In the letter Johnstone describes the citizens' negative reaction to the Stamp Act and their subsequent hostility toward him. He writes to defend himself against allegations of misconduct from several of his colleagues: "It may perhaps be alleged,...
In the letter Johnstone describes the burden the Stamp Act has placed on the "infant colony," and he mentions the citizens' growing opposition to his administration. While he acknowledges the "real inconveniences" the tax has caused, he is careful...
Most of the act deals with the punishment of slaves who have violated the law. Possible offenses include running away; gaming; stealing; selling merchandise; carrying weapons; drinking alcohol; "assembling in great numbers...and drumming or making...
The act enables local authorities to decide when to limit the sale of alcoholic beverages to Indians, in order to protect the colonists and preserve peaceful relations with local tribes: "Whereas frequent Tumults and Disturbances have happened by...
The act attempts to control the activities of Indian traders because "a well regulated Indian Trade would be of the utmost advantage to the Commerce of Great Britain and for the benefit and safety of the British Colonies in America." It explains...
The act prevents British colonists from settling on Indian lands, "Whereas it is Essential to the Interest of Great Britain in general & for the Security of this Frontier Colony in particular that Good faith and Correspondence be maintained with...
The act attempts to protect the "Infant Colony" from disorder and idleness: "Whereas Drunkness and Debauchery in every Community tend very much to inervate [sic] the Constitutions of such unhappy persons as are addicted to those Vices, and when...
In the letter Toulmin briefly mentions plans to establish a salt works nearby, and then he criticizes Caller's recent efforts to prevent the division of the Mississippi Territory before statehood: "That the whole Mississippi Territory never will be...
In the letter Claiborne discusses recent attacks by Indians on white inhabitants in the territory: "The conduct of your Creek neighbours for some time past has been observed, and merit, in my opinion, exemplary punishment, and had I the power, they...
In the letter Coffee, who is Surveyor General of the northern section of the Mississippi Territory, carefully describes his proposed boundary lines between the United States and the Indian lands; he subtly reproves his fellow commissioners, who...
In the letter Gaines expresses concerns he and Colonel William Barnett have setting the boundary lines between the United States and Indian land, as outlined in the Treaty of Fort Jackson: "Colonel Barnett and myself had set out with a view to...
In the letter Toulmin discusses the proposed improvement to the road between Fort Stoddert and Fort Hawkins in Georgia, which was authorized by a recent act of Congress. He argues that the current route between the two forts is "entirely out of...
The men were charged with abetting Samuel Nixon "in committing an assault...in biting off the left ear of one James A. Moore." Citizens of the county had asked the governor to pardon the men: "...it being represented that those persons were...
In the letter Kelly commends the negotiation efforts of the Alabama representatives on the Georgia-Alabama Survey Commission; he does not give specific details, but he alludes to tension between the two states. Though not a commissioner himself...
The transaction seems to be between Thomas Dugan and Joseph Rivers. In the first letter Dugan writes James W. Goodman of Claiborne, Alabama, asking him to sue Rivers and recover one of the slaves. The statement is signed by all men involved in the...
The act makes six provisions for dealing with the Cherokee Indian population of the state during the period of removal. First, it stipulates that U.S. citizens will not be allowed to emigrate to Indian reservations, include those Indians who were...
Schermerhorn writes on behalf of the United States commissioners who are negotiating the cession of Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River. In the letter he informs the council that the Cherokee government, adopted in 1827, is not recognized...
In the letter Mrs. Cato, the widow of Burrell P. Cato, asks for Dellet's help in reclaiming several slaves who have been taken to Texas by the executor of her husband's will. Because of a law prohibiting "the importing or bringing negroes from any...
In the letter Samford discusses his views on the proposed Kansas-Nebraska Act: "I see our North. friends are not slow to come up to the issue of non-intervention as made by the Kansas Act; but are we quite cautious enough about the Squatter...
In the speech Dowdell argues in favor of a clause in the bill that would repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820. He objects to a provision of the act that prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36ø 30' latitude line: "This line...