Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 24

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020

USA > Mississippi > Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II > Part 24

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The legislature of 1856 gave much of its time to considering and adopting the code prepared by Sharkey, Ellett and Harris, and being unable to finish that work, completed it at a special session begun in December, 1856.

Governor McRae's message in 1856 was notable as the first one for several administrations, devoted mainly to a discussion of State affairs. It set the pattern for executive messages which. with some amplification, has ever since prevailed. He said that with the exception of the pestilence which, within a few years past, had begun again its annual visitation to the cities of the State, including Jackson and some of the interior villages, the peo-

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ple had been blessed with unusual health and the harvests had been bountiful. "The burdens of government rest lightly upon the people, prosperity scatters plenty to them, patriotism subdues ambition, and we scarcely know or inquire what it is that brings us the great blessing we so happily and securely enjoy. It is the shield of the government over us, held by the overruling hands of Providence, manifesting itself through our institutions, and in the sentiment of our people which acknowledges it, and for which we should be ever grateful."

The financial statement showed receipts in the two years 1854 and 1855, of $826,376; disbursements, $905,583; but the receipts on account of the Internal improvement fund and Swamp land sales, made an apparent surplus of $83,000.

The administration of Gov. McRae was particularly memorable for the actual beginning of railroad development. Under an act of legislature of 1854, the State took $300,000 stock in the main lines, which gave them a needed impetus. In 1856 there was no line running through, except the Memphis & Charleston, in the northeast corner, but some important links were laid down, and the completion of 800 miles of road in the State was near at hand. Gov. McRae declared, "The brilliant prosperity which they will give to our State, the most sanguine has not conceived, and won- der herself will be astonished at the magnificent result." (See Railroads.) He advised the further investment of $200,000 annu- ally in railroad stock, to be raised by taxation, until the State had a million and a half invested. No one doubted then that the State had the power and the brains to protect its own investments.

An achievement of surpassing importance in this period was the work of building levees (q. v.) supported by the donation of overflowed lands by congress to the State. J. L. Alcorn, president of the superior board of levee commissioners, created in 1854, re- ported in 1856 that there had been a wonderful increase in land values. In fact, lands considered hopelessly unavailable as late as 1848 were now eagerly sought for, tens of thousands of acres having been sold since levee protection was assured. There was a great area of State lands in the new domain, as well as Chickasaw school lands. The educational fund, likewise the funds available for aid to railroads, were being greatly benefited. Concerning the school lands, "an exciting struggle commences with this session of the legislature (1856) in permanently fixing the basis for the distribution of the money to the counties rightfully owning the same."

The old struggle for territory between the opposing interests of North and South, after a momentary lull, was now revived. The proposed States of Kansas and Nebraska were the bone of contention. Gov. McRae said (January, 1856) : "The difficulties in the territory of Kansas have produced much excitement in the country, and awakened a feeling of deep interest among the people of the Southern States. Fully impressed with the importance of securing that territory to our interests, and for

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the extension of our institutions, after the most mature reflection, I have not been able to see how the State, in her sovereign capacity, can take measures to effect that result;" but if it were within his line of duty he would earnestly urge the people to encourage emigration to that country. He believed that no matter how many emigrants went there from the Northern States, the Southern emi- grants could control it by "the irresistable energy of their deter- mination and their will. If the territory is lost to the South, it will be the fault of our own people."

The presidential election of 1856 was one of great interest, Buchanan and Breckinridge was the Democratic ticket, Fillmore was nominated for president by the Know Nothings, and Fremont by the Republicans. At the same time there was actually war in Kansas between colonizing parties from the Northern and South- ern States, the skirmish line of the Great War near at hand.

The adjourned session of the legislature begun in December, 1856, proposed two more amendments to the constitution, one prohibiting suits against the State, the other abrogating the Fourth and Fifth amendments so far as they related to the tenure of office of members of the legislature.

