Letters to and From President Thomas Jefferson
President of the United States
Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections
Transcribed my Midge Judith Smith
NOTE -The following is from among Judge May's papers. The original appears in the handwriting of the late E. Brush, Esq. The punctuation is directly copied from the original. The date was partially erased and may have been either 1805 or 1806
To the President of the United States:
Sir - In compliance with certain Resolutions that were had at the Meeting of the Officers of Militia at Detroit in the Territory of Michigan, representing the Inhabitants in general of said Territory, and at their special Request, the following Address, with the several Matters and Things therein contained, is most humbly submitted and particularly commended to your consideration and Patronage.
To speak without Dissimulation the prevailing Sentiments and Principles of the Inhabitants of this Territory as they relate to Matter of a political Nature, would be, it is presumed, to contradict in a great Measure that Information which has heretofore been given of them; by saying, that they have ever borne for you the highest Consideration and Respect as well as a sincere and unfeigned Attachment at all Times for the general Government under your wise and providential Administration.
We recognize with Pleasure, that Degree of Perfectibility to which Republican America has approached beyond all former Example, since welded by your Talents, and governed by your Council. And in; the Pursuance of that Administration, so Congenial to our Feelings, so sacred to our Rights and Privileges had we it in our Power, or should an Occasion ever offer, we humble trust that the Territory of Michigan will not be wanting, to aid and strengthen you in that System of Administration, so sacred to our dearest Rights.
Our Obligations call us also in the Second Place to acknowledge with becoming Respect, the many advantages it is hoped will redound to this Country, on having been erected to a separate Territory
and to say that Tribute of Respect to our worthy Executive which is so justly due him.
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON TO GOVERNOR HULL
WASHINGTON CITY}
His Excellency, Governor Hull: MARCH 21, 1807 }
SIR: - At the present state of things on the western side of the Mississippi does not threaten any immediate collision with our neighbors in that quarter and it's our wish they should remain undisturbed until an amicable adjustment may take place, yet as this doesn't not depend upon ourselves alone it has been thought prudent to be prepared to meet any movements which may occur.
The law of a former Session of Congress for keeping a Body of 10,000 Militia in readiness for service at a moment's warning is still in force. But by an Act of the last Session, a copy of which I now enclose, the executive is authorized to accept the services of such volunteers as shall offer themselves on the condition of the act which may render a resort to the former act unnecessary. It is for the execution of this act that I am now to solicit your zealous endeavors.
The persons who shall engage will not be called from their Homes until some aggression, committed or intended shall render it necessary. When called into action, it will not be for a lounging. But for an active and perhaps distant service. I know the effect of this consideration in kindling that ardor which prevails for this service, and I count on it for filling up the numbers requisite without delay. To yourself, I am sure, it must be as desirable as it is to me, to transfer this service from the great Mass of Militia to that portion of them to whose habits and enterprise active and distant service is most congenial. In using therefore your best exertions toward accomplishing the object of this act, you will render to your constituents as well as to the Nation, a most acceptable service.
With respect to the organizing and officering those shall be engages within your state, the act itself will be your guide. And as it is desirable that we should be kept informed of the progress in this Business, I must pray you to report the same from time to time to the Sect'y of War who shall correspond with you on all the details arising out of it.
I salute you with great consideration and respect.
Sign'd
THOMAS JEFFERSON
Contributed by Linda Ball