Memorial of Elijah Brush, James May and John Anderson, Detroit, Wayne County, 
Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Midge Judith Smith. This copy contributed for use in the 
USGenWeb Archives.  

 

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MEMORIAL OF ELIJAH BRUSH, JAMES MAY AND JOHN ANDERSON TO THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

From:  Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections

Transcribed by Midge Judith Smith

NOTE  -The following is from among Judge May's papers. The original appears in 
the handwriting of the late E. Brush, Esq. The punctuation is directly copied 
from the original. The date was partially erased and may have been either 1805 or 
1806

To the President of the United States:

Sir - In compliance with certain Resolutions that were had at the Meeting of the 
Officers of Militia at Detroit in the Territory of Michigan, representing the 
Inhabitants in general of said Territory, and at their special Request, the 
following Address, with the several Matters and Things therein contained, is most 
humbly submitted and particularly commended to your consideration and Patronage.

To speak without Dissimulation the prevailing Sentiments and Principles of the 
Inhabitants of this Territory as they relate to Matter of a political Nature, 
would be, it is presumed, to contradict in a great Measure that Information which 
has heretofore been given of them; by saying, that they have ever borne for you 
the highest Consideration and Respect as well as a sincere and unfeigned 
Attachment at all Times for the general Government under your wise and 
providential Administration.

We recognize with Pleasure, that Degree of Perfectibility to which Republican 
America has approached beyond all former Example, since welded by your Talents, 
and governed by your Council. And in; the Pursuance of that Administration, so 
Congenial to our Feelings, so sacred to our Rights and Privileges had we it in 
our Power, or should an Occasion ever offer, we humble trust that the Territory 
of  Michigan will not be wanting, to aid and strengthen you in that System of 
Administration, so sacred to our dearest Rights.

Our Obligations call us also in the Second Place to acknowledge with becoming 
Respect, the many advantages it is hoped will redound to this Country, on having 
been erected to a separate Territory and to say that Tribute of Respect to our 
worthy Executive which is so justly due him.

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON TO GOVERNOR HULL

WASHINGTON CITY}
His Excellency, Governor Hull:                                  
MARCH 21, 1807}

SIR: - At the present state of things on the western side of the Mississippi does 
not threaten any immediate collision with our neighbors in that quarter and it's 
our wish they should remain undisturbed until an amicable adjustment may take 
place, yet as this doesn't not depend upon ourselves alone it has been thought 
prudent to be prepared to meet any movements which may occur.

The law of a former Session of Congress for keeping a Body of 10,000 Militia in 
readiness for service at a moment's warning is still in force. But by an Act of 
the last Session, a copy of which I now enclose, the executive is authorized to 
accept the services of such volunteers as shall offer themselves on the condition 
of the act which may render a resort to the former act unnecessary. It is for the 
execution of this act that I am now to solicit your zealous endeavors. The 
persons who shall engage will not be called from their Homes until some 
aggression, committed or intended shall render it necessary. When called into 
action, it will not be for a lounging. But for an active and perhaps distant 
service. I know the effect of this consideration in kindling that ardor which 
prevails for this service, and I count on it for filling up the numbers requisite 
without delay. To yourself, I am sure, it must be as desirable as it is to me, 
to transfer this service from the great Mass of Militia to that portion of them 
to whose habits and enterprise active and distant service is most congenial. In 
using therefore your best exertions toward accomplishing the object of this act, 
you will render to your constituents as well as to the Nation, a most acceptable 
service.

With respect to the organizing and officering those shall be engages within your 
state, the act itself will be your guide. And as it is desirable that we should 
be kept informed of the progress in this Business, I must pray you to report the 
same from time to time to the Sect'y of War who shall correspond with you on all 
the details arising out of it.
            
I salute you with great consideration and respect.
                                           
Sign'd                                 
THOMAS JEFFERSON

                 



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