Petition of citizens to the Legislature
to clear out the Hatchee River
1822 or 1823
Contributed by: Robbie Burnett
The following petitions can be found on microfilm at the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville, Tennessee. The original petitions are also available.
Petition of the Citizens of the County of Perry
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representative of the State of Tennessee
The petition to the Subscribers, Citizens of the Counties lying on the River Hatchee respectfully represents:—–That since the settlement of the county they have seen and experienced the numberless disadvantages resulting from a difficult and obstructed navigation. The Hatchee River, presenting to the Citizens of the Counties which Border upon it, conveniences inferior to no stream in the Western Country, if cleared out, is at present, from artificial and accidental obstructions nearly useless, except during a freshet. The plans devised heretofore for the purpose of raising a fund, to be appropriated to clearing it out, have been by experience, proved to be wholly inefficient. Taxation in a moderate degree cannot raise a sufficient sum of money for that purpose, neither the duration of the present age. Meanwhile the Commerce of our country languished, emigration is prevented; and we are forced to expend a large portion of the price of our produce, in getting it to market.
Under these circumstances your petitioners feel the deepest anxiety for the adoption of some efficient plan to render their River useful at all season of the year.
Believing that a Lottery judiciously conducted, would be a mode of raising a sufficient sum of money in the most speedy way, and the plan least bothersome both to the citizens ___ now resident and holders ____. They pray your honorable body that a law may be passed authorizing a Lottery to be drawn for the purpose of raising the sum of thirty thousand dollars to be applied to opening and improving the navigation of the Hatchee River __ And they would recommend as managers to draft the scheme of superintend to lottery as well as the application of the fund Joseph W. McKean, Frances Shoemake, Thomas _ Hardeman, Hiram Bradford, Jacob Tipton, John L. Brown, and Willie B. Peck.
By prosecution of the plan your petitioners doubt not but their object will be speedily and easily accomplished, to the great advantage of their County as well as the benefit of the Public in general.
V. D. Barry
Palmer Davidson
J. W. McKean
Thomas James
Roger Barton
James K. Sutch (?)
W. Z. Peck
William O. Sutch(?)
___ Outlaw
A. M. Alisher (?)
F. Shoemake
P. A. Smith (?)
D. W. Love
Dan D. Berry
Samuel W. Eshoh
N________
Wm W. Shackelford
J. R. Love
R. S. Neely(?)
Samuel Pettigrew
D. Mims(?)
Wm. A. Hardeman
D. B. Friar (?)
F. F. Colier
E. R. Belcher(?)
E. C. Crisp
D. M. Guinn(?)
Wm. A. Clumn(?)
Wm. A. Atwood
written c 1822-1823