1To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 28 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
Placed as you are in the highest station to which the good sense of a republican nation can elevate an individual; fully occupied, no doubt, if not burthened with concerns highly interesting to a large portion of the globe; I have felt reluctant to intrude myself and my own little circle on your attention. And although from the peculiar local position of this settlement, surrounded by indians,...
2To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 31 October 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have just been honoured with your favour of Septr. 5th. which has been so long on the road in consequence of its going round by way of Natchez. I am gratified to find that my communication to you was acceptable, and still more so to be able to repeat my assurances that the expedition is at an end. One of the leading partizans takes to himself the merit of having induced the government to...
3To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, [6 November] 1810 (Madison Papers)
… of some troops for this place: but I know not on what foundation. If only two or three hundred men came; I think it highly probable that several from our settlement would join them: but I have no great apprehension that any body of men will go from this place alone , to attack Mobile. Lawyer Kennedy a Major of the militia seems indeed very solicitous to impress the idea, that as the...
4To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 22 November 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 November 1810, Fort Stoddert. Writes again to inform JM of “the situation of this country in the present critical state of affairs” as he fears that certain American citizens will do “some rash act … highly injurious to the cause of peace and good order.” The population of the district is divided into three settlements. In the settlement near and above St. Stephens there is “little or no...
5To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 28 November 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 November 1810, Fort Stoddert. “The situation of our country here [which] becomes every day so truly critical … will excuse me, I hope, if I should even communicate to you more frequently or more fully than may be deemed absolutely necessary.” Has no doubt that “the alarm excited in the summer, induced the government to take the best measures” possible, but the “judicial arm is (for the want...
6To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 6 December 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 December 1810, Fort Stoddert. Reports that there is no sign of any force from Baton Rouge. “The party which assembled from this district, have moved down to a bluff nearly opposite to the town of Mobile.… Governor Folch attempted to cross the bay with a force to disperse them; but a storm arose, and he was compelled to return. They have occasioned a general terror to the inhabitants.… Their...
7To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 12 December 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 December 1810, Fort Stoddert. Reports issuing arrest warrants for Dr. Pollard and others engaged in illegal military enterprises. “Previous to the return of the Sheriff; the inclosed application for a writ of Habeas Corpus was made to me by Lawyer Kennedy, which I send because it exhibits the legal talents of the petitioner, & because … it has afforded ground for a clamour that I had denied...
8To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 10 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
When I last took the liberty of addressing you, I was engaged I believe in the examination of Reuben Kemper and John Callier. Col. Kennedy of the conventional army had been arrested and held to bail, and had thereupon applied to me for a writ of habeas corpus , to bring up the recognizance ; in consequence of which I stand charged before the public of denying to a freeman the sacred writ of...
9To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 23 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
As I have observed in the instructions from the Secretary of State to Govr. Claiborne, which have lately reached this Country; that weekly communications from him were expected relative to the State of things in West Florida; I feel less apprehensive of being considered as guilty of intrusion, in the frequent reports which I have thought it proper to trouble you with, relating to events more...
10To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 6 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 February 1811, Fort Stoddert. Writes that “nothing material has occurred” since his last letter other than the failure of the judge sent by Claiborne to establish civil government in the settlement on the Pascagoula River. Quotes from a 27 Jan. letter written to him by Judge Cumming describing “‘the state of anarchy and confusion’” on the Pascagoula and the refusal of Dupree to permit the...
11To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 27 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 February 1811, Fort Stoddert. Acknowledges having received JM’s letter of 22 Dec. [not found] “about three weeks ago.” “Since that was written you will have seen that the authority given to governor Claiborne, instead of having the effect … to extinguish illegal enterprize, has only given a new direction to it: and that nothing probably but the timely, tho’ barely timely, arrival of Col....
