USA > Mississippi > Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II > Part 47
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Pentecost, a post-hamlet of Sunflower county, on the Sunflower river, and a station on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R., about 10 miles northeast of Indianola, the county seat. Population in 1900, 23.
Penton, a hamlet in the western part of DeSoto county, on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R., near the Mississippi river, 16 miles distant from Hernando, the county seat. It has a money or- der postoffice. Population in 1900, 65.
Peoria, a postoffice of Amite county, on the Liberty-White R. R. A large brick plant and ginnery are located here.
Perch, a postoffice in the eastern part of Lincoln county, 12 miles southeast of Brookhaven, the county seat.
Percy, a hamlet in the southern part of Washington county, on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley, and the Southern Railroads. Roll- ing Fork is the nearest banking town. It has a money order post- office. Population in 1900, 100.
Percy, W. A., was a native of Huntsville, Ala., but lived in Washington county, Miss., from boyhood until the time of his death. He was a grandson of Capt. Percy, of the British navy, who settled in the Natchez province in colonial days. He was graduated at Princeton, and took a law course in the University of Virginia, but before he began practice the war came on. He was an uncompromising union man, but when the State seceded, led to battle the first company of soldiers that left his county. He rose
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to the rank of colonel and served through the war. When the war was over he moved from his plantation home to Greenville, where he began the practice of law, was successful and attained high rank. He was the acknowledged leader against negro rule in the delta counties during reconstruction ; served in the legisla- ture and was speaker of the house; was a great champion of levee interests. He was one of the famous committee of seven which in 1875 issued a call for the reorganization of the Democratic party. His untimely death in 1888, cut short a brilliant career.
Perier, Governor. Boisbriant had administered the affairs of the colony less than a year when M. de Perier arrived in the colony in the autumn of 1726 to succeed Bienville as governor-general .. The new governor was a naval officer of distinction and a knight of St. Louis. Bienville's downfall had been the result of bitter opposition on the part of the other officers of the colony. The Council of the India company believed that much of the wrangling in the colony was due to the Le Moynes, and it was deemed only fair to the new appointee to oust Bienville's relatives and friends from office. His brother Chateaugué was deposed as royal lieu- tenant, and his two nephews. Captain and Ensign Noyan, were ex- cluded from the service. Perier found things in a more or less chaotic condition on his arrival, and at once set to work to estab- lish the colony on a more prosperous basis. He gave every en- couragement to agriculture, and the officers vied with the other colonists in opening up new plantations. More slaves were sent by the company, who were distributed by Perier among the various plantations with the greatest impartiality. Settlers who had never been able to work their plantations before, on account of the ab- sence of the necessary labor, now received some of the negroes and began to prosper. A decree was issued that those who had not properly improved their concessions should surrender them to the company. A tax was levied for the building of churches and hospitals. The expenses of the colony for the year 1728 were $89,919. "The settlements," says Dumont, "formed at Natchez. though a hundred leagues from the residence of the new com- mandant, prospered more and more every day, by the care he took to supply the post with all that could render it solid and flourish- ing."
Such was the state of affairs when the greatest disaster that had yet overtaken the colony occurred. Perier, on his arrival, had found the attitude of the Indian tribes anything but satisfactory. They were discontented and threatening, and he was forced to ex- act stern reprisals for several acts of hostility, and to recommend stronger garrisons at the posts. Bienville had always kept clear of any serious trouble with the Indians, who feared and respected him. They had not yet been taught to fear Perier, who had no great tact in his dealings with them. In December, 1729, the Natchez suddenly arose and massacred nearly all the French in their midst, and utterly destroyed the prosperous settlements. The Yazoos followed their example at that post. The most alarming
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rumors were now current and the French feared for the existence of the colony. Fortunately none of the other tribes arose. Perier acted with commendable promptness, enlisted the powerful tribe of Choctaws in his behalf, and that of the Tonicas, and sent a strong expedition to attack the Natchez in their strongholds. The French women and children held captives by the Natchez were rescued or surrendered, and the Natchez were driven across the Mississippi, pursued by the Choctaw allies of the French. Inces- sant war was waged against the Natchez by Perier, until the once powerful tribe was practically exterminated, in the vicinity of the present town of Trinity, Catahoula Parish, La., in 1732.
