http://www.werelate.org/wiki/MySource:GayelKnott/Reece_Family_Petitions
Territorial Papers of the United States. The Territory of Indiana 1800-1810.
Volume VII
pp. 705-707 - Petition to the president and Senate by Citizens of Clark County
[1809]
“We Your Petitioners of Clark county, and Indiana Territory, beg leave to
represent, that whereas sundry petitions are in Circulation throughout this
Territory, the tendency of which are to deceive the General Government, by
induceing a belief that his Excellency William Henry Harrison has in his
Official conduct, acted in such a manner as to deserve the Confidence of the
People of this Territory—We think it a duty we owe Our Country, to declare, that
we disapprove the sentiments contained in those petitions before-mentioned, as
we believe that his excellency has evinced by his conduct, that his principles
are repugnant to the Spirit of Republicanism—of the several charges against him,
which our delegate has been instructed to lay before you & on which our opinions
are founded: We need Only mention his sanctioning of a law for the Introduction
of Negroes &c notwithstanding his Oat of Office, and the known wishes of a large
majority of the People of this Territory—We therefore pray that your Honorable
body would appoint us a Governor whose Sentiments are more Congenial with those
of the People, and with those principles of Liberty which are the greatest
Security of our rights; and as in duty bound we your Petitioners will ever pray
&c”
Signers include.
Bala Johnson,
John Johnson [together]
p. 706 –
Charles Johnson,
George Johnson,
John Reese,
Joseph Reese, Isaac Sturme,
Benjamin Reese [together]
p. 705 – ftnt 64 – There is no endorsement, and no entry has been found in the
Senate Journal respecting the reception of the petition. [note: James N. Wood
signed with the added comment: “I am aposed to the introduction of slavery”]