USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. II > Part 98
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It was agreed that "all the individuals of the Spanish, Chicka- saw and Choctaw nations shall love one another reciprocally," and give each other prompt information.
"Art. 2. That to remove every motive of discord, which in future times might occur about limits, the Chickasaw and Chac- taw nations acknowledge that the limits of the dominion of his majesty in the neighborhood of their territory, on the western side, begin on the river Mississippi at the mouth of the river Zasu, and ascending the said river along the middle of its waters till it comes near the place called Juego do la Pelota [ball ground], where the English nation, by agreement with the Chactaw nation, marked a dividing line which continued till it entered West Flor- ida, and following the said line from the said Juego do la Pelota, till it meets those which separate the rest of the dominions of his catholic majesty from the Alibamones and Talipuche nations.
"Art. 3. The said Chickasaw and Chactaw nations declare, that all the lands which are to the south and to the west of the said line belong indisputably to his catholic majesty, great king of the Spains and Indies, without that they for themselves or their de- scendants have any right to them, nor at any time may reclaim
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them under any pretext or motive it may be, and moreover they promise to support the Spanish nation in possession of the said lands, in which are specially comprehended the government and territory of the Natchez, as far as the waters of the Zasu.
"Art. 4. The Spanish nation declares and acknowledges that all the lands to the east of the said dividing line of the 2d article belong lawfully and indisputably to the Chickasaw and Chactaw nations, promising to support them therein with all their power."
The remaining articles (nine in all) included a pledge of par- ticular harmony on the part of the two nations with the Spanish ; for a "generous demonstration" by Governor Gayoso in return for the cession of all rights to the territory of the Nogales, adjoining the Yazoo. The governor "delivers to the said chiefs the keys of the royal magazines, in which are the goods; that they may take from them what they may desire, to their satisfaction.
The said chiefs acknowledge themselves satisfied with the goods which they have in their power, with the keys in their hands of the said magazines, having already seen what is in them." Fin- ally, the two nations confirm the treaty made at the congress of Mobile and whatever they had since covenanted with the gov- ernors of Louisiana and the two Floridas, and promised to be the constant friends of the Spanish nation, and the Spanish nation was pledged also to observe the treaty of Mobile and subsequent promises.
The translation quoted from as given, is in Amer. State Papers, X, 228. This treaty, with the treaty of Pensacola, was commu- nicated to Mr. Jefferson, secretary of state, by Jaudenes and Viar, Spanish commissioners, in 1793, as a justification of Spanish inter- ference in Indian affairs.
Treaty of Pontotoc, 1832. The general causes leading up to the enactment of this treaty have been set forth in the article dealing with the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, 1830. (q. v.) The Chickasaw agents, Ben Reynolds and John L. Allen, and the trader, George S. Gaines, had labored to prepare the Chickasaws for this treaty and all its mometous consequences. The treaty was made at the Council House, on Pontotoc creek, in the southeast- ern part of Pontotoc county, between the Chickasaw nation in general council assembled, and General John Coffee of Tennessee, U. S. commissioner. It was signed Oct. 20, 1832, the following persons being witnesses thereto: Ben Reynolds, Indians Agent; John L. Allen, subagent; Nath. Anderson, secretary to the com- missioner ; Benj. Love, U. S. interpreter; Robert Gordon, Miss .; George Wightman, Miss .; John Donley, Tenn .; D. S. Parrish, Tenn .; S. Daggett, Miss .; Wm. A. Clurm and G. W. Long.
The preamble to the treaty reads: "The Chickasaw Nation find themselves oppressed in their present situation by being made subject to the laws of the States in which they reside. Being ignorant of the language and laws of the white man, they cannot understand or obey them. Rather than submit to this great evil, they prefer to seek a home in the west, where they may live and
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be governed by their own laws. And believing that they can pro- cure for themselves a home, in a country suited to their wants and condition, provided they had the means to contract and pay for the same, they have determined to sell their country and hunt a new home. The President has heard the complaints of the Chick- asaws and like them believes they cannot be happy, and prosper as a nation, in their present situation and condition, and being desirous to relieve them from the great calamity that seems to await them, if they remain as they are-He has sent his Commis- sioner Genl. John Coffee, who has met the whole Chickasaw na- tion in Council, and after mature deliberation, they have entered into the following articles, etc."
