1-Aaron Burr’s Conspiracy
In 1807, former vice president Aaron Burr, made his way to
the area (resisting arrest from the federal government.) Having lost hope of a
political position in the federal government after killing Alexander Hamilton
in a duel, Burr moved his ambitions westward, to the Louisiana Territory, which
still had unsettled borders, disputed by Spain. His wider ambitions were said
to include Spanish West Florida (including Mobile and Pensacola) and even parts
of Mexico, to the west. Was there a chance, with a small military force, that
he could build a new western empire? General James Wilkinson (who had surveyed
the land along the Womack’s plantation, on the Sinte Bogue as the U.S./Choctaw
line) was at the time commander in chief of the U.S. army and originally
interested in Burr’s plan. But in December 1806, he lost faith in the plan, and
advised President Thomas Jefferson that such a plan was truly (there were many
rumors) taking place. Meanwhile, Burr and his wealthy benefactor, Blennerhasset,
headed down the Mississippi to meet up with troops to exact the plot. But fewer
than 100 men met him to fight for the cause, and when he was nearly to New
Orleans, he found out that a warrant had been published for his arrest in local
newspapers. After a brief bout with the law near New Orleans, he continued
west. Some say that he had not yet given
up and was making his way to John Caller’s home in Washington County. He knew
that John was opposed to the 24% tax on goods by the Spanish, and would be
sympathetic to seeing the Spanish removed from Mobile. He also knew that Caller
had the respect of the local territorial militia, who would also be glad to see
Spain out of the picture. In any case, he was near the small town of Wakefield
when he was arrested wearing “a battered beaver hat and ragged wool coat. The
dandy who had charmed women by the score sported a scruffy crop of whiskers.”
(1) The soldiers from Ft. Stoddard captured Burr, and he was entertained cordially
by Edmund Gaines, regaling the locals with his courteous company, until Gaines
escorted him to Washington for a trial, in which he was once again acquitted of
conspiracy.(2) He must have been a charmer.
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| Aaron Burr (3) |
 | |||||
| Edmund Gaines (4) |
2-The West Florida
Rebellion
The Louisiana Purchase had not included the land in Spanish
West Florida. In July 1810, a group of planters and other leaders who were
unhappy with remaining under Spanish rule, gathered at a convention to discuss
creating a new republic. Delegates included representatives from St. Helena
Parish- where Richard’s Womack’s uncle and cousins resided. In September a
force of volunteers stormed Baton Rouge and overpowered the Spanish fort. The
Republic of West Florida was established, and the lone star flag flew for 74
days before President James Madison sent W.C.C. Claiborne with his troops and a
naval flotilla to claim the lands for the United States. The Republic was
annexed to become part of the U.S., a move that was acceptable to most of the
citizens of the region. (5)
 | |||
| film available by Center for SE La. Studies (6) |
3-The Mobile Society
A respected community member in the Tombigbee Settlement, John Caller, had come from North Carolina, and
had served in the militia there during the Revolution. He had a plantation
called “New Canaan” in the Tombigbee settlement. In 1810 he was 44 years old,
an experienced soldier, and a leader in the community. He had served as the
presiding justice of the county court at St. Stephens, and had signed many
petitions to the government along with the Womack brothers. In 1804 he wrote to
the president stating “I came to the Tombigbee in the year ’97. In the year ’98
I moved a large family white and black to this country where I have continued
to reside.” (7)
In 1810, the conditions with Spanish intervention had become
intolerable. Reuben Kemper, who had incited the West Florida rebellion, wished
also to overthrow Mobile, and traveled to meet with Caller. John Caller, his brother James, and neighbor
James Kennedy, formed the “Mobile Society.” They discussed ways in which Spain
could be driven out of the port of Mobile- which was their only access to the
sea and free commerce via the rivers. Many local militia members (and
Richard, Frank, and John were members of the militia but it is not known if they participated in this action) were ready and willing to
support a military move against Mobile.
 |
| Mobile in 1815 |
Flat boats were acquired, and the small force floated down
the Tensaw River with provisions for the attack. Kemper sent Cyrus Sibley with
a letter to the Spanish Governor, demanding surrender. Apparently, among the
provisions, was a grand supply of whiskey, which the party, reveling in their
future freedom from Spain, amply imbibed in. As they camped above Mobile, a
local who had seen them, informed the governor of their whereabouts. 200
Spanish regulars accosted the party, many of whom fled. Major Hargrove, one of
the leaders, was put in irons with 9 of his men, and taken from Mobile to
dungeons in Havana, as was Cyrus Sibley.
There they remained prisoner for five years. The U.S., uncomfortable
with this independent action, sent troops to protect Spanish Mobile. (Pickett)
The remainder of the force were arrested by the Territorial judge at the
time, Harry Toulmin, who enforcing the U.S. policy- at a time in which the U.S.
government did not want to agitate Spain. Local feeling on the issue was so
strong that the group was released. (4)
The last glimmer of hope was snuffed out.
Resources:
Hyde, Samuel C. "West Florida Revolt."
In KnowLA Encyclopedia of Louisiana,
edited by David Johnson. Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, 2010–. Article
published March 30, 2011. http://knowla.org/entry/755/.
Picketts History of Alabama
Illustrations:
Wikimedia, public domain-Mobile in 1815 From Report on the
Social Statistics of Cities, Compiled by George E. Waring, Jr., United States.
Census Office, Part II, 1886. Found at
[http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/alabama.html Texas University Library]
2007-05-08
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