Skip to main content

Full text of "The life and papers of Frederick Bates"

See other formats 


THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  ILLINOIS 

LIBRARY 

9778 

— C"~i    r,u  — ^ 

OTIS  HISTORICAL  SMWf 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  201^  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


http://archive.org/details/lifepapersoffred02bate 


EDWARD    BATES 

From  an  engraving,  the  property  of  the  Missouri  Historical  Society. 


THE   LIFE  AND   PAPERS 

of 

FREDERICK  BATES 


EDITED    BY 

THOMAS    MAITLAND    MARSHALL,    PH.D. 

Secretary  of  the  Missouri  Historical  Society 

and 

Professor  of  History  in  Washington  University 


VOLUME  II 


MISSOURI    HISTORICAL    SOCIETY 
St.  Louis,  1926 


381 


Copyright,  1926 
MISSOURI  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 


ILL, 


977- £ 

33!  t 

coo.? 


PART  III— Continued 
The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis 


THE  REGIME  OF  GOVERNOR  LEWIS 


ROBERT  FORSYTH  TO  BATES 

Chicageaux  10th  June  1808 
Dear  Sir 

I  arrived  here  a  few  days  ago  and  expect  to  leave  this 
in  the  Course  of  Six  days  for  Detroit,  I  Hope  my  Dear 
Sir  you  have  had  the  Goodness  to  drop  me  a  few  lines  in 
answer  to  mine  of  March  last,  and  that  the  information 
you  may  think  proper  to  Communicate  to  me,  may  be 
favorable  —  You  will  Confer  particular  obligation  on  me 
by  interesting  yourself  with  Govr  Lewis,  and  making  me 
aquainted  with  his  answer,  and  Ideas  on  the  Subject,  be 
assured  I  Shall  feel  myself  Ever  grateful  for  the  friendly 
attention  you  have  uniformly  shewed  me,  and  particu- 
larly in  the  present  instance.  —  I  am  Sorry  to  give  you 
so  much  trouble,  but  Hope  you  will  excuse  it,  as  it  pro- 
ceeds from  a  Heart  that  will  always  be  Happy  to  recip- 
rocate, if  Ever  in  his  power  —     .     .     . 

N.  B.     this  will  be  handed  to  you  by  my  brother  Thos. 
by  whom  I  Hope  you  will  favor  me  with  an  answer 


THOMAS  F.  RIDDICK  TO  BATES,  NEW  MADRID 
DR.  gIR  Saint  Louis  2nd  July  1808 

Your  favor  from  Cape  Girardeau  arrived  safe  to  hand. 
It  gave  your  friends  In  S  Louis  much  pleasure  to  hear 
from  you;  &  hope  that  you  will  return  the  Doctors  Medi- 

(5) 


6  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

cine  Chest  untouched,  and  continue  your  expedition  with 
eaqual  Success  as  to  the  greatest  of  all  blessings,  Sound 
Health 

Genl.  Clark  and  family  have  arrived,  and  bring  with 
them  the  beautiful  and  accomplished  Miss  Anderson?11  a 
niece  of  the  Genl.  Great  agitation  In  St  Louis  among  the 
bachelors,  to  prevent  fatal  consequences  a  Town  meeting 
has  been  proposed  for  the  purpose  of  disposing  of  her  by 
lot,  no  meeting  has  yet  been  had.  Your  Friend  Tom  how- 
ever does  not  mean  to  contend  for  the  prize,  a  little  girl 
not  far  distant  has  been  so  dextrous  with  her  eyes  as  to 
completely  make  him  Indifferent  to  all  the  fair  beside,  we 
have  been  coquetting,  untill  I  believe  both  her  and  myself 
begin  to  be  serious;  some  good  or  other  must  come  of  it. 

There  has  been  for  the  last  five  or  six  days  before  the 
first  of  July  a  great  number  of  land  claims  entered  for 
record,  Mr.  Bouis112  however  would  not  attend  to  his  busi- 
ness In  the  Office  &  I  found  it  was  a  folly  to  persist  in 
employing  a  man  by  the  month  that  would  not  write  more 
than  three  days.  I  settled  up  with  him  to  the  first  of  July, 
and  have  since  made  another  bargain  with  him,  he  to  be 

in  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and  Ann  Rogers  Clark,  and  sister  of 
William  Clark,  married  Richard  Clough  Anderson,  a  Virginian,  about 
1787.  Anderson  was  a  colonel  and  was  appointed  principal  surveyor  of 
lands  granted  by  Virginia  in  1783  to  soldiers  of  the  continental  line.  He 
opened  headquarters  at  Louisville  in  July,  1784.  He  represented  Jefferson 
County,  Kentucky,  in  the  conventions  at  Danville  in  1784  and  1788. 
Elizabeth  Clark  Anderson  died  in  1795,  leaving  a  son  and  three  daughters, 
Ann,  Cecelia,  and  Elizabeth.  William  Hayden  English,  Conquest  of  the 
Country  northwest  of  the  Ohio  River,  1778-1783,  and  Life  of  Gen.  George 
Rogers  Clark,  II,  1006-1008. 

112  Pascal  Vincent  Bouis  was  one  of  three  young  Frenchmen  appointed 
from  St.  Louis  to  West  Point  by  Jefferson  in  1804.  He  resigned  his 
commission  of  2nd  lieutenant  in  the  United  States  artillery  in  1808. 
Later  he  became  a  planter  in  Louisiana. 


The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis.  7 

paid  at  the  rate  of  five  cents  for  recording  every  100  words 
plats  Included,  you  will  thereby  gain  something  and  if  he 
is  Industrious  he  can  easily  make  from  one  to  two  and  a 
half  dollars  per  day,  under  the  old  arrangement  calculat- 
ing all  I  could  get  him  to  do  at  the  rate  of  12%  Cents,  he 
did  not  earn  his  wages,  I  have  received  the  land  warrants 
from  Gov.  Lewis,  also  fifty  dollars  from  Mr.  Dorr ;  all  your 
business  shall  be  attended  to.  Nothing  more  new,  strange, 
or  Interesting.     .     .     .     Mr.  Carr  &  Ladys,  compliments. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

Fort  Madison, 
$lBf  Village  of  Arkensas113  July  22.  1808. 

I  had  the  honor  of  addressing  you,  early  in  the  month 
of  June  from  Cape  Girardeau,  since  which  I  have  visited 
all  the  intermediate  settlements.  — 

The  claimants  of  Arkensas  not  having  attended  gen- 
erally at  Hope  Field,114  I  thought  it  proper,  altho  not  spe- 
cially required  by  the  resolution  of  the  commissioners,  to 
come  on  to  this  place.  — 

The  business  here  was  completed  in  one  week,  since  which 

us  Cuming,  who  visited  Arkansas  Post  in  1808,  says,  "The  settlement 
of  Arkansas  or  Ozark  is  about  fifty  miles  above  the  junction  of  that 
river  with  the  Mississippi.  It  consists  chiefly  of  hunters  and  Indian 
traders,  of  course  is  a  poor  place,  as  settlers  of  this  description  never 
look  for  any  thing  beyond  the  mere  necessities  of  life,  except  whiskey." 

The  post  dated  from  1686  when  Tonti  left  a  detachment  of  six  men 
there  under  Couture.  The  place  was  maintained  as  a  trading  post  and 
Jesuit  mission  throughout  the  French  period.  During  the  Spanish  regime 
it  was  one  of  three  principal  centers  for  control  of  the  Indians.  Laclede 
had  a  branch  warehouse  there  and  died  there  in  1778.  It  should  not  be 
confused  with  Fort  Madison,  Iowa.  Cuming,  Tour,  in  Early  Western 
Travels,  IV,  298-299;  Herbert  E.  Bolton,  AtJianase  Be  MezUres,  I,  74. 

n4  Hopefield,  Arkansas,  was  originally  Fort  Esperanza. 


8  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

I  have  been  detained  by  the  sickness  of  my  men  &  other  un- 
toward circumstances. 

Mr.  Le  Due,115  the  Translator,  accompanied  me  no  far- 
ther than  the  Chickasaw-Bluffs.110  He  had  been  taken  sick 
at  New  Madrid,117  but  by  an  exertion  of  that  fortitude  for 
which  he  is  remarkable,  he  had  continued  regularly,  and 
promptly  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office,  until  his 
indisposition  became  so  seriously  alarming  that  I  thought 
it  imprudent  for  him  to  proceed.  The  illness  of  Mr.  Le 
Due  compelled  me  to  employ  another  Translator  —  and  on 
the  recommendation  of  Capt.  Armstead,118  the  Comdt.  of 
this  Post,  I  engaged  Andw.  Fagot,  Clerk  of  the  late  Spanish 
Comdt.  and  since  commissioned  a  Notary  Public  by  the 
Governor  of  this  territory.  He  is  believed  to  possess  the 
requisite  qualifications  and  deserves  this  confidence  for 
the  occasion.  His  demand  is  three  dollars  Per  day,  which 
I  shall  take  the  liberty  of  putting  into  the  next  contingent 
account. 

The  claims  in  this  part  of  the  country  have  been  brought 
forward  with  much  irregularity.  The  People  are  for  the 
most  part  so  entirely  unacqainted  with  every  kind  of  busi- 
ness, except  of  that  of  the  chase,  it  is  not  at  all  to  be  won- 
dered at  that  affairs  requiring  method,  order  and  an  ob- 
servance of  legal  forms,  should  be  totally  unintelligible  to 
them.  Contrary  to  my  expectations,  a  great  number  of 
claims  remained  to  be  entered  when  I  arrived  on  the  2d 
instant.  The  next  day  the  People  appeared  to  be  ignorant 
that  the  time  for  receiving  them  had  expired,  and  having 

us  Marie  Philip  Leduc. 
lie  Neighborhood  of  Memphis. 

n7  For  an  excellent  description  of  New  Madrid  in  1808,  see  Cuming, 
Tour,  in  Early  Western  Travels,  IV,  281-282. 
us  Probably  George  Armistead. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  9 

procured  Agents,  presented  themselves  very  generally  with 
their  Papers.  These  Agents  thought  proper  to  date  all  the 
notices  of  his  clients  on  29th  June.  But  they  could  not 
now  be  received.  I  however  thought  myself  justified  in 
becoming  the  depositary  of  them,  at  the  same  time  inform- 
ing the  Agents  explicitly  that  in  doing  so,  I  could  be  consid- 
ered only  as  a  private  individual  ,and  by  no  means  as  a 
public  Agent.  Considering  the  remote  and  sequestered 
situation  of  these  claimants  I  was  even  induced  to  receive 
and  reduce  to  writing  the  testimony  in  relation  to  these 
antedated  and  illegal  entries.  The  Papers  and  the  testi- 
mony will  be  carefully  preserved,  subject  to  those  Orders 
which  you  may  think  proper  to  give  with  respect  to  them. — 

Had  these  People  attended  at  Hope  Field  as  contem- 
plated by  the  commissioners,  these  embarrassments  might 
have  been  avoided. 

The  large  surveys  of  Messrs.  Winters  which  lie  in  this 
vicinity  are  very  valuable.119  No  where  in  the  western 
country  have  I  seen  lands  so  fertile,  and  which  lie  so  well 
as  the  tract  of  250,000  acres  claimed  by  Gabriel  Winter 
between  the  St.  Francis  &  White  River.  But  the  principal 
reliance  appears  to  be  placed  on  the  validity  and  com- 
pleteness of  the  grant  of  William  Winter,  which  has  been 

us  This  grant  was  made  in  1797  to  Elisha,  William,  and  Gabriel 
Winter,  William  Russell  and  Joseph  Stillwell.  The  grant  was  invalidated 
in  1847-1848  on  the  ground  of  indefiniteness.  For  many  years  the  region 
about  Arkansas  Post  was  retarded  by  the  uncertainty  of  the  title. 
Nuttall  says,  "Several  enormous  Spanish  grants  remain  still  [January, 
1819]  undecided;  that  of  Messrs.  Winters,  of  Natchez,  called  for  no  less 
than  one  million  acres,  but  the  congress  of  the  United  States,  inclined  to 
put  in  force  a  kind  of  agrarian  law  against  such  monopolizers,  had  laid 
them,  as  I  was  told,  under  the  stipulation  of  settling  upon  this  immense 
tract  a  certain  number  of  families."  Thomas  Nuttall,  A  Journal  of 
Travels  into  the  Arkansas  Territory  during  the  Year  1819  .  .  .  ,  in 
Early  Western  Travels,  XIII,  106-107. 


10  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

located  in  the  Prairie  adjacent  to  this  place.  The  People 
appear  to  be  very  anxious  for  the  confirmation  of  this 
grant,  under  an  expectation  of  purchasing  at  more  rea- 
sonable prices  from  the  Proprietor  than  from  the  United 
States. 

Mr.  Donaldson,  the  late  Eecorder  has  asserted  in  the 
public  Papers  that  these  Titles  are  complete.  Yet  it  ap- 
pears to  me  very  questionable.  The  conditions  have  surely 
not  been  complied  with  in  such  manner,  as  the  Spanish 
Government120  had  a  right  to  expect.  Either  the  preten- 
sions of  Mr.  Winter,  are  in  his  own  estimation  not  well 
founded,  or  he  has  given  extraordinary  fees  for  manage- 
ment :  For  I  understand  that  one  Gentleman,  for  procur- 
ing the  survey  and  smoothing  if  possible,  the  passage  of  the 
claim;  and  another  for  collecting  and  arranging  testimony, 
have  acquired  interests  almost  equal  to  the  original 
claimant. 

At  Cape  Girardeau  and  at  New  Madrid,  the  Corps  of 
Witnesses  were  well  organized  and  disciplined:  Whenever 
I  suspected  a  wandering  from  the  fact,  I  endeavoured  to 
detect  and  expose  it  —  but  it  was  not  alwa}^s  in  my  power  — 

About  the  10th  of  next  month  I  hope  to  give  to  the  com- 
missioners at  St.  Louis,  a  satisfactory  account  of  my  Mis- 
sion.—  Every  possible  diligence  and  attention  have  been 
bestowed.    Indeed  during  this  whole  tour,  I  have  endeav- 

120  For  the  whole  subject  of  Spanish  land  law,  see  Houck,  History  of 
Missouri,  II,  214-230.  Also  American  State  Papers,  Public  Lands,  II,  605- 
606;  III,  607-608;  V,  59,  251,  704-705,  709;  Stoddard,  Sketches  of  Louisiana, 
251-252;  Scharf,  History  of  St.  Louis,  City  and  County,  I,  321;  Eugene 
Morrow  Violette,  "Spanish  Land  Claims  in  Missouri,"  in  Washington 
University,  Studies,  VIII,  167-200.  For  important  cases,  see  Mackay  vs. 
U.  S.,  10  Peters,  341;  Chouteau's  Heirs  vs.  U.  S.,  9  Peters,  145,  147; 
Menard's  Heirs  vs.  Massey,  8  Howard,  305;  Chouteau  vs.  Eskhardt,  2 
Howard,  349. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  11 

oured  by  the  most  patient  assiduity  to  remove  those  preju- 
dices against  myself,  in  common  with  the  other  commis- 
sioners which  some  of  the  settlements  have  been  taught  to 
entertain.  —  They  complain  of  delay  in  the  adjustment  of 
their  claims,  and  of  the  continual  expence  which  this  pro- 
crastination occasions.  I  accounted  for  the  first;  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  liberal  minded  and  intelligent;  and  in 
order  to  give  them  pledges  of  my  own  disinterestedness 
declined,  at  this  place  to  receive  those  recording  fees  which 
I  might  by  Law  have  demanded.  — 


TO  GABRIEL  DUVAL,  COMPTROLLER  OF  THE 
TREASURY 

Sm  St.  Louis  13th  Aug  1808. 

I  had  not  until  yesterday,  on  my  return  from  the  Ar- 
kansas the  honor  of  receiving  your  letter  of  28  May  last. 
The  reproof  and  admonition  which  it  contains  shall  not  be 
forgotten  in  the  future  settlements  of  the  contingent  accts. 
of  my  office.  While  exercising  this  government  in  the 
absence  of  Gov  Lewis  I  was  subjected  to  considerable  extra 
expenses  without  additional  emolument,  and  was  so  far 
mistaken  as  to  imagine,  that  fuel  &  candles  merely  for  the 
Office  would  be  considered  as  part  of  the  Office  rent.  I 
lament  the  error  &  will  in  future,  adhere  to  the  literal 
expressions  of  Mr.  Gallatin's  orders. 


TO  THE  LAND  COMMISSIONERS 

Gentlemen,  St.  Louis  Aug  15.  1808.  — 

In  discharge  of  the  duties  imposed  on  me  by  your  reso- 
lution of  the day  of last,  being  a  modification  of 


12  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

your  previous  resolutions  on  the  same  subject,  I  have  made 
the  circuit  of  the  lower  settlements  of  this  territory.  — 
When  descending  the  Mississippi,  the  business  at  Cape  Gir- 
ardeau, at  New  Madrid  and  at  Camp  Esperance  was  taken 
up  in  prime  conformity  to  your  order  of  mission :  but  not 
being  completed  for  want  of  time,  and  on  account  of 
obstacles  thrown  in  my  way  by  factious  individuals,  I 
thought  it  substantially  correct  to  hold  an  extra  session 
on  my  return.  Your  object  was  to  obtain  the  testimony, 
and  I  could  not  think  of  disappointing  those  just  expecta- 
tions by  an  unnecessary  observance  of  minute  forms.  Your 
resolution  contemplates  my  receiving  testimony  in  relation 
to  the  claims  to  lands  which  lie  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the 
Arkansas;  but  it  was  also  expected  that  those  persons  or 
their  Agents,  would  have  attended  at  Camp  Esperance  for 
this  purpose.  Joseph  Stillwell121  was  the  only  person  from 
that  part  of  the  country  who  met  me  there,  and  I  con- 
ceived it  my  duty  as  I  was  now  within  200  miles  of  their 
village  and  about  2/3  of  the  distance  from  St.  Louis  to 
their  principal  settlements,  to  proceed  to  Fort  Madison, 
where  the  evidence  could  be  collected  with  little  additional 
expense  to  the  U  States  and  with  no  possible  inconvenience 
to  the  claimants.  —  I  submit  to  you  herewith,  the  Papers 
which  have  been  laid  before  me  by  the  parties  concerned 
as  well  as  those  which  I  have  collected  from  the  Public 
Offices  of  New  Madrid :  —  together  with  the  oral  testimony 
reduced  to  writing  principally  by  myself. 

There  is  an  Affair,  which,  to  prevent  misconstruction  I 
beg  leave  to  mention  to  you  altho'  it  in  no  wise  concerns 
the  business  which  you  have  confided  to, my  management. 
On  my  arrival  at  the  Arkansas  after  the  first  day  of  July 

i2i  Joseph  Stillwell  was  one  of  the  five  grantees  of  Winter's  grant, 


The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis,  13 

last,  Jno.  G.  Clark  of  Natchez  and  Perly  Wallis  of  Oua- 
chita122 Agents  for  the  claimants  presented  a  number  of 
notices  to  the  Recorder  dated  29th  June.  In  my  private 
capacity  merely  I  received  these  Papers,  recorded  the  tes- 
timony in  relation  to  them,  and  informed  Mr.  Gallatin  that 
they  would  be  carefully  preserved  subject  to  any  future 
arrangement  which  Congress  might  think  proper  to  make. 

M.  P.  LeDuc,  the  Translator  accompanied  me  as  far  as 
Camp  Esperance  and  performed  with  diligence  and 
promptness  every  duty  appertaining  to  his  office.  On  my 
departure  from  that  settlement,  a  pleuretic  affection  which 
he  had  sometime  previously  contracted  became  so  alarming 
that  he  found  himself  unable  to  prosecute  the  voyage  and 
remained  under  the  care  of  Doct  Stewart  of  Port  Pick- 
ering.123 

At  the  Arkansas  I  employed  Andrew  Fagot  as  a  Trans- 
lator or  rather  an  Interpreter  for  the  occasion.  He  was 
recommended  to  me  by  gentlemen  of  the  most  respectable 
standing,  in  that  part  of  the  country  and  is  believed  to 
have  discharged  this  temporary  trust  with  fidelity. 


TO  JAMES  ABBOTT 

glR  St.  Louis  19.  Aug  1808 

I  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  you  the  record  of  a  demand 

122  Ouachita  or  Washita  was  located  on  the  Arkansas  River  in  latitude 
32°  29'  37.25".  For  an  excellent  description  of  the  post  and  the  surround- 
ing country,  see  "A  Description  of  the  Washita  River,  in  Louisiana,  and 
the  Country  bordering  thereon,  compiled  from  the  Journals  of  William 
Dunbar  Esq.  and  Dr.  Hunter,"  in  American  State  Papers,  Indian  Affairs, 
I,  733. 

123  Fort  Pickering  was  on  the  Mississippi  River  two  miles  below  the 
Fourth  Chickasaw  Bluff.  It  was  originally  called  Fort  Adams.  For  a  few 
months  in  1797  Merriwether  Lewis  was  in  command  there. 


14  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

agt.  Mr.  William  Eobison  of  the  House  of  Eobison  &  Mar- 
tin for  $32.93cts. 

The  history  of  the  transaction  is  this  —  The  beginning 
of  last  winter  Mr.  Eobison  hired  a  Horse  of  Joseph 
Morin124  to  ride  to  the  Belle  Fontaine  Races;  a  number  of 
us  staid  that  night  at  the  Cantonments  on  the  Missouri, 
from  which  place  the  horse  of  Mr.  Eobison  escaped.  On  his 
leaving  this  country,  the  horse  not  being  then  found,  he 
spoke  to  Major  Christy,  Capt.  Clemson125  and  myself  to 
adjust  the  business  in  a  proper  manner  with  Morin.  I 
agreed  to  do  so  —  And  Christy  gave  his  personal  assur- 
ances to  Morin,  who  sometime  thereafter  presented  an  ac- 
count of  $44,  —  /  also  lately  declined  to  adjust  so  exorbi- 
tant a  demand,  and  advised  Christy  to  stand  a  suit.  Judg- 
ment was  recovered  as  you  will  find  in  the  record  —  I  then 
paid  the  money  in  the  name  of  Major  Christy  and  obtained 
his  assignment.  Be  so  obliging  as  to  ask  of  Mr.  Eobison, 
the  amount  of  this  Judgment.  He  cannot  hesitate  in  paying- 
it;  altho'  I  must  confess  that  there  has  been  already,  a 
greater  delay  than  I  had  expected.  Probably  Major 
Christy's  letters  written  both  before,  and  after  the  judg- 
ment was  rendered,  may  never  have  reached  him. 

Colo.  Thomas  Hunt  died  two  days  ago.126  The  melan- 
choly event  has  aroused  the  sympathies  of  every  individual 
of  these  settlements  who  had  the  pleasure  of  an  acquain- 
tance with  his  worthy  and  amiable  family.     He  will  be 

124  Joseph  Morin  was  a  carpenter.  In  1795  he  was  living  near  St. 
Louis. 

125  For  biography  of  Eli  B.  Clemson,  see  Luttig,  Journal  of  a  Fur- 
Trading  Expedition  on  the  Upper  Missouri,  1812-1813  (Stella  M.  Drumm, 
ed.),  145-146. 

126  Billon  (Annals  of  St.  Louis  in  its  Territorial  Days,  225)  gives 
July  17,  1808  as  the  date  of  his  death. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis,  15 

buried  this  day  at  the  Cantonments.  Most  of  the  Citizens 
of  St.  Louis  left  town  early  this  morning  in  order  to  pay 
the  last  honors  to  this  respectable  veteran.  I  am  truly 
sorry  that  the  fatigues  of  a  three  months  excursion  to  the 
lower  country  from  which  I  have  just  returned,  prevent 
my  attendance.  —  I  have  never  heard  from  you  since  I 
transmitted  the  powers  of  Atty  that  I  recollect.  —  No  diffi- 
culties have  occurred?  I  congratulate  you  on  the  confirma- 
tion of  your  appointment.  It  was  not  in  my  power  to  be 
instrumental  in  it.  — 


A  PROCLAMATION127 


Whereas,  by  the  5th  section  of  an  act  of  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States  entitled  'An  act  further  providing  for 
the  government  of  the  district  of  Louisiana'  passed  the  3d 
day  of  March  1805  it  is  provided  that  for  the  more  con- 
venient distribution  of  justice  the  prevention  of  crimes 
and  injuries,  and  execution  of  process,  criminal  and  civil, 
the  Governor  shall  from  time  to  time,  as  circumstances 
may  require,  lay  out  those  parts  of  the  territory,  in  which 
the  Indian  Title  shall  have  been  extinguished,  into  dis- 
tricts, subject  to  such  alteration  as  may  be  found  neces- 
sary, and  that  he  shall  appoint  thereto  such  magistrates 
and  other  civil  officers  as  he  may  deem  requisite : 

Now  therefore,  I  have  thought  proper,  for  the  promotion 
of  these  objects  to  divide  the  at  present  too  widely  ex- 
tended district  of  New  Madrid,  by  a  line  commencing  on 
the  Mississippi,  opposite  the  2d  Bluff,  and  running,  indefi- 
nitely, in  a  due  west  direction :  And  I  do  hereby  declare 
all  that  portion  of  country  lying  to  the  south  of  said  line, 

127  Original  in  the  Department  of  State,  B.  R.  L.,  3449. 


16  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

as  far  as  the  33d  degree  of  north  latitude  to  be,  and  the 
same  is  hereby  established  as  a  separate  district,  to  be 
known  and  denominated,  for  all  judicial  purposes,  'The 
District  of  the  Arkensas'  prohibiting  the  exercise  of  the 
district  authorities  of  New  Madrid,  beyond,  or  to  the  south- 
ward of  the  said  East  and  West  line,  so  as  aforesaid  estab- 
lished as  the  northern  boundary  of  the  newly  created  dis- 
trict of  the  Arkensas. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  the  seal  of  the  terri- 
tory to  be  hereunto  affixed.  — 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Saint  Louis,  the  twentieth  day 
of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand,  eight 
hundred  and  eight,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  the  thirty  third. 

By  the  Governor  Meriwether  Lewis 

~     ,  Frederick  Bates 

Secy  of  Louisiana 


GEORGE  HOFFMAN  TO  BATES 
■ta      g^  Michilimackinac,  Augt.  23d.  1808. 

Many  applications  will  no  doubt  be  made  this  fall  to 
Gov.  Lewis  by  British  subjects  for  permission  to  trade 
with  the  Indian  tribes  residing  on  the  West  side  of  the 
Mississippi.   A   Mr.   Crookes128  purchased   goods   at   this 

128  Ramsay  Crooks  was  born  at  Greenock,  Scotland,  in  1787.  At  the 
age  of  sixteen  he  entered  the  service  of  the  North  West  Company.  In 
1806  he  was  trading  in  Wisconsin.  In  1807  he  came  to  St.  Louis  where 
he  entered  into  partnership  with  Robert  McClellan.  In  their  first  trading 
venture  they  were  balked  by  the  Teton.  Crooks  became  famous  because 
of  his  connection  with  the  Astoria  project.      After   the   failure  of  that 


The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis.  17 

place  —  applied  to  me  for  a  License  —  The  oaths  necessary 
by  the  tenor  of  the  15.  Sec.  of  the  last  Embargo  Law  was 
tendered  to  him  —  He  refused  taking  it  —  alledging  that  he 
conceived  himself  an  American  Citizen,  that  he  was  con- 
cerned with  one  Mc.Cleland,  an  American  born,  in  the 
Illinois,  and  that  he  was  in  no  wise  interested  or  concerned 
with  the  Macinac  Company,  I,  therefore,  thereupon, 
granted  him  a  Common  Clearance. 

Mr.  Bouthillier129  also  called  for  a  Clearance  &  made  oath 
that  he  resided  in  this  Country  antecedent  to  the  1st  of 
July  1796  and  has  ever  since  considered  himself  a  Citizen 
of  the  U.  States,  He  therefore  also  obtained  a  Common 
Clearance  —  It  will  I  suspect  be  stated  &  urged  to  the  Gov- 
ernor that  this  Crooks  is  a  British  subject  (which  circum- 
stance was  not  suggested  to  me  until  this  morning).  And 
that  if  he  is  allowed  to  go  into  Louisiana  it  will  be  repre- 
hensible &  unpardonable  partictily  [sic]  to  prevent  other 
Br.  subjects  trading  in  that  Country  —  Much  Clamour  may 
ensue  —  I  state  these  facts  in  order  that  misrepresentation 
shall  not  prevail. 

The  contents  of  Gov.  Lewis'  letter  of  the  2d  June  last  to 
the  late  Mr.  Campbell130  has  been  communicated  to  the 
Macinac  Company  —  therefore  in  case  of  infractions  they 
cannot  profit  by  the  plea  of  ignorance  —  As  to  Laws,  rules 
&  regulations  on  the  subject  of  Indian  trade  &  intercourse 
generally  they  had  early,  full  &  correct  information.  Here- 
with I  transmit  to  you  for  your  &  the  Governor's  informa- 

enterprise,  he  was  long  identified  with  the  Astor  enterprises.  For  sketches 
of  him,  see  Early  Western  Travels  (Thwaites,  ed.),  V,  36-37;  Wisconsin 
Historical  Collections,  IV,  95-102. 

129  Probably  Francois  Bouthillier,  fur  trader  and  early  resident  of 
Prairie  du  Chien. 

iso  John  Campbell  who  was  killed  in  a  duel  with  Redford  Crawford. 


18  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

tion  a  List  of  Clearances  granted  at  this  Custom  house 
this  year. 

R.  Dickson131  has  started  for  the  states  —  It  is  said  for 
the  purpose  of  applying  at  Washington  City  for  the  ap- 
pointment of  Indian  Agent  for  the  Upper  Mississippi  —  I 
have  seen  &  read  a  paper  which  you  granted  him  giving 
him  permission  to  trade  in  Louisiana,  &  have  also  been 
informed  that  Gov.  Lewis  feels  very  thankful  &  grateful 
towards  Dickson  on  account  of  services  rendered  by  him 
to  our  Government  —  I  fear  that  neither  of  you  know  the 
man  —  He  has  done  what  has  perhaps  advantaged  the  U. 
States  —  But  believe  me  not  from  any  love  he  bears  our 
Country.  He  is  better  known  here  than  elsewhere.  He  is 
a  Br.  subject  in  heart  &  sentiment  —  connected  in  trade 
with  two  powerful  &  almost  overbearing  British  fur  trading 
companies  —  He  possesses  not  the  smallest  wish  for  the 
happiness  of  the  American  people  —  understands  the  In- 
dians well ;  and  has  great  influence  over  many  in  the  quar- 
ter where  he  heretofore  traded  &  at  Laprairie  du  Chien  — 
Such  an  appointment  will  certainly  be  an  alarming  and 
dangerous  weapon  in  the  hands  of  an  Enemy  —  Will  it 
then  think  you  be  wise  &  prudent  for  our  Gov.  to  appoint 
R.  Dickson  Indian  Agent  I  have  myself  no  personal  or 
private  antipathy  or  malice  to  this  man  —  He  will  probably 
apply  to  you  &  the  Governor  for  letters  of  recommenda- 
tion —  Or  perhaps  use  the  testimonials  of  your  high  opinion 
of  him  which  he  now  possesses  —  I  write  this  merely  that 
you  may  put  your  selves  on  your  guard  so  that  our  Govt, 
shall  not  be  imposed  upon.  As  you  understand  the  duties 
of  a  Collector  perfectly  it  is  almost  useless  to  inform  you 
that  the  Collector  whose  application  is  made  for  a  Clear- 

i3i  Robert  Dickson. 


The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis,  19 

ance  can  have  no  eye  to  the  Laws  on  the  subject  of  trade 
or  intercourse  with  the  Indians  —  This  is  hinted  at  because 
it  has  been  &  perhaps  will  again  be  pretended  by  British 
fur  traders  that  the  Clearance  of  a  Collector  is  all  they 
need  —  Mr.  Reid132  is  just  about  to  depart  —  I  write  in 
haste  —  I  expect  to  get  to  Washington  City  about  the  15 
of  Nov.  —  On  the  subject  of  the  duel  between  Mr.  Camp- 
bell &  Mr.  R.  Crawford  Mr.  Reid  can  give  you  a  detailed 
account  of  the  whole  affair  —  You  may  hear  false  &  con- 
tradictory reports  —  Campbell  was  always  an  eye  sore  to 
some  one  or  all  of  the  Br.  traders  here.  Mr.  Reid's  infor- 
mation may  I  think  be  relied  on  —     ... 

Mr.  S.  Abbott's133  compliments  to  you. 

The  production,  by  D.,  of  your  Licence  to  him  com- 
menced the  quarrel  between  Campbell  '&  Crawford  —  Your 
conduct  in  having  granted  it  was  however  neither  can- 
vassed nor  censured  —  I  haven't  time. 
[P.  S.]  We  (Mr.  Abbott  &  myself)  have  also  written  to 
Gov.  Lewis  &  Gov.  Harrison 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

SlR  St.  Louis  Aug  28.  1808 

I  have  this  day  taken  the  liberty  to  draw  on  you  in  favor 
of  Messrs.  Falconer  &  Comegys  for  the  sum  of  Three  hun- 
dred &  Sixty  dolls,  the  amount  of  my  travelling  allowance 
while  performing  a  circuit  of  twelve  hundred  miles  by  order 
of  the  commissioners  for  ascertaining  &  adjusting  the  titles 
and  claims  to  Lands  in  the  Territory  of  Louisiana. 

132  James  Reid,  Mackinac  merchant. 

133  Samuel  Abbott,  Mackinac  pioneer. 


20  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

The  Certificate  of  the  Corns,  accompanies  the  Draft.  In 
that  certificate  they  have  thought  it  sufficient  to  state  the 
distance  from  St.  Louis  to  the  Arkensas  —  and  that  all 
my  travelling  allowances  collectively  do  not  exceed  the  dis- 
tance between  the  northern  &  the  southern  settlements. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

SlR^  St.  Louis  Augt.  28.  1808. 

On  the  12th  of  this  month  I  returned  to  St.  Louis,  and 
on  the  15th  submitted  the  Report,  a  copy  of  which  I  have 
now  the  honor  to  enclose  — 

I  ask  your  indulgence  while  I  state  some  unpleasant  inci- 
dents which  have  lately  occurred. 

Judge  Lucas  was  opposed  to  the  mission  of  a  single 
member,  tho'  I  hope  he  had  no  objections  to  myself  —  I 
had  his  vote.  It  is  not  recollected  that  he  assigned  his  rea- 
sons at  the  Board.  In  his  subsequent  conversations  with 
the  People,  many  arguments  were  employed  to  shew  the 
impropriety  of  the  arrangement.  I  was  hurt  at  this; 
because,  if  those  dissatisfactions  had  been  expressed  at  a 
proper  time  and  place,  they  might  have  had  weight;  at 
least  from  the  very  great  respect  which  I  have  never 
ceased  to  feel  and  to  express  for  his  superior  good  sense 
and  integrity  of  principle,  I  should  have  attended  to  his 
observations  with  the  utmost  deference.  They  might  and 
probably  would  have  over  ruled  those  preferences  which  I 
then  gave  to  the  plan  which  was  adopted.  But  left  to  my 
own  reflections  in  this  business,  I  considered  that  our  time 
was  now  passing  away,  and  that  it  ought  to  be  economized 
in  every  possible  manner,  consistently  with  the  due  dis- 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  21 

charge  of  that  great  trust  which  the  government  had  con- 
fided to  us.  Indeed,  for  some  days  previously  to  the  revis- 
ion of  the  first  resolution  on  this  subject,  I  had  taken  up 
an  idea  that  the  minds  of  Judge  Lucas  and  Mr.  Penrose, 
were  made  up,  and  that  the  Eecorder  alone  would  be  sent 
on  this  circuit.  Besides,  I  had  witnessed  during  our  for- 
mer visits  to  the  neighbouring  settlements  the  extreme 
impatience  of  the  Commissioners  to  return  to  St.  Louis 
and  foresaw  that  should  we  make  this  distant  tour  collec- 
tively the  object  would  not,  in  all  probability,  be  accom- 
plished. Permit  me  to  make  you  the  assurance,  that  the 
People  are  satisfied  with  the  attention,  which  I  have 
bestowed  on  their  business,  and  that  I  confidently  expect 
the  future  approbation  of  the  Board,  when  it  has  leisure 
to  examine  critically,  the  performance  of  those  duties,  with 
wch.  I  was  charged. 

Some  few  days  after  my  return,  I  laid  on  the  Table  a 
resolution  for  meeting  every  day,  instead  of  every  third 
day.  The  necessity  of  this  was  too  obvious  to  leave  room 
f<5r  reasonable  opposition.  The  proposition  was  treated 
by  Judge  Lucas  with  much  oblique  asperity ;  but,  at  length, 
after  undergoing  some  amendments  was  reluctantly  acqui- 
esced in.  I  have  been  since  reproached,  as  being  no  better 
prepared  for  decision  than  my  Colleagues.  It  is  very  true ; 
but  surely  if  we  intend  to  do  the  business  at  all  it  was  time 
that  we  had  commenced  it.  — 

The  Judge  has  frequently  spoken  of  the  possible  non 
extinguishment  of  the  native  right,  and  of  other  embar- 
rassments, with  respect  to  which  we  ought  to  ask  informa- 
tion or  instruction  from  you.  The  suggestion,  at  this  late 
hour  of  the  day  has  not  been  attended  to,  and  never  regu- 
larlv  submitted  to  the  Board.  — 


22  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

I  took  an  early  occasion,  after  several  warm  and  unpleas- 
ant conversations  to  make  to  the  board  professions  of  cor- 
diality, and  expressed  a  wish,  that  we  might  as  men  of 
business,  labor  in  that  great  work  the  accomplishment  of 
which  appeared  to  be  expected  from  us.  Judge  Lucas 
reciprocated  my  conciliatory  dispositions  with  a  warmth 
of  feeling  so  peculiar  to  him;  and  I  had,  at  that  moment 
no  doubt,  that  the  business  would  go  smoothly  on.  I  am 
willing  still  to  hope  so. 

The  Recorder  has  been  desired  to  compile  all  the  Ordi- 
nances, Official  Letters,  Instructions  &c.  which  have  rela- 
tion to  the  Land  Subject.  My  mornings  and  evenings  are 
now  employed  in  this  research.  I  shall  transcribe  them  in 
a  bound  Book,  and  accompany  the  Report  with  an  Index.  — 

In  May  last,  when  going  down  the  river  I  appointed  the 
Clerk  of  the  Board,  my  friend  Thomas  F.  Riddick  to  act 
in  the  Recorder's  office  in  my  absence.  He  received  pre- 
viously to  the  first  of  July,  a  considerable  number  of 
Claims  in  addition  to  those  which  were  made  with  myself 
in  the  lower  districts.  It  is  impossible  that  all  these  should 
be  yet  actually  recorded.  The  work  goes  on  industriously, 
and  I  presume  that  in  the  meantime,  the  Board  will  con- 
sider them  as  sufficiently  recorded  in  contemplation  of  Law. 

Since  the  arrival  of  Gov  Lewis,  I  have  had  no  interfer- 
ence in  the  business  of  Lead  Mines  —  In  one  of  the  Letters 
which  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  from  you,  it  appeared  to 
be  expected  that  the  Recorder  would  still  act  in  that  affair 
under  the  direction  of  the  Governor.  He  has,  however,  with 
great  propriety,  I  think,  and  I  hope,  with  your  approbation, 
assumed  the  whole  management. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  23 

TO  GEORGE  HOFFMAN 

glB  St.  Louis  Aug  30.  1808. 

You  desire  me  to  forget  those  unpleasant  occurrences, 
which  for  a  moment  interrupted  our  harmony.  I  was  sur- 
prized at  this  request,  as  the  differences  to  which  you 
allude,  could  not,  in  their  very  nature  create  a  permanent 
alienation.  At  any  rate  they  have  had  no  such  operation 
on  my  mind.  The  interest  which  I  feel  in  your  advance- 
ment (because  I  know  that  you  deserve  it)  would  induce 
me  without  hesitation  to  exert  myself  in  your  behalf,  if  I 
had  influential  friends  to  whom  I  could  without  a  breach 
of  decorum,  address  myself  on  such  a  subject.  But  my 
dear  Sir,  I  have  already  been  admonished  on  this  score  — 
in  gentle  terms  it  is  true ;  but  in  a  style  sufficiently  peremp- 
tory, to  prevent  my  making  again  the  fruitless  experiment. 
At  Washington  these  things  are  not  expected  from  me, 
except  when  they  relate  to  that  quarter  of  the  country  in 
which  I  reside  —  and  then  sparingly.  — 

You  complain  of  my  neglect.  That  I  never  answer  your 
letters  —  In  this  you  wrong  me.  I  believe  I  have  answered 
every  line  which  you  have  done  me  the  favor  to  write.  T 
recollect  particularly  well  that  I  chatted  with  you,  for  half 
an  hour  at  least  in  February  last,  and  even  threw  out  some 
suggestions,  which  I  believed  you  would  avail  yourself 
of  in  procuring  an  exchange  of  Office. 


PERLY  WALLIS  TO  BATES 

Dear  Sir—  SePtr-  lst  1808 

Together  with  every  acknowledgement  of  gratitude  For 
your  politeness  and  attention  while  at  Arkansas  I  would 


24  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

observe  I  had  a  tolerable  prosperous  Journey  to  Ouachita 
and  from  thence  to  this  place134  although  I  have  been  exer- 
cised with  the  fevre  Both  then  and  since  I  return,d  as  you 
will  Discover  by  the  shaking  of  my  hand  we  have  had 
serious  work  and  hard  swearing  here  last  week  capt  Arm- 
istead  has  had  his  hands  head  &  heart  full  Burnet  has 
been  apprehended  for  the  murder  of  Patterson  and  many 
others  have  been  arraigned  for  felony  and  bound  to  the 
Peace  Burnet  is  sent  to  New  Madrid  gaol  I  have  lent 
capt  Armstead  every  assistance  in  my  Power  which  Per- 
haps was  very  imperfect  as  we  have  not  the  Laws  of  the 
Teritory  I  should  Take  it  as  a  singular  favour  if  you 
would  favour  us  with  a  coppy  of  the  Juditiary  sistem  of  the 
Teritory  as  soon  as  you  conveniently  can  if  one  could  be 
furnished  for  my  self  bound  I  will  Pay  all  necessary 
expence  I  likewise  would  observe  the  People  are  anxious 
for  our  seperation  and  organization  I  hope  you  will  Take 
the  earliest  opportunity  To  inform  us  what  is  Done  con- 
cerning our  country  and  if  it  will  not  be  too  great  a  task 
amidst  a  multitude  of  complexed  business  which  I  know 
you  to  be  ingaged  in  I  would  ask  the  Particular  favour  of 
a  line  to  inform  me  how  you  Prospered  on  your  Journey 
up  the  River  when  it  is  Probable  the  land  claims  will  be 
adjusted  and  concerning  other  matters,  whic[h]  I  have 
before  mentioned    Time  fails. 


TO  HENRY  DEARBORN 

gm  St.  Louis  Sept.  3.  1808. 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  the  copy  of  an  Account  ren- 
dered to  General  Clark,  on  his  return  to  this  country.    It 

134  Probably  Arkansas  Post. 


The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis.  25 

embraces  all  the  money  transactions  in  which  I  was  em- 
ployed, on  his  behalf,  and  has  been  provisionally  accepted 
by  him  as  correct. 

He  has  been  good  enough  also,  to  suffer  me  to  include 
in  this  account  some  other  bills  and  disbursements  which 
do  not  fall  properly  within  his  department,  as  balances 
had  been  carried  from  these  latter  settlements  to  the  Cr 
of  the  Indian  Account.  By  this  arrangement  he  has  taken 
upon  himself,  the  final  adjustment  at  the  War  Office,  of 
all  my  disbursements  and  drafts,  as  well  those,  which  you 
have  done  me  the  honor  to  accept,  as  others  which  were 
negociated  at  Louisville.  My  absence  to  the  lower  settle- 
ments of  this  territory  prevented  an  earlier  communication 
on  this  subject.  — 


APPOINTMENTS   TO   MILITIA   OFFICES   BY 
GOVERNOR  LEWIS 
APRIL  1— SEPTEMBER  30,  1808135 
Ap  4     Mackay  Wherry 
Captain 
Joseph  Beaty136 
Lieutenant 
James  Calloway137 

Cornet 

Benjamin  Allen 

Burser 


Of  a  troop  of  Cav- 
alry, in  the  District 
of  Saint  Charles 
3d  Regiment  — 


May  16    John  E.  Hart  Lt.  Colo.  Comdt.  of  5th  (New  Mad- 
rid) Regiment 

Stephen  Ross  Major  1st  Bat :  of  5th  Regiment 

135  Original  in  Department  of  State,  B.  R.  L.,  3449. 

136  Beatty. 

137  Callaway. 


of   Compy.   in   1st 
Regiment. 


26  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

James  Trotter  Captain  in  1st  Bat :  of  5th  Regiment 
Robert  Trotter  Lieut.  —  1  Bat:  of  5th  Regiment 
Amos  Rawls  —  Captain  —  in  2  Bat :  of  5th  Regiment 
Franklin  J.  Smith  Surgeon  of  the  5th  Regiment 
Joseph  N.  Amoureux138  Pay  Master  of  5th  Regiment 
Jacob  Jacobs139Quarter  Master  of  the  5th  Regiment 
Thomas  Ward  Caulk  Lieut,  in  2d  Bat :  5th  Regiment 
James  Faris140  Ensign  in  2d  Bat :  of  5th  Regiment 

[May  17]     Alexander  McNair  Aide  de  Camp  to  the  Comr. 
in  Chief  with  the  rank  of  Major,  vice  Edwd.  Hemp- 
stead resigned 
Nationiel  Pope  Judge  Advocate  for  2d  Regiment 

June  10     Daniel  Richardson141 
Captain 

James  Brown  Lieutenant 
John  Maupin  Ensign, 

July  11     Zephaniah  Sappington  Captain  in  1st  Regiment 
Uri  Musick142  Lieutenant  in  1st  Regiment 
Thomas  Sappington  Ensign  in  1st  Regiment 
Mary  Philip  Le  Due  Lieutenant  in  1st  Regiment 
Andrew  Andreville143  Ensign  in  1st  Regiment 
J.  Cottle  Captain  in  the  3d  Regiment 
John  McConnell144  Lieut,  in  the  3d  Regiment 
Peter  Teaque145  Ensign  in  the  3d  Regiment 

iss  See  letter  of  Amoureux  to  Bates,  June  6,  1810. 

139  Jacob  Jacobs  moved  from  the  District  of  Columbia  to  the  District 
of  Cape  Girardeau  in  1799. 

140  Farris. 

i4i  Richardson  settled  in  the  St.  Louis  District  in  1803.     In  1818  he 
was  one  of  the  representatives  of  St.  Louis  County  in  the  assembly. 

142  Uri  Musick  settled  in  the  St.  Louis  District  in  1805. 

143  Andre  Andreville. 

144  John  McConnell  settled  on  the  Dardenne  in  1801. 

145  Pierre  Teaque,  a  resident  of  St.  Charles  in  1801. 


The  Regime   of   Governor  Lewis. 


27 


James  (Jacques)  Fietto  Lieut,  in  the  3d  Regiment 
David  Bocher  Ensign  in  the  3d  Regiment 

25  Sylvestre  Labbadie146 1st  Lieut  of  St.  Louis-Dragoons 
Francois  Valois147  2d  Lieut  of  ditto 

John  Alexr.  Mechan  jr  Cornet  of  ditto 

Peter  Chouteau  jr  Burser  of  ditto 

Aug  4    John  Dougherty  ^i  of  the  2d  troop  of 

Burser  I         Cavalry  in  district 

Joseph  Baker  Cornet  of  CaPe  Girardeau 

Blank  Commissions  for  the  following  Organization  of  a 
Battalion  of  militia  at  the  Arkensas,  were  signed  by  the 
Governor,  on  the  18th  May,  and  filled  by  the  Secy,  when 
he  visited  those  settlements  in  July 


Francis  Vaugine  Major 
Daniel  Moony148  Captain 
Harrold  Stillwell  Lieu- 
tenant 
Tenace  Racine  Ensign 

Baptiste  Cailliot149 
Captain 

Peter  Lefeve150  Lieu- 
tenant 

Charles  Bougy  Ensign 


of  1st  Company 


of  2d  Company 


J 


146  Sylvestre  Labadie,  Sr.,  was  a  native  of  Tarbes,  France.  He  came 
to  St.  Louis  in  1778.  He  was  a  merchant,  an  extensive  landowner,  and 
preceded  Pierre  Chouteau  as  Spanish  Indian  agent.  His  son,  Sylvestre 
Labadie,  Jr.,  was  born  in  1778.    The  son  speculated  extensively  in  land. 

147  Francois  Valois  settled  in  the  St.  Louis  District  in  1790. 

148  Daniel  Mooney,  captain  in  the  New  Madrid  regiment  in  1812, 
major  in  the  Arkansas  County  regiment  in  1814. 

149  Probably  Caillot. 
iso  Probably  Lefevre. 


28  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 


Stephen  Vaugine  Pay 

Master 
Andrew  Fagot  Judge 

Advocate 

Sep  8     Benjamin  Wilkinson 
Captain 
Risden  H.  Price  Lieu- 
tenant 
John  Voorhis  Ensign 
Francis  V.  Bouis  Burser 


of    the    Arkensas 
Battalion 


of  a  volunteer  com- 
pany of  Infantry  in 
town  of  St.  Louis 


Secretary's  Office 

St.  Louis  September  30th  1808 
Frederick  Bates 

Secy. 


APPOINTMENTS  TO  CIVIL  OFFICES  BY 

GOVERNOR  LEWIS 

APRIL  1— SEPTEMBER  30,  1808151 

Ap  4  Elisha  Goodrich,152  Justice  of  the  Peace,  township 
St.  Charles,  Dt.  St.  Charles 

Jno.  E.  Hart,  Sheriff  New  Madrid,  vice  Saml.  Ham- 
mond declined 

Andw.  Scott,  Justice  of  Peace,  township  Big  Prairie, 
Dt.  New  Madrid. 

Thos.  Evans,  Justice  of  Peace,  township  &  Dt.  of 
New  Madrid 


i5i  Original  in  the  Department  of  State,  B.  R.  L.,  3449. 
152  in  1799  Elisha  Goodrich  settled  on  the  Missouri  in  the  District  of 
St.  Louis. 


The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis.  29 

Geo.  Ruddle,153  Justice  of  Peace,  township  little 
Prairie,  Dt.  of  New  Madrid 

May  16  Jos.  Lewis,  Sheriff  of  Dt.  of  New  Madrid,  vice 
Hart  declined  to  accept 

Robert  Mc  Coy  Coroner  of  the  District  of  New 
Madrid 

John  Baptiste  Olive  Treasurer  of  District  of  New 
Madrid 

Thomas  Clarke  Justice  of  Peace  township  Tywapity, 
Dt.  of  N.  Madrid 

Joseph  Lafernait  Juste.  Peace  township  &  Dt. -of 
New  Madrid 

June  6  John  G.  Heth154  Clerk  of  the  Courts  of  Common 
Pleas  and  quarter  Sessions,  Dist.  of  St.  Charles,  vice 
Robert  Spencer  removed. 

July  7  John  G.  Heth  Justice  of  Peace  townsp.  St.  Charles, 
District  of  St.  Charles,  vice  Janis  resigned.  — 

Andrew  Kincade,  Justice  of  Peace  for  townp.  Bon 
Homme  Dt.  St.  Louis 

8    John   G.   Heth,    Treasurer   of   the   District   of   St. 
Charles. 

25  Manuel  Andre  Roche  Justice  of  Peace,  township  of 
St.  Charles  District  of  St.  Charles,  vice  Francis 
Duquette  resigned.  — 

Aug  5  Stephen  Byrd,  Judge  of  the  Courts  of  common 
pleas  &  quarter  sessions  &  of  oyer  &  terminer  for  the 

153  George  Ruddell   or  Ruddle  in   1796   had   a  farm   north   of  Little 
Prairie.    He  was  a  son  of  Isaac  Ruddle  of  Ruddle's  Station,  Kentucky. 

154  John  G.  Heath. 


30  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

district  of  Cape  Girardeau  vice  Christopher  Hayes 
deceased. 

Benjamin  Fooy  Justice  of  the  Peace,  township  of 
Arkensas  District  of  New  Madrid. 

George  Armistead  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  town- 
ship of  the  Arkensas,  District  of  New  Madrid  — 

The  hvo  foregoing  commissions  were  dated  18th 
May  —  left  blank  by  the  Governor,  and  filled  by  the 
Secy,  when  he  visited  the  Arkensas  in  the  month  of 
July.  — 

Civil  organization  on  the  reestablishment  of  the  district 

of  the  Arkensas 


Aug  20  Francis  Vaugine, 
22  Joseph  Stillwell 

22  Charles  Refeld 

23  Benjamin  Fooy 


Judges  of  the  Courts  of 
Common  Pleas  and  Quarter 
Sessions  &  of  oyer  &  ter- 
miner for  district  of  the  Ar- 
kensas during  good  behavior 
for  four  years. 


Jno.  Honey  Clerk  of  the  Courts  of  Common  Pleas, 
Quarter  Sessions  &  of  oyer  &  terminer  —  District  of 
the  Arkensas 

John  Honey,  Treasurer,  Recorder  and  Judge  of  Pro- 
bate for  the  District  of  the  Arkensas 

Harrold  Stillwell,  Sheriff  of  the  district  of  the  Ar- 
kensas 

Andw.  Fagot,  Coroner,  Just.  Peace  &  Noty.  Public, 
Dist  of  the  Arkensas 

Aug  23     John  Burk   Treat,  John   Honey   and   Benjamin 
Fooy  Esquire  directed,  and  impowered  b}^  dedimus,  to 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis,  31 

administer  oaths  of  office,  within  and  for  the  district 
of  the  Arkensas.  — 

George  C.  Sibley,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  for  township 
of  Bon  Homme  district  of  Saint  Louis.  —  He  resides  at 
Fire  Praire.  — 

Secretary's  Office 

St.  Louis  September  30.  1808 
Frederick  Bates 

Secy. 


LICENSES  TO  TRADE  WITH  AND  TO  HUNT  AMONG 

THE     INDIANS     GEANTED     BY     GOVERNOR 

LEWIS,  APRIL  1ST  —  SEPTEMBER  30,  1808155 

May  2  Ramsay  Crooks,  partner  of  Robert  McClellan;  to 
ascend  the  Missouri  with  provisions  for  their  trading 
establishment. 

11     Charles  Dorion;  to  trade  with  the  Sieux  and  Iowas 
at  the  river  Le  Moin  and  on  the  Missouri. 

25    Augte.    Chouteau   by   Agent   Henry   Deroulier;    to 
trade  with  the  Sieux  Bands. 

Aug  23  Louis  Coignard;  to  trade  on  the  St.  Francis;  on 
White  River  at  the  Arkensas,  not  above  Fort  Madi- 
son; at  Little  Praire 

Sept  1  Francis  Robidoux;156  to  trade  at  the  Fire  Praire, 
and  (with  the  permission  of  the  Agent  or  sub  Agent  at 
that  place)  with  the  Ottos  &  Panis.  — 

155  Original  in  the  Department  of  State,  B.  R.  L.,  3449. 

156  Francis  Robidoux  for  many  years  was  in  business  in  St.  Louis. 


32  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

3    Baptiste  Vallet  ;157  Joachim  Vallet,  Baptiste  Derwate 

and Gerlerno ;  to  hunt  on  the  Missouri  not  higher 

up  than  Fire  Praire  unless  with  permission  of  the 
Agent  or  Sub  Agent ;  to  take  no  more  than  15  lb.  Pow- 
der —  &  not  to  go  into  the  Osage  Eiver 

14  P.  Vial,158  Bapt.  Le  Beau,159  Amable  Quesnel,  Bapt. 
Jeamdt,  Gab.  Morleau ;  to  hunt  on  the  Missouri,  on  the 
same  terms  limitations  as  the  foregoing  — 

Sepr  14  F.  Piqueure,  Jos.  Piqueure,  J.  M.  Cardinal,160 
Ant  Laf ranchise  ;161  to  hunt  on  the  Missouri  on  the 
same  terms  and  with  the  same  limitations  as  the  fore- 
going. 

Louis  Berthelet,  Joseph  Quesnel,  Francis  Embroise, 
Bapt.  Alary  &  Bap.  Laurens;162  to  hunt  on  the  Mis- 
souri —  on  same  terms  &  with  same  limitations  as  the 
foregoing. 

Francis  Ragotte  &  Chs.  Bissonett:  to  hunt  on  the 
Missouri  on  same  terms  &  with  same  limitations  as 
the  foregoing. 

Peter  Montardy ;  to  trade  at  the  Fire  Prairie  —  and 
(if  the  Agent  or  Sub  Agent  at  that  place  permit)  with 
the  Sieux,  Ottos,  Missouris  and  with  the  well  disposed 
Panis.  — 

24  Etienne  Cadron,  Patron,  Peter  Decelle,  Jos.  Dayon, 
Louis  Chatelereau,  Jacques   (Sauvage)  Ranga   (Sau- 

157  Probably  Jean  Baptiste  "Valle,  who  was  made  civil  commandant 
of  Ste.  Genevieve  by  Stoddard. 

158  probably  Pedro  Vial,  who  made  the  trip  from  Santa  Fe  in  1792. 
For  the  journal  of  that  expedition,  see  Houck,  Spanish  Regime,  I,  350-358. 

159  in  1809  Baptiste  Le  Beau  had  a  tavern  in  St.  Louis. 
i6o  jean  Marie  Cardinal. 

i6i  Antoine  La  Franchaise. 

162  Probably  Jean  Baptiste  Laurain. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  33 

vage)  Baptiste  Gouniville,  Louis  &  Jos:  Le  Blanc, 
Castor  (Sauvage)  Peter  Plante,  Baptiste  Greza, 
Joseph  Rivar,  Joseph  Greza,  Peter  Quesnel,  Francis 
Belford,  Joseph  Gobey,  Baptiste  Le  Court,  &  Nathl. 
Soucier,  to  hunt  on  the  Missouri  not  higher  up  than 
the  rock  of  Arrows  on  the  right  bank  —  nor  on  the  left, 
higher  up  than  the  place  opposite  the  Fire  Praire; 
not  to  pass  westward  of  a  line  drawn  south  from  the 
Rock  of  Arrows  to  the  Arkensas,  nor  to  take  collec- 
tively more  than  100  lb.  of  Powder. 

Sep  24  Peter  Berger;  to  hunt  on  the  Missouri,  on  the 
same  terms  and  with  same  limitations  as  the  fore- 
going. 

Robert  Mc  Clellan  &  Compy ;  to  trade  at  the  Fire 
Praire,  with  authority  to  the  Agent  or  Sub  Agent  of 
that  place,  so  to  extend  the  licence,  as  to  embrace  such 
portion  of  the  upper  country  as  he  (said  Agent)  may 
judge  proper. — 

Secretary's  Office 

St.  Louis  September  30.  1808 
Frederick  Bates 

Secy 

TO  PIERRE  ANTOINE  LA  FORGE,163  NEW  MADRID 

St.  Louis  Oct  3.  1808. 
Sir,  Secretary's  Office 

Your  letter  complaining  of  the  unlawful  issue  of  certain 

163  Pierre  Antoine  La  Forge  was  exiled  from  France  during  the 
French  Revolution.  With  other  Frenchmen  he  settled  at  Gallipolis,  but 
in  1791  moved  to  New  Madrid  where  he  acted  as  interpreter,  commis- 
sioner of  the  police,  syndic,  and  officer  of  militia.  After  the  acquisition 
of  Louisiana  he  was  appointed  civil  commander  and  judge  of  the  New 


34  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

executions  from  the  Office   of  the  Clerk  of  the  General 
court,104  has  been  received  by  the  Governor.  — 

His  Excellency  instructs  me  to  say  that  you  are  probably 
mistaken  in  the  statement  which  you  have  made  of  the 
transaction.  Those  suits  are  said  to  have  been  instituted 
under  the  Spanish  government,  and  placed  on  the  docket  of 
the  general  court  by  order  of  Captain  Stoddard.165  —  At 
any  rate  it  is  an  affair  in  which  the  Governor  is  not  dis- 
posed to  interfere.  If  any  wrong  has  been  done  or  suf- 
fered, the  general  court  will,  on  proper  application  award 
an  ample  redress. 


MERIWETHER  LEWIS  TO  JOHN  PERRY 

Sir,  St.  Louis  Octo.  10.  1808.  — 

Complaints  of  violence  and  a  contempt  of  the  Laws  have 
been  lately  exhibited  against  you,  and  so  conclusively  sup- 
Madrid  court  of  common  pleas  and  quarter  sessions.  He  was  ill  at  the 
time  of  the  earthquake  (1811)  and  died  from  exposure. 

164  Section  8  of  a  law  establishing  courts  of  judicature,  passed  October 
1,  1804,  provided  that,  "There  shall  be  holden  and  kept  twice  in  every 
year  a  supreme  court  of  record  which  shall  be  called  and  styled  the 
general  court,  the  sitting  of  which  court  shall  commence  at  St.  Louis 
on  the  first  Tuesdays  in  May  and  the  last  Tuesdays  in  October,  yearly 
and  every  year."  Mo.  Territorial  Laws,  I,  60.  For  amendments,  see  ibid., 
I,  59-64,  105-125,  183-184. 

165  Amos  Stoddard  was  born  at  Woodbury,  Connecticut,  on  October 
26,  1762.  He  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War  during  1779-1782.  After 
the  war  he  became  clerk  of  the  supreme  court  of  Massachusetts.  He 
practiced  law  at  Hallowell,  Maine,  during  1792-1798.  He  became  a  cap- 
tain of  artillery  on  June  1,  1798.  He  was  appointed  to  receive  Upper 
Louisiana  and  acted  as  governor  until  the  creation  of  the  District  of 
Louisiana.  He  attained  the  rank  of  major  in  1807  and  in  1812  was  ap- 
pointed deputy-quartermaster.  He  was  wounded  at  Fort  Meigs,  and 
died  of  tetanus  on  May  11,  1813.  His  Sketches,  Historical  and  Descriptive, 
of  Louisiana  is  an  invaluable  work. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  35 

ported,  as  to  render  it  highly  improper,  that  you  should  be 
longer  continued  in  the  discharge  of  public  duties. 

When  an  Officer  acts  in  direct  opposition  to  the  best  and 
principal  objects  of  his  appointment,  and  perseveres  in 
that  opposition,  after  being  warned,  cautioned  &  admon- 
ished, it  is  surely  time  to  inform  such  misguided  Officer, 
that  his  services  are  no  longer  required. 

I  do  therefore  revoke  your  commission  as  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  the  township  of  Breton,  district  of  St.  Gene- 
vieve. 


TO  JOHN  BURKE  TREAT,166  TEMPORARY  INDIAN 

AGENT  AT  FORT  MADISON,  VILLAGE 

OF  THE  ARKANSAS.  — 

Secretary's  Office 
Sir,  St.  Louis  October  1808.  — 

Notwithstanding  all  the  precautions  which  the  Governor 
has  taken  for  the  suspension  of  intercourse  with  the  Osages, 
he  regrets  to  be  informed  that  they  are  still  supplied,  from 
your  quarter,  with  military  stores.  It  is  particularly  said, 
on  authority  which  cannot  be  questioned,  that  a  trader  of 
your  village,  has  lately  taken  into  their  country  two  barrels 
of  gunpowder. 

I  am  instructed  by  his  Excellency  to  require  of  you,  a 
rigid  compliance  with  the  orders  formerly  transmitted; 
and  to  desire  that  you  will  employ  every  exertion,  for  the 
detection  and  punishment  of  those  persons,  who  either 
have,  or  may  hereafter,  violate  those  orders.  — 

The  Governor  has  indeed  taken  under  the  protection  of 

lee  The  Arkansas  factory  was  established  in  1805.     Treat  became  the 
factor  in  1810.    American  State  Papers,  Indian  Affairs,  I,  768,  769. 


36  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

the  U.  S.  those  of  the  great  and  little  Osage  who  are  about 
to  establish  themselves  at  the  Fire  Praire,1*7  on  the  Mis- 
souri. But  those  arrangements  have,  for  the  present,  only 
a  local  operation:  They  do  not  change  those  hostile  rela- 
tions, which  lately  subsisted  and  which  still  continue, 
except  with  respect  to  those  who  manifest  an  amicable 
temper  by  joining  the  Osage- Villages  in  the  Fire  Praire, 
where  a  garrison  is  now  building168  for  their  Security.  All 
others  remain  out  of  the  protection  of  the  U.  S.  and  the 
Govr.  reiterates  those  prohibitions  of  intercourse,  which  I 
had  the  honor  to  deliver  you  in  July  last. 

When  these  differences  are  adjusted,  I  shall  lose  no  time, 
in  advising  you  of  so  desirable  an  event. 


GEORGE  HOFFMAN  TO  BATES 
Deae  Friend:  Chilicothe,  Oct.  21st,  1808. 

I  am  just  now  on  my  way  to  Washington  City.    I  have  no 
news  to  communicate.     There  is  much  talk  in  the  State 

is?  The  region  about  Fort  Osage  was  known  as  Fire  Prairie.  In  the 
treaty  with  the  Osages  of  November  10,  1808,  Fort  Osage  was  to  be 
located  on  the  Missouri,  "a  few  miles  above  the  Fire  Prairie."  American 
State  Papers,  Indian  Affairs,  I,  766;  Kappler,  Indian  Affairs,  Laws,  and 
Treaties,  II,  95. 

168  in  June,  1808,  General  Clark  was  ordered  by  the  secretary  of  war 
to  fix  on  a  suitable  site  for  a  factory.  The  place  selected  was  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Missouri  River  about  300  miles  from  its  mouth,  near 
modern  Sibley,  Jackson  County,  Missouri.  Captain  Eli  B.  Clemson  with 
his  company  of  regular  troops,  accompanied  by  George  C.  Sibley,  the 
factor,  ascended  the  river  to  erect  Fort  Osage,  or  as  it  was  subsequently 
called,  Fort  Clark.  On  September  4  General  Clark  arrived  with  a  detach- 
ment of  militia.  For  the  Indian  situation  and  negotiations  with  the 
Osages,  see  Clark  to  Eustis,  February  20,  1810,  American  State  Papers, 
Indian  Affairs,  I,  765. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  37 

about  the  Embargo.  The  word  Embargo  issued  from  the 
mouth  of  almost  every  Woman  &  Boy  I  have  met  since  I 
entered  the  settlements,  and  was  often  used  by  men  who 
did  not  know  whether  it  related  to  Vessels,  Horses  or  Corn- 
fields.    .     .     . 

It  is  with  a  good  deal  of  reluctance  I  make  the  following 
request.  You  are  already  informed  of  the  death  of  Mr. 
John  Campbell.  After  my  return  to  Detroit  I  was  per- 
suaded to  become  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  Indian  Agent 
for  the  Upper  Mississippi.  Sensible  that  I  am  far  from 
being  perfectly  qualified  for  such  an  appointment  I  hesi- 
tated long  before  I  agreed  to  it.  The  Governor,  Major 
Atwater,  brother-in-law  to  S.  E.  Bradley,  Mr.  Sibley,169  & 
the  officers  of  Detroit  Garrison  gave  me  almost  unasked 
for,  very  flattering  recommendatory  letters.  Judge  Griffin 
has  also  written  to  Governor  Harrison  requesting  him  to 
use  his  influence  in  my  behalf.  "Will  you  venture  to  be- 
friend me?  From  your  representations  Gov.  Lewis  will 
perhaps  write  in  my  favor.  I  wrote  to  you  from  Macinac 
soliciting  letters  but  be  assured  that  I  did  not  think  of 
applying  for  this  office  until  after  I  had  been  a  week  at 
Detroit.  The  office  of  Factor  with  the  usual  salary  was 
what  I  then  intended  applying  for.  I  have  not  yet  seen 
Gen'l  Worthington  nor  Doctor  Tiffin  from  both  of  whom 
I  expect  letters  ere  I  leave  this  place. 

Excuse  me  for  having  written  to  you  on  the  subject  con- 
tained in  the  latter  part  of  this  letter  at  the  same  time 
that  I  have  been  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your  friendly 
favor. 

The  third  judge  had  not  reached  Detroit  when  I  left 

169  Solomon  Sibley. 


38  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

there,  and  no  one  had  heard  from  him  since  he  was  ap- 
pointed. 

I  have  no  doubt  but  that  everything  the  late  Mr.  Camp- 
bell told  you  respecting  James  Aird  was  true.  Aird  cer- 
tainly is  a  British  subject,  and  I  know  him  to  be  one  of  the 
members  of  the  Michilmackinac  Company. 

He  may  perhaps  from  his  having  resided  in  the  Indian 
Country  previous  to  the  time  of  the  evacuations  of  the 
Western  &  No.  Western  Posts  by  the  British  claim  under 
Jay's  treaty  all  the  rights  &  privileges  of  an  American 
citizen.  But  still  his  interest  is  connected  &  interwoven 
in  that  of  many  powerful  British  fur  traders,  and  he  con- 
siders himself  as  one  of  the  King's  loyal  subjects. 

Write  to  me  soon  if  you  please,  directed  to  W.  City. 


MERIWETHER  LEWIS  TO  JAMES  AUSTIN 

glR^  St.  Louis  Nov  10.  1808. 

I  have  lately  received  the  depositions  of  St.  Gamine 
Beauvais,170  Amable  Partnay171  and  Louis  Grenier172  in 
relation  to  a  riot,  on  the  2d  of  this  month,  in  which  John 
Perry  jr,  Saml  Perry  and  others  were  principally  con- 
cerned. It  would  appear  to  me,  from  the  evidence  which 
has  been  transmitted,  that  it  would  be  the  duty  of  a  Jus- 

i7o  St.  Geminin  or  St.  Gemenin  Beauvais  was  born  near  Montreal 
about  1770.  He  came  to  St.  Louis  in  his  early  manhood.  On  December 
5,  1799  Delassus  granted  him  a  vacant  half  block  at  the  north  end  of 
the  village,  and  there  he  built  a  blacksmith  shop.  It  stood  on  what  is 
now  the  northwest  corner  of  Main  and  Cherry  streets.  He  sold  this  and 
in  1807  moved  to  Ste.  Genevieve,  but  eventually  returned  to  St.  Louis. 

171  Probably  Amable  Partenais  who  moved  from  Kaskaskia  to  Ste. 
Genevieve.     He  was  living  at  the  latter  place  as  early  as  1797. 

172  Louis  Grenier  was  at  Mine  a  Burton  as  early  as  1802. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  39 

tice  of  the  Peace  to  issue  his  process  for  the  arrest  of  the 
offenders.  You  will  therefore  be  pleased  to  review  the  sub- 
ject, and  compel  the  execution  of  your  warrant,  by  the  aid 
of  the  militia  of  the  neighbourhood,  if  necessary.  The 
delinquents  should  be  bound  in  heavy  penalties  to  keep  the 
peace,  and  answer  for  its  late  violation,  at  the  next  court 
for  the  district  of  St.  Genevieve,  or  otherwise  they  should 
be  committed  to  jail. 

I  desire  that  you  will  cause  an  estimation  to  be  made,  of 
all  the  Lead  Mineral  which  has  been  raised  on  the  Lands 
of  the  United  States,  adjacent  to  the  lands  of  Moses  Austin 
Esquire.  After  an  account  has  been  made  of  this  estima- 
tion, you  will  permit  the  proper  owners,  that  is,  the  persons 
who  have  dug  and  raised  it,  to  take  it  away.  And  if  any 
resistance  be  made  by  an  armed  force,  the  militia,  are  to 
be  called  to  your  assistance,  and  in  the  event  of  a  continued 
forcible  opposition,  they  are  hereby  ordered  to  fire  on  the 
lawless  Banditti,  employed  in  the  resistance. 


GEORGE  HOFFMAN  TO  BATES 
^  g^  Washington  City  Nov.  15th.  1808. 

I  reached  this  place  two  days  ago,  and  yesterday 
received  your  letter  of  the  30.  of  August  last  —  the  style  & 
contents  of  which  gave  me  infinite  pleasure.  My  feelings 
on  the  subject  alluded  to  by  the  second  paragraph  thereof 
were  never  other  than  those  of  sorrow  &  regret  —  for  I 
never  entertained  dislike  nor  ill  will  towards  you  —  On  the 
contrary  I  felt  exceedingly  unhappy  whenever  the  circum- 
stance occurred  to  my  recollection,  which  was  frequently, 
that  any  part  of  my  conduct  should  have  ever  given  you 
cause  to  suspect  either  my  candour,  or  my  friendship  for 


40  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

you —  However,  thanks  to  fortune,  all,  it  appears,  is  now 
fairly  understood;  and,  we  can  again  go  on  with  the  same 
unreserve  &  free  interchange  of  idea,  &  information  that 
we  ever  did  or  could  have  done  —  And  I  pray  most  fer- 
vently that  all  remembrance  of  the  affair  may  be  hurled 
into  oblivion  ere  this  reaches  you. 

Your  reply  to  my  request  for  letters  to  your  friends  is 
plain,  candid  and  generous  —  And  I  believe  that  I  feel  as 
grateful  for  it  as  I  could  have  done  had  you  written  a 
quire  full  in  my  behalf.  I  was  wrong  in  soliciting  your 
interference  for  me  —  But  what  is  much  worse  the  impro- 
priety was  repeated  by  a  letter  I  wrote  to  you  from  Chili- 
cothe  in  October  last.  When  I  wrote  from  Macinac  I  had 
no  particular  object  in  view  —  But  when  I  came  down  to 
Detroit  the  argument,  flatteries  &  persuasions  of  my  friends 
induced  me  to  become  a  candidate  for  an  office  for  which 
I  never  thought  myself  sufficiently  qualified  —  Under  a 
belief  that  you  had  not  only  the  ability  but  also  the  dispo- 
sition to  aid  me,  whenever  you  could  consistent  with  pro- 
priety, I  ventured  to  invoke  your  friendship  once  more. 
Your  last  letter  is,  however,  a  sufficient  and  satisfactory 
answer  to  both  my  requests. 

Yes,  my  dear  friend,  I  feel  very  anxious  to  make  an 
exchange  of  office  —  But  I  have  no  reason  to  expect  such 
good  luck  —  I  was  with  the  Secy,  at  War  yesterday,  who, 
after  reading  my  letters,  informed  me  that  the  President 
did  not  intend  to  appoint  another  Principal  Indian  Agent 
for  the  Upper  Mississippi  —  that  he  conceived  it  unneces- 
sary at  this  time  to  run  the  Govt,  to  the  expence  incident 
to  such  an  appointment  —  that  he  means  to  send  to  that 
Country  merely  a  Sub-agent  with  a  salary  of  5  or  600$. 
And  that  a  Frenchman  of  your  Country,  recommended  by 
Genl.  Clarke,  was  already  fixed  upon  for  that  purpose  — 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  41 

Of  course  I  said  no  more  on  that  head  —  He  treated  me 
politely  —  The  residue  of  the  letters  I  brought,  altho '  they 
might  possibly  be  of  service  in  other  ways,  I  shall  not 
deliver.  I  was  at  the  Treasury  office  also,  but  did  not  see 
Mr.  Gallatin.  I  set  the  people  there  to  work  at  my 
Accounts  which  I  expect  will  all  be  adjusted  in  the  course 
of  two  or  three  days  —  They  are  obliged  to  pass  through 
so  many  different  officers  hands  that  it  requires  much  more 
time  to  settle  them  than  one  would  at  first  imagine  —  I 
shall,  before  I  leave  this  place,  pay  into  the  Treasury  all 
I  owe  to  the  Govt.  —  But  whether  I  shall  return  to  Mac- 
inac,  or  what  else  I  shall  turn  my  hands  to  for  an  honest 
livelihood  is  to  me  as  yet  perfectly  unknown. 

I  neither  expect  nor  deserve  thanks  for  this  letter  for  I 
have  written  nearly  three  pages  altogether  concerning  my- 
self—  As  to  the  business  of  Congress  I  can  give  you  no 
more  information  than  the  public  prints  contain  —  For 
even  the  Members  of  Congress,  individually,  know  no 
more  —  They  find  themselves  in  a  very  intricate  path. 
They  hardly  know  what  is  best  to  be  done  —  For  we 
can't  make  successful  war  against  either  of  the  damn'd 
nations  who  have  so  wantonly  &  grossly  insulted  &  invaded 
our  rights  &  sovereignty  —  And  the  operation  of  the  Em- 
bargo, it  seems,  has  not  brought  and  is  not  likely  to  bring 
either  to  a  right  sense  of  justice.  A  total  non-intercourse 
law  with  both  the  belligerent  powers  and  their  respective 
dependencies  making  it  felony  for  any  American  to  have 
Commercial  intercourse  with  either,  or  the  subjects  of 
either,  or  to  be  found  aiding  or  supplying  either  in  any 
manner,  it  is  thought  will  be  resorted  to  as  the  most  likely 
to  produce  the  desired  effect  —  There  is  little  doubt  but 
our  Govt,  will  do  France  &  England  all  the  injury  it  can  — 


42  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

A  Motion  is  now  pending  to  permit  free  trade  to  &  from 
the  West  India  Islands  and  the  Canada's  —  It  will  hardly 
grow  into  a  Law  —  The  subject  of  the  Embargo  will  hardly 
be  argued  before  Monday  —  The  Documents  which  accom- 
panied the  President's  Message  will  not  all  be  printed  until 
Saturday. 

R.  Munroe  is  here  writing  in  the  office  of  the  Treasurer. 

OBannon  the  celebrated  heroe  of  Derne  I  am  informed 
lies  under  imputations  not  very  honorable  —  Such  as  im- 
mense and  unwarrantable  speculations  &  peculation  during 
his  Command  at  Macinac  —  Selling  public  property  of  con- 
siderable value  without  authority  &  disposing  of  the  pro- 
ceeds to  his  own  private  use  —  Hiring  out  the  Soldiers 
under  his  command  to  Citizens  &  receiving  wages  for  their 
services  to  his  use  —  and  of  being  guilty  of  many  other 
acts  equally  dishonest,  low  and  mean  —  Having  seen  depo- 
sitions on  the  subject  I  can't  well  doubt  the  truth  of  these 
charges  until  he  disproves  them  or  some  way  destroys  the 
credibility  of  the  deponents  which  I  suspect  is  impossible 
for  him  to  do  —  I  guess  the  Laurels  he  gained  under  Eaton 
have  withered  &  faded. 

I  shall  quit  this  place  for  Chilicothe  in  the  course  of  ten 
or  14  days  —  I  shall  be  happy  to  hear  from  you  at  De- 
troit — 


JOHN  B.  C.  LUCAS,  CLEMENT  B.  PENROSE,  AND 
FREDERICK  BATES  TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN173 

gIR  Saint  Louis  26th  November  1808. 

The  Board  conceive  it  to  be  their  duty  to  inform  you  of 
the  progress  made  in  the  business  which  Government  have 

173  The  original  manuscript  is  in  House  Files,  3451. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  43 

confided  to  them.  In  a  great  majority  of  claims  in  which 
testimony  will  be  offered  all  the  witnesses  have  been  exam- 
ined, and  the  claims  laid  over  for  decision,  this  was  con- 
ceived by  the  Board  to  be  the  most  correct  method  until 
the  records  were  completed  and  before  them,  as  they  would 
then  have  at  one  view  all  the  claims  of  each  individual, 
indeed  it  was  indispensably  necessary  in  the  claims  of 
persons  under  the  2d  Section  of  the  Act  of  1805  that  it 
might  be  ascertained  whether  they  claimed  any  other  land 
in  their  own  name  in  the  Territory:  the  Eecorder  has  not 
yet  been  able  to  complete  his  entries  in  his  books,  of  course 
he  cannot  lay  his  records  before  the  Board.  It  has  been 
stated  to  the  Board  by  him  that  the  claims  &  the  written 
evidences  thereof  which  were  entered  for  record  in  the 
course  of  last  June,  will  on  the  most  moderate  computation 
cover  seven  hundred  and  fifty  pages  of  eighteen  inch  rec- 
ord books.  The  Recorder  having  been  himself,  during  the 
months  of  June  and  July  engaged  in  a  mission  from  the 
Board  to  the  Districts  of  New  Madrid  &  Arkansas  to 
receive  the  testimony,  hath  not  been  able  to  return  to  Saint 
Louis  before  the  middle  of  August,  it  is  obvious  that  some 
more  time  hath  elapsed  before  he  could  have  made  the 
necessary  arrangements  in  his  office,  with  respect  to  the 
claims  that  have  been  entered  at  his  office  during  his 
absence,  and  those  that  had  been  put  in  his  hands  while 
he  was  taking  testimony  in  the  before  mentioned  districts. 
This  together  with  the  increase  of  business  which  neces- 
sarily followed  a  revision  of  all  former  proceedings  will 
exclude  the  possibility  of  making  a  report  this  Session 
of  Congress,  as  was  by  them  contemplated. 

It  will  probably  occupy  three  months  to  complete  the 
testimony,  about  nine  to  make  decisions  and  give  certifi- 


44  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

cates,  &  to  make  monthly  returns,  and  not  less  than  six  to 
close  the  business  and  make  report;  perhaps  it  is  unneces- 
sary to  observe  that  the  provision  for  compensation  of  the 
Commissioners  Clerk  &  Translator  ends  on  the  first  of 
January  next. 


o 


GEORGE  ARMISTEAD  TO  BATES 

Deak  Sir  Fort  Madison174  30th  Novr  1808 

Your  letter  by  Mr  Honey175  was  handed  me  by  that  young 
Gentl.  Mr  Mc  Farling176  arrived  some  time  after  him  he 
is  now  waiting  the  return  of  the  Arkansas  Indians  from 
hunting  I  presume  to  give  them  a  talk;  he  then  proposes 
assending  this  river  with  a  party  of  Indians  and  Militia 
to  bring  down  the  white  hunters  and  traders  I  believe  he 
will  find  but  very  few  traders  and  not  one  has  gone  as 
far  as  the  Osage  Indians.  I  wrote  you  some  time  since 
inclosing  a  talk  of  the  Osage  Indians  they  have  since  left 
this  as  the  Indians  East  of  the  Mississippi  could  not  attend 
to  hold  a  talk  untill  the  spring.  I  have  since  been  informed 
by  Mr  Mc  Farling  that  the  Governor  is  determined  to  have 
them  drove  off  this  river  if  they  do  not  of  there  own  accord 
move  to  the  Mesura  in  all  there  talks  at  this  place  their 
was  and  evident  determinat  in  them  never  to  return    they 


174  See  note  113  above.  In  his  list  of  government  forts,  Heitman  does 
not  mention  the  Arkansas  Fort  Madison.  Historical  Register  and  Dic- 
tionary of  the  United  States  Army,  House  Docs.,  57  Cong.,  2  Sess.,  Doc. 
446,  II,  521. 

