LOUISIANA TERRITORY ~ PETITION TO LAND COMMISSIONERS ~ 1810

[These lists, containing 986 signatures of Missouri Pioneers in the year 1810, copied from the Territorial Papers of the United States, Vol. XIV, Louisiana-Missouri Territory, 1806-1814, pages 382-397. Compiled by Clarence Edwin Carter, U.S. Gov. Printing Office, 1949.]

"The Memorial Of the undersigned inhabitants of the Territory of Louisiana respectfully Sheweth... making known to the government, the many defects xisting in those laws and regulations, in regard to their land claims... Hard is the fate of the claimant (and the orphan children of those) who traversed a wilderness country to reach Louisiana, for the express purpose of acquiring the means to benefit their families. Who from fear of the savage tomahawk, a want of prompt protection from the government, sickness and deaths in their families, and many other causes; were prevented (though actually settled in the territory) from placing themselves in safety, on the particular tracts alotted to them. Machanicks and others who lived in towns, useful indeed to the government, had no idea of forfeiting their right, for want of occupying the particular tracts conceded to them; if claims of those discriptions are now to be rejected, under the 4th Sec. of the law of congress, passed the 3rd day of March 1807. For want of three years cultivation, such construction will operate in the opinion of your memorialists Ex Post Facto and impair the obligations of bona fide contracts made in good faith under the Spanish government... it was his residence that created his right and not cutting down trees or building up houses...

Your memorialists... most respectfully solicit your honorable Board and Agent to forward those memorials, to the secretary of the treasury, to be by him laid before Congress, with such remarks accompanying the same, as may seem to your honorable Board just and proper, in favour of all such species of claims, as in justice, good faith, and good policy ought to be confirmed."

Section 1 of Subscribers to Memorial

(Endorsed) forward to post Master in St Louis immediately when signed by mail or otherwise. 11

Section 2 of Subscribers to Memorial

(Endorsed) forward to post master in St Louis (when signed) by mail or otherwise, let this be done soon. 15

Section 3 of Subscribers to Memorial

(Endorsed) 21

Section 4 of Subscribers to Memorial

(Endorsed) forward to post master in St. Louis by mail or otherwise immediately when signed.

B. Johnston, Esq. 24

(Endorsed) forward to post master in St Louis by mail or otherwise immediately when signed. 85

Col. Stephen Byrd Esp--Dist. Cape Girardeau.

Section 6 of Subscribers to Memorial

(Addressed) the post master at St. Louis (Postmarked) Cape Girardeau 2 Mar 1810. Free.

(Endorsed) forward to post master in St Louis by mail or otherwise immediately when signed. 16

Section 7 of Subscribers to Memorial

(Endorsed) forward to post Master in St Louis, when signed by mail or otherwise, let this be done soon. 74

Dr New Madrid Twp of Big Prairie

Section 8 of Subscribers to Memorial

(Endorsed) forward to post master in St Louis, by mail or otherwise, immediately when signed to the Care of Michel Horine. 18

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