The Democratic state convention was held in June, 1857, and that of the American party in July, at Jackson. Both adopted res- olutions censuring Gov. Robert J. Walker (q. v.), of Kansas, for proposing to submit the state constitution of Kansas to the popu- lar vote, and this censure was extended to President Buchanan. At the election in October the Democratic nominee for gover- nor, William McWillie, received 27,377 votes. Edward M. Yer- ger, the nominee of the American party, carried Warren and Hinds counties, but was in a minority in nearly all the others, particularly in the north of the State, and had a total vote of only 14,095.

The legislative tenure of office amendment was adopted; the other amendment was rejected.

In his final message, November 2, 1857. Gov. McRae entirely ignored politics, and wrote exclusively of State affairs, treating of the serious condition resulting from the financial crisis of 1857, the general suspension of specie payments and the worthlessness of the paper money in circulation (See Banking) ; the adoption of the Code of 1857, the railroads, common schools, public institu- tions, etc.

During his administration the State had invested in railroad companies nearly $1,500.000 from the congressional funds, loaning $633,000 from the Chickasaw School fund, and paying nearly $800,000 from the Internal improvement fund, for stock. Only 34 miles of rails remained to be laid between Jackson and New Or- leans ; that road would be completed to Canton by the next March, and the line north of Canton was making good progress. The Mobile & Ohio would be in operation north to Okalona by Janu- ary; it was expected that by the first of January, 1860, it would be completed to Columbus, Ky., to connect with the Central of

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Illinois. There would be two lines through Mississippi, from Mo- bile and New Orleans, converging in one line to Chicago.

The total receipts of the State treasury in the ten months of 1857 were $1,015,478; expenditures, $1,054,469, including the large movements of the trust funds. In regard to the Two per cent, Three per cent and Sinking Funds, a large discrepancy existed be- tween the books of the treasurer and auditor, a discrepancy of long standing, and investigated by the legislature of 1847.

A curious complication had arisen, regarding the tenure of of- fices under the amendments. Even the term of governor was involved. That point was settled by construction, so that Gov. McRae retired from office on the third Monday of November, 1857, that the Governor elect might be installed on that day. This was eight weeks before the expiration of McRae's term. Doubts existed also as to the term of judicial officers.

The same legislature, which had recommended the amendment adopted in October met in regular session November 2, 1857. This body had been elected in 1855, but it was understood that the term of office of its members was extended by the amendment to the first Monday in January, 1858. The constitution provided that an amendment after adoption by the people did not become a part of the constitution until inserted by the next succeeding legisla- ture. The next succeeding legislature, which had been elected in October, 1857, would not have a regular session until November, 1859. If they were called in special session, their term would be abridged from January, 1860, to October, 1859, and the legislature elected in 1859 would sit in November, 1859. The governor rec- ommended the call of a convention to revise the Constitution, as the easiest way to avoid complications and remedy other evils.

This same legislature, however, proceeded to insert the amend- ment in the constitution, and McRae's successor, Gov. McWillie, signed the bill, therefor, though expressing his opinion that the legislature was unauthorized to act.

McRaven, a postoffice of Hinds county, on the Natchez-Jackson branch of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R., 8 miles west of Jackson.

McVille, a post-hamlet in the southern part of Attala county, on the Yockanookany river, 9 miles south of Kosciusko, the county seat, and nearest railroad and banking town. Population in 1900, 43.

McWillie, William. Governor MeWillie was a descendant of John McWillie, a Scotchman, who, in his youth, was a partisan of the Stuarts, was captured at Culloden, and finally released on condition of his entering the British military service. His sword and several of his commissions are treasured by his descendants in Mississippi. His son, Adam, after marrying, emigrated to South Carolina, where his son, who became governor of Missis- sippi, was born in Kershaw district, November 17, 1795. When the latter was preparing for college the South Carolina regiment, commanded by his father in the war of 1812 was ordered on coast