175  John  W.  Honey  in  1814  was  a  partner  of  Christian  Wilt  in  the 
ownership  of  a  shot  tower  near  modern  Illinois  Station.  In  1816  he 
was  one  of  the  representatives  from  St.  Louis  County  in  the  Missouri 
territorial  assembly. 

i7fi  James  McParlane,  McFarling,  or  McFarlin. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  45 

complain  much  of  a  Mr  Shoto177  and  observed  that,  it  was 
his  wish  for  them  to  return  that  his  son  would  have  the 
benefit  of  there  hunts.  It  appeared  to  be  the  wish  of  those 
that  visit  this  post  to  be  at  peace  with  the  U.  S.  and  all  the 
Indians.  Mr  Treat  gave  them  a  few  presents  and  they  took 
there  leave  appearently  much  pleased,  promised  to  return 
the  horses  taken  from  the  hunters  last  spring  and  never 
again  to  stain  the  path  with  blud  —  I  am  realy  pleased  to 
think  that  a  Verga.  will  be  our  next  president  I  have  ever 
herd  the  amiable  accomplishments  of  Mr  Madison  an  no 
doubt  but  what  he  will  follow  the  amiable  qualities  of  Mr 
Jefferson  god  grant  he  may.  A  soldier  should  never  inter- 
fer  or  hasard  an  opinion  relative  to  politiks  that  they  are 
in  duty  bound  to  esteem  merit  and  the  virtuus  correctors 
who  are  placed  at  there  head 

The  judges  have  Excepted  there  commissions  and  nex 
monday  we  shall  have  a  cort  —  Mr  Mc  Farling  has  excited 
much  allarm  among  the  inhabitants  from  his  threats  and 
bosting  authority  &c  &c  the  particulars  of  which  I  do  not 
realy  think  worth  mentioning  as  I  presume  you  are 
acquainted  with  him  —  I  shall  leave  this  in  a  few  days  for 
Washington  I  have  only  to  assure  you  that  it  will  at  all 
times  give  me  pleasure  to  hear  from  you,  and,  beg  you  to 
present  my  respects  the  Governor 


PERLY  WALLIS  TO  BATES 

Dear  Sir —  Arkansas  Deer.  18th  1808 

After  my  compliment  to  you  I  send  you  by  Mr  Mc  Farlin 
who  goes  to  St.  Louis  with  Claremont178  an  Ossage  Chief 

177  Pierre  Chouteau. 

"8  He  was  variously  known  as  Clermont  or  Clermore.     His  Indian 


46  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

to  gether  with  a  number  of  his  fellows  an  acount  of  the 
Situation  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Place  The  Difficulty 
occationed  by  the  Depredations  of  the  osage  indians  and 
their  being  Declared  out  of  the  Protection  of  the  United 
States  has  occationed  Serious  alarm  among  those  inhabi- 
tants who  have  been  acostomed  to  Depend  upon  hunting 
for  their  subsistance  Some  few  of  them  I  understand 
have  ventered  up  the  river  to  hunt  how  far  they  went  I 
cannot  say  but  most  of  them  returned  when  the  aforsd. 
Indians  came  Down  there  was  Ten  or  Eleven  of  them  came 
here  soon  after  you  lef  this  Place  and  Taried  considerable 
Time  which  would  inevitably  have  been  killed  by  the  Chac- 
taws  and  other  Indians  had  it  not  been  for  the  vigilanc 
care  and  Perservereanc  of  captain  Armistead  together  with 
the  other  gentlemen  of  this  Place  they  returned  and  thus 
have  came  which  were  very  obstinate  about  going  to  St 
Louis  they  Declare  they  have  been  betrayed  cheated  and 
belied  but  this  was  the  channel  through  which  they  would 
wish  to  Treat  and  no  other  That  they  were  the  True  and 
Substantial  friends  of  the  white  People  and  they  implored 
their  Pity  and  Protection  but  the  agent  have  Declared  he 
could  not  Treat  withem  Claremont  which  I  believe  to  be 
a  great  and  a  good  man  says  White  Hare  and  Shoto  are 
his  mortal  enemies  the  one  be  cause  his  father  was  the 
only  great  Cheaf  of  Ossages  and  that  Dignity  belonged  to 
him  (Claremont)  and  the  other  because  he  wished  him  to 
leave  his  village  on  the  Arkansas  River  and  move  over  to 
Missori  which  he  never  would  in  consequence  of  which 
he  had  been  striped  of  his  Dignity  and  incapasitated  to 
render  that  Service  to  the  white  People  which  he  other 

name  was  Tawagahe,  Builder  of  Towns.  He  was  the  lawful  chief  of  the 
Osages,  but  his  right  was  usurped  by  White  Hair  while  Clermont  was  an 
infant. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  47 

ways  could,  for  the  Truth  of  which  his  assertions  he  call 
Grod  and  the  ground  to  witness  who  he  said  were  the  two 
greatest  Powers  That  they  both  heard  him  and  knew  he 
spoke  truth  but  with  much  perswasion  he  has  agreed  to 
go  which  I  hope  may  come  ta  a  favourable  issue  and  he 
Permitted  to  retain  his  Dignity  and  return  in  Time  to  his 
village  I  think  this  man  Deserves  attention  and  has  been 
illy  Treated  by  white  hair  the  People  of  this  country  say 
he  has  never  suffered  injury  to  be  Done  to  the  white  People 
when  he  could  Possibly  Prevent  it  and  has  often  risqued 
his  life  for  that  Purpose  the  People  of  this  Place  impa- 
tient Desire  me  to  write  to  you  concerning  their  claims 
If  you  have  Leisure  from  business  I  wish  you  would  write 
me  something  concerning  them  I  have  sent  you  a  line 
before  concerning  The  laws  of  the  Territory  we  have  them 
in  manuscript  in  Part  which  was  sent  by  Mr.  Honey  I 
wish  you  to  inform  me  by  the  Earlyest  oportunity  The 
event  of  the  Indian  Negociation  I  hope  it  will  soon  be  so 
that  the  Por  hunters  of  this  Place  may  return  to  the  wods 
(without  a  breach  of  the  Laws  of  the  United  State)  to 
Procure  themselves  food  and  cloathing  and  some  thing  to 
Pay  their  Debts  They  think  it  hard  to  brak  of  all  of  a 
sudden  Agriculture  will  be  their  object  as  soon  as  the 
Land  claims  are  adjusted  and  hunting  of  Little  consequence 
many  families  have  no  claims  to  Land  in  this  country  I 
hope  a  Land  office  will  soon  be  open  for  the  sale  of  land 
that  all  may  Purchase    Time  fails. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

Sir,  St.  Louis  Dec.  25.  1808. 

I  fear  that  in  obtruding  myself  so  frequently  upon  you 
I  have  counted  too  largely  on  your  indulgence.     The  em- 


48  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

barrassing  situations  in  which  I  have  been  occassionaliy 
placed,  appeared  to  require  some  explanations;  in  making 
which  I  hope  that  official  decorums  have  not  been  violated. 
With  the  sincerest  personal  respect,  and  a  just  sense  of 
what  is  due  to  the  first  Officer  of  the  Treasury,  I  never 
have  adventured  to  trouble  you,  with  misunderstandings 
merely  personal.  If  they  have  ever  been  mentioned,  it  was 
because  I  thought  them  so  interwoven  with  the  public 
business  as  not  to  be  susceptible  of  a  separation  from  it. 

The  consciousness  of  acting  under  the  dictates  of  the 
purest  convictions  is  not  a  sufficient  reward:  I  aspire  to 
the  approbation  of  those  who  have  reposed  in  me  so  liberal 
a  confidence.  — 

Until  very  lately,  the  right  of  the  Spanish  Lt.  Governor 
as  Sub  Delegate  to  make  orders  of  survey  after  the  pro- 
mulgation of  the  Intendants'  Regulations,179  was  never 
questioned.  The  late  Board  was  unanimous  in  a  confirma- 
tion of  claims  of  this  description.  A  difference  in  opinion 
arises  now,  for  the  first  time,  on  this  subject,  and  like  all 
former  differences,  have  degenerated  into  personal  hos- 
tility.    These  regulations  were  published  at  St.  Louis  on 

179  The  regulations  of  the  Intendant  Morales  were  put  forth  at  New 
Orleans  in  July,  1799.  They  are  in  translation  in  American  State  Papers, 
Public  Lands,  V,  731-734.  Under  the  regulations  of  O'Reilly  (February 
18,  1770)  and  of  Gayoso  (September  9,  1797)  the  commandants  of  St. 
Louis  and  New  Madrid,  as  sub-delegates  of  the  Governor  General  at  New 
Orleans,  made  land  grants.  The  regulations  of  Morales  placed  the 
granting  of  lands  in  the  hands  of  the  Intendant.  Several  of  the  Spanish 
officials  insisted  that  the  Morales  regulations  were  never  in  effect  in 
Upper  Louisiana,  and  certainly  many  grants  were  made  by  the  officials 
of  Upper  Louisiana  after  the  promulgation  of  the  Morales  instructions. 
The  question  of  the  legality  of  these  grants  was  one  of  the  knotty  prob- 
lems which  had  to  be  solved  by  the  commissioners.  For  excellent  discus- 
sions of  the  entire  subject,  see  Houck,  History  of  Missouri,  II,  214-230; 
Violette,  "Spanish  Land  Claims  in  Missouri,"  in  Washington  University, 
Studies,  VIII,  167-200. 


The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis.  49 

the  6th  Feby  1800  from  which  time  until  the  1st  of  October 
following  I  have  been  of  opinion  that  the  Lt  Governor,  in 
capacity  of  Sub  Delegate  of  the  Intendency  (as  recognized 
in  the  preamble  to  the  38  articles  of  Morales)  did  possess 
the  power  to  order  the  survey.  In  this  opinion  Mr.  Pen- 
rose concurs,  tho',  as  he  is  pleased  to  say,  for  very  different 
reasons  from  those  which  I  have  assigned.  I  do  not  know 
what  his  reasons  are,  but  this,  with  a  thousand  other  cir- 
cumstances of  a  similar  kind,  afford  me  the  painful  assur- 
ance, that  tho'  we  agree  in  sentiment  an  unhappy  spirit 
of  repulsion,  or  perversity  of  temper  will  incessantly 
divide  us.  Judge  Lucas  is  greatly  and  decidedly  opposed 
to  these  orders,  and  has  employed  all  the  vast  resources 
of  a  fertile  fancy,  in  combating  them. 

I  take  the  liberty  to  enclose  you  the  translation  of  one 
of  those  orders,  which  so  far  from  being  a  contradiction 
of  the  Articles,  is,  as  I  think,  a  practical  commentary, 
demonstrative  of  the  course  marked  out  by  the  Intendant, 
as  far  as  circumstances  permitted  that  course  to  be  trod- 
den. — 

The  15th  Article,180  on  which  the  Judge  principally  relies, 
says  'All  concessions  shall  be  granted  in  the  name  of  the 
king,  by  the  General  Intendant,  who  will  order  the  surveyor 
&c.'  I  take  this  Article,  however,  merely  as  a  declaration 
of  the  manner,  in  which  the  complete  title  will  issue,  and 
not  as  a  restraint  of  that  power,  which  the  Sub  Delegates 

iso  Article  15  read  as  follows :  "All  concessions  shall  be  given  in  the 
name  of  the  King,  by  the  general  intendant  of  this  province,  who  shall 
order  the  surveyor  general  or  one  particularly  named  by  him  to  make 
the  survey,  and  mark  the  land  by  fixing  bounds,  not  only  in  front  but 
also  in  the  rear;  this  ought  to  be  done  in  the  presence  of  the  commandant 
or  syndic  of  the  district,  and  of  two  of  the  neighbors,  and  these  four 
shall  sign  the  proces  verbal,  which  shall  be  drawn  up  by  the  surveyor." 
American  State  Papers,  Public  Lands,  V,  733. 


50  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

(formerly  the  subordinate  officers  of  the  civil  and  military 
government)  were  expected  to  exercise.  These  officers 
formed  a  part  of  the  Intendancy,  and  transacted  matters 
of  detail  within  their  respective  limits.  They  commenced, 
but  did  not  perfect  the  title  and  the  head  of  the  department 
might,  no  doubt,  order  a  re  survey,  if  he  was  dissatisfied 
with  the  original.  If  all  the  requisites  of  this  Article  were 
complied  with,  the  claimant  would  have  nothing  to  ask 
from  our  government.  His  title  would  have  been  complete 
without  its  interposition.  But  it  is  now  our  business  to  do 
that  which  the  Intendant  would  have  done,  under  the  late 
order  of  things:  to  foster  and  mature  those  germs  which 
our  Predecessors  planted;  to  grant  confirmations  to  those 
who  by  three  years  residence  and  cultivation  had  acquired 
the  right  of  domain. 

The  Lt.  Governor,  as  Sub  Delegate  had  the  initiative,  by 
virtue  of  his  office,  as  appears  by  the  2d  Article181  of  the 
Regulations;  and  this  initiative,  tho'  not  a  'Concession* 
as  mentioned  in  the  15th  Article,  assumes  the  language  of 
one,  as  a  bill  assumes  the  language  of  the  Law,  before  it 
acquire  the  constitutional  sanctions. 

If  this  construction  be  a  false  one,  the  Regulations  of 
Morales  are  impracticable.  The  policy  of  the  Spanish  Gov- 
ernment was  to  create  in  Louisiana,  population,  industry 
and  a  market,  which  might  relieve  them  from  a  precarious 

isi  The  second  article  read:  "To  obtain  the  said  concessions  [grants 
for  newly  arrived  families],  if  they  are  asked  for  in  this  city  [New 
Orleans],  the  permission  which  has  been  obtained  from  the  governor  to 
establish  themselves  in  the  place  ought  to  accompany  the  petition,  and 
if  in  any  of  the  posts  the  commandant  at  the  same  time  will  state  that 
the  lands  asked  for  are  vacant  and  belong  to  the  domain,  and  that  the 
petitioner  has  obtained  permission  of  the  government  to  establish  himself, 
and  referring  to  the  date  of  the  letter  or  the  advice  they  have  received." 
American  State  Papers,  Public  Lands,  V,  732. 


The  Regime   of   Governor  Lewis.  51 

dependence  on  the  United  States,  for  indispensable  sup- 
plies. For  the  promotion  of  this  object,  liberal  induce- 
ments were  held  out  to  those  Americans  who  would  estab- 
lish themselves  as  Planters  or  Farmers  in  the  province. 
1  cannot  conceive,  that  it  was  the  intention  of  government 
to  compel  these  People,  on  their  arrival  in  the  country  to 
suspend  their  labours,  until  an  order  of  survey  could  be 
procured  from  the  Intendant  at  the  distance  of  fifteen  hun- 
dred miles.  And  no  man  I  presume,  would  think  of  making- 
expensive  establishments  until  his  limits  were  permanently 
ascertained. 

The  principle  for  which  I  contend,  accomplishes  the 
object  contemplated  in  your  instructions  of  2d  of  April 
1807  the  ' Confirmation  of  all  equitable  claims'  founded  as 
in  the  instances  before  us,  on  good  faith,  less  in  their  quan- 
tity than  800  arpens  and  supported  by  actual  residence  and 
cultivation.  It  is,  I  think  impossible  that  either  the  inter- 
ests or  honour  of  our  government,  should  be  compromitted 
by  this  just,  and  at  the  same  time,  cautious  and  guarded 
construction.  On  the  other  hand,  the  idea  of  Judge  Lucas, 
would  in  its  operation,  be  greatly  injurious  to  those  claim- 
ants, under  the  orders  of  Colo.  Lassus,182  who  settled  sub- 
sequently to  the  6th  of  Feby  and  before  the  1st  of  Oct. 
1800  and  who  did  not  happen  to  inhabit  on  the  20th  of 
Deer.  1803.  No  provision  is  made  for  these  People,  in  our 
statutes,  and  the  Spanish  Eegulations  will  not  embrace 
their  case,  if  we  deny  to  their  claims  a  legal  commence- 
ment.   For  no  equity  can  be  extracted  from  those  preten- 

182  Charles  Dehault  Delassus  arrived  at  New  Orleans  in  1794.  In  1796 
Carondelet  appointed  him  commandant  at  New  Madrid.  In  1799  De  Lemos 
appointed  him  lieutenant-governor  of  Upper  Louisiana,  a  position  which 
he  held  until  the  transfer  to  Stoddard  in  October,  1804. 


52  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

sions  which  were  ab  initio1**  contrary  to  the  usages  of  the 
country.  This,  confirms  me  in  the  supposition,  that  gov- 
ernment has  anticipated  the  decision  of  this  question,  and 
intended  that  there  should  be  no  discrimination  between 
the  orders  of  survey  made  before  and  after  the  promulga- 
tion of  the  Intendant's  Regulations,  unless  special  frauds, 
either  proven  or  suggested,  should  cast  a  darker  veil  of 
suspicion  over  the  one  than  the  other,  and  thus  create  an 
accidental  difference  which  did  not  exist  in  principle. 

At  the  instance  of  Judge  Lucas,  and  to  the  disappoint- 
ment of  the  wishes  of  Mr.  Penrose,  I  have  consented  to  the 
postponement  of  these  claims  till  the  15th  of  March,  during 
which  time  we  shall  be  employed  on  cases  of  unquestioned 
merit,  and  on  which  no  difference  of  opinion  is  expected  to 
arise.  This  deference  I  thought  due  to  the  Government, 
who,  if  we  are  wrong  will  set  us  right,  and  prevent  the 
unpleasant  business  of  revision. 

A  claim  of  400  arpens184  founded  on  a  concession  or  order 
of  survey  of  the  Lt.  Gov :  has  been  lately  confirmed.  Habi- 
tation and  cultivation  for  about  nine  years  were  proven. 
Judge  Lucas  opposed  it,  and  protested  on  the  minutes,  — 
as  the  order  contained  a  condition  for  the  building  of  a 
Bridge,  which  condition  had  never  been  performed.  It  was 
my  opinion  that  the  Ordinances  had  prescribed  the  terms 
of  contract  between  the  Government  and  the  settler  and 
that  additional  obligations  created  by  the  Lt.  Governor, 
(The  Claimant  indeed  himself  proposed  this  condition  in 
his  Petn.  to  the  Lt.  Gov :  but  it  is  known  that  these  Papers 
were  always  dictated  by  the  Govt:  Agents)  ought  by  us 

183  Ab  initio,  from  the  beginning. 

is*  "The  arpent  is  to  the  statute  acre  nearly  in  the  proportion  of 
eighty-three  to  one  hundred."  Bradbury,  Travels,  in  Early  Western 
Travels,  V,  196. 


The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis.  53 

to  be  disregarded,  when  the  claim  was  of  no  greater  extent 
than  the  individual  might  have  demanded,  for  himself  and 
family  under  the  provincial  policy.  This  is  the  spot,  on 
which  the  town  of  Herculaneum,  has  been  lately  laid  out, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Joachim. 

I  do  not  know  by  what  authority  it  has  been  familiarly 
spoken  of  here,  that  the  board  would  probably  be  reformed, 
on  the  model  of  those  on  the  east  of  the  Mississippi,185  with 
a  design  to  suppress  that  acrimony  and  those  fervors  of 
parliamentary  debate,  which  have  heretofore,  as  is  alledged, 
retarded  the  public  business,  and  contributed  to  keep  alive 
the  flame  of  former  animosity.  Should  it  be  my  fate  to 
give  place  to  some  more  deserving  Officer,  my  chief  morti- 
fication would  arise,  not,  assuredly,  from  the  loss  of  Office, 
but  from  the  displeasure  of  those,  whose  good  opinion  I 
have  been  so  solicitous  to  deserve.  I  have  never  for  a 
moment  forgotten,  that  my  country  pays  a  high  price  for 
my  services,  and  that  those  services  should  be  faithfully 
rendered  to  her,  —  or  rather  that  she  confides  in  my  honour 
and  that  I  have  no  right  to  disappoint  her. 

Thomas  F.  Riddick  the  Clerk  of  the  Board  has  more 
than  justified  that  favorable  opinion,  which  was  at  first 
entertained  of  him.  He  is  a  man  of  business  and  con- 
tinues to  give  new  proofs  of  his  capacity.  His  friends 
mistaking  my  standing  at  Washington,  have  pressed  me  to 
recommend  him  as  Eeceiver  of  Public  Monies  when  that 

185  For  Indiana  Territory  an  act  of  congress  of  March  26,  1804  estab- 
lished three  land  offices,  one  at  Detroit,  one  at  Vincennes,  and  one  at 
Kaskaskia.  For  each  office  a  register  and  receiver  of  public  monies  was 
to  be  appointed.  For  each  district  the  register  and  receiver  were  to  be 
commissioners  for  examination  of  claims  based  upon  French  and  British 
grants.  The  various  boards  were  to  meet  in  their  districts  on  or  before 
January  1,  1805  to  hear  claims.    U.  S.,  Statutes  at  Large,  II,  277-278. 


54  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

Office  should  be  created.  To  these  solicitations  I  have 
replied  that  I  well  know  the  worth  of  Mr.  Riddick;  his 
qualifications  for  the  Office  and  his  attachment  to  the  gov- 
ernment ;  but  that  I  had  no  influence  and  that  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury,  to  whom  alone,  I  could  write,  did  not 
expect  to  hear  fiom  me  on  such  subjects. 


GALLATIN  TO  THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF 
REPRESENTATIVES18" 

Treasury  Department 
gIR  January  5th  1809 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  the  copy  of  a  letter  from  the 
Commissioners  appointed  to  settle  the  land  claims  in  Louis- 
iana; from  which  it  appears  that  they  cannot  complete  the 
business  within  the  time  fixed  by  law,  and  apply  for  a  con- 
tinuation of  compensation.  Their  case  is  similar  to  that 
of  the  Commissioners  West  of  Pearl  river  in  the  Missis- 
sippi Territory  who  acted  several  months  after  the  time 
during  which  they  were  entitled  by  law  to  compensation 
had  expired.  The  Register  of  that  district  still  urges  the 
justice  of  the  claim;  &  so  far  as  relates  to  himself,  no 
officer  is  better  entitled  to  an  allowance  for  the  time  above- 
mentioned,  if  the  principle  shall  be  admitted  in  any  one 
case. 


JOHN  W.  HONEY  TO  BATES 
Dear  Sir  Arkansas  12th  Jany.  1809 

His  Excellency  Meriwether  Lewis  having  done  me  the 
honor  of  entrusting  me  with  several  offices  of  trust  in  this 

186  Original  in  the  Treasury  Department,  Mail  "E,"  3455. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  55 

District,  Considering  myself  at  present  a  Citizen  of  the 
same,  I  consider  it  my  duty  to  make  known  the  several 
inconveniences  which  the  Citizens  of  this  District  labour 
under  at  present  and  also  those  which  they  have  laboured 
under  (and  which  I  am  afraid  are  not  entirely  removed) 
at  least  such  as  has  come  to  my  knowledge,  And  having 
a  more  particular  personal  acquaintance  with  yourself 
than  with  his  Excellency,  and  doubting  whether  he  is  at 
present  in  St.  Louis  I  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  you 
on  the  Subject.  In  the  first  place  I  shall  endeavour  to 
give  you  an  account  of  Mr.  James  Mc  Farlane  who  was 
sent  on  here  by  the  Governor  on  a  special  Mission  to  regu- 
late the  trade  and  Intercourse  the  several  tribes  of  Indians 
in  this  quarter. 

Having  engaged  a  passage  with  Mr.  Mc  Farlane  from 
St.  Louis  to  Arkansas  he  was  very  particular  before  leaving 
St.  Louis  in  requesting  that  I  would  not  mention  to  any 
person  whatever,  the  cause  of  his  Mission  or  to  what  place 
he  was  bound  thinking  that  perhaps  his  business  might  be 
of  a  secret  Nature  But  in  reality  not  knowing  the  cause 
of  his  Mission  I  was  particular  in  not  mentioning  it  to  any 
person  untill  after  we  had  left  St.  Louis.  In  few  day  how- 
ever finding  that  he  did  not  keep  the  secret  himself  But 
told  it  and  braged  of  his  importance  to  every  person  we 
met  with,  I  no  longer  considered  myself  bound  to  keep  my 
tongue  tied  any  longer  But  mentioned  to  several  persons 
here  the  oppinion  I  had  of  Mr.  Mc  Farlane  and  the  cause 
of  his  Missions  which  I  heard  him  repeat  more  than  once 
in  descending  the  Mississippi  — 

I  accompanied  Mr.  Mc  Farlane  as  far  as  the  river  St. 
Francois  where  having  hired  two  men  and  Bought  a  small 
Canoe  I  came  on  immediately  to  this  place  and  he  ascended 


56  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

the  St.  Francois  where  having  remained  for  some  Days  at 
the  risk  of  his  life  he  returned  down  the  St.  Francois  and 
came  to  Arkansas.  Finding  Mr.  Mc  Farlane  to  be  rather 
illiterate  and  knowing  that  he  boasted  of  more  authority 
than  he  really  was  clothed  with  I  was  suspicious  that  dur- 
ing his  Stay  up  the  St.  Francois  he  had  Committed  some 
unlawfull  act  which  would  be  a  disgrace  to  himself  and 
perhaps  prejudice  some  people  against  the  good  and  ami- 
able man  who  sent  him  among  us,  impressed  with  this  idea 
I  took  the  Liberty  of  enquiring  how  he  succeeded  among 
the  Cherokees  and  obtained  the  following  account  from 
himself  in  presence  of  several  respectable  Gentlemen  in  this 
place  among  whom  was  Capt.  George  Armistead. 

Mr.  Mc  Farlane  ascended  the  St.  Francois  without  any 
thing  particular  occuring,  But  on  his  arrival  at  the  Cher- 
okee Village  he  found  that  a  Certain  Mr.  Jones  of  Vin- 
cennes  had  sent  a  Considerable  quantity  of  Merchandise 
to  their  Village  among  which  was  about  six  Barrells  of 
Whiskey  which  he  found  in  the  hands  of  their  Chief  Named 
Connatoo,  he  immediately  attached  them  in  the  Name  of 
the  United  States  as  Goods  belonging  to  an  illicit  trader, 
but  thinking  that  he  might  take  them  away  as  well  another 
time  this  mighty  man  of  reason  left  them  in  the  hands  of 
the  identical  Man  from  whom  he  took  them  and  in  the  hands 
of  a  man  that  was  interested  in  the  sale  of  them  and  who 
had  been  selling  whiskey  to  the  rest  of  the  Indians  ever 
since  he  first  received  them  in  so  much  that  all  the  Indians 
were  drunk  on  Mr.  Mc  Farlanes  arrival  among  them  and 
continued  so  untill  his  departure. 

But  his  Career  among  the  Indians  does  not  cease  here  he 
found  among  them  a  white  man  who  the  Indians  informed 
him  had  been  marking  out  several  tracts  of  land  and  had 


The  Regime   of   Governor  Lewis.  57 

told  them  that  the  land  did  not  belong  to  them  —  meaning 
the  Cherochee  But  that  it  belonged  to  their  great  father 
the  president  of  the  United  States  who  gave  him  leave  to 
mark  out  the  land  and  reside  among  them  as  he  had  done. 
Mc  Farlane  instead  of  taking  that  man  and  bringing  him 
to  a  Court  of  Justice  where  he  might  have  a  fair  and  just 
trial  he  took  him  without  any  process  whatever  and  I  say 
without  Justice  (for  it  all  ways  has  been  a  principal  among 
Americans  that  a  man  is  entirely  inocent  let  him  be  accused 
of  what  Crime  whatsoever  untill  he  is  found  guilty  by  his 
Country)  and  having  disarmed  him  of  his  Gun  and  Cut  a 
whip  Mc  Farlane  drew  his  dirk  approached  the  man  & 
ordered  him  not  to  move  upon  pain  of  instant  Death  when 
he  gave  him  as  he  observed  about  forty  stripes  well  laid  on. 

Mr.  Mc  Farlane  left  the  Cherochee  nation  and  descended 
the  St.  Francois  on  his  arrival  at  the  little  prairree  at  the 
mouth  of  that  river  this  Enlightened  Stateman  in  endeav- 
ouring to  inforce  the  Laws  of  his  Country  as  he  thought, 
tho  in  too  rough  a  manner  got  himself  into  another  Scrape 
I  will  not  attempt  to  discribe  it  to  you  for  I  dare  say  he 
will  make  it  known  himself  at  St.  Louis  and  you  will  have 
a  better  oppor.  of  knowing  more  concerning  his  Conduct. 

He  arrived  here  in  Arkansas  about  the  23d  —  24th  or 
25th  of  November  last  where  he  has  produced  universal 
terror,  a  few  day  after  his  arrival  here  he  demanded 
thirty  men  from  Capt.  Armistead  the  then  Commanding 
Officer  at  this  poste  and  gave  out  that  he  should  go  with 
those  men  together  with  the  Militia  and  Indians  recon- 
noitour  the  woods  and  Drive  every  hunter  home  that  if 
they  made  the  least  resistance  he  would  tie  them  and  whip 
at  the  first  tree  he  should  find,  a  Messenger  was  sent  to 
the  hunters  by  some  of  the  Inhabitants  as  I  have  understood 


58  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

to  inform  them  of  the  intentions  of  Mr.  Mc  Farlane  the 
hunters  hearing  this  and  that  all  their  property  was  to  be 
Confiscated  many  of  them  returned  to  Arkansas  terrified 
almost  to  Death  expecting  that  otherwise  they  would  have 
been  sent  home  in  Chains.  — 

He  threatened  to  take  our  sheriff,  and  our  judges  away 
with  him  in  order  to  bring  down  these  hunters  and  as  to 
myself  he  threatened  to  put  me,  (I  having  taken  the  liberty 
of  telling  him  I  would  not  obey  his  Commands)  into  Prison 
if  I  did  not  — 

Some  time  before  he  left  this  which  was  on  the  15th  of 
December  a  Party  of  the  Ossage  Indians  consisting  of  about 
ten  men  came  to  this  place  in  order  to  hold  a  Counsel  with 
Mr.  Treat.  Mr.  Treat  in  his  Counsel  advised  them  to  go 
to  St.  Louis  with  Mr.  Mc  Farlane  the  Indians  said  that 
they  were  afraid  of  the  Cherochees  and  other  nations  with 
whom  they  were  at  war,  But  Mc  Farlane  having  assured 
them  that  while  he  was  with  them  no  person  dare  lay  hands 
upon  them!  they  Consented  and  left  this  place  with  him, 
and  got  as  far  as  the  Cherochee  village  on  the  St.  Fran- 
cois river  where  (as  I  understood  by  a  Gentlemen  immedi- 
ately from  there)  the  Osage  Indians  were  detained  by  the 
Cherochees  who  said  that  the  whites  had  been  triing  a 
long  time  to  make  peace  between  the  red  skins  But  had 
never  succeeded  and  as  they  had  the  Osages  then  there 
they  would  keep  them  untill  they  could  assemble  the  Shaw- 
nees,  Delawares,  Chicasaws  and  Choctaws  to  trie  to  make 
a  peace  among  themselves  and  the  Osages  say  as  Mc  Far- 
lane has  brought  them  into  trouble  they  will  keep  him  untill 
he  take  them  out  so  that  there  is  an  embargo  laid  on  him 
he  has  his  foot  in  the  fire  and  I  doubt  very  much  whether 
he  knows  how  to  get  it  out,  the  Indians  call  him  a  liar  and 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  59 

say  that  he  is  sent  on  here  by  Chouteau  who  they  be- 
lieve is  the  cause  of  their  being  Declared  out  of  the  pro- 
tection of  the  United  States.  — 

Of  Mr.  Mc  Farlane  I'll  say  no  more  the  subject  is  so 
mysterious  and  there  is  so  many  instances  of  his  absurd 
Conduct  that  I  do  not  know  where  to  begin  or  end  But 
was  I  with  you  I  could  tell  you  more  about  him  than  you 
can  possibly  imagine  — 

Mr.  Fooy187  excepted  his  Commissions,  I  administered  to 
him  the  oaths  of  office  and  came  on  here  as  quick  as  pos- 
sible But  can  assure  that  my  passage  was  not  very  short, 
I  arrived  here  on  the  15th  of  November  last  and  on  the 
Day  after  my  arrival  here  I  waited  on  Mr.  Charles  Refeld 
for  whom  I  was  the  bearer  of  a  Commission  appointing  him 
a  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  pleas  of  this  District  But 
he  immediately  refused  acceptance  though  not  without 
expressing  his  Gratitude  in  the  highest  term  and  with  many 
Gestures  to  the  Governor  for  the  honor  which  he  done  him 
in  placing  so  much  Confidence  his  Integrity  and  abilities, 
Mr.  Vaugine  and  Stillwell188  excepted  But  knowing  them 
not  to  be  (tho  very  good  men)  very  well  acquainted  with 
the  proceeding  in  Courts  I  was  particular  in  making 
enquirees  for  a  suitable  person  to  recommend  to  the  Gov- 
ernor in  place  of  Mr.  Refeld,  Mr.  Daniel  Mooney  has  been 
frequently  mentioned  to  me  and  I  am  Confident  that  there 
is  not  an  other  who  would  please  the  Citizens  of  this  Dis- 
trict more  to  see  on  the  Bench  of  Justice,  Neither  do  I 
believe  there  is  one  more  worthy  of  the  trust,  Mr.  Vaugine 

187  Benjamin   Fooy,  a  surveyor  then   located   at   Esperanza,  modern 
Hopefield,  Arkansas. 

188  Probably  Harold  Stillwell,  a  lieutenant  in  the  New  Madrid  regi- 
ment in  1812. 


60  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

and  Stillwell  will  write  by  this  opportunity  and  they  being 
better  acquainted  with  Mr.  Mooney  than  myself  will  give 
you  a  better  account  of  him 

The  Governor  having  neglected  to  give  me  Commissions 
for  Commissioners  of  rates  and  Levies  and  not  having  had 
an  opportunity  of  obtaining  a  Copy  of  the  Law  regulating 
the  same  no  property  has  been  assessed  and  no  taxes  col- 
lected Mr.  Vaugine  will  recommend  some  persons  in  his 
letter  as  Commissioners  and  Mr  Bates  will  greatly  oblige 
the  District  if  he  will  send  on  Commissions  by  the  first 
favourable  opportunity  together  with  the  Law  regulating 
rates  and  levies  — 

The  papers  with  which  you  entrusted  me  I  delivered  to 
Mr.  Treat  and  took  up  your  receipt  which  I  send  enclosed. 

By  a  Gentleman  from  Oautchitau  I  learn  (tho  from  what 
source  he  derives  his  information  I  know  not)  that  war  has 
been  declared  between  the  U  S.  and  France  that  George  III 
of  Great  Britain  is  Dead  and  that  George  IV  has  ascended 
the  throne. 

I  am  sorry  that  I  have  no  news  very  interesting.  .  .  . 
P.  S.  enclosed  I  send  you  a  piece  of  poetry189  composed 
by  a  Gentleman  of  this  place  which  I  presume  you  will 
understand  without  any  remark  I  forgot  to  observe  that 
we  have  no  seals  for  this  District  — 


LEASE  OF  SALTPETRE  CAVES  TO  WILLIAM 

MATHERS 

This  Contract  made  and  entered  into  at  Saint  Louis  the 
23d  day  of  February   one   thousand,   eight  hundred  and 

189  The  poem  is  missing. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  61 

nine,  between  His  Excellency  Meriwether  Lewis,  Governor 
of  the  territory  of  Louisiana,  on  the  one  part,  and  William 
Mathers  Esquire  of  the  other  part,  witnesseth,  that  for  and 
in  consideration  of  the  stipulations  herein  after  mentioned 
the  Governor  on  his  part  engages  that  the  said  William 
Mathers  shall,  for  the  term  of  twelve  months  from  the  date 
hereof,  have,  hold,  use,  occupy,  possess  and  enjoy  four 
lots  of  ground  of  twenty  acres  each,  all  of  which  are  above 
the  mouth  of  the  little  Meramec,  and  lie  on  both  sides  of 
the  main  river  of  that  name  —  and  embrace,  each,  as  said 
Mathers  alledges,  a  Salt-Petre-Cave,  the  property  of  the 
United  States :  —  And  the  Governor  engages  that  the  said 
Mathers  shall,  during  the  said  term,  be  permitted  to  make 
use  of  as  much  of  the  timber  and  fire  wood  of  the  United 
States,  to  be  found  on  their  adjacent  lands,  as  may  be  suf- 
ficient for  the  establishments,  which  he  said  Mathers,  shall 
make,  at  the  several  caves  above  mentioned. 

And  the  said  William  Mathers,  on  his  part,  engages,  and 
binds  himself,  his  Heirs,  Executors  and  administrators,  in 
consideration  of  the  above  Lease,  to  pay  to  Meriwether 
Lewis  Governor  as  aforesaid,  or  to  his  successors  in  office, 
the  sum  of  Five  hundred  dollars,  money  of  the  United 
States,  —  With  these  conditions,  nevertheless,  that  if  the 
said  William  Mathers,  shall  manufacture  the  Salt  Petre 
of  the  said  Caves,  in  conformity  with  such  regulations,  as 
the  Government  of  the  United  States,  may  think  proper 
to  establish ;  if  he  shall  furnish  to  the  United  States  all  the 
Salt-Petre,  which  he  shall  make  or  cause  to  be  made  at  the 
said  Caves,  at  such  prices  as  government  may  determine 
on,  not  less  than  seventeen  cents  per  pound;  if  he  shall 
not  dispose  of  any  of  the  Salt  Petre  to  any  person,  until 
the  pleasure  of  government  shall  be  known ;  and,  if  he  shall 


62  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

(in  the  event  of  government's  declining  to  take  the  Salt 
Petre,  at  the  rate  of  seventeen  cents  per  pound  or  the  gun 
powder  manufactured  therefrom,  at  the  rate  of  fifty  — 
cents  per  pound,  which  they  stipulate  for  the  privilege  of 
doing)  give  to  the  Governor,  quarterly,  a  just  and  true 
account  of  the  quantity  of  the  Salt  Petre  manufactured  at 
the  said  Caves,  and  pay  to  him,  for  the  use  of  the  United 
States,  at  the  town  of  St.  Genevieve  or  St.  Louis  to  such 
agent  as  said  Lewis  shall  appoint  to  receive  the  same,  five 
per  cent  of  the  Salt  Petre  so  manufactured,  then,  to  wit, 
on  a  compliance  with  these  several  conditions,  the  obliga- 
tion which  the  said  William  Mathers  has  herein  before 
taken  upon  himself,  to  be  void,  else  to  remain  in  force. 

It  is  moreover  stipulated  between  the  parties  that  if  it 
should  appear  that  those  lots  or  either  of  them  is  or  are 
the  private  property  of  any  person  or  persons  or  claimed 
as  such  before  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  this  lease  is 
to  be  thenceforth  void  as  to  such  lot  or  lots.  It  is  also  to 
be  void  on  the  forfeiture  of  any  of  the  conditions  of  the 
foregoing  obligation. — 

In  witness  whereof,  the  parties  have  set  their  hands  to 
duplicates  hereof,  at  St.  Louis,  the  day  and  year  first  above 
written. 

Sealed  and  delivered  Meriwether  Lewis   (Seal) 

in  presence  of  Wm  Mathers  (Seal) 

Wm  Clark 

F.  Bates  as  to 

Wm.  Mathers 


The  Regime   of   Governor  Lewis.  63 

TO  ABEAM  MUSICK190 

glR  St.  Louis  April  1.  1809 

I  send  herein  enclosed,  the  Certificate  of  the  Commis- 
sioner confirming  to  you  400  arpents  of  Land  on  Bon 
Homme. 

If  you  are  desirous  of  conveying  this  Land  to  Mr.  Lewis, 
as  I  think  you  mentioned  to  me,  you  have  only  to  execute 
the  deed  with  reference  to  the  Certificate  of  confirma- 
tion ;  —  acknowledge  the  same  before  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  deliver  all  the  Papers  to  Mr.  Lewis.  —  He  will 
then,  at  his  leisure  present  them  to  me  in  exchange  for  a 
Patent  Certificate. 


TO  CAPTAIN  JAMES  HOUSE,  BELLEFONTAINE 

Secretary's  Office 
glR  St.  Louis  April  13.  1809. 

By  order  of  Gov  Lewis,  I  take  the  liberty  to  enclose  you 
a  Commission  for  Mr.  Pryor  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
the  township  of  Cuivre,191  district  of  St.  Charles.  Also,  a 
Dedimus  by  which  you  are  empowered  to  administer  his 
oaths  of  Office.  — 

I  also  take  the  liberty,  at  the  instance  of  the  Governor, 
to  transmit  you  two  letters,  which  it  is  said  have  relation 
to  a  Deposition,  which  Mr.  Kingsley  is  expected  to  give  in 
an  affair  at  law,  in  the  Indiana.  — 

190  Abram  or  Abraham  Musick  was  from  Albemarle  County,  Virginia. 
During  the  Revolutionary  War  he  served  as  a  spy  on  the  North  Carolina 
frontier.    In  1797  he  was  living  in  the  Bon  Homme  district. 

i9i  Now  in  Audrain  County,  Missouri. 


64  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

I  hope  you  will  have  the  goodness  to  attend  to  this  busi- 
ness. If  certificate  of  the  qualification  of  Mr.  Pryor  be  for- 
warded to  me,  together  with  the  Deposition  I  shall  be 
enabled  to  give  assurances  to  the  Court,  in  which  the  suit 
is  depending,  that  the  forms  have  been  complied  with  — 


EXTEACT  FROM  A  LETTER  TO  RICHARD  BATES 

Dear  Richard:  APril  15>  1809 

I  have  spoken  my  wrongs  with  an  extreme  freedom  to 
the  Governor.  —  It  was  my  intention  to  have  appealed  to 
his  superiors  and  mine;  but  the  altercation  was  brought 
about  by  a  circumstance  which  aroused  my  indignation,  and 
the  overflowings  of  a  heated  resentment,  burst  the  barriers 
which  Prudence  and  Principle  had  prescribed.  We  now 
understand  each  other  much  better.  We  differ  in  every 
thing;  but  we  will  be  honest  and  frank  in  our  intercourse. 

I  lament  the  unpopularity  of  the  Governor;  but  he  has 
brought  it  on  himself  by  harsh  and  mistaken  measures.  He 
is  inflexible  in  error,  and  the  irresistable  Fiat  of  the  People, 
has,  I  am  fearful,  already  sealed  his  condemnation.  Burn 
this,  and  do  not  speak  of  it. 


TO  JAMES  ABBOTT 

Dear  Sir,  St-  Louis  AP  20-  1809 

•  •••••• 

I  am  happy  to  hear  of  the  smoothness  &  exemption  from 
difficulty  with  wch.  you  are  about  to  complete  the  Land- 
Business.    Ours  cannot  be  finished  in  less  than  18  mos.  — 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Leivis.  65 

Our  personal  quarrels  retard  the  adjustment.  We  have 
a  mighty  stir  &  bustle  about  Indian  War;  but  those  who 
are  best  acquainted  with  Indian  matters,  say,  there  is  no 
danger  —  There  certainly  is  none  except  in  the  event  of 
a  British  War.  Accept  my  best  wishes  for  your  prosperity 
&  happiness. 

JOHN  COBUKN  TO  BATES 
Deae  Sik  ^t  Gtenevieve  May  2d  1809 

By  the  time  you  receive  this  line,  you  will  have  seen  Doct 
Farrar192  who  will  inform  you  of  the  unpleasant  trip  we 
have  had  on  his  return  home. 

I  return  my  sincere  thanks  to  you  for  the  use  of  your 
horse;  and  regret  that  he  should  not  be  in  better  order. 
The  continued  rains  and  the  badness  of  the  roads  will 
reduce  any  thing  formed  of  flesh.  I  assure  you  my  best 
exertions  have  been  used  to  treat  him  well. 

The  Gen.  Court  met  on  Monday,  and  determined  to 
adjourn;  my  impression  is,  that  by  continuing  the  Court 
open,  we  should  have  embarrased  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Territory;  between  their  business  as  Suitors,  Witnesses  & 
Jurors,  and  their  Services  as  Militia  Men.  — 

I  am  induced  to  believe  we  should  have  been  instrumental 
in  defeating  the  projected  expedition ;  and  have  performed 

192  Dr.  Bernard  G.  Farrar  was  born  in  Goochland,  Virginia,  in  1785. 
The  Farrar  family  moved  to  Kentucky.  After  studying  medicine  in 
Philadelphia,  Dr.  Farrar  located  at  Frankfort,  Kentucky.  Judge  Coburn, 
his  brother-in-law,  was  appointed  a  judge  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana, 
and  this  caused  Farrar  to  locate  at  St.  Louis  in  1807.  In  1810  he  fought 
a  duel  with  James  A.  Graham,  a  young  lawyer.  Graham's  injuries 
eventually  proved  fatal.  In  1812  Farrar  was  elected  to  the  territorial 
assembly.  In  1815  he  helped  to  found  the  Western  Journal.  In  1817  he 
served  as  surgeon  at  the  first  Benton-Lucas  duel. 


66  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

very    little    business    in    Court,    provided    we    had    not 
adjourned. 

Under  this  conviction  I  was  averse  to  placing  obstacles 
in  the  way  of  the  orders  of  the  Executive.  How  far  the 
safety  of  the  Territory  is  endangered  by  the  movements 
of  the  Indians,  I  am  unable  to  say;  But  I  am  convinced 
the  cautionary  steps  taken  in  the  defense  of  the  Territory 
are  highly  proper.  It  would  afford  me  pleasure  to  have 
seen  you,  but  I  shall  return  to  Kentucky  without  delay.  — 


TO  ROBERT  SMITH,  SECRETARY  OF  STATE 

Secretary's   Office 
Sni,  St.  Louis  May  20.  1809 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  for  the  information  of  the 
President  the  copies  required  by  the  2d  Sec  of  the  'Act 
further  providing  for  the  government  of  the  district  of 
Louisiana. ' 

The  Report  should  have  been  made  on  the  1st  day  of 
April  last  —  I  pray  you  to  pardon  the  delay. 

The  Executive  proceedings  of  the  six  months  preceding 
that  day  were  so  inconsiderable  as  to  be  made  up  in  a  few 
moments ;  but  I  thought  it  best  not  to  transmit  them,  unac- 
companied by  the  Laws.193  These  latter  were  in  press 
and  I  had  weekly  assurances  of  being  supplied  with  a  copy. 
Some  accidental  derangement  in  the  business  of  the 
Printer  delayed  the  completion  of  the  work,  much  longer 
than  was  expected. 

103  Fifteen  acts  were  passed  between  October  1,  1808  and   April   1, 
1809.     See  Mo.  Territorial  Laws,  I,  195-236. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  67 

The  General  Orders  and  other  military  arrangements, 
are  not  deposited  for  record  in  my  Office. 


TO  GEORGE  HOFFMAN,  COLLECTOR,  MACKINAC 
j)R  SlR  St.  Louis  May  25.  1809 

Mr.  Cheney  will  hand  you  this  letter.  He  is  a  gentleman 
of  very  respectable  standing  in  our  town  and  merits  on  his 
own  account,  rather  than  on  my  recommendation,  every 
civility  which  you  can  show  him. 

I  had  the  pleasure  to  receive  by  last  Post,  yours  of  the 
7th  March,  from  Detroit.  The  restoration  of  our  commer- 
cial relations  with  G.  Britain,  which  takes  place  the  10th 
of  next  month,  will  fix  you  permanently  at  Mackinac. 

I  have  a  two  fold  pleasure  in  congratulating  you  on  this 
desirable  event,  the  prosperity  of  our  country  and  the  pro- 
motion of  your  individual  interests. 

I  will  give  some  account  of  Louisiana  very  soon  —  111 
health  and  a  pressure  of  business  now  prevent  me. 


TO  RICHARD  BATES 

St.  Louis  July  14,  1809.  — 

When  yr.  Friend  Stuart194  arrived  in  town  he  called  at 
the  Land  Board  before  the  usual  hour  of  the  meeting  of 
the  commissioners  &  left  yr.  letter  with  the  clerk.  I  waited 

is*  Alexander  Stuart  was  a  Virginian.  He  practiced  law  at  Kaskaskia 
as  early  as  1806.  He  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Governor  Lewis  and  was 
one  of  the  three  executors  of  his  estate. 


68  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

on  him  in  the  afternoon  of  that  day  &  on  the  following- 
morning,  pressed  him  to  call  on  me  and  in  fact  tendered  to 
him  all  those  civilities  which  were  due  to  yr.  request  and 
to  his  merits.  Notwithstanding  which  I  was  not  favored 
with  a  visit  until  yesterday.  We  live  indeed  in  different 
parts  of  the  town  &  at  considerable  distance  from  each 
other.  Besides  which  I  have  attached  myself  to  the  French 
circles  into  which  he  appears  to  avoid  an  introduction. 
The  Seat  of  the  Illinois  Government  (Kaskaskia)  is  no 
more  than  60  miles  from  this  place,  on  the  other  bank  of 
the  river.  The  Judge  has  procured  apartments  in  our 
town,  and  appears  to  be  permanently  settled  among  us.  — 
He  will  get  office  here  as  soon  as  he  can. 

Gov  Lewis  leaves  this  in  a  few  days  for  Phila.  Washingn 
&c.  He  has  fallen  from  the  Public  esteem  &  almost  into 
the  public  contempt.  He  is  well  aware  of  my  increasing 
popularity  (for  one  scale  sinks  as  the  other  rises,  without 
an  increase  of  gravity  except  comparative)  and  has  for 
some  time  feared  that  I  was  at  the  head  of  a  Party  whose 
object  it  would  be  to  denounce  him  to  the  President  and 
procure  his  dismission.  The  Gov:  is  greatly  mistaken  in 
these  suspicions;  and  I  have  accordingly  employed  every 
frank  &  open  explanation  which  might  have  a  tendency  to 
remove  that  veil  with  which  a  few  worthless  fellows  have 
endeavoured  to  exclude  from  him  the  sunshine.  He  called 
at  my  Office  &  personally  demanded  this  explanation.  It 
was  made  with  that  independence  which  I  am  determined 
shall  mark  my  conduct  on  all  occasions;  and  accompanied 
with  an  assurance  that  the  path  of  life,  which  I  had  long 
since  prescribed  to  myself  did  not  admit  of  prevarication. 
As  a  Citizen,  I  told  him  I  entertained  opinions  very  dif- 
ferent from  his,  on  the  subject  of  civil  government,  and 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  69 

that  those  opinions  had,  on  various  occasions  been 
expressed  with  emphasis;  but  that  they  had  been  unmixed 
with  personal  malice  or  hostility.  I  made  him  sensible  that 
it  would  be  the  extreme  of  folly  in  me  to  aspire  above  my 
present  standing:  that  in  point  of  Honor,  my  present 
Offices  were  nearly  equal  to  the  government  and  greatly 
superior  in  emolument  —  And  that  the  latter  could  not, 
from  any  motives  of  prudence  be  accepted  by  me,  if  offered 
by  the  President.  'Well'  said  he  'do  not  suffer  yourself 
to  be  separated  from  me  in  the  public  opinion;  When  we 
meet  in  public,  let  us,  at  least  address  each  other  with  cor- 
diality.' My  very  humanity  yielded  a  prompt  assent  to 
this  Eequest,  and  for  this  I  am  resolved  to  take  every  oppor- 
tunity of  convincing  the  People  that  however  I  may  have 
disapproved  &  continue  to  disapprove  the  measures  of  the 
Governor,  that  as  a  man,  I  entertain  good  opinions  of  him. 
He  used  me  badly,  but  as  Pope  says  'Twas  when  he  knew 
no  better'  —  In  one  particular  case  when  he  had  deter- 
mined to  go  to  Washington  (tho'  he  did  not  go)  he  left 
certain  Executive  Business  to  be  performed  by  Genl.  Clark; 
tho'  the  Laws  have  expressly  provided  for  his  absence.  I 
waited  on  His  Excellency  &  demanded  that  the  General 
should  be  called  in.  The  Gentlemen  were  then  told  that 
I  would  suffer  no  interferences  &c.  &c.  &c.  —  How  unfor- 
tunate for  this  man  that  he  resigned  his  commission  in  the 
army:  His  habits  are  altogether  military  &  he  never  can 
I  think  succeed  in  any  other  profession  — 

When  I  sat  down  to  write  this  letter,  I  intended  that  it 
should  have  been  a  very  short  one;  but  since  I  have  gone 
so  far  into  a  relation  of  my  misunderstandings  with  the 
Governor,  I  will  briefly  state  to  you  those  contests  which 
for  the  last  11  months  I  have  been  obliged  to  maintain 


70  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

with  my  colleague  Judge  Lucas.195  You  have  heard  of  this 
man :  He  was  formerly  a  member  of  Congress  from  Pitts- 
burgh &  a  Judge  of  one  of  the  circuit  courts  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  never  my  friend,  since  I  began  to  gain  a 
little  credit  at  Washington;  and  commenced  his  attacks 
(in  business  I  mean  &  shielded  by  his  official  character) 
on  my  return  from  the  lower  districts,  last  year.  It  was 
imagined  by  the  whole  country  that  I  had  done  my  duty 
faithfully  —  &  this  good  word  was  sufficient  to  excite  all 
the  angry  malignity  of  the  Judge.  He  attacked  my  Report 
which  was  contained  in  three  quires  of  Paper,  &  which  was 
no  doubt,  in  many  respects  defective  with  so  much  precipi- 
tance, as  not  to  discover  its  vulnerable  points,  and  it  had 
the  good  fortune  to  triumph,  at  length,  over  all  his  cen- 
sures. Foiled  in  this  object  he  commenced  a  system  of 
poignant  pleasantry  at  some  times,  and  of  sarcasm  at 
others  by  which  he  has  frequently  raised  a  storm  from 
which  he  has  been  willing  enough  to  retreat.  A  winter 
campaign  was  carried  on  with  vigilance  &  activity  on  both 
sides  —  but  at  length  the  People  so  unanimously  took  part 
with  me  as  to  reduce  the  Judge  to  silence,  except  at  long 
intervals.  —  He  is  indeed  a  man  of  superior  order,  but  so 
completely  the  child  of  passion  the  creature  of  impulse,  as 
to  run  every  hour  into  the  grossest  &  most  palpable  incon- 
sistencies. He  has  absolutely  no  attachments  &  his  ani- 
mosities are  immortal.  He  is  capable  of  the  darkest  & 
most  desperate  intrigues,  yet  a  skilful  antagonist  may,  at 
all  times  develope  his  machinations  &  draw  him  from  his 
ambitions  by  playing  on  those  passions  which  have  of  late 
become  too  strong  for  his  Control. 

195  About  three  thousand  claims  were  decided  by  the  commissioners. 
For  these  decisions  and  the  votes  of  the  commissioners,  see  American 
State  Papers,  Public  Lands,  II,  388-603. 


The  Regime   of   Governor  Lewis.  71 

C.  B.  Penrose,  the  other  Commissioner,  as  he  has  been 
always  accustomed  to  lean  on  some  body,  rests  for  the 
present  on  Lucas,  from  whom  he  fears  to  differ  in  opinion, 
on  any  question  of  moment.  P.  is,  indeed  a  man  of  sense, 
but  too  weak  minded  &  versatile  to  be  entrusted  with  the 
transaction  of  important  business.  When  Lucas  &  myself 
quarrel,  as  we  had  the  indecorum  to  do  last  winter,  before 
crowded  Audiences  of  Claimants,  Penrose  had  the  good 
sense  to  hold  his  tongue.  He  is  however  a  willing  Dupe  & 
shares  with  Lucas  the  public  execrations.  These  two  men 
have  treated  the  People  with  so  much  harshness  &  travelled 
out  of  their  own  sphere  with  so  little  dignity,  that  the  most 
respectable  individuals  of  the  country  have  been  on  the 
point  of  compelling  them  to  cross  the  Mississippi.  Their 
insolence  of  Office  is  boundless;  their  usurpation  of  power 
unparalelled.  The  U.  States  have  counsel  at  the  Board  a 
Lawyer  by  profession  and  in  all  respects  worthy  of  the 
trust  reposed  in  him:  Yet  they  take  the  business  out  of 
his  hands ;  they  plead  the  cause  &  pronounce  the  doom  of 
affluence  or  poverty  afterwards.  They  voted  the  necessity 
of  the  commissioners  personally  making  a  survey  when  the 
U.  States  have  surveyors196  (very  intelligent  ones  too) 
regularly  appointed  for  that  object :  But  on  my  refusal  to 
accompany  them,  they  shrunk  from  the  ridicule  of  such 
wanton  and  illegal  interference  and  rescinded  the  order.  — 

i9«  By  act  of  congress  of  February  28,  1806  the  surveyor  general  was 
given  authority  to  have  surveys  made  of  the  United  States  lands  in  the 
Territory  of  Louisiana  to  which  Indian  title  had  been  or  might  be  extin- 
guished. It  was  his  duty  to  appoint  skilled  surveyors  as  his  deputies, 
one  of  whom  was  to  be  designated  as  the  principal  deputy.  The  principal 
deputy  was  to  reside  in  and  keep  an  office  in  the  territory,  and  under 
the  general  superintendence  of  the  surveyor  general,  was  to  cause  sur- 
veys authorized  by  law,  as  might  be  directed  by  the  commissioners,  to 
be  made.    U.  S.,  Statutes  at  Large,  II,  352-353. 


72  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Lucas  is  a  man  of  the  finest  fancy  &  most  brilliant  imag- 
ination with  whom  I  was  ever  acquainted,  and  when  he 
chuses  to  be  pleasant,  his  conversations  are  obsolutely 
fascinating.  But  (as  I  think)  he  wants  judgment,  he  wants 
principle  &  will  one  day  become,  in  the  opinions  of  all  a 
designing  old  Euffian.  I  am  myself  astonished  at  the  suc- 
cess with  which  I  have  repelled  the  protean  like  attacks 
of  this  crafty  old  Cerberus.197  I  was  once  on  the  brink  of 
despair,  but  animated  by  a  consciousness  of  right  &  by 
the  popular  support,  I  have  at  length  obliged  him  to  grind 
his  teeth  in  silence.  A  circumstance,  besides  has  lately 
transpired,  as  much  for  me,  as  against  my  Colleagues,  and 
I  really  feel  so  triumphant  on  the  occasion  that  I  cannot 
forbear  mentioning  it  to  you.  The  People  had  appointed 
a  committee  of  correspondence  on  the  subject  of  their 
claims  to  Lands  depending  before  the  commissioners.  A 
part  of  the  business  of  this  committee  was  to  procure,  if 
possible  an  amelioration  of  those  principles  by  which  the 
Board  have  been  heretofore  governed;  &  for  this  purpose 
the  gentlemen  addressed  themselves  to  certain  members 
of  the  Senate  who  replied  that  'the  opinions  of  Mr.  B  if  in 
favour,  would  have  great  weight  in  inducing  government 
to  grant  the  Petition, '  —  I  had,  indeed,  no  doubt,  that 
those  liberal  &  concilitory  constructions  which  I  had  placed 

197  Proteus  was  the  prophetic  old  man  of  the  sea.  He  was  placed 
by  Homer  on  the  Island  of  Pharos;  by  Virgil  on  the  Island  of  Carpathos. 
At  mid-day  Proteus  rose  from  the  sea  and  slept  on  the  shore  with  sea- 
monsters  about  him.  Those  wishing  to  learn  the  future  from  him  must 
seize  him  at  that  time.  As  soon  as  seized,  he  assumed  various  shapes  to 
escape  prophesying.  If  he  saw  that  his  efforts  were  of  no  avail,  he 
resumed  his  usual  form  and  told  the  truth. 

Cerberus  was  the  dog  stationed  at  the  entrance  of  Hades.  Hesiod 
gave  him  fifty  heads,  but  Sophocles  and  most  of  the  Latin  poets  described 
him  as  triple  headed. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  73 

on  the  Law  would  be  acceptable  to  government;  but  such 
a  direct  reference  to  myself,  in  exclusion  of  my  Colleagues 
was  somewhat  more  than  I  had  counted  on.  It  places  me 
however  in  the  most  dangerous  &  delicate  of  all  imagin- 
able situations,  to  conduct  myself  in  which  with  prudence 
&  exempt  from  imputation  will  require  all  the  wariness  & 
circumspection  of  which  I  am  master.     .     .     . 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

glE  St.  Louis  July  16.  1809. 

I  have  the  honor,  in  compliance  with  the  earnest  wishes 
of  Gov:  Lewis,  to  state,  that  previously  to  his  making  a 
contract  for  the  printing  of  the  Laws  of  this  territory,  he 
conversed  with  me  on  the  subject,  and  appeared  to  entertain 
an  opinion  that  the  work  should  be  paid  for,  by  me,  from 
the  contingent  fund  in  my  hands.  — 

The  Governor  was  informed  that  the  fund  was  too  incon- 
siderable for  such  an  object;  and  indeed  barely  sufficient, 
(as  I  then  conceived  it)  for  Office  rent,  Stationery  and 
printing  (occasional)  as  mentioned  in  your  instructions. 

I  stated  to  the  Governor  also,  that  before  and  after  his 
arrival  in  Louisiana,  I  had,  with  him  felt  the  necessity  of 
a  promulgation  of  the  Laws ;  and  believing  that  the  labour 
of  manuscript  copies  was  not  properly  chargeable  on  my 
Office,  I  had,  notwithstanding  employed  a  young  man,  for 
a  considerable  length  of  time  in  that  work,  for  which  I 
neither  had  nor  intended  to  make  an  account,  as  there  had 
been  no  appropriation. 

This  was  in  relation  to  the  Laws  of  the  Territory :  But 
when  the  Governor  has  desired  me  to  supply  him  with 


74  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

copies,  of  any  of  the  United  States'  Statutes,  such  as  the 
Indian  intercourse  Law,  I  have  thought  that  I  might  employ 
a  young  man  for  the  occasion  (not  my  own  clerk)  and 
make  it  a  public  charge. 

I  have  vouchers  for  disbursements  of  this  kind,  but  am 
yet  to  learn,  whether  or  not  they  will  be  admitted.  —  I  beg 
you  to  excuse  this  liberty  which  I  have  very  hastily  taken 
at  the  instance  of  Governor  Lewis  — 


MERIWETHER  LEWIS  TO  NINIAN  EDWARDS198 

SlR  St.  Louis  July  20.  1809 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  an  authenticated  copy  of  an 
Indictment,  found  by  the  Grand  Jury  at  the  last  court  of 
quarter  Sessions  for  the  district  of  St.  Louis  against  Simon 
Vannorsdale  for  obstructing  the  execution  of  Process  and 
beating  a  Constable  in  the  regular  discharge  of  his  duties. 

Information  has  been  given  me  of  his  escape  and  flight 
to  the  Territory  of  Illinois.  I  have  therefore  to  request, 
by  authority  of  an  Act  of  Congress,  concerning  Fugitives 
from  Justice,  passed  the  12th  Feby  1793,199  that  your 
Excellency  will  cause  said  Simon  Vannorsdale  to  be  appre- 
hended and  secured,  and  that  notice  of  his  arrest  be  given 
me  as  soon  thereafter  as  circumstances  will  permit,  in  order 
that  the  purposes  of  said  Law,  respecting  Fugitives,  may 
be  fully  accomplished.  — 

198.  For  his  career,  see  Ninian  W.  Edwards,  History  of  Illinois  and 
Life  of  Ninian  Edwards,  and  The  Edwards  Papers,  Chicago  Historical 
Society,  Collections,  III. 

199  U.  S.,  Statutes  at  Large,  I,  302-305. 


The  Regime   of  Governor  Lewis.  75 

TO  JAMES  ABBOTT 
Dear  Sir,  St.  Louis  July  25th.  1809 

Our  Gov.  Lewis,  with  the  best  intentions  in  the  world, 
is,  I  am  fearful,  losing  ground.  His  late  preparations  for 
Indian  War200  have  not  been  popular.  He  acted  for  the 
best.  But  it  is  the  fate  of  great  men  to  be  judged  by  the 
results  of  their  measures.  He  has  talked  for  these  12  Mos. 
of  leaving  the  country  —  Every  body  thinks  now  that  he 
will  positively  go,  in  a  few  weeks. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

Recorder's  Office 
SlR  St.  Louis  Augt.  12.  1809. 

I  have  this  day  taken  the  liberty  to  draw  on  you  in  favor 
of  Edw  Hempstead  Esquire  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
&  forty  dollars  fifty  four  cents  the  amt.  of  the  contingent 
expenses  of  the  Board  of  commissioners  for  ascertaining 
and  adjusting  the  titles  and  claims  to  lands  in  this  territory 
from  1st  day  of  January  till  30th  of  June  last 

I  also  transmit  herewith  the  acct.  &  receipts. 

200  Throughout  the  fall  of  1808  and  the  winter  of  1808-1809  the  settlers 
were  disturbed  by  insistent  rumors  of  an  Indian  uprising  along  the 
northern  frontiers.  By  order  of  November  28,  1808  Governor  Lewis  called 
out  a  special  force.  A  second  call  was  issued  in  the  spring,  five  companies 
being  asked  to  rendezvous  on  May  4.  A  detachment  under  Captain  Pratte 
was  sent  to  reinforce  Fort  Madison.  On  June  5  Captain  Pratte  returned 
to  St.  Louis  and  reported  that  the  border  was  quiet.  On  July  6  Lewis 
issued  a  general  order  saying  that,  as  the  immediate  dangers  on  the 
frontier  had  subsided,  the  troops  especially  assembled  by  order  of  Novem- 
ber 28  were  to  be  discharged  and  again  enrolled  in  ordinary  with  the 
general  militia.  Missouri  Gazette,  July  26,  1808;  December  7,  1808;  April 
26,  1809;   June  7,  1809;   July  26,  1809. 


76  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

MERIWETHEE    LEWIS    TO    NATHANIEL    POPE,201 

SECRETARY  EXERCISING  THE  GOVERNMENT 

OF  THE  TERRITORY  OF  ILLINOIS 

gm  St.  Louis  Angt.  16th.  1809. 

I  was  favored  some  few  days  ago  with  your  letter  of 
the  1st  inst  [?]  and  regret  that  the  Record  The  United 
States  versus  Simon  Vannorsdale202  should  not  have  been 
authenticated  in  such  manner,  as  in  your  opinion  the  Act  of 
Congress  requires.  I  take  the  liberty  to  enclose  a  second 
Copy  of  that  record  authenticated  in  more  ample  form. 

Simon  Vannorsdale  after  committing  the  misdemeanor 
set  forth  in  the  indictment,  fled  from  the  justice  of  this 
government,  and  as  my  informations  state,  has  taken 
refuge  in  the  territory  of  Illinois:  I  have  therefore  to 
request  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  cause  the  said  Simon 
Vannorsdale  to  be  arrested  and  secured  and  that  notice 
may  be  given  me  as  soon  thereafter  as  convenient  to  you. 
You  justly  remark  that  the  proximity  of  the  two  territories 
greatly  facilitates  the  escape  of  offenders  from  the  one  to 
the  other,  and  I  beg  you  to  be  assured,  that  I  shall  feel  an 

201  Nathaniel  Pope  was  born  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  January  5,  1784. 
He  was  educated  at  Transylvania  University.  He  moved  to  Illinois  Ter- 
ritory and  in  1809  became  secretary.  In  1817  he  was  elected  congressional 
delegate.  When  Illinois  became  a  state,  he  was  appointed  judge  of  the 
United  States  district  court,  an  office  which  he  held  until  his  death  in 
1850. 

202  The  following  notice  appeared  in  the  Missouri  Gazette,  February 
1,  1809:  "THE  PUBLIC  are  cautioned  against  purchasing  a  certain  note 
of  hand,  given  by  me  to  Wm.  Morison  of  the  Point  of  the  Missouri,  of 
the  purport  following  to  wit.  'That  I  was  to  pay  him  Four  Hundred 
Dollars  upon  condition  that  I  should  not  deliver  to  him  this  day  at 
Camp  Belle  Fontaine  a  certain  bay  stud  horse  that  I  traded  to  said 
Morison  and  dated  the  26th  instant.'  I  am  determined  not  to  pay  said 
note,  as  the  horse  was  in  the  first  instance  obtained  from  me  under  false 
pretences  and  by  fraud,  and  the  note  under  duress  of  imprisonment. 

St.  Louis,  Jan.  27,  1809.  Simon  Vannorsdel." 


The   Regime   of   Governor   Lewis.  11 

equal  promptitude  with  yourself  in  bringing  them  to  jus- 
tice—  and  in  such  manner  as  the  Laws  of  our  Country 
appear  to  have  provided. 


TO  MICHAEL  AMOUREUX 

Secretary's  Office 
Sir,  St.  Louis  Augt.  19.  1809 

Your  letters  to  the  Governor  of  the  1st  &  to  myself  of 
the  11th  inst.  were,  this  morning,  delivered  by  your  son. 

I  am  instructed  by  His  Excellency  to  say,  that  no  charges 
of  any  kind,  either  specific  or  general  have  been  exhibited 
agt.  you.  Should  the  propriety  of  your  conduct  be  here- 
after called  in  question,  in  relation  to  those  offices  holden 
at  the  pleasure  of  the  Executive,  he  desires  me  to  add,  that 
the  most  ample  opportunities  of  defence  shall  be  afforded 
to  you. 

Your  letters  appear  rather  intended  as  a  vindication  of 
yourself,  than  as  an  accusation  of  others.  Whenever 
charges  are  specifically  exhibited  against  the  individuals 
alluded  to,  an  inquiry  into  their  conduct  shall  be  instituted, 
if  the  alledged  violation  of  duty  be  of  sufficient  moment  to 
permit  the  attention  of  the  government. 


MOSES  AUSTIN  TO  BATES 

Dear  Sir  Mine  a  Burton  Au£-  27tn  1809 

I  have  thought  many  times  that  I  would  not  put  pen  to 
paper  again  on  any  subject  whatever  except  such  as  imme- 
diately concerned  myself.  Whether  in  the  present  case,  I 
shall  receive  thanks,  or  be  considered  as  a  troublesome 
meddler  I  cannot  tell,  but  so  it  is  that  when  I  see  and  know 


78  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

of  plans  maturing  to  wound  the  reputation  of  those  for 
whome  I  profess  friendship,  I  cannot  forbear  doing  unto 
them  as  I  could  wish  them  to  do  unto  me.  Whether  what  I 
shall  communicate  to  you  be  of  moment,  or  not  you  will 
judge,  be  that  as  it  may.  I  have  to  tell  you  that  you  are 
to  consider  &  receive  what  I  write  as  given  in  strict  con- 
fidence. I  this  day  had  a  conversation  with  one  of  the 
members  of  the  Grand  Committee.  The  substance  of  that 
conversation  I  shall  communicate,  he  said,  the  Drafting 
a  memorial  to  Congress  was  postponed  because  it  was 
found  to  be  all  important  to  examine  the  Corns.  Books 
&  to  take  such  extracts  as  would  answer  the  intentions  of 
the  party.  They  are  to  be  taken  from  time  to  time  and  in 
such  a  way  as  not  to  give  alarm  to  the  Comrs.  it  was  also 
hinted  that  if  the  extracts  could  not  be  obtained  in  any 
other  way,  a  friend  in  Court  would  furnish  them.  I  will 
not  say  wrho  this  friend  is,  but  the  board  you  know  has 
three  members,  and  a  Clerk.  I  have  the  ...  to  be- 
lieve that  B.  C.  L.  esq.  .  .  .  203  are  the  men  against 
whom  the  Extracts  are  intended  to  operate.  B.  C.  L.204 
esq  is  more  particularly  pointed  out.  how  far  the  board 
of  Comsrs.  are  bound  to  suffer  a  mutilated  Statement  to 
be  taken  from  the  Books  is  not  for  me  to  say,  nor  do  I 
know  what  authority  the  member  with  whom  I  conversed 
has  for  supposing  a  friend  in  Court  will  furnish  the  Ex- 
tract. It  may  be  on  his  part  supposition,  the  drawing  the 
memorial  is  suspended  untill  Octb  2  next.  The  object  of 
the  Enemies  of  Judge  Lucas  are  not  only  to  displace  him 
as  Comsr.  but  as  Judge  or  in  other  words  to  prevent  him 
beeing  appointed  again,  as  I  have  reason  to  believe  that 
an  attempt  to  obtain  extracts  from  the  Corns  Books  will 

203  The  manuscript  is  mutilated  where  the  dots  are  inserted. 
sot  John  B.  C.  Lucas. 


The  Regime  of  Governor  Lewis,  79 

be  made  immediately  &  that  such  Extracts  are  not  intended 
to  make  a  friendly  or  favourable  impression  on  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  U  8.  &  knowing  as  I  do  that  first  impres- 
sions are  not  only  dangerous  but  hard  to  remove,  I  felt 
it  a  duty  incumbent  on  me  to  apprize  both  yourself  and 
Judge  Lucas  of  the  plans  preparing  to  stab  your  reputa- 
tion with  the  Government.  You  have  liberty  to  make  known 
to  Judge  Lucas  as  much  of  this  letter  as  you  think  proper 
but  you  will  remember  and  bear  in  mind  the  conditions. 
I  need  not  tell  you  how  much  I  have  suffered  by  this  same 
party.  You  know  what  I  should  suffer  was  it  known  that 
I  made  a  communication  to  either  of  you.  I  therefore  pray 
you,  as  you  value  my  safety  and  the  peace  of  my  family 
who  have  been  already  sufficiently  oppressed,  not  to  .  .  . 
seen  or  spoken  of.     .     .     . 

NB  nothing  I  have  said  will  induce  you  to  doubt  Mr  Thorns. 
T  Riddicks  friendship  — 


TO  JOHN  BURKE  TREAT 

Secretary's   Office 
SlE^  St.  Louis  Septr.  2d.  1809. 

By  order  of  His  Excellency  the  Governor,  I  have  the 
honor  to  acquaint  you  that  the  accustomed  trade,  with  the 
Indians  of  the  Arkensas-River  and  its  waters  may  be  again 
opened.  You  have  been  already  supplied  with  Blanks  for 
this  object.  On  the  application  for  Licences  it  is  his  Ex- 
cellency's instruction,  that  you  take  a  Bond  in  the  usual 
manner;  administer  or  cause  to  be  administered  the  Oath, 
receive  the  Schedule  of  the  merchandize  intended  to  be 
traded,  and  transmit  the  whole  to  this  Office. 


80  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

FRANCOIS  V.  BOUIS  TO  BATES 

Dear  Sir  Pointe  Coupee  September  3d.  09 

Five  weeks  after  my  arrival  at  this  place,  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  writing  to  you,  and  have  not  yet  had  the  honor 
of  an  answer.  —  I  cannot  Dear  Sir  give  you  a  favorable 
account  of  my  journey  to  this  Country,  having  been  sick 
with  the  Fever  &  aigue  from  the  time  I  wrote  you  (which 
is  about  three  months)  till  few  days  past. 

A  great  Discord,  Cabal  &  desorder,  exist  here  among 
the  Inhabitants,  occasioned  by  intrigues,  which  has  set, 
half  of  the  Country  against  the  others ;  this  will  not  (very 
probably)  end  without  effusion  of  Blood  —  The  Negroes 
which  are  in  great  number  here,  have  already  showed  dis- 
obedience &  ill  disposition.  —  The  Heads  of  Militia,  civil 
&  clergy  of  this  Country  "wishing  one  another  destituted 
from  office"  are  the  cause  of  intrigues,  and  in  fact  intrig- 
ants themselves  whom  carry  all  before  them.  —  Nothing 
more  worth  mentioning  can  be  said  of  this  place. 

My  Brother  P.  V.  Bouis,  present  you  his  respects  and 
repent  of  having  neglected  to  write  you,  according  to  his 
promess,  when  he  left  St.  Louis,  he  assure  you,  that  it  is 
not  for  want  of  friendship  for  your  person.  —  Remember 
me  (if  you  please)  to  Mr.  Riddick  &  Brother,  also  to  any 
of  my  Friends.     .     .     . 

N.  B.  —  Should  there  be  (to  your  knowledge)  any  vacant 
office,  which  would  worth  my  attention,  I  would  desire  you, 
(if  you  do  me  the  honor  to  write  to  me)  to  advise  me  of  it. 


PART     IV 
The  Second  Acting-Governorship 


THE  SECOND  ACTING-GOVERNORSHIP 


TO  ROBERT  BRENT,1  WASHINGTON  CITY 
glB  St.  Louis  Sept.  20.  1809. 

Soon  after  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  23d  of  Novr  last 
enclosing  a  draft  of  1503  06/100  dollars  for  the  payment 
of  Capt.  Wherry's  detachment,2  I  had  the  honor  to  inform 
you  that  the  men  were  so  dispersed  in  the  Indian  country 
and  elsewhere,  as  to  render  it  very  uncertain  when  the 
returns  could  be  made  to  you.  But  few  of  the  men  now  re- 
main unpaid.  Every  possible  attention  has  been  bestowed, 
and  the  receipts  shall  be  transmitted  as  soon  as  circum- 
stances will  permit.  — 


TO  HORATIO  STARK,3  FORT  MADISON 

Secretary's  Office 
SlE  St.  Louis  Sept.  26.  1809. 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
letter  of  the  15th  to  Gov  Lewis,  in  whose  absence  from  the 

i  Robert  Brent  was  from  Maryland.  He  was  appointed  paymaster  of 
the  United  States  Army  on  July  1,  1808,  and  became  paymaster-general 
on  April  24,  1816. 

2  Dr.  Mackay  Wherry  came  to  Louisiana  during  the  Spanish  regime. 
In  1805  he  was  sheriff  of  St.  Charles  District.  In  1807  he  commanded 
a  troop  of  horse  in  that  district.  When  General  Clark  was  negotiating 
with  the  Osages  in  the  summer  of  1808,  Captain  Wherry's  troop  accom- 
panied him.  Houck,  History  of  Missouri,  II,  55,  60,  96,  384,  409;  Missouri 
Gazette,  July  26,  1808,  February  22,  1809. 

s  Horatio  Stark  was  a  Virginian.  He  entered  the  army  in  1799  and 
attained  the  rank  of  captain  on  May  3,  1808.  At  the  time  of  this  letter 
he  was  in  command  at  Port  Madison  in  modern  Iowa. 

(83) 


84  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

territory,  the  Executive  business  is  transacted  at  my  Office. 
The  Medal  and  Papers  of  the  Ioway  chief  were  also 
received.  The  Ioway-Fugitives  the  subjects  of  your  mis- 
understanding with  Hard  Heart  were  tried  by  our  courts 
last  year;  and  after  the  Jury  had  found  them  guilty,  the 
court  sustained  a  Plea  to  its  own  jurisdiction.  They  could 
not  then  be  punished  by  our  Laws,  and  it  ever  appeared  to 
me  that  their  escape  was  fortunate,  both  for  themselves 
and  for  us.4  It  saved  them,  the  vexations  of  a  further  im- 
prisonment, and  us  the  mortification  of  manifesting  our 
own  inability  to  punish  —  For  our's  is  a  government  of 
Laws,  and  those  whom  the  courts  absolve  or  fail  to  punish 
cannot  be  punished  by  the  Superintendent. 

After  the  trial,  the  dispositions  of  the  Bench  were  well 
known:  they  would  have  restored  those  People  to  their 
liberty  by  the  writ  of  Habeas  Corpus  if  their  counsel  had 
not  been  deterred  from  that  course,  by  a  fear  of  incurring 
the  displeasure  of  the  Governor.  — 

I  cannot  account  for  the  new  demand  which  has  been 
made  for  these  unfortunate  yet  guilty  People.  We  can  do 
nothing  with  them,  and  in  such  cases  the  transgression 
ought  to  be  forgotten  as  silently  as  possible. 

Hard  Heart  has  acted  with  too  much  haste  and  passion 
and  I  believe  him  to  be  a  man  of  native  viciousness  of  tem- 
per;    Yet  we  know  that  the  Indian  manners  are  greatly 

*  On  July  23,  1808,  two  Iowa  Indians  were  tried  for  the  murder  of 
Joseph  Tibbeau  (Thibault).  During  the  trial  "the  streets  of  St.  Louis 
teemed  with  Indian  warriors,"  who  incessantly  harassed  the  governor 
and  General  Clark  beseeching  pardon  for  the  offenders.  The  accused  men 
were  convicted  but  were  granted  a  new  trial,  which  was  held  on  August 
3.  They  were  found  guilty  and  put  in  jail  until  the  advice  of  the  Presi- 
dent could  be  obtained.  They  were  held  in  the  jail  for  nearly  a  year 
when  they  made  their  escape.  Missouri  Gazette,  July  26,  August  2,  August 
10,  August  17,  1808;  ibid.,  July  26,  1809. 


The    Second    Acting-Governorship.  85 

different  from  ours.  They  inherit  from  a  long",  uncounted 
List  of  Ancestors  not  the  chartered  but  the  prescriptive 
and  traditionary  rights  of  the  forest,  and  are  themselves 
born  and  brought  up  amidst  the  ruggid  scenes  of  nature. 
Much  licence  ought  then,  to  be  expected  from  them  in  their 
public  talks  —  Even  a  common  idea  is  uttered  by  them 
with  rude  abruptness,  and  an  intrepid  Chief  when  repre- 
senting his  nation  in  council,  has  decorums  no  doubt,  of  a 
particular  kind,  but  which  cannot  always  be  measured  by 
our  standards.  — 

It  is  the  express  expectation  of  the  President  that  the 
Indians  will  not  be  treated  with  the  harshness  of  military 
coercion,  but  with  a  conciliatory  justice  enforced  or  rather 
recommended  by  the  manifestation  of  a  paternal  solicitude 
for  their  welfare.  This  man  Hard  Heart  was  made  a 
Chief  by  the  President  himself,  and  I  doubt  our  power  to 
degrade  him.  At  the  instance  of  the  respectable  part  of 
the  nation  our  emblems  of  distinction  might  indeed  be  con- 
ferred on  others  but  it  is  my  first  impression  that  a  depri- 
vation of  Honors  already  bestowed  is  an  Act  exclusively 
of  his  own  People.  We  furnish  them  with  Insignia  of 
power  or  preeminence  in  their  nation  or  tribe,  and  these 
supplies  should  not  be  made  unless  with  the  consent  at 
least  of  the  Elders.  —  The  subject,  at  any  rate,  requires 
more  consideration  than  I  have  now  time  to  bestow  upon 
it;  but  will  write  you  by  Mr.  Julien5  who  will  leave  this 
[place]  in  10  days.  — 

I  am  much  surprized  at  the  suspension  by  Gov  Lewis, 
of  the  trade  with  the  Ioways.  The  first  informations  which 
I  had  on  the  subject  were  from  your  letters.  No  record  of 
the  transaction  has  been  deposited  in  the  Offices  —  And  as 

5  Probably  Julien  Dubuque. 


86  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

the  measure  is  supported  by  no  principle  of  Law,  Justice, 
or  Policy  that  I  know  of  I  beg  that  those  traders  who  have 
regular  licences  may  suffer  no  interruptions. 

I  regret  that  I  was  not  in  town  when  you  ascended  the 
Eiver.  It  would  have  given  me  much  pleasure  to  renew 
that  acquaintance  wch.  I  once  had  with  you  in  Detroit. 

[Notation]     The  Medal  &  Papers  given  to  Mr.  Blondeau6 
to  be  redelivered  to  the  Chief. 
12.  Julv  '10. 


TO  WILLIAM  EUSTIS,  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 

SlR^  St.  Louis  Sept.  28.  1809. 

I  have  the  honor  to  advise,  that  Gov  Lewis,  left  this 
place  for  Washington  on  the  4th  instant.7  In  his  absence 
the  superintendance  of  Indian  Affairs  devolves  on  this 
office. 

There  is  a  policy  subordinate  to,  and  in  execution  of  the 
Law  which  the  President  may  doubtless  institute  for  the 
regulation  of  Indian  Intercourse.  But  as  the  Governor 
has  never  confided  to  me  the  wishes  of  administration  on 


6  The  Blondeau  family  were  early  settlers  of  Mackinac.  About  1798 
several  of  the  family  migrated  to  Missouri  and  obtained  Spanish  grants. 
The  best  known  member  of  the  family  was  Maurice,  a  Fox  half-breed. 
He  was  trading  with  the  tribe  as  early  as  1801.  Pike  encountered  him 
on  the  Mississippi  in  1805.  During  the  War  of  1812  he  was  taken  prisoner 
by  the  Sacs  and  his  goods  were  confiscated.  He  was  later  made  sub-agent 
of  the  Sacs  and  was  employed  as  an  interpreter  in  the  treaty  making  of 
1815.  In  1818  he  entered  the  employment  of  the  American  Fur  Company. 
Wisconsin  Historical  Collections,  XX,  356,  357. 

7  This  was  the  journey  on  which  Governor  Lewis  met  his  untimely 
end. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  87 

this,  or  indeed  on  any  other  subjects  (except  on  one  special 
occasion)  and  as  he  has  left  me  neither  records  of  his  own 
acts,  nor  any  of  his  official  correspondence,  I  have  nothing 
but  the  statute  as  my  guide. 

Genl.  Clark  also  departed  for  Virga.  a  few  days  ago  by 
the  shutting  up  of  whose  office,  I  am  totally  deprived  of 
every  species  of  information  on  Indian  Affairs.  No  list 
of  Sub  Agents  or  Interpreters  has  been  left  with  me  and 
I  do  not  know,  even  accidentally,  their  situations  &  duties. 
The  press  of  business  on  this  department  is  almost  inces- 
sant, and  deprived  of  all  the  requisite  information,  it  is 
impossible  that  it  should  be  transacted  with  intelligence 
and  dispatch. 

