To James Madison from Stanley Griswold, 12 November 1806
From Stanley Griswold
Detroit 12. Nov. 1806.
Sir,
As the extraordinary letter enclosed has been made public by the legislative board, I have been requested by several gentlemen to transmit it to your department, in order that the writer and his proceedings may receive a fair consideration at the seat of government.1 I add no more, but that most of the things stated in the letter are without even a semblance of foundation, and the writer is by many seriously considered in a state of unhappy lunacy, or partial derangement. I have the honor to be, with great ⟨respect,?⟩ Sir, Your most obedient Serva⟨nt,⟩
Stanley Griswo⟨ld⟩
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, TP, Michigan, vol. 1). Cover docketed by Wagner. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. The enclosure is a copy (3 pp.) of Augustus B. Woodward to the Legislative Board of Michigan Territory, 5 Nov. 1806. Woodward wrote that he would withdraw his attendance from the board for an indefinite period, citing the “most wretched Systems of government” inherent to territorial government and their inability to deal effectively with dissenting parties. He complained that violence and a state of lawlessness were engulfing Detroit and that the government was too weak to quell it effectively. His criticisms arose from trouble between the people of Detroit and the government in distributing land claims following the town’s destruction by fire on 11 June 1805. He cited several examples of citizens and officials acting wantonly and abusing power. He obliquely referenced infighting among members of the legislative board, noting that he hoped his absence would restore calm. Board members were divided concerning the rebuilding of Detroit. Woodward concluded by leaving open the possibility of rejoining the board if he could “render any public service”; he ultimately returned on 11 November, following an apparent concession by the board. For more on the situation, see M. Agnes Burton, ed., Governor and Judges Journal: Proceedings of the Land Board of Detroit ([Detroit], 1915), 3–7.