USA > Kentucky > The political beginnings of Kentucky. A narrative of public events bearing on the history of that state up to the time of its admission into the American Union > Part 17
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To that sacred record we appeal. 'Tis not the ill-directed or inconsiderate zeal of a few; 'tis not that impatience of power to which ambitious minds are prone ; nor yet the baser considerations of personal interest, which influence the people of Ken- tucky ; directed by superior motives, they are incapable of cherishing a wish un- founded in justice ; and are now impelled by expanding evils and irremediable griev- ances, universally seen, felt, and acknowledged, to obey the irresistible dictates of self- preservation, and seek for happiness by means honorable to themselves, honorable to you, and injurious to neither. We therefore, with the consent and by the authority of our constituents, after the most solemn deliberation, being warned of every conse- quence which can ensue, for them, for ourselves, and for posterity unborn-do pray that an act may pass at the ensuing session of assembly, declaring and acknowledging the sovereignty and independence of this district.
Having no object in view but the acquisition of that security and happiness which may be attained by scrupulous adherance to principles of private justice and public honor, we should most willingly at this time enter into the adjustment of the conces- sions which are to be the condition of our separation, did not our relative situation forbid such negociation, the separation we request being suggested by necessity and being consonant to every principle of reason and justice, we are persuaded will be cheerfully granted, and that we will be as cheerfully received into the continental union on the recommendation of our parent state.
Our application may excite a new spectacle in the history and politics of mankind. A sovereign power solely intent to bless its people, agreeing to a dismemberment of its parts, in order to secure the happiness of the whole; and we fondly flatter ourselves, from motives not purely local, it is to give birth to that catalogue of great events which we persuade ourselves are to diffuse throughout the world the inestimable bless- ings which mankind may derive from the American revolution.
We firmly rely that the undiminished lustre of that spark which kindled the flame of liberty and guided the United States of America to peace and independence, will direct the honorable body to whom we appeal for redress from manifest grievances to embrace the singular occasion reserved for them by divine providence, to originate a precedent which may liberalize the policy of nations and lead to the emancipation of enslaved millions. In this address we have discarded the complimentary style of adu- lation and insincerity. It becomes freemen, when speaking to freemen, to employ the plain, manly, unadorned language of independence, supported by conscious rectitude.
Resolved, That two commissioners be appointed to have the address now agreed on preferred to the next general assembly, and to use their endeavors to give it success.
George Muter and Harry Innes, esquires, were unanimously appointed commission- ers to have the address now agreed on preferred to the next general assembly.
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To the inhabitants of the District of Kentucky :
FRIENDS AND COUNTRYMEN: Your representatives in convention, having completed the important business for which they were specially elected, feel it their duty before they rise to call your attention to the calamities with which our country appears to be threatened. Blood has been spilt from the eastern to the western extremity of the district. Accounts have been given to the convention from Post St. Vincennes which indicate a disposition in the savages for general war. In the mean time if we look nearer home we shall find our borders infested, and constant depredat ons committed on our prop- erty. Whatever may be the remote designs of the savages, these are causes sufficient to ro ise our attention, that we may be prepared not only to defend but punish those who unprovoked offend us. God and nature have given us the power, and we shall stand condemned in the eyes of Heaven and mankind if we do not employ it to redress our wrongs and assert our rights.
The Indians are now reconnoitering our settlements in order that they may here- after direct their attacks with more certain effect, and we seem patiently to await the stroke of the tomahawk. Strange indeed it is that, although we can hardly pass a spot which does not remind us of the murder of a father, a brother, or deceased friend, we should take no single step for our own preservation. Have we forgot the surprise of Bryan's or the shocking destruction of Kinchelo's station, let us ask you? Ask your- selves what there is to prevent a repetition of such barbarous scenes? Five hundred Indians might be conducted undiscovered to our very thresholds, and the knife may be put to the throats of our sleeping wives and children. For shame! Let us rouse from our lethargy ; let us arm, associate, and embody. Let us call upon our officers to do their duty, and determine to hold in detestation and abhorrence, and to treat as ene- mies to the community every person who shall withhold his countenance and support of such measures as may be recommended for our common defence. Let it be remem- bered that a stand must be made somewhere. Not to support our present frontier would be the height of cruelty as well as folly; for should it give way those who now huy themselves in security will take the front of danger, and we shall in a short time be huddled together in stations, a situation in our present circumstances scarcely prefer- able to death. Let us remember that supineness and inaction may entice the enemy to general hostilities, whilst preparation and offensive movement will disconcert their plans, drive them from our borders, secure ourselves, and protect our property.
