To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Worthington, 10 January 1805
From Thomas Worthington
Senate Chamber Jany 10th 1805
Sir
I received the enclosed papers at the last session of Congress but as the bill divideing the Indiana Territory did not then pass I did not lay them before you; That bill now haveing here passed I consider it my duty to put these papers into your possession
I mentioned to you last winter as a candadate for the Office of Governor of this new Territory Colo Samuel Huntington of Ohio, permit me Sir again to mention him. My acquaintance with this Gentleman commenced about two years since when we met as members of our Convention I served also with him in our first state Legislature by which he was appointed one of the judges of our Supreme Court & has continued to act in that capacity with propriety. He is a Gentleman so far as I know him of fair reputation. Mr Granger1 was raised in the same state (Connecticut) and is well acquainted with Colo Huntington give me leave Sir to refer you to him for further information if it be required I am informed by Mr Morrow that Colo Huntington speaks & understands the french language
I am with highest respect & most sincere Esteem Sir your Obt Sv
T Worthington
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 10 Jan. and “Huntington Saml. to be Govr. Michigan” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: probably James Henry to Worthington, 14 Dec. 1803, enclosing a memorial, dated Detroit, 10 Dec., from 17 residents of Wayne County recommending Solomon Sibley for the office of secretary if the anticipated division of Indiana Territory takes place (see Samuel Tupper to TJ, 15 Mch. 1804).
TJ signed the bill dividing Indiana Territory on 11 Jan. The act created Michigan Territory and named Detroit the seat of government. The new government was to be established on the same terms as the 1787 and 1789 acts of Congress regarding the Northwest Territory and would go into effect on 30 June 1805 (, 3:432-3; , 2:309-10).
Another recommendation by Worthington for a territorial governorship is recorded in a brief note by TJ: “Meigs Judge. Colo. Worthington recommends him for Govr. of Michigan” (MS in DNA: RG 59, LAR, file of Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr.; in TJ’s hand, undated, on verso of clipped address sheet in an unidentified hand: “Hon. Tompson J. Skinner Esqr. [Washington]”).
1. MS: “Ganger.”