My  judgments  will  compel  me  to  abandon  the  paths  here- 
tofore trodden.  The  merchants  complain  of  restrictions 
beyond  the  Provisions  of  the  Law ;  of  arbitrary  regulations 
established  without  a  motive  and  relinquished  without  a 
reason  and  of  various  other  irregularities  by  which  their 
commerce  has  suffered  a  damage,  during  the  last  twelve 
months  to  the  amount  of  forty  thousand  dollars,  at  least. 
I  should  not  be  the  Herald  of  these  censures,  if  I  esteemed 
them  empty  and  frivolous.  —  I  would  not  be  the  organ  of 
the  complaints  of  the  People,  unless  for  the  purpose  of 
justifying  that  liberal  course  which  I  conceive  it  my  indis- 
pensable duty,  in  future,  to  pursue. 

It  is  not  my  province  to  arraign  the  conduct  of  Gov. 
Lewis,  and  it  is  surely  as  distant  from  my  inclination  as  it 
is  from  official  decorum:  yet  in  speaking  of  the  present 
situation  of  territorial  business  it  is  scarcely  possible  to 
forbear  a  retrospect  into  the  past. — 

It  has  appeared  to  me  that  the  right  to  trade  is  a  right 
which  the  Citizen  derives  from  the  Laws,  and  that  it  is  sus- 


88  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

ceptible  of  very  little  modification,  beyond  what  the  laws 
themselves  have  established.  The  privilege  of  hunting  is 
probably  resumable  at  the  will  of  government,  and  on  this 
subject  I  must  confess  that  I  feel  very  considerable  embar- 
rassments. I  have  imbibed  the  opinion  that  it  was  the 
wish  of  the  President  that  the  hunting  of  white  persons 
should  be  discountenanced.  The  cultivation  of  the  soil 
affords  more  certain  subsistence,  contributes  to  the  popu- 
lation of  the  country,  and  is  a  pursuit,  in  all  respects  more 
congenial  to  the  habits  (generally)  of  the  People  of  Louis- 
iana, than  the  chase;  Yet  there  will  always  be  found  on 
the  frontier  a  class  of  People,  who  will  starve  if  deprived 
of  the  latter  privilege. 

The  Governor,  previously  to  his  departure  insisted  that 
hunting  Licences  should  not  be  granted.  I  took  the  liberty 
of  enquiring  why  they  should  now  be  refused,  since  he  had 
been  in  the  practice  of  granting  them  almost  without  limita- 
tion! He  replied  that  the  indulgence  would  create  disorder 
in  the  Indian  Country.  The  Blank  which  I  have  the  honor 
to  enclose  will  show  you  the  wide  range  and  liberal  encour- 
agement which  has  been  heretofore  given  to  People  of  this 
description:  And  I  have  not  known  any  rule  of  right,  by 
which  privileges  of  this  kind  can  be  conceded  to  particular 
persons  and  withholden  from  others.  I  beg  that  you  will 
have  the  kindness  to  instruct  me  in  my  duties.  When 
possessed  of  your  views  on  these  subjects  as  on  all  others 
incidental  to  Indian  intercourse,  they  shall  be  inflexibly 
pursued.  — 

When  at  the  settlements  of  the  Arkensas  last  year,  as  a 
commissioner  for  the  adjustment  of  Land  Title,  I  saw  the 
instructions  of  Mr.  Treat  the  Agent,  by  which  he  was  em- 
powered to  grant  trading  Licences.     Gov  Lewis,  notwith- 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  89 

standing,  continued  still  to  grant  them  for  that  river  and 
its  neighbourhood,  and  was  desirous  that  I  should  do  so, 
in  his  absence.  I  declined,  believing  that,  as  Mr.  Treat 
corresponded  directly  with  the  War  Department,  on  the 
business  of  that  remote  and  sequestered  part  of  the  coun- 
try, the  interposition  of  the  Superintendent  could  produce 
only  derangement  and  confusion.  — 

May  I  be  permitted  to  enquire  whether  Peter  Chouteau 
esquire  the  Agent  for  the  Osage  Nations  of  Indians  has 
been  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose  the  confidence  of  the  Presi- 
dent? Insinuations  have  been  made  to  this  effect  tho'  I 
have  heard  nothing  alledged  against  him,  except  his  absence 
by  order  of  the  Superintendent.  Mr.  Chouteau  must  have 
presumed  that  Gov  Lewis  acted  in  this  affair  under  the 
orders  of  the  President;  and  surely  sufficient  time  had 
elapsed  after  the  commencement  of  the  preparations  to 
have  obtained  his  sanction  or  his  censure.  Previously  to 
his  acceptance  of  the  command  of  the  Mandan  Escort,8 
the  Osage  business  had  from  time  to  time  and  under  various 
pretexts  been  almost  entirely  taken  out  of  his  hands,  and 
I  am  very  certain,  (being  in  habits  of  daily  intimacy)  that 
his  principal  inducement  in  undertaking  this  distant  charge, 
was,  to  escape  from  the  official  degradation  into  which  he 
had  fallen.  It  is  greatly  to  be  feared  that  the  character 
of  Mr.  Chouteau  has  not  been  entirely  understood  at  Wash- 
ington. I  do  not  fear  to  hazard  the  assertion  that  he  pos- 
sesses a  respectabilit}^  and  weight  in  this  country,  beyond 

s  Early  in  1809  the  Missouri  Fur  Company  agreed  to  convey  Shahaka, 
the  Mandan  chief,  to  his  nation.  Pierre  Chouteau  commanded  the  escort. 
The  expedition  left  St.  Louis  June  16  and  reached  the  Mandan  village 
on  September  24.  Some  of  the  party  remained  in  the  North  to  trade. 
Chouteau  arrived  at  St.  Louis  November  20.  Missouri  Gazette,  March  8, 
September  27,  November  16,  November  23,  1809. 


90  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

any  other  person  employed  in  the  transaction  of  Indian 
business.  —  And  this  reputation,  together  with  the  influ- 
ence of  an  extensive  family  connection,  has,  on  all  proper 
occasions,  been  thrown  into  the  Amercan  Scale,  when  the 
policy  of  our  government  has  been  in  collision  with  the 
prejudices  of  former  times. 

There  was  a  time  when  the  public  mind  was  impressed 
somewhat  differently  with  respect  to  this  Gentleman;  but 
he  has  outlived  the  malice  of  that  day ;  not  by  entering  into 
useless  vindications ;  but  by  treading  a  high  and  open  path, 
exposed  to  the  view  of  his  fellow  laborers  in  the  public 
service  and  of  Society.  — 

His  son,9  an  active,  intelligent  and  very  worthy  young 
man  has  the  entire  conduct  of  his  fathers  private  business, 
and  with  the  tacit  approbation  of  the  Superintendent  has 
also  discharged  that  portion  of  his  public  duties  which  had 
not  been  wrested  from  him  previously  to  his  ascending 
the  Missouri.  By  him  some  of  the  expences  of  the  Osage 
department  have  been  defrayed,  and  his  accounts  of  dis- 
bursements approved  by  the  Superintendent.  It  was 
expected  by  Mr.  Chouteau  jr  that  I  would  have  drawn 
bills  for  this  money;  but  I  have  thought  that  a  draft  by 
himself  will  be  a  less  exceptionable  mode.  He  will  have 
the  honor  of  enclosing  you  in  his  letter  of  advice,  one  set 
of  his  vouchers. 

9  This  probably  refers  to  Pierre  Chouteau,  Jr.  He  was  born  January 
19,  1789.  In  1804  he  became  a  clerk  for  his  uncle,  Auguste  Chouteau,  Sr. 
In  1806  he  accompanied  Julien  Dubuque  to  the  lead  mines.  He  remained 
there  as  a  clerk  until  1808  when  he  returned  to  St.  Louis.  He  accompa- 
nied his  father  to  the  Mandan  country  in  1809.  In  1813  he  married  Emilie 
Anne  Gratiot,  a  daughter  of  Charles  Gratiot.  In  his  later  years  he 
engaged  in  many  large  business  enterprises,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
influential  citizens  of  St.  Lonis.  J.  T.  Scharf,  History  of  St.  Louis  City 
and  County,  I,  182-184. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  91 

I  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  copies  of  a  correspondence 
with  Capt.  Horatio  Stark  Comg.  Fort  Madison. 

Several  Salt  Petre  caves10  on  the  Gasconade  and  the 
Meramack  Eivers  were,  some  time  ago,  leased  by  Gov 
Lewis.  The  contracts  contained  a  stipulation  by  which 
the  Lessees  were  bound  to  sell  their  Petre  to  Government, 
provided  you  were  desirous  of  taking  it  at  the  rate  of  17 
cts  Per  Pound  at  St.  Louis,  and  restraining  them  from 
making  any  other  disposal  of  it  until  the  pleasure  of  gov- 
ernment should  be  known.  As  we  have  no  orders  on  this 
subject  I  have  permitted  one  of  these  contractors  to  make 
sale  of  his  Petre  or  to  manufacture  it  into  gun  powder  for 
domestic  supply. 

The  Delaware  &  Shawanoe  Indians  who  sought  an  asylum 
in  this  country  after  their  defeat  by  Genl.  Wayne  claim  a 
very  valuable  tract  of  Land  by  grant  from  the  Spanish 
Government.  It  is  bounded  by  the  Mississippi  on  the  East ; 
by  Apple  Creek  on  the  North;  by  Cape  St.  Comb's  Creek 
on  the  South  and  b}^  the  ridge  separating  the  waters  of  the 
Mississippi  &  St.  Francis  River  on  the  West.11  This  claim 
lies  in  the  District  of  Cape  Girardeau  and  is  so  nearly 
surrounded  by  our  white  settlements  as  to  make  these 
Indians  desirous  of  exchanging  it  for  lands  farther  west- 
ward on  the  Meramack.  This  is  a  wish  long  since  expressed 
and  repeated  to  me  two  days  ago,  by  some  of  their  People 
who  were  at  St.  Louis  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  the 

10  For  a  description  of  Ashley's  Cave,  which  was  located  on  Cave 
Creek  in  modern  Texas  County,  about  eighty  miles  southwest  of  Potosi, 
see  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft,  Journal  of  a  Tour  into  the  Interior  of  Missouri 
and  Arkansas,  11-12. 

ii  The  Delawares  abandoned  the  tract  in  1815,  but  the  Shawanee  did 
not  formally  relinquish  their  claim  until  November  7,  1825.  Charles  C. 
Royce,  Indian  Land  Cessions  in  the  United  States.  Bureau  of  American 
Ethnology,  18th  Rpt..  Part  II,  715. 


92  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

surrender  of  twelve  of  their  Horses,  which  the  whites  had 
stolen. 

The  Pay  Master  General  long  since  remitted  to  me 
1503  06/100  dollars  for  the  payment  of  Capt.  Wherry's 
detachment  while  in  public  service  at  the  fire  Praire.  This 
payment  has  been  made  many  months  ago,  except  to  six  or 
eight  men  who  are  yet  absent.  The  delay  in  making  the 
returns  has  not  been  attributable  to  my  negligence. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

SlR^  St.  Louis  Sept  29.  1809 

I  beg  leave  to  mention  that  Thomas  F.  Riddick  the  Clerk 
of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  has  resigned  his  office  for 
the  purpose  of  attending  to  some  private  business  in  Ken- 
tucky. The  Commissioners,  unwilling  to  lose  his  services 
have  appointed  his  half  brother  John  W.  Honey  to  supply 
his  place,  with  an  understanding  that  Mr.  Riddick  shall 
be  restored  on  his  return. 

It  is  not  in  expectation  of  obtaining  a  reply;  but  for  the 
purpose  of  shielding  my  conduct  from  that  misconception 
to  which  it  is  liable,  at  the  distance  of  a  thousand  miles, 
that  I  beg  permission  to  state  to  you  the  grounds  of  an 
opinion  which  I  lately  gave,  in  relation  to  a  tract  of  land 
said  to  contain  a  Coal-Mine. 

All  the  conditions  of  the  Spanish  Usages  had  been  com- 
plied with,  and  the  question  was,  whether  it  should  be  con- 
firmed ivitk  or  without  the  reservation  of  the  coal.  The 
Lieut.  Governor  in  his  order  of  survey  had  stated,  that 
the  Coal  should  remain  for  public  use,  until  the  General 
Government  at  Orleans  made  another  disposal  of  it.    My 


The    Second    Acting-Governorship.  93 

Colleagues  voted  that  the  reservation  ought  to  be  perma- 
nently made.  I  was  of  an  opposite  opinion  because  I  con- 
ceived it  an  individual  assumption  and  exercise  of  power, 
on  the  part  of  the  Lieut.  Governor  which  the  usages  of  the 
country  had  not  delegated  to  him.  The  established  usages 
of  the  late  Government  to  which  we  are  referred  in  the 
4th  Sec  of  the  Law,12  did  not,  that  I  know  of,  make  reser- 
vations of  Coal-Mines.  These  usages  prescribe  the  terms 
upon  which  the  cultivator  shall  acquire  the  right  of  prop- 
erty in  the  soil,  and  the  Public  agent  who  is  but  an  organ 
of  the  law  could  superadd  nothing  to  those  conditions. 
Besides  the  order  of  survey  was  but  an  incipient  process, 
and  not  a  title  made  and  completed  by  competent  and  su- 
perior authority  —  all  was  referred  to  this  superior  author- 
ity ;  as  well  the  coal  as  the  title  to  the  land  itself.  — 

This  first  step  is  an  evidence  merely  of  the  Party's  being 
put  into  possession  in  a  regular  manner  —  And  his  rights 
must  now  be  ascertained,  not,  I  should  think,  by  the  capri- 
cious expressions  of  his  order  of  survey  but,  by  the  known 
and  established  laws  of  the  Spanish  Government.  — 

I  had  the  honor  of  writing  you  on  the  28th  of  August 

i2  Section  4  of  an  act  respecting  claims  to  land  in  the  territories  of 
Orleans  and  Louisiana,  passed  March  3,  1807,  read:  "And  be  it  further 
enacted,  That  the  commissioners  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining 
the  rights  of  persons  claiming  land  in  the  territories  of  Orleans  and 
Louisiana,  shall  have  full  powers  to  decide  according  to  the  laws  and 
established  usages  and  customs  of  the  French  and  Spanish  governments, 
upon  all  claims  to  lands  within  their  respective  districts,  when  the  claim 
is  made  by  any  person  or  persons,  or  the  legal  representative  of  any 
person  or  persons,  who  were  on  the  twentieth  of  December,  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  three,  inhabitants  of  Louisiana,  and  for  a  tract  not 
exceeding  the  quantity  of  acres  contained  in  a  league  square,  and  which 
does  not  include  either  a  lead  mine  or  salt  spring,  which  decision  of  the 
commissioners  when  in  favour  of  the  claimant  shall  be  final,  against  the 
United  States,  any  act  of  Congress  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding." 
U.  S.,  Statutes  at  Large,  II,  441. 


94  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

last  year,  that  Governor  Lewis  had  assumed  the  whole 
management  of  the  lead-mine-business.  Your  orders,  if 
executed,  would,  eventually,  and  with  very  little  excite- 
ment, have  reinstated  the  government  in  its  rights;  but 
those  orders  as  I  have  every  reason  to  believe,  have  been 
entirely  disregarded.  The  Governor  did  indeed,  from  time 
to  time,  speak  of  plans  and  systems  of  his  own;  but  noth- 
ing, that  I  know  of,  was  ever  done.  Even  the  tenants  of 
government  were  left  unsupported,  and  those  very  men, 
with  whom  I  made  contracts,  afterwards  approved  by  the 
President,  have  been  driven  from  their  leases  by  private 
adventurers  and  are  now  bankrupts. 

When  I  was  instructed  to  lease  the  Mines,  I  conceived 
that  it  was  a  special  Agency,  which  you  had  thought  proper 
to  vest  in  the  Becorder's  Office;  and  not  an  appendage  of 
the  Executive  Power,  which  I  exercised  at  that  time  by 
mere  casualty:  But  his  Excellency  on  his  arrival  thought 
otherwise. 

Duty,  of  whatever  kind,  was  never  performed  by  me 
with  reluctance;  but  the  management  of  this  particular 
Affair  has  occasioned  me  so  much  embarrassing  contest, 
that  it  was  surrendered  with  great  cheerfulness  to  the 
man,  who  acted  as  if  he  had  brought  with  him  all  the  views 
of  administration,  in  his  Port  Folio.  I  beg  leave  to  remark 
that  the  public  indignation  which  was  once  loudly  mani- 
fested against  the  rapacious  speculations  of  certain  indi- 
viduals, begins  to  subside;  and  every  succeeding  day  will 
render  it  more  difficult  to  correct  the  mischief. 

Those  People,  far  from  remaining  on  the  defensive  (for 
indeed  they  suffer  no  molestation)  have  become  the  assail- 
ants, and  men  in  whom  the  government  reposes  its  confi- 
dence are  marked  out  as  their  future  victims. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  95 

If,  however  I  should  be  honored  with  your  further  orders 
on  these  subjects,  my  best  efforts  shall  be  exerted,  for  their 
execution:  and  if  protected  from  obtrusive  interruptions 
will  accomplish  your  wishes  or  assign  you  reasons  why  I 
have  been  unable  to  do  so. 


TO  JOHN  B.  C.  LUCAS  AND  CLEMENT  B.  PENROSE 

Gentlemen  Saturday  Morning  Sept.  30.  1809. 

I  was  not,  yesterday  morning  prepared  to  deliver  an 
opinion,  on  the  maximum  of  quantity,  if  any,  limited  by 
the  established  usages  and  customs  of  the  French  &  Span- 
ish G  overnments.  I  am  not  yet  ready.  —  I  view  this  ques- 
tion as  surpassing  in  its  magnitude  and  consequences,  any 
one  which  has  yet  been  decided  by  us  —  And  as  new  ideas 
have  arisen  in  my  mind,  on  this  subject,  as  well  spontan- 
eously, as  on  the  suggestion  of  those  with  whom  I  have 
conversed,  I  feel  myself  impelled,  however  reluctantly,  to 
ask  further  delay  until  monday  morning.  —  I  will  then 
meet  at  as  early  an  hour  as  you  may  think  proper. 


TO  MICHAEL  AMOUREUX 

SIR^  St.  Louis  Oct  1.  1809.  — 

I  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  an  Indian  Trading  Licence 
for  Mr.  Louis  Coignard,13  which  you  will  oblige  me  by  de- 
livering to  him,  on  his  executing  and  leaving  with  you  the 
accompanying  bond. 

is  Louis  Coignard  was  a  native  of  Chatillon,  France.  He  came  to  St. 
Louis  during  the  Spanish  regime.  In  1796,  after  the  visit  of  General 
Collot  to  St.  Louis,  he  organized  a  "Sans  Coulottes"  society.  In  1800 
he  bought  property  in  New  Madrid  and  engaged  in  business  there  as  a 
merchant. 


96  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

I  must  ask  the  favor  of  your  giving  date  to  the  Licence, 
correspondent  with  the  date  of  the  bond,  which  latter  may 
be  sent  to  me  by  some  private  conveyance  when  convenient. 

Mr.  Coignard  wished  that  he  might  be  permitted  to  trade 
at  the  Arkensas.  Will  you  have  the  goodness  to  inform 
him  that  the  Agent  at  that  place  is  charged  with  the  local 
affairs  of  that  river,  and  that  to  him  the  application  must 
be  made. 


TO  ROBERT  SMITH 
SlR^  Octo.  1.  1809.  — 

In  obedience  to  the  2d  Sec  of  the  'Act  further  providing 
for  the  government  of  the  district  of  Louisiana'  I  have 
the  honor  to  transmit  for  the  information  of  the  President, 
copies  of  all  the  legislative  and  executive  acts,  which  have 
been  deposited  in  my  office  for  record  and  preservation 
from  the  1st  day  of  April  till  30th  day  of  September  — 

Also  a  table  of  the  territorial  and  district  officers  in  com- 
mission at  this  time.14  I  beg  leave  to  remark,  that  the 
General  orders  to  the  Militia,  have  not  been  filed  in  this 
office.  Neither  have  I  been  desired  by  the  Governor  to 
procure  the  printing  of  them. 


TO  PIERRE  ANTOINE  LA  FORGE,  NEW  MADRID 

Secretary's  Office 
gm  St.  Louis  Oct  4.  1809. 

Your  letter  of  23d  of  last  mo.  was  delivered  by  Capt. 
Le  Sieur.15  It  gives  me  much  pleasure  to  observe  the  rapid 
progress    which    you    make    in    the    acquirement    of    the 

i*  The  list  is  missing. 

is  Francois  Le  Sieur  of  Little  Prairie. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  97 

English  language.  I  read  French  with  some  facility,  but 
have  not  yet  familiarized  its  pronunciation  and  much  habit 
will  be  necessary  before  I  either  write  or  speak  it  with 
correctness.  — 

I  do  not  know  how  it  has  happened  that  under  the  Amer- 
ican administration,  your  talents  have  not  been  heretofore 
employed  in  the  public  service.  It  is  high  time  that  they 
should  be  employed  and  I  request  your  acceptance  of  the 
two  offices  of  Judge  of  the  Courts  and  Auditor  of  the  Public 
Accounts  —  The  latter  of  these  offices  has  become  vacant 
by  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Amoureux.  I  enclose  the  Com- 
missions. 

I  have  for  some  months  past,  heard  much  of  the  collisions 
between  the  District  officers  of  N.  Madrid.  It  is  not  proper 
that  I  should  enter  into  these  private  disputes  and  I  have 
consequently  been  silent  with  respect  to  them.  It  is  hoped 
and  expected  that  you  will  exert  some  activity  &  zeal  in 
the  discharge  of  your  new  duties  &  that  you  will  endeavour 
to  give  facility  to  the  operations  of  the  Laws.  Shall  be 
glad  to  hear  from  you  frequently.  Apply,  if  you  please  at 
the  Clerk's  Office  for  a  copy  of  the  Laws.  Mr.  Hum- 
phreys16 will  supply  you. 


A  PROCLAMATION 

By  Frederick  Bates, 
Secretary  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana  and  Exercising 

the  Government  thereof 
Whereas  a  general  court  martial  held  in  the  town  of  St. 
Louis,  on  the  9th  day  of  June  last,  and  of  which  Lieut. 
Colo.  Auguste  Chouteau  was  President,  did,  with  laudable 
zeal  for  the  promotion  of  the  public  service,  impose  certain 

ifl  Joshua  Humphreys. 


98  The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

fines  on  the  individuals  herein  after  mentioned,  for  their 
not  having  obeyed  the  general  order  of  the  10th  day  of 
April  last,  to  wit,  on  Sergeant  Wm.  Long17  to  the  amount 
of  two  months'  pay;  and  on  the  following  Privates  to  wit, 
Jos :  Wells  2  Mos.  pay ;  Bart  Honory  one  months  pay,  Jos 
Lardoise  &  Jno.  Latresse  2  Mos.  pay  each,  Benj  Stedman 
2%  Mos.  pay,  Benj  Quick,  three  months  pay,  Saml.  Rogers 
2  Mos.  pay,  Jas.  Burnsides  2  Mos.  pay,  Jno.  Sullins  2% 
Mos.  pay,  Jno.  Nichols  2  Mos.  pay,  George  Sesep  V/o  Mos. 
pay,  Nathl.  Warren,  3%  Mos.  pay,  Jas.  Baggs  3%  Mos. 
pay,  John  Wilson  four  months'  pay,  George  Simpson  six 
months'  pay,  John  Manly  six  mos.  pay,  Jno.  Keller  2  Mos. 
pay,  William  Wells  3  Mos  pay,  Joseph  Martineau  six  mos. 
pay,  Stephen  Malboeuf  six  mos.  pay,  Danl.  Moore,  four 
mos.  pay.  — 

Now  therefore,  be  it  known,  that  in  consideration  of  the 
praiseworthy  alacrity,  with  which  the  Militia  of  Louisiana, 
have,  on  all  proper  occasions,  obeyed  the  calls  of  the  con- 
stituted authorities  of  their  country;  and  by  virtue  of  the 
powers  vested  in  the  Governor  by  the  1st  Section  of  the  'act 
further  providing  for  the  government  of  the  district  of 
Louisiana'  I  do  hereby  pardon  the  several  offences  for 
which  the  said  fines  were  imposed,  and  require  that  all 
sheriffs  govern  themselves  accordingly. 

In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  affixed  the 
seal  of  the  territory.  Given  under  my  hand  at  Saint 
Seal  Louis,  the  tenth  day  of  October,  one  thousand,  eight 
hundred  and  nine,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  the  thirty  fourth. 

Frederick  Bates 

17  William  L.  Long  was  a  Revolutionary  War  veteran  from  Virginia. 
In  1804  he  was  interested  in  a  grist  mill  at  Carondelet.  In  1812  he  was 
an  ensign  in  the  St.  Louis  regiment. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  99 

TO  CLEMENT  B.  PENROSE 

glR  St.  Louis  Oct.  20.  1809 

In  our  conversations  this  morning  I  charged  you  with 
having  said,  in  the  presence  of  certain  gentlemen,  that  the 
motives  of  my  misunderstandings  with  Governor  Lewis, 
were,  the  hopes  of  acquiring  the  Executive  Office  on  his 
removal;  and  not  an  honest  difference  in  opinion,  in  the 
transaction  of  the  territorial  business  —  This,  I  think  you 
denied  —  And  indeed,  if  you  have  common  sense  or  a  very 
ordinary  portion  of  consistency,  you  must  deny  it,  since 
you  have,  on  very  many  occasions,  been  quite  as  noisy  on 
the  imputed  irregularities  of  the  Governor,  as  any  other 
person.  — 

I  have  spoken  with  the  gentlemen  —  and  understand  from 
them,  that  they  may,  possibly,  have  made  some  inferences 
from  your  remarks  on  these  subjects  and  that  they  cannot 
recollect  the  precise  words  in  which  your  ideas  were  con- 
veyed. Here,  then,  I  drop  this  part  of  the  subject.  —  But 
you  still  say,  that  I  have  been,  and  am  the  enemy  of  the 
Governor,  —  and  that  I  would  be  very  willing  to  fill  that 
office  myself.  —  I  told  you  this  morning  that  it  was  false  — 
and  I  repeat  that  it  is  an  impudent  stupidity  in  you  to  per- 
sist in  the  assertion.  How  is  it  possible  that  you  should 
know  my  wishes,  except  from  my  declarations  or  my  con- 
duct?—  And  what  declaration  of  mine,  or  what  part  of 
my  conduct  justifies  you,  in  the  repetition  of  falsehoods 
like  these? 

In  return,  for  the  personal  allusions  with  which  you  have 
honored  me,  I  tender  to  you,  my  most  hearty  contempt. 


100         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

TO  JOHN  SCOTT'8 

Dear  Sir,  St-  Louis  0ct  24-  1809 

Your  letter  of  the  22d  was  handed  me  this  morning  by 
Mr.  Watson.  In  reply  to  your  recommendation  of  Henry 
King  esq  for  the  Recorder's  Office  of  N.  Madrid  in  the 
event  of  Judge  Amoureux'  resignation,  I  can  only  say,  that 
I  have  not  yet  heard  of  a  vacancy ;  but  that  your  assurances 
of  Mr.  King's  fitness  shall  not  be  forgotten,  if  I  should 
hereafter  have  it  in  my  power  to  serve  him. 

In  the  discharge  of  those  arduous  duties  which  have 
lately  devolved  on  the  Secy  ship,  I  can  have  no  other  object 
than  the  promotion  of  the  Public  good,  and  knowing  your 
acquaintance  with  the  Affairs  of  the  lower  districts,  any 
intimations  with  which  you  may  think  proper  to  favor  me 
will  be  very  acceptable. 


TO  NATHANIEL  POPE 

SlR  St.  Louis  Oct  24.  1809 

It  is  with  unaffected  diffidence  that  I  take  the  liberty  of 
addressing  you  on  a  subject,  in  which  in  all  probability 
you  feel  but  little  interest. 

The  term  of  Gov:  Lewis'  services,  will  expire  I  under- 
stand, in  Feby  or  March  next.    He  has  been  too  unfortunate 

is  John  Scott  was  a  Virginian.  After  graduating  at  Princeton  he 
moved  to  Vincennes  where  he  studied  law.  In  1805  he  moved  to  Ste. 
Genevieve,  being  the  first  lawyer  to  settle  there  permanently.  In  1807 
he  was  attorney-general  of  the  territory.  In  1817  he  was  elected  delegate 
to  congress  from  Missouri  Territory,  and  later  was  the  first  representative 
in  congress  from  the  State  of  Missouri.  His  support  of  John  Quincy 
Adams  led  to  his  retirement  from  political  life  in  1828.  Scott  County 
is  named  after  him. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  101 

to  expect  a  second  nomination  —  such,  at  least  is  the  pre- 
vailing opinion :  whether  well  founded  or  not  a  very  general 
solicitude  is  felt,  that  some  worthy  man  of  talent  and  expe- 
rience may  be  selected  to  succeed  him  in  the  Executive 
Office. 

Judge  Coburn  has  a  growing  reputation:  His  manners 
as  you  know,  are  plain,  yet  conciliatory,  and  no  doubt 
sufficiently  dignified;  his  discharge  of  public  duty  prompt 
intelligent  and  exempt  from  imputation.  In  a  word,  I 
believe  he  would,  more  nearly  than  any  other  man,  unite 
the  public  suffrage.  For  myself,  I  have  not  concealed  my 
ardent  wishes  that  the  Judge  might  be  appointed  our  Gov- 
ernor. A  popular  address  to  the  President  might  be  very 
readily  obtained;  but  such  Papers  have  not  of  late  been 
esteemed  conclusive  evidence  of  merit:  Besides  which  all 
feeling  minds  are,  in  different  degrees,  affected  by  the  un- 
happy situation  of  Governor  Lewis,  and  would  feel  a  pain- 
ful reluctance  in  contributing  to  his  mortifications.  The 
name  of  Judge  Coburn  will  however  be  mentioned  to  the 
President  by  private  friends  of  some  influence  and  sanguine 
hopes  are  entertained  of  the  success  of  their  application. 

If  you  could  feel  yourself  at  liberty  to  lend  us  your  aid 
in  this  affair  you  would  add  new  confidence  to  these  hopes, 
at  the  same  time  that  you  convince  us  of  your  willingness 
to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  People  of  Louisiana.  You 
have  indeed  determined  to  gather  your  laurels  in  a  sister 
territory;  yet  I  cannot  suppose  that  you  have  so  soon  for- 
gotten a  people,  who  are  proud  to  have  ranked  you  among 
their  fellow  citizens. 

The  weather  has  of  late  been  so  remarkably  pleasant, 
that  I  hope,  by  this  time,  I  may  congratulate  you  on  your 
entire  recoverv. 


102         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

A  PROCLAMATION 

By  Frederick  Bates 

Secretary  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana  and  Exercising 
the  Government  thereof 

Whereas  His  Excellency  Governor  Lewis,  did,  by  procla- 
mation, bearing  date  of  the  22d  day  of  June  last,  offer  a 
reward  of  six  hundred  dollars,  for  the  apprehension  and 
delivery  of  Meranante  and  Mashkakaki  two  Indians  of  the 
Ioway  Tribe,  charged  with  the  murder  of  Joseph  Tebeau  ;19 
or  half  that  sum  for  the  apprehension  and  delivery  of  either 
of  them :  —  And  whereas,  in  addition  to  the  supposed  ille- 
gality of  detaining  those  Fugitives,  in  the  event  of  their 
commitment  much  doubt  may  be  reasonably  entertained 
with  respect  to  the  fund,  on  which  this  disbursement  could 
be  legally  chargeable: 

Now,  therefore,  be  it  known,  that  after  mature  consid- 
eration of  the  Premises  I  have,  and  do  hereby  revoke  the 
said  Proclamation,  so  far  as  it  may  be  considered  as  an 
assurance  of  reward  for  the  apprehension  of  both  or  either 
of  the  said  Indians.  In  testimony  whereof  I  have  here- 
unto affixed  the  seal  of  the  territory  of  Louisiana.  Given 
under  my  hand  at  Saint  Louis  the  30th  day  of  October, 
1809  —  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of 
America  the  34th. 

Frederick  Bates 

is  The  name  was  variously  spelled.  It  appears  at  Thebalt,  Tebo, 
Tibbeau,  Tebeau,  Thiebeau.  He  was  an  old  French  trader  who,  for  many- 
years,  made  his  headquarters  at  Beloit,  Wisconsin.  Wisconsin  Historical 
Collections,  VI,  423,  424.  The  proper  spelling  was  Thibault.  See  Kas- 
kaskia  Church  Register,  II,  198,  the  original  of  which  is  owned  by  St. 
Louis  University.  The  Missouri  Historical  Society  has  a  copy.  The 
murder  was  reported  in  the  Missouri  Gazette,  August  2,  1808. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  103 

JOHN  BURKE  TREAT  TO  BATES 
My  Dear  Friend     Washington  City  October  31st  1809 

This  moment  the  Secretary  at  War  has  mentioned  to 
me  his  having  by  this  days  Mail  received  an  account  of 
the  extraordinary  death  of  Governor  Lewis :  for  which  no 
one  here  undertakes  to  account  for  —  &  certainly  the  short 
acquaintance  1  had  with  him  at  St.  Louis  in  June  last  wholly 
precludes  my  having  any  reason  to  offer  for  his  committing 
an  act  so  very  extraordinary  &  unexpected. 

It  is  already  ask'd  here  who  will  become  Gov.  of  the 
Territory:  Some  say  one,  others  another  —  but  those 
acquainted  with  the  present  Secry.  of  the  Territory  point 
him  out  as  the  most  suitable  and  proper  person:  he  cer- 
tainly possessing  more  local  knowledge  of  that  part  of  the 
Country  than  perhaps  any  other  person  who  might  be 
selected  as  possessing  talents  adequate  thereto  —  on  the 
other  hand,  there  are  those  who  assert  that  if  offered  he 
would  not  accept  it  —  as  it  might  be  necessary  he  should 
in  that  case  relinquish  the  place  of  Commissioner,  Register 
&c  &c  however  of  this  you  will  undoubtedly  be  best  able 
to  determine  — 

Here  we  are  all  tranquil  and  have  not  any  foreign  News 
more  than  the  Gazettes  of  the  day  will  probably  commu- 
nicate to  you  —  though  —  should  any  thing  occur,  which 
may  be  either  interesting  or  amusing  to  you  it  shall  by  the 
earliest  opportunity  be  communicated  by  [me] . 


TO  NICHOLAS  BOILVIN,  SUB-AGENT  OF  INDIAN 
AFFAIRS,  PRAIRIE  DU  CHIEN 

glR  St.  Louis  Nov  2d.  1809 

Mr.  Pope,  the  acting  Governor  of  the  territory  of  Illinois 
has  complained  to  me  that  you  have  licensed  persons  to 


104         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

trade  within  his  territory  —  and  demanded  that  this  prac- 
tice should  be  discontinued.  It  is  a  proceeding  with  which 
I  have  been  totally  unacquainted,  and  must  confess  myself 
altogether  at  a  loss  to  conceive  your  object. 

The  Orders  of  the  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  for 
Louisiana  can  have  no  operation  East  of  the  Mississippi  — 
And  no  Licences  in  Gov  Lewis'  name  ought  to  have  been 
issued  at  Prairie  du  Chien  or  for  any  other  part  of  the 
Illinois.  —  It  appears  to  me  that  you  ought  to  correspond 
on  these  subjects  with  Mr.  Pope.  Gov  Lewis  is  no  more. 
He  died  in  Tennessee  about  20  days  ago.20  — 


TO  JOHN  COBURN 

SlR^  St.  Louis  Nov  2d.  1809. 

I  have  been  somewhat  too  sanguine  in  my  expectation  of 
the  popular  address  which  we  spoke  of  —  Not,  that  the 
People  would  be  better  satisfied  with  any  other  appoint- 
ment; but  a  reluctance  of  which  I  have  not  been  able  to 
discover  the  true  cause,  has  heretofore  thrown  a  damp  on 
my  exertions.  Until  the  news  of  Gov  Lewis'  death,  the 
fear  of  incurring  his  displeasure  was  the  ostensible  mo- 
tive —  &  now,  the  impropriety  of  dictating  to  the  President 
will  serve  as  a  pretext  for  their  backwardness.  I  did  not 
myself  sign  the  Peto.  as  I  conceived  that  the  wishes  of 
the  People  &  not  the  Secy's  wishes  should  be  expressed 
in  it. 

I  send  you  the  copy  of  a  letter  which  I  wrote  last  week 
to  Mr.  Pope.    He  has  not  answered  me  —  The  communica- 

20  Governor  Lewis  met  his  death  on  October  11,  1809. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  105 

tion  of  which  I  spoke,  has  not  yet  been  made  to  Govern- 
ment —  It  will  go  by  next  week's  mail.  If  the  proper  efforts 
are  made  at  the  city  I  shall  not  dispair  of  your  success. 


TO  JACQUES  POKLIER21  AND  JOHN  BLEAKLEY,22 
MERCHANTS  OF  THE  BRITISH  MACK- 
INAC COMPANY 

Gentlemen,  St.  Louis  Nov  3.  1809.  — 

The  statement  which  you  yesterday  did  me  the  favor  to 
submit,  in  relation  to  your  conduct  among  the  Sacs,  Foxes 
and  others  Indians  of  the  Mississippi,  has  been  read  and 
reflected  upon  with  all  that  candour  and  attention  which 
it  certainly  merits. 

The  charges23  were  indeed  such  as  to  create  much  preju- 
dice in  the  public  mind,  and  some  alarm  for  our  defenceless 

2i  Jacques  Porlier  was  born  in  Montreal  in  1765.  In  1783  he  made 
his  first  trip  to  Mackinac.  In  1791  he  went  to  Green  Bay  where  he 
engaged  as  clerk  with  the  fur  trader  Pierre  Grignon,  Sr.  For  a  year 
Porlier  worked  at  the  Green  Bay  store  and  then  was  sent  by  Grignon  to 
his  trading  post  on  the  St.  Croix.  The  following  year  he  became  an 
independent  trader  and  spent  many  years  on  the  upper  Mississippi  and 
its  tributaries.  In  1798  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Noel  Rocheblave. 
The  firm  was  dissolved  in  1810.  Wisconsin  Historical  Collections,  III, 
244-245;  VII,  247;  XVIII,  462. 

22  in  1783  Bleakley  was  storekeeper  and  clerk  at  Mackinac.  For  many 
years  he  was  operating  on  the  upper  Mississippi,  being  engaged  in  trade 
as  late  as  1814.     Wisconsin  Historical  Collections,  XIX,  275-276,  323-324. 

23  in  April,  1809,  Nicholas  Jarrot  of  Cahokia,  who  was  on  his  way 
to  Prairie  du  Chien,  met  Porlier  and  Bleakley,  who  had  been  trading 
among  the  Sacs.  Jarrot  reported  that  Porlier  complained  bitterly  of 
conditions  in  the  Indian  trade,  claiming  that  the  Indians  forced  the 
traders  to  sell  goods  at  the  prices  charged  at  the  government  factories, 
the  result  being  a  loss  to  the  traders.  Jarrot  then  visited  Ed.  Lagotrie, 
another  trader,  who  confirmed  Porlier's  statement.  Jarrot  claimed  that 
the  traders  informed  him  that  the  Indians  had  two  plans  to  get  rid  of  the 


106         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

frontier.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  be  convinced,  that  the 
prejudice  was  unmerited  and  the  alarm  without  foundation. 

You  were  advised,  Gentlemen,  that,  as  the  acting  Gov- 
ernor of  Louisiana,  I  had  no  power  to  institute  an  enquiry 
in  this  mode.  An  investigation  at  my  office  was  known  to 
be  extra  judicial :  Yet  the  earnestness  with  which  you  have 
insisted,  together  with  the  trouble  which  you  have  given 
yourselves  of  a  personal  attendance  at  Saint  Louis,  deter- 
mined me  to  adopt  that  course,  as  the  only  one  which  the 
circumstances  of  the  Affair,  placed  within  our  reach.  — 
Your  development  of  facts,  has  demonstrated  the  rectitude 
of  your  motives  and  conduct  —  and  I  am  truly  happy  to 
find,  that  your  characters,  heretofore  known  for  their  indi- 
vidual worth,  have,  in  no  wise,  deserved  reproach  or  impu- 
tation, during  the  late  transactions  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Fort  Madison.  I  believe  that  Garrison  never  was  in 
danger.  — 

The  honorable  frankness  with  which  you  avow  your 
allegiance  and  political  attachment  to  the  Crown  of  Great 
Britain  is  the  best  guarantee  of  your  decent  submission  to 
our  laws,  as  long  as  you  voluntarily  live  under  their  pro- 
tection. 


TO  NICHOLAS  BOILVIN 

Deab  Sib,  St-  Louis  Nov  4-  1809- 

I  wrote  you  on  the  2d  &  again  address  you  at  the  pressing 
instances  of  Madame  Boilvin.  You  will  hear  from  other 
quarters  of  the  melancholy  circumstances  of  Gov  Lewis's 

white  men:  one  was  to  get  into  Fort  Madison  with  knives  and  stab 
the  soldiers;  if  that  did  not  succeed,  they  would  watch  the  men  and 
kill  them  and  their  cattle.    Missouri  Gazette,  June  23,  1809. 


The   Second   Acting-Governorship.  107 

death.  —  You  have  lost  a  Friend.  —  There  are  many  expec- 
tations of  change  in  the  Indian  Department.  —  Heaven 
only  can  foresee  the  future.  —  Genl.  Clark  is  in  the  City  of 
Washington  —  I  suppose  you  are  now  acting  under  his 
instructions. 

My  dear  Sir,  I  pray  you  to  be  extremely  circumspect  in 
every  thing  you  do.  Particularly  grant  no  licences,  enter 
into  no  arrangements  in  Illinois  unless  under  the  direc- 
tions of  the  Governor  of  that  territory.  You  will  count 
confidently  on  my  friendship  whenever  it  may  be  in  my 
power  to  serve  you. 


TO  WILLIAM  HENRY  HARRISON 

SlR  St.  Louis  Nov  9.  1809. 

I  had  the  honor  to  receive  by  yesterday's  mail,  your 
letter  of  the  31st  ulto.  and  avail  myself  of  the  return  Post 
to  give  you  all  the  information  which  I  possess,  of  the 
seizure  of  certain  goods,  on  the  St.  Francis,  the  property 
as  alledged  of  Mr.  Thomas  Jones.24 

Gov  Lewis  issued  his  warrant  for  this  seizure  on  the 
31st  of  March  last,  founded  on  the  oath  of  James  McFar- 
lane,  '  That  these  goods  were  offered  for  sale  to  the  Indians 
by  Wm  Webber  &  Jno.  Connature,  supposed  Agents  of 
Thos.  Jones,  without  License'. 

I  am  advised  by  our  Atty.  General  Mr  Hempstead,  that 
as  process  has  been  instituted  for  the  condemnation  of  this 
merchandize,  my  interference  would  be  irregular. 

The  goods  themselves,  might,  no  doubt,  be  obtained, 
under  Writ  of  Replevin,  a  process  which  will  not  affect 

24  Thomas  Jones  was  an  early  American  settler  on  the  Meramec. 


108         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

the  main  enquiry,  whether  or  not  they  were  offered  for 
sale  in  violation  of  the  Law  of  intercourse. 

We  had  been  lately  told  that  this  merchandize  was  not 
indeed  the  property  of  Mr.  Jones;  but  that  it  had  been 
fairly  sold  and  transferred  by  him  to  those  Indians  in 
whose  hands  it  was  found.  Had  this  really  been  the  fact, 
the  propriety  of  the  seizure,  would  have  been  in  my  mind, 
much  more  questionable. 

This  cause  will  probably  be  tried  on  the  4th  Monday  of 
this  month  in  the  district  court  of  New  Madrid. 


TO  RICHARD  BATES 

St.  Louis  Nov  9.  1809. 

You  have  heard  no  doubt,  of  the  premature  and  tragical 
death  of  Gov :  Lewis.  Indeed  I  had  no  personal  regard  for 
him  and  a  great  deal  of  political  contempt;  Yet  I  cannot 
but  lament,  that  after  all  his  toils  and  dangers  he  should 
die  in  such  a  manner.25 

At  the  first,  in  Washington  he  made  to  me  so  many 
friendly  assurances,  that  I  then  imagined  our  mutual 
friendship  would  plant  itself  on  rocky  foundations.  But 
a  very  short  acquaintance  with  the  man  was  sufficient  to 
undeceive  me.  He  had  been  spoiled  by  the  elegant  praises 
of  Mitchell26  &  Barlow,27  and  over  whelmed  by  so  many 
flattering  caresses  of  the  high  &  mighty,  that,  like  an  over- 

25  For  the  circumstances  connected  with  the  death  of  Lewis,  see 
Coues,  History  of  the  Expedition  under  the  Command  of  Lewis  and  Clark, 
I,  43  et  seq.    See  also  the  Missouri  Gazette,  November  2,  1809. 

26  Probably  Samuel  Latham  Mitchill,  one  of  the  best  known  American 
scientists  of  the  period. 

27  Probably  a  reference  to  Joel  Barlow's  Columoiad. 


The    Second    Acting-Governorship.  109 

grown  baby,  he  began  to  think  that  everybody  about  the 
House  must  regulate  their  conduct  by  his  caprices. 

'De  mortuis  nil  nisi  bonum'28  is  a  good  old  maxim;  but 
my  character  has  been  assailed,  as  respects  our  late  Gov- 
ernor, and  I  owe  to  those  I  love  some  little  account  of  my- 
self. 

I  never  saw,  after  his  arrival  in  this  country,  anything 
in  his  conduct  towards  me,  but  alienation  and  unmerited 
distrust.  I  had  acquired  and  shall  retain  a  good  portion 
of  the  public  confidence,  and  he  had  not  generosity  of  soul 
to  forgive  me  for  it.  I  was  scarcely  myself  conscious  of 
my  good  fortune;  for  the  still  voice  of  approbation  with 
which  I  was  favored  by  the  People,  was,  as  yet  drowned 
in  the  clamours  of  my  enemies.  As  soon  as  I  was  seen  in 
conflict  with  my  associates  in  business,  my  friends  came 
forward  with  a  generous  and  unexpected  support.  —  T  bore 
in  silence  the  supercilious  air  of  the  Governor  for  a  long 
time ;  until,  last  summer  he  took  it  into  his  head  to  disavow 
certain  statements  which  I  had  made,  by  his  order  from 
the  Secretary's  Office.  This  was  too  much  —  I  waited  on 
him,  —  told  him  my  wrongs  —  that  I  could  not  bear  to  be 
treated  in  such  a  manner  —  that  he  had  given  me  the 
orders,  &  as  truth  is  always  eloquent,  the  Public  would 
believe  it  on  my  assurances.  He  told  me  to  take  my  own 
course  —  I  shall,  Sir,  said  I,  and  I  shall  come,  in  future 
to  the  Executive  Office  when  I  have  business  at  it. 

Some  time  after  this,  there  was  a  ball  in  St.  Louis,  I 
attended  early,  and  was  seated  in  conversation  with  some 
Gentlemen  when  the  Governor  entered.  He  drew  his  chair 
close  to  mine  —  There  was  a  pause  in  the  conversation  — 
T  availed  myself  of  it  —  arose  and  walked  to  the  opposite 

28  Of  the  dead  nothing  but  good. 


110         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

side  of  the  room.  The  dances  were  now  commencing.  — 
He  also  rose  —  evidently  in  passion,  retired  into  an  adjoin- 
ing room  and  sent  a  servant  for  General  Clark,  who  refused 
to  ask  me  out  as  he  foresaw  that  a  Battle  must  have  been 
the  consequence  of  our  meeting.  He  complained  to  the 
general  that  I  had  treated  him  with  contempt  &  insult  in 
the  Ball-Room  and  that  he  could  not  suffer  it  to  pass.  He 
knew  my  resolutions  not  to  speak  to  him  except  on  business 
and  he  ought  not  to  have  thrust  himself  in  my  way.  The 
thing  did  pass  nevertheless  for  some  weeks  when  General 
Clark  waited  on  me  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  me  to  make 
some  advances.  I  replied  to  him  'NO,  the  Governor  has 
told  me  to  take  my  own  course  and  I  shall  step  a  high  and 
a  proud  Path.  He  has  injured  me,  and  he  must  undo  that 
injury  or  I  shall  succeed  in  fixing  the  stigma  where  it 
ought  to  rest.  You  come'  added  I  'as  my  friend,  but  I 
cannot  separate  you  from  G  ov  Lewis  —  You  have  trodden 
the  Tips  &  the  Downs  of  life  with  him  and  it  appears  to  me 
that  these  proposals  are  made  solely  for  his  convenience.' 
At  last,  I  had  business  at  the  Executive  Office  —  He 
pressed  me  to  be  seated  and  made  very  handsome  explana- 
tions. I  told  him  that  they  sounded  well;  but  that  I  could 
not  accept  them  unless  with  the  approbation  of  my  friend 
Wm.  C.  Carr  —  He,  with  some  other  Gentlemen  were  then 
called  in,  &  this  particular  misunderstanding  adjusted  to 
the  entire  satisfaction  of  Carr  and  myself. 

Oh  Lewis,  how  from  my  Love,  I  pity  thee ! 

1  Those  who  stand  high,  have  many  winds  to  shake  them 

And  if  they  fall,  they  dash  themselves  to  pieces' 

I  should  not  speak  of  these  things  now,  but  for  the  pur- 
pose of  explaining  what  followed.    Gov.  Lewis,  on  his  way 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  Ill 

to  Washington  became  insane.  On  the  arrival  of  this  un- 
happy news  and  before  we  heard  of  his  death,  an  Honbie. 
Gentleman  of  this  place,  a  Colleague  of  mine  at  the  Land- 
Board,  commenced  a  regular  and  systematic  traduction  of 
my  character  —  He  asserted  in  several  respectable  com- 
panies that  the  mental  derangement  of  the  Governor  ought 
not  to  be  imputed  to  his  political  miscarriages ;  but  rather 
to  the  barbarous  conduct  of  the  Secretary.  That  Mr  Bates 
had  been  determined  to  tear  down  Gov  Lewis,  at  all  events, 
with  the  hope  of  supplanting  him  in  the  Executive  Office' 
with  a  great  deal  of  scandal  equally  false  and  malicious. 
The  persons  who  listened  most  attentively  to  these  accusa- 
tions, happened  to  be  my  very  intimate  friends  Judge 
Coburn  and  Doct  Farrar. 

I  deliberated  with  myself  24  hours  in  what  manner  I 
ought  to  proceed.  Clement  B.  Penrose  was  worthy  of  my 
resentment,  as  being  nearly  connected  with  the  '  illustrious 
House  of  Wilkinson'  as  well  as  on  many  other  accounts. 
But  he  has  a  Wife  and  family.  A  defiance  ought  not  then, 
if  it  could  be  avoided,  to  come  from  me.  The  second  day 
after  I  had  heard  these  slanders  I  met  him  in  public,  at 
the  Board  of  Commissioners,  after  we  had  adjourned.  I 
charged  him  with  the  falsehoods  which  he  had  propagated 
in  concise  and  angry  terms.  He  denied  them  and  explained 
'I  have  said  that  you  were  the  enemy  of  Gov  Lewis  and 
would  willingly  be  the  Governor  yourself.'  'You  have 
gone  farther  than  this  Sir'  said  I  'and  I  will  prove  it  upon 
you.  I  will  not  submit  to  your  malicious  impertinence  Mr. 
Penrose  —  I  will  chastise  you  for  it  —  for  two  years  past, 
you  have  been  in  the  habit  of  gossiping  your  scandals  with 
respect  to  me,  and  I  pledge  my  word  of  Honor,  that  if  you 
ever  again  bark  at  my  heels,  I  ivill  spurn  you  like  a  Puppy 


112         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

from  my  Path'  These  reproaches  made  no  impression  upon 
him  —  he  was  only  apprehensive  of  another  kind  of  attack. 
He  had  denied  the  charge  and  I  thought  him  too  worthless 
for  further  notice.  I  satisfied  myself  with  obtaining  from 
Judge  Coburn  a  Certificate  of  what  1  had  alledged  and 
with  sending  Aid  Major  McNair  with  a  letter  to  Mr.  Pen- 
rose, expressive  of  my  hearty  and  everlasting  Contempt 
for  him.  His  reply  to  the  Major  was,  that  he  would  have 
me  indicted  for  an  Assault. 

Eichard,  this  is  a  strange  world,  in  which  we  live!  I 
had  thought  that  my  habits  were  pacific;  yet  I  have  had 
acrimonious  differences  with  almost  every  person  with 
whom  I  have  been  associated  in  public  business.  I  have 
called  myself  to  a  very  rigid  account  on  this  head,  and 
before  God,  I  cannot  acknowledge  that  I  have  been  blamable 
in  any  one  instance.    My  passions  blind  me  I  suppose. 

It  is  certain,  nevertheless,  that  I  float  on  a  flowing  tide 
of  popular  favor,  without  a  diminution  of  credit  that  I 
know  of  at  the  City.  9/10ths  of  the  People  are  ready  to 
push  me  into  the  government,  as  much  I  presume,  against 
the  determinations  of  the  President  as  contrary  to  my  own 
inclinations. 

The  Recorder's  Office  united  with  the  Secretaryship  are 
better,  safer,  more  permanent,  more  congenial  with  my 
habits,  and  offer  me  duties  with  the  discharge  of  which  I 
am  intimately  familiar.  In  the  Government,  I  might  have 
a  three  years'  greatness  and  sink  into  oblivion.  I  could 
not  hope  to  '  escape  from  the  world 's  great  snare  uncaught. ' 
My  efforts  are  making  for  Judge  Coburn;  but  my  friends 
are  not  hearty  in  his  support.  I  greatly  fear  that  we  shall 
miscarry. 

I  love  you  with  unbounded  confidence.    Adieu. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  113 

JAMES  ABBOTT  TO  BATES 
Dear  Sir  Detroit,  9th  November,  1809. 

The  troubles  of  Louisiana  Territory  are  somewhat 
analogous  to  those  of  Michigan.  —  Governor  H  and  the 
J[udges,  th]at  is,  Woodward  &  Griffin  are  at  open  War, 
and  have  become  so  violent  against  each  other,  as  to  mate- 
rially affect  the  prosperity  of  the  Territory.  —  I  am  of 
opinion  that  the  General  Government  will  take  notice  of 
them ;  and  it  is  the  General  opinion  that  one  side  must  fall, 
to  give  peace.  —  The  cry  is  no  longer  the  People  vs.  the 
Governor  &  Judges  It  is  now  the  Heads  of  our  Local  Gov- 
ernment against  each  other. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  your  Governor  Lewis  is  losing 
ground  —  I  have  always  considered  him  as  a  worthy  char- 
acter, but  as  you  say  "  Great  men  are  generally  judged  by 
the  results  of  their  measures,"  and  not  by  their  intentions. 

Mr.  Hoffman  requests  me  to  tender  to  }^ou  his  best 
respects  and  to  inform  you  that  he  is  in  anxious  expectation 
of  the  Letter  you  promised  him  in  the  note  which  Mr.  Chene 
delivered  to  him  at  Mackinac  last  summer. 


TO  NATHANIEL  POPE 

gm  St.  Louis  Nov  10th  1809 

Assuredly,  If  I  were  in  your  situation,  I  should  not  rec- 
ommend Judge  Coburn,  and  it  is  as  certain  that  if  I  had 
been  acquainted  with  the  personal  causes  of  alienation 
which  subsisted  between  you  I  never  should  have  made  the 
request. 


114         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

TO  WILLIAM  0.  ALLEN29 

Dear  Sir  Saint  Louis  Nov  10.  1809. 

Your  friend  Scott  and  myself  conversed  lately,  on  the 
subject  of  Judge  Shrader's  intended  resignation.  You 
were  mentioned  as  his  successor.  Such  an  event,  I  have  no 
doubt,  would  be  pleasing  to  the  country.  Would  not  your 
friends  in  Virginia,  mention  you  to  the  President!  Those 
men  of  respectability  and  influence  with  whom  you  have 
correspondence  in  Williamsburg  and  Richmond,  would,  I 
should  think  without  hesitation,  give  the  proper  assur- 
ances of  your  qualifications. 

I  take  the  liberty  of  writing  to  you,  in  this  business,  with 
the  openness  of  friendly  regard.  Your  establishment  in 
our  country  would  give  me  particular  pleasure;  and  could 
I  be  instrumental  in  your  advancement,  my  aid  should  be 
contributed  with  the  utmost  alacrity. 

But  Sir,  neither  the  President  nor  the  Heads  of  Depart- 
ments expect  information  of  this  kind  from  me.  The  stand- 
ing of  a  territorial  officer  is  generally  precarious,  and  the 
scope  of  his  influence,  most  commonly,  I  believe,  limited 
to  the  sphere  of  his  duties. 


TO  SAMUEL  TREAT,  ACTING  FOR  JOHN  B.  TREAT 

AS  AGENT  FOR  INDIAN  AFFAIRS  AT 

THE  ARKANSAS 

Sm,  St.  Louis  Nov  11.  1809 

Capt  Harvey  delivered  your  letter  of  the  12th  ulto.  since 
which  I  have  scarcely  had  a  moment  to  answer  it.     An 

29  William  O.  Allen  was  a  Virginian  by  birth.     He  enlisted  in  the 
regular  army  in  1812  and  became  a  captain  of  infantry. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  115 

unusual  press  of  unpleasant  business  of  various  kinds,  has, 
for  the  last  three  weeks,  afforded  me  but  little  respite. 

The  Letter  opening  the  trade  with  the  Indians,  was  writ- 
ten as  you  will  observe  by  order  of  Governor  Lewis  —  It 
was  my  private  opinion  that  it  should  never  have  been  shut 
and  while  I  remain  in  the  exercise  of  the  government,  the 
right  of  the  citizen,  which  he  derives  from  the  Law  of 
intercourse  will  not  be  suspended,  unless  in  the  event  of 
war,  actual  or  impending.  —  On  the  subject  of  Licences  — 
John  B.  Treat  Esq.  has  been  authorized,  by  the  late  Secty 
of  War  to  issue  them  —  To  prevent  any  disappointments 
which  the  absence  of  your  brother  might  occasion,  I  enclose 
half  a  dozen  blanks  —  With  respect  to  the  intrusions  and 
depredations  of  the  Cherokees,  I  think  you  ought  to  rep- 
resent them  to  the  War-Department.  I  shall  also  take  the 
liberty  of  transmitting  an  extract  of  your  letter.  — 

We  cannot  yet  send  you,  your  original  Papers  from  the 
Recorder's  Office.  They  are  at  this  time  before  the  com- 
missioners, and  in  the  keeping  of  their  clerk.  My  young 
friend  Mr.  Honey  who  now  acts  in  that  capacity  on  behalf 
of  his  Brother  has  not  had  leisure  to  prepare  the  copies.  — 


TO  THE  JUDGES  OF  THE  DISTEICT  OF  ARKANSAS 

Gentlemen,  St-  Louis  Nov  16«  1809 

On  the  eve  of  Mr.  Harvey's  intended  departure  he  called 
on  me  and  resigned  the  several  offices  which  he  lately  held 
in  your  district. 

I  send  you  blank  commissions,  and  ask,  that  you  will 
employ  your  best  efforts  in  filling  them  worthily.    On  your 


116         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

success  in  this  attempt  will  probably  depend  the  existence 
of  your  Settlements  as  a  Separate  District™ 


TO  WILLIAM  HENRY  HARRISON 

Secretary's  Office 
SIR^  St.  Louis  Nov  16.  1809 

A  question  has  lately  arisen,  which  cannot  be  determined 
by  the  records  of  my  Office,  with  respect  to  the  District 
boundaries  between  Saint  Louis  and  St.  Genevieve.  I  am 
compelled  to  solicit  information  from  you. 

On  relieving  my  Predecessor  Dr.  Browne,  no  record  of 
the  Executive  acts  of  your  Excellency,  during  your  gov- 
ernment of  this  country,  was  delivered  to  me.  If  the  Sec- 
retary's Office  of  Indiana  can  supply  any  information  as 
to  the  establishment  of  our  Districts  I  take  the  liberty  of 
requesting  that  you  will  have  the  goodness  to  cause  it  to 
be  certified.  Your  attention  to  this  request  will  confer  on 
me  a  singular  favor. 


TO  JEREMIAH  CONNOR,  SHERIFF  OF  THE 
DISTRICT  OF  ST.  LOUIS 

glR  St.  Louis  29  Nov  1809 

I  expect  you,  as  Jailor  of  the  District  of  St.  Louis  to 
furnish  my  office  with  information  as  to  the  subsistence 

30  The  previous  year  Governor  Lewis  issued  a  proclamation  dividing 
the  District  of  New  Madrid.  All  that  portion  lying  between  the  33d 
parallel  and  the  Second  Chickasaw  Bluff,  and  running  indefinitely  west- 
ward, was  made  into  the  District  of  Arkansas.  Houck,  History  of  Mis- 
souri, II,  412. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  Ill 

of  persons  in  your  custody  under  prosecution  of  the  United 
States.  In  an  especial  manner  I  require  you  to  report  the 
manner  in  which  a  Sac  Indian,31  in  your  custody,  has  been 
provided  with  Fuel,  if  any,  and  provisions,  from  his  com- 
mitment till  the  present  time. 

The  manner  in  which  you  have  thought  proper  to  neglect 
my  verbal  request  on  the  latter  subject  obliges  me  to  inform 
you  that  I  hope  for  an  immediate  compliance. 


TO  JEREMIAH  CONNOR 

grB  St.  Louis  Nov  30.  1809. 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  this  day  —  It  is  a  strange 
one,  and  such  as  I  do  hope  no  person  exercising  the  gov- 
ernment of  this  country  will  ever  again  receive  from  the 
Sheriff  of  the  District  of  Saint  Louis. 

You  are  ignorant  i  whether  the  Sac  Indian  has  been  fur- 
nished with  20  or  90  meals  per  month'! 

Sir,  that  Indian,  altho'  guilty  and  condemned  by  the 
Laws  is  not  to  perish  with  hunger.  If  you  have  not  a 
[reliable]  Deputy  Gaoler  on  whose  honesty  and  diligence 
[you  are  able  to  depend]  either  provide  one  or  per[mit  me 
to  appoint  one.     I  do]   not  like  the  expressions  of  your 

3i  The  Sac  Indian  referred  to  killed  a  white  man  at  Portage  des 
Sioux.  He  was  tried  on  July  27,  1808,  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  be 
executed,  but  was  reprieved  by  the  governor  to  avoid  the  appearance  of 
partiality  to  the  two  Iowas  who  were  tried  about  the  same  time.  In 
October,  1809,  a  deputation  of  Sac  and  Fox  chiefs  visited  St.  Louis,  one 
of  their  purposes  being  to  ascertain  the  fate  of  the  prisoner  who  had  been 
held  in  jail  for  many  months.  Quasquami,  a  Sac  chief,  delivered  an 
empassioned  speech  before  Governor  Lewis  and  General  Clark.  Missouri 
Gazette,  July  26;  August  2,  1808;  and  October  4,  1809. 


118         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

letter.  You  are  not  to  prescribe  times  for  the  adjustment 
of  the  public  accounts.  The  application  was  mine,  rather 
than  Anderson's.  —  I  do  not  choose  to  admit  the  certificates 
of  Anderson  as  vouchers  for  his  own  accounts.  The  man 
is  unknown  to  me.  If  his  word  is  all  sufficient,  why  not 
make  it  the  basis  of  your  certificate  (since  he  is  your  Agent) 
rather  than  expect  me  to  take  it  as  a  voucher  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  public  money? 

I  desire  your  attention  to  the  4th  Section  of  an  act  of 
the  9th  of  November  1808  Page  342  of  the  territorial 
Laws.32  Your  duties  are  there  ver^  clearly  prescribed  as 
to  persons  prosecuted  criminally  under  the  laws  of  the  ter- 
ritory: And  I  expect  your  promise,  unreservedly  and  in 
writing  and  divested  too  of  all  reasoning  which  does  not 
belong  to  the  subject,  that  you  will,  in  future,  conform  your- 
self to  the  provisions  of  that  section,  in  all  cases  of  crim- 
inal prosecution  under  the  United  States'  Statutes. 


TO  JEREMIAH  CONNOR 

St.  Louis  Deer.  3d  1809.  — 
Sir, 

You  have  satisfied  but  one  branch  of  my  demand  —  For 
the  future  we  have  made  an  adequate  provision  —  Your 
promise  is  deemed  most  amply  sufficient:  But  as  to  the 
past  you  have  obstinately,  and  as  I  think,  somewhat  rudely, 
refused  to  account.  —  I  had  determined  that  you  should  be 
indulged  in  this ;  and  were  it  reconcilable  with  my  duty  and 

32  Section  4  of  the  act  of  November  9,  1808,  providing  for  compensa- 
tions to  deputy-jailors  may  be  found  in  Missouri  Territorial  Laws,  I, 
224-225.    Bates'  reference  is  to  the  first  edition  of  the  laws. 


The    Second    Acting-Governorship.  119 

with  the  regular  transaction  of  the  public  business,  I 
should  have  no  objection  to  forget  your  late  wanderings  in 
expectation  of  an  amendment:  But  certain  intimations 
lately  received,  oblige  me,  to  reiterate  my  original  enquiry, 
made  personally  at  your  office,  with  no  other  alteration 
than  a  limitation  of  time  How  has  the  Sac  Indian  in  your 
custody,  been  subsisted,  from  4th  Sept.  till  30th  Nov  last? 

If  you  suspect  that  your  Deputy  Gaoler  has  been  negli- 
gent in  supplying  him  with  provisions,  why  not  say  so? 
If  he  has  been  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  those  trusts 
which  you  and  not  the  government  have  reposed  in  him, 
let  the  account  be  settled.  I  have  a  right  to  know  the  truth 
and  I  will  know  it  —  And  am  determined  that  no  private 
quarrels  between  you  and  your  deputy,  shall  deprive  me 
of  that  information,  which  you  ought,  on  the  first  applica- 
tion to  have  promptly  given. 

Into  whose  custody  was  this  criminal  delivered  on  his 
condemnation?  Sir,  into  Your's  —  and  from  You  alone 
will  I  expect  an  account  of  him. 

There  are  other  charges  which  you  will  be  obliged  to 
answer  in  their  proper  order.  This  is  the  subject,  how- 
ever, on  which  I  intend  to  establish  my  right  of  enquiring 
into  your  conduct.  You  appear,  by  no  means  satisfied  that 
the  Laws  have  established  in  my  office,  a  censorship  over 
your's.  I  shall  proceed  slowly  and  deliberately  to  convince 
you  of  this  truth.  One  glaring  neglect  of  duty  has  awak- 
ened accusations  which  might  otherwise  have  slept.  I  had 
rocked  the  cradle  of  their  repose. 

Your  contempt  of  my  authority  shall  not  provoke  me 
to  do  you  an  injustice.  I  shall  take  care  to  be  well  assured 
of  facts  before  I  act  upon  them. 


120         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

TO  WILLIAM  CHRISTY 

Sib,  St.  Louis  Dec  14.  1809 

When  I  last  spoke  with  you  on  the  subject  of  Mr.  Con- 
nor's intended  removal,  you  expressed  a  desire  that  some 
arrangement  might  be  made,  by  which  he  might  be  enabled 
to  close  certain  business  already  commenced.  —  It  was  my 
first  impression  that  I  could  not  be  a  party  to  such  arrange- 
ments, —  and  nothing  which  has  since  occurred,  has  in  any 
wise  contributed  to  change  tins  opinion.  —  I  write  you  this 
note  in  compliance  with  the  promise  which  I  made  you. 


TO  ALEXANDER  McNAIR 

Secretary's   Office 
0  St.  Louis  Dec  14.  1809. 

OIR, 

Desirous  of  availing  the  public  of  your  services,  I  take 
the  liberty  to  enclose  you  a  commission  as  sheriff  of  the 
District  of  Saint  Louis. 

Jeremiah  Connor  esq  has  been  removed  from  this  office  — 
and  as  the  duties  are  pressing  and  incessant,  it  is  much 
to  be  wished  that  you  should  immediately  commence  them. 
The  Laws  have  made  it  the  duty  of  your  Predecessor  to 
deliver  to  you  the  Papers  appertaining  to  the  office. 


TO  JEREMIAH  CONNOR 

0  Saint  Louis  Dec  14.  1809. 

Sir, 

I  received,  this  afternoon,  your  letter  desiring  a  state- 
ment of  the  reasons  or  the  facts,  on  which  my  late  deter- 
minations with  respect  to  your  removal,  were  founded. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  121 

Without  entering  into  a  discussion  of  the  principles  on 
which  you  have  thought  proper  to  make  the  demand,  I  have 
no  hesitation  in  giving  you  the  statement.  I  promised  you 
this,  a  few  days  ago,  in  the  conversations  which  we  had 
on  these  subjects;  and  the  performance  of  this  promise 
was  only  delayed,  not  forgotten.  It  was  desirable  that  there 
should  not  be  a  vacancy,  until  a  successor  was  provided. 

The  reasons  inducing  the  removal  grow  out  of  the  fol- 
lowing facts 
1st      Irregularity    and    remissness    in    discharge    of    the 

Sheriff's  duties 
2nd     A  mode  deemed  oppressive  and  unknown  to  the  Laws, 

in  the  collecting  of  taxes 
3d       Repeated  failures,  for  years  past,  to  settle  your  ac- 
counts with  the  district 

4th      The  charge  of  Fees  not  provided  for  by  Law. 

Entirely  convinced  of  the  truth  of  these  facts,  it  is  my 
unpleasant  duty  to  inform  you,  that  your  commission  as 
sheriff  of  the  District  of  St.  Louis,  has  been,  this  day, 
revoked.33 

33  The  following  statement  appeared  in  the  Louisiana  Gazette,  Janu- 
ary 18,  1810: 

To  the  Public. 

I  had  indulged  the  hope  that  the  uneasiness  naturally  occassioned 
by  a  removal  from  Office,  would  not  in  my  case,  be  aggravated  by  a  mis- 
representation of  the  causes  assigned  or  conjectured,  which  produced  it. 
A  short  excursion  into  the  country  have  convinced  me  how  fallacious 
my  expectations  have  been.  What  these  misrepresentations  are,  I  deem 
it  unnecessary  at  present  to  state,  they  have  served,  however  to  awaken 
a  solicitude  for  my  reputation,  which  I  had  trusted  have  remained  un- 
assailed:  and  nothing  but  the  imperious  necessity  which  such  a  consid- 
eration imposes,  would  have  induced  me,  thus  to  trespass  on  the  public 
attention. 

The  anxiety  naturally  felt,  and,  I  hope,  correctly  indulged,  leads  me 
to  request  a  temporary  suspension  of  the  opinion  of  the  Public,  and  of 


122         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Alexr.  Mc  Nair  esq  has  been  appointed  your  Successor. 
He  will  receive  from  you  such  Papers,  keys  of  the  Jail  & 
other  appurtenances  of  the  Office  as  the  Law  requires  to 
be  delivered. 


TO   WILLIAM   EUSTIS 

g  St.  Louis  Jany.  12th.  1810 

On  the  return  of  Major  Chouteau  from  the  Mandans  it 
was  his  intention  to  have  visited  the  City,  in  order  to 
explain  those  parts  of  his  conduct,  which  had  not,  as  he 
feared,  been  sufficiently  understood.  I  heard  this  deter- 
mination with  the  more  regret,  as  I  had  always  been  of 
opinion  that  an  honest  and  frank  account,  by  letter,  would 
dissipate  all  distrusts  and  be  entirely  satisfactory.  I  pre- 
vailed with  him  therefore,  to  suspend,  for  the  present,  all 
anxiety  on  a  subject  with  respect  to  which  I  entertained  no 
doubt,  that  his  conduct  would  be  ultimately  approved.  The 
truth  was,  that  the  business  of  the  Indian  Department 
could  not  be  transacted  without  him  and  the  occurrences  of 
every  day  rendered  it  indispensable  that  his  weight  and 
authority  should  supply  the  absences  of  others.  This  was 
seen  and  felt  by  us  both ;  and  altho '  I  did  not  think  myself 

my  Friends,  relative  to  my  dismissal;  and  I  feel  a  becoming  confidence, 
that  whatever  impressions  may  have  been  made  on  the  mind  of  the 
acting  Executive,  either  from  his  own  knowledge  of  my  Conduct,  or 
misrepresentations  thereof  by  others,  I  shall  be  able  when  a  proper 
opportunity  offers,  to  present  to  them  such  testimonials  as  shall  convince 
them,  that  no  conduct  of  mine  has  been  such  as  to  incur  the  forfeiture 
of  their  esteem  for  me  as  a  Man,  or  Confidence  in  me  as  an  Officer 

Jeremiah  Connor 
Late  Sheriff,  of  the  District  of  St.  Louis. 
St.  Louis,  Jan.  18,  1810. 


The    Second    Acting-Governorship.  123 

authorized,  absolutely,  to  prohibit  his  departure,  yet,  he 
acquiesced  with  cheerfulness  in  the  propriety  of  my  sug- 
gestions. 

I  have  thought  it  advisable  that  the  department  generally, 
should  be  paid  by  Major  Chouteau  for  the  last  quarter, 
and  in  the  hope  of  your  approbation  have  ventured  to  give 
an  order  to  that  effect.  The  Interpreters  have  been  accus- 
tomed to  this  regularity  and  suffer  much  embarrassment 
from  delay.  These  disbursements  amount  to  the  sum  of 
$985.  .44  cts  the  vouchers  in  support  of  which  are  believed 
to  be  correct  and  regular.  The  contingent  part  of  this 
account  was  incurred  with  my  previous  approbation. 


TO  EDWARD  HEMPSTEAD 

0  St.  Louis  Jan:  20.  1810 

Sir, 

Major  Christy  has  just  delivered  me  your  note  of  yes- 
terday. I  owe  you  no  explanations.  It  is  a  plain  case. 
Your  conduct34  has  extorted  from  me  certain  accusations, 
the  truth  of  which  is  sustained  by  the  most  imposing  facts. 
It  is  in  vain  that  you  unite  yourself  with  other  persons.  I 
shall  know  how  to  separate  you.  The  gentlemen  of  this 
town  have  an  unquestionable  and  permit  me  to  say  an 
unquestioned  right  to  entertain  and  to  express  their  opin- 
ions of  individual  character:  But  you  —  You  have  com- 
mitted yourself. 

Men  of  worth  and  honor  heard  our  conversation  and 
will  not  fail  to  stamp  this  transaction  with  its  true  char- 
acter. 

a*  Hempstead   signed   a  certificate  of   good   conduct   of   Connor,   the 
sheriff  who  was  removed  from  office.    This  was  the  cause  of  Bates'  anger. 


124         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

TO  THOMAS  F.  RIDD1CK  AND  WILLIAM  0.  ALLEN 

n  St.  Louis  Jany  20.  18.10. 

Gentlemen  j 

The  conversation,  a  few  evenings  past,  between  Mr. 
Hempstead  the  Atty.  General  &  myself  in  the  office  of 
Mr.  Riddick  was  of  too  unpleasant  a  nature  to  have  been 
altogether  forgotten  by  you. 

An  incident  of  this  morning  has  rendered  it  very  desir- 
able that  I  should  obtain  a  written  statement  of  the  affair. 

You  were  the  only  gentlemen  present;  and  surely  there 
are  none  on  whose  accurate  recollection,  or  on  whose  love 
of  truth  I  would  sooner  repose  myself  than  on  yours'. 

I  take  the  liberty  then  of  requesting  that  you  will  have 
the  goodness  to  state  the  subject  of  conversation,  the  man- 
ner and  the  circumstances,  in  such  detail,  as  to  exhibit  to 
others  a  true  account  of  the  misunderstanding  and  to  pre- 
vent facts  from  future  misrepresentation. 
Note.  This  letter  was  answered  by  a  circumstantial  &  sat- 
isfactory detail  wch.  I  have  filed.  F.  B. 


TO  EDWARD  HEMPSTEAD35 

St.  Louis  Jany.  22d.  1810.  — 
Sir, 

In  discharge  of  the  executive  duties  it  will  be  incumbant 
upon  me  to  inform  the  President  of  your  having  been  coun- 
sel for  this  office,  in  the  removal  of  the  sheriff  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Saint  Louis ;  and  of  your  having  afterwards  signed 
a  certificate  of  that  officer's  good  conduct. 

35  This  letter  was  marked  "not  sent." 


The    Second    Acting-Governorship.  125 

You  are  no  longer  Attorney  General  of  the  territory  of 
Louisiana.     Consider  this  as  your  dismission. 


TO  EDWARD  HEMPSTEAD 

St.  Louis  January  22d.  1810 
Sir, 

We  have  been  long  acquaintances,  and  altho '  nothing  like 
friendship  entered  into  our  intercourse,  I  nevertheless  feel 
some  little  desire  to  assist  you  in  forming  a  just  estimate 
of  yourself.  —  Hempstead !  I  charge  you  fling  away  ambi- 
tion. Forbear  all  hasty  and  blustering  pretensions  to  the 
rank  of  a  gentleman:  The  doors  are  closed  upon  you  by 
memorable  faux  pas  of  former  times :  Be  satisfied  with 
that  course  which  the  Fates  have  marked  out  for  you,  and 
do  not  aspire  beyond  the  reputation  of  instrumentality, 
and  a  pettifogging  readiness  in  business,  for  which  alone 
you  are  valued.  Transfuse  a  little  of  that  close  arrange- 
ment for  which  you  are  so  remarkable  in  ordinary  busi- 
ness into  your  moral  oeconomy,  and  regain  by  modesty 
and  repentance  the  forfeited  regards  of  the  Public.  —  Do 
not  mistake  me ;  —  this  is  not  intended,  either  as  injury  or 
insult.  Your  reputation  languishes;  and  nothing  but 
health-restoring  medicines  ought  to  be  administered.  Be 
honest  —  0  cease  to  be  treacherous,  and  some  hopes  may 
be  entertained  of  you.  —  If  you  are  wise  enough  to  receive 
this  advice  with  the  same  candour  in  which  it  is  given,  you 
may  possibly  live  to  thank  me  for  it.  But  if,  on  the  con- 
trary your  usual  cunning  should  forsake  you,  and  you 
should  be  stupid  enough  to  take  it  as  an  affront,  recollect 
that  I  am  not  to  be  answerable  for  the  consequences.  —  0 


126         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

well  remembered !  Have  you  forgotten  your  unworthy  sug- 
gestions about  Judge  Stuart?  This  enquiry  is  not  for- 
eign,— it  is  closely  connected  with  the  subject  of  the 
present  difference.  —  Hempstead !  retrace  your  wandering 
footsteps  —  You  see  that  between  ourselves  I  can  substan- 
tiate everything  against  you.  Do  not  impose  upon  me  the 
unpleasant  task  of  publishing  you  to  the  world.  You  know 
the  perseverance  of  my  temper  and  I  am  ready,  however 
reluctantly,  to  give  you  new  specimens. 

[Note.]  The  foregoing  was  to  have  been  sent  with  a  state- 
ment of  Messrs.  Eiddick  &  Allen  but  suppressed  in  conse- 
quence of  E.  H's  having  recalled  a  saucy  Letter  wch.  he 
wrote  me  in  reply  to  mine  of  the  20th  instant. 

F.  Bates. 


TO  EDWARD  HEMPSTEAD 

giR  St.  Louis  Jan  30:  1810. 

Mr  Riddick  has  this  moment  delivered  me  yr.  letter  of 
yesterday.  The  circumstances  to  which  there  has  been 
much  painful  reference,  warranted  the  construction  which 
I  put  upon  your  conduct,  and,  as  I  then  believed,  justified 
my  resentments.    I  do  now  regret  the  whole  affair. 

And  since  you  state,  that  in  signing  the  certificate  you 
did  not  intend  to  certify  any  thing  contrary  to  the  conver- 
sation which  you  had  with  me  previously  to  the  removal 
of  Mr.  Connor,  nor  as  censuring  me  for  his  removal,  which 
you  have  always  thought  was  proper,  I  think  I  ought  to 
say  that  I  never  should  have  taken  offence  at  that  or  any 
other  act  of  your's,  if  known  to  have  been  unaccompanied 


The   Second   Acting-Governorship.  127 

by  intention  —  I  do  freely  declare  that  any  asperity  of 
expression  made  use  of  by  me  arose,  solely,  out  of  the  cir- 
cumstances. 


A  PARDON 

Frederick  Bates 


Secretary  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana  and  Exercising 

the  Government 

to  all  whom  it  may  concern 

Whereas  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  for  the  District 
of  New  Madrid,  did,  at  July  term  last,  impose  on  William 
Ordway  two  several  fines,  the  One  of  $30  for  selling  spirit- 
ous  liquors  to  Indians ;  the  other  of  $20  for  trading  with  a 
slave  in  violation  of  the  Laws36  of  this  territory:  And 
Whereas  the  said  William  Ordway,  after  the  imposition 
of  the  said  fines,  departed  this  life,  leaving  a  Wife  and 
numerous  family  of  infant,  female  children  in  indigent  cir- 
cumstances. Now  therefore,  be  it  known  that  I  do  hereby 
pardon  the  offences  for  which  the  said  fines  were  imposed 
&  require  that  all  sheriffs  or  other  collecting  officers  take 
one  notice  hereof.  In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto 
affixed  the  Seal  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana.  Given  under 
my  hand  at  St.  Louis  the  15th  day  of  February,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  &  ten  &  of  the 
Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America  the  thirty 

fourth<  Frederick  Bates. 

36  Trading  with  a  slave,  without  the  consent  of  the  master,  owner, 
or  overseer  of  such  slave,  was  prohibited  by  sections  11  and  18  of  a  law 
of  October  1,  1804.    Missouri  Territorial  Laws,  I,  27-33. 


128         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

WILSON  P.  HUNT  TO  BATES 

-p,         a  New  York  March  8.   1810 

Dear  Sir 

I  had  this  pleasure  some  days  ago  at  Washington,  and 
should  have  repeated  it  during  my  short  stay  there  but 
was  so  hurried,  in  leaving  that  place  a  few  days  sooner 
than  I  contemplated  I  defered  it  for  more  leisure. 

Every  thing  relative  to  our  territory  stood  as  when  I 
last  wrote  you  —  the  Government  seemed  to  be  determined 
to  proceed  in  the  appointments,  at  least  slowly,  if  not  judi- 
diciously,  but  from  what  I  could  learn  I  had  great  hopes 
of  Coburn  for  Governor.  As  to  the  discontinuance  of  Judge 
Lucas  I  could  scarcely  form  a  conjecture  (my  wishes  lead 
me  to  hope  a  great  deal)  and  I  had  considerable  encour- 
agement from  a  number  of  Senators  that  they  would  oppose 
him  —  but  he  having  written  to  a  number  of  his  old  acquain- 
tances I  suspect  they  will  have  sufficient  interest  with  the 
President  to  procure  his  nomination,  and  I  fear  to  contest 
the  confirmation. 

I  made  such  interest  with  the  Federalists  as  to  secure 
their  unanimous  votes  against  him,  and  Mr  Bayard37  prom- 
ised to  oppose  his  confirmation. 

Judge  Griffin38  being  at  York  in  Virginia,  and  knowing 
he  wished  to  be  transferred  to  Louisiana  I  wrote  to  him  to 
come  to  Washington,  which  I  presume  he  has  done.  Col. 
Meigs39  was  much  in  favor  of  him  —  and  Bradford  prom- 

37  James  Asheton  Bayard,  United  States  senator  from  Delaware.  He 
was  one  of  the  commissioners  who  signed  the  Treaty  of  Ghent.  For 
his  Papers,  see  American  Historical  Association,  Annual  Report,  1913,  II. 

ss  Cyrus  Griffin,  judge  of  the  United  States  district  court  for  Virginia 
from  1789  until  his  death  on  December  14,  1810. 

39  Probably  Return  J.  Meigs,  Jr.,  United  States  senator  from  Ohio. 


The   Second   Acting-Governorship.  129 

ised  Smith40  he  would  try  to  bring  about  the  transfer,  and 
I  should  very  much  like  to  see  it,  for  I  think  Griffin  would 
suit  us  better  than  a  stranger  —  I  am  sure  he  would  please 
the  people  generally  — 

Gen.  Clark  returned  from  Washington  with  the  same 
situation  he  held  when  he  came,  and  I  believe  there  is  no 
doubt  of  the  government  having  been  offered  to  him  —  I 
admire  his  prudence  in  refusing  it  very  much. 