Therefore resolved, That the convention, in the name & behalf of the people, do call on the lieutenants or commanding officers of the respective counties of this district forthwith to carry into execution the law for regulating and disciplining the militia.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the officers to assemble in their respective counties and concert such plans as they may deem expedient for the defence of our country, or for carrying expeditions against the hostile nations of Indians.
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No. III.
[SEE TEXT, PAGE 78.]
DEBATES IN THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION, JUNE, 1788, PAGE 128.
(Extract from the Speech of Mr. Monroe.)
Whilst the powers were in force a representative from Spain arrived authorized to treat with the United States on the interfering claims of the two nations respecting the Mississippi and the boundaries, and other concerns wherein they were respectively interested. A similar commission was given to the honourable the secretary of foreign affairs on the part of the United States, with these ultimata: "That he enter into no treaty, compact, or convention whatever with the said representative of Spain which did not stipulate our right to the navigation of the Mississippi and the boundaries as established by our treaty with Great Britain." Eight or ten months elapsed without any communication of the progress of the treaty being made to Congress. At length a letter was received from the secretary stating that difficulties had arisen in his nego- ciation with the representative of Spain, which in his opinion should be so managed as that even their existence should remain a secret for the present, and proposing that a committee be appointed with full power to direct and instruct him in every case rela- tive to the proposed treaty. The object of this proposition was to disengage him from the ultimata already mentioned in his existing instructions. The secretary, Mr. Jay, being at length called before congress to explain the difficulties mentioned in his letter, pre- sented to their view the project of a treaty of commerce, containing, as he supposed, advantageous stipulations in our favor in that line, in consideration for which we were to contract to forbear the use of the navigation of the river Mississippi for the term of twenty-five or thirty years, and earnestly advised our adopting it. He urged that the commercial project was a beneficial one, and should not be neglected; that a stipula- tion to forbear the use on her part contained an acknowledgement of the right in the United States; that we were in no condition to take the river, and therefore gave noth- ing for it. The delegates of the seven eastermost states voted that the ultimata in the secretary's instructions be repealed, and it was entered on the journal by the secretary of Congress that the question was carried, although nine states were necessary, by the Fed- eral constitution, to give an instruction. The animated pursuit that was made of this ob- ject required, and I believe received, as firm an opposition. The southern states were on their guard, and warmly opposed it.
No. IV. [SEE TEXT, PAGE 79.]
CIRCULAR LETTER DIRECTED TO THE DIFFERENT COURTS IN THE WESTERN COUNTRY.
KENTUCKY, DANVILLE, March 29th, 1787.
GENTLEMEN : A respectable number of the inhabitants of this district having met at this place, being greatly alarmed at the late procedure of Congress in proposing to cede
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to the Spanish court the navigation of the Mississippi river for twenty-five or thirty years, have directed us to address the inhabitants on the western waters, and inform them of the measures which it is proposed for this district to adopt.
The inhabitants of the several counties in this district will be requested to elect five members in each county, to meet at Danville on the first Monday in May, to take up the consideration of this project of congress; to prepare a spirited but decent remon- strance against the cession ; to appoint a committee of correspondence and to commu- nicate with one already established on the Monongahalia, or any other that may be constituted ; to appoint delegates to meet representatives from the several districts on the western waters in convention, should a convention be deemed necessary, and to adopt such other measures as shall be most conducive to our happiness. Aswe conceive that all the inhabitants residing on the western waters are equally affected by this partial con- duct of congress, we doubt not but they will readily approve of our conduct and cheer- fully adopt a similar system to prevent a measure which tends to almost a total destruction of the western country. This is a subject that requires no comment-the injustice of the measure is glaring-and as the inhabitants of this district wish to unite their efforts to oppose the cession of the navigation of the Mississippi with those of their brethren resid.ng on the western waters, we hope to see such an exertion made upon this important occasion as may convince Congress that the inhabitants of the west- ern country are united in the opposition, and consider themselves entitled to all the privileges of freemen and those blessings procured by the revolution, and will not tamely submit to an act of oppression which would tend to a deprivation of our just rights and privileges. We are, Gentlemen, with respect, your most obedient servants,
GEORGE MUTER, HARRY INNES, JOHN BROWN, BENJAMIN SEBASTIAN.
