USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. I > Part 44
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
After the establishment of new counties the original division was preserved for legislative apportionment and for the holding of the supreme court, as Adams, Jefferson and Washington dis- tricts. The representatives continued to be elected by those three districts, including whatever counties they might, until a new ap- portionment was made.
January 9, 1802, the governor offered the appointment of treas- 28-I
434
MISSISSIPPI
urer-general of the territory to William Vousdan, and upon his declination, appointed Abner Green. Col. Steele was yet holding the office of secretary, but was in very poor health. January 20 the general assembly made a congratulatory address to President Jefferson, declaring that "We anticipate with fondest expectations the arrival of a period when this territory, mature in age, strong in population and rich in resources, will add still greater security and consequence to the American Union." February 1, it was enacted that the next assembly should meet at the town of Washington.
By the first of February Claiborne was obliged to abandon his dreams of peace and conciliation, for a violent dispute between the assembly and Chief Justice Seth Lewis, and their friends, made harmony "without the reach of human power." (See Judiciary.) This was followed by the campaign for the election of representa- tives in July, on account of which the people were "greatly agi- tated," as early as February, at which date Claiborne said: "The opposition to the present members is warm, and will probably be successful. In this quarter popular favor is uncommonly fluctu- ating ; the population of the district is composed of a very hetero- geneous mass, and their political principles and opinions are as different as the customs and prejudices that prevail in the differ- ent States and nations from which they emigrated; and from this cause (if no other existed) the acts of each succeeding legislature will be deemed exceptionable."
The Jeffersonian notion of making the State militia the princi- pal military power of the United States was reflected faithfully in Governor Claiborne's persistent efforts to make Mississippi terri- tory an example of the wisdom of such a policy. But even with the spur of an impending war over Napoleon's acquisition of Louis- iana, these efforts were not very successful. (See Militia.) In an address to the public in February, 1802, the governor warned the people that no one knew how soon the tranquillity of the country would be disturbed. Sargent's failure had been urged as evidence of his unfitness for office, but Claiborne also wrote in March, 1802, that the organization of militia occupied much of his attention, and he found it "an unpleasant and difficult undertaking."
In April, upon assurances of the cession of Louisiana to France, Governor Claiborne asked the general government for a thousand stand of arms and proclaimed a special session of the general as- sembly, at the town of Washington, May. 3. This did not imply that the legislature met in a militant spirit. Its act of greatest in- terest to the student of Mississippi history was the one incorpora-
435
MISSISSIPPI
ting Jefferson college, in response to the urgent plea of Governor Claiborne for some provision for education.
In March, Narsworthy Hunter, delegate of the Territory, died at Washington, and the legislature which met in May elected Thomas M. Green as his successor, to fill the unexpired term. Dr. William Lattimore was elected delegate March 12, 1803.
Col. Steele, the secretary ceased to perform the duties of his office at the expiration of his term, May 7, 1802, apparently without seeking reappointment, and the governor made no recommendation regarding his successor. Cato West was appointed by the presi- dent, and confirmed by the senate March 3, 1803. The Governor's efforts for the military equipment of the district of Natchez were successful in causing the establishment of a blockhouse and armory, built by the United States in a central location, (See Fort Dearborn), at which a small force of United States troops were stationed, and the supplying of the militia with rifles and muskets from the government armory. Part of the company of Captain Sparks was stationed near Washington in the fall of 1802, when according to report, General Victor, with an army of ten thousand French, was daily expected at New Orleans.
The election of representatives in July, 1802, showed a reversal of popular favor. William Dunbar and John Girault were two of the most prominent members returned, and William Connor, of Adams county, was elected speaker.