By the terms of the treaty the Chickasaws agreed to cede to the United States all their lands east of the Mississippi, and, as soon as it may be in their power, to hunt out and procure a new home for themselves west of the Mississippi. In payment for the cession, the United States agreed to pay over to the nation all the money arising from the sale of the land, after deducting therefrom the cost of selling the same. The Government further agreed to cause the lands to be forthwith surveyed, and to make suitable allotments to each family of the nation out of the surveys made in case they had not become settled in the west prior to the first public sale of their country, said allotments to include their pres- ent improvements. Provision was made for the appointment of a surveyor-general, a register and a receiver for the land office to be established, together with the necessary assistants. No pre- emption rights were to be granted by the United States, and all lands were to be sold to the highest bidder. An agent was to be continued among the Chickasaws, and the expenses of their re- moval, and one year's provisions, after they reach their new homes, were to be furnished them out of the proceeds for sale of their lands. Provision was also made for the creation of a perpetual fund, for the use of the nation as a whole, from at least three- fourths of the net proceeds of the sale, the money to be invested by the Government in safe stocks, and all interest arising therefrom to be used for national purposes alone. After 50 years, if the na- tion was then sufficiently enlightened, it might take over the fund and use it as it deemed most for the interest of the whole nation. A method of fixing the true boundary line between the Chickasaws and Choctaws was determined upon, and it was stipulated that there should be no settlement in the Chickasaw country until the lands should be offered for sale, and then only on lands sold. Small annuities were made to Chief Tishomingo, and to Queen Puc- caunla. By certain supplementary articles signed two days later it was provided that all tracts of land reserved for the residence of the Chickasaws pending the removal of the nation, shall be given up and sold for the benefit of the nation as soon as the Chickasaws shall have removed from their present country; no individual or family to retain any such tract longer than the nation may remain in their present country ; the minimum price to be placed upon such
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reserved tracts to be $3.00 an acre, until the nation may determine to reduce the price. Colbert Moore and family were given permis- sion to continue to reside within the nation, and a tract of land was reserved for him; also two mail routes through the nation were established-one from Tuscumbia, Ala., via the Agency to Rankin, Miss., the other from Memphis, Tenn., by the offices to Cotton Gin, Miss., and the Indians requested that John Donley, the old mail carrier be given the contract for carrying the mails of the nation.
The total area embraced in the Chickasaw cession of 1832 was 6,283,804 acres. Since, under the terms of the treaty, the United States agreed to turn over all the net proceeds of the sale to the Indians, and no provision was made for the reservation of the 16th section in each township for use of the common schools, this whole region of country was deprived of the customary revenues derived from this source under the law of 1803. To remedy this defect, Congress, by act of July 4, 1836, granted the State in lieu of such reservation, one-thirty-sixth part of the ceded lands, to be selected and held by the same tenure as the other common school lands of the State. The lands thus selected and set aside for school pur- poses amounted to 174,500 acres, which became the basis of what was afterwards called the Chickasaw School Fund (q. v.).
Treaty of San Lorenzo el Real. This treaty between Spain and the United States was executed October 27, 1795, by Manuel de Godoy, secretary of state, and Thomas Pinckney, envoy extraor- dinary, and was ratified March 3, 1796. It declared "The southern boundary of the United States, which divides their territory from the Spanish colonies of East and West Florida, shall be designated by a line beginning on the river Mississippi, at the northernmost part of the 31st degree of latitude north of the equator, which from thence shall be drawn due east to the middle of the river Apalachi- cola or Catahouchee," etc. It was agreed "that if there should be any troops, garrisons or settlements of either party in the terri- tory of the other according to the above mentioned boundary" they should be withdrawn within six months after the ratification of the treaty. Commissioners and surveyors were to meet at the Natchez, "before the expiration of six months from the ratification of this convention." If a guard were found necessary for the sur- vey, the troops were to be furnished equally by both parties. "It is likewise agreed that the western boundary of the United States, which separates them from the Spanish colony of Louisiana, is in the middle of the channel or bed of the river Mississippi, from the northern boundary of the said states to the completion of the 31st degree of latitude north of the equator. And his Catholic Majesty has likewise agreed that the navigation of the said river, in its whole breadth, from its source to the ocean, shall be free only to his subjects and the citizens of the United States, unless he should extend this privilege to the subjects of other powers by special con- vention." In consequence of this stipulation, "His Catholic Majesty will permit the citizens of the United States for the space of three
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years from this time, to deposit their merchandise and effects in the port of New Orleans, and to export them from thence without paying any other duty than a fair price for the hire of the stores, and his Majesty promises either to continue this permission, if he finds, during that time, that it is not prejudicial to the interests of Spain, or, if he should not agree to continue it there, he will assign to them on another part of the Mississippi, an equivalent establishment." The treaty also provided for rights of commerce on the high seas, and for a commission to adjudicate claims for damages to commerce, during the late war between Spain and France.
