ADDRESS OF THE CITIZENS OF DETROIT TO MAJOR WILLIAM H. PUTHUFF, LATE OF THE U. S. 2D RIFLE REGIMENT, UPON HIS RETIRING FROM THE ARMY AND THE COMMAND OF HIS POST. TO MAJOR WILLIAM H. PUTHUFF: DETROIT, 9th August, 1815. SIR: The meed of merit in a Republic being the plaudits of a country, we thus address you to testify our sense of the obligations we are under, for the firmness and rectitude of your conduct during the terms of your different military commands on this frontier. Our country doubtless knows your worth, this being only the tribute due from us as individuals, and it is with heartfelt satisfaction we now offer it. You, sir, when commanding as an officer, never forgot the rights of the citizens under your authority, impartial justice has been distributed to all, envy has fled mute, and by the justice and urbanity of your conduct and manner when commanding on the Canadian shore have even called forth the well earned praise of the enemies of our country, whilst the decision and firmness of your character forced them to acknowledge the patriot and the soldier. Your attention to the soldiery, your love of order and discipline, your unremitted exertions to enforce it, and your attention to your duty as an officer, has long excited our admiration, and now calls forth our applause. Where you have commanded sycophants were not known, faction has hidden. its head, disaffection sat down in sullen silence, and treason was a stranger. The indignation which you manifested at our insolent neighbor on the Canadian shore for his outrageous violation of every principle of the gentleman in the treatment offered by him to American citizens since the termination of the war, evinces that, where you command, the hand of friendship, nor the arm of protection will never be extended to the man who dares outrage upon the feelings of a member of the community to which you belong. From the frontier of your country to the peaceful pursuits of private life, to the bosom of your family and place of abode, you return followed by the applause of your fellow citizens, and the admiration of our late enemy. That you may enjoy the happiness you so well deserve, is the sincere wish of your fellow citizens, and humble servants. Signed by the following gentlemen of Detroit: MAJOR WILLIAM H. PUTHUFF'S ANSWER TO THE ADDRESS PRESENTED TO HIM BY THE CITIZENS OF DETROIT, UPON HIS RETIRING FROM THE ARMY AND THE COMMAND OF HIS POST. DETROIT, 9th August, 1815. FELLOW CITIZENS:-It has ever been my wish and intention while I had the honor to hold Commission in the army of our beloved country to duly appreciate the rights of the citizens and so far as came within my power afford that aid and protection to the enjoyment of those rights which by the spirit of our constitution and laws is guaranteed them. I have ever entertained the opinion that an Army is so far useful only as it may prevent aggression, avenge national injury and injustice, and protect the people in the enjoyment of their constitutional rights and privileges." The opinion you have been pleased to express of the manner in which I have conformed to this principle during my command, affords me a pleasure beyond the power of expression. Honor is the soldier's best reward; to have it thus conferred, by a free, independent, and enlightened people gratifies his utmost wish, and more than compensates for the privation, toil and fatigue of War. About to retire from the Army, I avail myself of this opportunity, to express the high opinion I entertain of the urbanity, patriotism and hospitality of the citizens of Detroit. Impressed with the deepest sense of gratitude, I withdraw with the most sincere, and ardent wish, that peace, harmony, health, happiness and prosperity may await you. I have the honor, gentlemen, to subscribe myself your sincere friend and fellow citizen. WILLIAM H. PUTHUFF. (Signed.) MR. WALKER: SKETCH OF JAMES WETHERELL. I send herewith a brief sketch as you suggested. It may be too long; if so, please prune it. B. F. H. WETHERELL. James Wetherell, late Judge of the United States for the Territory of Michigan, was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, on the 16th of July, 1759. His ancestors came from England among the first arrivals, after the Mayflower. At the age of 16 he joined the Army under Washington at Boston; was afterwards in the battles of Rhode Island, White Plains, Bemus Heights, Saratoga, & Monmouth; was adjutant of the 11th Massachusetts Regt when the army was disbanded, 1783; After this war went to Vermont; in 