I  believe  I  mentioned  having  seen  Mr  Gallatin  at  his 
own  house,  but  had  not  any  conversation  with  him  of  con- 
sequence —  I  met  him  a  few  evenings  before  I  left  Wash- 
ington at  Mr  Madison's  where  we  had  a  little  chat  that 
was  very  pleasing  to  me,  and  I  presume  will  not  be  ungrate- 
ful to  you.  Speaking  of  the  Commissioners,  generally,  and 
particularly,  he  said  little  of  Lucas  —  Penrose  was  a  good 
man,  but  a  very  weak  one  —  and  as  to  you  to  use  his  own 
words  "we  had  wished  to  make  him  Governor,  but  in  the 
land  business  we  have  always  considered  him  a  kind  of 
Umpire  without  whom  we  should  not  know  how  to  pro- 
ceed —  we  might  get  as  good  a  man  but  he  is  now  so  well 
acquainted  with  the  business  (and  something  about  the 
confidence  we  have  in  him)  we  consider  him  as  indispens- 
able"— 

I  mentioned  to  this  gentleman  and  the  Secretary  of  War 
your  having  allowed  Bleakley  &c  to  come  on  our  side  the 
Mississippi,  and  explained  the  thing  —  why  you  did  it  — 
thinking  it  best  they  should  have  correct  information,  and 
fearing  it  might  be  represented  differently  —  they  both 
seemed  to  understand  it,  and  are  alike  your  friends 

40  Probably  John  Smith,  a  congressman  from  Virginia.  At  that  time 
there  were  three  other  Smiths  in  congress:  Senator  John  Smith  of  Ohio, 
Senator  John  Smith  of  New  York,  and  Senator  Samuel  Smith  of  Maryland. 


130         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

You  will  see  from  the  papers  that  there  appears  to  be 
no  apprehension  of  war  between  us  &  England,  and  that 
our  commerce  is  likely  to  resume  its  former  liberty  — 


JAMES  ABBOTT  TO  BATES 
Dear  Sir  •  Detroit,  15th  March,  1810. 

1  wrote  you  on  the  9th  November  1809  (a  duplicate  of 
the  same  is  enclosed)  since  which  I  have  not  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  any  of  your  favors. 

You  will  perhaps  be  surprised  to  hear  of  the  Death  of 
George  Hoffman,  Esq.:  he  died  on  the  2nd  instant  after 
an  illness  of  five  days.  The  bottle  I  believe  was  the  cause 
of  his  exit  at  such  an  early  period  of  his  life.  From  all 
accounts  he  drank  very  hard.  After  his  death  two  wills 
appeared;  one  of  which  was  executed  in  April  1809  and 
the  other  in  February  1810.  By  the  first  he  disinherits 
the  child  which  his  wife  was  then  pregnant  with;  leaving 
her  one  third  of  his  personal  property,  and  the  remainder 
together  with  his  real  estate  he  bequeaths  to  his  family 
connections  at  Chillicothe.  In  his  last  will  he  does  not  even 
mention  his  wife  nor  child,  but  bequeaths  the  whole  of  his 
property  real  and  personal  to  his  parents.  What  could  be 
the  cause  of  such  conduct  is  almost  incomprehensible.  I 
have  read  of  children  being  disinherited  for  dishonesty, 
libertinism  and  disobedience  to  their  parents,  but  a  child 
yet  in  the  mother's  womb  to  be  disinherited  I  have  never 
heard  of,  and  there  is  something  in  such  an  act  horrid 
beyond  expression.  You  can  judge  of  the  feelings  of  Mr. 
Audrain  in  this  case. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  131 

JOHN  RICE  JONES41  TO  BATES 

Kaskaskia  23d  March  1810 
Sir, 

Shall  I  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  deliver  Mr  Robert  Mor- 
rison, who  does  me  the  honor  to  be  the  bearer  hereof,  a 
Copy,  certified  by  you  as  Recorder,  of  the  Claim  and  all 
the  Papers  laid  in  by  the  heirs  of  Renaut  to  lands  in  the 
District  of  Louisiana  —  These  papers  I  have  immediate 
need  of,  so  that  I  hope  you  will  forward  them  by  Mr  Mor- 
rison42 —  who  will  pay  office  fees  — 


TO  JOHN  DONNOHUE43 

a  St.  Louis  Mar  30.  1810 

Sir, 

I  had  the  honor  some  time  ago  to  receive  your  letter  of 
the  9th  Inst.  The  Commissions  therein  recommended  will 
be  handed  you  by  Adjt.  Genl  Delaunay,  except  that  of  Pay 
Master :  The  24th  Sec  of  the  Militia-Law44  having  provided 
the  manner  in  which  that  Officer  shall  be  nominated,  I  must 

4i  John  Rice  Jones  was  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Kaskaskia. 

42  Robert  Morrison  was  an  extensive  land  claimant  in  Illinois.  He 
was  violently  opposed  to  Harrison  and  was  one  of  the  leaders  for  the 
separation  of  Illinois  from  Indiana  Territory.  In  1810  he  was  clerk 
of  the  general  court. 

43  Major  of  the  1st  battalion  of  the  Ste.  Genevieve  regiment. 

44  The  24th  section  of  the  militia  law  of  July  6,  1807  was  as  follows : 
"A  majority  of  the  field  officers  of  each  regiment  with  the  commandant, 
shall  nominate  fit  persons  within  their  bounds  to  the  governor  of  the 
territory,  the  one  as  paymaster,  the  other  as  judge  advocate  of  the  regi- 
ment. And  the  governor  shall,  if  he  thinks  the  said  persons,  respectively 
qualified,  appoint  and  commission  them  for  these  several  duties.  It  shall 
be  especially  the  duty  of  the  judge  advocate,  to  prosecute  in  behalf  of 
the  United  States,  and  also  perform  such  other  services  as  are  by  this 
act  prescribed."    Missouri  Territorial  Laws,  I,  157. 


132         The  Life' and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

trouble  you  to  mention  the  subject  to  Colo.  Cook,45  Mr. 
Mc  Arthur46  is  no  doubt,  a  very  proper  person ;  but  as  the 
nomination  is  vested  by  law  in  the  Field  Officers,  we  ought 
not,  for  a  little  delay,  for  a  slight  neglect  of  theirs,  to  for- 
get their  rights.  In  the  commissions  which  I  send  you,  I 
have  left  blanks  for  the  No.  of  the  company.  Will  you  have 
the  goodness  to  fill  them  up[?] 


TO  ROBERT  SMITH 

Sir  St.  Louis  April  1st.  1810 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  copies  of  the 
Executive  Acts  for  the  last  six  months.  During  this 
period  there  has  been  no  meeting  of  the  Legislature. 

I  have  never  been  favored  with  any  intimations  of  the 
manner  in  which  these  Reports  should  be  made.  Perhaps 
they  are  too  much  compressed ;  and  it  is  possible  that  they 
may  be  deemed  defective  in  some  other  respects.  Should 
they  not  meet  the  expectations  of  the  President  in  their 
present  form,  my  letter  Book  together  with  the  Files  of  the 
Office  will  enable  me  to  amplify  them. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

Sie  St.  Louis  April  1st.  1810 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  accounts  of  the  contingent 
expences  of  the  Secretary's  office  for  ye.  two  years  pre- 

45  Nathaniel  Cook. 

46  Probably  John  McArthur,  who,  in  1812,  became  a  lieutenant  in  the 
Ste.  Genevieve  regiment. 


The   Second   Acting-Governorship.  133 

ceding  the  present  day ;  together  with  the  receipts  vouching 
the  expenditure.  The  errors  in  former  accounts  are  cor- 
rected in  these  &  I  hope  no  new  ones  committed.  I  beg 
permission  to  draw  for  the  amount. 


TO  NINIAN  EDWARDS 

giR  St.  Louis  April  24.  1810 

I  beg  leave  to  introduce  to  your  acquaintance  Mr.  More- 
head  of  the  house  of  Messrs.  Henry  M.  Shreves  &  Co.47  — 
He  is  lately  from  Philadelphia,  and  has  established  himself 
as  a  resident  merchant  in  our  town. 

Mr.  M.  did  me  the  favor  to  present  Letters  from  General 
Neville  of  Pittsburgh  in  which  he  is  mentioned  by  that 
Gentleman  in  the  most  handsome  terms.  His  connections 
are  very  highly  respectable.  His  Lady  is  the  daughter  of 
the  late  General  Shreves,  who  bled  in  the  revolutionary 
cause ;  and  I  will  venture  to  assure  you  that  Mr.  M.  is  him- 
self worthy  of  those  attentions  which  I  take  the  liberty  of 
soliciting  in  his  behalf.  —  He  will  probably  have  business 
at  the  Executive  Office.  —  Should  security  be  necessary  in 
granting  him  a  Licence  for  Indian  Trade,  I  am  willing,  if 
accepted,  to  join  him  in  the  bond :  Or  if  my  non  residence 
should  be  an  objection,  I  will  engage,  as  these  Gentlemen 
are  Strangers,  whose  business  would  suffer  by  delay,  that 
satisfactory  Security  shall  be  supplied  in  one  month. 

47  Henry  M.  Shreve  and  Company  ran  a  general  store  in  St.  Louis. 


134        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

A  PROCLAMATION 

By  Frederick  Bates 

Secretary  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana  and  Exercising 
the  Government  thereof 

Whereas  the  extended  limits  of  the  township  of  Bon  Homme 
in  the  district  of  [St.]  Louis,  render  the  distribution  of 
justice  inconvenient  and  burthensome  to  the  Western  Set- 
tlements of  the  said  township: 

In  remedy  whereof  and  in  discharge  of  those  duties 
imposed  on  the  Executive  by  the  'Act  further  providing 
for  the  government  of  the  district  of  Louisiana'  I  do  hereby 
declare  that  the  Settlements  of  the  present  district  of  Bon 
Homme  lying  westward  of  a  line  to  be  drawn  due  south 
from  the  mouth  of  Tavern  Creek  on  the  Missouri  to  the 
Merimac  shall,  from  and  after  the  15th  day  of  the  present 
month  form  a  new  township  to  be  known  and  denominated 
the  township  of  Labbadie.  And  those  civil  officers  ap- 
pointed heretofore  for  the  township  of  Bon  Homme, 
and  who  reside  within  the  limits,  herein  designated,  of 
the  new  township  of  Labbadie,  shall,  from  and  after 
the  said  15th  day  of  the  present  month,  be  considered 
as  Officers  of  the  latter  township.  In  testimony  whereof 
I  have  hereunto  affixed  the  Seal  of  the  Territory  of  Louis- 
iana. Given  under  my  hand  at  the  town  of  St.  Louis  the 
fourth  day  of  May  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  &  ten  &  of  the  Independence  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  the  thirty  fourth. 

(Seal)  Frederick  Bates 


The    Second    Acting-Governorship.  135 

TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

g  St.  Louis  May  8.  1810 

Thomas  F.  Riddick  esq  the  Clerk  of  the  Board,  resigned 
his  office  on  the  4th  inst.  compelled  by  the  urgency  of  his 
private  business  in  Virginia.  His  half  brother  Mr.  Jno.  W. 
Honey  was  on  the  same  day,  unanimously  elected  to  supply 
his  place. 

If  Mr.  Riddick  should  visit  the  City  on  his  way  to  Nanse- 
mond  he  will  be  desirous  of  paying  his  respects  to  you  & 
if  your  leisure  permit  will  have  the  honor  of  handing  you 
this.  I  beg  permission  to  say  that  his  representations  with 
respect  to  the  business  in  which  he  was  lately  employed, 
may  be  relied  upon.  By  an  unwearied  and  intelligent  des- 
charge  of  his  duties  he  acquired  and  preserved  the  entire 
confidence  of  every  individual  of  the  Board. 


Sir, 


TO  JAMES  ABBOTT 

St.  Louis  May  9.  1810 


As  to  domestic  news,  we  are  told  that  Benj.  Howard453 
of  Kentucky,  has  been  appointed  Governor  of  Louisiana. 
Judge  Lucas  has  been  reappointed,  contrary  to  the  expec- 
tation of  a  host  of  enemies,49  but  very  much  to  my  satis- 
faction.   I  was  at  one  time  fearful  that  Government  would 

48  In  1800  Howard  was  elected  to  the  Kentucky  legislature.  In  1807 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  congress  from  Clay's  district,  a  position  which 
he  resigned  to  become  governor  of  Louisiana  Territory. 

49  For  attacks  upon  Judge  Lucas,  see  the  Missouri  Gazette,  October 
12,  1809;   Louisiana  Gazette,  January  11  and  March  8,  1810. 


136         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

listen  to  the  clamours  which  had  been  so  industriously 
raised  and  supported  by  ignorance  and  prejudice.  Our 
old  acquaintance  Mr.  Griswold50  is  certainly  appointed  a 
Judge  of  the  Illinois  territory.     .     .     . 


TO  RICHARD  FLETCHER,  NEW  MADRID 

glB  St.  Louis  May  16.    '10 

Yr  letter  of  the  1st  inst.  was  reed,  yesterday.  You  mis- 
take my  powers.  I  neither  make  sales  nor  give  permis- 
sions to  settle.  The  Settlement  of  Congress-Lands  is,  at 
this  time,  punished  with  much  severity  —  There  has  been 
much  forbearance  in  the  execution  of  the  Laws,  but  I  should 
betray  my  trust  and  violate  my  duty  by  giving  the  least 
encouragement  —  Until  an  office  is  opened  for  the  sale  of 
Lands  there  are  in  Louisiana,  no  means  by  which  they  can 
be  procured,  except  by  purchase  from  individuals. 


TO  JAMES  ABBOTT 

Deak  Sib,  St-  Louis  Ma^  23'  181° 

I  send  the  power  of  Attorney,  so  long  expected,  and  so 
unnecessarily  delayed  since  last  year.  —  No  news  —  Our 
Governor  has  not  arrived  —  Under  his  administration  I  do 
greatly  hope  that  party  animosities  of  former  times  will 
be  forever  forgotten.  —  The  People  petitioned   Congress 

so  Illinois  Territory  was  proclaimed  April  28,  1809.  Stanley  Griswold 
soon  replaced  Obediah  Jones  as  one  of  the  three  judges.  Alvord,  The 
Illinois  Country,  1678-1818,  p.  430. 


The   Second   Acting-Governorship.  137 

last  year  for  the  2d  grade.51  It  has  for  the  present  been 
refused  them,  but  in  such  terms  of  encouragement  as  will 
probably  %  induce  them  to  renew  the  application  at  next 
Session.  My  private  convictions  are  that  it  is  inexpedient 
now,  and  for  some  years  to  come ;  yet  as  our  population  is 
most  aboundantly  sufficient,  and  as  I  could  have  nothing 
but  arguments  drawn  from  an  abstract  reasoning  to 
alledge,  I  have  thought  it  most  prudent  not  to  partake  in 
the  discussion. 


TO  GEOKGE  EUDDELL  AND  OTHEES 

St.  Louis  May  31.  1810 
Gentlemen 

Mr  Galliher  this  moment  presented  your  application  for 
a  district  organization,  the  seat  of  justice  for  which  to  be 
at  the  Little  Prairie  — 52 

Considerations  of  various  kinds  induce  me  to  believe 
that  the  establishment  of  such  a  district  is  at  present  inex- 
pedient. Yet,  altho'  I  cannot  feel  myself  at  liberty  to 
hazard  an  experiment,  which  would,  in  operation  I  am 
persuaded,  disappoint  the  hopes  of  its  advocates,  I  will, 
notwithstanding  submit  your  Papers  to  the  Governor,  on 
his  arrival,  who  will  probably  act  on  them  uninfluenced  by 
any  opinions  of  mine. 

si  The  petition  was  presented  to  congress  on  January  6,  1810.  Annals 
of  Congress,  11  Cong.,  1  and  2  Sess.,  1809-1810,  Pt.  I,  1157,  1253.  For  the 
text  of  the  petition,  see  Shoemaker,  Missouri's  Struggle  for  Statehood, 
27.  A  bill  further  to  provide  for  the  government  of  the  Territory  of 
Louisiana  was  presented  by  Rhea  of  Tennessee  on  January  6,  1810,  but 
it  died  in  committee. 

52  The  trading  post  at  Little  Prairie  was  established  in  1794.  A 
settlement  grew  up  about  it  and  prospered  until  the  earthquake  of  1811. 


138         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

JOSEPH  N.  AMOUREUX53  TO  BATES 

Honored  Sir  New  Madrid  June  6th  1810  — 

Your  kind  reception  of  me  when  at  St  Louis  makes  me 
feel  a  Confidence  in  adressing  you  at  this  time.  A  wish 
to  make  myself  useful  to  Government  makes  me  desirous 
of  having  the  appointment  of  an  assistant  to  take  the  Cen- 
sus of  The  Inhabitants  of  this  District;  I  hope  that  from 
the  knowledge  I  have  of  the  Country  &  Speaking  both 
Languages  I  will  be  able  to  be  Correct  and  expeditious.  — 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

Sm  St.  Louis  June  13th  1810. 

I  had  the  honor  to  receive  by  this  week's  mail  your  letter 
of  the  5th  ulto.  and  submitted  it  without  loss  of  time  to 
the  commissioners.  They  have  not  instructed  me  to  make 
to  you,  any  assurances  of  their  future  diligence  in  the  ad- 
justment of  the  Land-Claims.  They  know  however  that  it 
would  be  my  duty  to  reply  to  your  letter  by  the  first  Post, 
and  trusted,  no  doubt,  that  my  knowledge  of  their  industry 
heretofore,  together  with  much  general  conversation  which 
we  had  on  the  subject,  would  enable  me  to  satisfy  your 
inquiries. 

The  Commissioners,  I  am  very  sure,  are  truly  sensible 
of  the  importance  of  a  speedy  and  final  adjustment  of  the 
claims.    They  regret  indeed  that  the  pressure,  in  Congress, 

53  Joseph  Amoureux,  a  native  of  Boucheville,  Canada,  was  a  black- 
smith at  Vincennes  as  early  as  1769,  and  moved  to  New  Madrid  in  1793. 
The  writer  of  the  above  letter  was  probably  his  son,  an  ensign  in  the 
Ste.  Genevieve  regiment  during  the  War  of  1812. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  139 

of  other  business,  should  have  caused  them  to  be  neglected ; 
but  at  the  same  time  are  not  conscious  that  that  neglect 
has  occasioned  any  relaxation  on  their  part.  I  am  entirely 
convinced  that  every  effort  will  be  made  to  transmit  the 
report  during  next  session.  —  The  want  of  compensation 
has  been  embarrassing  to  the  clerk  of  the  Board,  of  whose 
resignation,  some  time  since,  I  had  the  honor  to  advise  you. 
The  business,  nevertheless  has  suffered  no  interruption  on 
that  account  —  as  John  W.  Honey  the  half  brother  of  Mr. 
Eiddick,  and  formed  to  business  by  his  precepts  and  ex- 
ample has  accepted  the  Office  —  the  duties  of  which  he 
discharges  now  as  on  a  former  occasion,  to  the  entire  sat- 
isfaction of  the  commissioners.  —  We  were  informed,  indi- 
rectly, that  the  Bill  reported  for  our  compensation,  pro- 
vided fees  on  the  final  disposal  of  every  claim.  May  I  be 
permitted  to  say,  that  such  a  mode  would  have  been  less 
acceptable  to  a  majority  of  the  Board  than  the  entire 
silence  of  Congress  with  respect  to  us. 


TO  JOSEPH  N.  AMOUREUX,  NEW  MADRID 

Sir,  St.  Louis  June  26.  1810. 

Your  letter  of  the  6th  was  received,  some  short  time 
ago  —  but  as  the  instructions  of  the  Secretary  of  State 
had  not  then  come  to  hand,  I  resolved  to  wait  their  arrival, 
that  I  might  answer  you  with  the  more  certainty.  — 

I  have  now  reed  those  instructions,  and  have  much  pleas- 
ure in  naming  you  as  the  Assistant  to  take  the  Census  of 
the  Inhabiants  of  New  Madrid. 

In  order  that  there  may  be  an  entire  conformity  in  the 
returns  from  the  several  states  and  territories  the  Secre- 


140         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

tary  of  State  has  transmitted  blank  forms;  but  as  the 
Packet  must  be  of  considerable  bulk  it  has  not  yet  come 
forward.  As  soon  as  it  arrives  I  shall  lose  no  time  in 
sending  you  all  the  necessary  informations. 

I  enclose  you  the  Oath  which  you  will  take  as  well  as 
subscribe,  and  return  to  this  office. 

The  enumeration  is  expected  positively  to  commence  on 
the  first  Monday  of  August.     .     .     . 

P.  S.  I  send  you  herewith  the  three  Acts  passed  at  the 
last  session  on  the  subject  of  the  census  —  Mr  Gallatin 
has  as  yet  given  no  orders  on  the  subject  of  manufactures  — 


TO  HENRY  DODGE,  SHERIFF  OF  THE  DISTRICT 
OF  STE.  GENEVIEVE 

gnt  St.  Louis  June  26.  1810. 

Under  the  several  Acts  of  Congress  which  you  have 
probably  seen,  on  the  subject  of  the  Census  I  have  been 
instructed  by  the  Secretary  of  State  to  appoint  Assistants 
for  the  several  civil  divisions  of  the  territory  and  to  cause 
the  enumeration  to  commence  on  the  1st  day  of  August 
next. 

I  take  the  liberty  of  enquiring  whether  it  will  be  agree- 
able to  you  to  act  as  Asst.  Secretary  in  this  business  for 
the  district  of  St.  Genevieve?  — 

I  know  that  the  emoluments  are  scarcely  worth  your 
acceptance ;  but  in  the  discharge  of  your  duties  of  Sheriff 
it  may  perhaps  be  in  your  power  to  take  the  census  with 
less  additional  trouble  than  others  would  experience. 

There  are  pressing  applications  for  this  appointment  by 
persons  in  whom  neither  the  Public  nor  myself  have  much 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  141 

confidence.  —  You  will  oblige  me  by  writing  as  soon  as 
convenient. 


TO  ROBERT  SMITH 

St.  Louis  June  26.  1810. 
Sir, 

I  had  the  honor  to  receive  by  yesterday's  mail,  your  letter 
of  17  ulto.  with  its  several  accompaniments  on  the  subject 
of  the  Census  to  wit 

1  copy  of  the  Letter  of  Instructions 

1  do.  of  the  Acts 

4  do.  of  the  Oaths  of  Assistants 

2  copies  of  the  Oaths  of  the  Secretary 

1  do.  of  Returns  of  Assistants 

2  do.  of  do.  of  Secretary 

The  next  mail  will  probably  bring  a  second  Packet,  con- 
taining the  other  Papers  which  you  have  mentioned. 


TO  JAMES  GREEN,54  ST.  CHARLES 

a  St.  Louis  June   29.    '10 

Sir, 

Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  conversing  with  you  I  have 
reed,  instructions  from  the  Secy,  of  State  on  the  subject 
of  the  Census.  In  these  instructions  I  am  directed  to  select 
as  Assistants  those  persons  who  are  presumed  to  be  best 
acquainted  with  the  several  settlements  within  their  respec- 
tive limits. 

This  injunction  induces  me  to  ask  the  aid  of  the  Sheriffs, 
unless  in  cases  where  special  reasons  decide  the  preference 

»*  James  Green  came  to  Louisiana  in  the  winter  of  1797-1798. 


142         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

in  favor  of  others.  Besides,  the  necessity  of  this  course 
appears  to  be  dictated  by  the  selection  which  the  law  makes 
of  the  Marshals  in  the  States.  I  regret  that  these  consid- 
erations should  have  prevented  the  arrangement  of  which 
we  spoke.  The  views  of  Govt,  are  better  accomplished  by 
the  appointment  of  an  individual  already  in  the  discharge 
of  ministerial  duties. 


TO  JOSEPH  N.  AMOUKEUX 
SlR  St.  Louis  July  24.  1810 

I  wrote  you  on  the  26th  ulto.  accepting  your  offers  of 
service  as  an  Assistant  for  taking  the  Census  .  .  .  within 
the  district  of  New  Madrid. 

I  send  you  the  Papers  as  noted  below  from  which  you 
will  gather  all  the  instruction  which  can  be  necessary  for 
an  intelligent  discharge  of  your  duties. 

You  will  observe  from  the  manner  in  which  you  are  to 
be  paid  that  service  must  precede  compensation  —  Your 
Returns  must  be  made  to  this  Office  by  the  first  Monday 
in  January  next  But  counting  as  I  think  I  reasonably  may 
on  your  diligence  I  entertain  the  hope  that  it  will  be  as 
convenient  for  you  to  transmit  them  in  Deer,  as  Jany.  Be 
pleased  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  this  letter  &  its 
accompanyments. 

TO  BENJAMIN  FOOY 

glR^  St.  Louis  July  24.  1810 

I  make  so  free  as  to  appoint  you  an  Assistant  for  taking 
the  Census  of  the  People  of  Hope  Field,  and  of  the  settle- 
ments near  the  mouth  of  the  river  St.  Francis. 


The   Second   Acting-Governorship.  143 

You  must  not  decline  this  Office;  for  I  am  solicitous  to 
shew  Government  that  I  am  aided  in  the  discharge  of  my 
duties  by  men  of  worth  and  character. 

The  accompanying  Papers  will  give  you  every  necessary 
information.  Should  it  not  be  in  your  power  to  execute 
this  trust,  I  shall  be  very  thankful  if  you  will  procure 
some  fit  person  whose  fidelity  may  be  depended  upon.  Let 
him  take  the  Oaths  and  go  on  with  the  business  without 
waiting  for  a  regular  appointment  from  me. 

You  have  given  me  so  many  friendly  instances  of  your 
disposition  to  render  me  service  that  I  take  the  farther 
liberty  to  enclose  to  your  care  a  Packet  for  Danl.  Mooney 
esq.  Asst.  within  the  settlements  of  the  Arkensas.  I  know 
that  you  will  be  so  friendly  as  to  give  it  the  most  expe- 
ditious conveyance.  The  Returns  are  required  to  be  made 
by  the  first  Monday  in  January  next.  Yet  I  shall  esteem 
it  a  favor  if  you  will  let  me  have  them  much  earlier  than 
that  time.  Oblige  me  by  sending  duplicates  by  different 
conveyances  for  fear  of  a  miscarriage. 


TO   DANIEL   MOONEY,   SHERIFF   OF    THE 
DISTRICT  OF  ARKANSAS 

Secretary's  Office  July  24  1810 
Sir, 

I  appoint  you  Assistant  for  taking  the  Census  of  the 
People  for  the  district  of  the  Arkensas  except  those  in 
the  settlements  of  Hope  Field,  and  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  St.  Francis,  which  latter  places  have  been  allotted  to 
Judge  Fooy.  This  Office  is  not  expected,  as  you  will  re- 
mark from  the  law,  to  be  a  profiitable  one,  yet  it  is  one, 


144        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

which  it  appears  to  me  no  good  Citizen  will  decline  unless 
altogether  incompatible  with  his  other  pursuits. 

I  send  you  all  the  necessary  information  viz  The  Laws, 
the  Circulars  of  the  Secy,  of  State,  —  Assistants'  oaths,  a 
blank  return  as  a  model  and  which  you  can  enlarge  by 
sewing  in  additional  sheets:  Also  two  heads  of  Returns, 
which  will  be  pasted  on  a  quire,  %  quire  or  other  proper 
quantity  of  Paper,  ruling  afterwards  from  the  indications 
in  the  heading.  Should  sickness  or  other  unavoidable  acci- 
dent prevent  your  undertaking  this  business,  I  hope  you 
will  without  farther  reference  to  myself  (as  the  distance 
will  not  permit  it)  cause  the  Oaths  to  be  taken  and  the 
enumeration  made  by  some  other  discreet  person.  — 

You  will  observe  that  your  Returns  are  to  be  made  to 
this  office  by  the  1st  Monday  in  January  1811  But  in  con- 
sideration of  the  delays  and  even  frequent  miscarriages 
between  Arkensas  and  St.  Louis,  I  must  request  that  you 
will,  with  all  possible  diligence  make  the  enumeration,  and 
transmit  duplicate  returns  by  different  conveyances  as 
soon  as  circumstances  will  allow. 


TO  HENRY  DODGE 

St.  Louis  Julv  25.  1810 
Sir, 

I  reed,  your  letter  of  the  3d  inst.  and  was  gratified  by 
your  acceptance  of  a  troublesome  and  profitless  office.  I 
now  send  you  2  Circulars  of  Secy  of  State  —  The  Census 
Laws  —  2  Assistants  Oaths  —  1  blank  Return  as  a  model 
&  4  Schedules  or  heads  of  Returns.  — 

Your  Returns  must  be  made  to  this  office  by  the  1st  Mon- 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  145 

day  in  January  next.     I  should  be  much  obliged  if  they 
could  be  made  before  that  time. 


TO  JAMES  CALLAWAY55 

Secretary's  Office 
Sir,  St.  Louis  July  25th  1810. 

I  had  the  pleasure  to  receive,  in  due  time,  your  letter  of 
the  26th  ulto.  and  do  hereby  appoint  you  Secretary's  As- 
sistant for  taking  Census  of  the  People  within  the  district 
of  St.  Charles. 

I  should  have  written  you  sooner,  but  for  the  miscar- 
riage of  certain  dispatches  from  the  Department  of  State. 
It  has  been  necessary  to  cause  the  printing  to  be  done 
here  —  and  it  has  required  time. 

I  now  transmit  you  2  circulars  of  the  Secretary  of 
State  —  2  copies  of  the  Census  laws,  2  Assistant's  Oaths, 
2  blank  Eeturns  —  and  four  heads  of  Eeturns  —  These 
latter,  as  you  may  have  occasion  for  them,  are  to  be  pasted 
on  a  quire,  or  other  proper  quantity  of  Paper  in  the  man- 
ner of  the  Model.  The  Paper,  after  being  sewed ,  at  the 
usual  fold  of  the  quire,  will  be  ruled  with  very  little  trouble, 
from  the  indications  in  the  heading.  I  am  sorry  that  your 
lameness  deprived  me  of  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you.  I  am 
persuaded  that  the  informations  which  these  Papers  con- 
tain are  all  which  you  will  require  on  the  subject. 

s^  James  Callaway  was  a  grandson  of  Daniel  Boone.  He  eventually 
settled  in  what  is  now  Howard  County.  In  August,  1813,  he  served  under 
Nathan  Boone  who  conducted  a  reconnoitring  expedition  into  Illinois. 
Early  in  1814  he  was  in  command  of  a  party  of  rangers  who  were  attacked 
by  Indians  near  the  confluence  of  the  Prairie  Forks  of  Loutre  Creek. 
Callaway  and  four  others  were  killed.  The  Callaway  Papers  belong  to 
the  Missouri  Historical  Society. 


.146         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

TO  WILLIAM   GARNER 

Secretary's   Office 
gIR^  St.  Louis  July  25.  1910. 

I  do  hereby  appoint  you  Secretary's  Assistant  for  taking 
the  Census  of  the  People  within  the  district  of  Cape  Girar- 
deau. The  accompanying  Papers  will  give  you  every  infor- 
mation which  can  be  necessary  in  the  discharge  of  your 
duties  viz  2  copies  of  the  Census  Laws,  2  circulars  of  the 
Secy,  of  State,  2  Assistants  Oaths,  1  blank  Return  as  a 
model,  and  which  if  you  please  can  be  enlarged  by  sewing 
a  number  of  sheets  of  Paper  in  the  middle,  at  the  usual 
fold  &  ruling  them  by  the  indications  in  the  heading:  also 
4  Schedules  as  heads  of  Returns,  which  may  [be]  pasted  by 
yourself,  on  quires  of  Paper,  in  the  same  manner  as  I  have 
done  for  you,  in  the  model. 

I  beg  that  you  will  read  the  Laws  and  the  circular  in- 
structions of  the  Secy,  of  State  with  much  care.  I  count 
much  on  your  attention  and  diligence  in  this  business.  Your 
returns  must  be  made  at  this  office  by  1st  Monday  in  Jan- 
uary next  —  and  should  be  much  pleased  to  have  them 
sooner. 


TO  JOHN  HAYS,56  SHERIFF  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF 
CAPE    GIRARDEAU 

Sm?  St.  Louis  July  26.  1810. 

I  take  the  liberty  of  enquiring  whether  it  will  be  agree- 
able to  you  to  act  as  Secretary's  Assistant  in  taking  the 

ss  John  Hays  was  commissioned  by  Governor  Harrison  as  the  first 
sheriff  of  the  Cape  Girardeau  District. 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  147 

Census  of  the  Dt.  of  Cape  Girardeau?  If  inconvenient  to 
yourself,  you  will  greatly  oblige  me  by  naming  some  per- 
son in  whom  that  trust  may  be  reposed,  and  will  be  willing 
to  accept  it.  As  the  arrangements  must  be  immediately 
made,  I  beg  that  you  will  answer  this  letter  without  delay. 
In  the  event  of  your  acceptance,  the  forms,  and  every  nec- 
essary information  will  be  transmitted  to  you. 


TO  JOHN  B.  C.  LUCAS 

SlR  St.  Louis  July  29.  1810. 

I  think  it  my  duty  to  inform  you  that  Mr.  Penrose  is  mis- 
taking the  sphere  of  his  usefulness  &  discharging  the  trust 
lately  confided  to  him  very  contrary  to,  and  much  beyond 
my  constructions  of  the  Resolution  of  the  Board.  He  is 
not  only  entering  the  whole  business  (as  I  am  told)  in  the 
rough  minutes;  but  also  filling  up  the  Registry  with  re- 
jected cases,  and  noting  by  anticipation,  future  confirma- 
tions, with  a  conjectural  date  too,  on  the  margins  of  the 
books. 

This  appears  to  me  to  be  departure  from  his  duty  both 
wide  &  wanton;  and  it  is  probable  that  he  will  proceed  in 
the  same  course  tomorrow,  unless  he  be  told  that  no  such 
power  either  has  been  or  could  have  been  committed  to  him. 


TO  ROBERT  SMITH 

SlR  St.  Louis  July  31.  1810 

In  addition  to  the  papers  on  the  subject  of  the  Census, 
the  receipt  of  which  I  had  the  honor  to  acknowledge  in  a 


148         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

letter  to  you  of  the  26th  ulto.  I  yesterday  received  a  2d 
packet,  containing  7  Cops,  of  Instructions  7  Cops,  of  the 
Census  Laws,  14  Copies  of  Assistants  Oaths  &  7  Cops,  of 
Assistants  Eeturns. 

I  beg  leave  to  observe  that  I  had  so  many  and  just  rea- 
sons to  apprehend  a  miscarriage  of  this  latter  packet,  that 
I  caused  the  necessary  printing  to  be  done  at  this  place. 
The  receipt  of  the  first  packet  was  fortunate,  as  it  enabled 
me  to  ascertain  your  views,  and,  in  due  time,  to  make  the 
preliminary  arrangements  in  conformity  with  them.  Some 
days  previously  to  the  arrival  of  this  second  packet,  the 
allotment  had  been  all  completed  and  every  necessary  paper 
transmitted  to  the  several  Assistants.  Duplicates  were 
sent  to  the  distant  settlements  of  the  Arkensas,  by  private 
conveyance,  lest  the  packets  by  mail  should  suffer  delay 
or  miscarriage. 

It  is  probable  that  the  accounting  Officers  of  the  Treas- 
ury will  admit  this  little  charge  of  extra  printing,  in  the 
contingent  expenses  of  my  Office. 


TO  BENJAMIN  FOOY 

glR  St.  Louis  Augt.  1.  1810 

I  wrote  you  on  the  24th  July  appointing  you  Secretary's 
Assistant  for  taking  the  Census  of  the  People  within  the 
Settlements  of  Hope-Field,  and  of  those  near  the  mouth 
of  St.  Francis'  Eiver. 

As  this  [is]  a  business  on  which  government  is  anxious 
to  be  accurately  informed  I  take  the  liberty  of  repeating, 
by  private  conveyance,  my  most  earnest  hope  that  you  will 
not  refuse  me  your  assistance.     Accompanying  this,  you 


The   Second   Acting-Governorship,  149 

will  receive  2  circulars  of  the  Secy,  of  State  —  The  Census 
Laws  —  2  Assistants  Oaths,  1  Blank  Return  and  4  heads 
of  Schedules.  By  Post,  together  with  your  own  packet, 
you  will  receive  one  for  Mr.  Daniel  Mooney  Asst.  for  the 
settlements  of  the  Arkensas. 


TO  DANIEL  MOONEY 
glR  St.  Louis  Augt.  1st.  1810. 

Apprehending  miscarriage,  or  at  any  rate,  delay  of  my 
letter  to  you  by  Post,  of  24th  of  last  month,  I  avail  myself 
of  a  private  conveyance  to  inform  you,  that  I  have  ap- 
pointed you  Secy's  Assistant  for  taking  the  Census  of  the 
People  of  the  district  of  the  Arkensas,  except  those  at 
Hope  Field  and  near  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Francis,  which 
have  been  allotted  to  Judge  Fooy.  Enclosed  herewith  you 
will  find  the  Census  Laws,  2  Circulars  of  the  Secy,  of  State, 
2  Assistants  Oaths,  1  Blank  Eeturn  and  4  Schedules  or 
heads  of  Eeturns.  If,  from  any  unforeseen,  or  unavoid- 
able circumstances,  it  should  be  out  of  your  power  to  attend 
to  this  business,  I  beg  that  you  will  cause  it  to  be  done  by 
some  intelligent  and  discreet  person,  as  the  distance  & 
difficulty  of  communication  will  not  allow  me  time  to  make 
a  second  appointment.  An  Answer  is  requested  containing 
a  receipt  for  the  papers. 


TO  NINIAN  EDWARDS 

glR^  St.  Louis  Augt.  2d.  1810 

I  take  the  liberty  to  enclose  you  a  Petition  of  Charles 
Relle  and  Baptise  &  Francis  Piqueur.  The  application  was 


150         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

improperly  made  to  me,  as  the  Kickapoos  by  whom  the 
property  is  alledged  to  have  been  stolen,  reside  within 
your  government. — 

I  avail  myself  of  this  occasion  to  say  that  the  Illinois 
Indians  make  frequent  visits  to  this  place  under  the  pre- 
text of  talk  with  the  public  Agents,  and  not  unfrequently 
commit  some  violence  or  other,  immediately  before  their 
departure.  The  appointment  by  yourself  of  an  Agent  resi- 
dent in  this  neighbourhood,  would  contribute  very  much 
to  the  suppression  of  these  practices.  Altho'  the  duty 
would  be  somewhat  burthensome,  I  have  no  doubt,  that 
Mr.  Peter  Chouteau  would,  at  your  request,  very  cheer- 
fully undertake  it. 


CIRCULARS  ADDRESSED  TO  HENRY  DODGE, 

WILLIAM  GARNER,  AND  JOSEPH  N. 

AMOUREUX 

gIR  St.  Louis  8  Aug   '10. 

In  addition  to  the  Papers  accompanying  your  appoint- 
ment as  Secy's  Assistant  for  taking  the  Census  within  the 

district  of  some  time  since  transmitted,  I  now 

enclose  duplicates  of  the  Schedule,  the  instructions  the 
Laws  and  the  Oaths,  lest  the  first  should  have  miscarried. 
Be  pleased  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  whole  with- 
out delay  — 

JOSEPH  N.  AMOUREUX  TO  BATES 
a  New  Madbid  15th  August  1810  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
official  favors  of  the  26th  of  June  and  of  the  24th  of  July 


The    Second    Acting-Governorship.  151 

last;  the  first  naming  me  an  assistant  for  taking  the  Cen- 
sus of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  District,  for  which  please  to 
accept  my  sincere  gratitude,  the  second  inclosing  the 
printed,  Laws,  Instructions  etc.  agreeable  to  the  note 
thereto  annexed  — 

I  have  begun  to  take  the  Census  on  the  day  appointed 
by  Law,  and  shall  endeavour  to  conform  myself  in  every 
Instance  to  yours  and  the  other  general  directions:  I 
shall  particularly  attend  to  your  desire  of  having  the  re- 
turns made  to  you  as  soon  as  possible :  for  that  purpose  I 
shall  take  the  opportunity  of  the  good  season  to  go  to 
those  scattered  places,  to  which  at  rainy  times  the  access 
is  almost  impracticable;  so  that  I  am  in  hopes  that  after 
having  complied  with  all  the  requisites  I  will  be  able  to  send 
my  returns  in  the  course  of  November,  by  some  good  safe 
opportunity,  unless  you  would  think  best  to  prevail  on 
some  gentleman  of  the  bar,  returning  from  the  November 
Districts  Courts,  to  take  a  particular  charge  of  those  re- 
turns, upon  which  I  shall  await  your  further  Instruc- 
tions. — 

I  send  here  inclosed  the  oath  taken  by  me  before  a  Judge 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas. 


TO  WILLIAM  C.   CARE,  LEXINGTON,  KENTUCKY 

Dear  Sir,  St-  Louis  Au£  18-  1810 

I  owe  you  my  best  thanks,  for  your  unexpected  favor  of 
25th  ulto.  Your  informations  were  very  acceptable.  Of 
Gov :  Howard,  we  had  heard  nothing  which  could  be  relied 
upon  —  And  indeed  apprehensions  began  to  be  entertained, 
that  he  would  altogether  decline  the  discharge  of  a  trust, 
which  in  the  opinions  of  all,  had  been  so  worthily  reposed. 


152         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

I  rather  think  there  must  be  some  misconception  in  the 
idea  that  Mr.  Gallatin  was  authorized  to  pay  the  salaries 
of  the  commissioners  &c.  It  is  not  possible  that  he  would 
have  withholden  the  money,  except  for  the  best  of  reasons. 

Your  bad  health  gives  much  concern  to  your  friends. 
Even  your  rivals  in  practice  would  regret  the  circumstance 
which  should  protract  your  stay  in  Kentucky.  I  sincerely 
hope  that  your  confidence  in  the  good  effects  of  the  medic- 
inal waters  of  your  parent  state  may  not  be  disappointed, 
and  that  with  new  recruits  of  health  and  alacrity,  we  may 
soon  welcome  your  arrival  among  us.  In  society  as  in 
business,  I  am  persuaded  your  absence  occasions  a  void 
which  would  not  be  immediately  [filled]  by  another.  Of 
your  family,  you  say  nothing  —  I  hope  they  enjoy  health.  — 

I  can  very  readily  enter  into  those  feelings  of  pleasure 
and  of  surprize  which  you  must  have  experienced  on  your 
return  to  Kentucky  from  the  astonishing  increase  of  wealth, 
population  and  manufactures.  We  shall,  in  our  turn,  I 
have  no  doubt,  enjoy  these  blessings :  and  the  overflowings 
of  national  prosperity  elsewhere  will  find  easy  channels, 
and  a  capacious  reservoir  for  their  reception  in  Louisiana. 
From  every  internal  symptom,  as  well  as  from  every  indi- 
cation from  abroad,  I  am  led  to  conclude  that  those  of  you 
who  have  made  early  purchases  of  lands  will,  at  no  very 
distant  day,  find  your  account  in  it.  Taking  up  my  opin- 
ions from  those  who  are  well  informed  on  the  subject,  1 
have  no  doubt  that  our  soil  is  perfectly  well  suited  to  the 
growth  of  Hemp.57     Our  friend  Eiddick  has  not  arrived. 

57  Hemp  was  produced  in  Upper  Louisiana  by  Laclede  as  early  as 
1775.  Two  years  later  he  was  instructed  by  the  Spanish  authorities  to 
encourage  hemp  and  flax  culture.  Laclede  advised  that  slaves  be  sent 
if  the  business  were  to  develop.    Galvez  replied  that  the  king  had  decided 


The    Second   Acting-Governorship.  153 

I  am  impatient  to  see  him.  In  his  absence  and  yours  I  have 
not  a  friend  to  whom  I  can  unbosom  myself  in  any  delicate 
emergency.  I  did  not  take  up  your  paper  in  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Chouteau,  for  the  reason  that  he  settled  my  note  with 
Mr.  Philipson58  who  had  money  of  mine  some  time  pre- 
viously to  the  1st  of  July  and  without  my  knowledge.  It 
can  still  be  done,  if  you  desire  it. 


TO  WILLIAM  GARNER 

SlE  St.  Louis  Aug  22.  1810 

I  received  by  last  post,  your  letter  of  the  10th.  Some 
general  account  of  manufactures  will  be  acceptable.  The 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  has  not  thought  it  worth  while 
to  extend  the  Law  as  respects  them  to  this  country,  — 
And  indeed,  in  the  infancy  of  our  Settlements  we  have  very 
little  to  boast  of  on  that  score.  The  Proclamation  of  20th 
April  1808,  to  which  you  allude  is  of  no  authority  as  re- 
spects boundaries.  The  Governor  had  no  power  extending 
to  objects  of  that  kind.  Boundaries  between  the  Whites 
and  Indians  must  be  established  either  by  the  general  gov- 
ernment or  by  treaties  — 

to  make  provision  for  supplying  the  needed  labor.  Houck,  History  of 
Missouri,  I,  305. 

In  the  American  period,  as  the  settlements  developed  along  the 
Missouri  River,  hemp  became  the  great  staple,  and  it  was  in  the  hemp 
country  that  slavery  got  its  strongest  hold.  H.  A.  Trexler,  Slavery  in 
Missouri,  1804-1865,  in  Johns  Hopkins  University,  Studies  in  Historical 
and  Political  Science,  XXXII,  No.  3,  pp.  23-26. 

ss  in  1808  Jacob  Philipson  came  from  Philadelphia  and  opened  a  store 
in  St.  Louis.  His  advertisement  appeared  in  the  Missouri  Gazette,  Decem- 
ber 14,  1808. 


154         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

TO  JOHN  MICHIE,  GOOCHLAND  COURT  HOUSE, 

VIRGINIA 

Dr.  Sir,  St-  Louis  AuS  22-   '10 

I  very  much  approve  your  determination  to  visit  Louis- 
iana rather  than  rely  on  the  informations  of  others.  With 
the  best  intentions  I  might  mislead  you  into  error:  And 
indeed  your  enquiries  of  26th  June  embrace  so  wide  a  field 
that  I  am  very  sure  it  would  not  be  in  my  power,  satis- 
factorily to  answer  them.  A  residence  of  three  years  in 
this  country  has  impressed  upon  my  mind  the  most  lasting 
prepossessions  in  its  favor  and  induced  me  to  give  it  the 
preference  to  all  other  parts  of  the  U  States  which  I  have 
visited.  But  my  pursuits,  it  must  be  confessed  have  been 
of  too  special  a  nature  to  enable  me  to  decide  with  respect 
to  its  agricultural  advantages.  For  the  present,  I  merely 
send  you  notes  of  my  momentary  recollections  —  Here- 
after, if  you  desire  it,  I  will  forward  the  results  of  my 
conversations  with  those,  who  are  better  informed  than 
I  can  pretend  to  be  — 

< Price  of  Slaves?'  variously  from  $300  to  $500  < Hirer 
$8.  &  $10  Per  Mo.  — '  Crop  V  Corn,  Wheat,  Oats  and  other 
small  grains  —  Hemp  at  some  future  day  will  probably  be 
the  Staple.  ' Price  of  the  Crop?'  —  very  fluctuating  —  con- 
sumed at  home  —  and  the  demand  depends  on  the  number 
and  ability  to  purchase,  of  the  new  comers.  Emigration 
however  numerous  and  constant,  nothwithstanding  the 
supposed  insecurity  in  the  land  titles.  —  Corn  has  sold  for 
25cts.  —  sometimes  75cts.  per  bushel  —  Whiskey  50cts. 
Peach  Brandy  lOOcts.  Per  Gal :  Beef  $3  Per  Cwt.  —  Pork 
$3_Cwt.  Bacon  $4  to  $8  Per  Cwt.  —  'Money V  Silver 
and  Kentuckv-Bank  Bills.  —  a  deficit  of  these  as  a  medium 


The    Second    Acting-Governor  ship.  155 

of  exchange  induces  the  practice  of  making  contracts,  for 
specific  articles  of  that  kind  of  property  which  has  been 
found  most  negociable,  such  as  Lead,  Beaver,  Peltry. 
'Land?'  On  this  subject  I  will  give  you  the  opinions  of 
Judge  Lucas  who  has  been  a  practical  farmer  for  the  last 
20  years.  He  says  that  2d  rate  here,  produces  better  than 
1st  in  Pennsylvania  The  soil  is  light,  and  attention  rather 
than  labour  is  necessary  in  cultivating  it.  There  is  no 
doubt  a  great  diversity,  from  the  rocky  barrens  to  the 
unexhaustable  low  grounds  of  the  Missouri  &  the  Missis- 
sippi. The  man  of  business  can  never  be  deceived  in  the 
titles,  altho'  the  adjustment  is  not  yet  completed.  '  Price 
of  Lands?'  You  know  the  habits  of  a  frontier  People  — 
They  are  fond  of  hunting  and  they  are  averse  to  Laws. 
As  soon  as  the  Settlements  approach  them  they  sell  out  — 
Sometimes  good  Plantations,  with  Vacant  Cabbins,  orch- 
ards &c.  have  been  sold  for  50cts.  Per  Acre  —  And  if  the 
Sheriff  has  the  disposal  of  them,  they  bring  much  less. 
Lands  of  the  very  first  rate  are  sold,  by  those  who  are  not 
thus  strongly  induced  to  make  sacrifices  at  $3  Per  Acre. 
The  Lands  produce,  of  Corn  50  Bushels  and  of  Wheat  30 
Bushels  Per  Acre.  The  soil  is  well  suited  to  the  growth 
of  Tobo.  tho'  very  little  is  cultivated.  The  quantity  of 
its  produce  Per  Acre,  has  never,  that  I  know  of,  been 
fairly  ascertained.  ' Water?'  Very  excellent  in  its  quality, 
but  not  very  abundant.  The  river  water  is  drunk  in  our 
village  in  preference  to  all  others.  Tho'  in  its  natural 
state,  it  has  a  muddy,  and  almost  an  abhorrent  aspect,  yet 
after  it  has  deposited  its  sediment  in  large  Jars  of  80  & 
100  Gals,  it  becomes  pure  as  the  clearest  spring  water. 
'Air?'  Somewhat  changeable  —  Sudden  transitions  from 
heat  to  cold,  but  extremes  in  neither  —  However,  on  this 


156        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

subject  as  well  as  with  respect  to  ' Health!'  and  ' Prevailing 
diseases  V  I  cannot  adventure  any  thing  very  positively, 
until  I  talk  with  our  philosophical  People.  I  am  satisfied 
however  that  we  have  more  comparative  Health  here  than 
you  have  in  Virginia.  ' Society? '  is  as  you  might  conjecture 
it  to  be,  in  a  new  country  —  somewhat  promiscuous.  — 
4 The  business  of  a  Lawyer?'  Those,  who  have  been  qualified 
to  succeed  have  succeeded. 

I  shall  be  very  glad  to  see  you  in  St.  Louis    It  is  here 
only  that  you  can  form  correct  judgments  on  the  Affairs  of 
the  country.  —  Lead  $5  &  $6  Per  Cwt.     .     .     . 
[P.  S.]  Since  writing  the  above  have  been  told  that  Negro 
men  hire  at  the  mines  from  $10  to  $15.  — 


PART     V 
The  Administration  of  Governor  Howard 


THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF  GOVERNOR 
HOWARD 


JOHN  G.  HEATH1  TO  BATES 
Dear  Sir  Saint  Charles  23d  Aug  1810 

When  last  I  had  the  pleasure  to  see  you  I  requested  per- 
mission to  hunt  beaver  in  the  Osage  country  the  ensueing 
winter.  You  generously  took  upon  you  to  mention  the 
thing  to  Majr  Choteau  their  agent.  I  am  now  fully  equiped 
to  make  the  tour  &  most  earnestly  entreat  you  to  assist  me 
to  procure  permission  if  it  does  not  at  this  time  belong 
to  you  officially.  I  hear  that  a  Govr.  has  arrived.  I  am 
not  satisfied  whether  it  appertains  to  his  office  or  not.  The 
thing  is  of  the  utmost  concern  to  me  as  my  fortune  good 
or  bad  depends  upon  it.  Therefore  your  kind  interference 
will  oblige  me  in  the  Greatest  posible  point  for  which  my 
feelings  will  always  be  greatful  —  favour  me  with  an 
answer  if  you  please  —  I  have  hard  times.  Men  whom  I 
have  sweated  by  night  and  day  to  save  from  the  devil  have 
turned  upon  me  &  try  to  force  me  to  cut  my  own  throat 
for  a  few  cents  —  poverty  &  troublesome  Enemes  at  the 
same  time  are  difficult  things  I  can  assure  you.    Adieu. 

i  Heath  and  William  Christy  established  the  first  salt  works  in 
Cooper  County  (1808).  Heath  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  St.  Charles 
in  1808  and  in  1814  represented  St.  Charles  County  in  the  territorial 
assembly.  In  1816  he  was  circuit  attorney  of  Howard  County,  and  in 
1820  represented  Franklin  County  in  the  constitutional  convention. 

(159) 


160        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

JAMES  ABBOTT  TO  BATES 

Dear  Sir  Detroit,  28  August  1810. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
letters  of  the  12th  January,  9th  &  23d  May;  the  former 
advising  of  your  having  drawn  on  me  in  favor  of  the  Hon : 
A.  Chouteau  for  three  hundred  and  eighty  one  dollars  and 
seventy  four  cents,  which  has  been  duly  honored ;  the  latter 
covering  a  Special  Power  of  Attorney  for  conveying  a 
certain  donation  lot;  which  has  not  yet  been  done,  but,  as 
all  the  Judges  of  the  Territory  are  now  present,  I  am  in 
hopes  of  obtaining  a  Deed  for  the  same  in  the  course  of  a 
few  days,  when  the  business  will  be  attended  to. 

Very  little  news  —  Our  Territory  continues  to  be  torn 
to  pieces  by  party  animosities,  so  much  so,  that  the  people 
are  in  a  great  measure  determined  on  petitioning  the  Gen- 
eral Government  to  be  attached  to  the  State  of  Ohio.  I 
have  thought  it  prudent  not  to  interfere. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  my  Brother  Sam- 
uel has  been  appointed  Collector  and  Inspector  for  the  Dis- 
trict of  Michilimackinac :  His  commissions  are  dated  3rd 
May,  which  you  will  please  recollect,  was  after  the  adjourn- 
ment of  Congress,  consequently,  his  appointment  will  have 
to  be  laid  before  the  Senate,  at  their  next  meeting,  for 
their  approbation.  Permit  me  my  Dear  Sir  to  solicit  your 
interest  with  the  members  of  that  Honorable  Body  and  the 
Treasury  Department  in  his  behalf.  If  you  consider  it 
agreeable  so  to  do,  it  would  be  advisable  that  your  letters 
on  the  subject  should  reach  Washington  City  a  few  days 
before  the  next  session  of  Congress. 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        161 

TO  ROBERT  SMITH 

qtt>  Secretary's  Office  Oct  1.  1810. 

OlR, 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  herewith  copies  of  the  Exec- 
utive Proceedings  in  this  territory  during  the  half  year, 
commencing  1st  April  and  ending  30  September.  The  Leg- 
islature did  not  convene  in  this  term. 


TO  BENJAMIN  HOWARD 

gIR^  Oct  22d.  1810 

In  execution  of  your  Orders  of  this  morning  I  have  the 
honor  to  enclose  the  only  papers  in  the  files  of  this  Office 
which  appear  to  have  a  material  relation  to  the  fiscal  con- 
cerns of  the  territory,  they  are,  1st  The  letter  &  statement 
of  Geo  Henderson  late  Treasurer  of  the  district  of  Cape 
Girardeau  of  26th  of  March  1809 

2dly  The  statements  of  Michael  Amoureux  late  Auditor 
of  the  Public  Accts.  for  the  district  of  New  Madrid 

3rdly  The  letter  &  statement  of  Joshua  Humphreys  clerk 
of  the  courts  of  the  district  of  New  Madrid  dated  8  Sep 
1810 

4thly  The  Returns  of  the  late  commissioners  of  Rates 
&  Levies  of  the  divisions  of  their  respective  districts  into 
townships  with  statements  of  the  taxable  inhabitants 

The  provision  in  the  6th  Sec  of  this  Act  establishing 
courts  of  justice  and  regulating  judicial  proceedings  P.  88 
of  the  Laws,2  has  not,  as  far  as  relates  to  returns  to  be 
made  to  the  Governor  been  very  strictly  observed. 

2  The  reference  is  to  an  early  edition  of  the  Laws.  The  original  act 
of  July  3,  1807  is  in  Missouri  Territorial  Laws,  I,  105-125.  It  was  amended 
October  20,  1807  (ibid.,  I,  183-184),  and  again  amended  November  7,  1808 
(ibid.,  I,  223-224). 


162        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

ALBERT  GALLATIN  TO  BATES3 

Treasury  Department 
Sib,  5th  Novemr  1810. 

The  Surveyor  General  writes  that  Mr  Bent4  is  required 
by  the  Commissioners  to  execute  surveys  at  the  distance  of 
500  or  1000  Miles,  which  it  is  impossible  for  him  to  do  with- 
out incurring  considerable  expence  for  travelling. 

If  there  is  a  number  of  Surveys  to  be  executed  in  the 
same  quarter,  I  should  suppose  that  a  deputy  might  be 
appointed  for  the  purpose. 

But  if  there  are  insulated  claims  at  that  distance,  and 
no  danger  of  interference,  might  not  the  confirmation  by 
the  Commissioners  be  made  without  a  previous  survey, 
and  in  such  manner  as  to  direct  the  manner  in  which  the 
Survey  should  be  hereafter  executed? 

That  mode  was  very,  perhaps  indeed  too  generally 
adopted  by  the  Commissioners  in  the  Mississippi  Terri- 
tory. 

Upon  the  whole  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  Commissioners 
will  try  to  arrange  that  difficulty  and  have  no  disposition  to 
require  from  the  principle  Surveyor  services  which,  though 
within  the  letter  of  the  Law,  he  cannot  reasonably  be 
expected  to  perform.  The  discretion  in  that  respect  is 
theirs,  and  I  am  sure  that  it  will  be  properly  exercised. 


TO  ROBERT  SMITH 

Sm?  St.  Louis  9  Nov  1810 

I  had  the  honor  to  receive  by  this  week's  mail,  your 
letter  of  the  1st  ulto. 

s  Original  in  the  Treasury  Department,  Mail,  "N-O,"  3466. 
*  Silas  Bent. 


The  Administration   of   Governor   Howard.       163 

We  have  been  diligent  in  the  business  of  the  census.  On 
the  appointment  of  the  Assistants  I  entreated  them  to  fur- 
nish their  enumeration  as  such  earlier  than  the  prescribed 
periods,  as  a  careful  and  regular  discharge  of  their  duties 
would  permit. 

Returns  have  been  already  received  from  the  districts 
of  St.  Charles  &  St.  Genevieve  and  from  part  of  the  dis- 
trict of  the  Arkensas.  As  soon  as  all  the  returns  shall 
have  been  made,  but  little  time  will  be  required  to  make 
the  general  statement. 


TO  JOHN  COBURN5 
Sm  St.  Louis,  Nov  14.  1810. 

It  was  stated  to  me  this  morning,  that  you  had  written 
a  letter  to  Governor  Howard  containing  some  strictures 
on  the  removal  of  the  late  Sheriff  of  the  district  of  St. 
Louis. 

I  waited  on  the  Governor  to  learn  particulars:  He  de- 
clines as  I  had  foreseen  to  say  any  thing  on  the  subject. 
The  correctness  of  his  determinations  in  this  respect  can- 
not be  doubted.  You  will  therefore  do  me  a  favour,  and 
probably  the  last  I  shall  ever  ask  of  you,  by  stating  explic- 
itly whether  or  not  these  strictures  were  made,  and  if 
affirmatively  what  they  substantially  amounted  to.  I  am 
not  so  unreasonable  as  to  expect  that  you  will  enter  into  a 
laboured  argumentation  on  the  subject.  I  entreat  facts 
and  facts  alone;  for  from  these  I  am  very  desirous  of 
drawing  my  own  conclusions. 

s  This  letter  was  suppressed  at  the  suggestion  of  Governor  Howard. 
See  Bates  to  Coburn,  May  1,  1811. 


164         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

If  you  should  be  disposed  to  make  the  mental  enquiry 
of  yourself  'For  what  purpose  can  these  informations  be 
wanted?'  Simply  Sir,  at  my  leisure  moments  to  amuse 
myself  with  contrasts,  to  complete  my  collection  of  the 
epistolary  writings  of  The  Honorable  Judge  Coburn !  — 

Were  you  not  in  Kentucky,  at  the  time  of  this  transac- 
tion !  And  could  you  have  known  the  circumstances,  except 
from  the  partial  relations  of  interested  People!  "Why  not 
let  them  tell  their  own  story?  How  durst  you  decide  on 
that  evidence  which  you  imagined  the  Governor  was  about 
to  weigh!  Why  obtrude  your  advices  on  that  excellent 
man,  who,  at  the  same  time  that  he  throws  around  you  the 
veil  of  silence  appears,  from  his  profound  neglect  of  the 
subject,  to  disregard,  with  the  truly  honorable  feelings  of 
a  Gentleman,  your  malicious  and  intermeddling  insinua- 
tions 1 

You  have  professed  friendship  for  me  too;  and  you  do 
know  Sir,  that  I  had  deserved  something  more  at  your 
hands,  than  empty  professions!  — 

It  was  the  saying  of  a  celebrated  Roman  of  Antiquity, 
who  even  caused  it  to  be  inscribed  on  his  tomb,  that  he 
had  repaid,  as  well  the  injuries  of  enemies,  as  the  good 
offices  of  friends  with  ample  interest.  There  was  a  fero- 
cious justice  in  this  but  pardon  me  the  liberty  of  saying, 
that  I  cannot  fathom  the  morals  of  that  man,  who,  like  the 
Bear  of  the  Satirist,  embraces  only  to  destroy. 


TO  JAMES  MADISON 

gIR)  St.  Louis  Nov  28.  1810 

I  cannot  suffer  the  term  of  my  Secretaryship  to  expire 
without  expressing  to  you  my  grateful  sense  of  the  confi- 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Hotvard.       165 

deuce  heretofore  reposed.  It  has  been  my  uniform  en- 
deavour to  prove  myself  not  altogether  unworthy  of  it. 
The  exercise  of  the  Executive  Office  which  has  twice,  for 
long  periods,  devolved  on  me,  presented  duties,  with  which 
indeed  I  was  not  familiar,  but  from  the  discharge  of  which 
I  did  not  shrink.  —  Errors,  most  probably  have  been  com- 
mitted ;  —  yet  I  take  the  liberty  to  assure  you  that  I  am 
not  sensible  of  them.  'Mens  sibi  conscia  recti'6  is  my  gen- 
eral defence,  rather  than  a  claim  to  indulgence:  for  I  be- 
lieve myself  prepared  to  submit  the  entire  series  of  my 
conduct  to  the  most  rigid  investigation. 

With  respect  to  re  appointment  I  have  foreborne  solici- 
tation, in  the  ordinary  forms,  determined  to  ask  it  only  of 
you  Your  favorable  opinion  would  be  greatly  flattering 
to  me,  at  all  times;  but  particularly  gratifying  under  ex- 
isting circumstances. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

gm  St.  Louis  5th  Deer.  1810 

I  have  to  acknowledge  my  f orgetfulness  heretofore  of  that 
part  of  your  instructions  of  2d  April  1807  which  relates 
to  the  monthly  return  of  Patent  Certificates.  The  Report 
in  progressive  numbers  from  1  to  101  and  up  to  the  last 
of  November  is  herewith  transmitted  For  the  time  to  come 
I  hope  to  avoid  your  censure  in  this  respect. 

When  last  I  had  the  honor  to  address  you  in  reply  to 
your  enquiries  as  to  the  probable  progress  of  the  adjust- 
ment of  the  Land-Claims,  I  entertained  the  belief  that  the 

6  The  mind  conscious  of  right. 


166         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

Report  might  be  made  during  the  present  Session  of  Con- 
gress.   It  is  not  now  possible. 

The  'hatons  nous  lentement'  so  necessary  in  the  dis- 
charge of  complex  and  important  business  is  a  faculty 
which  we  never  shall  acquire.  The  Commissioners  are  in- 
cessantly disappointed  in  their  own  calculations,  for  the 
obvious  reason  that  the  order  of  business  is  forever  chang- 
ing :  They  hazard  statements  which  you  have  not  required, 
and  they  decline  to  answer  your  direct  enquiries,  because 
the  Recorder  had  been  chosen  as  the  medium  of  corre- 
spondence. 

I  enclose  a  duplicate  of  mine  of  13th  June  last  Much 
remains  to  be  done,  and  for  causes  which  it  would  be  pre- 
sumptions in  me  to  assign,  some  degree  of  uncertainty  will 
continue  to  exist,  as  to  the  time  which  will  be  necessary 
to  complete  it. 


TO  JOSEPH  CHARLESS,  SR. 

Mr  Charless;  gT>  Loms  Dec  ia  lgm 

As  I  have  observed  that  you  sometimes  fill  your  columns 
with  scraps  of  Indian  Eloquence,  I  make  so  free  as  to 
submit  to  your  criticism,  and  for  publication,  if  you  think 
proper,  a  talk  of  the  Big  Soldier8  delivered  May  1807  in  a 
council  held  with  the  Osages  by  Major  Peter  Chouteau. 

It  may  perhaps  be  said  that  there  is  nothing  great  or 
Chieftain  like,  in  these  persuasive  supplications.  Where 
the  Indian  character  is  known  this  will  not  be  objected.    At 

7  Editor  of  the  Louisiana  Gazette. 

s  Big  Soldier  was  known  to  the  French  as  Grand  Soldat  and  to  the 
Indians  as  Peno-we-gouna.  He  was  a  Menominee  chief.  Wisconsin  His- 
torical Collections,  X,  110;  XI,  278;  XII,  193,  197,  198,  200,  277.  The 
speech  appeared  in  the  Louisiana  Gazette,  December  12,  1810. 


The  Administration   of   Governor   Howard.       167 

any  rate,  I  do  not  know  that  he  is  less  of  a  hero,  on  account 
of  the  extreme  sensibility  of  his  domestic  attachments.  If 
Priam  without  derogation  could  descend  to  humiliating 
entreaty,  in  order  to  obtain  the  dead  body  of  his  son,9  it 
appears  to  me  that  the  Osage  may  be  excused  when  both 
his  Hecuba  and  his  Hector,  from  whom  alone  he  expected 
his  earthly  consolations,  were  in  the  hands  of  his  enemies. 
No  embellishment  of  this  speech  has  been  attempted: 
On  the  contrary,  many  of  its  native  beauties  as  I  am  told 
disappear  under  its  foreign  drapery  — 


WILLIAM  GARNER  TO  BATES 

gIR  Cape  Girardeau  17th  Deem.  1810 

I  Received  Your  letter  of  the  8th  August  —  enclosed  in 
a  Packet  containing  duplicates  of  the  Schedule  the  Instruc- 
tions the  laws  and  the  Oaths  all  of  which  came  safe  to 
hand  —  I  now  send  you  by  the  bearer  hereof  Mr.  Andrews 
a  Schedule  containing  the  number  of  Persons  within  the 
district  of  Cape  Girardeau  the  division  alotted  to  me,  I 
have  been  particular  in  setting  the  Townships  Separate 
and  Giving  the  agregate  number  in  each  Township;  I  did 
not  consider  the  Town  of  Cape  Girardeau  as  forming  any 
district  or  Civil  division  of  the  district,  I  have  not  there- 
fore Separated  it  from  the  Township  of  Cape  Girardeau, 
nevertheless  I  have  certified  the  agregate  number  residing 
within  the  Town  at  the  end  of  the  Schedule;  I  have  also 
at  the  end  of  the  Schedule  made  a  return  of  the  manufac- 

QHector,  the  eldest  son  of  Priam  and  Hecuba,  was  slain  by  Achilles. 
Priam  went  in  person  to  the  Grecian  camp  to  ransom  the  body.  Achilles, 
moved  by  his  entreaties,  permitted  a  truce  of  twelve  days  for  the  funeral 
of  Hector. 


168         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

tories,  the  articles,  and  the  probable  Value  of  the  articles 
manufactured  annually  in  my  division  in  dollars  &  c  as 
this  chiefly  consisted  of  Household  manufactures  I  found 
it  to  be  very  troublesome  —  The  dispersed  Situation  of  the 
Inhabitants  in  my  division  and  the  Intervention  of  other 
business  caused  me  to  be  longer  in  making  my  return  than 
I  at  first  expected,  but  Hope  it  will  reach  you  in  due  time 
and  the  manner  in  which  it  is  done  will  be  to  your  Satis- 
faction —  I  wish  to  know  if  any  application  is  necessary  on 
my  part  to  make  for  my  fees;  and,  if  any  in  what  way  I 
shall  apply,  also  how  much  I  may  expect  for  my  Services. 


TO  ROBERT  SMITH 
gIR  St.  Louis  Jany  10.  1811 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit,  An  Aggregate  amount  of 
each  description  of  persons  within  the  territory  of  Louis- 
iana in  conformity  with  the  laws  and  your  instruc- 
tions.    .     .     . 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  their  [the  assistants']  approbation  to 
Mr.  Gallatin,  to  whom  I  suppose  the  application  for  a  set- 
tlement of  the  accounts  will  be  properly  made.  My  oath 
of  office  accompanies  the  schedule. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

gIR  St.  Louis  Jany.  10.  1811. 

Not  having  been  honored  with  your  instructions  under 
the  2d.  Sec  of  the  Act  '  further  to  alter  and  amend  &c.no 
I  did  not  make  with  the  Assistants  any  arrangements  on 

io  The    original    act    providing    for    the    taking    of   the    census    was 
amended  four  times.    An  amendment  of  April  12,  1810  provided  that  the 


I  OF  LOUISIANA. 


>> 

S3 

S  U> 

ft  d 

E3 

83  0 

«S 

8 

■8 

<X>    .PH 

*£ 

2^ 

>    O   «J 

"-1      fl 
1— ( 

8 

forty- 
rds,  i 
famil 

other 

cept 

ted 

.2 

5* 

i— 1     <D   4-> 

1 

"3 

o 

IS 

■M 

o 

o 

<l 

02 

H 

H 

101 

13 

271 

3505 

165 

120 

740 

5667 

112 

459 

988 

4620 

eig 
five 

105 

8 

589 

3888 

ousand, 
&  forty 

66 

5 

287 

2103 

■*•>  TS 

— 

— 

29 

188 

Twenty 
hundr( 

13 

2 

107 

874 

562 

607 



I 

3011 

20845 

i 

•ibed  by  me  this  10th  day  of  January,  A.  D.  1811 

Frederick  Bates 

Secv.  of  Louisiana 


AGGREGATE  AMOUNT  OF  EACH   DESCRIPTION   OF   PERSON'S    WITHIN*    THE    TERRITORY   OF   LOUISIANA. 


FREE    WHITE    MALES 

FREE 

WHITE    FEMALES 

§ 

H 

II 

48 

g 

Is 

II 

n 

al 

Names 
of  the  respective 

1 

1 

SB  | 

"""l 

3« 

1 

1 

ili 

Is" 

I 

DisiiiKTs  am>  Settlements 

1 

§ 

11° 

lit 

|-ia 

I 

5 

|-o 

Isl 

111 

1 

| 

, 

o 

o 

o 

o 

*" 

to 

e- 

H 

Dt  of  St.  Charles 

660 

224 

305 

347 

183 

[657] 

231 

256 

257 

101 

13 

271 

3505 

do.  St.  Louis 

942 

360 

513 

590 

283 

[8661 

330 

432 

326 

165 

120 

740 

5667 

do.  St.  Genevieve 

672 

269 

214 

411 

174 

[578] 

205 

232 

306 

112 

459 

988 

4620 

f  s 

do.  Cape  Girardeau 

693 

258 

273 

380 

146 

625 

275 

275 

261 

105 

8 

589 

3888 

IS 

do.  Now  Madrid 

310 

150 

173 

193 

111 

338 

165 

164 

141 

66 

5 

287 

2103 

Hope  Field  &  St.  Frances  Settlemts 

29 

14 

17 

21 

9 

26 

12 

16 

15 

- 

- 

29 

188 

II 

Arkensas  Settlements 

132 

70 

73 

127 

61 

123 

47 

56 

63 

13 

2 

107 

874 

r» 

3438 

1345 

1568 

2069 

967 

3213 

1265 

1431 

1369 

562 

607 

3011 

20845 

THE  number  of  persons  within  my  division,  consisting  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana,  appears  in  a  schedule  hereto  annexed,  subscribed  by  me  this   10th  day  of  January,  A.  D.  1811 


Frederick  Bates 

Secv.  of  Louisiana 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        169 

the  subject  of  manufactures.  Two  of  them,  however,  have 
volunteered  statements  wch.  I  make  so  free  as  to  trans- 
mit.—  I  enclose  also  a  copy  of  the  return  this  day  made 
to  the  Secretary  of  State  of  the  population  of  the  terri- 
tory, together  with  Mema.  of  the  am'ts  due  to  the  several 
Assistants.  The  Judges  concurred  with  me  in  opinion 
that  the  Assistants  should  be  allowed  the  maximum  com- 
pensation provided  by  the  Law.  A  Copy  of  this  approba- 
tion accompanies  the  Mema. 

Mess'rs  McNair  &  Garner  have  had  some  additional 
trouble  in  collecting  their  informations  as  to  manufactures. 
They  know  that  they  have  no  direct  claims ;  yet  I  have  ex- 
pressed to  them  my  hopes  that  some  extra  provision  would 
be  made. 


TO  ROBERT   SMITH 
gIR  St.  Louis  Jany  14  1811 

On  the  10th  I  put  into  the  office  the  Returns  of  the  enu- 
meration of  the  People  of  Louisiana.  But  as  very  little 
reliance  can  be  placed  in  the  regularity  of  the  mails  at  this 
season  of  the  year  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith, 
by  private  conveyance  to  Nashville,  a  duplicate  of  those 
Returns. 

enumeration  should  close  within  five  months  from  the  1st  Monday  in 
August  (U.  S.,  Statutes  at  Large,  II,  570).  On  May  1,  1810  the  form  of 
oath  for  marshals,  secretaries  and  assistants  was  changed  and  provision 
was  made  for  the  gathering  of  information  concerning  manufactures 
(ibid.,  II,  605).  On  March  2,  1811  the  time  for  the  completion  of  returns 
to  marshals  and  secretaries  was  extended  to  the  1st  Monday  of  June,  and 
of  marshals  and  secretaries  to  the  1st  Monday  of  July  (ibid.,  II,  658.)  On 
March  3,  1811  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  was  authorized  to  allow  such 
compensation  as  he  deemed  adequate  for  those  who  collected  information 
on  manufactures,  but  the  total  sum  was  not  to  exceed  $30,000  (ibid., 
II,  661). 


170         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

DAVID  BOBINSON  TO  BATES 

Sir,  Kaskaskia  Jan'y  16th  1811 

I  have  for  some  years  past  been  making  remarks  and 
taking  notes  of  the  most  particular  things  relative  to  the 
upper  Louisiana  indavouring  to  Give  a  true  Statement  of 
that  part  which  lieth  proxemate  to  the  Missouri  river  on 
both  Sides  from  its  mouth  to  Fort  Osage  with  a  Sceth  [sic] 
of  the  Osages  Customes  manners  and  habits  with  a  Short 
Vocabulary  of  their  dielect:  but  my  principle  object  is  to 
remove  Some  Objections  which  Some  persons  have  enter- 
tained with  respect  to  the  Salubrity  of  the  Country  and 
Give  a  correct  account  of  what  has  presented  it  Self  to  my 
view  both  by  land  and  water  without  Exaggeration  and 
the  Population  of  the  Districts  of  St.  Charles  and  St.  Louis. 
I  am  under  the  necessity  of  Solisiting  the  favour  of  you  to 
Give  me  the  Censes  of  those  Districts  to  inable  me  to  show 
the  Migration  which  has  taken  place  in  a  few  years.  Your 
patronage  in  this  will  meet  with  the  merit  it  deserv's  from 
your  friend  and  Humble  Servant.  .  .  . 
N.  B.  my  work  will  appear  in  the  Northern  States  as  it 
is  most  wanted  there. 


TO  THOMAS  T.  CRITTENDEN11 

SIR^  St.  Louis  March  12.  1811 

Altho'  the  papers  have  some  time  since,  announced  my 
reappointment  to  the  See's  office,  I  have  yet  no  official  ad- 

ii  Thomas  T.  Crittenden  was  a  brother  of  Senator  J.  J.  Crittenden  of 
Kentucky.  He  was  appointed  deputy  attorney  general  in  1810  by  Governor 
Howard.  On  October  1,  1811  he  killed  Dr.  Walter  Fenwick  in  a  duel  on 
Moreau's  Island,  below  Ste.  Genevieve.  Henry  Dodge  acted  as  Fenwick's 
second,  and  John  Scott  served  in  similar  capacity  for  Crittenden. 


The  Administration    of   Governor   Howard.       171 

vices  on  the  subject.  It  is  therefore  merely  as  an  indi- 
vidual12 anxious  for  the  welfare  of  the  country  that  I  take 
the  liberty  to  subjoin  a  copy  of  a  letter  which  I  have  just 
received.    Accept  assurances  of  my  respects. 


TO  MOSES  AUSTIN 
SlR  St.  Louis  Mar  27.  1811 

Yr  letter  of  the  19th  Mar  was  deld.  yestery.  by  your 
son.13  I  have  not  heard  from  the  City,  therefore  cannot 
say  any  thing  in  an  official  way  on  the  subject  of  lead  mines 
in  your  neighbourhood.  It  has  ever  been  a  subject  of 
regret  and  mortification  to  me  that  individuals  should  have 
been  permitted,  without  the  forms  of  law,  or  the  semblance 
of  justice  to  dispose  of  the  public  property,  and  to  ap- 
propriate to  themselves  its  emoluments.  I  did  hope  that 
long  ere  this  a  period  would  have  been  put  to  these  usurpa- 
tions. 

It  is  said,  altho '  I  have  no  certain  information  that  Gov : 
Howard  left  Virga.  for  this  place  about  4th  He  would 
stay  in  Kentucky  but  a  few  days. 

Yr  letter  enclosing  the  address  for  the  division  of  the 
district  is  received.  You  already  know  my  opinions  on 
that  subject. 

12  The  absence  of  Governor  Howard  and  the  fact  that  Bates  did  not 
receive  his  commission  of  reappointment  as  secretary,  left  the  territory 
without  a  functioning  executive  for  many  weeks.  Bates'  commission 
arrived  May  7,  1811,  and  for  a  short  time  he  acted  as  governor. 

is  Stephen  Fuller  Austin. 


172         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

SIR,  St.  Louis  April  1.  1811 

I  have  this  day  taken  the  liberty  to  draw  on  you,  in 
favor  of  Edward  Hempstead  or  order,  for  the  sum  of  sixty 
dollars,  being  the  amt.  of  the  contingent  expenses  of  the 
board  of  Coins,  for  ascertaining  &  adjustg.  the  titles  & 
els.  to  lands  in  this  territory  for  the  quartr.  endg.  31  Mar 
last.  I  enclose  the  voucher.  The  board  has  been  in  most 
anxious  expectation  of  advices.  We  have  rumours  of  new 
arrangements ;  but  the  irregularity  or  rather  the  total  fail- 
ure of  the  Mail  has  prevented  the  receipt  of  any  intelli- 
gence on  wch.  reliance  could  be  placed. 


ALBERT  GALLATIN  TO  JOHN  B.  C.  LUCAS,  CLEM- 
ENT B.  PENROSE  AND  FREDERICK  BATES14 

Treasury  Department 

Gentlemen,  APril  24th  181L 

I  enclose  for  the  use  of  your  Board  a  copy  of  the  Land 
Laws  collected  pursuant  to  the  act  of  Congress  of  27th 
April  1810 ;  to  which  the  Land  Laws  passed  during  the  last 
Session  of  Congress  have  been  added.  Amongst  these  you 
will  perceive  one  which  provides  for  your  compensation, 
and  that  of  the  Clerk  and  translator.  So  far  as  relates  to 
the  claims  rejected  it  does  not  appear  that  the  allowance 
made  for  these  can  be  paid  untill  your  report  thereon  shall 
have  been  received.  But  the  allowance  for  claims  con- 
firmed and  on  which  you  have  issued  certificates  may  be 

i*  Original  in  the  Treasury  Department,  Mail  "N-O,"  3470. 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        173 

paid  from  time  to  time ;  and  each  of  the  Commissioners  as 
well  as  the  Clerk,  is  authorized  to  draw  on  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury  for  the  amount  respectively  due  on  account 
of  such  confirmed  claims.  It  will  be  necessary  that  the 
number  of  certificates  for  which  the  draft  is  made  should 
be  expressed  on  its  face,  that  a  transcript  or  abstract  of 
the  certificates  designating  the  No.,  name  of  Grantee  and 
number  of  acres  respectively  granted  to  each,  should  be 
previously  or  at  the  same  time  transmitted  by  the  Clerk; 
and  that  the  certificate  of  attendance  as  required  by  the 
act  should  accompany  or  precede  the  draft. 


TO  JOHN  SMITH  T,  CANNON  MINES15 
glB  St.  Louis  April  29.  1811 

When  you  were  last  in  town  we  had  much  conversation 
on  the  subject  of  your  misunderstandings  with  the  Messrs. 
Perrys.  I  stated  to  you  that  Mr  Perry,  (meaning  William, 
who  had  been  in  St.  Louis  a  few  days  before)  'Had  not 
obtained  a  Lease  of  a  Lead  Mine.  That  it  was  impossible 
he  should  have  obtained  one  since  his  application  was  made 
after  the  expiration  of  my  term  of  service  and  before  I 
had  official  advices  of  its  renewal. ' 

It  is   true  that  about   twelve  months   ago,   I   did   ver- 

is  The  Cannon  Mines  were  in  modern  Union  Township,  in  Washington 
County  (American  State  Papers,  Public  Lands,  III,  576).  They  were  about 
ten  miles  from  Mine  a  Burton.  In  a  report  of  October  7,  1816  of  Moses 
Austin  to  Return  J.  Meigs,  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office,  Austin 
listed  thirty-three  mines  in  Washington  County,  the  Cannon  Mines  being 
in  the  list  (ibid.,  Ill,  609-613).  In  Schoolcraft's  list  of  active  mines  in 
1819,  forty-five  mines  were  mentioned  (Henry  Rowe  Schoolcraft,  Scenes 
and  Adventures  in  the  Semi-Alpine  Region  of  the  Ozark  Mountains  of 
Missouri  and  Arkansas,  158-175).  This  is  in  striking  contrast  to  condi- 
tions in  1811  when,  according  to  Henry  M.  Brackenridge,  there  were  only 
thirteen  active  mines  (Views  of  Louisiana,  146-153). 


174         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

bally  permit  Mr.  Saml.  Perry  to  search  for  Lead  Mineral 
on  the  Public  Lands,  assuring  him  that  if  he  made  a  dis- 
covery he  should  be  permitted  to  occupy  fifty  acres  as  the 
Tenant  at  Will  of  the  Government.  No  writings  were  drawn. 
Had  this  circumstance  however  occurred  to  me  at  the  mo- 
ment, I  should  have  mentioned  it  to  you.  The  transaction 
had  escaped  my  memory. 

He  now  tells  me  that  the  discovery  made  under  this 
verbal  permission  and  assurance,  is  the  spot  for  which 
your  agents  and  himself  are  contending. 

We  all  know  that  it  is  not  within  my  province  to  adjust 
individual  differences,  and  I  take  the  liberty  of  mentioning 
these  things  for  the  sole  purpose  of  preventing  the  possi- 
bility of  misapprehension. 


TO  JOHN  COBURN,  STE.  GENEVIEVE 

gIR  St.  Louis  May  1st.  1811 

I  wrote  you  a  few  lines  last  fall,  and  had  besides  some 
little  conversation  with  Governor  Howard  on  your  sub- 
ject. His  prudent  intimations  induced  me  to  suppress  that 
letter,  and  to  await  your  semi  annual  visit  to  this  country. 
In  the  meantime  I  have  been  sporting  my  railleries  at  your 
expence. 

