  rejoice  and  go  up  with  them, 

'*  See  Craig  to  Edwards,  Dec.  10,  1812  (Edwards  Papers,  CHS,  printed  Wash- 
bume,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  CHC,  in,  86-90),  severely  criticizing  Forsyth,  and 
giving  his  version  of  Forsyth's  arrest. 


312  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


and  run  any  risk  that  might  happen.  Many  of  the  people  who 
formerly  resided  at  Peorias  wish  much  to  return,  but  the  fear  of  being 
hindred  by  Government,  and  the  great  want  of  the  common  neces- 
saries of  life,  oblidges  them  to  employ  all  their  time  at  hard  labours, 
to  procure  a  scanty  subsistence,  for  their  families.  If  Government 
would  give  them  the  least  assistance,  almost  the  whole  of  them  would 
return  and  I  think  many  more  of  the  same  Nation  (French)  would 
also  go  up,  and  the  Peorias  would  be  in  a  little  time  more  respectable 
than  ever  it  was.  Two  men  recently  arrived  from  that  country, 
informs  me,  that,  the  Potawatimies  wish  much  that  their  old  friends 
(as  they  Style  them)  would  return  and  build  up  the  Peorias. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  Your  most  Obd'  And  very  humble  Serv* 

Thomas  Forsyth 

The  Honorable  Secretary  of  War  City  Washington 
[Addressed]  The  Honourable  Secretary'  of  War  City  Washington 
[Postmarked]  S'  Louis  April  17.     Free 

[Endorsed[\  St.  Louis  10  April  1813  Th.  Forsyth  States  the  reason 
of  his  not,  now,  residing  at  Peorias— Will  repair  there  so  soon  as  the 
Indians  will  permit  it.     Rec"  June  1813 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

1NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade  Randolph  County  Illinois  Terty  April  12.  1813 
Sir,  Within  a  few  days  past  several  confidential  agents  that  we  have 
had  in  different  parts  of  the  Indian  country  for  a  considerable  time 
have  returned  bringing  with  them  a  great  deal  of  important  informa- 
tion— Their  reports  are  lengthy  and  minute  but  I  have  only  time  to 
extract  from  them  the  following  particulars — 

The  Indians  who  formerly  lived  about  Peoria  and  on  this  side  of  it 
soon  after  our  expedition  against  them  last  fall  removed  to  Bureau 
river  (which  enters  the  Illinois  60  miles  above  Peoria)  where  they 
erected  a  strong  fortification,  consisting  of  five  long  block  houses — 
around  which  trees  are  cut  down  and  thick  puncheons  so  arranged  as 
to  make  a  complete  breastwork  with  port  holes  judiciously  disposed — 
It  is  situated  at  the  point  of  a  hill— a  large  Marsh  in  front— the  river 
in  the  rear  of  it  and  approachable  only  with  any  kind  of  facility  on 
one  side  where  the  passage  is  narrow— Two  of  our  agents  remained 
at  this  place  several  weeks  and  only  left  it  fifteen  days  ago — They 
were  there  informed  that  ten  barrels  of  powder  sent  by  the  British 
had  arrived  at  the  Southern  extremity  of  Lake  Michagan  as  a  present 
to  the  Pottowattomies,  Kickapoos  Winnebagoes  Fallsavoines,  Sauks 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  313 

&  Foxes  and  that  the  Black  Partridge  (a  distinguished  Pottowottomie 
Chief)  had  received  two  barrels  for  his  share — 

That  after  the  battle  of  Massasinawa  '^  the  Prophet  &  his  party- 
left  the  Wabash — went  to  Detroit  and  have  not  returned  That  Main 
Poque  stated  that  the  Americans  had  enquired  after  him  and  wished 
to  fight  him,  that  he  had  accepted  the  challenge  but  would  first  go  to 
Detroit  for  Cannon — That  the  indians  generally  stated  that  the  War 
was  only  going  to  commence  this  summer — that  they  would  come 
down  and  surprize  our  mounted  men  who  were  constantly  hunting  for 
them — They  had  latterly  held  a  council,  the  object  of  which  was  to 
ask  the  british  to  send  them  provisions  in  a  vessel  to  Chicago  to  last 
them  for  12  months — 

Those  agents  also  met  with  some  Sauks  from  the  Missisippi  by 
whom  they  were  informed  that  the  Sauks  Foxes  and  loways  were 
di%'ided.  part  being  for  war  with  the  U.  S.  and  part  for  peace — That 
the  White  Pigeons  son  (a  Pottowottomie)  had  been  among  them 
assuring  them  that  the  British  were  ready  to  supply  them  with 
ammunition  clothing  &  pro\'isions.  that  if  they  would  not  unite  in  the 
war  they  would  be  considered  as  Americans  and  that  other  Indians 
&  the  British  would  commence  war  upon  them — 

Those  agents  also  saw  White  Hair  (a  Pottowottomie  Chief)  on  his 
return  from  the  Sauk  camps  on  the  Missisippi  by  whom  they  were 
informed  that  the  Sauks  had  employed  one  Brisbois  a  trader  to  write 
a  letter  for  them  to  the  British  at  Detroit,  that  Sagotria  another  trader 
was  the  interpretter,  that  he  0»^"hite  Hair)  was  the  bearer  of  said 
letter  and  was  on  his  way  to  Detroit  whither  he  had  been  in\'ited  to 
receive  presents  as  a  reward  for  having  killed  Capt"  Wells  last  year 
at  Chicago — They  were  also  informed  that  Dickson  went  to  Lower 
Canada  last  fall  and  was  expected  to  arrive  at  Praire  de  Chien  last 
month — That  it  was  probable  that  the  Indians  would  make  com 
where  they  made  it  last  year — That  the  party  that  has  infested  our 
frontier  for  some  time  past  were  principally  Kickapoos  headed  by  a 
Chief  called  the  Little  Deer  That  those  Indians  are  verj^  much  enraged 
&  are  determined  to  do  all  the  mischief  they  can — • 

Just  about  the  time  those  men  left  Bureau  river  the  Indians  had 
sent  out  runners  to  collect  all  their  warriors — and  it  is  probable  their 
intention  may  be  to  strike  some  blow  before  they  separate — 

M"'  Blondeau  sub  agent  to  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  has  been  in  the 
Indian  Country  on  the  Llissisippi  from  the  14  of  Feb''  till  the  first  of 
this  month  when  he  returned  to  S'  Louis — About  the  4*''  of  March  he 
was  informed  by  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  that  the  British  had  sent  for 


"  A  variant  spelling  of  Mississinewa,  a  Miami  village  near  the  junction  of  the 
Mississinewa  and  Wabash  rivers  (Hodge,  Handbook  Amer.  Indians,  I,  910-911). 
For  an  account  of  the  battle,  see  Esarey  (ed.),  Messages  and  Letters,  11,  269-274. 


314  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

them  to  go  to  Chicago  to  get  powder  &c  and  threatened  them  that  if 
they  would  not  declare  open  war  against  the  Americans  they  (the 
British)  would  set  all  the  surrounding  nations  of  Indians  upon  them — 
That  the  Sioux  declared  it  was  time  to  make  war  upon  the  Americans 
and  drive  them  off  their  lands.  That  they  had  received  two  pipes  from 
the  Sioux  &  others  accompanied  with  talks  in  which  they  were  in- 
formed that  the  Indians  at  Praire  de  Chien  had  received  from  Dickson 
at  Macanac  ten  pieces  of  Strouding  and  a  proportionate  quantity  of 
other  articles — that  they  were  to  collect  together  at  the  Praire  there 
wait  his  arrival  which  would  be  early  in  the  Spring  and  then  they 
were  altogether  to  make  a  descent  upon  S'  Louis  and  other  places — in 
all  which  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  were  invited  to  cooperate — and  they 
informed  M'  Blondeau  that  they  were  afraid  the  nations  above  would 
force  them  to  declare  war  against  the  Americans  and  requested  our 
support — 

On  the  10'"  March  another  deputation  from  the  Kickapoos  and 
Pottowottomies  of  Illinois  river  arrived  among  them  inviting  them  to 
go  to  Chicago  to  get  ammunition  &c  and  informing  them  that  their 
British  father  was  impatient  to  see  them — He  was  also  informed  a  few 
days  before  his  arrival  at  S'  Louis  that  a  war  party  from  Rock  river 
was  on  its  way  to  attack  the  Missisippi  settlement  &  do  all  the  mischief 
they  could. 

By  every  other  account  that  has  been  received  for  a  long  time  past 
it  appears  that  all  the  Indians  West  of  Lake  Michagan  and  on  the 
Illinois  and  Missisippi  rivers  (except  the  Sauks  &  Foxes)  have  joined 
the  hostile  Confederacy. 

Of  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  it  is  admitted  that  a  part  is  for  war  and  a 
part  for  peace — But  I  give  it  as  my  decided  opinion  that  they  will  all 
soon  be  against  us 

They  are  threatened  by  the  British  and  Indians  with  war  if  they 
do  not  join  them — while  every  other  means  are  used  to  engage  them — 
Operated  upon  as  they  must  be  by  the  double  motive  of  reward  and 
personal  safety  we  cannot  expect  them  to  remain  firm  in  our  interest 
while  we  neither  assume  a  warlike  attitude  to  inspire  them  with  fear, 
nor  carry  on  intercourse  and  trade  with  them  to  conciliate  their  affec- 
tions— In  fact  we  are  doing  no  one  thing  calculated  to  counteract  the 
exertions  of  the  British  and  therefore  I  conclude  those  exertions 
cannot  fail  of  eventual  success. 

Supposing  those  Indians  to  be  hostile  it  is  not  safe  to  calculate  upon 
their  going  to  Maiden — All  accounts  that  have  been  received  since 
last  fall  concur  in  pro\ang  their  intention  to  attack  this  quarter — 
Those  accounts  have  been  so  numerous  &  uniform  and  so  far  so  well 
corroborated  that  it  begins  I  think  to  be  time  to  believe  them — 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  315 

Going  from  the  Missisippi  to  Maiden  they  must  go  either  by  Ma- 
canac  or  Chicago,  the  distance  itself  would  make  an  insuperable 
objection  to  their  going  thither  in  any  large  body,  and  leaving  their 
women  &  children  exposed.  And  indeed  if  such  were  their  intention 
they  would  soon  change  it  if  an  army  were  to  march  in  their  own 
country — 

Our  frontier  continues  to  be  very  much  harrassed  by  the  Savages — 
We  have  no  men  here  but  those  who  have  been  raised  in  the  territory 
except  a  small  party  with  a  Lieut  at  F*  Rusel  I  have  not  heard  from 
or  seen  Colo  Russel/'  I  have  the  command  of  the  volunteers  that  I 
have  raised  and  have  as  hard  a  duty  as  I  believe  ever  fell  to  the  lott 
of  any  man — I  have  not  seen  my  family  for  seven  months — and  I  fear 
I  have  little  prospect  of  that  happiness  unless  the  territory  shortly 
gets  some  aid— 

I  have  called  in  the  Kaskaskia  Indians  it  being  dangerous  both  to 
them  &  the  people  of  the  Ty  to  permit  them  to  support  themselves  by 
hunting  and  I  am  consequently  compelled  to  support  them  at  the 
public  expence— 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  V  Mo  Obd'  S* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  John  Armstrong  Sec^  of  War  Washington  City. 

P.S.  Since  writing  the  above  I  have  rec"*  the  enclosed  copy  of  a 
letter  from  M''  Roc,  a  worthy  man,  &  good  agent,  who  has  been  up- 
wards of  30  years  interpretter  to  the  Sioux.  The  letter  is  decisive. 
N.E. 

13  April  I  have  just  received  intelligence  of  several  murders 
having  been  committed  in  a  few  days  past.    N.E. 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  John  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War  Wash- 
ington City    Free  "* 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  April  12,  1813  Gov.  N.  Edwards  States  the 
result  of  the  information  obtained  by  his  agents  with  the  Indians, 
viz.  that  the  British  are  exciting  all  the  Indians  against  the  U.  S. 
and  determined  to  destroy  the  frontier  settlements.  Rec*  Mav 
1813  " 


"  See  Russell  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mar.  24,  1813  (NA,  WD,  SWDF), 
relative  to  the  state  of  the  regulars  in  Illinois  and  Indiana  territories. 

"»  See  Howard  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Apr.  5,  1813,  with  enclosures  {Terr. 
Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv). 

"  No  reply  found.  See  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mar.  27,  1813  (NA, 
WD,  SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp.  346-347),  concerning  the  Indian 
situation  in  Illinois  Territory  since  his  last  letter,  ante,  p.  305,  and  alleging  an 
unjust  di^'ision  of  defense  forces  between  Indiana  and  Illinois  territories. 


316  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

[EncloBurel 

Joseph  la  Rogue  '*  to  Nicholas  BoUvin 

Praire  de  Chien  March  12.  1813 

Sir  I  am  yet  alive— God  has  preserved  me  untill  the  present  to 
give  you  all  the  news  I  could  not  write  you  by  any  other  opportunity 
being  in  great  danger  of  my  life — I  am  watched  on  all  sides — I  trusted 
to  M''  Farabeau  to  read  the  letters  received  from  you  sent  by  the 
Siou  (Red  Wing) 

In  my  absence  those  letters  were  seen  and  copies  of  them  taken 
and  sent  to  Macanac  by  Duncan  Graham  who  left  this  a  month 
since  to  bring  forces  which  we  expect  every  day  to  go  and  fight 
against  the  Americans  of  Illinois  —  M'  Bolvine  you  will  be  sur- 
prized— the  letters  that  j'ou  had  addressed  here  to  M'  Brisbois  M' 
Bontheleur  &  M'  Fisher — they  have  taken  copies  of  your  letters  and 
have  sent  an  express  to  carry  them  to  S'  Peters  river  to  raise  all  the 
nations  to  go  to  War  against  you  and  the  Illinois — In  short  Sir,  I 
must  tell  you  every  thing  is  against  you  Americans — All  nations  in 
general  have  given  their  word  to  the  English — The  traders  together 
are  setting  them  on  against  you  all — That  is  all  I  can  say  for  the 
present — and  all  the  information  I  can  give  you — 

Sir  The  remaining  of  your  property  that  you  left  here  is  all  lost 
even  your  cattle  have  been  killed  by  the  Falsavoins — 

M'  Bolvine  you  must  believe  all  that  is  in  this  letter 

I  am  Sir  with  the  greatest  friendship  possible 

Joseph  Roc 

M'  Nicholas  Bolvine 
(a  copy) 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  April  14,  1813 
Sir  Last  night  I  received  a  letter  from  Colo.  Bond  informing  me 
that  you  had  requested  that  I  should  raise  tlu-ee  companies  of  rangers 
for  this  territory  " — I  have  already  raised  four  companies  supposing 
that  that  many  at  least  would  have  been  accepted — I  had  the  honor 
to  communicate  to  you  the  tender  of  service  by  Capt°  James  B.  Moore 
Capt°  Samuel  Whiteside  and  Captain  Jacob  Short  &  their  subalterns 
&  companies  and  I  presume  from  Colo  Bonds  letter  that  the  commis- 

"  Lefi  in  charge  of  American  interests  at  Prairie  du  Chien  after  the  departure 
of  Boilvin  in  the  autumn  of  1812  (Kellogg,  Bril.  Regime  in  Wis.,  p.  306). 

'•  Feb.  25,  1813  (Edwards  Papers,  CHS.  printed,  Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards 
Papers,  CHC,  m,  97-98). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  317 

sions  will  shortly  arrive. — these  three  companies  are  accepted  by  me 
as  far  as  I  had  any  authority  to  act 

Captain  M'Henry  has  now  a  company  of  mounted  men  in  service 
who  also  tender  their  services  for  hectic  months — but  I  suppose  from 
the  arrangement  that  has  taken  place  they  cannot  be  accepted  and 
therefore  I  shall  decline  forwarding  their  tender — 

M"^  Hempstead  who  arrived  here  last  night  informs  me  that  John 
Murdock  is  recommended  as  a  Majr  to  take  command  of  the  rangers — 
If  that  appointment  should  be  made  I  shall  regret  it  very  much  on  the 
public  account  for  I  know  he  is  unqualified  for  it,  in  every  point  of  view. 
And  I  pledge  myself  officially  or  otherwise  to  prove  to  you  that  he  is 
unworthy  of  it— In  my  expedition  last  year  I  gave  him  the  command 
of  a  Battallion — upon  the  march  his  conduct  was  so  exceptionable, 
in  violating  positive  orders  that  he  was  arrested  by  Colo  Russel — • 
In  our  attack  upon  the  principal  Town  at  the  head  of  Peoria  Lake — 
he  was  ordered  to  gain  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy — and  for  that  pur- 
pose to  leave  the  Town  to  his  left — he  disregarded  the  whole  arrange- 
ment— and  left  his  battallion  and  when  I  ordered  him  to  form  it,  his 
reply  was  that  he  had  but  two  men  with  him — These  things  are 
enough  but  I  stand  pledged  to  prove  more  to  you — I  am  no  enemy  to 
this  man — But  every  man  upon  the  expedition  knew  &  felt  his  im- 
proper conduct  and  under  such  circumstances  I  think  his  promotion 
injustice  to  others — I  did  not  intend  to  recommend  any  man  unless 
called  on  for  that  purpose — but  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  remonstrate  as 
respectfully  as  possible  against  this  appointment  and  will  now  recom- 
mend another  whose  merits  and  claims  of  every  description  are 
superior — Majr  Benjamin  Stephenson  last  year  commanded  the  ¥wy 
companies  who  ha  of  Captains  Moore  Whiteside  &  Short  who  have 
tendered  their  services,  he  was  recommended  by  them — he  discharged 
his  duty  well,  now  commands  &  has  for  some  time  past  commanded 
those  companies,  he  has  had  considerable  experience,  is  an  excellent 
disciplinarian,  a  most  worthy  brave  &  respectable  man — &  is  in  every 
respect  well  acquainted  with  all  the  details  of  his  duty — No  one  can 
deny  his  superior  qualifications,  every  one  who  has  been  in  service  with 
me  will  testify  to  them —  and  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  the  officers 
&  soldiers  would  prefer  him  I  do  not  object  to  the  one  appointment 
for  the  sake  of  obtaining  the  other — for  I  have  never  been  applied  to 
to  recommend  Stephenson,  nor  does  he  expect  it  of  me — but  objecting 
as  I  do  from  motives  of  public  good  to  the  appointment  of  one — I 
have  felt  it  my  duty  to  name  another,  against  whom  no  possible 
objection  can  or  will  be  made  by  anyone — Stephenson  is  the  brother 
of  the  late  member  of  Congress  of  that  name  from  Virg"— he  is  Sherrifl 
of  this  County  and  my  brigade  Majr — and  without  his  assistance  I  do 


318  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

not  know  how  I  eld  have  hitherto  been  able  to  manage  the  militia — 
I  have  done  my  duty— and  am  Very  respectfully  Sir  Yr  Mo  Obd*  S* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Honble  John  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War 
Washington  City  Free 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  April  14,  1813.  Gov.  N.  Edwards  reports 
that  he  has  raised  3  comp:  of  rangers  in  consequence  of  information 
from  M'  Bond  that  such  was  the  wish  of  the  War  Dept.  States  the 
characters  of  the  officers.    Rec"  May,    1813  ^ 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  to  SG,  i] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  Office,  19*"  April,  1813. 

Sir,  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  dated  the 
second  of  this  month,^'  and  of  the  plat  of  Shawnee  town,  which 
accompanied  it. 

The  law  which  directed  the  town  to  be  laid  out,^^  has  provided  that 
the  whole  tract  shall  not  exceed  two  entire  sections  of  land,  or  1280 
acres.  But  no  courses  and  distances  being  expressed  upon  the  plat, 
this  office  has  no  other  means  of  examining  the  survey,  than  the  scale 
expressed  upon  it;  namely,  one  inch  to  72  chains;  according  to  which, 
we  find  the  erea  of  the  tract  to  contain  about  1566  acres,  being  nearly 
half  a  section  more  than  was  appropriated  to  the  object. 

Should  you,  on  examination  of  the  field  notes,  find  that  there  exists 
no  error  in  the  survey,  which  will  account  for  the  difference,  nor  any 
in  the  graphical  delineation  of  the  plat,  a  mode  must  be  devised  to 
make  the  survey  agree  with  the  law.  In  that  case,  I  am  instructed 
by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  state,  that  in  his  opinion,  the  best 
way  will  be  to  strike  out  the  out-lots  from,  N"  1,  to  number  90,  both 
inclusive,  which  with  the  streets  thereby  rejected  will,  according  to 
the  plat,  amount  to  304  acres.  This  will  reduce  the  tract  within  the 
quantity  appropriated  by  the  law,  of  which  it  will  fall  short  about 
18  acres. 

The  three  tiers  of  out-lots  being  rejected,  it  will  be  expedient  to 
re-number  the  remaining  ones;  beginning  at  the  old  number  91, 

-"  No  reply  found.  See  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  May  4,  1813  (NA, 
WD,  SWDF,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  pp.  347-348),  similar  in  context  to  the 
above,  but  containing  the  names  of  officers  he  proposed  for  the  newly  organized 
companies  of  rangers. 

='  Ante,  p.  309. 

'-'  Sec.  6,  act  approved  Apr.  30,  1810  (2  Stat.  591).  See  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.), 
VIII,  18. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  319 

which  will  then  be  changed  to  N°  1;  proceeding  and  returning  north- 
eastwardly and  Southwestwardly  to  the  last  out-lot,  which,  under 
this  system,  will  become  N°  270.— 

To  avoid  the  interferences  which  otherwise  may,  hereafter,  arise 
between  the  purchasers  of  Town-lots,  and  the  purchasers  of  the 
adjacent  public  lands,  you  will  please  to  cause  the  corners,  or  so  many 
of  them  as  may  be  necessary,  to  be  properly  established. 

You  will  please  to  transmit  to  this  ofRce,  a  copy  of  the  plat,  when 
corrected,  and  retain  another  copy  to  be  delivered  to  the  register  of 
the  Land  office  at  Shawneetown,  when  appointed, 

A  furlough  has  been  transmitted  to  M'  Mansfield,  and  his  expences 
will  be  paid  at  the  treasur>\^ 

I  am,  &" 

JosiAH  Meigs,  Esq"'  Surveyor-general,  Cincinnati. 

For  a  letter  to  J.  Mansfield,  esq"'  late  surveyor-general,  on  the 
subject  of  his  furlough,  see  general  letter  book,  under  date  of  April 
17th,  1813.2* 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  A'pril  20.  1813 
Sir  The  dangers  to  which  this  territory  is  exposed  and  the  neces- 
sity of  assistance  (unless  it  be  prefered  by  the  Gov'  to  give  it  up) 
is  no  longer  a  matter  of  opinion  or  conjecture — The  Indians  continue 
to  be  very  troublesome.  It  is  I  presume  unnecessary  to  detail  their 
savage  atrocities — They  waylayed  the  mail  carrier  &  his  guard  on 
the  road  from  this  place  to  the  Ohio — on  Simday  last — and  the  lives 
of  those  men  were  probably  saved  by  a  heavy  rain  which  fell  suddenly 
and  induced  them  to  ride  at  full  speed  past  where  the  Indians  lay — 
Yesterday  morning  the  same  party  made  an  attempt  upon  the  house 
of  a  M"'  Cox  where  the  mail  carrier  lodged  at  which  time  I  believe  one 
of  our  men  killed  an  Ind° — I  have  two  detachments  of  militia  in 
pursuit  of  them — but  it  is  doubtfull  whether  they  can  be  successfull 
owing  to  very  high  waters — 

The  Indians  appear  to  have  made  incursions  into  every  part  of  our 
frontier — The  mail  I  think  must  entirely  stop  If  you  should  have 
any  communications  to  make  to  me.  it  would  be  best  to  forward 
duplicates  and  send  by  Russelsville  (Ky)  as  well  as  by  the  usual 
route — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y''  Mo  Obd'  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 


"  Answered  ■posl,  p.  320. 

"  NA(GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5). 


320  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  John  Armstrong  Sec'  of  War  Washington 
City 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  April  20  '13  Gov.  N.  Edwards  Without 
assistance  that  Territory  must  be  abandoned.  The  Indians  are  very 
troublesome — Mails  interrupted  &  letters  to  him  should  go  by  Rus- 
selville  Ky— Rec"  June  1813  " 


ELIAS  RECTOR  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
|NA:SD,  Applications :ALSJ 

Kaskaskia  April  26'"  1813 
Dear  Sir  Altho,  I  have  only  had  the  honor  of  a  verry  Short 
acquaintance  with  you  at  the  falls  of  Ohio  and  that  too  several  years 
ago,  I  will  notwithstanding  take  the  liberty  of  soliciting  your  patronage 
in  procuring  me  the  appointment  of  Register  of  the  Land  office  which 
is  established  at  Shawney  Town  in  this  Territory,  Judge  Stuart  has 
written  to  you  in  my  favor,  which  letter  letter  I  presume  you  will 
receive,^'  before  this  arrives  at  Washington,  Any  senice  that  you 
may  think  proper  to  render  me  in  promoting  my  wishes  will  be 
acknowledged  by  Sir  your  Obt  Hble  Serv' 

EuAS  Rector 
The  Hble  James  Monroe 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'"  James  Monroe  Secretary  of  the  U.  S  City 
of  Washington    Free 

[Endorsed]  26  April  1813     M'  Rector  application  for  Register  Land 
Office  Illinois  Terr'" 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG.  1812-1814:LS1 

Cincinnati,  Ohio,  May  1"  1813. 

Sir  I  have  this  day  received  yours  of  April  19."  enclosing  the 
Plan  of  Shawnee  Town— I  have  not  found  the  Instructions  given  to 
M'  Dobbins  the  Deputy  Surveyor  by  my  Predecessor.  I  omitted  to 
include,  in  my  letter  of  April  2,^  the  following  extracts  from  M' 
Dobbins  letter  accompanying  his  Plat. 

"The  Posts  I  had  all  made  of  Mulbeny  and  Black  Locust,  which 
was  hard  to  procure: — they  were  made  from  two  and  a  half  feet  in 
length  to  two  feet  and  four  inches,  by  three  in  thickness. — Agreeably 

'•  No  reply  found. 
"  Not  found. 
"  AnU,  p.  318. 
"  Ante,  p.  309. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  32I 

to  your  Instructions  I  have  numbered  and  marked  every  lot". — 
"There  is  yet  some  flat  land  between  the  Street  and  the  river,  but  as 
it  overflows  every  year,  I  did  not  think  it  proper  to  lay  it  into  lots 
but  to  reserve  it  for  a  Common. — I  would  suggest  to  you  the  Pro- 
priety of  laying  off  and  reserving  for  the  use  of  the  Citizens  half  a 
Chain  outside  of  the  In  &  out  Lots,  to  prevent  purchasers  of  the  United 
States  lands  from  inclosing  them  in,  as  there  is  yet  a  balance  of  up- 
wards of  Fifty  Acres  of  the  land  appropriated  by  Congress;  also  to 
establish  Stones  or  Posts  on  the  River  and  at  the  Corners,  Also  to 
have  the  same  well  marked." 

M''  Dobbins  did  not  transmit  to  me  any  Field  Notes. — The  Meridian 
Line  on  his  Plat,  gives  the  direction  of  Main  Street  and  its  parallels 
North  36°  30'  East,  and  consequently  the  perpendicular  lines  are 
North  53°  30'  West,  He  has  not  inform.ed  me  whether  his  inscribed 
Meridian  is  the  true  or  the  Magnetic 

I  will  endeavour  to  transmit,  by  the  next  mail  one  plan,^  omitting 
the  out  Lots,  No^  1  to  90,  both  inclusive,  and  another  similar  to  that 
which  is  returned ; — for  your  letter  and  the  plan  were  thoroughly  wet 
and  much  defaced. — The  Rain  which  has  fallen  here  during  the  last 
month  has  been  more  than  one  Foui'th  of  the  annual  quantity;  and 
this  beautiful  River  is  now  almost  overflowing  its  banks. 

I  am,  very  respectfully  Yours, 

J  Meigs. 

Hon.  E.  Tiffin. 

[Addressed]  The  Honorable  Edward  Tiffin  Commissioner  of  the 
General  Land  office,  Treasury  Department  Washington  City  [Post- 
marked] Cincinnati    3  May  1813     Fi'ee 

[Endorsed]  Cincinna  [MS.  torn]  May  1813  Josiah  M  [MS.  torn] 
Surv'  Gen'  de  plat  of  Shawnee  Town.     N"  6 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

|NA:OIA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C  =«] 

War  Department,  May  4.  1813. 
His  Ex.  Governor  Ninian  Edwards,  111.  Terr''— 

Sir,  My  Letter  of  the  4.  Ultimo  ^'  stated  the  measures  taken,  or 
directed  to  be  taken,  by  order  of  the  President  in  relation  to  the 
defence  of  the  Territorial  Frontier.  To  these  have  now  been  added 
the  employment  of  Colonel  Johnson's  Riflemen,  if  General  Harrison 

2"  Post,  p.  329 

3"  There  is  another  copy  of  this  letter  in  NA  (WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  6). 

"  Not  seen. 


322  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

shall  be  able  to  dispense  with  their  services  on  his  own  line  of  posts." 
I  beg  you  to  convey  this  information  to  Brigadier  General  Howard, 
and  to  accept  the  assurance  of  my  very  great  respect. 

J.A. 
P.S.  Your  letter  of  the  27.  March  was  received  by  the  last  Mail.'' 


MAURICE  BLONDEAU  TO  BENJAMIN  HOWARD 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:C  «•] 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  M.  Blondeau  to  his  Excellency  Gov  Howard. — 

Portage  des  Sieux  the  4'"  May  1813 
Sir,  The  Sacs  have  listened  to  your  council — they  have  been  well 
pleased. — I  am  arrived  with  the  principal  chiefs  of  their  nation — It 
was  not  in  my  power  to  obey  youi-  Orders — for  they  are  fifty  eight 
men  and  fifteen  women. — The  only  news  I  have  is  that  Dickson  is 
come  from  Green  Bay  to  Rock  River,  the  IS'"  April — from  there  to 
Prairie  du  Chien — And  he  has  sent  in  Agents  who  descended  to 
Rock  River,  I  mean  River  des  loway,  the  23"  of  April  with  a  talk  and 
two  barrels  of  powder,  which  the  Sacs,  divided  from  the  rest,  have 
accepted.  They  have  joined  and  are  coming  on  with  the  rest  against 
St  Louis — We  spoke  to  others — they  say  they  want  to  remain  neutral 
and  at  peace  in  the  present  War.  The  Blue  &  the  [blank]  remained 
at  home — The  Foxes  find  difficulty  coming  down,  having  no  canoes — 
They  are  all  at  river  des  Moines  waiting  an  Opportunity  to  come 
down.    Your's  respectfully 

M.  Blondeau 

The  Band  of  the  red  Wing  80  Lodges  (Sieux)  are  coming  down  to 
join  the  Sacs  &  Foxes  in  peace  with  us. — 

[Endorsed]    Letter  of  Blondeau 


»'  See  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Harrison,  June  9,  1813  (Esarey,  ed.,  Messages  and 
Letters,  u,  468),  containing  the  order  for  Johnson  to  report  at  Kaskaskia. 

»>NA(WD,SWDF),  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp.  346-347.  See  also 
Bond  to  Edwards,  Feb.  7,  Feb.  13,  Feb.  25,  June  7,  July  11,  Aug.  17,  Dec.  10, 
and  Dec.  23, 1813  (Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  pp.  93-98, 101-104, 105-107), 
transmitting  relevant  information  from  the  seat  of  government  at  Washington. 
Cf.  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  viii,  227-230,  236-238,  255,  262. 

"•  An  enclosure,  in  Bates's  hand,  in  Bates  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  May  14, 
1813  (Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  Xiv). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  323 

THE    POSTMASTER    GENERAL    TO    WILLIAM    ARUNDEL 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  S] 

May  5,  1813 
William  Arundel  Esq'  P.M.  Kaskaskias  111.  Ter 

Yours  of  the  5  Ul'  is  before  me  ^*  I  send  you  $400  to  support  the 
line  of  expresses.  To  which  you  will  pay  every  attention.  The  orders 
for  gards  to  accompany  the  mail  must  come  from  the  War  Office. 
Accordingly  as  soon  as  M'  Brian  '^  sent  your  letter  to  this  office,  I 
sent  it  to  the  Secretary  at  War,  with  a  letter  ^*  representing  the 
necessity  of  the  measure.  I  hope  your  Govn''  will  continue  the  guards 
to  the  mail  until  he  hears  from  the  proper  department.  I  have 
ordered  the  monies  due  to  W™  Morrison  to  be  forwarded  to  him. 

The  situation  of  your  territory  is  truely  deplorable  and  I  trust  th3 
Executive  are  making  every  effort  for  your  relief  &  will  do  justice  to 
your  citizens  for  all  their  exertions  I  speak  this  as  an  individual, 
having  no  agency  in  Government  other  than  the  faithful  Adminis- 
tration of  this  Office.  Last  Friday  the  enemy  burnt  Frenchtown  on 
Elk  River  &  yesterday  Havre  de  Grace  at  the  head  of  this  bay. 

Yours, 

G.  Gr. 

Put  in  P.  Office  May  5.  1813    DG.— 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  6'"  May,  1818. 

Sir,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  to  you,  that  M"'  Gallatin,  immediately 
previous  to  his  departure  from  the  seat  of  government,  communicated 
to  me  important  information  relative  to  the  Wabash  Saline,  in  the 
Illinois  territory,  of  which  the  following  is  an  outline,  vizt: — 

"That  the  lease  of  the  Saline  exph-ed  last  autumn;  a  circumstance 
which  had  been  overlooked. — He,  therefore,  advised  that  governor 
Edwards,  who  superintends  the  leasing  thereof,  should  come  to  an 
understanding  with  the  lessees  to  continue  their  lease  for  one  year 
longer,  on  the  same  terms. 

"That  public  notice  should  afterwards  be  given,  as  heretofore, 
inviting  proposals  foi-  a  new  lease.  In  making  this,  it  is  thought  that 
the  most  important  point,  is  the  proper  care  and  saving  of  fuel.  And 
considering  the  situation  of  the  works,  with  the  new  discoveries  of 

"  Not  found. 

"  Probably  Guy  Bryan,  a  partner  of  William  Morrison. 

»'  Not  found. 


324  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

salt  made  elsewhere,  it  is  believed  that  the  object  originally  in  view, 
namely,  that  of  compelling  the  lessees  to  make  the  greatest  possible 
quantity  of  salt, —  and  of  reducing  the  price  of  the  article  to  its  mini- 
mum, cannot  be  better  obtained  than  by  leasing  the  the  works  to  those 
who  will  pay  the  United  States  the  highest  rent." 

Instructions  to  the  foregoing  effect  had,  accordingly,  been  prepared 
for  Governor  Edwards,  in  my  office;  but  at  the  moment  of  signing 
them,  a  letter  from  the  governor  was  handed  to  me,  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  enclose.'' 

As  I  have  not  before  received  any  communications  on  subjects  of 
this  nature,  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  state  any  opinion  thereon.  I  can 
only  presume  to  remark,  that  the  arrangement  which  existing  circum- 
stances compelled  the  governor  to  make,  (subject,  of  course,  to  your 
approbation  or  rejection)  may  perhaps  be  so  modified,  should  it  be 
deemed  expedient,  as  to  meet  the  ideas  held  out  by  M'  Gallatin. 

The  question  of  a  renewal  of  the  lease,  will  then  remain  to  be 
decided;  and  probably  the  governor's  representation  of  the  present 
state  of  the  country,  and  of  the  backwardness  of  other  proposers,  will 
facilitate  a  decision  on  that  point. 

Under  these  circumstances,  I  have  deemed  it  my  duty  to  defer  any 
instructions  on  the  subject  till  you  shall  have  been  pleased  to  delib- 
erate upon  the  information  contained  in  the  governor's  letter,  and  to 
favor  me  with  such  directions  as  the  aspect  of  the  case,  now  varied 
by  his  representation,  may  appear  to  you  to  be  proper. 

I  have  the  honor,  &" 

The  president  of  the  United  States. — 


THOMAS  FORSYTH  TO  BENJAMIN  HOWARD 
[NA:  WD,  SWDF:  C«"] 
Copy  oj  a  letter  from  Tho'  Forsyth  Esquire  Sub  Agent  of  Indian  Affairs, 
to  His  Excel"  Benj*  Howard  late  Gov  of  Missouri  Te" 

St  Louis  May  7.  1813 
Sir,     I  have  the  honor  to  state  to  you  that  I  arrived  here  yesterday 
from  the  upper  part  of  the  Illinois  River. — 

On  the  12'"  ult"  I  prepared  my  boat  and  men,  and  on  the  13'"  left 
this  to  ascend  the  Illinois  River.  On  the  24'"  I  fell  in  with  three 
families  of  Potawatimies  at  Crow  Praire  45  miles  above  the  Peorias, 
who  appeared  to  be  very  happy  to  see  me.  I  enquired  where  all  the 
Indians  were?    I  wa.s  informed  that  all  the  Indians  were  at  or  on  their 


"  Mar.  13,  1813;  see  post,  p.  328. 

"■  An  enclosure,  in  Bates's  hand,  in  Bates  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  May  14, 
1813  {Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  325 

way  up  Sandy  Creek.  I  moved  on  in  company  with  those  three 
famihes  and  on  the  25""  over  took  another  family,  and  we  all  encamped 
together  at  the  mouth  of  the  Vermillion  River.  In  the  evening  all 
the  Indians  came  to  my  tent  to  smoke,  and  informed  me  that  about 
10""  (April)  a  belt  of  Wampum  with  a  letter  airived  in  the  Illinois 
River  from  the  British,  requesting  those  Indians  to  repair  to  Detroit 
as  quickly  as  possible,  and  as  many  as  possible. —  That  a  Prophet  had 
arisen  in  England  who  informed  the  Great  Father  of  all  the  British 
and  Indians  that  the  Great  Spirit  was  much  displeased  with  the 
Americans.  That  the  Island  (America)  belongs  to  the  Indians,  and 
for  their  great  Father  (King  of  England)  to  be  strong  and  assist  all 
the  Indians  to  drive  the  Americans  out  of  the  Island  (America)  to 
supply  the  Indians  with  all  their  wants — And  that  when  they  fought 
the  Americans  the  Great  Spu'it  would  be  on  theii-  side,  and  that  they 
(the  Americans  would  always  be  beaten.  Thus  far  the  Wampum — 
but  no  person  being  able  to  read  the  letter,  I  did  not  learn  its  contents 
until  my  arrival  at  Sandy  Creek.  At  the  latter  place  I  was  informed 
by  a  Corporal  Bowen  who  had  been  taken  prisoner  at  Chicago  that 
he  had  seen  the  letter — that  it  was  from  1  he  British  at  Detroit,  inviting 
the  Indians  to  go  to  that  place  as  quickly  as  possible 

On  the  27'"  I  aiTived  at  Sandy  Creek  and  the  Indians  met  me  at 
the  water  side  &  shook  me  very  cordially  by  the  hand,  and  appeared 
glad  to  see  me — 28'"  the  Indians  held  a  council  &  sent  for  me  and 
Mr  Le  Clair.  After  being  seated  and  our  pipes  lighted,  Gomo's 
speaker  got  up  &  made  a  short  speech  thanking  me  for  the  pipe  of 
Tobacco  I  brought  them — and  requesting  me  to  return  at  any  time. 
I  pleased  to  theu-  village — that  the  roads  by  water  and  land  were 
perfectly  open  to  all  their  friends  at  all  times:  that  they  were  very 
sorry  that  our  property  was  robbed  by  the  Indians  last  fall,  as  also 
for  the  loss  of  all  our  cattle:  that  they  had  driven  out  of  their  country 
the  bad  Indians  who  had  committed  those  insults  &  that  nothing 
of  the  kind  should  ever  happen  again.  Gomo  informed  me  that  the 
Shawanoe  Prophet  gone  to  Detroit  with  all  the  Shawanoes.  That 
the  Winebagoes  and  Kickapoos  were  still  at  the  Prophet's  village  on 
the  Wabash,  but  did  know  that  they  were  to  remain  there,  but  sup- 
posed they  would  go  on  to  Detroit — That  about  400  Miamies  were 
on  their  way  to  St  Joseph's  to  make  a  village — That  at  the  change  of 
last  moon  (about  1'*'  April)  Robert  Dickson  arrived  at  Chicago  from 
Quebeck — said  he  was  two  months  travelling  from  that  place — that 
he  was  in  a  great  hurry — that  he  had  not  time  to  say  much,  but 
shewed  the  Indians  a  belt  of  wampum  of  about  two  fathoms  long  & 
nine  inches  wide,  that  was  sent  from  their  Great  Father,  over  the  gi'eat 
waters  (meaning  the  King  of  England)  to  the  Sieux  Nation  of  Indians, 
for  them  to  take  up  the  war  club  against  the  United  States — And 


326  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

that  their  great  Father  would  supply  all  their  wants — That  his 
(Dickson's)  work  was  not  to  be  the  Work  of  a  day — that  he  would 
descend  the  Mississippi  with  the  Sieux,  until  he  should  meet  the 
Spaniards  who  were  coming  up  that  river — that  those  Indians  who 
could  not  get  to  Detroit  must  defend  themselves  as  well  as  they 
could,  &  be  ready  to  descend  the  Illinois  River  when  they  heard  of 
his  (Dickson's)  moving  down  the  Mississippi — and  all  to  meet  below 
(perhaps  near  the  Portage  des  Sieux)  when  they  would  all  go  to  a 
country  where  they  could  get  plenty  to  eat  and  drink  &  plenty  of 
clothing  &"  That  he  had  instructions  to  send  in  all  the  Indians 
he  could  see  to  Detroit  "" — That  1500  Ottowas  &  Chippewas  &  others 
had  gone  to  Detroit  to  drive  the  Americans  away  from  the  Fort  of 
the  Rapids — That  Maiden  was  stronger  than  ever  &  that  the  British 
had  plenty  of  Soldiers  at  that  place:  That  the  British  would  take 
many  great  guns  to  attack  General  Harrison's  Army — break  down 
his  fortifications,  and  the  Indians  would  be  able  to  rush  in  &  kill  the 
whole  of  the  Americans — that  their  Great  Father  was  now  standing 
upright  with  his  great  war-club  in  his  hand  &  would  never  bury  it 
until  both  his  white  &  red  children  were  satisfied. — He  (Dickson) 
enquired  what  the  Saukees,  Foxes  &  loways  were  about — He  was 
told  that  they  were  divided  some  for  peace  some  for  war.  He  said, 
he  would  make  them  all  of  one  opinion  as  he  passed  down  the  Missis- 
sippi— as  his,  (Dickson's)  party  would  not  consist  of  five  or  six,  but 
as  many  hundreds. — that  he  was  sorry  he  could  not  tell  them  more, 
as  he  had  not  time,  that  he  must  go  on  to  Millwakee  and  then  to 
the  Winebagoes  on  the  Head  Waters  of  Rocky  River,  where  he  would 
leave  his  horses  and  go  down  R.  River  in  Canoes  to  its  mouth,  thence 
up  the  Mississippi  to  Prairie  du  chien  where  a  great  many  Sieux  were 
waiting  his  arrival — 

I  was  informed  that  a  very  severe  battle  was  faught  last  winter  at 
the  river  Raisen  near  Detroit,  and  had  the  Americans  stood  it  out  a 
little  longer,  the  British  &  Indians  must  have  been  beaten.  Gomo 
informed  me  that  he  would  go,  in  a  few  days  to  Detroit  to  request  the 
British  to  send  a  vessel  out  to  Chicago  with  Provisions  and  merchan- 
dize for  the  Indians.  The  Main  Pocque  sent  for  me  the  morning  I 
left  Sandy  Creek  &  told  me  he  was  that  far  on  his  way  to  Detroit — 
That  the  British  had  sent  for  him  &  as  many  warriors  as  he  could 
take  with  him — That  he  would  Sandy  Creek  next  day  (1"  May) — 
That  he  meant  to  fight  the  Americans  completely  this  summer  &  make 
the  troubles  of  the  Earth  be  quiet  That  after  General  Harrison's  army 
would  be  defeated,  the  British  &  Indians  would  march  up  to  Fort 

"•>  See  statement  of  Robert  Dickson,  Dec.  3,  1812,  and  Dickson  to  Prevost, 
Dec.  23,  1812  (Esarey,  ed.,  Messages  and  Letters,  ii,  235-236,  251-252).  See  also 
Irwin  to  Mason,  Oct.  16,  1812  (Terr.  Papers,  Mich.,  x,  411-415). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  327 

Wayne,  destroy  that  place  then  to  Vincennes  &  drive  the  Americans 
over  the  Ohio — 

A  General  Council  was  held  by  all  the  Indians  of  Sandy  Creek  Kicka- 
poos  &  Potawatimies  &  Gomo  himself  spoke  in  the  name  of  the  whole. 
He  said  it  was  the  wish  of  all  the  Indians  present  that  all  the  old  settlers 
of  the  Peorias  should  return  &  requested  me  to  use  all  my  influence  to 
bring  them  back — Also  to  speak  to  Col"  Chouteau  to  get  as  many 
french  families  to  go  up  to  reside  at  Peorias,  as  possible.  That  if  any 
number  of  families  of  French  would  go  &  live  there,  the  Indians  agree 
that  they  shall  have  the  same  rights  of  hunting  &  fishing  &  the  same 
use  of  the  land  &  wood  as  themselves  &  promise  not  to  distiirb  any 
property  belonging  to  them,  but  to  live  as  if  the  whole  was  one  family. 
Gomo  made  a  long  speech  on  the  occasion  &  afterwards  spoke  to  me 
in  a  private  way  to  request  that  I  would  bring  back  to  Peorias,  the 
Old  settlers — And  expressed  his  fears  that  the  Americans  would  not 
allow  them  to  go  up — but  desired  me  to  acquaint  him  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible whether  we  should  be  able  to  get  up  to  Peorias  this  ensuing  fall 
or  not — all  which  I  promised  to  do. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c  &c  &c 

(Signed)    Thomas  Forsyth 

His  Excellency  Governor  Howard.— 

[Endorsed]    Letter  of  Tho=  Forsyth  Sub  Agent 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 
NOTHERN  FRONTIER  OF  ILLINOIS  TERRITORY  May  9.  1813 

Sir  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  day  before  yesterday 
I  received  a  letter  from  Gov"'  Howard  in  which  he  states  that  M'' 
Blondeau  had  just  arrived  from  the  river  Demoin,  and  M''  Forsyth 
from  the  banks  of  Illinois  river,  he  observes  that  their  reports  and  a 
letter  he  had  received  from  Majr  Starke  of  F'  Madison  "all  concur  in 
the  opinion  that  Dickson  had  passed  along  rock  river  and  meditates 
a  descent  upon  our  Country" '' — 

The  same  information  is  confirmed  by  a  spye  I  have  had  in  the 
Indian  country — and  I  have  this  moment  rec""  a  very  ample  official 

'8  Cf.  Edwards  to  Shelby,  Mar.  22,  1813,  and  Shelby  to  Harrison,  Apr.  4,  1813 
(Esarey,  ed.,  Harrison's  Messages  and  Letters,  II,  395-396,  414-415).  See  also  the 
Secretary  of  War  to  Harrison,  July  14,  1813,  ibid.,  pp.  491-492,  deprecating 
Edwards's  fears  as  expressed  in  his  letters  of  a  possible  descent  of  Dickson  upon 
St.  Louis.  There  are  numerous  relevant  letters  from  Robert  Dickson  in  the  Dickson 
and  Grignon  papers  (WHS) ;  selections  from  these  are  printed  in  WHC,  xi,  273, 
276-277,  278-282,  283-294,  295-303,  306-307,  308-309,  311-312,  covering  the 
period  Aug.  31,  1813,  to  Apr.  10,  1815.  Cf.  Forsyth  to  Howard,  May  7,  1813. 
supra. 


328  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

report  from  M'  Forsyth  himself  which  places  the  fact  out  of  all 
question — 

My  own  opinion  is  that  the  British  agents  will  try  to  get  all  the 
Indians  they  can  to  go  to  Detroit,  and  that  they  will  employ  the 
balance  in  this  country — It  is  impossible  for  many  of  the  Missisippi 
indians  to  go  there — But  I  apprehend  more  from  their  desultory, 
partizan  attacks  than  from  any  general  combined  operations  of  British 
&  Indians — and  indeed  the  former  is  much  the  most  dreadful  & 
destructive — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd'  S' 

N  Edwards 

[Endorsed]  111.  Territory  May  9  1813  Gov.  N.  Edwards  States  the 
reports  that  an  attack  is  meditated  on  that  Country  by  the  Indians. 
Rec-*  June    1813  " 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent.  Bk.  5  *»] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  10*"  May,  1813. 

Sir,  Your  letter  of  the  13'"  March  last,"  to  the  secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  communicating  the  understanding  which  has  taken  place 
between  you  and  the  lessees  of  the  Wabash  Saline,  that  they  should 
continue  to  work  it  on  the  old  terms,  till  the  will  of  the  president  should 
be  known,  has  been  received;  and  M"'  Gallatin  having  left  the  seat  of 
government,  in  order  to  proceed  on  his  mission  to  Russia,  it  has  been 
handed  to  me. 

I  have  consulted  the  president  on  the  subject,  and  he  is  pleased  to 
direct,  that  the  temporary  arrangement  made  by  you,  should  be  con- 
tinued, till  you  can  substitute  one  which  had  been  suggested  by  M' 
Gallatin,  previous  to  the  receipt  of  your  letter;  the  nature  of  which 
you  will  understand  from  the  enclosed  copy  of  M"'  Gallatin's  letter  to 
me,  dated  17'"  ultimo." 

I  am,  &  0* 

His  excellency  Gov.  Edwards,  Kaskaskia,  Illinois  Terr" 

"  Reply  not  found. 

*'  Printed  also  in  Edwards,  op.  cit.,  p.  537. 

"  Not  found. 

"  Text  not  seen;  cf.  ante,  p.  323.  See  also  Tiffin  to  Edwards,  Sept.  8, 1813  (NA, 
GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5,  printed,  Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  pp.  104- 
105;  Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  p.  537),  referring  to  instructions  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  Aug.  25,  1809  (not  found),  and  leaving  the  lease  question  to  the  dis- 
cretion of  Edwards,  subject  to  restrictions  already  given. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  329 

JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
INA:GL0,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:  ALS] 

Cincinnati,  May  13,  1813.    Surveyor  General's  Office. 

Sir,  I  have  the  honour  to  inclose  a  plan  of  Shawnee  Town,"  reject- 
ing the  first  90  Out  Lots  of  the  first  Plan,  and  numbering  the  remaining 
270  Lots  agreeably  to  your  directions.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  a 
more  particular  description  did  not  accompany  the  Plan  executed  by 
Mr.  Dobbins. 

I  presume,  on  reflection,  that  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  send  another 
Plan  similar  to  the  first— This  Plan  will,  I  hope  meet  with  the  appro- 
bation of  the  Department. 

I  am,  with  Esteem,  and  very  respectfully  yours. 

J  Meigs 

Hon.  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquu-e.— 

[Addressed]  Hon.  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire  Commissioner  of  the 
General  Land-Office    Treasury  Department. 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  13  May,  1813.  Surveyor  General,  with  a 
corrected  plat  of  Shawnee  Town  N°  7 


MICHAEL  JONES  AND  JOHN  CALDWELL  TO  THE 
SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY 

[NA:GL0,  Kaskaskia,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.rLS] 

Kaskaskia  May  IS*"  1813. 
Sir  In  compliance  with  yoiu-  letter  of  the  7'"  of  May  1810  "  the 
former  Board  of  Commissioners  transmited  to  you  a  second  disig- 
nation  of  the  tract  contemplated  by  the  first  section  of  the  act  of  the 
21°''  of  April  1806.  which  in  quantity  does  not  much  exceed  the 
aggregate  of  all  the  claims  both  confirmed  and  rejected;  and  includes 
the  principal  part  of  the  improvements  made  by  the  Owners  of 
Bonafide  claims — This  disignation  being  made  in  conformity  with 
your  wishes  as  expressed  in  your  letter  of  that  date,  it  was  presumed 
would  meet  your  sanction — but  as  no  communication  has  been 
received  from  you  since  on  this  subject;  and  having  been  informed  by 
Col°  Bond  that  you  deemed  the  tract  too  large — we  have  been  induced 
to  believe  that  the  Communication  containing  that  disignation  did 
not  reach  you.  We  therefore  enclose  to  you  a  platt  of  that  designa- 
tion " — and  in  relation  to  which  we  beg  leave  to  remark — that  should 
you  be  of  Opinion  that  those  persons  who  have  actually  inhabited  & 


«  Not  present. 
"  Ante,  p.  98. 
'5  Not  present. 


330  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 


cultivated  land  within  this  reserve  are  intitled  to  the  benefits  of  the 
act  giving  the  right  of  pre-emption  in  the  purchase  of  lands  to  certain 
settlers  in  the  Illinois  Territory — Approved  on  the  5'"  of  February 
1813  ** — we  have  no  hisitation  in  giving  it  as  our  opinion  that  the 
reserA'ation  herewith  submitted,  will  not  do  more  than  satisfy  such 
pre-emptioners  &  the  holders  of  unlocated  claims  with  Cultivable 
land.  But  should  your  Opinion  be  that  such  Settlers  are  not  entitled 
to  the  right  of  pre-emption  given  by  the  before  recited  act,  We  would 
recommend  the  exclusion  of  the  following  Townships  from  that 
reservation,  to  wit.  Township  N"  4  N  in  range  N°  9  W,  also  Township 
N°  4  North  Range  N°  8  W.  likewise  Townships  N"  4,  3,  2,  1.  North 
in  Range  N"  7  West  and  Township  N"  1  South  in  Range  N"  7  West 
to  gether  with  Township  N°  7  South  in  Range  N°  4  W.  &  Town- 
ships N"  7  &  8  South  in  Range  N"  3  west." 

We  are  very  respectfully  Sir,  your  most  obed'  &  Hum'  Serv*' 

Mich'  Jones 
Jn"  Caldwell 

The  Hon'  Albert  Gallatin  Sec^  of  the  Treas''  of  the  United 
States— 

[Endorsed]   Kaskaskia,   18   May,   1813.    Register  and  Receiver, 
relative  to  the  reservation  for  locating  Claims. — 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814 :ALS] 

Cincinnati,  May  22,  1813    Surveyor  General's  Office, 
Sir    I  have  this  day  received  your  letter  dated  May  7,  accompanied 

with  a  Copy  of  the  Land  Laws  passed  in  1811  and  1812.^' 
On  a  conversation  yesterday  with  Stanley  Griswold  Esq;  Judge  of 

the  Illinois  Territorj',  I  have  been  induced  to  suggest  to  the  Treasury 

Department  an  alteration  of  that  plan  of  Shawnee  Town  of  which  a 

copy  was  transmitted  on  the  13th  of  this  Month. 
In  the   Plan  are  several  Fractional  Lots,  viz: 

6,  at  the  E.  end  of  the  1''  Tier,  on  the  River:  viz.  No.  449—450— 
451—452—453-454— 

7,  at  the  W.  end  of  the  1"  Tier;  No.  461—462—463^464—465— 
466—467 

4,  at  the  E.  end  of  the  2"  Tier;  No.  445—446—447—448.— 

4,  at  the  W.  end  of  the  2"  Tier;  No.  413— 414— 415— 416  - 

6,  at  the  E.  end  of  the  3"  Tier;  No.  361—362—363—364—365—366. 

6,  at  the  W.  end  of  the  3"  Tier;  No.  407—408—409—410—411^112. 

«2  Stat.  797-798. 

•'  Answered  yosl,  p.  -344. 

"NA  (GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 


•ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  331 

If  these  fractional  Lots  are  rejected  it  will  probably  increase  the 
value  of  the  whole  Lots  in  their  rear,  and  indeed,  of  the  whole  Town ; 
because,  if  these  Lots  are  sold,  they  will  probably  be  occupied  by 
persons  of  no  real  benefit  to  Society,  and  the  view  of  the  River  will  be 
much  impeded. — Philadelphia  N.  York  and  most  other  towns  have 
been  injiu-ed  by  suffering  their  river  or  harbour  banks  to  be  too  much 
encroached  upon — I  might  have  given  Cincinnati  as  another  example 
of  the  same  bad  policy.  The  City  of  Bordeaux  is  admired  for  its 
beauty,  neatness  and  convenience;  depending,  materially,  on  its 
having  a  spacious  area  open  between  the  buildings  and  the  River 
Bank — 

I  am  with  Esteem,  &  very  respectfully,  Yours; 

JosiAH  Meigs. 

Hon.  Edward  Tiffin,  Esq. 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire  Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land  Office — Treasury  Department  Washington  City — 
[Postmarked]  Cincinnati  24  May  1813  Surveyor  General's  Office 
J  Meigs.    Free 

[Endorsed]  rec  June  1813  J  Meigs  Surveyor  General  recommending 
an  improvement  in  Shawnee  town 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  May  2A.  1813 
Sir  The  inhabitants  of  this  territory  particularly  to  the  East  and 
South  East  of  Kaskaskia  being  greatly  harrassed  by  the  vexatious 
inroads  of  the  savages,  and  terrified  by  repeated  instances  of  their 
bloody  ferocity — and  ha\'ing  myself  satisfactorily  ascertained  the 
rout  of  their  incursions,  I  determined  about  the  first  of  this  month  to 
make  the  greatest  effort  in  my  power  to  drive  them  from  their  hiding 
places,  and  if  possible  to  intercept  them  on  their  retreat — For  which 
purpose  I  put  all  the  mounted  men  I  could  raise  into  motion  detach- 
ments of  whom  moved  simultaneously  from  different  points  of  the 
territory  in  such  a  manner  as  to  favor  the  general  design — Three  of 
them  marched  from  the  counties  on  the  Ohio  one  up  the  Little 
Wabash,  another  up  Big  Muddy  Creek  and  the  third  up  Saline  Creek, 
all  pursuing  a  northern  direction  the  course  the  Indians  had  travelled 
in  coming  in — Another  detachment  consisting  of  three  companies 
commanded  by  Major  Benjamin  Stephenson  marched  from  F"^  Russel 
to  the  old  Kickapoo  Town  on  Mink  river  a  fork  of  the  Sanguemon — 
Two  other  companies  were  left  to  operate  between  the  Kaskaskia  and 
Illinois  rivers  while  another  in  a  well  fortified  boat  ascended  the  latter 
river  to  Peoria — 


332  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

At  the  same  time  that  all  these  different  movements  were  directed 
with  a  proper  regard  to  the  safety  and  protection  of  the  frontiers — I 
did  hope  that  the  companies  from  the  Ohio  would  be  able  to  start  the 
indians  and  that  Stephensons  detachment  might  have  intercepted 
them  or  that  some  of  the  detachments  might  cross  the  trails  and  fall 
in  behind  those  who  might  be  coming  into  the  settlements — But  an 
attempt  which  I  had  made  a  short  time  before  to  execute  a  similar 
plan  which  succeeded  only  partially  in  consequence  of  heavy  rains  & 
high  waters  by  alarming  the  indians  and  causing  their  removal  pre- 
vented as  much  success  as  otherwise  might  have  been  justly  hoped  for 
from  the  latter  one.  It  must  however  be  attended  with  beneficial 
consequences  if  it  should  only  by  increasing  the  fears  of  the  savages, 
render  their  \-isits  less  frequent  it  may  be  the  means  of  saving  many 
valuable  lives  and  I  cannot  doubt  that  it  will  have  this  effect  at  least — 
They  appeared  to  have  lately  occupied  and  hastily  fied  from  the  village 
and  its  \'icinity — Every  detachment  discovered  a  good  deal  of  indian 
sign — Colo  Trammel  at  the  head  of  one  of  them  persued  a  party  of 
the  savages  from  the  neighbourhood  of  the  U.  S.  Saline  to  the  waters 
of  Illinois  river  when  his  horses  became  so  fatigued  and  exhausted  that 
he  was  obliged  most  reluctantly  to  quit  the  pursuit — Another  party 
was  discovered  by  a  part  of  Majr  Stephensons  detachment,  but  they 
could  not  be  overtaken — The  old  Kickapoo  %'illage  is  now  burnt  as 
you  will  see  by  Majr  Stephensons  report  to  me  which  I  have  the  honor 
herewith  to  transmit — 

The  kind  of  ranging  which  I  have  adopteti  may  be  deemed  very 
hazardous — but  were  it  so  there  is  no  other  alternative  but  to  en- 
counter the  danger  or  suffer  either  the  continual  and  indiscriminate 
slaughter  of  men  women  and  children  at  their  owm  habitations  or  the 
total  abandonment  of  the  countrj' — Rangers  used  any  other  way 
afford  very  little  more  protection  than  infantry,  and  the  danger  is 
not  as  great  as  may  be  immagined — Every  since  last  fall  the  Illinois 
indians  have  constantly  apprehended  an  attack  upon  them  &  I  have 
done  every  thing  in  my  power  to  encourage  that  belief — They  col- 
lected together  last  winter,  built  &  occupied  a  fort,  consumed  their 
provisions,  had  little  opportunity  of  hunting,  and  have  all  this  year 
been  kept  out  of  their  best  hunting  grounds  Wherefore  the  want  of 
provisions  and  not  knowing  precisely  when  to  expect  us  must  prevent 
them  from  embodying  in  any  great  number  on  this  side  of  the  Illinois 
river.  On  that  river  they  can  subsist  on  the  fish  which  it  abundantly 
affords — 

Captain  Jarrot  who  commanded  the  armed  boat  went  to  Peoria, 
heard  the  indians  shooting  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  took  an  indian 
horse  &  several  canoes  and  chased  an  indian  in  another  one  who  made 
his  escape  by  runing  into  the  bottoms  which  were  over  flowed  for 
several  miles. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  333 

This  sufficiently  proves  the  utility  of  boats  &  the  advantage  of 
employing  them,  they  enable  a  small  body  of  men  to  keep  the 
savages  in  constant  terror  &  can  safely  go  where  it  might  be  imprudent 
to  send  less  than  a  very  large  force  in  any  other  way. 

With  one  thousand  mounted  men  and  four  armed  boats  I  have  no 
doubt  I  could  clear  the  Illinois  river  of  our  troublesome  neighbours 
and  prevent  one  grain  of  corn  from  being  raised  on  it — which  would 
produce  infinite  distress  among  them,  and  with  it  perfect  submis- 
sion— We  continue  to  receive  evidences  of  the  hostile  machinations 
of  Dickson  on  the  Missisippi 

Were  it  proper  for  me  to  do  so  I  could  point  out  many  substantial 
reasons  in  favor  of  an  expedition  of  mounted  men  from  F'  Wayne  to 
the  Indian  villages  of  S'  Josephs  river  and  Lake  Michagan  as  auxiliary 
to  Gen'  Harrisons  operations — It  would  certainly  withdraw  the 
warriors  of  the  Lake  from  the  british  to  the  defence  of  their  families 
or  produce  the  removal  of  all  the  men  women  &  children  to  Maiden — 
The  first  would  weaken  the  british  force — the  last  measure  would  be 
equally  destructive  by  requiring  more  provisions  than  they  could  con- 
veniently command  and  very  probably  would  eventuate  in  the  disgust 
of  both  parties  at  their  alliance. 

The  tours  of  duty  of  the  militia  that  I  have  had  in  Service  will  expire 
in  a  few  days  when  I  shall  discharge,  and  shall  not  attempt  to  raise 
any  more  without  instructions — 

From  the  conduct  of  the  Indians,  I  am  convinced  it  is  their  intention 
if  possible  to  take  the  mail  between  Kaskaskia  &  the  Ohio — the  south- 
ern rout  is  much  the  safest 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  Mo  Obd*  S' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  John  Armstrong  Secy  of  War  Washington  City 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  John  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War 
Washington  City 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  May  24  1813  Gov.  N.  Edwards  His  rangers 
have  returned  without  meeting  an  enemy — destroyed  the  old  Kicka- 
poo  Village— Rec"  June  1813  ^' 

[Enclosure:  ALS] 

Benjamin  Stephenson  to  Governor  Edwards 

Northern  Frontier  Illinois  Territory  May  20'"  1813 

Sir    In  obedience  to  your  orders  I  commenced  my  march  from 

Fort  Russell  on  the  8'"  Instant  with  a  detachment  of  rangers  consisting 

of  the  Companies  of  Captains  James  B.  Moore  Jacob  Short  &  William 

Boone    I  kept  my  course  along  the  ridge  that  seperates  the  waters 

"  No  reply  found. 


334  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

of  Kaskaskia  from  those  of  Illinois  and  Sanguemon  rivers  untill  I 
arrived  at  a  point  opposite  the  celebrated  old  Kickapoo  Village  of 
the  Praire — To  which  I  then  steered  my  course  and  crossing  the 
Sanguemon  arrived  at  it  on  the  seventh  day  of  my  march  being  then 
opposite  to  and  within  a  little  better  than  one  days  march  of  Crow 
Praire  on  the  Illinois  river  forty  five  miles  above  Peoria — On  ap- 
proaching the  Town  every  precaution  was  adopted  to  surprise  the 
enemy  had  they  been  there  but  unfortunately  we  arrived  too  late — 
none  were  to  be  found  but  from  the  sign  we  discovered  it  was  very 
evident  that  a  party  of  them  had  left  that  place  not  more  than  three 
or  four  days  previous  to  our  arrival  &  in  its  vicinity  was  an  indian 
camp  containing  fourteen  lodges  of  considerable  size  that  had  been 
recently  abandoned  which  together  with  the  Town — we  bumt^ — in  the 
latter  there  were  some  very  large  houses  built  in  the  first  style  of 
indian  archetecture  and  a  considerable  number  of  smaller  ones — 
Finding  no  enemy  to  oppose  us  I  divided  by  detachment  in  three 
parts  to  return  by  different  routs  hoping  thereby  that  some  or  all 
might  intercept  some  of  those  savages  who  had  been  committing 
murders  on  our  frontiers  and  had  not  yet  returned  to  their  Villages— 
On  my  return  with  Capt  Shorts  company  I  crossed  Mink  river  about 
twenty  miles  below  the  old  Town — and  on  the  dividing  ridge  between 
that  river  and  Sanguemon  was  found  a  new  Indian  Camp  in  which  the 
lodges  were  connected  for  about  twenty  five  yards — Which  must 
have  been  very  lately  and  hastely  deserted — some  of  the  lodges  not 
being  entirely  covered  &  fresh  bark  and  other  materials  lying  ready 
for  the  erection  of  others — Much  other  indian  sign  was  discovered 
but  it  appeared  to  have  been  made  about  three  or  four  weeks  before 
and  no  doubt  can  exist  that  a  considerable  number  of  the  savages 
had  occupied  that  quarter  and  were  driven  from  it  by  the  terrer 
which  was  created  by  the  march  of  the  detachment  lately  commanded 
by  Captain  William  B.  Whiteside — Nothing  further  occured  except 
the  discovery  of  six  indians  by  three  of  Cap'  Moores  men  on  their 
return  home — In  common  with  all  the  officers  and  men  whom  I  had 
the  honor  to  command  I  regret  that  we  had  no  oppertunity  of  a  fair 
conflict  with  the  enemy — Nevertheless  I  am  persuaded  that  our  tour 
must  have  an  important  effect  in  relieving  the  frontier  from  those 
Sanguinary  savages  that  have  so  seriously  infested  it — Their  Villages 
&  Camps  burnt — the  heart  of  their  own  country  penetrated — They 
must  see  the  danger  of  and  be  detered  from  making  their  hostile 
incursions  by  the  practicability  of  our  discovering  their  tracks  falling 
in  behind  them  &  persuing  them  into  the  settlements  on  which  they 
meditate  an  attack — of  the  conduct  of  all  the  officers  I  cannot  speak 
too  highly — that  of  the  men  was  equally  correct — In  a  very  fatiguing 
march  thro  praires  in  many  parts  so  wet  &  miry  as  to  sink  the  horses 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  335 

to  their  knees  at  every  step  not  a  murmur  or  complaint  was  beared^ 
harmony  per\'aded  the  whole  corps — every  order  was  promptly 
obeyed — All  were  anxious  for  an  opportunity  of  distinguishing  them- 
selves &  I  believe  would  have  been  willing  to  have  gone  double  the 
distance  to  have  obtained  it — The  Battalion  which  I  have  the  honor 
to  command,  as  well  as  }rourself  are  convinced  that  is  it  impossible 
to  keep  the  savages  from  our  frontier  without  ranging  at  a  consider- 
able distance  out  side  of  the  settlements  and  they  are  ready  and  willing 
at  all  times  to  encounter  all  the  dangers  &  toiles  that  attend  it — They 
have  no  wish  to  be  idle. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  sir  very  respectfully  your  most  Ob'  &  Hum' 
Ser' 

Ben'"  Stephenson  Major 

To  HIS  EXCELLENCY  NiNIAN  EDWARDS  Com'  in  Chief 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:LS] 

Treasury  Department  General  Land  Office.  27'"  May  1813. — 
Sir,  That  part  of  the  public  lands  in  the  Illinois  Territory  which 
lies  east  of  the  third  principal  meridian  and  west  of  the  district  of 
Vincennes,  ha\ang  been,  by  the  act  of  21^'  February  1812,^°  erected 
into  a  new  land  district,  the  office  to  be  established  at  Shawnee  Town; 
I  will  thank  you  for  all  the  information  j^our  Office  can  furnish  with 
respect  to  the  surveys  which  have  been  made  in  that  district. — In 
this  Office  we  have  some  sketches  and  outlines  of  townships,  said  to 
have  been  subdivided,  but  not  so  exhibited;  they,  moreover,  are 
defective  in  certain  important  points,  and  are  on  scales  too  small  to 
permit  graphical  subdivisions  of  36  sections  in  each  compleat  town- 
ship.— We  could  enlarge  them,  it  is  true;  but  in  that  case  the  fractional 
townships  and  more  particularly  the  fractional  sections  would  by  no 
means  be  truly  represented.  In  addition  to  these  defects  no  quanti- 
ties are  stated :  and  in  fact  that  was  neither  expected  nor  required  in 
them;  since  they  are  not  official  returns. — 

If  you  can  send  me  a  plat  of  the  surveys  already  made  in  the 
district,  exliibiting  the  subdivisions  of  the  townships,  and  the  con- 
nection of  sectional  lines  with  those  of  private  claims  (of  which  I 
understand  there  are  not  more  than  six  or  eight)  together  with  the 
connecting  lines  of  the  general  surs^ey  and  Shawnee  Town — I  will 
thank  you  to  do  so  as  early  as  possible. — The  enquiries  lately  made 
respecting  the  survey  of  the  district  have  rendered  the  subject  inter- 
esting.    Whether  it  is  at  present  contemplated  to  direct  any  public 

M  2  Stat.  684. 


336  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

sales  I  have  not  understood;  but  much  solicitude  was  manifested  two 
years  ago,  when  we  were  unprepared  for  them,  by  many  who  expected 
to  become  purchasers. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  Sir  Your  obedient  servant 

Edward  Tiffin  Commissioner 

JosiAH  Meigs  Esquire. 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esq';  Surveyor  General  Cincinnati — 
[Postmarked]  Wash"  City  May  29  Edward  Tiffin  Treasury  Department 
General  Land  Office  Free 

[Endorsed]  E  Tiffin,  May  27.  1813  Rec"  June  11.  1813 


WILLIAM  SPRIGG  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

INA:SD,  Applications:  ALS] 

May  27.  1813 
Sir  Understanding  Some  time  ago  and  not  hearing  the  contrary 
Since  that  a  Vacancy  might  at  an  early  period  be  expected  on  the 
Bench  of  the  General  Court  of  the  Illinois  Territory  I  beg  leave 
respectfully  to  State  that  Should  it  be  the  will  of  the  President  to 
nominate  me  to  Such  vacant  office  he  will  be  at  the  same  time  at 
liberty  to  nominate  a  Successor  to  the  office  I  have  held  under  his 
Commission  of  May  1812." 

I  am  very  respectfully  Sir,  your  ob'  Sv' 

W"  Sprigg 
Hon""  James  Monroe  Sec''  of  State  U.  S. 

[Addressed]  Hon""  James  Monroe  Sec"  of  State  U.  S.  Washington 
City 

[Endorsed]  27  May  1813.    Judge  Sprigg  solicits  the  appointment  of 
Judge  in  the  Illinois  Territory  in  case  of  a  Vacancy. 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SENATE 

[NA:SF,  13  Cong.,  1  sess.:LS] 

Treasury  Department  General  Land  Office  29'"  May  1813 
Sir  I  enclose  the  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Register  of  the  Land 
Office  at  Kaskaskia,'^  and  of  three  Statements  made  by  him,  under 
special  circumstances,  of  claims  to  Land  in  that  district,  the  entries 
of  which  not  having  been  filed  in  due  time,  did  not  come  under  the 
consideration  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  in  pursuance  of  the 
act  of  Congress  passed.  20'"  February  1812." 

•'  As  Judge  of  Louisiana  Territory. 

w  NA  (SF),  printed,  A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  ii,  741-742. 

a  2  Stat.  677-678. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  337 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  observe,  that  in  cases  where  claimants  of 
400  Acres  donation,  as  heads  of  Families,  had  previously  been  con- 
firmed in  militia  rights  of  100  Acres,  the  late  board  of  Commissioners 
uniformly  allowed  only  300  Acres  on  the  former  account;  and  their 
decisions  were  confirmed  by  Congress — All  the  cases  are  founded  on 
the  1='  2°'»  &  6'"  sections  of  the  Act  of  S""  March  1791,"  page  263  of 
the  Land  Laws 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  Sir  Your  obed*  Serv* 

Edward  Tiffin 
Commiss'  of  the  General  Land  Office 

The  honorable  the  President  of  the  Senate. 

[Addressed]  The  Honorable  The  President  of  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States 

[Endorsed]  13  Cong.  1  Sess  S  Letter  from  the  Commissioner  of  the 
General  land  office  1813  June  1  Read  &  to  lie"  With  a  large  roll 
Series  8    S  file    This  report  appears  to  be  perfect. 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SENATE 

[NA:SF,  13  Cong.,  1  sess.:LS  ««] 

Treasury  Department  General  Land  Office  29*"  May  1813 
Sir    I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  a  Copy  of  the  reports  of  the 
Commissioners  appointed  under  the  Act  of  20""  Feb''  1812  for  the 
revision  of  claims  to  land  in  the  District  of  Kaskaskia  founded  on, 

1  Ancient  french  grants, 

2  Rights  derived  from  improvement  &  cultivation. 

3  Rights  derived  as  heads  of  families  to  donations. 

4  Rights  to  donations  derived  from  the  performance  of  militia  duty, 
which  were  confirmed  by  governors  of  the  northwestern  &  Indiana 
territories  respectively. 

In  cases  where  the  commissioners  appear  to  have  been  satisfied  that 
the  claims  were  fully  sanctioned  by  the  Law,  they  have  in  explicit 
terms  recommended  confirmations  of  them.  The  reports  relative 
to  these  are  given  in  numbers  1,  4,  8,  9,  10  &  11  and  13." 

When  investigating  in  doubtful  cases,  the  validity  of  the  confirma- 
tions which  had  been  made  by  the  governors,  the  commissioners  acting 
up  to  what  they  conceived  to  be  the  spirit  of  the  Law,  discovered  some 
upon  which  they  could  not,  satisfactorily  to  themselves,  decide;  these 
are, 


"  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  11,  339-342;  1  Stat.  221-222. 

''  Senate  Journal,  v,  311. 

"  Printed  also  in  A.S.P.,  op.  cit.,  pp.  740-741. 

"  See  ante,  p.  281 


338  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

1'*  When  the  oral,  traditionary,  or  written  proofs,  or  documents, 
adduced  in  support  of  the  claim  appeared  on  the  whole  to  preponderate 
in  its  favor;  but  were  nevertheless  (generally)  insufficient  to  authorize 
their  recommendation  of  its  confirmation,  consistently  with  the  express 
t^rms  of  the  law. 

2n<iiy  When  the  insufficiency  of  oral,  traditionary,  or  written  proofs, 
or  documents,  adduced  in  support  of  the  claim  would  have  compelled 
them  to  a  rejection  of  it;  but  that  circumstances,  which  it  would  seem 
they  deemed  worthy  of  consideration  withheld  them  from  making  an 
absolute  decision  thereon. 

In  both  events,  they  have  respectfully  left  the  merits  of  the  respec- 
tive claims  to  be  decided  upon  by  Congres.s — The  reports  on  thfise  are 
Riven  in  N"  2, 7  &  12." 

There  are  special  cases  on  which  the  comm"  have  pronounced  an 
unreserved  disapprobation  and  rejection,  upon  grounds  which  appear 
to  have  been  considered  by  them  as  incontrovertible.    These  are 

Claims  confirmed  by  governors  said  to  be  founded  on  ancient  grants. 
[Claims  confirmed  by  governors]  said  to  be  founded  on  Militia  rights, 
which  ought  not  in  their  opinion  to  be  sanctioned  by  Congress.  On 
examination  of  the  reasons  given  for  these  rejections,  I  find,  with 
respect  to  the  first  class,  that  when  the  original  grant,  or  the  evidence 
of  Concession,  whereon  the  Governor  predicated  his  confirmation, 
could  not  be  produced — the  claimants  or  their  agents  were  notified 
that  further  evidence  was  required :  and  that,  if  after  such  notice  the 
titles  could  not  be  proved,  recourse  was  had  to  examination,  upon 
oath,  of  the  ancient  Inhabitants  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  claim;  and 
their  testimony  seems  to  have  proved  that  no  concession  of  the  lands  in 
question  was  ever  known  to  have  been  made  to  the  original  claimants. 

In  this  part  of  the  report  there  are  anomalous  claims  among  which  I 
find  that  one  has  been  rejected  because  a  patent  had  before  been 
granted  by  the  governor  for  the  same  land  to  the  same  assignee  under 
other  original  claimants.  That  a  second  has  been  rejected  because 
the  commissioners  had  before  confirmed  400  acres  out  of  1354;  for  the 
residue  of  which  no  concession  could  be  proved — That  a  third  has  been 
rejected  because  it  had  been  previously  confirmed  to  the  assignee  of 
the  Heirs  of  the  original  claimant;  and  the  commissioners  have  there- 
fore left  the  Heirs  to  contest  their  right  before  a  proper  tribunal. 
That  a  fourth  has  been  rejected  in  forcible  terms — It  is  for  an  immense 
quantity  of  land  (nearly  14,000  acres)  &  is  the  case  of  Baynton  & 
others,"  mentioned  by  M'  Gallatin  in  the  appendix  to  the  book  of 


••  A.S.P.,  op.  eit.,  pp.  213-214.  220-226.  230-235. 
»  See  ibid.,  p.  139. 


ILLINOIS   TERRITORY  339 

Land  Laws,  pages  26,  27,  28  &  29  &  30.    That  the  fifth  &  last  under 
this  head  has  been  rejected  on  account  of  fraud  pojury  &  forgery. 

Of  the  claims  under  militia  rights  there  are  only  two  which  have  been 
rejected:' one  of  them  in  particular  bothjby  the  former  and  present 
board  of  Commissioners.'"  The  reports  relative  to  these  are  to  be 
found  under  N°=  3  &  14.«' 

In  two  cases  specially  reported  in  N»  5,  the  commissioners  have 
stated  their  want  of  opportunity  to  enquire  into  the  validity,  or  to 
prove  the  invalidity  of  the  governors  confirmations.'^ 

Under  N"  6  is  reported  a  special  confirmation  founded  on  improve- 
ment &  cultivation  a  part  of  which  is  claimed  by  adverse  claimants, 
between  whom  the  commissioners  are  unable  to  decide;  and  another 
part  by  one,  with  respect  to  whose  title  they  have  not  unanimously 
agreed  " 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Sir  very  respectfully  your  obed*  Serv' 

Edward  Tiffin 
Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office 

The  honorable  The  President  of  the  Senate. 

Note.    For  the  papers  referred  in  this  letter  See  N"  180  page  — 123 

[Endorsed]  13  Cong.,  1  Sess.  S  Letter  from  the  Commissioner  of  the 
General  Land  Office  transmitting  a  Copy  of  the  reports  of  the  Com- 
missioners appointed  under  the  act  of  20'"  Febr''  1812,  for  the  revision 
of  Claims  to  land  in  the  district  of  Kaskaskia  May  31"  Read  &  to  lie 
Series  8  S.  file 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  H.  SKINNER 
[PO:P.  M.  Letter  Book  S] 

June  1st  1813 
H  Skinner  Esq  Fort  Massac,  111  T. 

I  am  favoured  with  your  letter  of  april  26th"  the  contractor  is  fined 
for  his  riders  negligence — what  is  the  riders  name  a  person  of  bad 
character  should  not  be  intrusted  with  the  mail.  I  have  sent  you 
this  day  one  of  my  circular  letters  of  Nov  18'" 

G  Gr 


"o  The  respective  claims,  as  assignees,  of  John  Edgar  and  William  Mcintosh, 
ibid.,  p.  238. 

•'  That  is,  comprising  both  ancient  French  grants  and  militia  rights,  ihid.,  pp. 
214-217,  238-239. 

»2  Ibid.,  p.  219. 

w  Ibid.,  pp.  219-220. 

M  Not  found. 


340  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

COMMISSION  OF  SECRETARY  POPE 

[NA:SD,  Misc.  Perm.  Comms.,  D:C] 

[June  1,  1813] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 

Integrity,  Diligence  and  Ability  of  Nathaniel  Pope,  of  Kentucky,  I 

have  nominated,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 

Senate,  do  appoint  him  Secretary  in  and  for  the  Illinois  Territory;  " 

and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute  and  fulfil  the  duties  of 

that  office  according  to  Law;  and  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  said 

office,  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  emoluments  to  the  same  of 

right  appertaining  for  the  term  of  four  years  from  the  day  of  the  date 

hereof,  unless  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  the  time  being 

should  be  pleased  sooner  to  revoke  and  determine  this  Commission 

In  Testimony  whereof  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 

L.s     made  patent,  and  the  Seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  hereunto 

affixed.    Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington 

the  first  day  of  June  A  D  1813;  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  U 

States  the  Thirty  Seventh. 

James  Madison 
By  the  President 
Jas  Monroe  Secy  of  State. 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  THOMAS  SLOO 
[NA:SF,  13  Cong.,  1  sess.:DS] 

[Referred  June  4,  1813] 
To  the  H(mordble  Senate  &  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 

States  of  America  in  congress  assembled 

The  petition  of  Thomas  Sloo  of  Cincinnati,  in  the  State  of  Ohio, 
humbly  sheweth:  That  on  the  16'"  of  April  1812  your  petitioner  was 
appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  a  commissioner  for 
examining  and  enquiring  into  the  validity  of  claims  to  land  in  the 
District  of  Kaskaskia,  derived  from  confirmations  made  or  pretended 
to  have  been  made  by  the  Governors  of  the  North- West  and  Indiana 
Territories  respectively:  That  in  pursuance  of  said  appointment  he 
repaired  to  the  District  of  Kaskaskia  and  continued  in  the  execution 
of  the  duties  until  sometime  in  January  1813:  That  your  petitioner 
has  been  subject  to  much  loss  of  time  &  of  property  in  performing  the 
duties  of  said  appointment,  for  which  the  compensation  allowed  by 

"  Nominated  May  29  and  confirmed  June  1,  1813  {Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  II, 
347,  348). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  341 

law  is  in  no  wise  an  adequate  recompence.  And,  your  petitioner  was 
appointed  by  the  Board  of  Commissioners  to  bring  on  the  report  of 
the  claims  to  the  seat  of  Government,  which  service  he  performed, 
but  received  no  compensation  for  the  same  as  none  was  provided  by 
law;  your  petitioner  therefore  prays  that  his  case  may  be  taken  into 
consideration,  and  such  attitional  compensation  allowed  to  him  as 
he  in  justice  merits:  and  your  petitioner  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever 
pray. 

