discovers and renders available the materials from which history is
made. For this reason the local historian largely determines the
character and extent of all history. The facts with which he deals may
be considered as mere historical digits, yet in the aggregate they
represent the entire life of a people. In fact their true value is not
fully revealed until they are tested by their relation to State history
and to still larger movements. The apparent insignificance of the local
annal disappears when it is recognized as one of a thousand threads
out of which is woven the great and beautiful fabric of human history.
Hence, as has been truly said, "local history is not isolated; it is a
part of State history----indeed of national and world history."
One of the most pressing needs in Mississippi is a more efficient
organization for local historical work. Societies should be organized
in the various historical and intellectual centers of the State. Such
an organization has been effected among the students of the University
of Mississippi. The formation of similar societies throughout the State
would awaken an interest in Mississippi history. This should not be
limited, however, to our institutions of learning. It is also desirable
to enlist in the great work of perpetuating our history the many noble
men and women who have helped to make it.
Another great need is a system for the proper direction of the various
lines of research that should be followed out in the State. The best
results can accrue from such organizations only by a system for the
unification of efforts and the preservation of results. Without such a
system the results achieved by the historical renaissance upon which we
are entering will be largely lost. This necessity is shown by our past
experience in work of this kind. In 1876 many counties of the State,
acting in accordance with a suggestion of the President of the United
States, held centennial celebrations, at which were delivered many
addresses of historical value. With the exception of an incomplete
collection of these addresses which were gathered into the archives
of the State Historical Society upon its organization, several years
later, these contributions to our history have either been lost
entirely, or are not now available to investigators. By having a common
place of deposit for these results of historical investigation our
workers will be able to learn readily what has been done along various
lines of research and will often be saved a duplication of effort.
_Plan of Organization._--The charter of the Mississippi Historical
Society gives it authority to establish branches in the various
counties of the State. In order to put such a scheme into practical
execution, the Executive Committee of the Society has adopted the
following resolution, looking toward a unification of all the
historical work of the State:
1. That all of the patriotic and historical organizations
of the State, including local historical societies; the
Daughters of the Revolution; the department of Mississippi
United Confederate Veterans, and the Sons and Daughters of the
Confederacy may, by a resolution duly passed and filed with the
Secretary of the State Historical Society, become affiliated
with said society and entitled to all the benefits accruing
therefrom.
2. That any such auxiliary society may, by the first of
December annually, make a report of its work to the Secretary
of the State Historical Society, which, or portions, or a
synopsis thereof, may be included in the publications of the
State Society, and upon application of an auxiliary society
the State Society may become custodian of the records of such
auxiliary society.
3. That a copy of the publication of the State Historical
Society be sent, free of charge, to such auxiliary societies as
make annual reports as provided above.
PURPOSE OF AFFILIATION.
1. _Encouragement of Research._--It is the purpose of the State Society
to encourage investigation by giving proper recognition to all worthy
contributions that may be made to our history. This will be done both
by the public presentation of papers from local societies at the annual
meetings and by their publication and distribution by the State Society.
2. _Unification of Work and Preservation of Results._--This is the
day of co-operation in historical work. A great and noble task lies
before us. We cannot afford to duplicate work or to lose any worthy
contributions that may be made to our history. Let us not repeat the
experience of 1876. Again some of our most important subjects can be
worked only by local aid in various parts of the state. This aid can be
furnished by the members of organizations in the locality from which
information is desired.
SUGGESTIONS.
_Character of Work Needed._--The historian should above all things
keep himself free from prejudice. It will be impossible to stop
investigation and the historian must ever keep in mind the fact that
sooner or later his work will be tested by others and his errors
brought to light. The value and permanence of all historical work,
therefore, is quite in proportion to the amount of truth it contains.
"Particularly must he," says one, "guard against careless or incorrect
statements about the dead who cannot defend themselves." Every
assertion should be susceptible of proof and exact references should be
made in foot-notes to the authority upon which a statement is based.
If this be neglected, says the writer quoted above, the work stands in
danger either of neglect by future historians, or of being discredited
as a mass of unsubstantial statements.
_Sources of Information._--The most fruitful and accessible sources of
information on local history are the following: State histories; public
records (municipal, county, church, school, etc.); newspaper files;
books and pamphlets pertaining to the locality under consideration;
manuscript letters, journals, etc., of early settlers; and interviews
with the oldest inhabitants.
_Scope of Work Needed._--In Mississippi the following topics would
doubtless yield rich returns to the local historian. The list might be
enlarged or changed to meet local conditions.
_Antiquities._--The name and location of Indian tribes and the
events, dates and incidents in their history together with their
present condition in some counties in the State would doubtless
prove fruitful to the investigator. Closely allied to this is the
subject of archaeology. Although we have no large public collection
of pre-historic implements in Mississippi there are several excellent
private collections in different parts of the State. These should be
cited for the use of investigators.
_Early Settlements._--This opens a fertile field that has been too much
neglected in Mississippi. The local historian should gather up the
annals and letters of the first settlers. He should as far as possible
ascertain the former homes of settlers and the facts that led to their
removal as well as those which determined the location of settlements.
Closely allied to this is the development of early thoroughfares.
The investigator might also give the early experience as well as the
domestic and social customs of the pioneers.
_Biography._--The lives of men that have contributed to the greatness
of our State. We do not know enough about our statesmen, scientists,
poets, teachers, philanthropists, authors, etc.
