To James Madison from George W. Campbell, 21 May 1814
From George W. Campbell
Washington City 21. May 1814
Sir,
The signers of the enclosed memorial, officers in General Jackson’s army, most of whom are known to me, are considered men of respectability and standing in their own State; at their request, therefore, I have thought it my duty to lay the same before you.1
I take leave also to enclose herewith a letter from Govr. Blount on the same subject, transmitted to me, with the view, no doubt of its being laid before the President. With sentiments of the highest respect, I have the honor To be Sir, Your Most Obdt.
G. W. Campbell
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM. Enclosures not found, but see n. 1.
1. A copy survives of the enclosed 18 Apr. 1814 letter to Campbell from nine Tennessee militia officers (DLC: Andrew Jackson Papers; 3 pp.), protesting the administration’s failure to include a representative of their state on the commission to treat with the hostile Creek Indians. They expressed no objection to Maj. Gen. Thomas Pinckney, one of the commission members, other than that he would likely not place Tennessee’s interests foremost. The other member, however, U.S. agent to the Creeks Benjamin Hawkins, was in their opinion “too much identified with … the enemy,” had “shewn himself unworthy any national trust,” and was consequently, they asserted, the last person Tennesseans would want on the commission. Emphasizing the primary role that the Tennessee militia had played in the campaign, and mentioning as well the claims and concerns of the Cherokees and friendly Creek Indians who had fought for the United States, the officers observed that “even if impartial justice be done, full satisfaction will not be given by the two who have been appointed.” They requested that Campbell show the letter to JM.