Tho'  Sloo 

[Endorsed]  13  Cong.  1  Sess  S  Petition  of  Thomas  Sloo  of  Cincin- 
nati, in  the  State  of  Ohio.  1813  June  4  read  &  referred  t6  M"'  Morrow, 
Worthington  &  M"'  Tait.    7  June    Reported  as  bill «' 

[Enelosure:DS] 

Statement  of  Michael  Jones  and  John  Caldwell 

[January  5,  1813] 
At  the  request  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  M"'  Sloo  at  attended 
at  Kahokia  and  at  S'  Genevieve  for  the  purpose  of  taking  some 
testimony  relative  to  claims  then  pending  before  them. 
Kaskaskia  January  5'"  1813 

Mich'  Jones  \^ 

jN-CALDWELLr^^^^^^^'^^^'''' 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JUDGE  GRISWOLD 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Books] 

June  7'"  1813 
Stanly  Griswold  Esq    Cincinnati  Oh 

My  friend  yours  of  may  23''  is  before  me;''  some  weeks  since  I 
granted  M"^  Arrundel  a  Salary  of  $150  pr  An,  Every  thing  here  is 
interesting  but  I  am  too  pressed  to  wi-ite 

G  Gr 


RESOLUTION   BY  THE  SOCIETY  OF  TRUE  AMERICANS 
[LC:HF,  13  Cong.,  2  sess.:C] 

[June  10,  1813] 
In  the  Clinton  Hill  branch  of  the  society  of  True  Americans  at  the 
house  of  M"'  John  Messinger  on  Thursday  the  10'"  June  1813 

The  Society  on  taking  in  to  Consideration  the  Law  of  Congress, 
passed  on  the  5"^  February  last  "giving  the  right  of  pre-emption  to 

«»  Senate  Journal,  v,  312,  314.    See  act  approved  July  5,  1813  (6  Stat.  120), 
authorizing  the  payment  of  $500  to  Sloo. 
•'  Not  found. 


342  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

certain  setlers  in  the  Illinois  Territory","  and  believing  that  the 
design  of  Congress  in  passing  the  s"  act  was  generous,  and  benevolent 
— but  humbly  concieving,  that  from  some  unthought  of  casualty  the 
Law  does  not  in  its  present  structure  imbrace  fully,  that  generous, 
and  benevolent,  design;  came  to  the  following  resolution,  that  our 
delegate  in  Congress,  endeavor  to  have  the'said"pre-emption-Law 
amended  in  some  such  way  as  the  following,  (either  by  amendment 
or  suppliment)  That  is  to  say — That  such  sitlers  as  hold  unlocated — 
Confirmed  claims  be  allowed  to  cover  thier  improvements  therewith — 
that  such  as  have  not  such  claims,  be  permitted  to  purchase  of  those 
who  have,  to  cover  thier  improvements  with.  Or,  of  Congress,  at  one 
dollar  per  acre,  and  not  exceeding  half  a  section — As  donations  of 
four  hundred  acres  have  heretofore  been  given — we  think  it  not 
unreasonable  to  ask  for  the  present  setlers  three  hundred  and  twenty 
— when  at  one  dollar  p'  acre — that  all  setlers  as  have  no  improvements, 
and  all  single  men  who  have  served,  or  are  now  in  ser\'ice  in  the  united 
States  Rangers,  or  in  the  Militia,  be  also  intitled  to,  not  exceeding 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  at  the  said  price,  of  one  dollar  p' 
acre  by  purchase  from  the  United  States  or  by  laying  thereon  any 
unlocated  confirmed  claims,  and  we  think  the  revenue,  that  might 
be  collected  would  soon  amount  the  present  price — Then  Open 
the  Sales  of  the  public  lands,  and  say,  when  any  setlers.  Rangers  or 
Militia  as  above  Stated  purchase  of  the  united  states,  and  pay  one 
twentieth  part  of  the  purchase  Money — let  one  year  be  given  to 
compleat  the  first  fourth  of  the  whole  amount  of  purchase  and  the 
remaining  three  fourths  be  paid  in  as  many  annual  payments,  as 
have  here  to  fore  been  given  in  the  Sales  of  the  public  lands — we 
presume  to  say,  that  unless  some  such  mode  be  adopted,  that  from 
our  knowledge  of  the  present  setlers — not  one  in  twenty  will  recieve 
any,  the  smalest  benifit  from  the  preemption  law — in  which  case  the 
labor  of  the  present  setlers,  will  fall  into  the  hands  of  any  speculator, 
who  may  purchase  the  lands,  on  which  thier  (the  setlers)  labor  has 
been  bestowed;  and  many  poor  famelies  honest  and  industrious,  will 
eventually  be  turned  out  of  doors — not  being  able  in  forty  days  to, 
pay  up  one  fourth  of  the  whole  of  the  purchase  Money — 

Resolved  unanimously  that  a  copy  of  the  above  resolution  be  made 
out,  signed  by  the  President  and  attested  by  the  Secretary,  and  forth 
with  sent  to  M'  Bond  our  delegate  in  Congress,  requesting  him  to 
use  his  utmost  exertions  to  carry  the  same  into  efTect,  by  ha^^ng  the 
Law  thus  modeled — 

Signed    Ab""  Iman,  President 

True  Copy    Attested 
James  D.  Thomas  secretary — 

M2  Stat.  797-798. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  343 

[Endorsed]  Resolutions  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  Illinois  territory 
(styling  themselves,  A  Society  of  True  Americans.)  10*"  July  1813. 
Ordered  to  lie  on  the  table.  21"  December  1813  Ref  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Public  Lands.  26:  March,  1814.  Report  made,  agreed 
to,  and  petition  rejected  «'— M'  Bond  to  Pub  Lands  M"^  Bond  lie 
on  ye  Table 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  Office,  12*"  June,  1813. 

Sir,  Your  letter  of  20th  ult"  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury, '"  has 
been  handed  to  me,  by  which  I  learn  you  think  it  advisable  that 
letters  to  you  should  be  sent,  via  Russelville.  I  therefore  enclose 
herein  a  copy  of  my  letter  of  10*"  instant." 

I  am  &"  E.  T.  Com' 

I  herein  enclose  a  copy  of  my  letter  to  you  of  the  10*"  May,  1813. 
E.  T.  Com"- 

His  excellency,  N.  Edwards,  Governor  Illinois  terr''  Kaskaskia, 
via  Russelville. 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  June  15. 1813 
Sir  On  the  8  Inst  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  the  4 
Ult.,'-  that  of  the  4  of  April  has  not  yet  reached  me  '^  which  I  very 
much  regret  as  it  might  have  saved  me  the  pain  of  feelings  which  with 
the  difficulty  and  embarrassment  of  my  situation  have  been  too 
mortifying  to  have  been  entirely  repressed — I  have  thought  that  the 
crisis  which  has  been  manifested  by  testimonies  bloody  and  convinc- 
ing required  that  I  should  have  had  full  and  explicit  instructions, 
instead  of  which  I  have  yet  received  none  and  know  not  whether  my 
conduct  is  approved  or  not — I  have  however  the  consolation  to  be- 
lieve, that  I  can  demonstrate  the  necessity  expediency  &  utility  of  the 
Course  I  have  persued  to  any  impartial  tribunal  whenever  a  fair 
opportunity  of  doing  so  shall  be  afforded  me — 


09  House  Journal,  XX,  87,  180,  365. 

'o  Not  found. 

"  Not  found. 

"  NA  (WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  MiL  Bk.  7). 

"  Not  seen. 


344  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Your  request  with  regard  to  Gen'  Howard  has  been  comphed  with 
and  as  he  has  taken  command  in  this  territory  '*  I  shall  avail  myself 
of  the  respite  it  affords  me  to  go  to  the  Southern  part  of  Kentucky  to 
see  my  family  from  whom  I  have  been  seperated  nine  months. 

If  you  should  have  any  Communications  to  make  to  me  I  will 
thank  you  to  transmit  them  to  Russelsville — I  shall  be  ready  to 
execute  your  orders  with  promptitude 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  very  great  respect  Sir  Yr  Mo  Obd'  Serv* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  John  Armstrong  Secy  of  War  Washington  City 
[Addressed]  The  Honble  John  Armstrong    SecryofWar   Washington 
City 

[Endorsed]  111.  T.  June  15. 1813  Gov.  Edwards  Has  rec''  letter  of  the 
4'" — expected  long  since  instructions  &c — Rec*  July  1813  " 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  MICHAEL  JONES  AND  JOHN 
CALDWELL 

(NA:GLO/Misc.  Lets.  Sent/Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office  21''  June,  1813. 

Gentlemen,  I  have  received  your  letter,  dated  the  18'"  ultimo," 
enclosing  a  plat  of  the  tract  directed  to  be  designated  by  the  law  of 
the  21"'  April,  1806,"  for  the  location  of  lands  in  your  district,  granted 
by  virtue  of  any  legal  French  and  British  grants,  or  of  any  resolution 
or  act  of  Congress. 

With  the  respect  to  the  question  whether  those  persons  who  have 
actually  inhabited  and  cultivated  land  within  that  reserve,  are 
entitled  to  the  benefit  of  the  act  of  5'"  February,  1813,  giving  the 
right  of  pre-emption;  I  am  decidedly  of  opinion  that  they  cannot, 
legally,  make  any  purchases  therein. — 

The  act  authorising  the  reservation,  prohibits  the  tract  from  being 
otherwise  disposed  of,  unless  by  order  of  Congress; — and  the  act  giving 
the  right  of  pre-emption  provides,  expressly,  that  no  lands  reserved 
from  sale  by  former  acts,  shall  be  sold  under  its  authority.  Unless, 
therefore,  it  should  be  otherwise  ordered  by  Congress,  I  think  that 


'« Howard  was  commissioned  Brigadier  General,  Mar.  12, 1813  {Senate,  Exec. 
Journal,  ii,  356).  This  was  a  recess  appointment,  and  he  was  nominated  to  the 
same  office  June  15  and  confirmed  June  21,  1813,  ibid.,  pp.  355,  373.  See  instruc- 
tions, Apr.  10,  1813  (Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  XIV). 

"  No  reply  found. 

w  Ante,  p.  329. 

n  2  Stat.  395-396. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  345 

the  townships  mentioned  by  you,  should  be  excluded  from  the  general 
tract. — 

I  am,  &" 

Michael  Jones  and  John  Caldwell,  Esq'  Register  and  receiver, 
Kaskaskia,  Illinois  terry. 


JUDGE  STUART  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

[NA:SD,  Resignations  :ALS] 

Staunton  July  1°'  1813 

Sir — Circumstances  which  I  cannot  Controul  have  rendered  a 
longer  residence  in  the  Territory  of  Illinois  highly  inconvenient  to 
me — I  therefore  through  you,  take  the  liberty  of  tendering  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  my  resignation  of  the  office  of  Judge 
which  I  now  hold  in  &  over  that  Territory 

I  am  very  respectfully  Your  very  Hble  Serv*  Alex'  Stuart 

The  Hon"'*  James  Monroe 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'*  James  Monroe  Secretary  of  State  Washing- 
ton   Mail 

[Endorsed]  1  July  1813.  Judge  Stuart's  resignation  Judge  Stuart 
resignation 


WILLIAM  MEARS  TO  ACTING  GOVERNOR  POPE 

[ISL:Exec.  Recs.,  Govt.  Corr.,  1809-13:ALS] 

Illinois  Territory  Randolph  County  Kaskaskia  2  July  1813 
To  Nathaniel  Pope  Esquire  Secretary  of  the  Territory  aforesaid  and 

Exercising  the  Government  thereof 

Sir  I  hereby  inform  You  that  at  the  last  June  Term  of  the  Court  of 
Common  pleas  of  the  County  aforesaid  three  indictment  were  found 
by  the  Grand  Jury  of  said  County  for  passing  Counterfeit  coin  in  the 
Similitude  of  the  Current  Money  of  the  United  States  of  America  (To 
wit)  Spanish  Milled  Dollars  and  that  said  accused  at  the  time  of 
passing  said  Counterfeit  money  knew  the  same  to  be  false  and  counter- 
feit and  thereby  intended  to  &  did  defraud  the  person  who  received 
said  counterfeit  Money  and  one  of  said  offenders  is  now  in  Custody  for 
said  offence  &  the  other  Two  will  be  shortly  arrested  in  all  probability 

This  being  an  offence  against  the  Laws  of  the  United  States  and 
triable  in  the  district  Court  of  the  United  States  only  I  at  this  early 
date  inform  you  that  I  shall  not  by  virtue  of  my  office  of  Attorney 
General  of  this  Territory  prosecute  any  of  said  Delinquents  that  there 
may  be  ample  time  to  obtain  an  attorney  to  prosecute  in  behalf  of  the 


346  TERRITORI AL   PAPERS 

General  Government  by  the  time  these  trials  will  likely  come  on 
which  will  be  in  November  next 

With  Sentiments  of  high  regard  I  am  Sir  Your  Excellency's  humble 
Ob*  Serv* 

W"  Mears 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

INA:SD,  111.  Terr.  Papers:ALS] 

RussELSViLLE  Logan  County  Kentucky  July  6.  1813 
Sir  The  military  command  in  the  Illinois  Territory  having  been 
transfered  to  Brigadier  Gen'  Howard  on  the  16'"  Ultimo  I  felt  myself 
at  liberty  to  visit  my  family  (at  that  place)  from  whom  I  had  been 
seperated  about  ten  months  in  consequence  of  my  necessary  attention 
to  the  frontiers.  I  arrived  only  a  few  days  ago — and  am  now  engaged 
in  endeavouring  to  make  an  arrangement  desired  by  the  President  in 
regard  to  the  United  States  Saline. 

I  beg  leave  through  you  to  request  the  Presidents  permission  to  visit 
the  neighbourhood  of  Washington,  of  which  however  I  will  not  avail 
myself  if  I  should  discover  that  my  presence  will  be  necessary  in  the 
territory — Ten  years  ago  I  married  in  the  vicinity  of  Geo  Town  since 
which  time  circumstances  have  not  permitted  me  to  visit  that  place 
altho'  my  wife  has  set  an  estate  there  that  is  going  to  destruction  and 
requires  my  presence.  I  have  not  thought  proper  to  go  without  con- 
sulting the  president — and  if  the  most  laborious  deligent  and  painful 
attention  to  my  duties  hitherto  gives  me  any  claim  to  an  indulgence 
which  others  have  taken  without  leave  I  hope  to  obtain  it — I  have  not 
till  the  present  time  been  one  day  absent  from  my  post  since  the 
Indians  first  commenced  their  depredations — and  with  a  constitution 
very  delicate  indeed  I  do  believe  that  I  have  since  August  last  under- 
gone as  much  fatigue  and  hardship  as  any  soldier  in  the  army — during 
all  which  time  (altho  I  flatter  myself  Bay  scrTicos  my  services  have 
been  useful)  I  have  not  had  the  consolation  to  know  that  they  have 
met  the  approbation  of  the  President — nor  indeed  have  I  been  fortu- 
nate enough  to  recei\^e  any  instructions  what  to  do  or  how  to  act  during 
the  whole  time  that  the  Indians  have  been  harrassing  our  frontier  in 
the  wars  of  the  present  year.  I  have  had  to  act  upon  my  ovm  respon- 
sibility, and  with  a  fortune  equal  to  my  wishes  I  know  I  might  be 
received  if  my  conduct  should  be  disapproved.  In  a  case  where  the 
safety  of  the  citizens,  the  honor  and  interests  of  our  common  country, 
my  own  reputation,  and  my  pecuniary  responsibilities  all  combined 
a  sufficient  apology  at  least  for  my  earnestly  soliciting  instructions, 
for  my  asking  to  know  whether  my  conduct  was  right  or  wrong  ap- 
proved or  disapproved,  that  it  might  be  abandoned  if  disapproved, 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  347 

or  receive  the  sanction  of  authority  if  otherwise — I  confess  I  have  been 
mortified  at  the  silence  of  the  Honble  Secy  of  War  upon  these  sub- 
jects— Being  however  a  friend  to  the  administration  from  principle, 
no  cause '^  [MS.  torn]  conduct  could  induce  me  to  withdraw  my 
humble'^  support  from  measures  which  I  sincerely  approve — and  par- 
ticularly nothing  shall  prevent  me  from  affording  all  the  support  in 
my  power  to  the  war  in  which  we  are  engaged. 

For  the  justice  which  you  have  done  to  my  exertions  as  I  have 
learn't  thro  Judge  Stuart  &  Gen'  Clarke,  I  beg  you  to  accept  my  most 
unfeigned  thanks'" 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Yr  Mo  obd'  S* 

N  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Hon""  James  Monroe  Secy  of  State  Washington 
City    free 

[Endorsed]  Gov"'  Edwards  Ninian  Edwards  July  6  1813. 
Request  to  be  acceded  to  With  reference  to  his  judgment  on  the 
state  of  things  at  the  time.*' 


BENJAMIN  HOWARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Head  Quarters  St  Louis  July  9'"  1813 
Sir.  The  Indians  have  become  extremely  troublesome  on  the 
frontier  a  great  number  of  horses  have  been  stolen  lately  from  Illinois, 
eleven  of  the  Rangers  on  the  4*"  Inst  met  about  the  same  number  of 
Winebegoes  near  Fort  mason — a  conflict  took  place  one  of  the  Rangers 
was  killed  thi-ee  wounded  one  mortally  since  dead,  two  of  the  Indians 
were  killed,  I  am  not  informed  as  to  the  number  of  their  wounded; 
The  Pawtawatimies  have  returned  to  the  Head  of  Peoria  Lake  and  are 
settled  in  their  villages  which  they  left  last  Fall,  It  will  be  imposable 
to  guard  the  frontier  completely  agaenst  the  inroads  of  those  savages, 
unless  I  make  a  movement  against  them  in  their  villages,  which  if  I 
do  I  trust  will  be  approved,  upon  the  Subject  of  erecting  a  garrison 
at  Praire  Du  Chi  en  I  refer  you  to  my  letter  of  March  1812,*'*  I  will 
now  merely  observe  that  a  military  Establishment  there  would  con- 
tribute much  to  restore  peace  between  the  U.  S.  and  the  Indians,  and 
would  be  necessary  even  in  time  of  peace  to  enforce  our  laws  of  Inter- 
course with  the  Indians.  I  believe  I  could  effect  it  in  Sep*  even  with 
the  means  I  now  have  if  authorised,  the  movement  would  be  by  water, 

"  Another  possible  reading  is  "course". 

"  Reading  of  this  word  is  uncertain;  the  MS.  is  faded. 

8"  Answered  post,  p.  349. 

'1  In  pencil,  across  the  first  page. 

8'*  Mar.  19,  1812,  printed,  Terr.  Papers  (La.-Mo.),  xiv. 


348  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Should  you  approve  this  I  would  recommend  that  your  letter  on  the 
subject  should  be  sent  to  Vincennes  by  mail  with  instructions  to  be 
forwarded  by  Express,  indeed  the  Service  is  suffering  owing  to  the 
delay  in  bringing  on  your  dispatches  and  if  you  were  to  adopt  that 
[MS.  torn]  generally  in  your  communications  to  me  it  would  be  bene- 
ficial, some  of  the  rangers  at  Vincennes  might  be  sent  and  would 
serve  as  a  party  of  observation  as  well  as  an  Express,  the  commissions 
for  the  Rangers  have  not  come  on  of  which  you  make  mention  in 
your  letter  of  the  10'"  of  April «'" 

I  am  Sir  with  high  consideration  Your  Humb*  Serv* 

Benj»  Howard 

P.S.    This  goes  by  the  way  Vincennes 

[Addressed]    The  Honb"  John  Armstrong    S.  of  War    Washington 

[Endorsed]  H.  Q.  St  Louis  July  9.  1813  Gen'  B  Howard  Sug- 
gests an  attack  on  the  Indians  &  the  establishment  of  a  post  at  Prairie 
du  Chien  The  suggestions  in  this  letter  approved.  Authority  to  be 
given  for  establishing  a  Mil.  post  at  Praire  de  Chien,  letters  to  go  via 
Vincennes  with  orders  to  convey  them  by  detachment  of  Rangers."" 


SHADRACH  BOND  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

(NA:SD,'Applications:ALS] 

Washington  City  July  13'"  1813 
Sir  /  I  take  the  Liberty  through  you  to  recommend  to  the  President 
of  the  united  States,  W"  Mears  Esq"'  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  as  a  fit 
Person  to  fill  the  office  of  attorney  genral  for  the  said  Territory — and 
Phillip  Fouck  Esq'  of  said  Territory  as  a  fit  Person  to  fill  the  office  of 
Marshal  *^ — 
I  am  sir — respectfully  your  ob*  serv* 

Shadrach  Bond — 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'*  James  monroe  Sercretary  of  State — 

[Endorsed]  13  July  1813.  M'  Bond  recommends  M"'  Mears  as 
Attorney  and  M'  Faucke  as  Marshal  in  the  Illinois  Territory  M' 
Bond — recommends  W"  Mears — attorney  P"  Fouck  marshal  Illinois — 


•>'•  Printed,  Terr.  Papers  (La.-Mo.),  xiv. 
»'•  Answered  post,  p.  350. 

"  Mears  and  Foucke  were  nominated  to  the  respective  offices  July  26  and  con- 
firmed Aug.  1,  1813  (Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  II,  400,  436). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  349 

SHADRACH  BOND  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 

[NA:SD,  Applications  :ALS] 

Washington  City  Juhj  22"  1813 

Sir,  I  recommend  James  Finney  Esqr  of  the  Illinois  Territory  as 
a  Judge  of  the  general  Court  of  that  Territorj?^  in  the  Room  of  Alexander 
Stuart  Esqr  resigned  M''  Finney  has  filled  the  office  of  Judge  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  that  Territory,  for  a  Considerable  time  to 
general  Satisfaction,  and  will  no  doubt  fill  the  Place  with  grate 
integrity  and  impartiality 

The  general  dissatisfaction  manifested  in  the  Territory  on  the 
apointment  of  Judges  who  will  not  reside  in  it  has  induced  me  to 
recommend  one  who  reside  there  for  the  Place— 

I  enclose  a  Copy  of  the  Presentment  of  the  grand  jury  as  the  best 
Proof  of  the  dissatisfaction  ^' — 

I  am  very  respectfully  Sir  your  ob'  servt — 

Shadrach  Bond — 

[Addressed]    His  Excelency  James  Madison  President  of  United 

States 

[Endorsed]  22*  July  1813.    M"'  Bond  recommends  M'  Finney  as 
Judge  in  the  Illinois  Territory — M''  Bond  recommends  Jas  Finney 
as  a  Judge  for  the  Illinois  Territory  in  the  room  of  Judge  Stuart  ** — 
James  Finney 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  TO   GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:SD,  Dom.  Letters,  xvi:C] 

29*"  o/JmZj/ 1813 
NiNiAN  Edwards  at  Russellsville,  Kentucky. 

Sir  Your  letter  of  the  6'"  instant  *°  has  been  duly  received.  I 
have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  the  president  willingly  grants 

"  Not  present. 

^  Judge  John  Griffin,  of  Michigan  Territory,  sought  the  appointment  in  letters 
to  the  Secretary  of  State  under  dates  of  Mar.  23,  June  16,  and  Sept.  18,  1812,  and 
July  2,  1813  (NA.SD,  Applications),  and  Dec.  1,  1812,  and  Jan.  15,  1813  (Terr. 
Pavers,  Mich.,  x,  417,  425).  Stuart's  probable  resignation  had  been  rumored, 
according  to  the  letters  cited,  for  some  months  before  it  actually  occurred.  See 
also  Bond  to  Edwards,  Aug.  17,  1813  (Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  p.  103), 
in  which  he  refers  to  complaints  concerning  nonresidence  of  the  judges,  as  em- 
bodied in  presentments  of  grand  juries  of  St.  Clair  and  Randolph  counties. 
These  presentments,  according  to  Bond,  were  not  laid  before  Congress  by  reason 
of  the  objection  of  the  Speaker  of  the  House,  who  ruled  that  they  had  no  right  to 
come  before  that  body  since  the  juries  had  not  so  directed.  The  presentments  in 
question  have  not  been  found.  See  also  id.  to  id.,  June  7, 1813,  ibid.,  pp.  101-102, 
referring  to  Stuart's  resignation  and  to  the  reported  intention  of  Griswold  to 
resign. 

8»  Ante,  p.  346. 


350  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  permission  which  you  ask  of  making  a  visit  to  Washington  in 
Kentucky  in  the  present  year,  with  the  understanding,  however,  that 
the  State  of  things  in  the  Illinois  territory  at  the  time  is  such  as  in 
your  opinion,  not  particularly  to  require  the  presence  of  the  governor." 

— J.M. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  BENJAMIN  HOWARD 

(NArWD.SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  7] 

War  Department  July  29'"  1813. 
B.  General  Howard 

Sir,  Your  letter  of  the  9""  instant  has  been  received  "^ — Your 
arrangements  for  the  protection  of  the  frontier  are  approved — &  you 
are  authorized  to  establish  such  post  &  garrison  at  Prairie  du  Chien 
as  you  may  deem  expedient. — 

Until  otherwise  advised,  letters  &  packets  for  you  will  be  directed  to 
Vincennes,  to  the  care  of  the  Commanding  Officer  at  that  place  to  be 
forwarded — &you  will  give  the  necessary  instructions  for  having  them 
transmitted  accordingly. — 


COMMISSION  OF  WILLIAM  SPRIGG  AS  JUDGE 

(NA:SD,Misc.  Perm.  Comms.,  D:C1 

[July  29,  1813] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 
Wisdom,  Uprightness  and  Learning  of  William  Sprigg,  of  the 
Missouri  Territory,  I  have  nominated,  and  by  and  with  the  advice 
and  Consent  of  the  Senate  do  appoint  him  One  of  the  Judges  in  and 
over  the  Illinois  Territory;**  and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to 
execute  and  fulfil  the  duties  of  that  office  according  to  Law;  and  to 
Have  and  to  Hold  the  said  office,  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and 
Emoluments  to  the  same  of  right  appertaining  during  his  good  be- 
haviour, or  during  the  existence  of  the  Government  established  by 
the  Act  of  Congress  of  the  United  States  passed  3"  Feby  1809  entitled 
"An  act  for  dividing  the  Indiana  Territory  into  two  Separate  Govern- 
ments", and  the  ordinance  of  Congress  passed  on  the  13'"  July  1787 
therein  referred  to;  he  to  reside  within  the  said  Territory. 

In  Testimony  whereof  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 

L  S     made  patent  and  the  Seal  of  the  U  States  to  be  hereunto 
affixed.    Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington 

"  Answered  post,  p.  354. 
"  Ante,  p.  347. 

••Nominated  June  27  and  confirmed  June  29,  1813  (Senate,  Exec.  Journal, 
II,  401,  418). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  351 

the  Twenty  Ninth  day  of  July  A  D.  1813;  &  of  the  Independence  of 
the  U  States  the  Thirty  Eighth 

James  Madison 
By  the  President 
Ja'  Monroe  Secy  of  State 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  July  31,  1813 

Sir,  Yours  of  the  17th  of  this  month  was  received  yesterday,  *' 
inclosing  an  informal  Statement  of  the  Account  of  the  Chief  Clerk  in 
this  Office  for  the  Quarter  ending  June  30,  1813.  I  thank  the  Auditor 
of  the  Treasury  for  pointing  out  the  proper  form,  and  shall,  by  this 
Mail,  forward  to  him  the  accoimt  corrected. 

By  this  Mail  I  transmit  Plats  and  Descriptions  of  the  following 
Townships  in  the  Illinois  Territory;*"  Viz. 
Townships   Nos.— 10— 11— 12— 13— 14— 15— 16— of  Range   No.    I, 

East  of  the  3*  Meridian- 
Townships  N"  7—8—9—10—15  of  Range  No.  II.  East  of  3"  Meridian. 
Township  No.  10  of  Range  N°  III  East  of  3<»  Meridian 

I  have  this  day  assigned  to  William  Rector  and  Nelson  Rector  of 
Kaskaskia  47  Townships  for  Surveying  &  subdividing  into  Sections — 
viz:  28  between  the  3"^  Meridian  &  the  Mississippi,  and  19  East  of  the 
3"  Meridian — in  the  Illinois  Tenitory.  I  know  not  how  far  this 
Office  has  Credit  with  the  Receiver  of  Public  Monies,  in  this  or  in  any 
other  District;  and  on  this  subject  I  wish  to  be  informed  as  soon  as  it 
may  be  convenient — I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully    Yours. 

J  Meigs— Surv'  Gen' 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire,  Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land  Office,  Treasury  Department,  Washington  City — 
[Postmarked]  Cincinnati  2  Aug'  1813     Free 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  31  July  1813  J  Meigs  Sm'veyor  General  M' 
Meigs  ought  to  be  requested  to  transmit  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of 
the  surveys  which  he  has  now  ordered ;  and  the  time  when  the  money 
will  be  payable  for  their  execution :  also,  whether  he  vdll  want  the 
money  at  Cincinnati  or  at  some  of  the  more  western  offices.  I  pre- 
simie,  he  understands,  from  the  instructions  &c"  of  his  predecessor, 
how  to  make  up  &  render  his  surveying  accounts."    D.  S.'^ 

s»  NA(GL0,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 

•o  Not  present. 

»'  Answered  Aug.  12,  1813  {Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv). 

"  Daniel  Sheldon. 


352  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

COMMISSION  OF  WILLIAM  MEARS  AS  U.  S.  ATTORNEY 

[NA:SD,  Misc.  Perm.  Comms.,  D:C] 

[Au^st  1,  1813] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents — Greeting: 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 
Integrity,  Ability  and  Learning  of  William  Mears,  of  the  Illinois 
Territory,  I  have  nominated,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  Consent 
of  the  Senate  do  appoint  him  Attorney  *'  of  the  United  States  in  and 
for  the  said  Illinois  Territory:  and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to 
execute  and  fulfil  the  duties  of  that  office  according  to  Law;  and  to 
Have  and  to  Hold  the  said  office,  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and 
emoluments  thereunto  legally  appertaining  unto  him  the  said  William 
Mears,  during  the  pleasure  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  for 
the  time  being 

In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 

L  s      made  patent  and  the  Seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  hereimto 

affixed. 

Given  xmder  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington  the  first  day  of 

August  A.D  1813;  &  of  the  Independence  of  the  U  States  the  Thirty 

Eighth, 

James  Madison 
By  the  President 
Ja"  Monroe  Secy  of  State 


COMMISSION  OF  PHILIP  FOUCHE  AS  U.  S.  MA.RSHAL 

[NA:SD,  Misc.  Perm.  Comms.,  D:C] 

[August  1,  1813] 
James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting: 

Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in  the 
Integrity,  Ability  and  Diligence  of  Philip  Fouche,  of  the  Illinois 
Territory,  I  have  nominated,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent 


"  Nominated  July  26  and  confirmed  Aug.  1,  1813  (Senate,  Exee.  Journal,  ii, 
400,  436). 

In  GAG  (Misc.  Treas.,  acct.  no.  28,437  [1814])  is  found  a  statement  of  the  salary 
of  William  Mears  as  attorney  for  Illinois  Territory  from  Aug.  1  to  Get.  31,  1813, 
at  $250  a  year,  $62.50;  also  an  auditor's  certificate  for  the  period  Jan.  1-Sept. 
80,  1818,  for  $187.50  in  favor  of  Mears,  acct.  no.  38,092,  to  be  paid  John  Rice 
Jones  assignee;  and  an  accompanying  autograph  entry  by  Stephen  Pleasonton, 
of  the  Treasury  Department,  certifying  to  the  date  of  Mears's  commission. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  353 

of  the  Senate  do  appoint  him  Marshal  °*  in  and  for  the  said  Illinois 
Territory;  and  do  authorize  and  empower  him  to  execute  and  fulfil 
the  duties  of  that  ofRce  according  to  Law;  and  to  Have  and  to  Hold 
the  said  OfRce,  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  Emoluments  there- 
unto legally  appertaining  unto  him  the  said  Philip  Fouche,  during 
the  pleasure  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  the  time  being. 
In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  these  Letters  to  be 
L  s    made  patent,  and  the  seal  of  the  U  States  to  be  hereunto 
affixed.    Given  under  my  hand  at  the  City  of  Washington 
the  first  day  of  August  A.D,  1813;  &  of  the  Independence  of  the  U 
States  the  Thirty  Eighth. 

James  Madison 
By  the  President 
Jas  Monroe  Secy  of  State 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

Treasury  Department  Gen'  Land  Office  4""  Aug.  1813. 
Sir.    Yours  of  the  23'*'  ult°  °'  has  been  rec"*  with  plats  and  descrip- 
tions of  the  following  Townships  in  the  Shawnee  district  viz' 
Town""        8  &  16  S.  in  R.  5  E.  of  3'0  Prin'  Merid- 


8.       9  " 

"  "  3  D° 

16." 

"  "  4  «' 

16." 

"  "  5  " 

8, 

9,  15,  16  &  17.  " 
9  " 
8  &  9  "    ' 
7,  8,  9  &  10  "    ' 

7,  8&9  " 

"  "  7  " 
"  "  8  " 
"  "  9    " 
"  "  10  " 
"  "  11  " 

li 

am  Sir  very  respectfully  Your  Ob* 

Serv' 

for  the  Commissioner 

Rob* 

King — 

JOSIAH  Meigs  Esq'  Surveyor  Gen'  U.  S. 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esquire  Surveyor  General  U.  S.  Cin- 
cinnati. [Postmarked]  Wash"  City  Aug  5  Treasury  Department 
General  Land  office  Edward  Tiffin    Free 

[Endorsed]  Ed.  Tiffin  Aug.  4. 1813  ReC  Aug.  14*"    Ans"  do  15*"  »«— 


^  Nominated  July  26  and  confirmed  Aug.  1, 1813  {Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  n,  400, 
436). 

«»  Not  found. 
"  Not  found. 


354  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  REED 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  S] 

Aug  16—1813 
John  Reed  Esqre    Belleville 

Enclosed  you  have  a  contract  to  be  executed  by  the  person  referred 
to  in  your  letter  of  July  7""'  I  will  thank  you  to  fill  up  the  blank,  to 
see  the  contract  executed  and  when  done  return  it  to  this  Office — 

GG 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

[NA:SD,  111.  Terr.  Papers:ALS] 

Russelsville' Logan  County  Kentuckey  Aug*- 17.  1813 
Sir    Last  evening  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  the 
29'"  Ult.'*  from  which  I  learn  with  regret  that  my  application  has 
been  misunderstood,  as  the  permission  to  me  is  to  visit  Washington 
in  Kentuckey  instead  of  Washington  City. 

Whilst  I  would  not  avail  myself  of  the  indulgence  I  solicited  at  any 
sacrifice  of  the  public  interest,  yet  such  is  the  urgency  of  my  business 
that  I  can  not  forbear  to  renew  my  request. 

It  has  been  usual  with  all  officers  of  territorial  governments  to  take 
time  to  adjust  their  business  &  make  arrangements  for  their  removal 
previous  to  commencing  their  residence.  When  I  was  appointed  my 
presence  was  required  in  the  territory  &  I  repaired  to  it  immediately. 
Since  which  time  I  have  not  allowed  myself  the  opportunity  of 
attending  to  my  private  business  even  iri  this  state  untill  about  the 
time  I  wrote  to  you  last.  I  had  then  been  seperated  from  my  family 
about  ten  months.  I  had  during  that  period  been  engaged  in  defend- 
ing the  frontiers  of  Illinois  territory.  I  had  caused  to  be  burnt 
every  Kickapoo  village  except  a  small  one  of  five  or  six  lodges — and 
had  penetrated  fiu-ther  into  the  Indian  country  than  any  force  had 
gone — and  I  can  safely  say  that  with  many  difficulties  I  had  en- 
countered as  much  toil  &  fatigue  as  any  soldier  in  Gen'  Harrisons 
army — I  had  not  abandoned  my  post  for  a  day  since  the  first  Indian 
dangers  commenced — and  I  should  not  have  left  the  territorj'  at  all 
(however  painful  Hhe  seperation  from  my  family)  if  anything  had 
been  left  for  me  to  do.  But  about  that  time  according  to  the  plan 
of  the  Honble  Secy  of  War  I  transfered  to  Brigadier  Gen'  Howard 
the  command  of  the  troops  that  I  had  raised  and  at  the  head  of  whom 
I  had  been  from  about  the  first  of  Feb"  till  the  16'"  of  June — Since 
my  arrival  here  I  have  continued  to  pay  an  unremitted  attention  to 
the  territory — There  is  I  believe  no  other  Gov"  who  have  not  taken 

»'  Not  found. 
•'  Anle,  p.  349. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  355 

more  time  than  that  which  I  solicit,  and  I  am  well  assured  their 
business  has  not  more  imperiously  required  their  presence, — Under 
these  circiunstances  I  hope  I  have  a  fair  claim  to  the  indulgence  I 
ask  if  the  President  can  grant  it  to  me  consistently  with  his  opinion 
of  the  public  interest.  I  will  not  go  without  his  permission  (imless  I 
resign  my  office  to  do  so)  nor  with  it,  unless  the  state  of  things  in  the 
territory  at  the  time  shall  be  such  as  not  particularly  to  require  the 
presence  of  the  Gov'^ 

I  shall  have  returned  to  the  territory  before  I  could  expect  the 
honor  of  receiving  another  letter  from  you — M"  Edwards  will  however 
remain  at  this  plaoo  and  I  will  thank  you  to  direct  a  letter  to  this 
place  as  she  will  know  best  where  it  will  find  me — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  With  great  respect  Sir  Y'  M°  Ob"  Serv* 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Honble  James  Monroe  Secretary  of  State  Washington  City 

[Addressed]  The  Honble  James  Monroe  Secretary  of  State  Wash- 
ington City 

[Endorsed]  Gov"^  Edwards — Inform  him  that  he  may  go  to  Wash- 
ington in  Kentucky  to  settle  his  private  affrs,  in  full  confidence  that 
he  will  not  remain  longer  than  due  attention  to  them  requires.  Aug 
17.  1813.  Gov'  Edwards.^' 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Aug.  24.  1813 

Sir  Your  Letter  of  August  12,  was  received  yesterday  ' — The 
expence  of  the  Surveys  assigned  to  William  and  Nelson  Rector  are 
thus  estimated.  Miles 

William  Rector,  is  to  lay  off  and  subdivide  into  Sections 
&c  5  Townships,  each  of  which  will  amount  to  about  72  Miles = 
360  M 360 

To  subdivide  into  sections  27  Townships,  of  which  the  ex- 
terior lines  have  been  heretofore  run,  the  Surveying  of  each  will 
amount  to  about  60  Miles =1620  Miles 1620 

Nelson  Rector  is  to  lay  off  and  Subdivide  into  Sections  &c  15 
Townships — the  Surveying  in  each  township  is  about  72  Miles = 
1080  M 1080 

Miles 3060 

3 

$9180 

»»  Answered  post,  p.  362. 

'  Printed,  Terr.  Papers  (La.-Mo.),  xiv. 

3145T4 — 48 24 


356  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

The  two  Contracts  are  dated  July  26,  and  July  29. 1813'— Returns 
are  to  be  made  within  one  Year  from  the  dates.  It  will  be  most 
convenient  to  the  Surveyors  that  Provision  be  made  to  meet  the 
expence  at  this  Place. 

I  have  not  found  particular  Instructions  relative  to  Survejring  the 
Public  Lands,  confirmed  Claims  and  donation  Claims  in  the  Missouri 
Territory. 

In  the  correspondence  between  Mr.  Gallatin  and  my  Predecessor  in 
this  Office  I  find  that  the  Secretary  wholly  approved  the  General 
System  which  has  been  pursued.  Your  suggestion  of  a  new,  (or  4'") 
Principal  Meridian,  touching  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas,  and  a  Base 
Line  to  be  run  from  the  Mouth  the  Ohio  westwardly  is  I  think  correct — 
it  is  analogous  to  the  plan  which  has  been  pursued  hitherto — and  it 
is  to  be  lamented  that  the  mode  adopted  in  Surveying  the  old  Seven 
Ranges  had  not  been  rigidly  adhered  to — the  Virginia  Military 
Reservation  and  the  Region  between  the  Miami  River  are  blemishes 
on  the  General  Map — Last  week  in  obedience  to  the  Order  of  the 
acting  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  I  designated  William  Rector,  Prin- 
cipal Deputy  Surveyor  for  the  Territory  of  Missouri — his  extensive 
practice  in  Surveying  generally,  and  especially  in  the  District  of 
Kaskaskias,  with  the  approbation  he  had  from  Col.  Mansfield  induced 
me  to  designate  him,  and  I  have  no  doubt  the  designation  will  be 
approved. 

I  transmit  by  this  Mail,  Plats  and  Descriptions  of  the  following 
Townships;  Viz: 

Townships  7—8—9—10  of  Range  6.  E  of  3"  Merid" 
do       7—8—13     ....  8  ...     . 
do       7—11—12   ....  9  ...     . 
do  12     ...     .       10  ...     . 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully  Yours — 

JosiAH  Meigs,  Sur.  Gen. 

If  all  the  acts  of  Congress,  relative  to  the  Public  Lands,  are  trans- 
mitted to  this  Office  as  speedily  as  may  be  convenient,  it  will  be  use- 
ful to  the  Public  Interest — The  latest  act  I  have  seen  is  dated  July  6, 
1812,'  and  is  the  last  in  the  Pamphlet  which  I  had  the  honour  to 
receive  from  you  on  the  22"  of  last  May. — JM. 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire — 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire  Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land  Office,  Treasury  Department,  Washington 
City.— [Postmarked]  Cincinnati  26  Aug*  1813    Free 

*  Not  present. 

» 2  Stat.  782-783,  relative  to  extending  time  to  purchasers  of  public  lands 
northwest  of  the  Ohio. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  357 

[Endorsed]  Platts  of  all  the  above  Townships  are  received  &  all  the 
descriptions  except  of  Town"  13  in  Range  8.  wrote  for  it  3"*  Sep'  1813 
Cincin:  24  Aug'  1813  J  Meigs  Surv'  G'  with  plats,  &  an  estimate  of 
the  amo*  of  Rectors  contracts  for  Surveying.  Has  Silas  Bent  resigned? 
M'  Sheldon 

M'  Bent  has  been  app"  a  Judge  in  Missouri.  A  credit  on  the  Rec' 
at  Cincinnati  for  9000  D  given  by  SeC  Treas^  Sep.  Z^  1813.    D.  S. 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1 814 :ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  Aug.  28.  1813 
Sm,  By  this  Mail  I  transmit  Plats  &  Descriptions  of  the  following 
Townships,  viz; 

Townships  7—8—9  South  of  Range  1  E.  3*  Merid" 
do.       11—12—13—14        do    2    do 
do.       7—13—14—15  do    3    do 

I  also  inclose  Copies  of  communications  made  to  me  relative  to 
Shawnee  Town — I  expect  a  representation  on  the  same  subject  from 
Mr.  Sloo,  which  shall  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  received — 
I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully    Yours. 

JosiAH  Meigs,  Sur'  Gen. 
The  HONOURABLE  EDWARD  TiFFiN,  Esquire — 

[Endorsed]  All  the  above  mentioned  Plats  and  descriptions  are 
received  R  K.  Cincinnati  28  Aug'  1813  J  Meigs  Surv'  Gen'  with 
plats.    Ans*  7  Sep'  1813  * 

[Enclosures] 

Judge  Griswold  to  Josiah  Meigs 

"Cincinnati,  August  14,  1813." 
"Sir  When  I  recently  recommended  a  small  change  in  the  Plat  of 
Shawnee  Town,  it  was  then  my  full  conviction  that  the  Scite  itself 
ought  to  be  changed;  but  not  knowing  that  others  would  feel  an  interest 
sufficient  to  induce  them  to  unite  in  such  a  recommendation,  I  was 
unwilling  to  move  alone  in  so  important  an  object.  I  was  an  eye 
witness  to  one  of  the  two  inundations  by  which  that  place  was  visited 
last  Spring — and  to  the  great  distresses  and  losses  which  were  ex- 
perienced— I  had  before  observed,  in  riding  through  the  woods  sur- 
rounding the  town  the  extraordinary  height  of  the  water-marks  upon 
the  trees,  which  were  so  visible  for  the  space  of  about  two  miles  on 
the  road  to  the  Saline,  that  one  might  imagine  himself  riding  under 
water  to  the  depth  of  from  12  to  15  feet.     But,  the  last  Spring,  I  saw 

'  Post,  p.  364. 


358  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  water  itself  even  at  a  greater  height  than  had  been  marked  by  the 
icy  freshes  of  winter:  I  rode  upon  the  flood  for  more  than  two  weeks 
in  a  keel  (boat)  over  the  principal  street  of  the  town,  lashed  to  a 
merchant's  Store,  and|the  Boatjwasjupon  a' levels  with  its  roof.— An 
attack  of  ague  and  fever  then  compelled  me  to  quit  and  seek  health 
in  the  highlands  of  Kentucky. — The  flood  continued  to  rise  a  few  feet 
afterwards,  and  was  nearly  as  long  in  falling  as  it  was  in  rising. — A 
second  inundation  quickly  succeeded,  when  the  waters  rose  as  high  as 
in  the  first. — At  the  time  I  left  the  Boat,  the  waters  were  about 
midway  on  the  roofs  of  the  houses  generally,  and  quite  to  the  ridge 
poles  of  several — Being  heavy  log  cabins,  they  usually  did  not  float, 
till  immersed  to  the  last  mentioned  depth,  and  I  saw  about  from  15 
to  20  float  away. — About  40  in  the  whole  floated  off. — It  was  a  merciful 
Providence  that  the  wind  did  not  blow  hard  in  either  of  the  inunda- 
tions, for  it  had  done  so,  every  building  of  every  description  must 
unquestionably  have  been  demolished  and  swept  off.  I  need  not 
describe  the  distresses  and  losses  of  the  inhabitants — Several  were 
sickened  and  some  died;  every  beast  perished  which  could  not  be 
taken  into  Boats,  or  was  not  seasonably  driven  to  the  highlands; — all 
the  fences,  with  everything  around  and  in  the  houses  which  could  float 
were  taken  off; — gardens,  grass,  and  all  things  which  had  begun  to 
vegetate  were  destroyed — The  time  occupied  by  both  Freshes  was 
about  Ten  Weeks — I  mean  the  time  that  the  water  lay  on  the  surface 
of  ShawneeTown." 

"It  is  certain  that  no  building  can  safely  be  erected  on  that  Scite, 
unless  elevated  above  the  surface  on  a  solid  foundation  of  at  least  12 
feet  in  height. — Besides  the  inconvenience  of  such  an  elevation  for 
dwellings,  stables,  stores,  &c.  the  expence  would  be  beyond  calculation, 
as  there  are  no  stone  to  be  had  within  a  great  distance.  Nor  would 
even  a  stone-foundation  be  safe,  against  such  inundations  as  those  of 
last  spring,  if  attended  with  heavy  winds,  unless  firmly  cemented" — 

"There  are  beautiful  situations  on  the  margin  of  the  Ohio,  below  the 
mouth  of  the  Saline  Creek,  where  a  Scite  can  be  laid  that  can  never  be 
approached  by  inundation.  Although  the  distance  from  the  Salt 
Works  to  such  new  Scite  might  be  five  or  six  miles  more  than  to  the 
Scite  of  Shawnee  Town,  yet  a  material  advantage  would  be  gained 
in  the  superior  excellence  of  the  ground  for  a  Road.  The  ground,  in 
that  direction  is  high  and  dry,  whereas  in  the  direction  to  Shawnee 
Town,  there  are  several  bad  hills — one  Ferry  to  cross  a  part  of  the 
Year,  (the  Saline  Creek)  and  so  much  as  four  or  five  miles  out  of  the 
twelve,  are  so  low  and  soft  as  to  be  often  impassible  for  waggons,  and 
always  difficult.— Besides,  as  a  good  deal  of  Salt  is,  at  proper  seasons, 
taken  down  the  Saline  Creek  in  Boats,  a  Scite  for  its  deposit  just 
below  the  mouth  of  that  Creek  would  be  infinitely  more  convenient 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  359 

than  taking  it  several  miles  up  the  river  to  the  present  Site  of  Shawnee 
Town: — and  it  would  be  advancing  towards  the  greatest  market  for 
the  Salt  which  is  still  below  the  proposed  new  Scite,  and  chiefly  up 
the  Cumberland  River,  as  the  whole  State  of  Tennessee  is  supplied 
from  those  works,  through  that  channel — " 

"In  short,  if  the  United-States  do  not  take  the  advantage  of  laying 
the  Scite  of  a  Town  in  the  situation  proposed,  I  have  no  question  that 
some  Individual  or  Individuals  will  do  so  as  soon  as  the  Lands  can  be 
purchased — I  should  consider  it  a  most  eligible  Speculation.' — " 

"There  cannotbe  a  moment's  doubt,  that  the  United  States  would,  by 
laying  out  a  Town  there,  before  Shawnee  Town  is  offered  for  sale,  find, 
in  the  disposal  of  the  Lots,  a  manifold  reimbursement  of  all  Expences: 
— and  still  Shawnee  Town  would  probably  attract  purchasers  enough 
to  reimburse  the  extra  expences  which  have  been  laid  out  there;  as  it 
is  a  fine  body  of  Land,  a  great  road  must  always  go  through  it,  and  some 
have  particular  interests  at  and  near  it,  and  might  hope  to  make  it 
something." 

"If  any  thing  should  be  done  by  the  United  States  in  relation  to 
the  premises,  it  is  evident  that  it  ought  to  be  done  before  the  Land- 
OfRce  is  opened;  or  at  least  before  Shawnee  Town  is  offered  for  sale, 
as  it  might  be  deemed  unfair  to  remove  the  Scite  from  thence  after 
purchasers  have  vested  their  money,  and  begun  improvements  at  that 
place. — Besides,  when  the  Land-Office  is  opened,  the  best  Scites  else- 
where will  immediately  fall  into  the  hands  of  private  men." 

"I  will  only  add,  that,  previousto'the  dreadfizl  Calamity  which  befel 
Shawnee  Town  last  spring,  I  had  selected  it  for  my  permanent 
residence;  but  was  then  induced  to  abandon  it  altogether,  as  did  many 
other  who  had  commenced  establishments  there.  Myself,  and  most 
of  those  who  abandoned  Shawnee  Town,  would'  undoubtedly  settle 
themselves  at  any  eligible  Scite  which  should  be  laid  by  the  United 
States  in  the  vicinity  I  have  before  mentioned — " 

"The  above  is  respectfully  submitted  by  Yours.  &c 

"Stanley  Griswold" 

JosiAH  Meigs,  Sut.  Gen. 

William  Rector  to  Josiah  Meigs 

(Copy)  Cincinnati,  Aug.  24. 1813 

"Sir,  The  inundations  that  took  place  at  Shawnee  Town  last 
winter  and  spring,  have,  I  believe,  convinced  every  person  who  wit- 
nessed them  that  the  situation  is  a  very  improper  scite  for  a  town.  I 
have  not  been  at  that  place  at  the  time  of  high  water,  but  previous  to 
the  late  floods  I  examined  the  situation,  and  observed  on  the  trees 
evident  traces  of  high  water;  which  at  that  time  convinced  me,  that 
nearly,  if  not  the  whole  of  the  bottom  where  the  Town  has  been  laid 


360  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

off,  is  at  times  twelve  or  fourteen  feet  under  water.  This  being  the 
case  it  is  evident  that  buildings  sufficiently  strong  to  withstand  the 
floods  could  not  be  erected  without  a  very  great  expence,  for  there  is 
no  stone  suitable  for  building  near  that  place.  I  also  incline  to 
believe  that  Shawnee  Town,  owing  to  its  low  and  marshy  situation,  is 
considerably  more  unhealthy  than  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  in  that 
quarter  generally  are. 

"A  high,  healthy  and  every  way  more  eligible  situation  for  a  Town, 
on  Lands  of  the  United  States,  may  be  selected  a  few  miles  below 
Shawnee  Town;  and  I  beg  leave  to  suggest  the  propriety  of  Govern- 
ment's causing  such  a  Scite  to  be  immediately  selected,  and  a  Town 
laid  off,  at  which  the  Land-Office  for  that  District  should  be  fixed — I 
have  no  doubt  but  the  money  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  lots  would 
more  then  indemnify  the  Government  for  the  extra  expence  of  laying 
off  the  town.  I  know  it  is  very  much  wished  by  several  Gentlemen 
that  this  course  should  be  pursued,  who  would  willingly  locate 
themselves  at  such  town,  and  promote  its  settlement  as  well  as  the 
adjacent  Country:  but  who  would  by  no  means  be  willing  to  settle  at 
Shawnee  Town,  because  they  view  it  as  unsafe,  on  account  of  the 
Floods,  and  as  a  very  unhealthy  situation. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  &c.  "William  Rector" 

J.  Meigs,  Surv'  Gen. 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS1 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  Aug.  28  1813 
Sir  I  had  this  day  placed  in  the  Post  Office  copies  of  Letters  from 
Judge  Griswold  and  General  William  Rector  relative  to  Shawnee 
Town — and  I  now  inclose  Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Thomas  Sloo  Esq' 
on  the  same  subject,  and  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully 
Yours, 

JosiAH  Meigs,  Sur.  Gen. 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire 

[Addressed]    The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire — 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  28  Aug'  1813  J  Meigs  Surv'  Gen'  with 
representations  that  the  present  scite  for  a  Town  at  Shawneetown  is 
improper    Ans*  7  Sep'— 13  * 

•  Pott,  p.  364. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  351 

[Enclosure] 
Thomas  Sloo  to  Josiah  Meigs 

(Copy.)  "Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Aug.  27,  1813" 

"Sir  In  a  recent  conversation  with  you  on  the  subject  of  the 
Scite  on  which  Shawnee  Town  is  laid  off,  I  gave  it  as  my  opinion  that 
it  could  never  be  improved  as  a  town  to  advantage." 

"From  my  own  obsen^ation  while  on  the  spot,  I  was  convinced  that 
the  Scite  was  injudiciously  selected — I  discovered  evident  marks  on 
the  Timber  that  the  whole  of  the  bottom  had  been  inundated  at 
least  twelve  feet;  and  the  floods  last  Spring  have  placed  it  beyond  a 
doubt. — I  am  well  convinced  that  no  buildings  can  be  erected  with 
safety,  unless  they  have  a  good,  substantial  stone  foundation,  at 
least  12  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  as  no  other  foundation 
but  stone,  and  that  well  cemented  would  answer;  and  that  material 
especially  difficult  to  procure,  it  would  be  impracticable  for  men  of 
moderate  property  to  improve,  and  when  improved  either  for  dwellings 
or  out-houses,  (for  they  must  all  be  constructed  in  the  same  way) 
they  could  not  be  occupied  without  an  immense  deal  of  labour  in 
bridging  in  order  to  reach  their  first  floor." 

"A  suitable  scite  may  be  procured  a  few  miles  below,  completely 
free  from  inundation;  and,  I  am  informed,  a  much  better  road  from 
the  Saline  to  the  river,  and  avoid  crossing  the  main  Saline  altogether, 
which  at  present  must  be  ferried  a  part  of  the  Season;  the  difference 
of  the  distance  to  the  new  Scite  will  not,  perhaps,  be  six  miles  further 
from  the  Saline  to  the  River,  than  to  Shawnee  Town.  When  we 
take  into  view  that  the  greater  part  of  the  Salt  made  at  those  works 
descends  the  River,  for  the  supply  of  the  Tennessee  and  Mississippi 
markets,  it  is  of  the  first  importance  to  Government  as  well  as  indi- 
viduals, to  have  a  safe  place  of  deposit  for  that  article — Point  out 
to  youself  Sir,  a  Deposite  made  at  Shawnee  Town  in  its  present  situa- 
tion, of  the  Salt  necessary  for  the  fall  and  winter  consumption  of  all 
that  country — suppose  the  River  low,  and  no  appearance  of  Rain — 
and  in  48  hours  inundated  from  the  head-waters,  and  the  hope  of  the 
Country  lost  as  to  that  article. — " 

"I  think.  Sir,  on  a  representation  of  these  facts  being  made  to  the 
Government,  it  will  not  hesitate  in  directing  the  Surveyor  General  to 
have  a  proper  scite  selected." 

"Should  the  Government  contemplate  opening  the  Land-Office 
shortly,  no  time  ought  to  be  lost,  as  it  will  take  some  time  to  select 
and  survey  the  new  Scite,  and  the  Officers  will  want  some  time  to 
prepare  suitable  buildings  for  their  Offices. 

"The  above  is  respectfully  submitted,  by  Yoiu"s  &c. 

"Tho»  Sloo.—" 

Josiah  Meigs,  Surveyor  General 


362  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 
[NA:SD,  Dom.  Letters,  xvi:C] 

l"o/5ep"1813 
Governor  Ninian  Edwards 

Sir  Your  letter  of  the  17'"  of  August  has  been  duly  received.' 
The  president  grants  the  permission  which  you  ask  of  making  a 
visit  to  this  city  in  the  course  of  the  present  year,  with  the  under- 
standing however — that  the  state  of  things  in  the  Illinois  territory 
at  the  time  is  such  as  not  particularly  to  require  the  presence  of  the 
governor. 

The  object  of  your  request  was  mistaken,  hence  the  permission 
granted  by  my  letter  of  the  29*"  July '  referred  to  Washington  in 
Kentucky  instead  of  this  city. 

—  J.M. 


BENJAMIN  HOWARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Head  Quarters  S'  LouiS  Sejst.  2»°^  1813 
Sir.  I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  enclose  you,  an  estimate  of 
provisions  as  made  out  by  the  Contractor — ProviaieRa  deposited  by 
him  at  the  request  of  Governor  Edwards  at  Fort  Russell;  after  I  took 
command.  It  was  his  opinion,  that  they  ought  to  be  transported  to 
some  other  place  at  the  expence  of  Government,  as  there  were  no 
troops  there,  entitled  to  Rations.  I  did  not  think  proper  to  do  so;  as 
the  provisions  had  been  provided  for  militia  last  year,  and  I  had  given 
no  order  to  deposit  them  there,  nor  to  remove  them  elsewhere.  I  pre- 
sume Governor  Edwards  has  made  some  statement  on  this  subject,  as 
he  knows  the  circumstances.  I  think  it  probable  that  he  may  be  en- 
titled to  some  allowance  for  the  transportation.  At  his  request  I 
send  the  enclosed. 
I  am  with  high  respect  your  Humble  Serv* 

Benj*  Howard 

[Addressed]  The  Honb  '•  J.  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War  Washington 
Mail 

[Endorsed]  St.  Louis  Sept.  2.  1813  Brig:  Gen'  Howard  incloses 
return  of  provision  deposited  at  Fort  Russell  by  order  of  Governor 
Edwards— Rec"  Oct.  2.  1813  « 


•  Ante,  p.  354. 
» Ante,  p.  349. 

•  Answered  Oct.  4,  1813  (NA,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  7).  See  also  Howard 
to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Sept.  1,  1813,  enclosing  Harrison  to  Howard,  May  24, 
1813,  Russell  to  Howard,  July  24,  1813,  and  Howard  to  Russell,  Aug.  1,  1813 
(NA,  WD,  SWDF). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  363 

[Enclosure] 

Inventory  of  military  stores 

[June  12,  1813] 

Inventory  of  Provisions  Remaining  in  the  Contractor  Store  at  Fort  Russell 

in  the  Illinois  Territory,  when  evacuated  by  a  detachment  of  United 

States  Troops  Commanded  by  Cap*'  Thomas  Ramsey,  by  the  order  of 

Brigedier  General  Benjamin  Howard  Commanding  the  eight  District 

93  Barrels  of  salt  pork  weighing  in  all 22227  lbs 

Tare  pr  Barrel    39  lbs 3627 

Neat  lbs  of  pork 18600 

85  Barrels  of  flour  weighing  in  all 18190 

Tare  pr  Barrel    18  lbs      1530 

Neat  lbs  of  flour 16660 

3  Barrels  of  Candles  weighing  in  all 590  lbs 

Tare  pr  Barrel  18  lb 54 

Neat  lbs  of  Candles 536 

4  Barrels  of  Soap  weighing  in  all 952 

Tare  pr  Barrels  18  lbs 72 

Neat  lbs  of  Soap 880 

1  Barrel  34  gallons  Vinegar 

1  Barrel  34  gallons  Whiskey 

weighing  together  675  lbs 675 

Total  in  lbs 37351 

I  do  certify  that  their  was  Ninety  Three  Barrels  of  salt  pork  Eighty 
five  Barrels  of  flour  three  Barrels  of  Candles  four  Barrels  of  sope  one 
Barrel  Vinegar  &  1  Barrel  of  Whiskey  on  hand  in  the  contractor's  store 
at  Fort  Russell  when  evacuated  by  the  imited  States  Troops  Com- 
manded by  Capt  Thomas  Ramsey — 

Agent  for  William  Morrison  contractor 

John  Beaird 
Fort  Russell  12*"  June  1813 

I  do  Certify  that  M'  John  Beaird  was  the  Contractors  Agent  and 
issueing  commissary  to  a  detachment  of  United  States  Troops  sta- 
tion'd  at  Fort  Russell  under  my  Command  when  said  detachment  left 
that  post  and  that  he  is  a  man  of  Verasity  and  whose  signature  may 
be  relied  on 
Fort  Russell  June  12'"  1813 

Tho'  Ramsey  Cap* 
Rifle  Reg'  Comding 

[Endorsed]  Statement  of  provisions  at  F  Russell 


364  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

BENJAMIN  HOWARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Head  Quarters  S'  Louis  Sept  S"*  1813 
Sir.  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favour  of 
the  29*"  July,  last  night.'  I  shall  set  out  from  this  to  morrow  morning 
to  Portage  de  Sieux:  from  whence  I  expect  to  march  in  two  days  for 
Piorias,  to  dislodge  the  Indians  in  that  neighbourhood,  and  erect  a 
Fort.  Your  authority  to  build  one  at  Praire  du  Chien  comes  too  late, 
to  enable  me  to  give  the  proper  notice  to  the  Contractor  for  furnishing 
rations  in  time  to  effect  this  object,  before  the  River  closes  in  that 
quarter.  And  a  certainty  of  supplies  for  a  Post  so  distant  and  exposed 
is  in  my  view  indispensable.  But  I  trust;  the  establishment  of  this 
Garrison  will  be  steadily  kept  in  view.  Should  I  succeed  in  making 
one  at  Piorias,  it's  good  effects  will  soon  be  seen.  It  affords  me  much 
pleasure  to  find  this  measure  expressly  approved  by  you,  before  I  set 
out;  although,  I  considered  it  authorised  by  the  spirit  of  your  former 
instructions. 

I  have  given  the  necessary  orders,  to  the  Commanding  Officer  at 
Vincennes,  for  the  transmission  of  your  letters  &c — addressed  to  me.'" 
I  am  Sir,  with  high  respect  and  consideration  your  Humble  Ser" 

Benj"  Howard 

[Addressed]  The  Honb'^  John  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War  Wash- 
ington   Mail    [Postmarked]    S'  Louis  Sep'  5    Free 

[Endorsed]  H.Q.St.  Louis  Sept  3.  1813  Gen' Howard— letter  to 
erect  a  Fort  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  came  too  late  to  notify  the  contrac- 
tor.   Is  about  to  establish  a  post  at  Piorias — ReC*  Oct.  2.  1813  " 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 

[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  lv:LS] 

Treasury  Department  General  Land  Office  7'"  Sep'  1813 
Sir    Your  favors  of  28*"  Ult"  with  plats  and   descriptions  of 
Town""  7.    8.  9  S°  of  range  1  E  of  3"  M 
11.  12.  13.  14    "        2       " 
7.  13.  14.  15    "        3       " 
has  been  received  ;'*  also  that  of  same  date  covering  copies  of  letters 
from  Mess"  Griswold,  Rector  &  Sloo,  representing  that  Shawnee  town 
is  an  unfit  Scite  for  a  town  in  which  to  establish  a  Land  office  (because 
of  inundations) ;  those  communications  will  be  laid  before  M'  Gallatin 

»  Ante,  p.  350. 

'»  See  post,  p.  370. 

"  Answered  Oct.  4,  1813  (NA,  WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  7). 

»  Ante,  FP.  357,  360. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  365 

on  his  return,  for  the  purpose  of  their  being  presented  to  Congress, 
who  alone  have  power  to  establish  a  town  &  land  office  in  another 
Situation. 

I  am  very  respectfully  Sir  your  obed'  Serv' 

Edward  Tiffin 

JosiAH  Meigs  Esq'  Surveyor  Gen'  Cincinnati. 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esq''  Surveyor  General  Cincinnati  [Post- 
marked] Treasury  Departm*  General  Land  Office  Edward  Tiffin 
Wash-  City  Sep  8    Free 

[Endorsed]  Edward  Tiffin  Sep'  7  1813  R"  Sep'  17.  do  Ans.  do  18.  do  " 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
(NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814 :ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  Seipt.  18,  1813. 

Sir,  Yesterday  I  had  the  honour  to  receive  yovu"  Letters  of  the 
3"  1*  and  7'"  of  September.'^ 

A  Copy  of  the  Plat  and  Description  of  Township  13,  Range  8,  East 
of  the  Third  Meridian  accompanies  this. — From  information  I  have 
received  I  am  confident  that  the  Public  Interest  would  be  promoted 
by  a  speedy  sale  of  the  Lots  at  Shawnee  Town;  and  regret  that  the 
Sale  must  be  delayed — I  have  received,  from  the  acting  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  notice,  that  a  Credit  of  Nine  Thousand  Dollars,  is  opened 
with  the  Receiver  of  Public  Monies  in  Cincinnati,  to  enable  me  to 
pay  the  amount  of  late  Contracts  with  William  &  Nelson  Rector — I 
notice  the  acknowledgement  of  your  having  received  Plats  and 
descriptions  of  Townships  7,  8,  9  South  of  Range  1  E.  3"  Merid" 
.  .  .  11—12—13—14  .  .  .  2  .  .  . 
.     .     .      7—13—14—15    .      .      .     3     .     .     . 

With  the  approbation  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  I  have 
appointed  William  Rector,  Esq,  Principal  Deputy  Surveyor  for  the 
Territory  of  Missouri;  and  shall  forward  to  him  a  Copy  of  the  Act  of 
Congress  of  March  8, 1813,  inclosed  in  your  Letter  of  September  3. — 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully.  Yours, 

Josiah  Meigs, — Surveyor  General. 

This  town,  and  Newport,  were  brilliantly  illuminated  last  Evening, 
on  receiving  the  intelligence  of  the  Success  of  our  Fleet  on  Lake 
Erie.— 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esq;  Commissioner  of  the 
General  Land-Office. 


»  Infra. 

"  NA  (GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 

"  Supra. 


366  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire,  Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land-Office  Treasury  Department  Washington  City — 
[Postmarked]    Cincinnati  20'"  Sep'  1813    Free 

[Endorsed]  Cincinn'  13  Sep'  1813  J  Meigs  S'  Gen'  regrets 
delay  of  sales  of  Lots  in  Shawnee  Town 


WILLIAM  MEARS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[NA:SD,  111.  Terr.  Papers  :ALS] 

Kaskaskia  16'"  September  1813 
Sir  I  had  the  pleasure  by  last  Mail  of  receiving  through  Your 
Honor  the  Commission  of  Attorney  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Illinois  Territory  '*  Please  Sir  to  present  my  warmest  acknowledg- 
ments to  His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  His 
nomination  of  me  to  the  Senate  to  fill  that  Office 

A  copy  of  the  Laws  of  the  United  States  cannot  I  am  Satisfied  be 
procured  here  on  any  Terms  I  therefore  humbly  Wish  Your  Honor 
would  please  to  Send  me  by  first  Opportunity  a  copy  of  the  Laws  of 
the  United  States  up  to  the  close  of  the  last  Session  of  Congress  with- 
out which  indeed  it  is  impossible  to  advance  with  precision  and  Safety 
in  the  discharge  of  my  duties 
With  Sentiments  of  Esteem  I  am  Sir  Your  humble  obedient  Servant 

W°  Mears 

To  The  Honorable  James  Monroe  Secretary  of  State 


JUDGE  GRISWOLD  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 

[NA:GL0,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

[September  18,  1813] 
Where  shall  be  the  next  station  of  the  Surveyor  General's  office"! 

That  it  must  be  removed  from  Cincinnati,  and  westward  of  the 
state  of  Ohio,  seems  evident  from  the  position  of  the  immense  body 
of  public  lands  remaining  yet  to  be  surveyed  and  sold.  Of  this 
indeed  government  appears  to  have  been  apprized,  by  *he  a  direction 
given  some  time  since,  to  remove  the  office  to  Vincennes,  which 
direction  it  is  understood  was  suspended  from  considerations  of  the 
personal  convenience  of  the  highly  meritorious  officer  (Col.  Mansfield) 
whom  it  was  desireable  to  oontinuo  retain  as  Surveyor  General  of  the 
U.  States. 

The  Missouri  Territory  &  the  vast  tract  above  the  Illinois  river 
would  seem  to  call  the  station  as  far  west  as  the  Mississippi  river,  in 

"  Ante,  p.  352.  For  biographical  sketch  of  Mears,  see  Philbrick,  op.  cit.,  p. 
ccLxxx. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  367 

case  any  thing  like  centrality  were  to  be  regarded,  of  what  now  is  and 
soon  will  be  the  land  of  the  U.  States,  divoatod  ef  fedktft  -fetfcte — But  as 
surveys,  sales  and  settlement  cannot  be  expected  to  progress  beyond 
that  river  in  so  rapid  a  proportion  as  on  this  side,  it  would  doubtless 
be  adviseable  to  fix  the  next  station  of  the  office  not  quite  so  far  down. 

Vincennes  would  be  an  eligible  stand  as  to  distance  east  of  the 
Mississippi,  but  there  are  objections  to|it.  Not  to  mention  its  ex- 
treme exposure  in  Indian  wars,  it  has  ceased  to  be  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment of  the  Indiana  Territory  and  will  probably  dwindle  away  and 
not  be  much  resorted  to  hereafter,  except  merely  for  warlike  purposes. 
— It  cannot  be  approached  by  travellers,  except  in  two  directions, 
without  encamping  out  some  nights  for  want  of  settlements  on  the 
roads. — It  is  too  far  above  the  Ohio  river,  the  great  highway  of  this 
western  country. 

Shawneetown,  if  it  were  free  from  the  inconvenience  of  floods, 
would  be  %be  exactly  the  spot  where  the  next  station  of  the  office  ought 
to  be.  And  if  government  should  authorize  a  town  to  be  laid  out  near 
it  (where  a  scite  may  be  obtained  free  of  the  above  inconvenience)  it 
should  be  the  spot.  It  would  not  only  be  contiguous  to  the  great 
highway  of  the  western  country,  the  Ohio  river  but  it  may  be  easily 
approached  by  land  from  all  parts  of  the  Mississippi  country,  on  fine 
roads,  with  good  accommodations.  And  even  from  the  Michigan 
Territory  the  travel  would  be  more  convenient  than  to  go  to  Vincennes, 
as  they  would  come  first  to  Cincinnati,  or  some  point  on  the  Ohio,  and 
then  descend  in  the  crafts  continually  passing  down  the  river. — But 
there  will  not  be  much  surveying,  or  sales,  or  settlement,  in  the 
Michigan  Territory  for  many  years. 

On  the  whole,  Shawneetown  and  its  vicinity  are  more  easily  ap- 
proached than  Vincennes  from  every  part  of  the  U.  S.  public  lands. 
From  the  state  of  Ohio  there  is  no  question  on  the  subject; — and  there 
is  as  little  room  to  question  it  from  the  greater  part  of  the  Indiana 
Territory.  From  Michigan  the  same  too  is  the  case,  as  above  stated. 
From  the  vast  country  of  the  present  Illinois  &  Missouri  Territories 
the  same  also  is  true. — The  intervening  land  between  Vincennes  and 
the  Mississippi  is  almost  an  entire  praira,  without  wood,  water,  and 
other  necessaries  for  settlement.  It  may  be  considered  as  the  belly 
of  the  prairas  extending  from  the  Ohio  to  the  Illinois  river.  In  pro- 
portion to  the  extent  of  a  praira,  the  soil  is  generally  poor,  especially 
towards  the  centre.  That  tract  will  not  be  settled  for  many  years. 
As  those  prairas  extend  towards  the  Ohio  river,  they  become  narrower 
and  richer,  and  are  interspersed  and  separated  by  more  timber  and 
Uving  waters, — till  within  20  or  30  miles  of  the  bank  of  the  river, 
where  a  perfect  woodland  commences. — The  roads  and  travel  to  and 
from  the  western  country  have  of  course  been  mostly  through  the 


368  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

lower  parts,  terminating  at  Shawneetown  and  other  par  to  points  on  the 
Ohio  not  far  distant.  I  am  persuaded  if  the  Surveyor  General's  office 
were  established  at  Vincennes,  the  greater  part  of  the  travel  to  it  from 
all  the  Mississippi  country,  would  be  by  Shawneetown  and  its  vicinity. 
Why  not  then  establish  the  office  thoro  in  the  latter  region  at  once? 
|K  Excuse  the  above  rough  &  imporfoct  hasty  sketch,  from  D"^  Sir, 
your  obed'  servant, 

S.  Griswold. 
J.  Meigs  Esq'  S.G.  U.S. 

[Addressed]  The  Surveyor  General  of  the  U.  States,  Cincinnati. 
[Endorsed]  Judge  Griswold  Sept  18.  1813  de  Shawnee  Town. 


ROBERT  KING  "  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  ivrALS] 

General  Land  office  28""  Sepf  1813 
Sir,  On  examining  the  plats  of  the  Townships  in  the  Shawnee  Dis- 
trict I  find  so  many  omissions,  and  explainations  wanting  that  I  can- 
not proceed  to  make  a  connected  plat.  In  the  first  place  the  section 
lines  ought  to  have  the  length  on  each  side  thereof  inserted.  2''"'  the 
dividing  lines  between  adjoining  Townships,  and  sections  in  those 
Townships  do  not  correspond,  for  instance  in  the  plats  you  herewith 
receive  (v'  Town"'  15  &  16  in  Range  1  East  of  the  3'"  Meridian)  that 
the  Southern  boundary  of  Town"  15  appears  to  have  a  N.  easterly 
direction  and  all  along  the  line  they  are  fractional  sections,  of  little 
more  than  half  a  mile  wide;  instead  of  which,  they  ought  to  have 
been  a  mile  see  2°"  Sec.  of  the  Act  18'"  May  1796."  (Land  laws  pa. 
140)  you  will  also  find  in  the  adjoining  Township  N°  16  that  the 
north  line  which  ought  to  correspond  with  the  above,  appears  to  be  at 
right  angles  with  the  Meridian  therefore  a  triangular  vacancy  occurs, 
otherwise  a  bend  in  the  Meridian,  which  is  inadmissible,  the  western 
tier  of  Sections  in  this  Township  are  fractional,  whereas  the  fractions 
ought  to  fall  on  the  Ohio  instead  of  joining  the  Meridian  which  is 
the  Basis  on  which  the  survey  is  founded.  I  find  many  other  Town 
ships  in  a  similar  situation  therefore  should  deem  it  advisable  to  have 
them  all  corrected,  at  least  the  distances  between  sections  inserted, 
and  a  connected  Map  returned  to  this  Department  agreeable  to  the 
11'"  Sect"  of  the  Act  of  3'^'*  March  1803,"  which  provides  that  General 
and  particular  plats  shall  be  forwarded  to  this  Department,  which 
has  always  been  the  case  heretofore. 

"  Draftsman  in  the  GLO  {Register  U.  S.,  1816,  p.  7). 
'•  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  n,  553-554. 
"  Ibid.  (Miss.),  V,  202. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  369 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  one  of  M'  Freemans  ^  returns,  from  them  I 
never  found  any  difficulty,  instead  of  which  they  are  always  correct 
and  shew  the  general  topography  of  the  country  which  is  very  im- 
portant in  a  general  Map. — Those  of  Shawnee  do  not  even  shew  the 
connection  of  the  waters. 

I  am  Sir  very  respectfully  your  ob'  Serv' 

ROB»  King — Draftsman 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"*  the  Commiss'  of  the  General  Land  Office 

[Endorsed]  R.  King  to  E  Tiffin— 28.  Sep*  1813 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

Treasury  department  General  Land  Office  Sept'  29'"  1813 

Sir  Observing  that  all  the  returns  you  have  made  of  the  platts  & 
descriptions  of  townships  in  the  Shawnee  town  district  are  incorrectly 
done,  and  not  either  agreable  to  law,  or  in  that  correct  manner  which 
the  principal  Surveyor  South  of  Tennessee  has  made  his — and  from 
which  we  cannot  possibly  make  a  connected  plat  of  the  country,  I 
am  constrained  to  request  that  they  may  be  corrected;  and  in  order 
to  enable  you  to  see  the  forms  the  law  requires,  I  have  got  oiu-  drafts- 
man to  copy  the  return  of  a  fractional  township,  with  its  correspond- 
ing explanations,  which  had  been  made  to  this  Office  from  the  prin- 
cipal Surveyor  South  of  Tennessee — and  which  I  now  enclose  to  you^' — 

As  yoa  have  made  several  contracts  for  surveying,  this  enclosure 
will  enable  you  to  give  such  instructions  to  your  deputies,  that  in 
future  the  work  may  be  moe  correctly  done,  and  indeed  it  appears  to 
me,  all  the  work  done  by  deputies  ought  to  be  examined  and  approved 
by  you  before  they  are  paid  off — 

I  also  enclose  a  letter  from  M"'  King  our  draftsman, ^^  pointing  out 
the  errors  and  inaccurecies  of  your  returns,  which  with  the  forms,  will 
be  ample  instruction  for  the  futiu-e — 

In  your  last  you  press  the  necessity  of  opening  the  Sales  at  Shawnee 
town — but  the  representations  you  have  here  to  fore  made  of  the  im- 
proper Scite  for  that  town  had  determined  me  to  bring  the  subject 
before  Congress  at  their  ensuing  Session.  And  indeed  was  there  no 
other  reason  for  postponing  the  Sales,  that  of  the  very  embarrassed 


2°  Thomas  Freeman,  surveyor  general  of  the  lands  of  the  United  States  south 
of  Tennessee. 
2'  Not  seen. 
32  Supra. 


370  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

situation  of  the  Country  owing  to  the  hostility  of  the  Indians  is 
conclusive.^ 

With  great  respect  I  am  Sir  Your  ob*  Serv' 

Edward  Tiffin 

Hon""  Josiah  Meigs  Surveyor  General  Cincinnati  Ohio 

[Endorsed]  E.  Tiffin  Sept.  29.  1813 


BENJAMIN  HOWARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Head  Quarters  S'  Louis  Octohr  28'"  1813 
Sir.  I  had  the  honor  of  expressing  to  you  the  opinion  during  the 
last  Summer  that  a  movement  of  troops  to  dislodge  the  Indians  at 
the  head  of  Peoria  Lake  was  indispensable  to  guard  against  that 
presure  upon  our  frontier  in  autumn  which  I  believed  would  take 
place,"*  it  was  with  pleasure  I  found  the  measure  approved,  In 
pursuance  of  the  plan  on  the  19'"  of  Sepf  the  effective  rangers  of 
Missouri  and  Illinois  with  about  one  hundred  from  Indiana  two 
hundred  and  fifty  mounted  men  furnished  by  the  Executives  of 
Missouri  Tcrritorioa  and  Illinois  were  concentrated  at  Tower  Hill 
East  of  the  Mississippi  thirty  miles  above  the  frontier;  in  embodying 
those  troops  the  immediate  safety  of  the  frontier  was  steadily  kept 
in  View  by  moving  detachments  in  such  directions  as  would  enable 
them  to  discover  and  dislodge  any  parties  which  might  be  upon  our 
borders,  the  1st  Regt.  commanded  by  Col"  McNair  was  marched  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi  and  crossed  just  below  the  Rendezvous 
the  2"  commanded  by  Col"  Stephenson  was  marched  on  the  East  side 
of  the  river  crossing  the  Illinois  a  few  miles  above  its  mouth,  a  detach- 
ment of  about  200.  regulars  under  the  command  of  Lieutnt  Col" 
Nicholas  of  the  1st  Regt  of  U.  States  Infantry  at  the  same  time 
ascended  the  IlUnois  in  armed  boats.    It  was  soon  ascertained  upon 

»  In  a  letter  of  Nov.  1,  1813  (NA,  GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814),  from 
Meigs  to  Tiffin  occurs  the  following  relevant  paragraph: 

"It  is  probable,  that,  next  year,  the  War  will  present  little  or  no  interruption 
to  the  business  of  the  Surveyors. — M'  Sloo  and  others  wish  to  see  the  laws  relative 
to  preemptions  in  the  Shawnee  district — I  will  thank  you  to  furnish  me  with  a 
Copy. — I  hope  to  see  Col.  Mansfield  in  a  few  days. — We  are  preparing  a  General 
Map  of  the  Shawnee  District,  which  shall  be  forwarded  in  a  short  period,  with 
such  observations  as  may  be  useful  to  M'  King — " 

See  also  Tiffin's  communication  to  the  President,  Dec.  30,  1813,  which  was 
transmitted  to  the  Senate,  Dec.  31,  1813  (A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  ii,  873-876), 
relating  to  the  public-land  situation  throughout  the  western  territories  and 
embodying  two  lengthy  paragraphs  on  Illinois  Territory  and  in  particular  on 
Shawneetown  and  its  reconstruction. 