_Groups of Foreign Settlers._-Although this field is limited in
Mississippi, we have not done this work. The Irish settlement in Jasper
county and perhaps a few others in the State might be worked with much
interest and profit.
_Military History._--The old militia system and the part taken by the
county in the wars in which the United States has engaged need to be
investigated now, since those who took part in these events are fast
disappearing.
_Political History._--This subject might embrace county boundaries,
their establishment and location, the origin and development
of political parties within the county; the establishment of
municipalities, etc.
_Religious and Social History._--The sources by way of church records
are abundant. The growth of churches, philanthropic movements and
reforms may be included under this subject.
_Educational History._--This would embrace not only the public schools
of to-day, but private schools of ante bellum times.
_Industrial and Commercial Development._--The local historian might
show the effects of topography, soil and natural resources upon the
occupations and economic conditions of the county. Industrial and
commercial methods should be treated and statistics given. In this
connection the influences of slavery should be noted.
_Miscellaneous Topics of a Local Nature._--The following subjects
might be studied with results more or less satisfactory, according to
location: Tory Influences, Railways, Newspapers, Architecture, Contents
of Early Libraries, Reconstruction, etc.
SOME INACCURACIES IN CLAIBORNE'S HISTORY IN REGARD TO TECUMSEH.
BY H. S. HALBERT
In this article the writer desires to call attention to some
inaccuracies in Colonel J. F. H. Claiborne's History of Mississippi,
on page 487, in regard to Tecumseh's visit to the Choctaws. These
inaccuracies have unfortunately misled the authors of our Mississippi
school histories, and I wish here to present the subject in its true
light and so correct these inaccuracies for the benefit of all students
of Mississippi history. As a beginning, I will state that in 1877 I
sent to Colonel Claiborne, then engaged in writing his history, some
notes which I had written in regard to Tecumseh's visit to the Choctaws
in 1811. These notes gave some account of the last council between
Tecumseh and the Choctaws, which was held on Blewett's plantation, in
Noxubee County. Subsequent research, several years after, showed that I
was in error on some points. Still, if Colonel Claiborne had made use
of my notes just as they were, the matter would not have been so bad. I
regret, however, to say that Colonel Claiborne took much liberty with
my narrative and added thereto some fictitious embellishments. To take
a liberal view of the matter, the Colonel, no doubt, considered these
embellishments as harmless and as adding somewhat to the interest of
the narrative. After the manner of some historians of antiquity, the
Colonel had acquired the habit of putting fine speeches into the mouths
of his Indian heroes. For the benefit of the students of Mississippi
history, I will here state, in all truth and good conscience, that the
speech which he has put into the mouth of Pushmataha is nothing more
nor less than pure and unadulterated fiction. Pushmataha never made
that speech. Even the uncritical school boy might ask the questions:
"Who was the reporter in the Indian camp that took down that speech?"
"Who translated the speech from Choctaw into English?" The Truth
is, Colonel Claiborne simply composed that speech and interpolated
it into my meager narrative. The Colonel, too, seems to have been
utterly oblivious or regardless of the fact, that, in all Indian
inter-tribal councils, where more than one language is spoken, all the
business is transacted through the cold medium of interpreters. Under
such circumstances there can be no wonderful displays of impassioned
oratory. Pushmataha spoke only Choctaw, Tecumseh only Shawnee. A
speech delivered by Tecumseh in his native tongue could not have been
understood by the Choctaws. Hence, all the arguments and statements
on both sides had to pass through the mouth of the interpreter; in
this case the interpreter, Seekaboo. Such inter-tribunal councils
are strictly business conferences. Many years ago it was my fortune
to be present at two inter-tribal councils among the wild tribes,
where several languages were spoken, and no displays of oratory were
attempted--for in such a case the speaker's tribesmen alone could
have understood him--but everything was conducted in practical,
businesslike manner, the interpreters kept constantly busy translating
the statements of the speakers.
Reverting to Colonel Claiborne and Tecumseh, I will state that
elsewhere I have given all the attainable facts in regard to Tecumseh's
Choctaw visit, worked out from original and authentic sources. Suffice
it here to say that Tecumseh in none of his councils exerted the
slightest influence over Moshulitubbee, over Hopaii Iskitini, nor over
any other Choctaw, chief or warrior. The Choctaw mingoes unanimously
and utterly discountenanced his designs, and at the last council
threatened to put him to death if he did not leave their nation.
Again, on this same page, there is an inaccuracy in regard to the
conference which Weatherford and Ochillie Hadjo had with Mingo
Moshulitubbee. In this case, however, Colonel Claiborne is not
blameable, as I made the mistake myself in the notes which I sent him.
Subsequent inquiry showed that I was in error on this matter, so I here
correct the statement by saying that Moshulitubee was not influenced
in the slightest degree by these Muscogee chiefs. This conference is
an historic fact, which I received from the late Mr. G. W. Campbell,
of Shuqulak, he receiving it in early life from Stonie Hadjo, one
of Moshulitubees' captains. Circumstances show that this conference
occurred in the summer of 1813, perhaps in July.
My object in making these corrections is, that, as I am the only person
who knows about these erroneous statements in Claiborne's history, I
may place the facts in their true light for the benefit of all lovers
of historical accuracy.
DID JONES COUNTY SECEDE?
