*See Notes Below
Compiled & contributed by Sherry Hicks, FEB 2000.
1817(?)
To the Honorable the congress of the United States, the humble petition of the undersigned inhabitats of the Alabama Territory residing near the waters of the Mobile,--respectfully showeth,
That your petitioners have heard with the most serious alarm that applications are about to be made to your honorable body by the new state of the Mississippi for an extension of the boundaries of the said state so as to include at least the whole of the settlements on the western side of the Mobile & Tombigby rivers:
Your petitioners view this proposed transfer of freeman, like the vassals of European potentates, from one sovereignty to another, as so repugnant to justice & so completely hostile to the priciples of republican America; that they persuade themselves it will receive from the representatives of the people of the United States, a prompt & indignant rejection.
That venerable instrument,--the declaration of Independence,--both established the sacred maxim that "all men are equal"--and that "governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed: But what equality of rights would exist; if the people of the Alabama territory were to be bound down by a form of government instituted without their co-operation by the people of the State of Mississippi?
What equality could they boast of when they found themselves subjected to the controul of governors, & bound by the ties of allegiance to a government, without having previously had the smallest agency in the choice of the one or the organizationof the other?
If the just powers of a government can be derived only from the consent of the governed; your petitioners have certainly a right to expect that their inclinations will be caonsulted, & that some means will be provided by which their consent may be manifested, before they are entangled tin the ties of allegiance to a new sovreingnty. They have indeed a right to expect more than this. They are as much entitled as their brethren of the Mississippi to have a voice in determining the previous question submitted to the convention, whether it be expedient to form a partial state out of the Mississippi Territory? The voice of your petitioners has been decidedly against that measure. But it has been adopted, and they submit. But they cannot submit in silence to the doctrine, that after its adoption, they are liable to be bound like a band of captive slaves to the chariot wheels of triumphant majority. Thay are not the inhabitants of a province acquired by conquest, or by purchase from a foreign power. They claim the rights of original citizens of the Unied States. The Alabama territory is, for the most part, a portion of the state of Georgia, one of the old thirteen confederated sovreignties: it is entitled by a solemn compact with the state of Georgia to advmission into the Union when its population shall be sufficient, on "an equal(?) with the original states, in all respects whaterver, with liberty to form a permanent constitution & state government": But what will become of these privileges if the people of the territory can be transferred in parcels to the adjacent states? & how dishonorably will the national faith be violated, if your petitioners are stripped of that right of forming their own constitution, which they are as much entitled to, as any of the original parties to the federal compact!
Your petitioners humbly conceive that the reasons which they have suggested must be conclusive with your honorable body, agianst any extension of the territorial limits of the State of Mississippi:--but there are various considerations which induce your petitioners to be immoveably hostile to the measure.
1.) It will retard the admission of the Alabama territory into the union as an independent state:--& will considerable augment the burthens of government, when it is admitted.
2.) considering the actual situationof the country, & the state of its population;--the dividing line proposed to be established between the State of Mississippi & the Alabama Territory, is the most unnatural one that could possible be devised. It is true that in a countyr where the population is regularly scattered over the whole surface of it, a river may be regarded as a natural boundary. But in a country where the population is confined to the vicinity of the water courses, & the whole face of the territory besides is a wide waste; a river, especailly if it be only of a second rate in point of magnitude becomes the most inconvenient 7unnatural boundary imaginable. Such a boundary separates neighbors. It places under different governments those who are in habits of daily intercourse. it facilitates the evasion of both civil & criminal process, &multiplies the means of rendering the laws a laughing stock to the lawless. Under the circumstances in which your petitioners are placed, it will frequently separate one part of a family from the other, &leave the plantation of a citizen in one state &his mansion house in another.
And what would be gained, to compensate for these inconveniences? nothing: but the saving of the expense of running one additional line through a country where hundreds of thousands are already run under the authority of the national government.