»•  Ante,  p.  347. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  371 

the  arrival  of  those  several  detachments  at  points  a  little  beyond  the 
Settlements  that  the  enemy  had  decended  the  Illinois  to  invade  the 
frontier,  a  skirmish  took  place  between  some  of  Col"  Stephensons 
command  and  a  party  of  Indians  the  latter  were  driven;  from  appear- 
ances in  the  route  of  the  1st.  Regt.  some  parties  had  crossed  to  the 
west  side  of  the  Mississippi,  upon  the  approach  of  the  troops  I  have 
no  doubt  of  the  Indians  having  returned  to  their  canoes  in  the  Illinois 
when  they  found  Lieutn'  Col"  Nicholas  rapidly  ascending  the  river 
and  fled  before  him  without  injuring  a  single  Citizen  believing  that 
the  frontier  would  be  safe  for  the  moment  I  marched  the  mounted 
troops  up  the  Mississippi  bottom  to  Christys  creek  passing  opposite 
the  Encampment  of  the  Sac  nation  who  have  professed  themselves 
friendly  but  many  of  whom  I  believe  have  taken  part  in  the  war 
against  us,  while  others  were  undecided,  at  this  time  Mr  Boilvoin 
Indian  Agent  was  in  the  neighborhood  sent  by  Gov'  Clarke  to  conduct 
them  to  the  Missouri  where  they  had  agreed  to  winter,  however  un- 
settled their  neutrality  might  have  been  before,  the  desplay  of  troops 
in  their  vicinity  soon  confirmed  it,  they  immediately  decended  the 
Mississippi  to  the  Portage  De  Sieux  from  whence  they  were  sent  up 
the  Missouri,  from  Cliristys  creek  the  army  was  marched  across  the 
Country  towards  Peoria  and  on  the  evening  of  the  28""  arrived  within 
a  few  miles  of  the  old  Village,  that  night  three  men  were  sent  to  dis- 
cover whether  the  command  of  Lieutn'  Colo  Nicholas  had  arrived  and 
bearing  a  letter  to  that  officer  Stating  my  position  and  calling  for  such 
information  in  regard  to  the  enemy  as  he  might  possess,  during  the 
night  he  decended  the  Illinois  to  my  Encampment,  and  reported  to 
me  that  the  day  before  an  attack  was  made  upon  his  command  at 
Peoria  where  he  had  commenced  building  a  Fort  agreeably  to  my 
orders.  However  the  enemy  were  soon  dispersed  by  a  well  directed 
discharge  of  musketry  with  the  aid  of  a  six  pounder  from  two  un- 
finished Block  Houses,  it  was  evident  that  the  Assailants  suffered  in 
this  attack  but  to  what  extent  could  not  be  ascertained  none  of  our 
men  were  killed  and  one  only  wounded,  on  the  29'"  the  mounted 
Troops  arrived  at  Peoria  and  so  soon  as  provisions  could  be  drawn 
were  marched  up  the  Illinois  to  the  Villages  at  the  Head  of  Peoria 
the  Lake  which  was  the  direction  in  which  the  enemy  appeared  to 
have  retired  from  Peoria  upon  my  arrival  at  those  Villages  I  found 
them  deserted  from  the  examination  made  by  reconnoitring  parties 
I  had  no  doubt  of  the  Indians  having  ascended  the  Illinois  in  Canoes 
which  is  so  situated  from  Swamps  on  both  banks  that  it  was  impossible 
to  pursue  them  by  land,  the  Villages  were  destroyed  and  some  property 
of  inconsiderable  amount  taken  the  army  then  returned  to  Peoria 
and  remained  untill  the  Garrison  was  put  in  a  State  of  defence  Shortly 
after  my  return  I  sent  a  detachment  in  two  armed  Boats  under  the 


372  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

command  of  Major  Christy  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  this  detachment 
ascended  the  Illinois  above  the  mouth  of  the  Vermillion  to  the  rapids 
and  within  seventy  five  miles  of  Chicago  but  it  was  impossible  to  come 
up  with  the  Indians  notwithstanding  the  great  efforts  of  the  com- 
manding officer  and  his  command.  Soon  after  the  departure  of 
major  Christy  major  Boone  was  sent  with  about  one  hundred  men  in 
the  direction  of  Rock  river  to  examine  whether  there  were  any  parties 
in  that  quarter,  he  penetrated  the  country  ift  northwardly  from 
Peoria  (in  my  opinion)  within  forty  five  miles  of  Rock  river  and  re- 
ported that  there  were  several  encampm.ents  on  the  Maquoine  which 
appeared  to  have  been  deserted  about  the  time  the  army  arrived  at 
Peoria  the  mounted  troops  remained  near  Pioria  from  the  2^  untill 
the  15'"  of  October  during  which  time  they  were  actively  engaged 
together  with  the  U.  States  Infantry  in  erecting  Fort  Clarke  which 
stands  at  the  lower  end  of  the  Lake  completely  commanding  the  river, 
this  important  Fort  was  erected  under  many  disadvantages,  the 
weather  being  unusually  cold  for  the  season,  and  without  the  aid  of  a 
single  team  the  timbers  were  hauled  by  the  troops  a  considerable 
distance  to  the  lake  (nearly  a  mile  in  width)  and  rafted  over,  this 
Fort  is  ccrtflinly  unquestionably  one  of  the  strongest  I  have  seen  in 
the  Western  Country  and  certainly  highly  important  to  the  Safety 
of  the  three  Territories  with  the  defence  of  which  I  have  been  en- 
trusted; on  the  15'"  the  mounted  troops  moved  from  Peoria  for  the 
Settlements  pursuing  generally  a  South  Course  untill  they  arrived  at 
Camp  Russell  on  the  21"  Inst  where  the  mounted  militia  [MS.  torn] 
were  discharged.  The  Indiana  Rangers  on  the  March  were  sent 
across  from  the  old  Kickapoos  ¥ewft3  Towns  to  Vincennes  under  the 
command  of  Capt  andre.  The  safety  which  was  anticipated  to  the 
frontier  which  was  anticipated  from  this  movement  has  been  fully 
realized,  and  the  same  enemy  that  has  kept  our  exposed  Settlements 
under  continual  apprehensions  of  danger  was  compelled  to  fly  before 
a  force  in  their  own  country  less  than  that  assigned  by  the  Gov'  for 
the  immediate  defence  of  the  frontier.  It  is  with  pleasure  I  acknowl- 
edge the  energetic  and  entelligent  execution  of  my  orders  by  those 
ofiicers  to  whom  I  confided  the  command  of  detachments  and  also  the 
lai'dable  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  generally  during  the  Cam- 
pagn  but  more  particularly  on  those  occasions  (not  unfrequent)  when 
it  was  hoped  and  believed  by  all  that  the  enemy  had  determined  to 
give  us  battle 

I  am  Sir  with  high  consideration  Your  Humb»  Serv' 

Ben  J'  Howard 
The  Honb«  John  Armstrong 

P.S.  I  have  delayed  the  transmission  of  this  communication  untill 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  373 

I  heard  of  Capt  Andre  who  was  sent  [MS.  torn]  direct  from  the 
Kickapoos  Towns  to  Vincennes,  he  has  reported  to  me  his  Safe 
arrival    B  H" 

[Endorsed]  St.  Louis  Oct.  28.  1813  Brig.  Gen'  Howard  Re- 
porting the  result  of  his  expedition  against  the  Indians.  Has  estab- 
lished a  Fort  at  Peoria    ReC  Dec^  1813  '^f 


WILLIAM  RECTOR  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  October  28*"  1813 
Sir  I  have  accepted  of  the  Appointment  of  Principal  Deputy 
Surveyor  of  the  Territory  of  Missouri,  and  shall  immediately  remove 
to,  and  settle  in  Saint  Louis — It  is  therefore  proper  that  I  now  Resign 
the  Office  of  Brigadier  General  of  the  Militia  of  the  Illinois  Territory 
And  beg  leave  through  the  Secretary  of  War  to  express  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States  my  grateful  acknowledgements  for  the  honor  he 
done  me,  in  Confering  that  Appointment  on  me,^* 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  much  Respect  Your  Ob'  Serv' 

W"  Rector 

P  S.  The  enclosed  letter  reached  me  on  the  18""  Ins'  And  is  of  such 
a  Character  as  to  induce  me  to  lay  it  before  the  Secretary  of  War.^" 
The  liberty  the  writer  has  taken  in  addressing  this  letter  to  me  was 
unauthorized  and  I  view  it  as  presumptious.  I  learn  that  letters  of 
the  same  nature  have  been  received  by  most  of  the  Officers  of  the 
General  Government,  in  this  quarter.    W™  Rector 

The  Honbl*  John  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War. 

[Addressed]  The  Honbl°  John  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War.  Wash- 
ington City     Free 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  October  28"'  1813  Gen'  W"  Rector  offers 
his  resignation  as  Brig'  Gen'  of  Illinois  Militia  &c.  &c. 


"'' Answered  Dec.  31,  1813  (Terr.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv).  See  also  R.  M. 
Johnson  to  Harrison,  June  9,  1813,  Harrison  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  July  12, 
1813,  and  the  Secretary  of  War  to  Harrison,  July  14,  1813  (Esarey,  ed.,  Harrison's 
Messages  and  Letters,  11,  4S7-492). 

"  Answered  post,  p.  397. 

"A  letter  from  John  H.  Robinson,  Sept.  16,  1813  (present),  containing  an 
invitation  to  join  him  in  what  was  presumably  an  armed  expedition  against 
Mexico  (Texas).     Cf.  post,  p.  394. 


374  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

NELSON  RECTOR  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 

[NA:GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  IV:ALS1 

Illinois  Territory.     T.  N"  5.  S.  R.  N"  6.  E.    Nov'  1'*  1813. 

Dear  Sir,  I  left  Shawnee  Town  on  the  28'"  day  of  Oct'  for  the 
Woods,  and  have  been  engaged  in  Surveying  the  U.  S.  lands  since 
that  time,  and  shall  continue  with  all  possible,  energy  untill  I  complete 
my  District. 

I  rec"  a  letter  from  my  brother  William  Rector  in  which  he  men- 
tioned your  wish  in  haveing  posts  set  in  each  mound  which  may  be 
errected  &c.  I  anticipated  your  wish  Sir  and  should  have  set  good 
Substantial  posts  at  all  Sect'  &  ){  Sec'  corners,  if  you  bad  not  have 
mentioned  it  to  my  Brother.  I  have  had  no  Prairie  as  yet  nor  do  I 
expect  there  will  be  much  in  my  District,  but  should  there  be,  rest 
assured  the  corners  shall  be  well  established,  with  mounds  &  posts. 
The  Land  which  I  have  surveyed  is  generally  of  a  good  quality  &  well 
watered ;  which  will  enable  persons  to  make  fine  farms  &c  I  have  no 
doubt  but  when  this  part  of  the  Territory,  becomes  to  be  settled  it 
will  be  eaqual  to  any  of  the  settled  parts,  except  the  Amei'ican  Bottom. 

I  have  not  come  across  any  natural  curisiosity'  as  yet,  should  I 
meet  with  any  before  I  finish  surveying  I  will  take  care  of  them  & 
bring  them  on  to  you. 

Be  so  good  as  to  present  my  complments  to  your  Family,  and  for 
y'self  accept  my  most,  candid  wish  for  your  happyness  through  this 
expanded  &  uneaven  World 

I  am  D"^  Sir  with  much  respect  ¥"■  obd'  serv* 

N:  Rector 

P.S.     I  should  be  glad  to  get  a  letter  from  you.    be  so  good  as  to 
drop  me  a  line  &  direct  to  Shawnee  Town  and  I  shall  get  it. 
Excuse  this  scrall  as  it  is  late  at  night  &  by  the  light  of  the  fire. 

N.R. 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esq"^  Surveyor  General  of  the  U.S.  Cin- 
cinati  Ohio  [Poslmarked]  Shawneytown  Nov  5'"  25 

\Endorsed\  Nelson  Rector  Nov.  1.  1813.  Rec"  Nov  13.  Ans"  Nov 
16  1813  ^» 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SO,  1812-1814:ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Nov.  21,  1813. 
Sir,  Col.  Jared  Mansfield,  in  his  Letter  to  me,  dated  August  2, 
1813,  says,  "In  respect  to  the  Principles  by  which  the  West  and  North 
deficient  or  exceeding  Quarter  Sections  are  calculated,  I  would  ob- 


••  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  375 

serve; — that  all  the  other  Sections  and  Quarter  Sections  of  a  Township, 
unless  sometimes,  when  an  egregious  error  in  the  measurement  had 
been  discovered,  have  been  estimated  as  full,  complete,  and  legal 
Sections,  according  to  the  Law  of  May,  1800,  without  any  calculation 
of  their  contents  by  the  length  of  their  boundary  lines. — The  reason 
of  this  is,  that  these  Sections,  Quarter  Sections,  &c.  are  surveyed  and 
laid  off,  full  and  complete,  according  to  the  principles  of  said  Law, 
independently  of  the  magnitude,  or  even  the  admeasurement  of  the 
Township  lines,  in  cases  where  these  are  erroneous;  but  the  Sections 
or  Quai-ter  Sections  on  the  West  and  North  are  the  mere  remnants 
of  those  complete  Sections  or  Quarter  Sections. — Hence,  as  few  or 
none  of  the  Townships,  according  to  the  mode  of  running  them  by 
the  Needle,  can  be  of  the  precise  quantity  originally  intended,  viz: 
Six  Miles  Square,  or  Thirty-Six  Square  Miles,  it  is  obvious  that  all 
the  Sections,  &c.  must  be  either  exceeding  or  deficient,  adjusted  to 
equal  divisions  of  the  Town  Boundaries,  or,  that  the  excess  or  defi- 
ciency of  a  Township  be  comprehended  altogether  in  the  tiers  of 
Sections  on  its  extreme  boundaries. — Now,  as  to  the  principle  of 
calculating  those  North  and  West  tiers  of  Sections,  or  Quarter  Sec- 
tions, there  can  be  no  other  than  that  of  ascertaining  the  lengths  of 
the  boundary  lines  of  each. — The  Surveyors  have  been,  I  believe, 
always  instructed  to  note  these  lengths  in  their  Field-Books: — at  least, 
all  those  intersected  by  the  town  Boundary,  and  the  Sectional  Lines 
extended  to  it. — The  other  line,  which  bounds  the  Section  or  Quarter 
Section  in  the  interior  of  the  Township,  is  assumed  of  the  same  meas- 
ure as  that  of  its  adjacent  Section  &c.  for  the  boundary  of  which  it 
was  laid  oflF." 

In  the  Plat  of  the  Shawnee  District,  which  was  transmitted  with 
my  letter  of  the  11*"  of  this  month,"  I  suspect  we  omitted  to  insert 
the  Scale,  of  one  inch  to  two  Miles. — I  give  the  scale  precisely  from 

"NA(GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814).  The  following  are  relevant  para- 
graphs: 

"The  Surveys  of  the  Kaskaskias  District  are  I  think  much  more  accurate  than 
those  of  the  Vincennes  District,  and  those  last  more  accurate  than  those  of  the 
state  of  Ohio,  particularly  those  in  the  Miami  Country,  'where',  (says  Col. 
Mansfield  in  his  Letter  to  me  of  August  2"')  'the  grossest  blunders  had  been  com- 
mitted previous  to  my  arrival  in  the  Western  Country.' 

"You  will  receive  with  this  a  Map  of  the  District  of  Shawnee,  copied  from  a 
Map  of  the  Kaskaskias  District,  executed  by  the  late  Capt.  J.  F.  Mansfield; — As 
I  am  in  daily  expectation  of  seeing  Col.  Mansfield,  and  as  it  appears  probable 
that  the  Land-Office  will  not  be  speedily  opened,  I  trust  there  will  be  sufficient 
time  to  arrange  the  business  with  all  the  precision  which  can  be  desired,  previously 
to  the  Commencement  of  the  Sales." 

The  letter  also  contains  a  lengthy  extract  of  a  letter  from  Mansfield,  May  14, 
1807,  principally  applicable  to  the  Indiana  surveys.  See  similar  letter  from 
Mansfield  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  May  22,  1807  {Terr.  Papers,  Ind., 
VII,  451-456). 


376  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

the  original;  though  it  is  probable  the  Draftsman  could  be  at  no  loss 
for  want  of  it."* — 

I  have  receive  Letters  from  Nelson  Rector,  who  is  now  engaged  in 
Surveying  between  the  Wabash  and  the  Mississippi; — and  from 
William  Rector,  Principal  Deputy  Surveyor  for  the  Territory  of 
Missouri,  who  is  now  at  Saint  Louis,  where  he  has  met  with  every 
encouragement  and  assurance  of  aid  and  information  from  Judge 
Bent,  and  from  M'  Bates,  the  Recorder  of  Land  Titles.  M"^  Rector  is, 
probably,  now  engaged  in  the  duties  of  his  office — I  believe  him  to  be 
the  most  skilful  and  able  practical  Surveyor  in  the  United  States— He 
has  before  him  a  spacious  field;  and,  though  it  is  a  difficult  one,  I 
venture  to  predict,  that  the  Surveys  in  that  Territory  will  be,  at 
least,  equal  in  accuracy,  if  not  superior,  to  any  that  have  been  made 
in  this  invaluable  Western  World — 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  with  Esteem,  and  verj-^  respectfully  Yours, 

JosiAH  Meigs,  Surveyor  General 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquu-e 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Nov.  23,  1813. 

P.  S.  Last  Evening  I  had  the  honoiu-  to  receive  your  Letter  of 
November  12,=*  acknowledging  the  Receipt  of  Final  Certificates,  &c — 
and,  covering  a  Copy  of  the  Act  of  Feb.  5, 1813.  relative  to  the  Right 
of  Preemption  in  the  Illinois  Territory  ^— J  Meigs.  S.G. 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire. 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:LS] 

Treasury  Department  General  Land  Office  22''  Nov'  1813 
Sir    Your  letter  of  10'"  ins'^"  is  before  me — the  remarks  of  M' 
King  applied  to  the  surveys  in  the  Shawnee  district,  not  to  the 
Vincennes  district. 

It  appears  by  the  extract  you  have  given  from  a  letter  of  your 
predecessor  dated  14  May  1807  "  that  similar  remarks  on  the  surveys 
in  the  Vincennes  district  were  anticipated  by  him;  he  regrets  the 
inaccuracies  that  exist  in  them  &  states  that  those  mistakes  should 
have  been  corrected  had  there  been  time  to  do  so  before  the  com- 
mencement of  the  sales:  As  he  states,  the  irregularity  of  the  lines 
spoil  the  beauty  of  the  maps;  but  the  inaccuracies  in  the  surveys  in 


"*  Present  but  not  reproduced. 

»»  NA(GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 

»•  2  Stat.  797-798. 

»  Not  found. 

»'  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  377 

the  Shawnee  district  are  of  a  more  serious  nature,  the  irregularities 
preclude  the  formation  of  a  connected  map,  and  as  the  time  is  not 
fixed  for  the  public  Sales  in  that  district  you  have  time  to  make  the 
necessary  corrections;  referring  to  my  letter  of  29'"  Sep'  last  &  its 
enclosures  '^ 

I  remain  very  respectfully  Sir  yom-  obed'  Serv' 

Edward  Tiffin 

JosiAH  Meigs  Esq""    Surveyor  General    Cincinnati. 

[Endorsed]  Ed.  Tiffin  Nov.  22.  1813    ReC  Dec.  3,  1813 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814 :ALS] 
Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  December  8,  1813. 

Sir,  On  the  3"*  of  this  month  I  had  the  honour  to  receive  your 
Letters,  dated  Nov.  22^3  &  2Z?' 

I  shall  lose  no  time  in  endeavouring  to  make  the  required  Cor- 
rections of  the  Surveys  of  the  Shawnee  District  so  far  as  those  Cor- 
rections are  within  my  power. — If  the  General  Piatt  of  the  Shawnee 
District,  the  receipt  of  which  is  mentioned  in  your  Letter  of  Nov.  23. 
shall  not  prove  to  be  sufficiently  correct  for  the  intentions  of  the 
Government,  I  doubt  whether  there  can  be  any  other  remedy  than 
by  a  Resurvey 

I  send  with  this  Vouchers.  N"  1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — which  I  judge  will  be 
deemed  sufficiently  correct. — 

W"  Harris  is  about  commencing  the  survey  of  about  40  Townships 
in  the  late  Purchase  of  General  Harrison,  Northwardly  of  the  Vin- 
cennes  District,  in  fulfilment  of  a  Contract  with  the  late  Surveyor 
General.  I  suppose  the  Allies  of  Great  Britain  are  so  far  humbled 
that  the  Surveyors  will  meet  with  no  interruption. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully  Yours 

JosiAH  Meigs.  Survey'  General 

Hon.  Edward  Tiffin — 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin  Esquire — Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land-Office.    Washington  City — 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  8  dec'  1813  J  Meigs  Surv'  Gen'  with  vouchers 
for  his  Acco''  Ans''  '^  &  handed  the  vouchers  to  the  Auditors  Office  16 
dec'  1813  2* 


"  Ante,  p.  369. 

»3  NA  (GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 

3*  Loc.  cU. 

"■  Post,  p.  378. 

"  The  last  sentence  is  written  in  the  margin. 


378  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 

[LC:  Madison  Papers  :ALS] 

Kaskaskia  III.  Ty.  Dec'  12.  1813 
Sir    I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  transmit  to  you  a  memorial 
from  the  legislature  of  this  territory  to  Congress  in  persuance  of  the 
request  contained  in  the  resolution  annexed  thereto  " — • 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  respectfully  Sir  Y'  M°  Obd'  Serv' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 
James  Madison  President  of  the  U.  S. 

[Addressed]  James  Madison  President  of  the  U.  S. 

[Endorsed]  Edwards  Ninian    Dec.  12'"  1813 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  III.  Ty  Dec'  12. 1813 
Sir  Being  informed  by  Gen'  Rector  that  he  has  resigned  his 
appointment  of  Brigadier  Gen'  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  the  Honble 
Shadrack  Bond  as  his  successor  believing  him  v/ell  qualified  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  that  office  and  not  doubting  that  his  appointment 
would  be  gratifying  to  the  citizens  of  this  territory 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  Respectfully  Sir  Yr  MoObd*  Serv' 

NiNiAN  Edwards 

The  Hon'ble  John  Armstrong    Sec"  of  War    Washington  City 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  111.  T.  Gov.  Edwards  Recommend  Hon  M'' 
Bond  for  Brigadier  of  the  militia  of  that  Territory.  Rec"  April  1814 
1814  Hon  M'  Bond  B.  Gen.  Militia    Gov  Edwards  rec 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 

[NA:GL0,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:LS] 

Treasury  Department  General  Land  Office  18*"  dec'  1813 

Sir    Your  letter  of  8'"  Ins'  has  been  received^'  &  the  vouchers 

which  it  covered  have  been  handed  to  the  Auditor    The  general  platt 

of  Shawnee  town  district  does  not  exhibit  the  acres  containd  in  each 

sect",  it  will  be  necessary  that  you  furnish  a  schedule  of  the  contents. 

I  am  very  respectfully  Sir  your  obed'  Serv' 

Edward  Tiffin 
JosiAH  Meigs  Esq'    Surveyor  Gen'    Cincinnati 


•'  Not  present. 
»•  AnU,  p.  377. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  379 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs,  Esq''  Surveyor-general,  Cincinnati. 
[Postmarked]  Wash"  City  Dec  19  Treasury  Department,  General 
Land  office.     Edward  Tiffin    Free 

[Endorsed]  Ed.  Tiffin,  Dec.  18.  1813  Rec''  27— do  Ans"  29— do  ^^ 


SHADRACH  BOND  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Reed.,  B:ALS] 

Washington  City  December  18th  1813 
Sir/  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Col.  Michel  Jones  one  of  the 
Land  Commissioners  of  Kaskaskia*"  he  expresses  some  doubts  about 
the  Law  Passed  the  5th  of  February  1813"  granting  the  right  of  pre- 
emption to  the  Settlers  in  the  Illinois  Territory,  he  thinks  the  second 
Proviso  of  the  first  Section  of  the  Law  will  bar  ef  all  Persons  from  the 
benefit  of  that  Law,  who  are  settled  within  the  bounds  Dissignated  by 
the  Commissioners  for  the  locating  of  the  unlocated  Claimes.  I  wish 
your  opinion  on  this  subject" — 

I  am  Dear  sir,  respectfully  your  obt.  Servt. 

Shadrach  Bond — 

[Addressed]  Edward  Tiffin  Commissioner  of  the  Land  Office 

[Endorsed]  18  decem''  1813    Shadrack  Bond 


MEMORIAL  TO  CONGRESS  FROM  INHABITANTS  OF 

PEORIA 

[LC:HF,  15  Cong.,  1  sess.:  DS] 

[December  20,  1813] 
To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 

States,  in  Congress  assembled 

The  Memorial  and  Petition  Of  Sundry  Inhabitants  of  the  Village 
of  Peoria  on  the  Illinois  River,  Humbly  Shew 

That  your  petitioners  have  resided  for  many  years  at  Peoria  on  the 
Illinois  River,  and  being  [surrounded  by]  numerous  nations  of  Indians, 
we  were  always  subject  to  their  insults,  by  stealing  our  horses,  killing 
our  cattle  and  robbing  our  fields,  often  threatening  to  kill  us  if  we  did 
not  immediately  supply  them  with  their  wants  by  giving  them  that 
provision  &c.  that  we  had  to  man  tain  oiu"  families;  all  which  we  were 
compelled  to  comply  with  to  preserve  peace:  but  in  the  Spring  of  the 

"  The  endorsement  is  evidently  in  error;  see  reply  post,  p.  389. 

*"  Not  seen. 

«  2  Stat.  797-798. 

"  Post,  p.  388. 


380  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Year  1812,  the  Indians  threw  off  all  reserve  and  killed  our  cattle 
at  our  very  doors,  and  would  carry  off  on  their  horses  the  beef  to  their 
villages,  and  would  tell  us  that  we  ought  to  be  contented  that  they 
[did]  not  kill  us  also.  After  the  commencement  of  the  present  war, 
[the  Brijtish  Indian  Agent  at  Maiden  directed  the  Indians  to  kill  and 
destroy  all  white  people  residing  west  of  Detroit  river.  This  speech 
was  brought  from  Maiden  by  a  Potawatomie  Indian,  and  was  delivered 
to  the  Kicapoos  by  the  Potawatomie  chiefs;  the  Kicapoos  said  that  the 
Indians  must  begin  at  Peoria  and  kill  the  whole,  but  the  Potawatomies 
not  agreeing  to  this,  we  were  all  saved  from  the  tomahalk  and  scalping 
knife.  After  we  heard  this  unpleasant  news,  we  still  wished  to  remain 
in  our  village,  though  often  upbraided  by  the  indians  of  giving  infor- 
mation of  their  proceedings  to  the  Governors  of  this  and  Illinois 
Territories,  all  which  we  were  obliged  to  deny  for  our  personal  safety 
altho  it  was  a  truth.  Those  informations  so  received  from  us  at 
different  times  by  the  executives  of  this  and  adjoining  Territory,  was 
the  saving  of  many  lives  on  the  frontiers,  but  more  particularly  in 
September  1812,  when  about  400  Indians  were  embodying  to  come 
down  (and  did  actually  come  down)  to  make  a  desperate  attack  on 
different  parts  of  the  frontiers,  had  it  not  been  for  information  received 
from  us  by  General  Howard,  then  Governor  of  this  Territory,  the  mis- 
chiefs that  such  a  body  of  Indians  would  have  done  in  the  settlements 
must  have  been  great;  but  from  this  information  the  Indians  were 
completely  foiled  and  returned  home  without  doing  any  mischief 
except  stealing  a  few  horses.  We  still  wishing  to  hold  our  ground  at 
Peoria,  knowing  full  well  the  assistance  we  could  render  to  our  country 
in  giving  information  of  the  movements  of  the  Indians  at  all  times, 
but  at  a  time  when  there  were  only  a  few  men  in  Peoria  Village  (the 
others  having  come  down  to  this  country  on  busine.ss)  The  Kicapoo 
and  Piankeshaw  indians  robbed  our  houses  of  all  the  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion that  were  to  be  found,  as  also  all  kinds  of  wearing  apperal;  and 
while  the  few  people  who  were  so  left  at  peoria  had  fled  from  the 
enraged  in[dia]ns  two  boats,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Craig  of 
Shawanoe  Town  [MS.  torn]  at  Peoria  and  emptied  our  houses  and 
outhouses  of  every  kind  of  property  that  was  portable,  and  put  them 
on  board  of  the  boats;  when  we  returned  to  Peoria  we  asked  Capt. 
Craig  for  our  property,  some  was  returned  and  the  remainder  detained 
and  never  returned  to  us;  the  Indians  having  fired  on  Cap.  Craig's 
boats  we  were  all  disarmed  and  made  prisoners  of  by  him  to  the  amount 
of  forty  two,  men,  women  and  children:  we  asked  permission  to  kill 
some  cattle  and  Hogs  for  our  [MS.  torn]  provision,  which  Cap.  Craig 
refused,  and  he  and  his  men  killed  the  hogs  for  their  own  use,  besides 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  381 

burning  foui*  houses  and  four  bams,  two  of  the  bams  containing  wheat; 
we  were  brought  down  prisoners  to  Savages  Ferry  (opposite  the 
mouth  of  Missoiu-i)  in  Illinois  Territory,  where  an  order  from  Governor 
Edwards  liberated  us,  with  the  loss  of  a  great  deal  of  property,  as  we 
were  obliged  to  leave  at  Peoria  all  our  cattle  amounting  to  upwards  of 
two  hundred  head,  besides  hogs  &c.  and  a  large  Quantity  of  Corn,  it 
being  too  late  in  the  season  for  us  to  return  to  Peoria.  The  cattle 
corn  &c.  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians  who  destroyed  all  the  cattle 
&c.  besides  burning  all  our  houses  and  outhouses.  Thomas  Forsyth, 
one  of  your  petitioners  farther  represents,  that  for  a  considerable  time 
pre\'ious  to  this  outrage,  had  been  a  confidential  agent  of  the  govern- 
ment in  the  Indian  department,  and  continued  his  residence  at  Peoria 
where  he  had  been  before  [estajblished  for  the  purpose  of  convejang 
private  information  of  Indian  movements  to  the  principal  Indian 
Agent  at  this  place.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  others  of  your 
petitioners  had  determined  to  leave  Peoria  and  go  to  some  other  place 
of  imagined  safety :  that  the  said  Forsyth  foreseeing  in  such  event,  the 
necessety  of  removing  also,  and  having  been  also,  moreover  instructed 
to  that  effect  by  his  superior  officers  in  the  Indian  department,  solicited 
and  prevailed  with  your  petitioners  to  remain  at  Peoria  [MS.  torn] 
of  their  enemies.  The  caution  and  watchfulness  of  your  [MS.  torn] 
preserved  them  from  the  dangers  with  which  they  were  menaced. 
But  at  the  moment  when  they  were  exulting  in  the  success  of  their 
address  and  perseverence,  the  fruits  of  which  had  been  important  com- 
munications to  the  executives  of  Illinois  and  Missouri  Territories, 
they  are  assailed  by  a  military  force  of  their  own  countrymen,  who 
under  the  most  absurd  pretexts,  rob  them  of  their  property,  burn 
their  houses  and  insult  their  persons.  With  an  [MS.  torn]  caprice  or 
wantoness,  your  petitioners  have  been  taken  as  prisoners  of  War  into 
the  Settlements.  There  indeed  they  have  been  recognized  as  Citizens 
attached  to  their  Country  and  who  has  hazarded  every  thing  in  its 
defence." 

We  have  been  liberated,  but  in  the  mean  time  we  have  been 
stripped  of  our  ordinary  means  of  subsistence,  and  are  now  thrown 
upon  the  World  without  the  common  necessaries  of  Life,  and  many  are 
now  living  on  the  generosity  of  other  people. 

Your  Petitioners  ask  that  an  enquiry  may  be  instituted  as  to  the 
losses  which  they  have  sustained  and  provision  made  for  their  relief 
and  indemnification. 

And  your  Petitioners  will,  as  in  duty  bound,  ever  pray 

"  See  Craig  to  Edwards,  Nov.  16  and  Dec.  10,  1812  (Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards 
Papers,  CHC,  ill,  85-90),  explaining  Craig's  side  of  the  aflFair. 


382  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

St.  Louis,  M"  Ter'.  December  20'"  1813. 

Thomas  Forsyth  Francois  Racine  pere 

antoine  Leclaire  Louson  Pansannoe 

Pollitte  Mallier  Joseph  Garrett  " 

Pierre  LeVasseur  "  Francois  Racine  fils 

Charle  Labelle  An'  Lapanc^ 

Ant°°  Bourbonnait  Jacque  Mett^ 

Francois  Buch^  Pierre  Martin 
[MS.  torn  "]  ountaine 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Peoria, 
on  the  Illinois  River.  5:  Feb^  1814.  Ref  to  the  Com"  of  Claims. 
12:  Feby.  1814  Report  made  &  ordered  to  lie."  Feby.  20—1818 
Ref*  to  the  Committee  of  Claims  **  decided  against:  leave  to  withdraw 
— M"^  Hempstead  ref  claims 

Inhabitants  of  Peoria  Petition  &  Proof.  Prays  pay  for  property 
lost  and  destroyed  by  our  own  troops  &  the  Indians. — The  proof  now 
filed  only  relates  to  the  Claims  of  Thomas  Forsyth  &  Kinzie,  F.  Bouche, 
Antoine  Leclere,  Felix  Fountain;  formerly  referred  to  Commitee  of 
Claims  &  now  accompanied  with  other  documents — Scott  &  20 
Committee  Claims 

[Enclosures] 

Statement  of  the  claim  of  Kinzie  &  Forsyth 

[October  22,  1817] 
An  account  of  Losses  sustained  at  the  late  Village  of  Peoria  on  the 
Illinois  River,  during  the  late  War,  by  the  Indians  and  a  party  of 
men  under  the  command  of  Captain  Thomas  E.  Craig  of  Shawanoe 
Town,  being  the  property  of,  arid  belonging  to  the  late  firm  of  Kinzie 
&  Forsyth. — 

2  horses $50  ea.  100  1  ditto    .      .      do  3  do    .  3 

1  pair  of  Oxen 60  1  ditto    .      .      do  2  do    .  2 

8  Cows  &  Calves  ....  $15  120  2  Common  teapots      ...   50  1 

2  Cows 10  20  1  Churn 2 

3  heifers  2%  years  old  ...  6  18  1  bra.sswier  Sive 2 

4  Calves  l^— do — do   ...  4  16  1  Grindstone 3 

1  bull   .   5  .  do   .   do      ...  20         50  p"  Earbobs 25  12,50 

20  bushels  Corn  .    .    .   100  cts  20  3  Case  black  bottles    ...   50         1,50 

1^^  Acres  of  Corn  &  potatoes  1  Small  white  flint  Case  bot- 

destroyed  by  the  Indians  50             tie 50 

16  pairs  Moco.sins      .    .  25  cts  4         3  Shot  Guns $10  30 

30  dressed  deerskins    ...  75  22,50   2  Sabers $4        8 

100  lb  tallow 10  10  1  Shotbag  &  powderhorn   .    .  2 

40  lb  Beeswax 12}4  5          1  Log  chain 5 

1  Large  blocktin  teakettle   .    .  5         2  Axes 250  cts        5 

1  Small  Copper  Kettle   ...  6         1  Round  Adz      2 

1  tinkettle  with  cover  contg,  4  1  hoe 1 

Gallons 4         40  lb  Bacon 12>i  5 


**  Uncertain  reading. 

«»  Probably  Felix;  see  second  paragraph  of  endorsement. 

"  Uncertain  reading. 

*'  House  Journal,  ix,  280,  297. 

*•  Ibid.,  15  Cong.,  1  sess.,  p.  261. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY 


383 


An  account  of  Losses  sustained  at  the  late  Village  of  Peoria  on  the 
Illinois  River,  during  ihe  late  War,  by  the  Indians  and  a  party  of 
men  under  the  command  of  Captain  Thomas  E.  Craig  of  Shawanoe 
Town,  being  the  property  of,  and  belonging  to  the  late  firm  of  Kinzie 
&  Forsyth. — Continued. 


2  drawing  knives  ....   100        2 

40  fowls 25       10 

1  hammer 50 

1  penknife 1 

24  lb  Maple  Sugar     .     16%  cts         4 

1  Old  Matruss 4 

4  black  bottles 25     1 

1  tramel 1 

1  Crock  of  Lard  12  lb  .    .      12^     1,50 

1  Knife  box 1 

12  forks  _  _ 12U     1 ,  50 

1  pr  Ox  Cart  Wheels  Compleatly 

Ironed 50 

1  Ox  Cart  (old)      4 

1  Keg  Whisky  8  Gallons  .    .   200  16 
1  Quire  of  writing  paper  ....         50 

1  broad  Ax 2 

1  large  Girablet 50 


12  lb  feathers 50     6 

1  old  Sled 2 

1  Ox  Yoke 2 

1  plough      2 

5  packsaddles 100     5 

2  Cupboards $10  20 

3  tables 4  12 

7  Chairs 100     7 

1  bedstead 4 

1  Common  desk 6 

1  Small  bedstead 2 

1  House  60  feet  long  and  18  feet 

wide  burned  by  the  Indians     .400 
1  bakehouse  16  feet  long  by  12 
wide  burned  by  dittos  ....    50 


$1,184,50 


We  the  undersigned  Antoine  Leclaire  Felix  Fountaine  and  Francois 
Buch^  do  solemnly  swear  on  the  holy  evangelist  of  Almighty  god  that 
we  have  a  perfect  knowledge  that  Kinzie  &  Forsyth  had  the  above- 
mentioned  property  as  is  stated  in  the  above  account,  and  that  we 
have  a  perfect  knowledge  that  the  Indians  did  plunder  all  the  houses 
in  the  late  Village  of  Peoria  in  the  month  of  October  Eighteen  hundred 
&  twelve  and  that  the  Indians  did  kill  all  the  Cattle  belonging  to  the 
people  of  s"  Village  of  Peoria,  that  a  party  of  men  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Thomas  E:  Craig  of  Shawanoe  Town  did  about  the  first 
of  November  in  the  same  year  plunder  the  s*  houses  of  s"  Village  of 
Peoria,  and  we  further  state,  that  the  property  mentioned  in  tlie 
above  account  was  taken  and  destroyed  by  the  Indians  and  men 
under  the  Command  of  s"  Craig  during  the  late  war,  that  the  above 
account  amounting  to  Eleven  hundred  &  eighty  four  dollars  and  fifty 
cents  with  the  prices  affixed  opposite  each  article  being  read  over 
and  explained  to  us  is  Just  and  true,  and  the  prices  not  to  high — 


Sworn  to  before  me  at  St  Louis 
this  22°''  day  of  October  1817— 
F.  M.  Guyola  J.P. 


Ant  Le  Claire 
his 

FRANgOIS     X      BOUCH:^ 
mark 
his 

FELIX     X     FONTAINE 

mark 


[Endorsed]  Kenzie  &  Forsyth's  Account  of  Losses 


384  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Statement  of  the  claim  of  Felix  Fountaine 

[October  22,  1817] 
An  Account  of  Losses  sustained  at  the  late  Village  of  Peoria  on  the  Illinois 
River,  during  the  late  War,  by  the  Indians  and  a  party  of  Men  under 
the  command  of  Thomas  E:  Craig  of  Shawanoe   Town  being  the 
property  of  Felix  Fountaine. — 

1  pair  Oxen 60  10  do   pease 150  15 

1  pair  ditto 40  1600  rails 200  32 

6  Cows  &  Calves     .     .     $15     .  90  24  fowls 25  cts  6 

3  •¥e«H' eW  Calves  IJ^  year  1  tramel 1 

old 4     .  12  1  Iron  Ladle  &  fork     ....  1 

1  heifer  2%  Years  old  .     .    6     .  6  1  bedstead 2 

1  horse 30  1  cupboard .  10 

1  feather  bed  56  lb  .     .      50  cts  28  1  table 3 

6  large  brass  &  Copper  Kettles  6  Chairs 100  6 

for  making  Sugar,  but  much  1  Iron  Shovel 1 

used $6  ea.  36  1  Smoothing  Iron 1 

3  large    tin    Kettles    for    ditto  1  handsaw 2 

much  used  .     .     .     .     $2  ea  6  1  Iron  Wedge 1 

2  Ox  Carts  with  good  Wheels     .  22  1  Iron  pot     10  lb    .     .     .    12^  1.25 
2  Ox  Yokes $2  ea  4  1  Wier  Sive 2 

2  Churns 100  cts      2 


1  Ax  250  and  two  hoes  .     100  ea      4.50  $496.75 

72  bushels  Corn  ...    100  cts     72 

We  the  undersigned  do  solemnly  swear  on  the  holy  Evangelist  of 
Almighty  God  that  we  have  a  perfect  acquaintance  of  the  above- 
mentioned  Felix  Fountaine  having  a  dwelling  and  property  at  the 
Late  Village  of  Peoria  on  Illinois  River  and  we  have  seen  such  property 
as  stated  in  the  above  account  in  possession  of  him  the  said  Felix 
Fountaine  and  being  acquainted  that  all  the  houses  in  said  village  of 
Peoria  were  plundered  by  the  Indians  and  a  party  of  men  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Thomas  E.  Craig  of  Shawanoe  Town  in  the 
year  One  thousand  Eight  hundred  &  twelve  we  are  therefore  certain 
that  he  the  s"  Fountaine  did  lose  the  above  mentioned  property  as 
stated  in  the  above  account  that  we  did  see  in  possession  of  the  s" 
Craig's  men  some  of  the  articles  mentioned  in  the  above  account  and 
we  further  state  that  the  above  account  being  read  over  and  explained 
to  us  with  the  prices  of  each  article  we  do  declare  that  the  above 
account  amounting  to  Four  hundred  and  ninety  Six  dollars  &  75 
Cents  is  true  and  Just  and  the  prices  moderate  and  not  to  high — 

Sworn  to  before  me  this  22°"  Thomas  Forsyth— 

day  of  October  1817  at  S'  Louis —  Ant  Leclaire 

F.M.GuyolaJ.P.  ^^^^^^     -     g^^^„^ 

mark 

[Endorsed]  Felix  Fountaine's  Account  of  Losses — Felix  Fountaine's 
Ace'  of  Losses — 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  355 

Statement  oj  the  claim  of  Frangois  Buch6 

[October  22,  1817] 
An  Account   of  Losses  sustained  at  the  late  Village  of  Peoria  on  the 
Illinois  River,  during  the  late  War,  by  the  India-ns  and  a  party  of 
Men  under  the  Command  of  Thomas  E.  Craig  of  Shawanoe  Town, 
being  the  property  of  Francois  Bu^he — 

1  Ox  5  Years  old 30  2  pairs  Ear-rings — $10  &  5.     .       15 

5  Cows  &  Calves   ....   $15       75  500  rails 200       10 

1  Cow 10  4  Large  brass  kettles  for  making 

5  Calves  Vi  Years  old.    .    .$4      20  Sugar                    (good)     .       50 

5  horses  stolen  by  Indians  during  1  Tin  kettle — 5  Gals      "          .         5 
the  War $50  ea.    250  1  ditto — do— 4  do          "     .     .         4 

1  Ox  Cart  with  wheels  (old) ...  6  1  do—     do  —3  do          "     .     .  3 

1  horse  do  with  wheels  (new) .    .  12  1  Iron  pot  .     .     .  12  lb    .     la'/  1.50 

48  fowls 25""  12  1  Iron  Oven  .     .     24  lb  .         "  3 

1  feather  bed  38  lb   ...    .50  19  1  pair  razors  with  a  hone   .     .  5 

2  old  blankets  3  p".    .    .   $2  ea  4  1  Smoothing  plane.    IJack  plane. 

3  old  Sheets 10  1  Jointer,    and    1    p'    Groving 

2  bedsteads for  4  planes  being  much  used    .  10 

2  tables "  5  2  Chissels  &  2  augers      ...         1.50 

1  dresser 2  2  Shot  Guns  $10.  and  $3     .     .  13 

6  Chairs 100  6  Shotbag  &  horn 1 

3  knives  &  3  forks      .     .       for  1  450  deerskins  .     .     37)^  ='•  ea     168.75 

30  lb  Maple  Sugar     .     .     16K  5                                                                   

10  bushels  Come  .     .     .      100  10  $781.75 

1  Saddle  &  bridle  (common)   .  5                                                                   

3  Shirts  $1  ea  &  2  pair  trowsers 

$1  ea 5 

We  the  undersigned  do  solemnly  swear  on  the  holy  evangelist  of 
Almighty  God  that  we  were  well  acquainted  with  Francois  Buch^  at 
the  late  village  of  Peoria  on  Illinois  River  and  that  he  did  own,  and, 
had  the  property  mentioned  in  the  above  account  at  his  dwelling  at  s* 
Village  of  Peoria  and  that  his  house  with  the  others  of  s"  Village  of 
Peoria  were  plundered  first  by  the  Indians,  &  secondly  by  a  party  of 
men  under  the  command  of  Captain  Thomas  E.  Craig  of  Shawanoe 
Town,  and  we  verily  believe  and  have  every  reason  to  be  certain  that 
the  abovementioned  property  as  claimed  by  s"  Buch^  was  taken  by 
Indians  and  men  under  the  command  of  s"  Craig  during  the  late  war 
as  we  seen  Some  of  the  property  in  their  possession,  the  above  account 
being  read  over  and  explained  to  us,  with  the  prices  of  each  Article, 
amounting  to  Seven  hundred  and  Eighty  one  dollars  &  75  cts  is  true  & 
Just  and  the  prices  moderate  and  not  to  high — 

Sworn  before  me  at  S'  Louis  Thomas  Forsyth 

this  22'"'  day  of  October  1817  Ant  Le  Claire 

F.  M.  Guyola  J.P. 


FELLX     X     FONTAINE 
mark 


[Endorsed]  Francois  Buch6  Account  of  Losses- 


386  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Statement  of  the  claim  of  Antoine  Leclaire 

[October  22,  1S17) 
An  account  of  losses,  sustained  at  the  late  Village  of  Peoria  on  the 
Illinois  River,  during  the  late  War,  by  the  Indians  and  a  party  of 
Men  under  the  Command  of  Captain  Thomas  E.  Craig  of  Shawanoetown 
being  the  property  of  Antoine  Leclaire. 

1  pair  Oxen 40  2  Vests  do 2    ea.  4 

3  Cows  &  Calves  .    .  $15  ea.  45  2  hats  do 5  10 

1  heifer  3  Years  old    ....     8  4  Check  Shirts  do  .    .   100  4 

3  Calves  IH  year  old   .   $4        12  1  bedstead 2 

1   house  20  feet  long  by   16  1  Table 4 

teet  wide  burned  by  men  6  Chairs 100  .  6 

under  the  command  of  T..  1  Trunk $2  2 

E..  Craig 150  1  Box $4  4 

1  Small  ware  house  about  12  6  knives  &   6  forks    ....  1.50 

feet     Square     burned     by  1  Tin  kettle  3  Gallons  ...  3 

same  men      12  1  Liquor    Case    with    double 

1  blacksmith  Shop  16  by  12                          flint  Case  bottles    ....  5 

feet  burned  by  same  ...    16  1  Saddle  &  bridle 15 

1  Ox  Cart  with  Wheels  ...   10  Sundry  blacksmith  &  gun- 

1  Pair  new  Cart  Wheels  .    .     8  smith  tools  with  a  quantity 
16  head   of  hogs    ...   $4       62  of    old    &    new    Iron    with 

96    bushels    corn.   100    "'•      96  many  gunbarrels 100 

3  fat  hogs  killed  in  the  pen  by  2  Axes 250  "'"        5 

Craigs  men $6  18  1  Ox  Yoke 2 

48  fowls 25  '«•  12  1  Copper  kettle 6 

2  feather  beds  weight  100  lb  1  Lantharn 50 

50  cts 50  1  horse  bell 1 

4  large  blankets    .     150  •«•      6               80  lb  Maple  Sugar  .   16^   •'•    13. 33^ 
2  pair  Sheets  (old)  .  $3  ea.        6  1  Cupboard 5 

2  pair    Cloth    trowsers    New  

$8ea 16  $780. 33K 

2  ClothCappeau'sdo$10ea.    20  

We  the  undersigned  do  solemnly  swear  on  the  holy  Evangelist  of 
Almighty  God,  that  we  are  well  acquainted  that  the  abovementioned 
Antoine  Le  Claire  did  own  and  had  such  property  as  claimed  in  the 
above  account  at  his  dwelling  at  the  late  Village  of  Peoria  on  Illinois 
River  and  that  we  did  See  his  house  warehouse  and  blacksmith's 
Shop  burned  in  the  month  of  November  One  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  twelve  by  men  under  the  command  of  Captain  Thomas  E :  Craig, 
and  that  his  (s"  A:  Leclaire's)  house  was  plundered  by  the  Indians 
and  men  under  the  command  of  s"  Craig  during  the  late  war,  and  that 
we  are  certain  that  he  the  said  Leclaire  did  lose  the  abovementioned 
articles  as  stated  in  the  above  account  and  that  the  property  was 
taken  by  the  Indians  and  men  under  the  command  of  s*  Craig,  that 
the  above  account  being  road  over  to  and  explained  to  us  amounting 
to — -Seven  hundred  and  eighty  dollars  &  33}^  cents  is  Just  and  the 
prices  of  each  article  moderate  and  not  to  high — 

Sworn  to  before  me  a  Justice  of  Thomas  Forsyth — 

the  Peace  this  22'"' day  of  October  ^„.„^^,.    v    T3^„^.,r,„ 

1817  at  S' Louis-  FRANCOIS    X_^  Boucher 

F.M.GayolaJ.P.  ^^^^^     -    ^^^^^^^^ 

mark 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  387 

I  Francois  Leclaire  being  left  in  charge  of  my  Father's  dwelling  at 
the  late  Village  of  Peoria  on  Illinois  River  in  the  fall  of  the  year  One 
thousand  Eight  hundred  &  twelve  I  do  recollect  and  say  that  the 
Indians  (after  being  defeated  by  an  Army  of  Illinois  Militia  com- 
manded by  Governor  Edwards  at  the  head  of  Peoria  Lake)  did  come 
down  to  s"  Village  of  Peoria  and  threaten  to  kill  the  people  of  s" 
Village  of  Peoria,  that  the  Indians  did  rob  the  houses  of  s**  Village  of 
Peoria  and  were  in  the  habits  of  killing  the  cattle  and  destroying  the 
property  belonging  to  the  people  of  s*  Village  of  Peoria,  a  party  of 
men  arri\'ing  at  s"  Village  of  Peoria  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Thomas  E.  Craig  of  Shawanoe  Town  they  (Craig's  men)  carried  on 
board  of  two  boats  (which  they  had  then  there  at  s"  Village  of  Peoria) 
all  the  property  they  (the  s'^  Craig's  men)  could  find  in  said  houses 
and  was  portable,  that  the  people  of  said  Village  then  there  were  made 
prisoners  by  s"*  Craig  and  during  the  time  we  were  prisoners  I  did  see 
several  houses  and  barns  (with  grain  &  hay  in  them)  bxu-ned  by 
Craig's  men  that  I  saw  on  board  of  said  boats  several  articls  belong- 
ing to  the  people  of  s*  Village  of  Peoria  that  after  we  were  all  brought 
away  from  s"  Village  of  Peoria  as  prisoners  the  whole  of  the  remaining 
Cattle  were  killed  bj'  the  Indians,  as  I  was  informed  by  them  (the 
Indians)  in  the  Spring  of  the  year  of  One  hundred  thousand  Eight 
hundred  &  thirteen  when  I  went  up  to  Sandy  Creek  on  Illinois  River 
in  Company  with  Thomas  Forsyth  and  Others,  and  I  also  did  hear  the 
Indians  say  that  they  did  burn  Kinzie  &  Forsyth's  house  &  bakehouse 
at  s*  Village  of  Peoria,  also  the  accounts  of  Losses  of  Felix  Fountaine, 
Francois  Buche,  Antoine  Leclaire,  and  Kinzie  &  Forsyth  at  the  late 
Village  of  Peoria  during  the  late  War  being  read  over  and  explained 
to  me,  I  do  declare  that  I  verily  believe  that  the  whole  are  true  and 
Just  and  as  far  as  I  am  a  Judge  of  the  prices  of  similar  articles  as  is 
charged  in  the  accounts  of  Losses  sustained  at  the  s"  Village  of  Peoria 
on  Illinois  by  the  Indians  and  men  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Thomas  E.  Craig  of  Shawanoe  town  is  moderate  and  not  to  high — 

Sworn  to  before  me  a  Justice  of         ,-,  ^    t 

,,  ,,  .     oond  n  4-   u       ^Q^r^  FRANCOIS     X     LECLAIRE 

the  peace  this  22°'*  October  1817  mark 

at  S'  Louis 

F.  M.  Guyola.  J.P. 


314574—48- 


388  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  SHADRACH  BOND 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office, 

20'"  December,  1813. 
Sir,  I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  18""  inst.*'  and 
I  am  of  opinion,  that  no  persons  are  entitled  to  pre-emption  rights  in 
the  districts  of  Kaskaskia  and  Shawneetown,  but  those  who  have 
Inhabited  and  cultivated  a  tract  in  one  of  those  districts,  agreeably 
to  the  act  of  5'"  February,  1813. 
I  am  &" 

Hon  Shadrach  Bond,  house  of  representatives. 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS] 

Elvirade  Randolph  Cty  Illinois  Territory  J  any  4  1814 

Sir  In  Consequence  of  authority  given  me  by  your  predecessor  I 
last  year  called  upon  the  Gov''  of  Tennessee  for  a  regiment  of  infantry 
to  oppose  the  savages  of  this  quarter  '^  &  having  received  information 
from  him  that  induced  me  to  expect  those  troops.  I  made  a  requisi- 
tion on  William  Morrison  Esq'  the  contractor  to  make  a  proper 
deposit  on  the  Ohio  of  such  rations  as  might  be  necessary  for  them — 

This  moment  he  has  presented  me  some  certificates  by  which  he 
hopes  to  get  pay  for  some  lost  provisions  in  consequence  as  he  says  of 
the  above  requisition.  I  have  refused  to  sanction  them — and  am  at 
present  strongly  impressed  with  the  belief  that  he  is  not  entitled  to 
any  thing  from  the  Gov'  &  therefore  think  it  my  duty  to  request  that 
payment  may  not  be  made  to  him  untill  the  merits  of  his  claims  be 
fairly  investigated. 

The  whole  circumstances  attending  this  case  are  not  so  well  im- 
pressed upon  my  mind,  as  to  enable  me  to  detail  them  satisfactorily 
at  this  time  &  I  write  in  haste  with  a  view  to  make  such  suggestions 
only  as  to  produce  the  necessary  enquiry  previous  to  any  payment 
being  made. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  Respectfully  Sir  Y'  M"  Ob"'  Sev' 

Ninian  Edwards 

The  Hon'ble  John  Armstrong  Secry  of  War    Washington  City 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  John  Armstrong  Secy  of  War  Washing- 
ton City  [Postmarked]  Sydney  Grove  Jan"  4'"  Free  B.  Stephens 
P  M.    Sydney  Grove 

»'  Ante,  p.  379. 

»>  See  Edwards  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Dec.  25,  1812,  and  Jan.  2,  1813 
(Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  pp.  344,  346),  respecting  his  call  upon  Governor  Blount  and 
the  latter's  action. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  389 

[Endorsed]  Elvirade  Jan.  4  1814  Gov.  N:  Edwards.  Expecting 
1000  Militia  from  Tennessee,  made  a  requisition  for  provision  on  the 
Contractor,  who  has  presented  certificates  for  losses  &c,  which  he 
has  refused  to  Sign  follow  this  advice,    Rec""  Jan  1814  ^ 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814 :ALS] 
Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  Jan.  4.  1814 

Sir,  I  received,  on  the  29th  of  December,  1813,  your  Letter  dated 
December  18,  1813."— The  Schedule  of  the  Contents  of  each  Section 
in  the  Shawnee  District  will  be  transmitted  in  a  few  days. 

With  this  is  a  Copy  of  a  communication  addressed  to  me  by  a  num- 
ber of  the  gentlemen  of  Shawnee-Town. 

I  also  inclose  my  Accounts  for  the  Quarter  ending  December  31. 
1813.  The  Salary  of  my  Clerk  for  the  Quarter  ending  Sept.  30, 1813. 
has  not  been  received — and  I  am  not  able  to  accompany  this  with  the 
Voucher  &  Receipt  for  my  second  Clerk,  James  Sisson,  who  is  in  the 
Country — 

I  found  in  the  Office  a  considerable  Quantity  of  several  kinds  of 
Stationary,  and  it  will  be  seen  by  the  Account  of  that  Article  that  the 
expence  has  been  but  trifling. 

I  received,  last  Week,  a  Request,  from  Elias  Rector,  dated  at  Saint 
Louis,  December  4.  1813,"  that  I  would  authorise  him  to  survey  27 
Townships  West  of,  and  adjoining  the  3"*  Meridian — The  l"*  Sect,  of 
the  Act  26,  March,  1804,'°  seems  to  give  the  Surveyor  General 
sufficient  power  in  this  case,  but,  before  I  contract  for  any  further 
Surveys  in  that  Region,  I  wish  to  have  your  opinion  and  advice. 
M'  Elias  Rector  was  appointed  in  the  Month  of  September  last  a 
Deputy-Surveyor  in  the  Territory  of  Missouri — with  this  I  transmit 
a  Sketch  of  the  tract  which  M'  Rector  wishes  to  Survey. 

Frequent  applications  are  made  at  this  Office  for  Copies  of  Records, 
and  some  of  them  require  considerable  time  to  furnish — I  will  thank 
you  for  information  whether  I  am  to  attest  Copies  of  Record  to  be 
used  in  Judicial  trials; — whether  any  fees,  in  any  case  of  this  nature, 
can  be,  of  right,  demanded  or  accepted, — for  in  this  case  I  am  in  doubt 
what  is  my  duty. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully    Yours 

JosiAH  Meigs.  S.  Gen' 

M  Answered  Feb.  8,  1814  (NA,  WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  7),  advising  that 
the  Governor  of  Tennessee  has  been  authorized  to  call  into  service  militia  to  oppose 
the  Indians  on  the  frontier. 

"  Ante,  p.  378. 

"  NA  (GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 

»  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vii,  173-174. 


390  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin — 
feee  fef  attcJtcd  copicn  ef  rcoordo  te  fee  uocd  « judicial  trialo,  i  de  aet 

lUld  ttH V  itt"\'  fiUtllOl'lyillc  you  ttO  uOIlluilu  I0C9j  Ot-lti  X  rrilliit  yOU  WiH  O© 
SftlC  i  1*0 VW  OOIii^UrO  TT  you  OOlliOIlU  ift  dUOil  Oii9C9^  1CC9  llUt/  CaOCCUIII^  fcliO 

fees  IcgalU'  demanded  fey  44i«  Clerk  ©f  *fee  Court  ef  [blank]  fof  if 
110  lOCi^  fti'c  ootitiiiitiCQ J  you  iiiuy  oc  imprusscci  oy  uljcic99  trppiiouLioiirj 
fef  oopicg  from  ^our  reoordo.  Tfe«  fees  which  ye«  receive  fef  auch 
scrvicot^  you  iiiust'  ttccouu t  lor  tO  tiio  ^r  otftt'Cj 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin.  Esquire  Commiss"' 
Gen.  L.  Office— 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  Jan''  4'"  1814  J  Meigs  with  a  representa- 
tion that  the  plat  of  Shawnee  town  may  be  improved — de  Fees  for 
copies  of  records — Rector  wants  to  survey  certain  land  Acco*"  of  last 
quarter  " — 

[Enclosure] 

Memorial  to  Josiah  Meigs  by  citizens  of  Shawneetown 

[December  24,  1813] 
To  Josiah  Meigs,  Esquire,  Surveyor  General  of  the  U.  States. 

Sir,  The  undersigned  beg  leave  to  represent  to  you,  and  thro'  you 
to  the  government,  that  it  is  necessary  and  important  for  the  future 
convenience,  accomodation  and  beauty  of  Shawanoe-Town,  to  abolish 
(Previous  to  the  Public  Sales)  all  the  two  front  tiers  of  lots  and  frac- 
tions as  Surveyed  and  standing  on  the  Plat  of  said  Town,  leaving  the 
third  tier  to  be  the  front  adjoining  the  river.  The  lots  here  proposed 
to  be  stricken  off  are  from  N°  413.  to  N°  467.  inclusive,  as  marked 
on  the  Plat. 

As  reasons  for  this  measure  we  beg  leave  to  represent,  that  in  the 
Spring  of  almost  every  year  the  Water  of  the  river  rises  into  the  space 
now  left  for  a  front  Street,  and  interrupts  passing; — sometimes  it 
comes  upon  the  lots  now  proposed  to  be  stricken  off; — but  rarely  on 
the  lots  of  the  third  tier,  which  is  the  highest  ridge  of  land  in  the  town, 
and  would  afford  a  dry  road  as  well  as  the  best  scites  for  buildings. 
The  attrition  of  the  flood-waters  is  wearing  the  bank  in  places,  so 
that  it  is  already  nearly  impassable  for  Waggons  on  the  present 
highway. 

It  is  clearly  the  opinion  of  the  undersigned,  that  in  case  the  altera- 
tion here  proposed  should  be  made,  the  remaining  lots  would  sell  for 
more  than  enough  to  indemnify  the  U.  States,  so  that  the  loss  would 
in  fact  be  a  gain  to  them.  Good  buildings  cannot  with  safety  be 
placed  in  front  of  the  highest  ground,  and  it  would  detract  from  the 

"  The  canceled  paragraph  is  written  in  a  different  hand. 

»•  Answered  Jan.  18,  1814  (NA,GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  391 

value  of  the  lots  on  such  ground  to  have  lanes  and  alleys  and  mean 
buildings  only  in  their  front.  It  is  understood,  that  remonstrances 
were  made  by  Men  of  understanding  at  the  time  of  surveying  the 
Town-plat  against  running  it  so  near  the  river,  but  without  effect. 
The  amendment  now  proposed  would  bring  the  plat  nearly  to  what 
was  then  desired. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted  by,  Sir,  your  very  Obedient 
Servants, 

H  Oldham — Physician  and  Innkeeper 

Jephthah  Harden — Attorney  at  Law. 

Willis  C  Osbourne — Merchant. 

S.  R  Campbell— Merchant. 

W"  Huston— Merchant. 

Tho'  E  Cray— Merchant. 

Jo'  M.  Steel — Merchant 

S.  Griswold— Judge  U.  S.  Court,  111.  Tr^ 
Shawanoe-town  (III.  Ter^)  24'"  Dec'  1813— 

Surveyor  General's  Office    4*"  Jav7  1814. 
A  True  Copy— S.  Gresham    Clk. 

[Endorsed]  Shawanoe  Town  Memorial  4*"  Jan^  1814 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  WILLIAM  JONES 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  Office,  6""  January,  1814. 

Sir,  Although  I  am  well  aware,  that  your  official  duties  press  hard 
upon  your  time,  yet,  I  hope  you  will  pardon  the  liberty  I  take,  in 
requesting  you  to  be  so  good  as  to  direct  what  instructions  shall  be 
given  to  Gov.  Edwards,  of  the  Illinois  Territory,  relative  to  leasing 
the  Wabash  Saline,  as  the  time  is  fast  approaching  when  the  present 
lease  expires.  It  appears  to  M'  Sheldon  and  myself,  that,  considering 
all  the  circumstances  relative  to  this  business,  that  it  will  be  best  to 
direct  him  to  advertise  and  receive,  first  proposals  for  leasing  the 
worlds,  with  this  additional  clause  to  be  observed,  that  the  lessees 
shall  be  suffered  to  sell  the  salt,  in  future,  at  one  dollar  P  bushel, 
instead,  as  heretofore,  at  75  cents;  for  the  people  of  that  country 
may  afford  to  give  a  dollar  for  salt,  and  of  course,  with  such  permis- 
sion, to  the  lessees  (of  selling  at  a  dollar)  the  government  may  obtain 
better  terms  than  the  present  occupants  have  offered;  indeed,  there 
can  be  no  doubt  but  they  will  offer  more. 

Please  say,  if  you  acquiesce  in  these  ideas,  or  what  others. 

With  great  respect  &" 

Hon.  W"  Jones,  Esq"'  acting  sec''  of  the  Treasury. 


392  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

SHADRACH  BOND  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 
[NA:SD,  Printing  and  Distribution  of  Laws,  1789-1 822  :ALS] 

Washington  City  January  l\ih  1814 
Sir  / 1  take  the  Liberty  of  requesting  you  to  appoint  M"^  Matthew 
Duncan  of  Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory,  to  Print  and  Publish  the 
Laws  of  Congress  in  said  Territory — I  am  dear  sir  your  ob'  serv' 

Shadrach  Bond 


PETITION  TO  CONGRESS  BY  THE  METHODIST  SOCIETY 

OF  ST.  CLAIR  COUNTY 

[LC:HF,^13];Cong.,  2  ses3.:DS] 

[January  17,  1814] 
To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  United  States  in  Congress 
Assembled. 

The  petition  of  us  the  undersign"  trustees  for  the  Methodist  Society 
at  Shilo  in  the  County  of  S'  Claire  in  the  Ellenois  Teritory  in  behalf 
of  our  selves  and  the  Church  to  which  we  belong  in  the  Teritory 
afs"  as  well  as  Every  other  branch  of  the  Christian  Church  therein. 
Humbly  Sheweth — That  among  the  many  blessings  Securd  to,  and 
injoyd  by  us  under  our  Constitution  that  of  Worshiping  the  Supream 
being  agreeable  to  the  dictates  of  our  Conscience  we  Esteem  the 
greatest.  And  in  order  to  the  injoyment  of  the  same  places  are  to 
be  set  apart  and  houses  Erected  for  the  purpose.  In  which  respect 
we  Your  petioners  (as  well  as  other)  feel  oiu-  selves  Curtaild  in  our 
Religious  Enjoyments  from  having  build  on  lands  to  which  we  have 
no  title,  or  Scurity  from  the  public  for  money  so  Expended.  We 
therefore  pray  that  Such  Amendments  may  be  made  to  the  law  for 
the  disposial  of  public  land  as  may  secure  to  us  the  object  af '',  either 
by  granting  a  donation  or  permiting  Religious  Society's  to  Enter  Such 
quantitys  as  may  by  you  be  thought  Necessary  to  secure  to  Each 
the  object  afs".  And  we  Your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will 
Ever  pray  &c. 

17  Jo"  1814. 
Wm  Scott  Jun'  James  Scott 

Joseph  Ogle  Risdon  Moore 

Robert  Thomas  Silas  Bankston 

Samuel  Redman 

[Endorsed]  Petition  of  the  Trustees  for  the  Methodist  society,  St 
Clair  County,  Illinois  territory.  26,  February  1814.  Ref"  to  the 
Com"  on  Public  Lands.  22"  March,  1814.  Report  made,  agreed  to 
and  petition  rejected  "  M'  Bond  ref"  lands 

"  House  Journal,  13  Cong.,  2  sess,  pp.  313,  356.  The  prayer  of  the  petition 
was  rejected  as  "unreasonable". 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  393 

JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814 :ALS] 

SuTA-eyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  Jan  18,  1814 

Sir,  I  had  the  honour  of  receiving,  last  Evening,  your  Letter  dated 
January  4th.*°  Perhaps  there  may  be  some  misunderstanding  of  the 
Law  relative  to  District  Sun^eyors.  The  Lands  surveyed  according 
to  Law,  have  only  Sectional  Lines  run:  and  Marks,  only,  for  half  or 
Quarter  Sections. — I  have  supposed  that  the  intention  of  the  Law  was, 
to  prevent  disputes  and  dissensions  between  purchasers,  by  constitut- 
ing accredited  officers,  under  the  name  of  District  Surveyors,  who 
should,  when  required,  actually  run  and  mark  the  Lines  dividing  whole 
Sections  into  Halves  or  Quarters.  If  this  business  should  be  left  to 
County  Surveyors,  or  any  Surveyors  not  acting  under  the  authority 
of  the  United  States,  it  is  very  probable  that  disputes  would  arise, 
not  only  injurious  to  the  Purchasers  themselves,  but  also  to  the 
Registers  of  the  Land-Offices,  the  Surveyor  General,  and  indeed  to 
every  officer  concerned  in  the  business  of  the  Public  Lands. 

It  is,  by  Law,  made  the  duty  of  the  Survej^or  General  to  "Furnish 
the  District  Surveyor  with  a  Copy  of  the  Plat  of  the  Townships  and 
Fractional  parts  of  Townships  contained  in  his  District,  describing 
the  Subdivisions  thereof,  and  the  marks  of  the  Corners." 

The  Deputy  or  District  Surveyor  is  entitled  to  receive  from  the 
purchaser  three  Dollars  for  each  mile  run  and  marked. 

If  I  have  misapprehended  the  meaning  of  the  Law,  it  will  not  be 
unpleasant;  as  it  will  relieve  this  Office  from  the  considerable  labour 
of  furnishing  Plats  &  descriptions  to  the  District  Sun-eyors. 

I  transmit,  with  this  a  Schedule  of  the  Fractional  Sections  and 
Quarter  Sections  in  Ranges  No.  I  to  No.  VII  inclusive,  East  of  the 
Third  Principal  Meridian — in  a  few  days  I  shall  forward  the  schedule 
of  the  other  sections  of  Shawnee  District,  w\z:  Ranges  8 — 9 — 10 — 11. 

By  the  Law  of  May  10,  1800,"  all  Sections  except  the  Fractional, 
on  the  North  and  West  sides  of  Townships,  are  to  be  considered  as 
containing  the  complete  legal  Quantity — Viz:  each  whole  township 
contains  25  complete  legal  Sections,  each  640  acres  21  complete  legal 
Q''  Sections  each  160  acres  and,  23  fractional  Quarter  Sections,  gen- 
erally exceeding,  or  falling  short  of  160  acres. — 

Whenever  the  Fractions  are  thrown  on  Rivers,  the  order  of  numera- 
tion varies  from  that  of  whole  TowTiships,  and  is  easily  seen  by 
reference  to  the  Plats. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully  Yours 

JosiAH  MiEGS  S'  General 

«°  Not  found. 

«i  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  III,  89-90  (sec.  3). 


394  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

1804  26  Mar:  District  or  deputy  surveyors  to  be  appointed." 

page  167  Subdivisions  to  be  at  the  expence  of  purchasers.'' 

11  feb  1805       Boundary  lines  of  sections  to  be  ascertaind  at  public 
page  168  expence  '* — 

169         Returns  of  Survey'  Gen'  to  be  considered  as  correct, 
&  contents  of  quarter  sections  as   K'"  of  whole 
sect'." 
"  Does  section  S"*  •*  repeal  that  part  of  the  Law  of  26 

Mar  1804  which  provides  for  theappointm'  of  Depu- 
ties to  subdivide  at  exp"  of  purchasers? 
As  the  deputies  were  to  be  appointed  with  consent  of  Sec''  of  Treas' 
will  it  be  adviseable  to  refer  the  subject  for  his  decision? 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire — Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land-Office  Treasury  Department  Washington  City. 
[Postmarked]  Cincinnati  20  Jan"  1814  Free 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  18  Jan^'  1814  J  Meigs  about  appointment  of 
district  Surveyors  Schedule  of  Fract'  Sect'  " 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

(NA:SD,  Dom.  Letters,  xvi:Cl 

21"  of  January  1814 
Governor  Edwards 

Sir  Your  letter  of  the  15""  of  december  1813  "  enclosing  one  from 
doctor  John  H.  Robinson  to  yourself,  dated  the  18'"  of  September 
with  the  copy  of  a  printed  circular  from  the  same  person,  addressed 
also  to  you,  was  duly  received  at  this  office;  and  I  return  you  my  thanks 
for  your  communication.*' 

I  avail  myself  of  this  occasion  to  state,  that  d'  Robinson's  views  and 
conduct,  as  disclosed  by  the  letters  referred  to,  are  in  direct  opposition 
to  law;  and  I  need  hardly  add,  that  they  have  not  the  authority  or 
countenance  of  this  government. 

I  have  just  written  to  the  governor  of  the  Missouri  territory  en- 
closing D'  Robinson's  letters  to  you,  and  have  requested  him  to  take 
such  measures  as  the  law  authorizes,  to  prevent  the  execution  of  his 
illegal  designs,  if  he  should  be  found  in  that  territory.     For  that  pur- 

"  There  is  no  mention  of  district  or  deputy  surveyors  in  the  act  cited. 

••  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  Vii,  174  (sec.  1). 

••2  Stat.  313  (sec.  1). 

"2  Stat.  313-314  (8ec.2). 

«•  2  Stat.  314. 

"Answered  Jan.  31,  1814  (NA,  GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 

••  Not  found. 

••  Cf.  anU,  p.  373, 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  395 

pose  he  is  authorized  and  requested  to  employ  such  professional  aid  as 
may  be  necessary.  If  d''  Robinson  should  be  in  the  Illinois  and  not 
in  the  Missouri  ten-itory,  you  will  cause  the  enclosed  letter  for  the 
district  attorney  to  be  delivered,  and  receive  from  governor  Clark  the 
letters  forwarded  to  him,  to  be  used  as  the  ground  work  of  such  legal 
proceedings  as  may  be  instituted  in  either  territory  against  d'  Robin- 
son.'" 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  TO  WILLIAM  MEARS 

[NA:SD,  Dom.  Letters,  XVI:C] 

21°'  of  January  1814, 
The  District  Attorney  of  the  Illinois  territory 

Sir  I  transmit  herewith  two  letters  from  d"^  John  H.  Robinson  to 
governor  Edwards  tending  to  prove  that  the  former  had  been  engaged 
in  the  unlawful  business  of  exciting  the  citizens  of  the  U.  S.  to  the 
invasion  of  the  Spanish  provinces  beyond  the  Misisipi.  If  he  should 
be  found  in  the  Illinois  territory,  you  will  take  immediately  such 
measures  as  the  law  authorizes  to  prevent  the  execution  of  his  illegal 
designs. 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office.    Cincinnati,  Feb.  1.  1814. 

Sir,  I  received,  on  the  27""  of  last  month,  your  letter  dated  Jan.  18, 
1814." 

In  the  communications  made  relative  to  Shawnee  Town,  I  always 
intended  to  express  my  opinion  that  the  place  was  not  judiciously 
selected — that,  as  probably  in  some  future  time  a  considerable  town 
would  arise  below  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  and  above  the  mouth  of 
Cumberland  River,  it  was  very  desirable  that  the  Government  should 
select  a  spot  which  should  promise  health,  and  particularly,  security 
against  inundations.^It  is  my  opinion  that,  as  expectations  have 
been  excited  by  the  Surv^ey  &  laying  out  of  a  Town  at  Shawnee  the 
lots  of  that  town  should  be  offered  to  sale,  the  present  plan  being 
improved,  before  the  sales  commence,  by  striking  out  the  Streets  near 
the  River.  The  proposed  abolition  of  those  Streets  will  probably 
enhance  the  value  of  the  remainder. 

I  have  never  presumed  a  right  to  ad^^se,  but  I  think  that  your 
representation  relative  to  the  Public  Lands,  which  I  have  had  the 
pleasure  of  reading  in  the  National  Intelligencer,  will  convince  the 

">  No  reply  found. 

"  NA  (GLO.SG.NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  IV). 


396  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Government,  that  another  Scite  for  a  Town  in  the  Illinois  Territory 
ought  to  be  selected — 

I  have  communicated  to  Mess.  William  and  Elias  Rector  your 
opinion  on  the  Subjects  of  their  proposals.  Several  Surveyors  are 
now  employed  in  what  is  called  Harrison's  late  Purchase  " — I  think 
they  are  in  some  danger  of  interruption,  but  they  are  willing  to  en- 
counter it. 

By  this  Mail  I  transmit  a  Packet  of  Seven  Sheets  containing  a 
Description  of  the  Contents  of  Fractional  Sections  in  Ranges  VIII. 
IX.  X— XI  East  of  the  3d.  Principal  Meridian — I  hope  the  whole 
Schedule  will  be  found  to  be  correct  and  agreeable  to  your  wishes. 

We  are  preparing  Copies  of  Plats  and  Descriptions  of  the  Quarter 
&  Fractional  parts  of  Townships  reserved  by  the  Act  of  March  1. 
1800.  for  satisfying  Warrants  granted  to  Individuals  for  Military 
Services — and  a  part  will  be  transmitted  by  the  next  Mail. 

I  inclose  James  Sisson's  Receipt  for  the  Quarter  ending  December 
31.  1813^ — I  have  not  yet  received  the  Salary  of  either  of  my  Clerks 
for  the  Quarter  ending  September  30.  1813. — 

I  am — very  respectfully  Yours. 

JosiAH  ]\Ieigs 

Hon.  Edward  Tiffin  Comm^  Gen.  L.  Office — 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire  Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land  Office,  Treasury  Department  Washington-City. 
[Postmarked]    Cincinnati    3  Feb*'  1814    Free 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  1  feb  1814  J  Meigs  de  Scite  of  Shawnep 
Town — sends  description  of  fractions  &  Sisson  rec*  ans"  11  feb 
handed  rec*  to  Auditor  with  the  SurV  Generals  Acco'  ending  31 
dec  1813 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
(NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:  LS] 

Treasury  Department  General  Land  Office  1 1  Feb^  1814 
Sir  Your  letter  of  1"  Ins'  has  been  received,  with  your  opinion 
relative  to  the  Scite  of  Shawnee  Town;  I  shall  always  be  glad  to  have 
your  opinion  on  such  subjects,  your  superior  opportunities  of  observa- 
tion and  information  enable  you  to  form  a  more  correct  judgment  than 
can  possibly  be  formed  here  upon  Local  subjects.  Seven  sheets  of 
descriptions  of  fract.  Sections  (mentiond  in  your  letter)  &  M' 
Sissons  receipt  for  his  Salary  have  also  been  received,  the  latter  has 
been  handed  to  the  Auditor — In  one  of  my  latest  letters  I  informed 

"  In  Indiana  Territory. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  397 

you  that  I  presumed  your  Salary  was  waiting  your  orders  in  the  Bank 
of  Washington 

I  am  very  respectfully  Sir  your  obed'  Serv' 

Edward  Tiffin 

JosiAH  Meigs  Esq'  Surv''  Gen'  Cincinnati 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esq"'  Surveyor  General  Cincinnati  [Post- 
marked] Treasury  Departm'  General  Land  Office  Edward  TifRn 
Wash"  City    Feb  12 

[Endorsed]  Ed.  Tiffin     Feb.  11.  1814. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  WILLIAM  RECTOR 
[NA:WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Mil.  Bk.  7] 

War  Department    Fehy  16,  1814. 
Gen'  W"  Rector  Kaskaskias 

Sir,  The  President  has  been  pleased  to  accept  your  Resignation  as 
Brig"'  General  in  the  Militia  of  the  Illinois  Territory  " — 


WILLIAM  RECTOR  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

United  States  Saline,  Illinois  Territory,  March  16"»  1814. — 
Dear  Sir  I  arrived  here  on  the  8'"  Ins'  I  came  to  visit  my  brother 
Nelson,  who  on  the  1"  day  of  this  month,  was  severely  wounded  by 
Indians.  He  was  returning  from  a  tour  of  surveying  when  he  got  to 
the  North  fork  of  the  Saline  Creek  (about  15  miles  from  this  place) 
he  was  shot  at  by  at  least  five  Indians,  who  lay  concealed  under  a 
high  bank,  not  more  than  twenty  five  feet  from  where  he  was — Three 
Balls  struck  him,  one  passed  through  his  left  shoulder  not  far  from 
the  hollow  of  his  breast — Another  struck  his  left  arm  about  four 
Inches  from  the  shoulder,  this  fractured  the  bone  very  much,  glanced 
off  and  lodged  in  the  flesh  where  it  yet  remains,  The  other  Ball  glanced 
along  the  right  side  of  his  head  taking  with  it  a  lock  of  hair  and  a 
small  peice  of  skin  which  left  three  Bullet  holes  in  a  Handkerchief 
that  was  tied  round  his  head.  Another  Ball  struck  his  Horse  in  the 
shoulder,  ranged  back  and  came  out  on  the  opposite  side  just  below 
the  back  bone  which  brought  him  to  his  knees,  but  he  instantly 
recovered  again — At  this  critical  moment  the  Savage  Monsters,  no 
doubt  made  sure  of  their  victim,  for  they  had  got  all  round  and 
within  a  few  feet  of  him.  But  he  made  a  desperate  effort  put  spurs 
to  his  horse  and  rushed  through  them.    At  the  same  time  another 

n  Ante,  p.  373. 


398  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

party  of  Indians  lay  concealed  two  or  three  hundred  yards  further 
along  the  road,  for  the  purpose  no  doubt,  that  in  case  Nelson  by 
accident  should  escape  the  clutches  of  his  first  assailants  that  they 
might  make  sure  of  him.  But  he  fortunately  turned  off  the  road  and 
did  not  pass  within  less  than  one  hundred  yards  to  where  they  lay. 
As  he  passed  they  discharged  their  guns  at  him  but  without  effect. 
In  this  miserable  plight  he  rode  twelve  miles  to  a  Fort  three  miles 
from  this  place,  when  he  got  there,  he  was  so  much  exausted  with 
the  loss  of  blood  that  he  could  scarcely  stick  on  his  horse.  The  same 
evening  he  was  brought  by  men  on  a  litter  to  this  place,  since  which 
he  has  suffered  very  much  with  his  wounds  &  part  of  the  time  very 
high  fevers.  But  I  am  happy  to  add  that  for  the  two  last  days  he  has 
been  nearly  free  from  fever  &  pain,  that  a  supperation  has  taken 
place  in  both  his  wounds,  discharge  freely  and  his  surgeons  say  look 
very  favorable.  I  think  he  is  entirely  out  of  danger,  tho  it  will  be 
several  weeks  before  he  gets  entirely  well— Such  is  the  opinion  of  his 
Surgeons.  You  will  perceive  that  Nelsons  escape  from  the  savage 
allies  of  his  Britanic  Majesty,  was  very  narrow  indeed  it  comes 
pretty  near  to  what  I  view  as  a  miracle  every  body  here  say  it  is  a 
miracle  of  the  most  extraordinary  kind.  I  think  there  are  but  few 
men,  who  under  similar  circumstances  would  have  escaped  the 
Tomhawk  &  scalping  knife 

I  hope  our  Government  will  take  such  steps  as  will  effectually  put 
down  or  drive  far  away  from  our  settlements  these  perfidious  savages 
&  cut  off  all  communication  between  them  and  our  more  perfidious 
enemies;  the  British.  It  would  be  a  great  pity  that  this  beautiful 
&  fertile  country  should  be  left  to  be  overrun  by  hostile  savages. 
It  is  tnily  afflicting  to  see  the  poor  fellows  who  had  settled  on  the 
frontiers  in  this  quarter  fleeing  with  their  families  &  that  little  of  their 
little  property  which  they  could  collect  &  take  with  them  from  savage 
cruelty — I  say  it  is  distressing  because  these  men  are  all  poor  depend 
on  their  labor  for  a  support  many  of  whom  have  large  families  and 
no  homes  to  take  them  to 

Nelson  desires  me  to  present  his  respects  to  you,  and  inform  you 
that  before  he  received  his  wounds  he  had  surveyed  the  exterior 
boundaries  of  all  the  Townships  in  his  district,  and  had  subdivided  into 
sections  &c  one  Township  &  part  of  another.  He  wishes  me  also  to 
say  to  you  that  he  is  determined  to  complete  the  Surveying  you 
assigned  to  him  as  soon  as  possible  that  notwithstanding  his  ill  luck 
he  hopes  to  get  the  whole  done  before  the  expiration  of  the  time 
mentioned  in  his  contract  with  you. 

I  shall  try  and  I  expect  to  succeed  in  geting  some  of  the  Rangers 
stationed  so  as  to  protect  Nelson  While  Surveying,  which  will  answer 
a  double  perpose  as  at  the  same  time  they  will  afford  protection  to  a 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  399 

number  of  defenceless  inhabitants — Should  it  be  necessary  I  will 
send  one  experienced  Surveyor  to  assit  him. 

I  did  expect  to  have  set  out  for  your  office  about  the  20"*  Ins* 
but  in  consequence  of  this  long  visit  shall  not  be  able  to  get  off  till 
late  next  month, — I  shall  go  prepared  to  return  the  whole  of  the 
surveying  you  assigned  to  me  in  this  Territory,  and  some  part  of  the 
Village  tracts  of  Missouri — I  shall  set  out  for  Saint  Louis  in  two  or 
three  days.  On  my  arrival  there  I  hope  to  receive  your  instructions 
relative  to  laying  off  Townships  &c  Three  weeks  before  I  left  S' 
Louis  I  rec"*  from  M'  Tiffin  by  mail  the  Land  Laws  of  the  U.  S. 
agreeably  to  your  request. 

