The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-11-10
Mbe 9nQulrer.
RICHMOND. NOVEMBER 10, 1909.
Banks OF THE MOBILE, Oct ID
TO The EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRIES.

BANKS THE MOBILE, Oct IA.
SIR,--A petition WAS presented to Congress
at theirlast session by the people residing on
the Tombigby and Alabama rivers, the two
great branches of the Mobile, for the purpose of
obtaining the establishment of separate terrific
rial government on the eastern side of the Missis
sipPi Territory The policy of giving every rea-
sonsble encouragement to the population Of a
country lying midway between the settlements
in Georgia and those on the Mississippi is SO OBJ
viOus. that it is confidently believed, that YOU
viii not deem it improper 10 devote column of
your paper to some remarks on the objections
which seemed TO stand in the way of compli-
snce with the prayer of the petition. For surely
Ut cannot be regarded act of national Wis
dom to foster settlements the Mississippi,
whilst wilderness of 700 miles between the
Mississippi and the old States is left unoccupied
IL IS leaving both the old and the new settlements
extremely vulnerable TO the Indians which occu-
py the Intermediate territory, and it is keepinp
out OF the way OF those numerous tribes that
stimulus to adopt the habits of civilized life
which the example and the pres ,ure Of a re spec.
table white population in their neighborhooi al
ways furnish with greater efficacy thai. the most
earnest recommer Istion3. The United Statee
hold land enough on the middle ground TO sun.
port such population and fthe country were
rendered an object of attention bv the establish,
ment OF local government, there can he mn
doubt bat that the ancient settlements nm the
Fnmbigby anil Alabama would soon bcco,pa
sufficiently strong 90 ensure perpetual peace
betwe en- the Unit, d States, and all I'm. india
tribes east OF the Mississippi IT present those
settlements are Just large enough, by their pro.
perry to tempt the avsricc, or by their blood to
whct the fury, ofany Indian tribes that rni,L har
Dor hostile sentiments towards the ". State,
and as IT is always found necessary TO station a
company Of 'coops in those settleDents-it cost q
te Unned States at least ~, 900 dollars wear 20
defend them.
The objections made in Congress To tile es.
tabiisament OF separate territorial government
ON the eastern side oftbe Mississippi Tertiary.
were, that many Of the petitioners are Illegal set.
terS-that they werca conceT.ed in the Yazoo
speculation, and that Congress could not divide
the territory without the consent of the Mis-
sissippi Legislature and of the State of Ceor-
ga
/. AS ~ the legality Of the population on the
Mobile and It's waters. 1t ought 70 be remem
bered that considerable part Of that population
is more ancient thsn that of some of the United
States, and hat their titles to land depeud on
the general laws Of Congress
There are many, it is true, who have lately en-
grsted TO the country aud who, from the impos.
sibility q, settling themselves IN any other way.
are now occupying the public lands of the Urited
States. But they have candidly stated their SIT.
ust'on TO c9ngress--they have pointedly disclain
ed al pretentiOns Ofright TO the land. thew have
declared that they eaIoc 10 the country i.noran.