Discussion of the Closure of the Mississippi River
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Discussion of the Closure of the Mississippi River
Description
Made great efforts to get to know the inhabitants and the politics of Kentucky during his stay at the Falls. The hot topic is free navigation of the Mississippi, and people west of the Allegheny Mountains remain concerned about the closure of this route. Kentucky has mustered 5,000 men. Lists people, boats, horses, cattle, and wagons who have passed through the garrison between October and May. If Congress determines the close the navigation of the river, suggests a post be built on the Ohio or the Wabash to accommodate the inhabitants and their needs.
short description
Discussion of the Closure of the Mississippi River
year created
1787
month created
05
day created
14
author
sent from location
Fort Harmar
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Josiah Harmar
county lieutenants
Lieutenant Denny
inhabitants
Congres
notable location
Fort Harmar
Falls
Kentucky
Mississippi River
Allegheny Mountains
Muskingum
Limestone
the Rapids
Ohio River
Wabash River
Falls
notable item/thing
politics of the country
free navigation
greatest grievance
western world
muster
account of the number of boats
boats
horses
cattle
wagons
shut the navigation
respectable post
trade
document number
1787051440001
page start
1
transcription
Fort Harmar. May 14. 1787.-
Sir:- During my short stay at the Falls, I endeavored to make myself acquainted with the politics of the Country, and to gain as perfect a knowledge as I possibly could, of what was going forward anongst the inhabitants of Kentucky. The free navigation of the Mississippi is the general subject of discourse amongst them. The inhabitants to the westward of the Allegheny Mountains are unanimously opposed to its being closed; if such a measure should take place they will look upon it as the greatest grievance, as the property of the Western World depends entirely upon this outlet.
Kentucky at present, by the returns of their county lieutenants, musters five thousand fighting men.- You will please to judge what a flourishing country this must be in the course of a few years, from the number of emigrants to it. Curiosity prompted me to order the Officer of the day (Lieut. Denny) to take an account of the number of the boats-&c which passied this garrison from the 10th of October, 1786, until the 12th of May, 1787; one hundred and seventy seven boats, two thousand six hundred and eighty-nine souls, thirteen hundred and thirty three horses, seven hundred and sixty six cattle, and one hundred and two wagons, have passed Muskingum, bound for Limestone and the Rapids. If Congress should be of opinion that it will be expedient to shut the navigation, I think a respectable post at the mouth of the Ohio, or the Wabash, will be necessary; otherwise, from all appearance, the people will become so strong, in the course of a little time, as to force a trade, at all events.
I am, your very obt [?] Serv't
[Signature] Jos. Harmar
Gen: H. Knox
Secretary at War.-.
Sir:- During my short stay at the Falls, I endeavored to make myself acquainted with the politics of the Country, and to gain as perfect a knowledge as I possibly could, of what was going forward anongst the inhabitants of Kentucky. The free navigation of the Mississippi is the general subject of discourse amongst them. The inhabitants to the westward of the Allegheny Mountains are unanimously opposed to its being closed; if such a measure should take place they will look upon it as the greatest grievance, as the property of the Western World depends entirely upon this outlet.
Kentucky at present, by the returns of their county lieutenants, musters five thousand fighting men.- You will please to judge what a flourishing country this must be in the course of a few years, from the number of emigrants to it. Curiosity prompted me to order the Officer of the day (Lieut. Denny) to take an account of the number of the boats-&c which passied this garrison from the 10th of October, 1786, until the 12th of May, 1787; one hundred and seventy seven boats, two thousand six hundred and eighty-nine souls, thirteen hundred and thirty three horses, seven hundred and sixty six cattle, and one hundred and two wagons, have passed Muskingum, bound for Limestone and the Rapids. If Congress should be of opinion that it will be expedient to shut the navigation, I think a respectable post at the mouth of the Ohio, or the Wabash, will be necessary; otherwise, from all appearance, the people will become so strong, in the course of a little time, as to force a trade, at all events.
I am, your very obt [?] Serv't
[Signature] Jos. Harmar
Gen: H. Knox
Secretary at War.-.
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (1 pages) | DAA24 (1 pages) | Collection: Alfred T. Goodman Papers | C: 2, F: 18 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Josiah Harmar | Fort Harmar | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |