USA > Arkansas > A pictorial history of Arkansas, from earliest times to the year 1890. A full and complete account, embracing the Indian tribes occupying the country; the early French and Spanish explorers and governors; the colonial period; the Louisiana purchase; the periods of the territory, the state, the civil war, and the subsequent period. Also, an extended history of each county in the order of formation, and of the principal cities and towns; together with biographical notices of distinguished and prominent citizens > Part 10
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Mr. Monroe transmitted the treaty and conventions to President Jefferson, and then proceeded to London as Minis- ter from the United States. The affair had been conducted with such secrecy and circumspection that the English were wholly unaware of what was taking place, and only learned of it now that the treaty had been definitely concluded. Mr. Monroe always considered that the part he took in effecting the Louisiana purchase was the greatest achievement of his life.
The immense region which was thus added to the domain of the United States has become one of its grandest portions. It was an empire in itself, and embraced 1, 182,745 square miles, or 756,956,800 acres of land, and from its area thirteen States and three Territories have been carved, to wit: Louisi- ana, Arkansas, Missouri,Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Nebraska and Oregon; and parts of
I2I
FROM 1800 TO 1804.
Kansas, Minnesota and Colorado; the Territories of Idaho, Indian Territory and a large part of Wyoming; besides, nearly six thousand square miles lying in the States of Ala- bama and Mississippi. It extended from the Gulf of Mexico northward to the British Possessions, and above Texas it ex- tended westward from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean. It was the greatest cession of territory ever made by one country to another.
The following table will show the area and acreage of the States and Territories formed from it :
STATE OR TERRITORY.
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF SQUARE MILES.
NUMBER OF ACRES
In Alabama,
2,300
1,472,000
" Mississippi,
3,600
2,304,000
All of Louisiana,
Arkansas,
52,202
33,406,478
66 Iowa,
55,045
35,228,700
66
Nebraska,
75,995
48,636,800
Oregon,
95,274
60,975,360
66
North Dakota,
150,932
96,596,480
South Dakota, 5
143,766
93,290,240
" Minnesota,
57,531
36,819,840
" Colorado,
57,000
36,480,000
All of Idaho,
86,294
55,228,160
" " Indian Ter.
68,991
44,154.240
In Wyoming.
83,563
53,480,320
1,182,745
756,956,800
66
Montana,
69,994
44,796,160
In Kansas,
73,542
47,066,880
Washington,
41,346
26,861,440
Missouri,
65,370
41,824,000
The map of the Louisiana Purchase shows the extent of the ceded regions.
On receiving the treaties Mr. Jefferson called an extra ses- sion of Congress, to assemble October 17th, 1803, to consider them. The Senate, on October 19th, ratified the treaty, but in the House of Representatives a lengthy political debate fol- lowed. It was urged that the consent of Spain was neces- sary to the transfer, and a resolution calling on the President
DOMINION OF CANADA.
SUPERIOR
MONTANA
NORTH DAMOTA
HUROD
WASHINGTON
IDAHO.
SOUTH DAKOTA
OREGON
WYOMING
IOWA
NEBRASKA
MEXICAN CESSION
COLORADO
KANSAS
MISSOURI
ISSIM
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEW MEXICO AND OTHER TERRITORIES
INDIAN
ARKANSAS
TERRITORY
TEXAS-
ORIGINALLY
CONSIDERED TO BE A PART OF THE DOMINION PURCHASE.
PIO GRANDS
GULF OF MEXICO
MEXICO
R
IVER
GULF OF CALIFORNIA.
MAP OF THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
THE UNITED STATES
PACIFIC OCEAN.
LOUISIANA,
FLORIDA
MINNESOTA
I23
1800 TO 1804.
for a copy of the St. Ildefonso Treaty and for evidence that Spain had given her consent to the cession was defeated by only two votes. John Randolph, of Roanoke, moved that the treaty be approved and carried into effect. After an earn- est debate the proposition was carried by a vote of yeas 90, nays 25.
Bonaparte's ratification was already in Washington, in the hands of their Minister, M. Pinchon, awaiting action on the part of the United States. On the 21st of October ratifica- tions were exchanged between the two countries, and the en- tire business of the treaty was closed. The same day Mr. Jefferson sent a message to Congress announcing the ratifica- tion, and suggesting that laws be enacted for the occupation and government of the acquired territory. On the 10th of November, 1803, an Act was passed creating a stock of $11,- 250,000 in bonds for the purpose of carrying into effect the first convention. The bonds were duly issued and delivered to the agents of France and by them acknowledged. At the same date, also, an Act was passed making provision for the payment of the spoliation claims which had been made part of the consideration, but as we have seen, while the bonds were promptly met and paid, a large part of the spoliation claims are still outstanding and unpaid.
The next step was to take actual and positive possession of the ceded territory, and to this Mr. Jefferson at once addressed himself. On the 15th day of October, 1802, the King of Spain had issued his writ from Barcelona, directing the Spanish Intendant in charge in Louisiana, the Marquis de Casa Calvo, to deliver the Province to whomsoever should be designated by France to receive it. On the 9th of June, 1803, Bonaparte, as First Consul, designated Citizen Pierre Clement Laussat at New Orleans to receive the country in the name of France. The actual delivery between the two did not take place until November 30th, 1803.
124
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
On the 31st of October, 1803, Congress passed an Act au- thorizing the President to take possession of the ceded country, and on the same day President Jefferson appointed Governor William C. C. Claiborne, Governor of Mississippi Territory, a distinguished lawyer and statesman ; and General James Wil- kinson of Maryland, a Brigadier-General in the Army ; Com- missioners on the part of the United States to receive the country from France. Accordingly on Tuesday, the 20th of December, twenty days after the country was received from Spain, the respective Commissioners met in the city hall, at the place des Armes, now Jackson Square, in New Orleans, and after an interchange of powers in diplomatic fashion, a docu- ment was formulated and duly signed by both sides, in which Citizen Laussat declared that "by virtue of and in the terms of the powers, commission, and special mandate dated at St. Cloud June 6th, 1803, he put from that moment the Com- missioners of the United States in possession of the country, territory and dependencies of the Province of Louisiana," that he "delivered to said Commissioners the keys of the city of New Orleans" and "discharged from their oaths of fidelity to the French Republic the citizens and inhabitants of Louisiana, who chose to remain under the dominion of the United States."
An American flag was then raised and the country was definitely in the possession of the United States. The Com- missioners immediately reported to James Madison, Secretary of State, the fact that the country had been delivered to them and the American flag raised "amid the acclamations of the inhabitants." It is recorded of the Creole inhabitants of New Orleans, that when they witnessed the lowering of the French ensign they wept. .
Governor Claiborne at once assumed the government of the country, in accordance with his appointment; and of date, December the 20th, 1803, issued a proclamation in which he declared that "the Government heretofore exercised over the Province of Louisiana, as well under the authority of Spain
WILLIAM C. C. CLAIBORNE. First American Governor, Province of Louisiana.
I26
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
as of the French Republic, has ceased, and that of the United States is established over the same; that the inhabitants thereof will be incorporated in the Union of the United States, and admitted as soon as possible, according to the principles of the Federal Constitution, to the enjoyment of all the rights, advantages and immunities of citizens of the United States ; and that in the meantime they shall be maintained and pro- tected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property and the religion which they profess."
On the same day he also issued the following noble address : "FELLOW CITIZENS OF LOUISIANA :
"On the great and interesting event now finally consum- mated, an event so advantageous to yourselves and so glori- ous to United America, I cannot forbear offering you my earnest congratulations. The wise policy of the consul of France has, by the cession of Louisiana to the United States, secured to you a connection beyond the reach of change, and to your posterity the sure inheritance of freedom. The Amer- ican people receive you as brothers and will hasten to extend to you a participation in those inestimable rights which have formed the basis of their unexampled prosperity. Under the auspices of the American Government you may confidently rely upon the security of your liberty, your property, and the religion of your choice. You may, with equal certainty, rest assured that your commerce will be promoted, and your agri- culture cherished, in a word, that your true interests will be among the primary objects of the National Legislature. * As for myself, fellow-citizens, accept a sincere assurance that during my continuance in the situation in which the Presi- dent of the United States has been pleased to place me, every exertion will be made on my part, to foster your internal hap- piness and to promote your general welfare, for it is only by such means that I can secure to myself the approbation of those great and just men who preside in the councils of the nation.
"W. C. C. CLAIBORNE.
"New Orleans, Dec. 20th, 1803."
127
1800 TO 1804.
On assuming control, Governor Claiborne appointed Eti- enne de Boré, Mayor of New Orleans, the first American Mayor of that city. Captain de Boré was the first who suc- cessfully manufactured sugar from the cane in Louisiana, which he accomplished in the year 1795. He was a na- tive Louisianian who had lived in France from childhood, but came back to Louisiana to live, after his marriage, in 1771. DeBorê's descendants became prominent men in Louisiana, one of them, a grandson, being the distinguished Charles Gayarré, Secretary of State, Legislator and Historian.
President Jefferson was desirous of having James Monroe Governor of Louisiana, but he preferred to remain Minister to England. He also tendered the appointment to Lafayette, but he declined, being unwilling to leave France. On the 16th of January, 1804, the President sent the following mes- sage to Congress :
"In execution of the Act of the present session of Congress on taking possession of Louisiana as ceded to us by France, and for the temporary government thereof, Governor Clai- borne, of the Mississippi Territory, and General James Wilkin- son were appointed Commissioners to secure possession. They proceeded with such regular troops as had been assembled at Fort Adams from the nearest posts, and with some militia of the Mississippi Territory, to New Orleans, to be prepared for anything unexpected which might arise out of the transaction, a respectable body of militia was ordered to be in readiness in the States of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, and a part of those in Tennessee, were moved on to the Natchez ; no occa- sion, however, arose for their services. Our Commissioners, on their arrival at New Orleans, found the Province already de- livered by the Commissioners of Spain to those of France, who delivered it over to them on the 20th day of December, as appears by their declaratory act accompanying this. Governor Claiborne, being duly invested with the powers heretofore ex- ercised by the Governor and Intendant of Louisiana, assumed
I28
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the government on the same day, and for the maintainance of law and order immediately issued the proclamation and ad- dress now communicated.
"On this important acquisition, so favorable to the imme- diate interests of our western citizens; so auspicious to the peace and security of the nation in general, which adds to our country territories so extensive and fertile, and to our citizens new brethren to partake of the blessings of freedom and self- government, I offer to Congress and our country my sincere congratulations.
TH. JEFFERSON."
At the same date as this message, January 16th, 1804, General Wilkinson, in command of the troops in Louisiana, notified the Secretary of War that orders for the delivery of the posts in Upper Louisiana had that day been received by him from the French and Spanish Commissioners. He be- came uneasy at the delay of the French in evacuating New Orleans and the Province, and complained of this in March and April. On the 25th of April, 1804, he notified the War Department that the Commissioner of France had taken his departure from New Orleans April 21st, and the Spanish Commissioner on the 24th.
At St. Louis the transfer of sovereignty of the Province was signalized March Ioth, 1804, by the lowering of the French ensign and the hoisting of an American flag from the balcony of the residence of Charles Gratiot, who, in the presence of a large crowd of people, saluted with respect the emblem of the new country. Captain Amos Stoddard, a captain of artillery in the United States Army, succeeded Delassus, the Spanish commander, and the authority of the United States in Missouri dates from that day. It was an occasion of deep sadness to the French residents of the city, thus witnessing the dominion of their beloved country pass into the hands of a new nation, for their intense devotion to the mother country made them desirous of remaining in its domain, but they accepted the
129
1800 TO 1804.
situation with dignity and conducted themselves with decorum. At this time St. Louis contained a population of about one thousand souls. There was not a brick house or a brick chimney in the place. It is said that it contained only 150 houses, three streets and one log church, and that around these fortresses or block houses had been built for defense against the Indians. It was as thoroughly French as any provincial town of France to-day; with French language, French usages, habits and customs, and with but few English speaking people.
Thus the sovereignty over this vast area passed to the new nation, and the end of the year beheld the United States in definite possession of the immense territory, of which the present State of Arkansas formed a part.
9
PERIOD II. -
FROM 1804 TO 1819.
CHAPTER V.
FROM 1804 TO 1819.
LOUISIANA TERRITORY .- INDIAN TREATIES .- FORMATION OF ARKANSAS TER- RITORY.
BY an Act of date March 26th, 1804, Congress created two territories out of the country which had been ceded by France. The lower one, extending from the Gulf of Mexico northward as far as 33° of north latitude, or the present northern line of the State of Louisiana, was called the Territory of Orleans, with the seat of government located at New Orleans, and the legislative power vested in the Governor and thirteen of the most discreet persons in the territory, to be appointed annually by the President of the United States from among those hold- ing real estate. The governing body thus formed was called the Legislative Council. The remainder of the Province of Louisiana, lying north of the Territory of Orleans, was organ- ized into a territory called "the District of Louisiana," but com- monly known as Upper Louisiana,* and the executive power was vested in the Governor and Judges of the Territory of In- diana, who were authorized to establish inferior courts and prescribe the jurisdiction thereof as might seem conducive to good government. The Secretary of Indiana Territory was made Secretary of the District of Louisiana. In fact, the District of Louisiana was practically made a part of Indiana Territory. In the fall of 1804 Gen. William Henry Harri-
(*) Switzler, in his History of Missouri, says that Upper Louisiana "included the vast extent of country now known as Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa and Minnesota, and all the western region to the Pacific Ocean south of the 49 degrees of north latitude not claimed by Spain."