In regard to the Indian question the two nations agreed to main- tain peace and harmony among the Indians along the boundary. Each agreed "to restrain by force all hostilities on the part of the Indian nations living within their boundary," so that "Spain will not suffer her Indians to attack the citizens of the United States nor the Indians inhabiting their territory," and vice versa. "It is agreed that, in future, no treaty of alliance, or other whatever (except treaties of peace) shall be made by either party with the Indians living within the boundary of the other ;" but both parties would endeavor to make the Indian trade mutually beneficial, "observing in all things the most complete reciprocity," for the greatest profit at least expense.
Pinckney contrived the article requiring a survey under protec- tion of troops of both nations, to prevent future disputes and for the effect on the Indians. Article 4, on navigation of the river, was the result of a prolonged dispute, and the apparently excessive recognition of the rights of Spain was the only way to met her apprehensions. There was a trade on this, also, to obtain a provi- sion for adjusting spoliation claims. Article 5, on Indian relations, "occupied much time, and great prejudices were to be removed." Pinckney saw nothing objectional except "the kind of defensive alliance" against the Indians. In regard to the 22d article, regard- ing the depot, Pinckney was compelled to make heated remarks, and on this subject and spoliations he went to the extreme of ask- ing his passports.
Treaty of 1793. According to Gayarre Governor Carondelet, on the 28th of October, 1793, had the satisfaction, through his agent and representative, Colonel Gayoso, governor of Natchez, to make a reciprocally defensive and offensive treaty, between Spain on the one side, and the Chickasaws, the Creeks, the Cherokees and the Alibamons on the other. The treaty of 1784 was ratified, and the Indian nations agreed in return for the protection of Spain to con- tribute to maintain his Catholic Majesty in possession of the prov- inces of Louisiana and the two Floridas.
Treaty of Washington, 1825. The proposal of Secretary Calhoun to abrogate the terms of Jackson's treaty at Doak's Stand (q. v.). made that arrangement with the Choctaws of no effect. The Choc- taws were deeply disgusted with the character of the new agent sent by the government, William Ward, and were forced to lose
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faith in the promises of treaty commissioners, even Jackson him- self. They insisted that no further negotiations would be made except with the great father at Washington. Accordingly a dele- gation went to Washington, at the expense of the government, in the fall of 1824. Those who started were Pukshennubbee, Poo- shamataha, Mooshalatubbee, Robert Cole, Daniel McCurtain, Talking Warrior, Red Fort, Nittuckachee, David Folsom and J. L. McDonald. Pukshennubbee died on the way, and Pooshamataha succumbed, after a few weeks at the national capital, to the un- natural entertainment. The delegates found that the government insisted on withdrawing some part of the land ceded to them, but were willing to pay for it, and also wished to annul the solemn pledge of the treaty of 1820 regarding the remaining lands east of the Mississippi. Monroe county, part of the land ceded in 1816, was isolated and inconvenient, they were told, and they should give more land, on the Tombigbee, to make up a good-sized judi- cial district. This the Choctaws would not do. After much discus- sion a new boundary line in the west was agreed upon, involving the loss of about five million acres, for which Mr. Calhoun offered $5,000 cash and $60,000 in annuities. The Choctaws asked $30,000 in goods, $9,000 a year for twenty years for the support of mechan- ical institutions, the same annuity for twenty years for the educa- tion of Choctaw children in colleges outside the nation, and an an- nuity of $3,000 for education in the western country.