BY ALEXANDER L. BONDURANT, A. M.
It seems that many within and without the State would answer this query
in the affirmative, and even their ordinance of secession is given by
one writer on the subject as follows:
"Whereas, The State of Mississippi, for reasons which appear
justifiable, has seen fit to withdraw from the Federal Union;
and
"Whereas, We, the citizens of Jones County, claim the same
right, thinking our grievances are sufficient by reason of an
unjust law passed by the Confederate States of America forcing
us to go into distant parts, etc., therefore, be it
"_Resolved_, That we sever the union heretofore existing
between Jones County and the State of Mississippi, and proclaim
our independence of the said State and of the Confederate
States of America; and we solemnly call upon Almighty God to
witness and bless the act."
Such being the case, it has seemed to me in order to advert to a
discussion in the Nation on this subject beginning March 24, 1892,
which throws considerable light on the question. In the paper of this
date Samuel Willard, of Chicago, writes that he had been a soldier in
the army which invaded Mississippi, and that he had never during the
war heard of such an occurrence. When, therefore, he saw the statement
made in the New England Magazine, for November, 1891, the author
being Professor Hart, he doubted its accuracy. It may be stated just
here that Professor Hart, in a subsequent issue of the Nation gives
as his authority Mr. Galloway, historian of the Sixth army corps,
who published in the Magazine of American History for October, 1886,
an article entitled "A Confederacy Within a Confederacy;" but upon
what authority Mr. Galloway based his statements does not appear. He
therefore wrote to the Governor of the State of Mississippi and to
the clerk of Jones County, and elicited replies from both of these
gentlemen, and Governor Stone inclosed a letter from his predecessor,
Hon. Robert Lowry, who was sent to Jones County during the war in
command of troops for the purpose of arresting deserters. The texts of
the letters are too long to quote in full, so a few passages will have
to suffice. Governor Stone writes:
"It gives me pleasure to inform you that the whole story is a
fabrication, and there is scarcely any foundation for any part
of it. To begin with Jones County furnished perhaps as many
soldiers to the army of the Confederacy as any other county
of like population. * * * Many of them declined to go into
the army in the beginning, but so far as formal withdrawal
or resolution to that effect is concerned, no such thing
ever occurred in Jones County. Hon. Robert Lowry was sent to
Jones County during the war for the purpose of arresting and
returning deserters to their commands, and there was some
little fighting with these bands of deserters, or rather
bush-whacking of his men by the deserters; and some of the
deserters were arrested and executed, but only a few. The whole
story is the veriest fabrication, and I presume few persons of
intelligence will believe any of it."
Ex-Governor Lowry writes: "The county furnished nearly and probably its
entire quota of soldiers, many of whom did splendid service. No such
effort as establishing a separate government was ever attempted. The
story of withdrawal and establishing of a separate government is a pure
fabrication--not a shadow of foundation for it."
Governor McLaurin, in a recent letter to me on this subject, writes:
"I was a boy thirteen years old when the war commenced. I was 'raised'
in Smith County, a county adjoining Jones. I was at home the first
three years of the war, and, if there was any attempt by Jones County
to secede and set up a separate government, I did not hear anything of
it. I was in a brigade that intercepted a Federal raid that started
from Baton Rouge to Mobile in November or December, 1864, and we passed
through or very near Jones County, and I never heard of any attempt to
set up a separate government in the county. I think it is safe for you
to negative the whole story."
E. B. Sharp, Esq., chancery clerk, writes: "The report is utterly false
in every particular."
The authority of these well known gentlemen is quite sufficient to
dispose effectually of this canard reflecting upon the good name of a
county which rendered brave and efficient service to the Confederacy.
INDEX
PAGE
Abbeville, South Carolina, 87
Aberdeen, 37
Adams County, 30
Adams, Prof. H. B., 73
American Law Review, 42
Amsterdam, 36
Arnold, Dr. Thomas, 78
Athens, 34
Atlantic Monthly, 42
Audubon, J. J., 87, 88
Autumn, a poem, 12
Australian Ballot, 48
Backwoods Poem, appreciation of, 3
Bacon's Landing, 57