I33
I34
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
son, Governor of Indiana Territory, afterwards President, with Judges Griffin, Vanderberg and Davis, Indiana judges, visited Saint Louis and established courts for the District of Louisi- ana. He appointed Samuel Hammond his deputy, to repre- sent him in St. Louis, and appointed Col. Meigs commandant at St. Charles, Major Seth Hunt for Ste. Genevieve, and Col. F. B. Scott for Cape Girardeau.
As soon as the dominion of this vast region became fixed in the United States, a steady tide of emigration came to it. A great and increasing trade in furs was maintained between the Indians and French settlers, which attracted many to engage in it. But while the upper portion and the gulf region and the country along the Mississippi generally received frequent accessions, the emigration to what is now Arkansas was slower and less than any of the other portions, so that by 1810 it con- tained a population of only 1,062 persons, while Missouri had 19,783, and the Territory of Orleans about 13,000. The Arkansas country of that date was a dense wilderness, filled with wild beasts; a roaming ground for the Indian, and awaiting the advent of the settler.
On the 3rd of March, 1805, the Territory of Louisiana was organized, being what was previously the District of Louisiana. President Jefferson appointed General James Wilkinson Gov- ernor, and Frederick Bates Secretary. General Wilkinson, with Judges R. J. Meigs and John B. C. Lucas, of the Superior Court, formed the Legislature for the Territory.
In the organization of the Territory of Louisiana, all the lower part thereof embracing the present State of Arkansas and the lower part of the present State of Missouri, was laid off into a district called the District of New Madrid. By an act of the Legislature of the Territory of Louisiana, of date June 27th, 1806, the lower part of this District of New Mad- rid was laid off into a new district called the District of Ar- kansaw.
GENERAL JAMES WILKINSON. First Governor of Territory of Louisiana.
I36
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
In the year 1806 Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike, of the 6th infantry regiment of the United States Army, from whom "Pike's Peak" is named, under orders from General James Wilkinson, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, con- ducted an exploring expedition into the interior of the Louisi- ana country and into Mexico. One of this party was Lieu- tenant James B. Wilkinson, of the 2d infantry, who was de- tached from the regular expedition for the purpose of descend- ing the Arkansaw river to its mouth, and from there to Fort Adams, on the Mississippi. He, with his party, consisting of Sergeant Ballenger and two men, began the descent October 27th, 1806, in two canoes, one made from a cottonwood tree and the other made of buffalo and elk skins, his starting point being near the head of the river. Although much detained by floating ice and bad weather, Lieut. Wilkinson reached the mouth of the Canadian river December 29th, being "the main branch of the Arkansaw and equally as large." On the 3Ist he passed the mouth of the Pottoe (Poteau), "a deep, though narrow, stream which puts in on the southwest, and also the river 'Au Millieu'* which enters from the north- east."
On the 8th of January, 1807, he "passed the two upper Arkansaw or Quapaw villages, and on the 9th, after passing the lower Quapaw town and a settlement of Choctaws, arrived at the post of Arkansaw." Of the presence and abundance of game found on the journey, particularly on the upper por- tion of the river, Lieut. Pike said: "The borders of the Arkansaw river may be termed the paradise (terrestrial) of our territories for the wandering savages. Of all countries ever visited by the footsteps of civilized man there never was one probably that produced game in greater abundance and I believe there are buffalo, elk and deer suf- ficient on the banks of the Arkansaw alone, if used without
(*) "Au Millieu" is evidently a misprint for "Vermillion."
I37
FROM 1804 TO 1819.
waste, to feed all the savages in the United States territories one century."
Lieut. Wilkinson said on the same subject when in the hunting ground of the Osages, October 8th, before commenc- ing the descent of the river: "In the morning, it having cleared up, I began my march early and it appeared as if we had just gotten into the region of game, for the herds of buf- falo, elk, goat and deer surpassed credibility. I do solemnly assert that if I saw one, I saw more than nine thousand buf- falos during the day's march."
Yet great as were the numbers of buffalos of that time not one is now to be found there. In the short space of eighty years the breed has become extinct from the annual slaughter of thousands by hunters, herders, tourists and savages in mere wanton cruelty called sport.
Lieut. Wilkinson made a map or chart of the Arkansas river, while he descended, and attached it to his report. The following is a copy of it from the point where he began his descent. The western border of the present State of Ar- kansas is at the mouth of the "Potteau" (Poteau) river where Fort Smith stands.