3.)--If your petitoners have been accurately informed, one of the most impressive considerations which induced the late congress to divide the Mississippi Territory was the danger of a collision of interests between the two great communities living adjacent to the Mississippi, & to the water of the Mobile.
A future want of harmony in the counsels of the new government, &perpetual feuds among the people, were anticipated as the natural result of such a collision. But the proposed alteration in the boundary line will renew &augment those very dangers which the division was meant to guard against.
The only difference to be perceived is that with the limits now contemplated by the Mississippi people, the result of every struggle between the two communities will be that the people of the Mobile, will be made to pass under the yoke.
4.) The rivers Tombigby & Mobile are formed by nature to be one great channel of intercourse between the western states & the gulph of Mexico. This channel ought to be subject to the regulation of a single sovreignty.
It should be under the superintendence of a legislature, which will, not only be sensible of its importance, but feel an interest in promoting its utility &affording to nature all the needful succours of art.
But will such an interst be felt by a legislature, of which a majority of members will be elected by the inhabitants of a country adjacent to a rival channel of commercial intercours? It cannot be expected. The Alabam territory as it now stands, possesses an identity of interest, as complete, as any state of equal extent in the American Confereacy. Whether the people are stationed on the Tombigby or Alabama,--on the Mobile or the Tennessee; they are all deeply interested in bringing to perfection the same channel of trade & commerce. But if you divide them, if you connect one portion of them to the Mississippi, & leave the other portion of them to themselves; you paralize their energies, & drop a cloud over their fair prospects of future prosperity. The general interests of the Union, call for the highest possible improvement, of every part of it:--and the Congress of the Unied States will watch with the most sedulous jealousy against every measure calculated to obstruct or retard it. Your petitioners therefore, humbly and respectfully hope that no proposition for making any encroachments on the Alabama Territory, will receive any countenance from your honorable body.
H Newman Wm Coleman John G Creagh
Darling Perry William Lafton Jno D Curtis
William Coate Saml Etheridge John Scarborough
John Johnson Joel Langham Moses Hill
James Furlow John Glass James Green
Isaac Pugh Danl B Ripley Jesse B Irvine
Lewis Mitchell James Daniel James Waldrom
Mark Hays Jesse Pugh Wm Hays
Stephen Brown David Smith Walter Mabry
Jno Barran James Caller Wm Barran
Robert Lewis Saml Wilson Reuben Saffold
Mark Norwood Neal Smith Warham Easley
William B Patton Elijah Pugh R W Serviss
Starling Hill Edwd N Potts Alexander McGrew
Elijah Ross Benjamin Clement Robt Caller
Jonah Mott J Slaton James Lowrey
Robt H Phillips Lewis Henderson John Wilson
Jesse Deed John Rhoeds Thomas Cox
Benj Hatch Mathew Averet James Ford
Joh Riordan Zadock Adair Zach McGrath
David Taylor Wm Robison John McGrew
Wm Simmons Jno H McConnel William Ravencraft
Henry L Riveire Samuel Gaines Saml Dale
Joshua Killen James Dellets Jnr Jesse Whatley