Will  you  do  me  the  honor  to  present  my  respects  to  M"  Meigs 
and  Miss  Benjamin — 

I  am  D''  Sir  with  much  respect  Your  ob'  Serv' 

"VV"  Rector 

JosiAH  Meigs  Esquire 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esquire  Surveyor  General  of  the 
United  States  Cincinnati  Ohio.  Mail  [Postmarked]  Shawanoe  Town 
March  18""     17 

[Endorsed]  W"  Rector  March  16.  1814  R  [March]  27.  An. 
April  4. 


JOHN  CALDWELL  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Shawneetown,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:  ALS] 

VmcENNES  16""  March  1814. 
Sir,  In  obedience  to  your  request  of  the  8'"  of  December  last  ''* 
I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  I  shall  leave  this  Place  tomorrow 
&  proceed  without  delay  of  time  to  Kaskaskia,  in  Order  to  Resume 
those  duties  which  you  have  been  good  enough  to  dispense  with  for 
some  time  Past,  for  which  favor  I  feel  truly  grateful  &  beg  leave  to 
request  that  you  will  Accept  my  Sincere  &  hearty  thanks." 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  Su*  Your's  respectfully 

Jn"  Caldwell 

The  Hon"''  Edward  Tiffin  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land 
Office. 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'  Edward  Tiffin  Commissioner  of  the  General 
Land  Office  Washington  City  PMail  Private 

[Endorsed]  Vincennes  16'"  March  1814  ReC*  April  5'"  1814  J  Cald- 
well Rec'  notifies  his  return  to  Kaskaskia — 


"  Not  found. 

"See  Caldwell  to  TifSn,  Nov.  22,  1813  (NA.GLO,  Shawneetown,  Reg.   and 
Rec.  Lets.),  explaining  his  request  for  an  extended  leave  of  absence. 


400  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office  Cincinnati,  March  19,  1814 

Sir  I  received,  yesterday,  your  Letter  dated  7'"  February,  1814." 
— As  the  Post-Mark  is  March  7. 1  presume  there  was  a  Mistake  in  the 
Name  of  the  month. 

The  Field  Notes  of  Surveys  in  the  Militarj'  District  are  consider- 
ably voluminous — as  soon  as  a  Copy  can  be  made  it  shall  be  trans- 
mitted. 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you,  that  three  of  our  Surveyors,  who  were 
occupied  in  Harrison's  late  Purchase,  (Northerly  of  Vincennes,)  have 
retired,  thro'  fear  of  Indian  hostility — 

It  is  said,  and  I  think  it  is  true,  that  Nelson  Rector,  who  was  sur- 
veying on  the  waters  of  Little  Wabash,  has  been  attacked  by  Indians, — 
that  he  is  wounded  in  several  places,  and  that  it  is  feared  his  assistants 
have  been  killed — 

The  Indians  seem  not  yet  sufficiently  humbled  to  permit  the  Public 
Surveying  to  progress. — 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully  Yours, 

J  Meigs.  S.  Gen.— 

Hon.  E.  Tiffin 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire  Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land-Office  Treasury  Department  Washington-City 
[Postmarked]  Cincinnati  21  March  1814    Free 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  14  March  1814  J  Meigs  Surveyor  Gen' 
Indians  have  attacked  a  Sui-veying  party 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

1NA:GL0,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814 :ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  March  28.  1814 
Sir,  In  my  letter  of  the  19th  of  this  month,  I  informed  you  of  an 
attack  made  on  one  of  the  United  States'  Surveyors  in  the  Illinois 
Ten-itory. 

I  inclose,  with  this,  Extracts  from  Letters  received,  last  evening, 
from  Judge  Griswold,  and  W"  Rector,"  giving  particulars  of  that 
transaction,  the  knowledge  of  which  may  be  useful  to  the  Govern- 
ment.— 

I  have,  within  a  few  days,  conversed  with  William  Harris,  one  of 
the  U  States'  Surveyors,  in  Harrison's  last  Purchase;— he  prudently 
retired  from  the  Woods  where  he  was  at  work,  (near  Fort  Harrison, 

"  NA(GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 

"  Present,  and  printed  in  full  from  the  original,  ante,  p.  397. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  401 

on  the  Wabash;)  having  observed  Indians,  whose  conduct,  not  being 
decidedly  friendly,  was,  of  course,  suspicious. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully.  Yours, 

JosiAH  Meigs.  S.  G. 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire — 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  TifRn,  Esquire 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  28  Mar  1814  M''  Rector  Survey'  has  been 
wounded  by  Indians. 

[Enclosure] 

Judge  Griswold  to  Josiah  Meigs 

(Copy)     (Extract)  Shawnee  Town,  10,  March,  1814 

"On  the  first  instant  M"'  Nelson  Rector  left  his  hands  at  work  on 
his  Survey,  and  set  out  alone  to  come  in  to  the  Saline  about  25  or  30 
Miles  with  his  Field-Notes,  with  a  view  to  Plat  &c — At  about  half 
way,  while  riding  carelessly  along  upon  the  Goshen  Road,  near  the 
Bank  of  the  North  Fork  of  the  Saline  Creek,  wholly  unsuspicious  of 
Indians,  he  was  saluted  with  a  discharge,  from  beneath  the  bank,  of 
several  pieces,  within  a  very  short  distance:  One  ball  entered  his  left 
breast,  and  passing  thro'  a  small  portion  of  the  cavity  of  his  body 
and  the  left  shoulder  blade,  lodged  next  to  the  skin  behind— another 
ball  struck  his  left  arm,  and  shattered  the  bone  between  his  elbow  and 
shoulder — a  third  ball  passed  thro'  the  body  of  his  horse  near  the 
forelegs,  beneath  the  back  bone,  and  above  the  vitals.  The  horse 
sprang  to  a  great  distance,  but  providentially  M"'  Rector  kept  his 
seat,  and  the  Indians  continuing  their  fire,  another  ball  grazed  one 
of  his  temples,  and  knocked  off  his  hat. — On  turning  his  eye,  he  per- 
ceived their  mrniber  to  be  from  six  to  ten,  but  could  not  tell  exactly, 
as  his  deplorable  situation  permitted  but  a  slight  glance,  nor  did  he 
look  at  them  again — They,  however  pursued  him  a  good  distance, 
and  it  seems  a  miracle  that  he  escaped.  From  the  glance  he  had  of 
them  they  appeared  to  be  Kickapoos,  and  all  young  men:  his  horse 
held  out  beyond  expectation,  and  brought  him  to  a  Fortification 
three  miles  from  the  Saline,  but,  on  the  way,  M''  Rector  was  obliged 
to  use  every  method  to  save  himself — one  arm  dangling  by  his  side, 
with  the  hand  of  the  other  he  was  obliged  to  grasp  the  saddle  to  save 
himself  from  falling  thro'  extreme  faintness,  and  other  affections 
produced  by  his  wound.  In  this  situation,  taking  the  bridle  in  his 
teeth,  he  lost  some  of  them  by  the  stumbling  of  his  horse — he  thinks 
that  if  he  had  not  been  on  a  Spanish  Saddle  he  must  inevitably  have 
fallen  and  lost  his  life. 

The  men  who  went  out  in  pursuit  of  the  foe  discovered  many  traces 
of  Indians,  but  thought  it  most  prudent  to  hunt  up  M'  Rector's 
Surveyors,  whom  they  found  pursuing  their  business,  without  any 


402  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

suspicion  of  danger,  and  brought  them  in,  with  one  or  two  of  the  most 
exposed  families. 

We  do  not  apprehend  much  danger  here,  but  do  not^like  the  bold- 
ness of  these  Savages.  Their  object,  however,  I  think,  is  Plunder 
rather  then  War — they  have  stolen  many  horses." 

"Stanley  Gbiswold" 

J  Meigs— 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lete.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

Treasury  department  General  Land  Office  April  1"  1814 
Sir  Herewith  inclosed  you  will  receive  a  copy  of  an  Act  "Con- 
cerning Shawnee  town"  "  it  will  be  necessary  immediately  to  engage 
some  person  to  carry  this  Act  into  effect,  forward  on  one  copy  of  the 
plat  to  this  Office  and  make  out  another  ready  to  put  into  the  Hands 
of  the  Register  of  the  Land  Office  at  Shawnee  town,  so  soon  as  he  shall 
be  appointed — this  business  only  retards  (I  believe)  the  opening  of 
the  Land  Office, 
with  great  respect  I  am  Your  ob'  Serv' 

Edward  Tiffin 

JosiAH  Meigs  Esq'  Surveyor  General    Cincinnati  Ohio. 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esq'  Surveyor  General  Cincinnati.  Ohio. 
[Postmarked]  Treasury  Department  Gen  Land  Office  Edward  Tiffin 
Wash-  City    Apr  2    Free 

[Endorsed]  E.  Tiffin    April  1.  1814    R  11.    A.  13  " 


MEMORIAL    TO    CONGRESS    FROM    THE     LEGISLATIVE 

ASSEMBLY 

[LC:HF,  13  Cong.,  2  sess.iDS] 

[Referred  April  2,  1814] 
To  the  honorable  the  senate  and  house  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  in  Congress  assembled — 

The  memorial  of  the  Legislative  Council  and  house  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  Illinois  Territory  humbly  sheweth, 

That  we  your  memorialists  are  sensible  of  the  reasonableness  of  the 
pretensions  of  a  portion  of  the  Citizens  of  this  Territory  and  we  beg 
leave  to  express  our  conviction  that  a  law  of  the  United  States  in 
conformity  with  the  reasonable  demands  of  the  following  description 
of  Citizens  will  be  found  to  be  not  only  a  wise  but  a  Just  and  humane 


"  Approved  Mar.  24,  1814  (3  Stat.  113).    See  sec.  6,  act  approved  Apr.  30, 
1810  (2  Stat.  591). 
»  Post,  p.  412. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  403 

policy — First — Of  those  setlers  in  the  Illinois  Territory  and  who 
inhabited  and  cultivated  prior  to  act  of  S""  of  february  1813  '"  on 
public  land  within  the  tract  reserved  by  1806  "  for  satisfying  unlocated 
confirmed  claims  and  who  are  holders  of  such  unlocated  claims — 
Secondly — Of  those  setlers  who  also  inhabited  and  cultivated  as 
aforesaid  within  the  said  reserve  and  who  held  no  claims^S'''  Of 
those  who  are  the  proprietors  of  the  confirmed  unlocated  claims  within 
the  district  of  Kaskaskia  and  who  have  cultivated  prior  to  the  said 
act  of  1813 — The  first  description  of  Citizens  pray  for  the  pre- 
emption in  the  purchase  of  not  exceeding  400  acres  or  at  their  option 
to  be  permitted  to  locate  any  claim  or  claims  in  their  possession  on 
that  quantity  or  any  quantity  not  less  than  100  acres  including  their 
improvements. 

The  second  description  of  setlers  pray  for  the  preemption  in  the 
purchase  of  one  quarter  section  including  their  improvements,  Both 
these  description  of  setlers  have  been  excluded  from  the  benefit  of 
the  act  of  5'"  Feb''  1813  by  the  proviso  therein  contained  reserving 
from  sale  any  lands  which  have  been  Reserved  by  former  acts  of 
Congress,  Contrary  it  is  presumed  to  the  intent  of  the  Legislature  at 
the  time  of  passing  that  act — • 

The  third  description  of  Citizens  pray  that  within  the  following 
limits  (to  wit)  (Beginneing  at  the  mouth  of  Muddy  with  a  Township 
line  nearest  to  the  said  mouth.  Thence  East  to  the  meridian  running 
from  the  mouth  of  Ohio,  Thence  North  with  the  said  meridian  line  to 
the  North  boundaiy  line  of  Township  N"  5,  North  Thence  West  to 
the  Mississippi,  Thence  down  the  Mississippi  to  the  place  of  Begin- 
ning) they  be  permitted  to  enter  with  the  Register  such  a  part  of  a 
fractional  section,  section  or  Township  as  he  may  be  able  to  cover 
with  any  unlocated  claim  or  claims  in  his  possession  designating  at 
the  time  of  entry  the  end  from  which  stteh  the  fraction  or  excess  over 
and  above  the  claim  or  claims  shall  be  stricken  off  from  such  fraction, 
section  or  Township  which  shall  in  all  cases  be  done  by  running  such 
line  at  right  angles  with  the  sectional  lines,  the  expense  of  running 
such  line  to  be  paid  by  the  claimant,  and  when  two  or  more  shall 
apply  for  the  same  tract  the  priority  to  be  decided  by  the  Register  by 
lot  as  in  other  cases.  That  the  entries  shall  be  made  by  the  holders  of 
unlocated  claims  within  three  months  after  notice  is  given  by  the 
register 

And  that  all  claims  not  thus  entered  at  the  expiration  of  the  said 
three  months  shall  be  considered  as  funded  at  the  minimum  price  of 
public  land  and  be  received  in  payment  of  p«felie  lands  pifrchased  at 
public  sale.  But  that  in  order  to  avoid  monopoly  it  is  not  designed  that 
a  credit  should  be  extended  to  any  who  pay  in  claims. 

«» 2  Stat.  797-798. 

81  Act  approved  Apr.  21,  1806  (2  Stat.  395-396). 

314574 — 48 27 


404  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

From  a  view  of  the  laws  granting  donations  to  the  heads  of  families 
and  to  those  who  did  militia  duty  in  1790 — and  the  circumstances 
under  which  those  persons  have  setled  and  improved,  We  your  memo- 
rialists beg  leave  to  state  that  they  are  the  most  deserving  class  of 
setlers  in  our  Country — most  of  whom  have  been  long  setled — are 
the  holders  of  Bona  fide  claims  by  purchase  and  some  even  hold  in 
their  own  right  by  virtue  of  thier  having  been  heads  of  families  in 
1788  or  by  virtue  of  their  having  done  militia  duty  in  1790.  These 
improved  and  cultivated  extensively  under  an  impression  that  they 
might  secure  their  labour  by  locating  on  their  improvements  militia 
donations  when  confirmed  in  conformity  with  the  mode  pointed  out 
by  the  Governors  el  the  but  this  right  of  locating  having  been  unex- 
pectedly taken  away  by  the  act  of  1806  directing  in  a  special  manner 
the  locating  of  all  unlocated  claims,  this  law  deprived  those  setlers 
who  held  claims  of  the  means  of  securing  their  labour  in  the  manner 
pointed  out  by  the  Governors  of  the  North  West  and  Indiana  Terri- 
tories who  permitted  single  militia  rights  to  be  located  adjoining  other 
confirmed  lands  or  on  tracts  where  there  were  mill  seats  or  any  where 
provided  the  holder  or  holders  would  lay  five  of  them  together,  Dona- 
tions to  heads  of  families  were  by  the  resolve  of  1788  *^  directed  to  be 
located  within  certain  parallelograms  adjoining  the  Villages  and  to 
have  been  distributed  by  lot,  but  this  mode  became  impracticable  most 
of  the  Country  adjoining  the  villages  being  covered  by  antient  Grants, 
The  first  description  of  setlers  are  proprietors  of  these  claims,  which 
under  the  existing  law  they  cannot  locate  on  any  particular  spot. 
The  Second  description  setled  and  opened  excellent  farms  with  a  view 
of  purchasing  these  claims  and  locating  the  same  on  their  improvem- 
ments,  or  in  the  expectation  of  at  any  rate  being  able  to  purchase  the 
land  from  the  United  States,  Now  should  our  prayer  not  be  granted 
and  the  present  law  of  1806  be  enforced  their  farm  will  be  swept  away 
by  the  few  large  land  claimants  and'perhaps  one  half  of  the  population 
within  this  tract  would  will  be  driven  off  and  that  too  consisting  of  our 
most  honest  and  industrious  Citizens 

We  your  memorialists  cannot  omit  expressing  the  sensibility  and 
sympathy  on  witnessing  our  best  citizens  in  such  a  homeless  and  dis- 
tressed situation  indeed  it  would  be  illy  requiting  their  meritorious 
and  patriotic  exertions  in  defending  for  a  series  of  years,  the  Country 
from  the  frequent  and  recent  incursions  of  a  ferocious  and  formidable 
savage  enemy. 

As  the  donation  lands  were  to  have  been  located  on  the  prime  lands 
to  wit,  river  bottoms,  the  holders  will  not  think  it  Justice  after  waiting 
upwards  of  20  years  to  be  pushed  back  and  to  take  their  several  por- 
tions under  the  present  law  which  admits  of  but  a  very  limited  choice, 
These  claims  and  those  of  militia  Donations  together  with  a  few 

•>  June  20,  1788,  Terr.  Papers  (N.W.),  ii,  112-115. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  405 

improvement  rights  which  have  become  what  is  called  floating  claims 
(the  land  they  embraced  having  been  taken  away  by  neighboring 
claims)  amount  to  about  200,000  acres  a  great  part  of  these  will  be 
consumed  by  the  actual  settlers  if  the  privilege  prayed  for  is  granted, 
and  as  this  course  will  still  further  limit  land  claimants,  we  beg  leave 
to  suggest  that  if  a  law  were  to  be  passed  valuing  these  remaining 
claims  at  the  price  stated,  directing  the  Board  of  Commissioners  to 
issue  certificates  on  their  ultimate  confirmation  and  permitting  the 
holders  of  their  certificates  to  purchase  public  land  with  them  at  this 
rate,  at  the  auction  to  be  holden  where  the  land  shall  have  been  sur- 
veyed within  the  tract  first  described,  then  claimants  would  be 
satisfied  and  the  public  interest  would  not  be  likely  to  suffer  since  a 
competition  among  the  certificate  holders  would  certainly  raise  the 
land  far  above  their  minimum  price. 

We  your  memorialists  are  persuaded  that  the  effect  of  this  measure 
would  greatly  facilitate  the  population  of  so  important  a  point  of  the 
Union;  and  that  in  consequence  the  residuary  lands  would  sell  much 
sooner  and  every  description  of  citizens  will  be  satisfied. — 

Resolved  that  the  foregoing  Memorial  be  signed  by  the  president 
of  the  CouncU  &  by  the  speaker  of  the  House  of  representatives  in 
behalf  of  the  Legislature  and  that  one  copy  thereof  be  transmitted  by 
the  speaker  of  the  house  of  Representatives  to  our  Delegate  in  Congress 
with  a  request  that  he  shall  lay  the  same  before  the  national  Legisla- 
ture and  that  another  copy  be  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  at  the  City  of  Washington 

Geo  Fisher 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representativs 
Pierre  Menard 
president  of  the  Councell 

[Endorsed]  13  Cong.  S  2  Sess.  Memorial  of  the  Legislative  Council 
&  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Illinois  Territory.  10:  Jans'  1814 
Ref  to  the  Com"  on  the  Public  Lands.^^  1814  April  2*  Read  &  ref* 
to  M^  Brown  &  others.^    M"'  Bond  Ref  lands 


»  House  Journal,  IX,  206.  It  was  also  presented  in  the  Senate  by  Senator 
Fromentin,  of  Louisiana,  Apr.  2,  1814,  when  it  was  read  and  referred  {Senate 
Journal,  v,  483).  The  committee  to  which  the  memorial  was  referred  in  the 
Senate  was  appointed  Feb.  4,  1814,  to  consider  a  similar  memorial  from  citizens 
of  the  State  of  Louisiana  praying  to  be  confirmed  in  the  possession  of  certain  lands 
located  and  improved  prior  to  the  cession  of  Louisiana  to  the  United  States, 
ibid.,  p.  429.  The  committee  report  has  not  been  seen;  but  see  act  approved 
Apr.  12,  1814  (3  Stat.  121-123),  relating  to  the  State  of  Louisiana  and  the  Terri- 
tory of  Missouri,  and  act  approved  Apr.  16,  1814  (3  Stat.  125-127),  concerning  the 
Illinois  land  situation.  The  latter  act  was  designed  to  meet  the  demands  embodied 
in  the  above  memorial. 

**  There  is  no  relevant  entry  in  the  House  Journal  under  the  above  date. 


406  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

INA:WD,SWDP:ALS1 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Territory  April  4, 1814 
Sir  The  information  contained  in  the  extracts  which  I  have  the 
honor  herewith  to  transmit  will  no  doubt  be  well  understood  and 
properly  appreciated  by  you  ^ — From  several  other  sources  I  have 
received  correspondent  accounts.  It  is  thought  that  F'  Clarke  is 
most  probably  attacked  by  this  time  ** 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  Respectfully  Sir  Y'  M»  Ob"'  S* 

N  Edwards 

The  Honble  J  Armstrong  Sec''  of  War  Washington  City 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  April  4  1814  Gov.  Edwards — transmits 
extracts  from  letters— Expects  Fort  Clark  is  attacked.  Rec"  April 
1814" 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GL0,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS1 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati.  Avril  9.  1814 
Sir,  I  transmit  with  this  an  Account  of  William  Dobbins  for  Sur- 
veying &  Laying  out  Shawnee  Town.*^  Mr  Dobbins  has  executed 
the  Orders  of  Col.  Mansfield,  the  late  Surveyor  General— There  was 
no  formal  Contract  in  this  case^Tho'  the  Act  of  30.  April,  1810,*' 
was  imperative  on  the  S'  General,  yet,  in  this,  as  in  all  cases  not 
specially  provided  for,  it  is  necessary  that  the  proper  Officer  should 
approve  of  accounts,  before  I  can,  with  propriety,  give  an  Order  to 
the  Deputy  Surveyor. 

Mr.  Dobbins  was  considered  by  Col.  Mansfield  as  an  able  and  faith- 
ful Surveyor,  and  has,  for  a  considerable  time,  waited  for  his  compen- 
sation. As  M'  Dobbins  very  frequently  presses  me  on  this  subject,  it 
would  afford  me  particular  satisfaction  to  be  relieved  from  his  impor- 
tunities. 

I  also  inclose  an  Extract  of  Letter  dated  Shawnee  Town,  received 
on  the  7'"  of  this  Month,  and  I  avail  myself  of  the  permission  you  have 
given  me,  to  express  in  this  case  my  firm  belief  that  the  Public  Good 
will  be  promoted  by  speedily  opening  the  Land-Office  for  Shawnee 
District— The  Land  Officers  ought  to  have  time  to  erect  buildings 
sufficiently  secure,  before  the  Sales  commence — M'  Thomas  Sloo, 

*•  Not  present. 

»  See  Grignon  (at  La  Baye)  to  Askin,  Sept.  28,  1814  (WHC,  XI,  305)  reportinji 
such  an  attack. 

"  Answered  po^,  p.  413 

"  Not  present. 

••  2  Stat.  591  (sec.  6).    See  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  viii,  117. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  407 

who,  as  I  believe,  is  to  be  the  Register  of  that  Office  would,  if  ap- 
pointed, immediately  transport  by  the  River,  from  this  place,  boards, 
nails  and  other  necessary  materials  for  a  proper  building. — The  expec- 
tation of  the  Public  of  that  part  of  the  Western  Territory  has  been 
excited,  and  they  are  anxious,  if  not,  rather,  clamorous,  to  see  the 
Public  Promise  performed. 

At  the  present  time  money  is  plenty  among  them — and  the  Sales 
would  be,  in  my  opinion,  rapid  and  extensive. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully  Yours. 

J  Meigs 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin  Comm'  G.  L.  Office 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire — 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  9'"  Ap'  1814  J  Meigs  with  Acco'of — Dobbins 
for  surveying  Shawnee  town  &  letter  of  S  Griswold  ab'  opening  L 
Office  there    Ans"  19  Ap"" 

lEnclosureJ 

Judge  Griswold  to  Josiah  Meigs 

"Extract  of  a  Letter"  "Shawnoe  Town  March  17.  1814" 

"I  fear  we  shall  not  have  the  Land  Office  opened  here  very  suddenly, 
and  still  there  was  never  more  necessity  for  opening  an  Office  of  that 
kind  any  where. — The  chief  hindrances  appear  to  be  now 

"a  Reservation  and  a  Road;  which  have  not  been  laid  out.  The 
Reservation  is,  that  of  the  United  States  Saline,  which  has  never 
been  located,  and  will  embrace  some  thousands  of  acres.  The  Road 
has  been  obtained,  at  this  Session  of  Congress,  to  run  from  this  place 
to  the  Saline,  and  from  thence  to  Kaskaskia  "' — but  I  should  think 
the  Land  Officers  might  be  appointed,  and  ordered  on,  as  they  must, 
of  necessity  erect  buildings  for  their  accommodation,  and  the  safe- 
keeping of  the  Public  Monies  and  Records,  none  proper  for  either 
purpose  being  to  be  had  here — While  they  were  doing  that,  both  the 
Saline  Boundaries  and  the  Road  route  might  be  fixed. — It  is  now  well 
ascertained  where  the  Reservation  for  the  Saline  ought  to  be  laid,  and 
nothing  is  wanted  to  effect  that  object  instantly  but  the  Power  to 
do  it.  The  Land  Officers,  or  any  other  men  of  trust  might  be  vested 
with  this  Power:  and,  as  to  the  Road,  it  equally  ascertained  and  known 
here  where  the  route  ought  to  run,  till  you  get  beyond  the  Saline,  and 
beyond  all  the  Lands  which  would  be  sold  immediately — The  Land- 

'»  Post.  p.  413. 

•'  A  bill  to  this  end,  however,  did  not  proceed  beyond  second  reading  in  the 
House  during  the  current  session  {House  Journal,  IX,  197).  Actually,  a  similar 
bill  was  not  passed  until  two  years  later.  See  act  approved  Apr.  27,  1816  (3 
Stat.  318),  authorizing  the  survey  and  construction  of  the  road  in  question. 


408  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Officers  might  be  employed  also  in  directing  the  route  of  the  Road, 
especially  thro'  their  own  District — ■ 

"These  things  are  respectfully  submitted  to  you,  that  you  may 
accelerate  the  opening  of  the  Land-Office  here,  should  you  have  an 
opportunity  of  contributing  to  so  desirable  an  Object" 

"Stanley  Griswold" 

"JOSIAH  Meigs  Esq;  Surv'  General  Cincinnati" 

[Endorsed]  Extract  of  a  Letter.  Stanley  Griswold  to  Josiah 
Meigs — 


SHADRACH  BOND  TO  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 

[NA:WD,  SWDF:ALS1 

House  of  Representatives  April  \2th  1814 
Sirs/  I  will  enclose  you  a  letter  from  Gov'  Edwards  on  the  subject 
of  Protecting  the  Missoiui  fur  Companies — 
I  am  Respectfully  your  ob'  Servt — 

S.  Bond— 

[Endorsed]  House  of  Rep"  April  12  1814  Gov.  N  Edwards  to 
Hon  M'  Bond  States  that  he  thinks  the  Indian  war  will  be  of  long 
duration  &  that  200  men  could  be  raised  immediately  if  they  & 
officers  were  allowed  to  trade  wdth  the  Indian    Rec"*  April  1814 

[Enclosure  :ALS] 

Governor  Edwards  to  Skadrach  Bond 

Elvirade  Randolph  County  Illinois  Territory  Jany  11.  1814 

Dear  Sir  The  anxiety  which  I  feel  in  common  with  all  the  citi- 
zens of  this  territory  to  know  what  course  the  gov'  is  likely  to  adopt 
in  relation  to  the  indians  renders  me  very  desirous  of  hearing  from 
you  which  is  a  pleasure.  I  have  not  had  since  Congress  commenced 
its  present  Session — 

The  conduct  of  the  indians  at  present  (whatever  may  be  their 
eventual  determination)  by  no  means  corresponds  with  that  expecta- 
tion which  was  generally  produced  by  the  success  of  our  northwestern 
army — Of  those  in  this  territory  Gen'  Harrison  speaks  doubtfully  in 
a  letter  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  from  him  on  the  subject  of  the  late 
armistice  *'  And  neither  the  Kickapoos  nor  any  that  reside  west  of 
Lake  Michigan  nor  about  Praire  de  Chien  (a  few  Pottowottomies 
excepted)  have  as  far  as  I  can  learn  either  come  in  for  peace  or  mani- 
fested any  other  disposition  to  sue  for  it.  Which  is  a  course  of  conduct 
very  contrary  to  all  former  experience  if  they  are  determined  to 

«  Not  identified. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  409 

abandon  their  allies.  My  own  impression  is  that  they  are  not  yet 
decided  but  are  resting  upon  events — And  I  should  think  it  extremely 
injudicious  to  disband  the  companies  of  rangers  untill  the  safety  of  the 
frontier  is  better  assured — Indeed  if  the  war  with  great  Britain  con- 
tinue I  am  one  of  those  few  who  do  not  count  upon  as  easy  and 
speedy  a  termination  of  indian  war  as  is  generally  anticipated— 

The  British  will  not  relinquish  the  furs  trade  while  there  is  the 
least  propect  of  maintaining  it  either  for  the  profits  it  affords  or  for 
the  influence  it  gives  them  over  the  savages — And  I  assert  it  as  an 
undeniable  fact  that  they  can  carry  on  that  trade  as  well  from  Hudsons 
Bay  as  from  Montreal,  and  the  doubtful  right  of  of  the  Charter  of  the 
Hudson  Bay  Company  must  sooner  or  later  yield  to  the  policy  or 
interest  of  that  nation — 

From  Hudsons  Bay  to  the  heads  of  the  Missisippi  goods  can  be 
brought  more  conveniently  and  with  less  expence  than  they  are  now 
carried  from  Montreal  to  several  parts  of  the  Northwest — The  com- 
munication I  here  allude  to  is  between  the  Missisippi  and  Red  River 
which  latter  runs  into  Lake  Winnepic,  the  Portage  between  them  is 
scarcely  more  than  ){  of  a  mile,  this  rout  has  been  explored  by  yovu* 
acquaintance  John  Hay  Esq'  than  whom  no  more  intelligent  man  has 
ever  visited  that  Country  °' — It  is  a  fact,  and  one  too  from  which 
reflecting  men  may  deduce  the  most  important  inferences  that  the 
regions  from  which  the  N  W  company  of  Montreal  have  drawn  their 
exoribitant  profits  are  West  and  North  west  of  a  north  line  from  S* 
Louis  to  the  frozen  Ocean — I  do  not  intend  to  enlarge  upon  this  sub- 
ject, for  were  I  to  do  so — I  should  probably  be  considered  (as  on  some 
former  occasions  I  have  been — most  imfortunately  for  my  contry) 
too  visionary — But  suppose  the  British  to  be  excluded  from  the 
usual  channel  of  the  furs  trade  Is  it  not  presumable  at  least  that  they 
will  attempt  to  persue  it  in  some  other  way?  Is  it  not  probable  that 
they  may  succeed  if  we  interpose  no  obstacles  to  their  success?  And 
are  we  taking  a  single  measure  to  prevent  it?  We  have  assumed  no 
attitude  of  war  in  the  quarter  where  the  danger  is  to  be  apprehended 
to  deter  them,  or  the  Indians.  Whilst  we  are  not  preparing  on  our 
part  to  furnish  the  latter  with  any  trade  or  to  cultivate  any  friendly 
intercourse  with  them  to  supply  that  from  which  we  have  tempo- 
rarily excluded  them — from  which  defect  their  very  necessities  may 
compell  them  to  cooperate  with  our  enemy  and  by  their  united 
efforts  they  may  give  us  great  trouble  at  some  future  period  and 
at  least  porstpone  those  advantages  that  we  might  derive  from  taking 
the  furs  trade  into  our  own  hands,  the  amount  of  which  trade  ought 

»3  See  Hays  to  Edwards,  Aug.  20,  1812  (Edwards  Papers,  CHS,  printed,  Wash- 
burne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  CHC,  in,  81-83),  containing  the  observations  re- 
ferred to. 


410  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

not  to  be  estimated  at  less  than  two  hundred  &  eighty  six  thousand 
pounds  sterling — 

You  cannot  have  forgotten  how  well  some  of  my  predictions  upon 
this  subject  were  fulfilled  last  year — The  British  erected  some  trading 
establishments  on  a  certain  part  of  the  Missouri — from  which  they 
caused  the  savages  to  drive  a  part  of  the  Missouri  furs  company  (our 
own  traders)  with  the  loss  of  several  lives  &  all  their  property — 
whilst  a  part  of  the  same  company  were  in  like  manner  murdered  or 
driven  from  another  fork  of  the  Missouri  by  the  combined  operation 
of  the  Spanards  and  Indians — 

It  has  recently  been  ascertained  that  one  of  the  Forks  of  the  Mis- 
souri and  the  navigable  waters  of  the  rio  Bravo  or  rio  del  norte  (by 
the  traders  called  Spanish  river)  which  runs  by  S*  Fee  approximate  in 
a  manner  that  has  not  been  hitherto  understood  by  any  geographer 
who  has  published  on  the  subject  and  hence  it  is  that  we  experienced 
the  attacks  of  both  the  Spaniards  &  British  at  the  same  time — What 
has  been  the  result?  Look  at  the  S'  Louis  papers — you  will  see  the 
trade  is  abandoned — it  is  relinquished  into  the  hands  of  our  enemies — 
the  only  Company  that  have  attempted  to  persue  it — have  been  most 
reluctantly  compelled  to  advertise  for  a  meeting  thereof  for  the  pur- 
pose of  dissolving  the  association  and  selling  up  the  concern — None 
other  can  persue  it  without  the  support  of  gov'  Those  establish- 
ments of  our  enimies  being  of  the  last  year  are  yet  in  their  infancy — 
they  could  now  be  easily  crushed — But  if  they  shall  be  permitted 
to  mature  themselves — they  will  acquire  a  permanency  that  with  our 
means  it  will  be  difficult  to  shake— Is  it  policy  to  let  them  exist?  If 
not  their  destruction  is  at  present  very  practicable — 

If  the  gov'  would  permit  the  raising  a  force  of  two  hundred  men 
furnish  the  necessary  boats  for  transportation,  be  bound  eventually 
to  pay  them  as  infantry — &  permit  them  and  their  officers  to  carry 
on  the  trade — with  Indians — they  could  be  raised  in  ten  days  without 
any  trouble  to  the  gov'  and  would  be  entirely  sufficient — This  surely 
w"*  be  better  than  keeping  men  stationarj'  in  forts  for  purposes  not 
as  important — It  would  be  a  small  protection  given  to  the  trade 
but  an  adequate  one  at  present — It  would  prevent  evils  from  growing 
which  otherwise  we  shall  have  to  exterpate  with  difficulty — and 
therefore  whether  considered  as  a  measure  of  defence  or  offence  is 
strongly  recommended  by  both  policy  &  interest — Combining  pay 
from  the  gov'  with  support  in  their  trade,  the  inducement  would  be 
strong  enough  to  cause  men  to  enlist — a  subordination  would  be 
sufficiently  enforced  at  the  same  time  that  the  interest  of  all  would 
be  best  consulted  by  acting  judiciously  &  correctly  in  the  trade  itself 
which  would  thereby  be  opened  for  the  eventual  benifit  of  the  gov' 
with  the  least  possible  expence — In  fact  the  plan  would  enable  us  to 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  411 

drive  off  our  enemies  at  the  same  time  that  by  our  trade  we  would 
be  prepared  to  make  the  indians  our  friends — &  to  secure  to  ourselves 
the  undisturbed  possission  of  their  trade — 

I  have  mentioned  this  plan  to  some  of  the  most  intelligent  men  in 
Kentuckey  who  highly  approve  of  it  &  think  it  necessary — 

CoI°  Menard  who  has  been  several  years  at  the  Rocky  Mountain, 
would  undertake  it  upon  these  terms — he  is  well  qualified  for  command 
has  long  been  accustomed  to  intercourse  with  the  indians — possesses 
an  excellent  understanding — and  as  you  well  know  is  proverbial  for 
his  probity  &  generosity — But  why  should  I  be  even  thus  particular 
I  have  no  hopes  of  the  plans  succeeding  and  will  end  this  hasty  scrawl 
by  wishing  you  every  happiness  which  your  present  situation  is 
susceptible  of — 

¥"■  friend 

N  Edwards 

[Addressed]  The  Honble  Shadrack  Bond  Washington  City  [Post- 
marked]   Sydney  Grove    Jan^  11'"    Free 


SHADRACH  BOND,  SOLOMON  P.  SHARP,"*  AND  WILLIAM  P. 
DUVAL  «=  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

[NA:SD,  Applications  :LS] 

Representative  Chamber  12'"  April  1814 
Sir  Should  the  President  of  the  United  States,  think  proper  to 
appoint  a  Commissioner  to  treat  with  the  tribes  of  Indians  on  the 
Northwestern  frontier  of  the  Indiania,  Illinois,  and  Mesuri,  Terri- 
tories, or  any  of  them  that  may  be  disposed  to  be  at  peace  and  amity 
with  the  United  States.'^ 

We  the  undersigned  would  beg  leave,  through  j'ou,  to  recommend  to 
the  President;  His  Excellency  Ninian  Edwards  Governor  of  the 
Illinois  Territory,  as  a  person  from  his  intimate  acquaintance  with 
Indian  affairs,  well  qualifyed  for  such  an  appointment. 

With  high  consideration  we  have  the  Honor  to  be  your  Hum" 
Serv'= 

S.  Bond — 
Solomon  P.  Sharp 
W"  P.  Duval 
[Endorsed]     N.  Edwards  recmd  1814 


°*  A  Representative  in  Congress  from  Kentucky. 

'5  Do. 

'"See  preliminary  instructions  respecting  future  negotiations,  in  the  Secretary 
of  War  to  Governor  Harrison,  of  Indiana  Territory,  Mar.  3,  1814  (Esarey,  ed  , 
Harrison's  Messages  and  Letters,  ii,  631). 


412  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814 :ALS1 
Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  April  13, 1814. 

Sir,  I  received,  on  the  11""  your  Letter  of  the  1°*  of  this  month," 
with  a  Copy  of  an  "Act  concerning  Shawnee  Town". — As  soon  as  I 
can  obtain  such  information  as  will  enable  me  to  give  definite  Instruc- 
tions to  a  Surveyor  I  will  cause  the  Act  to  be  executed. — The  land  in 
the  rear  of  the  present  Town  of  Shawnee  is  asserted  to  be  unfit  for  a 
Town.  It  would  be  easy  to  lay  off  the  proposed  addition  to  the  Town 
in  the  manner  prescribed  in  the  Act,  but  the  Selection  of  the  two 
Sections,  so  as  to  extend  the  Town  to  the  Highlands  in  the  rear  of  the 
Town  as  now  laid  out,  appears  to  require  an  examination,  which  tho' 
it  may  cause  some  delay,  will  be  ultimately  beneficial  to  the  Public 
Interest. — If  the  Land-Officers  for  the  Shawnee  District  were  speedily 
appointed,  would  they  not  be  usefully  employed,  for  a  considerable 
time,  in  examining  Preemption  claims,  which,  by  the  Act  of  February  5. 
1813,  Section  2"  °'  they  are  directed  to  do,  previously  to  the  opening 
of  the  Office. — viz :  the  Register  of  the  Office — 

Those  Gentlemen  being  on  the  spot  would  be  able  to  give  valuable 
information  to  this  Office — I  have  already  requested  information  on 
this  subject,  from  Judge  Griswold  who  has,  for  some  time  past  resided 
at  Shawnee  Town.    I  am  very  respectfully    Yours. 

JosiAH  Meigs    Surveyor  General 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire— 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire  Comm'  of  the 
General  Land-Office  Treasury  Department,  Washington-City — 
[Postmarked]     Cincinnati  14  April  1814    Free 

[Endorsed]  Rec**  April  25.  1814  J  Meigs  Surveyor  General  rela- 
tive to  laying  off  the  addition  to  Shawnee  town" — file  E  T 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  DAVID  APPERSON 

[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  S] 

April  14,  1814 
M'  David  Apperson  Shawneetown  111  Ter 

your  letter  of  Mar  12'" '  gave  this  Office  the  first  information  of  the 
extreme  irregularity  of  the  mail  that  passes  between  Hendersonton 
Ky  and  Shawneetown  111.  Ter.  that  the  carrier  should  fail  four  times 
out  of  five  is  extraordinary.  I  have  directed  the  contractor  to  be 
suspended — and  he  will  be  debited  on  the  books  of  this  Office  for  the 

"  Ante,  p.  402. 

w  2  Stat.  798. 

"  Answered  post,  p.  417. 

•  Not  found. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  413 

penalties  he  has  incurred — On  the  first  of  Mar  last  M.  Arundell  of 
Kaskaskias  was  requested  to  Assume  the  conveyance  of  the  mail  from 
Kaskaskias  to  Hendersonton  by  the  first  of  this  month — which  we 
trust  he  has  done — and  we  are  confident  that  he  will  convey  the  mail 
agreeably  to  his  instruction  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  publick  '* 

R  JMJ 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 

[NA:GLO,  Lets,  to  SG,  I] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  April  19'"  1814. 

Sir,  Your  letter  of  9'"  instant,^  enclosing  the  account  of  William 
Dobbins,  for  surveying  and  laying  out  Shawnee  Town,  and  a  letter 
of  Stanley  Griswold,  relative  to  opening  a  land  office  there,  have  been 
received. 

The  charges  of  M'  Dobbin  appear  to  be  very  high — The  account 
must  be  certified  by  you;  and  although  you  state  that  your  prede- 
cessor made  no  formal  contract,  you  may  probably  obtain  some 
information  from  his  letters  which  are  referred  to  in  the  account  of 
M''  Dobbins:  At  all  events,  you  are  most  competent  to  ascertain 
whether  the  charges  made  by  him,  are  reasonable.  His  account  ought 
to  have  been  accompanied  with  vouchers,  for  the  payments  stated  to 
be  made  to  his  assistants. 

Congress  having  adjourned,  the  executive  will  probably  attend  to 
opening  a  Land  office  at  Shawnee  Town,  in  a  Short  time.  I  enclose 
M'  Dobbins's  account,  that  you  may  certify  it  to  be  correct,  if  you 
think  it  So. 

I  am,  &" 

JosiAH  Meigs,  Esq''    Surveyor-General,  Cincinnati. 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 
[NA:OIA.  SW,  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  C] 

War  Department  Ajrril  21"  1814. 

His  Exc  Ninn.  Edwards:  Gov"'  of  111:  T'' 

Sir,  I  have  received  the  letter  you  did  me  the  honor  to  write  to  me 
on  the  4"^  instant,^  &  also  Thomas  Forsyth's  Report.*    This  report 

!•  For  relevant  correspondence  concerning  the  Vincennes  (Ind.)-Shawneetown- 
U.  S.  Saline  route,  in  1814-1815,  see  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vill,  281,  336,  337. 
See  also  Bond  to  Edwards,  Feb.  23,  1814  (Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers, 
CHC,  III,  110),  describing  his  efforts  as  a  Delegate  in  Congress  to  secure  an 
extension  of  post  routes  in  the  Territory;  and  act  approved  Apr.  18,  1814  (3 
Stat.  132),  embodying  an  additional  route  in  line  with  Bond's  efforts. 

•  Ante,  p.  406. 
» Ante,  p.  406. 

*  Not  seen. 


414  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

has  been  forwarded  to  Brig'  General  Howard,  who  has  received  orders 
to  return  to  S*  Louis,  &  charge  himself  with  the  defence  of  the  Terri- 
torial Governments.** — 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  MICHAEL  JONES  AND  JOHN 
CALDWELL 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  22°''  April,  1814. 

Sirs,  Enclosed  you  have  a  copy  of  an  act  of  Congress,  passed  the 
16'"  instant,  entitled,  "An  act  confirming  claims  to  land  in  the  Illinois 
territory,  and  providing  for  their  location,"  to  which  you  will  be 
pleased  to  pay  due  attention. 

I  am,  &"' 

Michael  Jones,  and  John  Caldwell,  Esq"  Register  and  receiver. 
Kaskaskia. 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  LEONARD  WHITE,  WYLLIS 
HARGROVE,  AND  PHILIP  TRAMMELL 

[NA:GL0,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bl<.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  Apnl  22""  1814. 
To  Leonard  White,  Wyllis  Hargrove  and  Philip  Trammel, 

Esquires: 

Gentlemen,  I  am  instructed  to  request  you,  or  any  two  of  you, 
to  examine  the  Lands  on  which,  and  about  where,  the  United  States' 
Saline  is  situated  in  the  Illinois  territory,  and  make  a  report  to  this 
office,  that  the  president  of  the  United  States  may  be  properly  in- 
formed of  the  quantity  and  Situation  of  such  lands  as  may  be  neces- 
sary to  reserve  from  the  expected  Sales,  for  the  purpose  of  support- 
ing the  works  for  ever. — In  making  this  examination  and  report,  you 
will  be  pleased  to  be  very  particular — :noting  the  timber  on  each 
Section — the  evenness,  or  otherwise,  of  the  ground — the  necessity 
or  practicability  of  conveying  the  water  on  the  grounds,  in  pipes,  to 
coal,  and  where  Situated,  or  wood;  relative  to  the  navigation  down 
the  Saline  creek,  if  practicable,  and  the  depth  of  water;  and,  in  short, 
every  thing  calculated  to  give  a  comprehensive  and  particular  view 
of  the  whole,  and  every  part  of  the  premises. 


<•  See  Howard  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  May  15,  1814,  post,  p.  422. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  415 

It  is  desirable  this  report  should  be  received  as  Soon  as  conven- 
ient, as  the  Land  Office  is  about  to  be  opened  there." 
With  great  respect,  &" 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 

[NA:SD,  Misc.  Letters:  AL] 

Treasury  Department— 23.  April  1814 

The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  has  the  honor  to  Suggest  for  the 
consideration  of  the  President  the  propriety  of  opening  a  land-office, 
as  authorized  by  act  of  21.  Feb''  1812,  for  the  sale  of  the  public  lands 
in  the  Shaunee^Town  District,  Illinois  Territory;  and  to  submit  for 
his  information  on  the  Subject,  a  Statement  prepared  by  the  Com- 
missioner of  the  Land-office,  herewith  enclosed — Marked  C  ' 

The  Secretary  is  of  opinion  the  public  interest  would  be  promoted 
by  authorizing  the  sale  of  those  lands — which  might  commence 
about  the  1"'  Sepf  next — 

Should  the  President  approve  of  opening  a  land-office,  as  proposed, 
the  enclosed  proclamation,*  marked  C,  is  submitted  for  his  approba- 
tion &  signature. — and  the  names  in  the  memorandum,  marked  E, 
accompanied  by  the  recommendations  herewith  transmitted  marked 
— D  are  proposed  to  be  appointed  to  the  offices  annexed  to  them 
respectively — 

The  Proclamation  marked  F.  for  the  Sale  of  the  fractional  Sec- 
tions around  Clarkes  grant,'  which  have  been  Survayed,  &  are  now 
ready  to  be  offered  for  public  Sale,  is  also  submitted  to  the  President 
for  his  approbation  &  Signature— 

[Addressed]  The  President  of  the  U  States 

[Endorsed]  Campbell  G.  W.  April  23'^  '14 


'  Report  not  seen.  See  Tiffin  to  Edwards,  Jan.  10,  Apr.  20,  and  June  18,  1814 
(NA,  GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent  Bk.  5,  printed,  Edwards,  Hist.  Ill,  pp.  537-539), 
respecting  certain  saline  leases,  and  proposed  remuneration  to  Edwards  and 
Leonard  White  for  their  special  services.  Certain  letters  from  Edwards  are 
referred    to    which    have    not    been    found. 

0  2  Stat.  684. 

'  Not  present. 

'  Not  present.  The  text  of  the  proclamation  which  follows  is  from  a  different 
source. 

•  Not  present.  It  is  dated  Apr.  25,  1814  (NA,  GLO,  Exec.  Procls.,  Sale  of 
Pub.  Lands).     Of.  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  viii,  296. 


416  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

PROCLAMATION  OF  PUBLIC-LAND  SALES 

[NA:GLO,  Shawneetown,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:  Printed] 

[April  25,  1814] 
proclamation 

By  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

Whereas  by  the  several  acts  of  congress,  to  wit,  'An  act  making 
provision  for  the  disposal  of  the  public  lands  in  the  Indiana  Territory 
and  for  other  purposes,'  passed  the  26th  of  March,  1804  "> — 'An  act 
pro\nding  for  the  sale  of  certain  lands  in  the  Indiana  Territory  and  for 
other  purposes,'  passed  the  30th  of  April,  1810  " — 'An  act  providing 
for  the  removal  of  the  land  office  established  at  Nash\nlle  in  the  state 
of  Tennessee,  and  Canton  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  and  to  authorise  the 
register  and  receiver  of  public  monies  to  superintend  the  public  sales 
of  land  in  the  district  east  of  Pearl  river,'  &c.  passed  the  25th  of 
Februarj',  1811  " — and  'An  act  to  establish  a  land  district  in  the 
Illinois  Territory  east  of  the  district  of  Kaskaskia,'  &c.  passed  the 
21st  of  February,  1812,  it  has  been  enacted  that  a  land  office  shall  be 
established  at  Shawneetown,  in  the  Illinois  Territory,  for  the  disposal 
and  sale  of  the  town  lots  and  out  lots  in  Shawneetown,  and  for  the 
sale  and  disposal  of  so  much  of  the  public  lands  of  the  United  States 
heretofore  included  within  the  land  district  of  Kaskaskia  as  lie  east 
of  the  third  principal  meridian  established  by  the  surveyor  general, 
under  the  direction  of  the  register  of  the  land  office  and  receiver  of 
public  monies,  and  that  the  public  sales  shall  commence  on  such  day 
as  the  president  of  the  U.  States  shall  by  proclamation  designate,  and 
be  kept  open  for  three  weeks  and  no  longer — 

Wherefore  I,  James  Madison,  President  of  the  United  States,  in 
conformity  with  the  provisions  of  the  several  acts  aforesaid,  do  hereby 
declare  and  make  known,  that  the  public  sales  for  the  sale  and  dis- 
posal of  all  the  town  lots  and  out  lots  in  Shawneetown,  and  for  the 
sale  and  disposal  of  all  the  lands  contained  in  the  eastern  land  district 
of  the  Illinois  Territory,  with  the  exception  of  such  of  them  as  are 
reserved  from  sale  agreeably  to  to  the  several  acts  of  congress  afore- 
said, shall  be  held  at  Shawneetown,  in  the  Illinois  Territory,  On  the 
first  Monday  in  October  next,  and  to  continue  for  and  during  the  three 
following  weeks  under  the  superintendance  of  the  register  of  the  land 
office  and  receiver  of  public  monies. 


'»  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  VII,  173-184. 
"  2  Stat.  590-591. 
"  2  Stat.  649-650. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  417 

Given  under  my  hand,  the  25th  day  of  April,  in  the  year  1814. 

[Signed]    James  Madison. 
By  the  President. 
Edward  Tiffin, 
Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office. 

A  true  copy  from  the  original  in  the  General  Land  Office.  John 
Gardiner,  chief  clerk. 

The  Editors  of  the  Lexington  Gazette,  the  Frankfort  Argus,  and 
the  Louisville  Correspondent,  in  Kentucky,  and  the  Editor  of  the 
newspaper  at  Kaskaskia,  are  requested  to  insert  the  above  proclama- 
tion in  their  respective  papers  till  the  first  of  October  next,  and  their 
accounts  will  be  paid  on  being  forwarded  to  the  subscriber  at  Shawnee- 
town. 

Thomas  Sloo, 
Register  of  the  Land  Office. 
May  17,  1814. 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

Treasury  department  General  Land  Office  April  25"'  1814 
Sir  I  have  rec''  yours  of  the  13""  ins'  "  and  in  answer  thereto  have 
to  observe  that  I  have  appointed  by  direction  of  the  President  three 
persons  to  examine  &  report  relative  to  such  lands  as  may  be  thought 
necessary  to  reserve  for  the  Saline  in  the  Illinois  Territory  '* — The 
Register  &  Receiver  are  appointed  for  Shawnee  town — Tho'  Sloo— 
and  Jn"  Caldwell  &  Shadrack  Bond  in  Jn°  Caldwells  place  at  Kas- 
kaskia " — The  Offices  will  be  opened  &  the  Sales  commenced  by  the 
1"  of  October  at  farthest — in  the  mean  time  you  will  please  carry  the 
Law  for  enlarging  Shawnee  town  into  effect,  literally  as  it  stands  in 
the  Act  heretofore  sent  you — and  furnish  M'  Sloo  with  a  plat  of  the 
former  &  latter  parts  of  the  Town  as  also  of  the  Land  District  of 

"  Avle,  p.  412. 

"  Ante,  p.  414. 

"  These  were  recess  appointments,  the  commissions  bearing  date  of  Apr.  29, 
1814.  The  men  were  nominated  Oct.  1  and  confirmed  Oct.  3,  1814,  to  the 
positions  in  question  (Senate,  Exec.  Journal,  n,  531,  532).  The  temporary  com- 
missions were  transmitted  to  each  of  the  appointees  in  a  covering  letter  from 
Tiffin,  commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office,  dated  Apr.  30,  1814  (NA,  GLO, 
Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5).  See  Bond's  letter  to  his  constituents,  dated  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  Apr.  15,  1814  (Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  CHC,  iii, 
114-117),  reviewing  the  action  of  Congress  during  the  current  session  with 
respect  to  legislation  for  Illinois  Territory. 


418  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Shawnee — He  M'  Sloo  will  in  a  few  days  hear  from  me,  and  in  the 
mean  time  he  may  be  peparing  himself  for  his  removal '" — 

with  great  respect  I  am  your  ob'  Serv' 

Edward  Tiffin 

JOSIAH  Meigs  Esq'    Surveyor  General    Cincinnati  Ohio 

[Arfrfressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esq'  Surveyor-general,  Cincinnati.  [Post- 
marked] Wash"  City  Apr  26  Treasury  Department  General  Land 
Office.    Edward  Tiffin    Free 

[Endorsed]  Received  May  6,  1814  J  Meigs  Ed.  Tiffin  April 
25.  1814    R.  May  6.  A.  7 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOHN  GRAHAM 
[NA:SD,  Misc.  Letters  :ALS] 

Treasury  department  General  Land  Office  April  27'"  1814 
D'  Sir  I  enclose  you  by  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
a  Mem" "  whereby  you  will  see  that  the  President  of  the  United  States 
had  determined  to  appoint  Thomas  Sloo  of  Cincinnati  to  be  Register 
of  the  Land  Office  at  Shawnee  town,  and  John  Caldwell  of  Kaskaskia 
Receiver  of  public  monies  at  Shawnee  town,  and  Shadrack  Bond  of 
Illinois  Territory  Receiver  of  public  monies  at  Kaskaskia  vice  John 
Caldwell — If  the  President  has  started  for  Virginia  (as  I  am  informed) 
I  have  to  request  that  you  will  make  out  the  Executive  Commissions 
for  these  persons  and  transmit  them  to  Him  for  his  signature,  (having 
slipped  his  memory) — it  being  absolutely  necessary  to  have  them  as 
soon  as  possable — to  transmit  with  the  instructions  now  prepared  for 
these  Officers 

With  great  respect  I  am  Your  ob'  Ser' 

Edward  Tiffin 

John  Graham  Esq'  Chief  Clk  department  of  State 

[Endorsed]  Edward  Tiffin  Concerning  Land  Officers. 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
|NA:GL0,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office— Cincinnati,  May  1.  1814 
Sir,     Your  Letter  of  the  19th  of  last  Month  inclosing  the  Account 
of  M'  Dobbins  was  received  on  the  29'"  '* — I  do  not  think  it  possible 
that  M'  Dobbins  can  procure  Vouchers  for  the  Payments  stated  to  have 


>•  Answered  post,  p.  421, 
•'  Not  present. 
"  ArUe,  p.  413. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  419 

been  made  to  his  Assistants  in  laying  out  the  Town — I  will  however 
endeavour  to  aid  him  further — tho'  I  think  if  he  had  used  due  activity 
his  claims  might  have  been  settled  long  ago.  In  my  next  I  will  give 
you  Copies  of  such  part  of  the  Correspondence  between  Col.  Mansfield 
and  M"'  Dobbins  as  will  shew  the  grounds  on  which  the  business  was 
undertaken  and  executed  '' — 

I  shall  in  the  course  of  a  Week  authorise  a  Surveyor  to  execute  the 
late  act  relative  to  Shawnee  Town. — If  it  were  possible  to  leave  the 
Office  I  should  prefer  a  personal  attendance  and  view  of  that  place — 

I  received,  from  my  Agent  by  the  last  Mail  the  Quarter  Salary  for 
myself  &  Clerks — but  nothing  for  Post-Office  &  Stationary  Expences — 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  respectfully    Yours 

J  Meigs 

Th  HON  E.  Tiffin 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire  Commis- 
sioner of  the  General  Land-Office.  Treasury  Department,  Wash- 
ington-City.    [Postmarked]    Cincinnati    2  May  1814    Free 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  1  May  1814  J  Meigs  will  have  Shawnee 
town  surveyed    Dobbins  Acco" 


ELIAS  BARCROFT  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 

[NA:GLO,  SG,  NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

Kaskaskia,  I.T.  2'"»  May  1814 
Sir,  I  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  you  a  few  lines  respecting  some 
Surveying.  You  will  please  pardon  me  for  troubleing  again  on  this 
subject.  But  inasmuch  as  the  Surveying  in  the  Missouri  Territory 
has  not,  and  the  uncertainty  when  it  will  commence;  combined  with 
some  sacrafices  of  a  pecuniary  nature  incumbent  on  that  event,  and  a 
long  and  laborious  practice  as  a  sub-deputy  or  assistant  Surveyor 
unattended  with  the  emolluments  and  in  fact  receiving  but  a  very 
inconsiderable  proportion  of  the  price  paid  by  Government  for  Sur- 
veying to  those  more  fortunate  (perhaps  more  deserving)  than  myself 
induced  me  to  make  this  communication  and  think  I  have  some  reason 
to  hope  for  success — 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  two  Bills  before  Congress  which  if 
they  become  laws  I  presume  it  will  be  necessary  that  a  considerable 
deal  of  surveying  should  be  done  as  soon  as  practicable,  particularly, 
the  one  relative  to  the  Donations  in  this  Territory.  The  bounds  of 
the  tract  to  be  set  apart  in  which  these  donation  claims  are  to  be 
located  agreeably  to  that  Bill,  commences  at  the  Township  line  strik- 
ing the  Mississippi  River  nearest  the  Mouth  of  Big  Muddy,  East 

"  Po&i,  pp.  425,  426. 

314574 — 48 28 


420  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

with  said  line  to  the  3""  principal  Meridian,  with  the  Meridian  line 
North  to  the  North  boundary  of  Township  5  North.  West  with  said 
line  to  the  Mississippi,  and  thence  down  the  same  to  the  beginning — 

In  this  tract  of  country  there  remains  Twenty  Seven  Townships 
yet  to  run  out,  and  divide  into  sections,  to  Wit  Townships  N°'  1.  2. 
3  &  4  South  and  1.  2.  3.  4  &  5  North,  of  the  Base  line  in  Ranges  1.  2 
&  3  West  of  the  Meridian.  Should  not  the  surveying  of  these  Town- 
ships be  already  contracted  for,  I  feel  willing  should  you  think  proper 
to  contract  with  me,  to  survey  personally  not  less  than  Ten  nor  more 
than  Fourteen  Townships  within  the  time  generally  limitted  for 
performing  a  work  of  that  extent,  or  as  much  sooner  as  practicable — . 
Also  the  Bill  for  laying  out  a  Road  from  Shawneytown  by  the  way 
of  the  United  States  Saline  to  the  Town  of  Kaskaskia,  provided  it 
becomes  a  law  and  belongs  to  your  department  will  furnish  some 
surveying — I  have  been  thus  particular  in  designating  what  it  occured 
to  me  would  become  necessary  to  survey  immediately  on  account  of 
my  failing  to  get  Surveying  last  summer  when  at  Cincinnati  in  conse- 
quence of  not  being  able  to  point,  out  such  as  I  knew  to  be  fit  for  culti- 
vation &c.  In  these  cases  I  fancy  no  such  knowledge  is  absolutely 
required — 

If  you  should  feel  inclined  to  assign  me  a  district  of  a  reasonable 
extent  or  as  much  as  I  shall  be  able  to  perform  personally  not  exceed- 
ing the  work  in  12  or  15  Townships  either  a  part  of  what  I  have 
mentioned,  or  elsewhere  should  you  deem  it  advisable,  you  will  please 
inform  me  on  the  subject  and  authorise  some  person  to  contract  with 
me  for  the  due  performance  of  the  work 

With  much  respect  Yours  &c 

Elias  Barcroft 

JosiAH  Meigs  Esquire    Sur'  Gen'  U.  S. 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esquire  Surveyor  General  of  the  U.  S 
Cincinnati  Ohio     [Postmarked]  Kaskaskia  3  May —    20 

[Endorsed]  Elias  Barcroft  May  2.  1814  R"  22.  ^ 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  THOMAS  SLOO 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5) 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  Office,  5'"  May  1814. 
Sir,    I  now  transmit  to  you  the  forms  and  instructions  necessary 
for  your  government,  in  executing  the  duties  of  your  oflSce,  with  a 
letter  of  16'"  October,  1804,^'  to  the  Register  at  Zanesville,  and  a 


"  No  reply  found. 

"  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  421 

Circular  to  Registers,  of  the  5'"  April,  1802,"  explanatory  of,  and  in 
addition  to  them.  These  last  you  will  be  pleased  to  consider  as  part 
of  your  own  instructions. 

I  am,  &" 

Thomas  Sloo,  Esq'  (Register  of  the  Land  office  at  Shawnee  town,) 
Cincinnati. 

I  also  enclose  a  copy  of  the  rules  to  be  observed  in  sales  of  public 
lands  sold  by  reason  of  failure  in  completing  the  payment  in  five 
years;  you  will  be  pleased  to  record  them  in  your  books,  and  hand 
them  to  the  receiver. 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office  Cincinnati,  May  7.  1814 
Sir  I  received,  yesterday,  your  letter  dated  April  25,  1814^  — 
The  appointment  of  the  Register  and  Receiver  for  the  District  of 
Shawnee,  and  of  Persons  to  examine  and  report  relative  to  the  reserva- 
tion for  the  use  of  the  United  States  Saline  indicate  a  speedy  opening 
of  the  Land-Office,  which  will  produce  more  emolument  to  the  United 
States  then  is  generally  expected — 

I  have  instructed  M''  William  Harris,  one  of  our  best  Surveyors  to 
lay  out  the  addition  to  Shawnee  Town^ — he  embarked  at  this  place 
this  day — I  have  requested  Judge  Griswold  and  two  other  reputable 
Gentlemen  to  give  their  counsel  and  aid  to  M'  Harris — and  have  good 
reason  to  believe  that  his  return  will  be  acceptable  to  the  Department 
and  to  the  Govenmient — I  think  he  will  finish  the  Survey  by  about 
the  4'"  of  July  next — I  have  a  General  Map  of  Shawnee  District,  as 
well  as  particular  Platts  of  Townships  ready  for  the  Register — Permit 
me  to  suggest  the  importance  of  the  reservations  of  the  Rights  of 
Ferry;  at  Shawnee  Town— I  have  reason  to  believe  that  those  Rights 
will  give  the  U  States  an  income  which  will  defray  the  Expence  of 
Surveying  the  Town — Neither  Individuals  nor  the  Territorial  Courts 
should  be  permitted  to  have  any  controul  on  that  subject.— 

In  this  flourishing  town,  we  have  a  considerable  degree  of  animosity 
existing  on  account  of  Rights  of  Femes — If  the  Ferries  at  Shawnee 
are  rigidly  reserved  to  the  use  &  benefit  of  the  United  States,  they  will 
be  more  faithfully  and  carefully  attended,  than  if  under  the  direction 
either  of  the  Territorial  Government  or  of  the  future  State  Govern- 
ment.— On  this,  however,  you  will  see,  at  a  glance,  more  than  I  can 
write — 


-'  hoc.  cit. 

23  Ante,  p.  417. 


422  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  your  Letter  I  informed  M"'  Sloo  of  his 
appointment — He  is  preparing  for  his  establishment  in  Shawonee 
Town. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  respect  and  esteem.    Yours. 

J  Meigs,  S  General 

The  Honourable  Edward  Tiffin  Esquire 

Major  Stanley  of  this  place  died  this  day — 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire,  Commis- 
sioner of  the  General  Land-Office,  Treasury  Department,  Washing- 
ton City — [Postmarked]  Cincinnati  9  May  1814    Free 

[Endorsed]  Cincinnati  7  May  1814  J  Meigs  relative  to  reserving 
Ferries  at  Shawnee  Town. 


JOHN  GARDINER  "  TO  ALEXANDER  OGLE 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  14'"  May,  1814. 

Sir,  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  9'"  inst.^'  to  the  Commissioner,  I 
have  to  inform  you,  that  the  public  Sales  of  the  Lands  of  the  United 
States,  in  the  Illinois  Territory,  will  commence  on  the  first  Monday 
of  October  next,  at  Shawnee  Town :  one-twentieth  part  of  the  purchase 
money  must  be  paid  there;  the  remainder  may  be  paid  in  the  Treasury. 

I  am,  &"  J.  G. 

M'  Alexander  Ogle,  Somerset,  Pennsylvania. 


BENJAMIN  HOWARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 
(NA:WD,SWDF:LS] 

Head  Quarters,  St.  Louis,  May  15"  1814 
Sir  Agreeably  to  your  order  of  the  6""  ult"  ^^  I  proceeded  to  this 
place,  and  arrived  on  the  8'"  Ins'  I  found  the  frontier  of  Illinois 
almost  without  protection  and  Indian  depredations  commenced  at 
different  points  of  the  frontier,  between  Fort  Harrison  on  the  Wabash 
to  the  Missouri  River,  in  last  month  two  men  were  killed,  on  or  near 
the  Missouri:  one  fifteen  miles  from  the  Mississippi  in  this  Territory, 
and  two  at  Fort  Harrison.  I  have  been  fortunate  in  raising  the  three 
Companies  of  Rangers  in  Illinois,  one  marched  to  the  frontier  yester- 
day, and  the  other  two  today;  the  term  of  service  of  the  Missouri 
Rangers  expires  about  the  20'"  Ins'  and  every  exertion  will  be  made 
to  fill  the  Companies  immediately;  the  removal  of  the  1"  Regiment 

"  Clerk  in  the  GLO,  becoming  principal  clerk  of  that  office  in  1816. 
w  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Reed.,  O). 
••  Printed,  Terr.  Papers  (La.-Mo.),  xiv. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  423 

from  this  quarter  places  me  in  difficulties  which  I  can  hardly  hope  to 
surmount,  at  this  time  there  are  but  seven  or  eight  invalid  soldiers  at 
Belle- Fontaine  and  not  an  officer  belonging  to  the  line:  At  Fort 
Clarke  ^'  two  Subalterns  and  fifty  one  men  which  is  about  half  the 
number  which  I  deem  necessaiy  to  give  Complete  Security  to  that 
important  Post;  by  the  enclosed  Copies  of  letters  from  Gov''  Clarke 
you  will  discover  that  the  detachment  sent  from  Vincennes  has  been 
placed  under  his  command  by  Major  Taylor  and  ascended  the  Missis- 
sippi with  him,  I  refer  you  to  those  letters  for  his  Objects,  upon  the 
subject  of  his  present  movement  we  have  had  no  conversation,  as  he 
was  gone  before  my  arrival,  as  to  the  policy  of  erecting  a  garrison  at 
Praire  De  Chien  we  have  often  conversed  and  were  united  in  the 
opinion  that  it  would  be  of  much  importance,  my  opinion  is  unchanged 
upon  that  subject;  you  will  at  once  discover  from  the  State  of  my 
means  and  the  expectations  expressed  by  Govn''  Clarke  (in  his  letter 
of  the  5'"  Ins'  ^)  of  roqucating  receiving  support  from  me,  that  my 
situation  is  unpleasant  in  the  extreme.  I  must  therefore  Solicit  full 
instructions  as  to  the  course  I  am  to  pursue  in  regard  to  this  establish- 
ment; Lf  the  Gov*  determine  to  keep  it  up,  which  I  much  desire  I  would 
recommend  that  at  least  four  full  Companies  of  regulars  should  be 
sent  on  to  reinforce  it  and  Fort  Clarke  as  soon  as  possible,  the  new 
recruits  from  Kentucky  or  Tennessee  could  be  brought  on  with  most 
dispatch,  should  Gov"'  Clarke  even  arrive  there  and  build  the  Fort 
without  opposition  owing  to  the  absence  of  the  British  Agents  and 
Indians,  rest  assured  that  the  Garrison  will  be  assailed  as  soon  as  they 
recieve  notice  and  can  embody  the  Indians,  the  situation  of  this  Garri- 
son will  be  extremely  dangerous,  both  as  it  respects  its  defence  and 
receiving  supplies  unless  the  force  I  mention  is  immediately  sent  on, 
the  plan  of  defending  it  six  hundred  miles  in  the  Indian  country  by 
militia  who  can  only  be  called  out  for  sixty  days,  I  trust  will  not  be 
resorted  to,  their  time  would  be  almost  consumed  in  going  and  com- 
ing, besides  many  other  objections  to  this  mode;  You  will  discover 
from  Govn'  Clarkes  letter  of  the  5'"  ins'  that  there  are  only  sixty  one 
regulars  with  him ;  the  precise  number  of  other  troops  I  have  not  been 
able  to  ascertain,  but  suppose  200  or  upwards  engaged  only  for  60 
days  at  20  dollars  per  month  and  to  be  furnished  a  ration  &  half  a 
day;  Lieutenant  Kennerly  of  whom  the  Govn"'  speaks  is  an  officer  of 
the  troops  raised  by  him,  of  course  when  the  sixty  days  expire  Lieut"' 
Perkins  will  be  left  with  61  men  and  no  officer  to  assist  him,  unless 
Gov"'  Clarke  should  engage  the  men  longer,  I  trust  he  has  before  his 
departure  communicated  to  you  his  objects,  and  flatter  myself  that 


"  At  Peoria. 

2' Present;  also  a  letter  of  May  8  is  present.     See  Clark  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  June  5,  1814  LTen.  Papers,  La.-Mo.,  xiv). 


424  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

instructions  in  regard  to  this  establishment  will  be  on  the  way  before 
this  reaches  you;  Fort  Harrison  is  now  kept  up  by  rangers,  however 
useful  this  fort  may  have  been  in  aiding  the  Tippacano  expedition 
I  deem  it  of  no  consequence  to  the  defence  of  the  frontier,  it  has  been 
supported  at  considerable  expense  of  money  and  loss  of  men,  I  would 
recommend  that  the  troops  be  withdrawn  and  employed  actively; 
Should  you  concur  with  me  in  opinion,  it  would  save  much  time  if 
Col°  Russell  could  receive  an  order  direct  from  you,  upon  the  subject; 
I  wish  to  be  informed  whether  the  officers  of  the  rangers  appointed 
in  1812,  are  not  considered  in  Service  until  dismissed  by  the  President, 
or  until  the  law  expires  under  which  they  were  appointed,  such  has 
been  my  view  of  their  situtation  and  I  have  ordered  some  to  do  duty, 
in  1813  as  well  as  at  the  present;  if  they  are  considered  in  commission, 
I  would  recommend  that  I  should  be  authorised  to  fill  their  companies 
if  the  difficulties  on  the  frontier  should  so  encrease  as  to  require  them, 
I  deem  it  of  much  importance  to  this  Counti-y  that  I  should  Icnow 
your  views  upon  the  subjects  of  this  letter  soon;  I  would  advise  that 
your  communications  to  me  should  come  by  the  way  of  Vincennes,  the 
Commanding  Officer  at  that  place  has  instructions  to  forward  them 
by  express, 

I  am  with  high  consideration  your  Humble  Serv' 

Benj»  Howard 

The  Honb«  John  Armstrong  Seer"  at  War 

May  16'"  I  have  just  heard  of  two  rangers  being  lately  killed  near 
Fort  Clarke— 

[Endorsed]  H.  Q.  St.  Louis  May  15.  1814  Brig.  Gen'  Howard 
Incloses  letters  from  Gov.  Clark  informing  of  his  expedition  to  estab- 
lish a  Fort  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  which  he  approves.  Has  filled  three 
Comp'  of  rangers.  Four  Comp*  of  regulars  will  be  necessary  to 
garrison  Prairie  du  Chien  &  Fort  Clark.  Are  the  Commissions  to  the 
Officers  of  rangers  in  1812,  still  good,  if  so  will  direct  them  to  fill 
their  Comps.  Fort  Harrison  useless  Solicits  instructions  (by  the 
way  of  Vincennes)     Rec"*  July  1814 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS1 

Surveyor  General's  Office,  Cincinnati,  May  16.  1814 
Sir.     I  have  examined  the  Correspondence  between  the  late  Sur- 
veyor General  and  William  Dobbins  relative  to  the  surveying  and 
lajring  out  of  Shawnee  Town,  from  which  Correspondence  the  fol- 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  425 

lowing  Extracts  are  made  for  the  consideration  of  the  Commissioner 
of  the  Gen  L.  Office — 

"Cincinnati,  June  24.  1810" 
"Sir  I  thought  you  would  be  the  most  proper  person  to  under- 
take that  business,  (viz  of  Shawnee)  independently  of  the  good 
opinion  I  had  of  your  character,  and  of  the  business  you  had  before 
done — I  wish  you  to  send  me  a  Plan  which  you  may  think  most 
suitable  for  laying  out  the  Town  agreeably  to  the  law.  Being  so  far 
distant,  I  cannot  attend  to  it  personally  without  descending  the 
River;  which  I  think  would  be  unnecessary  while  you  are  so  near  the 
spot." 

"Jared  Mansfield" 
"William  Dobbins" 

"Eddyville,  Sept.  15.  1810" 
"Sir,     In  my  last  from  Shawnee  Town,  I  acknowledged  the  Re- 
ceipt of  yours  of  the  24  of  June — informed  you  of  the  progress  I  had 
made,  and  herewith  transmit  you  a  plan;  &c  &" 

"William  Dobbins," 
"Col.  Jared  Mansfield" 

"Cincinnati,  Nov'  2.  1810" 
"Sir,     I  received  your  letter  of  the  15th  September  inclosing  a 
Plan  for  Shawnee  Town. — I  think  it  would  be  proper  to  make  the 
following  Corrections  viz:  1" — 2'' — 3"^ — &c  &c  &c 

"Jared  Mansfield" 
William  Dobbins 

Cincinnati  March  15.  1811. 

"Sir.  After  you  have  laid  out  the  Town  in  the  manner  I  have 
directed,  you  will  transmit  to  me  a  Plan  of  it  which  I  must  send 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  for  his  approbation. 

"At  the  same  time  inclose  your  account  for  the  Expense  of  Siu*- 
veying,  which  also  must  be  transmitted  to  the  Secretary  before  you 
can  be  paid — This  mode  of  proceeding  will  save  you  the  trouble  and 
expense  of  a  Journey  here — for  unless  you  continued  here  until  your 
account  should  be  sent  to  Washington  and  returned  I  could  not  pay  it" 

"Jared  Mansfield." 

"William  Dobbins." 

"Cincinnati  Feb.  19.  1812." 
"Sir — I  received  your  Letter  of  31  December  by  the  last  Mail — 
Your  opinion  that  the  Law  gives  the  Surveyor  General  the  power  of 
judging  Of  the  plan  of  the  Town  is  correct — but  his  Office  is  subordi- 
nate in  every  thing  to  that  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury — I  do 


426  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

not  presume  that  he  would  have  any  objection  to  a  Plan  approved 
by  me;  it  would,  however,  be  proper  to  submit  it  to  his  consideration 
— I  imagine  there  will  be  no  future  amendments  necessary:  if  there 
should  be,  you  will  be  no  loser,  as  you  ought  to  be  paid  for  the  whole 
in  proportion  to  your  labovu-;  of  this  however  I  am  not  to  be  the  judge, 
as  the  Secretary  in  his  Letter  required  me  to  submit  the  Account  to 
him — I  can  give  you  my  opinion  as  to  the  best  mode  of  making  the 
charge  unexceptionable. — It  is,  that  you  estimate  all  your  Expenses 
(you  need  not  put  down  each  Item  in  your  account)  and  then  add  a 
reasonable  compensation  for  your  time,  labour  and  surveying  profit — 
I  do  not  think  there  will  be  any  difficulty,  but  it  is  necessary  for  me 
to  proceed  correctly  in  the  business. 

"Jared  Mansfield" 
"W°  Dobbins." 

"Newhaven,  Feb.  19.  1814." 
"Sir — In  yours  of  January  17th  you  say  that  Mr.  Meigs  has  for- 
warded the  Plan  of  the  Town  (Shawnee)  to  the  Treasury  Department, 
as  the  Government  required  of  me — They  will  undoubtedly  make  you 
compensation  for  your  trouble  in  this  business; — and  as  you  have 
had  considerable  trouble  in  it,  this  compensation  ought  to  be  liberal — 
Your  demand  against  Government  is  good,  and  I  trust  that  they  will 
not  delay  to  compensate  you" 

"Jared  Mansfield" 
"W"  Dobbins" 

The  preceeding  Extracts  comprehend  all  that  is  material  on  the 
Subject  of  Shawnee  Town. — As  M'  Dobbins  was  not  instructed  to 
take  Vouchers,  and  as  the  Period  in  which  the  Service  was  performed 
is  so  long  passed,  that  it  is  not  probable  he  could  now  produce  Vou- 
chers, I  have  thought  it  just  and  right  to  re-transmit  his  account 
with  my  approbation  of  it — for,  on  consulting  with  some  experienced 
Surveyors  I  am  induced  to  judge  that  M"'  Dobbins'  Account  is  not 
unjust  or  unreasonable — If  it  meets  the  approbation  of  the  Depart- 
ment, I  will  pay  it. — 

It  was  a  part  of  my  Instructions  to  W"  Rector,  P.  D.  Surveyor  for 
the  Territory  of  Missouri  to  endeavour  to  obtain  every  sort  of  infor- 
mation relative  to  the  Geography,  Topography  &c  of  that  Country, 
which  might  in  any  way  be  useful  to  the  Government — and  I  transmit, 
with  this  a  Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Frederick  Bates,  Recorder  of  Land 
Titles,  and  of  a  Letter  from  W"  Russell  with  a  Figurative  Representa- 
tion, the  result  of  his  personal  observation  and  credible  information 
from  others — which  I  trust  will  be  of  some  value  and  interest.^ 


**  Enclosures  mentioned  are  not  present. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  427 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully    Yours. 

JosiAH  Meigs. 
The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire 

[Addressed]    The  honourable  Edward  TifRn,  Esquire 

[Endorsed]    Cincinnati  16*"  May  1812  J  Meigs  with  Acco'  of  Sur- 
veying Shawnee  town. 


THOMAS  SLOO  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Shawneetown,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.  :ALS] 

Cincinnati  May  19'"  1814 
Edward  Tiffin  Esq' 

Sir  on  the  13*"  Ins'  I  rece''  your  favour  of  the  30'"  April ^^  Covering 
my  Commission  as  Register  of  the  land  office  at  Shawneetown  also 
the  land  laws'  and  form  of  a  bond  to  be  Executed  by  me  for  the  faith- 
full  discharge  of  the  Duties  of  that  office 

On  the  16'"  I  Reic**  your  favour  of  the  5'"  "  Covering  the  forms  & 
Instructions  for  my  Government  in  the  Discharge  of  the  Duties  of 
my  office  I  herewith  transmitt  you  the  Bond  and  the  Certifycate  of 
my  ha\'ing  taken  the  Oath  prescribed  by  law 

As  to  the  Competancy  of  my  Securities  I  would  beg  leave  to  Refer 
you  to  Gen'  Desha  and  Coll"  Rich"*  M.  Johnston  for  the  Character 
and  Standing  of  ISP  James  Chambers  and  for  that  of  Gen'  Rector  to 
the  Representative  from  Illinois,  Should  it  not  be  considered  as 
Competent  I  will  Give  any  additional  Seciu-ity  the  Government  may 
Require 

Sir  as  you  have  not  mentioned  Your  intentions  of  forwarding  the 
Books  for  the  Registers  office  I  have  been  at  a  loss  to  know  What 
Course  to  persue  as  no  Books  or  Stationary  can  be  precured  in  that 
Cuntrey  I  have  Consulted  the  Surv-eyor  General  &  M'  Jeremiah 
Morrow  on  the  Subject  and  they  ad\ise  me  to  to  procure  at  this  place 
as  Many  for  the  Register  &  Receiver  office  as  will  Enable  us  to  Com- 
mence Business  they  Obser\'e  that  no  Inconvenancy  Can  possibly 
Result  to  the  U,  States  Should  the  Government  Send  on  Books  as 
additional  Books  will  be  wanting,  the  Receiver  Could  wait  Some  time 
for  his  Books  But  the  Register  will  want  a  part  of  his  Books  Imme- 
diately on  his  arival 

I  shall  Imediately  procure  the  Books  and  Stationary  for  Bothe 
Offices  and  will  forward  you  the  Accounts  and  Vouchers  by  the  persons 
or  their  Agent  from  whom  I  have  purchased  them,  and  hope  it  will 
meet  your  aprobation  and  be  Convenient  for  you  to  draw  in  favour 

30  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5). 
»'  Ante,  p.  420. 


428  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

of  them  for  the  Amount  on  the  Receiver  at  this  place  or  pay  the  Am' 
at  the  City  as  may  best  Suit  them 

I  Shall  leave  this  on  the  5'"  June  for  Shawneetown  in  order  that  I 
may  have  a  little  time  to  prepare  my  office  Should  be  Glad  to  hear 
from  you  as  Soon  as  may  be  Convenient,  I  have  had  One  Dozen 
Copies  of  the  presidents  proclamation  printed  in  the  form  Inclosed  to 
forward  to  the  District  of  Shawneetovra  and  inserted  in  the  Different 
papers  Agreable  to  your  Instructions — 

I  am  very  respectfully  Sir    your  obed'  Serv' 

Tho'  Sloo 

[Endorsed]  19'"  May  1814  Thomas  Sloo  Regis''  at  Shawneetown 
with  his  bond  &  oath — handed  them  to  Compt"  Office  1"  June — 
Ans"  3"  June  '^ 


POSTAL-ROUTE  ADVERTISEMENT 

[PO:Proposals  for  Contracts,  1808-1818  «) 

[May  20,  1814] 
In  Illinois  and  Missouri 

112.  From  Shawanoe,  T.  by  United  States'  Saline,  Jordan's,  Great 
Muddy  River,  Little  Muddy  River,  Coxe's  on  Beaucoup  River  and 
Kaskaskia  to  St.  Gene\'ieve  once  a  week,  120  miles. 

Leave  Shawanoetown  every  Sunday  at  2  p  m  and  arrive  at  St. 
Genevieve  the  next  Wednesday  by  6  p  m. 

Leave  St.  Genevieve  every  Thursday  at  6  a  m  and  arrive  at  Shaw- 
anoetown on  Sunday  by  10  o  to. 

113.  From  Smithland,  K.  by  Fort  Massac,  Wilkinsonville,  Tywap- 
pety,  Cape  Girardot  once  in  two  weeks,  73  miles. 

Leave  Smithland  every  other  Saturday  at  6  a  to  and  arrive  at  Cape 
Girardot  on  Sunday  by  3  p  to. 

Leave  Cape  Girardot  every  other  Thursday  at  6  a  to  and  arrive  at 
Smithland  on  Friday  by  6  p  to. 

