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laud conassir '?, eph?.aik kif.sy
URGES POSSESSION OF MOBILE ?
DESCRIBES TROUBLFjS WITH WEST FLORIDA
UNDER SPANISH CONTROL April 20, 1804
"Territorial Papers of the United States"-edited by Clarence Edwin Carter U.S. Govmt. Printing Office, Washington - 1937
Volume V - "The Territory of Mississippi 1798 - 1817" p. 317-319
Ephraim Kirby at Fort Stoddert (Ala.) April 20, 180!+ to U. S. President Thomas Jefferson
Sir,
I	presume I need offer no apology for taking the liberty to communicate to the chief executive magistrate of the United States such circumstances respecting this remote and secluded district as are supposed not to be fully knovn ss at the seat of government.
The people inhabiting this section of the Mississippi Territory, are peculiarly cut off from all communication with other parts of the United States.
It is about as easy to pass by land from hence to Georgia as to Natchez. In either case, the traveller must go throughseveral hundred miles of wilderness, possessed by savages, and be compelled to encamp in the woods, and swim unfordable streams.
It follows that these people can have no commercial intercourse with any part of the world but by descending the River and gaining the Ocean through the Bay of Mobile. This pass is commanded by the Spanish Government of West Florida.
By recent orders, no article, whether it be the produce of the country, or of foreign production or manufacture is permitted to go by the post of Mobile, either to or from this country, without paying twelve per centu on its value as estimated by the Spanish officers of
An exaction so exorbitant and unreasonable, amounts in effect to a prohibition of exports or imports of every description. Thus situated, the condition of these people is truely distressing.
A strong American settlemt$ on this river will afford an excellent barrier against the approach of a foreign enemy at the southwestern point of ourterritories. Upon any emergency, succour might be thrown into New Orleans with more ease from this place than any other, particularly the Bay of Mobile, should be at command.