He  whose  public  character  and  whose  private  life  are 
exposed  to  exception,  should  not,  if  I  might  advise,  make 
rash  and  blundering  attacks  on  others.  — 

Let  me  know,  in  a  few  words,  the  extent  of  what  you 
have  attempted  against  me  in  Louisiana,  and  Kentucky  as 
well  as  in  Washington.  Of  this  I  am  most  anxious  to  be 
informed,  that  my  returns  of  courtesy  may  be,  as  nearly 
as  possible  adjusted  to  the  provocations  which  I  have  re- 
ceived. 


The  Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        175 

Be  brief,  I  pray  you;  for  I  tell  you  plainly  that  your 
eloquence  has  lost  its  persuasion.  At  any  rate,  I  am  no 
longer  to  be  amused  with  the  music  of  your  periods,  nor 
mislead  by  the  emptiness  of  your  rhetorical  flourishes. 


TO  MOSES  AUSTIN 
SIR^  St.  Louis  May  1.  1811 

I  do  not  know  in  what  way  to  write  on  a  subject  with 
respect  to  which  so  much  has  been  already  said  and  written. 
Your  letter  of  27th  ulto.  was  deld.  this  morning.  —  I  do, 
very  heartily  regret  the  party  dissensions  which  exist  at 
the  mines  —  and  if  I  had  the  power,  I  should  certainly  have 
the  disposition  to  put  them  at  rest  forever,  by  shielding 
the  public  property  under  the  safeguard  of  the  laws :  But 
really,  after  so  much  abortion  and  ineffectual  interference 
on  the  part  of  the  Public  Agents  heretofore,  it  does  appear 
to  me  ridiculous  for  them  to  talk  of  giving  regularity  and 
system  to  matters  so  inextricably  involved. 

I  will  never  hereafter  act  in  the  business,  but  with  de- 
cision, and  as  I  hope,  with  effect. 

The  com  [mission!  has  not  arrived  —  probably  lost. 


TO  THE  SECRETARY'S  ASSISTANTS  FOR  TAKING 

THE  CENSUS  WITHIN  THE  TERRITORY 

OF  LOUISIANA16         „      ,    1Q11 

May  1.  1811. 

I  have  not  been  enabled  by  government  to  adjust  your 
accounts.  The  delay  may  have  arisen  from  the  general 
irregularity,  and  entire  failure  of  some  of  our  mails. 

is  This  notice  appeared  in  the  Louisiana  Gazette,  May  2,  1811. 


176         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

The  Report  was  made  in  January  last,  accompanied  by 
a  statement  of  the  amount  of  your  respective  demands. 


TO  BENJAMIN  HOWARD,  LEXINGTON,  KENTUCKY 

SlR  St.  Louis  May  2d.  1811 

A  young  man  lately  from  Frankfort  informs  that  you 
had  arrived  in  Lexington.  Altho'  probably  among  the  last 
to  congratulate  you,  on  your  marriage  with  an  amiable  and 
accomplished  woman,  I  beg  you  to  believe  that  I  offer  the 
usual  good  wishes  with  the  utmost  sincerity  of  heart.17 

Nothing  has  transpired  during  the  winter  of  a  very  inter- 
esting nature,  and  if  I  have  been  less  communicative  than 
you  had  a  right  to  expect,  it  may  be  ascribed  to  a  dearth 
of  materials.  — 

It  appears  by  the  news  papers  that  I  have  been  re  ap- 
pointed to  the  Secretaryship.  This  serves  me  as  a  proof, 
if  not  of  your  positive  regards,  at  least,  of  a  friendly  neu- 
trality with  respect  to  me  —  And  for  which  I  assure  you, 
I  am  very  grateful.  The  commission  has  not  arrived,  and 
is  probably  lost,  as  some  of  our  mails  have  failed,  totally. 
If  not  too  troublesome,  may  I  hope  that  you  will  write  to 
the  Secretary  of  State,  who  will  no  doubt,  transmit  a  dupli- 
cate? 

Some  little  inconvenience  has  arisen  from  the  entire 
absence  of  Executive  authority  —  chiefly  as  to  the  authen- 
tication of  records,  and  certifying  the  official  character  of 

17  On  March  14,  1811  Governor  Howard  married  Miss  Mary  Thompson 
Mason,  daughter  of  Stephen  Thompson  Mason,  deceased.  The  Mason 
home,  where  the  marriage  ceremony  was  performed,  was  in  Loudoun 
County,  Virginia.    Louisiana  Gazette,  March  21,  1811. 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        Ill 

subordinate  officers.  The  files  being  still  in  my  hands,  I 
have  in  very  many  instances  given  private  certificates, 
which  have  answered  every  purpose,  except  where  the 
parties  were  disposed  to  take  legal  exceptions. 

When  equipments  have  been  made  for  the  Indian  Coun- 
try, the  trader  has  called  at  the  Office,  professed  readiness 
to  do  whatever  the  law  might  require,  obtained  a  writing 
in  acknowledgment  of  this  tender  and  thought  himself  at 
liberty  to  prosecute  his  voyage.  The  cool,  deliberate  and 
barbarous  murder  of  Ezekiel  Rogers  by  Moses  Kinney 
some  few  weeks  ago,  in  the  township  of  Bon  Homme,  has 
excited  the  indignation  of  every  humane  bosom.18  The 
son  of  Rogers  with  a  copy  of  the  Inquest,  pursued  the  mur- 
derer to  Paris  in  Kentucky,  where  he  was  committed  to 
prison,  as  I  hear,  by  Judge  Bayley,  and  released  in  a  man- 
ner which  I  cannot  comprehend,  by  Judge  Allen.19  Gov- 
ernor Scott20  is  furnished  by  this  day's  mail  with  the  evi- 
dence which  was  filed  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  district, 

is  "Died  on  the  24th  ult  in  Bon  Homme  township  Ezekiel  Rodgers; 
in  consequence  of  boiling  water  poured  over  him  while  asleep  and  after- 
wards much  beat  and  bruised.  The  name  of  the  villain  who  committed 
this  foul  deed  we  are  informed  is  Moses  Kenny,  of  Bourbon  County, 
Kentucky.  Justice  is  robbed  of  its  victim.  Kenny  has  fled."  Louisiana 
Gazette,  April  11,  1811. 

19  John  Allen  was  born  in  James  City  County,  Virginia,  in  1749.  He 
rose  to  the  rank  of  major  during  the  American  Revolution.  In  1781  he 
began  to  practice  law.  In  1786  he  moved  to  Kentucky,  locating  in  Fayette 
County.  Two  years  later  he  settled  at  Paris  in  Bourbon  County.  He 
was  appointed  judge  of  the  Paris  District  court  and  in  1802  was  appointed 
judge  of  the  Kentucky  circuit  court.  Lewis  Collins,  History  of  Kentucky 
(revised  ed.),  II,  80-81. 

20  Charles  Scott  was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  Virginia,  in  1733. 
He  served  under  Braddock  as  a  non-commissioned  officer  and  during  the 
American  Revolution  became  a  brigadier-general.  In  1785  he  moved  to 
Woodford  County,  Kentucky.  He  served  under  St.  Clair  in  1791  and 
under  Wayne  in  1794.  He  was  governor  of  Kentucky,  1808-1812.  Ibid., 
II,  706. 


178         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

under  the  expectation  that  he  would  cause  him  to  be  again 
arrested,  and  delivered  over  as  required  by  an  Act  of 
Congress  of  12th  Feby.  1793,  respecting  Fugitives  from 
Justice.  Every  man  who  has  heard  of  the  murderous  trans- 
action is  shocked  at  the  bare  possibility  of  the  criminals 
escape. 

TO  BENJAMIN  HOWARD 
Sir,  St.  Louis  May  8.  1811 

Yr  letter  from  Washington  of  11  Jan  did  not  arrive  till 
last  evening.  The  Commission  also  came  to  hand  by  the 
same  Mail  —  And  I  am  now  sorry  that  I  made  the  request 
for  a  duplicate.  The  trouble  which  you  gave  yourself  to 
wait  on  the  President  with  a  view  to  my  reappointment 
demands  my  warmest  acknowledgments.  You  had  given 
me  no  reason  to  count  on  your  good  word  in  the  City  — 
and  I  did  not  presume  to  ask  such  a  favor.  It  shall  be  my 
study  to  justify  your  favorable  opinion  by  the  utmost  cir- 
cumspection in  my  public  conduct;  at  the  same  time  that 
I  feel  a  pleasing  weight  of  personal  gratitude  of  wch.  I 
hope  to  give  you  some  better  proof  than  mere  words. 

As  the  territorial  Judges  are  now  at  St.  Genevieve,  I 
shall  set  out  tomorrow  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  Oath. 

The  People  of  the  Mine  townships  have  been  pressing 
for  a  separate  district.  I  have  been  of  opinion  that  their 
request  might  be  granted:  But  as  it  is  a  matter  of  ques- 
tionable expediency  it  appears  to  me  that  the  Secretary 
ought  not  to  hazard  it,  unless  he  get  an  intimation  from  the 
Governor  to  use  his  discretion.  I  would  not  designedly  do 
any  thing  wch.  might  be  displeasing  to  you  —  And  as  we 
are  led  by  rumour  to  hope  for  your  arrival  very  shortly 
it  might  be  unnecessary  to  mention  these  things. 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        179 

You  intimated  to  me  the  propriety  of  ascertaining  or 
creating  anew  the  district  limits  between  St  Louis  and  St. 
Genevieve.  This  would  have  been  done  last  fall  if  I  had 
not  imagined  that  you  would  prefer  an  ascertainment  by 
reference  to  the  Proclamation  of  Gov  Harrison  in  the 
office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  at  Washington.  I  took  the 
liberty  to  write  you  to  this  effect  last  winter. 

The  Law  for  the  final  adjustment  of  Land  Claims21  has 
given  much  dissatisfaction  to  the  People  at  large.  The 
commissioners  &  the  officers  of  the  board  are  equally  dis- 
pleased: But  their  discontents  are  matters  of  very  sub- 
ordinate consideration.  The  People  had  indulged  the  hope, 
perhaps  an  unreasonable  one,  that  Congress  would  have 
enacted  more  enlarged  principles  of  confirmation.  The 
Compensation  of  the  Clerk  is  indeed  much  less  than  he  had 
expected.  If  there  has  been  unnecessary  delay  it  is  to  be 
imputed  to  us.  It  is  somewhat  severe  to  make  the  officers 
of  the  board  share  in  the  reproof.  My  Colleagues  Messrs 
Lucas  &  Penrose  have  persuaded  the  Translator  to  resign 
that  the  business  may  progress  no  farther  until  Govern- 
ment make  arrangements  wch.  may  better  please  him.  I 
cannot  approve  an  intrigue  of  this  kind.  They  give  assur 
ances  to  the  Translator  that  if  this  office  again  becomes 
profitable  he  shall  be  reinstated. 

With  best  wishes  for  your  happiness  I  have  the  honor 
to  be  Your  Excellency's  obliged  and  obedt  Servant. 

21  The  act  providing  for  the  final  adjustment  of  land  claims  in  the 
territories  of  Orleans  and  Louisiana  became  effective  on  February  15, 
1811.  It  provided,  among  other  things,  that  each  of  the  commissioners 
and  the  clerk  of  each  board  should  be  paid  fifty  cents  for  each  claim 
undecided  on  July  1,  1809  and  on  which  a  decision  was  made  subsequent 
to  that  date.  Five  hundred  dollars  were  to  be  paid  to  each  commissioner 
and  clerk  upon  completion  of  the  reports.     Translators  were  to  be  paid 


180         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

TO  NINIAN  EDWARDS 

gIR  St.  Louis  June  18.  1811 

I  beg  leave  to  state  to  yr  Excy.  that  some  time  in  last  mo. 
the  barn  of  Mr.  Peter  Chouteau  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
this  town  was  burned  by  a  party  of  Ottowa  Indians,  who, 
I  am  told  reside  within  your  territory.  I  have  advised  Mr 
Chouteau  to  procure  written  evidences  of  this  burning  and 
have  chosen  the  men  jointly  with  himself  for  the  estima- 
tion of  the  amount  of  his  loss.  These  Papers  will  be  trans- 
mitted to  you. 

I  pray  yr.  Excy.  to  bestow  as  early  an  attention  on  the 
subject  as  your  convenience  &  the  circumstances  will  per- 
mit.    .     .     . 

Estimation 

Barn $592.  .90 

17  tons  Hay  140.  .00 

Total  732.  .90 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

SlB  St.  Louis  June  20.  1811 

An  accidental  concurrence  of  circumstances  has  enabled 
me  to  gain  possession,  without  the  employment  of  force, 
of  a  Lead  Mine,  which  promises  to  be  abundantly  richer 
than  any  yet  discovered  in  Louisiana.    Reuben  brother  of 

six  hundred  dollars  a  year  until  the  report  was  completed,  but  were  not 
to  be  paid  for  more  than  eighteen  months.  It  provided  for  a  land  office 
for  the  Territory  of  Louisiana,  and  for  a  register  and  a  receiver  of  public 
monies.    U.  S.,  Statutes  at  Large,  II,  617-621. 


The  Administration   of   Governor  Howard,       181 

John  Smith  (T)  in  the  summer  of  1808,  before  his  depar- 
ture for  Mexico,  located  1000  acres  of  the  St.  Vrain-Grant 
on  these  lands,  presuming  that  they  contained  mineral  but 
without  having  found  the  rich  strata.  Several  hundred 
men  are  now  employed,  and  Capt.  Dodge  tells  me  that  one 
million  of  mineral  has  been  already  raised,  altho'  the  dis- 
covery is  so  recent  that  furnaces  for  smelting  have  not 
yet  been  established.  I  lose  no  time,  in  transmitting  a  copy 
of  the  lease,  that  the  pleasure  of  the  President  may  be 
known  with  respect  to  it.  The  Eenaut-Agents  are  com- 
mencing suits  to  stay  waste,  and  for  the  recovery  of  dam- 
ages against  a  great  number  of  persons.  From  the  best 
informations  which  I  have  been  able  to  collect,  this  new 
discovery  lies  two  miles  at  least  beyond  their  limits:  tho' 
I  have  heard  a  lawyer,  probably  retained  by  the  Agents, 
assert  the  contrary.  Of  this,  however  I  am  very  confident 
that  unless  something  be  done,  there  are  individuals  who 
will  very  soon  possess  and  govern  the  most  valuable  parts 
of  this  country  as  Proprietary  Lords.  — 

Smith  (T),  Moorhead22  &  Riddick  have  become  purchas- 
ers under  an  order  of  the  General  Court  of  a  part  of  the 
mineral  tract  of  the  late  Julien  Dubuque.23     Several  of 

22  Fergus  Moorhead  was  a  St.  Louis  business  man.  He  had  a  mer- 
cantile establishment,  and  for  a  time  was  in  partnership  with  James 
Baird  in  the  blacksmith  business,  and  with  Alexander  McNair  in  the 
buying  of  cattle  and  hides.  With  Baird  he  opened  and  worked  a  coal 
mine  in  Illinois.  In  1810  Moorhead,  John  Smith  T,  and  Thomas  F. 
Riddick  purchased  the  holdings  of  Dubuque  for  about  $3000.  Moorhead 
was  also  interested  in  the  mines  of  Prairie  du  Chien.  See  Louisiana 
Gazette,  March  7,  July  18,  September  19,  and  October  19,  1811;  Bradbury, 
Travels,  in  Early  Western  Travels,  V,  252-253. 

23  Julien  Dubuque  was  born  at  the  village  of  St.  Pierre  les  Brecquits, 
Quebec,  on  January  10,  1762.  By  1785  he  had  a  trading  house  near 
Prairie  du  Chien  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi  River.  From  the 
Sacs  and  Poxes  he  learned  of  their  lead  mines.     In  1788  he  received  a 


182         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

their  boats  have  ascended  the  river  with  about  100  labourers 
for  the  purpose  of  extending  the  old  establishment.  Not- 
withstanding the  extreme  emptiness  of  these  pretensions, 
originally,  the  affair  appears  to  me,  to  be  so  circumstanced 
at  this  time,  as  to  forbid  the  interference  of  the  local  author- 
ities. It  is  possible  that  there  may  be  some  collisions  be- 
tween these  People  and  the  Fox  and  Sac  Indians,  who  have 
already  as  I  understand  from  General  Clark,  made  com- 
plaints on  the  subject.  I  fear  to  take  responsibilities  which 
it  might  be  difficult  for  me  to  answer :  but  I  entreat  you  to 
believe  that  I  am  only  anxious  to  know  my  duties  that  I 
may  discharge  them.  Judge  Lucas  has  asked  for  the 
original  Papers  for  the  purpose  of  moving  for  a  revision 
of  the  proceedings.  They  are  not  in  the  office,  they  were 
delivered,  by  the  Board,  thro'  their  clerk,  to  the  claimants 
at  the  time  of  the  ascertainment.  After  the  just  censures 
which  government  has  passed  on  that  ascertainment,  it 
appears  to  me  that  nothing  farther  is  left  for  the  commis- 
sioners to  do  with  respect  to  it, 

I  beg  permission  to  say  a  few  words  as  to  the  land- 
business.  Your  letter  of  24th  April  accompanied  by  a  vol- 
ume of  laws  &e.  &c.  has  been  received.  I  expected  that 
the  commissioners  to  whom  it  was  addressed,  would  have 
made  some  acknowledgments.  Resignation  has  been  hinted 
at ;  yet  I  rather  think  that  that  course  is  not  seriously  con- 
concession  from  the  Indians  to  work  the  "Spanish  Diggins"  near  modern 
Dubuque.  In  1796  he  obtained  from  Carondelet  a  grant  in  that  region 
of  a  tract  seven  leagues  along  the  river  and  extending  three  leagues  back 
from  the  river.  In  1808  he  asked  the  United  States  to  ratify  the  claim. 
The  matter  was  not  settled  until  1853  when  the  United  States  supreme 
court  decided  against  the  claim.  Dubuque  died  on  March  24,  1810.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  he  was  heavily  in  debt  to  Mackinac  and  St.  Louis 
traders.  Wisconsin  Historical  Collections,  XIX,  320;  Annals  of  Iowa, 
3d  Series,  II,  329-336. 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        183 

templated.  The  Translator  has  resigned  long  since,  under 
the  assurances,  as  he  tells  me,  from  Messrs  Lucas  &  Pen- 
rose, that  he  shall  be  reelected,  if  his  office  again  become 
profitable.  I  expressed  my  surprize  at  such  an  intrigue, 
the  effect  of  which  must  be,  if  not  altogether  to  suspend 
the  business  at  any  rate,  to  embarrass  its  progress  and  re- 
tard the  final  adjustment.  —  Since  we  lost  the  services  of 
Mr  Le  Due  we  have  been  employed  in  the  examination  and 
signature  of  many  hundred  confirmations  and  grants  which 
include  Orders  of  survey.  These  Papers  were  made  up 
by  the  Clerk,  from  time  to  time,  but  not  signed  by  the 
board,  as  it  was  thought  best  to  deliver  them  collectively 
to  the  Surveyor.  I  am  not  very  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  reasons  which  govern  our  present  movements; 
but  there  appears  to  be  an  unexpressed  determination  to 
close  the  business  as  far  as  it  has  gone,  that  every  thing 
may  be  left  in  intelligible  order  in  the  event  of  resignation. 
My  Assistants  in  taking  the  Census  have  become  im- 
portunate for  a  settlement.  I  suppose  the  delay  is  attrib- 
utable to  myself  —  for  Mr.  Pope  Secy,  of  Illinois  informs 
me,  that  his  accounts,  transmitted  in  the  form  prescribed 
by  you,  have  been  paid.  I  was  not  so  fortunate  as  to  re- 
ceive your  orders;  but  I  took  the  liberty  to  forward  an 
ascertainment  of  the  several  sums  due,  in  January  last, 
and  make  so  free  as  to  send  a  similar  statement  herewith. 


A  LEASE  TO  WILLIAM  WILSON 

The  undersigned  Recorder  of  Land  Titles  for  the  terri- 
tory of  Louisiana,  does  hereby  lease  to  William  Wilson 
Esquire  a  tract  of  United  States'  land  containing  the  quan- 
tity of  two  hundred  acres,  'In  the  neighbourhood  of  the 


184        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Gum  Spring  near  the  road  leading  from  Mine  A  Burton 
to  Herculaneum,  so  as  to  include  a  dry  branch  that  makes 
into  the  waters  of  the  Joachim  about  10  or  12  miles  from 
the  Mine  A  Burton '  and  on  which  tract  there  is  a  lead  mine 
lately  discovered  by  the  said  William  Wilson  —  Under  the 
expectation  and  with  the  express  Proviso,  that  the  said 
tract  does  not  interfere  with  any  private  claims,  depending 
before  the  board  of  Commissioners. — 

And  the  said  William  Wilson  does  on  his  part  promise 
and  engage  that  he  will  pay  to  the  said  Eecorder,  or  to  the 
person  deputed  by  him  for  that  purpose,  for  the  use  of  the 
United  States,  one  tenth  part  of  all  the  mineral  raised  on 
said  tract,  or  the  amount  thereof  in  Lead  at  the  option  of 
the  said  Wilson. 

These  covenants  to  continue  for  the  term  of  twelve 
months,  —  It  being  understood,  nevertheless,  by  the  parties, 
that  they  are  to  be  submitted  to  the  President  who  has 
reserved  to  himself  the  power  to  modify  or  altogether  to 
annul  the  same  —  In  the  mean  time  the  said  Wilson  shall 
be  maintained  in  possession,  with  the  Proviso  above 
stated.  — 

Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  at  St  Louis  the  30th 
day  of  June  1811. 

Frederick  Bates  —  Seal  — 
Wm.  Wilson         —  Seal  — 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

SlR  St.  Louis  July  17.  1811 

On  the  20th  ulto.  I  hazarded  the  communication  of  a  fact, 
without  intending  to  exhibit  a  charge,  with  respect  to  the 


The  Administration   of   Governor  Howard.       185 

intrigue  which  brought  about  the  resignation  of  the  Trans- 
lator. That  Officer  finding  that  the  business  was  neither 
suspended,  nor,  in  any  great  degree  retarded  by  his  absence 
lately  assured  me  that  it  was  always  his  intention  to  have 
accompanied  the  investigation  thro'  all  its  progress  had 
it  not  been  for  those  incidents  which  I  have  already  had 
the  honor  to  relate. 

Struck  with  the  absurdity  and  the  injustice  of  our  decid- 
ing on  claims,  the  evidences  of  which  are  frequently  in  a 
language  which  no  one  of  the  commissioners  pretends  to 
understand,  I  this  day  moved  for  the  election  of  a  Trans- 
lator —  And  named  M.  P.  Le  Due  He  has  been  chosen  — 
Judge  Lucas  dissenting.  — 

Trusting  to  present  appearances,  I  should  believe  that 
the  judicial  part  of  our  business  would  be  finished  in  eight 
or  ten  weeks. 


TO  JOHN  MICHIE,  GOOCHLAND  COURT  HOUSE, 

VIRGINIA 

glR  St.  Louis  July  23d.  1811 

I  never  shall  be  able  to  satisfy  a  mind  so  wary,  so  cir- 
cumspect and  so  prudent  as  yours.  All  your  letters  have 
been  received;  but  to  answer  them  satisfactorily  is  a  task 
beyond  my  leisure  and  above  my  capacity.  Nothing  short 
of  a  whole  lifetime  would  suffice  for  the  accumulation  of 
such  a  vast  fund  of  topographical,  agricultural,  mechanical 
and  commercial  knowledge  as  you  appear  to  expect  from 
me.  You  say  that  you  must  trust  to  the  eyes  of  your 
friends.  Mine  are  none  of  the  best,  I  do  assure  you,  and 
scarcely  discharge  their  natural  offices  in  the  guidance  of 
their  owner.     The  offspring  of  necessity,  the  creature  of 


186         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

circumstances,  I  have  been  so  often  thrown  about  the 
world,  that  a  prudent  regard  to  my  own  peace  of  mind  has 
never  failed,  in  a  short  time,  to  reconcile  me  to  the  place 
where  my  interests  may  have  placed  me.  You  are  not  in 
this  situation.  You  are  wealthy.  You  may  choose  your 
own  residence.  The  whole  world  is  before  you.  I  with 
sweat  and  toil  and  drudgery  have  thought  myself  sufficiently 
fortunate  in  gaining  a  snug  retreat  in  the  most  sequestered 
comer  of  it.  I  am  partial  to  Louisiana,  because  I  have 
determined  to  live  and  die  here,  and  will  not  be  such  a 
fool  as  to  quarrel  with  my  destiny.  But  at  the  same  time, 
if  I  had  Lands  and  Slaves  and  Cattle  and  Money  it  is  not 
altogether  impossible,  but  that  I  might  pitch  my  tents  on 
other  shores. — 

You  might  not  like  the  land  which  1  should  'price'  for 
you  —  We  have  such  variety  —  Hill  &  bottom  Woods  & 
Prairie  —  high  near  the  town  —  cheap  in  the  country  — 
Suitable  for  hemp  here,  for  Tobo.  there,  for  small  grains  in 
another  place  —  perhaps  —  or,  at  any  rate,  you  might  think 
so.  —  Mills  might  be  established  on  this  stream,  the  springs 
of  water  are  delicious  in  another  neighbourhood  —  but  then 
it  is  uncertain  whether  the  current  of  emigration  will  have 
that  tendency  —  besides  it  is  too  far  from  the  courts  of 
justice  —  And,  after  all  is  said,  perhaps  that  little 
neglected  spot,  where  nobody  thinks  it  worth  while  to  build 
a  cabbin,  will  hereafter  get  a  name  and  become  the  flour- 
ishing market  of  the  neighbouring  country. 

Small  considerations  decide  questions  of  vast  moment 
sometimes,  but,  then,  these  must  be  motives  of  our  own 
and  not  the  whimsical  cogitations  of  other  People.  It  fol- 
lows very  conclusively,  from  all  this  argumentation  that 
you  will  have  to  choose  a  tract  of  land  for  yourself  —  but 


The  Administration   of   Governor  Howard.        187 

I  would  advise  you,  by  all  means,  to  bring  your  books  along 
with  you  —  They  are  not  to  be  procured  here  —  At  least  a 
man  of  letters  cannot  complete  a  library.  All  kinds  of 
Household  furniture  &  farming  utensils  may  be  left  be- 
hind —  And  I  suppose  we  have  as  good  gardens  and  orch- 
ards as  you  have  in  Virga.  Yet  as  garden  seeds  are  light 
carriage,  you  had  better  bring  them,  for  you  may  chance 
to  have  particular  vegitables  which  are  not  found  in  this 
country  —  And  particular  fruit  trees  too,  if  the  season  of 
the  year  permit  their  transportation. 

Robt.  Wash24  esq  is  a  young  man  of  good  promise  —  J 
read  a  part  of  your  letter  to  him  —  He  will  probably  write 
you. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

SlR  St.  Louis  Aug  30.  1811 

I  had  the  honor  to  address  you  by  last  weeks  mail  in 
reply  to  your  letter  of  14th  March,  which  had  just  then 
come  to  hand  —  And  in  obedience  to  the  orders  which  that 
letter  contained,  I  enclosed  you  the  original  concurrence 
of  the  Judges  as  to  the  compensation  of  my  Assistants 
in  taking  the  Census.  By  this  week's  mail  I  have  been 
honored  with  your  letter  of  31st  ulto.  repeating  your  com- 
mands of  14th  March,  and  covering  a  duplicate  of  that 

2i  Robert  Wash  was  born  in  Louisa  County,  Virginia,  in  1790.  He 
graduated  from  William  and  Mary  College  in  1808.  In  Louisiana  Terri- 
tory he  rose  rapidly,  becoming  attorney  general,  and  during  the  War  of 
1812  being  attached  to  the  staff  of  General  Howard.  In  1815  he  was  one 
of  the  backers  of  the  Western  Journal,  and  in  1818  represented  St.  Louis 
in  the  legislature  of  Missouri  Territory.  In  1824  he  was  appointed  a 
judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  Missouri,  a  position  which  he  resigned 
in  1837. 


188         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

letter  together  with  other  useless  papers,  with  which  I  am 
sorry  to  have  troubled  you.  Your  circular  Instructions  of 
17th  May  1810  never  have  been  received. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 
gIR  St.  Louis  Sept  4.  1811.  — 

I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  the  6th 
ulto.  &  to  present  it  to  Governor  Howard  with  whom  it  re- 
mains. —  The  Lease  to  Henry  Dodge,  approved  by  the 
President,  will  certainly  be  productive,  if  I  am  permitted 
to  make  those  arrangements  for  the  regular  receipt  and 
disposal  of  the  Lead,  which  the  circumstances  of  the  case 
appear  to  require  I  should  have  adventured  this,  without 
express  sanction,  if  the  Governor  had  not  been  of  opinion 
that  a  previous  intimation  of  the  Presidents  views  might 
be  necessary,  or  that  it  might  be  prudent  to  wait  for  it. 

If  I  should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  have  the  President's 
confidence  in  the  affair,  I  pledge  myself  for  the  success 
with  which  it  will  be  conducted :  But  whether  the  trust  be 
confided  to  me  or  to  another,  I  beg  leave,  with  much  defer- 
ence to  express  the  opinion,  that  one  undivided  agency  and 
responsibility  will  be  greatly  for  the  public  interest. 

My  letter  of  the  17th  July  informed  you  of  the  re  elec- 
tion of  a  translator  to  the  board  of  commissioners.  The 
business,  now,  suffers  no  delay  but  that  which  is  indis- 
pensable in  bringing  up  the  Eecords,  neglected  by  my 
Predecessor,  and  in  supplying,  in  some  few  instances,  my 
own  omissions.  These  neglects  and  these  occasional  omis- 
sions have  been  only  discovered  on  a  critical  examination, 
when  the  claims  were  about  to  be  finally  disposed  of. 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        189 

Since  the  death  of  Mrs  Lucas,  Mr.  Penrose  and  myself 
have  been  alone.  Whenever  we  have  been  of  a  different 
opinion,  the  case  has  been  postponed  in  hopes  of  the  Judge's 
attendance  before  the  final  close. 

The  Report  will  be  very  voluminous.  The  manner  of 
transmitting  it  to  the  City  has  not  yet  been  talked  of.  I 
am  not  even  able  to  say,  what  time  Mr.  Riddick  will  re- 
quire to  complete  it  He  is  himself  in  weak  health  and  has 
already,  as  I  believe,  exhausted  his  funds  in  the  employ- 
ment of  Assistants.  — 


TO  JAMES  MONROE 

SlRy  St.  Louis  Oct  1.  1811 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  report  of  the  legislative 
&  Executive  Proceedings  of  the  territory  of  Louisiana  from 
1st  day  of  October  1810  till  30th  Sepr.  1811 

The  half  yearly  report  was  not  made  on  the  1st  of  April 
last,  as  the  renewal  of  my  Commission  as  Secy,  of  the  ter- 
ritory had  not  then  reached  me. 


LIST  OF  THE  CIVIL  AND  MILITIA  APPOINTMENTS 
IN   THE    TERRITORY    OF   LOUISIANA, 
OCTOBER  1,  1810— SEPTEMBER  30,  181125 

1810 

Oct  5.     Joseph  Perkins   2d  Lieut,   of   the   St.   Genevieve 
Troop  of  Cavalry  vice  Robert  Terry  resigned.  — 

25  Original  in  Department  of  State,  B.  R.  L.,  3476. 


190         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

14th  Elijah  Collard  Captain  —  Compy.  1st  Battn.  3d  Reg- 
iment 

James  Lewis  Lieut.  Compy.  1st  Battn.  3d  Regiment 

Nov  5th  Thomas  T.  Crittenden  Attorney  General  of  the 
territory  vice  Edward  Hempstead  resigned 

William  Christy  Register  of  Boatmen  for  the  district 
of  St.  Louis 

9th    Robert  Simpson26  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the 
township  of  Upper  Cuivre,  district  of  St.  Charles 

11th  David  Wade,1'7  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  town- 
ship of  Cape  Girardeau,  district  of  Cape  Girardeau 

John  Scott  and  Sylvestre  Labbadie  Aids  de  camp  to 
the  commander  in  chief,  with  the  rank  of  Majors. 

16        William  Clark  Inspector  General  of  the  Militia 
Governor  Howard  left  Louisiana. 

Deer  29.  M.  A.  Rocque  resigns  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
the  township  of  St.  Chs.,  district  of  St.  Chs.  &  apptd. 
for  township  &  district  of  St.  Louis. 

1811 

Jany.  5.     Silas  Bent,28  Auditor  of  territorial  accounts. — 

24  Thomas  Oliver,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  town- 
ship of  St.  Genevieve,  district  of  St.  Genevieve. 

26  Robert  Simpson  was  from  Redbanks,  Kentucky.  In  1794  he  settled 
at  Little  Prairie. 

27  Wade  was  a  carpenter  and  dealer  in  lumber. 

28  Silas  Bent  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1768.  Twenty  years  later 
he  moved  to  Ohio,  and  in  1806  came  to  St.  Louis,  having  been  appointed 
deputy-surveyor  for  the  Territory  of  Louisiana.  In  1807  he  was  appointed 
judge  of  the  St.  Louis  court  of  common  pleas  and  quarter  sessions. 


The   Administration    of    Governor   Howard.        191 

May  17  John  W.  Honey,  Coroner  of  the  district  of  St. 
Louis.  — 

June  4.  Benjamin  Emmons,29  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the 
township  of  lower  Cuivre,  district  of  St.  Charles. 

Abiel  Farrensworth,  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the 
township  of  Dardenne,  district  of  St.  Charles.  — 

June  28.  Samuel  Hammond,  a  Judge  of  the  Courts  of 
Common  Pleas  &  Quarter  Sessions  for  the  District  of 
St.  Louis.  — 

29  William  0.  Allen  Captain  of  'The  Infantry  Blues'  a 
volunteer  Company,  attached  to  the  1st  Regiment 

Robert  Wash  1st  Lieut.  Benja.  Butterfield  2d  Lieut. 
Hubert  Guion  Ensign  of  the  Infantry  Blues. 
Governor  Howard  returned  3d  July.  — 

July  6th  John  Brownson  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  township 
of  Labbadie  Dt.  St.  Louis. 

11        Stephen  Callaway  Lieut.  2d  Corny.  1st  Battn.  3d  Regt 
Henry  Steel  Ensign  do.  do.  do. 

Wm.  Cragg30  Capt  3  Compy.  1  Battn.  3  Regt. 
Rich.  Loo  Ensign  do.  do.  do. 

Nathl.  Simons31  Captain  4th  Corny.  1  Battn.  3  Regt. 
Roswell  Dentry  Lieut.  &  Jno.  Ewing  Ensign  of  Same 
Joshua  Fisher32  Ensign  2  Corny.  2d  Battn.  3d  Regt. 

29  Benjamin  Emmons  was  from  New  York.  He  settled  on  Dardenne 
prairie,  but  subsequently  moved  to  St.  Charles  where  he  ran  a  hotel.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  constitutional  convention  of  1820  and  afterward 
served  in  both  houses  of  the  state  legislature. 

so  Probably  William  Craig,  a  Revolutionary  War  veteran  from  Vir- 
ginia. 

si  Probably  Nathaniel  Simonds,  an  early  settler  on  Cuivre  River. 

32  Fisher  settled  on  St.  Cosme  Creek  in  the  Bois  Brule  bottom  in  1799. 


192         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Chs.    Saucier   Lieut.    3    Corny.    2    Battn.    3d   Regt. 
Francis  Coursoll33  Ensign  do.  do.  do. 

23d.  Henry  Cassidy,34  James  Scull,  Samuel  Moseley 
Judges  of  the  Courts  of  Common  Pleas  and  Quarter 
Sessions  for  Dt.  of  Arkensas. 

Samuel  Treat  a  Justice  of  the  Jeace  for  townships 
of  the  Arkensas 

James  Scull,  Captain  Corny,  of  the  Arkensas-Bat- 
talion 

Curtis  Willborn  Coroner  of  the  district  of  the 
Arkensas 

24  Hail  Talbert  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  township  of 
Femme  Osage  in  the  district  of  St.  Charles 

26        James  Brady  Major  Battn.  4th  Regiment 

James  Evans35  &  Henry  Widner  Captains  in  Same. 
Abraham  Christ,  Peter  Statler,  Edwd.  Spear,  Austin 

Young36  Lieuts  Same 

Jas.  Ravencraft,37  Wm.  Duskins,  Benja.  Shell,  and 

Anthony  Club  Ensigns  in  the  several  Comys.  of  Battn. 

4th  Regt. 

July  26.     Danl.  Duskin  Adjutant  of  the  4th  Regiment 

33  Probably  Francis   Coursault  who  was  killed  in   a  fight  with  the 
Indians  near  Roy's  Fort  in  1814. 

34  In   1815   Cassidy   represented  Arkansas   County  in   the   territorial 
legislature. 

35  Evans   represented   Cape   Girardeau   in   the   constitutional   conven- 
tion of  1820. 

36  Young  settled  on  Byrd  Creek  in  1803. 

37  Ravenscraft  represented  Cape  Girardeau   County  in  the  assembly 
in  1818. 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard,        193 

30th.  Frederick  Reineker,38  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the 
township  of  New  Madrid,  in  the  district  of  New  Mad- 
rid. — 

Eobert  McCoy,39  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  Same 

31        John  Stanton  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  town- 
ship of  Breton,  district  of  St.  Genevieve 
Walter  Wilkinson  a  Justice  for  Same  township 
Elias  Austin  Elliott  2d  Lieut,  in  St.  Genevieve  Troop 
of  Cavalry  in  the  room  of  Joseph  Perkins  resigned 

Aug  9  Thomas  D.  L.  Weeks  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
the  township  of  Cuivre,  district  of  St.  Charles. 

22  Alexr.  McNair  Captain,  Bernd.  G.  Farrar  1st  Lieut. 
James  Baird  2d  Lieut.  Jos.  McKnight  Cornet,  Francis 
V.  Bouis  Purser  of  the  St.  Louis  Independent  Troop 
of  Cavalry. 

31  Danl.  Colgan  Senr.  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  township 
of  St.  Charles 

Sepr  2d  Silas  Bent,  Louis  LeBeaume,  Augte  Chouteau, 
Bernard  Pratte  Judges  of  the  Courts  of  Com  Pleas  & 
Quarter  Sessions  District  of  St.  Louis. 

4th    Gabriel  Long  Ensign        3d  Corny.  2d  Battn.  1st  Regt. 
Hiacinthe  Dehetre  Capt   4th  do.     2d    do.     1st   do. 
J.  M.  Courtois  Lieut        4      do.     2d    do.     1st    do. 
Joseph  Aubuchon  Ensign  4th  do.     2d    do.     1st    do. 

38  Probably  Frederick  Reinecke,  of  the  firm  of  Steinbeck  and  Reinecke, 
German  traders. 

39  Captain  Robert  McCoy  came  from  Vincennes  to  New  Madrid  in 
1787.  He  engaged  in  Indian  trade.  He  served  as  a  militia  officer  and 
commanded  a  Spanish  galley  on  the  Mississippi.  In  1800  he  was  com- 
mandant in  the  Tywappity  Bottom. 


194         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

9         Ebenezer  R.  Hawley  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the 
township  of  St.  Ferdinand,  district  of  St.  Louis. 

11        Wm.  Ewing  Ensign  4th  Corny.  1st  Battn.  3d  Regt. 

Jno.  McCormick  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  town- 
ship of  Belle  Vue  district  of  St.  Genevieve. 

David  Curtis  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  township 
of  New  Madrid  in  the  district  of  New  Madrid 

Sepr  13     Wm.  Neeley40  Pay  Master  to  the  4th  Regiment 

Prospect  K.  Bobbins,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the 
township  of  Dardenne,  district  of  St.  Charles. 

17  Timothy  Kibby,  a  Judge  of  the  Courts  of  Com  Pleas 
&  Quarter  Sessions,  for  the  district  of  St.  Charles. 

David  Delaunay,  Inspector  General  of  the  Militia,  in 
the  room  of  William  Clark,  resigned.  — 
James  Beatty41  Adjutant  of  the  3d  Regiment 

19  Francis  Saucier  a  Judge  of  the  Courts  of  Com  Pleas 
and  Quarter  Sessions  for  the  district  of  St.  Charles 

Samuel  Griffith  Captain  3d  Corny.  2d  Battn.  3d  Regi- 
ment 

Governor  Howard  left  Louisiana  19th  Sepr.  1811.  — 

Secretary's  Office 

St.  Louis  Oct  1st  1811.  — 
Frederick  Bates 

40  Neeley  represented  Cape  Girardeau  in  the  territorial  council  in  1812. 
4i  James  Beatty  of  Kentucky  made  a  settlement  near  the  headwaters 
of  the  Femme  Osage  and  Dardenne  in  1800. 


The  Administration   of   Governor  Howard.       195 

A  LIST  OF  CIVIL  OFFICERS  APPOINTED  BY  THE 

GOVERNOR   AND   IN    COMMISSION   WITHIN 

THE    TERRITORY    OF   LOUISIANA    ON 

THE  1ST  DAY  OF  OCTOBER,  181142 

Territorial  Officers 

Office  of  Atty.  Genl.  vacant 

Peter  Didier,43  Treasurer 

Silas  Bent,  Auditor 

Joseph  V.  Gamier,  Clerk  of  the  General  Court 

District   of    St.    Charles 
Judges 

Timothy   Kibby,   Frans.   Soucier,   Robert   Spencer,   Benj. 
Smith 

William  Christy,  Clerk  of  the  Courts 

Mackay  Wherry,  Shf . 

Jas.  Green,  Coroner 

Township  Justices  of  the  Peace 

Portage  des  Sieux,  Frs.  Le  Sieur,  Eben.  Ayres,  Frs.  Cour- 

solle44 
St.  Charles,  Jas  Morrison,  Elisha  Goodrich,  Wm.  Christy, 

Danl.  Colgan,  Sen. 
Dardenne,  Wm.  McConnell,  Abiel  Farrensworth,  Pros.  K. 

Robins 

42  Original  in  the  Department  of  State,  B.  R.  L.,  3476. 
*3  Pierre  Didier  was  the  first  state  treasurer  of  Missouri. 
44  Francois  Coursault. 


196         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Femme  Osage,  Danl.  Boone,  Jno.  B.  Callaway,  Benj. 
Cooper,45  Hail  Talbert 

Upper  Cuivre,  Jos.  Little,  Christ.  Clerk,40  Robt.  Simpson, 
Tho.  D.  L.  Weeks 

Lower  Cuivre,  Benj.  Allen,  Saml.  S.  Kennedy,  Benj.  Em- 
mons 

Henry  Hight,  Recorder,  Judge  of  Probate  &  Noty.  Public 
To  Admr.  Oaths  of  Office 

M.  P.  LeDuc,  Mackay  Wherry 
Timothy  Kibby,  Audr.  P.  Accts. 

Disteict    of    St.    Louis 

Judges 

Silas  Bent,  Augte.  Chouteau,  Bernd.  Pratte,  Louis  Le 
Beaume,  Samuel  Hammond 

Thos.  F.  Riddick,  Clerk  of  the  Courts 

Alexr.  McNair,  Shf. 

Jno.  W.  Honey,  Coroner 

Township  Justices  of  the  Peace 

St.  Ferdinand,  Jno.  Allen,  Geo.  Fallis,  Tho.  Musick,  Danl. 
Bissell,  Richd.  Chitwood,47  Eben  R.  Hawley 

45  Cooper  was  a  Revolutionary  War  veteran  who  served  in  the  Vir- 
ginia-Illinois regiment.  In  1808  he  settled  in  the  Boonslick  Country  but 
was  forced  to  leave  the  Indian  lands.  He  moved  to  Loutre  Island,  but 
eventually  returned  to  the  Boonslick  Country,  settling  in  Howard  County. 
He  was  prominent  in  frontier  fighting  during  the  War  of  1812. 

46  Christopher  Clark. 

47  Richard  Chittwood  in  1797  settled  on  Maline  Creek  in  the  District 
of  St.  Louis. 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        197 

Bon  Homme,  Bichd.  Caulk,  Jas.  McKay,48  Andw.  Kinkead49 
Labbadie,  Kinkead  Caldwell,  Jas.  Stephens,  Jno.  G.  Heth,50 

Geo.  C.  Sibley,  Jas.  H.  Audrain,51  Jno.  Brownson 
Joachim,  Benj.  Johnston,  Jeduthun  Kendal,  Jas.  McCul- 

lock,  Phil.  McGuire,52  Benj.  Baker,  Jas.  Rankin 
St.  Louis,  Tho.  F.  Riddick,  Peter  Chouteau,  M.  P.  Le  Due, 

Jos.  V.  Gamier,  Fergus  Moorhead,  M.  A.  Rocque 

Mary  P.  LeDuc,  Recorder,  Judge  of  Probate  &  Noty  Public 

William  Christy,  Regr.  of  Boatmen 

To  Admr.  Oaths  of  Office 

Tho.  F.  Riddick,  Richd.  Caulk,  Bernd.  Pratte,  K.  Caldwell, 
Samuel  Hammond,  M.  P.  Le  Due 

Silas  Hunt,  Audr.  P.  Accts 

District   of    St.    Genevieve 

Judges 
Nathl.  Cook 

Thos.  Oliver,  Clerk  of  the  Courts 

Henry  Dodge,  Shf. 

,  Coroner 

48  James  Mackay. 

49  Andrew  Kincaid  in  1800  settled  near  Creve  Coeur  Lake, 
so  John  G.  Heath. 

si  Audrain  was  a  Kentuckian  who  came  to  St.  Louis  in  1809  where 
he  opened  a  tavern.  He  became  an  extensive  landowner  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Fort  Osage.  He  was  a  member  of  the  family  after  whom  Audrain 
County  is  named. 

52  McGuire  was  a  member  of  the  second  territorial  assembly. 


198         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Township  Justices  of  the  Peace 

St.  Genevieve,  Thos.  Oliver 

Cinq  Honimes,  Isidore  Moore,  Joseph  Donnohue 

Belle  Vue,  Elisha  Baker,  Robt.  M.  Stephenson,  Jos.  Mc 

Cormeck 
St.  Michaels,  John  Callaway,  William  Dillon53 
Big  River,  Jno.  Andrews,  Joseph  Boring,  John  Baker 
Breton,  Jas.  Austin,  Michl.  Hart,  Darius  Shaw,  Robt.  T. 
Brown,  Wm.  Mathers,  Jno.  Stanton  and  Walter  Wil- 
kinson 

Thos.  Oliver,  Recorder,  Judge  of  Probate  &  Noty.  Public 
To  Admr.   Oaths   of  Office 

Otho  Shrader,  Thos.  Oliver 

Joseph  Pratte,54  Audr.  P.  Accts 

District   of   Cape   Girardeau 

Judges 
Stephen  Byrd 

Joseph  McFerron,  Clerk  of  the  Courts 

Jno.  Hays,  Shf. 

Jas.  Dougherty,  Coroner 

Township  Justices  of  the  Peace 

Tywapity,  Jno.  Wellborn,  Richard  Mills,  William  Kelso 
Cape  Girardeau,  Enoch  Evans,  John  Abernathie,  David 
Wade 

ss  Dillon  settled  in  the  Murphy  settlement  on  the  St.  Francis  in  1799. 
54  Pratte  was  a  large  landholder  who  resided  at  Ste.  Genevieve.     He 
was  interested  in  mining  at  Old  Mine. 


The   Administration   of   Governor  Howard.        199 

Byrd's,  Wm.  Matthews,  John  Davis,  George  Henderson 
German,  Frederick  Ballinger,  Benj.  Shell,  Fred.  Linsbaugh, 

Sen. 
St.  Francis,  Jacob  Kelly 

Geo.  Henderson,  Eecorder,  Judge  of  Probate  &  Noty.  Pub- 
lic 

To  Admr.  Oaths  of  Office 

Joseph  Mc  Ferron 

Geo  Henderson,  Audr.  P.  Accts 

District   of   New   Madrid 

Judges 
Peter  A.  La  Forge 

Joshua  Humphreys,  Clk.  of  the  Courts 
Jos.  Lewis,  Shf. 
Robt.  McKay,  Coroner 

Township  Justices  of  the  Peace 

New  Madrid,  Tho.  Evans,  Jos.  Lafernait,  Fred  Reineker, 
Robert  McCoy,  David  Curtis 

Big  Prairie,  Stephen  Ross 

Little  Prairie,  Geo  Reeddell,  Fr.  Trenchard,55  Will  Con- 
noway 

Tywapity,  Edwd.  Matthews,  Jr.,  Thos.  Clarke 

Michl.  Amoureux,  Recorder,  Judge  of  Probate  &  Noty. 
Public 

55  Frangois  Trenchard  settled  on  Lake  Gayoso  in  the  New  Madrid 
District  in  1802. 


200         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

To  Admr.  Oaths  of  Office 
Michl.  Amoureux,  Josa.  Humphreys 
Peter  A.  La  Forge,  Audr.  P.  Accts. 

DISTRICT     OF     THE     AltKENSAS 

Judges 
Henry  Cassidy,  James  Scull,  Saml.  Moseley 
Patrick  Cassidy,  Clerk  of  the  Courts 
Danl.  Mooney,  Shf. 
Curtis  Willborn,  Coroner 
This  district  not  divided  into  Townships. 

Justices  of  the  Peace 
Benjamin  Fooy,  Jno.  McClain,  Samuel  Treat 
Pat.  Cassidy,  Eecorder  &  Judge  Probate 
Andw.  Fagot,  Noty.  Public 

To  Admr.  Oaths  of  Office 

John  Burke  Treat,  Benjamin  Fooy,  Pat.  Cassidy 

Joseph  Stillwell,  Audr.  P.  Accts. 

Note  —  tenure  of  office.  District  Judges,  '  l  during  good  be- 
havior for  four  years";  Clerk  of  the  General  Court, 
"During  good  behavior";  Notaries  Public,  "during 
good  behavior  for  five  years ' ' ;  others  during  the  pleas- 
ure of  the  Governor. 

Secretary's  Office 

St.  Louis  Oct  1st  1811 
Frederick  Bates 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        201 

A  LIST  OF  LICENSES  ISSUED  TO  TRADE  WITH 
THE  INDIANS  WITHIN  THE  TERRITORY 

OF  LOUISIANA 
OCTOBER  1,  1810  —  SEPTEMBER  30,  18irG 

1810 
Oct  14        Denis  Julien  with  the  Ioways  &  Sieux,  for  one 
year  —  Peter  Chouteau  Secy. 

26  Elisha  Lewis,  on  waters  of  Mississippi,  for  one 
year  —  H.  Austin  Security 

Antoine  Ceran,  on  the  St.  Francis  for  one  year. 
Sam  Solomon  Security 

1811 

May  31  John  Smith  (T)  &  Co.  on  the  Mississippi  and 
its  waters  above  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri,  for 
one  year,  Wm.  Christy,  R.  Easton  Securities 

24  James  Aird,  above  the  mouth  of  Missouri,  for 
one  year 

July  2d         Henry  Delaurier,  on  Missouri  &  its  waters,  one 
year,  P.  Lee57  Security 

15  Francis  Deroin,  on  Missouri  &  its  waters,  one 
year,  Aug  Chouteau,  [Security! 

Louis  Boudoin,  on  Missouri  &  its  waters,  one 
year,  Aug  Chouteau,  [Security] 

Brazeau  &  Buissonet,  on  Missouri  &  its  waters, 
one  year,  Aug.  Chouteau,  [Security] 

Francis  Deroin,  on  Missouri  &  its  waters,  one 
year,  Aug  Chouteau,  [Security] 

se  Original  in  the  Department  of  State,  B.  R.  L.,  3474. 
57  Patrick  Lee. 


202         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Joseph  &  Baptiste  Lacroix,  on  Missouri  &  its 
waters,  one  year,  Aug  Chouteau,  [Security] 

Polite  Dejardin,  on  Missouri  &  its  waters,  one 
year,  Aug  Chouteau,  [Security] 

Francis  Rajotte  &  Co.,  on  Missouri  &  its  wa- 
ters, one  year,  Aug  Chouteau,  [Security] 

20th         Charles  Monburn,  on  Missouri  &  its  waters, 
one  year,  Aug.  Chouteau,  [Security] 

23       Peter  Godin  on  waters  of  White  River 

Sylvanus  Philips  on  waters  of  St.  Francis 
Samuel  Moseley  on  waters  of  Arkensas 
Germain    Charbonneau    on   waters    of    White 
River 

Aug  6  Alex.  Papin,  Frs.  Robidoux  &  Jacques  Le  Jeu- 
nesse,  on  the  Missouri  &  its  branches  for  one  year 
Aug.  Chouteau  Security 

8th        Primeau  &  L'Etourneau,58  on  Missouri  &  wa- 
ters —  Same  Security 

13th        William  Rogers,  on  Missouri  &  waters  —  Same 
Security 

19        Nathl.   Irish  on  St.   Francis  &  its  waters   2 
years,  Edwd.  Hempstead  Secy. 

Sepr  4        George  Hunt,  at  Lead  Mines  on  the  Missis- 
sippi —  Clement  B.  Penrose  Security  — 

Sep  16        Jas.  White  &  Wm.  Preston  trading  under  the 
name  and  firm  of  Jas.  White  &  Co.  by  Geo.  Wil- 

ss  Probably  Primo  and  Le  Tourneau. 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        203 

son  their  acting  Agent,  on  the  Mississippi  and 
its  waters,  with  the  Sieux,  Sacs  &  Foxes  —  for 
one  year. 

17  Jno.  B.  Bouvet,59  on  waters  of  the  Missouri  — 
one  year  —  Pat  Lee  Secy. 

18  Jas.  Mc  Farlane,  on  waters  of  Mississippi 
above  the  mouth  of  the  river  Missouri  for  one 
year  Sam  Solomon  Security 

Secretary's  Office 

St.  Louis  Oct  1st  1811 
Frederick  Bates 


Sib, 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

St.  Louis  Oct  17.  1811 


On  the  20th  of  June  I  had  the  honor  to  write  you  that 
the  Renaut- Agents  had  been  making  some  attempts  to  stay 
waste  within  their  imagined  limits.  Judge  Shrader  to 
whom  the  application  for  an  Injunction  was  made,  denied 
it,  principally,  as  I  understand,  on  account  of  their  inability 
to  shew  boundaries.  — 

Having  failed  in  these  suits  they  have  commenced  ac- 
tions of  trespass  for  the  recovery  of  damages  against  Wil- 
kinson and  others  who  had  possession  of  the  grounds  be- 
fore Henry  Dodge  the  present  tenant.  These  People  have 
pleaded  ' Justification  under  lease  from  John  Smith  (T)' 
and  the  court  have  ordered  a  survey  (tho'  the  commis- 
si Jean  Baptiste  Bouvet. 


204         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

sioners  had  declined  to  do  so)  in  order  to  ascertain  the 
lines  of  Renaut. 

I  question  the  regularity  of  these  proceedings :  or  it  may 
perhaps  be  a  matter  of  subsequent  consideration  for  the 
Judges,  whether  an  individual  claim  yet  unadjusted,  and 
without  established  limits,  can,  by  any  process  of  a  terri- 
torial court,  be  brought  into  conflict  with  claims  thus  prac- 
tically asserted  by  the  Government.  It  would  strike  me 
that  those  who  complain  of  trespass  should  come  into  court 
prepared  to  shew  that  they  have  suffered  it.  The  ordinary 
course  of  justice,  even  in  the  present  unsettled  situation  of 
real  property,  guards  the  possession  without  reference  to 
the  title,  whereever  that  possession  is  warranted  by  the 
Acts  of  Congress:  But  where  the  right  exists  merely  in 
the  abstract,  I  cannot  avoid  viewing  it  as  extraordinary, 
that  a  court  of  territorial  jurisdiction,  merely,  should 
attempt  the  adjustment  of  what  appears  to  be  reserved 
to  another  tribunal.  — 

The  Rents  due  to  Government  amount  already  to  a  con- 
siderable sum,  probably  six  or  eight  thousand  dollars,  and 
a  strange  contest  appears  to  have  arisen,  whether  the 
Agents  of  Renaut,  John  Smith  (T)  or  the  Government 
shall  receive  them! 

I  have  given  to  the  Atty.  General  Mr  Wash,  every  infor- 
mation on  the  subject,  and  desired  his  most  diligent  atten- 
tion to  it. 

If  Smith  (T)  in  his  haste  to  grasp  these  Eents  should 
disclose  evidences  of  his  intrusion  on  the  lands  in  question, 
or  if  these  evidences  should  be  obtained  in  any  other  man- 
ner, I  have  instructed  the  Atty.  Genl.  to  institute  the  proper 
process  against  him  without  a  moment's  delay. 


The   Administration    of    Governor    Howard.        205 

A  LEASE 

The  undersigned  Frederick  Bates  Kecorder  of  Land 
Titles  for  the  territory  of  Louisiana,  authorized  to  that 
elfeet  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  does  hereby 
covenant  with  James  Bryan™  &  William  Bates,01  that,  from 
and  after  the  date  hereof,  for  the  term  of  twelve  months, 
they  shall  be  at  liberty  to  occupy  and  work  as  Lead-Mine- 
Land,  a  tract,  supposed  property  of  the  United  States,  to 
contain  two  hundred  acres,  situated,  adjoining  the  Mineral 
Tract  of  Moses  Austin  at  Mine  A  Breton  in  the  district  of 
St.  Genevieve  —  It  being  expressly  understood  that  the  said 
tract  shall  be  surveyed  and  marked  as  soon  as  possible, 
and  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  interfere  with  any  private 
claims  depending  before  the  board  of  Commissioners. 

And  the  said  James  Bryan  &  William  Bates  do  hereby 
engage  and  promise  that  they  will  pay  to  the  said  Recorder 
or  to  the  person  deputed  by  him  for  that  object,  for  the 
use  of  the  United  States  one  tenth  part  of  all  the  Mineral 
raised  on  the  said  tract  or  the  amount  thereof  in  Lead  at 
the  option  of  the  said  Tenants 

These  Covenants  to  be  mutually  binding  on  the  contract- 
ing Parties,  for  the  term  of  twelve  months,  as  above  men- 
tioned unless  the  President  to  whom  they  are  to  be  sub- 
mitted shall  disapprove  of  the  same 

Given  under  our  hands  at  St.  Louis  the  26th  day  of 
October,  Eighteen  hundred  Eleven. 

Frederick  Bates  Seal 
James  Bryan  Seal 
William  Bates     Seal 

eo  A  son-in-law  of  Moses  Austin. 

6i  William  Bates,  a  follower  of  Austin,  in  1803  was  living  in  Bellevue 
Valley. 


206         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

AGREEMENT  WITH  PEYTON  JOHNSON 

Frederick  Bates  Recorder  of  Land  Titles  for  the  terri- 
tory of  Louisiana  and  empowered  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  make  Leases  of  Lead  Mines  within  the 
said  territory  does  hereby  stipulate  that  Peyton  Johnson 
shall  be  permitted  to  survey  and  mark  two  hundred  acres 
of  United  States'  Land  situated  on  the  East  side  of  big 
River,  about  %  of  a  mile  from  said  river;  about  four  &  a 
half  miles  above  or  to  the  right  hand  of  the  road  leading 
from  Mine  A  Breton  to  St.  Genevieve  and  about  one  mile 
north  of  said  Peyton  Johnson's  plantation,  and  that,  as 
soon  as  he  shall  have  executed  a  bond  with  good  and  suffi- 
cient security  for  the  monthly  payments  of  the  rents  herein 
after  stipulated  to  be  paid  to  the  Government  the  said  Pey- 
ton Johnson  shall  be  at  liberty  to  work  the  same  as  mineral 
Land,  under  the  express  Proviso  that  the  lands  so  surveyed 
and  marked  shall  not  interfere  with  any  claim  or  claims, 
depending  before  the  board  of  Commissioners. 

And  the  said  Peyton  Johnson  does  hereby  engage  and 
promise  that  he  will  pay  to  the  said  Recorder  or  to  the 
person  deputed  by  him  for  that  object,  for  the  use  of  the 
United  States,  at  the  end  of  every  month  is  required,  one 
tenth  part  of  all  the  mineral  raised  on  the  said  tract,  or  the 
amount  thereof  in  lead,  at  the  option  of  the  said  Peyton 
Johnson.  — 

These  covenants  to  be  mutually  binding  on  the  contract- 
ing parties,  for  the  term  of  twelve  months,  from  the  date 
hereof,  unless  the  President  to  whom  they  are  to  be  sub- 
mitted shall  disapprove  of  the  same 

Given  under  our  hands  at  St.  Louis  the  29th  day  of  Oc- 
tober, Eighteen  hundred  and  Eleven.  — 
"Witness  Frederick  Bates  Seal 

James  Givens  Peyton  Johnson  Seal 


The  Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        207 

PERMIT  TO  EXPLORE  MINERAL  LANDS 

Mr.  Amable  Partenay  is  hereby  permitted  to  explore 
the  mineral  Lands  of  the  United  States  within  the  district 
of  St.  Genevieve,  and  to  make  those  diggings  which  may 
be  necessary  to  ascertain  the  extent  and  richness  of  his 
discoveries. 

It  is  understood,  that  if  the  undersigned  retains  the 
Agency  in  these  matters,  that  Mr.  Partenay  shall  have  the 
first  privilege  of  a  Lease  for  the  mines  he  may  discover. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  St.  Louis,  the  Sixth  day  of  No- 
vember, Eighteen  hundred  &  Eleven 


JOHN  B.  C.  LUCAS  TO  JAMES  MONROE62 

gIR  St.  Louis  December  15  1811 

One  of  the  offices  of  Judge  of  the  Territory  of  Louisiana 
having  vacated  in  the  course  of  last  month,  by  the  expira- 
tion of  the  Commission  of  Judge  Coburn,  a  sense  of  duty 
as  well  as  a  regard  to  the  particular  circumstance  which 
I  am  in,  —  induces  me  to  inform  you,  that  since  near  five 
years  during  which  Mr  Coburn  has  been  one  of  the  Judges 
of  this  territory  he  has  never  ceased  to  reside  with  his 
family  in  the  state  of  Kintucky  on  the  ohio  above  Lime- 
stone Town,  that  he  never  came  in  the  Territory  but  twice 
a  year  to  attend  the  two  terms  of  the  Superior  Court,  after 
which  he  immediately  left  the  Territory,  som  time  went 
away  before  the  term  was  expired  and  if  at  any  time  he 
detained  to  attend  the  Legislature,  it  was  during  so  short 

62  The  original  is  in  the  Department  of  State,  B.  R.  L.,  3482. 


208         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

a  time,  that  he  never  did  stay  in  the  Territory  longer  than 
one  month  at  each  term  of  the  court,  leaving  at  least  ten 
month  of  absence  every  year,  I  further  state  that  this  year 
he  has  not  even  attended  the  court  at  may  term  —  so  that 
he  has  been  since  the  Latter  end  of  October  1810  until  the 
commencement  of  October  of  this  present  year,  without 
ever  appearing  in  this  territory.  —  ten  or  twelve  courts  of 
oyer  and  Terminer,  for  the  trial  of  capital  offenses  have 
been  holden  in  this  Territory,  during  the  time  Mr  Coburn 
was  Judge,  the  Law  requires  that  these  Courts  be  presided 
by  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Superior  Court,  owing  to  his 
absence  Mr  Coburn  never  has  attended  any.  —  this  has 
thrown  upon  the  other  two  Judges  of  which  I  am  one  a 
greater  proportion  of  Labour  and  responsibility  than  they 
ought  to  have  born,  beside  these  a  variety  of  Business  are 
to  be  done  in  vacation,  of  which  Mr  Coburn  has  likewise 
kept  clear 

I  never  absented  my  self  from  the  Territory  these  six 
years  past  of  purpose  to  take  a  journey  to  the  states  in 
the  course  of  a  few  months,  Since  the  death  of  Judge  Shra- 
der  I  find  my  self  to  be  the  sole  Judge  present  —  the  pro- 
priety—  that  Judges  and  Legislators  should  be  resident, 
is  apparent  enough  independent  of  all  the  circumstances 
here  related,  a  non  resident  Judge  ressembles  very  much 
a  sine  cure  officer;  to  my  certain  knowledge  many  old  in- 
habitants of  this  territory  have  passed  severe  censures  on 
the  conduct  of  Judge  Coburn  I  mean  relatively  to  his  non 
residence,  they  have  exultingly  remarked  that  republican 
officers  are  as  little  scrupulous  as  those  of  the  former 
Spanish  Government  were,  and  that  money  is  as  eagerly 
sought  after  by  the  former  without  being  more  scrupulous 
than  the  Latter  about  the  means  of  making  it.  — 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        209 

A  LEASE 

The  undersigned  Frederick  Bates  Recorder  of  Land 
Titles  for  the  territory  of  Louisiana,  and  Special  Agent  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States  for  the  leasing  of  Lead 
mines,  does  hereby  covenant  with  James  Bryan  that  from 
the  date  hereof  he,  said  Bryan  shall  be  at  liberty  to  occupy 
and  work  as  Lead  Mine  Land  a  tract  supposed  property 
of  the  United  States,  to  contain  three  hundred  —  acres, 
situated  on  the  S.  E.  fork  of  the  Plattin,  between  the  Set- 
tlements of  Plattin  &  Big  River,  six  miles  from  the  former 
and  four  from  the  latter ;  it  being  expressly  understood  that 
the  said  tract  shall  be  surveyed  and  marked  as  soon  as  cir- 
cumstances will  permit,  and  in  such  manner  as  not  to  inter- 
fere with  any  private  claims  regularly  entered  with  the 
Recorder.  And  the  said  James  Bryan  does  hereby  engage 
and  promise  that  he  will  monthly  if  required  pay  to  the 
said  Frederick  Bates  Special  Agent  as  aforesaid  or  to  the 
person  deputed  by  him  for  that  object,  for  the  use  of  the 
United  States,  one  tenth  part  of  all  the  mineral  raised  on 
the  said  tract,  or  the  amount  thereof  in  lead. 

These  covenants  to  be  mutually  binding  on  the  contract- 
ing parties  for  the  term  of  twelve  months  —  unless  the 
President  of  the  United  States  to  whom  they  are  to  be 
submitted  shall  disapprove  the  same. 

Given  under  our  hands  at  St.  Louis  the  15th  day  of  De- 
cember, One  thousand,  eight  hundred,  eleven 

Frederick  Bates  Seal 
James  Bryan       Seal 


210         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

JOHN  SMITH  T  TO  BATES 

gm  St.  Louis  22nd  Deem.   1811. 

Wrong  and  injustice  commenced  on  your  part  towards 
me  with  our  acquaintance  and  you  have  persevered  and 
still  continue  to  persevere  in  you  practices  of  oppression 
and  injustice  —  I  now  call  on  you  Sir  for  the  injurys  done 
me  —  from  your  standing  I  expect  you  will  give  me  that 
prompt  satisfaction  justly  my  due  on  equal  and  fair 
terms  —  My  friend  the  bearer  will  arrange  on  my  part 
what  ever  may  be  necessary  and  by  him  I  expect  your 
answer. 


TO  JOHN  SMITH  T 


gm  St.  Louis  Deer.  22d.  1811 

Your  note  of  this  morning,  delivered  me  by  Doer  Farrar 
has  given  me  much  surprize: 

You  charge  me  with  wrong,  injustice  and  oppression 
from  the  commencement  of  our  acquaintance.  It  is  due  to 
truth  and  frankness  to  declare  to  you  that  I  am  totally 
unconscious  of  these  things.  Perhaps,  if  your  charges  had 
been  special  they  might  have  been  more  susceptible  of  ex- 
planation. As  they  at  present  stand  I  am  at  a  loss  to  con- 
jecture to  what  particularly  they  allude. 

22d63 

A  fair  copy  of  the  foregoing  was  presented  to  Doctor  F. 
at  my  quarters  at  2  oclock  —  He  took  an  hour's  time  to 
consider  of  it  —  returned  &  declined  to  receive  it  —  It  was 

63  Bates  attached  this  note  to  the  copy  of  the  above  letter  which  he 
kept  in  his  files. 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        211 

then  agreed  that  he  would  call  again  at  8  oclock  —  this 
delay  was  not  at  my  instance;  but  it  was  understood  that 
I  would  consult  a  friend  or  friends  in  the  mean  time  with 
respect  to  the  regularity  of  the  Doctor's  farther  expecta- 
tions. —  He  called  between  8  &  9  —  The  same  answer  was 
presented  to  him  —  which  he  declined  to  receive  —  and 
promised  specification  tomorrow  morning  at  8  or  9 
oclock.  — 


JOHN  SMITH  T  TO  BATES 
SlR  24th  Deer.  1811. 

In  recurring  to  your  conduct  towards  me  I  pass  over 
the  manner  in  which  you  removed  me  from  the  offices  of 
judge  of  the  Courts  and  that  of  Lt.  Colo,  of  Militia  in  the 
District  of  St.  Genevieve  without  the  priviledge  of  an  en- 
quiry into  my  conduct  —  The  brief  authority  with  which 
you  were  at  that  time  cloathed  in  the  absence  of  a  Governor 
and  the  arbitrary  manner  in  which  you  exercised  it  carried 
conviction  to  every  honest  and  independent  mind  that  you 
were  actuated  by  principles  &  practices  which  you  would 
deem  unjust  and  oppressive  if  practiced  towards  you  — 
Of  course  you  did  not  do  by  others  as  you  would  others 
should  do  by  you  — 

That  Monitor  which  the  supreme  being  has  placed  in  the 
breast  of  every  man  warns  you  of  these  injurys  —  You 
had  the  power  tho  not  the  right  to  exercise  it  in  that  man- 
ner —  It  was  an  official  exercise  of  power  which  did  not 
effect  my  property  and  in  this  respect  I  shall  be  satisfied 
with  the  public  investigation  and  opinion.  — 

But  Sir  When  the  public  agent  attempts  to  shield  him- 
self under  the  cloak  of  his  official  character  to  do  an  indi- 
vidual personal  wrong  —  to  deprive  him  of  his  property  — 


212         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

such  agent  in  his  individual  capacity  ought  &  must  be  held 
responsible  for  his  acts  and  behaviour  —  This  is  a  prin- 
ciple maintained  by  the  great  Charter  of  our  Natural 
Eights  —  The  right  of  personal  protection  of  (reputation, 
liberty)  and  property,  is  dictated  by  God  to  man  even 
should  it  be  at  the  hazzard  of  life  itself  —  I  state  that  you 
have  wronged  me  in  leasing  my  property  at  Mine  Renault 
to  a  Messers  Hart  &  Mathers  known  bankrupts  from  whom 
I  can  never  recover  a  cent  for  the  damages  sustained  there- 
by altho  you  have  since  acknowledged  my  title  to  be  good, 
that  the  late  Governor  Lewis  had  intefered  with  your  prov- 
ince as  agent  and  that  you  would  never  lease  an  other  tract ! 

You  have  wronged  me  in  leasing  the  mine  Shipboleth 
when  from  being  recorder  of  land  titles  and  exificior  one 
of  the  Land  Commissioners  you  must  have  known  (as  you 
did  from  personal  information)  that  I  claimed  the  tract 
and  that  my  title  papers  were  of  record  in  your  office  in  due 
time  —  It  being  provided  by  the  10th  Section  of  the  Act  of 
Congress  passed  the  3d  March  1811  that  till  after  the  de- 
cision of  Congress  thereon  no  tract  shall  be  offered  for  sale 
the  claim  to  which  has  been  in  due  time  and  according  to 
law  presented  to  the  recorder  of  land  titles  in  the  District 
of  Louisiana  and  filed  in  his  office  for  the  purpose  of  being 
Investigated  by  the  Commissioners,  appointed  for  ascer- 
taining the  rights  of  persons  claiming  lands  in  the  Terri- 
tory of  Louisiana  —  Can  it  be  supposed  that  you  have  been 
authorised  to  lease  such  lands?  — 

You  have  injured  me  by  a  wanton  pretence  of  power  you 
never  possessed  by  actually  leasing  my  property  to 
Messers.  Dodge64  Wilson  and  Craighead,65  tho  to  evade  cen- 

e*  Henry  Dodge. 

es  Alexander  Craighead. 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        213 

sure  you  have  artfully  inserted  this  clause  in  the  lease  Pro- 
vided the  same  does  not  interfere  with  any  private  claim 
now  depending  before  the  board  of  Commissioners  —  You 
have  declared  to  one  of  them  that  in  case  I  should  persist 
in  maintaining  my  claim  you  would  order  out  a  sufficient 
military  force  to  drive  me  from  my  possession  whereby 
you  have  prevented  my  receipt  of  a  bout  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars justly  my  due  by  contract  from  the  lessees 

If  you  dare  to  meet  these  accusations  you  dare  to  meet 
me  and  extend  to  me  that  honourable  satisfaction  which 
you  might  ask  from  another  and  which  is  due  from  one 
gentleman  to  another. 

My  friend  Doer.  Farrar  will  arrange  the  manner  time 
and  place  If  you  shrink  from  this  test  your  gilt  is  con- 
fessed and  you  dare  to  commit  acts  of  injustice  and  op- 
pression which  you  have  not  the  manhood  to  support  and 
maintain. 

[Note  by  Bates]  reed.  Satury.  eveng.  after  Sunset  the 
28th  Inst.  — 


Sir, 


BERNARD  G.  FARRAR  TO  BATES 

St.  Louis  December  24th  1811. 


I  informed  you  last  evening  that  I  would  call  on  you  this 
morning  at  8  o'clock,  but  being  called  on  to  visit  Hercu- 
laneum  renders  it  impossible  Soon  after  my  return  I  shall 
present  to  you  Colo.  Smiths  communication.  Delay  on  my 
part  not  intended. 


214         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

TO    JOHN    SMITH    T 
gju  St.  Louis  Deer.  30.  1811 

The  only  reply  which  I  permit  myself  to  make  to  your 
very  extraordinary  note  of  the  24th  delivered  by  Doctor 
Farrar  on  the  evening  of  the  28th  is,  that  I  owe  to  gov- 
ernment alone,  an  account  of  my  official  conduct. — 


A  CERTIFICATE 

Commissioner's  Room, 
[St.  Louis],  January  20.  1812 

I  Thomas  F.  Riddick  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Commis- 
sions for  ascertaining  and  adjusting  the  titles  and  claims 
to  land  in  the  territory  of  Louisiana  do  certify  that  on 
examination  of  the  minutes  of  the  board  it  appears  that 
Frederick  Bates  Commissioner  was  present  at  the  deci- 
sion of  three  thousand  Claims  subsequent  to  the  1st  of 
July  1809  and  that  all  the  claims  have  been  disposed  of 
by  the  board,  either  granted,  confirmed,  ascertained  or 
reported. 


JOHN  COBURN  TO  JOHN  GRAHAM,  DEPARTMENT 
OF  STATE,  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.66 

Dear  Sir  ^y*  Mason.  January  23d  1812. 

Some  time  past  I  received  your  favor  informing  me 
of  the  friendly  interest  you  took  in  the  application  I 
made  to  the  Genl.  Government,  for  a  renewal  of  my 
Commission. 

ee  Original  in  Department  of  State,  B.  R.  L.,  3485. 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        215 

I  shall  always  retain  a  grateful  recollection,  for  this 
evidence  of  your  friendly  regard,  and  shall  never  cease 
to  esteem,  both  the  late  and  present  Executive,  not  only 
for  their  political  virtues,  but  the  marks  of  confidence 
I  have  received  from  them  —  Devoted  as  I  hope  I  am 
to  the  principles  by  which  they  have  been  governed,  in 
the  course  of  the  administration  of  ten  years  past;  my 
devotion  is  certainly  not  admonished  by  the  acts  of  kind- 
ness which  I  have  received. 

I  discover  in  your  Letter,  that  you  had  supposed,  I 
wished  some  assurances  of  appointment,  previous  to  the 
express  nomination  by  the  President.  Believe  me;  it 
never  was  my  intention  to  produce  such  an  impression 
on  your  mind,  as  such  a  wish  on  my  part  would  have 
been  improper  and  indelicate;  I  make  this  apology  to  you, 
in  order,  to  satisfy  you,  that  however  desirous  I  might 
be  for  an  appointment  I  would  never  adopt  any  improper 
means. 

We  are  all  anxiety  to  learn  the  result  of  the  delibera- 
tions of  Congress.  You  know  that  Kentuckians  cannot 
remain  lukewarm  spectators  of  the  interesting  scenes  now 
before  the  American  people.  As  far  as  I  can  judge  of 
the  Western  temper,  it  is  for  the  most  early  and 
decisive  measures,  against  G.  Britain  especially.  We  are 
inclined  to  think,  that  we  shall  never  enjoy  political  hap- 
iness,  while  the  British  retain  either  their  possessions 
in  Canada  or  possess  their  present  influence  over  our 
commerce.  Some  struggle  must  ensue,  when  we  attempt 
to  emancipate  ourselves,  from  the  shackle,  under  which 
we  have  too  long  labored.  Perhaps  that  struggle  may 
as  well  commence  at  this  period  as  at  any  other;  we 
have  just  causes  of  resistance,  we  certainly  have  borne 


216         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

the  injuries  we  have  received,  with  more  than  Christian 
forbearance;  altho  we  have  been  patient  under  aggres- 
sions, we  may  cease  to  preserve  the  dignified  character 
which  our  Government  has  justly  merited,  by  a  submis- 
sion too  much  protracted. 

It  is  perhaps  time,  that  we  should  again  recur  to  the 
principles  of  our  revolution,  that  we  should  be  brought 
closer  to  our  own  Government,  and  that  those  of  our 
Citizens  who  may  have  wandered  from  the  flock,  should 
be  brought  back  to  the  fold,  and  that  we  should  distinctly 
separate  wolves  from  the  sheep. 

We  want  a  rallying  period,  a  moment  in  which  the  true 
American  principles  shall  be  again  brought  to  the  test. 
The  body  politic  is  not  unlike  the  body  natural;  it  occa- 
sionally requires  some  degree  of  depletion,  to  throw  off 
the  humors  accumulated  either  by  intemperance,  or  any 
temperament  improperly  acquired.  Excuse  my  politic 
lecture. 


TO   ALBERT    GALLATIN 
gm  St.  Louis  Jany.  27.  1812 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  that  the  Report  is  at  length 
completed  and  entrusted,  for  conveyance,  to  the  care  of 
Mr  Penrose.  It  will  probably  reach  the  City  about  the 
1st  of  March  next.67 

Until  the  present  month  no  Patent  Certificates  have 
issued  since  the  Return  which  I  had  the  honor  to  make 
to  you  on  the  5th  day  of  Dec.  1810:  —  Because,  during 
the   investigation   it   was   very   inconvenient   to    proceed 

67  The   report   of  the   commissioners   is   in   American   State  Papers, 
Public  Lands,  II,  388-603. 


The   Administration    of    Governor   Howard.        217 

regularly  with  that  work.  It  will  now  be  in  my  power 
to  take  it  up  with  a  less  divided  attention. 

With  grateful  recollections  of  the  confidences  hereto- 
fore reposed,  I  make  so  free  as  to  offer  myself  for  the 
Office  of  Register  created  during  the  last  Session.  I 
have  continued  to  hope  for  you  favorable  opinions  and 
in  this  affair  have  no  other  reliance. 

Mr.  Riddick  will  be  very  desirous  of  making  his  respects 
to  you  personally.  Should  you  wish  farther  informations 
as  to  the  business  in  which  he  was  lately  employed  I  am 
persuaded  that  he  may  be  relied  upon. 


TO    GOVERNOR    HOWARD,    ST.    LOUIS 

SlR  St.  Louis  Feby  23.  1812 

The  friendly  dispositions  wch.  you  have  had  the  good- 
ness on  various  occasions  to  express  towards  me  will 
perhaps  justify  the  liberty  wch.  I  am  about  to  take.  For 
some  years  past  I  have  holden  the  offices  of  Secy,  of  the 
terry  &  Recorder  of  Land  Titles  always  imagining  that 
when  the  Sales  of  Lands  actually  commenced  the  several 
duties  of  these  employments  would  be  found  incompat- 
ible —  A  Law  of  the  last  Session  provides  for  the 
Appointment  of  a  Register!  and  altho'  it  is  not  very 
probable,  owing  to  the  circumstances  of  the  country,  that 
this  Officer  will  be  very  soon  appointed,  I  have  some  time 
since  become  an  Applicant.  In  the  event  of  the  Presi- 
dent's determination  to  disunite  these  Offices  —  and  if  I 
should  be  indulged  in  a  selection,  I  should  prefer  the 
Office  of  Register.  It  is  a  subject  however  on  which  I 
scarcely  know  how  to  address  myself  to  the  Administra- 


218         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

tion,  and  should  be  greatly  obliged  by  your  making  such 
a  communication  as,  in  your  opinion  will  best  promote 
these  views. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

gm  St.  Louis  Feby  27.  1812 

I  have  this  day  taken  the  liberty  to  draw  on  you  in 
favor  of  my  mother  Caroline  M.  Bates  for  the  sum  of 
five  hundred  dollars,  being  the  ' further  allowance'  due 
me  as  one  of  the  commissioners  for  ascertaining  &  adjust- 
ing the  rights  of  persons  claiming  lands  in  the  territory 
of  Louisiana  as  provided  by  an  Act  of  Congress  of  3d 
March  1811. 

The  Report  was  confided,  for  conveyance,  to  Mr 
Penrose  early  in  the  present  month  &  has  probably  by 
this  time  been  presented  to  you.  I  enclose  a  certificate 
that  all  the  claims  have  been  disposed  of.  I  hope  that  this 
Dft  will  be  deemed  regular  as  my  mother  is  much  in 
want  of  money  &  could  not  very  well,  answer  the  conse- 
quences of  a  Protest. 


TO  ALBERT  GALLATIN 

Sm  St.  Louis  Feby.  28.  1812 

I  have  this  day  taken  the  liberty  to  draw  on  you  in 
favor  of  Mc  Knight  &  Brady68  for  the  sum  of  Fifteen 
hundred  dollars  for  my  services  as  a  commissioner  for 
ascertaining  and  adjusting  the  Titles  &  Claims  to  lands 

ss  in  1809  John  McKnight  and  Thomas  Brady  came  from  Pittsburgh 
and  opened  a  store  in  St.  Louis. 


The   Administration    of    Governor   Howard.  219 

in   the   territory   of  Louisiana,   in   the   decision   of  three 

thousand   Claims   as   expressed  in  the   face   of   the  draft 
&  vouched  bv  the  enclosed  Certificate. 


TO  JAMES  PLEASANTS,  JR.,  WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

glR  St.  Louis  March  8.  1812 

The  very  high  respects  which  I  entertain  as  well  by 
sentiment  as  habitually  from  my  youth  occasion  me  to 
intrude  perhaps  too  frequently.  I  now  entreat  only  one 
moment  of  your  time.  The  friends  of  Alexander  Mc  Nair 
will  probably  mention  him  for  military  advancement  in 
some  of  the  new  raised  corps  —  a  Regiment  or  a  Bat- 
talion at  the  least.  Do  not  mistake  me.  I  am  not  pre- 
suming to  recommend  him  either  for  the  one  or  the  other. 
He  relies  on  abler  Advocates.  All  I  wish  to  say  is,  that 
I  have  known  him  for  the  last  five  years,  and  am  not 
acquainted  with  a  man  more  truly  respectable.  He  was 
formerly  in  the  regular  army  when  very  young  and 
resigned  his  commission  for  civil  pursuits  in  which  he 
has  acquired  character  as  well  as  property.  His  military 
propensities  perhaps  predominate  tho'  he  is  at  the  same 
time  conversant  with  civil  business.  This  variety  of  fit- 
ness designated  him  at  once  as  a  Judge  of  the  district 
court  of  St.  Charles  &  Aid  de  camp  to  the  Comr.  in  chief 
of  the  territory.  He  is  at  this  time  Sheriff  of  the  district 
of  St.  Louis. 

Major  Mc  Nair  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  sin- 
cerely attached,  I  have  every  reason  to  believe,  to  the 
republican  institutions  of  our  common  country.  He  is 
indeed  my  personal  friend;  but  in  a  general  estimation 


220         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

of  his  character,  I  believe  myself  altogether  free  from 
any  irregular  biass  arising  from  individual  preposession. 
Hearing  that  his  name  would  appear  on  the  list  of 
candidates  I  could  not  forbear  adventuring  this  testi- 
mony of  his  merits. 