114.  From  Cahokia  by  Madison  c  h  and  Clinton  Hill  to  Cahokia 
once  a  week. 

Leave  Cahokia  every  Friday  at  3  p  m  and  arrive  at  Clinton  Hill  on 
Saturday  by  noon. 

Leave  Clinton  Hill  every  Saturday  at  1  p  to  and  arrive  at  Cahokia 
by  6  p  TO. 

115.  From  Kaskaskia  by  Praire  du  Rocher,  St.  Phillip,  Harrison- 
ville,  Herculaneum,  Cahokia  and  St.  Louis  to  St.  Charles  once  a  week, 
84  miles. 


"  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  6),  approving  oath  and  bond,  and  referring 
to  circular  letter  of  Apr.  30,  1808  (printed,  Terr.  Papers,  Ind.,  vii,  563-564). 
«*  A  contemporary  printed  pamphlet,  now  bound  with  similar  pamphlets. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  429 

Leave  Kaskaskia  every  Thursday  at  6  a  m,  arrive  at  Herculaneum 
by  5  p  rw,  arrive  at  Cahokia  on  Friday  by  2  p  m  and  arrive  at  St. 
Charles  on  Saturday  by  10  a  m. 

Leave  St.  Charles  every  Monday  at3  p  m  and  arrive  at  Kaskaskia 
on  Wednesday  by  6  p  m. 

116.  From  Herculaneum  to  Mine  au  Burton  once  in  two  weeks,  30 
miles. 

Leave  Herculaneum  every  other  Friday  at  6  a  m  and  arrive  at  Mine 
au  Burton  by  2  p  m. 

Leave  Mine  au  Burton  every  other  Saturday  at  6  a  m  and  arrive 
at  herculaneum  by  3  p  w. 

117.  From  St.  Genevieve  by  Big  Shawanoe,  Little  Shawanoe  and 
Cape  Girardot  to  New  Madrid  once  in  two  weeks,  115  miles. 

Leave  St.  Genevieve  every  other  Thursday  at  6  a  m  and  arrive  at 
New  Madrid  on  Saturday  by  6  p  m. 

Leave  New  Madrid  every  other  Sunday  at  8  a  m  and  arrive  at  St. 
Genevieve  on  tuesday  by  6  p  m. 

118.  From  Kaskaskia  to  Johnson  c  h  once  in  two  weeks. 

Leave  Kaskaskia  every  other  Thursday  at  6  a  m  and  arrive  at 
Johnson  c  h.     [blank] 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOHN  CALDWELL 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  3"  June,  1814. 

Sir,  Enclosed  you  have  a  copy  of  a  circular,  dated  30'"  April, 
1808,"  relative  to  the  mode  of  conducting  the  public  Sales  of  the  public 
lands;  also,  copy  of  a  circular,  dated  21^'  September,  1812,'*  (with 
accompanying  forms)  relative  to  Treasury  notes. 

I  am,  &■=» 

John  Caldwell,  Esq"'  Receiver  of  public  monies,  Shawnee  Town, 
Illinois  Territory. — 


THOMAS  SLOO  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,  Shawneetown,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALS] 

Shawneetown  S'*  June  1814 
JosiAH  Meigs  Esq''  Commissioner  of  the  Gen'  Land  office 

Sir  I  have  the  honor  herewith  of  transmiting  to  you  a  patent  for- 
warded to  me  for  Peter  Baker  on  the  receipt  of  it  I  found  it  much  defaced 
and  a  part  of  the  presidents  name  obliterated  in  consequence  of  the 

"  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  One). 

'*  No  circular  of  this  date  has  been  found,  but  one  covering  the  same  subject 
was  issued  Sept.  22,  1812,  loc.  cit. 


430  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

mail  getting  wet  I  notwithstanding  presented  it  to  Mr  Baker  who 
refused  receiving  it  in  consequence  of  the  presidents  name  not  being 
compleat  and  being  otherwise  defaced. 

Mr  Baker  wishes  another  paten  to  be  forwarded  to  him,  I  was 
under  the  impression  that  you  could  drect  one  to  be  mad  out  for 
him  in  lieu  of  the  one  transmited,  I  woud  also  inform  you  that 
Joseph  M,  Street  ^°  &  Johnathan  Taylor  "  purchaced  a  preemption 
right  on  the  14'"  Sepf  1814  on  the  which  their  is  a  considerable  im- 
provement which  is  said  to  cover  a  lead  mine  the  paid  the  one  forth 
and  obtained  My  Certificate  without  my  being  aprised  of  its  cover- 
ing Minerals  I  have  recently  been  aprised  of  it  and  mentioned  it  to 
Mr  Street  he  is  anxious  to  know  weather  he  can  hold  i*  his  improve- 
ments I  have  informed  Mr  Street  that  I  expected  instructions 
from  the  department  to  have  those  Mineral  appearances  examined, 
that  if  his  improvement  covered  Mineral  their  could  be  no  doubt 
but  his  purchace  was  Null  &  Void  and  that  his  mony  would  be  re- 
funded it  is  the  North  west  quarter  of  Section  N"  4  in  Township 
N°  12,  S.  of  range  N°  9  E 

Their  is  also  one  quarter  Section  entered  by  Jeremiah  Neal  on  the 
9'"  Sept'  1814  a  premption  right  the  South  East  quarter  of  Section 
N°  27  Town  11  S,  7  E  also  the  North  East  quarter  of  Section  N°  27, 
Town  11,  S,  Range  7,  East  entered  by  Benjamin  Talbot,  those  gentle- 
men have  raised  a  quantity  Mineral  and  have  I  am  informed  expended 
a  considerable  sum  in  opening  the  Mine  Mr  Talbot  called  on  me  to 
inquire  into  the  Validity  of  his  claim  as  he  had  been  recently  informed 
that  the  Claim  owing  to  its  having  mineral  on  it  could  not  be  sold 
I  informed  him  that  was  really  the  case  that  under  those  circumstances 
the  sale  was  Null  &  Void  The  wish  to  have  their  money  refunded 
and  the  previlidge  of  a  preference  in  leasing  in  order  to  indemnify 
them  for  the  expence  that  has  acured  in  opening  the  Mine,  would 
or  would  it  not  be  proper  for  the  department  to  Vest  a  person  or 
persons  with  power  in  all  cases  that  may  accur  to  repair  to  the  spot 
and  examine  the  apearances  and  report  to  the  department  weather 
of  Minerals  or  Salines — I  am  still  of  opinion  that  the  places  that 
are  Notoriously  Known  to  contain  Salt  or  Minerals  ought  to  be 
examined  and  sutible  reserves  made  as  soon  as  practicable —  I  am 
just  informed  by  a  Gentleman  from  Kaskaslda  that  on  Big  Muddy 
in  the  district  of  Kaskaskia  their  is  one  of  the  most  promising  apear- 
ances of  Salt  that  he  has  seen  in  the  district  The  register  &  receiver 
have  reserved  but  one  section  of  land  for  the  suport  of  the  Lick  the 


'•  This  is  the  same  Joseph  M.  Street  who  was  appointed  U.  S.  Indian  agent  at 
Prairie  du  Chien  in  1827. 

»'  Jonathan  Taylor,  a  former  resident  of  Kaskaskia,  was  once  a  candidate  for 
the  office  of  register  of  the  land  office  at  that  place.  See  Taylor  to  Bond,  June  4, 
1812  (Washburne,  ed.,  Edwards  Papers,  CHC,  in,  69-70). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  431 

consequence  is  it  will  be  of  little  or  No  Value  to  the  Goverment,  this 
Gentleman  also  informs  me  that  he  has  located  all  the  Land  round 
the  lick  for  a  considerable  distance  this  instance  will  conxance  the 
Govement  of  the  Necessity  of  Making  Early  and  ample  reserv^es 
for  their  Suport  as  the  timber  and  cole  in  the  Vicinnity  of  Salines  are 
Immensely  Valueable, 

If  Sir  you  deem  it  proper  to  refund  to  those  Individuals  I  would 
thank  you  to  instruct  the  receiver  either  Specially  or  generaly  when- 
eaver  the  cases  may  accur  Also  relivtive  to  those  Town  lots  that 
have  been  Impropperly  sold  the  second  time  as  the  Receiver  will 
not  refund  without  being  Specially  Instructed, 

I  am  Sir  Very  Respectfully  Your  Ob*  Sev' 

Tho'  Sloo     Register 
of  the  Land  Office  Shawneetown 

[Addressedl  Josiah  Meigs  Esq'  Commissioner  of  the  Gen'  Land 
office    Washington  City    Mail 

[Endorsed]  Shawneetown  3"  June  1814  Tho^  Sloo  with  a  patent 
to  be  renewed    de  mines  &  springs     Ans"  19'"  June  ^ 


MICHAEL  JONES  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Kaskaskia,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.rALS] 

Kaskaskia  June  13'"  1814. 
Sir  Your  letter  of  the  22*  of  April  came  to  hand  by  the  last  mail 
enclosing  the  act  of  congress  confirming  certain  claims  and  pro\iding 
for  their  location  ^' — This  act  and  the  reports  of  the  commissioners 
leaves  it  doubtful  what  claims  may  be  considered  as  confirmed.  The 
act  declares —  "That  the  decisions  of  the  commissioners  (.  .  .  .^) 
where  such  decisions  were  in  favour  of  the  claims,  and  where  the 
commissioners  have  reported  specially  and  have  not  rejected  the 
cliaims;  All  such  claims  as  entered  in  their  report  .  .  .*"  are  hereby 
confirmed" — Now,  it  will  be  seen  that  in  our  transcript  of  decisions 
under  N°  7  &  12."  there  are  claims  which  are  there  represented  as 
being  unsupported  before  the  Board ;  and  in  our  report  we  state  that 
the  said  claims  have  been  rejected — The  transcripts  forwarded,  being 
copies  of  our  record  of  decisions,  do  not  amount  to  a  decision  in  favour 
of  the  claims,  and  our  letter  or  report  declares  these  claims  to  have 
been  rejected  It  would  seem  then  by  comparing  the  law  with  the 
report  that  this  class  of  claims  are  not  confirmed — yet  M"'  Bond  seems 


'8  Not  found. 

"  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5),  enclosing  act  of  Apr.  16,  1814. 

*"  The  marks  of  ellipsis  appear  on  the  letter. 

"  A.S.P.,  Pub.  Lands,  II,  220-226,  230-235. 


432  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

to  contend  that  these  claims  are  all  confirmed  by  the  act — or,  at  least, 
that  it  was  so  considered  by  the  committee  on  public  lands — 

The  transcript  of  special  cases  N°  2  of  Ancient  grants  embraces 
the  following  claims,"  to  wit,  N"  2049.  (under  which  the  law,  I  pre- 
sume, confirms  50  acres  only — )  N"  2209.  was  submitted  &  not  rejected 
by  the  Board — Is  this  confirmed? — N»  2107  was  submitted,  and  which 
I  take  to  be  confirmed. — 

Transcript  of  Ancient  grants  N"  3.  which  embraces  claims  N" 
2065.  185.  184.  251.  2009.  1286.  1051.  these  claims  I  view  as  rejected 
by  the  act.*' 

Transcript  of  special  cases  N°  5  embraces  claims  N"  322  &  2066.** 
These  I  consider  as  confirmed  by  the  act. 

Transcript  of  Special  confirmation  N°  6.**  This  relates  to  the  claim 
N"  2047.  of  this  claim  so  much  as  the  Board  approved  is,  I  think, 
confirmed — 

The  claim  of  Nicholas  Janis  &"  N»  2010  *'  was  submitted  &  it  is  my 
opinion  that  3  arpens  by  52  to  each  of  the  sons  &  400  acres,  to  Nicholas 
Janis,  the  Father,  are  confirmed  by  the  act. 

I  was  led  to  believe  that  a  transcript  of  all  the  claims  which  are 
confirmed  by  the  late  act  would  be  forwarded  under  the  seal  of  the 
proper  department.  This  course  was  taken  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  in  \nrtue  of  the  Act  of  the  1"  of  May  1810  "  confirming  the 
claims  contained  in  Our  report  of  the  31"  of  Decem"'  1809.** — The  lists 
then  transmitted  contained  all  the  confirmed  claims,  except  the  com- 
mons, commonfield  and  town  tracts — transcripts  of  which  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury  informed  would  be  transmitted  to  this  office, 
but  if  they  have  been  forwarded  they  have  never  come  to  hand — 

I  therefore  pray  that  you  will  give  instructions  on  the  subject  of  the 
confirmed  claims  by  the  act  of  April  1814,  and  cause  Certified  Copies 
of  the  transcripts  of  the  Commons,  Commonfield  and  Town  tracts  to 
be  forwarded  to  this  office. 

I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully  Your  most  Obed'  &  Hum'  Serv* 

Mich'  Jones 

[Addressed\  Edward  TiflSn,  Esquire  Commissioner  of  the  General 
Land  Office — Washington  City  P'  Mail     [Postmarked]    Free 

[Endorsed]  13  June  1814  M'  Jones  wants  transcripts  of  confirma"" 
Ans"  5'"  July  '» 

"  Ibid.,  pp.  213-214. 

«  Ibid.,  pp.  214-217. 

"  Ibid.,  p.  219. 

«  Ibid.,  pp.  219-220. 

«  Ibid.,  p.  225. 

♦'  2  Stat.  607. 

"  A.S.P.,  op.  cil.,  pp.  123-194. 

"  Posl,  p.  439. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  433 

JOHN  CALDWELL  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Shawneetown,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALS] 

Kaskaskia,  14'"  June  1814. 

Sir  I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  transmit,  to  you  a  Bond,  exe- 
cuted by  myself  and  four  Solvent  securities,  for  the  sum  of  Ten 
Thousand  dollars,  conditioned  for  my  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties, 
of  Receiver  of  public  monies  at  Shawneetown;  together  with  the 
certificate  of  the  Hon"'  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  one  of  the  Judges  in  and 
over  the  Illinois  Territory  of  my  having  taken  the  Oaths  to  support 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  &  for  fidelity  in  Office;  which 
have  been  prepared  in  obedience  to  y'  letter  of  the  30'"  of  April  last,^° 
enclosing  a  Commission  from  the  President  of  the  United  States 
appointing  me  Receiver  of  Public  Monies,  for  lands  of  the  United 
States,  in  the  District  of  Shawneetown,  which  through  some  failure 
in  the  Post  Office  department,  was  only  rec"*  on  the  7'"  inst.  while 
likewise  brought  to  hand  the  laws  &  forms  for  my  Government  in 
that  Office." 

The  not  taking  of  the  Oaths  of  Office  was  delayed  until  after  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  M'  Bond  my  successor  least  the  Public  Semce 
might  suffer,  &  which  accounts  for  its  not  being  done  on  the  same 
day  that  I  executed  the  Bond. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Sir,  Very  Respectfully  Your  Ob"  Serv' 

Jn°  Caldwell 

Hon"'  Edward  Tiffin    Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office 

[Addressed]  The  Hon"'  Edward  Tiffin  Commissioner  of  the  General 
land  Office    Washington  City    P  Mail  Free 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  14  June  1814  John  Caldwell  receiver  at 
Shawnee  Town  with  his  bond  &  Oath — handed  them  to  M'  Polk 
Sen'  in  Compt"  office    8  July 


THE  POSTMASTER  GENERAL  TO  JOHN  GRAHAM  '' 
[PO:P.M.  Letter  Book  S] 

June  17,  1814 
John  Graham  Esq' 

Sir/    I  have  received  your  letter  of  16'"  ^  with  one  from  M' 
Morrison  to  you  on  the  subject  of  his  suretyship  for  M'  Jordan  & 
have  had  an  answer  addressed  to  him  this  day." 
RJM— 

"  NA(GL0,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5). 

"  Enclosures  not  present.  See  also  Caldwell  to  Tiffin,  Dec.  8,  1814  (NA.GLG, 
Shawneetown,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.),  relative  further  to  bond  and  oath  under  his 
permanent  commission. 

"  Chief  clerk,  Department  of  State. 

'•  Not  found. 


434  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  LEONARD  WHITE 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  21"  June,  1814. 

Sir,  Complaints  have  been  made  to  the  president  of  the  United 
States,  by  the  late  lessees  of  the  United  States  Saline,  that  the  present 
lessee,  M'  John  Bates,  has  not  complied  with  that  part  of  his  engage- 
ments, which  provided  for  the  payment  of  the  monies  due  for  im- 
provements and  utensils,  I  am  instructed  to  request  that  you  will 
report  to  this  department,  all  the  circumstances  connected  there- 
with— and  if  necessary,  request  M"^  Bates  also  to  represent  his  view 
of  things  connected  with  the  case." 

With  great  respect,  &" 

M'  Leonard  White,  United  States'  agent  Shawnee  town. — 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JAMES  MORRISON  AND  CHARLES 
WILKINS 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  21'*  June,  1814. 

Gentlemen,  Your  letter  to  the  president  of  the  United  States, 
of  the  26'"  ultimo,"  has  been  received,  complaining  of  the  non-com- 
pliance of  M"^  John  Bates,  in  not  making  payment  of  the  monies  due 
you  for  improvements  and  utensils,  &"  at  the  Wabash  Saline:  In 
answer  to  which,  I  am  instructed  to  assure  you,  there  is  every  dis- 
position to  render  justice,  so  far  as  the  laws  will  justify;  for  which 
purpose,  I  have  wrote — to  the  agents  of  the  Government  in  the  Illinois 
territory,  for  information  on  the  subjects  referred  to  in  yours — 
assured  you  will  clearly  perceive,  as  well  the  propriety,  as  necessity, 
for  this  measure,  before  any  official  act  can  take  place. 

With  great  respect.  &" 

James  Morrison,  Esq'  or  Charles  Wilkins,  Esq'  Lexington, 
Kentucky. — 


JOHN  CALDWELL  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GL0,  Shawneetown,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  21"  June  1814 
Sir,     I  would  beg  leave  to  request  your  opinion  with  respect  to 
the  operation  of  the  Act  of  the  5'"  of  February  1813."  on  that  portion 

"  A  similar  letter  was  addressed  to  Governor  Edwards,  same  date  (NA.GLO, 
Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5). 
«>  Not  found. 
'» 2  Stat.  797-798. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  435 

of  Settlers,  who  inhabited  &  cultivated  agreeably  to  the  requisitions 
of  that  Law — but  whose  residence  &  cultivation  has  been  on  fractional 
Sections. 

The  Act  sets  out  by  Providing  generally,  that  every  Person  who 
had  inhabited  &  cultivated  a  tract  of  land  in  either  of  the  Districts, 
established  for  the  Sale  of  Public  lands  in  the  Illinois  territory,  should 
be  entitled  to  a  preference  in  becoming  the  purchaser  from  the  United 
States  of  such  tract  of  land  at  private  sale,  at  the  same  price,  on  the 
same  terms  &  conditions,  in  every  respect  as  are  or  may  be  provided 
by  law  for  the  of  other  lands  sold  at  private  Sale  in  s*  Territory,  at 
the  time  of  making  such  Purchase. 

From  this  general  and  unqualified  expression  of  the  law  it  would 
naturally  be  infered,  that  every  Person  who  had  inhabited  &  culti- 
vated within  the  requisitions  of  the  Act,  were  entitled  to  the  benefits 
which  are  intended  to  be  confered,  whether  such  residence  &  cultiva- 
tion had  been  on  fractional  Sections  which  seem  not  susseptable  of 
division,  or  upon  entire  Sections  which  are  intended  to  be  divided. 

But  the  subsequent  provisions  &  restrictions  of  the  same  law  leaves 
it  doubtful  whether  Congress  had  any  discription  of  persons  in  view 
other  than  those  who  resided  &  cultivated  upon  entire  Sections — by 
reason  of  the  express  provision  that  no  more  than  one  quarter  Section 
of  land  shall  be  sold  to  any  One  individual  &  the  same  to  be  bounded 
by  the  sectional  &  divisional  lines  run,  or  to  be  run  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Surveyor  General  for  the  division  of  public  lands — as  well 
as  the  direct  prescription,  that  every  Applicant  shall  make  known  his 
claim  by  delivering  a  notice  in  writing  to  the  Register  of  the  land 
Office  for  the  District  in  which  the  land  may  lie,  wherein  he  shall 
particularly  designate  the  quarter  Section  he  claims — While  the  9"" 
&  12"'  Sections  of  the  Act  of  the  26'"  March  1804.*''  expressly  con- 
siders fractional  Sections  a  distinct  Species  of  tracts  from  quarter 
Sections,  &  the  subsequent  laws  regulating  the  sales  of  Public  lands, 
making  the  same  distinction,  serves  but  to  confirm  the  doubts  which 
have  arisen. 

Now  a  numerous  and  respectable  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  that 
District  have  inhabited  &  cultivated  agreeably  to  the  requisitions  of 
this  law — but  whose  residence  &  cultivation  has  been  on  fractional 
Sections,  can  they  be  admitted  to  participate  in  the  benefits  confered 
by  entering  the  fractions  so  improved  when  containing  160  acres  or 
less,  or  by  purchasing  160  acres  thereof  when  they  contain  more,  or 
in  virtue  of  such  residence  &  cultivation  on  fractional  Sections  will 
they  only  be  permitted  to  enter  a  quarter  Section  else  where  in  the 
District. 


0"  Terr.  Papers  (Ind.),  vii,  180,  181-182. 

314574 — 48 29 


436  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

As  the  dearest  &  best  interests  of  this  description  of  Settlers  seems 
to  be  jeopardiz'd  from  the  letter  of  this  law — it  is  deemed  all  important 
that  y'  opinion  should  be  known  least  an  irraparable  injury  might 
be  done  to  this  equally  deserving  class  of  citizens  by  perhaps  too 
strict  an  adherence  to  the  wording  of  the  Act. 

I  have  to  regret  that  time  would  not  permit  me  to  have  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  M'  Sloo,  before  you  were  written  to  on  this  important  sub- 
ject— but  as  I  shall  not  have  that  satisfaction  before  the  first  of  July 
whereby  the  opportunity  of  two  Mails  would  be  lost,  and  as  those 
Settlers  entitled  to  the  right  of  preemption,  must  have  completed 
their  entries  by  the  last  week  in  September  it  becomes  essentially 
necessary  that  you  should  be  early  informed  of  the  difficulty,  therefore 
with  much  reluctance  I  have  undertaken  to  Address  you  alone. 

Permit  me  to  request  your  directions  with  respect  to  the  classifica- 
tion of  the  fractional  Sections  at  the  same  time." 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Sir,  Very  Respectfully  your  Ob"  Serv' 

Jn"  Caldwell 

Hon"'  Edward  Thtin  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office 
Washington  City. 

[Addressed\  The  Hon"'  Edward  Tiffin  Commissioner  of  the  General 
Land  Office,  Washington  City  P  Mail  Free 

[Endorsed]  rec"  July  8.  1814  Jn"  Caldwell  Register  Shawnee  town, 
relative  to  fractional  Sections  of  Land  file 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS] 

Surveyor  General's  Office    Cincinnati,  June  27, 1814 

Sir  a  Question  has  arisen,  whether  after  the  Public  Sales  of  Lots 
in  Shawnee  Town  those  which  may  remain  unsold  may  be  entered  as 
other  Public  Lands,  at  the  least  price  stated  by  Law — viz:  In  Lots 
at  $8 — and  Out-Lots  at  $5  an  Acre — On  this  subject,  I  presume  the 
Land  Officers  for  the  District  of  Shawnee  will  obtain  your  decision. 

I  shall  be  happy  to  have  your  opinions  whether  the  Islands  in  the 
Mississippi,  between  the  Missouri  &  Illinois  Territories,  many  of 
which  are  valuable,  ought  to  be  surveyed  at  an  early  day — 

My  last  addressed  to  you  was  dated  June  19.  1814  "^ — Your  last 
was  dated  May  19  '«— 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully  Yours, 

J  Meigs.  S.  G— 


•'  Answered  ■poil,  p.  441. 

•»  NA^GLO,  Lets,  from  SG,  1812-1814). 

•»  NA(GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  437 

The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire — 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire  Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land-Office,  Treasury  Department.  Washington- 
City —    [Postmarked]  Cincinnati  27  June  1814  Free 

[Endorsed]  June  27,  1814  Josiah  Meigs  Surveyor  Gen'  wants 
instructions  relative  to  Islands  between  Missouri  &  Illinois  An- 
swered July  6'"  1814  "  file 


SHADRACH  BOND  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Kaskaskia,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALS] 

St  Clair  County  Illinois  Territory  June  27th  1814— 
Sir,  Last  mail  I  had  the  Honor  of  receiving  yours  of  the  30th  of 
April  last,^'  incloseing  me  a  Commission  from  the  President  of  the 
united  States,  appointing  me  Receiver  of  Public  monies  at  Kaskaskia, 
I  here  with  transmit  you  a  bond  for  the  faithfull  Performance  of  the 
duties  of  my  office,  and  a  certificate  of  haveing  qualified  agreeable  to 
your  instructions — 

I  expect  to  be  able  to  take  Charge  of  the  office  by  the  first  day  of 
July,  the  time  which  you  inform  me  my  salery  is  to  Commence — 
I  am  very  respectfully  your  obed'  Serv' 

Shadrach  Bond — 

Hon'''*  Edward  Tiffin  Commissioner  of  the  Gen'  Land  office 
Washington  City 

[Endorsed]    27  June  1814   Shadrach  Bond  with  his  oath  of  office 
&  bond  ans"  15  July  ^°  Sent  Bond  to  Compf  same  day 


STEPHEN  PLEASONTON  «'  TO  DANIEL  SHELDON  « 

[GAO:Misc.  Treas.,  Acct.  No.  29,255  (1814) :ALS] 

[June  30,  1814] 
Sir,     The  irregularity  in  the  payment  of  the  Judges  in  the  Illinois 
Territory,  arose  from  the  circumstances  (at  the  time  unknown  to  me) 


"  Posi.  p.  440. 

"  NA(GL0,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5). 

"  hoc.  cit. 

"  Clerk  in  the  Department  of  State,  holding  a  position  similar  to  a  disbursing 
agent;  in  1817  became  auditor  in  the  Treasury  Department  in  charge  of  State 
Department  affairs. 

"  Clerk  in  the  Treasury  Department,  ranking  second  in  a  list  of  Treasury 
clerks  prepared  in  1811. 


438  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

of  the  President's  consenting  to  a  transfer  of  the  situations  of  Stuart 
&  Sprigg,  and  it  not  having  been  made  simultaneously.  Sprigg  it 
appears  was  appointed  to  the  place  supposed  to  be  vacated  by  Stuart 
in  July  1813,  and  Stuarts  appointment  to  Spriggs  vacancy  was  not 
made  till  the  February  following.  The  object  was  not  known  to 
me  when  Sprigg  was  appointed;  being  required  by  the  President  to 
make  out  a  Commission  for  him  on  a  nomination  approved  by  the 
Senate.  I  was  of  cour.se  under  the  impression  that  it  was  to  fill  some 
vacancy  then  existing  &  of  which  the  President  alone  was  informed. 

These  transfers  are  very  embarrassing  in  the  way  they  have  been 
made.     I  hope  we  shall  have  no  more  of  them. 

The  only  mode  occurring  to  me  by  which  the  present  difficulty  can 
be  overcome,  will  be  to  deduct  from  the  Salary  in  Stuart's  present 
office  (for  he  is  now  a  Judge  of  Missouri)  what  he  received  beyond  the 
sum  he  was  entitled  to  in  the  preceeding  office.  The  Salary  being 
the  same,  I  should  suppose  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  this  course. 

Very  respectfully  &  truly  yours 

S.  Pleasonton 

June  30,  1814 

In  the  year  1813  Sprigg  as  Judge  of  Missouri  Territory  rec"      $1568 .  13 
"      "     1814         DO  D»  600.— 


2,168.13 


In  the  year  1813 — Stuart  as  Judge  of  Illinois  Territory  rec"        1200  .- 
1814  d"  d°  600 


1800 
[Addressed]     M.'  Sheldon  Treasury  Dep' 


MEMORANDUM  RE  ACCOUNTS  OF  JUDGES  STUART  AND 
SPRIGG 

IGA0:Mi8c.  Treas.,  Acct.  No.  29,255  (1814):  AD  «*] 

[No  dale,  1814] 
Before  &  untill  the  G'"  of  Feb"  1814,  Stuart  was  a  judge  of  the  Illi- 
nois Territory  &  rec"  his  Salary  as  such  untill  the  31"  day  of  March 
1814— 

On  the  9'"  day  of  Feb"  1814  Stuart  was  appointed  a  judge  of  the 
Missouri  Territory  &  has  drawn  his  Salary  as  such  from  the  9'"  day 
of  Feb"  to  the  3P'  of  March  1814. 

Before  &  untill  the  29'"  of  July  1813  Sprigg  was  a  Judge  of  the 
Missouri  Territory,  when  he  was  appointed  a  judge  of  the  Illinois 

"  Apparently  in  the  handwriting  of  Pleasonton. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  439 

Territory,  &  drew  his  Salary  as  a  judge  of  the  Missouri  Territory 
untill  the  31"  day  of  March  1814. 
[Endorsed]    Memorandum. 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  MICHAEL  JONES 

[NA:  GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  5'"  July,  1814. 

Sir,  I  have  received,  your's,  of  the  13'"  ult°  ""requesting instruc- 
tions on  the  Subject  of  confirmed  claims  to  land  in  your  district, 
under  the  act  of  Congress,  passed  the  16'"  of  April  1814,''  as  doubts 
had  arisen  between  yourself  and  M'  Bond,  relative  to  the  intention 
of  the  legislature,  when  passing  this  act. 

In  answer  to  which,  it  is  necessary  to  pay  strict  attention  to  the 
expressions  of  the  act,  as  well  as  to  the  special  reports  of  each  indi- 
vidual case,  and  the  letter  of  the  commissioners  of  the  4'"  of  January, 
1813,"-  which  accompanied  their  report.  By  the  first  Section  of  the 
act,  it  is  pro\ided  "that  the  decisions  made  by  the  commissioners, 
where  such  decisions  were  in  favor  of  the  claims,  and  where  the  com- 
missioners have  reported  specially,  and  have  not  rejected  the  claims; 
all  such  claims  as  entered  in  their  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  bearing  date  the  4'"  of  January,  1813,  shall  be,  and  the 
same  hereby  are  confirmed." 

Now,  in  applying  the  pro\nsions  of  this  section  consonant  with 
the  report  and  letter  of  the  Said  4'"  of  January,  1813,  it  appears 
that  in  the  transcript  of  decisions  to  which  you  first  allude,  under  the 
numbers  7  &  12,  the  construction  you  have  given  is  right,  inasmuch 
as  the  documents  declare  them  to  be  rejected. 

In  the  transcript  of  special  cases,  N°  2,  of  antient  grants,  embracing 
numbers  2049,  2209  and  2107,  your  construction  is  also  right,  for 
although  the  decisions  were  not  specially  in  favor,  yet  they  had  been 
submitted  to  Congress,  and  not  rejected:  Keeping  in  mind,  that  in 
N°  2049,  only  fifty  acres  are  confirmed  out  of  the  claim,  while  the 
others  are  confirmed  in  full. 

In  transcript  of  antient  grants,  N"  3,  which  embraces  claims,  N°' 
2065,  184,  185,  251,  2009,  1286  and  1051  there  are  none  confirmed, 
but  in  transcript  of  special  cases,  N°  5,  embracing  the  claims  322 
and  2066,  and  transcript  of  special  confirmations,  N°  6,  relating  to 
the  claim,  N°  2047,  they  are  all  confirmed,  keeping  in  mind  so  much 
of  the  latter  only,  as  the  commissioners  recommended. 

"Ante,  p.  431. 
"  3  Stat.  125-127. 
n  Ar.te  p.  281. 


440  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

It  appears  from  a  consideration  of  the  act — the  report,  and  the 
commissioners'  letter  of  the  4'"  of  January,  1813,  that  your  construc- 
tion in  the  case,  N°  2010,  of  Nich'  Janis,  &''*  is  incorrect,  when  you 
say,  "it  is  my  opinion,  that  3  arpens  by  52,  to  each  of  the  sons,  and 
400  acres  to  Nich'  Janis,  the  father,  are  confirmed  by  the  act,"  and 
that  on  the  contrary,  this  claim  cannot  be  embraced  by  the  law  as 
confirmed — for  in  the  report  in  this  case,  the  commissioners  say, 
"this  claim  is  founded  in  improvement  and  cultivation,  confirmed 
by  the  governors  of  the  North  West  and  Indiana  Territories,  but 
which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Commissioners,  ought  not  to  be  confirmed, 
although,  from  a  view  of  the  testimony  accompanying  this  species  of 
claims,  it  will  be  perceived  that  some  cases  have  some  merit,  yet,  as 
the  board  confined  themselves  entirely  to  the  spirit  and  meaning  of 
the  law  governing  such  claims  have  been  consequently  rejected  by  us, 
and  submitted  to  Congress." 

In  a  few  days  I  will  transmit  an  authenticated  copy  of  all  the 
transcripts  confirmed  by  the  different  laws,  including  those  trans- 
mitted 27'"  May,  1810. 

I  am,  &" 

Michael  Jones,  Esq'  Register  of  the  Land  office,  Kaskaskia. — 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

Treasury  department  General  Land  Office  July  G""  1814 

Sir  I  have  received  yours  of  the  27""  ultimo,"  enquiring  whether 
the  lotts  which  may  remain  unsold  at  Shawnee  town  after  haveing 
all  been  put  up  at  auction  may  be  entered  with  the  Register  at  the 
prices  stated  by  law — ? 

In  answer  have  to  observe,  that  such  appears  to  have  been  the  in- 
tention of  Congress  from  the  expressions  of  the  Act.  before  the  Sales 
commence,  and  when  the  Register  &  Receiver  are  apprized  of  the 
lands  intended  to  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  Saline,  they  will  be 
instructed  on  this  subject  also — 

When  ever  the  Lands  in  the  Missouri  Territory  are  ordered  to  be 
surveyed,  I  presume  that  those  Islands  to  which  you  have  alluded 
lying  between  the  Missouri  &  Illinois  Territories,  will  also  be  surveyed, 
if  the  Surveyor  General  should  think  they  would  soon  sell  so  as  to 
justify  the  measure. 

with  great  respect  I  am  Your  ob'  serv' 

Edward  Tiffin 

JosiAH  Meigs  Esq'  Surveyor  General  Cincinnati  Ohio 

»«  AnU,  p.  436. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  441 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs,  Esq"'  Surveyor-general,  U.  S.  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  [Postmarked]  Wash"  City  Jul  6.  Treasury  Department,  Gen- 
eral Land  Office.    Edward  Tiffin    Free. 

[Endorsed]  E  Tiffin  July  6.  1814  R  [July]  15  [1814]  A  [July]  16 
[1814]  " 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  JOHN  CALDWELL 
[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  Office,  8'"  July,  1814. 

Sir,  I  have  received  your's  of  the  21 ='  ult°  '*  in  answer  to  which, 
have  to  observe,  that  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  the  5'"  of  February, 
1813,  entitled  "An  act  giving  the  right  of  pre-emption  in  the  purchase 
of  lands,  to  certain  Settlers  in  the  IlHnois  territory,"  '°  is  So  plain, 
that  it  was  not  presumed  any  difficulty  would  occur  in  its  construc- 
tion :  fractional  Sections  have  always  been  considered  a  distinct  species 
of  tracts,  and  the  first  proviso  in  the  first  Section  of  this  act,  expressly 
provides,  "that  no  more  than  one  quarter  section  of  land  Shall  be 
Sold  to  any  one  individual,  in  virtue  of  this  act;  and  the  Same  Shall 
be  bounded  by  the  Sectional  and  division  hnes  run,"  &"=» 

As  a  man,  it  is  a  Subject  of  regret,  if,  as  you  State,  many  respectable 
inhabitants  who  had  Settled  on  fractional  Sections,  will  not,  under 
this  act,  be  able  to  avail  themselves  of  its  advantages,  equal  to  more 
fortunate  Settlers  on  quarter  Sections;  but  we  must  carry  into  effect 
the  will  of  the  national  legislature — who  have  always,  as  in  this  case, 
guarded  fractional  sections  as  generally  being  more  valuable  than 
other  species  of  tracts. 

With  great  respect,  &"" 

John  Caldwell,  Esq'  Receiver  of  public  monies,  Shawnee  Town. 

P.S.  I  conceive  Settlers  on  fractional  Sections  as  not  being  entitled 
to  any  benefits  accruing  under  the  law.     E.  Tiffin. 


JOHN  MESSINGER  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GL0,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

Clinton  Hill  Post  Office.  July  8'"  1814— 
Sir— Your  letter  of  May  30'"  1814,"  came  to  hand  on  the  24'" 
Ult°  in  which  you  mention  your  intention  of  writing  fiu-ther  by  the 
next  mail,  I  have  omitted  writing  on  that  account,  so  soon  as  I 

'«  Post,  p.  448. 
"  Ante,  p.  434. 
"  2  Stat.  797-798. 
"  Not  found. 


442  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

should  have  done,  waiting  a  Mail  or  two  for  your  further  communi- 
caton — 

In  answer  to  Yours  above  alluded  to,  I  «em  willing  t©  undertake  I 
am  willing  to  undertake  the  surveying  of  the  Townships  therein 
mentioned;  and  to  proceed  to  the  execution  of  the  work  as  soon  as 
the  grass  can  be  burned  in  the  ensuing  fall — I  consider  that  the 
Surveying  of  this  country  in  the  Summer  Season,  is  almost  im- 
practicable— As  to  a  formal  contract,  I  conceive  Sir,  that  you  can, 
if  you  please  forward  duplicates  by  Mail,  signed  and  sealed  on  your 
part,  with  a  witness  residing  with  you  on  the  part  of  yourself — 
which  which  when  received  by  me,  I  will  also  sign  in  presence  of  a 
witness  residing  here,  and  transmit  the  proper  one  by  Mail  to  Your 
Office— 

Thus  was  the  method  in  my  former  contract  with  General  Mans- 
field, as  you  will  perceive  on  examination,  in  the  archives  of  the  Office 
(probably) — Da\ad  Badgley  Esq'  a  near  neighbor  of  mine,  was  the 
witness  on  my  part  to  my  former  contract — 

M'  Samuel  Redman  also  a  Near  Neighbor  is  esteemed  a  trusty  good 
man,  as  you  wish  me  to  recommend  some  person — However  I  do  not 
know  that  I  understand  your  intended  method  of  executing  the 
formal  contract — 

It  appears  to  me  Sir,  from  the  method  practiced  in  doing  the  work, 
of  surv-eying  Townships  and  Sections,  that  I  cannot  commence  sur- 
veying Townships  3^-5  North  untill  the  Principal  Meridian  line  is 
extended  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  Township  2  North,  Range  1 
West,  unless  you  assign  to  me  the  runing  of  said  Meridian  from  the 
Northern  boundary  of  Township  5  South;  which  I  am  vvilling  to 
undertake,  if  deemed  most  expedient — 

I  assertained  the  variation  of  the  Magnetic  Needle  from  the  true 
Meridian  in  the  year  1807,  in  two  different  Places — One  of  which  was 
in  Township  3  South  Range  9  West — The  other,  where  I  now  live,  in 
Township  1  North  Range  8  West — At  which  time  it  was,  by  one 
compass  8°25'  and  by  another  compass  8°  30'  on  the  same  Meridian — 
I  did  not  perceive  any  difference  in  the  two  places  of  observation^ 
You  will  perceive  Sir,  by  my  former  returns;  that  Range  4  West 
diverged  in  runing  North,  on  Townships  4-3-2-South,  and  converged 
from  that,  Northward  to  the  end  of  my  district,  in  a  ratio  of  about 
two  Chains  to  a  Township — I  made  an  attempt,  on  said  Meridian 
to  make  an  observation  by  the  Pole  star  when  in  the  vertical  with 
Cassiopea,  but  after  I  had  prepared  the  apparatus,  clouds  arose  and 
intercepted  my  view,  so  I  failed  in  the  attempt — I  was  requested  by 
Your  Predecssor  to  assertain  the  variation,  in  several  parts  of  the 
district  I  was  then  engaged  in,  but  it  is  very  inconvenient  to  make  an 
observation  by  M'  Ellicotts  ™  method,  when  situated  remote  from 

"  Referring  to  Andrew  Ellicott. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  443 

inhabitants,  and  in  some  seasons  the  frequency  of  clouds  in  the 
Night,  is  a  further  inconvenience — 

I  conceive  Sir,  that  the  true  Meridian  may  be  assertained  suffi- 
ciently exact  by  a  well  adjusted  Plain  and  Perpendicular  Pivot  in 
the  center  of  several  concentric  circles,  if  one  day  is  spent  in  which 
the  rays  of  the  sun  are  not  obstructed  any  considerable  length  of  time 
during  the  day — 

I  wish  for  permission  to  employ  one  or  more  experienced  surveyors 
if  necessity  requres  it,  to  complete  the  job  assigned  to  me  in  due 
time — However,  it  is  my  intention  at  present  to  do  the  work  in  person, 
for  I  am  anxious  that  any  work  assigned  to  me  should  be  well  and 
faithfully  done — - 

I  am  well  Pleased  with  my  former  instructions,  and  wish  that  such 
were  strictly  attended  to  in  every  instance  of  surveying  in  this  West- 
ern Country — I  shall  write  again  when  I  receive  your  further  communi- 
cations— 

My  wife  and  family  are  well  at  this  time,  7  children 

I  am  Sir,  Respectfully  Yours 

John  Messinger 

J,  Meigs  Esqr— 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esq''  Surveyor  Gen'  Cincinnati  Ohio 
State      [Postmarked]  Free  P.  M.  Clinton  Hill  IIP  Ty. 

[Endorsed]  John  Messinger     July  8'"  1814.    R.— 24""  July  " 


EDWARD  TIFFIN  TO  GOVERNOR  EDWARDS 

[NA:GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5] 

Treasury  Department,  General  Land  office,  July  9""  1814. 
Sir,  Yoiu"  letter  of  the  20'"  of  May  last,  was  duly  received,'" 
wherein  you  request  a  decision  respecting  an  extra  allowance  for  at- 
tending to  leasing  the  Wabash  Saline,  &""  &''*.  It  appears,  from  your 
representation,  that  when  governor  Harrison  attended  to  this  busi- 
ness, that  he  made  Similar  charges,  and  was  paid ;  but  that  when  your 
charge  was  presented  to  the  comptroller  of  the  Treasury,  he  refused 
to  allow  it.  It  therefore  became  my  duty  to  make  a  proper  repre- 
sentation of  the  case,  and  refer  your  letter  to  the  honorable,  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  which  was  done;  after  due  consideration, 
the  letter  has  been  returned,  with  information  that  the  Secretary  has 
caused  a  Search  to  be  made,  and  cannot  find  that  any  compensation 
was  ever  allowed  to  governor  Harrison  for  his  trouble  in  relation  to 
the  Saline; — it  Seems  he  made  a  charge,  which  was  submitted  for 

"  No  reply  found. 
•"  Not  found. 


444  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

consideration,  but  it  cannot  be  discovered  that  any  thing  was  paid  to 
him. 

Under  those  circumstances,  and  there  being  no  Specific  appropria- 
tions therefor,  I  presume  it  was  that  the  comptroller  of  the  Treasury 
could  not  allow  the  charge." 

With  great  respect,  &" 

His  excellency,  gov  N.  Edwards,  Illinois  Territory. — 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  TO  BENJAMIN  HOWARD 

[NA:WD,  SW,  Lets.  Sent.,  Mil.  Bk.  7] 

War  Dept.  July  14'"  1814. 
B'  Gen'  Howard 

Sir,  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  20'"  Ultimo.'-  Capt:  Wilkinson's  company  of  the  24'"  Infantry 
will  remain  under  your  orders.  It  is  impossible  to  furnish  any  rein- 
forcement of  Regular  troops  for  the  maintenance  of  the  new  post  at 
Prairie  de  chien.  The  alternative  suggested  by  General  Clark  in  his 
letter  to  you  of  the  8'"  of  May  ^  must  be  adopted — ^^z:  The  employ- 
ment of  one  or  two  hundred  Volunteers.  The  failure  of  Dickson  to 
engage  the  Mississippi  Indians  in  the  War  &  the  fact  of  his  setting 
out  for  Mackinaw,  lead  to  a  conclusion  that  a  force  of  this  description 
will  be  competent.  The  appointments  recommended  by  you  have 
been  made,  &  notices  thereof  will  be  inclosed  herewith. — 


BENJAMIN  HOWARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

(NA:WD,  SWDF:LS] 

Head  Quarters  Saint  Louis  July  15'"  1814 
Sir  I  have  not  had  the  honour  of  receiving  an  Answer  to  my  letter 
of  the  15'"  of  May  last,  addressed  to  you,*'*  which  I  strongly  expected 
in  last  month,  however  from  your  silence  on  the  subject  of  Praire  Du 
Chien  I  infered,  that  the  Gov"'  acquiesced  in  the  establishment  at 
that  place,  notwithstanding  the  slender  means  possessed  by  me  to 
reinforce  it,  and  expected  I  should  use  my  efforts  at  any  rate  to  support 
it  for  the  present,  till  more  aid  would  be  sent,  this  I  have  done,  all  the 
regulars  were  ordered  from  Fort  Knox,  except  about  twenty  left  to 
take  care  of  a  considerable  quantity  of  public  property  deposited  at 

»'  Cf.  Ten.  Papers  (Ind.),  vu,  672.     See  also  Tiffin  to  Edwards,  Apr.  20  and 
June  18.  1814  (Edwards,  Hist.  III.,  pp.  538-539). 
w  NA  (WD,  SWDF). 

"  Enclosed  in  Howard  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  May  15,  1814,  loc.  cit. 
•»•  AnU,  p.  422. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  445 

that  Post — On  the  4'"  Ins*  this  detachment  about  40  in  number 
together  with  about  64  rangers  set  out  from  Capais  Grais  in  fortified 
boats,  under  the  command  of  Brigade  Major  John  Campbell,  to 
reinforce  the  troops  at  Praire  Du  Chien,  when  the  Governor  left 
that  place  little  was  done  towards  the  new  Fort,  the  Command  had 
shelter  in  an  establishment  belonging  to  the  old  Machinac  Company, 
I  am  in  hopes  the  new  Garrison  will  be  in  a  state  of  defence  before 
any  attack  is  made;  the  regular  force  there  when  the  rangers  leave  it 
will  be  one  Company  only,  this  is  all  the  regular  force  I  can  put  there 
without  abandoning  Fort  Clarke  which  is  much  more  important  for 
the  immediate  protection  of  the  frontier,  the  terms  of  service  of  the 
men  at  the  latter  post  are  expiring  fast,  there  are  about  45  men 
at  present.  I  find  that  I  shall  be  compelled  to  send  the  company 
of  Captain  Philips  34  in  number  to  reinforce  it  or  it  must  be  aban- 
doned— while  I  am  Compelled  to  employ  many  of  the  rangers  in 
escorting  supplies  to  Fort  Clarke  and  to  afford  a  temporary  relief  to 
Praire  Du  Chien,  the  Savages  are  weekly  attacking  and  attempting 
to  assail  the  frontier,  on  the  10'"  Ins'  a  woman  and  five  children 
were  murdered  in  Illinois  not  more  than  25  miles  from  this  place,  the 
party  was  promptly  pursued  by  a  part  of  Captain  Whitesides  Com- 
pany and  chastised  at  least  an  hundred  and  thirty  miles  from  the 
place,  several  men  were  killed  in  the  last  and  present  month  between 
the  Missouri  and  the  Mississippi,  at  this  very  moment  the  greater 
part  of  the  rangers  of  this  Territory  are  out  to  repel  a  large  party  from 
Rock  river,  which  came  across  to  take  the  factory  establishment  on 
the  Missouri,  in  this  they  failed,  and  then  descended  the  Missouri 
to  the  Settlements,  I  trust  the  rangers  will  arrive  time  enough  to 
check  them.  I  expect  every  moment  to  hear  of  a  severe  reencountre 
having  taken  place;  this  party  of  savages  are  composed  of  the  Indians 
with  whom  Govnor  Clarke,  in  may  last,  made  an  Arrangement,  that 
they  should  go  to  war  with  the  Winebagoes,  and  some  of  those  who 
wintered  about  the  factory  on  the  Missouri;  I  trust  the  frequent 
proofs  the  Gov"'  has  had  of  Indian  treachery  will  produce  a  different 
pohcy,  when  they  recollect  the  arrangement  made  by  Gov""''  Harrison 
at  Vincennes  in  spring  1812,  the  Convention  at  Dayton  in  the  same 
year,  and  the  Armistice  entered  into  last  autimin  by  Gen'  Harrison, 
with  them  and  the  sequel,  they  cannot  be  at  a  loss  how  to  rccGivo 
view  their  promises — I  augur  ill  of  the  treaty  holding  at  Greenville, 
that  a  treaty  will  be  made  I  have  ae  doubt  think  probable  if  they  have 
rations  and  presents  enough  to  give  them;  the  Gov"'  may  name  any 
tribe  the  most  inveterate  against  the  U.  States,  and  a  treaty  may  be 
made  with  them  on  our  own  terms,  they  will  not  stickle  about  terms 
when  they  do  not  intend  to  comply  with  them ;  in  a  word  those  nations 
of  savages  have  long  since  Confederated  to  make  war  upon  us,  and 


446  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

we  must  treat  with  them  as  we  have  fought  them,  as  a  confederacy ; 
much  of  our  Calamities  may  be  ascribed  to  a  reliance  upon  partial 
treaties  and  arrangements;  I  still  hope  to  hear  from  you  time  enough 
to  send  up  before  the  river  closes  a  sufficient  reinforcement  to  Prairie 
Du  Chien  if  the  means  are  sent  me  soon,  or  to  bring  down  the  slender 
force  there,  if  it  be  determined  not  to  maintain  the  Post,  under 
existing  Circumstances  a  less  force  than  that  recommended  in  my 
letter  of  the  15'"  of  may  will  not  do  to  support  the  Garrison  well, 
intermediate  posts  must  be  established  to  ensure  the  progress  of 
supplies  from  this  place  to  the  Garrison,  say  one  at  the  foot  of  the 
Rapids  of  the  Dimoise  and  the  Rapids  of  Rock  river,  all  this  I  can 
effect  this  Autumn  if  troops  are  sent  soon.  I  enclose  you  the  Copy 
of  a  letter  from  M'  Forsythe  I  believe  a  great  part  of  the  information 
he  has  re*  is  true,  and  of  course  my  opinion  is  what  it  always  has 
been  that  this  Country  ought  to  have  Aid,*^" 

I  am  with  high  consideration  your  Humble  Serv' 

Benj»  Howard 

[Addressed]  The  Honob'«  John  Armstrong  Washington  City. 
[Postmarked]  Vincennes    Aug'  10""    Free 

[Endorsed]  Head  Quarters  S'  Louis  July  15'"  1814  Gen'  Benj* 
Howard  Advises  of  ha%ang  established  a  Fort  at  Prairi  Du  Chien  & 
wishes  a  reinforcement  sent  to  keep  his  position  &  Encloses  a  letter 
from  M''  Thos.  Forsythe 

[Enclosure] 
Thomas  Forsyth  to  Benjamin  Howard 
Copy  of  a  letter  from  Thomas  Forsythe  to  Brig'  Genl.  Howard 

dated  Fort  Clarke  July  6'"  1814 
Sir  Since  my  last  to  you  by  the  contractors  boat  we  have  been 
almost  every  day  visited  by  the  Indians  of  this  country  (Potawato- 
mies)  bringing  in  fresh  meat  and  fish  in  abundance  to  traffic  with  the 
Garrison  of  this  place.  The  Indians  inform  me  that  it  was  the  Sakies 
who  killed  a  man  or  men  on  Missouri  (Boonslick  Settlement  perhaps) 
last  spring,  that  the  British  are  in  very  great  force  near  Detroit,  and 
they  suppose  by  this  time  that  they  (the  British)  are  in  possession 
of  Detroit  as  two  armies,  one  by  way  of  lake  Erie,  the  other  by  way 
of  River  &  Lake  St  Clair  were  drawing  near  that  place,  and  the 
fireing  of  Cannon  was  heard  below  Maiden,  that  the  American  troops 
were  busily  making  of  boats  at  Detroit,  and  the  Indians  say  that  it 
was  to  evacuate  that  place,  that  the  British  have  eight  sail  of  Vessels 
on  lakes  Huron  and  Michigan,  and  from  the  great  number  of  troops 
that  are  in  Canada  they  (the  British  )have  sent  up  very  great  rein- 

"''  See  post,  p.  451. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  447 

forcements  to  Makinaw,  that  the  British  have  hurt  the  Village  of 
Mackinaw  and  made  great  preparations  for  the  defence  of  that  place, 
that  four  hundred  troops  have  landed  and  are  building  a  Fort  at 
Green  Bay  with  immense  quantities  of  goods  for  the  Indians,  that 
an  Agent  was  sent  from  Mackinaw  to  St  Joseph  to  get  the  Potawato- 
mies  to  agree  to  have  a  Fort  built  at  that  place  but  in  a  dispute  with 
an  American  Interpreter  who  is  an  Indian  he  the  Interpreter  killed 
the  British  Agent,  this  B.  Agent  before  he  was  killed  told  the  Indians 
that  their  British  Father  intended  to  build  Forts  at  St.  Joseph's  and 
Chicago  to  supply  his  Indian  Children  with  all  their  wants,  you  will 
please  observe  that  at  the  commencement  of  the  War,  the  British 
promised  the  Indians  to  send  them  a  vessel  with  goods  to  Chicago, 
this  promise  they  are  now  about  to  fulfil,  and  I  have  no  doubt  from 
the  great  number  of  troops  that  are  now  in  Canada  that  the  British 
will  build  a  Fort  at  Chicago,  indeed  I  wished  much  to  have  had  more 
talk  with  Gomo  and  the  Black  Patridge  on  this  subject  as  it  was 
from  them  I  got  this  information  but  the  heat  was  so  great,  that 
neither  myself  nor  Indians  could  resist  it,  I  therefore  had  to  with- 
draw into  the  Garrison  for  a  shade  and  the  Indians  to  go  off,  however 
I  asked  them  both  (Gomo  and  Black  Patridge)  when  alone  (and  when 
all  the  bystanders  had  left  us)  if  they  thought  this  news  was  true, 
and  if  they  thought  the  British  would  come  to  Chicago,  they  both 
assured  me  as  a  friend  that  it  was  the  truth  and  a  short  time  would 
shew  it — A  party  of  five  Winnebagoes  was  seen  coming  towards  this 
place,  we  were  immediately  informed  of  it  by  runners  sent  on  by 
Gomo,  but  they  (the  Winnebagoes)  were  never  seen  here,  altho'  I 
have  no  doubt  but  they  have  been  about  this  place,  as  five  of  their 
arrows  were  found  about  three  miles  from  this  on  the  road  by  a 
young  Indian — 

Should  you  send  a  reinforcement  to  this  place  (which  in  my  opinion 
will  be  much  wanted  shortly  as  the  sickly  season  is  approaching  and 
many  of  the  soldiers  times  expire  shortly),  it  will  be  necessary  to  have 
more  and  better  quarters  for  the  Garrison,  otherwise  it  will  be  a 
matter  of  no  consequence  how  many  soldiers  you  send  on,  as  they 
will  take  sick  as  fast  as  they  arrive,  if  they  live  in  such  miserable 
huts  as  are  at  present  in  the  Garrison' — You  will  recollect  that  should 
any  information  escape  me,  it  cannot  be  imputed  to  me,  for  without 
a  person  can  talk  deliberately  and  alone  with  Indians  it  is  out  of  the 
power  of  any  man  to  do  any  thing  to  Advantage — 

I  remain  Sir  yoxir  Ob'  Serv' 

T  FORSYTHB 

Gen'  Howard    St  Louis 

P.S  Gomo  wishes  much  that  you  would  allow  two  of  the  hostages 
to  return  home,  viz  Hugimana  and  the  Racoon's  son  as  their  friends 
are  continually  crying  and  lamenting  after  their  Children — T.  F 


448  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

A  band  of  ten  or  fifteen  Kickapoos  have  been  seen  on  the  Miquen 
sometime  ago  and  I  should  not  be  sxirprised  if  they  are  hovering  about 
to  get  a  scalp — T.  F 


JOSIAH  MEIGS  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Lete.  from  SG,  1812-1814:ALS] 

Surveyor  Generals  Office  Cincinnati,  July  16,  1814. 

Sir,  I  received,  last  Evening,  your  Letter  dated  July  6.  1814  " — If 
the  Lots  of  Shawnee  Towti  unsold  at  Public  Sale  are  liable  to  entry 
on  the  General  Principles  of  the  Land  Laws,  I  apprehend  the  Revenue 
will  be  much  less  than  was  expected. — 

During  my  visit  to  Marietta,  my  Chief  Clerk,  M'  Gresham  will  be 
able,  I  trust,  to  execute  the  duties  of  this  Office  to  your  Satisfaction — 
I  shall  direct  him  to  forward  to  you,  and  to  the  Register  of  the  Land- 
Office,  Copies  of  Shawnee  Town,  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  Sur- 
veyor shall  have  made  his  Return — I  hope  the  Survey  will  meet  the 
approbation  of  the  Treasury  Department,  for  the  time  appointed  for 
opening  the  Land-Office  is  so  near  that  it  will  be  difficult  to  effect 
any  considerable  changes  in  the  interval. — The  Surveyor  has  informed 
me  that  he  expected  to  complete  his  Work  by  the  10'"  of  this  month — 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  very  respectfully  Yours, 

JosiAH  Meigs. 
Surveyor  General 

The  honourable  Ed.  Tiffin— 

[Addressed]  The  honourable  Edward  Tiffin,  Esquire,  Commissioner 
of  the  General  Land-Office.  Treasury  Department,  Washington-City — 
[Postmarked]  Cincinnati  18  July  1814    Free 

[Endorsed]  Cincinn  [MS.  torn]  16  July  1814    J  Meigs  S'  G' 


MICHAEL  JONES  AND  SHADRACH  BOND  TO  EDWARD 
TIFFIN 

[NA:GLO,  Kaskaskia,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:  LS] 

Kaskaskia  20  July  1814 
Sir,  a  doubt  has  arisen  relative  to  the  Construction  of  the  Act 
granting  the  Right  of  Pre-emption  to  certain  Settlers  in  this  District 
— Some  of  the  Sections  N°  16  have  been  inhabited  &  extensively  im- 
proved prior  to  the  subdivision  of  the  Townships  into  Sections — The 
Settlers  contend  that  they  are  intitled  to  the  right  of  Pre-emption 
inasmuch  as  no  reservation  has  been  made  by  the  late  Act — That  Act 
seems  to  extend  the  right  to  all  who  had  cultivated  or  improved 
without  exception. 

«  Ante,  p.  440. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  449 

We  should  be  glad  to  receive  instructions  on  this  Subject 

We  are,  very  respectf  ^  Sir,  y  Ob'  Serv'= 

Mich'  Jones 
S.  Bond 

Edward  Tiffin  Commiss''  of  Gen'  Land  Office 

[Addressed]  Edward  Tiffin  Commiss"'  of  Gen'  Land  Office  Wash- 
ington C'"    [Postmarked]    Free    P  Mail 

[Endorsed]  Kaskaskia  20  July  1814    M'  Jones  &  S  Bond  want 
instructions  as  to  reservation  of  N"  16 — Ans"  8  Aug'  ** 


THOMAS  SLOO  TO  EDWARD  TIFFIN 
[NA:GLO,  Shawneetown,  Reg.  and  Rec.  Lets.:ALS] 

Shawneetown  July  23"  1814 
SiR/I  find  on  examining  my  instructions  that  it  is  made  the  duty  of 
the  several  Registers  to  mark  of  their  Districts  each  tract  of  Land 
which  is  sold  by  making  the  letter  A.  when  the  1/20'"  part  only  is 
paid  and  then  on  the  completion  of  the  first  payment  to  insert  the 
letter  P.  and  cross  the  same  in  case  of  Reversion  to  the  United  States. 
As  a  repeated  forfieture  and  reentry  of  the  same  q"'  Section  may 
and  does  often  occur,  and  the  same  necessity  takes  place  every  time 
for  maa'king  the  same  letters  upon  the  small  space  of  a  q'  Section, 
I  am  satisfied  from  the  scale  of  the  General  Piatt  with  which  I  am 
furnished,  that  in  a  short  time  it  would  be  so  much  defaced  as  to 
render  it  impossible  to  comply  with  this  rule;  and  the  same  difficulty 
will  more  forcibly  occur  in  the  Case  of  the  Town  Piatt  of  Shawneetown 
I  have  therefore  to  suggest  the  propriety  of  being  furnished  with  one 
of  each  upon  an  enlarged  scale  as  the  only  means  which  presents 
itself  to  me  of  removing  this  difficulty.  Should  it  be  impossible  for 
the  Surveyor  General  from  the  press  of  business  to  make  them  before 
the  public  Sales  commence  at  which  period  it  is  indispensibly  neces- 
sary I  should  have  it  (if  at  all)  I  suggest  the  propriety  of  Authoriseing 
me  to  have  one  made  here,  and  in  that  case  to  authorise  me  to  draw 
upon  the  Receiver  at  this  place  for  the  Amount.  I  am  informed 
that  the  same  difficulty  occured  at  Vincennes  and  that  M'  Badalette  ^^ 
the  Register  there  applyed  to  M'  Gallatin  upon  the  subject  who 
authorised  him  to  have  a  large  one  made  at  the  public  expence. 

No  answer  has  yet  been  rec"  to  a  letter  addressed  to  you  from 
Kaskaska  by  M'  Caldwell  the  Rec'  of  this  place  on  the  subject  of  the 
difficulty  which  seems  to  exist  relative  to  the  manner  of  disposing  of 


"  Terr.  Papers  (111.),  xvil. 
««  John  Badollet. 


450  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

fractions  to  preemtion  claimants;  "  the  period  is  fast  approaching 
when  these  decisions  must  come  to  a  close,  and  if  no  instructions  are 
given  upon  this  subject  I  fear  the  consequences  to  those  unfortunate 
setlers  upon  fractions  may  be  very  injurious 
Respectfully  Your  Ob'  Serv' 

Thomas  Sloo 

EdW  Tiffin  Esq'  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office 

[Addressed]  Edward  Tiffin  Esq'  Commissioner  of  the  Gen'  Land 
Office    Washington  City    Mail. 

[Endorsed]  Shawnee  town  23''  July  1814    T  Sloo  Register,  wants 
larger  plats,  &  instruct"'  relative  to  pre-empt'  Ans"  9  Aug*  ** 


THOMAS  SLOO  TO  JOSIAH  MEIGS 
[NA:GLO,SG,NWT,  Lets.  Reed.,  iv:ALS] 

SHAW>fEETOWN  July  25'"  1814 
Sir,  By  the  last  Mail  I  have  addressed  a  letter  to  M'  Tiffin  on  the 
subject  of  having  a  Map  of  this  District  upon  a  larger  scale  than 
the  one  in  my  possession.  I  am  bound  by  my  instructions  to  mark 
each  q'  section  when  sold  with  letter  A.  if  the  20'"  part  is  paid,  and 
then  with  the  Letter  P.  crossing  the  A  &  P  when  the  first  payment 
is  completed  and  the  land  reverts  to  the  United  States— and  when 
they  are  reentered  the  same  process  successively  follows — You  will 
at  once  percieve  that  the  present  plat  is  on  so  small  a  scale  as  to 
render  it  impracticable  for  me  to  comply  with  the  law,  for  a  few 
successive  markings  would  effectually  destroy  the  Map — I  have 
written  to  M'  Tiffin  that  if  your  press  of  business  is  such  as  to  render 
it  impracticable  for  you  to  furnish  one  for  me  before  the  public  sales 
to  authorise  me  to  have  one  made — The  same  reasoning  will  apply 
to  the  Plat  of  Shawneetown,  which  ought  to  be  on  a  large  scale  so 
that  I  can  insert  the  letters  A.P.  and  in  case  of  forfieture  repeat  it. 
It  some  times  happens  that  lands  are  forfieted  more  than  once — 

If  the  Township  Maps  and  descriptions  are  ready  I  will  thank  you 
to  forward  them  by  the  Bearer  M'  James  S.  Petty  a  Gentleman  of  my 
acquaintance  from  this  place  who  will  return  with  a  Boat  from  Cin- 
cinnati immediately. 
Respectfully  Yours 

Tho' Sloo 

N  B.  I  would  thank  you  to  enclose  by  M'  Ja'  S  Petty  the  letters 
and  papers  relative  to  some  lands  in  the  Kaskaska  District,  which  I 


"  Artie,  p.  434.     Answered  avte,  p.  441. 
»  NA  (GLO,  Misc.  Lets.  Sent,  Bk.  5). 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY  45I 

left  in  your  hands — If  M"'  Petty  should  detain  long  enough  for  you  to 
make  out  the  Plat  of  Shawnee,  it  would  be  very  desirable  to  have  it, 
as  there  are  fractions  all  round  the  Town  which  cannot  be  correctly 
asscertained  without,  and  many  of  those  fractions  are  in  possession 
of  persons  claiming  the  right  of  preemtion 

Yours  &C—    Tho^Sloo 

JosiAH  Meigs  Esq'    Surveyor  Gen'  U.  S. 

[Addressed]  Josiah  Meigs  Esq''    Surveyor  General    Cincinnati  Ohio 
Fav'-  of  M--  Ja=  S  Petty 

[Endorsed]   T.  Sloo  July  25"'  1814.    R.  August  S-^A.  Aug  12. 
1814  «» 


GOVERNOR  EDWARDS  TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

[NA:WD,SWDF:ALS] 

Kaskaskia  Illinois  Terty  July  26,  1814 

Sir,  Dangers  which  I  have  repeatedly  foretold  and  of  which  I 
have  not  for  one  moment  entertained  any  doubt  since  last  falls 
armistice  with  the  Indians  seem  as  if  they  were  about  to  be  reallized 
in  a  short  time. 

All  my  information  from  the  Indian  country  convinces  me  that  their 
preparations  for  hostility  have  not  been  intermitted  since  the  early 
part  of  the  winter  and  that  they  are  in  a  great  state  of  forwardness 
at  this  time  ^ — 

If  there  is  any  dependence  to  be  placed  upon  information  obtained 
from  Indians  it  is  much  to  be  feared  that  the  expedition  against 
Makanac  will  fail,  or  that  Detroit  may  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy — for  if  the  force  that  has  gone  against  the  former  be  suffi- 
cient, the  latter  may  probably  be  too  much  weakened — 

The  Indians  state  that  the  Town  of  Makanac  is  burnt,  that  the  fort 
has  been  greatly  strengthened — that  considerable  reinforcements  of 
British  &  Indians  have  arrived  there,  that  a  Fort  is  building  at  Green 
Bay,  and  that  another  is  to  be  built  shortly  at  Chicago  &°  &°  fc". 

In  this  territory  a  few  days  ago  several  murders  were  committed — 
the  people  on  the  Missouri  have  been  driven  into  Forts,  and  hundreds 
of  horses  &  cattle  have  been  taken  off  by  the  Savages — 

You  are  no  doubt  informed  of  every  thing  relative  to  Gov'  Clarks 
taking  possession  of  Prari  de  Chien  &  having  erected  a  Fort  there — 
five  boats  started  from  S'  Louis  about  the  last  of  June  to  reinforce  and 
supply  that  Post  with  provisions  &c.  on  their  way  they  were  attacked 

e»  Not  found. 

'»  See  Edwards  to  Harrison,  Mar.  17,  1814  (Trans.  III.  Stale  Hist.  Soc,  190i, 
pp.  157-158),  recounting  the  situation  as  it  then  existed. 

314574 — 48 30 


452  TERRITORIAL    PAPERS 

by  about  7  or  800  indians,  Completely  and  most  disasterously  de- 
feated, one  boat  alone  escaped  which  returned  S'  Louis  the  night 
before  last  with  a  considerable  number  of  wounded  men  in  it — 
Dreadful  must  be  the  situation  of  those  unfortunate  men  who  ape  now 
occupy  our  post  at  Prarie  de  Chien — 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  Very  Respectfully  Sir  Yr  M"  Ob*'  Ser 

N  Edwards 

The  Honble  John  Armstrong  Secretary  of  War  Washington 
City 

[Addressed]  The  Hon'ble  John  Armstrong  Secy  of  War  Wash- 
ington City     [Postmarked]  M'  Zion  Aug'  5    5 

[Endorsed]  Both  these  letters  from  Gov''  Edwards  were  reced 
this  day."  No  other  information  has  been  received  of  the  Attack  of 
our  fort  at  prairie  de  Chiens.  Will  not  Gen.  Howard  be  wanted  in  that 
Country?  M  "Arthur  will  visit  Detroit  while  his  command  for 
Indian  Service  is  collecting. 


For  a  continuation  of 
these  papers,  see  volume  XVII, 
Illinois  Territory — Continued 


"  Probably  referring  to  Edwards's  letter  of  Aug.  2,  Terr.  Papers  (111.),  xvii,  in 
which  letter  Edwards's  letter  of  July  26,  printed  above,  was  enclosed. 


INDEX 


INDEX  NOTE 

In  compiling  the  list  of  names  of  persons  for  this  index,  deficiencies  in  spelling 
found  in  the  text  have  been  corrected,  in  so  far  as  sources  now  available  permit, 
and  variants  found  throughout  the  text  have  been  assembled  in  parentheses. 
The  nearly  illegible  character  of  the  handwriting  in  some  instances,  which  leaves 
the  reader  in  doubt  as  to  the  writer's  intent,  and  the  obvious  ignorance,  or  care- 
lessness, often  displayed  by  the  signatories  account  for  many  variations  in  orthog- 
raphy. With  respect  to  the  signers  of  petitions,  lilte  names,  with  identical  spell- 
ing, are  also  frequently  attached  to  successive  documents  on  related  subjects 
from  the  same  locality;  yet  a  comparison  of  the  handwriting  discloses  occasional 
important  differences.  In  such  instances  separate  entries  have  been  made  in  the 
index,  though  the  reader  is  warned  that  names  were  often  written  in  by  hands 
other  than  the  subscribers';  finality  in  this  regard  cannot  therefore  be  established 
in  every  case.  On  the  other  hand  the  fact  that  the  same  name  is  variously  spelled 
in  sequential  documents  does  not  argue  against  identity  of  person,  which  is  like- 
wise disclosed  by  a  comparison  of  handwriting  as  well  as  by  such  other  tests  as 
documents  of  legal  record,  genealogical  data,  and  whatever  knowledge  of  the 
various  residences  of  a  given  person  may  be  derived  from  the  papers  embodied 
in  the  present  volume.  But  whenever  there  is  doubt  as  to  such  identity  a  sepa- 
rate entry  has  been  made. 

Names  of  English  origin  have  been  listed  in  the  index  as  written  (if  the  signature 
was  not  by  mark);  but  French  names,  which  appear  in  the  text  written  phoneti- 
cally, with  much  variation,  have  been  entered  in  the  index  under  the  forms 
commonly  used  in  available  sources,  followed  by  their  variants  in  parentheses. 
454 


INDEX 


Abbott,   Samuel,   and   Hoffman,   lettei 

ment.  to  Dubuque,  53,  54. 
Ackes,  Richard,  signer,  301. 
Adams,  Mathew,  draft  on,  140. 
Adams,  William,  signer,  150. 
Adkins,  James,  signer,  214. 
AfEda\'it,  by  W.   Morrison  and  J.  R. 

Jones   re   Penrose   criticism    of   land 

commrs.,  133. 
Agen,  John,  signer,  204. 
Aikman    (Ackman;    Akeman),    David, 

militia  muster  roll,  233,  237. 
Akers,  William,  signer,  64. 
Akers,  William,  signer,  153,  278. 
Albany  (N.Y.),  goods  stored  at,  36. 
Alexander,  Capt.  William,  227  n. 
Allare,  John  Bateast,  signer,  150. 
Allen,  John,  recommend,  as  govr.,  19  n. 
Allen,  Solomon,  signer,  214. 
Allen,  William  0.,  recommend,  as  judge, 

12  n. 
Amherstburg    (Can.),   221;   hostile   In- 
dians to  meet,  160;  smuggling  from, 

to  Chicago,  185. 
Anderson,  David,  signer,  214. 
Anderson,  John,  signer,  214. 
Anderson,  N.  D.,  signer,  64. 
Anderson,  Robert,  signer,  301. 
Andre,   Capt.   Pierre,   returns   Indiana 

rangers  to  Vincennes,  372-373. 
Andrew,  James,  signer,  277. 
Andrew,  William,  signer,  274. 
Andrewson,  Jacob,  signer,  274. 
Anonymous  protest  to  Congress,  against 

change    to    second    grade    of    govt., 

209-210. 
Apperson,     David,     letter     ment.     to 

P.M.G.,  412. 
Arkansas  River,  emig.  of  Cherokees  to, 

246;  prin.  meridian  touches,  356. 
Armstrong,  John,  see  Secretary  of  War. 
Armstrong,  Nathaniel,  signer,  275,  277. 


Arnett,  William  W.,  signer,  150. 

Arthurs,  Hiram,  muster  roll,  235. 

Arundel  (Arandol),  William,  certifies 
copy  of  power  of  atty.,  129,  130,  131, 
132;  commended  by  P.M.G.,  285, 
308;  compens.  as  p.m.  discussed,  285, 
308,  323,  341;  depos.  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59;  depos.  sworn  to 
before,  120;  informed  re  mail  con- 
tracts, 182-183,  205;  instrs.  ment.  to, 
re  postal  service,  276;  instrs.  to  re: 
convey,  of  mail  from  Kaskaskia  to 
Henderson  (Ky.),  413,  mail  con- 
tracts, 182-183,  191,  192,  postal 
schedules,  192;  letters  ment.  to 
P.M.G.,  180,  181,  191,  192,  213,  285, 
323;  militia  muster  roll,  234;  p.m.  at 
Kaskaskia,  180. 

Ashley,  Absalom,  signer,  207. 

Askin,  John,  Jr.,  Brit,  subject,  calls 
Indians  to  conf.,  249;  leads  Indian 
war  party  against  Michilimackinac, 
263. 

Atcheson,  George,  conveys  land  to  J.  R. 
Jones,  133. 

Au  Glaize  (Glaize)  River,  252. 

Backus  (Bachus),  Elijah,  102,  109;  ab- 
sence of,  49,  58,  136;  accused  of  com- 
pHcity  in  murder,  58  n.,  59;  alleged 
remarks  re  work  of  commrs.,  132; 
change  of  view  re  div.  of  Indiana 
Terr.,  138;  charges  against,  dis- 
cussed, 73;  death  of,  173;  defends 
Jones,  110-111;  discusses  indict,  of 
Jones  and  others  for  murder,  58-59; 
dispute  with  Edgar  et  al,  18,  120-129; 
family  rel.  to  Pope,  38,  49;  illness  of, 
58;  informed  of  appt.  of  land  agt.,  48; 
letters  ment.  to:  Messinger,  136,  Sec. 
Treas.,  73;  leUers  to:  Edgar,  127,  Sec. 
Treas.,  58-59,  73,  110-111;  member 
455 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


456 


INDEX 


Indiana  Terr,  leg.,  138;  note,  57  n.; 
opinion  re  pay.  of  fees  for  survey  of 
private  claims,  148;  recommend,  as 
judge,  138  n.;  requests  inform,  re 
rept.  of  govr.,  59;  voucher  re  Pope's 
conting.  expenses  transmitted,  60. 

Backus,  Elijah,  and  M.  Jones,  charges 
against,  as  land  commrs.  discussed, 
57-58;  instrs.  to,  re  amend,  rept.  on 
land  claims,  103-105;  letters  ment.  to 
Sec.  Treas.,  59,  144;  letter  to  Sec. 
Treas.,  92;  official  letters  of,  to  Sec. 
Treas.  stolen,  92.  See  also  Land 
Commissioners. 

Badgley,  David,  witness  to  contract, 
442. 

Badgley  (Badgeley),  Hiram,  militia 
muster  roll,  226,  232. 

BadoUet,  John,  reg.  Vincennes  L.  0., 
letter  ment.  to  Sec.  Treas.,  449. 

Bages,  Edmond  W.,  signer,  207. 

Bages,  James,  signer,  214. 

Baggs,  George,  signer,  214. 

Bags,  Haly,  signer,  277. 

Baker,  Peter,  land  patent  discussed, 
429-430. 

Baltenhouse,  — ,  murdered  by  Indians, 
303. 

Baltimore  (Md.),  129. 

Bank  of  Columbia,  36. 

Bank  of  Kentucky,  bond  to  be  sent  to, 
for  coll.,  161. 

Bank  of  Pennsylvania,  36. 

Bankston,  Andrew,  militia  muster  roll, 
234,  237;  signer,  301. 

Bankston,  Silas,  signer,  392. 

Barber,  Alexander,  signer,  214. 

Barcroft,  Elias,  letter  to  Meigs,  419- 
420;  signer,  204;  solicits  work  as 
survr.,  419-420;  surveys  by,  77. 

Barks,  Samuel,  signer,  64. 

Barnett,  William,  signer,  214. 

Bartelotte,  ■ — ,  property  plundered,  307. 

Bartlet,  Joseph,  signer,  150. 

Barton,  Joseph,  signer,  214. 

Bateman,  Henry,  signer,  274. 

Bates,  Frederick,  secy.,  and  recorder 
land  titles,  La.-Mo.  Terr.,  25,  298, 
376;  letter  ment.  to  Meigs,  426;  lett<_r 
to  mother  intro.  Stuart,  299-300; 
petition  to,  re  horse  stealing  discussed, 
114-115. 


Bates,  John,  alleged  delinquency  as 
lessee  U.  S.  Saline,  434. 

Baultinger,  David,  signer,  208. 

Baynton,  John,  land  claims  of,  338. 

Bayou  St.  Frist,  155. 

Beaird,  John,  certif.  re  supplies  left  in 
Ft.  Russell,  363. 

Bean,  John,  militia  muster  roll,  234. 

Bear,  John,  militia  muster  roll,  237. 

Bear,  Joseph,  militia  muster  roll,  226. 

Beasly,  Rechard,  signer,  214. 

Beaucoup  River,  428. 

Beeman,  James,  depos.  re  Indian 
thieves,  118-119. 

Beeman,  Orman,  signer,  150. 

Been,  William,  signer,  214. 

Beer,  Joseph,  militia  muster  roll,  232. 

Bell,  Jesse,  militia  muster  roll,  226,  233. 

Belle  Fountaine  (Mo.  Terr.),  423. 

Belle-vue  (Fort  Madison),  37.  See  Fort 
Madison. 

Belsha,  George,  signer,  214. 

Bennet,  Richard,  signer,  274. 

Bent,  Silas,  376;  appd.  Judge,  Mo.  Terr., 
357. 

Beraum,  Alexander,  militia  muster  roll, 
226. 

Berry,  Thomas,  signer,  208. 

Bibb,  Sen.  George  M.,  of  Ky.,  intro- 
duces bill  for  intro.  of  slaves  in  111., 
300. 

Big  Calumet  River,  friendly  rels.  of 
Indians  near,  219. 

Big  Muddy  Creek,  milit.  oper.  up,  331. 

Big  Muddy  River,  419. 

Big  Shawnee  (Mo.  Terr.),  mail  schedule, 
429. 

Biggs,  Gen.  Benjamin,  of  Pa.,  137. 

Biggs,  Isaac,  militia  muster  roll,  226, 
233. 

Biggs,  William,  career  discussed,  137; 
conflict  with  land  commrs.  re  claims, 
136-139;  depos.  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59;  distributes  procls. 
of  govr.,  50;  informed  by  Rector  re 
status  of  land  claims,  136,  137,  138; 
letters  to:  Edwards,  50-51,  Sec. 
Treas.,  135-139;  member  Indiana 
terr.  leg.,  135, 136, 137;  militia  muster 
roll,  226,  233;  on  comm.  to  recom- 
mend appt.  of  govr.,  31;  recommends 
Backus  as  judge,  138  n.;  transmits 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


457 


letter  to  Hay,  51;  votes  against  J.  R 
Jones  as  deleg.,  136. 

Biggs,  Zaccheus,  of  Ohio,  137. 

Bilderback,  Daniel,  signer,  214. 

Bilderback,  John,  signer,  214. 

Bilderback,  William,  signer,  214. 

Binett,  — ,  mission  to  St.  Louis  to  buy 
whiskey  and  powder,  252. 

Biron,  Alexander,  militia  muster  roll, 
235. 

Bissell  (Bissil),  Col.  Daniel,  confirms 
capture  of  Chicago,  259. 

Black,  John,  signer,  208. 

Blackbird,  Ottawa  chief,  178. 

Black  Partridge,  Potawatomi  chief,  im- 
parts inform,  to  Forsyth,  447;  receives 
powder  from  Brit.,  313. 

Blair,  A.,  signer,  278. 

Blankenship,  Thomas,  signer,  150. 

Blankenship,  T.,  muster  roll,  233. 

Blare,  Alexandre,  signer,  208. 

Bledsoe,  — ,  see  Gist  &  Bledsoe. 

Blondeau,  Maurice,  Indian  agent,  186; 
brings  repts.  from  Indian  country, 
313-314;  leaves  Ft.  Madison  for 
Prairie  du  Chien,  306;  knowledge  of 
Indian  intentions,  306;  letters  to 
Howard,  187-188,  322;  meets  Indians 
at  Ft.  Madison,  306;  rept.  by,  ment. 
re  Dickson's  actions,  327. 

Board  of  Land  Commissioners,  405. 
See  also  Land  Commissioners. 

Boatright,  Thomas,  signer,  274. 

Boilvin  (Boilvain;  Bolvine),  Nicholas, 
absence  from  Prairie  du  Chien,  316; 
appd. :  Indian  agt.  at  Prairie  du  Chien, 
54,  157  n.,  j.p.,  69  n.;  conducts  Sauk 
Indians  to  Mo.  R.,  371;  informed  re 
actions  of  Indians,  306-308,  316;  letter 
ment.  to  Sec.  War,  69;  letters  to: 
Howard,  186-187,  Sec.  War,  69-71, 
154-157,  166-169,  258-259;  note,  69; 
policy  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  37;  prop- 
erty destroyed,  316;  rel.  to  govr.,  70 
n.;  repts.  re  Ind.  affairs  at  Prairie  du 
Chien,  154-157,  166,  168;  sends  Fox 
chiefs  to  Clark  and  Howard  of  La. 
Terr.,  169. 

Boisbriant  (Boisbrient),  Pierre  Dugurt 
de,  It.  govr.  Fr.  La.,  grant  to,  101. 

Boleman  see  Bateman,  Henry. 

Boles,  Edward,  signer,  214. 


Bond,  amt.  for  receiver  of  land  office, 
211. 

Bond,  Joshua,  recommended  as  builder, 
47. 

Bond,  S.,  Jr.,  depos.  favor,  to  land 
eommrs.  ment.,  59. 

Bond,  S.,  Sr.,  depos.  favor,  to  land 
eommrs.  ment.,  59. 

Bond,  Deleg.  Shadrach,  329,  439;  appd. 
and  commd.  rec.  Kaskaskia  L.  0., 
417,  418;  letters  ment  to:  Edwards, 
316,  Tiffin,  388;  letters  to:  H.R.,  408, 
Pres.,  349,  Sec.  State,  284,  302,  348, 
392,  411,  Tiffin,  379,  437;  note,  278; 
opinion  re  confirm,  of  land  claims, 
431;  presents  Edwards'  letter  to  H.R., 
408;  recommend,  as  brig.  gen.  militia, 
378;  recommends:  Duncan  as  pub- 
lisher of  laws  in  terr.,  392,  Edwards 
as  commr.  to  Indians,  411,  Finney  as 
judge,  349,  Fouke  as  U.  S.  Marshal, 
302,  348,  Mears  as  U.  S.  atty.,  302, 
348,  Pope  for  reappt.,  284;  resols.  to 
Cong,  sent  to,  342;  sends  bond  and 
oath  as  rec,  437;  succeeds  Caldwell 
as  rec.  at  Kaskaskia  L.  O.,  433. 