Calhoun replied that the government could not give more than the land was worth, but in January offered $90,000 in ten annual payments, the cancellation of the debt at the government trading house, and payment (again?) for services in the Pensacola cam- paign. The Choctaws then made the proposition that the govern- ment accepted, and which is embodied in the treaty signed at Washington, D. C., January 20, 1825. The line was defined as be- ginning 100 paces east of Fort Smith, on the Arkansas, and run- ning due south to Red river. The compensation was an annuity of $6,000 forever, for twenty years, to be applied to education. There was also promised $96,000 in annuities to make up for the misap- propriation of the former educational annuity, instead of a land re- serve, as agreed in the treaty at Doak's Stand. Those who elected to remain at their homes in the ceded tract east of the Mississippi (Hinds county) were authorized to hold and sell the fee simple of one square mile ; right to locate a square mile at pleasure within the cession of 1820 (called "floats") was extended, making the whole list, Molly McDonald, Wesley Trahern, Noble Osborn, Alex- ander Hamilton, Greenwood Leflore, George Turnbull and Alexan- der McKee. The warriors with Jackson on the Pensacola cam- paign of 1818 were to be paid $14,972.50. The delegation was given $2,000 to pay "various claims." Robert Cole was recognized as the successor of Pukshennubbee, with medal and annuity.
In accordance with this treaty, notwithstanding the protests of Arkansas, the west line of that State was fixed as it now remains.
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Trebloc, a postoffice of Chickasaw county, 10 miles east of Houston.
Tremont, a post-hamlet of Itawamba county, about 12 miles east, southeast of Fulton, the county seat. Population in 1900, 50.
Trent, a postoffice of Amite county, 15 miles northeast of Lib- erty, the county seat.
Trenton, a post-hamlet of Smith county, about 40 miles south by east of Jackson, and 11 miles west by north of Raleigh, the county seat. Forest is the nearest railroad and banking town. It has a church. Population in 1900, 102.
Tribbett, a postoffice of Washington county, and a station on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R., about 16 miles east of Green- ville. Leland is the nearest banking town.
Tribble, a postoffice of Tallahatchie county.
Trim, a postoffice of Pike county, situated on Topisaw creek, 12 miles northeast of Summit, the nearest banking town.
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Trimcane, a hamlet in the north-central part of Oktibbeha county, 6 miles northwest of Starkville, the county seat. The postoffice at this place was discontinued in 1905, and it now has rural free delivery from the station of Cedarbluff in Clay county. Population in 1900, 27.
Trotter, James F., was born in Brunswick county, Va., Novem- ber 5, 1802, but was reared and educated in East Tennessee. He came to the town of Hamilton, Monroe county, for the practice of law, about 1823, and became the competitor and rival of Daniel W. Wright. He represented the county in the State legilsature as a representative in 1827-29 and as a senator in 1829-33 ; was elec- ted judge of the circuit court in 1833 ; was appointed to the United States senate in 1838 upon the-resignation of Judge Black, but re- signed this honor before taking his seat, and accepted appointment in December of the same year to the high court of errors and ap- peals, to succeed Judge Wright, resigned. He was elected to the same office in 1839, but resigned in 1842. He delivered many im- portant opinions, which "are noted for great strength and dignity of style, as well as for a penetrating discrimination, a sound judg- ment, and a profound knowledge of the law." (Lynch) After retiring from the bench he resumed the practice of law at Holly Springs. In 1855 he was elected vice-chancellor, an office he held until the chancery system was abolished by the code of 1857. In 1860-62 he was professor of law in the State university. At the reorganization of the courts after the Civil war he was appointed to the circuit bench, but he died at Holly Springs, March 9, 1866. Reuben Davis wrote of him enthusiastically in his Recollections, as "one of the noblest and best of men a good scholar and a fine speaker ; kind and generous above measure ; incapable of fear, treachery or meanness, the ideal Southerner of that day."
Troy, an old village which is now extinct, and which was situated a few miles below Grenada in what is now Grenada county, but was formerly Yalobusha county. Its life was brief, as it was early absorbed by the rising town of Grenada. It attained a growth of
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from 100 to 150 people, and among its residents were the mercantile firm of Chislom and Minter, and Robert Mullen, afterward a leading merchant of Grenada. A wealthy class of planters lived in the neighborhood, among whom were the Leighs, Powells, Talberts, Bakers, Minters and Towns.