Ballot, 48
Baptists, Early Settlement, 86
Baskerville, 20
Batesville, 37
Bayou Pierre, 56
Bay St. Louis, 33, 34, 37, 40
Beauregard, 37
Benela, 37
Berryhill, S. Newton, 2, 20
Bethel Church, 86
Bettie Bell, a poem, 5
Beuford District, S. C., 86
Bienville, 70
Biloxi, 37, 40
Biography, Relation of to History, 76, 78
Biography, Importance of in Literary Study, 20
Bledsoe, 20
Blewett, 101
Bluntschli, J. C., 73, 74
Blount, Senator, 63
Bolton, 39, 40
Bondurant, Prof. A. L., 104
Bonner, 37
Brandon, 34, 37
Brookhaven, 40
Brooksville, 40
Brown, Mr., a poem, 5
Burr, Aaron, arrest of, 86
Butler, Major, 87
Camargo, 87
Campbell, G. W., 108
Canada, 61, 64
Canton, 37
Carlyle, 76
Carondelet, Baron de, 57, 58, 61, 64
Chambers, Prof. H. E., 67
Chickasaw Bluffs, 56
Chisholm, W., 87
Choctaws, 101-103
Claiborne, Col. J. F. H., 85, 101-103
Clarke, General, 62, 63
Clarksdale, 40
Clarksville, 57
Clinton, 34
Columbia, 40
Columbus, 33, 34, 36, 37, 40
Constitution of 1817, 30, 31
Constitution of 1832, 35
Constitution of 1869, 37
Constitution of 1890, 40
Cook, Mr. and Mrs., 87
Cooksville, 37
Copiah County, 95
Cotton Gin Port, 37
Crystal Springs, 37
Davis, Jefferson, 71, 88
De Bow's Review, 85
Deupree, Prof. J. G., 95
Dialect, writing in, 22
Dillon, John F., 42
Duncan, Rev. W., 86
Durant, 39, 40
Eastport, 37
Educational Qualification, 43
Elective Judiciary, 47
Ellicott, Andrews, 55, 56, 58, 64, 65, 66
Ellisville, 40
Emory, 37
Eureka Springs, 39
Farmington, 37
Fence Law, 48
Florida, 62, 68, 71
Folch, 71
Fort Adams, 86, 88
France, 52, 53, 54, 57, 64
Frost and Forest, a poem, 13
Froude, James Anthony, 76
Fulton, 40
Fulton, Chancellor R. B., 91
Gainsville, 37
Gallatin, 34
Galloway, Bishop G. B., 20
Gayoso, 52, 53, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60
George, Senator J. Z., 44
Georgia, 62, 87
Godoy 50, 51
Governor, how elected under Constitution of 1890, 46, 47
Grand Gulf, 37
Great Britain, 51, 52, 58
Greenville, Washington Co., 33, 34
Greenville, Jefferson Co., 40
Greenwood Springs, 40
Hadley, Rev. Moses, 86
Harris, Joel Chandler, 21
Harris, Dr. W. T., 83
Harrison, James A., 20
Hart, Prof. A. B., 105, 106
Hazlehurst, 27
Hermans, 37
Hernando, 37
Hinsdale, Prof. B. A., 52, 56
Hickory, 37
History and literature inseparable, 17
History and Poetry, Relation of, 1
History, Conception of, 80, 81, 82, 83
History of Literature, 23
History, Local and general compared, 75, 76
History, Study and Teaching of, 73, 74
History, Unity of, 75
Holden, F. M., 104
Holmesville, 33, 34
Huntsville, 29
Hutson, 20
Iberville, 70
Indian Legends in Mississippi, 21
Indian Names in Mississippi, 21
Indians, 59, 60, 63
Indianola, 40
Irion, Bob, 88
Jackson County, 30, 34
Jackson, city of, 34, 36, 39, 40
Jones County, 104, 106
Jones, Dr. Joseph, 92, 94
Jones, Prof. R. W., 85
Johns Hopkins University, 75
Judges, How Chosen in Mississippi, 47
Kemper, Reuben, 71
Kentucky, 53, 87
Kilpatrick, Dr. A. R., 86, 87
Laurel, 39
Lawrence County, 91
Lecky, Bob, 86
Legislature, Power of to elect officers, 47
Lewis, Henry T., 20
Lewis, John S., 86
Liberty, 34, 36
Lincoln County, 92, 93
Lipscomb, Prof. Dabney, 1, 20
Literature in Mississippi, 17, 19
Literature, History of, 23
Local Historical Work in Maryland, 75
Local History and general compared, 75
Local Historians, suggestions to, 96
Local Historical Societies, 97
Lodi, 37
Loftus Cliffs, 57
Louisiana, 61, 62, 64, 70, 71, 88
Lowry, Gov. Robert, 105
Macon, 37, 40
Madison County, 33
Manchester, 34, 36
McLaurin, Gov. A. J., 105, 106
Meadville, 34
Mississippi River, 53, 55, 64, 66
Mississippi State, 70
Mississippi Territory, 25, 30
Mississippi Historical Society Archives, 97
Mobile, 29, 71
Monticello, 33
Mount Pleasant, 87
Municipal Suffrage, 27, 29, 30, 33, 34, 36, 37, 39, 40
Murrell, 22
My Castle, a poem, 18
My Motherland, a poem, 10
Natchez, 27, 37, 39, 50, 55, 56, 57, 62, 64, 65, 66, 70, 86, 88
Negroes, Rights of to vote, 34, 38, 42
New Orleans, 53, 54, 58, 70, 86
Northwest Territory, Suffrage in, 25, 26
Note-Taking, Method of, 79
Ogden, Capt. John, 87
Ohio River, 63, 64, 65
Oregon, 67
Outlaws, Doings of, 22
Pardons, Effects of upon rights of suffrage, 32
Pass Christian, 37, 39, 40
Paulding, 37
Pearlington, 33
Percy, 88
Philadelphia, 37
Pickering, 54, 61, 62, 64
Pinckney, Thomas, 50
Plymoth, 36
Poindexter, Governor, 87
Poindexter's History, 87
Pope, Lieutenant, 64, 66
Port Gibson, 29, 33
Potts Camp, 40
Prentiss, S. S., 88, 89
Pushmata, 101, 102
Quitman, 39
Raleigh, 37
Rapides Parish, 87
Rau, Dr. Chas. R., 91, 92
Raymond, 33, 34, 37
Registration when first required, 37
Registration under constitution of 1890, 44, 46
Re-Reconstruction, a poem, 11
Riley, Prof. Franklin L., 50, 87, 96