Bond,  Shadrach,  and  Hempstead,  letters 
to  Sec.  War,  289-293,  298. 

Bond,  Shadrach,  and  Jones,  letter  to 
Tiffin,  448-449;  query  on  interpre.  of 
preemption  act  re  sec.   16,  448-449. 

Bonham,  Samuel,  militia  muster  roll, 
227,233. 

Bono,  Peter,  signer,  64. 

Bontheleur,  — ,  copies  of  Boilvin's  let- 
ters to,  sent  to  Brit.,  316. 

Boone,  Maj.  Nathan,  in  Indian  cam- 
paign, 372. 

Boone,  Capt.  William,  227  n.;  in  cam- 
paign against  Kickapoo,  333. 

Bordeaux  (Fr.),  331. 

Boren,  militia  muster  roll,  237. 

Bouche,  Francois,  s.  affids.,  383,  384. 

Bouchet  (Butchet),  Truisant,  tract  of, 
100. 

Boultinhouse,  Capt.,  227  n. 

Boundary  lines,  terr.,  discussed,  65; 
between  U.  S.  and  Canada,  3,  6. 

Bourbonnait,  Antoine,  signer,  382. 

Bowen,  — ,  taken  captive  at  Chicago 
325. 

Boyers,  Henry,  signer,  64,  153. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  4^4 


458 


INDEX 


Boyle,  Gov.  John,  17;  accepts  appt.  as 
Ky.  judge,  22;  advises  Pope  re  oath 
as  secy.,  38;  appt.  as:  govr.  Miss. 
Terr,  not  accept,  to,  9,  govr.  or  judge 
accept,  to,  9;  characterized,  17;  instrs. 
to,  re  complaints  r.  land  commrs.,  18; 
letters  to:  Pres.,  19-20,  Sec.  State, 
18-19;  nomin.  and  confirm,  as  govr., 
14  D.;  pay  as  govr.,  19  n.;  proof  of 
tenure  as  govr.,  19  n.;  recommend,  as 
govr.,  10,  10  n.,  11;  recommends: 
Edwards  as  successor,  20,  Priestly  as 
judge,  12  n.;  resigns  as  govr.,  18-19, 
22,  23,  32;  salary  pay.  to,  19  n. 

Braceler,  Barny,  signer,  152. 

Bratton,  Andrew,  signer,  208. 

Brazil  (Brazeal;  Brassel),  Capt.  Valen- 
tine, attends  conf.  militia  officers,  188. 

Brent,  Sen.  Richard,  of  Va.,  repts.  bill 
re  Trappist  order,  89-90. 

Brewer,  Matin,  signer,  214. 

Brickey,  Preston,  signer,  214. 

Brigadier  General  of  militia,  appt.  of, 
157,  157  n.,  159,  160. 

Brigance  (Briggant),  John,  militia  mus- 
ter roll,  235;  signer,  301. 

Briggance,  William,  militia  muster  roll, 
236. 

Brigmon,  Edmon,  signer,  301. 

Brimlerry,  Jacob,  signer,  302. 

Brisbois,  Michael  (?),  Brit,  trader, 
writes  letter  for  Sauk,  313;  copies  of 
Boilvin's  letters  to,  sent  to  Brit.,  316. 

Brisson  (Bisson),  Louis,  trader,  depos. 
re  Indian  thieves,  116-117. 

British  grants,  344. 

British  traders,  alleged  incite,  of  Indians 
to  war,  316;  capture  fur  packs,  256; 
defeat  Mo.  Fur  Co.,  410;  extent  of 
powerin  west,  409-4 10;  influ.  of,  290. 

Brogley,  John,  militia  muster  roll,  235. 

Brown,  Enoch,  signer,  64,  152,  208. 

Browning,  Benjamin,  signer,  274. 

Browning,  Elisha,  signer,  208,  277. 

Browning,  John,  signer,  208. 

Bryan   (Brian),  Guy,  323. 

Bryan,  James  &  Co.,  petition  for  lease 
of  mine,  279. 

Buch6,  Frangois,  387;  list  of  losses 
sustained  in  Peoria,  385;  signer,  382. 

Buchner,  J.  W.,  signer,  208. 

Buck,  Fredrick,  signer,  152,  277. 


Buck,  Wardnar,  signer,  152,  277. 

Buckner,  Phill,  signer,  207. 

Buell,  Daniel,  signer,  214. 

Buisson,   — ,    Brit,    trader,    houses    at 

Peoria    not    burned,    310;    sale  of 

whiskey  to  Indians,  252. 
Bureau     River,     Indians    on,     collect 

warriors,  313;  Indians  remove  to,  312. 
Burgis,  William,  signer,  302. 
Burnett,  John  W.,  of  St.  Joseph  R.,  262. 
Burr,  Aaron,  signer,  214. 
Burr,  Moses,  signer,  214. 

Cadotte  (Cadot),  Jean  Baptiste,  Brit, 
subject,  calls  Indians  to  conf.,  249. 

Cahokia,  60,  117,  302,  341;  Indian  conf. 
at,  discussed,  198  n.,  215;  irregularity 
of  postal  service,  151;  land  claims 
discussed,  100,  102;  land  of  Trappist 
order  located  near,  140;  mail  schedule, 
428,  429;  measures  of  defense,  260; 
meet,  of  militia  officers  in,  158,  189; 
recommend,  ment.  of  lawyers  of,  of 
Stuart,  299. 

Cain,  Jesse,  permit  to  seek  stolen 
horses,  39. 

Caimes,  C,  depos.  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59. 

Caldwell,  B.,  letter  to  Forsyth,  255. 

Caldwell,  John,  414;  appd:  rec.  of 
Kaskaskia  L.  O.,  174  n.,  211,  rec.  at 
Shawneetown  L.  O.,  417,  418;  ex- 
plains delay  in  taking  oath  as  rec, 
433;  extended  leave  of  absence,  399 
n.;  instrs.  re  land  sale  sent  to,  429; 
letUra  merU  to:  Tiffin,  441,  449; 
letUrs  to:  Sec.  Treas.,  222,  Tiffin,  399, 
433,  434-436;  preemption  act  sent  to, 
302-303;  requests  opinion  of  G.L.O. 
re  interpret,  of  preemption  law, 
434-436;  returns  to  Kaskaskia  to 
resume  duties,  399;  sends  bond  and 
oath  as  rec.  of  Shawneetown  L.  O., 
433;  s.  rept.  of  land  commrs.,  284; 
submits:  bond  and  oath  as  receiver, 
222,  oath  as  commr.  of  claims,  222. 

Caldwell,  John,  and  M.  Jones,  letter 
ment.  to  Tiffin,  344;  state,  re  Sloo's 
services  to  land  board,  341. 

Caldwell,  — ,  Brit,  subject,  adventure 
at  Chicago,  221-222. 

Calumet  River,  222. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  45i 


INDEX 


459 


Cambell,  Mikel,  signer,  152. 

Cambell,  Ruben,  signer,  152. 

Camp  Edwards,  base  for  U.  S.  rangers, 
257. 

Camp  Russell,  372. 

Campbell,  Arthur,  applies  for  appt.  as 
govT.,  19  n. 

Campbell,  George  W.,  see  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury. 

Campbell,  J.,  signer,  152. 

Campbell,  John,  Indian  agt.,  Prairie  du 
Chien,  83;  death  of,  52  n.,  53,  54,  55, 
56;  descrip.  of  estate,  155;  sale  of 
estate,  155. 

Campbell,  Maj.  John,  leads  troops  to 
Prairie  du  Chien,  445. 

Campbell,  John,  signer,  214. 

Campbell,  S.R.,  signer,  391. 

Campell,  Nathan  P.,  signer,  274. 

Canada,  121,  160,  185,  212,  221,  446; 
bound,  betwten,  and  U.  S.,  3,  6;  Brit, 
merchants  from,  in  Northwest,  37; 
Dickson  visits,  313;  extent  of  traders 
and  settlers  from,  154,  155-156; 
Indians  enter,  for  conf.  with  Brit., 
177,  178;  Kickapoo  chief  visits,  245. 

Canton  (O.),  416. 

Cap  au  Oris  (Capais  Grais),  445. 

Cape  Giradeau  (Giradot,  La.  Terr.), 
postal  service:  contract  re  mails  be- 
tween, and  Kaskaskia,  213,  routes  to 
Eddyville,  Ky.,  184,  192,  New  Ma- 
drid (La.),  192,  Smithland  (Ky.), 
428,  schedules,  192,  428,  429. 

Caramanis,  son  of  Roque,  the  inter- 
preter, 187. 

Cardin,  John  Babtist,  murder  of,  by 
Indians,  212. 

Carey,  Joseph,  signer,  277. 

Carleton,  Alexander,  signer,  214. 

Carmack,  Isaac,  militia  muster  roll, 
234,  237. 

Carondolfet,  Baron  de,  258. 

Carpenter,  Ephraim,  signer,  213. 

Carr,  Henry,  Ens.,  militia  muster  roll, 
234,  236. 

Carter,  Benjamin,  signer,  150. 

Caruthers,  John,  signer,  302. 

Casey,  Isaac,  signer,  277. 

Casey,  William,  signer,  277. 

Cass,  Gov.  Lewis,  of  Mich.  Terr., 
absolves   Whistler,    68   n.;   juris,   as 


Indian  supt.  over  part  of  111.  Terr., 
70  n. 

Casy,  Randal,  signer,  274. 

Catfish  (Winemege),  Potawatomi  chief, 
261;  arrives  at  Peoria,  246;  friend  to 
U.S.,  251;  steals  horses  near  Vin- 
cennes,  255. 

Cayton,  John  H.,  signer,  278. 

Cayton,  William,  signer,  277. 

Centerville,  postal  service,  192. 

Cermak,  Samuel,  signer,  278. 

Chaffin,  Elmo,  signer,  278. 

Chaffin,  W.,  depos.  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59. 

Chaffin  (Chafin),  and  Delisle,  grant  to, 
101. 

Chambers,  James,  bondsman,  427. 

Chambers,  Capt.  Nathan,  227  n. 

Champlain,  Jean  Baptiste,  depos.  re 
Indian  thieves,  117. 

Chance,  David,  militia  muster  roll,  235. 

Chandler,  Amos,  signer,  274. 

Chandler,  Daniel,  signer,  274. 

Chandler,  Ernis,  signer,  277. 

Charless,  Joseph,  letter  to  Pope,  24-25; 
solicits  pub.  printing,  24-25. 

Chears,  Samuel,  signer,  150. 

Chenet,  Antoine  Z.,  signer,  213. 

Cherokee  Indians,  emig.  to  Ark.  R., 
246;  unfriendly  attitude,  246. 

Chesney,  Benjamin  (Bengerain),  signer, 
302. 

Chicago,  19,  248,  250,  263,  372;  acct.  of 
massacre  of  garrison,  246,  249,  259, 
261-263,  325;  alleged  Brit,  design  on, 
451;  alleged  intent  of  Brit,  to  estab. 
fort  at,  447;  arrival  of  Dickson,  325; 
channel  of  inform,  from,  estab.,  310; 
compara.  prices  at,  68  n.;  danger  from 
Indians,  212;  depot  of  Brit,  goods  for 
Indians,  313,  314;  Indian  rels.  dis- 
cussed, 184;  intent  of  Indians  to 
attack,  254,  256;  measures  of  defense, 
210;  murder  of  Wells,  313;  order  ment. 
to  commd.  officer,  50;  prices  at 
sutler  store,  68  n.;  proposed  Indian 
council  at,  178;  repts.  re:  Indian 
affairs  at,  250,  251,  Le  Clair's  tour 
via  to  Indian  country,  253-255; 
schism  between  milit.  officers  and 
factor  discussed,  219-220;  sketch  of 
no.  of  Indians  near,  253;  trad.  fact,. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


460 


INDEX 


abandon.,  256;  way  station  to  Maiden, 
315.  See  also  Fort  Chicago;  Fort 
Dearborn. 

Chicago  Indian  agency,  affairs  discussed, 
40;  effect  on,  of  change  of  bound,  dis- 
cussed, 65-66;  house  of,  fortified,  212; 
instrs.  re  admin,  of,  50. 

Chicago  River,  221;  Indian  depreda- 
tions near,  212. 

Chicago  Trading  Factory,  exchange  of 
agts.  at,  30;  goods  for,  discussed,  25; 
goods  en  route  to,  36. 

Chinoweth,  Thomas,  signer,  207. 

Chippewa  Indians,  261;  conf.  with  other 
tribes  at  Milwaukee,  249;  conf.  with, 
215;  deleg.  accompany  Dickson  to 
Can.,  249;  friendly  intent  of,  195,  212; 
lead  Menominee  to  Milwaukee,  249; 
plan  discussed  to  ally  with  Brit.,  215; 
summoned  to  Detroit  by  Brit.,  326. 

Chisholm,  William,  signer,  277. 

Choissen,  John,  signer,  152,  278. 

Choteau,  Col.  Auguste,  264,  327. 

Choteau,  • — ,  admin,  of  Dubuque  prop- 
erty, 258. 

Christy's  Creek,  base  for  attack  on 
Peoria,  371. 

Christy,  Maj.  — ,  in  Indian  campaign, 
372. 

Cincinnati  (0.),  76,  78,  97,  98,  146,  331, 
340,  420;  celebrates  victory  of  L. 
Erie,  365;  removal  of  survr.  gen. 
office  from,  discussed,  366-368;  seat 
of  survr.  gen.,  13. 

Cincinnati  (O.)  Land  Office,  credit  on 
deposit  in,  for  pay.  of  survey,  con- 
tracts, 365;  receiver  extends  credits 
to  survr.  gen.,  113. 

Claiborne  (Claibourne),  Gov.  William 
C.  C,  of  Orleans  Terr.,  requisition  on, 
for  return  of  Dunlap,  33. 

Clampet,  Nathan,  signer,  275. 

Clark,  Alexand,  signer,  214. 

Clark,  Alexander,  signer,  208. 

Clark,  Isaac,  militia  muster  roll,  235; 
signer,  301. 

Clark,  Jacob,  signer,  150. 

Clark,  Samuel,  awarded  mail  contract, 
184. 

Clark  (Clarke),  William,  of  La.  Terr., 
25,  37,  167,  168,  169,  187,  347,  371, 
395,  445;  advice  re  employ,  of  volun- 


teers, 444;  estab.  of  fort  at  Prairie  du 
Chien  by,  451;  in  Washington,  69; 
letters  menl.  to:  Edwards,  163,  How- 
ard, 423,  444;  opinion  re  hostile  intent 
01  Indians,  193;  proposes  joint  exped. 
against  Indians,  293;  recommend,  as 
govr.,  31-32;  reput.  among  Indians, 
32. 

Clark's  grant,  415. 

Claton,  Steward,  signer,  273. 

Clay,  Dennis,  signer,  277. 

Clay,  Ezekel  (Ezekiel),  signer,  274,  277, 
278. 

Clay,  Henry,  of  Ky.,  recommends 
Edwards  as  govr.,  24  n. 

Clay,  Isom,  signer,  274. 

Clerk  of  Territorial  Court,  office  pro- 
vided for,  149;  provides  own  supplies, 
149. 

Clinton,  Vice  Pres.  George,  121. 

Clinton  Hill,  107;  mail  schedule  to 
Cahokia,  428;  resol.  of  branch  of 
Society  of  True  Americans  in,  341- 
343. 

Clover,  Adam,  militia  muster  roll,  235, 
237. 

Coal,  presence  of,  64. 

Cobb,  Rep.  Howell,  of  Ga.,  60. 

Coburn  (Cobourn),  Judge  John,  resid. 
of,  as  judge,  61. 

Coen,  William,  signer,  64. 

Coffee  Island  settlement,  broken  up  by 
Indians,  224. 

Colbart,  Elisha,  signer,  207. 

Cole,  Capt.  William  Temple,  of  La. 
Terr.,  murder  of,  251;  murderers  of, 
seen  in  Chicago,  263. 

Coles,  Edward,  informed  re  transfer  of 
Jones  to  Miss.  Terr.,  108. 

Colien,  Francois,  signer,  214. 

College  township,  grant  of,  proposed, 
296-297. 

Commissions,  60;  discussed:  adjut.,  48, 
brig.  gen.  militia,  157,  159;  as  receiver 
enclosed  to:  Bond,  437,  Caldwell, 
211,  433,  437;  for  reg.  Shawneetown 
L.  O.  discussed,  427;  of  ranger  officers, 
424;  lexis:  govr.,  45,  243,  270,  judges, 
14-16,  83,  350-351,  secy.  303,  340, 
U.  S.  Attorney,  352,  U.  S.  marshal, 
352-353;  to  be  filled   out   for  land 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


461 


offices,  418;  transmitted  to  Sloo  as 
examiner  of  titles,  211. 

Comptroller  of  the  Treasury,  disallows 
claim  for  compens.  for  lease  of  saline, 
443-444. 

Comstock  (Cromstock),  Thomas,  testi- 
mony in  land  ease,  128. 

Conkey,  Lewis,  signer,  208. 

Connecticut,  83. 

Conque,  Potawatomi  chief,  arrives  at 
Peoria,  246. 

Conway,  Clement  C,  signer,  214. 

Conway,  Joseph,  signer,  214. 

Cook,  Capt.  Henry,  227  n.;  attends 
conf.  of  militia  officers,  188. 

Cook,  Valentine,  signer,  208. 

Cool,  William  P.,  signer,  152. 

Cooley,  David,  signer,  208. 

Cooper,  David,  signer,  274. 

Cooper,  John,  militia  muster  roll,  235, 
237. 

Cooper,  Dr.  — ,  surgeon's  mate  at 
Chicago,  policy  of,  67. 

Cormack,  Rivers,  signer,  277. 

Corn,  price  in  La.  Terr.,  61. 

Coshquonong,  Winnebago  village,  visit 
of  Le  Clair  to,  254. 

Couch,  James,  signer,  214. 

Couch,  Millentun,  signer,  214. 

Coulbird,  Elisha,  signer,  274. 

Coul6  de  Neaud,  bound,  line,  101. 

Counterfeiting,  charges  re  within  juris. 
U.  S.  court,  345-346. 

Cox,  Absalom,  227  n.;  signer,  214. 

Cox,  Benjamin  (Bengemin),  signer,  302. 

Cox,  Mathew,  militia  muster  roll,  233. 

Cox,  Matthew  J.,  signer,  150. 

Cox,  Rebecca,  abduction  of,  166  n. 

Cox,  Robert,  signer,  64. 

Cox,  — ,  house  raided  by  Indians,  319. 

Coxe's  station,  mail  schedule,  428. 

Crafford,  James,  signer,  278. 

Craig,  Capt.  Thomas  E.,  227  n.;  arrests 
Forsyth  and  party,  311;  company 
attacked  by  Indians,  380;  imprisons 
and  robs  inhabs.  of  Peoria,  380-381, 
382, 383, 384,  385, 386, 387;  signer,  207. 

Craw,  John,  signer,  153. 

Crawford,  Redford,  kills  Campbell, 
52  n. 

Crawford,  Sen.  William  H.,  of  Ga.,  an- 
nounces resig.  of  Judge  Jones,  81,  82; 


letters   ment.    to:  Judge   Jones,    60, 

Pres.,  109;  letters  to  Pres.,  81,  82; 

power  of  atty.  to,  re  Jones's  salary 

discussed,  108-109. 
Cray,  Thomas  E.,  signer,  391. 
Crittenden  (Crettendon),  John  Jourdan, 

atty.  gen.,  presents  case  against  M. 

Jones,  95. 
Crow  Prairie,  324;  loc.  of,  334. 
Crownover,    Abraham,   militia   muster 

roll,  235,  237. 
Crownover,  Jesse,  signer,  302. 
Crownover,  William,  militia  muster  roll, 

235. 
Crozier,  Samuel,  signer,  214. 
Cumberland  River,  359,  395. 
Cummins,  Benjamin,  signer,  277. 
Cury,  James,  signer,  214. 

Dagenais,    Joseph,    depos.    re    Indian 

thieves,  117,  118. 
Daicaies,  Winnebago  chief,  comment  re 

cause  of  Indian  enmity,  187. 
Daimwood     (Damewood;     Damwood), 

John,  signer,  152,  277. 
Daniel,  William,  signer,  277. 
Danis,  Jerome,  depos.  favor,  to  land 

commrs.  ment.,  59. 
Darnel,  Isaac,  signer,  302. 
Daughter,  Nicholis,  signer,  320. 
Davenport,  Adrian,  signer,  64,  152. 
Davenport,  A.,  Jr.,  signer,  153. 
Davenport,  John,  signer,  64. 
Davenport,   Marmduke  S.,  signer,  64, 

152. 
Davenport,  Otho,  signer,  153. 
Davidson,  J.  P.,  signer,  150. 
Davidson     (Davison),     John,     militia 

muster   roll,   226,   233,   235;   signer, 

207. 
Davidson,  William  C,  militia  muster 

roll,  226,  232. 
Davis,  Baywell,  signer,  275. 
Davis,  Enoch,  signer,  274. 
Davis,  Isaac,  signer,  152. 
Davis,  John,  signer,  152. 
Davis,  (MS.  torn)  han,  signer,  277. 
Dawson,  Thomas,  signer,  207. 
Dayton  (0.),  Indian  conf.  at,  445. 
Dearborn,  Henry,  see  Secretary  of  War. 
Dedimus,  applied  for,  to  take  deposit., 

110,  111;  general,  137. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


462 


INDEX 


Dedrick,  Daniel,  signer,  274. 

Degagne  (Degagnie), — ,  Edgar  assignee 
of,  126. 

Delaney,  Fred,  signer,  64. 

Delaware  Indians,  invited  to  Ark.  R. 
area,  246. 

Delegate  to  Congress,  see  Territorial 
Delegate. 

Delisle,  — ,  and  Chaffin,  grant  to,  101. 

Demouchelle  (Mette),  lanace,  lives 
with  Edwards,  264. 

Department  of  State,  terr.  docs,  file 
in,  109. 

Depositions,  127,  128;  by  A.  Stanley  re 
sale  of  Stanley  lands,  131-132;  dis- 
cussed or  ment.,  179;  texts  re  Indian 
thieves,  116-120,  by  Brisson  (Bisson), 
116-117,  Champlain,  117,  Dagenais, 
117-118,  Robidoux,  118,  Weeks, 
119-120. 

Deputy  surveyors,  389;  dangers  to,  from 
Indian  attack,  397-398,  400-402;  dis- 
cussed, 356;  explan.  of  law  re  appt.  of, 
393;  measures  proposed  for  defense 
of,  398;  recommend,  for  appt.  as,  76; 
to  be  appd.,  393. 

Desha,  Rep.  Joseph,  of  Ky.,  427; 
recommends  Reid  as  judge,  12  n. 

Desherly,  Chales,  signer,  150. 

Des  Moines  (Dumoin)  River,  fort  near, 
53;  Fox  Indians  arrive  at,  322;  post 
at  rapids  of,  recommend.,  446;  Sioux 
Indians  of,  307. 

D'Espagne  (des  paque)  mine,  part  of 
Dubuque  estate,  169. 

Detroit  (Mich.  Terr.),  121,  160,  261, 
262,  264,  311,  326;  Brit,  at,  receive 
Indian  agts.,  313:  Brit  designs 
against,  451;  Brit,  forces  in  area  of, 
446;  channel  of  inform,  from,  estab., 
310;  defense  against  Brit,  and  Indians 
discussed,  230 :  fall  of,  286;  Indians  con- 
centra,  at,  328;  Indians  converge  on, 
for  conf.,  177;  Indians  summoned  to, 
by  Brit.,  325,  326;  lapse  of  time  for 
news  from,  to  reach  Miss.  R.,  229; 
mail  from,  captured  by  Indians,  256; 
move,  of  troops  toward,  224;  rumor 
of  fall  of,  26?;  rumored  Indian  conf. 
at,  with  Brit.,  37;  west.  Indians  visit 
in,  167,  168. 

Detroit  River,  262,  380;  defense  of,  230. 


Devall,  Samuel,  signer,  153. 

Dewall,  Lewis,  signer,  153. 

Dice,  — ,  Brit,  subject,  calls  Indians  to 
conf.,  249. 

Dickson,  Robert,  221;  abandons  Prairie 
du  Chien  for  Michilimackinac,  444; 
alleged  purpose  of,  326;  arrival  at 
Chicago,  325;  arrives  at  Prairie  du 
Chien,  322;  Brit,  trader,  hope  of,  to 
ally  Indians  with  Brit.,  215;  expected 
at  Prairie  du  Chien,  313;  failure  to 
enlist  Miss.  R.  Indians,  444;  incite,  of 
Indians  by,  306  n.,  333;  leads  Indian 
mission  to  Brit,  in  Can.,  249;  leads 
party  in  capture  of  Michilimackinac, 
263;  occupies  Michilimackinac,  290; 
plan  for  attack  on  terr.,  285;  property 
of,  155;  proposed  visit  to  Milwaukee 
and  Prairit  du  Chien,  326;  sends  goods 
to  Indians,  314;  sends  Indian  delegs. 
to  Ft.  Maiden,  253;  visit  to  Quebec, 
325. 

Diddrick,  Daniel,  signer,  208. 

District  surveyors,  see  Deputy  sur- 
veyors. 

Ditterline,  William,  signer,  208. 

Dix,  John,  signer,  213. 

Dixon,  Robert,  signer,  64. 

Dobbins,  William,  acct.  for  survey. 
Shawneetown  questioned,  418-419, 
claim  for  lay.  out  Shawneetown  un- 
settled, 406;  compens.  as  survr.  dis- 
cussed, 426;  corr.  ment.  with  Mans- 
field, 419;  corr.  with  Mansfield  sent  to 
G.  L.  O.,  424;  describes  plan  of 
Shawneetown,  309,  320-321;  recom- 
mend, to  lay  out  Shawneetown,  97-98; 
recommends  site  for  academy  at 
Shawneetown,  309;  repts.  prog,  in 
survey.  Shawneetown,  148-149; 
letters  ment.  to  Mansfield,  181,  425, 
426;  letters  to  Mansfield,  148-149, 
181-182,  425;  survr.  acct.  viewed  as 
high,  413. 

Dod,  Michael,  signer,  150. 

Dog's  Prairie,  259. 

Donaldson,  James  L.,  of  La.  Terr.,  129, 
132. 

Donation  claims  and  rights,  classif.  of, 
103,  105,  140,  143,  282-283. 

Dorris,  — ,  signer,  207. 

Drewry,  Clement,  signer,  214. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


463 


Driftwood  Creek,  Indian  depredations 
on,  229. 

Druer,  Alexander,  signer,  153. 

Druer,  CharJes,  signer,  153. 

Dubuque,  Julian,  act.  agt.  at  Prairie 
du  Chien,  furnishes  goods  to  Indians, 
52-53,  65;  illness  of,  53,  54;  Indians 
oppose  sale  of  mines  of,  167,  169;  lead 
mine  of,  discussed,  258-259;  sale  of 
mine  of,  166,  168;  letter  ment.  to 
Lewis,  54;  letter  to  Abbott  and  Hoff- 
man, 53-56;  s.  state,  of  acct.,  56;  suc- 
ceeds Campbell  as  Indian  agt.  at 
Prairie  du  Chien,  54. 

Ducoigne,  Kaskaskia  chief,  charges 
Kickapoo  of  murder  and  horse  steal- 
ing, 51;  complains  of  sale  of  whiskey 
to  his  tribe,  51-52;  request  re  an- 
nuities and  church,  75. 

Duncan,  Martin,  witness  to  power  of 
atty.,  131. 

Duncan,  Matthew,  recommend,  as 
publisher  of  laws,  392. 

Dunkom,  John,  Jr.,  signer,  302. 

Dunkom,  John,  Sr.,  signer,  302. 

Dunlap,  Dr.  James,  accused  of  murder, 
58,  138;  alleged  murderer  of  R.  Jones, 
138;  arrest  requested,  23,  30-31,  32, 
33. 

Dunn,  Sampson,  signer,  275. 

Dunn,  William,  witness  to  power  of 
atty.,  132. 

Durry,  Samuel,  signer,  274. 

Duval,  Rep.  William  P.,  of  Ky.,  letter 
to  Sec.  State,  411;  recommends 
Edwards  as  commr.  to  Indians,  411. 

Easters,  Joseph,  signer,  274. 

Easton  (Eastin),  Rufus,  draft  in  favor 

of  McArthur,  139. 
Eberman,  Joseph,  signer,  214. 
Eddyville    (Eddiville,    Ky.),    97;    mail 

route  to:  Cape  Girardeau,  184,  192, 

213,  Kaskaskia,  192. 
Edes,  William,  signer,  302. 
Edets,  Charles,  signer,  152. 
Edgar,    James,    witness    to   power   of 

atty.,  132. 
Edgar  (Edger),  John,  action  for  slander 

proposed    against,    110;    assignee   of 

Stanley-McCarty    family,    123,    125, 

126,    127,    131-132;   believes   Pope's 


oath  invalid,  38;  career  discussed, 
121-122;  charges  against  Gilbreath, 
45-46;  defense  against  charges  of 
land  commrs.,  120-129;  land  patent 
to,  discussed,  105;  letters  ment.  to: 
land  commrs.,  124,  Sec.  Treas.,  110, 
111;  letters  to:  land  commrs.,  123-124, 
Sec.  Treas.,  120-129;  note,  17  n., 
18;  receives  inform,  from  Morrison, 
132-133;  rejection  of  land  claims 
discussed,  120-129;  suit  against,  by 
Jones,  95;  supplanted  as  j.  p.,  126; 
supporter  of  Rice  Jones,  122;  view 
re  div.  Indiana  Terr.,  138. 

Edgar,  John,  and  William  Morrison, 
letter  to  Edwards,  45-46. 

Edgar,  John,  and  W.  and  R.  Morrison, 
letter  to  land  commrs.,  122-123. 

Education,  grant  of  college  twp.  urged, 
296-297;  proposal  of  Trappist  order  in 
behalf  of,  140;  site  for  academy  at 
Shawneetown  recommend.,  309. 

Edun,  Joseph,  signer,  150. 

Edwards,  Gov.  Ninian,  63,  65,  247-248, 
395;  acts  jointly  with  govr.  La.  T.^rr. 
in  defense  measures,  193,  203  n.; 
addressed  re  indemnity  for  losses  due 
from  Indian  thieves,  116;  admin, 
characterized,  138;  advice  re  lay.  out 
of  Shawneetown,  107-108;  advises 
concert  with  La.  Terr.,  247;  agree, 
with  saline  lessees  approved,  328; 
anxiety  re  reappt.,  247;  applic.  to, 
for  right  to  operate  salt  spring,  172; 
appd.  supt.  salt  springs,  33;  attests 
declaration,  115;  author,  as  command, 
in  chief  of  militia,  295  n.;  authorized 
to  organ,  comp.  of  rangers,  197-198; 
awaits  instrs.  re  lease  of  saline,  391; 
believes  peace  with  Indians  improb- 
able, 197  n.;  bond  of  Hays  sent  to, 
57;  calls  for  milit.  aid,  247;  character- 
ized, 23-24,  29-30;  commands  troops 
in  defeat  of  Indians,  286;  exped.  to 
Peoria,  268-269,  271;  commd.  govr. 
from  Ky.,  45,  243,  270;  commends 
Arundel  as  p.m.,  308;  compens.  dis- 
allowed for  negot.  lease  of  U.S.  Sahne, 
443-444;  conf.  with  Howard  and 
Clark,  193;  confirms,  by,  of  land 
claims  discussed,  103-105;  consents 
to  move,  of  La.  militia  into  111.,  260 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


464 


INDEX 


n.;  copy  of  letter  from  White  sent 
to,  re  lessees  of  saline,  205;  corr.  re 
milit.  matters  cited,  260  n.;  criticizes 
proposal  to  raise  mounted  troops, 
272  n.;  date  of  arrival  as  govr.,  29  n.; 
defeat  of  Indians  by,  387;  defends 
conduct  against  critics  of  milit.  cam- 
paign, 260  n.,  267  n.,  269  n.,  295  n., 
343,  346-347;  depositions  against 
Hays  sent  to,  56-57;  discusses  sig.  of 
fur  trade  and  its  protect.,  408-411; 
doubts  concert  with  Indiana  Terr., 
247;  effort  to  bring  Indians  into  conf. 
fail,  197  n.;  encloses  to:  Sec.  War 
petition  for  indemnity  for  robbery, 
114,  letter  by  Levering,  174,  proposed 
talk  to  Potawatomi  Indians,  173; 
exec,  proceeds,  of,  transmitted  to  Sec. 
State,  265;  frees  prisoners  from  Pe- 
oria, 381;  Indian  interp.  of,  228,  229; 
informed  re:  appt.  of  Harrison  as 
command,  on  frontier,  256-257,  dan- 
ger from  Indians  in  s.  part  of  terr., 
223-225,  Indian  annuities,  88,  trans- 
fer of  author,  over  saline,  46;  instrs. 
by,  re  use  of  miiitia,  171-172;  instrs. 
to,  re:  admin,  of  salt  springs,  33-35, 
concert  with  govrs.  in  defense,  243- 
244,  cooperation  with  Harrison,  256- 
257,  delivery  of  comm.  of  brig,  gen., 
160,  lease  of  lead  mine,  105,  measures 
of  defense,  321-322,  preserv.  of  peace 
with  Indians,  231-232;  jud.  experi- 
ence in  Ky.,  23-24,  29;  lacks  author, 
to  call  militia,  223;  leave  of  absence 
granted  to,  347,  349-350;  letter  of, 
presented  to  H.R.,  408;  letters  ment. 
to:  govr.  of  Ky.,  286,  305,  Harrison, 
46,  Pope,  23,  P.M.G.,  308,  Pres.  285, 
Russell,  238,  Sec.  State,  349,  362, 
394,  Sec.  Treas.,  57,  94,  160,  161, 
328,  343,  Sec.  War,  88,  160,  162,  169, 
173,  179,  193,  197,  198,  210,  243,  253, 
266,  267,  295,  322,  413,  Tiffin,  324, 
443,  Trammel,  224;  letUrs  to:  Bond, 
408-411,  Gilbreath,  47-48,  Johnson, 
199-202,  Mansfield,  107-108,  Pres., 
275,  285,  378,  Sec.  State,  51-52, 
346-347,  354-355,  Sec.  War,  75,  113- 
114,  159,  162-163,  164-166,  169-171, 
174-175,  186,  193-194,  202-203,  215- 
216,  218,  223,  244-247,  259,  265-266, 


270,  300-301,  303-306,  306,  312-315, 
316-318.  319,  327-328,  331-333,  343- 
344,  378,  388-389,  406,  451-452, 
Whiteside,  171-172;  limits  of  com- 
mand discussed,  257  n.;  measures  of 
defense  by:  162-163,  164-166;  militia 
officers  offer  services  to,  190;  nomin. 
and  confirm,  of,  14  n.;  non-arrival 
noted,  62;  opinion  re:  alleged  unjust 
div.  of  defense  forces,  315  n.,  sin- 
cerity of  Indians,  215;  opposes:  appt. 
of  Murdock  as  maj.,  317,  disband,  of 
rangers,  409;  orders:  militia  to  Camp 
Edwards,  257,  muster  roll  prepared, 
226,  227,  232,  233,  234,  235;  plan  of, 
to  visit  Ky.,  344;  preferred  Miss. 
Terr.,  23;  prods,  by:  distrib.,  50, 
issued  re  estab.  second  grade  of  govt., 
203,  207;  proposes  joint  exped. 
against  Indians,  293;  raises  cos.  of 
rangers,  316-317;  recommend,  as: 
commr.  to  treat  with  Indians,  411, 
govr.,  20.  22,  23-24,  29-30,  268; 
recommends:  armed  boats  on  rivers, 
288,  289,  333,  Bond  as  brig.  gen. 
militia,  378,  concert  with  La.  Terr, 
in  defense,  245,  exped.  from  Ft. 
Wayne,  333,  Menard  to  command 
force  on  upper  Mo.,  411,  Moore  as 
capt.  of  rangers,  245,  organiz.  U.S. 
rangers,  244-245,  Pope  as  judge,  71- 
72,  purchase  by  U.S.  of  lots  in 
Shawneetown,  107,  reappt.  of  Steph- 
enson as  command,  of  rangers,  317, 
Rector  as  brig,  gen.,  113,  120,  regt. 
mounted  troops,  287-288;  receives: 
applic.  for  post  of  adjut.,  48,  charges 
against  Gilbreath  as  sheriff,  45-46, 
saline  accts.  from  Sec.  Treas.,  40; 
recounts  service  in  defend,  terr.  from 
attack,  354;  reenforced  by  Russell, 
268-269;  refuses  to  sign  Morrison's 
certificates  of  losses,  388;  removes 
Gilbreath  as  sheriff,  47-48;  renews 
request  to  visit  Washington,  D.C., 
354-355;  rept.  by,  discussed  re  charges 
against  Jones  and  Backus,  57-58,  59, 
73;  repls.  by,  re:  defense  measures 
against  Indians,  285-289,  capture  of 
Chicago,  259,  conf.  with  Indians,  215, 
danger  to  terr.,  Indian  policy,  and 
rels.,  164-166,  169-171,  174-179,  186- 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


465 


190,  202-203,  218,  223-225,  244-247, 
265-266,  312-315,  319,  406,  Dickson's 
actions,  327-328,  Kaskaskia  Indian 
rels.,  75,  Kickapoo  marauders  and 
drunken  Indians,  51-52;  milit.  situa- 
tion, 303-305,  measures  of  defense, 
316-318,  331-333,  milit.  situation, 
305-306,  renewal  of  Indian  war,  451- 
452;  reports  to,  re:  actions  of  Indians, 
306-308,  danger  from  Indians  in 
middle  and  north,  area,  228-231, 
danger  to  U.  S.  Saline,  225,  Indian 
affairs,  250-253;  requested  to:  ap- 
prehend Indians  accused  of  murder, 
169  n.,  investigate  Edgar,  126;  re- 
quest of,  to  visit  Washington,  D.C., 
approved,  362;  requests:  add.  cos.  of 
rangers,  304,  appt.  of  brig,  gen.,  113, 
instrs.  re  Kaskaskia  Indian  annuities, 
75,  leave  of  absence,  346,  opinion  re 
author,  of,  over  rangers  and  troops 
in  terr.,  266  n.,  regt.  of  govr.  Tenn., 
388;  reviews  milit.  situation  in  terr., 
266  n.;  sends  family  to  Ky.,  265; 
serves  as  govr.  without  comm.,  259, 
260  n.;  s.  petition,  72;  sources  of 
inform,  for,  re  Indian  designs,  312- 
314;  state,  to,  by  militia  officers, 
189-190;  submits  proof  of  Indian 
hostilities,  193-194;  suggests  mea- 
sures to  protect  Mo.  Fur  Co.,  410- 
411;  supplies  deposited  at  Ft.  Russell 
at  request  of,  362;  system  of  appt.  of 
militia  officers  discussed,  51;  trans- 
mits: address  of  terr.  leg.,  270,  legis. 
memorial  to  Cong.,  378,  offer  of 
comp.  of  rangers,  300-301;  urged  to 
estab.  second  grade  of  govt.,  189; 
urges  milit.  aid  for  terr.,  315;  warned 
of  intended  attack,  310. 

Edwards,  Gov.  Ninian,  and  judges, 
letter  to  Sec.  State,  71-72. 

Edwards,  Gov.  Ninian,  and  Gov.  Scott, 
of  Ky.  informed  re  appt.  of  Russell  to 
command  rangers,  217. 

Edwards,  Mrs.  Ninian,  355;  owner  of 
estate,  346. 

Elections,  qualifs.  for  voting  in,  204, 
205-206. 

Elexander,  Hugh,  signer,  302. 

Elk's  Heart,  Potawatomi  village,  263. 

Elk  River  (Md.),  323. 


EUicott,  Andrew,  surv.  method  ment., 
442. 

Elliott,  Charles,  draft  in  favor  of  McAr- 
thur,  139. 

Ellis,  William,  signer,  278. 

Ellis,  William,  signer,  278. 

English,  Andrew,  signer,  64. 

Ensminger,  Emanuel,  signer,  64,  152. 

Front,  William,  signer,  213. 

Espagne,  d',  mine,  169. 

Ess-cot-tin-ni-my,  an  Indian,  depreda- 
tions of,  251. 

Esters,  Chissom,  signer,  208. 

Estes,  Absalom,  signer,  208. 

Estes,  Chisom  (Chisum),  signer,  274, 
277. 

Estes,  Joseph,  signer,  208,  277. 

Estis,  John,  militia  muster  roll,  237. 

Estrech,  Joseph,  signer,  274. 

Etter,  Peter,  signer,  274,  277. 

Eustis,  William,  see  Secretary  of  War. 

Everitt,  David,  signer,  150. 

Ewing,  Charles,  signer,  152. 

Executive  Proceedings  of  Governor 
(Executive  Register),  transmitted  to 
Sec.  State,  57,  185,  265. 

Executive  Register,  see  Executive  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Governor. 

Falsovoins,  see  Menominee  Indians. 

Farabeau,  ■ — ,  reads  Boilvin's  letters, 
316. 

Farley,  Edward,  signer,  207. 

Ferry  rights,  discussed,  421. 

Ficklin,  WilUam,  lease  of  lead  mine  to, 
approved,  160. 

Ficklin  &  Prince,  applic.  for  lease  of  lead 
mine  discussed,  105. 

Findlay  (Findley),  James,  13. 

Finley,  John,  signer,  150. 

Finney,  James,  accused  of  complicity  in 
murder,  58  n.;  depos.  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59;  note,  56  n.;  p.m. 
Kaskaskia,  exec,  of  bond  of,  56;  rec- 
ommend, for  appt.  as  judge,  349; 
signer,  214. 

Fisher,  George,  signer,  204,  272;  sp., 
H.R.,  s.  legis.  memorial,  405. 

Fisher,  James,  signer,  277. 

Fisher,  Jacob,  signer,  204. 

Fisher,  Joseph,  signer,  208,  277,  278. 

Fisher,  William,  signer,  214. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


466 


INDEX 


Fisher,  — ,  copies  of  Boilvin's  letters  to, 
sent  to  Brit.,  316. 

Flemming,  James,  signer,  278. 

Flour,  Potawatomi  chief,  informs  Le 
Clair  of  hostile  intent  of  Indians,  254. 

Fond  du  lac  of  Superior,  Indians  from, 
called  to  confer  with  Brit.,  249. 

Forester,  John,  signer,  64,  208. 

Ford,  James,  signer,  208,  277. 

Forgeeson,  John,  signer,  150. 

Forgeson,  John,  signer,  150. 

Forgeson,  William,  signer,  150. 

Forgson,  Isaac,  signer,  150. 

Forrester,  John,  signer,  152. 

Forsyth,  Thomas,  387;  acct.  of  trip  by, 
up  III.  R.,  324-325;  action  re  Indian 
attack  on  Peoria,  311;  alarm  for 
safety  of,  252;  appd.  sub-agt.  Indian 
affairs  at  Peoria,  310;  arrest  by  Craig, 
311;  criticism  of,  311  n.;  danger  to 
life  of,  264;  informed  re  hostile  talks 
of  Indians,  246;  instrs.  by:  re  method 
of  corresp.  with,  264,  to  LeCIair,  253; 
leaves  for  Vincennes,  253;  letlera  menl. 
to:  Edwards,  250,  253,  Howard,  310, 
446,  Kinzie,  248;  letters  to:  Edwards, 
228-231,  250-253,  Howard,  261-265, 
324-327,  446-448,  Sec.  War,  310-312; 
move,  of,  watched  by  Indians,  263; 
note,  228-229;  rel.  of,  to  Kinzie,  248 
n.;  repts.  by,  re:  danger  from  Indians 
in  middle  and  north,  area.,  228-231, 
Indian  affairs,  250-253,  Indian  de- 
signs, 324-327,  Dickson's  actions,  327, 
328,  prog,  of  Indian  war,  310-312, 
renewal  of  Indian  hostilities,  444-446; 
repts.  by,  sent  to  Howard,  413-414; 
rept.  to,  re  Indian  affairs  on  Wabash 
R.,  255;  requests  letter  of  intro.  to 
Harrison,  253;  secret  agt.,  U.  S.,  381; 
signer,  382;  s.  affidavits,  384,  385, 
386;  suggests  govt,  aid  to  Peoria 
settlers,  312;  transmits  letters  to 
Edwards,  253;  urges  reinforce,  of  Ft. 
Clark,  447;  visits  to  Chicago,  250, 
251,  261,  263;  warns  govrs.  of  terrs. 
re  Indian  raids,  310. 

Forsyth,  see  Kinzie  &  Forsyth. 

Fort  Chartres,  land  claims  discussed, 
100,  101,  102. 

Fort  Chicago,  263;  recapture  urged,  292. 
See  also  Chicago;  Fort  Dearborn. 


Fort  Clark,  attack  on,  expected,  406; 
estab.  on  Peoria  Lake,  372;  garrison 
at,  423;  import,  in  defense  of  III.,  446; 
proposed  Indian  attack  on,  263;  re- 
inforced, 445;  reinforce,  urged,  447. 

Fort  Dearborn,  change  of  command, 
68  n.;  command,  officer  criticized, 
66-68;  fall  of,  267  n.;  massacre  of, 
260  n.;  Indians  plan  attack  on,  188. 
See  also  Chicago;  Fort  Chicago. 

Fort  Harrison,  400,  422;  conf.  of  Indian 
chitfs  at,  239;  danger  of  attack,  263; 
defense  of,  268;  maintain,  of,  criti- 
cized, 424. 

Fort  Knox,  U.  S.  troops  leave,  for  III. 
and  Mo.,  445. 

Fort  Madison  (Maddison;  Madisson; 
Belle-vue),  37,  157,  219,  259,  327; 
estab.,  156  n.;  Indian  attack  ex- 
pected, 188,  203,  263,  305;  import,  of, 
293;  letter  to  command,  of,  306-308; 
meet,  of  Indians  at,  306. 

Fort  Maiden  (Can.),  221,  246;  arrival 
of  Brit,  troops,  251;  Indian  mission 
to,  249;  Indians:  expect  supply  of 
powder  from,  254,  from  U.  S.,  visit, 
230,  invited  to,  194,  receive  news 
from,  262;  Sauk  Indians  visit,  251; 
source  of  war  supplies  for  Indians, 
263;  visits  to,  of:  Menominee,  253; 
Sauk,  253.     See  also  Maiden. 

Fort  Mason,  269;  battle  with  Indians 
near,  347;  import,  of,  293;  letter  to 
interpreter  at,  307-308;  loc.  of,  306. 

Fort  Massac,  estab.  of  postal  service  to, 
discussed,  183;  Indian  goods  for- 
warded to,  47;  instrs.  to  p.m.  at, 
139-140;  mail  contracts  to:  Kaskas- 
kia,  82,  Russellville,  Ky.,  82;  mail 
schedule,  428;  troops  at,  needed  else- 
where, 194. 

Fort  Russell,  315;  inventory  of  milit. 
supplies  in,  363;  milit.  move,  from, 
331,  333. 

Fort  St.  Joseph,  Brit,  post,  244;  influ.  of 
Brit.  agt.  at,  over  Indians,  245. 

Fort  Wayne,  262,  286;  Chicago  garrison 
to  be  evacuat.  to,  261;  exped.  from, 
recommend.,  333;  Indian  conf.  at, 
250;  proposed  Indian  attack  on,  263, 
327. 

Foster,  James  M.,  signer,  214. 


For  identical  name*,  tee  index  note,  p.  ^5^ 


INDEX 


467 


Fouche,   Antoine,   muster   roll,   233. 

Fouke  (Fouche;  Fouk),  Philip,  commd. 
U.  S.  marshal,  352-353;  depos.  favor, 
to  land  commrs.  ment.,  59;  recom- 
mend, as  U.  S.  marshal,  302,  348; 
signer,  213. 

Fountaine  (Fontaine),  Felix,  387;  list  of 
losses  sustained  in  Peoria,  384;  signer, 
382,  382  n.,  383,  385,  386. 

Fournier,  — ,  companion  of  Levering  at 
Indian  conf.,  176,  177. 

Fowler,  John,  recommends  Allen  as 
govr.,  19  n. 

Fox  (Foxes)  Indians,  156;  allege  Brit, 
offer  to,  to  join  against  U.  S.,  188; 
arrive  at  Des  Moines  on  way  to  St. 
Louis,  322;  attacked  by  Puants,  307; 
await  outcome  of  Indian  attack  on 
settlements,  264;  bring  news  to 
Prairie  du  Chien  of  Winnebago  out- 
rages, 187;  divided  as  to  war  with 
U.  S.,  313,  314,  326;  friendly  to  U.  S., 
307;  hold  council,  166,  168;  measure 
to  prevent,  from  hostihty  to  U.  S., 
218;  meet,  at  Ft.  Madison,  306;  of- 
fered powder  by  Brit.,  313-314; 
oppose  sale  of  Dubuque  mines,  167, 
169;  receive  powder  from  Brit.,  313; 
rels.  of  Dubuque  with,  258;  save  lives 
of  Hunt  and  Prior,  188;  tract  pur- 
chased from,  discussed,  142;  value  of 
goods  supplied  to,  55;  chief  of,  55; 
visit  Prairie  du  Chien  agency,  71; 
war  on  Winnebago,  218. 

Fox,  Sergt.  James  N.,  227  n. 

Fox,  Reuben,  signer,  64. 

Fox  River  (111.),  254;  descent  of,  by 
Le  Clair,  255;  Indian  forces  on,  229; 
Indians  on,  to  join  war  party,  264; 
Kinzie's  trip  down,  250;  resid.  of 
Main  Poque  on,  251. 

Fox  River  (Wis.),  176;  Indians  from, 
hostile  to  U.  S.,  249;  Winnebago  In- 
dians from,  195. 

Fractional  sections  and  townships,  77, 
85,  86,  87,  89,  145,  335,  393,  403; 
classif.,  ment.,  436;  descript.  of,  sent 
to  G.  L.  0.,  396;  discussed,  435;  im- 
port, attached  to,  in  law,  441;  settlers 
on,  not  entitled  to  benefits  under  pre- 
emption act,  441. 

France,  grants  by,  discussed,  100,  344. 


Frank,  — ,  gathers  Indians  at  Prairie  du 

Chien,  307. 
Frankfort  (Ky.),  instrs.  to  p.m.  at,  to 

route  mail  to  111.  via  Henderson,  181. 
Frankfort  (Ky.)  Argus,  procl.  land  sale 

to  be  publd.  in,  417. 
Franklin  County,  N.  C,  61. 
Frazer,  G.  W.,  signer,  214. 
Fraziaur,  James,  signer,  152. 
Freeman,   Thomas,   survr.   gen.,   s.   of 

Tenn.,  369. 
French  Town  (Md.),  burning  of,  323. 
French,  — ,  transmits  letter,  20. 
Frizell,  William,  signer,  274. 
Fry,  George,  signer,  302. 
Fry,  John,  signer,  301. 
Fulten,  Samuel,  signer,  214. 
Fulton,  Cyrus,  signer,  214. 
Fulton,  David,  signer,  214. 
Fulton,  John,  signer,  214. 
Fulton,  Thomas,  signer,  214. 
Funk,  Jacob,  13. 
Fur  trade,  sig.  and  protect,  of,  by  U.  S. 

discussed,  409-411. 

Gaillard,  Sen.  John,  of  S.C,  and  Var- 
num,  rept.  to,  re  land  claims,  143-144. 

Gallatin,  Albert,  see  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury. 

Galusha,  Elijah  G.,  mail  contractor,  82. 

Gansevoort,  Maj.  L.  H.,  letter  ment.  to 
Mason,  35-36. 

Gansevoort,  Peter,  U.  S.  mil.  agt., 
letters  ment.  to  Irwin,  25. 

Gardiner,  John,  ch.  elk.,  G.L.O.,  certi- 
fies copy  of  procl.,  417;  letter  to  Ogle, 
422;  note,  422. 

Garrard,  James,  letter  to  Pres.,  22; 
recommends  Edwards  as  govr.,  22. 

Garrett,  Dickeson,  signer,  277. 

Garrett,  Joseph,  signer,  382. 

Gates,  John  P.,  Indian  interpret.,  306; 
letter  to  Boilvin,  307-308. 

General  Land  Office,  circular  ment.  to 
registers,  land  offices,  421. 

Georg,  John,  signer,  277. 

Georgetown  (D.C.),  346;  seat  of  supt. 
Indian  trade,  256. 

Georgia,  61,  62,  108;  home  of  Judge 
Jones,  14,  60. 

German,  Sen.  Obadiah,  of  N.Y.,  recom- 
mends Griswold  as  judge,  81  n. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


468 


INDEX 


Gilbreath,  J.,  signer,  214. 

Gilbreath,  James,  accused  of  complic- 
ity in  murder,  58  n.;  charges  against, 
as  sheriff,  45-46;  depos.  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59;  removed  as 
sheriff,  47-48. 

Gilham,  Hezekial,  militia  muster  roll, 
232. 

Gilham,  Ens.  Isaac,  attends  conf.  mili- 
tia officers,  188;  militia  muster  roll, 
233;  signer,  150. 

Gilham,  Isam,  militia  muster  roll,  236. 

Gilham,  Lt.  William,  attends  conf. 
militia  officers,  188;  militia  muster 
roll,  226. 

Gill,  Thomas,  signer,  275. 

Gillham,  Ekekial,  militia  muster  roll, 
226. 

Gillham,  H.,  signer,  150. 

Gillham,  Isom,  militia  muster  roll,  227. 

Gillham,  James,  signer,  150. 

Gillham,  Rydorus  C.,  signer,  150. 

Gillham,  William,  Jr.,  signer,  150. 

Gillhim,  Thomas,  signer,  150. 

Gist  &  Bledsoe,  lead-mine  lease  dis- 
cussed, 105. 

Givens,  Joseph  R.,  awarded  mail  con- 
tract, 184;  post  rider,  irregularity  of, 
180. 

Glass,  Dudley,  signer,  278. 

Glass,  Roger,  signer,  278. 

Glenn,  George,  signer,  214. 

Glenn,  Thomas  F.,  signer,  208. 

Gobin,  James,  signer,  207. 

Going,  Pleasant,  militia  muster  roll, 
226,  232. 

Gomo  (Gomaux),  expected  in  Peoria, 
264-265;  friendly  attitude,  229,  230; 
imparts  inform,  to  Forsyth,  447; 
Indians  from  village  of,  on  warpath, 
263;  informs  Forsyth  re  Indian  de- 
signs, 325-326;  intended  visit  to 
Detroit,  326;  intent  to  fight  U.  S., 
326;  Potawatomi  chief,  negots.  with, 
175  et  seq.;  refuses  permit  to  Forsyth, 
263;  repts.  hostile  talk  of  Indians,  246; 
requests  release  of  two  hostages,  447; 
speech  at  Sandy  Creek  council  dis- 
cussed, 325-326,  327. 

Good,  John,  militia  muster  roll,  232. 

Gordan,  James,  signer,  277. 

Gordon,  Elsha,  signer,  208. 


Gordon,  William,  signer,  277. 

Goshen  (Goshen  settlement),  61. 

Goshen  road,  near  Saline  Creek,  Indian 
attack  on,  401. 

Goss,  David,  signer,  208. 

Graham,  Duncan,  carries  copies  of 
Boilvin's  letters  to  Michilimackinac, 
316. 

Graham,  John,  ch.  elk.  State  Dept.,  re- 
quested to  fill  out  comms.  to  reg.  and 
rec,  418;  letter  ment.  to  P.M.G.,  433. 

Grand  jury,  present,  of,  re  non-resid.  of 
judges  discussed,  349  n. 

Grand  Portage,  Indians  from,  called  to 
confer  with  Brit.,  249. 

Grand  Prairie,  claims  discussed,  100. 

Granger,  Gideon,  see  Postmaster  Gen- 
eral. 

Gravlin,  Juvriel,  signer,  278. 

Great  Britain,  377;  agts.  in  Iowa  coun- 
try, 322;  agts.  incite  Indians  to  war, 
305,  314,  325-328;  alleged  offer  to 
Fox  Indians  to  join  in  war,  188;  decl. 
of  war  with,  244  n.;  Indians  await 
declar.  of  war  by,  253,  254;  interests 
in  III.,  36-37;  land  grants  discussed, 
104;  prog,  in  Wis.  area,  307;  prospect 
of  war  with,  ment.,  239;  rel.  to  west. 
Indians  discussed,  285-286;  rels. 
with  U.  S.,  170;  rumors  of  milit. 
activity  on  Can.  border,  446-447; 
send  powder  to  Indians,  312-313; 
traders  from,  enter  U.  S.  terr.,  179; 
war  ment.  with,  160. 

Greathouse,  Gabrial,  signer,  274. 

Great  Miami  River,  bound,  line,  3. 

Great  Muddy  River,  mail  schedule,  428. 

Great  Rapid,  Indian  village,  255. 

Great  Woods,  on  Fox  River  of  111.,  ar- 
rival of  Le  Clair  at,  254. 

Green,  Alexander,  signer,  274. 

Green,  George,  appd.  ensign,  rangers, 
216. 

Green,  Henry,  signer,  153. 

Green,  Joseph,  signer,  152. 

Green  Bay,  221;  alleged  estab.  of  Brit, 
fort  at,  451;  channel  of  inform,  from, 
estab.,  310;  Dickson  leaves,  for 
Prairie  du  Chien,  322;  distribut. 
point  for  Indian  goods  from  Can., 
231  n.;  Menominee  Indians  from: 
attend  conf.  at  Milwaukee,  249,  on 


For  identical  name*,  see  index  note,  p.  ^5^ 


INDEX 


469 


visit  to  Ft.  Maiden,  253;  party  of 
Brit,  advance  from,  307;  Potawatomi 
Indians  from,  178;  rumored  estab.  of 
Brit,  fort  at,  447;  under  juris,  of 
Cass  as  Indian  supt.,  70  n. 
Greenup,  Christopher,  applies  for  appt. 

as  govr.,  19  n. 
Greenup,  William  C,  elk.  H.  R.,  attests 
resol.  280;  carries  docs,  re  land  de- 
cisions to   Edgar,   124;   recommend, 
and  appd.  survr.,  86;  signer,  213. 
Greenville  (0.),  Indian  conf.  at,  445. 
Greenwood,  John,  militia  muster  roll, 

235. 
Gregg,  Ens.  Titus,  attends  conf.  militia 

officers,  188. 
Gresham,  Sterling,  ch.  elk.,  survr.  gen. 

officer,  left  in  charge,  448. 
Griffin,   Judge   John,   of   Mich.   Terr., 
applies   for   appt.   as   judge,    12   n.; 
recommend,  as  judge,  349  n. 
Grigsby,  Joseph,  recommend,  for  appt. 

as  terr.  secy.,  11  n. 
Griswold,  Judge  Stanley,  421;  alleged 
intent  to  resign,  349  n.;  appd.  judge, 
108,  109;  commd.  judge,  83;  com- 
mends Arundel  as  p.m.,  308;  con- 
demns site  of  Shawneetown,  357- 
859;  copy  of  letter  re  Shawneetown 
sent  to  G.L.O.,  360;  extract  of  letter 
sent  to  Tiffin,  406;  informed  re  effort 
for  better  postal  service,  276;  letters 
ment.  to:  Meigs,  364, 400, 413,  P.M.G., 
276,  341;  letters  to:  Meigs,  357-359, 
866-368,  401-402,  407-408;  note,  80; 
quarrel  with  Gov.  Hull,  81;  recom- 
mend, as  judge,  80-81;  recommends: 
estab.  of  road  from  Shawneetown  to 
Saline  and  Kaskaskia,  407-408,  new 
loc.  for  office  of  survr.  gen.,  366-368, 
new  plan  and  site  for  Shawneetown, 
330,  358;  resid.  of,  412;  signer,  391; 
urges  estab.  of  land  office  at  Shawnee- 
town, 407,  408. 
Gross,  Jacob,  signer,  274. 
Groves,  John,  signer,  208. 
Guice,  Daniel,  militia  muster  roll,  227. 
Guillet,  Urban,  donation  of  land  to,  for 
relig.  purposes,  89-90. 


Guise  (Guyes),  Daniel,  militia  muster 

roll,  235,  237. 
Guyes,  Daniel,  see  Guise,  Daniel. 
Guyola,  F.  M.,  j.  p.,  St.  Louis,  affids. 

sworn  to  before,  883,  384,  885,  386. 

H—  (MS.  torn),  Samuel  E.,  signer,  208. 

Hale,  Israel,  signer,  207. 

Haley,  Edward,  signer,  277. 

Hall,  Elisha,  signer,  208,  273. 

Hall,  Isaac,  signer,  208. 

Hall,  James,  signer,  150. 

Hall,  James,  Jr.,  signer,  273. 

Hambleton,  William,  signer,  213. 

Hamilton,  James,  signer,  150. 

Hamilton,  John,  signer,  150. 

Hamilton,  Lt.  Thomas,  67;  confirms 
capture  of  Chicago,  259;  letter  ment. 
to  Bissell,  259. 

Hammelton,  William,  signer,  214. 

Hammond,  Peter,  signer,  275. 

Hammond,  Samuel,  letter  ment.  to 
P.M.G.,  294. 

Hampton,  Jonathan,  signer,  153. 

Handcock,  Thomas,  signer,  214. 

Handlee,  John,  signer,  64. 

Hanes,  Brice,  signer,  208. 

Hanna,  James,  signer,  208. 

Hanner,  Brice,  signer,  277. 

Haque,  John,  signer,  214. 

Haralson,  P.,  signer,  214. 

Harden,  Jephthah,  signer,  391. 

Hargrave,  Samuel,  signer,  208. 

Hargrave,  Seth,  signer,  207. 

Hargrave  (Hargraves),  Capt.  Willis 
(Wyllis),  militia  comp.  of,  227  n.;  223, 
224,  225;  instrs.  to,  re  examin.  of  land 
near  U.  S.  Saline,  414. 

Haris,  Thompson,  signer,  274. 

Harmon,  George,  signer,  150. 

Harper,  Mason,  signer,  278. 

Harrenton,  William,  militia  muster  roll, 
235. 

Harris,  Robbert,  signer,  208. 

Harris,  Thompson,  signer,  277. 

Harris,  Thompson  M.,  signer,  208. 

Harris,  William,  instrs.  to,  to  survey 
new  add.  to  Shawneetown,  421;  quits 
surveys  acct.  Indians,  400;  surv.,  377. 

Harrison,  John  M.,  signer,  213. 

Harrison,  William  Henry,  Gov.,  In- 
diana Terr.,  and   Maj.   Gen.,  U.  S. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


470 


INDEX 


Army,  35,  48,  170,  251,  253,  263, 
286.  321,  333,  354,  443;  appd.  com- 
mand, of  troops  on  frontier,  256-257; 
appts.  Boilvin  sub-Indian  agt.,  69  n.; 
armistice  arranged  by,  445;  arms 
sent  to,  from  arsenal,  173;  army  of, 
threatened,  326;  arrange,  of,  with 
Indians,  445;  charged  with  defense 
of  frontier,  266;  charges  Edwards 
for  defenseless  status  of  terr.,  267  n.; 
desig.  of  bound,  of  the  saline  by,  151; 
informed  of  Indian  rels.,  40;  informs 
Pope  of  appt.  as  secy.,  23;  instrs.  to  re: 
concert  with  govrs.  in  defense,  243- 
244,  preserv.  of  peace  with  Indians, 
231-232;  invites  Edwards  to  visit,  46; 
leUers  merit,  to:  Edwards,  408,  Pope, 
30,  Sec.  Treas.,  33,  Sec.  War,  267; 
letteri  to:  Edwards,  46-47,  Pope,  23; 
limits  of  command  discussed,  257  n.; 
occupies  Detroit,  290;  orders  Russell 
from  111.,  295;  policy  re  confirm,  land 
claims,  105;  recall  of  Russell  from  111. 
criticized,  266  n.;  recommends  Bond 
as  builder,  47;  victory  over  Indians 
noted,  166,  188. 

Harrison's  purchase,  172;  survey 
discussed,  377,  396,  400-401. 

Harrisonville,  mail  schedule,  428. 

Hatfield,  Thomas,  signer,  208. 

Hathaway,  Silas,  signer,  214. 

Havre  de  Grace  (Md.),  burning  of,  323. 

Hawkins  (Hawkings;  Kauckings),  Mar- 
shal (Marshel),  militia  muster  roll, 
235,  302. 

Hawl,  William,  militia  muster  roll,  235. 

Hay  (Hays),  John,  depos.  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59;  depos.  sworn  to 
before,  117,  118;  explor.  by,  in  Lake 
Winnipeg  region,  409;  letter  to  Pope, 
51. 

Hays  (Hay),  John,  declines  mail  con- 
tract, 182,  183;  depos.  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment,  59 ;  depositions  against, 
discussed,  56-67;  letter  ment.  to 
P.M.G.,  73;  letter  to  Pope,  56-57; 
not  party  man,  51;  note,  51  n.;  p.m., 
Cahokia,  51;  to  continue  transport, 
mail  until  new  mail  contract  is  made, 
183;   transmits   bond   to   govr.,    57. 

Hayward,  Thomas,  note,  30. 


Heald,  Capt.  Nathan  (Nathaniel), 
appts.  Kinzie  army  sutler,  184;  gar- 
rison order  of,  recog.  Kinzie  &  For- 
syth as  army  sutlers,  196-197;  instrs. 
ment.  to,  re  assembly  of  Indians  at 
Piqua,  261;  release  from  captivity, 
262;  succeeds  Whistler,  68  n. 

Heald,  Mrs.  Nathaniel,  life  of,  saved, 
262. 

Ream,  Nathan,  signer,  274. 

Heath,  Robert,  letter  to  Sec.  State,  172- 
173;  proposal  to  manufacture  salt, 
172-173. 

Hebert,   Capt.  ,  attends  conf.   of 

militia  officers,  188. 

Heley,  Jeames,  signer,  277. 

Helm,  Lt.  L.  T.,  advice  of,  to  remove 
friendly  Indians  from  Chicago  area, 
212;  arrest  of,  220;  enmity  toward 
factor,  219. 

Hempstead,  Edward,  deleg.  in  Cong, 
from  Mo.  Terr.,  288,  289,  317; 
recommends  Pope  for  reappt.,  284. 

Hempstead,  Edward,  and  Bond,  letters 
to  Sec.  War,  289-293,  298. 

Henderson  (Ky.),  failure  of  mails  to 
Shawneetown,  412;  irregularity  of 
mails  to  and  from  Kaskaskia,  180, 
211;  mail  route  to  Kaskaskia,  184; 
mail  to  111.  to  be  routed  via,  181; 
postal  service  from,  to  Kaskaskia, 
279;  status  of  postal  service  from,  to 
Kaskaskia,  294. 

Hendrix,  James,  militia  muster  roll, 
235,  237. 

Herculaneum  (La.  Terr.),  mail  schedule, 
428;  mail  schedule  to  Mine  a  Burton, 
429. 

Herty,  Thomas,  and  S.  H.  Smith, 
commrs.  to  take  deposit.,  110,  111. 

Hewit,  John,  identifies  Beeman,  118. 

Higgins  (Higgens),  Philemon  (Phili- 
mon),  signer,  150. 

Higgins,  Philemon  (Phillimen),  Sr., 
signer,  150. 

Hill,  Charles,  signer,  208. 

Hill,  Isaac,  appd.  It.  of  rangers,  215. 

Hill,  John,  signer,  214. 

Hill,  Nathaniel,  signer,  214. 

Hill,  Peter,  militia  muster  roll,  237. 

Hill,  Robert,  signer,  214. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  45-i 


INDEX 


471 


Hoffman,  George,  letter  to  the  Sec.  War, 
52-53;  note,  52  n.;  rept.  to  Sec.  War 
re  Indian  affairs,  52-53. 

Hoffman,  Georgt,  and  Abbott,  letter 
ment.  to  Dubuque,  53,  54. 

Holmes  (Holms),  Rep.  David,  of  Va., 
interested  in  appt.  to  111.  Terr.,  23; 
letter  to  Sec.  State,  9;  recommends 
Thomas  as  judge,  9. 

Hooe,  Colemon,  signer,  274. 

Hook,  Elijah,  militia  muster  roll,  226, 
235. 

Hopkins,  Gen.  Samuel,  269;  failure  to 
meet  111.  exped.  at  Peoria,  268. 

Horse  thieves,  Indian,  39,  165,  177, 
188-189,  252,  253,  254,  255,  387; 
Kickapoo  Indians,  114,  115;  penalty 
for,  114. 

Houdson,  Ryly,  signer,  208. 

Howard,  Benjamin,  Gov.,  La.-Mo. 
Terr.,  Brig.  Gen.,  U.  S.  Army,  20, 
269,  299,  322;  action  in  defense  of 
frontier,  203  n.;  appd.  and  commd. 
brig,  gen.,  344  n.;  appd.  to  command 
111.  campaign,  346;  arms  sent  from 
arsenal,  173;  assumes  command  of 
111.  defense,  344,  354;  conf.  with 
Edwards,  193;  encloses:  letter  from 
Forsyth,  446,  return  of  supplies  at 
Ft.  Russell,  362;  Forsyth's  rept.  sent 
to,  413-414;  holds  council  with  Sauk, 
322;  letters  ment.  to:  Blondeau,  187, 
Edwards,  186,  248,  259,  327,  Forsyth, 
261,  310,  Sec.  War,  347,  350,  444,  446; 
letters  to:  Sec.  State,  10-11,  Sec.  War, 
347-348,  362,  364,  370-373,  422-424, 
444-446;  opinions  re:  intentions  of 
Indians,  444-446,  utihty  of  F^.  Harri- 
son, 424;  ordered  to  return  to  St. 
Louis,  414;  plan  to  estab.  garrison  at 
Peoria,  364;  proposes  joint  exped. 
against  Indians,  293;  recommends: 
Boyle  as  govr.,  10,  mail  be  sent  from 
Vincennes  by  express,  348,  Reid  as 
judge,  12  n.;  referred  to  by  error  as 
govr..  111.,  380;  repts.  by  re:  campaign 
against  Indians,  370-373,  defense 
measures,  347-348,  renewal  of  Indian 
war,  444-446;  repts.  to,  re:  Indian 
designs,  324-327,  renewal  of  Indian 
war,  446-448;  request  ment.  to  move 
La.  militia  to  111.,  260  n.;  requests 


Edwards  to  apprehend  Indians  ac- 
cused of  murder,  169  n.;  to  command 
U.  S.  troops,  444;  warned  of  intended 
attack,  310. 

Howard,  Mrs.  Benjamin,  187. 

Howard,  Ehhu,  signer,  64. 

Howard,  Capt.  Lewis,  of  Michilimacki- 
nac,  53. 

Hubbard,  Augustus,  signer,  64. 

Hubbard,  EUas,  signer,  64. 

Hubbard,  Ephraim,  Sr.,  signer,  64,  153. 

Hubbard,  Simon  M.,  signer,  152. 

Hudson  Bay,  409. 

Hudson's  Bay  Company,  strategic  posi- 
tion of,  409. 

Hues,  Robert,  signer,  302. 

Hugimana,  Indian  hostage,  447. 

Huitt,  John,  on  comm.  to  recommend 
appt.  of  govr.,  31. 

Huitt,  Rowland,  signer,  150. 

Huitt,  William,  signer,  150. 

Hull,  Gov.  William,  of  Mich.  Terr.,  256, 
262;  instrs.  to,  re  preserv.  peace  with 
Indians,  231-232;  letter  ment.  to 
Heald,  261;  orders  ment.  for  evaeu.  of 
Chicago,  261;  quarrel  with  Griswold, 
81;  rtpts.  Indians  quiet,  247. 

Humphreys,  Charles  C,  signer,  204. 

Hunt  &  Prior,  merchants,  buildings  and 
goods  destroyed  by  Indians,  187;  lives 
saved  by  Fox  Indians,  188. 

Huntington,  Judge  — ,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, 81. 

Huston,  William,  signer,  391. 

Hutson,  Nathaniel,  signer,  274. 

Hutson,  Wiley,  signer,  274,  277. 

Illinois  (Elenoy)  Country,  129,  130. 

Illinois  River,  116,  118,  119,  239,  254, 
257,  268,  310,  312,  314,  332,  334,  366, 
367,  384,  385,  386,  387;  armed  boats 
on,  discussed,  288,  293,  331,  332,  333, 
370,  371;  block  houses  erected  along, 
162;  common  highway,  246,  288,  290, 
294;  Forsyth's  journey  up,  324;  In- 
dian assemblies  &  councils  on, 
169-170,  174,  175-179,  215,  248;  In- 
dian depredations  on,  194;  Indians 
from,  hostile  to  U.  S.,  249;  Indians  on, 
promised  Brit,  protection,  193-194; 
Indians  reside  n.  of,  294;  Le  Clair's 
tour  up,  253-255;  miHt.  force  operate 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


472 


INDEX 


e.  of,  331,  332;  Potawatomi  Indians 
on,  178;  sketch  inent.  of  no.  of  In- 
dians near,  253. 
Illinois  (Ellinoie)  Territory,  93,  126, 
151;  act  for  govt,  of  (text),  6-8;  add. 
land  office  discussed,  153-154;  ad- 
vantage to,  of  salt  production,  173; 
argument  for  estab.  of,  4-5;  bill  for 
introduction  of  slaves  in,  300;  bound, 
discussed,  65-66;  Brit,  interest  in, 
36-37;  character  of  lands,  79;  coram, 
as  govr.,  270;  committ.  rept.  re 
estab.  of,  3-5;  conditions  in  n.  part, 
154-159;  conting.  expenses  discussed, 
1&-17,  38,  39,  49-50,  60,  69;  danger 
to,  from  Indians,  246-247,  264,  327- 
328,  406;  effect  of  Indian  war  on: 
migration  of  popul.  of,  164,  settlers 
in,  189,  190;  elec.  of  deleg.  discussed, 
189;  estab.  of,  137,  138;  estab.  of 
second  grade  of  govt,  discussed,  189, 
199-202,  203-204,  209-210;  exec, 
proceeds,  sent  to  Sec.  State,  57, 
185;  exposed  condition  to  Indian 
raids,  319;  factions  in,  45-46,  47, 
51,  56-57,  58-60,  61-62,  73,  122, 
135-139;  first  sale  pub.  land  an- 
nounced, 422;  identical  interest  with 
Mo.  Terr.,  289-290;  Indian  rels. 
discussed,  166-172,  174-179,  184, 
202,  212,  223-225,  228-232;  Indian 
revolt,  312-315;  labor  scarcity,  297; 
land  surveys  in,  12-13,  (see  also 
under  Land;  Surveys);  law  re  right 
of  preemption  discussed,  330;  laws 
transmitted  to  Sec.  State,  57;  lead 
mines,  105;  loc.  of  private  claims,  147; 
mail  schedules,  428-429  (gee  also 
under  Postal  service);  map  of,  dis- 
cussed, 65;  measures  of  defense  dis- 
cussed, 160-172,  189-190,  193-194, 
197-198,  203  n.,  210,  215-216,  217, 
218,  239,  246-248,  256-258,  260, 
265-266,  268-269,  271-272,  285-287, 
289-293,  294-295,  298,  304-308,  310- 
311,  321-322,  331-335,  343-344, 347- 
348,  350,  354,  364,  370-373,  380-381, 
422-424,  444-448;  need  of  survr. 
gen.  office  nearer,  367;  oath  of  office 
discussed,  38;  penalty  for  horse  steal- 
ing, 114;  petitions  and  memorials 
(see    under    Petitions);   popul.,   199, 


210;  portion  under  juris,  of  Mich. 
Indian  supt.,  70  n.;  Potawatomi 
Indians  in,  246;  reason  for  lack  of 
emig.,  96,  164;  renewal  of  Indian 
war,  451-452;  resols.  of  assembly, 
296-297;  rule  re  calling  leg.  assem- 
bly, 7;  state  of  society,  50;  status  of 
settlers  in  s.  part  of,  201;  status  of 
volunteers  in  militia  discussed,  36 
n.;  surveys  (see  under  Surveys); 
transf.  of  judge  from,  to  Miss.  Terr., 
109;  unhealthy  state  of,  268;  weak 
state  of  defense,  315;  wider  suffrage 
petitioned  for,  203-204,  205-208; 
U.  S.  rangers  to  be  organ,  in,  197, 
217,  370. 

Illinois  Territory,  appts.  by  Fed.  Govt.: 
brig,  gen.,  157,  159,  160,  capt.  U.  S. 
rangers,  197,  command,  of  rangers, 
217,  238  n.,  examiner  of  land  office, 
211,  govr.,  14  n.,  45,  243,  270,  Indian 
agt.,  310,  Indian  peace  commrs.,  231, 
judges,  14-16,  83,  350-351,  land 
commrs.,  418,  reg.  and  rec.  land 
offices,  211,  417,  418,  433,  437,  U.  S. 
atty.,  366,  U.  S.  marshal,  352-353. 

Illinois  Territory,  appts.  by  govr.:  en- 
sign of  rangers,  216,  lieut.  of  rangers, 
215,  paymaster  of  militia,  265. 

Iman,  Abraham,  s.  resols.,  342. 

Improvement  rights,  discussed,  103, 104. 

Indian  agents,  instrs.  to,  re  aid  in  re- 
covery of  stolen  horses,  39. 

Indiana  Territory,  8,  9,  11,  35,  43,  63, 
144,  153,  178,  200,  210,  256,  411;  act 
for  div.,  6-8;  argument  for  div.,  4-5; 
capital  removed  from  Vincennes,  367; 
comm.  rept.  re  div.,  3-5;  danger  from 
Indians,  264;  defense  measures  against 
Indians,  218,  239,  268  n.,  294;  div. 
discussed,  32,  137,  138;  Edwards 
doubts  concert  with,  247;  election  of 
deleg.  from,  135-137,  207;  estab.  of, 
discussed,  104-105;  Indian  depreda- 
tions in,  287;  instrs.  to  govr.  and 
Indian  agt.,  re  preserv.  of  peace  with 
Indians,  231-232;  Ky.  troops  in,  293; 
land  confirms,  by  govr.  discussed,  211, 
281,  282,  283,  440;  land  sale  in,  416; 
policy  of  govr.  re  loc.  of  militia  rights, 
404;  troop  move,  in,  224;  U.  S. 
rangers  from,  197,  217,  370. 


Por  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  45i 


INDEX 


473 


Indian  superintendency,  united  to  civil 
govr.,  32. 

Indian  trade,  19;  Brit,  traders  engage  in, 
179;  resumption  of,  216;  suspension 
of,  212;  traders  from  Can.  discussed, 
154-157. 

Indian  Trading  Factory  (Chicago), 
abandon,  due  to  Indian  revolt, 
249-250,  256,  267;  business  suspended, 
212;  fur  packs  taken  by  Brit.,  256; 
gen.  success  discussed,  267  n.;  goods 
in,  to  be  given  to  Indians,  261; 
Indian  rels.  near,  195,  219-222;  re- 
sumption of  trade  with  Indians,  216; 
sale  of  arms  to  Indians  stopped,  229, 
230;  situation  at,  184,  185. 

Indian  Trading  Factory  (Michilimacld- 
nac),  appt.  of  Varnum  as  agt.  to,  30; 
goods  for,  diverted  to  Chicago,  36. 

Indian  Trading  Factory  (Prairie  du 
Chien),  importance  discussed,  156. 

Indian  treaties,  annuity  provis.  of 
Kaskaskia,  88;  with  Kaskaskia  In- 
dians, discussed,  75. 

Indians,  50,  65,  114,  410;  acct.  of  mas- 
sacre by,  of  Chicago  garrison,  259, 
261-263;  accused  of  murder  in  La. 
Terr.,  169  n.;  assembly:  on  111.  R., 
248,  along  L.  Mich.  245;  attack  on 
Rector  described,  397-398,  400,  401- 
402;  await  declar.  of  war  by  Brit,  on 
U.  S.,  253,  254;  battle  with  rangers, 
347;  Brit.  rels.  with  discussed,  37, 
154-156,  193-194,  215,  230,  253,  254, 
255,  261-265,  312-313,  327-328,  444- 
447;  consolid.  of,  for  war  discussed, 
238-239;  council  held  at  Sandy  Creek, 
325-327;  council  requested  with,  169; 
depredations  in  La.  Terr.,  246;  desire 
of,  for  return  of  settlers  to  Peoria, 
327;  Edwards  recommend,  as  commr. 
to  treat  with,  411;  escape  of,  from 
prison,  57;  friendly  rels.  with,  69-71, 
203,  216,  219-222;  goods  for,  dis- 
cussed, 52-53,  83;  horse  thieves,  165, 
177,  188-189,  252,  253.  254,  255,  387; 
hostilities,  159-160, 164-166, 169-172, 
174-179,  184,  186-190,  193-194,  195, 
202-203,  212,  223-225,  244-255,  285- 
288,  319,  379-381,  382,  383,  384,  385, 
386,  387;  intent  of,  to  take  Chicago, 
256;  instrs.  to  call  general  council  of. 


to  secure  peace,  231-232;  lack  powder 
for  war,  250,  254,  255;  manag.  of,  dis- 
cussed, 70  n.;  measures  of  defense 
against  discussed,  162-163,  188-190, 
193-194,  197-198,  203  n.,  210,  215- 
216,  217,  239,  246-248,  256-258,  260, 
268-269,  288-293,  294-295,  298,  304- 
308,  310,  311,  321-322,  331-335,  343- 
344,  347-348,  350,  354,  364,  370-373, 
380-381,  422-424,  444-448;  murders 
committed  by,  251,  303,  315;  opinion 
held  by,  of  Americans,  178;  opposed 
to  surveys,  135;  part  opposed  to  war 
with  U.  S.  threatened,  313,  314;  plan 
for  educ.  of,  140;  renewal  of  war  by, 
406,  422-424,  444-448,  451-452;  rept 
re  aflEairs  of,  166-169;  revolt  of,  dis- 
cussed, 312-315;  salt  annuity,  35 
sincerity  of,  questioned,  215;  sketch 
ment.  of  no.  of,  near  Chicago,  253 
turned  back  from  march  to  Piqua 
council,  261;  uncertain  temper  of,  at 
end  of  war,  408-409;  value  of  goods 
supplied  to,  55. 

Inman,  Rufus,  signer,  278. 

Intruders,  discussed,  209. 

Iowa  (lyowais)  Indians,  156;  conf.  with 
party  from  Prophetstown,  245-246; 
divided  as  to  war  with  U.  S.,  313,  326. 

Iowa  (Ayowa)  River,  Brit.  agts.  arrive 
at,  322;  Sioux  Indians  of,  307. 

Irby,  Charles,  witness  to  power  of  atty., 
129. 

Iroquois  River,  Indian  village  on,  251. 

Irwin,  John,  signer,  214. 