James Young James Howard John Bagby
William Flinn Wm Vaughan L Roberts
Dempsey Winbourn Robert Henderson James Morgan Jr
Dunkin Henderson Jas B McConnell William Edwards
Elias Massey Wilson Dickson Wm Cato
John Campbell John S Vaughan Thomas Miller
Josiah Fletcher James Risher James Edwards
Jas McKee JQ Willis Kitchens John Pippens
Thomas W Gill Peter Loper W J Ware
Thomas Loper Wm Hopewell William Pippen
Lewis Alexander Elijah Lloyd William Coon
Wm Pierce Abel Farrar Ja Geo Lindsey
Wm Onail Josiah Fletcher J C Houston
Samuel S Steele Richd Bradford Nelson Campbell
James Stuard Solomon Evans James Snoden
Daniel Davis Samuel T Oweans Moses Gordon
Morris Guin George Moore John McCants
S Reid J Whelin Samuel Davis
Wm Chas Crawford John Files
Lawrence Woods James Young Clabon Harris
John Bell William Mason JQ B P Whitlow
Absalom Loper Aron Matthews Vardy Jolly
John Silvy Sion Thrower Wm Duke
John Cook Jr J W Williamson A P Rea
Moses Strahan Isaac Mallet L W Mason
Wm James J Irvine Thos Mendenhall
Sml Howe Geo Boute M H Rivers
William Morgan John O Gunn Willis Sturdevant
Peter Brandon James D Steele Wm Tarlton
John Housley Thomas Housley S W Johnson
A Sanders James Welsh Harrison Young
John Moore Caleb Tochstone John Varnor
Branson Barlow A H Phillips James Album
James Denson John Harman Peter Cartwright
George Shirley John Koen Elijah J Whatley
John Hamby S J Whatley Joseph Long
Samul Davis Alexandr McGrew Clark Carter
Job Springer William Nicclesdonn Job Springer
William N Downy Wm Gough Alexander Autry
Leven Hanesworth Wm Autry Joseph Long
Thos Newman Joseph Koen William Martin
Wm Ross Morton Barton Christorpher Vandevender
Archibald Colvill Jos Carson Walker Bailey
Solomon Stewart Lewis Crane John Harrington
Moses Elison Moses Bishop Gardner Holcom
John Hicks David Williams George W Stevnson
Isaac Denson Thornton Stone Nathaniel Denson
A Ward James Denson N Shackelford
Joseph Denson D J Shackelford Jas Hall
Jno R Cotten Matth Shaw John Bell
Josiah Chambers John Cox Michael Stinson
Samel Rivers William Godfrey Littleberry J Newsem
Wm Thornton John Smith David Raglin
Andrew Henshaw Linsey McCary John Bradford
Mily Asby Thos Rhodes James Rogers
Thomas Murray Jesse Denson Jr John Bagby
Alexander Faith Absalom Reed Charels Wells
Arch McRae John Harris James Earle
James Mills Elisha Terven Martin Wells
Thomas Jones John Curry Noah Robert
Drury C Wilkinson I J Alson J D Lister
Wm Shaw M J Everitt John K Irby
Henrey Atchison Johns Minchur Saml Elison
Geo Fisher Jams Grims S J Price
James Bedwell Isaac Jordan Wily Curry
Jas Moore David Rudder James Renfroe
Elias Stinson John Baird Richard Wormack
Willi McMillan Joseph Thompson John Hays
James Thomson Richard B Glover Thos Thompson
Jarimiah Crain John G Parish John Pickering
Jas Magoffin Aaron Pickering Saml Gearsin
James Langham Bryant Koker Wm Henry
Jacob McCarty Joseph Hainsworth A Wells
William Powell Wm Donald Thomas May
Wm Wormack J G Lyon Geo Grines
Eli More Haydon Wells John Curry
Nevin Culbraith Zebdee Sentry Jos McCarty
Henry Prince John Clark Lewis Cato
Mordica Kelly Henry Arrington Henry Nail
J T Stokes Alford Haley Wm H Sewall
James Fair Jno Baker Thos Moore
Joel Heard Thos Kirk Tho Eastin
Moses Gague David Johnson Richard Clark
John Johnston Sr Norman McLeod Francis Boykin
R G Hayden Wm Yates Wm Ross
John Johnston Jr James L Philips Green B Chaney