12To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 6 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
When I had last the honour of addressing you, I did not think it probable that any event would speedily occur which would render it proper for me again to intrude upon your attention: nor am I certain at the present moment that any will occur which will absolutely require the interference of the chief magistrate of the Union: but so great is our distance from the seat of government, and so...
13To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 14 March 1811 (Madison Papers)
On monday last a report was brought to this place from Pensacola; that a fleet of 30 sail of British were off the Barancas, at the mouth of the bay. I felt extremely anxious to ascertain both the fact, and the sentiments with which such an event would be viewed by Govr. Folch: for altho’ it might prima facie, be presumed that it would be very grateful to him as a Spaniard, yet without a minute...
14To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 14 May 1811 (Madison Papers)
The reports which I some time since communicated to you relative to the dispositions towards the government of the United States existing in a part of the country lately taken possession of, adjacent to the Mississippi, render it proper that I should state to you the impressions which have resulted from personal observation. I have lately been attending at Baton Rouge as a witness in the case...
15To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 13 February 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 February 1812, Fort Stoddert. Is reluctant to trouble JM at a time of crisis with “a tedious communication” on a “mere personal concern,” but “the cause of Justice … is as interesting as the cause of War: and the Chief of the Union … will never be insensible to the importance of maintaining at home, the good order of society, the vigour of the laws, and the Character of the Government.” Has...
16To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 17 February 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 February 1812, Fort Stoddert. Is uncertain whether he has deviated from “etiquette” in addressing a public letter to JM personally, rather than to the secretary of state. “The idea … was suggested by a friend, and there was not time enough then to avail myself of it without losing another week.… I feel that I have lost too many weeks already, occasioned at first by a total ignorance of the...
17To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 2 March 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 March 1812, Fort Stoddert. Forwards “the remaining part of the documents referred to in the letter” sent a few days since. Also encloses a letter circulated in the name of [James] Caller “and signed by him, as his own,” to show “the sentiments with which [he] was regarded at a period subsequent to most of [his] supposed official misdemeanours, by a person who has … been peculiarly active …...
18To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 2 June 1813 (Madison Papers)
I had lately the pleasure of a visit from Governor Holmes, and accompanied him to Mobile. Whilst we were there, he became much impressed with a conviction of the necessity existing for the establishment of a federal court in this territory, & addressed a communication upon the subject, not only to the secretary of State, but also to many members of congress. Thinking it desirable that I should...
19To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 13 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have for sometime past felt the importance if not the necessity of addressing you relative to the alarming situation of this part of the Mississippi Territory—but having communicated the leading facts to some friends in Congress, & also availed myself of the relation I stand in to the Post Master General as his deputy at this place; I have flattered my self that every end would be answered...
20To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 11 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
It is with a mind oppresed by a state of sadness at the events which have already taken place and experiencing the most solemn apprehensions as to the future, that I again take the liberty of addressing your Excellency. On monday the 30th. of August, agreably to expectations which we had been taught to form six or eight weeks before, but some what later than was at first expected; the Indians...
21To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 14 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Since the letter and P.S. accompanying this were addressed to your Excellency; I have received letters from Govr. Holmes & Genl. Claiborne, of which I do myself the honour to inclose copies: and have this day been favoured by Major Gibson with a letter addressed to him by Coll. Bowyer, and which he has been kind enough to give me for the purpose of its being forwarded to you. You will not...
22To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 4 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
It is between two and three weeks since I took the liberty of addressing you, by an express which I deemed it absolutely necessary to send to Georgia, relative to the perilous situation of this Territory. I trust that the men who carried that Express have got safely through: although we have since heard from Pensacola that some indians were on the watch to intercept any dispatches: but as no...
23To James Madison from Harry Toulmin, 20 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
I almost blush at my own presumption when I take the liberty of addressing you upon the present occasion. There is not a man in America, who has more uniformly than myself felt a confidence in the principles and wisdom of the national executive: and if a knowledge of local circumstances, induce me to become a humble petitioner in behalf of thousands around me; I trust it will be ascribed to...