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duty, and he accompanied the command as adjutant. Subsequently he entered the State college at Columbia, where he was graduated in 1817. In 1818, having been admitted to the bar, he began the practice at Camden. Such was his distinction he was one of the attorneys selected by the Union party in South Carolina to argue the Test oath case, in association with the famous Grimke, before the supreme court of South Carolina, in the Nullification era. Be- ing elected president of the bank of Camden in 1836 he withdrew from the profession of law. Subsequently he served four years in the legislature, 1836-40. He came to Mississippi in October, 1845, to live the life of a planter, bringing many negroes, acquired many acres of land, and made his home in the northeast corner of Madison county, where he built the famous plantation home. called Kirkwood. The house, planned by a New York architect, was "a colonial pile, with broad halls, large rooms and conserva- tory." Gardens and wide lawns extended on one side to the church and churchyard, and on the other side of the house stood the rec- tory. Here from time to time, all the distinguished men of Mis- sissippi of that day were entertained. Jefferson Davis first came in 1850, and was presented with a Highland dirk found on Hobkirk hill, the site of the McWillie home in South Carolina. On receiv- ing the dirk, Mr. Davis said, "Madam, I will use this only in de- fending Southern rights." Mr. McWillie was twice married. His second wife, Catherine Anderson, accompanied him to Mississippi. His eldest son, Adam, was with the First regiment in Mexico, under Jefferson Davis, and was captain in the Second regiment, 1847, and was also captain of the Camden rifles, 18th regiment, in 1861, until killed at First Manassas. The other sons were Will- iam, James, Thomas A., and Richard L. There were also four daughters who married. In 1849 Gov. McWillie began his public career in Mississippi as a Democratic candidate for congress, and was elected, the first one of his party to be successful in that dis- trict. In 1851 he was again nominated, but defeated, that being a Whig year. He was elected governor in October, 1857. (See Mc- Rae Adm.) At the close of his term of office he was a few days past 65 years of age, and he retired from public life, though active in support of the Confederacy. He died at Kirkwood, March 3, 1869.

McWillie's Administration. Governor McWillie's term began, under the Fifth amendment to the constitution of 1832, November 16, 1857. In his inaugural address, after exulting in the great growth of the railroads, levees and charitable and educational in- stitutions of the State, he discussed the sectional questions, as affected by the Kansas conflict and the Dred Scott decision of the United States supreme court. He hoped that disruption might yet be avoided, but disruption was inevitable if things travelled as they were then tending. An appeal to patriotic and conserva- tive men everywhere to stand fast, and struggle on for Constitu- tion and Union, was, "with thorough preparation on our part. a !! that we can do."

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Robert J. Walker, a famous Mississippian, had recently assured the people of Kansas, of which he had been appointed Territorial governor, that their constitution should be submitted to the ap- proval of the bona fide residents, and the majority should rule, in regard to slavery and every other subject. Mr. Pettus introduced a joint resolution in the senate declaring "unqualified condemna- tion" of Governor Walker, also that President Buchanan, to whom Mississippi had lately given her suffrage, was "justly censurable in the premises, as unfaithful to the principles of the Kansas- Nebraska bill, and the cherished constitutional rights of the Southern States."

The governor called the legislature in special session Novem- ber 1, 1858, partly to re-enact the insertion into the constitution of the Sixth amendment. (See McRae Adm.) The first business brought before the senate, however, was a resolution introduced by I. N. Davis declaring that slavery was recognized by the Con- stitution and the Holy Bible and favoring the reestablishment of the slave trade with Africa. After a prolonged discussion extend- ing through more than two weeks, the resolutions were referred to the committee on Federal relations.

In his message, Gov. McWillie urged that the levee system from Vicksburg to the Tennessee line should be put under one general management, with power to levy taxes on the lands bene- fited to raise an annual fund of $500,000. He also recommended a general state tax for aid to the railroads, none of which were yet completed through the State. The legislature of 1857 had appointed commissioners to organize a company to build the Gulf & Ship Island, under the charter of 1854, and subscriptions to stock were being taken. This proposed road, the National gov- ernment had aided by grants of 500,000 acres of land, and the State had contributed $733.000 in stock of other roads in the State, which the State had derived from other National donations of land. The governor urged that the State encourage this enter- prise also, out of the State funds.