No. V.
[SEE TEXT, PAGE 156.] A CERTIFICATE.
(From the Palladium of August 7th, 1806.)
Having observed in the Western World, a publication in which mr. John Brown is charged with having been engaged in a treasonable conspiracy to transfer and subject this country to the dominion of Spain; and having seen with surprise that a letter written to me in 1788 by Mr. Brown is referred to as containing the evidence of his guilt, I do in justice to Mr. Brown hereby declare that I never received from him any communication, either written or verbal, which could authorize or justify the statement contained in that publication.
In the year 1788, when the application of the people of Kentucky to be admitted into the union as an independent state was depending before congress, Mr. Brown was a member of that body, and was, as I have reason to believe, very anxious that Ken- tucky should be received into the union as a state, and used his best exertions to effect that object.
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After that application had been laid over for the consideration of the new govern- ment. Mr. Brown wrote me a letter informing me of the fate of the application, and stating the reasons, in his opinion, of the failure.
In that letter was enclosed a paper containing a statement in the hand writing of Mr. Brown, of which the following is the substance, and to the best of my recollection the very words made use of, viz:
"In a conversation I had with Mr. Gardoque, the Spanish minister, relative to the navigation of the Mississippi, he stated that if the people of Kentucky would erect themselves into an independent state, and appoint a proper person to negociate with him, he had authority for that purpose, and would enter into an arrangement with them for the exportation of their produce to New Orleans on terms of mutual advantage."
The paper contained the above statement of Gardoque's remarks only, for Mr. Brown subjoined no observations expressive either of his approbation or disapproba- tion, which induced me to conclude that it had been forwarded merely for information. Mr. Brown never intimated to me, either at that time or any other, that Mr. Gardoque had ever on any pretence made him any propositions tending to his personal aggran- dizement, as has been erroneously suggested in the Western World. And as to the alleged project of subjecting Kentucky to the government of Spain, and of raising an army to maintain a revolt against the United States, I do declare that nothing of the kind was ever suggested to me by Mr. Brown, nor to the best of my recollection did I ever hear that such ideas were at any time advanced or advocated by him or any other person in the western country until I saw the charges published in the Western World.
I regret very much that it is not in my power at present to find the letter and paper above mentioned. I fear they are lost or destroyed.
About ten years ago I removed to Jessamine from Mercer county, and left my son Joseph in possession of my house, in which I left a large bundle of old letters and papers.
Three or four years after my removal, my son informed me that all the old letters and papers I had left behind were destroyed; and as I cannot find the letter and paper referred to among the papers now in my possession, I suspect they were among those left in Mercer county.
AUGUST 4, 1806.
SAMUEL M'DOWELL.
No. VI.
[SEE TEXT, PAGE 187.]
DORCHESTER TO SYDNEY, WITH ENCLOSURE.
(From Canadian Archives, Colonial Office Records, Series Q, Vol. XLI, p. 283, No. 107.)
QUEBEC, 11th April, 1789.
My Lord: I am informed the Spanish Government at New Orleans has for some time past observed a very friendly conduct towards the inhabitants of Kentucky.
Special permits have been put into the hands of some of the leading characters of those settlements for sending down the Mississippi determinate quantities of Tobacco, which are purchased at New Orleans on account of the Government, and ten thousand
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dollars have been issued from the public treasury there for the purpose of purchasing merchandize in Kentucky, which sum has been consigned to gentlemen of that country, and is actually arrived at the Falls of the Ohio.
The Spanish Territories upon the Mississippi, between the thirty-first and thirty- third degrees of North Latitude, are erected into a Lieutenancy dependent on New Orleans, a Governor has been appointed, and all Americans are invited to settle there under flattering offers.
A Monsieur d'Arges, a Knight of the Order of St. Louis, who has been a resident of Kentucky for near a year, and in the employ of the Spanish Government, is said to have advised this measure at the Court of Madrid, where he has had several audiences since he left Kentucky.
On the west side of the Mississippi, opposite the mouth of the Ohio, another Span- ish settlement is intended with similar views, under the agency of a Mr. Morgan, for- merly a merchant at Philadelphia, who is now upon the Ohio.
