MEMORIAL OF JAB. MAY TO THE LEGISLATURE

Volume II, Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections

Transcribed by Midge Judith Smith

MEMORIAL OF JAB. MAY TO THE LEGISLATURE

Copy of a petition delivered to the Legislature praying relief in a settlement of my accounts with E. Brush, Treasurer

To His Excellency Govr. Hull and the Hble. the Judges of the Territory of Michigan in their Legislative Capacity:

The Petition of James May, Late Marshal of said Territory,

Showith: - That your petitioner in conformity to the order of your Hble. Body, presented his accounts against the Territory to E.B., Esqr., Treasurer to be audited. That the sum of Four hundred and thirty-one dollars the said Treasurer has refused to audit as will appear from the annexed statement, imitating that appropriations have not been made for the payment of part of the charges, and the remainder, he feels himself unauthorized to admit.

Your petitioner feeling himself thus situated and sensible at the same time of the equity of his demand, and that every charge in said acct. for services rendered the Territory moneys expended etc. etc. can be proved if proof is required.

Your petitioner in justice to himself feels it his duty to submit the said objections before your Hble. B'y - for investigation fully convinced that justice will be done in the premises.

And your petitioner in duty bound will every pray, etc.

RESOLUTIONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE ON THE SUNDRY CONSIDERABLE SUMS OF MONEY SUBSCRIBED FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SUFFERERS BY THE CONFLAGRATION OF DETROIT.

(FILED OCTOBER 21, 1808. NO ORDER HEREOF)

WHEREAS, Sundry subject of his Britannic Majesty residing in Montreal, in Upper Canada, actuated by motives of the purest benevolence, did subscribe and pay, on the late melancholy conflagration of the town of Detroit, sundry considerable sums of money, for the relief of the sufferers by the said conflagration; and the inhabitants of Mischilimackinac did also subscribe and pay on the same occasion sundry considerable sums of money.

AND WHEREAS, It has so happened that the said moneys have never been applied to the benevolent purposes contemplated by the generous donors, and events of this kind greatly tend to diminish the fire of benevolence, by exciting the apprehension that from fraud, or mismanagement, the fund of charity may be diverted form its object;

RESOLVED, Therefore, that is expedient to appoint a committee on the part of this legislature to enquire into the amount of the sum paid at the respective places before mentioned, and the names of the contributors, and to enqquire to whom the said moneys have been paid in this country, and what causes have prevented the application thereof to the purpose contemplated by the donors, and what, if any measures it will be expedient to adopt on this subject, and that the said committee have power to send for persons and papers.  

Contributed by Linda Ball