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Note: e United States, Territory of Arkansas XIX, 384 MEMORIAL TO THE PRESIDENT BY CITIZENS OF THE TERRITORY [NA:WD, SW Lets. Recd., A 70:DS] [No date, 1821] TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: SIR: Your Memorialists, citizens of the Arkansas Territory, beg leave to solicit your attention to their situation, and the effect which will result from the ratification and operation of the treaty lately concluded between the Commissioners Plenipotentiary on the part of the United States, and the Chiefs of the Choctaw Nation of Indians. It is foreign from our intention to intrude on you an detailed remarks respecting the inequality of exchange of property, between the two nations, considering ourselves totally ignorant of the views and motives which may have governed the Commissioners. But, Sir, when we reflect, that our frontier settlements were made under circumstances which entitled them to anticipate the usual indulgence, and benevolent protection of our government, hitherto extended to other sections of the United States; and compare the situation of a great portion of our citizens, with those Indians who may choose to emigrate hither, we cannot refrain from the united expression of our feelings on the subject: Although but a short time since we had the strongest inducement to flatter ourselves with a speedy prospect of realizing titles for the immense improvements, which have been reared by the labrious hand of all ages and sexes, under the manifold difficulties and privations incident to the settlement of a new country, many thousands will now be compelled to abandon their humble homes to savage occupants, without any reservation or remuneration. If the various objections which have already been offered to you, and the honorable Senate, and the consequences that must necessarily result from a rigorous fulfillment of the Treaty, should not have prevented the ratification thereof; we take the liberty of appealing to your well known philanthropy and discretion, for a suspension of its immediate operation; and to solicit through you, such provision by law as in the wisdom and discretion of our government may be deemed expedient. Tendering to you our unfained regards. Post Arkansas ARKANSAS TERRITORY, 1821. INDEX OF PETITIONERS [Endorsed] Secry of War Arkansas - Arkansas - Memorial of certain citizens thereof relative to the treaty with the Choctaws recd at War Dept. 9 Apl 1821.
Both an Abm. Lemmons and a James Brown signed this petition. Their signatures were in sections mostly identified as settlers of Old Miller County.
Note: ARKANSAS TERRITORY, TERRITORIAL PAPERS Clarence E. Carter (ed.), The Territorial Papers of th
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