Sir, 


TO    SPENCER    MONTAGUE    WHAETON, 
NEW  ORLEANS 

St.  Louis  March  12th.  1812 


I  have  perhaps  heard  from  Canada  since  you  did. 
There  is  great  preparation  for  war  in  that  quarter,  and 
I  have  no  doubt  that  our  government  will  give  them  time 
to  complete  their  defences  —  for  the  stouter  the  resistance, 
the  greater  the  honor  of  the  conquest.  But  I  am  not  in 
the  secret  &  perhaps  the  great  work  is  now  going  on,  for 
we  have  all  heard  that  it  was  the  deep  laid  scheme  of 
some  of  our  wise  men,  that  Canada  should  conquer  itself 
in  our  behalf.     .     .     . 


TO    JAMES    MONROE 
gni  St.  Louis  March  12.  1812 

I  had  the  honor  to  receive  ten  days  ago  your  letter 
of  the  27th  Deer,  and  by  last  week's  mail  the  printed 
Census  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  United  States  and  of 
their  territories. 

It  has  been  gratifying  to  review  these  papers  in  their 
complete  and  final  form,  and  I  offer  you  my  best  thanks 
for  that  courtesy  which  has   given  me  the   opportunity 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        221 

of  doing  so.     They  shall  be  preserved  on  the  files  of  the 
Office  as  you  require. 

The  Laws  of  the  United  States  with  which  I  was  for- 
merly supplied,  were  delivered  to  Governor  Howard,  on 
his  arrival.  In  places  less  remote  the  want  of  these 
volumes  would  be  less  sensibly  felt.  If  convenient  to  you, 
I  should  feel  it  as  a  singular  favor,  that  you  would  order 
a  set  to  be  sent  to  me. 


TO   ALBERT    GALLATIN 

SIR,  St.  Louis  March  30.  1812 

I  beg  permission  to  say  that  on  a  review  of  the  Patent 
Certificates  heretofore  issued  it  occurred  to  me  that  I 
might  possibly  have  fallen  into  errors.  To  correct  these 
if  they  exist,  the  more  easily,  and  to  guard  against  their 
future  occurrance  I  have  thought  that  some  little  delay 
could  operate  no  substantial  injury  to  any  person.  In 
the  mean  time,  some  of  those  already  issued  would  be 
presented  to  you.  —  From  your  silence  I  should  gather 
your  approbation,  and  a  direct  communication  would 
probably  convey  to  me  your  censures. 

If  the  Board  was  mistaken  in  giving  Certificates  other 
than  under  the  4th  Sec  of  the  act  of  3d  Mar  1807  I  have 
followed  their  footsteps  into  the  same  mistakes  in  five 
instances  only  to  wit  in  P.  Certs.  No.  11.  81.  90.  91.  92. 


TO  JAMES   MONEOE 
Sir,  St.  Louis  Ap  1.  1812 

In  obedience  to  that  provision  of  the  organic  law  of 
this  territory  which  requires  the  Secretary  to  make  half 


222         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

yearly  Reports,  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  list  of  civil 
Appointments,  —  a  list  of  appointments  in  the  militia,  — 
a  list  of  licences  granted  for  Indian  Trade  and  a  table  of 
the  civil  Officers  in  commission.69 


TO    ALBERT    GALLATIN 

gIR  St.  Louis  April  25.  1812 

It  was  not  until  the  first  of  the  present  month  that  I 
had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  26th  October  last. 

John  Smith  (T)  still  attempts  to  carry  his  bold  and 
extraordinary  projects  by  menace  and  intimidation.  He 
has  established  himself  by  the  side  of  H  Dodge  on  the 
Shibboleth-Mines70  and  at  this  moment  maintains  a  joint 
possession  with  the  tenants.  It  is  not  within  my  pro- 
vince to  account  for  his  continuance  there.  A  deposition 
of  the  fact  has  been  submitted  to  the  Governor,  a  copy 
of  which  I  enclose. 

During  the  last  week  I  have  had  much  conversation 
with  Messrs  Dodge  &  Wilson71  (the  latter  of  whom 
together  with  Alexr.  Craighead  has  joined  in  the  cov- 
enants) as  to  their  maintenance  in  possession  and  as  to 
the  payments  of  rents.  On  the  latter  subject  there  will 
be  neither  unnecessary  delay  nor  difficulty  of  any  kind, 
that  I  apprehend.  But  as  I  had  not  been  honored  with 
your  orders  as  to  the  disposal  of  the  lead  or  money,  and 

69  The  lists  were  not  attached. 

70  The  Shibboleth  Mine  was  on  Mineral  Fork  of  Grand  River  about 
ten  miles  from  Mine  a,  Burton.  Schoolcraft,  Scenes  and  Adventures  in  the 
Semi-Alpine  Region  of  the  Ozark  Mountains  of  Missouri  and  Arkansas, 
168-175;  American  State  Papers,  Public  Lands,  III,  609-613. 

7i  Nicholas  Wilson  was  one  of  the  representatives  from  Washington 
County  in  the  second  general  assembly  of  Missouri  Territory. 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        223 

as  either  the  one  or  the  other  would  be  equally  safe  in 
their  hands  as  in  mine,  I  have  consented,  at  their  instance 
that  the  payments  shall  be  made  in  June  next. 

In  the  mean  time  the  suit  which  Smith  (T)  has  insti- 
tuted against  them  for  trespass  on  the  premises  (Date  [?] 
100,000  dols)  will  probably  have  been  decided.  I  am  sum- 
moned to  attend  the  trial  of  this  cause,  at  St.  Genevieve, 
next  month,  with  the  papers  appertaining  to  the  lease,  as 
well  as  with  the  records  and  papers  in  relation  to  the 
St.  Vrain  Claim: 

I  do  not  think  that  he  will  be  hardy  enough  to  alledge 
the  want  of  power  to  make  this  lease  (tho'  Governor 
Howard  has  entertained  some  doubts  on  the  subject,  aris- 
ing from  a  vagueness  of  expression  in  the  law)  for,  from 
such  a  plea,  tho'  sustainable,  he  could  derive  no  advan- 
tage, as  his  recovery  of  damages  must  depend,  not  on 
the  irregular  holding  of  the  United  States'  tenants,  but 
on  his  own  actual  previous  possession  under  the  laws. 
This  cannot  be  shown.  — 

I  have  also  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of 
the  25th  of  March,  remarking  the  defectiveness  of  several 
Patent  Certificates.  If  this  faultiness  arise  from  any 
negligence  of  mine,  I  regret  it  extremely.  At  any  rate, 
I  shall,  in  future  issue  none  except  the  Survey  contain  the 
clearest  designations.  — 


TO   JAMES    PLEASANTS,    JR. 

glR  St.  Louis  April  25.  1812 

David  Massey  of  Goochland  has  been  about  12  Mos.  in 
this  country  in  search  of  business  —  for  the  last  eight 
months  he  has  been  employed  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  St. 


224         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

Louis  district,  and  under  my  very  frequent  observation. 
It  is  impossible  to  conceive  a  young  man  more  undeviat- 
ingiy  correct  in  his  conduct  or  more  irreproachable  and 
blameless  in  his  manners  &  deportment. 

He  has  been  seized  with  a  military  mania  and  burns 
to  signalize  himself  in  defence  of  his  country.  I  make  so 
free  as  to  enclose  a  letter  with  respect  to  him  which  I 
lately  received  from  Colo.  Danl.  Bissell. 

If  he  is  so  fortunate  as  to  obtain  your  patronage,  I  am 
sure  that  a  commission  will  be  transmitted,  &  I  know  his 
generous  nature  so  well  as  to  assure  you,  that  your 
friendly  interposition  would  be  held  in  the  most  grateful 
remembrance. 


TO  ALBERT    GALLATIN 
Sm  St.  Louis  May  30.  1812 

I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  the  18th 
of  last  month,  —  and  am  much  relieved  by  the  detailed 
manner  in  which  you  have  had  the  goodness  to  communi- 
cate your  views  as  to  the  Land-Claims  of  this  territory. 
Every  intimation  which  has  reference  to  my  Office  shall 
be  most  diligently  attended  to. 

I  have  but  lately  returned  from  St  Genevieve  where  I 
was  summoned  as  a  witness  duces  tecum72  with  the 
Records  etca.  in  the  suit,  Smith  (T)  vs  Dodge  &  others. 
The  cause  was  not  tried,  owing  to  the  Plaintiffs  unreadi- 
ness. Whenever  it  does  come  on,  I  have  no  fear  as  to  the 
result.  Smith  (T)  has  lately  circulated  Stories  of  my 
having  made  compromises  with  the  tenants,  as  to  receipt 

72  A  writ  commanding  a  person  to  appear  in  court  bringing  certain 
designated  documents  or  things. 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Hoivard.        225 

of  Lead,  prejudicial  to  the  interests  of  the  government. 
I  beg  you  Sir,  to  be  assured  that  I  have  made  no  com- 
promises and  surely  I  had  as  little  inclination  as  authority 
to  make  any  arrangements  lessening  rents  already  suf- 
ficiently moderate. 


CONFIRMATION  OF  SALE  OF  SLAVES 

Whereas  James  F.  Hull  esquire,  authorized  to  that  effect 

by  me,  did,  On  the  seventh  day  of  March  last,  for  and 

in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  Nine  hundred  dollars  paid 

to  him  for  my  use  by  Frederick  Bates,  sell  and  deliver 

over  to  the  said  Bates  three  negro  slaves  to  wit,  Sam,  a 

fellow,  Polly  a  wench  and  their  infant  child  Juno  —  Now, 

know   all   men   by  these   presents   that   I   do   ratify   and 

confirm  the  said   sale  and  delivery,   binding  myself,  my 

Heirs,    Executors    and    administrators    to    warrant    and 

defend  the  title  to  the  said  slaves  against  all  legal  claims 

whatsoever.  — 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  at  the  town  of  St.  Louis 

the  Sixth  day  of  June,  one  thousand,  eight  hundred  and 

twelve 

~     !-,-,-,  v         -i  S  Hammond   (Seal) 

Sealed  and  delivered 

in  presence  of 

A  Mc  Nair  Territory  of  Louisiana 

District  &  Township  of  St.  Louis 

Before  me  the  undersigned  one  of  the  Justices  of  the 
peace  in  &  for  the  Township  of  St.  Louis  aforesaid  Per- 
sonally came  and  appeared  Alexander  Mc  Nair,  Esqre. 
who  being  duly  sworn  says  that  he  was  present  when 
Samuel  Hammond  signed  &  sealed  the  within  Instrument 


226         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

of  Writing  and  that  he  the  said  deponent  at  the  request  of 
said  Samuel  Hammond  did  subscribe  his  name  as  Witness 

to  the  same.  A    ,T   XT  . 

A   Mc  Nan- 
Sworn  to  &  Subscribed  before  me  a 
Justice   of   the   peace   in   &   for   the 
Township    aforesaid.      Given    under 
my  hand  this  26th  day  of  June  A.  D. 

151"  M.  P.  Leduc  J.  P 

Recorded  this   26th  day  of  June  A  D   1812,  Book  C. 

Page  612. 

M.  P.  Leduc  (Seal) 

an^   t         1Q10  Recorder 

26th  June  1812 

S.  Hammond  to  F.  Bates  — Deed  $1-00 
Paid  $1.00  to  the  Recorder  4  Aug.  '12. 


TO  ALBERT   GALLATIN 

SlR  St.  Louis  June  20.  1812 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  for  the  information  of  the 
President  a  lease  in  renewal  of  that  made  last  year  to 
Messrs.  Henry  Dodge,  Alexr.  Craighead  &  Nicholas 
Wilson. 

They  now  tell  me  that  they  expect  to  make  the  pay- 
ments from  the  smeltings  of  their  ashes  which  are  esti- 
mated to  be  amply  sufficient  for  that  object.  They  think 
they  have  claims  to  indulgence  and  delay  arising  from 
the  vexations  of  law  suits  and  the  continued  intrusions 
to  which  they  have  been  subject :  But  profess  a  readiness 
whenever  the  demand  be  insisted  on,  to  deliver  the  lead. 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        227 

WILLIAM   C.    CARE   TO   BATES 

Travellers  Rest,   [Kentucky],  9th  July  1812. 
Dr  Sir. 

The  last  accounts  that  reached  us  of  your  situation  as 
related  to  our  red  brethren  were  by  no  means  pleasing. 
I  hope  however  you  are  not  all  scalped  yet.  I  should  be 
sorry  to  hear  of  your  deaths  — 

Nothing  is  talked  of  here  but  John  Pope73  He  has 
become  a  famous  man  in  this  land  of  political  (in) toler- 
ance. By  the  papers  you  will  have  learnt  of  his  unfor- 
tunate fate  at  almost  every  town  in  Kentucky,  perhaps 
before  you  get  this  —  He  was  burnt  in  effigy  at  Limestone 
Washington,  Mountsterling,  Paris,  Winchester,  Lexington, 
Nicholasville74  &c  &c  throughout  the  state  as  far  as  I  have 
yet  heard,  as  fast  as  the  mail  went,  that  brought  the 
news  of  War  — 

At  Lexington  they  refined  on  their  punishments.  On 
Saturday,  being  the  Jubilee  of  our  independence,  He  was 
only  hung  &  burnt.  But  some  remarks  having  been  made 
as  was  understood,  about  its  having  been  done  in  the 
night,  another  effigy  was  made  early  on  Monday  morning 
in  a  grave  yard,  which  being  suspended  from  a  gallows, 
with  a  purse  grasped  in  his  only  hand,  labelled  in  large 
letters,  British  gold;  he  was  on  this  situation  marched 
out  of  the  burying  ground  &  drum'd  up  and  down  town 
to  the  air  of  the  rogues  March  on  muffled  drums.  Not 
contented  with  this  they  then  took  him  to  the  whipping 
post,  had  him  whiped  by  two  men  with  waggon  whips, 

73  John  Pope,  United  States  senator  from  Kentucky,  was  violently- 
opposed  to  the  War  of  1812.  This  caused  his  defeat  when  he  stood  for 
reelection. 

74  Towns  in  Kentucky. 


228         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

shot  him,  and  burnt  him  again.  So  that  he  was,  at  first 
hung  burnt  &  buried,  then  raised  from  the  dead  drumed 
through  town,  whiped,  shot  hung,  burnt  &  buried  again  — 

This  you  will  say  is  surely  madness  But  sir  such  is 
the  unspeakable  horror  in  which  his  memory  is  held  here, 
this  proceedings  was  to  be  repeated  next  Monday,  being 
court  day.  His  friends  are  forced  to  see  &  hear  this 
thing  without  a  murmur:  for  believe  me  it  is  almost  as 
much  as  a  mans  life  &  property  are  worth  to  open  his 
mouth  in  opposition  to  their  proceedings, — For  only  say- 
ing it  was  ungenerous  to  treat  a  man  so,  the  person  was 
instantly  knocked  down  &  forced  to  creep  off  — 

I  rejoiced  to  learn  his  sister  Mrs.  Trotter  was  then  at 
Louisville,  —  Such  spectacles  would  surely  have  harrowed 
up  her  very  soul.     She  doats  on  her  brother.     .     .     . 


TO  MRS.  CAROLINE  M.  BATES,   GOOCHLAND, 

VIRGINIA 

My  Mother,  St-  Louis  Jm>  19*  1812 


I  recollect,  when  I  was  very  young  you  advised  your 
children  never  to  have  a  Slave,  because,  for  the  most  part 
nothing  but  discipline  could  make  them  profitable.  I  have 
been  induced  to  purchase  —  and  have  been  so  fortunate  as 
to  get  a  family  which  will  not  I  hope,  ever  require  harsh 
treatment.  My  lands  are  some  miles  from  town  &  of 
course  very  little  under  my  own  superintendance  &  yet 
these  blacks,  without  an  overseer,  are  raising  a  most 
promising  crop.  I  do  not  believe  that  if  I  were  to  devote 
myself  to  plantation  business  it  would  be  more  to  my 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.        229 

permanent  advantage  than  any  thing  else  I  could  pursue. 
The  grounds  are  unconceivably  fertile,  both  hill  &  bot- 
tom—  the  latter  never  overflows  —  And  the  Market  is 
high  for  every  thing  which  can  be  cultivated. 

The  rumour  of  Indian  mischief  is  much  more  terrible 
abroad  than  at  home.  We  have  had  a  good  deal  of  killing 
on  the  frontier.  But  the  country  is  not  in  general  danger. 
My  employments  confine  me  to  the  town  &  I  shall  gather 
neither  Scars  nor  Laurels.     .     .     . 


TO  WILLIAM  C.   CARE,  TRAVELLERS '  REST, 
NEAR  LEXINGTON,  KENTUCKY 

Dr    Sir  St.  Louis  July  31.  1812 

Your  letter  on  the  9th  was  received  by  last  evening's 
mail.  No,  thank  God!  we  are  not  yet  scalped,  and  indeed 
it  is  only  the  extreme  frontier  which  appears  to  be  in 
any  danger.  Our  villages  are  as  safe  as  Lexington.  Our 
'red  Brethren'  must  nevertheless  get  some  paternal 
admonishings,  before  they  learn  to  deport  themselves  like 
members  of  a  decent  family.  It  does  appear  to  me  that 
we  carry  this  patriarchal  notion  rather  too  far.  These 
wretches  with  whom  we  so  familiarly  claim  brotherhood 
take  no  pride  in  the  alliance.  Divested  of  what  few 
virtues  they  might  have  possessed  as  Savages  without 
having  acquired  anything  except  the  frauds  and  the 
hypocrisy  of  civilization,  it  is  very  fond  in  us  to  imagine 
that  they  will  be  governed  restrained  and  impelled  by 
motives  similar  to  those  which  influence  ourselves. 
Austere    and   haughty   justice   will    alone    answer.     This 


230         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

harsh  discipline  suits  slaves  —  and  it  suits  Indians.  I 
can  fall  down  &  worship  the  philanthropy  of  Mr  Jeffer- 
son—  And  I  can  read  the  Republic  of  Plato  too  with 
very  great  delight;  but  I  believe  that  the  one  as  little  as 
the  other  will  be  found  compatible  with  the  maxims  and 
usages  of  the  world  at  this  day. 

It  must  be,  that  you  Kentuckians  have  been  bitten  by 
the  Mad  Dogs  of  War.  If  the  Devil  himself  had  fallen 
into  your  hands,  you  could  not  have  devised  for  him 
severer  punishments.  If  the  Effigy  be  treated  with  this 
execration  what,  in  Heaven's  name  will  be  your  conduct 
to  the  illustrious  Senator  himself  when  he  returns  among 
you?  But  I  suppose  that  this  is  all  directed,  in  an 
abstract  way,  against  the  political  man,  and  that  Mr  P75 
himself,  after  his  resignation  will  be  subject  to  no  ill 
usage.  I  will  believe  that  the  purse  of  gold  was  thrown 
in,  with  his  other  punishments,  gratuitously;  for  he  can 
scarcely,  I  should  hope,  be  suspected  of  any  thing  worse 
than  a  too  obstinate  adherence  to  his  own  opinions. 

There  is  no  calculating  on  the  movements  of  the  Mis- 
souri Folks,  when  once  they  get  into  safe  harbour  at 
Travellers'  Rest'.  There's  yourself  for  one  —  and  there's 
our  very  good  friend  Mr  Riddick  for  another.  I  don't 
wonder  at  it  at  all  —  for  I  dream  myself  night  &  day 
about  Kentucky  or  any  other  place  rather  than  this  hope- 
ful village  of  ours.  The  place  to  be  sure  is  good  enough 
in  itself  but  it  wants  peopling.  — 

McNair  is  on  duty  with  the  Cavalry  on  the  frontiers, 
near  Fort  Mason.76  I  gave  him  your  order  expecting  that 
he  would  indorse  the  amount  of  my  note  on  the  execution 

75  Senator  John  Pope. 

76  port  Mason  was  on  the  Mississippi  River  near  modern  Hannibal. 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        231 

agt.  Ramsay.77  The  whole  affair  is  yet  open.  I  do  greatly 
fear  that  the  Major  does  not  make  close  arrangements. 
I  was  ready,  as  I  told  you  I  should  be  —  and  am. 

The  crops  of  your  tenant  near  town  are  very  good, 
as  indeed  are  the  crops  of  the  country  generally.  My 
blacks  at  Bon  Homme  have  done  wonders.  We  shall  have 
a  vast  abundance  for  those  new  Settlers  who  will  prob- 
ably come  among  us  in  the  fall. 

The  People  are  looking  forward  with  eager  expectation 
to  the  time  (I  suppose  you  know  that  the  2d  grade  Act78 
has  passed)  when  the  deep  and  spacious  foundations  of 
Liberty  and  Law  are  to  be  laid  by  themselves.  You  will 
come  to  the  country  to  study  the  new  code.  You  must 
necessarily  —  for  the  machine  will  acquire  such  an  in- 
creased impetus  from  the  mania  of  reform  which  possesses 
the  People  that  you  will  never  comprehend  its  movements 
unless  on  the  spot.  Who  do  you  think  are  Candidates  for 
the  delegation  to  Congress  under  the  new  Regime!  Why, 
I'll  tell  you.  There's  Hempstead79  the  'Heir  presumptive' 
Gratiot,80  the  indefatigable  —  Easton81  the  *  *  *  (I 
want    epithets)     and    Provonchere82    the    forlorn    hope. 

77  Thomas  Ramsay  was  a  1st  lieutenant  in  the  regular  army  at  the 
outbreak  of  the  War  of  1812.  He  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  captain  on 
November  30,  1812.  He  was  killed  in  a  duel  with  Captain  Wylie  Martin 
near  St.  Louis  on  August  6,  1818. 

78  The  Territory  of  Louisiana  was  changed  to  the  Territory  of  Mis- 
souri on  June  4,  1812.  By  this  act  the  legislative  power  was  vested  in  a 
bicameral  "general  assembly"  composed  of  a  legislative  council  of  nine 
appointed  for  five  years  by  the  President,  and  a  house  of  representatives 
elected  for  two  years  by  the  people  of  the  territory.  U.  S.,  Statutes  at 
Large,  II,  743-747. 

79  Edward  Hempstead. 
so  Charles  Gratiot. 

si  Rufus  Easton. 

82  Pierre  Provonchere. 


232         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Mr  Riddicks  friends  are  speaking  of  him  —  and  I  enter- 
tain a  very  great  confidence,  that  if  he  were  on  the  ground 
&  would  take  some  trouble  in  the  affair,  he  might  be 
elected. 

I  am  happy  to  hear  of  the  health  of  Mrs  Carr  &  your 
little  son.  Please  make  my  respects  to  the  Ladies.  Miss 
Eliza  thinks  nothing  of  breaking  her  word.  I  understood 
that  she  intended  to  have  visited  this  country  long  ago. 
But  I  suppose  she  is  frightened  by  Indians,  Earthquakes 
&  Epidemics  like  all  the  rest  of  the  world.  I  do  mightily 
fear  that  Missouri  will  be  nothing  but  a  place  of  exile  for 
Robbers  &  Outlaws  in  a  few  years. 


CIRCULAR     TO     ASSISTANTS     FOR     RECEIVING 
REPORTS  OF  BRITISH  SUBJECTS 

gIR  St.  Louis  August  14.  1812 

I  enclose  you  a  news  Paper  in  which  you  will  find  a 
notice  to  British  Subjects,  requiring  them  to  report  them- 
selves, families,  pursuits  &c.  &c.  with  two  acts  of  Congress 
respecting  alien  enemies,  subjoined. 

I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  name  you  to  receive  on  my 
behalf,  the  Reports  of  British  Subjects,  who  may  reside 
within  your  district. — 

If  you  should  chance  to  have  private  information  of 
any  who  neglect  to  report  themselves,  I  must  request  that 
you  will  yourself  report  them  to  me,  adding  any  facts 
which  may  come  to  your  knowledge  as  to  their  deportment 
and  conduct.  You  will  please  transmit  the  original 
Reports  weekly  by  mail,  retaining  exact  copies  thereof. 
Should  you  decline  the  discharge  of  this  trust,  you  will 


The  Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        233 

have  the  goodness  to  signify  it  by  first  conveyance  that 
another  may  be  appointed. 


LIST  OF  MILITIA  APPOINTMENTS 

Reorganization  of  the  Militia,  under  an  Act  of  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States  providing  for  the  Government 
of  the  Territory  of  Missouri  approved  June  4.  1812  — 

1ST  REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF  ST  LOUIS 

David  Musick  Lt  colo.  comdt.  Tho  F.  Riddick  Major  of 
1st  Battalion  Richard  Chitwood  Major  of  2d  Battn. 
Jeduthun  Kendal  [1]  Maj.  3d  Bat  Peter  Chouteau  Maj. 
4  Bat 

COMPANIES   OF   1ST   BATTN. 

1st    William  Smith  Capt  2d     Gregoire  Sarpy  Capt 
Hubert  Guy  on  Lt  Joseph  Bouju  Lt 

Paul  L  Chouteau  Ensign 

Ensign 

3d     Louis  Coutoix  Capt  4th  Zaphaniah  Sappington 

Louis  Coutoix  Lt  Capt 

Francis  Roi  Ensign  Thomas  Sappington  Lt 

William  L.  Long 

Ensign 

COMPANIES    OF    2d    BATTN. 

1st    James  Musick  Capt  2d    Hyacinthe  Dehetre 

Levi  Lanzey  Lt  Capt 

John  Mc  Donald  Ensign  J.  M.  Courtoix  Lt 

Joseph  Aubuchon 

Ensign 


234         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

3d    Jonathan  Wiseman  4th  John  E.  Allen  Capt 

Capt  Joseph  Lard  Lt 

John  Kinkead  Lt  William  Mc  Downs 

Gabriel  Long  Ensign  Ensign 

COMPANIES    OF    3d    BATTN. 

1st    James  McCullock  Capt      2d     Abner  Vansant  Capt 
Jacob  Collins  Lt.  David  Briant  Lt. 

John  Horigne  Ensign  Benja.  Johnston  Ensign 

3d     Thomas  Williams  Capt 
William  Ink  Lt 

Ensign 

COMPANIES   OF   4TH   BATTN. 

1st    Benja.  Hatherley  2d     Stephen  Lanham  Capt 
Capt.  John  S.  Farrar  Lt. 

Samuel  Cantley  Lt.  John  Sappington 

Lewis  Hall  Ensign  Ensign 

3d     Auguste  P.  Chouteau 

Capt 

Lt 

Ensign 

2D  REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF  ST  GENEVIEVE 

Nathl.  Cook  Lt.  colo  comdt  —  John  Donohue  Major  of  1st 
Martin  Ruggles  Maj  2d  Battn. 

COMPANIES   OF    1ST   BATTN. 

1st    Thomas  Oliver  Capt  2d    John  B.  Bossieur  Capt 

John  Mc  Arthur  Lt  James  Eigdon  Lt 

Joseph  Hertick,  Ensign  Joseph  Amoureux 

Ensign 


The  Administration    of   Governor   Howard.        235 

3d    Richd.  Moore  Capt  4th  Francis  R.  Cissell  Capt 
Thomas  Riney  Lt  Mark  Brooks  Lt 

Thomas  Patterson  Samuel  Me  Call  Ensign 

Ensign 

COMPANIES   OF    2d   BATTALION 

1st    Joseph  Garrett  Capt  2d     Andrew  Miller  Capt 

John  Sinclair  Lt  Lt 

Benja.  La  Chance  Ensign 

Ensign 

3d     Henry  Poston  Capt  4th  Thomas  Sloan  Capt 

Robert  Andrews  Lt  Lt 

Joseph  Winds  Ensign  Ensign 

5th  William  Holmes  Capt 
Laken  Walker  Lt 
Isaac  Murphy  Ensign 

STAFF    OF    2d    REGIMENT 

Joseph  Hertick  Pay  Master 

3D  REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF  ST.  CHARLES 

Danl.  M.  Boone  Lt  colo.  comdt.     Peter  Journey  Maj  1st 
&  Jas.  Morrison  Maj  2d  Battn. 

COMPANIES   OF   THE    1ST   BATTN. 

1st    John  Mc  Connell  Capt       2d     Isaac  Vanbibber  Capt 
Peter  Teague  Lt  Anthony  Head  Lt 
Ensign                         William  Cassio  Ensign 


236         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

3d     Samuel  Gibson  Capt  4th  Nathl.  Simonds  Capt 

Isaac  Hostetter  Lt  Roswell  Dusky  Lt 

Samuel  Lewis  Ensign  Wm.  Ewing  Ensign 

5th  Elijah  Collard  Capt 
James  Lewis  Lt 
Jacob  Groshong  Ensign 

COMPANIES   OF   2d   BATTN.      3d  KEGIMENT 

1st    William  Hart  Capt  2d     Robert  Spencer  Capt 

Stephen  Hempstead  Lt  John  Fetteau  Lt 

Osborn  Knott  Ensign  Joshua  Fisher  Ensign 

3d     Samuel  Griffith  Capt 
Charles  Soucier  Lt 
Ebenezer  Ayres  Ensign 

STAFF  OF  THE  3d  BEGT. 

Henry  Hight  Judge  Advocate 

James  Beatty  Adjutant 

Stephen  Hempstead  Quarter  Master 

4TH  REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF  CAPE  GIRARDEAU 

Stephen  Byrd  Lt  colo  comdt  —  Geo  F  Bollinger  Maj  1st 
James  Brady  Major  2d  Battalion 

COMPANIES  OF  1ST  BATTALION 

1st    Joseph  Young  Capt  2d    George  C.  Miller  Capt 

Austin  Young  Lt  Henry  Bollinger 

Joseph  Looney  Ensign  (Son  Dan)  Lt 

Daniel  Krytz  Ensign 

3d     Henry  Widner  Capt  4th  David  Whetstone  Capt 
Abraham  Krytz  Lt  John  Bollinger  Lt 
Ensign  Frederick  Eeap  Ensign 


The   Administration   of   Governor   Howard.         237 

COMPANIES   OF    2d   BATTALION 

1st    Abraham  Krytz  Capt  2d     Jesse  JefTry  Capt 
Jacob  Shepherd  Lt  Jacob  Friend  Lt 

Elijah   Dougherty  John  Friend  Ensign 

Ensign 

3d     James  Ravenscraft 

Capt 
Medad  Randall  Lt 
Elijah  Randall  Ensign 

5TH  REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF  NEW  MADRID 

John  E  Hartt  It  colo  comdt.     Step.  Ross  Maj  1st     Jos 
Hunter  Maj  2d    Frs.  Vaugine  Maj  3d  Battn. 

COMPANIES    OF    THE    TWO    BATS.    OF    N.    MADRID    SETTLS. 

1st    Elisha  Winsor  Capt  2d    Edwd.  Matthews  Capt 

Thos.  Winsor  Lt  Joseph  Smith  Lt 

Joseph  Shields  Ensign  James  Lucas  Ensign 

3d     Samuel  Cooper  Capt  4th  Benja.  Myers  Capt 

Robert  Boyd  Lt  John  Walker  Lt 

Alexr.  La  Forge  Ensign  Joseph  Westbrook 

Ensign 

COMPANIES    OF    THE    ARKANSAS      BATTALION 

1st    Daniel  Mooney  Capt  2d    James  Scull  Capt 

Harrold  Stillwell  Lt  Peter  Lefevre  Lt 

Tenace  Racine  Ensign  Charles  Bougy  Ensign 

3d     Blassingham  H  McFarlane  Capt 
John  Lemmon  Lt 
William  Doyle  Ensign 


238         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

STAFF  OF  THE   5TH  REGIMENT 

Eichd.  H.  Waters  Judge  Advocate     John  Walker     Adju- 
tant 

VOLUNTEER  COMPANIES 
CAVALRY 

1st  Hendy  Dodge  Capt  Jno  Scott  1st  Lt  E  A  Elliott 
2d  Lt    Jas  C  Young  Cornet    Wm  James  Purser 

2d  Alexr  Mc  Nair  Capt  Josha.  H.  Buckhart  1st  Lt. 
Hiram  Cordell  2d  Lt  Alexr  Lucas  Cornet  A.  E. 
Rheill   Purser 

3d  Jas  Callaway  Capt  P.  K.  Bobbins  1st  Lt  Josha 
Dodson  2d  Lt  Jno.  B.  Stone  Cornet  Jona.  Riggs 
Purser 

MOUNTED    RIFLEMEN 

1st  Jas.  Rankin  Capt  John  Geiger  Lt  Joseph  Andrews 
Ensign    Joseph  Hanks,  Purser 

2d  Wm  .H.  Ashley  Capt   Strother  Covington  Lt  William 
Harrison  Ensign 

3d  Morris  Young  Capt  Thomas  Wyley  Lt  James 
Patterson  Ensign    Robt  Mc  Williams  Purser 

4th  Jno  Hughes  Capt  William  Strother  Lt  Thos  Reid 
Ensign    Timothy  Phelps  Purser 

5th  Andrew  Ramsey  jr  Capt  Jas  Morrison  Lt  William 
Ramsey  Ensign    Peter  Craig  Purser 

6th  Samuel  Phillips  Capt  Philip  Ross  Lt  Robert  Trotter 
Ensign 


The   Administration    of   Governor   Howard.         239 

7th  Joseph   Conway    Capt     Richard   Caulk   Lt     Thomas 
Caulk  Ensign 

INFANTRY 

1st  Joseph  Millard   Capt    Stephen   Martin  Lt    Anthony 
Bridger  Ensign 

ARTILLERY 

Robert    Lucas    Capt      John    Mc  Knight    1st    Lt      Joseph 
Henderson  2d  Lt 

Secretary's  Office  St  Louis  April  1st  1813 
Frederick  Bates     Secy 
of  Missouri  tery 

Note  —  Alex.  Mc  Nair  has  been  appointed  Adj.  Genl.  & 
Inspector  Genl.  of  the  Militia  —  with  the  rank  of  colonel. 

F.  Bates  Secy 


ADDRESS  OF  CHEROKEES 

To  his  Excellency  Benjamin  Howard  Governor  in  &  over 
the  Territory  of  Missouri;  Father  we  a  part  of  the 
Cherekees  tribe  of  Indians;  have  settled  on  the  White 
River  a  water  of  the  Mississippi  by  we  presume,  the 
consent  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  where 
we  are  indeavouring  to  cultivate  the  soil  for  our  support 
&  wish  to  live  unintirrupted  by  the  malicious  white 
people;  but  the  revurse;  there  are  a  few  bad  men  com- 
bined together  for  the  purpose  of  stealing  our  horses;  & 
do  steal  them;  to  wit;  Nicholas  Trammel83  Mote  Askins 

83  This  may  have  been  Colonel  Trammel  who  later  had  a  farm   on 
the  Chariton  road  six  miles  from  Franklin. 


240         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

John  Wells  Joseph  Carnes  Robert  Armstrong.  Barnet 
Peter  Tileo  Thorns  James  John  D.  Chisholm  Demis 
Chisholm  Ignatious  Chisholm  Jessey  Isaacks;  John 
Williams  Robert  Trimble  William  Trimble;  William 
Smith  John  Lafferty  Senr.  &  Ace  Musick,84  [blank] 
Pain  &  Joseph  Pain ;  all  of  which  are  on  publick  lands ;  we 
pray  that  they  may  be  removed  from  amongst  ns;  if  it 
be  consistent  with  Government;  some  of  which  characters 
have  solicited  ns  to  join  them  in  killing  robing  &  burning 
the  Houses  of  the  honest  &  industrious  part  of  the  white 
inhabitance  neare  to  us;  which  we  wish  to  live  peaceable 
with;  to  wit,  Nicholas  Trammel  &  Mote  Askins;  we  have 
lost  b}^  those  characters  Twenty  Horses  in  course  of 
Twelve  months  &  if  some  measures  are  not  taken  we  shall 
in  a  short  time  be  left  destitut  of  property;  &  thereby 
prevented  from  persueing  our  Farms;  &  we  no  no  way 
whereby  we  are  to  be  redressed  unless  by;  or  through 
our  father  the  governor  of  the  white  people;  wherefore 
we  pray  your  excellency  may  take  such  measures  to 
remedy;  &  redress  those  evils  as  in  your  wisdom  may 
seem  meet  to  you ;  &  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray,  &c 

Soanetar  X  Zoateltar  X 

Ayaokisby  X  Clutakenner  X 

Quaoloqui  X  Hanelar  X 

Bare  foott  X  Kewarsulusky  X 

Oakshellaner  X  Aremokelar  X 

s*  Asa  Musick  was  living  in  the  Bon  Homme  settlement  in  1797. 


The  Administration   of   Governor   Hoivard.        241 
James  Kolson  X 


his 
Chikilly  X  Chief 
mark 

his 

Thomas  X  Graves 

mark 

his 

Wolollenny  X  Doublehead 

mark 

his 
Warhails  X 
mark 

his 
James  X  Duvall 
mark 

his 
John  X  Campbell 
mark 

his 

John  X  Hill 

mark 


his 

Zoalakqua  X 
mark 

Aarchy  X  his  mark 

Thomas  his  mark  X 

his 
Corn  Tassel  X 
mark 

Teleskeske  X 
Toallemar  X 
Bare  Skin  X 
Difan 

George  Duvall  X 
Aitennoly  X 
Gitup  X 
Samuel  X 
Cotten  X 
Cokokattsky  X 
Choahar  X 


April  27th  1813 


PART     VI 
Bates'  Last  Acting-Governorship 


BATES'  LAST  ACTING-GOVERNORSHIP 


ABSTRACT  OF  PROVISIONS 

Issued  to  a  Detachment  of  Militia  Called  into  Service 
by  the  Executive  of  the  Missouri  Territory,  Stationed 
at  Portage  des  Sioux  in  the  District  of  St.  Charles 
from  the  6th  to  30th  of  april,  1813,  under  the  command 
of  Major  James  Morrison,  under  the  Contract  of 
William  Morrison.1 


DatCS         8     1%     8      11      IS       Remarks 

Z     Z         Z       Z  tf 

6  to  28        1  154  Issued  to  Captain  Con- 

way2 and  his   Subal- 
tern officers 

"  "  "        2     22    45     990  Issued    to    Capt.    Con- 

way's Company 

11  "29        3     18     32    586  Issued  to  Capt.  David 

Musicks3  Company 

i  William  Morrison,  the  Kaskaskia  merchant,  land  speculator,  and 
fur  trader.  Before  Pike's  journey  into  the  Southwest  Morrison  made  an 
unsuccessful  effort  to  open  trade  with  Santa  Fe.  See  Gregg,  Commerce 
of  the  Prairies,  in  Early  Western  Travels,  XIX,  174. 

2  Joseph  Conway  served  in  the  Indian  wars  during  the  American 
Revolution. 

3  David  Musick  participated  in  the  Sink  Hole  fight  on  March  24, 
1815.  He  commanded  at  Fort  Cap  au  Gris  on  the  Mississippi  River  a 
little  below  Fort  Mason  early  in  1815. 

(245) 


246         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


"  "  "       4  133  Issued  to  Capt  Musick 

and  his  Subaltern  of- 
ficers 

13  "16        5  20  lSSUed    to    Capt.    Ran- 

kin4 &  his  Subaltern 
officers 

"  "  "        6      4    20      80  Issued    to    Capt.    Ran- 

kins  Compy 

14  "28        7  81  Issued    to    Capt    Spen- 

ser5 and  his  Subal- 
tern officers 

Issued    to    Capt    Spen- 
sers  Compy 

Issued   to   Capt  James 
Musicks6  Compy 

Issued  to  Capt  J   Mu- 
sick &  his  Subalterns 

15  "30      11  186  Issued    to    Major 

Dodge7  and  Capt 
Scott8  &  their  Subal- 
tern officers 

"  "  "      12     16     38     608  Issued  to  Capt.  Scotts 

Compy 

*  James  Rankin  was  appointed  captain  of  the  mounted  riflemen  in 
1814. 

5  Robert  Spencer  was  appointed  captain  in  the  St.  Charles  County 
regiment  in  1812. 

«  James  Musick  was  a  captain  in  the  St.  Louis  County  regiment. 

f  In  1814  Henry  Dodge  was  appointed  brigadier-general  of  militia. 

s  John  Scott  was  a  lieutenant  in  Dodge's  company  in  1812. 


it    a    a 

8  15 

52  780 

14"  28 

9  15 

24  360 

28 

10 

105 

Bates'  Last  Acting-Governorship.  247 

20      13    —    —      —    599       Issued   to   Capt   Spen- 

sers  Company 
Working    at    the    Bat- 
tery in  April 


17"  28 

14 

12 

6 

72 

Issued  to  Capt.  Vanbib- 
ers9  Compy 

20"  29 

15 

10 

1 

10 

Issued  to  one  man  of 
Capt  D  M  u  s  i  c  k  s 
Compy 

20"  30 

16 

11 

36 

396 

Issued  to  Capt.  Ash- 
leys10  Compy 

tt  <<   n 

17 

77 

Issued  to  Capt  Ashley 
&  his  Subaltern  offi- 

cers 

21  "30      18     10      1       10  Issued  to   one  man   of 

Capt  Scotts  Compy 

"   "  "      19     10       1       10  "  Issued  to   one  man   of 

Capt  Ashleys  Compy 

22"  30      20      8    39    312  Issued  to  Capt  Lucas11 

Compy 

"  "  "      21  93  Issued  to  Capt  Lucas  & 

his  Subaltern  officers 

19"  29     22     10      1       10  Issued  to  one  of  Capt 

Conways  Compy 

9  Isaac  Van  Bibber  was  a  captain  in  the  St.  Charles  regiment. 
io  William  H.  Ashley,  afterward  famous  in  the  fur  trade, 
ii  Charles  Lucas  was  appointed  a  captain  of  artillery  in  1814. 


248         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

7"  29      23     22     34    748  Issued  to  the  St.  Louis 

Troop  of  Cavalry 

28  "29      24      2      9      18  Issued  to  two  men  of 

the  St.  Louis  Troop 
of  Cavly 

15  "  29      25  120  Issued  to  the  officers  of 

the  St.  Louis  Troop 
of  Cavly 


a    a    a 


26  469       Issued  to  men  of  Capt 

J  Musicks  C  o  m  p  y 
working  at  the  Bat- 
tery for  April 


5959  1068 

I  do  Certify  I  have  carefully  examined  the  above  Abstract 
with  the  original  returns  now  in  my  possession  and  find 
it  to  be  a  true  and  correct  Statement  of  Issues  made  to 
the  Troops  Stationed  at  Portage  Des  Sioux  from  the 
6th  to  the  30  of  April  1813  amounting  to  five  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  fifty  nine  Complete  rations  and  ten 
hundred  and  sixty  eight  Gills  of  extra  Whiskey 

Signed  Triplicates 

5959  five  thousand  nine  hundred  &  fifty  nine 

Frederick  Bates  Secy,  of  Missouri 
territory 

Actg  as  Governor 


Bates7  Last  Acting-Governor  ship.  249 

TO   CAPTAIN   CHARLES   LUCAS12 

SlR  St.  Louis  May  4th  1813 

In  order  that  we  may  have  it  in  our  power  to  repair 
the  boat  as  expeditiously  as  possible,  you  are  desired  to 
continue  those  exertions,  so  promptly  commenced,  for  the 
preservation  of  whatever  may  belong  to  her.  —  Colo. 
McNair  will  be  at  the  Portage  in  a  few  days,  when  arrange- 
ments to  meet  the  new  aspect  of  things  will  be  made.  — 
In  the  mean  time  should  your  old  encampment  become  un- 
tenable, you  will  assume  a  position  on  the  main  land,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  village. 


LEASE  OF  A  SALTPETRE  CAVE 

Williams  Williams13  having  made  a  discovery  of  a  Salt 
Petre  Cave  on  the  land  of  the  U.  States  on  the  head  waters 
of  Saline  Creek  in  the  County  of  St.  Genevieve  —  He  is 
hereby  permitted  to  work  the  same  for  the  term  of  twelve 
months  from  this  date  —  Provided  the  same  be  not  claimed 
by  any  private  person  or  persons  —  in  which  case  this  Per- 
mission to  be  null  &  void  - — 

And  the  said  William  Williams  does  hereby  engage  to 
pay  to  the  Recorder  of  Land  Titles,  quarterly,  for  the  use 
of  the  Government,  one  tenth  part  of  the  Salte  Petre  which 

12  Lucas  was  then  in  command  of  the  St.  Louis  volunteer  artillery 
company  stationed  on  an  island  near  Portage  des  Sioux. 

is  William  Williams  was  one  of  the  first  members  of  the  Methodist 
Church  at  McKendree,  Cape  Girardeau  County. 


250         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

he  shall  make  or  cause  to  be  made  at  the  said  cave.  —  Wit- 
ness our  hands  at  St  Louis  12  May  1913 

William  Williams  Frederick  Bates 

Recorder  of  Titles 


ABSTRACT    OF    PROVISIONS 

ISSUED  TO  A  DETACHMENT  OF  MILITIA  CALLED  INTO  SERVICE  BY 
THE  EXECUTIVE  OF  THE  MISSOURI  TERRITORY,  STATIONED  AT 
PORTAGE  DES  SIOUX  UNDER  THE  COMMAND  OF  COLONEL 
ALEXANDER  McNAIR,  FROM  THE  1ST  TO  THE  21ST  OF  MAY,  1813, 
AND  UNDER  THE  CONTRACT  OF  WILLIAM  MORRISON. 


«         25  £ 

H!*fc  fc  Sec  OH 

1813         *<=>£       3        ^o       ^2 
^fe5        fa         fen        oC 
Dates        °.     °.  |       ©        °.  «       S  E  Remarks 

ltol8        1     18     22    396  Issued  to   Capt   Calla- 

way s14  Company 

"  "  "        2  170  iSSUed  to   Capt  Calla- 

way  and   his    Subal- 
tern officers 

2 "  21        3    19    59  1128  Issued  to  Capt  Smiths15 

Company 

1*  James  Callaway,  a  grandson  of  Daniel  Boone,  was  killed  in  a 
skirmish  with  the  Indians  in  1814. 

15  William  Smith  was  a  captain  in  the  St.  Louis  regiment  in  1812. 
Robert  A.  Smith  held  a  similar  place  in  1814. 


an    a 


Bates'  Last  Acting-Governorship.  251 

4  98  Issued   to   Capt   Smith 

and  his  Subaltern  of- 
cers 

21        5     21     40     840  Issued    to    Capt   Lucas 

Compy 

"         6  125  Issued  to  Capt  Lucas  & 

his  Subaltern  officers 

"         7  66       Issued  to  men  of  Capt 

Lucas    Compy   work- 
ing  at  the  Battery 


2757      66 

I  do  Certify  that  I  have  carefully  examined  the  above 
Abstract  with  the  original  returns  now  in  my  possession 
and  find  it  to  be  a  true  and  correct  Statement  of  Issues 
made  to  the  Troops  Stationed  at  Camp  Cuivre  from  the  1st 
to  the  21st  of  May  1813  amounting  to  two  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  seven  Complete  rations  and  Sixty  Six 
rations  of  Extra  Whiskey 

Signed  Triplicates 

Frederick  Bates,  Secy,  of  Missouri  Tery, 

Actg.  as  Governor 


252         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

ABSTRACT  OF  PROVISIONS 

issued  to  a  detachment  of  militia  called  into  service  by 
the  executive  of  the  missouri  territory,  stationed  at 
camp  near  cuivre16  in  the  district  of  st.  charles  under  the 
command  of  major  henry  dodge,  from  the  1st  to  the 
[22nd]  of  may,  1813,  and  under  the  contract  of  william 
morrison. 


1813 

02 

I 

gq 
>* 

< 

8 

Ph 

S   GO 

81 

o  w 
£  2 

Remarks 

Dates 

© 

d 

6 

Q  6 

§5 

6  « 

23 

fc 

z 

z 

fc 

« 

1st  to  22 

1 

22 

42 

924 

Issued  to   Capt   Scotts 
Company  of  mounted 
rifle  men 

"  "   "       2  328 


18      3     18     36     648 


Issued  to  Major  Dodge 
Capt.  Scott  and  their 
Subaltern  officers 


Issued  to  Capt  Ashleys 
Company 

1     15      15  Issued  to  men  of  Capt 

Ashleys  Company 


22      5  409 


a       q      1     20      20  Issued  to  men  of  Capt 

Scotts  Company 

1935 

is  The  Cuivre  River  empties  into  the  Mississippi  about  thirty  miles 
north  of  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri. 


Bates'  Last  Acting-Governorship. 


253 


I  do  Certify  that  I  have  carefully  examined  the  above 
Abstract  with  the  original  returns  now  in  my  possession 
and  find  it  to  be  a  true  and  correct  Statement  of  Issues 
made  to  the  Troops  Stationed  at  Camp  Cuivre  from  the 
1st  to  the  22nd  of  May  1813  amounting  to  one  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  thirty  five  Complete  rations  &  four 
hundred  &  nine  gills  of  Whiskey 

Signed  triplicates 
Frederick  Bates   Secy,   of  Missouri 
tery. 
Actg.  as  Governor 


ABSTEACT  OF  PROVISIONS 

ISSUED  TO  THE  INDIAN  DEPARTMENT  AT  PORTAGE  DES  SIOUX, 
FROM  THE  4TH  TO  THE  31ST  OF  MAY,  1813,  UNDER  THE  CON- 
TRACT OF  WILLI  A.M  MORRISON. 


lbs 

lbs 

lbs 

lbs 

Gal- 

of 

of 

of 

of 

lons 

Pork 

Flour 

Beef 

Salt 

of 

Whis- 

key 

200 

296 

1121 

270 

3 

Two  hundred  lb  Pork  — 
two  hundred  ninety 
six  lb  flour  —  Eleven 
hundred  twenty  one 
lb.  Beef  —  two  hun- 
dred seventy  lb  salt — 
three  Gals,  whiskey 


I  certify  that  I  have  examined  the  above  abstract  with 
the  original  returns  now  in  my  possession  and  find  it  to  be 
a  Correct  Statement  of  Issues  made  to  the  Indian  Depart- 

ment  Signed  Triplicates 

Frederick  Bates,   Secy   of 
Missouri  Tery.,  exercg.  the 
Govt. 


254         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

A  PROCLAMATION 

By  Frederick  Bates,  Secretary  of  the  Territory  of 
Missouri,  and  Exercising  the  Government. 

Whereas  the  President  of  the  United  States  has  been 
pleased  to  commission  James  Flaugherty,  Benjamin 
Emmons,  Augustus  Chouteau  sen,  Samuel  Hammond,  John 
Scott  (of  St  Genevieve)  James  Maxwell,  William  Neely, 
George  Cavener  and  Joseph  Hunter,  Members  of  the  Leg- 
islative council  of  this  territory:  I  do  therefore,  as 
enjoined  by  the  8th  Sec  of  the  Act  providing  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  territory  of  Missouri,  appoint  the  first 
Monday  in  July  next  for  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly,  and  require  that  the  several  branches  of  that 
Assembly,  convene  at  the  town  of  St.  Louis,  on  that  day.  — 

In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  affixed  the  terri- 
torial Seal 

Given  under  my  hand  at  St.  Louis  the  third  day 
of  June  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand, 
—  Seal  —  eight  hundred  and  thirteen,  and  of  the  Inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  the  thirty  sev- 
enth 

Frederick  Bates 


A  PROCLAMATION 

By  Frederick  Bates,  Secretary  of  the  Territory  of 
Missouri,  and  Exercising  the  Government. 

Whereas,  since  the  election  of  David  Musick  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  House  of  Representatives  for  the  county  of  St 
Louis,  in  the  General  Assembly  of  this  territory  the  said 


Bates'  Last  Acting-Gore  Dior  ship.  255 

David  Musick  has  entered  the  military  service  of  the 
United  States,  thereby,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Executive, 
vacating  his  seat  in  the  House  of  Representatives:  I  do 
therefore  require  the  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  St  Louis  to 
cause  an  election  to  be  holden  at  the  Court  House  on  the 
first  day  of  July  next,  at  which  time  and  place  there  will 
be  chosen  by  the  People  one  Representative  to  supply  the 
vacancy  aforesaid:  One  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  and  Quarter  Sessions  for  the  county  will 
sit  as  Judge  of  the  qualification  of  voters  —  and  the  elec- 
tion will  continue  open  from  nine  O'clock  in  the  morning 
till  sunset.  — 

In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  affixed  the  terri- 
torial Seal 

Given  under  my  hand  at  St  Louis,  the  eleventh 
day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thou- 
—  Seal  —  sand  eight  hundred  and  thirteen,  and  of  the 
Independence  of  the  United  States  the  thirty 
seventh 

Frederick  Bates 


PART     VII 
The  Bates  Papers 

JULY,  1813— DECEMBER,  1820 


THE   BATES    PAPERS 

July,  1813— December,  1820 


A  PROCLAMATION 


By  William  Clark,  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  Missouri, 
and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Militia  thereof. 

Whereas  I  have  been  informed  by  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives that  the  seat  of  David  Musick  late  a  member  of 
that  House  from  the  county  of  St  Louis,  has  become  vacant, 
by  resignation:  I  do  therefore  require  the  Sheriff  of  the 
county  of  St  Louis  to  cause  an  election  to  be  holden  at  the 
Court  House,  on  thursday  next  the  twenty  second  instant, 
at  which  time  and  place  there  will  be  chosen  by  the  People, 
one  Representative  to  supply  the  vacancy  aforesaid.  One 
of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  and  Quarter 
Sessions  for  the  county  will  sit  as  Judge  of  the  qualifica- 
tions of  voters  —  and  the  election  will  continue  open  from 
nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  sunset.  The  Sheriff  will 
make  to  me,  Returns  of  the  election,  in  the  manner  and 
form  heretofore  established  —  In  testimony  whereof  I 
have  caused  the  seal  of  the  territory  to  be  hereunto 
affixed.  — 

Given  under  my  hand  at  St  Louis,  the  sixteenth 

day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 

—  Seal  —     sand  eight  hundred  and  thirteen,  and  of  the 

Independence  of  the  United  States  the  thirty 

eighth.  — 
«      ,      „  William  Clark 

By  the  Governor 

Frederick  Bates 

Secy,  of  the  Terry. 

(259) 


260         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 
AN  ALLEGORY 

TO    MY   COUNTRY   NEIGHBORS1 

Banks  of  the  Missouri 
My  very  good  friends,  Vancluse  August  4th  1813 

After  every  diligence  which  a  man  can  bestow  on  his 
own  affairs,  ten  to  one  but  some  little  matters  will  at  last 
slip  through  his  fingers.  Every  day's  experience  teaches 
us  this  —  Yet  is  the  world  full  of  generous  hearted  crea- 
tures, who  are  ever  ready  to  trample  down  half  your  wheat 
fields  in  search  of  a  cockle,  while  their  own,  good  souls,  are 
overrun  by  cuckold-Burrs.  —  Such  is  the  charitable  dis- 
interestedness of  mankind.  It  has  seldom  therefore,  been 
my  practice  to  ask  your  attention  to  any  concerns  of  mine  — 
Not  but  that  on  many  occasions,  I  should  have  been  very 
glad  of  your  help ;  but  I  was  never  so  unconscionable  as  to 
expect  you  to  pull  my  oars,  when  your  own  boats  were 
drifting  down  the  current.  —  However,  I  have  now  an  affair 
in  hand,  in  which  we  are  all  equally  interested,  —  for  which 
reason  I  ask  your  attention  to  it  with  the  greater  bold- 
ness. —  And  because  I  love  brevity,  and  that  I  need  not 
keep  you  one  unnecessary  moment  in  suspence,  I  will  tell 
you  all  at  once  that  it  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  certain 
complaints  which  I  have  to  exhibit  against  a  servant  of 
yours.  — 

Every  body  knows  what  prejudices  are  so  justly  enter- 
tained against  tale  bearers,  —  and  I  certainly  should  not 
attempt  to  make  mischief  between  Master  and  Man,  except 
for  good  and  sufficient  cause :    But  the  saucy  impertinence 

i  This  allegory  was  directed  against  Edward  Hempstead  who  was  try- 
ing to  bring  about  the  removal  of  Bates  from  the  office  of  recorder. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.        261 

of  that  Youngster  who  does  your  city-business,  obliges  me 
to  tell  you,  after  years  of  forbearance,  that  he  is  a  lying 
varlet  and  a  sneaking  Rascal.  —  I  grant  you,  that  he  has 
a  good  deal  of  pettyf ogging  instrumentality  about  him,  and 
might  have  done  very  well,  if  you  had  confined  him  to 
those  subordinate  drudgeries  in  which  he  was  once  so 
profitably  employed:  But  you  must  needs  send  him  to 
toivn  —  and  entrust  him  with  messages  to  decent  People, 
before  he  had  learned  to  ape  with  any  tolerable  success  the 
exterior  deportment  of  a  creditable  breeding.  You  will 
perhaps  be  astonished  to  hear  that  those  little  comical  parts 
of  his  character  which  recommend  him  so  forcibly  to  your 
esteem,  will  stand  a  fair  chance  of  being  considered  in 
town  as  blemishes.  Virgil  has  a  line  on  this  subject  —  but 
as  you  don't  read  Virgil  I'll  not,  just  now,  trouble  you 
with  it.  Yet  this  I  will  say,  that  I  have  known  a  man  clapt 
and  applauded  in  one  company,  who  has  afterwards  been 
hissed  and  kicked  out  of  another,  which  happened  to  judge 
of  merit  by  a  different  standard. 

It  may  occur  to  you,  on  a  first  view,  that  it  is  your  affair 
and  not  mine  —  and  that  I  am  endeavouring  to  come  in 
for  a  share  of  those  praises  which  I  bestow  so  abundantly 
on  those  noble  minded  People  who  busy  themselves  in  the 
affairs  of  others  to  the  neglect  and  ruin  of  their  own  — 
Bear  with  me  for  a  moment  and  I  will  convince  you  that 
I  too  have  a  Stake  in  the  Hedge.  You  know  that  I  am  or 
rather  that  I  formerly  was,  Steward,  for  a  wealthy  old 
Gentleman  who  leads  for  the  most  part  a  town  life,  and 
with  whom  your  understrapper  was  sent  to  negociate  about 
country  matters.  His  flocks  and  herds  graze  the  same  pas- 
tures with  yours,  and  for  aught  I  can  see  to  the  contrary 
there  is  a  perfect  identity-  of  interest  between  yon.     It 


262         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

would  seem  that  his  worship  sees  the  thing  in  the  same 
light  for  he  has  often  told  me,  that  if,  at  any  time,  I  should 
discover  Wolf-Trails  in  the  neighbourhood  I  must  immedi- 
ately leave  my  own  work,  tho'  it  should  be  in  harvest-time 
or  hay  making,  to  raise  the  Hue  &  Cry  and  put  the  settle- 
ment on  its  guard.  Last  winter,  you  all  very  well  recollect, 
we  discovered  a  great  many  of  these  Trails.  —  They  came, 
for  the  most  part  from  the  north,  and  in  that  direction 
there  was  a  brushy  wood  extending  to  your  very  pastures 
which  facilitated  their  entrance  and  escape.  —  Now,  my 
good  friends  you  perfectly  well  know  what  a  humane,  phil- 
anthropical  old  Gentleman  his  worship  is  —  and  you  may 
have  heard  that  for  some  years  past  he  has  taken  an  abun- 
dance of  pains  to  domesticate  those  wild  animals  which  he 
found  in  the  neighbourhood  of  his  Estates  —  and  that  he 
had  actually  succeeded  so  far  as  to  put  Bells  on  two  gangs 
of  them  whose  Eanges  were  to  the  westward  of  his  fields 
and  yours  —  Now,  when  these  gaunt,  howling  Devils  came 
from  the  north,  I  thought  I  could  not  do  better,  tho'  I  had 
not  instructions  from  his  worship  as  to  the  business;  but 
seeing  that '  All  our  Dogs  had  clapt  their  tails  between  their 
legs  and  cryed',  for  in  fact  a  Dog  is  not  equal  to  a  Wolf, 
I  thought,  I  say  that  it  might  be  a  good  arrangement  to 
assign  to  these  Wolves  with  Bells  of  domestication  about 
their  necks  'A  position  on  our  northern  borders',  quite  in 
advance  of  his  worship's  Estate  and  yours,  by  which  an 
impenetrable  Rampart  would  have  been  established  against 
the  irruptions  of  the  famished  hordes  of  the  north.  — 

I  had  thought  at  first  of  employing  the  obvious  means  of 
Pit-Falls  and  Steel-Traps,  but  on  reflection  I  foresaw  very 
clearly  that  our  own  dogs  would  be  the  principal  victims.  — 

Your  metaphysical  People  may  talk  what  they  please 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.        2'  3 

about  their  committees  of  vigilance,  their  military  cordons, 
their  walls  of  Antoninus  or  even  of  the  famous  Chinese 
Wall,  the  two  latter  of  which  were  specially  provided  in 
former  times  to  keep  out  the  wild  animals  —  I  say  that 
foolish  People  may  prate  of  these  things  for  passtime,  but 
that  my  notion  of  vigilance  is  to  set  a  Wolf  to  watch  a 
Wolf  &  that  no  barrier  will  ever  give  such  perfect  and  abso- 
lute security  as  a  Cordon  of  Pet  Wolves. 

It  is  pleasant  to  hear  Brutus  lamenting  that  he  can 
devise  no  means  to  exorcise  that  mischievous  Spirit  of 
Ambition  which  haunts  night  and  day,  the  bosom  of  Caesar, 
short  of  the  spilling  of  Caesar's  blood  —  and  so  it  is  with 
all  kinds  of  Beasts  of  prey  —  If  indeed  we  could,  by  a  set 
Speech,  and  a  little  cajolery,  possess  ourselves,  in  a  tran- 
quil way,  of  those  lacerating  implements  with  which  they 
tear  the  fleeces,  and  sometimes  the  throats  of  our  flocks, 
it  might  be  very  well,  we  might  turn  them  to  grass  —  it 
would  only  be  a  change  of  diet  —  and  all  difficulties  would 
be  accomplished,  or  as  the  Lawyers  say,  Surcease,  between 
us.  —  'But  alas  !  they  must  bleed  for  it.'  — 

But  before  this  hopeful  project  of  mine  had  been  actually 
put  into  execution,  the  Head  Steward  of  his  worship  came 
upon  the  ground  and  accomplished  the  object  which  I  had 
so  much  at  heart,  by  Other  Means  less  offensive  to  those 
benevolent  dispositions  which  have  been  so  strikingly  man- 
ifested in  every  act  of  his  Worship's  life.  Or  rather  he 
did  not  accomplish  it;  but  as  he  sent  back  the  Pet  Wolves 
bustled  about,  considerably,  and  talked  of  accomplishing  it, 
every  liberal  minded  man  was  as  grateful  to  him,  you  know, 
as  if  he  had  done  the  whole  business.  —  And  having  per- 
formed this  notable  piece  of  service,  the  Head  Steward  left 
me  again  in  the  management  of  the  Estate. 


264         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Now,  my  good  friends,  your  understrapper  ignorant  and 
awkward  as  he  may  be,  did  perfectly  well  know  of  these 
acts  and  doings  of  the  Head  Steward.  —  And  some  time 
thereafter,  when  I  was  again  in  the  transaction  of  his  wor- 
ships business  in  these  parts,  the  aforesaid  understrapper 
addressed  to  me  a  letter  (for  he  knows  that  I  dislike  the 
company  and  conversation  of  Pettyfoggers)  he  did  address 
to  me  a  letter  in  which  he  gives  me  pretty  fairly  to  under- 
stand that  he  had  taken  that  position  near  his  Worship, 
which  the  Devil,  in  the  shape  of  a  toad  assumed  some  years 
ago,  at  the  ear  of  a  celebrated  personage,  who  shall  now  be 
nameless,  as  I  do  not  wish  to  revive  old  Scandals :  —  That 
in  a  tete  a  tete  with  his  worship  he  had  learned  what  were 
his  future  plans  for  clearing  the  woods  of  those  beasts  of 
prey  by  which  they  were  infested  —  for,  his  worship,  it 
seems,  had  at  length  become  sensible  that  all  further 
attempts  to  evangelize  them  must  be  a  hopeless  business. 
I  was  not  indeed,  very  well  satisfied  with  the  dirty  channel 
through  which  this  information  had  been  derived;  but  as 
I  should  lose  half  a  day  at  least,  by  waiting  on  his  worship 
in  town  —  and  as  his  worship  has  always  been  to  me  an 
open,  generous  and  confiding  patron,  whose  work  I  have 
done  as  much  thro'  love  as  duty,  I  lost  not  a  moment  in 
obeying  the  orders  thus  circuitously  communicated. 

Very  Well !  —  And  now  for  your  understrapper.  —  He 
goes  again  to  town  on  your  business,  handsomely  compen- 
sated therefor,  but  generously  determined  to  do  mine  for 
nothing  at  all,  except  for  the  pleasure  of  doing  it.  He  tells 
his  worship  that  I  had  not  only  changed  the  Ranges  of  the 
Pet  Wolves  but  that  I  had  also  introduced  them  into  the 
settlements,  —  formed  an  alliance  offensive  and  defensive 
with  them,  and  pretty  broadly  insinuates  that  I  had  become 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.        265 

absolutely  and  in  fact  a  Wolf  myself  with  nothing  of  the 
Sheep  remaining  but  the  fleece  of  a  Bell-Wether  (which  I 
had  killed  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  marauding  parties), 
thrown  loosely  over  my  shoulders.  —  What  a  lying  stupid 
booby  it  is.  He  represents  to  his  worship  besides  that  the 
entire  settlement  is  in  a  dreadful  state  of  alarm  on  account 
of  this  unnatural  transformation  and  alliance  and  wishes 
mightily  to  be  informed  whether  his  worship  has  sanctioned 
a  procedure  so  fraught  with  mischief  and  brutality  —  Well 
knowing  as  I  said  before  that  the  Eanges  of  the  Pet  Wolves 
had  not  been  changed,  and  that  nothing  like  an  alliance  was 
ever  contemplated  with  them. 

This  my  good  friends  is  all  that  I  had  to  say  to  you  at 
present.  Truth  has  obliged  me  to  speak  some  harsh  things 
of  your  understrappers.  Justice  and  candour  equally  com- 
pel me  to  disclose  to  you  whatever  I  may  know  to  his 
advantage.  There  is  one  incident  of  that  kind,  which  as  it 
stands  very  prominently,  I  will  content  myself  with  relat- 
ing it  as  a  Representative  for  the  whole.  Some  years  ago 
he  had  grievously,  and  somewhat  treacherously  too,  in- 
jured a  person  with  whom  he  was  then  (but  never  since) 
on  terms  somewhat  intimate,  he  challenged  that  person  to 
the  great  trial,  by  Battle  because  he  had  the  imprudence 
to  tell  him  in  the  presence  of  a  few  friends  that  he  was  a 
Sneaking  Rascal.  Which  was  indeed  the  fact  But  now 
comes  that  magnanimity  which  must  crown  him  with  unfad- 
ing Laurels.  Having  thrown  the  gauntlet  he  began  to  re- 
flect what  might  be  the  inconvenient,  not  to  say  dangerous 
consequences  of  such  a  procedure  —  And  recollecting  too 
that  all  the  modern  wrongs  had  modern  remedies  provided 
for  them  &  that  this  old  mode  of  decision  was  exploded 
from  the  Statute  book,  he  heroically  determined,  humbly 


266         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

to  ask  leave  to  enter  a  non  prosequi  —  And  indeed  the  re- 
quest was  made  with  so  much  tearful  entreaty,  that  it  could 
not,  with  humanity,  be  denied  him.  And  this  I  am  always 
ready  to  acknowledge  in  his  praise,  that  few  men,  'in  the 
torrent,  tempest  and  as  I  may  say  whirlwind  of  their  pas- 
sions '  can  in  a  moment  like  your  understrapper,  on  the 
first  suggestion  of  his  prudence  or  his  fears  "acquire  and 
beget  a  temperance  which  may  give  them  smoothness."  — 
But  altho '  this  incident  redounds  to  his  credit,  as  a  private, 
unknown  and  indeed  insignificant  individual,  yet  I  must 
think  that  it  ought  to  be  set  down  among  his  disqualifica- 
tions as  a  public  man.  And  I  leave  it  to  your  consciences 
or  rather  to  your  prudence  as  honest,  thrifty  and  pains- 
taking People  whether  a  fellow  so  often  degraded  and  dis- 
graced by  slaps  in  the  face  and  other  humiliations  has  not 
become  unworthy  of  your  protection  and  countenance. — 


ALEXANDER  CRAIGHEAD  TO  BATES 

Deae  Sie  MmES  27th  Au^ust  1813 

A  mulatto  man  who  calls  himself  Tom  Waters  formerly 
of  Detroit  says  you  were  acquainted  with  him  there  and 
know  he  was  free  —  He  has  been  sold  by  Doctr.  Wilkinson2 
in  this  country  and  is  now  held  as  a  slave  —  from  what 
information  I  have  gotten  on  the  subject  I  have  very  little 
doubt  of  his  fredom  —  If  you  know  any  thing  about  him 
will  you  be  so  good  as  to  inform  me  by  the  return  of  the 
boy  by  whom  this  note  will  be  handed. 

Accept  dear  Sir  the  assurances  of  my  high  respect  & 
Esteem. 

2  Probably  W.  N.  Wilkinson. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.        267 

TO  JAMES  MONROE 

o  St  Louis  October  1st  1813 

Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  a  packet  containing  the 
Legislative  and  Executive  proceedings  of  the  government 
of  this  territory,  during  the  last  six  months  —  to  wit  — 

Copies  of  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly, 
Copies  of  the  Governor's  Proclamations,3 
Minutes  of  the  Governor's  appointments  to  office, 
Minutes  of  Licences  to  trade  with  Indians.4 

Also,  a  Table  of  the  civil  officers  in  commission  on  30th 
Septr. 


MILITIA   APPOINTMENTS 

By  the  Governor  op  the  Territory  of  Missouri 

April  1 — September  30,  1813. 

Ap  3d     Joshua  Burckhartt  1st  Lt.  of  a  company 

Hiram  Cordell  2d  Lt  [  of   cavalry  in 

Alexr.  Lucas  Cornet  f  the  county  of 

A.  E.  Rheile  Purser  St  Louis 

William  Christy  Quarter  Master  of  1st  Regiment 


Joseph  Conway  Capt 

Richard  Caulk  Lt 

Thomas  Caulk  Ensign 


of  a  compy.  of 
mounted  Rifle- 
men —  cty  St 
Louis 


s  For  the  proclamations,  see  Bates'  proclamation  of  June  3,  and  that 
of  July  16,  1813. 

4  The  list  of  licenses  is  missing. 


268 


The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


9th.  Martin  Buggies  Major  of  2d  Battn.  of  2d  Regt 
Joseph  Hertick  Pay  Master  of  2d  Regiment 


John  Mc  Arthur  Lt 

Joseph  Hertick  Ensign 

John  Bossieur  Capt 

James  Rigdon  Lt. 

.Joseph  Amoureux  Ensign 


1st   corny.   1st 
Bat.  2d  Regt. 

2d    corny.    1st 
Bat  2d  Regt. 


13  Joseph  Yardley  Ensign  1st  corny.  1st  Bat  3d  Regt 
Robert  Gray    Ensign  3d  corny.  1st  Bat  3d  Regt. 


24  Jacob  Pettit 
Jesse  Blackwell 


Lt. 
Ensign 


of  a  corny,  of 
mounted  Rifle- 
men cty  of  St 
Genevieve 


April  29  Charles  Lucas  Capt  of  the  St  Louis  corny,  of  Voir. 
Artillerists 

30  Paul  L.  Chouteau    Lt  2d  corny.  1st  Bat  1st  Regt. 
Frederick  Geizer     Ensign  2d  corny.  1st  Bat  1st 
Regt. 


May  14    Joshua  H.  Burckhartt 
Hiram  Cordell 
Absalom  Link 

24  Burwell  J.  Thompsom 
James  F.  Mutry 
E.  D.  Devillemont 

Thomas  McLaughlin 
Zachary  Goforth 

William  Harrison 
Stephen  Austin 


Capt 

Lt 

Ensign 

Capt 

Lt 

Ensign 

Lt 
Ensign 

Lt 

Ensign 


|  of  the  St 
Louis  corny  of 
cavalrv 


6th    corny.    2d 
Bat  2d  Regt 

4th    corny.    2d 
J  Bat  2d  Regt. 

]  2d  corny.  2d 
Bat  2d  Regt, 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820. 


269 


30  Paul  L.  Chouteau  Captain  2d  corny.  1st  Bat  1st 
Rest. 


June  19    Henry  Battu    Ensign  2d  corny.  1st  Bat  1st  Regt. 

of  a  corny,  in 

the  settlement 

>  of    Sans    Des- 
Ensign 

sem 


Francis  Coursolle 
Joseph  Bivarq 
Louis  Dehetre 


Capt 
Lt 


of  a  corny,  in 
1. 2d   Battn   4th 
Regt. 


July  22     George  Jameson  Capt 

Charles  Logan  Lt 

William  Ingram  Ensign 

Aug.  21  Henry  Battu    3d  Lt  of  2d  corny.  1st  Battn  of  1st 
Regt. 

of  a  corny,  of 

Capt  mounted      In- 

Lt  L  fan  try    on    a 

Ensign        service    of    60 

days 

of  a  corny,  of 

1st  Lt         mounted      In- 

2d  Lt        V  f  antry    on    a 

Ensign       service    of    60 

j   days 

13  Hardy  Ware     Ensign  of  3d  corny.  3d  Battn  1st 

Regt. 


Sept  2d  Martin  Ruggles 
Phil  Mc  Guire 
James  Mc  Cullock 


3  Thomas  Williams 
Robert  Wash 
George  Henderson 


Manuel  Lisa 
Barw.  Berthold 
Francis  Guyol 


of  a  voir. 
corny  Infantry 
1st  Battn  of 
1  st  Regt  — 

Secretary's  Office  Oct  1.  1813 
Frederick  Bates 


Capt 

Lt 

Ensign 


270         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

A  MEMORANDUM 

Mr.  Partenay  has  this  day  reported  to  me  [Bates]  a 
discovery  between  Mine  A  Breton  &  the  Old  Mines  —  and 
is  considered  as  having  the  first  right  to  the  lease,  when 
I  am  empowered  to  support  the  covenants  which  I  might 
make  with  him —  St  Louis  Oct  1st  1813 


TO  EZEKIEL  ABLE5 

Commissioner's  Office 
giR  St  Louis  Nov  9.  1813 

On  the  application  of  Charles  Payton  &  Henry  Burning 
I  have  appointed  the  15th  day  of  December  next,  to  receive 
farther  testimony  in  the  claim  of  the  Legal  Representatives 
of  Joseph  Doublewye6  for  800  Arpens  of  Land,  on  the  wa- 
ters of  the  St  Francis,  in  the  county  of  Cape  Girardeau  at 
which  time  you  can  attend,  if  you  think  proper. 


TO  JAMES  PLEASANTS 
gm  St  Louis  Nov  12th  1813 

I  have  no  sort  of  right  to  trouble  you  so  frequently  as  I 
have  lately  done.  I  feel  the  indecorum  and  yet  have  not 
been  able  to  resist  the  impulse.  I  entreat  your  liberal  con- 
structions of  these  liberties,  and  ask  your  attention  for  a 
few  moments  to  a  subject  which  occasions  me  much  anx- 
iety. —  Since  my  coming  to  this  country  in  the  year  1807 

s  The  father-in-law  of  William  H.  Ashley. 

«  Joseph   Doublewye  dit  Deblois,  an  Indian  trader.     The  name  was 
also  spelled  De  Blois.    He  was  an  early  resident  of  Ste.  Genevieve. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.        271 

as  a  Commissioner  of  Land  Claims,  I  have  suffered  all 
those  attacks,  open  and  concealed  which  might  be  counted 
on  among  a  set  of  fraudulent  and  rapacious  speculators.  — 
These  I  have  for  the  most  part  disregarded,  —  not  deeming 
it  proper  to  descend  to  low  minded  altercation.  —  Every 
species  of  machination  has  been  attempted.  If  a  man  of 
more  than  ordinary  consequence  presented  himself  I  have 
been  obliged  to  treat  him  in  another  manner.  When  a 
challenge  has  been  offered  (by  Colo.  Jno  Smith)  I  have 
applied  for  advice  to  an  officer  of  rank,  in  the  line  of  the 
army,  with  whose  concurrence,  I  have  informed  my  antag- 
onist, that  I  was  accountable  only  to  the  government  for 
a  discharge  of  my  public  duties. 

Despairing  after  a  long  course  of  abortive  experiment 
of  accomplishing  their  purposes  by  private  slanders,  or 
open  intimidations,  they  have  at  last  adopted  that  which 
(if  there  be  any  cause  of  complaint)  I  conceive  to  be  the 
correct  course,  an  application  to  Mr  Tiffin,7  or  perhaps  to 
the  President  himself  —  But  they  do  not  intend  that  I  shall 
know  the  grounds  of  the  accusation  nor  the  names  of  the 
witnesses  brought  forward  to  support  it.  They  will  pre- 
sent to  Mr  Tiffin  some  monstrous  exaggeration  &  probably 
expect  that  the  Delegates  assurances  will  be  deemed  suffi- 
cient evidence  of  its  truth.  I  gather  however  from  the 
anticipated  triumph  of  the  Party  and  the  vindictive  gar- 
rulity of  Judge  Bent8  in  particular  that  the  charges  have 
been  sworn  to  and  transmitted  by  Mr  Hempstead,  of  whom 
I  gave  you  some  account,  in  an  allegorical  way,  in  August 
last,  —  Mr  B  is  himself  no  speculator  —  but  he  is  the  crea- 

7  Edward  Tiffin  was  the  first  governor  of  Ohio.     In   1812  President 
Madison  appointed  him  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office, 
s  Silas  Bent. 


272        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

ture  of  Hempstead  —  &  affects  to  have  reed  injuries  from 
me  in  order  to  mask  the  under  part  which  he  is  acting  with 
the  appearance  of  independence.  But  I  am  speaking  of 
others  when  I  should  be  def endg  myself  —  As  I  said  before 
I  am  unacquainted  with  the  accusation. 

I  know  of  but  one  charge  that  can  be  brought  against 
me  with  any  colour  of  truth.  —  It  is  this  —  That  the  Papers 
of  the  Eecorders  Office  have  not  always  dur[in]g  a  press 
of  business  been  kept  in  that  exact  order  which  ought  cer- 
tainly to  be  preserved  in  the  files  of  a  public  office  —  But 
there  are  reasons  for  this  —  the  necessity  of  frequent  ref- 
erence to  originals,  in  the  investigation  of  titles  —  the  in- 
cessant application  of  claimants  themselves  —  And  above 
all  the  tiresome  &  impudent  enquiries  of  one  class  of  spec- 
ulators who  have  no  regular  concern  with  the  business.  It 
has  been  very  falsely  said,  but  whether  or  not  it  makes  a 
part  of  the  accusation,  I  am  altogether  ignorant,  that  I 
threatened  a  Land  Claimant,  —  telling  him  'I  will  remem- 
ber you  Sir,  for  this'  These  Pismires  will  sting  you  to 
death.  Mr  Pleasant,  I  am  incapable  of  such  conduct  —  If 
I  had  descended  so  low,  I  should  never  have  the  confidence 
to  meet  the  eye  of  a  man  of  honour  or  to  address  myself 
to  you  I  have  no  recollection  of  the  circumstance  to  which 
it  can  possibly  allude  Errors  I  may  have  committed,  but 
deliberate  injustice  never.  I  do  not  ask  you  however  to 
vouch  for  me  but  I  do  entreat,  that  you  will  procure  me  a 
hearing  —  some  little  investigation,  before  I  suffer  the 
final  censures  of  the  Government.  Mr.  Tiffin  is  a  just  man 
&  I  ask  nothing  but  justice.     .     .     . 

[P.  S.]  I  have  lived  long  enough  to  be  but  little  surprized 
at  whatever  may  happen  but  The  conduct  of  this  man  is 
unaccountable  —  I  have  known  him  in  this  country  for  the 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.       273 

last  six  years  —  He  appeared  correct  &  prudent  —  He  was 
poor  &  I  thought  him  honest  Being  in  the  exercise  of  the 
govt.  I  bestowed  on  him  several  offices  of  honor  &  of 
profit  —  I  never  injured  him  and  yet  all  on  a  sudden  he 
bursts  forth  my  inveterate  enemy 

Sometimes  too,  merely  for  the  purpose  of  creating 
anxiety  &  trouble  a  Cl[aiman]t  will  demand  a  Paper  which 
he  well  knows  is  not  in  the  office  but  in  his  own  possession. 
It  was  the  very  frequent  practice  of  my  Predecessor  to 
redeliver  Papers  after  having  recorded  them.  —  I  have 
also  done  it,  but  the  parties  are  informed  that  if  they  are 
not  forth  coming  at  the  time  of  the  decision  the  claim  may 
be  declared  abandoned.  Originals  are  sometimes  necessary 
for  the  detection  of  frauds. 


TO  AMABLE  PARTENAY 

Sir  St.  Louis  Feby  26.  1814 

Mr  Scott  has  delivered  me  your  letter  of  the  24th  with  its 
accompaniments.  As  I  am  not  invested  with  the  powers 
necessary  for  your  maintenance  in  possession  it  has  been 
impossible  for  me  to  make  the  lease  which  you  ask.  — 
Together  with  Mr  Scott,  I  waited  on  Governor  Clark  for 
the  purpose  of  being  informed  of  the  cooperations  which 
I  might  count  on  from  the  Executive  Department,  when 
we  were  told  by  the  Governor  that  he  should  not,  under 
present  arrangements,  interfere  in  the  affair.  I  certainly 
consider  you  as  having  the  first  privilege;  but  unless  the 
President  give  power  to  his  Agents  to  perform  their  cove- 
nants, I  shall  be  careful  of  bringing  upon  myself  those 
humiliations  which  I  formerlv  suffered. 


274        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

WILLIAM  STEVENSON9  TO  BATES 

Belle  Vue  March  5th  1814 

Sir,  The  scarcity  of  Salt,  together  with  the  difficulty  of 
obtaining  it,  in  this  part  of  the  community  has  induced  a 
Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Belle  Vue,  to  make  a  trial 
for  Salt  water  in  this  Township,  there  being  several  exten- 
sive licks,  which  furnish  ground  to  think  there  may  be  a 
body  of  Salt  water  in  the  Earth,  Wherefore  a  number 
of  Shares  has  been  subscribed,  A  committee  appointed  to 
make  choice  of  a  place  or  places  to  dig  at  An  agent  to 
superintend  the  digging  A  well,  or  wells,  who  commenced 
some  time  past,  at  two  different  places  and  there  is  a  prob- 
ability of  geting  Salt  water  at  one  of  the  places,  which  is 
thought  to  be  on  public  land,  and  Whereas  I  have  been 
informed  that  there  are  some  designing  men  who  are  only 
waiting  for  the  discovery  to  be  made  —  when  they  intend 
to  obtain  a  lease  and  drive  off  the  Company  who  have  been 
at  the  trouble  and  expence  to  make  the  discovery  if  we 
should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  obtain  Salt  water,  It  is  the 
desire  and  expectation  of  the  share  holders  to  have  the 
priviledge  of  renting  from  the  United  States,  and  carrying 
on  the  business  themselves  I  have  therefore  troubled  you 
with  the  above  Sketch  and  trust  and  hope  you  will  not 
grant  any  lease  to  any  one,  should  there  be  application 
made  but  to  the  Company  or  their  Agent,  —  ... 
P.  S.  The  Name  of  the  lick  where  there  is  the  greatest 
probability  for  Salt  Water  is  Chicago  — 

9  Probably  William  O.  Stevenson  of  Bellevue  Valley  near  Potosi.     He 
acted  as  agent  for  the  company. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec.,  1820.        275 

TO  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY!.?] 