The governor's message to the legislature which convened De- cember, 1802, congratulated the district upon continued peace and bountiful harvests. To the subject of militia he still gave prime at- tention. The laws were still defective, and although a considerable number of the people cheerfully gave their service, "I am sorry to say that this laudable conduct has not been universal. . . . A people can never be secure in their own rights, but when prepared with their own arms to resist aggression. The dangers to which our country may be subjected will forcibly present themselves to your reflection, and it is in a time of perfect tranquillity like the present, that a wise and virtuous government should leave noth- ing undone towards establishing and perfecting the most certain barriers for the preservation of civil liberty and the permanent safety of society." A former session had provided for the estab- lishment of a college, but left its support to private contribution, which was too precarious, and financial aid by the Territory was urged. "Permit me to suggest the propriety of assessing a tax on marriage licenses and of endowing the college permanently with the
436
MISSISSIPPI
revenue arising from this source, and also the expediency of solic- iting from Congress a donation of land to this seminary." A law for the inspection of cotton, for the prevention of carelessness and fraud in shipping, was urged. The jail of Adams district which then had seven inmates, had become insecure; the tax laws were sufficient, if the legislature could devise some plan to insure the collection of taxes.
In the fall of 1802 the government imposed upon Governor Clai- borne the task of collecting the claims of each landholder in the territory. Everyone at that time held land by some sort of title from a foreign government, and the government proposed to ratify all honest claims, but to be bound to recognize none, except as had been agreed with the State of Georgia. There was no pledge to the Spanish government to recognize its acts in the territory. This investigation had to be conducted with much tact, that the in- habitants might not be offended, as they had been at the first news of the appointment of commissioners to weigh their titles. Gover- nor Claiborne seems to have done the work with entire satisfaction to the government. It was, perhaps, his most important achieve- ment, as a stepping stone to the governorship of Louisiana.
Addressing the Territorial legislature, October 3, the governor expressed his thankfulness that the perilous problem of river com- merce had been peacefully settled, and still greater advancement had been made. For his views on the subject of the Louisiana Purchase, see Life of Claiborne.
Dr. David Lattimore, who drew up the reply of the council, expressed the opinion that "the value of the acquisition appears in- calculable," merely because of the richness of the territory and the assurance of free navigation, but "the happy change which a large portion of the western country will experience from a per- ilous frontier to a land of security and peace, by which the felicity of unborn millions is probably placed beyond the reach of distur- bance, is an event which from its magnitude cannot be compared with any other since the American Revolution." William Dunbar and John Girault, in behalf of the house, expressed like sentiments. "This grand event secures the prosperity and happiness of the Western States to an incalculable extent of time, upon a basis of the most permanent stability; after the attainment of national in- dependence and peace by the Treaty of 1783, we will venture to as- sert that in the records of our history all objects of inferior concern sink from view and are eclipsed by the magnitude and grandeur of this acquisition."
437
MISSISSIPPI
After March, 1803, the governor's journal is missing. He left the Territory in December, accompanied by about two hundred Mississippi militia, under a commission to act jointly with Gen- eral Wilkinson in receiving the transfer of Louisiana. (See Louisi- ana Relations). It was also Governor Claiborne's duty to become the successor at New Orleans, of the Spanish governor-general, until a new form of government should be devised. He retained, nominally, the governorship of Mississippi, was in fact, the gover- nor of Mississippi, exercising the powers of the governor-general of Louisiana, thus reversing, in an interesting way, Galvez's title of governor-general of Louisiana, exercising the functions of gov- ernor of West Florida. During the absence of Claiborne, and until after he was appointed governor of Orleans territory, the duties of governor of Mississippi territory were performed by Cato West, secretary. (See West.)
Notable events of the Claiborne administration were the estab- lishment of a mail route on the Bear Creek road; the survey of boundaries of Natchez and Mobile districts, the beginning of Jef- ferson college, and the preliminary steps to settle land titles.
Clara, a postoffice of Wayne county. It has one store, a saw mill, a gin, two churches, and a school.
Clarion, a postoffice of Tunica county.
Clark, a postoffice of Jefferson county.
