To James Madison from Josiah Meigs, 13 February 1816
From Josiah Meigs
City of Washington February 13, 1816.
Sir
The late Proclamation relative to Intruders on the Public Lands1 having apparently caused a considerable excitement, I presume it not improper to communicate the inclosed Extract from a Private Letter received this day from Colonel Nicholas Gray, Register of the Land-Office at Washington. Mip.p.i. Territory, West of Pearl River. I have the honour to be very respectfully Yours.
Josiah Meigs.
P.S. The Proclamation has produced, at the Land-Office at St. Stephens, M. T. the same salutary effects as at Washington.
J.M.
Extract.
Land-Office, West of Pearl River. 22. January. 1816.
Our Sales had begun to slacken, until the President’s Proclamation appeared, and had general circulation: this day I have sold 2782 Acres, and expect to-morrow to sell more.
Nicholas Gray.
Josiah Meigs”
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, M-45:9). Docketed as received in the War Department in February 1816.
1. Meigs referred to JM’s proclamation of 12 Dec. 1815.