Regarding the railroad investments, he said: "I have no hesitation in assuring you, that notwithstanding the present diffi- culties with which our roads have to contend, that all the invest- ments heretofore made in their stocks, and all the monies loaned on the bonds of the companies are amply secured-and, also, that the interest on those bonds has been regularly paid-and that there is no doubt of the ultimate payment of the principal as it falls due."

The State had used funds belonging to the State university amounting to $650.000. The governor urged that this should be funded at 6%, the interest to be put at the disposal of the Univer- sity for the maintenance of a Normal school. He recommended the appointment of a "superintendent-in-chief" of the common schools, uniform text books, and normal schools for the training of girl teachers. "In my opinion this is asking little in aid of female education, to which, so far as I am informed, not one dollar has ever directly been appropriated by the State, though we have

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expended hundreds of thousands of dollars for the benefit of thieves and murderers in the erection of a penitentiary."

He noted a revival of militia organization, the progress of the geological survey, and the condition of the State institutions. The cotton factory at the penitentiary, burned in 1857, was being re- built.

"There had been an entire disorganization of the militia of the State until the recent election of officers on the first Monday in October. . . . . I hope that for the future we will have an ef- ficient military organization. . I have had several appli- cations for arms for volunteer cavalry companies, and one for a field piece for an artillery company, but have not been able to furnish them, as there are now no arms in the State arsenal but rifles and muskets, and they too will very soon be exhausted, and as there are now numerous volunteer companies being formed in the State; and the amount of arms received from the Federal gov- ernment is entirely inadequate to meet the demand, I would, therefore, recommend that the sum of $10,000 be appro- priated for the purchase of arms."

Considerable interest was excited by an examination of the books of the auditor and treasurer, from the beginning of the trust funds created by donations of land by the United States to the State for internal improvements. Alexander S. Arthur, the State commissioner for this purpose, reported that the auditor's books were wrong $26,658 and the treasurer's books wrong over $150,000, in the Two and Three per cent funds (q. v.), and there were large discrepancies in the other trust fund accounts.

The Democratic State convention of 1859 resolved: "That in the event of the election of a Black Republican candidate to the Presidency, by the suffrages of one portion of the Union only, to rule over the whole United States, upon the avowed purpose of that organization, Mississippi will regard it as a declaration of hostility ; and will hold herself in readiness to cooperate with her sister States of the South in whatever measures they may deem necessary for the maintenance of their rights as co-equal members of the confederacy." John J. Pettus was nominated for gover- nor. He, wrote Reuben Davis, was "a disunion man of the most unmitigated order."

The opposition put in nomination Harvey W. Walter, who, at the election in October, carried Tishomingo and Warren county, and made a good showing in Marshall, Hinds, Panola and a few others, but received in all only 10,308 votes to 34,559 for Pettus. It was a remarkable circumstance, however, that with the tre- mendous issue at stake, and despite the increase in population, the vote of the State was 12,000 less than it was ten years before.

In this year, 1859, "the wealth of the people was increasing rapidly, and the land seemed to be basking in the full sunshine of God's benediction. Sectional agitation had reached its height. and yet no one seemed to realize that it must result in war and all its calamities. There seemed to be in every mind some vague

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anticipation that, however brightly these fires might blaze and threaten, they would in some way extinguish themselves in due time harmlessly." (R. Davis, Recollections.)

On October 17 occurred the raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, by John Brown, who planned to set up the banner of negro in- surrection. He was soon suppressed by United States troops and Virginia militia. Brown, an Abolitionist from Ohio, had for sev- eral years been concerned in the Kansas warfare. He regarded himself as a divinely appointed agent, and hesitated at nothing as a means to the end of liberation of the blacks. His trial kept alive the great excitement caused by his raid. He was executed December 2, 1860.