~  St.  Louis  June  12th  1814.  — 

Sir, 

Soon  after  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  5th  April,  1  went 
to  Ste.  Genevieve  and  submitted,  personally  to  the  exam- 
ination of  Mr  Scott10  all  the  Papers  which  have  relation  to 
the  leases  of  Dodge,11  Wilson12  &  Craighead.1"  —  As  the 
superior  court  was  then  m  session,  Mr  Scott  had  not  leisure 
to  consider  the  case.  I  left  in  his  hands  whatever  might 
be  necessary  for  the  forming  of  an  opinion,  which  he  has 
this  morning  sent  me  in  writing  —  a  copy  of  which  I  have 
the  honor  to  enclose.  —  I  beg  leave  to  remark  that  I  sub- 
mitted no  such  points  [as]  the  District  Atty  has  quoted  in 
his  opinion  —  I  wrote  nothing  &  spoke  sparingly  &  in  gen- 
eral terms,  folding  down  &  shewing  him  that  part  of  your 
letter  which  immediately  concerned  the  business  —  The 
question  of  the  Presidents  right  had  slept  since  the  silence 
of  the  Govt,  on  suggestions  of  that  sort  made  some  years 
ago  by  the  late  Gov  Howard.  The  Dist.  Atty.  has  copied 
fr[om]  the  books  principles  of  Genl  Law,  —  These  I  sup- 
pose are  indisputable  —  but  whether  or  not  they  apply  to 
the  case  in  hand  might  perhaps  make  another  question.  — 

I  have  conversed  with  Genl.  Dodge,  one  of  the  Partners 
as  to  an  amicable  adjustment  —  Nothing  is  yet  conclusively 
done  —  he  wishes  first  to  see  Mr  Wilson,  who  has  just 
arrived  from  Tennessee. 

I  advertised  the  Shibboleth  Mines  as  you  directed.  — 
A  Partenay  alone  gave  in  proposals,  a  copy  of  which  I 

io  John  Scott. 
ii  Henry  Dodge. 

12  Probably  Nicholas  Wilson. 

13  Alexander  Craighead. 


276         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

enclose.  Notwithstanding  the  liberality  of  his  offer,  I  could 
not  make  the  contract  as  Jno.  Smith  (T)  is  in  possession 
and  determined  I  understand  to  retain  it  until  Govt,  adopt 
more  compulsory  process  than  has  yet  been  employed  — 
In  Nov  1812  under  alleged  right  derived  from  the  act  of 
13  June  preceding  he  made  an  Entry  of  1000  arps.  (under 
the  St  Vrain  concession)  to  include  the  lands  then  actually 
in  possession  of  the  U  States  tenants  Indeed  the  most  of 
the  U.  S.  mines  in  the  late  county  of  Ste.  Genevieve  are  in 
the  same  situation.  Colo.  Smith  availing  himself  of  the 
lenity  and  forbearance  of  the  President  has  seldom  failed, 
on  the  discovery  of  Lead,  to  make  an  immediate  location, 
and  to  assume  the  rights  of  a  legitimate  proprietor.  This 
has  been  long  known  to  the  Govt.  I  enclose  a  Schedule  of 
his  claims  of  this  description  of  which  he  has  been  acquir- 
ing the  possn.  fr  time  to  time  since  the  year  1807. 

Mc  Kee's  Branch 250 

New  Diggings  1000 

Mine  A  Robina 300 

On  the  Branch  above  Renaut  Mine 300 

Doggett's  Mines 300 

On  Branch  of  Mine  Fork 200 

Mc  Kee's  Discovery 200 

Mill  Seat  on  branch  of  Big  River 50 

Mine  A  Liberty 359  52/100 

Mine  Shibboleth  1300 

Belle  Fontaine 1200 

Bon  Femme  Salt  Spring  (St.  Charles)....     64  St  Chs. 
A   Salt   Spring  between  Bon  Femme   & 

Salt  Cr  64  St  Chs. 

Grand  Monitur  Salt  Spring. 64  St  Chs. 

Le  Moine  Salt  Springs 70  St  Chs. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.       277 

A  Salt  Spring  above  Sugar  Loaf 25  New 

Madrid 
1st  Lead  Mine  on  the  waters  of  White 

Eiver  36  New 

Madrid 
2d  Lead  Mine  on  waters  of  White  River....     64  New 

Madrid 

Grand  Lead  Mines  of  White  River 54  New 

Madrid 
Mines,  supposed  of  the  precious  metals.—     13% 

Arkensas 
Entered  30  Nov  1812  under  Act  of  13  June  precedg. 
Whatever  may  be  the  abstract  validity  of  the  St  Vrain 
concession  it  seems  strange  to  me  that  Colo  Smith  should 
have  right  to  locate  before  its  allowance  by  the  Govt.  The 
District  Atty.  seems  to  be  of  the  opinion,  however,  that  a 
possession  &  entry  of  claim  however  tortuous  and  penal 
secures  him  from  molestation  until  the  final  decision.  This 
reasoning  if  admitted  to  be  correct  would  overthrow  every 
idea  wch.  I  had  before  entertained  on  the  subject.  —  The 
Law  does  not  presume  that  any  entries  will  be  made  of 
claims  which  do  not  fall  within  the  general  scope  of  con- 
firmation or  of  Grant.  —  Besides  by  the  act  of  3d  March 
1807  the  abstract  ' right,  title,  or  claim'  to  Lands  in  Orleans 
or  Louisiana  is  not  to  be  affected  by  those  summary  & 
efficient  means  which  the  President  is  empowered  to  make 
use  of,  for  the  removal  &  punishment  of  Intruders.  From 
which  I  clearly  infer  that  he  may  incur  the  penalties,  pecu- 
niary &  corporeal  provided  by  act  of  26  Mar  1804  for  the 
punishmt.  for  his  illegal  &  forcible  intrusion  even  during 
the    [duration]    of  his  abstract  pretentions.     .     .     .     14 

i*  Three  lines  of  the  manuscript  are  illegible. 


278         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

In  fact  I  imagined  that  such  directed  and  recorded 
acknowledgments  on  the  part  of  the  Intruder  was  the  best 
evidence  for  his  conviction,  if  you  should  think  proper  to 
order  a  prosecution  under  the  act  of  the  3d  March  1807.  — 


JOHN  H.  WEBER  FOR  AMABLE  PARTENAY 
TO  BATES 

j.    o  Mine  a  Burton  Septb  28th  1814 

I  hasten  to  inform  you  of  a  most  wanton  and  cruel  out- 
rage committed  on  my  person  yesterday  while  at  Silvers 's 
Mine.  —  Conformable  to  the  Lease  obtained  from  Govern- 
ment I  went  on,  the  21st  Inst,  to  take  possession  in  the 
name  of  the  U.  S.  of  Silvers 's  Mines,  as  one  of  the  Mines 
included  in  said  Lease.  I  put  up  a  Notice  of  which  the 
enclosed  is  a  copy  which  as  soon  as  put  up,  was  tore  down 
by  Jno.  Scott,  who  insisted  that  I  should  shew  my  authority, 
before  he  would  allow  that  I  should  put  up  any  Notices 
there ;  —  he  made  use  of  the  most  abusive  Language  at  the 
same  time,  as  well  to  Government  as  myself,  but  offered 
no  violence,  owing  no  doubt  to  the  precaution  I  had  taken 
of  having  two  persons  with  me.  — 

Yesterday  however,  while  I  was  by  myself,  peaceably 
riding  through  said  Mines,  in  quest  of  a  chain-carrier  as 
I  had  began  surveying,  I  was  surrounded  by  Jno  Scott 
and  others,  forcibly  dragged  off  my  horse,  knocked  down 
with  a  stick  or  club,  and  beat  in  a  most  shocking  manner 
with  clubs  &  sticks  —  John  Scott  who  was  the  ringleader 
observing  "that  was  the  way  he  would  give  possession." 

I  sincerely  hope  Government  will  show  some  energy  on 
this  occasion  and  make  an  example  of  all  those  that  were 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.        279 

engaged  in  the  wanton  abuse,  while  I  was  acting  under  the 
orders  of  Government.  —  Now  is  the  Time  or  never,  if 
Government  will  not  act  with  rigour  now,  they  may  as  well 
abandon  the  idea  of  laying  claim  to  any  Lead  Mines  in  this 
country,  when  the  first  ruffian  can  dispute  the  same  with 
them  with  impunity,  and  would  maltreat  their  officers,  if 
they  were  sent  against  him.  — 

They  continue  (Scott  &  Swon)15  to  receive  all  the  Min- 
eral that  is  raised  at  Silvers 's  Mines  and  always  will,  un- 
less forcibly  put  out  of  possession.  — 

I  should  have  commenced  a  suit  for  assault  &  battery 
against  Scott  &c.  but  find  that  it  is  useless,  there  being  no 
Jail  in  this  county,  consequently  they  would  refuse  giving 
Bail.  — 

I  have  taken  possession  of  all  the  other  Mines.  —  Colo. 
Jno.  Perry  pretends  to  claim  Shous's  Mines  by  virtue  of  a 
concession  tho'  he  has  not  shewn  me  his  concession 

Will  you  please  inform  me,  whether  you  have  stipulated 
any  Time  with  Mr.  Perry,  in  which  he  was  to  finish  smelt- 
ing what  he  has  on  hand  at  Shous's  Mine!  Also  with 
Messrs.  Brown  &  Henry,  and  what  length  of  Time  you  have 
accorded  them?  I  wish  to  know,  that  I  may  regulate  myself 
accordingly. 

COPY  OF  THE   EXECUTIVE  JOURNAL   FROM 
APRIL  1  TO  SEPTEMBER  30,  1814 

Missouri  Territory 

Ap.  5  Louis  Lebeaume,  a  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Com 
Pleas  for  Washington  Cty 
Robert  A.  Smith  Capt  of  1st  Corny,  of  1st  Battn  of 
1st  Regiment 

i6  Probably  William  Swan  who  in  1804  was  a  settler  at  New  Madrid. 


280 


The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 


15  George  Wilson  Surveyor  for  the  County  of  St 
Louis 
Joseph  Story     Surveyor  for  the  County  of  New 
Madrid 

22d.  Robert  Spencer  Major  of  2d  Battn.  of  3d  Regi- 
ment 

Wright  Daniel  a  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Com 
Pleas  for  Arkensas 

Henry  Battu  Lieutenant  2d  Corny.  1st  Battn  of 
1st  Regt. 


27.  Jacob  Pettitt  Capt 

Jno.  Perry  Lieut. 

Stephen  F.  Austin  Ensign 

Jesse  Blackwell  Capt 

Anthy  Wilkinson  Lt 

Benja.  Horine  Ensign 

Robert  T.  Brown  Capt 

James  H.  Moutry  Lt 

Drury  Gooche  Ensign 

Joshua  Morrison  Capt 

Zachariah  Goforth  Lt 

Thomas  McLaughlin  Ensign 

Timothy  Phelps  Capt 

Wm.  Read  Lt 

James  Gray  Ensign 

Job  Westover  Capt 

John  Baker  Lt 

Joseph  Wood  Ensign 


1st  Corny.  1st 
Bat  6th  Regt. 

2d  Corny.   1st 
Bat  6th  Regt. 


3d   Corny.   1st 
Bat  6  Regt. 


1st   Corny    2d 
Bat  6th  Regt. 

2d    Corny.    2d 
^Bat  6th  Regt. 

Id    Corny.    2d 
>  Battn.  6th 
Regt. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.        281 

Ap.  29.  Archd.  Huddleston  Lt  3d  Corny.  2d  Bat  2d  Regt. 
William  Mc  Farland  Adjutant  of  2d  Regiment 
Same  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  township  of  St 
Michael  in  the  county  of  Ste  Genevieve 

June  1st  Wm.   Stevenson  a  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Com 
Pleas  for  Washington  Cty 
Bartholomew  Cousin  Surveyor  of  the  county  of 
Cape  Girardeau 

23d  Joseph  Brazeau  a  Licence  to  trade  with  the  Teton 
&  Yankton  Sieux  at  Cedar  Island  on  the  Mis- 
souri for  one  year 

Patrick  Cassidy  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Com  Pleas 
of  Arkensas  county 

Lemuel  Currin  Coroner  for  the  county  of 
Arkensas 

Saml.  Miller,  Zach  Philips  Andw.  Fagot,  James 

Currin     Fred  Notrebee    Jno.  Carnehan,     Jno. 

Billingsley     Jno     Mc  Illmurray     Isaac     Cates, 

Saml.    Cates    Justices    of    the    Peace    within 

Arkensas  county 

Wm.  Russell  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
sett[lemen]t.  on  Current  River  New  Madrid 

Jno  Maupin  Capt  —  Joshua  Brock  Lt  2  Co.  4th 
Bat  1st  Regt. 

Daniel  Mooney  Major  1st  Battn.  of  7th  Regt. 


Alexr.  Kendrick 

Capt 

1st  Corny.  1st 

Wm.  Glass  Sen 

Lt 

►  Battn.    7th 

Wm.  Dunn 

Ensign 

Regt. 

June  23  James  Scull 

Capt 

2d   Corny.   1st 

Peter  Lef  evre 

Lt 

.Battn.   of   7th 

Charles  Bougy 

Ensign 

Regt. 

282         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Saml.  Moseley  Capt,  Lemuel  Currin  Lt  3d  Corny. 
1st  Bat  7th  Eegt. 

Blassingham  H.  Mc  Farland  Major  2d  Battn.  of 
7th  Eegt. 

Edwd.  Hogan  Capt        "i  1st   Corny.   2d 

Jno  Payatte  Lt  LB  a  tt.    7  th 

Joseph  Duchassin  Ensign       Regt. 

James  C.  Newell  Capt        "] 

Benja.  Murphy  Lieut.       L  '       _ 

fBatt  7th  Regt. 


George  Rankin  Ensign 

Wm.  Berney  Capt 

Isaac  Cates  Lieut. 

Saml.  Gates  Ensign 


3d    Corny.    2d 
Batt  7th  Regt. 


27  Prospect  R.  Robbins  Surveyor  for  County  of  St 
Charles 

30  Peter  Mc  Comack    a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the 
township  of  Platen  in  County  of  Ste.  Genevieve 

July  7.  Louis  Bijou  &  Chs.  Sanguenette  jr  a  License  to 
trade  with  the  Aricaras  &  Sieux  Indians,  on  the 
Missouri  for  one  year. 
Louis  Letourneau   a  Licence  to   trade  with  the 
Poncas  Indians  on  the  Missouri,  for  one  Year. 

July  20.  Charles  Gratiot  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  town- 
ship of  St.  Louis  Cty  of  St  Louis 

23d  Daniel  M.  Boone  Lt  Colo.  Comdt.  of  the  3d  Regi- 
ment 

26  George  Tompkins  Ensign  2d  Corny.  1st  Bat  1st 
Regt. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820. 


283 


28  Jno.  W.  Thompson  Adjutant  of  the  1st  Regiment 

Aug.  3.  Jno.  W.  Thompson  Capt        "]  of     St     Louis 

Alexr.  Lucas  1st  Lieut  LTroop       of 

Absalom  Link  2d  Lieut  Cavalry 

> 

Jno  Miller  Capt  of  3d  Corny.  2d  Bat  1st  Regt. 
Alexr  Papin  &  Co.  Licence  to  trade  S.  W.  of  the 
Missouri  &  on  Platte  for  one  year 

5  Jno  Hawkins  Surveyor  for  the  County  of  Wash- 
ington 

13.  Benja.  Cooper  Major  3d  Batt  of  3d  Regt. 

1st   Corny.   3d 
Batt  3d  Regt. 

2d    Corny.    3d 
Bat,  3d  Regt. 

3d    Corny.    3d 
Batt  3d  Regt. 

15  Wm.  C.  Carr  3d  Lt  of  4th  Corny,  of  2d  Bat  of 
1st  Regt. 
Edw.  Hempstead  Capt  of  a  Corny,  of  Militia.  — 


Wm.  McMahen 

Capt 

Sarshell  Cooper 

Lieut. 

Benja  Cooper  jr 

Ensign 

James  Alexander 

Capt 

Jno  Morrow 

Lieut. 

Amos  Barnes 

Ensign 

Wm.  Head 

Capt 

David  Mc  Quitty 

Lieut 

Jno.  Berry 

Ensign 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  MILITIA  OF  THE  TERRI- 
TORY OF  MISSOURI,  OCTOBER  1,  1814 

William  Clark  Gov.  &  commr.  in  ch.  —  Henry  Dodge  Briga- 
dier General  Alexander  Mc  Nair  Adjutant  Genl.  & 
Inspector. 


284         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

1ST   REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF   ST.   LOUIS 

Lt  colo.  comdt.  —  Tho  F.  Riddick  Major  of  1st.  Richd. 

Chitwood  Major  of  the  2d.  —  Jeduthun  Kendall 
Major  of  the  3d.  &  Peter  Chouteau  Major  of  4th 
Battn. 

COMPANIES  OF  THE   1ST  BATTALION 

1st    Robert  A  Smith  Capt  —  Hubert  Guyon  Lt  —  Frederick 
Geizer  Ensign 

2       Paul  L.  Chouteau  Capt  —  Henry  Battu  Lt  —  George 
Tompkins  Ensign 

3d     Louis     Courtoix     Capt  —  Louis     Courtoix     jr     Lt  — 
Francis  Roi  Ensign 

4      Zeph     Sappington     Capt  —  Thos.     Sappington    Lt  — 
William  L.  Long  Ensign 

COMPANIES   OF   2d   BATTALION 

1st     James  Musick  Capt  —  Elisha  Patterson  Lt  —  Green 
Baxter  Ensign 

2d     Hyacinth  Dehetre  Capt  —  J.  M.  Courtoix  Lt  —  Joseph 
Aubuchon  Ensign 

3d     John  Miller  Capt  —  John  Kinkead  Lt  —  Gabriel  Long 
Ensign 

4      John     E.     Allen     Capt  —  Joseph     Lard     Lt  —  Wm. 
McDowns  Ensign 

COMPANIES   OF   THE   3d  BATTALION 

1st    James    McCullock    Capt  —  Jacob    Collins    Lt  —  John 

Horine  Ensign 
2d    Abner    Vansant    Capt  —  David    Brook    Lt  —  Benja. 

Johnston  Ensign 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec.,  1820,        285 

3d     Thos.     Williams     Capt  —  William     Ink     Lt  — Hardy 
Ware  Ensign 

COMPANIES   OF    THE   4TH   BATTALION 

1st    Benja.   Hatherley  Capt  —  Saml.   Cantley  Lt  —  Lewis 
Hall  Ensign 

2d     John      Maupin      Capt  —  Joshua      Brock      Lt  —  Jno. 
Sappington  Ensign 

3d     Augte  Chouteau  Capt  — 

Regimental  Staff  —  John  Washington  Thompson  Adjutant 

2D  REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF  STE  GENEVIEVE 

Nathl  Cook  Lt  colo  comdt.     Jno.  Donohue  Major  of  1st 
Jno.  Callaway  Major  of  2d  Battalion 

COMPANIES   OF    1ST   BATT 

1st    Thomas    Oliver    Captain  —  Jno.    McArthur    Lt      Jo? 
Hertick  Ensign 

2d     Jno      Bossieur      Capt  —  James      Rigdon      Lt  —  Jos 
Amoureux  Ensign 

3d     Eichd  Moore  Capt  —  Tho  Riney  Lt  —  Tho  Patterson 
Ensign 

4      Frs.     B.     Cessell     Capt  — Mark    Brooks     Lt  — Saml 
McCall  Ensign 

COMPANIES    OF    2d    BATT 

1st    William    Dillon    Capt  —  William    Sims    Lt  —  Benja. 
La  Chance  Ensign 

2d     Andw.      Miller     Capt  —  Isaac     Murphy     Lt  —  John 
Burnham  Ensign 


286         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

3d     Henry     Poston     Capt  —  Archd.     Huddleston     Lt  — 
Alexr.  Craighead  Ensign 

Regimental    Staff — Joseph    Hertick    Pay    Master  —  Wm 
McFarland  Adjutant 

3D  REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF   ST.   CHARLES 

Daniel  M.  Boone  Lt  colo.  comdt.  —  Peter  Journey  Major 
of  the  1st  Robert  Spencer  Major  of  the  2d  and 
Benja.  Cooper  Major  of  the  3d  Battalion  — 

COMPANIES   OF   THE    1ST   BATT 

1st    John   Mc  Connell    Capt     Peter   Teague   Lt  —  Joseph 
Yardley  Ensign 

2       Isaac  Vanbibber  Capt     Anthony  Head  Lt  —  William 
Cassio  Ensign 

3d     Saml  Gibson  Capt    Isaac  Hostetter  Lt    Robert  Gray 
Ensign 

4th  Nathl     Simonds     Capt       Roswell     Dusky     Lt  — Wm 
Ewing  Ensign 

5       Elisha     Collard     Capt       James     Lewis     Lt  —  Jacob 
Groshong  Ensign 

COMPANIES    OF    2d    BATT 

1st    William     Hartt     Capt       Osborn    Knott    Lt      Ralph 
Flaugherty  Ensign 

2d     Henry    Hight    Capt      Sylvestre    Pattie    Lt      Charles 
Dennis  Ensign 

3d     Saml.     Griffith     Capt      Charles     Soucier    Lt  —  Eben 
Ayres  Ensign 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820,       287 

COMPANIES   OF   THE   3d   BATT 

1      Sarchel   Cooper    Capt     Wm.    Mc  Mahan   Lt  —  Benja 
Cooper  Jr  Ensign 

2d    Jas     Alexander     Capt       Jno.     Morrow     Lt  —  Amos 
Barnes  Ensign 

3d    William    Head    Capt      David    Mc  Quitty    Lt  — John 
Berry  Ensign 

Prs.    Coursolle    Capt      Jos    Eivard    Lt      Louis    Dehetre 
Ensign  of  a  corny,  at  Sans  Dessein  — 

Regimental  Staff  —  Henry  Hight  Judge  Advocate  —  Jas. 
Beatty  Adjt.     Stephen  Hempstead  Q  Master.  — 

4TH   REGIMENT  —  COUNTY   OF   CAPE   GIRARDEAU 

Stephen  Byrd  Lt  colo.  comdt.    Geo  F  Bollinger  Major  of 
1st    James  Brady  Major  of  2d  Battn 

COMPANIES   OF   1ST   BATT 

1st   Abrm.  Byrd  —  Capt  —  Austin  Young  Lieut.    Andrew 
Byrne  Ensign 

2d     Geo  C  Miller  Capt  — H.  Bollinger  son  of  D[an]  Lt  — 
Daniel  Krytz  Ensign 

3d    Wm.  Johnson  Capt  —  John  Baker  Lt.  —  Thos.  Izner 
Ensign 

4th  Adam  Ground  Capt  —  Adam  Shell  Lt  —  John  Ground 
Ensign 

COMPANIES    OF    THE    2d    BATT 

1st    Abm.  Dougherty  Capt  —  Jacob  Shepherd  Lt  —  Elijah 
Dougherty  Ensign 


288        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

2d     Jesse  JefTry  Capt  —  Jacob  Fryend  Lt  —  John  Fryend 

Ensign 

3d     James     Ravenscraf  t     Capt  —  Medad     Randall     Lt  — 
Elijah  Randall  Ensign 

4       Geo     Jameson     Capt  —  Charles     Logan     Lt  —  Wm. 
Ingram  Ensign 

Regimental   Staff   Samuel   Dunn   Pay   Master  —  Erasmus 
Ellis  Surgeon 

5TH  REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF  NEW  MADRID 

Jno.  E.  Hartt  —  Lt  colo.  comdt.     Stephen  Ross  Major  of 
1st  &  Jos  Hunter  Major  2d  Battalion 

COMPANIES  IN   THE  TAVO  BATTALIONS 

Elisha  Winsor  Capt  —  Thos.  Winsor  Lt  —  Joseph  Shields 
Ensign 

Edwd    Matthews    Capt  —  Jos    Smith    Lt  —  James    Lucas 
Ensign 

Saml  Cooper  Capt  —  Robert  Boyd  Lt  —  Alexr  La  Forge 
Ensign 

Benja  Myers  Capt  —  Jno  Walker  Lt  —  Joseph  Westbrook 
Ensign 

Edwd     Tanner     Capt  —  Andw.     Robertson     Lt  —  Danl. 
Stringer  Ensign 

Jno    Hines  —  Capt  —  Alexr    Willard    Lt  —  Jacob    Gibson 
Ensign 

Regimental    Staff     Richd    H.    Waters    Judge    Advocate 
Jno  Walker  Adjutant 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.       289 

6TH  REGIMENT  —  COUNTY  OF  WASHINGTON 

Wm  H.  Ashley  Lt  colo  comdt.     Andrew  Henry  Major  of 
the  1st  Martin  Ruggles  Major  of  2d  Battalion 

COMPANIES   OF   THE   1ST   BATT 

1st    Jacob      Pettitt      Captain  —  William      James      Lieut. 
Stephen  F.  Austin  Ensign 

2d     Jesse    Blackwell    Capt      Anthony    Wilkinson    Lieut. 
Benja.  Home  Ensign 

3d     Robert   F.   Brown   Capt     James   H.    Moutree   Lieut. 
Drury  Gooche  Ensign 

COMPANIES    OF    2d    BATT 

1st    Joshua  Morrison  Capt  Zach  Goforth  Lt  Thomas  Mc- 
Laughlin Ensign 

2d     Timothy  Phelps  Capt  William  Reed  Lt  James  Gray 
Ensign 

3d     Job  Westover  Capt  John  Baker  Lieut  Joseph  Wood 
Ensign 

7TH    REGIMENT COUNTY     OF     ARKENSAS 

Anthony  Haden  Lieut,  colo.  comdt.  —  Danl.  Mooney  Major 
of  1st Major  of  2d  Battalion 

COMPANIES   OF   1ST   BATT 

1st    Alexr.  Kendrick  —  Capt  William  Glassen    Lieut.  Wil- 
liam Dunn  Ensign 

2d     James  Scull  —  Capt     Peter  Lef evre  Lieut.     Charles 
Bougy  Ensign 

3d     Samuel  Moseley  —  Capt  Lemuel  Currin  Lieut 

Ensign 


290         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

COMPANIES   OF   2d   BATT 

1st    Edward  Hogan  Capt     John  Payatte  Lieut.     Joseph 
Duchassin  Ensign 

2d     Jno.    C.   Newell    Capt     Benja.    Murphy   Lieut.      Geo 
Eankin  Ensign 

3d    William    Berney    Capt     Isaac    Cates    Lieut.      Saml. 
Gates  Ensign 

VOLUTEER  COMPANIES 
CAVALEY 

Capt  — Jno.  Scott  1st  Lt  — E.  A.  Elliott  2d  Lt 

Jas  C.  Young  Cornet    Wm.  James  Purser 

Capt 1st  Lt  —  Joshua  Dodson  2d 

Lt    Jno  B  Stone  Cornet    Jona.  Riggs  Purser 

John  W.  Thompson  Captain  —  Alexander  Lucas  1st  Lieut. 
Absalom  Link  2d  Lieut. 

MOUNTED  RIFLEMEN 

James  Rankin  Capt    Jno  Geiger  Lieut.    Joseph  Andrews 
Ensign    Joseph  Hanks  Purser 

Morris  Young  Capt     Thomas  Wyley  Lieut.     James  Pat- 
terson Ensign    Tho  McWilliams  Purser 

John   Hughes    Capt     William    Strother   Lt     Thos    Reed 
Ensign     Timy.  Phelps  Purser 

Samuel  Philips  Captain    Philip  Ross  Lieutenant    Robert 
Trotter  Ensign 

INFANTRY 

Joseph     Conway    Captain  —  Richard     Caulk    Lieutenant 
Thomas  Caulk  Ensign 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.       291 

Joseph    Millard    Captain  —  Stephen    Martin    Lieutenant 
Anthony  Bridger  Ensign 

Manuel  Lisa  Captain  —  Barthelemy  Berthold  Lieutenant 
Francis  Guyol  Ensign 

ARTILLERY 

Charles    Lucas  —  Captain  —  John    McKnight    1st    Lieut. 
Joseph  Henderson  2d  Lieut. 

Secretary's  Office  St  Louis  Oct  1st  1814 

Frederick  Bates 


TO  JOHN  WASHINGTON  THOMPSON 

Whereas  I  have  been  informed  by  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives the  county  of  St  Louis,  has  become  vacant 
by  the  death  of  the  [incumbent] 

I  do  therefore  require  you  to  cause  Election  to  be 
[held]  at  which  time  there  will  be  chosen  by  the  People, 
in  the  [County  of  St.  Louis,  a  representative] 

In  testy  whereof  I  have  caused  the  seal  &c.  [to  be  at- 
tached] 

Given  under  my  hand  8th  Deer  1814  — 


TO  RUFUS  EASTON,16  WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

Dec.  10.  1814. 
Yr  letter  of  16th  Nov  was  reed  this  morng.  —  It  gives 
me  much  pleasure  on  several  accts.  —  I  had  some  anxiety 

!«Rufus  Easton  came  to  St.  Louis  with  Governor  Harrison  in  1804. 
He  became  a  judge  under  the  act  creating  the  Territory  of  Louisiana,  but 
was  not  reappointed  in  1806.  He  was  the  first  postmaster  of  St.  Louis 
and  for  a  time  acted  as  United  States  attorney.  In  1814  he  was  elected 
delegate  to  congress  from  Missouri  Territory. 


292        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

as  [to]  the  construction  Mr  Pleasants  might  put  on  the 
frequency  of  my  application  to  him,  on  behalf  of  my  friends 
as  well  as  on  my  own  acct.  There  is  perhaps  not  another 
man  for  whom  I  feel  such  deeply  rooted  respects.  —  And 
if  I  had  no  other  incitement  to  an  honorable  conduct,  than 
the  hopes  of  his  good  opinion,  it  would  be  an  all  sufficient 
inducement.  — 

Those  interested  in  Lands  have  been  constantly  desirous 
of  knowing  my  opinion  as  to  the  interpretation  of  the  first 
section  of  the  act  of  12th  of  April  last.  —  As  the  business 
of  my  office  cannot,  in  the  very  nature  of  things,  (&  by 
order  of  Govt  too)  progress  faster  than  the  surveys,  I 
have  maintained  a  cautious  silence.  —  Several  questions 
were  lately  put  to  me  with  more  than  usual  earnestness 
on  these  subjects,  when  I  was  obliged  to  say  to  them  that 
if  the  law  was  obscure  they  ought  to  apply  to  you  for  a 
declaratory  act.  — 

The  death  of  Seth  Emmons17  left  a  vacancy  in  the  House 
of  Representatives  to  supply  which  Mr  Lucas  &  Dr  Farrar 
are  the  Candidates.  The  canvass  will  be  very  warm  —  the 
event  doubtful.  —  If  Lucas  succeeds,  he  will  probably  try 
titles  with  greater  politicians  than  the  Dr.  at  the  next 
Genl  Elections,  —  and  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  I  wish  him 
success  very  heartily.  —  Wm.  C  Carr  is  surely  the  most 
impudent  man  alive.  He  pretends  to  think  hardly  of  me 
for  purchasing  the  lot  on  the  hill  and  is  persecuting  LeDuc 
with  the  most  poisoned  animosity.  How  he  has  become 
Compromised]  in  this  affair  is  altogether  unconceivable  — 
At  the  time  he  accepted  the  conveyance  from  Clamorgan, 
he  well  knew  as  I  can  from  his  Bro  in  law,  that  this  very 

17  Seth  Emmons  represented  St.  Louis  in  the  first  territorial  council 
of  Missouri. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec.,  1820.       293 

Clamorgan  had  long  before  conveyed  the  lot  in  question 
to  the  late  Secy.  Browne.  When  I  purchased  of  the  Rep- 
resentatives of  Browne  I  was  totally  ignorant  of  the  fraud- 
ulent attempt  to  deprive  them  of  their  property  by  the  2 
deed  to  Carr.  Had  I  known  of  them  I  might  with  perfect 
propriety  have  made  the  purchase ;  yet  it  is  very  likely  that 
I  should  not  have  done  so,  as  it  is  always  best  to  avoid 
contest  with  low  minded  People.  —  It  is  said  that  Mr  Carr 
will  make  a  misrepresentation  of  this  business  in  order  to 
prevent  my  reappointment  to  the  Secretaryship,  —  This  I 
take  to  be  mere  bluster  to  impress  our  village  People  with 
the  notion  that  he  really  thinks  himself  injured  —  Yet  the 
thing  has  been  told  in  sober  seriousness  by  one  of  his 
friends  to  one  of  mine  —  Altho'  it  is  always  desirable  to 
meet  our  enemies  in  sunshine  or  at  least  in  day  light,  I 
will  not  like  Ajax  in  Sir  Wm.  Draper18  insist  upon  the 
thing  as  a  Sine  qua  non,  provided  I  am  permitted  to  meet 
their  accusations.  —  And  this  I  am  very  certain  you  will 
enable  me  to  do. 


PERMIT  TO  EXPLORE  FOR  LEAD  MINES 

St.  Louis  Deer.  18.  1814 

Mr  Jno  Perry  is  hereby  permitted  to  explore  the  United 
States'  untenanted  Lands  within  the  County  of  Washing- 
ton for  the  purpose  of  discovering  Lead  Mines.  Should 
he  make  the  discovery  he  is  at  liberty  to  ascertain  their 
extent  &  richness  by  such  operations  as  are  usual  &  neces- 
sary for  those  objects  —  And  as  soon  as  may  be  convenient 

is  Draper   is    remembered   mainly   because    of   his    controversy   with 
Junius. 


294        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

thereafter  transmit  an  acct.  of  his  proceedings  to  this  office 
that  he  may  obtain  a  Lease  for  the  same 

Frederick  Bates,  Recr  L  Titles 

&  Agent  for  Lead  Mines  — 


TO  AMABLE  PARTENAY 

St.  Louis  April  1st  1815. 
Sir, 

Whatever  may  be  the  hardships  which  you  suffer  from 
interruption  in  your  possession  of  the  mines,  I  cannot 
answer  your  letter  of  the  14th  March,  until  you  comply 
with  the  condition  on  which  the  President  is  willing  to 
approve  the  Leases.  —  I  wrote  you  expressly  in  January 
last  that  the  approbation  was  conditional  —  My  words  are 
these  'The  President  has  indeed  approved  the  Lease  on 
condition  the  payment  of  the  rents  be  secured  in  a  satis- 
factory manner/  And  now  you  say  you  are  willing  to  do 
so  when  I  require  it.  —  Sir,  I  did  require  it  in  my  letter 
of  24th  Jany.  and  do  again  require  it.  — 

The  responsibilities  which  I  owe  to  the  commissioner 
of  the  General  Land  Office  oblige  me  to  be  thus  explicit. 


PERMIT  TO  OCCUPY  MINERAL  LAND 

St.  Louis  April  24th  1815. 

James  Gray,19  Jno.  Stoddard  and  Joseph  Wheat,  having 
as  they  alledge  discovered  a  Lead  Mine  on  the  Lands  of 
the  United  States,  on  the  waters  of  Big  River  about  eight 

is  In  1800  he  was  living  near  the  mouth  of  the  Meramec.     In  1814 
he  was  an  ensign  in  the  Washington  County  regiment. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.       295 

miles  from  mine  Shibboleth  &  20  from  Herculaneum  adjoin- 
ing the  claim  of  Jno.  Thurman  are  hereby  permitted  to 
ascertain  the  richness  and  probable  extent  of  said  mine, 
by  the  usual  operations  —  if  the  said  discovery  be  really 
on  the  lands  of  the  United  States  — 

On  the  following  conditions  to  wit  —  That  said  persons 
shall  keep  and  render  to  this  Office  a  just  and  true  acct.  of 
the  mineral  raised  or  to  be  raised  —  &  pay  therefor  the 
usual  rents  to  the  government  — 

That  they  shall  report  the  result  of  their  search,  to  this 
Office  within  one  month  —  at  which  time  a  lease  will  be 
given  in  the  usual  manner,  on  said  persons  giving  satis- 
factory security  —  Provided  others  have  not  better  claims. 

If  the  permission  be  not  renewed  the  said  James  Gray 
for  himself  &  Partners  promises  &  obliges  himself  to  deliver 
the  Premises  to  the  Eecorder  of  Land  Titles  if  so  required 
to  do,  after  the  expiration  of  one  month.  — 

Frederick  Bates 
Witness  present.  —  Recorder  L.  Titles 

Edw.  Bates  James  Gray 


EDWARD  BATES20  TO  FREDERICK  BATES 

St.  Louis  Deer.  18th.  1815 
My  Dear  Brother 

From  the  excellent  weather  we  have  had  you  will  arrive 
at  Washington  sooner  than  was  at  first  expected.  Yet  I 
should  not  write  to  you  so  soon  if  I  had  not  been  particu- 
larly   requested    to    do    so   by    Mr    Connor    and    several 

20  Edward  Bates  was  a  seventh  son.  He  served  six  months  in  the 
War  of  1812.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  came  to  St.  Louis.  He  studied 
in  the  law  office  of  Rufus  Easton  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1816. 
He  was  soon  made  district  attorney.    He  rose  rapidly  in  his  profession  and 


296        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

others  —  You  heard  before  your  departure  that  Judge 
Lucas  and  Colo.  Chouteau  intended  to  offer  a  square  of 
ground  for  the  erection  of  the  public  buildings  of  the 
County  and  that  the  lot  they  had  pitched  upon  lies  on  the 
hill  near  the  Court  house,  a  situation  which  they  contend 
is  the  most  eligible  about  the  town  —  Mr.  Connor  has  deter- 
mined with  the  warm  concurrence  of  all  the  large  land 
holders  at  the  upper  end  of  the  town,  to  offer  a  large  lot 
at  the  south  east  corner  of  his  tract,  and  as  all  of  them 
are  much  interested,  they  seem  to  think  if  you  have  any 
particular  wishes  on  the  subject  that  the  making  known 
of  your  opinion  and  views  might  have  some  influence  on 
the  commissioners  appointed  to  manage  the  business  on 
the  part  of  the  County;  the  bill  for  the  appointment  of 
commissioners  was  to  pass  its  third  reading  today  —  I 
think  there  will  be  large  offers  made  at  both  ends  of  the 
Town,  and  perhaps  subscriptions  opened  —  I  told  the  gen- 
tlemen who  conversed  with  me  on  the  subject  that  I  did 
not  think  you  would  take  any  part  in  the  affair,  but  as  they 
were  very  solicitous  I  agreed  to  inform  you  of  the  above 
facts 

The  Legislature  is  very  busily  employed  in  altering  and 
abolishing  former  provisions,  and  in  passing  supplemental 
bills  but  they  create  very  little,  and  in  fact  their  character 
for  prudence  and  wisdom  is  not  at  all  advanced  in  my  esti- 
mation. They  are  again  making  great  changes  in  the 
judiciary  system  —  and  have  introduced  '  an  occupying 
claimant  Law'  with  the  same  villainous  features  as  its  Ken- 
tucky model 

But  this  letter  was  not  intended  as  a  letter  of  news,  it 
is  written  merely  on  the  above  request. 

became  a  national  figure.  His  highest  honor  was  a  position  in  the  Lin- 
coln cabinet. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.       297 

JOHN  G.   HEATH   TO  BATES21 

a  Saint  Louis  14th  January  1816. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Land  Committee  has  required  proof 
that  the  Settlers  (i  e  the  early  settlers)  at  Boonslick22  did 
actually  settle  by  permission  of  the  then  Executive  Magis- 
trate of  this  Territory.  They  have  frequently  stated  to  me, 
and  I  find  they  state  it  also  in  their  petition  to  Con- 
gress that  you  then  exercised  the  Government  It  is  im- 
practicable to  send  to  those  people  and  procure  any  thing 
on  the  subject,  in  time  to  forward  it  to  Washington  before 
Congress  will  adjourn. 

Therefore  if  it  really  be  fact  as  stated  in  said  petition 
will  you  satisfy  the  committee  in  that  behalf?  —  Perhaps 
it  also  known  to  you  that  those  people  have  suffered  very 
much  by  the  late  war  maintained  their  ground  &  servered 
as  malitia  enrolled  in  actual  service  &c.  —  The  Gov-s  form- 
ing them  into  Batalions  &  companies  &  their  having  been 
a  second  time  received  into  the  Jurisdiction  of  the  Terri- 
tory. Any  friendly  aid  rendered  will  doubtless  be  grate- 
fully acknowledged  by  those  people.     .     .     . 

NB  We  do  not  want  W  Clark  our  Governor  any  longer  — 
I  have  no  doubt  this  would  be  freely  subscribed  by  nine 
tenths  of  the  Territory  —  also  Govn  &  Superintendent  — 
two  men. 

si  Bates  was  then  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

22  In  1807  Nathan  and  Daniel  M.  Boone,  sons  of  Daniel  Boone,  with 
three  others  manufactured  salt  in  central  Missouri,  which  region  hence- 
forth was  known  as  the  Boonslick  Country.  The  region  was  beset  by 
Indians  in  the  War  of  1812.  The  settlers  defended  themselves  by  build- 
ing blockhouses  and  by  forming  volunteer  companies. 


298        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

NOTES    ON    A    LAND    BILL    FOR    THE    STATE 

OF  LOUISIANA  AND  THE  TERRITORY 

OF  MISSOURI23 

Washn.  March  17.  1816.— 
The  first  section  provides  for  the  confirmation  of  incom- 
plete Grants  of  the  French  and  Spanish  Governments  — 
The  Acts  of  Congress  (See  Land  Laws  p.  305  Sec  1.  p. 
316  Sec  4)  appear  to  be  founded  on  strict  principles  of 
Law  —  that  is  of  position  right  on  the  part  of  the  claimants 
and  of  obligation  on  that  of  the  government.  —  It  was  nec- 
essary for  a  confirmation  that  the  claimant  should  have  in- 
habited and  cultivated  the  land  of  which  he  had  been  put 
into  the  possession  under  the  concession,  order  or  war- 
rant. This  was  required  by  the  Spanish  usages  to  which 
our  Law  of  3d  March  1807  (4  Sec)  refers.  —  The  claimants 
had  good  titles  —  And  the  Government  in  issuing  the  Pat- 
ents only  gave  evidence  of  those  titles.  —  But  these  prin- 
ciples were  considerably  relaxed,  or  rather  they  were  alto- 
gether done  away  by  the  Act  of  12  of  April  1814.  This  Act 
demands  nothing  of  the  party  —  it  only  inquires  whether 
or  not  the  warrant  or  order  of  survey  had  been  executed 
at  the  time  of  the  actual  change  of  the  flag  —  that  is  when 
"Wilkinson  &  Claiborne  at  N.  Orleans  &  Maj  Stoddard  at 
St  Louis  took  possession  of  the  country.  However  gratui- 
tous this  liberality  of  Congress  might  have  been,  Justice 
does  now  seem  to  require  a  farther  provision  that  its  opera- 
tion may  equally  reach  all  the  legitimate  objects  of  it.  No 
provision  has  yet  been  made,  such  as  the  first  section  of 
this  bill  provides  for  the  holders  of  unexecuted  warrants. 
The  sovereign  sanctions  of  the  country  had  been  given  in 

23  This  was  prepared  by  Bates  for  James  Clark  of  the  congressional 
committee  on  the  public  lands. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec.,  1820.       299 

their  favour,  and  nothing  but  a  ministerial  act  of  a  sub- 
ordinate Spanish  officer  remained  to  be  done  —  Nothing- 
was  wanted  but  the  process  verbal  of  survey  —  Let  that 
process  verbal  be  dispensed  with  —  And  let  our  surveyors 
do  that  which  the  Spanish  surveyor  had  not  time  to  per- 
form —  And  which  at  last,  is  merely  an  official  routine 
consequent  on  the  incohation  [inchoation]  of  the  claim. 
This  provision  with  the  limitation  which  the  1st  Sec  of  the 
Act  establishes  will  make  the  liberality  of  the  American 
Government  consistent.  — 

The  second  section  of  the  bill  provides  for  the  grant, 
under  Settlement  Eight  Provisions  [of]  such  lands  as  had 
been  improved  or  cultivated  on  or  before  the  10th  Mar 
1804  [It]  does  not  occur  to  me  why  this  date  should  not 
have  been  rather  20  Augt.  1804  as  by  the  existing  Laws, 
cultivation  at  that  time  has  been  made  the  basis  of  grant 
(See  Act  of  June  13.  1812).  The  former  Laws  (See  Land 
Laws  P.  305  Sec  2.  P.  311  Sec  1  P.  315  Sec  2  —  Sec  3  of 
Act  of  June  13.  1812  —  Sec  4  of  Act  of  3  March  1813  —  Sec 
2d.  of  Act  of  12  April  1814)  required  that  these  acts  of 
ownership  should  have  been  performed  both  prior  to  and 
on  certain  given  days  to  wit,  in  first  instance,  20th  Dec. 
1803,  time  of  the  transfer  at  Orleans  &  in  the  second  in- 
stance, 10  March  1804  time  of  the  transfer  at  St  Louis. 
It  is  proposed  by  this  section  of  the  bill  to  dispense  with 
the  continuation  of  the  improvement  &  require  only  that 
it  should  have  been  either  on  or  prior  to  those  days  respec- 
tively assumed  for  the  state  of  Louisiana  &  ter  of  Missouri 
and  to  extend  the  donation  in  all  cases  to  the  quantity  of 
640  acres  or  a  mile  square.  As  to  the  first  object  of  this 
section  I  would  only  remark  that  this  class  of  claimants 
is  principally  composed  of  persons  whose  settlements  were 


300        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

broken  up  by  the  incursions  of  the  Indians  and  by  other 
casualties  incident  to  a  frontier  no  part  of  which  was 
deemed  to  be  secure  until  the  transfer  to  the  U  States.  As 
to  the  second  object  of  the  section,  I  believe  it  to  be  true 
that  the  comparatively  inconsiderable  number  of  persons 
who  claimed  less  than  640  acres  [were]  themselves  com- 
pelled by  the  then  existing  arrangements.  They  would 
have  claimed  more,  had  they  not  thought  themselves  bound 
to  proportion  their  quantity  to  the  number  of  their  fam- 
ilies. It  was  not  then  the  voluntary  act  of  the  claimant  but 
the  principles  of  our  own  Laws  as  they  were  understood 
by  the  Treasury  department.  Mr  Gallatin  on  the  opinion 
of  Mr  Breckenridge  the  Atty.  General  instructed  the  com- 
missioners to  graduate  these  claims  as  to  quantity  accord- 
ing to  the  ratio  established  by  the  Spanish  Usages.  This 
was  understood,  at  the  time  in  Upper  Louisiana  and  for 
the  most  part  disregarded  by  the  People  who  thought  it  a 
harsh  construction  of  the  Law.  Some  few  however  entered 
according  to  this  ratio  believing  that  no  more  would  ulti- 
mately be  granted  —  And  those  conscientious  people  are 
perhaps  at  this  day  as  much  entitled  to  the  full  quantity 
as  those  who  will  receive  it  under  the  4th  Sec  of  the  act 
of  3d  March  1813 

The  third  section  provides  for  opening  the  office  as  well 
for  original  notice  as  for  the  introduction  of  evidence.  It 
would  seem  that  opportunities  for  entering  claims  had  been 
already  afforded  (See  Land  Laws  P.  306  Sec.  4.  — P.  312 
Sec  3  —  P.  317  Sec  5.  —  Sec  7  of  Act  of  13  June  1812) 
Yet  I  know  the  fact  to  be  that  there  are  yet  some  few  claims 
not  entered,  owing  in  some  cases  to  the  ignorance  of  the 
holders.  —  Neither  speaking,  writing  nor  understanding 
our  language,  they  have  not  known  the  forms  of  business  — 
and  not  unfrequently  have  been  ignorant  of  the  necessity 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec.,  1820.       301 

for  entry  created  by  our  Laws.  A  liberal  justice  to  an 
acquired  province  would,  I  think,  dictate  the  arrangements 
made  by  this  section  —  And  I  am  sure  expediency  would 
imperiously  demand  them  —  for  altho '  barred  by  the  Laws 
they  would  not  fail  at  some  future  period  to  load  your 
tables  with  Petitions  for  individual  relief  — 

Thus  much  ad  to  the  entry  of  notices  —  But  as  to  the 
introduction  of  testimony,  the  necessity  of  such  a  pro- 
vision is,  it  seems  to  me  enforced  by  every  consideration 
of  justice  and  of  right.  The  3d  Sec  of  the  act  of  13  June 
1812  extended  the  time  of  cultivating  the  donation  claims 
till  20  Augt.  1804  with  the  supposition,  no  doubt,  that 
whereever  the  fact  existed,  the  proofs  of  that  fact  was 
now  the  record.  In  some  few  cases  however,  it  is  other- 
wise —  for  in  recording  the  testimony  previously  to  that 
time,  nothing  of  a  more  recent  [date]  than  the  time  then 
limited,  was,  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  entered 
on  the  minutes.  If  it  sometimes  appear  on  the  record,  it 
was  at  the  earnest  instance  of  the  claimant  or  his  agent. 
The  first  Section  of  the  act  of  3d  March  1813  will  be  found 
not  to  permit  the  introduction  of  testimony  to  meet  the 
extension  provided  for  by  the  act  of  June  1812  And  I 
trust  it  is  sufficiently  obvious  that  claimants  in  that  situa- 
tion should  be  permitted  to  prove  themselves  entitled  to 
those  benefits  which  it  was  the  intention  of  that  act  to 
confer.  — 


TO  JOHN  A  SHAW,24  WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

o  Washington  City  April  9.  1816. 

I  have  heard  with  much  regret  that  in  the  late  consoli- 
dation of  the  army,  you  lost  that  station  which  in  the 

24  John  A.  Shaw  was  a  Pennsylvania!!.     He  entered  the  United  States 


302         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

opinion  of  your  friends  you  had  filled  with  so  much  pro- 
priety and  usefulness. 

In  the  reduction  of  great  establishments  the  occurrence 
of  hardships  of  this  kind  is  unavoidable.  —  Time  may  cor- 
rect the  caprices  of  fortune  —  Do  not  despair  —  Accident  — 
a  change  of  scene  —  some  new  modification,  will,  I  greatly 
hope,  from  time  to  time,  restore  to  the  service  of  their 
country  those  meritorious  men  who  contributed  so  largely 
to  the  successful  termination  of  the  late  war.  —  I  have  been 
solicited  by  persons  who  do  not  know  the  absolute  obscur- 
ity in  which  I  live,  to  assist  in  your  restoration.  I  have 
nothing  to  offer  you  but  my  good  wishes.  We  have  known 
each  other  for  years  in  the  western  country  —  and  the 
undeviating  rectitude  of  your  conduct,  as  far  as  I  was  ac- 
quainted with  it,  or  could  presume  to  judge  of  it,  was 
acknowledged  by  all  — 

It  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to  hear  of  your  future 
welfare. 


TO  THE  COMMISSIONEK  OF  THE  LAND  OFFICE, 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

[Washington],  Nov  10.  1816 

With  permission  I  will  recapitulate  the  contracts  with 
Partenay 

On  the  15th  Sept  1814  the  Agent  by  order  of  the  Presi- 
dent thro'  the  comr.  of  Land  Dept.  leased  to  Amable  Par- 
Army  as  an  ensign  in  the  1st  infantry  in  1809.  He  became  a  second 
lieutenant  in  1812  and  a  first  lieutenant  in  1814.  He  received  an  honor- 
able discharge  on  June  15,  1815,  but  was  reinstated  on  May  17,  1816, 
serving  henceforth  in  the  light  artillery. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dee.,  1820.       303 

tenay  the  following  Lead  Mines  in  the  county  of  Wash- 
ington 

Mine  A  Straddle  300  acres 

Mine  A  Burton  200  acres 

*Mine  A  Bourassar 800  acres*     18241 

Shous's  Mine  200  acres 

*Little  Diggings  200  acres       40910 

*Martins  Mines 200  acres     529592 

Sievers  Mines  800  acres 

588,743 

As  it  was  expected  that  he  would  not  gain  the  possession 
in  less  than  5  days  —  this  Contract  was  made  to  extend  to 
20  Sepr.  1815  —  On  the  30th  day  of  that  month  he  settled 
his  accts  with  the  Agents  for  all  the  mineral  reed  up  to 
that  day  —  to  wit  for  588,743  pounds  reed,  from  the  Mines 
marked  with  asterisks  which  at  $4  per  thousand  amounts 
to  —  $2354.  .97  cts.  —  The  Covenants  were  renewed  after 
this  payment,  for  the  then  follg  12  mos.  at  350  cts.  per 
thousand  previously  to  the  expiration  of  which  term  to  wit- 
on  the  24  Sepr.  1816  —  A  Partenay  settled  with  the  Agent 
for  463,477  pds.  of  Mineral  which  at  350  cts  amts  to  $1622  — 
Overpd.  3  Ds.  carrd  to  his  Cr.  The  Lease  has  been  again 
renewed  subject  to  pleasure  of  the  President  [subject  to]25 
the  same  rents  &  to  include  a  late  Discovery  called  Macons 
Diggings  —  In  this  last  contract  James  Scott26  is  a  joint 
contractor  with  Partenay  — 

From  this  recapitulation  it  appears,  (and  I  declare  upon 
honor  that  I  believe  the  statement  to  be  just  &  true)  that 
I  have  received  at  difft  times  from  Partenay  the  sum  of 

25  The  original  manuscript  is  here  illegible. 

26  James  Scott  was  living  at  Mine  a  Burton  in  1802. 


304        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

$3979.  .97  cts.  —  and  no  more  —  The  monies  may  not  have 
be  [en]  actually  paid  at  the  times  stated  —  Sometimes  on 
settlement.  I  have  been  satisfied  with  good  assurances  on 
an  early  future  day  — 

The  revenues  from  these  mines  are  indeed  inconsider- 
able. Sir,  it  is  not  my  fault  —  I  have  made  no  unworthy 
compromises  —  No  misapplications  of  the  public  money. 
When  the  Government  think  proper  to  take  possession  of 
what  is  rightfully  their  own,  the  Revenues  will  necessarily 
be  very  considerable.  —  At  present  your  Agent  is  de- 
famed—  And  your  tenant  but  the  treatment  which  he 
has  received  has  been  of  a  character  too  shameful  to  be 
here  repeated  —  it  was  communicated  at  the  time.  — - 

[Bates'  note  of  explanation].  This  statement  I  gave  in  to 
the  actg.  officers  of  the  Treasury  when  I  was  in  Washing- 
ton —  They  owed  me  money  on  a  general  settlement  —  for 
services  &  compensations  in  other  capacities  —  not  ex- 
pence  s  of  Agency.  — 


TO  JAMES  SCOTT  AND  AMABLE  PARTENAY 

St.  Louis  February  1st.  1817. — 
Gentlemen,  j 

There  is  one  article  of  your  covenants  with  which  you 
have  not  yet  complied  —  to  wit  the  rendering  of  quarterly 
Accounts  —  I  ask  that  this  may  be  attended  to  without 
delay  —  And  I  moreover  require  that  the  first  quarters 
payment  of  rents  be  also  made  —  In  Mr  Scott's  punctu- 
ality I  have  every  reliance  —  but  Mr  Partenay  ought  to 
have  recollected  that  he  yet  owes  an  Acct.  of  the  unfinished 
business  of  his  former  Lease,  as  well  as  a  few  hundred 
Dollars,  which  I  have  advanced  for  him  to  the  Govern- 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec,  1820.       305 

ment.  —  I  am  in  very  great  want  of  Money.  —  If  I  do  not 
hear  from  you  within  a  reasonable  time,  I  must  take  meas- 
ures to  avoid  those  censures  which  I  might  expect  to  receive 
from  those  by  whom  I  am  employed.  .  .  . 
[P.  S]  The  President  has  not  yet  explicitly  approved  — 
And  if  he  discovers  this  want  of  punctuality,  the  probability 
is  that  he  will  disapprove.  — 


PERMIT  TO  EXPLORE  MINERAL  LAND 

Office  of  the  Recorder  of  Land  Titles 

St.  Louis  April  29.  1817. 

Major  Langham,27  is  permitted  to  explore  and  ascertain 
the  extent  and  richness  of  a  supposed  Lead  Mine,  of  which 
he  is  alledged  to  have  been  the  first  discoverer,  if  (and  is 
believed)  situated  on  the  public  Lands  of  the  United 
States.  —  Sections  19.  20.  17.  18  —  or  parts  thereof  — 
Township  41  N.  of  Base  Line  —  Range  one  E  of  5.  P. 
Meridian  —  On  both  sides  of  Meramec.  For  some  time 
past  this  office,  tho '  its  powers  in  that  respect  have  not  been 
revoked,  has  made  no  Leases  of  Lead  Mines  —  If  this 
should  be  found  to  be  an  object  worth  attention,  I  will  en- 
deavour to  procure  for  Major  Langham  as  favorable  an 
arrangement  as  the  circumstances  of  the  case  may  war- 
rant. —  In  the  meantime  this  is  intended  to  secure  him 
from  intrusion  and  to  exempt  him  from  any  penalty  to 
which  he  might  be  liable  under  the  Laws  of  U.  S.  without 
Licence  from  the  President. 

Frederick  Bates 

27  Probably  Angus  Lewis  Langham,  who  was  one  of  the  promoters  of 
a  town  called  Osage  at  the  mouth  of  the  Petite  Osage.  It  proved  to  be 
an  ephemeral  enterprise. 


306         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

EDWARD  BATES  TO  FREDERICK  BATES 

McCreary's,  75  miles  from 
My  De.  Brother,  Kaskaskia,  Aug:18.  1818. 

We  left  Shawanee  Town  on  the  day  before  yesterday,28 
mother  and  sister  are  in  pretty  good  spirits  &  tolerable 
health  —  Notwithstanding  the  extreme  badness  of  the 
roads  —  which  I  believe  is  always  the  case  here  after  hard 
rains.  They  came  down  by  water  —  I  brought  the  horses 
across,  and  altho'  the  voyage  was  disagreeable  yet  upon 
the  whole  there  was  no  great  matter  to  complain  of  —  We 
had  no  accident  on  the  whole  trip  till  we  left  the  Ohio,  since 
when  we  have  broken  3  swingletrees  but  our  knives  soon 
got  a  substitute 

I  am  fearful  our  carriage  horses  will  fag  as  we  find  little 
or  nothing  to  feed  them  with  but  green  corn  stalks  &  all  — 
We  shall  come  on  slowly,  20  or  25  miles  a  day  &  shall  prob- 
ably keep  the  Kaska :  road  altho '  the  longest,  being  told  it 
is  better  for  carriage,  and  affords  better  accommodations. 
I  long  to  be  at  home  &  you  may  be  sure  I  shall  be  at  St 
Louis  as  soon  as  my  horses  will  bring  me.  From  Shawanee, 
I  have  taken  Ben,29  {yr.  Blacksmith)  as  our  driver  —  he 
is  not  experienced  but  is  very  careful  &  does  well  —  The 
boat  left  Shawanee  the  same  day  we  did  —  James  goes 
round  with  the  negroes  &  is  accompanied  by  a  Mr.  Brown 
who,  I  believe  will  be  much  assistance  to  him  —  I  write  this 

28  in  July,  1817  Edward  Bates  went  to  Virginia  to  dispose  of  the 
Belmont  estate.  He  remained  there  for  about  a  year.  In  July,  1818  he 
started  for  St.  Louis  with  his  mother  and  a  sister.  His  brother  James 
followed  with  the  slaves.  Edward  Bates  to  Frederick  Bates,  September 
1,  September  29,  and  October  13,  1817,  July  19  and  August  18,  1818,  Bates 
Papers. 

29  One  of  the  slaves. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec.,  1820.       307 

Just  to  let  you  know  when  to  look  for  us  —  as  to  our  affairs 
you  will  have  to  wait  till  we  meet.     .     .     . 

P.  S.  This  is  Wednesday  but  I  am  not  sure  whether  the 
18th  19th  or  20th  of  the  month  —     .     .     . 

Boucoup  Aug:  21st  ,18 — (Friday) — We  shall  probably 
be  at  St :  Louis  some  time  on  monday  next  —  High  waters 
have  retarded  us  a  little  —  The  flies  are  very  bad  but  our 
horses  stand  it  wonderfully  —  A  gentleman  going  directly 
to  St.  Louis  (who  will  out  travel  us)  has  been  good  enough 
to  promise  a  conveyance  for  this  — 


A  SALE   OF   SLAVES 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  I  Samuel  Sydnor 
of  the  county  of  St  Louis  in  the  territory  of  Missouri,  for 

and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  four  hundred 

dollars  to  him  in  hand  paid  by  Frederick  Bates  and  also  for 
and  in  consideration  of  the  friendship  which  has  subsisted 
your  earliest  infancy  between  Nancy  Bates  the  wife  of  said 
Frederick,  and  the  said  Samuel,  he  the  said  Samuel  B 
Sydnor  has  bargained,  sold  and  delivered  —  and  by  these 
presents  does  bargain,  sell  and  deliver  to  the  said  Fred- 
erick Bates  for  the  sole  use  and  benefit  of  the  said  Nancy 
his  wife  a  negro  Girl  named  Lucy  about  six  years  old,  to  be 
held  in  trust  for  the  said  Nancy  Bates  her  heirs,  or  the 
assigns  of  herself  and  husband  forever. 

And  the  said  Samuel  B.  Sydnor  does  covenant  with  the 
said  Frederick  Bates,  as  Trustee  as  aforesaid  that  the  title 
to  the  said  Lucy  is  unincumbered,  and  that  he  will  warrant 
and  defend  the  title  to  the  said  Slave  against  all  claims 
whatsoever.  —  Given  under  my  hand  in  the  county  of  St 
Louis  the  second  day  of  March,  1820. — 

Samuel  B  Sydnor  (Seal) 


308        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

JOSHUA  BARTON30  TO  BATES 
■pi    ^  «  St.  Louis  September  14th  1820. 

Since  I  saw  you  in  town  I  have  had  an  attack  of  the 
fever  and  ague,  of  which  however  I  have  recovered  —  that 
together  with  the  indisposition  of  my  brother  Isaac  has 
prevented  my  coming  out  to  see  you  as  I  proposed. 

As  the  meeting  of  the  Legislature  is  at  hand,  you  will 
excuse  me  for  again  introducing  the  subject  I  spoke  to  you 
on.  I  am  informed  by  McNair  &  others  from  the  upper 
country  that  it  is  the  wish  of  many  of  the  members  from 
that  quarter  you  should  run  for  the  Senate,  and  the  same 
wish  I  have  heard  frequently  expressed  by  very  respect- 
able gentlemen  of  this  place.  Col.  Cook  is  a  candidate  & 
wil  beat  Benton. 

As  to  yourself  I  do  believe  there  is  no  difficulty  if  you 
can  give  your  own  consent  to  be  run. 


A  SALE  OF  A  SLAVE 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  I  Samuel  B.  Sydnor 
for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  four  hundred  dollars 
to  me  in  hand  paid  by  Frederick  Bates,  have  bargained 
sold  and  delivered  and  by  these  presents  do  bargain  sell 
and  deliver  to  the  said  Frederick  Bates,  a  Negro  Woman 
Slave,  named  Sylvia,  in  full  and  absolute  property  of  said 
Bates  his  Heirs  and  assigns 

30  Joshua  Barton,  a  brother  of  Senator  David  Barton,  was  associated 
with  Edward  Bates  in  the  practice  of  law.  He  was  secretary  of  state  for 
Missouri  in  1821,  but  resigned  to  become  United  States  attorney  for  Mis- 
souri.   He  was  killed  in  a  duel  with  Rector  on  June  30,  1823. 


The  Bates  Papers,  July,  1813  —  Dec.,  1820.       309 

And  the  said  Samuel  B.  Sydnor  does  hereby  covenant 
with  the  said  Frederick  Bates,  that  the  title  to  the  said 
Slave  Sylvia  is  unencumbered,  and  that  the  said  Slave  is 
sound  in  her  health  and  bodily  constitution  —  all  which 
he  will  warrant  and  defend.  Given  under  my  hand  in  the 
county  of  St  Louis  in  the  State  of  Missouri,  this  Fifth  day 
of  December  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty 

Witness  Samuel  B  Sydnor 

John  Ward 


PART     VIII 
The  Later  Years 


THE  LATER  YEARS 


EDWARD  BATES  TO  FREDERICK  BATES 

Dr.  Brother,  St-  Louis  May  15«  1823- 

Mr  Leduc  being*  about  to  visit  you  in  a  few  days,  I  take 
the  occasion  to  write  you,  lest  circumstances  should  frus- 
trate my  intention  of  calling  upon  you  the  last  of  this  week 
or  first  of  next.  The  pressure  of  business  in  the  Supreme 
Court,  at  St  Charles  lately,  and  now  here,  and  my  daily 
hope  of  seeing  you  in  town,  have  prevented  me  from  making 
you  acquainted  with  a  matter  which  it  much  concerns  me 
you  should  know.  I  am  to  be  married1  on  the  last  thursday 
in  this  month  (a  fortnight  from  today),  and  hope  you  & 
my  good  sister  will  grace  the  occasion  with  your  presence. 
It  is  not  the  intention  to  make  any  disrjlay  on  the  occasion, 
but  as  the  family  connexion  is  pretty  large,  and  I  have 
invited  several  of  my  personal  friends,  of  course  there  will 
be  a  considerable  crowd.  You  will  not  only  gratify  me 
but  comply  with  the  wishes  of  the  family  by  attending. 
It  is  likely  you  will  see  me  before  you  receive  this,  yet  I 
have  thought  it  best  to  write  for  fear  of  accidents. 

I  have  also  desired  Mr  Leduc  to  hand  you  a  letter  en- 
closed to  me  by  Wm  Russell2  which  I  suppose  relates  to 
the  delivery  of  certain  patent  certificates  for  surveys  in 
Arkansas,  and  correction  of  the  list  of  confirmed  claims 
in  that  Country,  which  he  says  is  defective,  in  as  much  as 
he  alleges  that  some  10  or  15  confirmed  claims  in  which  he 

i  Edward  Bates  married  Miss  Julia  D.  Coalter. 

2  William    Russell    filed    three   hundred    and    nine   claims,    but    only 
twenty-three  of  these  were  confirmed. 

(313) 


314        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

is  interested  now  are  omitted  on  the  list.  He  has  written 
to  me  to  attend  to  this  business,  &  I  have  promised  to  apply 
to  you  for  that  purpose 

He  urges  me  to  apply  for  all  the  Arkansas  certs,  in  which 
he  was  agent  (with  a  few  exceptions).  But  it  was  impos- 
sible for  me  to  ascertain  his  agency  without  a  laborious 
search,  and  your  assistance,  which  I  could  not  ask  you  to 
give;  the  matter  is  at  present  deferred.     .     .     . 

You  can  cross  the  Missouri  at  Lewis'  ferry  —  the  worst 
of  the  road  is  on  this  side,  and  the  distance  not  more  than 
12  or  14  miles. 


A  SALE  OF  SLAVES 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  I  Benjamin  L.  Todd 
of  the  county  of  Pike  county  in  the  state  of  Missouri, 
for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  six  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  to  me  in  hand  paid  by  Frederick  Bates  of 
the  county  of  St  Louis  in  the  state  aforesaid,  hath  bar- 
gained sold  and  delivered  and  by  these  presents  do 
bargain  sell  and  deliver  to  said  Frederick  Bates  One 
negro  woman  slave  named  Winney  with  her  three  female 
children  Hannahrette,  Mary  and  Harriott  —  to  have  and 
to  hold  the  said  four  slaves  to  him  the  said  Frederick 
Bates  his  Heirs  and  Assigns  forever  —  And  I  the  said 
Benja  L.  Todd  do  covenant  with  said  Frederick  Bates 
that  I  have  had  until  this  transfer  a  full,  free  and  unen- 
cumbered property  in  said  Slaves  and  that  I  will  defend 
the  title  against  all  claims  or  pretensions  to  said 
Frederick  Bates  his  Heirs  Assigns.  Given  under  my  hand 
this  Second  day  of  March  AD  1824. 
Witness  Benjamin  L.  Todd  (SS) 

Chas[?]  Kinkead 


The  Later  Years.  315 

EDWARD  BATES  TO  FREDERICK  BATES 

My  Dr.  Brother,  St-  Louis  30  June  1824 

« 
As  Mr  Moore  is  just  taking  his  departure  for  yr.  house, 

I  take  the  opportunity  to  drop  you  a  line.  We  were 
much  surprised  to  learn  that  you  had  declined  taking  the 
tour  of  the  State,  which  it  was  thought  you  had  deter- 
mined upon.  The  policy  of  inactivity  I  think  is  very 
questionable ;  but  of  this,  doubtless  you  are  the  best  judge. 
We  have  been  expecting  you  in  town  daily  —  Some  seem 
anxious  to  see  you  on  political  grounds  merely  —  some 
on  business  in  relation  to  yr.  office,  and  I  for  various 
reasons. 

I  believe  it  is  since  you  were  last  in  town  that  I  have 
received  the  appointment  of  District  Attorney.  The 
ordinary  duties  of  that  Station  are  more  immediately 
within  my  line  than  yours,  but  the  recent  passage  of  the 
land  law  (allowing  claimants  to  commence  actions  in  the 
District  Court)  will  throw  upon  me  a  mass  of  business, 
the  correct  management  of  which  will  require  a  knowl- 
edge of  facts  and  principles  with  which  you  are  far  better 
acquainted,  than  any  other  man  in  the  State.  The  trans- 
action of  this  business  I  think,  will  be  worth  to  me  several 
thousand  dollars,  and  being  of  a  public  nature,  calculated 
to  attract  the  attention  of  the  public  &  the  Government, 
I  feel  particularly  anxious  to  be  enabled  to  do  the  business 
in  such  a  manner  as  may  be  creditable  both  to  myself  and 
those  whom  I  represent.  With  these  views,  I  beg  you  to 
direct  your  attention  somewhat  to  that  subject;  for,  in 
truth,  the  hope  of  acquitting  myself  handsomely  in  this 
thing,  is  bottomed  very  much  upon  the  expectation  of 
obtaining  information   and   instruction   from   you.     Per- 


316         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

haps,  after  you  have  seen  the  act,  I  may  go  so  far  as  to 
request  a  written  statement  of  yr.  views  on  the  subject 
with  a  reference  to  the  various  laws  and  regulations  with 
which  I  know  you  to  be  entirely  familiar.  I  have  had  a 
very  slight  view  of  the  act,  and  believe  that  it  does  not 
contain  any  enlargement  of  the  principles  on  which  con- 
firmations can  be  founded,  but  merely  provides  for  doing 
now  in  court,  what  might  have  been  formerly  done  before 
the  commisrs.  or  the  recorder. 

I  hope   to   see  you   soon   on  this  &   other   subjects,   in 
which  yr.  society  may  be  useful  as  well  as  pleasant  to  me. 

My  family  is  in  perfect  health  except  that  my  wife  is 
very  subject  to  severe  head  ache  which  she  has  at  this 
moment,  but  wch.  seldom  lasts  long.  I  am  too  busy  in 
court  affairs  to  indulge  at  present  in  any  political  specu- 
lations. Present  my  best  respects  to  Mrs.  B.  &  kiss  the 
light  infantry  for  me.  .  .  . 
[P.S.]   Thanks  for  the  catsup. 


GEORGE  GRAHAM  TO  BATES 

General  Land  Office 
giR  Washington,  D.  C,  Aug.  21,  1824 

I  have  the  pleasure  of  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your 
letter  of  the  24  Ulto.  with  a  list  of  the  claims  confirmed  by 
the  Board  of  Commissioners. 

I  would  call  your  attention  to  the  undermentioned  cases 
in  which  the  tracts  relinquished  to  the  U.  S.  under  the 
Act  of  17  Feby  1815  do  not  agree  with  the  confirmations, 
and  will  thank  you  to  give  such  explanations  as  the  several 
cases  may  require  —  Viz 


The  Later  Years. 


317 


Location 
Certif[icat]e 

No.  Ill  in  favor  of  Benjn  Fooy  under 

John  Hogan 

"     139  "      "       "  Isaac  Fooy 

"     140  "      "       "   Elizabeth  Jones 

"     237  "      "       "   Caty  Gallowhorn 

a     477  tt      a       a  Edwd  Proctor 

tt     5^4  a      tt       n  Augustine  Gonzales 

"     515  "      "       "  Jno  F.  Almendros 


275 
276 
306 
318 

341 
346 

353 
379 
458 
505 


Con  firmed 
as  being  in 
the  County 
of  A  r  k  a  n- 
sas 


Con  firmed 
as  being  in 
the    County 
of  Cape 
Girardeau 


164    "      "       "  John  Brooks 
224    "      "       "  Charles  Lucas 
232    "      il       "  Jas  Brady  under 

Williamson 

John  Tucker 

Stephen  Quimby 

William  Hacker 

Stepn  Byrd  under 
J.  Bowden 

Jacob  Millikin 

E  Hogan  under 
Millikin 

John  Wellborn 

Abm  Bird  Senr. 

Robt  Lane 

Charles  Hogan 

104  and  105  issued  to  John  B.  Chartier  on  his  hav- 
ing surrendered  two  lots  in  the  Village  of 
Little  Prairie  —  No  lots  in  that  Village  ap- 
pear to  have  been  Confirmed  to  him. 

113  in  favor  of  Conrad  Wheat  Junr  for  640  acres 
but  the  only  Confirmation  in  his  favor  is  for 
450  arpens. 


318         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

Location  Certife  No.  342  issued  in  the  name  of  Jacob 
Sevego  but  the  confirmation  is  to  Jacob 
Lerego 

No.  371  in  favor  of  James  Noiris  for 
300  arpens  —  the  only  tract  that  ap- 
pears to  have  been  Confirmed  to  him 
Contains  351  arpens  and  is  stated  to  be 
in  Cape  Girardeau  County 
No.  388  issued  in  favor  of  Louis  Baby 
for  250  arpens,  when  but  200  arpens 
appear  to  have  been  Confirmed  to  him. 


EDWARD  BATES  TO  FREDERICK  BATES 

My  Dr.  Brother,  St  Louis  Aug :  24.  1824. 

I  am  much  concerned  to  hear  of  the  sickness  of  yrself 
&  family,  particularly  at  a  time  when  we  were  in  daily 
expectation  of  seeing  you  in  our  City,  &  congratulating 
you  on  your  easy  &  honorable  election.  Many  of  the 
good  folks  desire  me  to  salute  you  Excellent.     .     .     . 

It  is  amusing  to  observe  what  strange  stories  can  be 
devised,  &  what  wonderful  contrivances  invented  by  the 
descending,  to  break  their  fall.  Genl:  A.  &  his  most 
ardent  supporters  will  have  it  that  you  have  not  been 
so  easily  elected  over  him,  by  the  spontaneous  wishes  of 
the  people,  nor  on  your  own  solid  popularity;  but  for 
sooth,  that  I,  even  I,  E.  B.  the  great!  did  wickedly  & 
maliciously  write  &  compose  divers  wise,  artful  &  cunning 
epistles  and  did  most  secretly  &  with  great  diligence  & 
labor  scatter  &  disperse  them  throughout  the  land, 
whereby  the  hearts  of  the  people  were  suddenly  turned 
&  corrupted  —  the  mighty  laid  low,  and  the  humble 
exalted,  yea  to  the  pinacle  of  power.    "Big  man  me!" 


The  Later  Years.  319 

If  my  letters  could  put  the  Gen:  down  (&  by  the  bye  I 
wrote  none)  he  must  be  weaker  than  any  of  us  supposed. 

What  I  wrote  you  the  other  day  about  Gamble,3  was 
far  from  being  dictated  by  any  wish  to  obtrude  upon  your 
rights  or  duties  —  I  merely  meant  to  say  that  I  think  him 
fit  for  the  office,  and  under  present  circumstances,  I  know 
the  office  to  be  particularly  well  fitted  for  him.  He  moved 
from  Franklin  here  in  hopes  of,  at  once  getting  a  good 
practice,  this  has  not  yet  been  realized,  and  being  con- 
scious of  superior  talents  to  several  who  stand,  as  yet, 
above  him  at  our  bar,  I  think  he  is  somewhat  depressed. 
He  was  &  deserved  to  be  at  the  head  of  the  bar  in  the 
upper  Country,  where  his  chief  acquaintance  is. 


DAVID  BARTON4  TO  BATES 
-pv  o  Washington  6th  February  1825 

I  have  received  yours  of  7  ult  concerning  Col.  Reeves, 
and  shall  be  happy  in  an  opportunity  of  aiding  him  in  the 
attainment  of  his  object,  should  an  occasion  occur.  With- 
out alluding  to  this  application  of  Reeves,  I  regret  to 
find  such  a  number  of  applications  for  office  from  Mis- 
souri. You  would  be  surprised  to  see  some  of  my  letters 
upon  that  subject  from  men  who  spell  and  write  as  badly 
as  the  Osage  Agent. 

s  Bates  appointed  Hamilton  Rowan  Gamble  secretary  of  state.  He 
had  a  long  and  honorable  legal  and  public  career.  In  1846  he  was  a 
member  of  the  legislature.  In  1851  he  was  elected  judge  of  the  supreme 
court  by  an  overwhelming  majority,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  ran  on  the 
whig  ticket  in  a  democratic  state.  In  1861  he  was  provisional  governor 
of  Missouri. 

4  United  States  senator  from  Missouri. 


320         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 

We  have  had  some  able  discussion  upon  the  bill  to 
suppress  piracy.  Mr  Tazewell5  has  done  due  honor  to 
Virginia  for  chasing  him  to  the  Senate.  After  striking 
out  such  parts  of  the  bill  as  proposed  clandestine  war 
upon  Spain,  the  bill  has  been  ordered  to  a  3d  reading. 
From  the  threat  of  the  silly  King  of  Spain,  to  revoke 
the  cession  of  Florida  if  we  do  not  retract  our  acknow- 
ledgement of  the  Mexican  and  South  American  Inde- 
pendence, and  from  the  collisions  likely  to  arise  with 
respect  to  the  host  of  pirates  who  have  sprung  out  of 
the  revolutions  of  those  countries,  a  war  with  Spain  seems 
probable  at  no  distant  day. 

Mr  Clay,  you  see,  has  determined  to  support  Mr  Adams 
for  the  Presidency. 

I  think  he  is  perfectly  right  in  so  doing  —  tho'  it  is 
rather  leaving  some  of  his  over  zealous  friends  in  Mis- 
souri, in  the  lurch;  but  that  is  probably  their  fault  and 
not  his.  If  Gen.  Jackson's  indiscreet  friends  here  are  to 
be  taken  as  specimens  of  his  Court  &  favorites,  during 
his  reign,  may  that  reign  never  commence. 

I  send  you  a  no.  of  Niles6  containing  much  matter, 
which  I  pray  you  to  take  as  part  and  parcel  of  this  letter. 


TO  SAMUEL  WOODSON  AND  CHAUNCEY  SMITH7 

Executive  Office  St.  Charles  Feb  8th.  1825 
Gentlemen, 

A  paper  was  reed,  at  this  office,  some  time  ago  (handed 
perhaps  by  Mr.  Smith)   recommending  Jabez  Warner  as 

s  Littleton    Waller    Tazewell,    United    States    senator    from    Virginia, 
1824-1833. 

e  Niles'  Register. 

"'  Members  of  the  general  assembly  from  Jefferson  County. 


The  Later  Years.  321 

Judge  of  Probate  for  the  county  of  Jefferson.  —  I  cannot 
consent  to  this  course.  —  If  the  General  Assembly  had 
thought  proper  to  have  made  that  Office  elective  by  the 
People,  they  had  full  power  and  would  certainly  have 
done  so.  —  But  then  they  would,  at  the  same  time  have 
prescribed  an  observance  of  all  the  usual  forms.  —  The 
People  would  have  had  due  notice  —  there  would  have 
been  managers,  to  see  among  other  things  that  no  unquali- 
fied persons  were  admitted  to  the  Polls,  —  and  Clerks  to 
take  down  the  names  of  the  voters  —  And  in  all  respects 
there  would  have  been  an  open  competition.  The  public 
sentiment  when  fully  and  fairly  expressed  will  always  be 
binding  on  me  on  subjects  of  expediency  —  but  a  hasty 
and  ex  parte  exhibition  of  names  will  not  always  influence 
my  public  conduct,  especially  in  cases  where  I  am  enjoined 
by  the  laws  to  exercise  my  own  best  judgments  and  dis- 
cretions. 

As  the  matter  now  stands  the  nomination  is  with  the 
Governor,  and  the  responsibility  is  his.  —  I  assume  that 
responsibility  —  The  People  of  Jefferson,  I  know  very 
well,  can  have  no  deliberate  wish  to  take  upon  themselves 
the  powers  confided  by  law  to  the  Executive  —  And  it  is 
to  be  supposed  if  they  made  such  an  attempt,  that  at  least, 
all  persons  not  qualified  to  vote  on  other  occasions  would 
be  excluded  from  a  participation  in  a  procedure  so  unpre- 
cedented. I  do  myself  believe  that  Mr.  Warner  is  very 
well  qualified  for  the  office  —  but  that  he  better  deserves 
it  than  any  other  Citizen  of  Jefferson  is  not  pretended  — 

I  wish  there  to  be  no  misunderstanding.  —  When  I  con- 
sulted you  it  was  for  information  —  and  with  a  wish  too, 
to  consult,  as  far  as  possible,  your  inclinations  —  After 
your  disagreement  in  opinion,  and  after  the  withdrawal  of 


322         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

the  names  which  you  had  respectively  offered  me  (Messrs. 
Lewis  &  Hammond)  I  think  it  right  to  follow  the  dictates 
of  own  understanding,  and  nominate  to  the  Senate  an 
individual  whom  neither  of  you  have  either  recommended 
or  supported,  —  and  one  too,  who  shall  not  seem  to  be 
imposed  upon  me  by  Petitions  very  hastily  gotten  up. 


MARIE  PHILIP  LEDUC  TO  BATES 
Deae  Si^  St  Louis  Febry.  14th,  1825 

I  now  receive  your  letter  of  the  9th  instant  on  the 
subject  of  the  Patent  Certificates;  Mr.  Hunt,  as  I  wrote 
to  you  will  wait  till  you  come  to  Town  to  have  an  under- 
standing with  you  about  them:  but  should  he  use  legal 
means  to  get  them,  how  can  it  be  resisted  —  he  neverthe- 
less would  have  to  enter  into  bond  with  sufficient  security 
for  the  redelivery  or  fees  dues  thereon.  —  but  this  cannot 
be  his  views,  for  he  said  that  he  is  of  opinion  that  those 
P.O.  ought  not  to  have  been  prepared,  that  is  I  believe 
null  and  void  —  I  will  not  in  the  mean  time  lose  sight  of 
our  interest. 

Please,  accept  my  most  sincere  thanks  for  the  trouble 
you  have  taken,  in  my  nomination  of  Judge  of  Probate 
I  heard  enough  here  of  the  intrigues  which  were  practised 
to  procure  it  to  another. 


PIERRE  CHOUTEAU  TO  BATES 
Dear  Sir  St  Louis  April  3d.  1825. 

Having  understood  that  Mr  Reeves  our  lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor   was    one    of    the    Commissioners    appointed    by 


The  Later  Years.  323 

Government  to  locate  a  road  from  this  State  to  new 
mexico  I  take  the  liberty  to  request  of  you  the  favor  of 
writing  to  him  in  behalf  of  my  nephew  Bene  Paul8  as  a 
proper  person  to  be  employed  by  the  Commissioners  as 
principal  surveyor  in  that  Expedition  you  being 
acquainted  with  him  &  his  talents  as  an  Engineer  being 
now  so  well  established  I  think  it  unnecessary  to  say 
any  more  to  you  on  the  subject  I  must  however  observe 
that  his  knowledge  of  the  Spanish  language  may  become 
very  useful  to  the  party  in  Getting  into  the  Spanish 
provinces. 

Please  to  accept  My  best  wishes  for  your  welfare. 


BATES'     EXPLANATION     OF     HIS     ATTITUDE 
TOWARD  LAFAYETTE'S  VISIT  TO  ST.  LOUIS9 

During  the  session  of  the  legislature  I  informed  the  two 
Houses  of  the  intention  of  General  Lafayette  to  visit 
this  state  in  the  month  of  April  or  May,  that  they  might 
if  they  thought  proper  cause  him  to  be  received  as  the 
Guest  of  the  nation.  —  They  made  no  order,  they  gave  to 
me  no  instructions.  —  My  judgment  entirely  coincides  with 
theirs  —  They  as  well  as  myself,  entertain  for  the  Genl. 
the  most  perfect  respect  —  but  surely  he  has  had  already 
sufficient  evidences  of  that  cordiality  &  good  will  which 
a  free  and  enlightened  People  are  always  disposed  to 
show  to  their  friends  —  and  of  that  homage  too,  which 
ought  to  be  rendered  to  the  illustrious  assertor  of  the 
equal  rights  of  Mankind.  —  His  devotions  at  the  holy 
sepulchre    of   Washington  —  his   visits   to    our   renowned 

s  A  St.  Louis  merchant. 