Irwin,  Matthew,  abandons  Chicago 
trad,  fact.,  256;  advises  seizure  of 
Brit,  traders,  179;  appd.  agt.,  Chicago 
factory,  19  n.,  35;  compens.  discussed, 
25,  36;  criticizes  policy  of  sutler's 
store  at  Chicago,  66-68;  informed  re 
measures  for  defense  of  Chicago,  210; 
instrs.  to,  re  proceed,  to  Chicago, 
35-36;  letters  ment.  to:  Mason,  19,  25, 
Sec.  War,  180,  195,  210,  216,  256; 
letters  to:  Mason,  216,  256,  Sec.  War, 
66-68,  159-160,  179,  184-185,  195- 
196,  212-213,  219-222;  opinions  re: 
employ,  of  army  sutlers,  195-196, 
Kinzie,  219-220,  measures  of  defense 
against    the    Indians,    195,  methods 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


474 


INDEX 


of  defense  and  prevent,  of  smuggling, 
184-135;  repts.  by  re;  Indian  rels.  in 
Chicago  area,  219-222,  resumption  of 
trade,  216;  schism  with  milit.  officers 
discussed,  219-220;  service  as  factor 
ended,  267. 
Ivy,  Robert,  militia  muster  roll,  233. 

Jackaway,  — ,  held  for  perjury,  95. 

Jackson,  Andrew,  signer,  274. 

Jackson,  George,  signer,  208,  274. 

Jackson,  Rep.  J.  G.,  of  Va.,  recommends 
Griswold  as  judge,  81  n. 

Jackson,  John,  signer,  274. 

Jackson,  Joseph,  signer,  274. 

Jackson,  William,  signer,  274. 

Janis,  Nicholas,  Jr.,  claim  of,  discussed, 
440. 

Janis,  Nicholas,  St.,  claim  of,  432;  claim 
of,  discussed,  440. 

Jarrot  (Jarot),  Nicholas,  227  n.;  admin, 
of  estate  of  Campbell,  155;  commands 
armed  boat,  332;  depos.  favor,  to 
land  commrs.  ment.,  59;  donation  of 
land  by,  to  Guillet,  89;  gift  of  land 
by,  to  La  Trappe  society,  140;  letter 
ment.  to  Edwards,  245;  rept.  ment. 
re  assembly  of  Indians  at  L.  Mich., 
245;  transmits  letters,  306. 

Jarvis,  Field,  militia  muster  roll,  235, 
237. 

Jarvis,  John,  Jr.,  signer,  150. 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  see  President. 

Johnson,  James,  signer,  274. 

Johnson,  Obed,  signer,  274. 

Johnson  Court  House,  mail  schedule  to 
Kaskaskia,  429. 

Johnson  (Johnston),  Rep.  Richard  M., 
of  Ky.,  20,  427;  letter  to  Sec.  State, 
8-9;  plan  ment.  for  raising  troops, 
292,  293;  problem  of  estab.  second 
grade  of  govt,  laid  before,  199-202; 
recommends:  Pope  as  terr.  secy.,  8, 
Thomas  as  judge,  8;  regt.  of,  added 
to  defense  of  terr.,  321. 

Johnson,  William,  signer,  302. 

Johnston,  John,  instrs.  to,  re  preserv.  of 
peace  with  Indians,  231-232. 

Johnston,  John,  signer,  64. 

Johnston,  Nedham,  signer,  208. 

Johnston,  William,  signer,  207. 


Jones,  John  Rice,  brings  suit  against 
Atcheson  estate,  122,  134;  conveys 
land  to  Atcheson,  133;  criticizes  ac- 
tion of  land  commrs.  in  withholding 
deeds,  133-135;  effort  to  defeat,  as 
deleg.  to  Cong.,  136;  in  Washington, 

D.  C,  203  n.;  letter  to  Sec.  Treas., 
133-135. 

Jones,  John  Rice,  and  W.  Morrison, 
affid.  of,  re  state,  of  Penrose  critical 
of  land  commrs.,  133. 

Jones,  Michael,  414;  appd.  adjut.,  48 
bill  in  favor  of  Shaw  discussed,  102 
candidate  for  elec.  as  deleg.,  136-137 
discusses  confirm,  of  land  claims,  431 
dispute  with  Edgar  et  al,  120-129 
expresses  doubt  re  applic.  of  preemp- 
tion law,  379;  fin.  acct.  sent  to  Sec. 
Treas.,  95;  indict,  for  murder  dis- 
cussed, 58-59;  informed  re  appt.  of 
land  agt.,  48;  letters  ment.  to:  Bond, 
379,  Herty,  111,  Sec.  Treas.,  102 
Tiffin,  336,  439;  letters  to:  Morrow, 
141-142,  Sec.  Treas.,  95,  109-110, 
111,  Tiffin,  431-432;  note,  57  n.; 
opinions  re;  pay  of  fees  for  survey  of 
private  claims,  148,  requested  re 
begin,  of  land  sales,  158;  opposes 
estab.  new  land  office  on  the  Ohio, 
141-142;  proposed  action  against 
Edgar  for  slander  discussed,  110-111; 
receives:  law  confirm,  decisions  of 
land  commrs.,  98,  views  of  Sec. 
Treas.  re  land  claims,  99-102;  refusal 
to  deliver  original  deeds  to  J.  R. 
Jones,  133;  regrets  failure  to  receive 
from  Sec.  Treas.  copy  of  libelous 
letters,  110;  request  to,  by  J.  R.  Jones 
for  deeds  to  land,  133;  revision  of 
governor's  confirms,  proposed  by,  141; 
s.  rept.  land  commrs.,  284;  transmits 
supple,  rept.  re  land  claims,  284  n.; 
trial  for  murder  and  acquittal,  95, 102. 

Jones,  Michael,  and  Backus,  charges 
against,  as  land  commrs.,  discussed, 
57-58;  instrs.  to,  re  amend,  rept.  on 
land  claims,  103-105;  land  commrs., 
48;  letters  ment.  to:  Sec.  Treas.,  59, 
144;  letters  to:  Sec.  Treas.,  92,  W.  and 

E.  Rector,  85-86;  official  letters  to 
Sec.  Treas.  stolen,  92.  See  also 
under  Land  Commissioners. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


475 


Jones,  Michael,  and  Bond,  letter  to 
Tiffin,  447-449;  query  re  interpre.  of 
preemption  act  re  sec.  16,  448-449. 

Jones,  Michael,  and  Caldwell,  letter 
ment.  to  Tiffin,  344;  letter  to  Sec. 
Treas.,  329-330;  state,  by,  re  Sloo's 
services  to  land  board,  341. 

Jones,  Judge  Obadiah,  appd.  judge: 
ID.  Terr.,  14,  Miss.  Terr.,  81,  82,  108, 
109;  letters  ment.  to:  Crawford,  60, 
108,  109;  letter  to  Crawford,  60-62; 
inquires  re  econ.  conditions  in  Ga., 
62;  proposed  route  of,  to  Ga.,  61; 
record  of  service  as  judge,  82  n.;  resid. 
as  judge  discussed,  61;  resig.,  71,  81, 
82;  salary  discussed,  14  n.,  108-109; 
s.  petition,  72;  visit  to  La.  Terr.,  60, 
61. 

Jones,  Peter,  Indian  annuity  placed  in 
hands  of,  47. 

Jones,  Rice,  election  to  terr.  leg.,  122; 
murder  of,  18  n.,  23,  32,  33,  46,  58  n., 
122,  138. 

Jones,  Capt.  William,  227  n. 

Jones,  William,  see  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  (act.) . 

Jones,  William,  signer,  150. 

Jordan,  Joseph,  signer,  208. 

Jordan,  William,  signer,  277. 

Jordan,  — ,  surety  for,  433. 

Jordan's  station,  mail  schedule,  428. 

Jordon,  Frs.,  signer,  208. 

Jordon,  William,  signer,  277. 

Jorney,  John,  signer,  273. 

Jouett,  Charles,  fears  change  of  terr. 
bound,  on  Indian  agency,  65-66; 
instrs.  to,  re  admin,  of  agency,  50; 
letters  ment.  to:  act.  Sec.  War,  40, 
Sec.  War,  50;  letters  to:  act.  Sec.  War, 
40,  Sec.  War,  65-66;  request  privilege 
of  visit.  Washington,  D.  C,  66. 

Judges,  see  Territorial  Judges. 

Judy,  Capt.  Samuel,  227  n. ;  attends  conf . 
militia  officers,  188. 

Jurdan,  Elias,  signer,  277. 

Jurney,  Ens.  John,  signer,  301. 

Jurney,  Lt.  Nathaniel,  former  militia 
officer,  301;  signer,  301. 

Jurney,  William,  signer,  302. 

Justice  of  the  peace,  126;  appt.  of,  69  n. 


Kanada,  David,  militia  muster  roll,  235. 

Kankankee  (Kiankakee;  Teakakee;  Tea- 
kiki)  River,  251;  Indian  forces  on,  229; 
Potawatomi  Indians  on,  178;  pro- 
posed Indian  assembly  at  mouth  of, 
159-160. 

Kaskaskia  (Casca;  Kaskaskias),  59, 
120,  129,  130,  131,  132,  136,  137,  138, 
174,  181,  201,  302,  399,  430;  area  east 
of,  harrassed  by  Indians,  331;  bill 
discussed  re  road  to,  from  Shawnee- 
town,  420;  estab.  of  road  to,  from 
Shawneetown  and  Saline  urged,  297, 
407-408;  fear  of  attack  on,  239;  land 
claims  discussed,  100;  loc.  in  rel.  to 
Shawneetown,  63;  office  of  land 
commrs.  in,  281;  party  faction  in, 
61-62;  p.m.  at,  to  convey  mail  to 
Henderson,  Ky.,  413;  procl.  land 
sale  to  be  publd.  in  newspaper  in,  417; 
proposed  Indian  attack  on,  263;  seat 
of  terr.  govt.,  8,  10,  11,  17,  18,  46,  47; 
postal  service:  contracts  discussed,  82, 
182,  213,  danger  from  Indians,  333, 
duty  of  p.m.  to  forward  mail,  151, 
import,  of,  as  mail  center,  308,  irreg- 
ularities, 112,  180,  211,  275,  294, 
routes  to  and  from,  82,  112,  180,  182, 
184,  211,  213,  279,  428,  429,  sched- 
ules, 192,  428-429;  state  of  roads  to 
Washington,  D.  C,  94;  survey  of 
commonfield  discussed,  145. 

Kaskaskia  Indians,  annuities  discussed, 
47,  75,  88;  desire  erection  of  church, 
75;  effect  of  liquor  sale  among,  52; 
horses  stolen  from,  by  Kickapoo,  51; 
removal  of  part  of,  to  La.  Terr.,  246; 
support  of,  by  Edwards,  315. 

Kaskaskia  Land  District,  133,  416,  450; 
accuracy  of  surveys,  375  n.;  applic.  of 
preemption  law,  388;  appt.  of  re- 
ceiver, 211;  decisions  of  commrs.  dis- 
cussed, 98-99,  120-129;  discovery  of 
salt  deposits,  430-431;  estab.  of  land 
claims  discussed,  90-94;  extent  of 
Renault's  claim,  143-144;  instrs.  to 
reg.  and  rec,  344-345;  insufficient 
compen.  for  elk.  ot  land  commrs.,  94; 
land  commrs.  cease  operations,  161; 
map  of,  described,  375  n.;  private 
claims  surveyed,  66;  rept.  of  land 
commrs.  sent  to  Sec.  Treas.,  96;  repts. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


476 


INDEX 


on:  decisions  re  claims  discussed, 
103-105,  land  claims  completed,  143- 
144,  163;  review  of  valid  and  in- 
valid claims  in,  281-284;  settle,  of 
land  claims  discussed,  120-129, 
135-139;  surveys  approved,  356;  title 
granted  by  govrs.  to  be  examined, 
211;  unlocated  claims,  403;  work  of 
Sloo  as  land  commr.,  340-341. 

Kaskaskia  Land  Office,  449;  act  re  con- 
firm, of  claims  sent  to,  414;  appt.  of 
agt.  to  comrars.,  48-49;  Caldwell 
appd.  rec,  417,  418;  letter  ment.  from 
reg.  of,  336;  only  one  in  terr.,  153; 
proposed  removal  of,  142;  qualif.  of 
receiver,  222;  remoteness  from  newly 
survd.  lands  discussed,  153-154;  va- 
cancy in  office  of  rec,  173,  180. 

Kaskaskia  River,  137,  257,  304;  bound, 
line,  100;  milit.  forces  operate  n.  of, 
331. 

Keeling,  E.,  signer,  207. 

Keeling,  E.  A.,  signer,  152. 

Kelly,  James,  signer,  152. 

Kelly,  William,  applies  for  reappt.  as 
adjut.,  48;  letter  to  Edwards,  48. 

Kenan,  Rep.  Thomas,  of  N.  C,  recom- 
mends Holmes  as  judge,  9. 

Kennedy,  David,  militia  muster  roll, 
237. 

Kennedy,  Samuel  Simpson,  appd.  secy, 
of  meet.,  31;  attests  sig.,  32;  oncomm. 
to  recommend  appt.  of  govr.,  31. 

Kennerly,  Lt.  George  H.,  423. 

Kentucky,  10,  11,  18,  46,  63,  129,  130, 
166,  201,  223,  243,  344,  350,  358,  411, 
423;  Edwards  appd.  from,  23,  29,  45, 
270;  import,  of  slaves  from,  proposed, 
297;  judge  of  La.  Terr,  lives  in,  61; 
milit.  aid  requested  of  govr.,  265; 
Pope  appd.  secy,  from,  340;  popul.  of 
111.  Terr,  move  to,  164;  rangers  to  be 
organ.,  197;  surveyors  imported  from, 
78;  troops  from:  offered  to  Edwards, 
248,  ordered  to  aid  defense,  239,  to 
be  raised  in,  292;  U.  S.  rangers 
raised  in,  217;  volunteers  from,  293. 

Kenyon,  Henry,  signer,  64,  152,  278. 

Kermack,  Isaac,  militia  muster  roll,  226. 

Kerns,  Jacob,  signer,  302. 

Kersey,  John,  signer,  153. 

Kesterson,  Larkin,  signer,  275. 


Kickapoo  (Kaicapoos;  Kikapo)  Indians, 
401;  attack  and  destroy  Peoria,  311 
attend  council  at  Sandy  Creek,  327 
charged  with  horse  stealing,  51,  115 
combine  with  other  tribes  for  attack, 
203;  conf.  with,  215;  defeat  of,  271 
286;  failure  to  sue  for  peace,  408 
hold  council  with  Potawatomi,  194 
hostile  assembly  predicted,  159-160 
hostile  intentions,  263,  264,  287 
involved  in  murder  of  O'Neal  family, 
229  n.;  loc.  of,  176;  loiterers,  448 
party  of,  at  Prophetstown,  325;  pil- 
lage houses  in  Peoria,  380;  principal 
raiders  on  frontier,  313;  receive 
powder  from  Brit.,  312;  refuse  conf. 
with  Edwards,  197  n.;  rept.  on  mis- 
sion to,  228-231;  threaten  Fox  and 
Sauk,  307;  urge  massacre  of  inhabs. 
of  Peoria,  380;  urge  Sioux  to  war,  314; 
village  burned,  354;  village  on  Mink 
River  destroyed,  331,  332,  334. 

Kincheloe,  William,  signer,  208. 

Kinchlow,  William,  signer,  152. 

King,  John,  signer,  274. 

King,  John,  signer,  277. 

King,  John  Edgar,  recommend,  as 
judge,  12  n. 

King,  Robert,  376,  criticizes  survey 
plats,  368-369;  letter  sent  to  Meigs, 
369;  letters  to:  Meigs,  353,  Tiffin, 
368-369;  note,  368. 

Kinney,  William,  signer,  150. 

Kinzie  (Kinzey),  John,  agt.  of,  trades 
with  Shawnee  Prophet,  220;  agts.  of, 
at  Milwaukee,  Peoria  and  Stony 
River,  220;  appd.  army  sutler,  184; 
brings  unauthorized  goods  to  Chicago, 
184-185;  eyewitness  to  Chicago  mas- 
sacre, 261;  Indian  policy  criticized, 
219-220;  letter  to  Forsyth,  248-250; 
prices  at  store  of,  68  n.;  rel.  of,  to 
Forsyth,  248  n.;  rept.  by,  re  Indian 
councils  at  Milwaukee,  247-249. 

Kinzie  &  Forsyth,  alleged  machinations 
in  Indian  campaigns,  196;  effort 
secure  appt.  as  sutlers,  196;  house 
burned,  387;  list  of  losses  at  Peoria, 
382-383;  recog.  as  army  sutlers, 
196-197. 

Kirkpatrick,  Francis,  militia  muster 
roll,  226,  232. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


477 


Kirkpatrick,  James,  militia  muster  roll, 

227,  233. 
Kitchewaakeekee,    Menominee   village, 

rept.  by  LeClair  on,  254. 
Kramer,  G.  D.,  signer,  213. 

Labelle,  Charle,  signer,  382. 

Labroix,  — ,  117. 

Lachapelle,  S.,  signer,  214. 

La  Chapelle,  — ,  transmits  letter  to 
Harrison,  30. 

Lae,  James,  signer,  277. 

Lake  Erie,  446;  battle  of,  365. 

Lake  Huron,  244,  446. 

Lake  Michigan,  65,  176,  221,  286,  306, 
408,  446;  arrival  of  Brit,  supplies  for 
Indians  at  south,  end  of,  312-313; 
bound,  line,  3;  Brit.  rels.  with  Indians 
on,  37;  conf.  with  Indians  from,  215; 
exped.  against  Indians  on,  recom- 
mend., 333;  Indians  gather  on  w. 
border  of,  244;  Indians  w.  of,  intend 
gen.  war,  314. 

Lake  St.  Clair,  446. 

Lake  Superior,  244. 

Lake  Winnepeg  (Winnepic),  409. 

Lake  of  the  Woods,  point  on  bound, 
line,  3. 

Land,  ancient  grants  discussed,  99,  103, 
104,  143,  439;  appt.  of  agt.  re  claims 
to,  48-49;  begin,  of  corr.  re,  12-13; 
bill  re  settl.  of  donation  claims  dis- 
cussed, 419-420;  Brit,  grants  dis- 
cussed, 104;  character  of,  79,  367, 
374;  claims  and  adjustment  of  titles 
discussed  or  ment.,  58,  98-99,  102, 
121-129,  133-135,  139,  141,  144,  161, 
336-337,  403-405,  414,  431-432; 
claims  confirm,  by  govrs.  discussed, 
99,  211,  338,  440;  classif.  of  claims 
discussed,  99,  103-105,  143,  164, 
282-283;  donation  claims  discussed, 
98,  99,  143,  337-339,  402-405;  float- 
ing claims,  405;  forfeitures  discussed, 
449,  450;  forgery  and  perjury  re 
claimsto,  91,  94,  339;  Fr.  grants,  100; 
gilt  of,  to  Trappist  order,  140;  grants 
to  support  ferries  discussed,  191; 
hold,  of,  as  qualif.  for  office  discussed, 
72,  74;  improv.  rights,  99,  143,  405; 
instrs.  re  selec.  of  lands  near  U.  S. 
Saline  to  be  excluded  from  sale,  414; 


interpret,  of  act  re  confirm,  of  claims, 
439-440;  intruders,  209;  islands  in 
Miss.  R.  to  be  survd.  441;  large  amt. 
to  be  survd.  and  sold,  366;  lease  along 
post  roads  discussed,  198-199;  legis. 
memorial  re  loe.  of  claims  to,  402-405; 
list  of  townships  with  private  claims, 
86-87;  method  of  determin.  claims  to, 
90-92,  93-94;  militia  claims  &  rights, 
98,  99,  143;  mineral  lands  excluded 
from  private  ownership,  430;  owner- 
ship a  qualif.  for  suffrage  and  office 
holding,  204,  205-206;  petition  re 
more  liberal  policy  of  distrib.,  272- 
275,  276;  prior  hist,  of  claims  to, 
98  n.;  private  claims  discussed,  77, 
79-80,  rept.  on,  163;  plats  of  surveys 
sent  to  G.L.O.,  343;  procl.  for  sale 
printed,  428;  pub.  sale  discussed,  163- 
164,  204-205,  422;  repts.  by  commrs. 
re,  claims  discussed,  98-99,  109-110, 
158-159;  represent,  of  Tiffin  re  dis- 
cussed, 395-396;  resol.  of  terr.  leg. 
re  more  liberal  policy  of  distrib.,  279- 
280;  review  of  valid  and  invalid 
claims,  281-284;  right  of  terr.  to  tax, 
296;  sale  discussed  or  ment.,  74,  158, 
199,  200,  209,  296,  335-336,  369-370, 
421,  422,  429;  sale  of  reserved,  ex- 
cluded, 344-345;  sale  procld.  in 
Shawneetown  L.  0.,  416-417;  spec- 
ulation ment.,  49;  status  of  surveys 
under  author,  of  govrs.,  13;  subdiv. 
at  the  expense  ol  purchasers  discussed, 
394;  surveys  discussed  or  mentioned, 
66,  77-80,  84-88,  89,  96-97,  106-107, 
142,  145-146,  146-148,  163-164,  181- 
182  (see  also  under  Surveys);  tract 
set  aside  for  claimants  discussed, 
329-330. 
Land  Commissioners,  Kaskaskia  Land 
District  (Michael  Jones,  Elijah 
Backus,  John  Caldwell,  and  Thomas 
Sloo),  76,  84;  add.  compens.  to,  pro- 
posed, 161;  author,  to  direct  surveys 
discussed,  20-22;  charges  against,  dis- 
cussed, 57-58,  59-60;  charges  by,  of 
fraud  and  perjury  by  Edgar  discussed, 
120-129;  claim  of,  for  allowance,  142; 
confirms,  by,  discussed,  103-105,  109; 
conflict  with  Biggs  re  claims,  136-139; 
criticism  of,  for:  misinterpret,  instrs.. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  JiSIf 


478 


INDEX 


158-161,  withholding  original  papers 
from  claimants,  133-135;  decisions: 
confirm,  claims  discussed,  99-102, 
121-129;  desire  investig.  of  confirms, 
by  govr.,  141;  doubts  of,  re  applic.  of 
preemption  law,  379;  functions  cease, 
158,  161;  instrs.  ment.  re  survey  of 
commonfield,  145;  instrs.  to,  re  amend, 
rept.,  103-105;  letters  ment.  to:  Mans- 
field, 21,  22,  Rector,  12,  Sec.  Treas., 
92,  94,  439;  letter  to  Sec.  Treas. 
281-284;  modus  operandi  discussed, 
121,  123;  opinion  re  survey  of  private 
claims,  85-86;  policy  criticized, 
135-139;  recommends,  re  confirm,  of 
claims  discussed,  336-339;  repts.  by, 
re  land  claims  discussed,  96,  143-144, 
163,  337-339,  431-432,  439-440;  Sloo 
appd.  a?,  340;  transmits  plat  of  tract 
desig.  for  claimants,  329;  work  of, 
discussed,  90-92,  93-94.  See  also 
Backus,  Elijah;  Jones,  Michael;  Cald- 
well, John;  Sloo,  Thomas;  Kaskaskia 
Land  District. 

Land  offices,  estab.  discussed,  279,  402, 
407-408;  petition  for  estab.  of  add., 
153-154;  proposed  estab.  of  new,  in 
n.  part  of  terr.,  142;  proposed  on 
Ohio  R.,  141-142. 

Lang,  Joseph,  signer,  64. 

Langford,  Eli,  landing  place  of,  on 
Miss.  R.,  118,  119. 

Langford,  John  W.,  signer,  153. 

Langley,  — ,  of  Ohio,  67. 

L'Anglois,  E.,  tract  of,  100. 

Langlois,  — ,  accused  of  complicity  in 
murder,  58  n. 

Lapanc^,  Antoine,  signer,  382. 

La  Prime,  Sauk  Indian,  joins  enemies  oi 
U.  S.,  307. 

Larner,  Patrick,  signer,  204. 

La  Roque  (Roc),  Joseph,  interpret,  to 
Sioux  Indians,  315;  letters  ment.  to 
Boilvin,  315;  letter  to  Boilvin,  316; 
rept.  by,  re  Indian  intentions,  316; 
tempor.  Indian  agt.  at  Prairie  du 
Chien,  316  n. 

Lash,  James,  signer,  214. 

Lasond  (Lasonde),  Louis,  land  deed  of, 
to  Edgar  forged,  126. 


La  Trappe,  Society  of,  bill  for  the  relin- 
quish, to,  of  tract,  89-90;  petition  by, 
for  grant  of  land,  140-141. 

Leach,  Humphrey,  signer,  277. 

Leach,  — ,  rept.  by,  re  Indiana  troop 
move.,  224. 

Lead,  value  of  manufact.  from,  dis- 
cussed, 156. 

Lead  mines,  143;  discussed,  258-259; 
import,  of,  156;  in  La.  Terr.,  61;  lease 
approved,  160;  leases  discussed,  105; 
petition  for  lease  of,  279;  excluded 
from  sale,  430. 

Leard,  James,  signer,  214. 

Leard,  Samuel,  signer,  214. 

Le  Bleu  Laigle,  Sauk  chief,  fears  attack 
ot  Sioux  against  tribe,  307. 

Le  Brave,  Sauk  Indian,  joins  enemies  of 
U.  S.,  307. 

Le  Clair  (Le  Clere;  Le  Claire),  Antoine, 
387;  accompanies  Forsyth  on  mission, 
325;  arrival  at  and  departure  from 
Milwaukee,  254;  carries  letter  to 
Kinzie,  248;  date  of  arrival  at  Peoria 
from  tour,  255;  horse  stolen  from,  253; 
instrs.  to,  by  Forsyth,  253;  list  of 
losses  sustained  by,  at  Peoria,  386; 
mission  discussed,  230;  rept.  of  tour 
to  Indian  country,  252,  253-255; 
signer,  382;  s.  affids.,  383,  384,  385; 
trip  among  Indian  nations  discussed, 
245;  visit  to  Milwaukee  discussed, 
248. 

Le  Clair,  Francois,  s.  affidavit,  387. 

Le  Comte  (Le  Cont),  Maj.  Pierre,  288. 

Le  Dardeur,  Sauk  Indian,  joins  enemies 
of  U.  S..  307. 

Ledbetter,  Asa,  signer,  277. 

Lee,  Benjamin,  signer,  274. 

Lee,  Bennoney,  signer,  277. 

Lee,  Bennoney,  signer,  277. 

Lee,  Benoney,  signer,  208,  274. 

Lee,  Jams,  signer,  214. 

Lee,  James,  Jr.,  signer,  274. 

Lee,  James,  Jr.,  signer,  274. 

Lee,  James,  Sr.,  signer,  274. 

Lee,  James,  Sr.,  signer,  274. 

Lee,  Ralph,  signer,  214. 

Lee,  Richard,  signer,  273. 

Lee,  Samuel,  signer,  301. 

Legg,  Jacob,  signer,  278. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  4S4 


INDEX 


479 


LeMoine,  — ,  Brit,  trader,  house  of,  at 

Peoria  not  burned,  310. 
Lemon     (Lemmon),     William,     militia 

muster  roll,  226,  232. 
LeVasseur,  Pierre,  signer,  382. 
Levens    (Levins),    Henry,  alleges    land 

commrs.  unfriendly  to  Biggs,  137-138; 

depos.  favor,  to  land  commrs.  ment., 

59;  signer,  214. 
Levens,  Otho,  signer,  214. 
Levens,   Thomas,   militia   muster   roll, 

235,  signer,  214. 
Levering,  Capt.  Samuel,  death  of,  175; 

letter  to  Edwards,  175-179;  proposal 

for    return    of    property    stolen    by 

Indians,   178,   179;  rep.   of  Edwards 

at  Indian  council,  169-170,  174-175; 

rept.  by,  re  Indian  council,  175-179. 
Lewis,  Meriwether,  Govr.,  La.  Terr.,  25, 

37;  appts.  Dubuque  as  Indian  agt., 

54;  author,  over  Sauk  Indians,  40; 

death  of,  69,  70  n. 
Lexington  (Ky.),  161. 
Lexington    (Ky.)    Gazette,    procl.    land 

sale  to  be  publd.  in,  417. 
Linn,  Charles,  signer,  152. 
Linn,  Jeames,  signer,  152. 
Little  Calumet  River,  friendly  attitude 

of  Indians  near,  219. 
Little   Chief   (Okemas),   Ottawa  chief, 

178. 
Little  Deer,  Kickapoo  chief,  leads  tribe 

on  raids,  313. 
Little  Muddy  River,  mail  schedule,  428. 
Little  Rock,  Indian  \nllage,  255. 
Little  Shawnee   (Mo.),  mail  schedule, 

429. 
Little,  Tomas,  signer,  208. 
Little  Wabash  River,  milit.  oper.  up, 

331;    murder   of   settler    near,    303; 

surveys  near,  400. 
Little,  William,  signer,  214. 
Liveley,  James,  signer,  214. 
Liveley,  Joseph,  signer,  214. 
Lively,  Shadrach,  signer,  214. 
Livingston  County  (Ky.),  postal  service 

from  Shawneetown,  157. 
Logan,  James,  signer,  64. 
Logan  County  (Ky.),  129-130. 
Lomax,  Alexander,  signer,  153. 
Long,  Jonas,  signer,  273. 


Louisiana  Gazette,  resols.  of  militia  sent 
to,  for  publ.,  189. 

Louisiana  Territory,  11,  32,  37,  38,  173, 
178;  Cherokee  emig.  to,  246;  corn- 
pens,  allowed  for  elk.  to  land  commrs., 
94;  danger  from  Indians,  245;  Ed- 
wards advises  concert  with,  247; 
hostile  intentions  of  Sioux  towards, 
253;  Indian  depredations,  194,  246, 
251;  law  against  horse  stealing  dis- 
cussed, 114;  Renault's  claims  in,  143, 
144;  resid.  of  judge,  61. 

Louisville  (Ky.),  instrs.  to  p.m.  at:  to 
route  mail  to  111.  via  Henderson,  181, 
to  supply  equipment  to  p.o.  at 
Kaskaskia,  180,  181,  213. 

Louisville  (Ky.)  Correspondent,  procl. 
land  sale  to  be  publd.  in,  417. 

Loutre  settlement  (La.  Terr.),  Indian 
depredations,  251. 

Love,  Joseph,  signer,  64. 

Lowry,  David,  signer,  278. 

Lowry,  William,  applies  for  appt.  as 
rec,  173-174;  letter  to  Sec.  State, 
173-174. 

Lucas,  John,  signer,  214. 

Lusk  (Lust),  John  T.,  militia  muster 
roll,  226,  232. 

Lxisk,  Vance,  signer,  274. 

Lynwood  (White)  Island,  Miami  In- 
dians from,  229. 

Lyon,  Rep.  Matthew,  of  Ky.,  agt.  of 
mail  contractor,  157;  characterizes 
appts.  in  terr.,  17-18;  letters  ment.  to: 
P.M.G.,  192;  letters  to:  Edgar,  17-18, 
Mansfield,  97-98;  opponent  of  ad- 
min., 17;  petition  to,  by  inhabs.  of 
Shawneetown,  62-64;  recommends: 
Dobbins  to  lay  out  Shawneetown, 
97-98,  King  as  judge,  12  n.,  Priestly 
as  judge,  12  n.,  18. 

McArthur,  John,  bondsman  of  Finney, 
56;  censured  for  failure  of  mails,  90, 
112;  instrs.  to,  re  collection  of  drafts, 
139;  letter  ment.  to  P.M.G.,  114; 
mail  contractor,  82, 140;  penalized  for 
failure  of  post  rider,  151. 

McBride,  John,  signer,  214. 

McBride,  William,  signer,  214. 

McCall,  James  B.,  recommend,  as  survr., 
78. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


480 


INDEX 


McCarty  (Mackarty),  Jacob,  land  claim 

assigned  to  Edgar,  123,  126,  128,  131; 

land    claim    rejected,    128;    rel.    to 

Stanley  family,  126. 
McCarty,  Jacob,  and  D.  Stanley,  power 

of  atty.  to  A.  Stanley,  130-131. 
McClosky,  Laurance  M.,  signer,  204. 
McClure,  Samuel,  signer,  153. 
McCollister,  Thomas,  signer,  208. 
McConnel,  John,  signer,  64. 
McCormack,  Andrew,  signer,  214. 
McCormik,  Joseph,  signer,  150. 
McCourtny,  Joseph,  signer,  214. 
McCoy,  Walter,  signer,  275. 
McCoy,  William,  signer,  277. 
McCree,  Arthur,  signer,  277. 
McDaniel,  William,  Sr.,  signer,  214. 
McDonald,  — ,  discharge  from  Chicago 

agency  ordered,  50. 
Mcdonough,  Stace,  signer,  214. 
Mace,  Henry,  militia  muster  roll,  226, 

233. 
Mace,    Septimus,    militia   muster   roll, 

226,  232. 
McFadin,   James,    militia   muster   roll 

233. 
McFaggon,  — ,  permit  to  seek  stolen 

horses,  39. 
McFarlan,  James,  signer,  274. 
McFerron,   Joseph,   draft   in   favor  of 

McArthur,  139;  letter  ment.  P.M.G., 

183;    p.m.  at   Cape  Girardeau,  La. 

Terr.,  183. 
McFerron,  Joshua,  draft  on,  in  favor 

of  McArthur,  139. 
McGough,  John,  witness  to  power  of 

atty.,  129. 
McGowen,   Patrick,  soldier,  221;    ad- 
venture of,  222. 
McHenry,  Capt.  William,  raises  comp. 

of  rangers,  317;    settlement  endan- 
gered, 223,  224;  signer,  208. 
Mcllmurray's  station,  on  Miss.  R.,  147. 
Mclsack,  Isaac,  signer,  153. 
Mackinac  (Mich.  Terr.),    see     Michili- 

mackinac. 
McKinney  (McKinny),  Daniel,  militia 

muster  roll,  235,  237;  signer,  302. 
McKinny,  William,  signer,  208. 
McMulIen,  Robert,  signer,  153. 
McNabb,  Charles,  signer,  213. 
McNabb,  James,  signer,  213. 


McNair,  Col.  Alexander,  in  campaign 
against  Indians,  370. 

McNeal,  Uil.,  signer,  302. 

Macoy,  Walter,  signer,  277. 

Macoy,  Zekel,  signer,  277. 

McPherson  (McFerson),  John,  claims 
to  Stanley  lands,  127. 

Madcalf,  Emanuel  (Amanuel,  Manuel), 
signer,  208,  274,  277. 

Madcalf,  Joel,  signer,  208. 

Madison,  James,  see  President;  Secre- 
tary of  State. 

Madison  County  (Miss.  Terr.),  109. 

Madox,  Alexander,  signer,  302. 

Magruder,  Patrick,  certifies  act,  8. 

Mail  contractors,  failure  discussed,  112, 
191,  211,  294;  failure  on  Henderson- 
Shawneetown  route,  412;  instrs.  ment. 
to,  re  better  service,  276,  278;  rider 
for,  fined  for  negligence,  339. 

Mail  contracts,  354;  completed  with 
Morrison,  205;  contractor  fined,  73; 
cost  of,  213;  discussed,  275,  294; 
failure  to  fulfill,  90;  Kaskaskia-New 
Madrid  route  discussed,  182-183; 
list  of,  82;  names,  routes  and  dates, 
184;  proposals  for,  428-429;  value  of, 
183,  184.  See  also  Postmaster 
General. 

Main  Poque  (Mainpoc;  Mainpocks), 
Potawatomi  chief,  286;  accepts  chal- 
lenge of  battle  with  U.  S.,  313; 
arrival  at  Ft.  Maiden,  230;  charged 
with  theft,  116-120;  expected  return 
from  Ft.  Maiden,  246;  forwards  sup- 
plies from  Ft.  Maiden,  263;  goes  to 
Detroit,  177;  intended  visit  to  De- 
troit, 326;  sends  war  message  from 
Ft.  Maiden,  262;  to  receive  powder 
from  F^.  Maiden,  251;  village  of,  on 
Fox  R.,  178,  251,  255. 

Maiden  (Can.),  305,  446;  Brit.  agts.  at, 
incite  Indians  against  U.  S.,  380; 
Indians  find  difficulty  in  reach.,  314, 
315;  strength  of,  326;  Tecumseh 
visits,  286.     See  also  Fort  Maiden. 

Mallier,  PoUitte,  signer,  382. 

Manegle,  J.,  depos.  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59. 

Manning,  Welding,  signer,  277. 

Mansfield,  Jared,  survr.  gen.,  146,  366; 
approves  Rector's  surveys,  356;  com- 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


481 


mends  Dobbins  as  survr.,  406;  con- 
tract ment.  with  Messinger,  442; 
corrs.  ment.  with  Dobbins,  419; 
credit  for,  113;  describes  method  of 
survey.,  374-375;  Dobbins  recom- 
mended to,  97-98;  extract  of  letter 
to  Meigs,  374-375;  informed  re 
progress  in  surveying  Shawneetown, 
148-149;  instrs.  by,  re  survey  of  pri- 
vate and  pub.  lands,  20-22,  84-86, 
96-97;  instrs.  to,  re:  clearing  way  for 
pub.  land  sales,  163-164,  running  sec. 
lines,  135,  survey  of  town  lots,  112; 
letters  ment.  to:   Dobbins,   148,   181, 

425,  Meigs,  376,  Messinger,  106, 
Rector,  86,  88,  96,  Sec.  Treas.,  66,  77, 
112,    135;   letters   to:   Dobbins,   425- 

426,  Rector,  20-22,  Sec.  Treas.,  180- 
181;  orders  suspension  of  unauthor- 
ized surveys,  21-22;  receives  credit 
through  Cincinnati  land  dist.,  66; 
receives  advice  from  Edwards  re 
Shawneetown,  107-108;  receives  re- 
commend, for  U.  S.  pay.  of  private 
surveys,  146-148;  receives  recom- 
mend, of  Robinson  as  survr.,  76; 
recommends  act  of  Cong,  re  pay  for 
surveys,  147;  recommends  E.  Rector 
as  receiver,  180-181;  repts.  to,  re 
status  of  surveys,  12-13,  76-80,  89, 
145-146.     See  also  Surveyor  General. 

Mansfield,  John  F.,  13,  78;  draws  map 
of  Kaskaskia  and  Shawneetown  Land 
dists.,  375  n.;  furlough  granted  to, 
319;  requested  to  make  copies  of 
plats,  145. 

Mansfield,  Mary,  146. 

Manson,  John,  signer,  64. 

Marietta  (Ohio),  158,  448. 

Marney,  Thomas,  militia  muster  roll, 
237. 

Martin  (Martan),  Lt.  Pierre,  attends 
militia  conf.,  188;  signer,  382. 

Martin,  Thomas,  mil.  storekeeper, 
instrs.  to,  re  arms  for  terr.  govrs.,  218. 

Mason,  John,  informed  re:  abandon,  of 
Chicago  Trad.  Fact.,  256,  resumption 
of  trade,  216;  informs  Irwin  of  end 
of  service  as  factor,  267;  instrs.  re 
pay  to  Irwin,  25;  letters  to  Irwin,  19, 
25,  35-36,267;  sends  remit,  to  Irwin, 
36. 


Masterson,  Michael,  signer,  150. 

Matheny,  Charles  R.,  militia  muster 
roll,  232. 

Mathewson,  Sen.  Elisha,  of  R.  I., 
recommends  Griswold  as  judge,  81  n. 

Maulding,  Taylor,  signer,  207. 

Maxwell,  Hugh  J.,  signer,  214. 

May,  Morris,  signer,  208. 

Mayens  (Myars),  John,  militia  muster 
roll,  235. 

Mazes,  Thomas,  signer,  277. 

Meacham,  Joseph,  on  comm.  to  recom- 
mend govr.,  31. 

Mears,  William,  appd.  and  commd. 
U.  S.  atty.,  352,  366;  as  terr.  atty. 
gen.  cannot  prosec.  counterfeiters, 
345-346;  instrs.  to,  re  legal  action 
against  Robinson,  395;  letters  to: 
Pres.,  345-346,  Sec.  State,  366; 
recommend,  as  U.  S.  atty.,  302,  348. 

Mechegee,  Henry,  signer,  277. 

Mechegee,  William,  signer,  277. 

Megango,  Potawatomi  Indians  at,  178. 

Meigs,  Josiah,  survr.  gen.,  absence  from 
survr.  gen.  office,  448;  advises  Sloo 
to  secure  supplies  in  Cincinnati,  427; 
confirmed  as  survr.  gen.,  309  n.; 
encloses  Mansfield-Dobbins  corr.  re 
survey  of  Shawneetown,  424-426;  in- 
formed re  questionable  land  entries, 
430-431;  instrs.  to,  re:  correction  of 
surveys,  318,  378,  Dobbins's  acct., 
412,  return  of  surveys  in  Shawnee- 
town dist.,  335-336,  revision  of  sur- 
veyed plats,  369;  letters  ment.  to: 
Messinger,  441,  Tiffin,  318,  320,  353, 
364,  375,  376,  378,  396,  413,  417,  436, 
440;  letters  to  Tiffin,  309,  320-321, 
329,  330-331,  351,  355-357,  360,  365, 
374-376,  389-390,  393-394,  395-396, 
400-401,  406-407,  412,  418-419,  421- 
422,  424-427,  436-437,  448;  new  loc. 
for  survr.  gen.  office  recommended, 
366-368;  opinion  re  effect  of  pub.  sale 
of  unsold  lots  in  Shawneetown,  448; 
opinion  re  purpose  of  dep.  survrs., 
393;  petition  to,  re  improve,  of  plan 
of  Shawneetown,  390-391;  praises 
work  of  W.  Rector  as  survr.,  376; 
promises  correction  of  surveys,  377; 
query  re  survey  of  islands  in  Miss.  R., 
436;  query  re  unsold  lots  in  Shawnee- 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


482 


INDEX 


town,  436;  receives  acct.  of  Indian 
attack  on  Rector,  401-402;  receives 
applic.  for  survey  work,  419-420; 
receives  recommend,  re  milit.  aid  for 
survrs.,  398-399;  recommends  change 
of  loc.  of  Shawneetown,  395-396; 
repts.  by,  re:  plan  of  Shawneetown, 
309,  320-321,  poor  site  of  Shawnee- 
town, 357-360,  361,  progress  of  sur- 
veys, 374-376;  salary  on  deposit  in 
Washington  bank,  397;  sends  to 
G.L.O.:  claim  of  Dobbins  for  pay  as 
survr.,  406,  further  changes  in  Shaw- 
neetown plat,  330-331,  letters  of 
Griswold  and  Rector,  360,  plats  of 
twps.,  351,  plats  of  surveys,  363, 
356,  357,  364,  365,  393,  revised  plat 
of  Shawneetown,  329.  See  also  Sur- 
veyor General. 

Meigs,  Sen.  Return  J.,  Jr.,  of  Ohio,  in- 
formed re  work  of  elk.  to  land  commrs., 
90-92.     See  also  Postmaster  General. 

Mekkele,  William,  signer,  278. 

Mekleroy,  William,  signer,  302. 

Menard,  Capt.  Francis,  command.s 
armed  boat,  288. 

Menard,  Pierre,  exper.  in  Rocky  Mts., 
411;  s.  legis.  memorial,  405;  recom- 
mended to  command  force  in  upper 
Mo.  R.,  411;  signer,  272;  surveys  by, 
84,  85. 

Menominee  (Falsovoins,  Fols  Avoines) 
Indians,  250;  conf.  with  other  tribes 
at  Milwaukee,  249;  deleg.  accompany 
Dickson  to  Can.,  249;  kill  cattle  of 
Boilvin,  316;  receive  powder  from 
Brit.,  312;  visit:  Ft.  Maiden,  253, 
Prairie  du  Chien  agency,  71. 

Messinger,  John,  criticism  of  Rector's 
surveys,  106-107;  desires  work  as 
survr.,  106-107;  instrs.  to,  re  forward- 
ing letters,  151;  letter  ment.  to 
Mansfield,  106;  letters  to:  Mansfield, 
106-107,  Meigs,  441-443;  member 
Indiana  terr.  legis.,  136;  note,  106; 
on  comm.  to  recommend  govr.,  31; 
p.  m.,  Clinton,  151;  proposals  for  sur- 
vey., 441-443;  resols.  of  True  Ameri- 
cans drawn  in  home  of,  341;  survey, 
contract  ment.,  442;  vote  of,  against 
J.  R.  Jones  as  deleg.,  136. 


Methodist  Society,  petition  by,  for  land 
grant,  rejected,  392. 

Mett6,  Jacques,  Indian  interp.  of 
Edwards,  228,  229;  signer,  382. 

Miami  Indians,  261;  conf.  at  Peoria, 
229;  defeat  of,  271,  286;  meet,  of,  at 
Ft.  Madison,  306;  party  on  way  to 
St.  Josephs,  325;  removal  from 
Wabash  R.,  306;  war  speech  delivered 
to,  252. 

Miami  of  the  Lake  River,  252,  257. 

Miami  River,  356. 

Michel,  George,  signer,  301. 

Michigan  Territory,  178,  367;  danger 
from  Indians,  264;  instrs.  to  govr.  and 
Indian  agt.  re  peace  with  Indians, 
231-232. 

Michiliraackinac  (Mich.  Terr.), 252, 258, 
264,  444;  alleged  burning  of,  451;  cap- 
ture by  Brit.,  256,  263;  channel  of 
inform,  from,  estab.,  310;  collector 
auth.  to  note  violations,  180;  copiesof 
Boilvin's  letters  sent  to,  316;  exped. 
against  ment.,  451;  goods  stored  for 
Chicago  factory,  25;  Indian  goods 
enter  U.  S.  via,  230,  314;  Indian  goods 
stored  at,  52-53;  Indians  from,  confer 
with  Brit.,  249;  Indians  supplied 
from,  250;  instrs.  to  commander  at, 
83;  recapture  urged,  292;  source  of 
arms  for  Indians,  285;  traveler  from, 
en  route  to  St.  Louis,  175;  village 
burned,  447;  way  station  to  Maiden, 
315. 

Michilimackinac  Company,  220;  house 
in  Prairie  du  Chien  used  as  garrison, 
445. 

Michilimackinac  Trading  Factory,  appt. 
of  Varnum  as  agt.  to,  30;  goods  for, 
diverted  to  Chicago,  36. 

Middleton,  Robert,  militia  muster  roll, 
234,  236. 

Middleton,  Rubin,  militia  muster  roll, 
235. 

Military  reservation,  survey  of,  400. 

Militia,  206,  301,  318,  342,  362,  387, 
423;  appt.  of  adjut.  discussed,  48; 
appt.  of  brig.  gen.  discussed,  113,  120, 
157,  159,  160;  assembled  at  Camp 
Edwards,  257;  brig.  gen.  resigns,  397; 
called  for  defense  against  Indians, 
169,    171-172,    260;    command    dis- 


Por  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  ^54 


IN'DEX 


483 


cussed,  295  n.;  difficulty  in  organiz., 
113;  discharge  of  mounted,  372;  dona- 
tion rights  discussed,  103,  104,  143, 
337,  338,  339;  tlec.  of  deleg.  and 
estab.  of  second  grade  of  govt,  urged 
by  officers,  189;  kept  on  war  footing 
at  Prairie  du  Chien,  187;  lack  of 
author,  to  call,  223;  land  claims 
derived  from  service  in,  404;  land 
donations  to  members  of,  283;  meas- 
ures of  defense  urged  by  officers, 
188-190;  members  join  rangers,  304; 
movement  of  La.,  into  111.  discussed, 
260  n.;  muster  rolls,  226-227, 232-236; 
muster  rolls  discussed,  227  n.,  228  n., 
232  n.;  muster  rolls  not  reed,  by  War 
Dept.,  193;  new  system  of  appt. 
officers  discussed,  51;  no  approp.  for 
pay  of,  193;  no  returns  made,  37; 
officers  offtr  services  to  govr.,  190; 
one  comp.  called  out,  223,  224,  225; 
ordered  out  for  defense,  164;  pay 
discussed,  165,  193,  198  n.,  265-266, 
267;  plan  for  calling  discussed,  256- 
257;  recommend,  for  appt.  of  brig. 
gen.  of,  378;  status  of  volunteers  dis- 
cussed, 36  n.;  term  expires,  333. 

Mill,  Henry,  signer,  214. 

Millar,  John,  signer,  214. 

Milledge,  John,  s.  act,  8. 

Miller,  Alen,  signer,  278. 

Miller,  James  C,  signer,  273. 

Miller,  Jessee,  militia  muster  roll,  226. 

Milwaukee  (Millewakee;  Millwackee; 
Millwaker;  Milwaake;  Milwaakee; 
Milwakee),  176;  agts.  of  Kinzie  trade 
at,  220;  arrival  of  Le  Clair  at,  254; 
channel  of  inform,  from,  estab.,  310; 
Indian  move,  at,  248-249;  Indians 
hostile  to  U.  S.,  249;  Indians  to  join 
war  party,  265;  Indians  in  area  of, 
friendly,  219;  Le  Clair  visits,  245; 
rept.  of  tour  by  Le  Clair  to,  253-255; 
sketch  ment.,  231. 

Mine  a  Burton  (La.  Terr.),  mail  sched- 
ule to  Herculaneum,  429. 

Mink  River,  attack  on  Kickapoo 
Indians  on,  331,  332,  334. 

Mississinewa  (Massasinawa),  battle  of, 
ment.,  313. 

Mississippi  River,  8,  53,  116,  118,  119, 
154,  155,  172,  246,  257,  258,  269,  272, 


286,  292,  304,  306,  311,  315,  326,  351, 
366,  371,  395,  403,  409,  419,  420,  422; 
armed  boats  proposed  for,  293; 
bound,  line,  3,  100,  101,  102;  avenue 
of  supply  for  troops,  288;  Brit.  rels. 
with  Indians  on,  37;  common  high- 
way, 245,  290,  294;  Dickson's  pro- 
posed visit  to  Indians  on,  326,  333; 
expected  attack  from  Indians  of,  328; 
Fox  Indians  on,  divided  as  to  war 
with  U.  S.,  313,  314;  Indian  raids  on, 
445;  Indian  trade  on,  discussed,  156; 
Indians  on,  hostile  to  U.  S.,  249; 
Indians  on,  promised  Brit,  protection, 
194;  inhabs.  in  area  in  danger  of 
attack,  314;  intruders  on  lands  near, 
209;  Iowa  Indians  on,  divided  as  to 
war  on  U.  S.,  313;  islands  to  be  sur- 
veyed, 436,  440;  land  claims  adjacent 
to,  84-86,  87,  89;  lapse  of  time  for 
news  to  reach  Detroit,  229;  Sauk 
Indians  on,  divided  as  to  war  with 
U.  S.,  313,  314;  settlers  on,  abandon 
homes,  190;  speech  delivered  to 
Indians  on,  252;  w.  bound,  of  private 
claims,  147. 

Mississippi  Territory,  9,  23,  61,  81,  82; 
market  for  salt,  361 ;  transf .  of  Judge 
Jones  to,  108,  109. 

Missouri  Fur  Company,  defeat  of,  by 
Brit.,  410;  plan  for  protect,  of, 
410-411. 

Missouri  River,  116,  118,  119,  263,  371, 
381,  422;  armed  boats  proposed  for, 
293;  fur  trade  on  upper,  410;  Indian 
raids  on,  445,  446,  451. 

Missouri  Territory,  279,  350,  366,  381, 
389,  394,  395,  399,  411,  436,  438,  439, 
440;  appt.  of  dep.  sur\T.  in,  356;  appt. 
of  judge  in,  discussed,  298-299; 
danger  from  Indians,  264;  defense 
measures  discussed,  289-293;  identi- 
cal interest  with  111.  Terr.,  289-290; 
land  claims  and  surveys  in,  356, 
419;  need  of  survr.  gen.  office  nearer, 
367;  Pope  commd.  secy,  from,  303; 
proposals  for  transp.  mail  in,  428- 
429;  rangers  in  111.  campaign,  370; 
rangers  to  be  recruited,  422. 

Mitchel,  George,  militia  muster  roll, 
234,  236. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 
—32 


484 


INDEX 


Mitchell,  Ens.  George,  attends  conf. 
militia    officers,    188. 

Mitchell,  John,  signer,  277. 

Modglin,  Straingman,  signer,  274. 

Monney,  Thomas,  militia  muster  roll, 
235. 

Monroe,  James,  see  Secretary  of  State; 
Secretary  of  War  (act.). 

Montgomery,  William,  signer,  150. 

Montreal  (Can.),  121,  258;  Brit,  traders 
from,  244;  oper.  of  N.  W.  Fur  Co. 
from,  409. 

Moore,  Abel,  signer,  150. 

Moore,  Sen.  Andrew,  of  Va.,  recom- 
mends Grigsby  as  terr.  secy.,  11  n. 

Moore,  Capt.  Daniel  0.,  227  n. 

Moore,  George,  signer,  150. 

Moore,  J.  Milton,  militia  muster  roll, 
233;  signer,  214. 

Moore,  Capt.  James,  attends  conf. 
militia  officers,  188;  raises  volunteers, 
305;  certifies  muster  roll,  228,  234;  in 
campaign  against  Kickapoo,  333, 
334;  militia  muster  roll,  226,  232; 
muster  roll  of  militia  comp.  of, 
226-227,  232-234;  raises  co.  of  rang- 
ers, 316;  recommended  as  capt.  of 
rangers,  227  n.,  245;  signer,  150. 

Moore,  John,  signer,  208. 

Moore,  Risdon,  signer,  392. 

Moore,  Samuel,  signer,  64. 

Moore,  T.  Milton,  muster  roll,  226. 

Moore,  William,  signer,  150. 

Moore,  — ,  murdered  by  Indians,  303. 

More,  William,  signer,  302. 

Moredock,  John,  militia  muster  roll, 
234,  236;  recommend,  to  raise 
mounted  troops,  271. 

Morgan,  Arthur,  militia  muster  roll, 
226,  233;  signer,  150. 

Morgan,  Elias,  signer,  208. 

Morgan,  William,  signer,  64,  274. 

Morgin,  Isaac,  signer,  152. 

Morow,  Thomas,  signer,  274. 

Morriess,  George,  signer,  208. 

Morris,  David,  signer,  274. 

Morris,  Erven,  signer,  274. 

Morris,  John,  signer,  208,  274. 

Morris,  John,  signer,  208,  277. 

Morris,  Thomas,  signer,  302. 

Morris,  William,  army  contractor,  156; 
signer,  274. 


Morrison  brothers,  view  re  div.  Indiana 
Terr.,  138. 

Morrison,  James,  and  Wilkins,  com- 
plaint re  lessee  of  U.  S.  Saline,  434; 
letter  ment.  to  Pres.,  434. 

Morrison,  Robert,  believes  Pope's  oath 
invalid,  38;  charges  ment.  against, 
31;  signer,  214;  suit  against,  by  Jones, 
95;  supporter  of  Rice  Jones,  122. 

Morrison,  Robert,  and  W.  Morrison 
and  Edgar,  letter  to  land  commrs., 
122-123. 

Morrison,  William,  18,  433;  army  con- 
tractor, supplies  Ft.  Russell,  363; 
charges  against  Gilbreath,  45-46; 
letter  to  Edgar,  132 ;  money  forwarded 
to,  323;  presents  certificates  for 
rations  supplied  in  Indian  war,  388; 
receives  mail  contract,  205;  suit 
against,  by  Jones,  95;  supporter  of 
Rice  Jones,  122. 

Morrison,  William,  and  J.  Edgar,  letter 
to  Edwards,  45-46. 

Morrison,  William,  and  J.  R.  Jones, 
affid.  of,  re  state,  of  Penrose  critical  of 
land  commrs.,  133. 

Morrison,  William,  and  R.  Morrison 
and  Edgar,  letter  to  land  commrs., 
122-123. 

Morriss,  James,  signer,  278. 

Morrow,  David,  signer,  274. 

Morrow,  James,  Jr.,  signer,  274. 

Morrow,  James,  Sr.,  signer,  274. 

Morrow,  Rep.  Jeremiah,  of  Ohio,  ad- 
vises Sloo  to  secure  office  supplies  in 
Cincinnati,  427;  chmn.  of  land  comm., 
199;  informed  re  affairs  of  Kaskaskia 
land  office,  141-142;  recommends 
Griswold  as  judge,  81  n. 

Morrow,  John,  signer,  273. 

Morrow,  Thomas,  Jr.,  signer,  273. 

Morrow,  Thomas,  Sr.,  signer,  273. 

Moss,  Isaac,  signer,  277. 

Moss,  John  W.,  applies  for  appt  as 
terr.  secy.,  11  n. 

Moulin,  Pierre,  signer,  64. 

Muddy  Creek,  403;  murder  of  settlers 
near,  303. 

Murdock,  John,  appt.  as  maj.  of  rangers 
opposed,  317;  arrest  of,  317;  recom- 
mended as  maj  of  rangers,  317. 

Murphy,  John,  signer,  152. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  45i 


INDEX 


485 


Muskingum  River,  salines  on,  296. 
Muster  rolls,  see  Militia,  muster  rolls. 
Myars,  see  Mayens. 
Myres,  John,  militia  muster  rolls,  237. 

Naib-Woit,   Potawatomi  Indian,  leads 

band  down  111.  R.,  246. 
Namirto  village,  Sauk  village,  307. 
Nashville  (Tenn.),  416. 
Natchez  (Miss.  Terr.),  61. 
Nathan,  James,  signer,  153. 
National  Intelligencer,  395. 
Neal,  Aron,  signer,  277. 
Neel,  Jeremiah,  signer,  274;  validity  of 

land  entry  discussed,  430. 
Negroes,  forbidden  to  carry  mail,  112; 

used  for  work  in  U.  S.  Saline,  225. 
New  Hampshire,  80,  212. 
New  Madrid  (La.  Terr.),  mail  contract 

to,  discussed,  182-183;  postal  schedule 

to  Ste.  Genevieve,  429;  postal  service 

to  Cape  Girardeau,  192. 
New  Orleans  (Orleans  Terr.),  127,  258. 
Newport  (Ky.),  arms  from  arsenal  at, 

sent  to  terr.  govrs.,  173;  celebrates 

victory  of  L.  Erie,  365. 
New  York  (city),  331. 
Ney,  W.  L.,  signer,  213. 
Nicholas,  Lt.  Col.  Robert  C,  part  in 

111.  campaign,  370,  371. 
Nicols,  Jacob,  signer,  208. 
Niagara  (Niagra),  36. 
Northwest  Fur  Company,  operations  in 

U.  S.,  409. 
Noval,  J.,  depos.  favor,  to  land  commrs. 

ment.,  59. 

Gates,  Carraway,  signer,  208,  278. 

Oath  of  office,  as  secy,  discussed,  38. 

Ogle,  Alexander,  letter  ment.  to  Tiffin, 
422. 

Ogle,  Lt.  Jacob,  militia  muster  roll,  226, 
232. 

Ogle,  Joseph,  militia  muster  roll,  226, 
233;  signer,  392. 

Ogle,  William,  signer,  150. 

Ohio,  63,  244,  340,  366,  367,  416;  com- 
pact of  Fed.  Govt,  with,  discussed, 
296;  instrs.  to  govr.  and  Indian  agt. 
re  preserving  peace  with  Indians, 
231-232;    newspapers     ment.,    216; 


survrs.    imported    from,    78;    U.    S. 
rangers  raised  in,  197,  217,  239,  257. 

Ohio  River,  58,  63,  64,  272,  297,  327, 
333,  358,  368,  388,  403;  base  line  to 
run  from  mouth  of,  356;  bound,  line, 
3,  151;  counties  on,  base  of  milit. 
operation,  331,  332;  highway  of 
commerce,  367;  intruders  on  land 
near,  209;  land  near,  survd.,  153 
proposed  land  office  on,  141,  142 
sale  of  land  on,  proposed,  158 
status  of  settlers  on,  201. 

Okemas,  see  Little  Chief. 

Oldham,  H.,  signer,  391. 

Omelveny,  Samuel,  signer,  208,  274. 

O'Neal  family,  murder  of  members  by 
Indians,  194,  229  n. 

Ordinance  of  1787,  83,  297,  350;  art. 
re  new  states  discussed,  3-5;  basis  of 
govt,  for  111.  Terr.,  6-7;  discussed, 
201;  ment.  as  basic  law,  14,  15,  16; 
provis.  of,  re  conditions  for  second 
stage  of  govt.,  209-210. 

Orleans  Territory,  23,  32. 

Ormsby,  John,  signer,  207. 

Osage  Indians,  alleged  plan  to  attack 
Fox  and  Sauk,  307. 

Osbourne,  Willis  C,  signer,  391. 

Ottawa  (Outawas)  Indians,  261;  ac- 
cused of  stealing  horses,  39;  chief  at 
Potawatomi  conf.,  177;  conf.  with, 
215,  229;  friendly  intent  of,  195,  212 
summoned  to  Detroit  by  Brit.,  326 
visit  Prairie  du  Chien  agency,  71 
visit  Shawnee  Prophet,  245. 

Ottawa  (Utawas)  River,  route  of  Brit. 
traders,  244. 

Owen,  — ,  signer,  214. 

Owens,  William,  signer,  207. 

Palmer,  John,  signer,  208. 
Pankey,  Hampton,  signer,  274. 
Panky,  William,  signer,  274,  277. 
Pansannoe,  Louson,  signer,  382. 
Parkinson  (Parkenson),  Alexander (Alex- 

and;  Elleksander),  signer,  208,  274. 
Pash,  Francis,  signer,  278. 
Pate,  William,  signer,  207. 
Patterson,  George,  signer,  208. 
Patterson,  James,  signer,  214. 
Patcerson,  Thomas  C,  signer,  214. 
Patteys,  Job,  signer,  208. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


486 


INDEX 


Patteys,  William,  signer,  208. 

Pattillo  (Patillo),  John  S.,  signer,  275. 

Pauwoatam  (Pemwotans),  Kickapoo 
chief,  visits  Brit,  father  in  Can.,  245. 

Pearce,  Matter,  signer,  207. 

Pemertam's  town,  battle  of,  269,  271. 

Penney,  Hiram,  signer,  277. 

Penney,  William,  signer,  277. 

Pennsylvania,  3,  137. 

Penrose,  Clement  B.,  land  commr.,  La. 
Terr.,  129;  comment  re  Jones  and 
Backus,  132,  133. 

Peoria   (Pioria),   248;   agts.   of   Kinzie 
trade  at,  220;  arrival  of  Le  Clair  at, 
245;  conf.  with  Indians  at  or  near, 
175-179,    244,    245,    246;    base    of 
operations  for  Indians,  290;  burned  by 
Indians,  311;  command  of  exped.  to, 
discussed,    295;    milit.    post    recom- 
mended at,  272,  288,  293,  364;  exped. 
to,    268-269,    271,    301;    forces    of 
Howard    occupy,    371;    importance 
discussed,  311;   Indian  council  held 
near,  194,  228-231,  238-239;  Indian 
thieves   at,    116,   117,   118;   Indians 
retire   from,   312,   371;   inhabs.   dis- 
armed,  imprisoned   and   robbed   by 
Craig,  380-381,  382,  383,  384,  385, 
386,    387;    inhabs.    give    inform,    re 
Indians  to  terr.  officials,  380;  inhabs. 
saved  by  Potawatomi,  380;  journey 
of  Forsyth  to  area  n.  of,  324;  lists  of 
losses  in,   382-387;   milit.   force   as- 
cends nver  to,   331,   332;  need  for 
rebuilding  discussed,  312;  occup.  of, 
372;  on  route  to  Prairie  du  Chien, 
288;  petition  of  inhabs.  for  relief  for 
losses  in  Indian  war,  379-387;  point 
of    Indian    concentration,    239;    re- 
estab.  of  settlement  urged  by  Indi- 
ans, 327;  rept.  of  Le  Clair's  tour  from, 
to  Indian  country,  253-255;  seat  of 
hostile    Indians,    162;    sub-agt.    for 
Indians  appd.  for,  310;  U.  S.  troops 
to  estab.  post  at,  198. 
Peoria  Lake,  269,  271;  battle  near,  286; 
defeat  of  Indians  at,  387;  estab.  of 
Ft.  Clark  on,  372;  Indians  camp  at 
head  of,  370;  Indians  return  to,  347. 
Pequier,  Baptiste,  signer,  115. 


Pequier    (Paguier,    Piquer),    Baptiste, 

and  F.  Pequier  and  Relle,  petition  re 

horse  stealing  discussed,  114. 
Pequier,  Francis,  signer,  115. 
Pequier  (Paguier,  Piquer),  Francis,  and 

B.  Pequier  and  Relle,  petition  re  horse 

stealing  discussed,  114. 
Perkins,  Lt.  Joseph,  423. 
Perry,  Joshua,  of  N.  C,  61. 
Perry,   T.   F.,   depos.   favor,   to    land 

commrs.  ment.,  59. 
Persons,  Henry,  signer,  274. 
Petitions,    memorials    and    resolutions, 
discussed  re  div.  Indiana  terr.,  5  n.; 
for  second  grade  of  govt,  presented 
to  govr.,  200;  legis.   mem.   sent    to 
Cong.,  378;  ment.,  51,  151;  terr.  cits, 
to    Cong.,    names,    213-214;    texts: 
assembly  re  compact  with  Fed.  Govt., 
296-297,    assembly    for    raising    of 
mounted  troops,  271-272,  assembly 
for  reloc.  of  donation  lands,  402-405, 
Bryan  &  Co.  for  lease  of  mine,  279, 
cits,  of  Shawneetown  against  monop- 
oly,   65,    cits,    of    Shawneetown  to 
estab.  a  town,  62-64,  cits,  of  Shaw- 
neetown to  improve  town  plan,  390- 
391,  Guillet  and  others  for  grant  of 
land,  140-141,  inhabs.  for  exten.  of 
suffrage,   203-204,   205-208,   inhabs. 
for  liberal  land  policy,  272-275,  276- 
278,  inhabs.  re  purchase  of  land  with 
improvements,    151-153,    Methodist 
soc.  for  grant  of  land,  392,  Peoria  cits, 
re   relief   for   losses   in    Indian   war, 
379-387,    Relle   and   Pequier   re  in- 
demnity for  loss  of  horses,  115,  Robin- 
son for  pay  as  elk.  of  land  commrs., 
93-94,  Robinson  and  others  re  estab. 
of  land  office  at  Shawneetown,  153- 
154,  Singleton  and  others  re  grant  to 
estab.  town,  149-150,  Sloo  for   pay 
as  land  commr.,  340-341,  terr.  officials 
against  land  qualification  for  office, 
72. 

Pettit,  David,  signer,  214. 

Pettit,  Jonathan,  signer,  214. 

Petty,  James  S.,  messenger,  450,  451. 

Philadelphia  (Pa.),  19,  36,  121,  331. 

Philips,  Capt.  Joseph,  to  re-inforce  Ft. 
Clark,  446. 


For  identical  nameg,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


487 


Philips  (Phillips),  William,  militia  mus- 
ter roll,  234,  237. 

Phipps,  James,  signer,  208. 

Piankashaw  Indians,  attack  and  destroy 
Peoria,  311,  380. 

Pillette,  Louis,  depos.  favoring  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59. 

Pincinneau,  Ens.  Augustus,  attends 
conf.  militia  officers,  188. 

Piper,  Thomas,  militia  muster  roll,  226, 
232. 

Piqua  (0.),  conf.  with  Indians  at,  244; 
general  Indian  conf.  called  to  meet 
at,  232,  244,  261;  Indian  council  at, 
261. 

Pitchford,  William,  signer,  274. 

Pixley,  Jerimiah,  signer,  208. 

Pixley,  John,  signer,  301. 

Pleasonton,  Stephen,  letter  to  Sheldon, 
437-438;  note,  437. 

Plummer,  Joseph,  signer,  273. 

Poirier,  — ,  property  plundered,  307. 

Pollard,  Joseph,  mail  contractor,  276, 
278;  instrs.  to,  re  improving  service, 
275. 

Poole,  Joseph  R.  G.,  signer,  207. 

Pope,  Sen.  John,  of  Ky.,  letters  to  Sec. 
State,  10,  12;  recommends:  Allen  as 
judge,  12  n.,  Boyle  as  govr.,  10, 
Edwards  as  govr.,  20,  Johnson  as 
judge,  12  n..  Priestly  as  judge,  12  n., 
Reid  as  judge,  12  n.,  Thomas  as 
judge,  12. 

Pope,  Sec.  Nathaniel,  95;  agt.  of  Weeks, 
116;  appd.  paymaster  of  militia,  265- 
266;  appd.  secy,  from  Mo.  Terr.,  303; 
characterized,  17;  commd.  secy., 
303,  340;  complains  re  Boilvin's  ac- 
tions, 70  n.;  conting.  expenses  dis- 
cussed, 74;  death  of  children  of, 
186;  failure  to  receive  pay  and  ex- 
penses, 38-39;  family  rel.  to  Backus, 
38,  49;  illness,  57;  informed  re:  de- 
posit, against  Hays,  56,  juris,  over 
counterfeiting  cases,  345-346,  poli- 
tics of  Hays,  51;  instrs.  to,  re:  expend- 
itures, 16-17,  expense  vouchers,  41, 
office  rent,  56;  instrs.  to  Indian  agts. 
re  stolen  horses,  39;  leliers  ment.  to: 
Hay,  51,  Sec.  State,  38,  Sec.  Treas., 
41,  56,  74,  149;  letters  to:  Claiborne, 
33,  Harrison,  30-31,  Indian  agts.,  39, 


Sec.  State,  38,  57,  185-186,  265, 
Sec.  Treas.,  38-39,  49-50,  60,  69,  Sec. 
War,  36-37,  Thomas,  260;  nomin.  and 
confirm,  of,  14  n.;  notified  of  charges 
against  Morrison,  31;  office  expenses 
discussed,  49-50;  organizes  terr.  govt., 
29  n.;  printing  sohcited  from,  24-25 
receives  comm.,  31;  receives  corr.  as 
acting  govr.,  23;  receives  temp 
comm.,  303;  recommend,  as  judge 
71-72;  recommend,  as  terr.  secy.,  8 
1 0-1 1 ;  recommend,  for  reappt.  as  secy. 
284;  rept.  by,  re  Brit.-Indian  rels 
37 ;  repts.  advice  of  Edwards  to  suspend 
court,  260;  requested  to  arrest  Dun- 
lap  for  murder,  32;  requests  return  of 
Dunlap  from  Orleans  Terr.,  33;  sends 
exec,  proceeds  to  Sec.  State,  57,  185, 
265;  s.  petition,  72;  to  supply  govr. 
with  office  supplies,  56;  transmits 
acct.  of  conting.  expenses,  69;  valid- 
ity of  oath  discussed,  38. 

Pope,  Mrs.  Nathaniel,  illness  of,  186. 

Population,  as  of  1810,  199;  census  of 
1810,  203-204,  210. 

Portage  des  Sioux  (La.-Mo.  Terr.), 
364;  Indians  summoned  to  meet 
near,  326;  Kickapoo  Indians  of,  plan 
attack,  264;  Sauk  Indians  reach,  371. 

Porter,  Thomas,  militia  muster  roll, 
235,  237. 

Posey,  Eden,  signer,  301. 

Po-so-tuck  (Peso-tuck) ,  Potawatomi 
chief,  178;  on  Fox  R.,  176. 

Postal  service,  333;  adv.  for  carrying 
mail,  428-429;  bond  of  p.  m.,  56;  con- 
tractor fined,  73;  contracts  discussed 
51,  182-183;  delayed  by  Indian  raids 
319;  discussed,  181,  191-192,  308: 
efforts  to  better,  276,  278,  279;  estab 
of,  157;  expresses  for  milit.  mail  dis 
cussed,  364, 424;  exten.  discussed,  192 
413;  failure,  irregularity  and  losses 
90,  110,  111,  112,  114,  151,  180,  192 
211,  294,  339,  412-413,  433;  fin.  accts. 
139-140;  forwarding  of  letters,  151 
guards  requested  for  expresses,  323 
mail  contracts  discussed,  354;  mails 
plundered,  92;  milit.  mail  expressed 
from  Vincennes,  350;  murder  of  car- 
rier, 110,  114;  pay  of  p.m.  at  Kaskas- 
kia,  341 ;  pay  of  p.m.  governed  by  law. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


488 


INDEX 


285;  pub.  mail  captured  by  Indians, 
256;  recommend,  for  expresses,  348; 
riders'  incompetence  discussed,  275; 
schedules,  82,  184,  192,  213,  428-429; 
uncertain  during  Indian  war,  166,  304. 
See  also  Mail  contractors;  Mail  con- 
tracts; Postmaster  General. 

Postelweight,  John,  signer,  213. 

Postleweight,  Samule,  signer,  214. 

Postmaster  General  (act.),  Bradley, 
instrs.  by,  re  pay  of  carriers,  139-140; 
letters  to:  McArthur,  139,  Tuttle, 
139-140. 

Postmaster  General,  Granger,  approves 
mail  contract,  213;  censures  McArthur 
for  failure  of  mails,  90,  112;  comment 
re  pay  of  p.m.,  308;  fines  McArthur 
for  failure  of  carrier,  151;  fines  rider 
for  negligence,  339;  governed  by  law 
re  pay  to  p.m.,  285;  illness  of,  97;  in- 
forms Arundel  re  relief,  323;  instrs. 
by,  re:  better  postal  service,  275,  276, 
278,  279,  failure  of  contractors  to 
carry  all  mail,  191,  finding  contractor 
for  Kaskaskia-New  Madrid  route, 
182-183,  forwarding  letters,  151,  im- 
proving service,  275,  infractions  of 
law  by  contractors,  192,  mail  con- 
tracts, 354,  schedules,  192,  discover, 
murderer  of  carrier,  114;  letters  to: 
Arundel,  180,  181,  182-183,  191,  192, 
205,  213,  285,  323,  Edwards,  198,  308, 
Finney,  56,  Given,  191,  Griswold,  276, 
341,  Hammond,  294,  Hays,  51,  73, 
Lyon,  192,  McArthur,  90,  112,  114, 
151,  McFerron,  183,  Messenger,  151, 
Morrow,  199,  Pollard,  275,  Pres., 
80-81,  Ratclifife,  278,  Reed,  354, 
Robinson,  157,  275,  279,  Rutter  and 
others,  183,  Skinner,  339,  White,  158, 
191,  211;  recommends  Griswold  as 
judge,  80-81;  rept.  to  Cong.,  81-82, 
183-184;  satisfied  with  mail  contract, 
205. 

Postmaster  General,  Meigs,  instrs.  by, 
re  carrying  mail  on  Kaskaskia- 
Henderson  route,  413;  letters  to: 
Apperson,  412-413,  Graham,  433. 

Postmasters,  law  ment.  re  pay  of,  180; 
pay  discussed,  308. 

Post  roads,  adv.  for  carrying  mail  on, 
428-429;  alter,  discussed,  191;estab. 


discussed,  183,  413  n.;  lease  of  lands 
on,  discussed,  198-199.  See  also 
Postal  service;  Roads  and  highways. 

Post  Vincennes,  see  Vincennes. 

Potawatomi  (Pottowattomies;  Pouta- 
watamies;  Putowatomies;  Putowat- 
omy)  Indians,  261,  408;  accused  of 
stealing  horses,  39;  acct.  of  confs. 
with,  174-179,  215,  229;  attend  coun- 
cil at  Detroit,  327;  conf.  with  other 
tribes  at  Milwaukee,  249;  combine 
with  other  tribes  for  attack,  203; 
defeat  of,  271;  descend  111.  R.,  162; 
desire  rebuilding  of  Peoria,  312; 
friendly,  40;  geog.  distrib.  of,  176, 178; 
hold  council  with  Kickapoo,  194; 
hostility  predicted,  159-160;  hostility 
to  U.S.,  162,  195,  249;  near  111.  R., 
cut  off,  164;  of  111.  R.,  urge  Sioux  to 
war,  314;  of  St.  Joseph:  join  Shawnee 
Prophet,  263,  plan  of  union  ment., 
253;  proposed  talk  by  Edwards  ment., 
173;  receive  powder  from  Brit.,  312; 
refuse  conf.  with  Edwards,  197  n.; 
refuse  to  kill  inhabs.  of  Peoria,  380; 
return  to  Peoria  Lake,  347;  steal 
personal  property,  116-120;  threaten 
Fox  and  Sauk,  307;  unable  to  pur- 
chase arms  at  Chicago,  229;  visit 
Shawnee  Prophet,  245. 

Powel,  John,  signer,  150. 

Powell,  Ossborn,  signer,  152. 

Power  of  attorney,  by  Stanley  family  to 
A.  Stanley,  125,  129-131. 

Prairie  du  Chien  (Prairie  des  Chiens), 
306,  408;  base  of  Brit,  power,  290, 
305,  307;  Brit,  merchants  deposit 
arms  in,  for  Indians,  37;  danger  to, 
446,  452;  depot  of  Brit,  goods  for 
Indians,  314;  description,  154-155; 
Dickson  expected  at,  313;  estab.  of 
U.  S.  fort  discussed,  292,  293, 347,  350, 
364, 423,  444-445,  451 ;  farm  products, 
155;  Indian  affairs  at,  52-53;  land 
sold  to  U.  S.,  157;  loc.  of,  154;  need 
for  re-inforcing,  445,  446;  price  of 
corn  and  flour  at,  157;  proposed  visit 
of  Dickson  to,  326;  route  to,  via 
Peoria,  288;  Sioux  Indians  meet  at, 
166,  168;  small  force  to  occupy,  444; 
source  of  war  supplies  for  Indians, 
285;    trade    and    Indian    affairs    at, 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  45i 


INDEX 


489 


discussed,  154-157;  value  of  goods 
supplied  from,  55. 

Prairie  du  Chien  Indian  agency,  list  of 
Indian  nations  visiting,  71;  rept.  re 
affairs  at,  69-71,  154-157,  166-169, 
187;  success  of  agts.  at,  54. 

Prairie  du  Chien  Indian  Factory,  im- 
portance discussed,  156. 

Prairie  du  Pont,  land  claims  discussed, 
100,  102. 

Prairie  du  Rocher,  127;  land  claims 
discussed,  100,  101;  mail  schedule, 
428. 

Prather,  Edward  D.,  signer,  277. 

Prather,  Thomas,  draft  made  payable 
to,  145. 

Preemption,  act  re,  forwarded  to  111., 
302-303 ;  act  criticized  and  interpreted, 
330,  341-343,  344-345,  379,  441; 
act  ment.  re  examining  claims  to,  412; 
applic.  of  act  discussed,  434-436; 
fractional  sections  under,  449-450, 
451;  mineral  lands  reserved  from, 
430;  query  on  sec.  16,  448-449;  rule 
estab.  re  law,  388. 

President,  power  of  appt.,  6,  7. 

President,  Jefferson,  appts.  agt.,  Chicago 
factory,  35;  approves  act,  8. 

President,  Madison,  32,  52,  57,  59,  108, 
113,  138,  174,  247,  256,  267,  268,  299, 
300,  305,  321,  355,  366,  373,  424,  438; 
accepts  Rector's  resig.  as  brig,  gen., 
397;  address  of  terr.  leg.  sent  to,  270, 
295;  advised  to  open  Shawneetown 
L.  0.,  415;  appts.:  brig,  gen.,  militia, 
157,  159,  160,  examiner  of  land  office, 
211,  govr.,  14  n.,  19,  45,  243,  270, 
Indian  agt.,  310,  Indian  peace 
commrs.,  231,  judges,  14-16,  83,  350- 
351,  land  commrs.,  418,  ranger  offi- 
cers, 197,  217,  238  n.,  reg.  and  rec. 
land  offices,  211,  417,  418,  433,  437, 
U.  S.  atty.,  352,  356,  U.  S.  marshal, 
352-353;  approves:  lease  of  lead  mine, 
160,  renewal  of  saline  lease,  328; 
authoriz.  lease  of  lead  mines,  105; 
Edwards  recommended  to,  as:  commr. 
to  Indians,  411,  govr.,  29-30;  govr. 
requests  leave  of  absence  from,  346; 
grants  govr.  leave  of  absence,  349- 
350;  Griswold  recommended  to,  as 
judge,  80-81;  instrs.  ment.' by,'"  114; 


lack  of  author,  from,  to  call  militia, 
223;  legis.  memorial  sent  to  Cong, 
through,  378;  opposed  by  Lyon,  17; 
papers  against  M.  Jones  addressed  to, 
102;  petition  to  be  laid  before,  272; 
Pope  recommended  to,  for  reappt., 
284;  question  re  sahne  lease  laid, 
before,  323;  receives:  recommends,  for 
appt.  of  govr.,  22, 23-24,  recommends, 
for  judge,  349,  resig.  of  govr.,  19-20, 
resig.  of  judges,  81,  82,  345;  rept.  to, 
re  Indian  war,  285-289 ;  sends  commrs. 
to  confer  with  Indians,  244;  s.  comm., 
14,  15,  16,  45,  83,  243,  270,  303,  340, 
351,  352,  353;  s.  procl.,  417;  to  direct 
pub.  land  sale,  296.  See  also  Secre- 
tary of  State,  Madison. 

Prewet,  Martain,  signer,  150. 

Prewett,  James,  signer,  150. 

Prewett,  Sollomon,  signer,  150. 

Prewett,  William,  signer,  150. 

Price,  Davis,  signer,  150. 

Price,  Lenard,  signer,  273. 

Priestly,  James,  recommended  as  judge, 
12  n.,  18. 

Primm,  John,  Jr.,  signer,  150. 

Prince,  — ,  see  Ficklin  &  Prince. 

Printing,  applic.  for  pub.,  24-25;  diffi- 
cult in  new  country,  18. 

Prior,  — ,  see  Hunt  &  Prior. 

Proclamations,  by  govr.:  distributed,  50, 
re  estab.  second  grade  of  govt.,  203, 
207;  by  Pres.:  draft  of,  re  land  office 
and  land  sale  in  Shawneetown  Land 
district,  415,  for  land  sale  printed  by 
reg.,  428,  text,  re  estab.  land  office  at 
Shawneetown  and  land  sale,  416-417. 

Prophet,  The,  see  Shawnee  Prophet. 

Prophetstown,  party  from,  attends  conl. 
at  Sauk  village,  245-246 

Pruit,  Abraham,  signer,  150. 

Pruit,  — ,  permit  to  seek  stolen  horses, 
39. 

Pruitt  (Precoit),  Maj.  William,  attends 
conf.  militia  officers,  188. 

Puans  (Puants)  Indians,  attack  Fox 
Indians,  307.  See  also  Winnebago 
Indians. 

Pue,  Bethel,  signer,  208. 

Pulliam,  James,  signer,  150. 

Pulliam  (Pulleam,  Pullum),  Robert, 
identifies  Beeman,  118;  signer,  150. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


490 


INDEX 


Pumroy,  Joseph,  signer,  277. 
Purye,  Capt.  — ,  of  Ohio  rangers,  239. 
Pusley,  David,  signer,  274. 
Pyle,  Isaac,  signer,  274. 

Quebec  (Can.),  251;  Dickson  at,  325. 
Quick,  Moses,  militia  muster  roll,  226, 
232. 


Raccoon,  Indian,  son  held  by  Indians, 
447. 

Racine,  Frangois,  Jr.,  signer,  382. 

Racine,  Francois,  Sr.,  signer,  382. 

Ragland,  George,  signer,  277. 

Raisin  River,  battle  of,  326. 

Ralls,  Raleigh,  signer,  214. 

Ramsey,  Capt.  Thomas,  certif.  re  ve- 
racity of  Beaird,  363,  evacuates  Ft. 
Russell,  363. 