In his last message to the legislature of November, 1859, Gov. McWillie presented at great length his views of the crisis, based on that point of view which had been inherited from the long- continued struggles for "balance of power" in Congress. He saw in the obvious desire of California, Kansas and Nebraska to ex- clude slavery, aggression by the North. The presidency, he said, was "the last and only department of the government from which we have any hope of protection." There was no longer any pos- sibility of the South controlling congress, and success of the Republicans would be a sectional triumph. With an Abolition president, he said, we would be a conquered people. The Repub- licans he called "Black Republicans," and declared they were identical with the Abolitionists. He could see nothing ahead but "degradation," and exhorted the State that if it were willing to accept such a situation, "all the blood of the Revolution was shed in vain."

He quoted the resolution of the Democratic state convention, and recommended that "you, by your legislation, should make it the duty of the then governor, in the event of the election of a Black Republican to the Presidency of the United States in No- vember, 1860, to issue his proclamation ordering an election of delegates to a State convention, to be holden on the first Monday of December next thereafter, and that said delegates be appointed to assemble at the Capitol, in the City of Jackson, on the 3d Mon- day of the said month of December, 1860, for the purpose of adopting such measures as may meet the exigency of the occasion. I would further recommend that you should adopt resolutions inviting the other Southern States to cooperate with the State of Mississippi," etc.

Governor McWillie's idea of what the convention of Southern States should do, was, that the States should league to demand a constitutional amendment that "no law affecting the institution of slavery, or imposing indirect taxes, should ever be enacted, unless it should receive a majority of the votes of the Senators from the slave-holding States." To bring the North to terms on this, he would have the Southern States levy a tax of 25% on northern imports. If the North refused these "just demands." the "blame and the ruin would be at her own door." He thought it better

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to "give the Union another chance for life," and said, "Secession or disunion is death, while a refusal to pay taxes is but a violent disease, from which the body politic may recover." If it .were objected that this was nullification, he replied that the North had nullified the fugitive slave laws.

In view of the federal relations the governor urged the arming of the militia, particularly the volunteer companies. "The mouth of a cannon and the glitter of steel are arguments of power much stronger than those of the brain." It was also his duty, he said, to call out the militia to suppress insurrection or repel invasion. "Men are much the same in every age and nation, and the univer- sal experience of mankind has been that the coercive power of the government is often necessary to the preservation of the laws. This has been recently manifested in the atrocious Abolition outbreak at Harpers Ferry, which might as readily have occurred in Missis- sippi as in Virginia."

A good deal was said during Governor McWillie's administration about the facility with which pardons were obtained. He defended his policy of mercy in his last message, and said that "if you will visit the Penitentiary, you will there see more convicts than are creditable to the State." He asked that the legislature require the governor to report his pardons to the legislature. "It might pre- vent that indiscriminate censure which is now heaped upon him for nearly every pardon that he may grant."

The New Orleans, Mobile and Memphis railroads were not yet completed, though nearly so. The completition of the Southern railroad, east from Jackson, which had been delayed so long, was now made more promising by the donation of 171,550 acres of land by the United States government.

The governor again urged the appointment of a superintendent of the common schools of the State, a bill for which had gone over from the last session. He urged an increase of salaries for the judges. He had no faith in penitentiaries, thought they were schools for vice, and advised that more money be appropriated for the schools, and less for continual enlargement of the great institution for thieves and outlaws at Jackson. The lunatic asylum, he said, was "the wisest, best and greatest of all our charities."

The financial report for the year 1858-59, showed receipts, includ- ing sales of internal improvement lands, of $624,000, and disburse- ments, $707,000; the excess of disbursements being due to pay- ments on account of Two per cent., Three per cent and Sinking funds, amounting to $150,000.

In a special mesage he urged some provision for the payment of the Planters' Bank bonds, or a submission of the question again to the people. "Such has been the greatly increased value and amount of taxable property within the State, that I do not believe that any increase of the present rate of taxation would be necessary."

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Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 24

Author: Dunbar Rowland Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant Number of Pages: 1020

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020