The long wars with the Indians had proved very expensive, and the Royal India Company was now bankrupt. It petitioned the Crown for the right to surrender its charter, given it in 1717 for 25 years, which was granted. The opportunity was now taken to reorganize the affairs of the colony. The superior council was placed on a new basis by patent dated May 7, 1732. The author- ities of Canada, or New France, had always claimed jurisdiction over the lower Mississippi. The province of Louisiana was now definitely detached, and to it was annexed the Illinois country. M. de Perier was reappointed governor, Salmon, intendant, d'Ar- taguette and Loubois, lieutenant-governor, and Fleuriau, attorney- general. A vicar-general, resident in New Orleans, the Capital, was also decreed. In the effort to revive commerce, all duty was removed from merchandise exported from France into the colony, and on exports from the colony to France. This at last was a step in the right direction, and met an immediate response from the colonists and from the merchants of France. The colonists began to prosper and trade at once expanded. Perier, however, served but one year under the new order, and was recalled to France upon the request of the colonists, who demanded that Bienville be returned to the colony.
Perkinston, a village in the north-central part of Harrison county, one mile south of Red river, and a station on the Gulf & Ship Island R. R., 30 miles by rail north of Gulfport. It has a money order postoffice, an express office and a turpentine distil- lery. Population in 1900, 165; estimated at 200 in 1906.
Perkinsville, a post-hamlet of Winston county, about 13 miles east of Louisville, the county seat, and 19 miles west of Macon. It has a church and a good school. Population in 1900, 44.
Permanent Committee. As noted in the article "Revolution of 1797," a committee, headed by Anthony Hutchins, made terms with Governor Gayoso, June 22, 1797. Col. Daniel Clark, in a let- ter describing the events of this period, written, just before his death. to W. C. C. Claiborne. said that "the malcontents, notwith- standing the convention agreed upon, still continued in an ill humour, and consisted of two parties: the first respectable and wealthy, the other poor and without fixed principles. The first were those who complained that Governor Gayoso had, at various times, insulted, wronged, and refused to grant land to them : These
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consisted of Colonel Hutchins, Colonel Green, their families and numerous connexions, who had no other object in contemplation than to avenge themselves of the tyrant Gayoso, as they generally styled him, for the supposed injuries he had done them. The second party was in general composed of low characters, inured to the practice of murdering and plundering, during the revolu- tionary war, in the Southern States of the Union, and after, or about the time of peace, sought for, and obtained the Spanish gov- ernment in this country." The latter, said Clark, had arranged a scheme of plunder and murder of the wealthier planters, as soon a condition of anarchy could be established. "Partitions of the slaves and property of the most affluent were actually agreed upon. Two miscreants fell into dispute, fought, and wounded each other, respecting the possession of a slave of one of the pro- scribed." (Sargent Papers, p. 29.) "A list of those devoted vic- tims had been formed and agreed on, but fortunately was discovered. This excited vigor in the threatened planters, and checked the horrid design from being carried into execution. It was believed by Governor Gayoso, as well as by Messrs. Ellicott and Pope, and indeed by every orderly and well meaning inhabi- tant of the country, that the above evils must necessarily ensue, if some measures were not adopted to prevent them. A second committee was more regularly chosen, by precepts issued by Gov- ernor Gayoso, directed to each of the nine townships into which the government was formed, and ordered to attend at Natchez to cooperate with the governor in preserving good order and the general peace of the country, and to watch that no infraction of the convention should be adopted. This was styled the Perma- nent Committee." Several prominent inhabitants visited Gayoso during his confinement to discuss the situation, Clark among them. As the governor returned from the fort to his home on the 23d he had an interview with Ellicott, who urged him to authorize the election of a permanent body "to aid in preserving good order and the peace of the country." This was in the line of Ellicott's policy to promote some sort of peaceful organization independent of the · Spanish, that would be a center for action in case of necessity to oppose the Spanish intrigues. At the same time, it established, to some extent, American government in the district. Gayoso, by proclamation next day, called an election, which took place about the first of July. The committee of nine that was chosen was as follows :
Joseph Bernard, Peter B. Bruin, Daniel Clark, Gabriel Benoist. Philander Smith, Isaac Gaillard, Roger Dixon, William Ratliff and Frederick Kimball. These men were all strongly attached to the United States, unless Kimball was in some doubt on account of his residence below the line. Bernard was chosen chairman of the committee, and held that office until his death, September 20. His successor was Gabriel Benoist, who died in the following sum- mer. Daniel Clark was a member later. The regular meeting
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place of the committee was in the house at Natchez rented by Ellicott as his headquarters.