9  Lafayette  visited  St.  Louis  April  29,  1825. 


324         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 

fix  President  —  his  transits  thro'  our  Atlantic  cities  — 
his  laborious  attendance  in  the  halls  of  our  national  Legis- 
lature, with  sundry  et  ceteras  might  one  would  think  be 
sufficient  to  exhaust  the  patience  of  the  Genl.  —  Spare 
him  I  pray  you  —  the  subject  is  sufficiently  understood  & 
sufficiently  cited  —  There  is  no  personal  sacrifice  we  would 
not  make  on  this  occasion  —  but  enough  of  pageantry  — 
something  is  due  to  principle  —  and  I  am  afraid  that 
amidst  this  ostentation  and  waste,  the  wounds  of  our 
revolution,  etc.,  which  yet  survive,  many  of  them  in  pov- 
erty or  but  lately  relieved  might  cause  those  Veterans 
to  make  comparisons  very  little  to  the  credit  of  the  nation. 
As  an  individual  it  would  be  altogether  immaterial 
whether  I  kissed  the  hem  of  his  garment  or  not  —  As  the 
Governor  of  the  State  I  shall  not  wait  on  him  since  the 
Genl.  Assembly  has  not  thought  proper  to  give  the  first 
impulse.  It  has  however  been  suggested  that  he  may 
personally  take  it  into  his  head  to  search  me  up,  either 
at  St  Chs  or  on  the  hills  of  Bon  Homme.  He  would  find 
me  at  neither  place,  —  for  I  have  long  since  promised 
my  family  to  visit  some  friends  about  that  time. 


The  End. 


INDEX 


Abbott,  James,   I,   11,  173,  300;    II, 

160. 
Abbott,  Samuel,  II,  19,  160. 
Abernathy    (Abernathie),    John,    I, 

326;   II,  198. 
Able,  Ezekiel,  II,  270. 
Adams,  John  Quincy,  II,  320. 
Adjutant  General,  I,  115. 
Agriculture,  I,  112-113,  240-241;    II, 

47,  154-155. 
Aird,  James,  I,  176-177,  190,  203;  II, 

38,  201. 
Alary,  Baptiste,  II,  32. 
Alexander,  James,  II,  283,  287. 
Allen,  Benjamin,  I,  332;  II,  25,  196. 
Allen,  John  E.,  I,  323;   II,  177,  196, 

234,  284. 
Allen,  William  O.,  II,  114,  191. 
Almendros,  John  F.,  II,  317. 
American  Mines,  I,  117. 
Amoureux,   Joseph   N.,    I,    333;    II, 

26,  138,  139-140,  142,  150-151,  234, 

268,  285. 
Amoureux,  Michael,  I,  153-154,  321, 

326,  330;   II,  77,  161,  199,  200. 

Andreville,  Andre,   II,   26. 
Andrews,  John,  I,  149,  325,  328;  II, 

198. 
Andrews,  Joseph,  II,  238,  290. 
Andrews,  Robert,  II,  235. 
Anthony,  Christopher,  Jr.,  I,  129. 
Aricaras,  I,  168,  220,  237;  II,  282. 
Arkansas  Factory,  II,  35. 
Arkansas  Post,  II,  7. 
Arkansaw   District,   I,   151,   152-153, 

209;    II,  7-11,  12-13,  15-16,  24,  55- 

60,  115-116. 

Armistead,  George,  II,  8,  24,  30,  44- 

45,  46,  58. 
Armstrong,  Abraham,  I,  328. 


Armstrong,  Ebenezer,  I,  149,  321. 
Armstrong,  Robert,  II,   240. 
Arnold,  Benedict,  I,  5. 
Ashley,    William    Henry,    I,    37-38, 

141;    II,  238,  247,  252,  270,  289. 
Ashley's  Cave,  I,  141;   II,  91. 
Askins,  Mote,  II,  239,  240. 
Aubuchon,  Joseph,  II,  193,  284. 
Audrain,  James  H.,  II,  197. 
Audrain,  Peter,  I,   11. 
Austin,  H.,  II,  201. 
Austin,  James,  I,  187,  286,  288,  289, 

290,  291,  293,  320,  325;   II,  198. 
Austin,  Moses,  I,  20,  111,  112,  117, 

186-187,  194,  273,  281,  317-319;   II, 

39,  77-79,  175. 
Austin's  road,  I,  273,  281. 
Austin,  Stephen  Fuller,  II,  268,  280, 

289. 
Ayres,    Ebenezer,    I,    327;    II,    195, 

236,  286. 

Baby,  Louis,  II,  318. 
Backus,  Elijah,  I,  164-165,  176. 
Baggs,   James,   II,   98. 
Baird,  James,  I,  193;   II,  193. 
Baker,  Benjamin,  I,  331;   II,  197. 
Baker,  Elisha,  I,  149,  325;    II,  198. 
Baker,  John,   II,   198,  280  287,   289. 
Baker,  Joseph,   II,  27. 
Ballinger,  Frederick,  II,  199. 
Balls,  I,  242;   II,  109-110. 
Bank  of  Detroit,  I,  15-16. 
Barada,  Antonio,  I,  204. 
Barger,  Peter,  I,  203. 
Baribault,  Francois,  I,  204. 
Barnes,  Amos,  II,  283,  287. 
Barton,  David,  I,  36;    II,  308,  319- 
320. 


(325) 


326         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


Barton,  Joshua,  I,  36;   II,  308. 

Bates,  Anna   (Nancy),  I,  3. 

Bates,  Caroline  M.,  II,  218,  228-229; 
306. 

Bates,  Charles  Fleming,  I,  3. 

Bates,  Edward,  birth,  I,  3;  moves 
to  Missouri  Territory,  I,  34;  II, 
306-307;  appointed  district  attor- 
ney, II,  315;  associated  with 
Joshua  Barton,  I,  36;  concerning 
public  affairs  in  1815,  II,  295-296; 
marriage,  II,  313;  concerning  the 
election  of  Frederick  Bates,  II, 
318-319;  career,  I,  35. 

Bates,  Emily  Caroline,  I,  37. 

Bates,  Fleming,  I,  3,  54. 

Bates,  Frederick.  Early  Life:  an- 
cestry and  family,  I,  3-5;  birth,  I, 
3,  6;  education,  I,  6;  deputy-clerk 
of  Goochland  County  court,  I,  6; 
postmaster  at  Goochland  Court 
House,  I,  6;  in  quartermaster's 
department  of  the  Army  of  the 
Northwest,  I,  6-7.  Detroit  Period: 
I,  6-18,  41-81;  journey  to  Detroit, 
I,  6-7,  43-45;  merchant,  I,  7-8; 
political  views,  I,  8-9,  50,  52-53, 
62;  testimonials,  I,  53,  55;  dep- 
uty-postmaster at  Detroit,  I,  8; 
receiver  of  public  monies,  I,  9,  59- 
61,  62-63;  seeks  secretaryship  of 
Michigan  Territory,  I,  9,  57;  ap- 
pointed judge  of  Michigan  Terri- 
tory, I,  9,  63,  67;  land  commission- 
er of  Michigan  Territory,  I,  9-11; 
land  allotment  at  Detroit,  I,  16; 
life  at  Detroit,  I,  16-17,  46-48; 
charges  to  grand  juries,  I,  73-83; 
report  of  land  board,  I,  18.  First 
Acting-Governorship  of  Territory 
of  Louisiana:  I,  18,  26-30,  89- 
304;  appointed  secretary  of  Ter- 
ritory of  Louisiana,  I,  18;  ap- 
pointed recorder  of  land  titles,  I, 
18,  91;  arrival  in  St.  Louis,  I, 
26;  Indian  policy,  I,  27-28,  104- 
107,  166-170,  183-184,  228-230, 
249-250;  defense  policy,  I,  27,  183- 
184,  222-223;  revokes  commissions 
of  John  Smith  T,  I,  109-110; 
dealing  with  factions,  I,  27,  115- 
117;  revision  of  territorial  code, 
I,  28;  appointments,  I,  28;  policy 
as  land  commissioner,   I,  27,  29- 


30;  II,  20-22;  work  of  the  board, 
II,  42-44,  70-73;  journey  to  Ar- 
kansas, I,  29;  II,  7-11,  19-20; 
activities  as  recorder,  II,  22; 
views  on  Spanish  land  law,  II, 
47-54;  policy  regarding  lead  min- 
ing, I,  117-118;  view  of  the  terri- 
tory, I,  135-138;  difficulties  with 
Judge  Griffin,  I,  174-175;  salary, 
I,  218.  The  Lewis  Regime:  I, 
307-346;  II,  1-80;  disagreements 
with  Lewis,  I,  30-31;  II,  64,  68-69, 
99,  108-111;  enemies,  II,  78-79. 
Second  Acting-Governorship:  I, 
31;  II,  81-156;  Indian  policy,  I, 
31-32;  II,  85-87;  views  regarding 
mineral  land  leases,  II,  94-95; 
pardoning  of  soldiers,  II,  97-98; 
suggests  Coburn  for  the  governor- 
ship, II,  100-101;  suggested  for 
the  governorship,  II,  103;  refusal 
to  be  candidate,  II,  112;  contro- 
versy with  Penrose,  II,  111-112; 
removal  of  Connor,  II,  116-122; 
controversy  with  Hempstead,  II, 
123-127;  exercise  of  the  pardon- 
ing power,  II,  127;  Gallatin's 
opinion  of  Bates,  II,  129;  census 
of  1810,  I,  32;  II,  138,  139-151, 
153,  162-163,  167-169,  175-176.  The 
Howard  Regime:  II,  157-241; 
controversy  with  Coburn,  II,  163- 
164,  174-175;  request  for  reap- 
pointment, II,  164-165;  failure  to 
receive  commission,  II,  171,  175- 
176;  policy  as  secretary  without 
a  commission,  II,  176-177;  reap- 
pointment, II,  178;  third  acting- 
governorship,  II,  178-188;  fourth 
acting-governorship,  II,  203-217; 
difficulties  with  John  Smith  T, 
I,  31;  II,  210-214;  desire  of  office 
of  register,  II,  217-218;  views  on 
Indian  policy,  II,  229-230.  Fifth 
Acting-Governorship:  II,  242-255; 
provisioning  of  troops  in  War  of 
1812,  II,  245-248,  249-253.  The 
Clark  Regime:  II,  257-309;  con- 
troversy with  Hempstead,  II, 
260-266;  difficulties  of  an  admin- 
istrator, II,  270-273;  opposition 
to  reappointment,  II,  293;  notes 
on  land  bill  for  Louisiana  and 
Missouri  Territory,  II,  298-301; 
visit  to  Washington,  1815-1816,  I, 


Index, 


327 


33-34;  investigation  of  losses  by 
Indian  depredations  in  the  War 
of  1812,  I,  33-34;  report  on  claims, 
1816,  I,  34;  record  as  recorder  of 
land  titles,  I,  34;  joined  by  his 
mother,  Edward,  and  a  sister,  II, 
306-307.  The  Later  Years,  1820- 
1825:  II,  311-324;  urged  to  be- 
come candidate  for  the  United 
States  senatorship,  I,  36;  II,  308; 
purchase  of  slaves,  II,  307,  308- 
309,  314;  investments,  II,  36; 
marriage,  I,  36;  Thornhill,  I,  37; 
family,  I,  37;  campaign  for  the 
governorship  of  Missouri,  I,  37- 
38;  II,  315,  318;  governor,  I,  38- 
39;  II,  320-324;  on  appointments, 
II,  321;  veto  of  measure  to  pre- 
vent dueling,  I,  38;  attitude  con- 
cerning Lafayette's  visit  to  St. 
Louis,  I,  38-39;  II,  323-324;  death, 

I,  39;  Edward  Bates'  estimate  of 
him,  I,  39-40.  See  also.  Board  of 
land  commissioners,  and  John 
Smith  T. 

Bates,  Frederick,   Jr.,   I,   37. 
Bates,  James  Woodson,   I,  3. 
Bates,  John  I.,  I,  3. 
Bates,  Lucia  Lee,  I,  p.  VII,  pp.  36, 

37. 
Bates,  Lucius  Lee,  I,  37. 
Bates,  Margaret  Maria,   I,   3. 
Bates,  Nancy  Opie  Ball,  I,  36-37. 
Bates,  Richard,   I,   3,  315,  316,  317, 

341-343. 
Bates,  Sarah,  I,  3. 
Bates,  Susannah,  I,  3,  5,  83. 
Bates,  Tarleton,  I,  3,  5,  50,  51. 
Bates,  Thomas  Fleming,  I,  3-5. 
Bates,  William,  II,  205. 
Bates,  Woodville,  I,  37. 
Battu,  Henry,  II,  269,  280,  284. 
Baxter,  Green,  II,  284. 
Bayard,  James  Asheton,  II,  128. 
Beatty,  James,  II,  194,  236,  287. 
Beatty  (Beaty),  Joseph,  I,  331,  332; 

II,  25. 

Beauvais,  St.  Geminin  (St.  James), 

I,  145,  324;   II,  38. 
Beckett,  William  R.,  I,  289-290. 


Belford,   Francis,   II,   33. 

Bellefontaine,  I,  162-163,  169,  229, 
272. 

Bellefontaine  Factory,  I,  219-220, 
224-225,  337. 

Bellefontaine  races,  II,  14. 

Bellevue,  I,  111. 

Benoist,  Frangois  Marie,  I,  324. 

Bent,  Silas,  I,  321,  323;  II,  162,  190; 
193,  195,  196,  271. 

Benton,  Thomas  Hart,  II,  308. 

Berger,  Peter,  II,  33. 

Berney,  William,  II,  282,  290. 

Berry,  John,  II,  283,  287. 

Berthold,  Barthelemy,   II,  269,  291, 

Bibb,  Richard  G.,  I,  195,  329. 

Big  Soldier,  II,  166-167. 

Bijou,   Louis,   II,   282. 

Billingsley,  John,  II,  281. 

Bird,  Absalom,  II,  317. 

Bissell,  Daniel,  I,  164,  169,  196,  266 

Bissonett,   Charles,   II,   32. 

Bivarq,  Joseph,  II,  269. 

Black  Hawk  War,  I,  118. 

Blackwell,  Jesse,   II,   268,  280,   289 

Blair,  Robert,  I,  329. 

Bleakley,  John,  II,   105,  129. 

Blondeau,  Maurice,  II,  86. 

Board  of  land  commissioners,  Louis 
iana  Territory,  I,  29-30,  93-97,  99 
127,  134-135,  137,  158-161,  165 
166,  220-221,  252-253,  282-283,  298 
301;  II,  7-13,  19-22,  42-44,  47-54 
70-73,  77-79,  92-93,  129,  135-136 
138-139,  147,  152,  162,  165-166,  172 
173,  179,  184-185,  188-189,  214,  216 
217,  218-219,  221,  224,  316-318. 

Boatmen,  I,  241. 

Bocher,  David,   II,  27. 

Boilvin,  Nicholas,  I,  167-168,  169 
171-172,  179,  182,  199,  222,  226 
247,  334-335;  II,  40,  103-104,  106 
107. 

Bois,  Antoine  B.,  I,  334. 

Boisbriant,   Sieur  de,   I,  276. 

Bollinger,  Frederick,  I,  326. 

Bollinger,  George  F.,  II,  236,  287. 


328         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates, 


Bollinger,  Henry,  II,  236,  287. 
Bollinger,  John,  II,  236. 
Bon  Femme  salt  spring,  II,  276, 
Bon  Homme,  I,  112,  240;   II,  134. 
Boone,  Daniel,  I,  327;   II,  196. 
Boone,  Daniel  M.,  II,  235,  282,  286. 
Boonslick,  II,  297. 
Boring,  Joseph,  II,  198. 

Bossieur,  John  B.  Le  Brun,  I,  323; 

II,  234,  268,  285. 
Botts,  Benjamin,  I,  130. 
Boudoin,  Louis,   II,   201. 

Bougy,    Charles,    II,    27,    237,    281, 
289. 

Bougy   (Bogy),  Joseph,   I,  193. 

Bouis,  Frangois  V.,  II,  28,  80,  193. 

Bouis,  Pascal  Vincent,  II,  6,  80. 

Bouju,  Joseph,  II,  233. 

Boundary  dispute  with  Spain,  I,  92. 

Bouthillier,  Francois,  II,  17. 

Bouvet,  Jean  Baptiste,  II,  203. 

Bowden,  J.,  II,  317. 

Boyd,  Robert,  II,  237,  288. 

Bradley,  S.  R.,  II,  37. 

Brady,  James,  II,  192,  236,  287,  317. 

Brady,  Thomas,  II,  218. 

Brazeau,  Joseph,  II,  201,  281. 

Brent,  Robert,   II,   83. 

Brewer,   Joseph,    I,   292. 

Briant,  David,  II,  234. 

Bridger,  Anthony,  II,  239,  291. 

British  attitude  toward  the  United 
States,  I,  163,  201,  209,  255,  263; 
II,  220. 

British  emissaries  among  the  In- 
dians, I,  163. 

British  fur  traders,  see  Canadian 
fur  traders. 

British  subjects,  reports  on,  II,  232- 
233. 

Brock,  Joshua,  II,  281,  285. 

Brook,   David,  II,  284. 

Brooks,  Mark,  II,  235,  285,  317. 

Brown,  James,  II,  26. 

Brown,  Robert  F.,  II,  198,  280,  289. 


Browne,  Joseph,  I,  18,  25,  26,  27, 
98,  100,  102,  117-118,  127,  135, 
146,  270-272,  274,  285-286,  287-297, 
318-319;  II,  116,  279,  293. 

Browne,  Robert  S.,  I,  293. 

Brownson,  John,  II,  191,  197. 

Bryan,  James,  II,  205,  209. 

Buckhart,  Joshua  H.,  see  Burck- 
hardtt. 

Buissonet,  II,  201. 

Burckhardtt  (Buckhart,  Burck- 
hartt),  Joshua  H.,  II,  238,  267, 
268. 

Burnham,  John,  II,  285. 

Burning,  Henry,  II,  270. 

Burnsides,  James,   II,  98. 

Burr  Conspiracy,  I,  18,  25-26,  87, 
115-116,   122,   129-130,   318. 

Burton,  Francis,  I,  117. 

Byrd,  Abraham,  I,  207;  II,  287. 

Byrd,  Amos,  I,  145,  185,  207,  324. 

Byrd,  John,  I,  156,  325. 

Byrd,  Stephen,  I,  329;  II,  29,  198, 
236,  287,   317. 

Byrd's  settlement,  I,  185,  207,  326. 

Byrne,  Andrew,  II,  287. 

Cadron,  Etienne,  II,  32. 
Caillot,   Baptiste,   II,   27. 
Caldwell,  Kincaid  (Kinkead),  I,  324. 
Callaway,  James,  I,  331,  332;  II,  25, 

145,  238,  250. 
Callaway,  John  I,  325;  II,  196,  198, 

285. 
Callaway,  Stephen,  II,  191. 
Camp  Cuivre,  II,  251,  253. 
Campbell,    John,    I,    167,    270,    298; 

II,  17,  19,  37-38. 
Canadian   fur   traders,   I,   105,   122- 

123,    133-134,    172,    190,    219,    222, 

226,  231-232,  297-298,  299;    II,  16- 

19,  37-38,  105-106. 
Cannon  Mines,  II,  173. 
Cantley,  Samuel,  II,  234,  285. 
Cape  Girardeau,   I,   184. 
Cape  Girardeau  District,  I,  20. 
Capeheart,  John,  I,  252. 
Cardinal,  Jean  Marie,  II,  32. 


Index. 


329 


Carnehan,  John,  II,  281. 
Carries,  Joseph,  II,  240. 
Carr,  William   C,   I,   126,   128,   210, 

278,    280;     II,    110,    151-152,    227- 

228,  229-231,  283,  292-293. 
Carrico,  Vincent,  I,  323. 
Carter,  James,  I,  51. 
Casa  Calvo,  I,  120. 
Cassidy,  Henry,  II,  192,  200. 
Cassidy,  Patrick,  II,  200,  281. 
Cassio,  William,  II,  235,  286. 
Cates,  Isaac,   II,   281,   282,   290. 
Cates,  Samuel,   II,   281. 
Catholicism,   I,   244. 
Caulk,  Richard,  I,  324,  330;  II,  196, 

239,  267,  290. 
Caulk,    Thomas   Ward,    I,    333;    II, 

26,   239,   267,   290. 
Cavener,  George,  II,  254. 
Census  of  1810,  I,  32;    II,  138,  139- 

149,  150-151,  153,  162-163,  167-169; 

175-176,  183,  187,  201,  220-221. 
Ceran,  Antoine,  II,  201. 
Cessell,  F.  B.,  II,  285. 
Charbonneau,   Germain,  II,  202. 
Charless,  Joseph,  I,  309. 
Charpentier,  I,  322. 
Chartier,  John  B.,  II,  317. 
Chatelereau,  Louis,  II,  32. 
Cheetham    (Cheatham),  Edward,  I, 
•  270,  271,  285-286,  287-288,  288-297. 
Cherokees,  II,   57,   58,   115,  239-241. 
Chesapeake-Leopard    affair,    I,    170- 

171. 
Chippewas,  I,  72-73,  163. 
Chisholm,  Denis,  II,  240. 
Chisholm,  Ignatius,  II,  240. 
Chisholm,  John  D.,  II,  240. 
Chitwood  (Chittwood),  Richard,  II, 

196,  233,  284. 

Chouteau,  Auguste,  I,  102,  174,  193, 
200,  323;  II,  31,  160,  193,  196,  201, 
202,  234,  254,  285,  296. 

Chouteau,  Auguste,  Jr.,  I,  157-158, 
161. 

Chouteau,  Paul  L.,  II,  233,  268,  269, 
284. 


Chouteau,  Pierre,  I,  105,  114-]  15, 
122,  169,  179,  188,  199,  247,  324; 
II,  45,  59,  89-90,  120-123,  150,  153, 
159,  180,  197,  201,  233,  284,  322- 
323. 

Chouteau,  Pierre,  Jr.,  I,  203;  II,  27, 
90. 

Christ,  Abraham,  II,  192. 

Christy,  William,  I,  100,  252,  335; 
II,  14,  159,  190,  195,  197,  201,  252, 
267. 

Cissell,  Francis  R.,  II,  235. 
Clamorgan,  Jacques,  I,  202;   II,  292- 
293. 

Clark,  Christopher,  I,  327;    II,  196. 
Clark,  Frances,  I,  237. 
Clark,    John   G.,    II,    13. 
Clark  (Clarke),  Thomas,  I,  332;  II, 
29,  199. 

Clark,  William,  I,  27,  33,  109,  114- 
115,  118,  122,  199,  201,  207,  222, 
235,  251,  337;  II,  6,  24,  36,  84,  87, 
107,   110,   129,   190,   259,   283,   297. 

Clay,  Henry,  II,  320. 

Clemens,   Christian,   I,   17. 

Clemson,  Eli  B.,  I,  309,  330;  II,  14, 
36. 

Clermont  (Clermore,  Claremont), 
II,  45-46. 

Climate,   I,   245. 

Clopton,  John,  I,  48-49,  50. 

Club,  Anthony,  II,  192. 

Coal  mines,  II,  92. 

Coburn,  John,  I,  25,  31,  147-148,  220- 
221;  II,  65-66,  101,  104-105,  111, 
113,  128,  163-164,  207-208,  214-216. 

Coignard,  Louis,  I,  334;   II,  31,  95- 

96. 
Colgan,   Daniel,   II,   193,   195. 
Collard,  Elijah,  II,   190,   236. 
Collard,  Elisha,  II,  286. 
Collins,  Jacob,  II,  234,  284. 
Collins,  John,  I,  268. 
Comanches,   I,   120,   125. 
Comegys,    J.    G.,    I,    206,    316.      See 

also  Falconer  and  Comegys. 

Commissioners  of  rates  and  levies, 
I,  156. 


330         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


Common  fields,  I,  243. 

Comstock,  Thomas,  I,  329,  331. 

Connatoo,  II,  56. 

Connor,  Jeremiah,  II,  116-122. 

Connoway,  Will,  II,  199. 

Conway,   Joseph,    II,    239,   245,   247, 

267,  290. 
Cook,   Nathaniel,    I.   187,    219,    325; 

II,  132,  197,  234,  285,  308. 

Coons,  John,  I,  331. 
Cooper,  Benjamin,  II,  196,  283,  286. 
Cooper,  Benjamin,  Jr.,  II,  283,  287. 
Cooper,  Samuel,  II,  237,  288. 
Cooper,  Sarshell   (Sarchel),  II,  283, 

287. 
Cordell,  Hiram,  II,  238,  267,  268. 
Cottle,  J.,  II,  26. 
Cottle,  Warren,  I,  327. 
Couch,  Daniel,  I,  129. 

Coursault      (Coursolle),      Francois 

(Francis),  II,  192,  195,  269,  287. 
Courtois,  J.  M.,  II,  193,  233,  284. 
Courtoix,  Louis,  II,  233,  284. 
Courtoix,  Louis,  Jr.,  II,  284. 
Cousin,  Bartholomew,  II,  281. 
Covington,  Strother,  II,  238. 
Cragg,  William,   II,  191. 
Craig,  Peter,  II,  238. 
Craighead,  Alexander,   II,   222,  224, 

226,  266,  275,  286. 
Crawford,  R.,  II,  19. 
Crime,  II,  24. 
Crittenden,  J.  J.,  I,  271. 
Crittenden,  Thomas   T.,   I,   271;    II, 

170,  190. 
Crooks,   Ramsay,   I,   202;    II,   16-17, 

31,  33. 
Currin,  James,  II,  28. 
Currin,  Lemuel,  II,  281,  282,  289. 
Curtis,  David,  II,  194,  199. 

Dancing,   I,  242;    II,  109-110. 
Daniel,   Wright,  II,   280. 
David,  John,  II,  199. 
Davis,  John,  I,  326. 
Dayon,  Joseph,  II,  32. 


De  Blois    (Doublewye),  Joseph,  II, 

270. 
Decelle,   Peter,   II,   32. 

Dehetre,  Hyacinthe  (Hiacinthe),  II, 
193,  233,  284. 

Dehetre,  Louis,  II,  269. 
Dejardin,  Polite,  II,  202. 
Delassus,    Charles    Dehault,    I,    19; 
II,  51. 

Delaunay  (De  Launay),  David,  I, 
115,  156,  167,  188,  189,  233,  266, 
330;   II,  194. 

Delaurier,   Henry,   II,   201. 
Delaware  Indians,  I,  105;   II,  91. 
Dennis,  Charles,  II,  286. 
Dentry,  Roswell,  II,  191. 
Derchette,  I,  204. 

Deroin  (Derouin),  Francis,  I,  202; 
II,  201. 

Deroulier,  Henry,  II,  31. 
Derwate,  Baptiste,  II,  32. 
Deselle,  Joseph,  I,  117. 
Des    Moines    River    settlements,    I, 
172,  222. 

Des   Moines    River   trading   house, 

I,  226. 
Detroit,   conflagration   of   June   11, 

1805;   I,  8,  12-13;   plan  of,  I,  13; 

fortifications,  I,  15,  87-88,  173-174; 

land  allotment,  I,  16;  customs  of 

French  inhabitants,  I,  47-48. 

Devillemont,  E.  D.,  II,  268. 
Dickson,  Robert,  I,  28,  231-233,  307- 

308,  334;   II,  18-19. 
Didier,  Peter,  II,  195. 
Dillon,  William,   II,  198,   285. 
Dion,  Joseph,  I,  204. 
Dodemead,  John,  I,  65. 
Dodge,   Henry,   I,   26,  322;    II,  141, 

144-145,    150,    188,    197,    203,    222, 

224-225,    226,    238,    246,    252,    275, 

283. 
Dodson,  Joshua,  II,  238,  290. 
Doggett,  Jacob,  I,  252. 
Doggett's  Mine,  I,  252;   II,  276. 
Donaldson,  James  Lowry,  I,  29,  99- 

100,  127,  159;   II,  10. 


Index. 


331 


Donnohue  (Donohue),  John,  II,  331, 

234,    285. 
Donnohue,  Joseph,  II,  198. 
Dorion    (Dorrion),   Charles,   I,   250, 

334;   II,  31. 
Dorion,  Pierre,  I,  248. 
Dorsey    (Dorsay),    Samuel,    I,    177, 

326. 
Doublewye,  Joseph,  see  De  Blois. 
Dougherty,  Abraham,   II,   287. 
Dougherty,  Elijah,  II,  237,  287. 
Dougherty,  James,  II,  198. 
Dougherty,  John,  II,  27. 
Doyle,  William,  II,  237. 
Drouillard,  George,  I,  268. 
Drucis,  Francois,  I,  202. 

Dubuque,  Julien,  I,  203;  II,  85,  181- 

182. 

Dubuque  mines,  I,  117. 
Duchassin,  Joseph,  II,  282,  290. 
Duchemin,  Frangois,  I,  193. 
Dueling,   I,   5,   38,   139;    II,  210-214. 
Dunham,  Josiah,  I,  176,  247. 
Dunn,  Samuel,   II,   288. 
Dunn,  William,    II,    281,    289. 

Duque,  Pierre,  Sieur  de  Boisbriant, 
I,   276. 

Duquette,  Francois,  I,  327. 
Duskin,  Daniel,  II,  192. 
Duskins,  William,  II,  192. 
Dusky,  Roswell,  II,  236,  286. 

Early,  Peter,  I,  137. 

Easton,    Rufus,    I,   25,    26;    II,    201, 

231,  291-293. 
Edwards,  Ninian,  II,  74. 
Election  of  1808,  I,  342. 
Elliott,  Aaron,  I,  128. 
Elliott,  Charles,  I,  323. 
Elliott,  Elias   Austin,    II,    193,    238, 

290. 
Elliott,   Henry,    I,    213-215. 
Ellis,  Erasmus,  II,  288. 
Embargo  Act,  II,  37,  41,  42. 
Embroise,   Francis,   II,   32. 
Emigration,  I,  238. 


Emmons,    Benjamin,    II,    191,    196, 
254. 

Emmons,  Seth,  II,  292. 

Ernest,  Matthew,  I,  7-8. 

Erskine,  David  Montague,  I,  105. 

Esperanza,  I,  160. 

Evans,  Enoch,  I,  321,  326;    II,  198. 

Evans,  James,  II,  192. 

Evans,  Thomas,  I,  332;    II,  199. 

Ewing,    William,    I,    103,    104,    236, 

237,  248;    II,  194,  236,  286. 
Extradition,  II,  74,  76. 

Fagot,    Andrew,    II,    8,    13,    28,    30, 
200,  281. 

Falconer  and  Comegys,  I,  206,  218, 
236,   251,   317. 

Falconer,  F.,  I,  206. 

Fallis,  George,  I,  118,  323;   II,  196. 

Faris    (Farris),   James,   I,   333;    II, 
26. 

Farrar,  Bernard  G.,  I,  322;    II,  65, 

193,  210-214,  292. 
Farrar,  John  S.,  II,  234. 
Farrensworth,  Abiel,  II,  191,  195. 
Fenwick,  Walter,  I,  270-271,  303. 
Ferries,  I,  273. 
Fetteau,  John,  II,  236. 
Fietto,   Jacques,   II,   27. 
Fire  Prairie,  II,  36. 
Fisher,  Joshua,  II,  191,  236. 
Fitzhugh,  Dennis,  I,  237. 
Flaugherty,  James,  I,  323;    II,  254. 
Flaugherty,  Ralph,  II,  286. 
Fletcher,  Richard,  II,  136. 
Florida  cession,   II,  320. 
Fooy,  Benjamin,  II,  30,  59,  142-143, 

148-149,  200,  317. 
Fooy,  Isaac,  II,  317. 
Forsyth,  Robert,  II,  5. 
Forsyth,  Thomas,  I,  144,  147;    [I,  5. 
Fort  Cap  au  Gris,  II,  245. 
Fort  Carondelet,   I,   106. 
Fort  Clark,  see  Fort  Osage. 
Fort  Madison   (Arkansas),  II,  7,  8, 

12. 


332        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


Fort  Madison  (Iowa),  I,  229;  II, 
75,   83,   91,   106. 

Fort  Mason,    II,    230,    245. 

Fort  Massac,  I,  266. 

Fort  Osage,  II,  35-36. 

Fort  Pickering,   II,   13. 

Fox  Indians,  I,  118,  163,  191,  203, 
228-229,  247,  249,  283-284,  308;  II, 
105,  107,  203.     See  also  Sacs. 

Frazier,  Robert,  I,  114,  116,  309- 
310. 

Free  negroes,  II,  266. 

French  inhabitants,  I,  133,  200,  239, 
241-243. 

Friend  (Fryend),  Jacob,  II,  237, 
288. 

Friend  (Fryend),  John,  II,  237, 
288. 

Frontier  defense,  I,  183,  191,  255- 
257,  264,  266,  300;  II,  65-66,  75, 
230,  245-253. 

Fugitives  from  justice,  II,  74,  177- 
178. 

Fur  trade,  I,  32,  104-105,  106,  122- 
123,  133-134,  140-141,  172,  202- 
206,  219-220,  221-223,  226.  229- 
230,  231-232,  234,  241,  247,  248,  257, 
267,  297-298,  299,  304,  307,  315, 
320,  333-334,  344;  II,  8,  16-19,  31- 
33,  35-36,  37-38,  47,  51-58,  79,  86- 
89,  95-96,  103-104,  105-108,  115,  159, 
177,  201-203,  222,  270,  281,  282, 
283. 

Gaines,  William,  I,  324. 
Gallatin,  Albert,  II,  172-173,  224. 
Gallowhorn,  Caty,  II,  317. 
Gamble,  Hamilton  Howard,  II,  319. 
Gansevoort,  John,  I,  65. 
Garner,  William,  II,   146,  150,   153, 

167,   169. 
Gamier,  Joseph  V.,  II,  195,  197. 
Garrett,  Joseph,  II,  235. 
Gass,  Patrick,  I,  310. 
Gates,  Samuel,  II,  282,  290. 
Geiger,  John,  II,  238,  290. 
Geizer,   Frederick,   II,   268,   284. 
Gentle,  John,  I,  173. 
Gerlerno,   II,   32. 


German  settlers,   I,   326. 

German-Swiss  settlers,  I,  326. 

Geronard,  Madame,  I,  234. 

Gibson,  Jacob,  II,  288. 

Gibson,  Samuel,  II,  236,  286. 

Gibson,  William,  I,  331. 

Glass,   William,   II,   281. 

Glassen,  William,  II,  289. 

Gobey,  Joseph,  II,  33. 

Godin,  Peter,   II,   202. 

Goforth,    Zachary    (Zachariah),    II, 

268,  280,  289. 
Gonzales,  Augustine,  II,  317. 
Gooche,  Drury,  II,  280,  289. 
Goodrich,  Elijah,  I,  331. 
Goodrich,  Elisha,  II,  28,  195. 
Gouniville    (Goniville,    Gouveville), 

Baptiste,  I,  204;    II,  33. 
Graham,  John,  II,  214. 
Grand    juries,    Michigan   Territory, 

I,  73-83. 

Grand  Lead  Mines,  II,  277. 

Grand  Monitur  salt  spring,  II,  276. 

Grapes,  I,  245. 

Gratiot,   Charles,   I,   100,   159,   323; 

II,  231,  282. 
Gravelines,  Joseph,  I,  168. 
Gravier,  Joseph,  I,  333. 

Gray,  James,  II,  280,  289,  294-295. 

Gray,  Robert,  II,  268,  286. 

Green,   James,   I,    321;    II,   141-142, 

195. 
Green,  Robert,  I,  156,  185,  325. 
Grenier,  Louis,  II,  38. 
Greza,   Baptiste,  II,   33. 
Greza,  Joseph,   II,  33. 
Griffin,  Cyrus,  II,  128. 
Griffin,   John,   I,   88,   142,   172,   174- 

175,  192-193,  221;   II,  37,  113. 
Griffith,  Samuel,  II,  236,  286. 
Grignon,  Pierre,  II,  105. 
Griswold,    Stanley,    I,    11,    173;    II, 

136. 
Groshong,  Jacob,  II,  236,  286. 
Ground,  Adam,  II,  287. 
Ground,  John,  II,  287. 
Guyol,  Francis,  II,  269,  291. 


Index. 


333 


Guyon    (Guion),    Hubert,    II,    191, 
233. 

Hacker,  William,  II,  317. 
Hall,  Lewis,  II,  234,  285. 
Hamilton,  George  A.,  I,  325. 
Hammond,    Samuel,    I,    22,    26;    II, 

191,   196,   197,  254. 
Hammond,  Samuel,  Jr.,  I,  183,  194, 

231,   313,   331. 
Hanks,  Joseph,  1,  290;   II,  238,  290. 
Hanks,  Porter,  I,  65. 
Harbison,  George  C,  I,  140. 
Hard  Heart,  I,  84. 
Harrison,  William,  II,  238,  268. 
Harrison,  William  Henry,  I,  21,  22, 

162,   199. 
Harry,  Jacob,  I,  265. 
Hart   (Hartt),  John  E.,  I,  258,  263, 

331,  332,  333;   II,  25,  28,  237,  288. 
Hart,  Michael,  I,  261,  274,  2S4-286, 

287-297,   317,   318,   325;    II,   198. 
Hart  (Hartt),  William,  II,  236,  286. 
Harvey,  John,  I,  270,  281,  320. 
Hatherley,  Benjamin,  II,  234,  285. 
Hawkins,  John,  I,  190,  253-255,  329; 

II,  283. 
Hawley,  Ebenezer  R.,   II,  194,   196. 
Hay,  George,  I,  130. 
Hay  den   (Haden),  Anthony,  I,  184, 

208,  328;  II,  289. 
Hays,  Christopher,  I,  156,  18b,  325. 
Hays,  John,  I,  207;  II,  146-147,  198. 
Head,  Anthony,    II,    235,    286. 
Head,  William,   II,   283,   287. 
Heath  (Heth),  John  G.,  II,  29,  159, 

197,  297. 
Hemp,  II,  152-153,  154. 
Hempstead,  Edward,  I,  26,  163-164, 

235,  322;  II,  26,  123-127,  202,  231, 

260-266,  271-272,  283. 
Hempstead,  Stephen,  II,  236,  287. 
Henderson,  George,  I,  185,  323;   II, 

161,  199,  239,  269,  291. 
Henry,  Andrew,  I,  141,  270,  284,  303, 

323;    II,   279,   289. 
Herculaneum,  I,  281-282;   II,  53. 


Hertick,    Joseph,    II,   234,   235,    268, 

285,  286. 
Hight,   Henry,  I,  323,  328;    II,  196, 

236,   286,   287. 

Hines,   John,  II,  288. 
Hinkston,  William,  I,  293. 
Hoffman,  George,  I,  9,  10-11,  68,  176, 

297-298;   II,  16-19,  23,  36-38,  39-42, 

67,  130. 
Hogan,  Charles,  II,  317. 
Hogan,  Edward   (Edmund),  I,  325; 

II,  282,  290,  317. 

Hogan,   John,   II,   317. 
Holmes,  William,  II,  235. 

Honey,   John  W.,   II,   30,   44,   54-60, 

92,   135,   191,   196. 
Honory,   Bart.,   II,   98. 
Hopefield,  Arkansas,  I,  160;  II,  7,  9. 
Horine,  Benjamin,  II,  280. 
Horine    (Horigne),    John,    II,    234, 

284. 

Horn,  Edward,  I,  285. 
Horn,  Richard,    I,    285-286,    289-290. 
Home,  Benjamin,  II,  289. 
Hostetter,   Isaac,  II,  236,  286. 
House,  James,  I,  224;  II,  63-64. 

Howard,  Benjamin,  appointed  gov- 
ernor of  Territory  of  Louisiana, 
I,  31;  II,  135;  sketch,  II,  135; 
non-arrival  of,  II,  136,  151,  171, 
176;  marriage,  II,  176;  leaves 
Territory  of  Louisiana  Novem- 
ber 16,  1810,  II,  190;  return,  II, 
191;  leaves  the  Territory  Sep- 
tember 19,  1811,  II,  194;  resump- 
tion of  duties,  II,  217;  Cherokee 
address  to,  II,  239-241. 

Huddleston,  Archibald,  II,  281,  286. 

Hughes,  John,  II,  238,  290. 

Hull,  Abraham  Fuller,  I,  142. 

Hull,  Ann   Binney,   I,   17. 

Hull,  James  F.,  II,  225. 

Hull,  William,    I,    11,    15,    142,    144, 

173,  299,  301-302;    II,  113. 
Humphreys,  Joshua,  I,  234,  258,  262, 

264,    312,   322,   326,    328,    330;    II, 

161,   199,   200. 
Hunt,  George,  II,  202. 


334        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


Hunt,  Seth,    I,    22,    171,    271,    275, 

276-278,  280-281,  284,  292,  293-297, 

309. 
Hunt,  Silas,  II,  197. 
Hunt,  Thomas,  I,  162,  178,  223-224, 

226;    II,    14-15. 
Hunt,  Wilson  P.,  I,  178;  II,  128-130. 
Hunter,  Joseph,  I,  257-258,  263,  330; 

II,  237,  254,  288. 
Huntington,  Samuel,  I,  11. 

Indiana  Territory,  II,  53. 

Indian  conferences,  I,  249. 

Indian  Department,  I,  114-115,  235- 
236,  251.    See  also  William  Clark. 

Indian  depredations,  I,  166-168,  169, 
171-172,  178-179,  188,  190-191,  199- 
200,  209-210,  223-224,  255-256,  283- 
284,  300,  308,  316-317,  320,  344;  II, 
65,  75,  102,  105-106,  115,  149,  150, 
180,  229. 

Indian  land  titles,  I,  150-151. 

Indian  speech,   II,   166-167. 

Indians,  I,  15,  72-73,  103-107,  118, 
119,  120,  121-122,  123-124,  125,  126, 
134,  140-141,  162-164,  168-169,  179, 
190-191,  198-199,  202-204,  205-206, 
207,  221-223,  226,  228-230,  232,  234, 
247,  249,  283-284,  307,  316-317,  333- 
335,  338;  II,  16,  31-33,  44-47,  55- 
60,  84-86,  89-90,  91.  115,  116-119, 
120-122,  166-167,  180,  201-203,  239- 
241,    281,    282. 

Ingram,  William,  II,  269,  288. 

Ink,  William,  II,  234,  285. 

Insolvent  debtors,  I,  227,  269. 

Iowas,  I,  84-85,  118,  163,  203,  207, 
232,  334;    II,  31,  102,  201. 

Irish,  Nathaniel,  II,  202. 

Isaacs,  Jesse,  II,  240. 

Izner,  Thomas,  II,  287. 

Jackson,  Andrew,  II,  320. 

Jacobs,  Jacob,  II,  26. 

Jacobs,  Joseph,  I,  333. 

James,  Thomas,  II,  240. 

James,  William,  I,  145,  321;  II,  238, 

289. 
Jameson,  George,  II,  269,  288. 


Janis,  Antoine,  I,  327. 
Jarrot,  Nicholas,  II,  105. 
Jay's  Treaty,  II,  38. 
Jeamdt,  Baptiste,  II,  32. 
Jeffrey,  Jesse,  II,  237,  288. 
Johnson,  Benjamin,  I,  324. 
Johnson,  Peyton,   II,   206. 
Johnson,  William,   II,  287. 
Johnston,    Benjamin,    II,    197,    234, 

284. 
Jones,  Elizabeth,  II,  317. 
Jones,  John  Rice,  II,  131. 
Jones,  Michael,  I,  164-165,  276. 
Jones,  Thomas,   II,   107,   108. 
Jouett,  Charles,  I,  65-67. 
Journey,  Peter,  II,  235,  286. 
Julien,  Denis,  I,  203;   II,  201. 

Kansas  tribe,  I,  121,  202,  203. 

Kaskaskia,  II,  68. 

Kaskaskia    land   office,    I,    164-165; 

II,    53. 
Kaskaskias,  I,   163. 
Keller,  John,  II,  98. 
Kelly,  Jacob,  I,  199,  326. 
Kelso,  William,  II,  198. 
Kendall    (Kendal),    Jeduthun    (Je- 

duthan),  I,  324,  329;   II,  197,  233, 

284. 
Kendrick,  Alexander,  II,  281,  2S9. 
Kennedy,  Samuel  S.,  II,  196. 
Kibby,  Timothy,  I,  200,  314,  323;  II, 

194,   195,   196. 
Kickapoos,  I,  118,  163;  II,  149-150. 
Kincaid  (Kincade),  Andrew,  II,  29, 

197. 
King,  Henry,  II,  100. 
Kinkead,  John,  II,  234,  284. 
Kinney,  Moses,  II,  177. 
Kiowas,  I,  120. 
Knott,  Osborn,  II,  236,  286. 
Krytz,  Abraham,  II,  236,  237. 
Krytz,  Daniel,  II,  236,  287. 

Labadie    (Labbadie),   Sylvestre,   II, 

27,  190. 
Labadie,   Sylvestre,   Jr.,   II,  27. 


Index. 


335 


Labeaume  (La  Beaume,  Lebeaume), 
Louis,  I,  323;   II,  193,  196,  279. 

La  Chance,  Benjamin,  II,  235,  285. 

Lacroix,  Baptiste,  II,  202. 

Lacroix,  Joseph,  II,  202. 

Lafayette,  Marquis  de,  I,  38-39;  II, 
323-324. 

Lafernait  (Laferney),  Joseph,  I, 
332;  II,  29,  199. 

Lafferty,  John,  II,  240. 

Lafond,  Joseph,  I,  203. 

La  Forge,  Alexander,  II,  237,  288. 

La  Forge,  Pierre  Antoine,  I,  22; 
II,   33-34,   96-97,   199,  200. 

La  Franchaise,  Antoine,  II,  32. 

Lagotrie,  Ed.,  II,   105. 

La  Jeunesse,  Jacques,  I,  202. 

Land  bill  for  Louisiana  and  Mis- 
souri  Territory,   II,  298-301. 

Land  commissioners,  see  Board   of 

land  commissioners. 
Land  values,  II,  155,  186. 
Land  warrants  of  Lewis  and  Clark 

followers,   I,    267-268. 

Lane,  Robert,  II,  317. 
Langham,  Angus  Lewis,  II,  305. 
Langlois,   Raphael,   I,   204. 
Lanham,   Stephen,  II,  234. 
Lanzey,  Levi,  II,  233. 
Lard,  Joseph,  II,  234,  284. 
Lardoise,  Joseph,  II,  98. 
Latresse,   John,   II,   98. 

Laurain  (Laurens),  Jean  Baptiste, 
32. 

Lawyers,  I,  247. 

Lead  mining,  I,  111-112,  117-118, 
135,  136-138,  181,  196-198,  211- 
215,  216-218,  234-235,  238,  244, 
251-252,  253-255,  261,  265,  270- 
272,  274-275,  276-278,  280-281,  284- 
285,  287-297,  303-304,  309,  311,  318- 
319;  II,  22,  39,  94,  171,  173-174, 
180-184,  188,  203-207,  209-214,  222- 
223,  224-225,  226,  270,  273,  275- 
279,  293-295,  302-305. 

Le  Beau,  Baptiste,  II,  32. 

Le  Beaume,  see  La  Beaume. 

Lebeech,  I,  204. 


Le  Blanc,  Duplesse,  I,  203. 

Le  Blanc,  Joseph,  II,  33. 

Le  Blanc,  Louis,  II,  33. 

Le  Court,  Baptiste,  II,  33. 

Le  Due,  Mary  Philip,  I,  322,  324, 
329;  II,  8,  13,  26,  183,  184-185, 
196,   197,   292,   322. 

Lee,  Patrick,  II,  201,  203. 

Lee,  William,   I,  51. 

Lefevre,  Pierre  (Peter),  II,  27,  237, 
281,   289. 

Legal  tender,  I,  312. 

Le  Jeunesse,  Jacques,  II,  202. 

Lemmon,   John,   II,   237. 

Le  Moine  salt  spring,  II,  276. 

Le  Sieur,  Francois,  I,  327;  II,  96, 
195. 

Letourneau,  Louis,  II,  202,  282. 

Lewis  and  Clark  Expedition,  I,  220, 
268,  309-310. 

Lewis,  Elisha,  II,  201. 

Lewis'  ferry,  II,  314. 

Lewis,  James,  II,  190,  236,  286. 

Lewis,  Joseph,  I,  332;   II,  29,  199. 

Lewis,  Meriwether,  present  at  trans- 
fer of  Upper  Louisiana,  I,  19; 
appointed  governor  of  Louisiana 
Territory,  I,  18;  mentioned,  I, 
195,  228,  235,  247,  265,  298,  300, 
304;  governorship,  I,  31,  305-346; 
II,  3-80;  arrival,  I,  307,  308;  visit 
to  Belief ontaine,  I,  314;  pressure 
of  office  seekers,  I,  315;  procla- 
mation of  April  20,  1808,  I,  337- 
340;  proclamation  creating  Dis- 
trict of  Arkansas,  II,  15-16;  opin- 
ion of  Robert  Dickson,  II,  18; 
takes  over  control  of  lead  mining 
matters,  II,  22,  94;  appointments, 
II,  25-31;  suspends  trade  with 
Osages,  II,  35-36;  misunderstand- 
ings with  Bates,  I,  30;  II,  64, 
68-69;  measures  of  defense,  II, 
75;  unpopularity,  II,  75;  Indian 
policy,  I,  32;  II,  87-89;  retire- 
ment from  the  governorship,  II, 
68;  100-101;  death,  I,  30;  II,  86, 
103,  104,  106-107,  108;  Bates'  esti- 
mate  of,    II,    108-112. 

Lewis,  Reuben,    I,    304,    316. 

Lewis,  Samuel,  II,  236. 


336         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


Liberty  Mine,  II,  276. 

Lindenwood  College,  I,  222. 

Link,  Absalom,  II,  268,  283,  290. 

Linsbaugh,  Fred,  II,  199. 

Lisa,  Manuel,  I,  106,  202,  269,  291. 

Little,   Joseph,   II,   196. 

Little  Diggings,  II,  303. 

Little  Prairie,  II,  137. 

Logan,  Charles,  II,  269,  288. 

Long,  Gabriel,  II,  193,  234,  284. 

Long,  William  L.,   II,   98,  233,  284. 

Loo,  Richard,  II,  191. 

Looney,  Joseph,  II,  236. 

Lorimier,  Louis,  I,  189,  200-201, 
236. 

Louisiana,  delivery  of  to  the  United 
States,  I,  19. 

Louisiana,  District  of,  I,  21-22. 

Louisiana,  State  of,  land  bill  for, 
II,   298-301. 

Louisiana  Territory,  creation  of,  I, 
23,  99;  extent,  I,  23;  government, 
I,  23-24,  119;  factions  in,  I,  24-26, 
99,  101,  108,  115-117,  127,  143, 
145,  146,  186-187,  194-195,  270-272, 
303,  315-316,  318-319;  175;  militia, 
I,  27,  109,  138-139,  157-158,  195, 
266;  II,  25-28;  seal,  I,  150;  courts, 
I,  155-157;  economic  and  social 
conditions,  I,  111-114,  237-246,  266- 
268;  II,  154-156;  defense  meas- 
ures, I,  206,  209-210,  255-257;  II, 
75;  officials,  I,  320-333;  II,  28- 
31,  189-203;  census  of  1810,  II, 
138,  139-149,  150-151,  153,  162-163, 
167,  169,  175-176;  desire  for  sec- 
ond grade  of  territorial  govern- 
ment, I,  301;  II,  136-137.  See  also 
Frederick  Bates,  Meriwether 
Lewis,  Benjamin  Howard. 

Lourey,  John,  I,  127. 

Lucas,  Alexander,  II,  238,  267,  283. 

Lucas,  Charles,  II,  247,  249,  251, 
268,  291,  292,  296,  317. 

Lucas,  James,  II,  237,  288. 

Lucas,  John  B.  C,  I,  25,  26,  29,  97, 
99-100,  127,  147,  159,  282;  II,  20- 
21,  49,  52,  70,  72,  78,  128,  129, 
135-136,  147,  179,  182,  189,  207- 
208.  See  also  Board  of  Land  com- 
missioners. 


Lucas,  Robert,  II,  239. 
Lucero  Expedition,  I,  120. 
Lyon,   James,   I,   49. 

McArthur,   John,   II,   132,   234,   268, 

285. 
McCall,  Samuel,  II,  235,  285. 
McClain,  John,  II,  200. 
McCelland    (McClellan),   Robert,   I, 

202,  203;  II,  17,  31,  33. 
McComack,   Peter,   II,   282. 
McConnell,  John,  II,  26,  235,  286. 
McConnell,  William,  I,  327;  II,  195. 
McCormick,  John,   II,   194. 
McCormick,  Joseph,  II,  198. 
McCoy,  Robert,  II,  29,  193,  199. 
McCullock   (McCulloch),  Jamos,  II, 

197,  234,  269,  284,  330. 
McDonald,  John,  II,  233. 
McDougall,  George,  I,  147. 
McDowns,  William,  II,  234,  284. 
McFarland    (McFarlane),   Blassing- 

ham    (Blessingham)    H.,   II,   237, 

282. 
McFarland    (McFarlane,    McFarlin, 

McFarling),  James,  II,  44-45,  55- 

60,  107,  203. 
McFarland,  William,  II,  281,  286. 
McFerron,   Joseph,   I,   139,   331;    II, 

198,  199. 

McGuire,   Philip,   II,   197,  269. 
Mclllmurray,  John,  II,  281. 
McKay,  Robert,  I,  332. 
McKean,  Thomas,   I,   50. 
McKee,  Andrew,  I,  201. 
McKee's  Discovery,  I,  252;   II,  276. 
McKinney,  John,  I,  307,  308. 
McKnight,  John  (Jos),  II,  193,  218, 

239,  291. 
McLanahan,  Josiah,  I,  255,  337. 
McLaughlin,   Thomas,   II,   268,   280, 

289. 
McMahan   (McMahon),  William,  II, 

283,   287. 
McNair,  Alexander,  I,  213-215,  268, 

324,  329,  333;  II,  26,  112,  120,  122, 

169,    193,    196,    219-220,    230,    238, 

239,  249,  250,  283,  308. 


Index. 


337 


McQuitty,  David,  II,  283,  287. 

MacRae,  Alexander,  I,  130. 

McWilliams,  Robert,   II,  238. 

McWilliams,  Thomas,  II,  290. 

Mackay,  James,  I,  324,  330;  II,  196. 

Mackay,  Robert,  II,  199. 

Mackinac,  see  Michillimackinac. 

Mackinac  Company,  II,  17. 

Mackinac  Factory,  II,  37. 

Madison,  James,  I,  342;    II,  45. 

Malboeuf,   Stephen,   II,   98. 

Mandan  escort,  II,  89,  122-123. 

Mandans,  I,  220,  250;  II,  89,  122- 
123. 

Manly,  John,  II,  98. 

Manufactures,    II,   153. 

Marais  des  Liards,  I,  334. 

Marie,  Joseph,   I,  303. 

Markets,  I,  113. 

Marshall,   John,   I,   48-49,   50. 

Martin,  Luther,  I,  130. 

Martin,  Stephen,  II,  239,  291. 

Martineau,  Joseph,   II,   98. 

Martin's  Mine,  II,  303. 

Massey,  David,  II,  223-224. 

Mathers,  William,  I,  261,  270,  274- 
275,  280,  284-286,  287-297,  317-319; 
II,  60-62,  198,  199. 

Mathews,  William,  I,  326. 

Mathurin,  John  B.,  I,  333. 

Matthews,  Edward,  II,  237,  288. 

Matthews  (Matthers),  Edward,  Jr., 
I,  327;  II,  199. 

Maupin,  John,  II,  26,  281,  285. 

Maxwell,  James,  II,  254. 

Mechan,  John  Alexander,  Jr.,  II,  27. 

Meigs,  Return  J.,  I,  22,  298. 

Meigs,  Return  J.,  Jr.,  II,  128. 

Melgares  Expedition,  I,  120,  125, 
126. 

Merry,  Anthony,  I,  105. 

Meyneaud,  Jean  Baptiste  Francois, 
I,  275,  277. 

Michie,  John,  II,  154-156,  185-187. 

Michigan  Territory,  creation  of,  I, 
9;  officers,  I,  11-12;  judicial  or- 
ganization, I,  14,  73-83;  operation 


of  Indiana  statutes  in,  I,  84-86; 
settlement  of  land  claims  in,  I, 
65,  69-73;  political  dissensions,  I, 
142,  172-173,  221,  300,  301-302;  II, 
64-65,  113,  160. 

Michillimackinac,  I,  226,  232;  II, 
37,  42,  160. 

Michillimackinac  Company,  I,  38. 

Michillimackinac  Factory,  I,  221. 

Michillimackinac  Revenue  District, 

I,  221. 

"Military  School,"  I,  148-149. 

Militia,  I,  92-93,  115,  138-139,  141, 
157-158,  163-164,  187-188,  189,  191, 
195,  199-200,  210,  233,  236,  256- 
257;  II,  25-28,  39,  75,  97-98,  131 
132,  189-194,  245-248,  249-253,  279- 
291. 

Militia  laws,   I,   92,   115. 

Millard,   Joseph,   II,   239,   291. 

Miller,  Andrew,  I,  196-197,  198,  216; 

II,  235,  285. 

Miller,  George  C,  II,  236,  287. 

Miller,  John,  II,  283,  284. 

Miller,  Samuel,    II,   281. 

Miller,  William,   I,    6. 

Millikin,  Jacob,  II,  317. 

Mills,  Richard,  II,  198. 

Mine  a  Bourassar,  II,  303. 

Mine  a  Burton  (Breton),  I,  111, 
112,  117,  194,  231,  261;  II,  38-39, 
303.     See  also  Moses  Austin. 

Mine  a  Gerbore,  I,  117. 

Mine  a  Joe,  I,  117. 

Mine  a  la  Motte,  I,  117. 

Mine  a  la  Plate,  I,  117. 

Mine  a  Larry,   I,   117. 

Mine  a  Maneto,  I,  117. 

Mine  a  Renault,  I,  117,  261,  271, 
275,  276-277,  284-285,  287-297,  303- 
304;    II,  180-183,  203-204. 

Mine  Arnault,  I,  234-235. 

Mine  a  Robina,  I,  117,  293;  II,  276. 

Mine  a  Straddle,  II,  303. 

Missouri,  migration  to,  I,  35;  par- 
ties in,  I,  35;  gubernatorial  cam- 
paign of  1824,  II,  315,  318. 

Missouri  Fur  Company,  I,  304;  II, 
89. 


338        The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


Missouri  River  expedition,  I,  224. 

Missouris,  II,  32. 

Missouri   Territory,   creation   of,   I, 

33,  301;  government,  I,  33-34;  II, 

254,  296;   militia,  II,  233-239,  267- 

269,    279-291,    297;     officials,    JI, 

279-283;   defense  in  War  of  1812, 

II,  245-248,  249-253;   land  bill  for, 

II,   298-301. 
Mitchell,  Joseph,  I,  333. 
Monburn,  Charles,  II,  202. 
Money,  II,   154. 
Monroe,  James,  I,  332. 
Montardy,  Pedro  (Peter),  I,  203;  II, 

32. 
Mooney,  Daniel,  II,  27,  59,  60,  143- 

144,  149,   200,   237,   281,  289. 
Moore,   Daniel,   II,   98. 
Moore,  Isidore,  I,  325;    II,  198. 
Moore,  Richard,  II,  235,  285. 
Moorhead,  Fergus,  II,  181-182,   197. 
Morales'  regulations,  II,  48. 
Morin,  Joseph,  II,   14. 
Morleau,  Gab.,  II,  32. 
Morrison,  James,   I,   203,   327,   333; 

II,    195,   235,   238,    245. 
Morrison,  Jesse,   I,  203,  333. 
Morrison,  Joshua,  II,  280,  289. 
Morrison,  Robert,    II,    131. 
Morrison,  William,  II,  245,  250,  252, 

253. 
Morrow,  John,   II,   283,   287. 
Moseley,  Samuel,  II,   192,  200,  202, 

281,   289. 
Moutree,  James  H.,  II,  289. 
Murphey's  Settlement,  I,  252. 
Murphy,  Benjamin,  II,  282,  290. 
Murphy,  Isaac,  II,  235,  285. 
Murphy,  William,   I,  320. 
Musick,  Abram   (Abraham),  II,  63. 
Musick,  Asa,   II,  240. 
Musick,  David,    II,    233,    245,    247, 

254-255,  259. 
Musick,  James,    II,    233,    246,    248, 

284. 
Musick,  Thomas,  II,  196. 
Musick,  Uri,  II,  26. 


Mutry,  James  F.,  II,  268. 
Myers,  Benjamin,  II,  237,  288. 

Neeley    (Neely),    William,    II,    194. 
New  Madrid  District,  I,  20;   II,  15- 

16. 
Newcomer,   Christopher,   I,   288-289. 
New  Diggings,  I,  252,  265;  II,  276. 
Newell,  James  C,   II,  282. 
Newell,   John  C,   II,   290. 
Nichols,  John,  II,  98. 
Noiris,   James,   II,   318. 
Non-Intercourse  Act,  II,  41. 
North  West  Company,  I,  226.     See 

also  Canadian  traders. 
Northwestern  posts,  II,  38.   See  also 

Canadian  traders. 
Notrebee,  Fred,  II,  281. 

O'Bannon,  William,  I,  103,  104,  163, 

167,   169;    II,   42. 
Ogle,  William,  I,  139. 
Ohio,  I,  209. 
Old  Mines,  I,  117. 
Olive,  Jean  Baptiste,  I,  332;   II,  29. 
Oliver,  Thomas,  I,  160,  189,  321,  328, 

329;   II,  190,  197,  198,  234,  285. 
Omahas,  I,  121,  202,  203,  283-284. 
Ordway,  William,  II,  127. 
O'Reilly,  Alexander,  I,  107. 
Orphans'  courts,  I,  258. 
Osage   (town),  II,  305. 
Osages,  I,  106,  118,  119,  123-124,  179, 

188,  198-199,  203,  316-317,  320,  334, 

344-345;    II,    35-36,    44-47,    58,    89- 

90,  159,  167. 
Ottawas,  I,  72-73;   II,  180. 
Oto  (Otto),  I,  121,  125,  202,  203,  283- 

284,  333;    II,  31,  32. 
Ouachita,  II,  13. 

Padoes,   I,   125. 

Padoucahs,  I,  125. 

Pain,   Joseph,   II,   240. 

Pani-Mahas,   I,   202. 

Papin,  Alexander,  II,  202,  283. 

Papin,  Antoine,  I,  202. 


Index. 


339 


Papin,  Joseph  M.,  I,  102-103. 

Pardons,  I,  152. 

Parsons,  Agnes,  I,  3. 

Parsons,  Joseph   A.,   I,   290-291. 

Partenay    (Partenais),    Amable,    II, 

38,  207,  270,  273,  275,  278-279,  294, 

302-305. 
Patterson,  Elisha,   II,    284. 
Patterson,  James,  II,  238,  290. 
Patterson,  Thomas,  II,  235,  285. 
Pattie,  Sylvestre,  II,  286. 
Paul,  Rene,  II,  323. 
Pawnees,  I,  120,  121,  125,  202,  230- 

231;   II,  31,  32. 
Payatte,  John,  II,  282,  290. 
Payton,  Charles,  II,  270. 
Peau  Blanche,  I,  334. 
Pennyman   (Penneman),  Joshua,  I, 

160,  189,  321,  325. 
Penrose,  Clement  Biddle,  I,  29,  97, 

99,  159,  282;   II,  21,  49,  52,  71-72, 

99,    111,    129,    147,    179,    189,    202, 

216,  218.     See  also  Board  of  land 

commissioners. 
Peorias,   I,   163. 
Perkins,    Joseph,    I,    211-213,    329; 

II,  189. 
Perry,    John,    I,    273,    278-279,    297, 

329;    II,   34-35,   279,    280,    293-294. 
Perry,  John,  Jr.,   II,   38. 
Perry,  Samuel,  I,  217,  270,  285-286, 

288-297;    II,  38,  174. 
Pettitt   (Pettit),  Jacob,  II,  268,  280, 

289. 
Phelps,   Timothy,   II,   238,  280,   289, 

290. 
Philips   (Phillips),  Samuel,  II,  238, 

290. 
Philips,  Sylvanus,  II,  202. 
Philips,  Zach.,  II,  281. 
Philipson,  Jacob,  II,  153. 
Pike  Expedition,  I,  120,  121-122,  125, 

126,  134,  232. 
Piqueur,   Baptiste,   II,    149-150. 
Piqueur  (Piqueure),  Francis,  II,  32, 

149-150. 
Piqueur,  Joseph,  II,  32. 
Piracy,  I,  257;   II,  320. 
Placie,  Jean  Baptiste,  I,  193. 


Plante,   Peter,   II,   33. 

Pleasants,  James,  I,  51;   II,  291-292. 

Poncas,   II,  282. 

Pope,  John,  II,  227-228,  230. 

Pope,  Nathaniel,  II,  26,  76,  100,  113. 

Population,  I,  245;   II,  168,  table. 

Porlier,  Jacques,  II,  105. 

Portage  des  Sioux,  I,  249;    II,  245, 

250. 
Poston,  Henry,  II,  235,  286. 
Pottawotomi,  I,  72-73,  124,  163. 
Prairie  du  Chien,  I,  176,  222    226* 

II,   18. 
Pratte,    Bernard,    I,    200,    323     329 

331;   II,  75,  193,  196,  197. 
Pratte,  Joseph,  II,  198. 
Presbyterian  Church,  I,  325,  327. 
Preston,   William,   II,   202. 
Price,  Rysdon  (Risden)   H.,  I,  330- 

II,   28. 
Prices,  I,  138,  346;   II,  154-156. 
Priesthood,  I,  244. 
Primo,   Paul,   I,  203. 

Primo  (Primeau),  Pierre,  I,  203;  II 
202. 

Probate  court,  I,  259-260,  269. 

Proclamations,   I,  109,   130-132,  152- 

153,  179-180,  337-340;  II,  15-16,  97- 

98,  102,  134,  254,  255,  259. 
Proctor,  Edward,  II,  317. 
Proulz,  Bazil,  I,  334. 
Provonchere,       Antoine       Nicholas 

Pierre,  I,  100,  321;  II,  231. 
Provonchere,  Madame,  I,  100,  116. 
Pryor,   Nathaniel,   I,   220,   230,   237 

248;    II,   63,   64. 
Purser,  William,  II,  290. 

Quasquami   (Qusquami),  I,  334;   II, 

117. 
Quesnel,  Amable,  II,  32. 
Quesnel,  Joseph,  II,  32. 
Quesnel,  Peter,  II,  33. 
Quick,  Benjamin,  II,  98. 
Quimby,  Stephen,  II,  317. 

Races,  II,  14. 

Racine,  Tenace,  II,  27,  237. 


340         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


Ragotte  (Rajotte),  Frangois,  I,  202; 

II,  32,  202. 
Ramsay,   Thomas,   II,  231. 
Ramsay  (Ramsey),  William,  I,  308; 

II,  238. 
Ramsey,  Andrew,  II,  238. 
Randall,  Elijah,  II,  237,  288. 
Randall,  Medad,  II,  237,  288. 
Randolph,  Edmund,  I,  130. 
Rankin,  George,  II,  282,  290. 
Rankin,  James,  I,  329,  331;  II,  197, 

238,  246,  290. 
Ravenscraft,    James,    II,    192,    237, 

288. 
Rawls,  Amos,  I,  333;   II,  26. 
Reap,  Frederick,  II,  236. 
Rector,  William,   I,   298. 
Reddell   (Ruddell),  George,  II,  199. 
Reed,  Jacob,  I,  253-255. 
Reed   (Reid),  Thomas,  II,  238,  290. 
Reed  (Read),  William,  I,  227,  330; 

II,  280,  289. 
Refeld,  Charles,  II,  30,  59. 
Reid,  James,  II,  19. 
Reineke   (Reineker),  Frederick,  II, 

193,   199. 
Relle,  Charles,  II,  149-150. 
Renard,  Joseph,  I,  202. 
Renault,  Philippe  Frangois,  I,  276- 

277. 
Revolutionary  War  veterans,  I,  114, 

124. 
Rhea's  resolution,  I,  267,  295-296. 
Rheile  (Rheill),  A.  E.,  II,  238,  267. 
Richardson,  James,  I,  115-116,  117, 

320;   II,  26. 
Riddick,    Thomas    Fiveash,    I,    158, 

217,    268,    282-283,    298,    322,    324, 

328;  II,  5-6,  22,  53-54,  79,  92,  135, 

189,   196,   197,  214,   217,  231,   233, 

284. 
Rigdon,  James,  II,  234,  268,  285. 
Riggs,  Jonathan,  II,  238,  290. 
Riney,  Thomas,  II,  235,  285. 
Rivard  (Rivar),  Joseph,  II,  33,  287. 
Robbins,  Prospect  K.,  II,  194,  195, 

238,  282. 
Robertson,  Andrew,  II,   288. 


Robidoux,  Frangois,  II,  31,  202. 
Robidoux,  Joseph,  I,  202. 
Robinson,  David,  II,  170. 
Robison,  William,  II,  14. 
Roche,  Manuel  Andre,  II,  29. 
Rocheblave,  Noel,  II,  105. 
Rocque,  M.  A.,  II,  190,  197. 
Rogers,  Ezekiel,  II,  177. 
Rogers,  Lewis,  I,  105,  106. 
Rogers,  Samuel,  II,  98. 
Rogers,  William,  II,  202. 
Roi,  Francis,  II,  233,  284. 
Romin,  Christy,  I,  296-297. 
Ross,  James,  I,  50. 
Ross,  Philip,  II,  238,  290. 

Ross,  Stephen,   I,   326,   333;    II,  25, 

199,  237,  288. 
Roy,  Antoine,  I,  203. 

Ruddell  (Ruddle),  George,  I,  S27; 
II,  29,  137. 

Ruggles,  Martin,   II,   234,   268,   269, 

289. 
Russell,    William,    I,    329;    II,    281, 

313-314. 

Sacs,  I,  103,  104,  118,  162,  169,  179, 
190-191,  203,  228-229,  230,  247,  249, 
283-284,  308,  310-311,  334,  335;  II, 
86,  105,  116-119,  120-122,  203.  See 
also  Fox  Indians. 

St.  Charles,  I,  112,  240,  245. 

St.  Charles  District,  I,  20,  238. 

Ste.  Genevieve  District,  I,  20,  238, 
320;   II,  116. 

Ste.  Genevieve,  I,  144,  245,  281-282. 

St.  Joseph,  I,  202. 

St.  Louis,  I,  20,  239,  245;   II,  296. 

St.  Louis  District,  I,  20,  238;  II, 
116. 

St.  Phillips,  I,  276. 

St.  Vrain,  Jacques  Ceran  Marcelin 
DeHault  DeLassus,  I,  251. 

St.  Vrain's  grant,  I,  251-252,  285, 
303-304;    II,  181-183,  223,  276-277. 

Salines,   I,  238,  245. 
Saltpetre  production,  I,  141,  245 ;  II, 
60-62,  91,  249-250. 


Index. 


341 


Salt  works,  II,  159,  274,  276. 

San    Fernando    de    Florrissant,    I, 

240. 
Sanguinet    (Sanguenette),    Charles, 

Jr.,  I,  202;  II,  282. 
Santa  Fe  road,  II,  322-323. 
Sappington,  John,   II,  234,  285. 
Sappington,  Thomas,  II,  233,  284. 
Sappington,    Zepheniah    (Zapha- 

niah),  II,  26,  233,  284. 
Sarpy,  Gregoire,  II,  233. 
Saucier  (Soucier),  Charles,  II,  192, 

236,  286. 
Saucier   (Soucier),  Francois,  I,  323; 

II,  194,  195. 
Saucier     (Soucier),    Nathaniel,    II, 

33. 
Schrader    (Shrader),   Otho,    I,    ]18- 

119,    189,    198,    220,   322,    32S;    II, 

114. 
Scott,  Andrew,  I,  332;    II,  28. 
Scott,  Charles,   II,   177. 
Scott,  James,  II,  304-305. 
Scott,  John,   II,   100,   190,   238,   246, 

247,   252,   254,   278-279,  290. 
Scott,  Thomas  Baytop,  I,  22,  184. 
Scott,  Thomas  C,   I,   149,   178,   184, 

186,  210,  320,  321,  328,  331. 
Scott,  William    McDowell,     I,    298- 

299. 
Scull,  James,  II,  192,  200,  237,  281. 
Scull,  William,  II,  289. 
Seals,  I,  150,  162,  171. 
Serego,  Jacob,  II,  318. 
Sesep,  George,  II,  98. 
Shahaka,  I,  250;   II,  89. 
Shannon,  George,  I,  248. 
Shaw,  Darius,  I,  149;   II,  198. 
Shaw,  John  A.,  II,  301,  302. 
Shawanees,  I,  105,  166-168;  II,  91. 
Shell,  Adam,  II,  287. 
Shell,  Benjamin,  I,  326;  II,  192,  199. 
Shepherd,  Jacob,  II,  237,  287. 
Shibboleth  Mine,  II,  222,  275-276. 
Shields,  Joseph,  II,  237,  288. 
Shous's  Mine,  II,  279,  303. 
Sibley,    George   Champlain,    I,    222, 

224-225,  272,  337;    II,  31,  36,  197. 


Sibley,  John,  I,  222. 
Sibley,  Solomon,  II,  37. 
Siever's  Mine,   II,  303. 
Silvers'  Mine,  II,  278-279. 
Simonds     (Simon),    Nathaniel,    II, 

191,  236,  286. 
Simpson,  George,  II,  98. 
Simpson,  Robert,  II,  190,  196. 
Sims,  William,  II,  285. 
Sinclair,  John,  II,  235. 
Sioux,  I,  118,  163,  203,  232,  248,  283- 

284,  334;  II,  31,  32,  201,  203,  281, 
282. 

Slavery,  II,  127,  156,  225,  228-229, 
231,  266,  307,  308-309,  314. 

Sloan,   Thomas,   II,   235. 

Small,  John,  I,  149,  171. 

Smith,  Benjamin,  II,  195. 

Smith,  Chauncey,  II,  320-322. 

Smith,  David,  I,  286-288. 

Smith,  Franklin  J.,   I,  333;    II,  26. 

Smith,  John,  II,  129. 

Smith  T,  John,  I,  26,  27,  31,  98,  109- 
110,  116,  137,  145-146,  186,  194, 
251-252,  270-272,  274,  280-281,  284- 

285,  287-288,  289-297,  303-304,  315, 
318-319,  320;  II,  173,  180-183,  201, 
203-204,  210-214,  222-223,  224-225, 
271,  276,  277. 

Smith,  Joseph,  II,  237,  288. 
Smith,  Reuben,  II,  181-183. 
Smith,  Robert  A.,  II,  279,  284. 
Smith,  Thomas,  I,  327. 
Smith,  William,    II,    233,    240,    250- 

251. 
Solomon,    Samuel,    I,   330;    II,   201, 

203. 
Soulard,  Antoine,  I,  115. 
Spain,  boundary  dispute  with.  I,  92, 

119-120;    regime  in   Louisiana,   I, 

107;      Spanish      inhabitants      in 

Louisiana,  I,  241;   trade,  I,  231; 

land  law,  II,  10,  48,  93;    danger 

of  war  with,  II,  320. 

Spear,  Edward,  II,  192. 

Spencer,    Robert,    I,    328;    II,    195, 

236,  246,  280,  286. 
Stanton,  John,  II,  193,  198. 
Stark,  Horatio,  II,  83,  91. 


342         The  Life  and  Papers  of  Frederick  Bates. 


Statler,  Peter,  II,  192. 

Stedman,    Benjamin,    II,    98. 

Steel,  Henry,  II,  191. 

Steele,  John,  I,  188. 

Stephens,  James,  II,  197. 

Stephenson,  Robert  M.,  II,  198. 

Stevenson,  William  0.,  II,  274,  281. 

Steward,  John,  I,  331. 

Stillwell,  Harrold   (Harold),  II,  27, 

30,  59,  60,  237. 
Stillwell,  Joseph,  II,  9,  12,  30,  200. 
Stoddard,  Amos,  I,  19. 
Stone,    John    B.,    II,    238,    290,    294- 

295. 
Story,  Joseph,  II,  280. 
Stringer,  Daniel,  II,  288. 
Strother,  William,  II,  238,  290. 
Stuart,  Alexander,   II,   67-68. 
Stuart,  J.,  I,  149. 
Sullins,  John,  II,  98. 
Sullivan,  William,  I,  322,  330. 
Swan   (Swon),  William,  II,  279. 
Sydnor,  Samuel  B.,  II,  307,  308-309. 

Talbert,  Hail,  II,  192,  196. 
Tanner,  Edward,  II,   288. 
Tazewell,  Littleton  Walter,  II,  320. 
Teague    (Teaque),    Pierre    (Peter), 

II,  26,  235,  286. 
Territory  of  Orleans,  II,  80. 
Terry,  Robert,   II,   189. 
Thibault    (Tabeau,    Tebo,    Tibbeau, 

Tebeau,  Thebalt),  Joseph,  I,  202, 

203;    II,  84,  102. 
Thompson,  Burwell  J.,  II,  268. 
Thompson,  David,  I,  45. 
Thompson,    John    Washington,    II, 

283,  285,  290,  291. 
Thurman,  John,  II,  295. 
Tiffin,  Edward,  II,  271. 
Tileo,  Peter,  II,  240. 
Tillier,  Rudolph,  I,  219,  224-225,  230, 

247,  272. 
Todd,  Benjamin  L.,  II,  314. 
Tompkins,  George,  II,  282,  284. 
Trammel,  Nicholas,  II,  239,  240. 


Treat,  John  Burke,  I,  344-345;  II, 
30,  35-36,  45,  58,  103,  114-115,  200. 

Treat,  Samuel,  II,  114-115,  192,  200. 

Trenchard,   Francis,   II,   199. 

Trimble,  Robert,  II,  240. 

Trimble,  William,  II,  240. 

Trotter,  James,   I,   333;    II,   26. 

Trotter,  Robert,  I,  333;  II,  26,  238, 
290. 

Tucker,  John,  II,  317. 

Tucker,  Joseph,   I,   329. 

Tywappity  Bottom,  I,  151. 

Upper  Louisiana,  I,  19,  20-21. 
Ursins,  Marc  Antoine   de  la  Loere 
des,  1,  276. 

Valle,  Jean  Baptiste,  I,  203;   II,  32. 
Valle,  Joachim,   I,   204;    II,   32. 
Vallett,  B.,  I,  204. 
Valois,  Frangois,  II,  27. 
Van  Bibber,  Isaac,  II,  235,  247,  286. 
Vannorsdale,  Simon,  II,  74,  76. 
Vansant,  Abner,  II,  234,  284. 
Vaughan,  Thomas,  I,  285-286,  287. 
Vaugine,  Francis,  II,  27,  30,  59,  60, 

237. 
Vaugine,   Stephen,  II,  28. 
Vial,  Pedro,  II,  32. 
Vial  Expedition,  I,  120. 
Virginia,  I,  48-49,  52. 
Volunteer     companies,     I,     13'M33, 

148-149,  187,  189,  256-257,  264,  314. 
Voorhis,  John,  II,  28. 

Wade,  David,  II,  190,  198. 

Wages,  II,  156. 

Walker,  John  II,  237,  238,  288. 

Walker,  Laken,  II,  235. 

Wallis,  Perly,  II,  13,  23-24,  45-47. 

Walton,  Thomas  H.,  I,  5. 

War  of  1812,  rumors  of  war,  II,  60; 
reports  on  British  subjects  with- 
in the  United  States,  II,  232-233; 
militia  appointments,  II,  233-239, 
279-291;  provisioning  of  troops, 
II,  245-248;  frontier  defense,  II, 
249-253;  suffering  of  Boonslick  set- 
tlers, II,  297. 


Index. 


343 


Ward,  John,  I,  330. 

Ware,  Hardy,  II,  269,  285. 

Warner,  Jabez,  II,  320. 

Warren,  Nathaniel,  II,  98. 

Wash,  Robert,  II,  187,  191,  204,  269. 

Waters,  Richard  H.,  II,  238,  288. 

Waters,  Richard  Jones,  I,  177,  208- 

209,  326,  328. 
Waters,  Thomas  Willoughby,  I,  262, 

264,  266. 
Watson,  Robert  Gowie,  I,  234. 
Webber,  William,  II,  107. 
Weber,  John  H.,  II,  278. 
Weeds,  Jonathan,  I,  327. 
Weeks,  Thomas  D.  L.,  II,  193,  196. 
Wellborn     (Willborn),     Curtis,     II, 

192,  200. 
Wellborn,  John,  I,  325;  II,  198,  317. 
Wells,  John,  II,  240. 
Wells,  Joseph,  II,  98. 
Wells,  William,  II,  98. 
Wescott,  Robert,  I,  218-219. 
Westbrook,  Joseph,  II,  237,  288. 
West  Indian  commerce,  II,  42. 
Westover,  Job,  II,  280,  289. 
Wharton,     Spencer     Montague,     II, 

220. 
Wheat,  Conrad,  II,  317. 
Wheat,  Joseph,  II,  294-295. 
Wherry,  Mackay,   I,   328,   331,   332; 

II,  25,  83,  92,  195,  196. 
Whetstone,  David,  II,  236. 
White,  James,  II,  202. 
White  Hairs,  I,  179. 
Whitehouse,  Joseph,  I,  268. 
Whittlesey,  Joseph,  I,  149,  321. 
Wickham,   John,   I,   130. 
Wideman,  Francois,  I,  273. 
Widner,  Henry,  II,  192,  236. 
Wilcum  (Wilkham),  Robert,  I,  286, 

288-297. 
Wilkinson,  Anthony,  II,  280,  289. 
Wilkinson,  Benjamin,  II,  28. 


Wilkinson.  James,  I,  25,  98,  99.  122, 

125,  127,  129-130,  146,  298,   303. 
Wilkinson,  Walter,  II,  198. 
Wilkinson,  W.  N.,  II,  266. 
Willard,  Alexander,   I,   310-311;    II, 

288. 
Williams,  John,  I,  173;   II,  240. 
Williams,  Thomas,  II,  234,  269,  285. 
Williams,  William,   II,   249-250. 
Wilson,  Andrew,  I,  258. 
Wilson,  George,  II,  202-203,  258,  262, 

280. 
Wilson,  John,  II,  98. 
Wilson,  Nicholas,   II,   222,   224,  226, 

275. 
Wilson,  William,  II,  183-184. 
Winds,  Joseph,  II,  235. 
Winnebago,  I,  163. 
Winsor,  Christopher,  I,  177. 
Winsor,  Elisha,  I,  326;   II,  237,  288. 
Winsor,  Thomas,  II,  237,  288. 
Winter,  Gabriel,  II,  9,  10. 
Winter,  William,  II,  9,  10. 
Wirt,  William,  I,  129. 
Wiseman,  Jonathan,  II,  234. 
Wood,  Joseph,  II,  280,  289. 
Woodson,  Caroline  Matilda,  I,  3. 
Woodson,  Charles,  I,  3. 
Woodson,  Obadiah,  I,  262,  264,  326, 

330. 
Woodson,  Samuel,  II,  320-322. 
Woodward,    Augustus    Brevoort,    I, 

11-12,  13,  15-16,  88,  142,  146,  172- 

173,  175,  299,  301-302;   II,  113. 
Worrell,  Stephen,  I,  19. 
Wyandots,  I,  72-73. 
Wyley,  Thomas,  II,  238,  290. 

Yardley,  Joseph,   II,  268,   286. 
Young,  Austin,  II,  192,  236,  287. 
Young,  James  C,  II,  238,  290. 
Young,  Joseph,   II,  236. 
Young,  Morris,  II,  238,  290. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS  LIRBANA 

977.8B31L  C002  V002 

THE  LIFE  AND  PAPERS  OF  FREDERICK  BATES  S 


3  0112  025402899