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Memorial of the Citizens of the County of Perry
To the Honorable, the Senate, and House of Representatives, of
the State of Tennessee The Memorial, of the Citizens of Perry
County, humbly represents to your honorable body, That, in
obedience to an Act passed at the first Session of the present
General Assembly, the Commissioners, appointed by that Act,
entered upon the duties of their Office, and ascertained the
boundary lines, of Perry County. They then found the Centre of
the County, which being in a place, totally unsuitable for the
situation of a Town, it became necessary, that some other spot
should be selected, with "due regard to the Central situation of
said County, its Commercial advantages, and its navigations." The
Commissioners found three places, which were, in the opinion of
some amongst them, suitable for sites of a Town, but, were unable
to agree amongst themselves, as to which, of those places, should
be selected, for the location of their seats of Justice.
It then became necessary, that the umpires, appointed by the Act
aforesaid, should be called on to determine the dispute. They,
accordingly, on the eighteenth day of July last, discharged that
duty, in such a manner, as to give to nearly every Citizen of
Perry County, the most complete and unmingled dissatisfaction.
The only individuals, who seem to think their choice judicious
are a few, who reside, near the chosen spot, together with the
owner of the land, to which the preference was given, and who is
also one of our commissioners.
Your Memorialists are unwilling to impute, to the Umpires,
improper or corrupt motives: but, they must, at least, have been
most grossly deluded in making their selection. Passing in haste,
and scarcely glancing upon two of the places chosen by the
commissioners, they proceeded to the third the object of their
infatuated choice, and made a decision, which your Memorialists
believe to be ruinous to the interests of their County.
The town, thus fined upon, is to be situated on both sides of a
small and sluggish stream, dignified with the name of Beech
River; on the Western bank of the Tennessee, at the confluence of
those streams; seven miles from the South boundary line of the
county, and twenty miles from the North. There are not more than
twenty acres, of the land allotted for a Town, which do not
overflow, at each periodical innundation of the Tennessee River.
The part, not overflowed, is surrounded by water, on every side,
except, where a narrow Ridge leads from the River, towards the
Country, which,, at present thinly inhabited, can never be
otherwise. Four families during the four last years, have
successively been compelled to abandon the place, in order to
preserve the lives, of those members of their domestic circle,
whom the first attack of sickness had not destroyed. Repeated
experiment has shown it to be impossible, to preserve life, at
that place, throughout the lapse of one year. There is no Spring
at or near the place, except a very small one, in the bank of the
Tennessee, a short distance above low water mark, which, during
the greater part of the year, is totally covered with water, from
the River. No road __________ opposite to the place, from the
Eastern bank of the Tennessee, can ever be made in consequence of
the Ponds and Swamps, in the low or bottom ground; which will
also forever prevent settlements, in the vicinity of the town, on
that side.
Your Memorialists have ever been aware, that their County
possessed few natural advantages, to induce emigration, or to
give it a rank, among the more favored parts of the State. Their
hopes have been fixed upon a Town situated on some spot,
judiciously selected, and concentrating all the advantages, to be
derived from a Central position, Navigable streams, Health, and
case of _____ by. land. In perspective, they have viewed it as
the Depot of Trade, for the Counties of Hickman, Maury, Giles and
several west of the river. But the conduct of the Umpires, from
the County of Hickman, has blasted every prospect, of that
nature, and given them a despicable sickly Village, instead of a
populous, commercial town.
Believing that a County is always aided, in its progress toward
improvement, by a town, so situated as to invite the residence of
individuals, who unite Wealth and a spirit of Enterprise, your
Memorialists feel the deepest interest, in having such advantages
offered to their County. They do not presume to arraign, either
the conduct of the Legislature, or of their own immediate
Representatives; but, they are induced to believe, that, the task
of composing a difference, so important, as one relative to the
site, of a seat of Justice, might, with greater propriety, have
been placed in the hands of any other individuals, than men,
whose minds are entirely occupied and distracted by ____________
of a similar nature at home. Far from having any confidence in
the prudence, or efficacy of their prescriptions, they feel
disposed to dismiss them, with the salutary advice, "Physician,
heal thyself!"--
Of the places, mentioned as suitable for the location of our seat
of Justice, none are so miserable deficient, in every necessary
qualification, which would meet the wishes of the Citizens of
the County, in every respect. Elevated, healthy, well watered and
commanding a beautiful view, of the Tennessee river, it offers
advantages, to which, the choice already made, has not the
slightest pretensions.
Your Memorialists humbly concede, that the evil complained of may
be much more effectually remedied at the present juncture, that
at any subsequent period. Having before their eyes the example,
of an adjacent county, in which disunion as to the location of
its seat of Justice, has long prevailed, and is not even yet at
an end, they feel peculiarly anxious to preserve their still
infant county, from the complicated injuries flowing from that
fountain. When public monies have been expended, in the erection
of necessary buildings and when private funds have been vested in
the purchase of town property, it is better to submit to some
inconvenience than to render such expenditures to no avail. But,
whilst yet not expense has accrued, when no injury can result to
any individual, and when the greatest public good is anticipated
with __________ confidence, your Memorialists expect, from the
known wisdom and justice of their Legislature, every assistance
requisite, and proper, for carrying their wishes into effect.
Should your honorable body think proper, to lend your sanction to
their desires, they may still look forward to a period, when
their town, the seat of commerce, wealth and enterprise will
diffuse its prosperity throughout the adjacent county, and cause
it though marked by the hand of Nature, with the attributes of a
Wilderness to "blossom as a Rose". But, should the low unhealthy,
inundated and almost insulated mouth of Beech River, continue to
be the seat of Justice, the county of Perry must ever be a prey
to every discontent and sterile wretchedness.
From such a consummation of Misfortune, your Memorialists pray
your Honorable body, to release them, by the passage of a Law
annulling the acts of the Umpires from Hickman County; and
appointing the Honorable, The Speaker of the Senate Col. Thomas
Coleman and Abiram Caldwell Esquire Commissioners ,to fix on a
site for their seat of Justice, with due regard to health and
local advantages, as well as central position.
In the integrity and ability of those Gentlemen, your Memorialist
have the most unlimited confidence, and to their decision, they
feel willing to submit this question, which they accent of the
most vital importance to the interest of their county.
August 16th 1822
V.D. Barry Secry of the committee of the Citizens of
Perry County
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