1To James Madison from Robert Williams, 3 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The period is now at hand when I intend retireing from the administration of this government. I did hope for the arrival of my successor by that time, but of this I begin now to despair. I shall, therefore, prepare to take an important Step—I mean a dissolution of the general Assembly, which will take place this evening. Were it not Consistant with my duty to assign any reasons for this...
2To James Madison from Robert Williams, 14 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
In Compliance with the opinion of the President of the United States, Communicated through the Secretary of the Treasury in a letter dated 5th: of November, I Shall immediately proceed to the appointment of Civil officers in that tract of Country Called the great bend of Tennessee, lying Within this Territory and to which the Indian titles have been extinguished. Preparatory to this Measure it...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 7 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter to the Secretary of State some time ago, I mentioned My intention of going to No Carolina & Visiting the City of Washington in all this Month—I also observed to you by a few lines about the first of last Month My intention to Resign this Government after the 3rd of March, & having mentioned the same to several persons here; it was seized on & connected with other attempts to have...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 16 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have So frequently addressed you touching the attempts of a Certain party here to embarrass this administration, and to work the distinction of the individual who is charged with it, that I feel a degree of diffidence in addressing you again on that Subject.—Neither Should I Now do So, but an attack has been lately Made of a Nature too Serious in its insinuations Not to be Noticed if Not for...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 10 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
By the inclosed debates you will See what kind of Republicans we have here—I intend going out of office with you, will write you on that Subject next mail &c.— I am with great Consideration yr: P.S. I expect to be at the City this Winter— DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
6To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 5 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I suppose you will have Reced. before this comes to hand, from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the nomination for a Legislative Council, to Wit, Thomas Calvit, James Lea, John F. McGrew, Alexander Montgomery, Daniel Burnet, Jacob Stampley, James Haines, Francis Johnston; Joseph Sissions and Joshua Baker. The first five of these I would recommend to be selected for the Council—the...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 16 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to a Suggestion in my letter to you of the 10th. Ultimo I did on the 1st. instant dissolve the General Assembly. In order that you may be fully informed of the motives and reflections which dictated this measure, I inclose a Copy of my letter to the Secretary of State, in addition to which I will observe, that this did not take place, as long as there was any probability that...
8To James Madison from Robert Williams, 8 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
On the 1st. instant I dissolved the General Assembly. This power being possessed by the Governor, when in his opinion it may be thought expedient; I should not trouble you with any observations on the subject, were it not that I know, representations are and will be made tending to impeach my motives, as well as to question its propriety if not legality. It therefore becomes my official...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 10 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 6 Ultimo I wrote to you a few lines enclosing the Copy of a letter I had previously written to Mr Gallatin—a report having been since circulated by a few, relative to the existance of a certain fact which if true might tend to induce a belief that I did not possess correct information on a certain subject treated of in that Communication, induces me to address you at present. The report...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 30 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed by a friend whose moderation and discretion are such, as to induce Violent partizans and Credulous Zealots, to suppose he did not discountenance their measures, that letters have been written to Mr. Thomas M Randolph, and Mr. Epps by a Mr. Branham making the most false statements and representations respecting this Territory and its political Situation— All I know of this young...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 19 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 4th. Ulto. Supplementary to one of an introductory Nature in favor of Mr. Thos. T. Jones, I recd. yesterday by the Mail being the 3d. Mail due from your quarter—The failures have been very Numerous this Winter, and Mostly beyond Nashville— Mr. Jones has not yet arrived—you May Rely I Shall do all in My power to give fair play to the excellent qualities which you discribe...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 6 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
We are all anxious in this quarter to know the probable direction our differences with England will take. And this anxiety is increased in proportion to our disappointment in the two last mails bringing nothing from the Eastward beyond Nashville. Peace, However, is the general wish if to be preserved on terms Compatible with our National rights— Were it not that at particular times and under...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 21 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 1st. Nov. I have recd. acknowledging the receipt of my several letters within this year—I have nothing new to inform—All things are going on well very well—you will See by the inclosed how our Legislature Started— Tho’ the materials are So discordant we are not to expect much—but 3 of the Council attend, and so many of the members are absent by Sickness &c. That I expect...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 12 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In some of my former communications, you have a pretty full account of the existence of a party formed during my absence last year, and their ultimate object: They have never ceased their exertions to embarrass and throw the Territory into confusion; knowing, it is not themselves, but the Governor on whom the greatest responsibility of keeping the community tranquil devolves. My continuing to...
15To James Madison from Robert Williams, 3 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
During my absence last year, a project was conceived, and set on foot to supplant me in the office of Governor. The situation and vanity of Mr Mead the then Secretary pointed him out as a fit instrument to be used on the occasion, being not only related to the family of Mr West but about to form a further connexion by marrying a near Relation of Mr West and Colonel Claiborne, which has taken...
