To Thomas Jefferson from the Mississippi Territory House of Representatives, 20 January 1802
From the Mississippi Territory House of Representatives
House of Representatives of the Mississippi Territory.— January 20th. A.D. 1802.—
Sir,
In the course of a Long, Honorable, and useful Life, your Love for Mankind & their Rights; your Wisdom to discern, firmness to pursue, & solicitude to promote the true interest of the American Nation, have been eminently conspicuous, & while such Virtues & talents have attracted our admiration and Esteem, they could not fail to inspire a respect for, & confidence in your Administration.—
In superintending the affairs of United America & forwarding the Welfare of your numerous constituents we are fully assured, that this Territory will occupy a due proportion of your cares, & on all proper occasions, will receive the fostering support of the General Government.—
No part of the United States, Sir, possesses more Local advantages, than this District & her advancement to prosperity, promises to be speedy & certain;—We acknowledge with gratitude, that under your paternal auspices our prospects for political happiness, have greatly brightened, & we anticipate with fondest expectation, the arrival of a period, when this Territory, mature in age, strong in population, & rich in resources, will add still greater security & consequence to the American Union, & we flatter ourselves, that her present & future Legislators, will remain no Less Zealous & firm in the support of Virtuous Rulers, & Virtuous Measures, than in a strict adherence to Constitutional provisions, & those Republican principles which the patriots of Seventy Six had the Goodness to conceive, the Boldness to avow & the fortitude to maintain.—
We pray Almighty God, to prosper your Administration, & extend to a Life so valuable, the particular patronage of Heaven.
H. Hunter,
Speaker of the House of Representativ,s.—
RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Henry Hunter; at head of text: “Mr. West from the Committee appointed for that purpose, presented the Draft of an Address to His Excellency the President of the United States which being twice Read, was unanimously adopted, as follows:—To wit.—An address from the House of Representatives of the Mississippi Territory, to His Excellency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; at foot of text: “Resolved that the above address be transmitted by the Speaker, to His Excellency Governor Claiborne, who is hereby requested to forward the same, to the President of the United States.—Extract from the Journal”; attestation by Edwin L. Harris as clerk of the House; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosed in William C. C. Claiborne to TJ, 21 Jan. 1802.