Clark, Charles, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1810, a descen- dent of a family that early settled in Maryland. His grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution, and a pioneer in the settlement of Ohio. About 1831 Charles Clark came to Jefferson county, Miss., having received a collegiate education at his native place, and be- came a school teacher and student of law. He had the good for- tune to gain the friendship of Gen. Thomas Hinds, which greatly promoted his advancement. He was a Whig in politics and as such was elected representative of Jefferson in the legislature, serving in 1838, 1839, 1842 and 1843. He was a fluent and elegant speaker and made a good reputation as a lawyer. He was also greatly devoted to military affairs, and the organization of com- panies. When war was imminent with Mexico he formed a cavalry company, but this was not accepted. Then he organized an in- fantry company which was enrolled in the Second regiment, of which Reuben Davis was elected colonel. "He was a brave and true hearted man and a born soldier," Davis wrote in his "Recol- lections." When Davis resigned on account of illness, Clark was elected colonel. A few years after his return to civil life, he took
438
MISSISSIPPI
a prominent part in the animated political contest over proposed secession in 1851, and was a member of the constitutional conven- tion of that year that denounced the doctrine. Not long after this he removed to a plantation in Bolivar county, which was his home during the remainder of his life. In 1857 he made a joint canvass with Col. Reuben Davis, as the Whig candidate for Congress in that district. He had been elected to the legislature from Bolivar for the session of 1856, and being again elected served in 1859, 1860 and 1861. By this time he had become an ardent advocate of secession, was a member of the State convention of 1860 and a del- egate to the national convention at Charleston and Baltimore. As a candidate for the constitutional convention in 1861 he was defeated by Miles McGehee, who favored delay and cooperation with other Southern States. In the first military organization of the State he was elected one of the brigadier-generals (See Army of Mississippi.) and later was promoted to major-general. He served at Pensacola in command of Mississippi troops until com- missioned brigadier-general in the Confederate service. After some service in Virginia he was ordered to Corinth. In command of a division of Gen. A. S. Johnston's Army, he was severely wounded in the shoulder at Shiloh. When again able for duty he served in the defense of Mississippi under VanDorn, and commanded a di- vision under General Breckinridge in the attack on Baton Rouge, where his left hip was shattered by a minie ball, and he was cap- tured by the Federals. Being carried to New Orleans for treat- ment, his wife, who was Miss Ann Eliza Darden, was passed through the lines to nurse him to recovery, but he was unable to walk without crutches. He was elected governor in 1862 and again in 1864, and served until deposed by the military authority in 1865. Two weeks later he was arrested and removed to Fort Pulaski, Ga., but not long afterward was released. October 28, having been invited by the legislature to address the two houses, he answered by letter that he was "still a prisoner of state and on parole," and felt that such action would be improper ; though he wished to approve the wise and conservative policy that had been adopted, and which he hoped would soon restore the State to "equal political rights with her sister States in the Union, and under the flag of the Union. With one of you I marched under that flag in a foreign land, and it was victorious; with all of you I marched against it, and it was victorious; it again waves over us, is our flag, and may it ever be victorious." He returned to Boli- var county and resumed the practice of law. In 1876 he was ap-
439
MISSISSIPPI
pointed chancellor of the fourth district, which position he held at the time of his death, December 17, 1877, at his residence in Bolivar county. "Eminent as a soldier, statesman and jurist:" wrote Governor Stone, "pure and guileless in private life ; he has gone to his grave mourned by the people of the entire State."
Clark Administration. Governor Charles Clark was inaugurated in the presence of the legislature, at Columbus, Nov. 16, 1863. In front of the courthouse, which was used for legislative halls, there was a parade of Confederate troops under the command of Col. W. S. Barry-Col. T. J. Morton's cavalry, Capt. Thrall's Arkansas battery, Capt. T. W. Rice's heavy artillery, and Col. Barry's 35th Miss. volunteers under Maj. T. F. Holmes.
Governor Clark spoke altogether of military matters in his inau- gural. He cheerfully declared that "great as has been the -draft upon our energies, Mississippi has yet ample resources, both in men and means." He felt no impulse to retrace the steps already taken. "There may be those who delude themselves with visions of a reconstructed Union and restored constitution. If such there be, let them awake from their dreaming! Between the South and the North there is a great gulf fixed." Painting the situation in lurid words natural to war time, he declared there could be no peace with honor. If there were submission, "they will offer you a re- constructed Constitution providing for the confiscation of your property, the immediate emancipation of your slaves and the eleva- tion of the black race to a position of equality, aye, of superiority, that will make them masters and rulers." Rather than such admis- sion, he advised all the young men to die on the battlefield, and the old men, women and children to, march into the sea like the fabled Pascagoulas, and perish beneath its waters.