It will be noted that Bernard, Ratliff, Benoist and Gaillard, of the first committee, were reelected, and Hutchins, West and Lin- tot not. In regard to Hutchins, Claiborne says that, being over eighty years of age, he declined serving on account of infirmities. Ellicott gives the same reason, and says this was contrary to the expectations of a number of gentlemen who were anxious to have him elected.
A political division began here. Like all the politics of that period, it involved the prejudices of the "late war," in which Hutchins had been loyal to the king, had suffered from Continental soldiers, had led an attack on them, had been a leader in the revolt against Spain and had fled to England for safety.
The committee adopted the policy of, "first, the securing of the country to the United States, and, secondly, the preservation of peace and good order in the settlement." On which Ellicott com- ments, "the first was contrary to the wishes of the officers of his Catholic majesty, and the second to those attached to the British interest, to which may be added another class, who had nothing to lose, but hoped to gain by the tumult and disorder." Col. Hutchins attended the first meeting of the committee as a specta- tor, but soon became hostile.
July 26 Gayoso received his appointment as governor-general of Louisiana and West Florida, to succeed Carondelet, and de- parted for New Orleans on the 30th, leaving Capt. Stephen Minor as acting commandant.
The efforts of the party led by Hutchins, and supported, Mr. Ellicott admits, by "several who held commissions under our gov- ernment," resulted in a meeting of a number of inhabitants at Natchez August 8, at which, evidently, it was resolved to depose the permanent committee and elect a new one that should, through an agent at the seat of government, be in communication with the United States congress. It seems likely that a manuscript peti- tion found in the Claiborne MSS., originated in this meeting. The petition is otherwise unexplained. It reads :
"We are only a few of the neutral inhabitants of the country of the Natchez, who are disposed to attend here with respect & es- teem towards you, and with no less Regard to our own rights & privileges. And as you were elected to be useful in promoting peace & good order so you have the sole & entire credit of your merits. Your circular letter we greatly approve of, as the apology therein fully attones for the supererogatory part of your well- intended conduct ; and as we are willing to coincide with you in your numerous Salvas of impeaching the feeble head instead of the heart ; hence we, with a View of Salutary purposes, assure you it is our will to make known the intention of the generality of the people that we with you do name & fix upon a day whereon a man may be elected and chosen to represent us as Agent or Com- missioner to address and lay before Congress (should occasion re-
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quire) such matters and things as from time to time he shall be advised & instructed by a Committee to be elected and chosen on the same prefixed day which agent and committee we wish to con- tinue during the will and pleasure of their constituents & no longer." The petition went on to specify the particulars of the proposed election, leaving names and dates blank. (Pub. Miss. Hist. Soc., III, 283.)
The narration on pages 140-41 of Ellicott's Journal is appar- ently his description of the proceedings before the permanent committee in regard to this petition. "A few days after the gov- ernor's departure for New Orleans, Mr. Hutchins came to the house I occupied, and requested my aid in dissolving the perma- nent committee, which was then in session, and to let the principal power be lodged in his hands and that of another committee, which he would have elected." Ellicott declined to do this and at a later date went to considerable pains to justify this action by finding proof that Hutchins was in receipt of a British pension. Hutchins then went into the hall of the house where the committee was in session, and according to Ellicott there was a stormy interview. "After a few preliminary observations," the Colonel told the mem- bers "they were no committee, that they were dissolved and he would direct the election of another," etc., and Judge Bruin made a spirited response, in which he brought up the Colonel's war rec- ord. Daniel Clark's description is that Hutchins took the posi- tion that the committee "were irregularly called together, that their proceedings were vicious, and that he alone was possessed of the power of the people; and, as their organ, came into the room where the committee was in session, stamped on the floor, Cromwell like, and pronounced 'that they were dis- solved, and they were accordingly dissolved.'" All this followed, two committees, and their rivalries, Clark wrote in 1800, "as it only sprung from an ebullition of ill humor on both sides, I thought its effects were long since laughed away." (Letter to W. C. C. Claiborne.)