Rodney, 33, 34, 37
Rosedale, 39, 40
Russell, Irwin, 18, 20
Salem, 37
Sardis, 37
Sarepta, 37
Sartartia, 36
Scooba, 39, 40
Seekaboo, 102
Seminary, Historical, 74
Senatobia, 39, 40
Seven Pines, 39
Shands, H. A., 22
Sharp, E. B., 106
Shieldsborough, 33, 34, 37
Shongole, 37
Sketch, a poem, 7
Society, Forces which bind it together, 73
Spain, 50-66
Starkville, 37
Stoddard, 52
Stone, Gov. J. M., 105
Storm, The, a poem, 7
St. Stevens, 29
Suggestions to Local Historians, 98, 99, 100
Suffrage, Qualifications for, constitution of 1817, 31-35
Suffrage, Qualifications for, constitution of 1832, 35-37
Suffrage, Qualifications for, constitution of 1869, 37-40
Suffrage, Qualifications for, constitution of 1890, 40-42
Tanner, Robert, 87
Taylor, Zachary, 71
Tecumseh, 101, 102
Tennessee, 53, 64, 65
Tennyson, 74, 76, 84
Terry, 40
Thompson, Maurice, 20
Thompson, Hon. R. H., 25
Tidings from the Battlefield, a poem, 9
Topics in Mississippi History, 99, 100
Travel, Accounts of in Mississippi, 22
Treaty of San Lorenzo, 50, 51
Treaty, Jay's, 51
Tunica, 39, 40
Turner, Robert, 86
Understanding clause in constitution of 1890, 42, 44
University of Mississippi, 96
Vaiden, 40
Vicksburg (Walnut Hills), 33, 34, 37, 40, 56, 60, 61, 62
Voting, _viva voce_ in Mississippi, 32
Voting by ballot in Miss., 48
Waddell, Moses, 87
Walnut Hills (Vicksburg), 33, 34, 37, 40, 56, 60, 61, 62
Warrenton, 33, 34
Warren county, 33
Washington, 33, 34, 35
Water Valley, 40
Wayne, General, 60
Weber, Prof. W. L., 16
Wesson, 37, 93
West Florida, 30, 71
Wilkinson, General, 87
Wilkinson county, 87
Willard, Samuel, 104
Willing, 71
Winans, Rev. Wm., 87
Winona, 37
Woodville, 29, 36, 86, 88
Woodville Republican, 87
Yazoo City, 34, 37, 40
_Constitutional and Political
History of the United States_
BY DR. HERMANN E. VON HOLST
A work unsurpassed and unrivaled in its field. It is keen and profound;
fearless and impartial in its judgment of men and measures; vigorous
and vivid, alike in its delineation of events and in its portraiture of
parties and leaders.
"His labors, indeed, have been immense.... A work which every student
must needs possess in its entirety."--The Nation.
Eight Volumes--Cloth, $25.00; Sheep, $80.00. Special
Prices for Students and Libraries.
_The Constitutional Law
Of the United States_
BY DR. HERMANN E. VON HOLST.
Part I.--Genesis of the Constitution. Part II.--The Federal
Constitution. Part III.--Constitution and General Law of the Separate
States. Appendix--The Constitution, with references to the body of the
work. Biographies and historical notes increase the value of the work.
One volume, large 8vo, Cloth, $2.00 net.
CASES ON CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.
BY CARL EVANS BOYD
The so-called "case system" of study is applied to almost all branches
of the law, but its application to constitutional law has been retarded
by the obvious impracticability of referring a class to the original
reports and by the wants of a suitable case book of moderate size. It
is to meet such requirements that this collection has been formed.
One Volume, Cloth, $3.00.
CALLAGHAN & CO. CHICAGO.
COLONIAL MOBILE
An historical study, largely from original sources, of the northern
Gulf coast and the Alabama-Tombigbee basin from the discovery of Mobile
Bay in 1519, until the demolition of Fort Charlotte in 1821.
BY PETER J. HAMILTON, A. M.
I. Exploration; II. The French capital; III. Department of Mobile; IV.
British Domination; V. Under the Spaniards; VI. Americanization--all 47
chapters and appendix.
An admirable work.--The author has the essential qualities of a good
historian.----N. Y. Times.
An important contribution to the history of our southwestern
beginnings.--Atlantic Monthly.
A history of the deepest interest.--N. O. Picayune.
Confers obligations upon future generations.--Mobile Register.
A literary monument.--Hannis Taylor, ex-minister to Spain.
A work of exceptional interest.--Meridian Post.
446 pages, besides preface, etc.; 15 illustrations, including Biloxi
Bay in 1699. Price $3.00. May be ordered from Houghton, Mifflin & Co.,
Boston, or the author at Mobile, Alabama.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Ratifications were exchanged at Aranjuez, April 25, 1796, and the
treaty was proclaimed August 2, of the same year.
A copy of this treaty is given in the American State Papers. Foreign
Relations, vol. 1, 546 et seq; also in the Treaties and Conventions
Concluded Between the United States and Other Powers Since July 4,
1776. Sen. Ex. Doc. 2d Session, 48th Congress, Vol. I, Pt. 2, 1006, et
seq.
[2] See Trescot's Diplomatic History of the Administrations of
Washington and Adams. Chapters I and IV.
