Letters
Creek Indians--Treaties
Creek Indians--Relocation
Surveyors
Boundaries
Monroe, James, 1758-1831
Georgia





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Woodland, near Madison
31st. March 1821.
Sir
Yesterday evening I had the honor to receive your communication of the 21st instant. I also received by the same mail a commission & instructions from the President of the United States authorizing me to run out the line of the late treaty, from the head of Flint River to the Chatahoochee River, and to lay off the reservations made to the Creek Indians, in the manner specified in the treaty. I shall with as little delay as practicable proceed to the performance of the duties of my appointment and entertain but little doubt of the accomplishment of the treaty line before the meeting of the Legislature, on the
30th, of next month.
It not only meets my approbation, but will afford me particular satisfaction to be accompanied by a state commissioner, especially if that commissioner should be either of the gentlemen who attended at the making of the treaty. The presence of one of those gentlemen is rendered more desirable, on account of the difficulties suggested in your letter, in relation to the treaty line. I hope you will not delay in making an early communication to me of the appointment you may make, as I may be enabled to give due notice to the person appointed, of the time & place appointed to run out the line.
According to my construction of the constitution of Georgia I do not feel myself authorized to retain my seat as a member of the Legislature, and hold the appointment of United States commissioner at the same time (a practice in similar cases to the contrary notwithstanding) Please to read the 11th section of the first article of the constitution.
Anticipating censure from some of my fellow Citizens, for the course which I am about to pursue; permit me to offer the apology which is satisfactory to my own feelings on this subject,


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To wit, If I was to decline the appointment of commissioner a second appointment could not be made & the treaty line run out previous to the meeting of the Legislature, which might prove to be a greater injury to the State, than would be remunerated by any service which I could render [added text: the people ] as a member of the Legislature. For Sir, to be candid, so far as I am acquainted with public opinion in regard to the disposition which should be made of the late acquired territory, to obey the voice of the majority, the Legislature will have but little to do, except it is to copy the late land lottery Law, & perform the usual formalities in Legislation, and any individual who can write, can perform the duty as well as another.
I feel myself under great & peculiar obligations to my fellow citizens generally, and especially to those of the immediate vicinities or neighborhoods where I have resided, for the uniform kindness, confidence & support, which they have manifested, [unclear text: reposed ] and exercised toward me from time to time. In making a disposition of the late acquired territory, as a member of the Legislature I should feel myself under obligations paramount to every other consideration, to set apart & apply a sufficient portion of the lands, or raise funds therefrom, by laying a higher price upon the grants of the fortunate drawers of good lands -- adequate to the establishment of a permanent fund, for the mutual benefit of the whole people of Georgia -- with a view to carrying into effect, the Great & important objects of Internal improvements, and Free schools . Embracing in One object, the improvement of River navigation -- the constructing of Canals -- And making good & permanent great market roads. In the other affording an opportunity of education to the poorer classes of our Citizens, amalgamating in the same schools, the poor & the rich; and thereby banish from our Country those distinctions [deleted text: will ] which will


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at some future day arise from the advantages arising from wealth & learning, If limited to the grasp of the rich alone . Monopoly in every thing is at War, or at variance with the principals of free government; and I consider monopoly in science, or knowledge, more dangerous to Republican institutions -- than all others united.
A few wise men can deceive & govern, a great many ignorant ones. A people to know & maintain their rights & liberties must possess intelligence -- to be intelligent, they must be educated -- To be educated, they must have schools. To have schools, they must have money -- And [added text: when ] they have money -- why not apply it in the best possible mode, to effect these first objects of interest to a rising State? The effectuating of these objects would perpetuate, & secure to the people of Georgia lasting blessings: and a more auspicious moment than the present will never again [unclear text: occur ] to promote the interest, convenience & comfort of our fellow citizens generally. Notwithstanding my confidence in the correctness of the cause which I have suggested, I incline to the opinion as before intimated, it would not meet the approbation of a majority of the people, & therefore by resigning into their hands the powers delegated they cannot in justice censure me for an honest difference of opinion, while they are left to exercise their right of sufferage [suffrage] on the subject.
Permit me in tendering my resignation, to assure you that I am not influenced to this step, from a want of public failing, or solicitude for the welfare of the State.


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For I really decline a service, which would in every respect be peculiarly agreeable & pleasing, if I conceived that I could discharge it to the satisfaction of the people, and at the same time to the approbation of my own conscience.
I have to request that you will authorize & direct an election with as little delay as possible, that the county of Morgan may not be wanting in its full shares of representation.

I have the Honor to be with Respect Yr. Obt. Servt [Your Obedient Servant]
[Signed] Wilson Lumpkin
Hon. John Clark, Govr. [Governor] of Georgia Milledgeville



Letter
Wilson Lumpkin

31st March 1821.

Order taken
4th April 1821


31 [unclear text: March ] 1821