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91Hugh Roberts Final Thesis Kent Academic Repository Full text document (pdf) Citation for published version Roberts, Hugh James (2020) Territorial Politics: Formative Identities and Networks in the Mississippi Territory, 1798-1817. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis, University of Kent,. DOI Link to record in KAR https://kar.kent.ac.uk/85542/ Document Version UNSPECIFIED Copyright & reuse Content in the Kent Academic Repository is made available for research purposes. Unless otherwise stated all content is protected by copyright and in the absence of an open licence (eg Creative Commons), permissions for further reuse of content should be sought from the publisher, author or other copyright holder. Versions of research The version in the Kent Academic Repository may differ from the final published version. Users are advised to check http://kar.kent.ac.uk for the status of the paper. Users should always cite the published version of record. Enquiries For any further enquiries regarding the licence status of this document, please contact: [email protected] If you believe this document infringes copyright then please contact the KAR admin team with the take-down information provided at http://kar.kent.ac.uk/contact.html Territorial Politics: Formative Identities and Networks in the Mississippi Territory, 1798-1817 Hugh James Roberts Submitted for the degree of PhD in History at the University of Kent October 2020 Word Count: 88,268 Abstract This thesis considers the development of political identity in the Mississippi Territory, from its foundation in 1798 until the moment it achieved statehood in 1817. It focuses on the establishment of local networks of white settlers and local politicians, which helped to shape the political landscape of the Territory and ultimately dictated the relationship between the Territory and the Federal Government. It applies a microhistorical approach, honing in on local communities and political events, but draws connections between local issues and the national political landscape. In doing so, it challenges preconceptions about the aspirations of political networks within the Territory, the influence of the national political parties on the frontier, and the nature of citizenship and political loyalty on the fringes of the early American Republic. The first chapter sets out the unique political framework established in the Mississippi Territory, and demonstrates how the first Territorial governor of the Territory, a Federalist, utilised that framework to limit democracy and local representation in the Territory. In turn, that served as the catalyst for the development of local political networks rising in support and opposition to the Governor. Those networks aligned themselves with the national political parties in order to subvert the Governor and secure their own authority. However, the second chapter challenges the notion that Mississippi’s political networks can be neatly categorised as “Federalist” and “Republican”. Instead, local politicians appropriated those party labels in order to secure influence and favour from the federal government and assert their authority on the local stage. That assessment is then tested through a case study of the Burr Conspiracy, which proves how fractured Mississippi’s networks were, and highlights the fragility of the Territory’s loyalty to the Union. The third chapter presents two further case studies, focusing upon the establishment of two civic institutions at different moments in the Territory’s history; Jefferson College and The Bank of the Mississippi. In doing so, it demonstrates how political networks evolved from partisan, self-interested groups which would sabotage bipartisan movements if they did not immediately benefit, to sophisticated networks of businessmen and merchants who worked together to set up a stable, secure and profitable bank. Finally, Chapter Four discusses land and settlement in the Mississippi Territory, exploring how migration shaped political networks, and showing how planters and federal officials clashed in their attempts to shape white settlement in the region. This culminated in regional divisions which shaped campaigns for Mississippi’s statehood, which was only permissible on planters’ own terms. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates how planters and local politicians were able to exploit the absence of federal authority and oversight on the early American frontier and cultivate unique political identities which furthered their own private interests and created a uniquely Mississippian form of American identity. Acknowledgements Completing a PhD is often considered to be a solitary experience, but so many people have contributed to this project in so many ways, that cannot possibly be said for this thesis. I was certain that I wouldn’t be a person who went over one page in their acknowledgements, but I was also certain I would submit this within three years, so here we are… I could not have asked for a better supervisor than Dr. Ben Marsh, whose enthusiasm for this project never wavered even when my own did. Ben repeatedly saw the value in this project, and his insights pushed this thesis to be so much more than it might have been. I’ve tried hard to not resent his vastly superior footballing skills, and I’m grateful that Watford never did follow up on that first victory over Liverpool in 2015 - I believe the aggregate score is now 25-7 to Liverpool since we started working together. Thanks also to Dr. Tim Bowman who, despite the project never becoming about the militia or the War of 1812 as initially intended, offered a supportive voice and provided many insightful comments throughout this thesis. My gratitude also goes to CHASE, who funded this project and gave me the opportunity to have such a fantastic experience over the last four years. The foundations for this project were laid in two research trips to the United States. I will be eternally grateful to the AHRC’s International Placement Scheme, which allowed me to spend six wonderful months at the John W. Kluge Center, Library of Congress. I was also fortunate to be a recipient of the Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarship, enabling me to undertake a shorter trip to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. At the Kluge Center, Travis Hensley and Dr. Ted Widmer offered invaluable insight and support, and at MDAH, Jeff Giambrone and Clinton Bagley were a vital source of knowledge. Outside of work, I also made many friends with whom I shared unforgettable experiences. My fellow Kluge fellows, Amy King, Beth Wilson, Arun Sood, Steven Paige, to name a few, were responsible for so many good memories and ensured I experienced so much of America that I would not have otherwise. Abby Dos Santos, Meghan Walsh and their Vecinos were the most welcoming of hosts. The same can be said for Valerie Plested and Spencer Dickinson in Jackson, who showed me true Southern Hospitality, and introduced me to Cecile Wardlaw, who not only served a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, but also unexpectedly gave me access to the private papers of Seth Lewis, which proved to be an invaluable resource. When I moved to Canterbury in 2015, I was completely new to the area and knew nobody, but I leave having made lifelong friends. Peter Keeling, Adam Rolewicz and Sophie Kelly have been there since my very first day on campus, and their constant presence as officemates in the PGR Suite made even the most mundane days enjoyable, and I must apologise to Sophie for never quite appreciating the beauty of all that medieval art, despite her best efforts. Likewise, Mario Draper was always on hand to provide insight and advice on both the PhD journey and whichever Football Manager team I was managing at the time. Becky Pope has also been there all the way, and I’m glad to have spent many hours ranting, venting, and eating tacos together. All have been excellent colleagues and friends, and I’m incredibly proud that we’ve all survived the PhD experience and made it out the other side. I’ve also been very fortunate to have incredible support from outside of the School of History. For the past three years, Nicole Gordon has been my housemate and my best friend, and has always been there to offer a helping hand. I’m hugely thankful for the many hours spent talking books, films, American Football, and everything else. I’m also sure she’ll appreciate the honour of being included in the same section as Jurgen Klopp, Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk et al, who have caused distraction, stress, and joy in equal measure. I owe my biggest debt to the most important person in my life, Julie Peppiatt, who I met six months into this journey and without whom this PhD would never have been completed. Absolutely none of this would have been possible without her. She has put up with commuting, financial insecurity, and more hours spent listening to PhD chat than any one person should ever have to, and I’m pleased to say she’ll finally have my full attention during evenings and weekends at long last. I will never be able to fully make up for the support she has provided over the past three and a half years and for swanning off to live in America four months into our relationship, but I’ll try! And finally, to Mum, Dad and Jonathan, who have provided endless help and support throughout, while also not asking too many questions about what it is that I’ve been doing for the past four years… Contents Table of Images ........................................................................................................ 2 Introduction .............................................................................................................
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