[3] Godoy's Memoirs, Vol. I.45-'8 et seq. Quoted from Trescot, 253. It
is very evident that Mr. Pinckney understood the circumstances that
determined the course of the Spanish Minister. See American State
Papers For. Rels. I. 535. Martin, who has studied the subject from the
standpoint of Louisiana, says (History of La., 269) that this was also
understood by the King's officers in New Orleans.
The United States and England had previously agreed that they would
share equally in the navigation of the Mississippi and on May 4,
1796, six months after the treaty with Spain, the United States and
England subscribed to the following: "No other stipulation or treaty
concluded since (the date of their former treaty) by either of the
contracting parties with any other Power or Nation, is understood in
any manner to derogate from the right to the free communication and
commerce guaranteed by the 3d article or the treaty to the subjects of
His Brittanic Majesty."--Amer. State P. For. Rels. II. 15. In a letter
to the Spanish Minister, Chevalier de Yrujo, dated January 20, 1798,
Mr. Pickering says that the United States "have not asked, nor will
they have occasion to ask Spain to be the guardian of their rights an
interests on the Mississippi."--Ib. 102.
[4] Sketches of Louisiana (1812), 98-9. The author of these sketches,
a major in the army of the United States, took possession of upper
Louisiana in behalf of his government, under the treaty of cession,
in March, 1804. His book was based upon "local and other information"
furnished by "respectable men" "in most of the districts" of which
he wrote, together with his own extensive excursions, during the
five years in which he was stationed on various parts of the lower
Mississippi.
[5] This is the language of Stoddard, which was based upon Gayoso's
letter. See Sketches of La. 98-'9.
[6] In 1787, the Intendant of Louisiana, acting in accordance with
instructions from the Spanish court, prepared an elaborate memoir on
the political situation in America. "He represented the people of the
United States as extremely ambitious, as animated by the spirit of
conquest and as anxious to extend their empire to the shores of the
Pacific. He then suggested a line of policy, which in his opinion,
it was incumbent on Spain to adopt. The dismemberment of the western
country, by means of pensions and commercial benefits, was considered
by him as not difficult. The attempt was therefore strongly urged,
particularly as it would, if successful, greatly augment the power of
Spain in this quarter and forever arrest our progress westward. These
suggestions were favorably received, and formed the groundwork of that
policy which Spain afterwards pursued."--Sketches of La., 98.
[7] Ib. 85.
[8] See Hinsdale's Old Northwest, Chapter X. A bibliography of the
Negotiations at Paris, 1782-'83, is given in Hinsdale's Southern
Boundary of the United States, published in the Annual Report of the
American Historical Association for 1893, p. 339, footnote.
[9] See Gould's Fifty Years on the Mississippi, 182 et seq.; 288 et seq.
[10] Stoddard's Sketches, 88-'9.
[11] Ib. 90.
[12] Ib. 99.
[13] He was at this time Governor General of Louisiana.
[14] Amer. State Papers. For. Rel. II.79. This opinion is corroborated
by Marbois (Hist. of La., 162) who made a study of the subject from the
French standpoint.
[15] Martin's History of La., 271-5.
[16] He was Governor of the Natchez District and was stationed at the
town of Natchez.
[17] Ellicott had made the surveys locating the limits of the District
of Columbia, in 1791 (Chas. Burr Todd's Story of Washington, 21).
The year following he was appointed to draft and publish a plan
of the Federal City (Ib. 30). He also established the Meridian of
Washington, conducted several other important public surveys and
served a number of years as Surveyor General of the United States.
In 1813, General Armstrong appointed him Professor of Mathematics in
the United States' Military Academy at West Point, which position he
held for several years. He was in constant communication with the
National Institute of France and contributed to the Transactions of
the American Philosophical Society. His official dispatches while
engaged as Commissioner for locating the boundary between the United
States and Spain may be found in the American State Papers, Foreign
Relations, Vol. II. A more extensive account is given in narrative form
in Ellicott's Journal, published at Philadelphia, in 1803. All his
writings with reference to Mississippi must be read with caution, since
they exhibit intense partisan animus.
[18] The day after beginning his descent of the Mississippi, he and his
party reached "the station of one of the Spanish gallies, the master
of which treated them politely, but detained them until the next day
(Journal, 31). A few hours after leaving this point, they reached New
Madrid, where they were saluted upon landing "by a discharge of the
artillery from the fort and otherwise treated with the greatest respect
and attention." Here the commandant stated that he had "a communication
to make and for some reasons, which he did not detail," requesting
Ellicott "to continue there two or three days." The commissioner
declined to be detained longer than one day. At the expiration of that
time a letter was produced from the Governor General of the province,
containing an order issued about three months previous, not to permit
the Americans to descend the river till the posts were evacuated,
which could not be effected until the waters should rise." In reply,
Ellicott took the position that "if want of water was an objection ...
it was ... done away by the commencement of the inundation," that such
an order must have been intended for troops and that to detain himself
and party "would be an indirect violation of the treaty" they were
preparing to carry into effect. The objection was then withdrawn and
they proceeded (Ib. 31-33). At Chickasaw Bluffs the Commandant received
the party politely but "appeared embarrassed" (Ib. 34) and affected
almost total ignorance of the treaty. There were no appearances of
preparations to evacuate (Ib. 35). Again resuming their voyage, they
were detained a few days later, for about an hour, by a Spanish officer
commanding two galleys (Ib. 36). At Walnut Hills (Vicksburg) they were
brought to by an "unnecessary" discharge of a piece of artillery, but
were treated "very civilly when on shore." Here also the commandant
"appeared to be almost wholly unacquainted" with the treaty and was
not satisfied until Ellicott produced "an authenticated copy" of
that instrument in Spanish (Ib. 37). This incident appeared very
extraordinary to the Commissioner in view of the fact that this station
was "in the vicinity" of Natchez, where Governor Gayoso resided (Ib.
