Creek Indians--Treaties
Cherokee Indians--Treaties
Indian land transfers
Slave traders
Land grants
Georgia
Mitchell, David B., 1766-1837





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Shoulderbone P.O. [Post Office] Geo [Georgia]
March 27th.

6

His Excellency John Clark Gov. of Georgia Milledgeville





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Hancock County,
19th March 1820
Sir,
No apology, I presume, need be offered for obtruding the following statement upon your attention; and soliciting, tho' [though] in regular form of petition, a remedy for the misfortune complained of.
In conformity with the act of the Legislature of the
16th Dec. 1819, supplementary to an act of
1818 for the disposition of the territories lately ceded by the Creeks and Cherokees to the State of Georgia, the Inferiour [Inferior] Court of this County appointed a person to receive a list of such persons as an entitled to a draw or draws under the provisions of said act. But he, not being in possession of the law, and not knowing under what restrictions to govern the claims of applicants, refused to receive the names of persons so entitled until the time limited by said act, say 16th Inst. [Instant] had approached so near as to render it imposible [impossible] for due notice to be given of his intention to attend at any place for that purpose. At least I have been so informed by persons in other parts of the County. But to be more explicit I will state what occured [occurred] to my own knowledge, and which is susceptible of complete confirmation. The gentleman appointed as above gave notice that he would attend at the muster ground in this district for the purpose of taking such list on the 23rd Ult. [Ultimo] but for the circumstance before mentioned declined doing so: and he made no other appointment. Nevertheless, on the 15th Inst. [Instant] the last day on which the benefit of the act could be availed of; without any formal notice previously given of his intention to attend with that view, while at said muster ground for the purpose of collecting taxes, he declared himself ready to take the names of those entitled to the


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benefit of the act. which could have been anticipated by no one, in as much he had [added text: been ] heard to say he would have nothing to do with the business, believing from an examination of the act of the
14th dec. 1819 the Inferiour [Inferior] Court had not power to appoint him. And it is quite certain the same circumstance will exclude many of the citizens of this County from the enjoyment of the privilege of participation in the contemplated Lottery; Unless, you, in communication of those thus injured, will rely so far on the sanction of the next legislature as to allow further time to the people of this county to give in. Which if compatible with the state of the surveys, and registry, might, perhaps, "feed the hungry and clothe the naked."
Knowing the interest you take in all matters which concern our publick [public] or individual rights, I have been emboldened to address you thus familiarly. Your wisdom will dictate that which is proper.~

I have the Honour [Honor] to be, Sir, Your Very Obt. [Obedient] & Humbl. Servt. [Humble Servant]
[Signed] David Kendall His Excellency John Clark Gov. of Georgia
P.S.
March 22nd In the Georgia Journal of Yesterday I read some documents relative to the illicit introduction of Africans in which Genl. [General] D.B. Mitchell is supposed to have had some agency.- That guilt may be traced through all the devious labyrinths, of subtlety and artifice, circumstances following each other in proper connection, serves as steps to leave the enquire as to the truth -- I am inclined to think


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Mar. 19, 1820 If Capt. John [illegible text], of Sparta, were interogated [interrogated] touching that transaction he could add a link to your claim of circumstantial evidence in implication of the gentleman above mentioned -- I cannot [added text: say ] if it is certain.

Yours with due Respect
[Signed] D.K. --



Letter of D Kendall of Hancock Co dated
19th Mar 1820
Answer written
4th March 1820 -