1807 member of Congress; in 1803, appointed a Judge of the Territory of Michigan; held the office about twenty years, exchanged for the office of Secretary of the Territory, and died Jan 9th, 1838. CERTIFICATE OF ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIM. This is to certify that James May, Esq., has this day assigned and transferred to John, William and David Macomb an appraisment of damages done to his farm called Come's farm by the United States troops. Estimated under an order of Lieu't. Col. Geo. Croghan, dated Detroit, April 28th, 1814 by Henry I. Hunt, James H. Audrain, James Conner and Antoine Dequindre at $880.55. Be held annually accountable to said James May under said assignment to pay over to him any money that we may receive for the United States, deducting the fees, the expenses of collection, reasonable commission for attending to said claim, no further nor in any other respect are we to be held responsible for said claim. Detroit, 5th Sept'r, 1814. Witness, Lewis Cass. JOHN W. MACOMB. WM. MACOMB. by his next friend, JOHN W. MACOMB. LETTER OF MR. WOODBRIDGE TO JAMES MAY. JAMES MAY, Esquire: FAIRPORT, CONN., August 25, 1815. MY DEAR SIR:-I remember to have heard you frequently speak of a species of medicine of which you were nearly out. You also expressed a wish to obtain from New York a new supply. It would give me pleasure to be of service to you in this respect, but I have forgotten the name of the medicine; I only know it to be some species of lozenge. If this letter should reach you in a reasonable time write to me at this place and I will with pleasure procure it for you. It remains as yet uncertain how long I may be compelled to remain in Connecticut. The present indisposition of Mrs. W. will for some time detain me. I hope, however, to see you during the fall. You have sometimes facetiously invited me to make a family voyage to Michilimackinac. Proof will, I trust, in a few days, exist of the inutility of the experiment in our case. This hint will explain to you the cause of my protracted absence. An absence which I sincerely deplore both with reference to my private feelings and my publick duty. Mr. Wing, in a letter sometime since received by me, conveyed the idea to me that you would be content to undertake the business of the Collector's office. Any arrangement on that subject which you may make with Mr. Wing for this season will meet my sanction. After my arrival or at some further period, should you not be engaged in other business, we may perhaps make a more permanent one. Be pleased to inform me whether you have yet forwarded your bill on my brother for payment, or whether Mr. Wing has taken it up and what money he may have paid you? I mean in the event of your writing to me concerning the little commission you wished me to attend to at New York. I should be happy in any event to hear from you, and, through you, from your family. Be pleased to make to Madame votre epouse my very best respects, and to the young ladies my compliments. Do not forget me either to our very worthy and warm hearted friend, Captain Knaggs. Has Col. Hunt left Detroit for New York? I should be much gratified to see him in New York if he should be there this fall. To him also please remember me with respect, as also to your old backgammon antagonist, Mons. Audrain. I find myself imposing on you too many commissions. I can only express to you further my solicitude to learn whether Mons. Beaubien has come down any in the price he asked me for his farm? With respect I am, dearest sir, your obedient servant, WM. WOODBRIDGE. COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS FOR THE PORT OF DETROIT. 1. Matthew Earnest was the first collector; appointed about 1805. He held the office for some years, left the Territory about 1808 and never returned. 2. Reuben Atwater was the next collector. He was appointed about 1809. He was Secretary of the Territory about the same time, and was when appointed a resident of Windsor, Vermont. On the surrender of the Territory, Aug. 16, 1812, Atwater was compelled to leave the Territory and, not returning immediately on the return of peace, he was succeeded by Mr. Woodbridge. 3. Wm. Woodridge was appointed collector and secretary about 1815. He held the office until 1828 when he resigned, being appointed Presiding Judge of the Territory. AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CIVIL OFFICERS APPOINTED BY THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY OF MICHIGAN ANTERIOR TO THE 1ST MARCH, 1818. |