"Immediately after this," says Ellicott, "Mr. Hutchins applied to Captain Minor, and obtained permission to have another com- mittee elected." As completed, the petition asked for an election September 2, and a list of election officers was given, for each of ten beats or districts, as follows: Andrew Beall, St. Catherines ; Thomas Burling, Second Creek lower; Joseph Howard, Second Creek upper and Sandy Creek ; Landon Davis, Homochitto; John Collins, Buffalo; Elisha Hunter, Bayou Sara; Charles Boardman, Pine ridge and Fairchild's; Parker Carradine, Villa Gayoso; John Burnet, Bayou Pierre and Big Black, David Ferguson, Natchez. The returns were to be counted by A. Ellicott, Adam Bingaman and John Girault, "or an two of them."
Captain Minor ordered the election accordingly, after a week's consideration.
Yellow fever was prevalent in July, and Ellicott, after losing one of his assistants and several of his men, moved with his sick
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to a famous spring on St. Catherine's, where he made the survey and plat of the town of Washington. There he remained until the latter part of September.
Col. Hutchins sent out an address to the "Planters, Mechanics and Laborers," August 18, urging the election of a new commit- tee, and professing it was not intended to interfere with the per- manent committee, which he claimed "was intended only to pro- mote the peace of the country." The permanent committee passed some resolutions in regard to the election August 28, which Hutchins answered in a circular letter next day, saying the com- mittee was playing the tyrant. He characterized the permanent committee as implicated in some sort of "infernal plans" against the "common privileges"; that the inhabitants were in danger of being enslaved. "They will soon protest away your property, your privileges and your lives also." Contractor Cochran appears to have written a letter to Col. Bruin, for use in the campaign, that particularly enraged Hutchins.
Six of the districts protested against the election, because it "in- volved the seeds of anarchy," and contempt of the regular perma- nent committee; because by the terms of the election many citizens were made ineligible to election; because persons of eighteen years of age were permitted to vote, etc. From four dis- tricts Hutchins received returns, which he and the four members- elect opened as a returning board. Mr. Claiborne says "there was a very general turnout in the various beats, notwithstanding the active opposition of Ellicott, who declared he would consider all persons who took part in it as enemies of the United States." Lieutenant Pope, it appears, sent a circular by an orderly to the Homochitto district deprecating an opposition to the permanent committee, and saying "This can't be permitted." Ellicott says that by subsequent informal election and petition three more mem- bers were added. Claiborne, who names neither of the previous committees in full, gives the following membership: Thomas Green, James Stuart, Chester Ashley, Anthony Hoggatt (the four first elected), Landon Davis, Justice King, Abner Green (mak- ing the seven), John Shaw and Daniel Burnet.
This matter of the election, etc., is discussed in Claiborne's his- tory, pp. 173-77, and in Ellicott's Journal, pp. 141-48, wherein is presented Ellicott's theory that Hutchins was acting in associa- tion with the "Blount conspiracy," of which Ellicott and the per- manent committee were not advised by the government until September.
This was the origin of the "Committee of Safety and Corre- spondence." No agent was elected by the people, and this com- mittee selected Col. Hutchins.
The committee of safety prepared a "petition and memorial" to congress in duplicate, written by Hutchins, to which 425 signa- tures were obtained. In the same period, Chairman Bernard appealed to Ellicott for protection against a body of forty armed men, said to be approaching from Bayou Pierre, at the same time
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stating that the inhabitants of Cole's creek were in ill humor and threatening to arm.
