To Thomas Jefferson from Rodominick H. Gilmer, 4 March 1805
From Rodominick H. Gilmer
Burbone Hill March 4th 1805
Sir,
Impressd with a sence of duty to my self and my Fellow Citizens I have taken up my pen in contradiction of a Memorial which has been industriously Circulated through the District of Washington, and as I seriously believe by a few designing Speculartors, It is certainly ungreatfull to me. That my name should appear amoung the unhappy and discontented Citizens of Washington County, But Sir from one who grew up with a Republican Government, and from one who has been accustomed to the freedom and protection held forth to American Citizens, by the present administration, oppisition and discontent might naturely be Expected, when the law of the land is notoreously Violated. in Order to contradict a Memorial from the Legislature of the Mississippi Territory, a few Interested person drew up a memorial or petition denying that the Citizens of washington County were desireous that the Two land officers should consollidated, I will say for my self that I had Reather Truvell to Uaope for Justice then not to have it at all, and I believe that in the present Situation of things the Citizens of Washington County would be desireous of having the Two land Officies consollidated—reather then the business should stand as desided in the Present Instance, as I believe the desition of the Commissioners East of Pearl River Repugnant to the Spirit and letter of the laws, and in fact bears very heard on the poor and unfortunate Emmegrant. I will only add, that with a few Exceptions the people of Washington County are well Satisfied with the conduct of there Representitives in the Legislature of the Mississippi Territory Sir I am Your friend and Humble Survant
R: H: Gilmer
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “To Thomas Jefferson president of the United States of america”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.
The legislature of the Mississippi Territory issued a memorial on 14 Dec. 1804 requesting adjustments to the governance of the territory, and, in particular, changes that would allow the settlement of outstanding land claims. The petition argued that the commissioners of the land office east of the Pearl River had misinterpreted the statute governing the disposal of public lands by only accepting claims made before the end of 1797. Noting that Spanish troops had continued in that area until the spring of 1799, the legislators sought recognition of claims made until that time, and explained that the land office west of the Pearl River had followed a similar practice. They proposed that the two land offices be consolidated, and that the jurisdiction of the western office’s commissioners be extended to both districts. In addition, the petitioners requested changes in suffrage requirements, a shift in the allotments of representatives in the legislature, measures to combat speculation, an increase in the number and salary of district judges, and aid in the establishment of a hospital at Natchez (, 5:361-7).