Regarding the practical situation, he proposed to have the mili- tia strictly disciplined, and careful inquiry made into the com- plaints of insult, plunder and oppression by soldiers both State and Confederate. He hoped these reports were groundless. But the evil of desertion from the army was serious and real. "There are now within our borders no inconsiderable number of men who are absent from the ranks of your defenders without justification or excuse." He exhorted the women to treat them as unworthy of their smiles.
One of the first things to which the governor gave his attention was the impressment of negroes in the northwest of the State by Confederate troops. He telegraphed to President Davis and was informed that the orders were to remove negro men from localities
I
440
MISSISSIPPI
where they would probably be conscripted by the enemy. The gov- ernor could do no more than hope that the order would be revoked.
The Federal occupation was such during 1863 that the counties of Issaquena, Washington, Bolivar, Coahoma and Sunflower were behind the lines, and part of the counties of Warren, Yazoo, Adams, Carroll, Tallahatchie, Itawamba, Lafayette, Panola, Tippah, Tisho- mingo, De Soto, Tunica, Marshall, Madison and Pontotoc. (Senate Journal 1863).
Where the Union troops were in control, local government con- tinued with more or less subjection to the military, as was the case on the Confederate side. There was at the outset general confis- cation of Northern property in the South, particularly in trade ac- counts, and there was confiscation of landed property of the active Confederates," by the United States government when its armies gained control. At Natchez the bishop was temporarily banished for refusing to pray for the president of the United States. On the other hand the Confederate district judge was instructed by Presi- dent Davis to hold court and assist the military authority. While war was going on there was the usual procedure on both sides for self protection. In northeast Mississippi, "where there was more or less Union sentiment, the interference of the military au- thorities was nominal. In Tishomingo county the local govern- ment remained intact throughout the period of Federal occupation, the inhabitants pledging themselves to do nothing in aid of the Confederate cause. By February, 1864, the judicial district of Natchez had been recognized and reestablished in the United States.
Throughout this administration C. A. Brougher was secretary of state; T. J. Wharton, attorney-general; M. D. Haynes, treas- urer ; A. J. Gillespie, auditor.
Governor Clark proclaimed February 20, 1864, that "whereas, the recent action of the Congress of the Confederate States renders further legislation necessary to guard the interests of the treasury and the people," the legislature should convene at Macon, March 24. A quorum did not appear in the senate until the third day, when there were 19 present.
In his message he urged the legislature not to inflame the pub- lic mind by hasty protest. "Let us suffer while evils are sufferable. This is not the time to cavil about nice questions of constitutional construction when we are waging a terrible war in defence of in- dividual and civil liberty, involving the very existence of the con- stitution itself and the government founded upon it."
441
MISSISSIPPI
There was then in the State treasury about $800,000 in Confed- erate treasury notes, a sum that would be largely increased by tax collections. By the late act of Congress to reduce the currency these notes might be invested in Confederate twenty year bonds, for the interest coupons of which no provision was made for pay- ment. "The Confederate notes that may be received into the State treasury after April 1st, will only be receivable in payments at the discount of 33 1-3 per cent., and the $100 notes at a further discount of 10 per cent. a month." The State could not afford to sustain such a loss, and he recommended that Confederate notes be no longer received for taxes or other public dues, except the new issue made after April 1, and the old small notes at their convertable value.
He would urge upon Congress a reduction by one half of the ad- ditional tax of five per cent., as ruinous if it were practicable to collect .it.