Notwithstanding the favorable answer given by Congress to the demand of Ken- tucky to be admitted a sovereign state in the union, the people of that country have lately discovered a strong inclination to an entire separation, and some of their leading men have entered into correspondence with the Spanish Government at New Orleans.
Their apprehension that Congress will consent to give up the Navigation of the Mis- sissippi for twenty-five years is one of the reasons which induces them to listen to the overtures of Spain.
In a late convention, held at Danville, it has been proposed by those who are gained over to the Spanish views to throw themselves under the protection of that power.
But the general result of more private councils among them is said to be to declare Independence of the Federal Union, take possession of New Orleans, and look to Great Britain for such assistance as might enable them to accomplish these designs.
A Committee of private correspondence has been appointed by them to influence all the inhabitants west of the mountains in the same measures.
I inclose some of their political reflexions on the state of affairs in the Western Country.
A new American Settlement is now forming at the mouth of the Great Miami, on the North side of the Ohio, conducted by a Mr. Symms, a late member of Congress, and covered by a garrison of one hundred and fifty Continental Troops.
I am, with much respect and esteem,
Your Lordship's most obedient and most humble servant,
The Right Hon'ble LORD SYDNEY.
DORCHESTER.
DESULTORY REFLEXIONS BY A GENTLEMAN OF KENTUCKY.
[COPY.]
(From Canadian Archives, Colonial Office Records, Series Q, Vol. XLI, p. 286.)
I. The River Mississippi being the Channel by which the Western settlements of America must export their products, we may form a just estimate of the importance of this channel by casting our eyes over a map comprehending that vast and luxuriant Country watered by its branches.
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2. As the balance inclines the beam, the Atlantic States of America must sink as the Western settlements rise. Nature has interposed obstacles and established barriers between these regions which forbid their connexion on principles of reciprocal inter- est, and the flimsy texture of republican government is insufficient to hold in the same political bonds a people detached and scattered over such an expanse of territory, whose views and interests are discordant.
3. Thus local causes, irresistible in their nature, must produce a secession of the Western settlements from the Atlantic States, and the period is not very distant. But these people must for ages continue agricultural; of consequence foreign protection will be expedient to their happiness, and this protection must necessarily comprehend the right of navigating the Mississippi, with a marine to protect its commerce. That power which commands the navigation of the Mississippi as completely commands the . whole country traversed by its waters as the key does the lock, the citadel the outworks.
4. The politics of the Western Country are verging fast to a crisis, and must speedily eventuate in an appeal to the patronage of Spain or Britain. No interruption can be apprehended from Congress; the seditious temper and jarring interests of the Atlantic States forbid general arrangements for the public good, and must involve a degree of imbecility, distraction, and capricious policy which a high toned monarchy can alone remedy; but the revolutions and changes necessary to reconcile the people to such a government must involve much delay. Great Britain ought to prepare for the occasion, and she should employ the interval in forming confidential connexions with men of enterprize, capacity, and popular influence resident on the Western Waters.
Indorsed: In Lord Dorchester's to Lord Sydney, No. 107, of the 11th April, 1789.
No. VII.
[SEE TEXT, PAGE 189.] DORCHESTER TO SYDNEY, WITH ENCLOSURE. [DUPLICATE-SECRET.] (From Canadian Archives, Colonial Office Records, Series Q, Vol. XLII, p. 13, No. 112.)
QUEBEC, 7th June, 1789.
My Lord: The inclosed description and political observations on the affairs of the western country between the Allegany Mountains and the river Mississippi, were pre- sented to the French Minister in America, by whom they were received with great eagerness and forwarded to his Court. I think them tolerably correct, and written by a man of judgment. Their object is to induce France to take possession of New Orleans, and thereby to secure to herself all the trade of that vast country, which of necessity must pass that way.
This plan, and the occurrences in the western country of last year, mentioned in my letter No. 107, are not entirely unknown in the United States, and alarm the govern- ments and people of property on the Atlantic. Hence some discontented persons of consideration among them have caught the idea that Great Britain might be placed in the room of France, and have made me oflers of their service to bring this about.
