FOOTNOTES:
[204] The seat of government for Mississippi Territory was removed from Natchez to Washington in 1802. Governor Claiborne was authorized to purchase land for a cantonment, and barracks, which was called Fort Dearborn. For an interesting description of Washington at an early day, see Claiborne, Mississippi, pp. 258-260.—Ed.
[205] General Ezekiel Forman, of New Jersey, secured a Spanish grant and migrated to the Natchez country in 1789-90. See his nephew’s journal, Narrative of a Journey down the Ohio and Mississippi (edited by Lyman C. Draper; Cincinnati, 1888).
Blennerhassett retired to Mississippi after the Richmond trial, and remained at this plantation, which he called LaCache, until 1819. He was active in public affairs, serving on the committee of safety in 1813. He removed to Montreal, and later returned to England, dying at Guernsey in indigent circumstances in 1831. Attempts were made in 1842 to secure restitution for Mrs. Blennerhassett from Congress, but she died before this could be accomplished.—Ed.
[206] Fort Panmure was the British name of the Natchez Post, which had been called Fort Rosalie by the French. The English garrison found the latter in a ruinous condition when sent to take possession in 1764. Fort Panmure was the scene of a struggle between English Tories and American sympathizers in 1778-79. See Claiborne, Mississippi, pp. 117-124. The historical account of Natchez given by Cuming, is substantially correct. See F. A. Michaux’s Travels, vol. iii of this series, p. 254, note 53.—Ed.
[207] Winthrop Sargent was born at Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1753, and served under General Knox throughout the Revolution. Shortly after he became interested in the Ohio Company of Associates, and in 1786 was appointed surveyor therefor. Upon the organization of Northwest Territory (1787), Sargent was appointed secretary, and continued in this office until chosen governor of the newly-organized Territory of Mississippi (1798). Sargent was a man of ability, a scholar, and a poet; but being a Federalist and of New England austerity, he was unpopular among his Democratic neighbors, and was removed by Jefferson in 1801. He died in New Orleans in 1820.—Ed.
[208] Colonel William Scott enlisted from Maryland, being at first ensign (1795), then lieutenant in the third infantry, and captain (1800). Two years later, he was honorably discharged and retired to Mississippi. He served as lieutenant-colonel of the Thirty-sixth Infantry in the War of 1812-15.
Governor Robert Williams was a native of North Carolina, and had served in Congress and on a commission for adjusting Mississippi land-titles before he was appointed as governor of the territory (1804). The chief episode of his term (1805-09) was the apprehension of Burr.—Ed.
[209] These were among the most prominent of early Mississippians.
Sir William Dunbar was a Scotchman, who came to America because of failing health, and embarked in the Indian trade at Fort Pitt in 1771. Two years later he removed to West Florida, and shortly after settled at Natchez. Under the Spanish régime he was chief surveyor, and in 1797 boundary commissioner for that power. He was appointed judge of the first territorial court in 1798. Dunbar was a successful planter, and had the first screw-press for cotton, in Mississippi. He also had scientific attainments, and was a member of the American Philosophical Society. He died in 1810, leaving many descendants.
Abner Green belonged to one of the most prominent Mississippi families. He was brother of Colonel Thomas Green, first territorial delegate; his father was a Virginian who came to Natchez under the Spanish régime, and was influential in having Georgia assert its authority over this territory. Abner Green was register of probates under the Bourbon County, Georgia, act, and treasurer-general for the territory in 1801. He married a daughter of Colonel Anthony Hutchins, and was regarded as a model planter.
George Poindexter, one of the most able of Mississippi politicians, was regarded by his enemies as one of the most unscrupulous. A native of Virginia, he came to Mississippi in 1802. His first public office was that of attorney-general for the territory, as such conducting the prosecution of Aaron Burr. Having killed Abijah Hunt, a political enemy, in a duel, he was nevertheless exonerated by being chosen one of the territorial judges, which office he conducted with fairness and ability. In the War of 1812-15, he served as aide to Jackson at New Orleans, and became one of the general’s warm partisans, defending him in Congress in 1819. Poindexter was a member of the Mississippi Constitutional Convention of 1817, and the first representative in Congress for the new state (1818-20). Upon his return home, he was elected governor of the State after a campaign of great personal bitterness, but was defeated in an attempt to secure a second term. In 1830, Poindexter again entered politics, being chosen United States senator, in which position he attacked Jackson with as much spirit as he had formerly defended him. Jackson even accused Poindexter of having instigated an attempt upon his life, but afterwards was convinced of his error. Poindexter retired from public life in 1835, but for twenty years longer continued a career of dissipation and excess.—Ed.