As for the finances of the State, a large part of the revenues of 1862 and 1863 remained uncollected. With a reduction of the State military establishment, he believed "that less than $2,000,000 will be sufficient for the payment of the outstanding liabilities of the State on account of military expenses, and provide for the support of the State forces and civil government." To meet this he ad- vised a further issue of treasury notes, fundable in six per cent. twenty-year bonds. Eight per cent. bonds were already prepared for funding former treasury notes.
The governors of the six seaboard States, Virginia to Mississippi, met at Augusta, Ga., October 17, 1864, and while pledging their most devoted loyalty, asked that the Confederate government send its department officers, provost guards and conscript officials into the field, that civil officers be compelled to arrest deserters, and that negroes be impressed for "the public service as may be re- quired." While Governor Clark was at Augusta President Davis wrote him, "The spirit manifested in Mississippi has been a source of comfort and pride to me. Energy and united effort, added to the patriotic zeal so generally prevalent, give the best assurance of an early peace."
In November, 1864, the governor proclaimed amnesty to all deserters who would report for duty immediately. Gen. Forrest in the spring of 1865 reported "roving bands of deserters, strag- glers, horse thieves and robbers, who consume the substance and appropriate the property of the citizens," and this was confirmed from other sources. By the act of March 9 the legislature author-
442
MISSISSIPPI
ized the governor to employ the militia to restore order. Honey Island and Jones county (q. v.) were famous centers of resis- tance.
The Jackson Mississippian, in November, 1864, said "Beyond all doubt, the great body of the people desire peace, and the fail- ure to conclude an honorable peace is due to moral cowardice." There was a prevalent sentiment that the war should cease in time to put in a crop in 1865. In Tishomingo county the Federal officers met this feeling by permitting the reestablishment of civil govern- ment and the running of trains for local convenience. There were public meetings in Newton, Jefferson and Kemper counties declar- ing readiness to submit to restoration of the authority of the United States. "The New York Tribune of March 25, 1865, published a long list of prominent persons of Mississippi who favored recon- struction on the basis of the Union and the constitution. The list includes the names of the senators and representatives in the Con- federate Congress." (Garner). Of course the counter sentiment was strongly expressed. At a meeting in Canton, early in March, William Yerger debated for peace against the chief justice, who was for "independence or death."
January, 1865, as Hood's army retreated across the Tennessee into Mississippi, was a time of intense misery in northeastern Mississippi. Gen. George H. Thomas followed across the river to Eastport. When the situation was explained to him by Judge Robert A. Hill, he arranged to bring $100,000 worth of provisions for distribution, and the railroad was protected from injury that General Chalmers might bring up corn from the interior.
The last legislature of the Confederate era, in session at Colum- bus in February and March, 1865, requested the governor, in con- cord with the president, to appoint Friday, March 10, as a day of fasting, and humiliation, with thanksgiving, and prayer that "He will prosper our arms, bless our cause, and give peace and indepen- dence to our bleeding country." At the same time the Confederate government was called on to pay the troops, it being resolved "that much of the dissatisfaction and demoralization which we now have to deplore in the army has arisen from this delinquency." Other resolutions asserted that Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, removed from active command by President Davis in July, 1864, was "a firm patriot and an able commander," demanding "veneration for his virtues, gratitude for his services and regret for his absence," and the president was requested to "place him in a position of active service." General Forrest was commended for his purpose
443
MISSISSIPPI
to return to their commands "all absentees, stragglers and skulk- ers." and the governor was requested to cooperate.
Upon receiving an intimation from Gen. Richard Taylor of his intention to surrender, Governor Clark made a hurried visit to Jackson and had a conference with a number of prominent gentle- men at the home of William Yerger. He gave his own opinion that the proper course was to call the legislature together, send in a message exhorting the people to accept in good faith the results of the war, and recommend the sending of a commission to Wash- ington to assure the president of their desire to be restored to the Union. His view of the case was unanimously approved by the conference. He returned to Meridian next morning, and was pres- ent at the surrender of Taylor's army." (T. J. Wharton). On that day, Governor Clark issued a proclamation from Meridian an- nouncing that he had called the legislature to meet May 18 to pro- vide for a constitutional convention, and directing the State officers to return to the capitol at Jackson.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.