38).
All of these occurrences were more extraordinary still, when
viewed in the light of the further facts observed by Professor
Hinsdale:--Although Ellicott "bore a commission from the Government
of the United States, was accompanied by an escort of American troops
and was charged with the performance of a duty created by a solemn
international agreement, he was halted and questioned as though he
were a suspect in a strange country. Moreover, the one bank of the
river, throughout the whole distance, Spain had acknowledged to
belong exclusively to the United States, to say nothing of her having
guaranteed its navigation by American citizens from its source to the
sea" (Annual Rept. Amer. Hist. Association for 1893, pp. 351-2).
[19] Ellicott's Journal, 39-40. This escort consisted of only
twenty-five men (Amer. State papers, For. Rel. II. 20).
[20] Ellicott's Journal, 44.
[21] Ib.
[22] Ib. 50.
[23] Ellicott's Journal, 52.
[24] Ib. 52.
[25] An effort had been previously made to induce Ellicott to visit the
Baron at New Orleans. July 14, the President directed the Commissioner
to remain at Natchez until the Spaniards were ready for operations.
Amer. State Papers, For. Rel. II, 102.
[26] Ellicott's Journal, 47-48.
[27] Ib. 84.
[28] These pretexts often overlap, two or more being given at the same
time. They are arranged in the order of their first appearance.
[29] Report to the President of the United States, dated June 10, 1797,
in Amer. State Papers, For. Rel., II, 72.
[30] Ib. 92.
[31] Ib. 20. Letter from the Secretary of War to Gen. Wilkinson, dated
June 9, 1797 in Ib. 92.
[32] This pretext was given in connection with the preceding one in the
proclamation of March 28 and 29.
[33] Ib. 25.
[34] Ib. 92.
[35] Amer. State Papers, For. Rel., II, 66. Lieutenant Pope wrote to
the Secretary of War, from Natchez, May 9, 1797, "there have been
several attempts to draw on the Indians upon my troops" (Ib. 73);
General Wilkinson also wrote him from Fort Washington, June 4, 1797,
"letters from all quarters announce the discontent and menacing aspect
of the Savages; ... they ... are making no preparations for a crop,
which is certain indication of their intention to change ground"
(Ib.); Lieutenant Colonel Hamtramck wrote from Detroit, May 21, 1797,
"I am pretty sure that both the French and Spaniards have emissaries
among the Indians" (Ib.). The Secretary of State received a letter
from Winthrop Sargent, at Cincinnati, bearing date of June 3, 1797, in
which he says, "it ... appears from various channels, that they (the
Spaniards) are inviting a great number of Indians of the (Northwest)
territory to cross the Mississippi.... A large party of the Delawares
passed down White River about the 6th of May, on their way to the
Spanish side, bearing the national flag sent from St. Louis" (Ib. 88).
[36] Ib. 73.
[37] Ib. 78. This reason was expressed by Governor Gayoso in a letter
to Commissioner Ellicott, dated March 31, 1797 (Ellicott's Journal, 71).
[38] This declaration was made March 23, 1797. Gayoso suggested, at
the same time, that this post would be held only until the arrival of
American troops to take possession (Amer. State Papers, For. Rel. II,
91).
[39] Ellicott's Journal, 71.
[40] Amer. State Papers, For. Rel. II, 20.
[41] Ib. 97. He also cited several precedents established by different
powers in fulfilling treaties of a similar nature. See Ib. 92-'3.
[42] March 2, the Spanish Minister wrote Mr. Pickering that he had
become confirmed in a suspicion expressed to him three days previous,
that the British in Canada were preparing to cross over from the lakes
to the Mississippi, "by Fox River, Onisconsin or by the Illinois or
other parts of the territory of the United States" in order to attack
Upper Louisiana. He therefore requested that measures be promptly taken
to prevent a violation of American neutrality (Amer. State Papers, For.
Rel., II, 68).
[43] Upper Louisiana, which was then in the possession of Spain.
[44] Ib. 78.
[45] Ib. 79.
[46] Ib. 69.
[47] April 21, 1797 (Ib. 68).
[48] Ib. 71. He also suggested that this suspicion was based upon a
former scheme in which Clarke was concerned, for subduing the Floridas
in connection with France.
[49] Ib. 69. He further declared that he had never heard of Clarke.
(Ib. 93).
[50] Ib. 71.
[51] July 3, 1797, the President submitted to Congress a letter
from William Blount to James Carey, which revealed that the former
was implicated in a scheme of conquest, that he hoped to conduct in
behalf of the British against the Spanish possessions. A copy of this
letter may be found in Ib. 76-'7. Blount was thereupon expelled from
the Senate by a vote, not of two-thirds only, as required by the
constitution, but unanimously.
[52] Ib. 89.
[53] Ib. 94.
[54] Ib. 93.
