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Before that time, however, Governor Claiborne had dispatched Dr. William flood of New Orleans eastward along the Gulf Coast, where, he reported on January 25, 1811, he raised the U. S. flag at Bay St. Louis, circulated the ordinance establishing Biloxi Parish, and delivered justice of the peace commissions to six men: to Simon Favre on the east bank of the Pearl River; to the elderly Philip Saucier at the "Pass of Christian"; to Jacques Ladnier at Biloxi; to Fortescue Coming, another "Anglo" who had preceded him to distribute the proclamation; to U. S. N. Sailing Master George Farragut (father of David), at Pascagoula; and to Benjamin Goodin, who lived 20 miles up the Pascagoula River.
At Pass Christian a 200-man garrison was posted, and American rule and law were imposed east of the Pearl. Dr. Flood estimated the population of Biloxi Parish to be 420, "principally French and natives of Louisiana, a people more innocent and less offending than any I ever saw." Flood also wrote how favorably impressed he was with the beauty and value of the Coast. He predicted that "the high sandy lands, heavily timbered with pine, and the lovely bays and rivers, from the Pearl River to Mobile, will furnish New Orleans with a rich commerce, and with a delightful summer resort. For a cantonment or military post, in consideration of the health of the troops, this whole coast is admirably fitted."55 Favre's land was at Nazin Landing, above the site of Logtown.
U. S. Judge Harry Toulmin hoped that these appointments would repress lawlessness along the Pearl and the Pascagoula Rivers and give the law-abiding people there confidence in the American government. Judge Favre made the first arrest, of one William Bonford, suspected of having stolen two Negroes and three horses, but since there was no jail, Favre sent him on to New Orleans. American settlers indeed soon began to migrate into the area. Toulmin reported to Governor Holmes that