Troy, an incorporated post-town in the southeastern part of Pon- totoc county, on Tallabinnela creek, 12 miles southeast of Pontotoc, the nearest railroad and banking town. It was named for the ancient city of Asia Minor. It has a money order postoffice. Pop- ulation in 1900, 144.
Truitt, a postoffice of Madison county, about 17 miles northeast of Canton, the county seat.
Trussell, a hamlet in the southeastern part of Neshoba county, 16 miles from Philadelphia, the county seat. It has rural free de- livery from Battlefield station, Newton county.
Trusty, a post-hamlet of Calhoun county, 10 miles northwest of Pittsboro, the county seat. Water Valley is the nearest railroad and banking town. Population in 1900, 23.
Tryus, a post-hamlet of Lawrence county, 14 miles north of Monticello, the county seat. Population in 1900, 41.
Tubal, a postoffice of Clarke county, 18 miles southwest of Quit- man, the county seat.
Tucker, Tilghman Mayfield, was born in North Carolina, Febru- ary 5, 1802, son of John Tucker and Margaret Mayfield. He began his life in Mississippi as a law student under Daniel W. Wright, at Hamilton, Monroe county. He was afterward a citizen of Col- umbus, and became noted for "his law learning and political saga- city. Few men controlled a better practice, and he came to have a sort of life estate in a seat in the legislature." (Davis' Recollec- tions.)
His law partners were Adam T. Smith, General Gholson and Sam F. Butterworth. He is described in Claborne's Mississippi as "an earnest, sincere and honest man." Popularly, he was known as Old Tilletoba, meaning in the Indian tongue, the blacksmith, that having been his former occupation. He was nominated for governor in 1841, when there seemed to be little hope for the Dem- ocratic organization, which was maintained largely through the ambition of William M. Gwin, who persuaded Mr. Tucker to accept the nomination after he once declined. The issue upon which he ran was the repudiation of the Union bank bonds. He had been broken down by typhoid fever and did not take much part in the campaign. His opponent was David O. Shattuck, a Methodist preacher, circuit judge, lawyer and strong public speaker. He was the Whig candidate and favored payment of the bonds. Under these circumstances Tucker was elected. His messages were not brilliant, but they were marked by some valuable suggestions, par- ticularly in regard to education (q. v.)
He was a man, says Henry S. Foote in his Reminiscenses, "of sound and vigorous intellect, of a chastened and moderate ambi- tion, and of a lofty independence worthy of all praise." In his
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campaign he had taken the ground that Governor McNutt, in signing and causing to be sold the Union bank bonds, had exceeded his constitutional authority, which was an argument for repudia- tion quite distasteful to McNutt, and made the latter an enemy. Bitter attacks on the public and personal character of the governor, by various newspapers, particularly Dr. James Hagan's Sentinel, at Vicksburg, resulted, after Judge Adams had been included in the attack, in the violent death of the editor. In 1843 Tucker was nominated for congressman from the State at large by the Demo- crats. He was elected and served one term. He was married in 1829 to Sarah F. McBee and in 1854 to Martha A. Conger. He was a man of wealth, with many slaves and large estates. After retir- ing from public life he lived at his plantation home, "Cottonwood," in Louisiana. April 30, 1859, he died in Alabama, while visiting his father.
Tucker's Administration. Governor Tucker was inaugurated January 10, 1842, with the following State officers serving from November, 1841 to November, 1843: Lewis G. Galloway, secre- tary of state; Richard S. Graves, treasurer ; James E. Matthews, auditor. John D. Freeman was attorney-general, 1841-53. His inaugural speech was mainly devoted to a statement of his attitude on the Union bank bond question. He held that the people had decided that "the transactions connected with said bank, both in its inception and final consummation, were not governmental, but were on the contrary individual transactions, performed, not only without the authority of the constitution of the State, but contrary to the express provisions thereof ; though, should the leg- islature feel under any obligation, either legal or moral (which I do not), or should deem it a matter of policy to discharge this obli- gation, and should determine to assume and pay the debt or liabil- ity," the constitution provided the method-an act pledging the faith of the State, to be referred to the next legislature.
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