[55] The Secretary evidently considered this plan the same as the one
that had been mentioned by the British Minister in his communication
referred to above, since Lord Greenville had written that the two
objections the Minister had given to that plan,--violation of the
neutrality of the United States and employment of the Indians--would
have been "sufficient to induce the British Government to reject it"
(Ib. 98).
[56] Ib. 90.
[57] Ib. 102.
[58] Ellicott and Pope.
[59] Ellicott's Journal, 101-'3.
[60] See Supra.
[61] Amer. State Papers, For. Rel., II., 79, 102.
[62] Two feints at evacuation were made at Natchez and at least one at
the Walnut Hills (See Ib. 91).
[63] See Supra.
[64] Amer. State Papers, For. Rel. II., 25.
[65] Ellicott's Journal, 79.
[66] "Lieutenant Pope's descending the river was, certainly a fortunate
circumstance for the United States, though in doing it, he did not
strictly comply with his orders from General Wayne, by whom he was
instructed to remain at Fort Massac till he obtained some information
respecting the evacuation of the posts, and if a judgment was to be
formed from the provision made for the detachment, it could not be
supposed that it was really intended to descend the river. It was
in want of artillery, tents, money, medicines, and a physician. In
consequence of this omission, or bad management, I had to furnish
the men such articles as they were in need of, out of the stores
appropriated for carrying the treaty into effect. And after all that
I was able to do, we had (to our great mortification) to borrow some
tents from the Governor" (Ellicott's Journal, 80).
[67] They were plowed up by Mr. W. T. Hutchins in a field about
three-quarters of a mile east of Hebron and were sent to the
Smithsonian by Mr. T. J. R. Keenan. In the field where these objects
were found, the outlines of a pre-historic fort could be easily traced
until a few years ago.
[68] Since the above paper was written I have obtained one jasper bead,
found fifteen miles north of Hot Springs, Ark. It is cylindrical in
form, one inch long, one-fourth of an inch in external diameter, and
has a longitudinal perforation one-tenth of an inch in diameter. The
material resembles that of the set found in Mississippi. I have also
seen several perforated jasper ornaments in the possession of Prof.
J. G. Deupree, of the University of Mississippi, which were found in
Copiah county, Mississippi, and I have been informed that several
similar objects are in the possession of persons in Copiah County.
It will be noted that the quartzite, or jasper, of which these
ornaments are made, is a very different material from the comparatively
soft and easily-worked red sandstone--"Catlinite"--extensively used by
the Indians of the Northwest in the manufacture of pipes and ornaments.
Transcriber's Notes
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Transposed lines corrected on pp. 16.
Hyphen added "battle-flags" (p. 82), "to-day" (p. 14).
P. 3: "inforamtion" changed to "information" (lack of information).
P. 9: "friendy" changed to "friendly" (friendly sympathy).
P. 16: "comonplace" changed to "commonplace" (commonplace that
literature).
P. 21: "geophraphical" changed to "geographical" (geographical names).
P. 22: "Misissippi" changed to "Mississippi" (Mississippi literature).
P. 27: "enactemnt" changed to "enactment" (explanatory enactment).
P. 29: "confererd" changed to "conferred" (vote was conferred).
P. 29: "referenece" changed "reference" (without reference).
P. 31: "atuhorized" changed to "authorized" (authorized a free white
male).
P. 33: "Conuty" changed to "County" (Warren County).
P. 33: "assesed" changed to "assessed" (had been assessed).
P. 36: "become" changed to "became" (became operative).
P. 47: "conceruing" change to "concerning" (concerning the same).
P. 53: "interntional" changed to "international" (international
complications).
P. 58: "NEGOTIATIOHS" changed to "NEGOTIATIONS" (RESULT OF
NEGOTIATIONS).
P. 62fn: "the" changed to "he" (he had never heard of Clarke).
P. 63: "hopel" changed to "hoped" (he hoped to conduct).
P. 63: "refererd" changed to "referred" (referred to above).
P. 65: "Comimssioner" changed to "Commissioner" (the Commissioner
himself).
P. 65: "evactuation" changed to "evacuation" (upon their evacuation).
Pp. 68-69: "repitition" changed to "repetition" (slavish repetition).
P. 78: "maner" changed to "manner" (some noteworthy manner).
P. 79: "libary" changed to "library" (a library for a card catalogue).
P. 81: "infleunce" changed to "influence" (spiritual influence).
P. 82: "individaul" changed to "individual" (individual human mind).
P. 83: "self-consicousness" changed to "self-consciousness"
(self-consciousness of reason).
P. 86: "mangement" changed to "management" (under the management).
P. 91: "Mississppi" changed to "Mississippi" (Lawrence County,
Mississippi).
P. 97: "rennaissance" changed to "renaissance" (historical renaissance).
Index: "Capides Parish" changed to "Rapides Parish", "Clark, General"
changed to "Clarke, General".
This text was produced from a reprint that contained typographical
errors not in the original edition. The following errors that appeared
correctly in the original edition have been corrected: unaccomodating
(p. 88), Mississppi (p. 91), competely (p. 92), Jospeh (p. 92),
seperate (p. 93), maufacture (p. 94), applances (p. 94), historiacl (p.
96), cenennial (p. 96), Historieal (p. 97), fetrile (p. 99), therto (p.
101), discountenaced (p. 102), cheifs (p. 102), inclused (p. 105), Low
(1st ad page). so-colled (1st ad page), Exporation (2nd ad page).