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Wishing to understand the nature and extent of their plans and their expectations from me, I learned that some of them proposed going into the Western Country, and were convinced that by their influence they could effect a separation of it from the Atlantic States; that I should supply them only with arms and ammunition by way of the upper posts; that their intercourse with the lakes should be free and open, and that a peace with the Indians would facilitate the business. They required no more, and doubted not but they would be able to take New Orleans and deliver it over to Great Britain, desiring only freedom and protection of their trade down the Missi-sippi.
To remove any objection, by reason of our being at peace with Spain, I was informed that Spain, when at peace with us, had furnished America with money for the revolt, as might be easily proved, and that they did not want Great Britain to appear concerned till they were in possession of New Orleans. No mention was made of money for private or public purposes, yet I take for granted this would be expected.
After many thanks for their confidence and good will to Great Britain, and assur- ances that though I could not say these offers of service might prove of advantage to them, they might depend on their not being detrimental, I added that no Governor would venture to adopt a measure of this importance, and that it must proceed from the source of power. Being pushed to declare my opinion of the scheme, I replied, I must think of it as my master thinks. I understand this last question to have been put with a view of carrying the matter home, and to know how far I would countenance the project.
The inclosure is not entire, the introduction having been omitted in the copying, as I was informed, on account of its length, and containing nothing of any moment.
I am, with much respect and esteem,
Your Lordship's most obedient and Most humble servant, DORCHESTER. The Right Hon'ble LORD SYDNEY.
Endorsed : Quebec, 7th June, 1789. Lord Dorchester. Dup'l, No. 112. Secret. R. 16th July. (One inclosure.)
ENCLOSURE WITH FOREGOING.
[COPIE.]
Avant de jetter nos regards sur l'avenir pour decouvrir le germe des evenemens, qu'nu petit nombre d' annees, peut-etre, est destinee a faire eclorre, examinous soum- mariement la situation actuelle des Republiques naissantes de ce cote des apalaches.
Le pais compris entre ces Montagnes, l'Ohio, le Missisippi, et le Golfe de Mexico, renferme plus de tendue de terrin, que le reste des treize Etats Unis. Que sera ceci, si nous y joignons les domaines qui leurs out ete cedes par l'Angleterre au Nord de l'Ohio ? Ce pais, comme il a ete dit ci dessus, par la fertilite messuissable de sou sol, par la salubrite de sou climat, par nue situation heureuse, qui lui promet un jour nu grand commerce, est devenue aujourd'hui nu objet de prediliction, et attire si puis- samment les habitans de toutes les parties de l'Amerique, que l'ou craint deja que celle- ci ne manque bientot des cultivateurs. Entre les etatlissemens deja formes dans cette
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plaine immense, la contree de Kentucky merite sans contredit le premier rang par sa population, par son site sur une belle riviere navigable presqu'en tout temps, par le grand nombre d'autres rivieres qui la traverse partout, et assurant ses communica- tions par son voisinage du Missisippi et des grands lacs du Canada. Les autres peu- plades ont pour le present le desavantage d'etre trop centrales et bornees par des Apa- laches, les nations Indiennes des Creeks, Cherochees, Choctows et Chickasaws, par la Floride de l'ouest, et par Kentucky; dans cette position leur progres doit etre plus lent. Elles arriveront plus tard a l'importance mais, neanmoins, elles ajoutent deja beaucoup a la notre, en nous servant de barriere contre un ennemi cruel et toujours en haleine. Kentucky n'a plus a lutter, que contre quelques faibles hordes de sauvages etablis sur le Wabache, et vers le lac Erie. Les courses frequentes que ces barbares font encore dans notre pais les allarment. Les meurtres, les depredations qui les suivent sur nos fron- tieres, peuvent bien arreter un petit nombre d'individus timides, qui se sont fait une idee terrible des Indiens, mais cela n'empeche point la colonie de s'augmenter touts les etes de dix a douze mille emigrants. Les sauvages, d'ailleurs, se sont beaucoup eloignes des Rives de l'Ohio, et leur nombre diminue tous les jours. Ce sont au reste de trop meprisables guerriers, pour que leur resistance puisse etre regarde comme un obstacle capable de retarder l'agrandissement de ces peuplades. Leur genre de guerre peut etre funeste a un petit nombre de malheureux, qu'ils surprennent a l'ecart, mais l' activite generale de l'expansion progressive n'en soufre pas la moindre alteration.
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