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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO THE SPECIAL COMMISSIONER ON SPANISH BOUNDARY (EPHRAIM KIRBY.) - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 10 (Correspondence and Papers 1803-1807) [1905]

Edition used:

The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 10.

Part of: The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO THE SPECIAL COMMISSIONER ON SPANISH BOUNDARY
(EPHRAIM KIRBY.)

j. mss.

Washington July 15, 1803.

Dear Sir,

—I yesterday signed a commission appointing you one of the commissioners to receive & determine the titles of lands held on the East side of Pearl river. The place of sessions will be Fort Stoddart. I am happy in having in that commission the name of a person already so well known to the public as to ensure their confidence. The other commissioner will be Mr. Robert Carter Nicholas of Kentucky, son of the late George Nicholas of that state. I am desirous of appointing to the register’s office, some worthy inhabitant of that part of the country, but I have never been able to get a recommendation of anyone. He should be of perfect integrity, good understanding, and, if a lawyer, so much the better. Under these circumstances I have thought it best to ask you to take charge of a blank commission, to be filled up by yourself as soon after your arrival there, as you can acquire information of the best character. Your own judgment will suggest to you the advantage of keeping it entirely secret that you have such a power, in order that you may obtain disinterested information. But I am obliged to impose on you another task, quite out of the line of your official duty, yet within that of a citizen of the U. S. We have had no means of acquiring any knolege of the number, nature & extent of our settlements west of Pearl river: Yet it is extremely important that we should receive accurate information. I have therefore taken the liberty of stating some queries to which I will pray your attention, and that you will take all the pains you can to obtain for me full and faithful answers.1 I leave this place within a few days for Monticello to remain there through the months of August and September. I pray you to accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect.

[1 ]Queries.

1. What are the settlements of citizens on the east side of Pearl river? Stating their geographical position, extent & numbers.

2. Are there good lands adjoining them to render them capable of enlargement?

3. Have they encroached on the Indians?

4. Are the settlements in a course of enlargement by persons setting down on lands without title?

5. The general character of the inhabitants & from whence they are?

6. A special list by name of all such individuals worthy of appointment to such offices as may be necessary among them, and characters so particularized as that we may know for what each is fit.

7. A general account of the Spanish settlements in the adjacent country, stating all material circumstances relative to them, particularly their geographical position & numbers. Those on the Chatahouchy, Excambier, Mobile, & Pascagoula rivers especially.

8. Their military posts, the position & strength of each, and especially on the Mobile.