16To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
We deem it our duty to suggest for consideration the expediency of making provision for appeals from Judicial decisions in the Territories of Orleans and Mississippi. By the present System, the Supreme Court of each Territory is a Court of Original and dernier resort; before these Tribunals causes of very great concern to Individuals are often brought; Causes extremely Complex; involving many...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 25 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Some weeks ago I Recd. under Cover from the Secy. of State a Commission for Thos. H Williams Esqr. as Secy. of this Territory, but no letter from You Or the Secretary of State has been Recd. by him or myself On the Subject of his Appointmint—Neither have I Recd. an acknowledgement of any of my letters to Yourself or Mr. Madison Since my Arrival in the Territory last Jany.—As letters Sometimes...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 3 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I herewith inclose you the two last Messengers, by which you will See what a torrent of abuse it issues agt. Me, Much under the Character of a Statement of facts, and it can only be astonishing to those Who know the falsity of them, how any Man or Set of Men can invent Such things after re ing all they know to be true—Mead acknowledged to me the other day, which is the only time he has been at...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 23 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
as usual I inclose this paper—See note in Margin—Mr. Mead has intirely withdrawn himself from the office, or even seeing me when he comes to Town, altho’ my invitations for him to come to my house, have never ceased, and my civilities toward him and inattention to his hostility has been constant and uniform—He’s determined to be hostile . H Williams will be on this fall, and can give you a...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 8 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The News paper herewith inclosed Contains one of those weekly doses, which it is said, is to be administered through the Medium of this paper, by the party of whom my former letters to you have given an account and which render it unnecessary to add any thing farther on the Subject at present, except that Poindexter begins to be openly abusive of the President of the U States, and others of...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 30 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I addressed you a letter, under date of the 10th. Inst., inclosing an extract of a letter from Joshua Baker, which was first published in Kentucky—I now inclose a Second which he has published here—this I do, that you May Completely Understand the Views of a party here, and because I have been in the habit of Communicating fully to you every thing of this kind. This is the production of that...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 11 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of March 21st. respecting Volunteer Companies, I recd. by yesterdays mail—you may rely on every exertion in my power to aid the Views of the government in this respect—I assure you with the utmost Confidence, that Such is the patriotism and attachment of the Citizens of this Territory to their government and laws, as to Justify the most Sanguine expectations on this occasion—...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 11 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Joshua Baker one of the Legislative Council of this Territory, is the Author of the inclosed extract of a letter— The notoriety of the falshoods which he has here detailed, without even the Semblance of foundation or truth, has drawn from the people an universal execration of his private as well as publick Character, so much so, as to render it expedient to revoke his Commission as one of the...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 6 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last letter to you, under date of March 14h. I gave a full and Cercumstantial account of the political occurrences in this Territory. By that letter, you must at once have seen, that my Situation as to a Secretary was not Such as it ought to be, Yet I did hope and expected that on an acquaintance with Mr. Meade by Shewing a passive indifference to the little notions which he had...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 14 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now about to address you with more real concern than I ever did, not that I am more timorous towards my duty, or fearful of the consequences, but because I have once before been under the disagreeable necessity for a simular course and in which from my Situation I may be thought to be partially interested. And furthermore that it must be at all times with much delicacy and caution you...
26To James Madison from Robert Williams, 1 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
By last Mail I gave you a full detail of the proceeding had in this Territory relative to Burr’s Conspiracy and of his escape. Yesterday I was informed of his being arrested in Consequence of My Proclamation, and detain’d at Fort Stodart. I have thought it advisable to request the Necessary Steps to be taken for Sending him on to the Seat of the General Government, and have employed Silas...
27To James Madison from Robert Williams, 23 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival here about four weeks ago, I found the publick mind much agitated on the Subject of Colo: Burr’s Conspiracy even to a degree which tended to intercept private intercourse and the harmony of society. This I must say, however, was not owing so much to any disposition to favour the improper Views attributed to him, and his party, as from a dislike to some of the measures which had...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 12 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to trouble you on a Subject, the importance of which, as well as your great desire to promote things of the kind, will I trust plead my excuse for so doing—Which is, to request your aid in procuring a proper Charecter, to Commence & take Charge of Jefferson College. The Trustees of that College have Commited to me this trust. When I left the Territory application had been...
29To James Madison from Robert Williams, 1 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Robert Williams. 1 July 1806, North Carolina. “It is here represented and expected, that the office of Marshal for this District has or will Soon become Vacant, by the resignation of Mr. West. “Permit me, in that event, to recommend to the Executive of the United States, Mr. Abner Weatherly, as a proper Character to fill the office. Mr. Weatherly has for many years past, acted as high...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Williams, 14 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I intend starting for No. Carolina in a day or two, and shall return as soon as possible—Mr. Meade has not yet come on, nor have we heard from him. I should have been glad of his arrival before I started, and would now wait a few days, but this is the only time I can be spared from the land business—whilst the surveys are making &c— Things are quiet in this quarter (except on Tom-Bigbee the...