A copy of the memorial which had been forwarded to the Span- ish minister at Philadelphia by way of New Orleans, Ellicott says, was intercepted and brought to Ellicott and Benoist, who made a copy and sent it by special messenger to the secretary of state also forwarding the intercepted packet to its destination. The other copy was entrusted to Daniel Burnet, who was paid $300 by Hutchins to carry the document to congress. November 20, according to his affidavit before Alcalde Vousdan, when he was on the road near the house of Thomas Calvit, James Truly and Silas S. Payne compelled him to give up the papers. Com- plaints were formally made to the governor by Burnet, Hutchins and Ebenezer Dayton, but Minor refused to interfere. Ellicott protests that this proceeding was against his orders, and as he had already seen the document he returned the package unopened to Mr. Hutchins and his committee, "who, to the best of my knowledge never met afterward." Burnet carried the memorial to Philadelphia.
Colonel Hutchins, in his communications to the secretary of state, refers to documents being sent by James Stuart and Dr. Thomas Hutchins. The colonel's health would not permit his making the journey. When it was thought he would go, his horses were taken at Cole's creek.
Accompanying the memorial was a letter from Colonel Hutchins expressing dire apprehensions, making various accusations against Ellicott, Daniel Clark, William Dunbar, and Benoist, and giving a report that Governor Matthews and Judge Miller, agents of the Yazoo company, lately arrived, were to be made governor and judge of the territory. He called the permanent committee. "the Committee for Peace and Cooperation with the Spanish govern- ment.
The secretary of state actually did receive the memorial from Ellicot's messenger, and reported the fact to the president, before the messenger of the Hutchins committee arrived. "One object of the memorial," he said, "seems to be to criminate the conduct of the American commissioner. Mr. Ellicott, and the commander of the troops, Captain Pope. But proofs accompany Mr. Ellicott's communications that this part of the long memorial was concealed from many who subscribed it. and other testimonies in vindica- tion of these officers. The exhibition of these documents, I have thought, might also be suspended until the 'petition and me- morial' were presented to congress. It may, however. be proper to remark that the memorial, as well as the proceedings of the regularly appointed permanent committee, view the actual estab- lishment of a government at the Natchez, under the authority of the United States, as to take place only when its present neutral- ity shall cease: that is, when the Spanish jurisdiction shall be withdrawn." Therefore the secretary urged that congress should, before adjournment, provide a form of government.
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Thus this political skirmish aided in calling the attention of the government to the urgent necessities of the situation, as well as laid the foundations of the politics of the Territory soon to be. Those who supported Hutchins found favor with the party in opposition to the Adams administration, and came into full power in the great political revolution of 1801, when Thomas Jefferson became president.
Meanwhile, to return to Natchez, the permanent committee took some action, apparently, about communicating with congress Au- gust 29, which they rescinded September 13, and requested Elli- cott "to present our present situation" to the president, and "like- wise all measures which he shall deem conducive to the future welfare of this country." He prepared a memorial asking for an extension to the country by congress, when the United States should take possession, of a government similar to that provided for the Northwest territory, with evidently, in his own mind at least, such considerations as influenced the eminent Virginians who were mainly responsible for that territorial charter. One ex- ception he recommended, that slavery should not be prohibited. Congress was also asked to protect settlers on the old British grants against loss of their homes and lands. It was recommended that vacant lands be sold in tracts to accommodate actual settlers. This document, with the approval of the permanent committee, was transmitted to the general government.
Extracts from the two memorials, by Ellicott and Hutchins, approved by the two committees, are presented in parallel in the monograph, "Transition from Spanish to American Rule," (Miss. Hist. Soc., III) and the conclusion is correct that the two docu- ments "differ very slightly in their recommendations upon the four questions which were of vital importance to the people. The fact is, Ellicott had greatly the advantage of Colonel Hutchins, his antagonist, in literary ability and in official prestige, as well as having an intimate personal acquaintance with many of the officials at the seat of government." The comment by Mr. Claiborne (Mississippi, p. 176), says Mr. Riley, would apply with equal if not greater force to the report of the permanent commit- tee.
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