Extract of a letter from Judge Pendleton - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.03747
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0092] November-December 1789
Title	Extract of a letter from Judge Pendleton
Date	30 December 1789
Author	Pendleton, Nathaniel (1756-1821)
Additional authors	Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	A retained file copy in Henry Knox's hand. Complains of living in "a place where corruption prevades [sic] every public department, and rudeness every private society. I confess I cant find words sufficient to express the indignation I feel at our late proceedings, and still less at the motives of the leaders of them - the legislature has just adjourned after having sold 15,500 000, acres of our western territory to a parcel of jobbers, that it would have disgraced a man of character to have had any dealings with." Discusses his disappointment with the corruption of Congress for selling the land so cheaply. Also mentions affronts to Congress by the Indians in Florida, arguing that if Congress decides to go to war, they should delay telling Creek leader [Alexander] McGillivray, "because by a sudden incursion they might plunder and destroy this State [Georgia], McGillivray would take refuge at Pensacola & leave the indians to shift for themselves after securing his Booty."
Subjects	American Indian History Revolutionary War General Judiciary Corruption and Scandal Government and Civics Politics Land Transaction Frontiers and Exploration Westward Expansion Continental Congress Congress Finance Military History
People	Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Pendleton, Nathaniel (1756-1821) McGillivray, Alexander (1750-1793)
Place written	Savannah, Georgia
Theme	Creating a New Government; Westward Expansion; Government & Politics; Native Americans
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information	Nathaniel Pendleton was Judge Edmund Pendleton's nephew. A later note on the document lists the date as 30 December 1787, but the docket and the date on the first page indicate that it is, in fact, 1789.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF Extract of a letter from Judge Pendleton dated Savannah December 30 1789 If I thought it would answer any good purpose, I could be eloquent in my complaints of fate, or destiny, or whatever being that presides over the particular incidents of my life, for having doomed me to live in a place where corruption prevades every public department, and rudeness every private society. I confess I cant find words [inserted: sufficient] to express the indignation I feel at our late proceedings and still less at the motives of the leaders of them - The legislature has just adjourned after having sold 15,500 000, acres of our western territory to a parcel of jobbers, that it would have [disgraced] a man of character to have had [2] had any dealings with. The price is three farthings an acre, payable in a species of our depreciated paper money and securities, that reduces it to a fraction that wants a name. Every man in the Country, at least in this part of it, reprobates the measure not as apeice of ignorance, mistake, or madness, but corruption - The [purchaser] told the members a fine tale, of the ease of making fortunes, engaged them, in the business, and all opposition was in vain, tho the minority were nearly equal in number, and much Superior in character to the Majority The territory lies in the Northwest corner of the State bounded on the Mississippi on the west, in the country of the Chocktaw Indians. I Know not what effect this measure may have on the steps, that Congress meant to take for our relief. I think it ought to have none, because both the [3] the honor and interest of the United States, call on them to redress the insolence of the Savages, who have attacked us and insulted them. I think it would be dangerous to let it be known to McGillivray, if war should be agreed on, untill the preparations are finished; because by a sudden incursion they might plunder and destroy this State, McGillivray would take refuge at Pensacola & leave the indians to shift for themselves after securing his Booty - [docket] Extract of a letter from Judge Pendleton Dated Savannah Dec 30 1789

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