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William Dunbar to Thomas Jefferson, January 28, 1804
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| Source: |
Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress
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| Overview: |
William Dunbar sends notes to Jefferson concerning the Mississippi River Valley; he believes the notes could be read before the Philosphical Society; see the "Reports" section of this archive for several of Dunbar's dispatches on the Mississippi River region. Dunbar continues with a discussion of the development of Natchez and the establishment of a college there.
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Natchez Maps: 28th Jan: 1804
I have the pleasure of transmitting you a few imperfect notes relating to the Missisippi Maps: and the Alluvial Country thro which it passes. I am sensible they contain remarks of trivial importance, but believing almost every thing relating to this Country to be now very interesting to the United States, I have considerably enlarged my notes since the cession of Louisiana, & do now Suffer them to escape from my hand, flattering myself that their imperfections will be veiled by your indulgence.Should you think them not unworthy of being read before the Philosophical Society, you will be pleased to transmit them, at your leisure to the respectable body. I have added the results of threeyears meteorological observations, but have forborn to Subjoin any notes concerning the influence of Seasons, as they would be little more than a repetition of what they Society is already in possession of. I have only noticed two Phenomena, one produced by the Sun, the other by the Moon. My Amanuensis being a frenchman little acquainted with english, you will be pleased to excuse errors hastily corrected.
I am concern to observe that a resolution has been Submitted to Congress by a Committee, of which our own
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Delegate is a Member, which resolution goes to deprive Jefferson College of 30 acres of land granted by the late Congress and to give the same to the City of Natchez Maps:
: The Town of Natchez Maps:
is not in distress, the Corporation has been empowered by this legislature to levy taxes, more than Sufficient for their expences, upon all property within the liberties of the town. The College is in absolute poverty: The Trustees, reckoning upon the thirty acres (near the town) as an object immediately productive, have passed a resolution, to prepare plans & contract for the erection of the most necessary buildings; if the 30 acres are taken away, the progress of the College must be arrested. Our public treasury has been so poor(& so unreasonable an aversion from paying taxes prevails) that the College has received no aid from the territory: private Contribution has not gone beyond the narrow Circle of a few public Spirited individuals; the Section reserved by Congress will not very Speedily be productive; hence if our newly created town Corporation obtains a victory over the College, the poor Seminary will be absolutely nipped in the bud.
Banner image: From the Collection of The New-York Historical Society. Accession number 1867.306.
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