Ramsey,  Lt.  William  H.,  257,  265,  295; 
signer,  207. 

Randal,  Thomas,  militia  muster  roll, 
226,  232. 

Randolph  County,  120,  129,  130,  131, 
132,  202,  207;  extent  of,  201;  grand 
jury  action  re  non-resid.  of  judges 
discussed,  349  n. 

Rangers,  see  United  States  Rangers. 

Ratclifle  (Ratcliff),  James,  p.m.,  U.  S. 
Saline,  letter  ment.  to  P.M.G.,  278; 
signer,  207,  277. 

Ratlif,  Elisha,  signer,  278. 

Ratlif,   John,  signer,   278. 

Ratlif,  William,  signer,  278. 

Ratliff,  Charles,  militia  muster  roll,  234. 

Ratliff,  James,  signer,  277. 

Ratlifl,   Ritchard,  signer,  277. 

Rattan,  Richard,  signer,  150. 

Rattan,  Thomas,  signer,  273. 

Rawlings,   Moris  M.,  signer,  278. 

Reagan,  Rezin,  signer,  150. 

Reburn,  John,  signer,  64. 

Receivers  of  land  offices,  416,  427; 
applic.  for  appt.  as,  173-174;  appt.  of, 
199,  201,  205,  417,  418;  vacancy,  180. 

Rector,  Elias,  13,  145,  396;  applies  for 
appt.  as  reg.,  land  office,  320;  appd. 
brig,  gen.,  militia,  157,  159;  appd. 
dep.  survr.,  Mo.  Terr.,  389;  appt.  as 
brig.  gen.  an  error,  157  n.;  executes 
plat  of  Prairie  du  Pont  lands,  102; 
Ullers  ment.  lo:  Meigs,  389,  W.  Rector, 


76,  77;  letters  to:  Mansfield,  96-97, 
Sec.  State,  320;  recommend,  as  rec, 
180-181;  resid.  of,  181;  surveys  criti- 
cized, 106-107;  urges  speed  in  surveys, 
96-97. 

Rector,  Elias,  and  W.  Rector,  execute 
plat  of  Kaskaskia  lands,  100;  inform- 
ed of  opinion  of  land  commrs.  re 
survey  of  privatt  claims,  85-86;  letter 
to  Mansfield,  84-85. 

Rector,  John,  approves  charges  against 
Morrison,  31. 

Rector,  Nelson,  assigned  surveys,  351; 
estim.  of  expense  of  surveys,  355; 
funds  on  deposit  for  pay  of,  365;  In- 
dian attack  on,  397-398,  400-402; 
letters  ment.  to  Meigs,  376;  letter  to 
Meigs,  374;  rept.  by,  re  surveys,  374; 
signer,  204;  surveys  by,  77,  78. 

Rector,  Samuel,  signer,  204. 

Rector,  Stephen,  signer,  204. 

Rector,  W^illiam,  96,  396;  applic.  to,  to 
survey  Biggs's  land,  136,  137;  appt. 
as  brig,  gen.,  militia  intended,  157  n., 
159;  appt.  as  dep.  survr.,  Mo.  Terr., 
356,  365,  373;  assigned  surveys,  351; 
bondsman  of  Sloo,  427;  condemns 
site  of  Shawneetown,  359-360;  de- 
scribes Indian  attack  on  N.  Rector, 
397-398;  desires  promptness  of  pay, 
146;  draws  drafts  on  Mansfield,  146; 
estim.  of  expense  of  surveys,  355; 
executes  plats  of:  Cahokia  lands,  102, 
Chafin  and  Delisle  tract,  101,  Ft. 
Chartres  lands,  101,  Renault  grant, 
101;  funds  on  deposit  for  pay  of,  365; 
informs:  Biggs  re  status  of  land 
claims,  136,  137,  138,  Sec.  War  re 
unlawful  action  of  Robinson,  373; 
intends  visit  to  Cincinnati,  146; 
instrs.  ment.  to,  as  survr.  Mo.  Terr., 
426;  letters  ment.  to:  J.  F.  Mansfield, 
145,  Jared  Mansfield,  20,  86,  88,  89, 
Meigs,  364-365,  376,  400,  N.  Rector, 
374;  letters  to:  Mansfield,  12-13,  76, 
76-80,  86-88,  89,  145-146,  146-148, 
Meigs,  359-360,  397-398,  Sec.  War, 
373;  lists  townships  with  private 
claims,  86-87;  note  re,  12;  recom- 
mend, as  brig,  gen.,  113,  120;  recom- 
mends: McCall  as  survr.,  78,  milit. 
aid  for  survrs.,  398-399,  new  site  for 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


491 


Shawneetown,  360,  Robinson  as 
survr.,  76,  U.  S.  pay  for  surveys  of 
private  claims,  146-147;  repts.  by, 
re  status  of  surveys,  76-80,  89; 
resigns  as  brig,  gen.,  militia,  373, 
378,  397;  returns  to  St.  Louis,  399; 
returns  of  surveys  ment.,  164;  signer, 
204;  surveys  discussed,  106;  to  com- 
plete surveys  in  111.,  399;  work 
praised,  376. 

Rector,  William,  and  E.  Rector,  see 
Rector,  Elias  and  W.  Rector. 

Redfern,  Solomon,  signer,  208,  278. 

Red  Head,  see  Dickson,  Robert. 

Redman,  Samuel,  442;  signer,  392. 

Reed,  John,  p.m.,  Belleville,  instrs.  to, 
re  mail  contract,  354;  letter  ment.  to 
P.  M.  G.,  354. 

Regan,  William,  signer,  150. 

Registers  of  land  offices,  393,  402,  412, 
416;  appt.  of,  199,  201,  205,  417,  418; 
duty  to  preserve  land  records,  123; 
land  records  in  custody  of,  158. 

Reheaum,  Jean  Francis,  arrest  and 
release  discussed,  221-222. 

Reid,  John,  signer,  64,  152. 

Reid,  Walter,  recommended  as  judge, 
12  n. 

Reid,  William,  signer,  208. 

Relle,  Charles,  signer,  115. 

Relle,  Charles,  and  Pequier,  petition  by, 
re  horse  stealing  discussed,  114. 

Renault,  Philip,  grant  to,  discussed,  101, 
102,  143-144. 

Retchekimink,  Indian,  depredations  of, 
251,  252. 

Retherford,  John,  signer,  301. 

Reyburn,  John,  signer,  153. 

Reynolds,  Robert,  adj.  gen.,  militia,  at- 
tests statement  of  militia  officers,  190; 
appd.  chm.  of  meet.,  31;  meeting  at 
house  of,  31-32;  on  comm.  to  recom- 
mend appt.  of  govr.,  31;  signer,  32. 

Reynor,  J.,  depos.  for  land  commrs. 
ment.,  59. 

Rhodes,  Samuel,  signer,  150. 

Riche,  John,  signer,  277. 

Richey,  Enty,  signer,  277. 

Richey,  John,  signer,  277. 

Richmond  (Va.),  299. 

Riddels,  Richard,  signer,  208. 

Riggs,  Joseph,  signer,  214. 


Rigolet  (River  Labb§)  River,  bound, 
line,  102. 

Riley,  Joseph,  signer,  208,  274. 

Rio  del  Norte,  410. 

Rittenhous  (Rittenhouse),  William,  mih- 
tia  muster  roll,  235,  237. 

Rittenhouse,  Peter,  militia  muster  roll, 
235,  237. 

River  au  Sable,  powder  distrib.  to  In- 
dians at,  250. 

Rivis,  Charles,  signer,  302. 

Rivis,  Isom,  signer,  302. 

Roads  and  highways,  bill  authoriz. 
Shawneetown-Kaskaskia  discussed, 
420;  estab.  from  Shawneetown  to  Sa- 
line and  Kaskaskia  urged,  407-408; 
proposed,  Shawneetown-Kaskaskia, 
297.     See  also  Post  roads. 

Robb,  Samuel,  signer,  64,  152. 

Roberts,  Elias,  signer,  214. 

Roberts,  Samuel,  signer,  208. 

Roberts,  Thomas,  signer,  214. 

Roberts,  William,  signer,  214. 

Robertson,  George,  signer,  207. 

Robertson  (Robinson)  County  (Tenn.), 
130. 

Robeson,  John,  signer,  150. 

Robidoux,  Antoine,  depos.  re  Indian 
thieves,  118. 

Robinson,  Alexander,  signer,  153,  277. 

Robinson,  David,  executes  plat  of  Kas- 
kaskia lands,  100;  militia  muster  roll, 
226,  233. 

Robinson,  George,  p.  m.,  Shawneetown, 
instrs.  to,  re  improved  postal  service, 
279;  letter  ment.  to  P.M.G.,  275;  mail 
contract  ment.,  157;  signer,  64,  65, 
152,  277. 

Robinson  (Robison),  George  and  others, 
petition  by,  re  estab.  of  add.  land 
office,  153-154. 

Robinson,  George,  Jr.,  signer,  153,  277. 

Robinson,  Israel,  militia  muster  roll, 
226,  233. 

Robinson,  John,  signer,  64,  208,  277. 

Robinson,  John,  signer,  278. 

Robinson,  John,  Jr.,  signer,  153. 

Robinson,  John,  Sr.,  signer,  152. 

Robinson,  Dr.  John  H.,  instrs.  for  legal 
proceeds,  against,  394-395;  letters 
ment.  to  Edwards,  394,  395,  Rector, 
373;  milit.  exped.  of,  discussed,  373. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  ^5^ 


492 


INDEX 


Robinson,  Sen.  Jonathan,  of  Vt.,  letter 
to  Pres.,  80;  recommends  Griswold  as 
judge,  80. 

Robinson,  Maj.  Robert,  136;  accused  of 
complicity  in  murder,  58  n.;  advice  to 
commrs.  not  to  deliver  original  papers 
to  J.  R.  Jones  discussed,  134;  appd. 
agt.  to  land  commrs.,  48-49,  76;  car- 
ries dispatches  to  Sec.  Treas.,  92,  93, 
94;  carries  field  notes  to  Mansfield, 
78;  elk.  to  land  commrs.,  48;  depos. 
favor,  to  land  commrs.  ment.,  59; 
fin.  acct.  as  elk.  and  translator  to  land 
commrs.,  92-93;  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
95;  lawyer,  76;  letter  ment.  to  Sec. 
Treas.,  161;  lexers  lo:  Edgar,  124-125, 
Meigs,  90-93,  Pope,  31;  note,  76; 
opinion  re  survey  private  claims,  148; 
prefers  charges  against  Morrison,  31; 
recommend,  as  survr.,  76;  requests 
govT.  to  investigate  Edgar,  126;  re- 
views work  as  elk.  and  translator  to 
land  commrs.,  90-92,  93-94;  travels 
as  elk.  to  land  commrs.,  91-92;  work 
of  office  as  elk.  to  land  commrs.  ends, 
161. 

Robinson,  Thomas,  signer,  152,  277. 

Robinson,  William,  signer,  153,  277. 

Robison,  John,  signer,  274. 

Robison,  Michl,  signer,  274. 

Rocheblave  (Rochelblave),  Philip,  exe- 
cutes deeds,  127. 

Rock  River,  error  for  Iowa  R.,  322. 

Rock  (Roc;  Rocky;  Roche)  River,  372; 
Dickson's  proposed  journey  down, 
326;  estab.  of  fort  at  mouth  of,  recom- 
mend., 288;  hostility  of  Indians  on, 
187;  Indian  forces  on,  229;  Indians 
retreat  to,  286,  287;  post  a1  rapids  of, 
recommend.,  446;  sketch  of,  ment., 
231;  value  of  goods  supplied  to 
Indians  on,  65;  war  parties  from,  314, 
445. 

Rogan,  Daniel,  witness  to  power  of 
atty.,  131. 

Rogers,  Joseph,  signer,  208. 

Roman  Catholic  Church,  annuity  to 
priest  of,  88. 

Ronan,  Ens.  George,  220;  threat  of, 
against  interpreter,  219. 

Roque  (Roc),  Indian  interpreter,  Winne- 
gabo  Indians  speak  through,  187. 


Rose,  Edmd,  signer,  277. 

Rose,  Elert,  signer,  208. 

Rose,  Manning,  signer,  277. 

Rose,  Pleasant,  signer,  274. 

Rose,  Pleasent,  signer,  274. 

Rose,  Plesant,  signer,  208. 

Rose,  Thomas,  signer,  208. 

Rouge  River,  smuggling  via,  185. 

Rowan,  Rep.  John,  (Ky.),  recommends: 
Boyle  as  govr.,  10  n..  Priestly  as 
judge,  12  n. 

Royal  proclamation  of  176S,  discussed, 
104. 

Rusell,  John,  signer,  150. 

Russel,  David  B.,  signer,  274. 

Russel,  James  D.,  signer,  274. 

Russell,  James,  signer,  274. 

Russell,  Col.  William,  265,  315,  424; 
appd.  to  command  rangers,  217,  238 
n.;  criticism  by,  of  Edwards's  milit. 
rept.,  295;  describes  own  effort  in  de- 
fense of  111.,  295;  disputes  Edwards's 
claim  re  command,  of  Peoria  exped., 
295;  joins  Edwards  against  Indians, 
268-269;  leads  U.  S.  rangers  to  111., 
letter  ment.  to  Howard,  269;  letters 
to:  Sec.  War,  238-240,  257-258,  268- 
269,  294-296;  note,  238;  ordered  to 
return  to  111.,  268  n.;  plan  of  action 
for  rangers  discussed  by,  257-258; 
recall  irom  111.  criticized,  266  n.;  repts. 
by,  re:  defense  measures,  238-240, 
294-295,  progress  of  Indian  war,  U.  S. 
rangers,  257-258. 

Russell,  William,  of  Mo.  Terr.,  letter 
ment.  to  Meigs,  426. 

Russellville  (Ky.),  letters  to  111.  sent  via, 
166,  319,  344;  mail  contract  to  Ft. 
Massac,  82. 

Russia,  328. 

Rutherford,  William,  signer,  150. 

Rutter,  William,  informed  re  estab.  of 
mail  route  near  Ft.  Massac,  183. 

Sagotria,  — ,  Brit,  trader  and  Indian 

interpreter,  313. 
St.    Charles    (La.    Terr.),    depositions 

taken  in,  127;  failure  of  mails  to,  from 

Kaskaskia,  112;  horse  stealing  in,  115; 

mail  schedule  to,'Kaskaskia,  429. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  iSi 


INDEX 


493 


St.  Clair,  Arthur,  govr.  N.  W.   Terr., 

48,  196;  confirm,  of  land  claims  by,  105, 
282. 

St.  Clair  County,  47, 107, 131, 149,  260; 
grand-jury  present,  re  non-resid.  of 
judges  discussed,  349  n.;  horses 
stolen  from  inhabs.,  39;  members 
Indiana  terr.  leg.  from,  135,  136; 
militia  muster  rolls,  226-227, 232-238 ; 
petition  of  Meth.  soc.  rejected,  392; 
resols.  of:  inhabs.  recommend.  Clark 
as  govr.,  31-32,  militia  re  sec.  grade 
of  go\i;.,  188-189;  state,  of  militia 
officers  on  defense  measures,  189-190; 
unauthor.  exped.  of  inhabs.  against 
Indians,  193  n. 

St.  Clair,  John  Murry,  land  patent 
discussed,  105. 

St.  Frist,  Bayou,  155. 

Ste.  Genevieve  (La.  Terr.),  10,  18,  341; 
danger  of  attack  on,  305;  mail 
schedules  to:  New  Madrid,  429, 
Shawneetown,  428. 

St.  Joseph  (Mich.  Terr.),  221;  friendly 
attitude  of  Indians  near,  219;  Potawat- 
omi  Indians  from,  178.  See  also 
Fort  St.  Joseph. 

St.  Joseph  Island,  263;  Amer.  Indians 
with  Brit,  on,  253;  Indians  called  to 
conf.  with  Brit,  at,  249;  source  of  war 
supplies  for  Indians,  285. 

St.  Joseph  River,  262;  channel  of  inform, 
from,  estab.,  310;  exped.  against  Indi- 
ans on,  recommend.,  333;  Potawatomi 
Indians  from,  246;  rumored  effort  of 
Brit,  to  estab.  fort  at,  447. 

St.  Leger  (St.  Ledger),  Gen.  Barry,  of 
Can.,  121. 

St.  Louis  (La.  Terr.),  89,  132,  133,  162, 
175,  229,  245,  250,  258,  261,  263,  376, 
383,  384,  385,  386,  387,  389,  399,  409; 
Blondeau  returns  to,  313;  danger  of 
attack  on,  305;  dist.  to  Prairie  du 
Chien,  154;  failures  of  mail  service 
from  Vincennes,  90;  Howard  returns 
to,  414;  Indian  conf.  at,  discussed, 
322;  Indians  plan  attack  on,  322; 
mail  schedules,  428,  429;  price  of  salt 
at,  172;  relief  exped.  to  Prairie  du 
Chien  from,  attacktd,  451-452;  rumor 
of  Indian  attack  on,  314;  seat  of 
inform,  re  Indian  rels.,  186. 


St.  Mary's  Straits,  Indians  gather  at, 
245. 

St.  Peter's  River,  71,  316. 

St.  Philippe  (St.  Philip),  estab.  of,  101; 
land  claims  discussed,  100,  101;  mail 
schedule,  428;  Renault's  claims  in, 
143. 

Salem  (Ky.),  postal  service,  192. 

Saline,  agt.  of,  to  receive  orders  from 
Edwards,  46.  See  also  Salt  springs; 
U.  S.  Saline. 

Saline  Creek,  64,  152,  296,  297,  414; 
alarm  of  settlers  on,  223;  Indian 
attack  near,  401;  Indian  attack  on 
Rector  at,  397;  milit.  oper.  up,  331; 
pub.  salt  springs  on,  33,  34;  site 
below  mouth  of,  recommend,  as  site 
of  Shawneetown,  358. 

Salines,  status  of,  in  Ohio,  296;  terr. 
assembly  desires  control  of,  296. 

Salt,  deposits  of,  discover,  in  Kaskaskia 
Land  Dist.,  430-431;  interest  of  U.  S. 
in,  205;  price  of,  172;  proposal  to  man- 
ufacture, 172-173;  reguls.  re  price  of, 
34;  returns  of,  ment.,  40.  See  also 
U.  S.  Saline. 

Salt  River,  172. 

Salt  Springs,  bill  for  intro.  of  slave 
labor  to  work  in,  300;  corr.  re,  dis- 
cussed, 35  n.;  evidence  of,  on  Big 
Muddy,  430;  proposal  to  operate, 
172-173;  instrs.  re  admin,  of,  33-35; 
lease  of,  discussed,  34-35.  See  also 
U.  S.  Saline. 

Samuel,  Carlisle  F.,  signer,  152. 

Sand  River,  177. 

Sanders,  George,  signer,  150. 

Sandy  Creek,  250,  251,  252,  387; 
Indian  council  on,  325-327;  Indians 
from,  to  join  war  party,  265;  rept.  of 
Le  Clair's  tour  on,  253-255. 

Sangamon  (Sainquemon;  Sanguemon) 
River,  331,  334;  estab.  of  fort  on, 
discussed,  198  n. 

Santa  Fe  (St.  Fee),  410. 

Sauk  (Sacs;  Sawkes)  Indians,  156; 
annuities  for,  not  received,  167,  168; 
attitude  at  Village  du  Blue,  307; 
author,  over,  discussed,  40;  await  out- 
come of  Indian  attack  on  settle- 
ments, 264;  conf.  with  party  from 
Prophetstown,    245-246;    corr.    with 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


494 


INDEX 


Brit.,  313;  delegs.  return  from  Ft. 
Maiden,  251 ;  divided  as  to  war  on  U. 
S.,  287,  305,  307,  313,  314,  322,  326, 
371;  friendly  attitude,  219;  hold 
council,  166,  168;  hold  Fr.  prisoner, 
169;  hostile  dispos.,  40,  286,  287; 
leave  for  Mo.  R.,  371;  measure  to 
prevent,  from  hostility  to  U.  S.,  218; 
meet,  at  Ft.  Madison,  306;  offered 
powder  by  Brit.,  312,  313-314;  raid 
on  Mo.  R.,  446;  refuse  aid  to  Fox, 
307;  rels.  of  Dubuque  with,  258-259; 
tract  purchased  from,  discussed,  142; 
value  of  goods  supplied  to,  55;  visit 
to  Ft.  Maiden,  253,  264;  war  speech 
deliver,  to,  252. 

Savage,  William,  appt.  lieut.  rangers, 
215;  attends  conf.  militia  officers,  188. 

Savage's  ferry,  inhabs.  of  Peoria  held 
prisoners  at,  381. 

Scanland,  Walker,  signer,  64,  152,  207. 

Scioto  River,  saline  on,  296. 

Scott,  Alexander,  militia  muster  roll, 
234,  236;  signer,  301. 

Scott,  Gov.  Charles,  of  Ky.,  inform,  re 
appt.  of  Russell  to  command  rangers, 
217;  instrs.  to,  re  concert  with  other 
govrs.  in  defense,  243-244. 

Scott,  Francis,  signer,  302. 

Scott,  James,  signer,  392. 

Scott,  John,  militia  muster  roll,  227  n.; 
235;  signer,  150. 

Scott,  Samuel,  militia  muster  roll,  237; 
signer,  150. 

Scott,  William,  surveys  by,  85. 

Scott,  William,  Jr.,  signer,  392. 

Seals,  judicial,  149. 

Secretary  of  State,  Madison,  recom- 
mends, re  appts.  sent  to,  8-12. 

Secretary  of  State,  Monroe,  applic.  to, 
for  appt.  as:  judge,  336,  receiver, 
173-174,  register,  320;  applic.  to, 
for  right  to  operate  salt  springs, 
172-173;  approves  Edwards's  con- 
duct, 347;  encloses  Robinson's  letters 
to  U.  S.  atty.,  395;  exec,  proceeds, 
sent  to,  185;  govr.  transmits  request 
for  leave  through,  346;  informs  govr. 
of  grant  of  leave,  349-350;  leUers 
merU.  to:  Clark,  394,  Edwards,  354, 
362;  leUera  to:  Edwards,  349-350, 
362,  394-395,  Mears,  395;|misunder- 


stands  Edwards's  request  for  leave, 
350,  354,  362;  opinion  re  Robinson's 
actions,  394-395;  receives:  cond.  resig. 
of  Judge  Stuart,  298-299,  exec, 
proceeds,  of  govr.,  265,  recommend. 
re  publisher  of  laws,  392,  recommend, 
for  reappt.  of  Edwards  as  govr.,  268, 
recommend,  of  Mears  as  U.  S. 
atty.,  348;  recommend,  of  Pope  as 
secy.,  284;  resig.  of  terr.  judge  trans- 
mitted through,  345;  sends  comm.  as 
U.  S.  atty.  to  Mears,  366;  s.  comm., 
270,  303,  340,  351,  352,  353;  trans- 
mits approval  of  Pres.  for  Edwards's 
leave,  362. 

Secretary  of  State,  Smith,  informed  re 
Pope's  oath,  38;  receives  exec,  pro- 
ceeds, of  govr.,  57;  receives  recom- 
mend, of  Pope  as  judge,  71-72;  rept. 
to,  re  Indians  affairs,  51-52;  resig.  of 
Boyle  as  govr.,  submitted  to,  18-19; 
s.  comm.,  14,  15,  16,  45,  83. 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  dep.  survrs. 
appd.  with  consent  of,  394. 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Campbell, 
418;  advises  open.  Shawneetown 
L.  O.,  415;  claim  for  extra  pay  for 
leasing  U.  S.  Saline  referred  to,  443; 
legis.  memorial  to  be  sent  to,  405; 
letter  to  Pres.,  415. 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Gallatin,  22, 
77,  92,  93,  97,  136,  147,  296,  338,  343, 
449;  absence  of,  328,  364-365;  appts. 
Robinson  agt.  to  land  commrs.,  48- 
49;  approval  by,  of  survey,  plans 
necessary,  425;  approves  plan  of  sur- 
veys, 76-77;  course  taken  by,  re  con- 
firm, claims,  432;  criticizes:  land 
commrs.  158-159,  161,  Pope's  accts., 
49-50;  criticism  of  land  commrs.  laid 
before,  135-139;  declares  land  commrs. 
cease  to  function,  158;  declines  to 
submit  papers  addressed  to  Pres., 
102;  defense  by  Edgar  addressed  to, 
120-129;  denies  instrs.  to  commrs.  to 
maintain  secrecy  as  to  decisions,  158, 
159;  depos.  from,  requested  re  Edgar's 
charges,  110,  111;  informed  re:  charges 
against  Backus,  73,  indict,  and  trial 
of  Jones  for  murder,  58-59,  95,  Pope's 
failure  to  receive  salary  and  office 
expenses,  38-39;  instrs.  by,  re:  amend. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  JiSi 


INDEX 


495 


rept.  on  land  claims,  103-105,  clear, 
way  for  pub.  land  sales,  163-164, 
conting.  expenses,  74,  correct,  of 
Shawneetown  plat,  318,  credits  to 
Mansfield,  113,  expense  vouchers,  41, 
investig.  governors'  confirms,  of  land 
claims,  145,  lease  of  lead  mine,  105, 
office  rent,  56,  renewal  of  saline  lease, 
323,  324,  running  sec.  lines,  135, 
secrecy  of  land  rept.,  122,  survey  of 
Shawneetown,  112,  withhold,  deeds 
by  land  commrs.,  133-135;  instrs. 
ment.  to  land  commrs.,  146;  interpret. 
of  land  law  by,  ment.,  13;  letters  ment. 
to:  Caldwell,  222,  Edwards,  160,  Har- 
rison, 35,  Jones,  99,  109,  111,  158, 
Jones  and  Backus,  144,  land  commrs., 
141,  143,  144,  161,  329,  Mansfield, 
135,  Pope,  49,  Tiffin,  328,  survr.  gen., 
356;  letters  to:  Caldwell,  211,  Edwards, 
33-35,  40,  105,  160,  161-162,  205, 
Gaillard  and  Varnum,  143-144,  Jones, 
98-99,  99-100,  102,  158-159,  Jones 
and  Backus,  48,  57,  103-105,  144, 
Mansfield,  66,  112-113,  135,  163-164, 
Pope,  16-17,  41,  56,  74,  149,  Robin- 
son, 48-49,  161,  Sloo,  211,  Sp.  H.  R., 
96;  opinions  re:  disposal  of  various 
land  claims,  98-99,  issuance  of  patents 
by  govrs.,  103-105;  orders  inquiry  on 
failure  of  mails.  111;  papers  re  charges 
against  Jones  requested  of,  95;  receives 
acct.  of  conting.  expenses,  60,  69; 
receives  repts.  re  land  claims,  94; 
Rector  recommend,  to,  as  receiver, 
180-181;  repts.  to,  re:  land  claims 
discussed,  73,  123,  valid  and  invalid 
claims,  281-284;  requests  opinion  on 
expediting  land  sales,  158;  sends  saline 
accts.  to  Edwards,  40;  transmits  list 
of  confirm,  land  claims  to  Cong.,  96; 
warns  land  commrs.  to  hasten  work, 
58. 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury  (act.),  Jones, 
requested  to  draft  instrs.  re  lease  of 
U.  S.  Saline,  391. 

Secretary  of  War,  Armstrong,  approves 
Howard's  policy,  350;  guards  re- 
quested of,  for  post  route,  323;  in- 
formed re:  doubtful  certifs.  of  army 
contractor,  388,  unlawful  action  of 
Robinson,    373;    informs    Rector    of 


accept,  of  resig.  as  brig,  gen.,  397; 
instrs.  by,  re:  change  of  milit.  com- 
mand in  terr.,  344,  defense  measures, 
321-322;  letters  ment.  to:  Edwards, 
343,  Howard,  364;  letters  to:  Edwards, 
321-322,  413,  413-414,  Howard,  350, 
444,  Rector,  397;  receives  offer  of 
comp.  of  rangers,  300-301;  receives 
resig.  of  Rector  as  brig,  gen.,  373; 
recommend,  to,  for  appt.  as  brig,  gen., 
militia,  378;  repts.  to,  re:  Dickson's 
actions,  327-328,  Indian  war,  310-312, 
312-315,  319,  370-373,  406,  measures 
of  defense,  316-318,  331-333,  347- 
348,  milit.  situation,  303-305,  305- 
306,  renewal  of  Indian  war,  422-424, 
444-446,  supplies  at  Ft.  Russell,  362; 
requests  formation  of  ranger  comps., 
316;  silence  of,  re  Edwards's  milit. 
policy,  347;  transfers  Howard  to  com- 
mand 111.  defenses,  354. 

Secretary  of  War,  Dearborn,  letters 
ment.  to:  Campbell,  55,  Chicago 
Indian  agency,  50. 

Secretary  of  War,  Eustis,  253;  advice 
by,  re  appt.  of  command,  of  U.  S. 
rangers,  217;  appts.:  Harrison  as 
command,  of  troops  on  terr.  frontier, 
256-257,  E.  Rector  as  brig,  gen., 
militia,  157,  159,  W.  Rector  as  brig, 
gen.,  160;  informed  re:  capture  of 
Chicago,  259,  change  in  bound  of 
terr.,  65-66,  conditions  at  Prairie  du 
Chien,  154-157,  166-169,  Dubuque 
lead  mine,  258-259,  presence  of  Brit. 
traders,  179;  informs  Edwards  of: 
defense  measures,  266,  Indian  annui- 
ties, 88;  instrs.  by  re.:  admin,  of 
Indian  agency,  50,  attempt  to  pre- 
serve peace  with  Indians,  231-232, 
concert  of  govrs.  in  defense,  243-244, 
deliv.  of  Indian  goods  to  Varnum,  83, 
fortify,  pub.  buildings,  210,  transfer 
of  Varnum  from  Chicago,  30,  transmit, 
evid.  of  action  of  Brit,  traders,  179, 
180,  supply,  arms  by  milit.  store- 
keeper, 218,  policy  at  Prairie  du 
Chien,  166,  168;  letters  ment.  to: 
Boilvin,  69,  Edwards,  159,  169,  173, 
244,  265,  Harrison,  243;  letters  to: 
command,  officer  at  Michilimackinac, 
83;  Edwards,  88,  160,  173,  179,  193, 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


496 


INDEX 


197-198,  210,  243-244,  256-257,  266, 
267,  Edwards  and  Scott,  217,  govrs. 
and  Indian  agts.,  231-232,  Irwin,  35, 
180,  210,  Jouett,  50,  Martin,  218,  E. 
Rector,  157,  Varnum,  30;  petition  for 
indemnity  enclosed  to,  114;  receives 
address  for  Pres.,  270;  receives  rec- 
ommend, of  Rector  as  brig,  gen.,  113, 
120,  repls.  to,  re:  Brit.-Amer.  rels.  in 
west,  36-37,  danger  to  terr.,  265-266, 
defense  measures,  215-216,  238-240, 
Indian  rels.,  52-53,  75,  159-160,  164- 
166,  169-171,  174-179,  184-185,  186- 
190,  193-195,  202-203,  212,  218, 
219-222,  223-225,  244-247,  247-255, 
policy  of  command,  officer  at  Chi- 
cago, 66-68,  prog,  of  Indian  war, 
268-269,  smuggling  at  Chicago,  184- 
185,  U.  S.  rangers,  257-258;  transmits 
orderfor  organiz.  of  comp.  of  rangers, 
197-198;  states  no  muster  rolls  reed., 
193. 

Secretary  of  War  (act.),  Monroe,  re- 
ceives advice  and  recommends,  re 
frontier  war,  289-293;  rept.  to,  re 
defense  measures,  294-295;  requests 
meet,  with  111.  and  Mo.  terr.  delegs., 
298. 

Secretary  of  War  (act.).  Smith,  letter 
ment.  to  Jouett,  40. 

Seguin,  Louis,  deposit,  favor,  to  land 
commrs.  ment.,  59;  signer,  213. 

Self,  David,  signer,  274,  277. 

Self,  Jacob,  signer,  275. 

Sely,  Henry,  signer,  302. 

Setz,  David,  signer,  208. 

Seven  ranges,  mode  of  survey,  of,  con- 
tinued, 356. 

Sexton,  Jacob,  signer,  207. 

Sexton,  Joshua,  signer,  152,  207. 

Sexton,  Meshake,  signer,  64. 

Shannon,  Thomas,  signer,  207,  277. 

Shannon,  William,  draft  in  favor  of, 
145;  letter  to  Pope,  32. 

Sharp,  Rep.  Solomon,  of  Ky.,  letter  to 
Sec.  State,  411;  recommends  Edwards 
as  commr.  to  Indians,  411. 

Shaw,  — ,  bill  in  favor  of,  95. 

Shawnee  (Shawanese)  Indians,  com- 
bine with  other  tribes  for  attack  on 
U.  S.,  203;  hostile  assembly  predicted. 


159-160;  incite  other  tribes  to  war, 
252;  invited  to  Ark.  R.  area,  246; 
summoned  to  Detroit  by  Brit.,  325. 

Shawnee  Prophet,  221,  239;  agts.  of 
Kinzie  trade  with,  220;  alleged  part 
in  Indian  unrest,  160;  band  of  Kicka- 
poo  join,  329;  hostile  intent,  163,  164, 
170-171,  193;  Indian  ready  to  assist, 
250;  leads  Indians  to  Detroit,  325; 
mtssage  from  Tecumseh  to,  286; 
receives  Indian  mission,  245;  size  of 
war  party  of,  263;  town  of,  187;  visit 
to  Detroit,  313. 

Shawneetown,  374,  382,  383,  384,  385, 
387,  406,  417;  acct.  for  survey,  of 
viewed  as  high,  413;  bill  authoriz.  road 
from,  to  U.  S.  Saline  and  Kaskaskia 
discussed,  420;  change  of  loc.  to 
higher  ground  discussed,  412;  claim  of 
survr.  for  lay.  out,  406;  copy  of  act 
re  sent  to  Meigs,  402;  corr.  re  original 
survey  of,  424-426;  desig.  of  bounds, 
discussed,  152;  dist.  to  salt  works,  63; 
effect  of  pub.  sale  of  unsold  lots,  448; 
estab.  and  lay.  out  of,  discussed,  97, 
107-108,  112-113,  153-154,  309,  318- 
319,320-321,425-426,  449-450;  estab. 
of  road  from,  to  Saline  and  Kaskaskia, 
407-408;  failure  of  mails  to  Hender- 
son, Ky.,  412;  favor,  loc.  discussed, 
63-64;  ferry  rights  discussed,  421; 
floods  at,  367;  further  revision  of  plan 
of,  discussed,  330-331;  loc.  in  rel.  to 
Kaskaskia,  63;  no.  families  in,  65; 
petitions  from,  re:  div.  town  lots  for 
sale,  62-64,  65,  estab.  add.  land  office, 
153-154,  improve,  of  plan  of,  390-391; 
postal  schedule  to  Ste.  Genevieve, 
La.  Terr.,  428;  postal  service  to 
Livingston  Co.,  Ky.,  157;  prog,  of 
survey  of,  181-182;  prog,  of,  under 
Indiana  Terr.,  63;  query  re  unsold 
lots  in,  436;  recommend,  as  loc.  of 
survr.  gen.  office,  366-368;  rept.  re 
survey  of,  148-149;  resid.  of  Judge 
Griswold,  412;  revised  plat  sent  to 
Washington,  329;  road  from,  to  Kas- 
kaskia urged,  297;  sale  of  lots  recom- 
mend., 365;  survey  of  add.  to,  ar- 
ranged, 421 ;  survey  of,  discussed,  448; 
survey  of  new  part  to  be  executed, 
419;  unfavor.  site  discussed,  357-360, 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  45i 


INDEX 


497 


361,  364,  369,  395-396;  unsold  lots 
to  be  sold  at  auction,  440. 

Shawneetown  Land  District,  389,  428, 
433;  applic.  of  premption  law  in,  388; 
estab.  of,  205,  335;  map  of,  discussed, 
375  n.,  449,  450,  451;  plats  of  surveys 
in:  inaccuracy  of,  discussed,  369-370, 
375-377,  378,  sent  to  G.L.O.,  353,  to 
be  furnished  to  reg.,  417-418;  sale  of 
land  discussed,  369-370;  surveys  com- 
pleted, 393. 

Shawneeto;^^  Land  Office,  319;  applic. 
for  appt.  as  reg.  of,  320;  appt.  of  reg. 
and  rec.  at,  417,  418,  421,  427;  estab. 
of,  discussed  and  procld.,  402,  406- 
407,  407-408,  412,  413,  415,  416-417, 
421;  instrs.  and  forms  sent  to  officials 
of,  420-421;  land  sale  discussed,  422, 
429;  need  for  office  supplies,  427. 

Sheely,  Da\ad,  signer,  274. 

Shelby,  Abraham,  signer,  208. 

Shelby,  David,  signer,  277. 

Shelby,  Isaac,  signer,  277. 

Sheldon,  Daniel,  Jr.,  391;  comments  by, 
351,  357;  inquiry  re  faQure  of  mails, 
111;  letter  to  Coles,  108;  memoran.  re 
Jones'  salary,  108-109;  note,  437; 
sends  Jones'  letter  re  deposit,  to 
Herty,  111. 

Shequenebec,  Indian  chief,  parties  from 
village  of,  on  warpath,  263. 

Sheriffs,  appt.  of,  47-48;  charges  against 
Gilbreath  as,  45-46;  removal  of, 
47-48. 

Shoal  Creek,  settlers  on,  abandon 
homes,  190. 

Shook,  Aaron,  militia  muster  roll,  226, 
233. 

Shook,  Samuel,  militia  muster  roll,  237. 

Short,  Hubbard,  militia  muster  roll,  235, 
237. 

Short,  Hubert,  signer,  302. 

Short,  Capt.  Jacob,  302;  attends  conf. 
militia  officers,  188;  certifies  muster 
rolls,  236,  238;  elected  secy,  of 
militia  conf.,  188;  in  campaign  against 
Kickapoo,  333,  334;  member  terr.  leg., 
301;  muster  rolls,  227  n.,  234,  236; 
muster  rolls  of  militia  comp.  of,  234- 
238;  offer  by,  of  comp.  of  rangers, 
300-302;  raises  comp.  of  rangers,  316; 
signer,  301. 


Short,  John,  signer,  301. 

Short,  Moses,  militia  muster  rolls,  235, 
237;  signer,  301. 

Short,  Maj.  — ,  46. 

Shrader,  Judge  Otho  (La.-Mo.  Terr.), 
Pope's  oath  taken  before,  38. 

Sibley,  Isaac,  signer,  64. 

Sidney  (Sydney)  Grove,  162,  247. 

Silver  Creek,  settlers  on,  abandon 
homes,  190. 

Sioux  (Sieux)  Indians,  315;  alleged  plan 
to  attack  Sauk  and  Fox,  307;  await: 
answer  of  Brit.,  250,  Dickson  at 
Prairie  du  Chien,  326,  outcome  of 
Indian  attack  on  settlements,  264; 
conf.  with:  other  tribes  at  Milwaukee, 
249,  party  from  Prophetstown,  245- 
246;  deleg.  of,  accompany  Dickson  to 
Can.,  249;  friendly  to  U.  S.,  307; 
hostile  intentions,  253;  invited  to  join 
war  against  U.  S.,  325-326;  meet  at 
Prairie  du  Chien,  166,  168;  own  lead 
mines,  156;  peace  party  on  way  to  St. 
Louis  conf.,  322;  plans  discussed  re: 
alliance  with  Brit.,  215,  conquest  of 
La.  Terr.,  253,  254,  visit  to  Washing- 
ton, 167,  168-169;  ready  to  joint 
enemies  of  U.  S.,  314,  316;  visit 
Prairie  du  Chien  agency,  71. 

Sisson,  James,  396;  elk.,  survr.  gen., 
office,  389. 

Skinner,  Henry,  letter  ment.  to  P.M.G., 
339;  draft  on,  in  favor  of  McArthur, 
139. 

Slater,  James,  signer,  214. 

Slaves,  bill  author,  use  of,  in  salines,  300; 
intro.  of,  proposed,  297;  of  Judge 
Stuart,  299. 

Slocum,  John  C,  signer,  277. 

Sloo,  Thomas,  357,  436;  appd.:  land 
commr.,  211,  340,  reg.  Shawneetown 
L.  O.,  406-407,  417,  418;  condemns 
site  of  Shawneetown,  361;  copy  of 
letter  re  Shawneetown  sent  to  G.L.O., 
360;  discusses  land  patents,  429-430; 
instrs.  and  forms  enclosed  to,  420- 
421;  instrs.  to,  discussed  or  ment., 
427,  449,  450;  letters  ment.  to:  Meigs, 
364,  Tiffin,  450;  letters  to:  Meigs,  361, 
429-431,  450-451,  Tiffin,  427-428, 
449-450;  petition  by,  re  add.  compens. 
as  land  commr.,  340-341;  recommends 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  45i 


498 


INDEX 


new  site  for  Shawneetown,  361;  re- 
quests map  of  Shawneetown  land 
district,  449, 450;  requests  newspapers 
to  insert  procl.,  417;  s.  rept.  land 
commrs.,  284;  submits  bond  and  oath 
as  reg.,  427. 

Smith,  Abraham,  signer,  274. 

Smith,  Benjamin  R.,  signer,  277. 

Smith,  Evans,  signer,  274. 

Smith,  Isaac,  militia  muster  roll,  233; 
signer,  150. 

Smith,  James,  signer,  150. 

Smith,  James,  signer,  152. 

Smith,  John,  see  Secretary  of  War  (act.). 

Smith,  John,  signer,  207. 

Smith,  Jon,  signer,  274. 

Smith,  Michael,  signer,  204. 

Smith,  Robert,  see  Secretary  of  State. 

Smith,  Samuel  H.,  and  Herty,  commrs. 
to  take  deposit.,  110,  111. 

Smith,  Upton,  signer,  150. 

Smith,  Col.  — ,  agrees  to  buy  land  in 
La.  Terr,  for  Judge  Jones,  61;  carries 
letter  to  Crawford,  60. 

Smithland  (Ky.),  mail  schedule  to 
Cape  Girardeau,  La.  Terr.,  428. 

Smyth,  John,  signer,  208. 

Society  of  True  Americans,  resol.  of, 
341-343. 

Sparks,  ASalum,  signer,  274. 

Sparks,  Benjamin,  signer,  274. 

Sparks,  ElsBury,  signer,  274. 

Sprigg,  Judge  William,  336;  appd.  and 
commd.  judge,  350-351,  438;  ex- 
change of  positions  with  Stuart  dis- 
cussed, 437-439;  letter  to  Sec.  State, 
336;  memo,  re  salary  acct.,  438-439; 
solicits  appt.  as  judge,  336. 

Sprinkle,  Michal,  signer,  64. 

Squire's  ferry,  on  Miss.  R.,  162. 

Squires,  — ,  kills  Indian  chief,  162. 

Stallions  (Stallion),  Capt.  Abraham, 
attends  conf.  militia  officers,  188; 
deposit,  favor,  to  land  commrs. 
ment.,  59. 

Standlee,  David,  signer,  278. 

Standlee,  William,  signer,  153. 

Standley,  Dennis,  signer,  273. 

Standley,  William,  signer,  273. 

Standly,  Stephen,  signer,  273. 

Stanley  (Standlee;  Stanly),  Abraham 
(Abram),  depos.  re  sale  of  Stanley 


lands,  131-132;  land  claims  assigned 

to  Edgar,  123, 125,  126,  127,  131-132; 

power  of  atty.  to,  by  Stanley  family, 

125,    129-131;    proposal    of,    to   sell 

Stanley  claims,   126;  resid.  of,  126; 

signer,  152. 
Stanley  claims,  discussed,  123-132. 
Stanley  (Standlee,  Stanly),  David,  Jr., 

126;  land  claims  of,  assigned  to  Edgar, 

123,  126,  129,  130-131. 
Stanley,    David,    Jr.,    and    McCarty, 

power   of  atty.   by,   to   A.   Stanley, 

130-131. 
Stanley,  David,  Sr.,  126. 
Stanley  (Standlee,  Stanly),  John,  126; 

depos.  of,  rejected,  128;  land  claims 

assigned  to  Edgar,  123,  126,  130,  131; 

power  of  atty.  by,  to  A.  Stanley,  130. 
Stanly,  Demsy,  signer,  208. 
Stanly,  Sphen,  signer,  208. 
Stapleton,  John,  signer,  208. 
Stark    (Starke),    Maj.    Horatio,    letter 

ment.  to  Howard,  327. 
Starkey,  Jesse,  signer,  150. 
Starkey,  John,  signer,  150. 
State  Department,  terr.  docs,  filed  in, 

109. 
Staunton  (Va.),  visit  of  Stuart  to,  299. 
Steel,  Joseph  M.,  signer,  391. 
Steel,  William,  militia  muster  roll,  234. 
Stephenson,     Maj.     Benjamin,     appd. 

sheriff,  47-48;  command,  of  rangers, 

317;  commands  force  against  Indians 

on  Mink  R.,  331,  332,  333-335;  in 

campaign  against  Indians,  370,  371; 

letter  to  Edwards,  333-335;  recom- 

med.    for    rtappt.    as    command,    of 

rangers,  317;  signer,  204. 
Sterling,  Lord,  121. 
Steuben ville  (Stubenville,  0.),  137. 
Stewart,  Charles,  signer,  152. 
Stickney,    Benjamin    F.,   instrs.   to   re 

preserv.  of  peace  with  Indians,  231- 

232. 
Stiles,  Richard,  signer,  277. 
Stiles,  William,  signer,  277. 
Stilly,  David,  signer,  274. 
Stilly,  John,  signer,  274. 
Stilly,  Stephen,  signer,  274. 
Stobaugh,  John,  signer,  274. 
Stockton,    Davis,   permit   to,   to   seek 

stolen  horses,  39;  signtr,  150. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


499 


Stockton,  James,  on  comm.  to  recom- 
mend appt.  of  govr.,  31;  signer,  150. 
Stony   (Rocky)    River,  agts.  of  Kinzie 

trade   at,   220. 
Story,  Nathan,  signer,  273. 
Stout,  Henry,  militia  muster  roll,  235, 
237. 

Stovall,  Abraham,  signer,  208. 

Stovall,  G.  B.,  signer,  208. 

Stovall,  John,  signer,  208. 

Stovall,  Squire,  signer,  208. 

Stovl,  — ,  46. 

Street,  Joseph,  preeemption  claim  dis- 
cussed, 430. 

Stuart,  Judge  Alexander,  347;  absence 
of,  298-300;  address  of  members  of 
bar  to,  217;  applies  for  appt.  in  Mo. 
Terr.,  298-299;  commd.  judgt,  15-16; 
exchange  of  positions  with  Judge 
Sprigg,  of  Mo.,  discussed,  437-439; 
illness  of  family,  298;  initial  pay  of, 
16  n.;  judge  in  Mo.  Terr.,  438;  letter 
to  Sec.  State,  268, 298-300, 345;  memo. 
re  salary  acct.,  438-439;  presides  at 
trial  of  M.  Jones,  95;  recommends: 
Edwards  for  reappt.  as  govr.,  268, 
Pope  as  judge,  71-72,  Pope  for  reappt. 
as  secy.,  284,  E.  Rector  as  reg.  of 
L.O.,  320;  resig.  of,  268,  345,  349; 
returns  to  111.,  299;  s.  petition,  72; 
visit  to  Sec.  State,  298. 

Stuart,  Judge  Alexander,  and  Edwards 
and  Thomas,  letter  to  Sec.  State,  71- 
72. 

Stublefield,  John,  signer,  214. 

Suffrage,  exten.  of,  by  Cong.,  207  n.; 
need  for  wider,  discussed,  200,  201, 
202;  petitions  for  wider,  203-204,  205- 
208;  property  qualif.  for  exercise  of, 
204,  205-206. 

Summers,  Edward,  signer,  214. 

Summers,  John,  signer,  207. 

Summers,  William,  signer,  274. 

Sumner,  John,  signer,  273. 

Sumner,  Spencer,  signer,  273. 

Sumner,  Thomas,  signer,  273. 

Superintendent  of  Indian  affairs,  juris, 
of  various,  in  111.  Terr,  discussed,  69, 
70  n. 

Superintendent  of  Indian  trade,  seat  of, 
at  Georgetown,  D.  C,  256. 


Surveyor  General,  87,  99,  136,  139,  145, 
146,  393,  416;  contracts  with  survrs. 
to  survey  private  claims  discussed, 
147;  exten.  of  credits  to,  113;  power 
subord.  to  Sec.  Treas.,  425;  recom- 
mend, re  new  loc.  of  office  of,  366-368; 
resurvey  of  land  claims  by,  283.  See 
also  Mansfield,  Jared;  Tiffin,  Edward; 
Meigs,  Jcsiah. 

Surveyors,  contracts  with,  for  survey  of 
private  claims  discussed,  147;  recalled 
from  work  acct.  Indian  war,  401-402. 
See  also  Deputy  surveyors. 

Surveys,  assig.  of  areas  for,  351 ; 
compens.  for,  112;  contracts  discussed, 
356;  corr.  re  Shawneetown,  424-426; 
decisions  re,  394;  defective,  335,  376- 
377,  378;  discussed,  136,  137,  163- 
164,  389;  effect  of  winter  season  on, 
181-182;  estimates  of  expense,  355; 
general  system  approved,  356;  im- 
peded by  Indian  attacks,  397-399, 
400-402;  instrs.  re  running  sec.  lines, 
135;  islands  in  Miss.  R.,  436,  440; 
lots  in  Shawneetown  discussed,  151- 
152,  153-154,  369-370;  method  dis- 
cussed, 356,  374-375;  need  for  early, 
to  encourage  emig.,  96;  no  funds  for, 
of  pub.  lands,  22;  plans  for,  discussed, 
77-80;  private  claims  discussed,  20- 
22,  84-88,  89,  106-107;  prog,  of,  142, 
145-146,  181-182,  374,  398-399,  400- 
402,  420;  plats  sent  to  G.L.O.,  351, 
353,364,  365;  proposals  for,  441-443; 
proposed,  for  new  Shawneetown,  412; 
recommend,  for  U.  S.  pay.  of  private, 
146-148;  status  of  dep.  survrs.,  393; 
status  under  author,  of  govrs.,  13. 

Swarengin,  Thomas,  militia  muster  roll, 
234. 

Swaringin,  Thomas  V.,  militia  muster 
roll,  236. 

Swofford,  Jacob  T.,  signer,  277. 

Tade,  David,  signer,  274. 

Tailor,  James,  signer,  204. 

Talbot,  Thomas  W.,  militia  muster  roll, 
233. 

Talbott  (Talbot),  Benjamin,  validity  of 
land  entry  discussed,  430;  letter  to 
Edwards,  225;  rept.  by,  re  danger  to 
U.  S.  Saline,  225;  signer,  207,  277. 


Fur  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  JiSJf 


500 


INDEX 


Talbott,  Elijah,  signer,  150. 

Talbott  (Talbot),  James,  militia  muster 
roll,  232;  signer,  150. 

Talbott  (Talbot,  Tolbut),  Joshua,  mi- 
litia muster  roll,  226;  signer,  150. 

Talbott  (Tolbut),  Thomas,  militia  mus- 
ter roll,  226. 

Talbott,  Thomas  H.,  signer,  150. 

Talor,  Nimrod,  signer,  277. 

Tanby,  Thonton,  signer,  152. 

Taxation,  fear  of  add.,  under  sec.  grade 
of  go\-t.,  209;  land,  discussed,  296. 

Taylor,  David,  signer,  275. 

Taylor,  George,  signer,  275. 

Taylor,  Jonathan,  preemption  claim 
discussed,  430. 

Taylor,  Nicholas,  signer,  275. 

Taylor,  Right,  signer,  275. 

Taylor,  Samuel,  signer,  213. 

Taylor  &  Bringman,  lessees  of  U.  S. 
Saline,  40. 

Tecumseh,  hostile  intent,  193;  message 
to  Shawnee  Prophet,  286;  visit  to 
Maiden,  264. 

Tennessee,  63,  126,  130,  131,  223,  388, 
416,  423;  market  for  salt,  361. 

Terre  Coupee,  dist.  from  Chicago,  261. 

Territorial  Attorney  General,  motion  to 
defer  trial  of  Jones,  58;  no  juris,  over 
Fed.  cases,  345-346;  presents  cast 
against  Jones,  95. 

Territorial  bar,  address  of  members  to, 
Judge  Stuart,  217. 

Territorial  courts,  advice  to  suspend 
term,  260;  recept.  by,  of  certain  docs, 
in  libel  suit,  110;  status  of  suits  in, 
after  estab.  of  terr.,  7;  vacancy  in, 
81,  82,  298.  See  also  Territorial 
Supreme  Court. 
Territorial  Delegate,  8,  9,  202,  209,  272, 
299;  address  to  Sec.  War,  289-293, 
298;  chosen  by  leg.  assembly,  206; 
elec.  of,  from  Indiana  Terr.,  135-137; 
instrs.  to,  to  lay  leg.  memorial  before 
Cong.,  280,  405;  need  for,  stressed, 
189,  200;  petition  urging  popul.  elec. 
of,  207;  popul.  elec.  of,  provided  for, 
207  n.;  resols.  of  leg.  transmitted 
through,  297;  urged  to  secure  new 
laws,  296,  297. 
Territorial  Governor,  125;  applic.  and 
recommends,  for  appt.  as,  9,  10,  11, 


19  n.,  20,  22,  23-24,  29-30,  81-82, 
268;  appt.  as,  45,  243,  270;  author,  as 
commander-in-chief  discussed,  295  n.; 
comms.  as,  45,  243,  270;  confirm,  of 
land   titles   by,    discussed,    99,    100, 
103-105,  136,  141,  144,  145,  158,  161, 
338,  340,  440;  discussed,  14  n.;  lack  of 
author,    to    call    militia,    223;    land 
qualif.  discussed,  72,  74;  office  sup- 
plied   furnish,    by    terr.    secy.,    56; 
salary,    how    paid,    17;    tenure,    45, 
243,  270. 
Territorial  Judges,   138;  appt.  as,   83, 
108,  109;  clerk  to,  keeps  office,  149; 
comms.  as,  14-16,  350-351;  confusion 
re  salary,  108-109;  discussed,  14  n.; 
irregularity  in   pay  explained,   437- 
439;  keep  no  ofl^cc,  149;  land  qualif. 
discussed,  72,  74;  non-arrival  of,  38; 
non-resid.  discussed,  349  n.;  recom- 
mends, for  appt.  as,  8,  9,  12,  349; 
resig.    of,    71,    268,    298-300,    345; 
salary  discussed,  438-439;  tenure,  14, 
15,     16,     83,     299,     350.     See    also 
Judges;     Territorial    Courts;     Terri- 
torial Supreme  Court. 
Territorial  Legislature,  address  to  Pres. 
transmitted,  275;  tlec.  to  fill  vacancy, 
122;    memorial   by,  re   loc.    of   land 
claims,  402-405;  resols.   of,  re;  em- 
ploy, of  slaves,  296-297,  more  liberal 
land  policy,  279-280. 
Territorial    Secretary,    as    act.    govr. 
16-41;  conting.  expenses  of  office  of, 
74;    discussed,  14    n.;    land    qualif., 
72,  74;  nomin.  and  appt.  of,  29  n., 
303,  340;  oath  discussed,  38;  office 
expenses  discussed,  38,  39,  41,  49-50, 
56,  60,  69;  recommend,  for  reappt.  as, 
284;   recommends,   for   appt.   as,   8, 
10-11;  resig.  of  officers  filed  with,  126; 
salary,  how  paid,  17;  tenure,  303,  340. 
Territorial  Supreme  Court,  268;  applic. 
for  appt.  to,  336;  official  seal  of,  to  be 
paid  for  by  U.  S.,  149;  vacancies,  336, 
34  5,  349.     See  also  Clerk  of  Territorial 
Court;  Territorial  Judges. 
Territory  Northwest  of  the  River  Ohio, 
6,  7,  131,  144;  confirm,  of  land  claims 
by  govr.  of,  discussed,  211,  281,  282, 
283,  440;  discussed,  3-4;  div.  of,  104; 
papers  re  land  titles  in  France,  93; 


For  identical  names,  tee  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


501 


policy  of  govr.  of,  re  loc.  of  militia 
rights,  404. 

Teter,  Philip,  militia  muster  roll,  226, 
232. 

Thomas,  J.,  elk.  leg.  council,  attests 
resol.,  280. 

Thomas,  James  D.,  attests  resol.,  342. 

Thomas,  Judge  Jesse  B.,  advised  not  to 
hold  court,  260;  affid.  sworn  to  before, 
133;  certif.  ment.  re  Caldwell's  oath 
as  rec,  433;  characterized,  17;  comm. 
as  judge,  15;  draft  enclosed  to  Craw- 
ford, 60 ;  initial  pay,  1 5  n. ;  letter  ment. 
to  Judge  Jones,  60;  letters  to:  Sec. 
State,  11,  Sec.  War,  120;  recommend, 
as  judge,  8,  9,  12;  recommends: 
Boyle  as  govr.,  11,  Pope  as  judge, 
71-72,  as  terr.  secy.,  11,  Rector  as 
brig,  gen.,  120;  repts.  for  comm.,  3; 
s.  petition,  72. 

Thomas,  Judge  Jesse  B.,  and  Edwards 
and  Stuart,  letter  to  Sec.  State,  71-72. 

Thomas,  Robert,  signer,  392. 

Thomp  (MS.  torn),  William,  signer,  214. 

Thompson,  Matthew,  signer,  278. 

Thomson,   Archibald,   signer,   214. 

Thruston,  Sen.  Buckner,  of  Ky.,  letters 
to  Sec.  State,  10-11;  recommends 
Boyle  as  govr.,  10. 

Tidwell,  Hiram  (Hyram),  militia  muster 
roll,  235,  237. 

Tiffin,  Edward,  360;  advised  of  inac- 
curate surveys,  368-369;  bond  and 
oath  of  Caldwell  sent  to,  433;  com- 
ments re  inaccuracy  of  surveys,  376- 
377;  confir.  as  commr.  of  G.L.O.,  309 
n.;  criticizes  plan  of  Shawneetown, 
318-319;  discusses  interpret,  of  law 
confirm,  land  claims,  439-440;  dis- 
cusses saline  lease,  391;  encloses 
forms  and  instrs.  to  Sloo,  421-422; 
informed  re  assig.  of  survrs.,  351; 
informs  Edwards  of  disallow,  of  claim 
for  extra  compens.,  443-444;  informs 
Meigs  of  appt.  of  reg.  and  rec.  at 
Shawneetown,  417-418;  instrs.  by,  re: 
correct,  of  survey  plats,  378,  Dob- 
bins's  acct.,  413,  rept.  on  lands  near 
U.  S.  Saline,  414-415,  inquiry  into 
delinquency  of  lessee  of  U.  S.  Saline, 
434,  return  of  surveys  in  Shawnee- 
town dist.,  335-336,  revision  of  sur- 


vey, plats,  369,  sale  of  reserved  lands, 
344-345;  instrs.  from,  requested  re 
confirm,  land  claims,  432;  lays  ques- 
tion of  U.  S.  Saline  before  Pres.,  323- 
324;  Mansfield-Dobbins  corr.  re  Shaw- 
neetown surveys  sent  to,  424-426; 
query  to,  re  forfeitures,  449;  query  to, 
re  interpret,  of  preemption  act  (sec. 
16),  448-449;  names  board  to  exam. 
and  rept.  on  reserved  lands  near  U.  S. 
Saline,  417;  opinion  re  applic.  of 
preemption  law,  388;  plats  of  surveys 
sent  to,  351;  receives  plat  of  Shaw- 
neetown, 329;  requests  Graham  to 
fill  out  comms.  for  land  officers,  418; 
sends  land  act  to  Jones  and  Caldwell, 
414;  s.  procl.,  417;  letters  ment.  to: 
Bond,  437,  Caldwell,  399,  433, 
Edwards,  343,  389,  Jones,  431,  Meigs, 
320,  330,  351,  355,  365,  376,  377,  393, 
395,  400,  412,  418,  421,  436,  448, 
Rector,  399,  Sloo,  427;  letters  to:  Bond, 
388,  Caldwell,  302-303,  429,  441, 
Edwards,  328-329,  343, 443-444,  Gra- 
ham, 418,  Jones,  391,  439-440,  Jones 
and  Caldwell,  344-345,  414,  Meigs, 
318-319,  335-336,  364-365,  369-370, 
376-377,  378-379,  396-397,  402,  413, 
417-418,  440-441,  Pres.,  323,  pres. 
of  Senate,  336-337,  337-339,  Sloo, 
420-421,  Morrison  and  Wilkins,  434, 
White,  434,  White,  Hargrove,  and 
Trammel,  414;  receives  survey  plats, 
353,  356,  357,  364;  repts.  to,  re:  plan 
of  Shawneetown,  309,  320-321,  sur- 
veys, 374-376;  submits  repts.  of  land 
commrs.  to  Senate,  337-339;  trans- 
mits: approval  of  saline  lease,  328, 
land  laws  to  Meigs,  330,  preemption 
act  to  rec.  at  Kaskaskia   302-303. 

Tilly,  John,  signer,  275. 

Tippecanoe  (Tepicanoe),  252. 

Tippecanoe  campaign,  ment.,  424. 

Tod,  William,  rels.  of,  with  Dubuque, 
258-259. 

Todd,  Lt.  Robert,  of  Ky.,  239,  257,  265. 

Todd,  T.,  depos.  favor,  to  land  commrs. 
ment.,  59. 

Tower  Hill,  troops  gather  at,  370. 

Tracy,  Rep.  Uri,  of  N.  Y.,  recommends 
Griswold  as  judge,  81  n. 

Tramell,  James,  signer,  208. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  4^4 


502 


INDEX 


Trammel  (Tramel),  Col.  Philip,  227  n.; 
calls  out  comp.  of  militia,  223,  224, 
225;  letter  to  Edwards,  224-225;  pur- 
sues Indians,  332. 

Trammel,  Col.  Philip,  and  others, 
instrs.  to,  re  examin.  of  land  near 
U.  S.  Saline,  414. 

Trappist,  see  La  Trappe. 

Trimble,  D.,  signer,  152. 

Turkey  Hill,  61. 

Turner,  Nathaniel,  signer,  273. 

Tuttle,  Trueman,  draft  in  favor  of 
McArthur,  139;  instrs.  to,  re  pay.  of 
drafts,  139-140. 

Tywappety,  mail  schedule,  428. 

Uley,  David,  signer,  153. 

United  States  Attorney,  comm.  as,  352; 
recommend,  for  appt.,  302,  348;  sal- 
ary, 352  n.;  tenure,  352. 

United  States  Bank,  17,  39. 

United  States  Congress,  36,  124,  191, 
193,  201,  244;  act  re  estab.  oi  111.  Terr, 
(text),  6-8;  action  re  leg.  memorial  on 
reloc.  of  land  claims,  405  r.;  acts  dis- 
cussed re:  confirm,  of  land  claims, 
103-105,  estab.  111.  Terr.,  203,  431 
432,  preemption,  434-436;  acts  ment. 
re:  add.  corapens.  of  rangers,  304, 
bounty  lands  for  soldiers,  280,  college 
twp.,  296,  297,  compens.  to  postmast- 
ers, 180;  confirm,  of  land  claims,  414, 
439,  contracts,  183,  div.  of  Indiana 
Terr,  and  estab.  111.  Terr.,  9,  14,  15, 
16,  23,  83,  350,  enabling  Ohio  to  form 
const.,  296,  estab.  of  Shawneetown, 
97,  318,  402,  412,  estab.  Shawneetown 
land  district,  335,  416,  extens.  of  suf- 
frage and  popul.  elec.  of  deleg.,  207 
n.,  land  claims,  73,  90,  98,  99,  109, 
123,  133,  134,  143,  158,  281,  329,  336, 
337,  344,  435,  land  sales,  356,  416, 
milit.  land  warrants,  396,  pay.  of  fees 
for  resurveys,  76,  preemption,  302, 
341,  344,  376,  379,  388,  412,  441,  rais- 
ing corps  U.  S.  rangers,  217,  reloc.  of 
land  claims,  403,  404,  surveys,  356, 
365,  389,  393,  394;  applic.  to,  for  add. 
compens.  to  land  commrs.,  161;  bills 
before,  re:  authoriz.  road,  420,  extens. 
of  suffrage,  209,  land  claims,  419;  con- 
firm, by,  of  land  claims  discussed,  144, 


338;  deleg.  to,  discussed,  200-201, 202; 
petitions,  memorials,  and  resols.  from 
terr.  before,  65,  72,  93-94,  140-141, 
149-150,  151-153,  203-204,  205-208, 
271-272,  272-275,  276-278,  279-280, 
378,  402-405;  elec.  of  terr.  deleg.  to, 
discussed,  135-136,  137;  publ.  of  laws 
of,  in  terr.,  393;  receives  repts.  re:  con- 
firmed land  claims,  96,  mail  contracts, 
81-82;  rule  re  admission  of  new  states 
by,  3-4. 

United  States  House  of  Representatives, 
receives  letter  from  Edwards  re 
protect.  Mo.  Fur  Co.,  408;  rept.".  to, 
re  div.  Indiana  Terr.,  3-5,  petition 
of  terr.  officers,  74. 

United  States  marshal,  recommends, 
for  appt.  as,  302,  348;  tenure,  353. 

United  States  rangers,  203  n.,  342; 
attack  and  destroy  Kickapoo  village, 
331,  332,  333-334;  battle  with  Indians 
347;  begin,  of  organ.,  197;  deploy,  of, 
257;  disban.  opposed,  409;  health, 
257;  list  of  volunteers,  301-302; 
moboliz.  by  Russell,  238;  need  of, 
to  protect  survrs.,  398-399;  organiz. 
of,  316-317;  organiz.  author,  by  law, 
197;  organiz.  recommend.,  244-245; 
part  of,  in  campaign  against  Indians, 
370;  pay  discussed,  210  n.,  215,  267; 
renewed  use  in  Indian  war,  422,  423, 
424,  445;  three  comps.  author.,  316; 
use  of,  to  guard  salt  springs  discussed, 
225;  value  discussed,  292,  295;  volun- 
teers, 300-301,  304-305. 

United  States  Saline,  186,  252,  357; 
alleged  delinq.  of  lessee,  434;  bill  dis- 
cussed re  road  from  Shawneetown  to, 
420;  bill  for  intro.  of  slave  labor  in, 
discussed,  300;  bound,  discussed,  151, 
152;  certain  lands  near,  to  be  excluded 
from  sale,  414,  417;  compens.  not 
allowed  for  negot.  lease  to,  443-444; 
dist.  from  Shawneetown,  63;  improve, 
on,  not  paid  for,  434;  Indian  hostility 
in  area  of,  223-225,  332;  insufficient 
labor  for,  297;  lease  discussed,  161- 
162,  300,  323-324,  391,  415  n.;  lease 
renewed,  328;  lessees  act  adversely 
to  U.  S.  interest,  205;  mail  schedule, 
428;  market  for  workings  of,  361; 
monopoly    over,    discussed    63,    65; 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  4H 


INDEX 


503 


negro  labor  in,  225;  post  road  to, 
from  Vincennes  unproductive,  181; 
rel.  to  Shawneetown,  107-108;  returns 
of  salt  from,  ment.,  40;  road  from,  to 
Kaskaskia  urged,  407-408.  See  also 
Salines;  Salt  Springs. 

United  States  Senate,  243,  299,  303,  438; 
bills  before,  re:  intro.  slaves  in  U.  S. 
Saline,  300,  Trappist  order,  89-90; 
confirms:  Edwards  as  govr.,  43,  243, 
270,  Fouke  as  U.  S.  marshal,  352-353, 
Jones  as  judge,  14,  Mears  as  U.  S. 
atty.,  352,  Pope  as  secy.,  340,  Sprigg 
as  judge,  350-351,  Stuart  as  judge, 
16,  Thomas  as  judge,  15. 

United  States  troops,  employ,  in  defense 
of  terr.  frontier,  370,  371,  372,  423, 
444-445;  need  of  aid  from,  162,  163, 
189,  194;  under  orders  of  Howard, 
444. 

Upton,  Joseph,  signer,  208. 

Vanosdol  (Vanosdle;  Vanozdal),  Simon, 
militia  muster  roll,  227,  233. 

Van  Swearingen,  Thomas,  signer,  213. 

Varnum,  Rep.  Joseph  B.,  of  Mass.,  s. 
act,  8. 

Varnum,  Rep.  Joseph  B.,  and  Gaillard, 
rept.  to,  re  land  claims,  143-144. 

Varnum,  Joseph  B.,  Jr.,  83;  transferred: 
from  Chicago  fact.,  19  n.,  to  Michili- 
mackinac,  30;  instrs.  to,  re  preserv.  of 
peace  with  Indians,  231-232;  letters 
ment.  to:  Mason,  30,  Sec.  War,  30; 
note,  30. 

Vasquez,  Lt.  Barony,  letter  to  Boilvin, 
306-307. 

Vaugh,  Lt.  John,  attends  conf.  militia 
officers,  188. 

Vaughn  (Vaune),  Lt.  Joshua,  militia 
muster  roll,  226,  232,  235. 

Vermilion,  Samuel,  signer,  214. 

Vermillion  River,  272. 

Vicary,  John,  signer,  150. 

Village  du  Blue,  Sauk  village,  306. 

Vincennes  (Ind.  Terr.),  3,  6,  13,  98,  111, 
229,  251,  268,  286,  287,  400,  423,  424; 
elec.  for  deleg.  to  Cong,  held  in,  136, 
137;  milit.  express  mail  from,  to  111. 
discussed,  348,  350,  364;  horses  stolen 
near,  255;  mail  contract  to  Kaskaskia, 
82;  move,  of  troops  from,  224;  mur- 


der by  Indians  near,  251;  murderers 
of  settlers  near,  seen  in  Chicago,  263; 
postal  service  from  and  to  discussed, 
90,  110,  166;  post  road  from,  to  Saline 
unproductive,  181;  proposed  Indian 
attack  on,  327;  rangers  at,  257; 
return  of  rangers  to,  from  111.  cam- 
paign, 372,  373;  seat  of  courts  of 
Indiana  Terr.,  4. 

Vincennes  (Ind.  Terr.)  Land  Commis- 
sioners, confirm  of  rept.  of,  103. 

Vincennes  (Ind.  Terr.)  Land  District, 
144,  376. 

Vincennes  (Ind.  Terr.)  Land  Office,  78, 
449. 

Vineyard  (Vinyard),  Daniel,  signer, 
208,  274. 

Vineyard,  John,  signer,  208,  274. 

Vineyard,  John,  signer,  275. 

Vinson,  Jeremiah,  signer,  152. 

Vinyard,  George,  signer,  208. 

Vinyard,  William,  signer,  208. 

Virgin,  William,  signer,  302. 

Virginia,  317,  418;  act  of  cession  by, 
ment.,  3;  resid.  of  Judge  Stuart,  15. 

Virginia  Military  reserve,  survey  of,  a 
blemish,  356. 

Vond,  Joshua,  signer,  150. 

Voodrey,  Gabriel,  signer,  153. 

Voodry,  John,  signer,  64. 

Wabash  River,  40,  63,  64,  239,  294,  300, 
323,  395,  401,  422;  bound,  line,  3,  4, 
5,  6;  land  near  survd.,  153;  move,  of 
hostile  Indians  near,  163;  Potawatomi 
Indians  on,  178,  246,  251;  proposed 
removal  of  Kaskaskia  L.  0.  to,  142; 
rept.  on  Indian  affairs  at,  255;  retreat 
of  Indians  from,  306;  Shawnee 
Prophet  leaves,  313. 

Wabash  Saline,  see  United  States  Saline. 

Waddle,  Jesse,  permit  to  seek  stolen 
horses,  39. 

Waddle,  John,  militia  muster  roll,  234. 

Wadke,  Jessie,  signer,  277. 

Waggoner  (Wagnor),  Ens.  Peter,  attends 
conf.  militia  officers,  188. 

Wakefield,  George,  signer,  302. 

Wakefield,  John  A.,  signer,  302. 

Walden,  Beja,  signer,  278. 

Walden,  Benjamin,  274. 

Wales,  Thomas,  signer,  274. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


504 


INDEX 


Walker,  Charles  P.,  militia  muster  rolls, 
226,  233. 

Walker,  Henry,  militia  muster  roll,  285, 
237. 

Walker,  Hugh,  militia  muster  roll,  235. 

Walker,  John,  signer,  302. 

Walker,  William,  militia  musttr  roll,  235, 
237;  signer,  302. 

Wallace,  Benjamin,  applic.  for  lease  of 
lead  mine  discussed,  105. 

Wallace,  John,  signer,  277. 

Wallis,  John,  signer,  278. 

Waliss,  Thomas,  signer,  207. 

Wapalla,  — ,  Fr.  prisoner  of  Sauk,  169. 

War  of  181Z,  Indians  await  decl.  of, 
253,  254;  prog,  of,  in  111.  terr., 
261-265,  265-266,  268-269,  270-272, 
285-293,  294-295,  305-308,  310-318, 
322,  323,  327-328,  331-335,  347-348, 
350,  364,  365,  379-381,  444-448. 

Ware,  Samuel,  signer,  301. 

Warker,  Charles,  signer,  150. 

Washington  (D.C.),  14,  15,  16,  20,  45, 
61,  69,  76,  83,  93,  166,  168,  169,  196, 
243,  259,  270,  285,  298,  299,  303,  320, 
340,  346,  350,  352,  353,  405,  425: 
bank  of,  salary  of  Meigs  deposit,  in, 
397;  Edwards  requests  leave  to  visit, 
354;  state  of  roads  from  Kaskaskia, 
94. 

Washington,  Gen.  George,  121. 

Washington  (Ky.),  350,  362;  confused 
with  Washington,  D.C.,  354,  355. 

Waterman,  J.  B.,  agt.  of  Indian  trade 
office  in  Philadelphia,  36. 

Watkins,  Lewis,  signer,  208,  277. 

Watson,  James,  signer,  208. 

Watson,  Samuel,  militia  muster  roll, 
226,  235,  237. 

Watson,  William,  signer,  208. 

Wayne,  Gen.  Anthony,  196,  257. 

Weeks,  John,  signer,  208. 

Weeks,  Thomas  D.  L.,  claim  for  loss  of 
property  to  Indians  discussed,  114, 
118;  letter  to  Edwards,  116. 

Weeks,  — ,  settle,  headed  by,  depleted, 
224. 

Wells,  Capt.  William,  advised  against 
evacua.  of  Chicago,  262;  death  of, 
262,  313;  destroys  arms  and  liquor  in 
Chicago  store,  261-262;  orders  In- 
dians back  to  Chicago,  261. 


West,  William,  signer,  64,  153,  277. 

West  Liberty  (Pa.),  137. 

Westley,  West,  signer,  274. 

Weyer,  David,  signer,  214. 

Wheatly,  Francis,  signer,  207. 

Wheeller,  William,  signer,  277. 

Wheelock,  Ens.  Simon,  attends  conf. 
militia  officers,  189;  militia  muster 
roll,  226,  232. 

Whelan,  J.  G.,  signer,  64. 

Whilliams,  Samuel,  signer,  150. 

Whiskey,  sale  to  Indians  by  Brit,  agt., 
252;  use  as  part  pay  for  labor,  50. 

Whistler,  Capt.  John,  criticism  of,  67, 
68  n.;  corr.  of,  discussed,  68  n.;  suc- 
ceeded by  Heald,  68  n. 

White,  Charles,  signer,  207. 

White,  Hugh,  signer,  214. 

White,  Isaac,  U.  S.  agt.  at  the  saline, 
accts.  ment.,  40. 

White,  Leonard,  227  n. ;  agt.  at  U.  S. 
Saline,  instrs.  to,  re  rept.  on  delinq. 
lessee  of  saline,  434,  to  examine  land. 
414;  letters  ment.  to:  P.  M.  G.,  158, 
191,  211,  Sec.  Treas.,  205;  letter  to 
Edwards,  223-224;  p.m.  at  U.  S. 
Saline,  158;  rept.  by,  re  danger  from 
Indians,  223-224;  signer,  208,  277. 

White,  Liberty,  murder  of,  by  212. 

White,  Sam  W.,  signer,  208. 

White  Hair,  Potawatomi  chief,  emissary 
to  Sauk,  313;  reward  to,  for  murder 
of  Wells,  313. 

White  Island,  gee  Lynwood  Island. 

White  Pidgeon  (Pigeon),  Potawatomi 
chief,  bears  speeches  from  Shawnee, 
252;  friend  to  U.  S.,  251;  son  of.in- 
cites  Indians  to  war,  313;  visits 
Indians  of  111.,  193. 

Whiteside,  Capt.  B.,  227  n. 

Whiteside,  Davis,  signer,  150. 

Whiteside,  Jacob,  signer,  150. 

Whiteside,  John  J.,  signer,  150. 

Whiteside,  John  L.,  militia  muster  roll, 
233;  signer,  150. 

Whiteside,  Capt.  Samuel,  attends  conf. 
militia  officers,  188;  muster  roll,  226, 
227  n.;  raises  corap.  rangers,  316. 

Whiteside  (Whitesides),  Uel  (Euel), 
depos.  sworn  to  before,  118,  119;  on 
comm.  to  recommend,  app*.  of  govr., 
31;  signer,  150. 


For  identical  names,  see  index  note,  p.  454 


INDEX 


505 


Whiteside,  William,  elected  ch.  of 
militia  conf.,  188;  raises  comp. 
rangers,  215;  instrs.  to,  re  use  of 
militia,  171-172;  on  comm.  to  rec- 
ommend appt.  of  govr.,  31;  s.  state, 
of  militia  officers,  190;  signer,  150. 

Whiteside,  Capt.  William  Boiling,  334; 
appd.  capt.,  U.  S.  rangers,  197; 
attends  conf.  militia  officers,  188; 
militia  comp.  of,  employed,  295,  445. 

Whiteside,  William  L.,  signer,  150. 

Whitford,  William,  signer,  277. 

Whitlock,  Lt.  Ambrose,  appd.  pay- 
master of  forces,  267;  transfers 
annuity  goods  to  Ft.  Massac,  47. 

Whitlock,  Simeon,  see  Wheelock,  Simon. 

Whitson,  Jacob,  signer,  150. 

Widen,  J.  R.,  letter  to  Edwards, 
306-308;  rept.  by,  re  Indian  actions, 
306-308. 

Wiet,  James,  signer,  301. 

Wnderman,  George,  militia  muster 
roll,  235,  237. 

Wilderman,  Jacob,  militia  muster  roll, 
235,  237.    See  also  Wildermon,  Jacob. 

Wilderman,  James,  militia  muster  roll, 

234,  237. 

Wildermon,  Jacob,  signer,  301.  See 
also  Wilderman,  Jacob. 

Wilkins,  Charles,  and  Morrison,  com- 
plaint re  lessee  of  saline,  434;  letter 
ment.  to  Pres.,  434. 

Wilkins,  Col.  James,  Brit,  commdt.  in 
III.,  land  policy  of,  discussed,  104. 

Wilkinson,  Gen.  James,  66. 

Wilkinson,  Capt.  — ,  444. 

Wilkinsonville,  mail  schedule,  428. 

Wilks,  Abner,  signer,  64. 

Willbank,  Hardy,  militia  muster  roll,  232, 

Willes,  Jacob,  signer,  152. 

Willes,  James,  signer,  152. 

Williams,  Capt.  Dudley,  227  n. 

Williams,  John,  signer,  64,  208. 

Williams,  Joshua,  signer,  208,  274. 

Willis,  John,  signer,  274. 

Willis,  Merril,  signer,  278. 

Willis,  William,  signer,  278. 

Wills,  Peter,  militia  muster  roll,  234, 

235,  237. 

Willson,  James,  signer,  208. 

Willson,  Otho,  militia  muster  roll,  233. 

Willson,  Thomas,  signer,  208. 


Wilson,  Alexander,  signer,  153,  278. 

Wilson,  Cronton,  signer,  152. 

Wilson,  Harris,  signer,  152. 

Wilson,  Harrison,  signer,  207. 

Wilson,  J.,  signer,  64. 

Wilson,  James,  signer,  64. 

Wilson,  James,  signer,  274. 

Wilson,  James,  signer,  274. 

Wilson,  John,  signer,  152,  207,  278. 

Wilson,  John,  signer,  208. 

Wilson,  John,  signer,  214. 

Wilson,  John  M.,  signer,  214. 

Wilson,  Nicholas,  draft  in  favor  of,  145. 

Wilson,  Oath,  militia  muster  roll,  226. 

Wilson,  Thomas,  signer,  277. 

Wilson,  Willim,  signer,  274. 

Wilson,  Maj.  — ,  187. 

Winnebago  (Puants)  Indians,  261,  445, 
447;  battle  with  rangers,  347;  com- 
bine with  other  tribes  for  war  on 
U.  S.,  203;  conf.  with  party  from 
Prophetstown,  245-246;  deleg.  of,  ac- 
company Dickson  to  Can.,  249; 
Dickson's  proposed  visit  to,  326; 
Fox  war  on,  218;  hostile  to  U.  S., 
186-187,  188,  195,  212,  219,  245,  254; 
join  Shawnee  Prophet,  263;  party  of, 
at  Prophetstown,  325;  receive  powder 
from  Brit.,  312;  reprimand,  by  other 
tribes  for  attack  on  Chicago,  249; 
value  of  goods  supplied  to,  55;  visit 
Prairie  du  Chien  agency,  71  n. 

Wires,  John  B.,  mihtia  muster  roll,  237. 

Wirt,  WilUam,  letter  to  Pres.,  29-30; 
recommends  Edwards  as  govr.,  24  n., 
29-30. 

Wisconsin     (Ouisconsin)     River,     154, 

■  292,  307;  armed  boats  at  mouth  of, 
recommended,  288;  estab.  of  fort  at 
mouth  of,  recommend.,  288;  Indians 
reside  in  area  of,  294;  Sioux  Indians 
assemble  on,  249,  254. 

Wise,  George,  signer,  302. 

Wiseman,  James,  signer,  153. 

Wiser,  John  B.,  militia  muster  roll,  235. 

Womack,  Abraham,  signer,  273. 

Womack,  John  W.,  signer,  274. 

Wood,  Alfred,  signer,  207,  274. 

Wood,  Martin,  signer,  150. 

Wood,  William,  signer,  277. 

Woodell,  John,  signer,  208. 


For  identical  tiames,  are  indrr  note,  p.  ^5^ 


506 

INDEX 

Wood  River,  147;  petition  for  town  at 

Yale  College,  80. 

mouth  of,  149-150. 

Yeaton,  Samuel,  signer,  150. 

Woods,  John,  signer,  208,  277,  301 

Yellow  Creek,  Potawatomi  Indians  on. 

Woolams,  Absolom,  signer,  150. 

178. 

Wren,  John,  signer,  208. 

Young,  John,  signer,  152. 

Wren,  Nicholas,  signer,  208. 

Young,  Nathan,  signer,  208. 

Wright,  James,  signer,  278. 

Younge,  Sparling,  signer,  277. 

Wright,  Peter,  signer,  302. 

Wright,   Richard,   militia   muster 

roll, 

Zanesville  (0.)  Land  Office,  letter  ment. 

226,  233. 

to  reg.  of,  420. 

Wright,  Toliver,  signer,  150. 

Zellers,  Jacob,  signer,  64,  152. 

o 


For  identical  namet,  see  index  note,  p.  4Si