M E Sexton Hiram Merston Lawrence Timin
Martin Moody Squire Grayson Thos Salathill
L G Gilbert John McCarty Moses Griffin
John Mccrary John Phillip Jas H Chambers
Gibson Moore John F Sausaman A S Lipscomb
Lewis Sewill William Bowling Geo S Gaines
J F McGrew John Gilmore Sr J A Myers
Z Landrum James Chandler Wm Mosley
Jediah Pace Elias Coolidge Joseph Jarvis
H Bright John Griffin Demsey Koker
Mathew Hicks Mack White John MacDonald
William Rose Ellington Evans John Morgan
John McKinney David White Berryman H Loper
John Kirkham Bazzel Gray Abraham Rutledge
Green Hill Jesse B Landrum Wm Prye
Jas Daflin G R Kennerly Jonah Rogers
Vincent Harrisson Austin Kelly John Anderson
James Dewitt Sr W Beale Joseph Dewitt
James May Henry Ray Jn Dean Sr
Joshua Green Jno Dean Jr William Parker
Robt Lee Isaac Jackson Wm Wilson
Thomas Cox Matthew Wilson Matthew Cox
Thos Langham Andrew White S Hammond
John Calloway John George J Green
L Hammond Benj King M Hammond
Josiah Wills S Hammond William B Wills
J Hammond James Reed Westbrooks
William Jolley Wiley Huckly Jams Barran
G M Caller A Rutchledge Benjamin Curtis
Wm Botalar Isaiah Wilson Jon Bollar
G W Creagh Westley Boalar S Westbrooks
Green McKenny Jams Smith Jese Killby
Jno Cragar Blundel Curtis Pernal Warker
Thos Prothro Jno Linch Wm DoDridge
Aver Landom James Spikes Jno Landom
Jonas Spikes Thomas Heaton Richard Dodd
Samuel Williams Edward Bazer Edward Smith
Mathias Walker Josiah Jones Thomas Waite
William Landrum James Caller Josiah Green
Stephen Evans William Bird Thos M Brumby
Fedick Scarborough Danl Campbell Wm A Robinson
John Martin Jas Keel Chas Phillips
H W Taylor J Phillips John Millstad
Richard Dodd Gorge Lowrey Robert Pugh
Wm McEGirard John Cox S Nabors
Wm Tait P F Crowel Stephen Grice
Reason Pew Bartlet Brown Wm H Robertson
David Phillips Bodo Adams David Childres
Francois Girard John D Lorry Miql Gitara
Michael Secrest G B Cotters John Reid
L Judson Robert White M McKinsey
Lewis Nabors J S Patten William Jaunson
Joseph Swett A Quinnelly J W C Fleeming
John McGrew J Whitehead Robert Harrison
J P Smith Clak McGrew Aron Barlow
Willim McGrew Ser George Woodruff William McGrew Jr
Noah Adams Alexander McGrew Jos McCandless
Alexander Kilpatrick P H Hobart Nesbitt McGrew
Wm Hall Curtis Blinderbush Walter Bourke
Middleton Harrison Carman Frazee Bengaman Rogers
John Bolton Alexander Mckdaniel Gerald Byrne**
John Cox William Pollard John Lowery
Dque Saller jeune William Lowery Diego McCoy*
Richard W Hall M Perrault Thomas Lowery
James Wilson Andrew Lowert Saml Acre
Benjamin Deloch Henry V Chamberlain John C Parist
Benjn Dubroca V S Alexander J G Viennedez
J Saml Browing Danl Duval Charles Nabours
Louis Dolives David Phillips S H Garrow
James Steap D S Fisher Green D Caller
Alvan Robeshow Georg P Denis George Gullett
Charles Ray John Eades James Ray
Charles Hall Hall Ray Cyrus Sibley
John Stokes Thomas M Mervin James Deuit Jr
Thos W Daily Blasingan Johnson Nicolas Weeks
George Opry Buford Weekley William Curtis
Harry Toulmin
* Diego McCoy is Diego McVoy who was a commisioner of Mobile, Alabama from 1815.
** Gerald Byrne is Gerald Byrne Jr. His father, Gerald Byrne Sr, was massacred in 1814 by a band of Redstick Indians.
Both above notes were provided by Bonnie McVoy Treon. She can be contacted at gateon@ctc.net.
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