The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-01-14

The First Capital of Mississippi.
THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON As II WAS
AND Is.

THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON AS IT WAS
AND Is.
Extract from Chapter xxx, Claiborne,
History of Mississippi, now in press.)
Robert Williams, of North Carolina and
Cowles Meade of Georgia, were appointed
respectively, Governor and Secretary of the
Mississippi Territory. Mr.. Williams had
been a prominent representative in Con
gress, and had been latterly acting as one OF
the commissioners to adiudicate our
conflicting land claims. 1t was not posi-
tion to add to ones popularity, and Mr..
Williams was not a man of cOnciliatOry ad-
dress. He was rather repulsive and peremp-
tory, to please the courtly and refined pco-
pie among whom he resided. The Republi-
cans in the Territory had strongly recon-
mended Col Cato West, Secretary of the
Territory, and its most efficient party
leader. But Mr.. Williams belonged to a
very influential family of Jeffersonian re-
publicans in North Carolina, State that
required some nursing ut that iuncture, and
it was deemed expedient to confer on him
the appointment. He arrived at the town
of Washington, January Doth, 1905, and
was welcomed by public dinner presided
over by the venerable Judge Rodney and
Thomas II. Williams.
The town of Washington, six miles east
of Natchez, in rich, elevated and pictur-
esque country, was then the seat of Govern
ment The land office, the Surveyor-G ten
erals office, the office of the Commissioners
of claims, the Courts of the United States,
were all there. In the immediate vicinity
was Fort Dearborn and permanent canton
ment of the United States troops. The
high officials of the Territory made ii their
residence, and many gentlemen of fortune,
attracted by its advantages, went there to
10 l. nd
the academical department of Jeffe rson
College, inaugurated by Governor Clai-
borne, was in successful operation. The
society was highly cultured and refined
The conflicting land titles had drawn a
crowd of lawyers, generally young men o!
fine attachments and brilliant talents The
medical profession was equally well repre-
scented, at the head of which was DIR. Dan
lei Rawlings, native of Calvert comfy
Maryland, a man of high moral character
and exalted patriotism, eminent in his pro-
tession, and who, as a vigorous writer and
acute reasoner, had no superior and few
equals. The immigration from Mary land-
chiefly from Calvert, Prince George and
Montgomery counties-cOnssted for the
most part of educated and wealthy
planfers-the Covingtons, Graysons, Chews,
Calvits, Wilkinsons, Freelands, Wales,
Bowies and Magruders; and the Winstons,
DangerheIds, and Others from Virginia, who
for long time gave tone to the society of
Territorial capital 1t was a gay and fash
iohable place, compactly built for mile or
more from east to west, every hill in the
occupied by some gentleman's
chateau. The presence Of the military had
its influence on society; punctilio and cere-
mony, parades and public entertainments
were the features of the place. 1t was, of
course, the haunt of politicians and office
hunters; the center of political intrigue
the point to which all persons in pursuit OF
land or occupation first came. Was fla
nous for its wine parties and dinners
usually enlivened by one or more duels di-
rectly afterward. Such was this Eow de
serted and forlorn looking village, during
Territorial organization. In its forums
there was more Oratory, in its salons more
wit and beauty than we have ever witness
I'd sinee-all now Wondering, neglected
and forgotten, in the desolate graveyard of
he ancient capital.