In 1807 Governor Wilkinson was succeeded by Capt. Merriwether Lewis, of Charlottesville, Virginia, a captain of the Ist United States Infantry, who had been private secretary to President Jefferson, and who, from 1803 to 1806, in con- junction with Capt. W. Clark, had commanded the famous Lewis and Clark exploring expedition to the Pacific coast. In 1809 Governor Lewis met his death at Nashville, Tennes- see, while on a journey eastward.
After Governor Lewis' death, President Madison appointed Gen. Benjamin A. Howard of Lexington, Kentucky, Gover- nor of the Territory. Governor Howard was succeeded Oc- tober 31st, 1812, by Capt. William Clark, who remained as Governor until Missouri became a State in 1820. Governor
Here we struck the Arransaw from audience L' Wilkinson destended ! River on Skin Canoes and Copt. Fine up by Land with his Party
FAHunters
Arkansaw
.Fr. Hunter
Postor
Hot Springs
River
DO ARKANSAN
Owpow Villa
Choctaw Village
Canadians
Scale of 40 miles to Me Inch.
& At the mouth of the Canadian River the Ensigns armorial of France were buried in a leader Box at the foot of a great Ook in 1742
COPY OF MAP OF ARKANSAS RIVER MADE BY LIEUT. WILKINSON IN 1809. ATTACHED TO HIS REPORT OF HIS EXPLORATIONS OF THE RIVER MADE TO LIEUT. Z. M. PIKE.
4
noi's
White River
S NEGRACHA RIVER
millieh River
TRADING o houses
Rapids
Mountain Seen 3 days journey
Grand Soline
Polleou Rive
Scale ofgo Miles to the Inch .
I39
FROM 1804 TO 1819.
Howard resigned his office to accept a Brigadier-Generalship of Rangers in the War of 1812.
On the roth of November, 1808, a treaty was concluded at Fort Clark, on the right bank of the Missouri river, about five miles above "Fire Prairie," in the Territory of Louisi- ana, between Pierre Chouteau, agent "of the Osages," and appointed by Merriwether Lewis, Governor, and Superintend- ent of Indian affairs, and the chiefs and warriors of the Great and Little Osage tribes, by which a large body of land was ceded to the United States, bounded as follows : From the Arkansas river northward to the Missouri river, eastward to the Mississippi, and westward to a line due south from Fort Clark to the Arkansas river, striking the river at a place called Frog Bayou, in what is now Crawford county. The quantity of land embraced in this transfer was 48,003,- 815 acres, of which that lying in the Arkansas Territory . was estimated at 14,830,432 acres.
The amounts paid and to be paid, by the United States, for this enormous cession of land, were the following sums, to-wit : to the Great Osages, $800.00 in cash, $1,000.00 annually in goods at first cost, delivered at Fire Prairie, or St. Louis, and to the Little Osages, $400.00 in cash, and $500.00 in goods, to be delivered at the same place; the establishment of a blacksmith shop and a water mill, or horse-power mill, to fur- nish them with plows, and to build for the Great Chief, of both the Great and Little Osages, a strong block house to be established near Fort Clark.
The boundaries of the cession were as follows : "Beginning at Fort Clark, on the Missouri, five miles below Fire Prairie, and running thence a due south course to the river Arkan- sas, and down the same to the Mississippi, hereby ceding and relinquishing forever to the United States all lands which lie east of said line and north of the southwardly bank of said river, and all lands situated northwardly of the river
140
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Missouri," and, also, "a tract two leagues square to embrace Fort Clark."
A farther treaty was made with these tribes September 25th, 1818, by William Clark, Governor of Missouri Territory, by which they ceded to the United States another large body of land, partly lying in Arkansas and part to the west thereof, estimated to be seven million three hundred and ninety-two thousand (7,392,000) acres, situated between the Verdigris river and the old Osage boundary, defined in the previous treaty, being west of the former grant, of which, estimated, 1,075,648 acres lay in Arkansas; and by a third treaty made between the same parties, of date June 2d, 1825, a farther cession of seven hundred and fifty-three thousand nine hun- dred and twenty (753,920) acres, lying in Arkansas and west of it, was made by them, commonly known as the Loveley purchase, extinguishing their title and making in all estimated forty-six million one hundred and forty-nine thousand seven . hundred and thirty-five (46,149,735) acres derived by the United States from these tribes, of which it is estimated that nearly sixteen million (16,000,000) acres lay in Arkansas.
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