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| James Miller became the first Territory governor; Photo courtesy of Old State House |
Arkansas Territory was rugged with few roads and little
civilization when U.S. President James Monroe appointed war-hero James Miller to
the governorship in 1819.
The Territory was not a coveted prize. The region was located on
the far edge of the U.S., was not well developed and had swamplands that
prevented easy travel. Published journals by authors, including Henry
Schoolcraft, were filled with tales of wild mountain men who lived off the
land. Even so, the U.S. Congress formed the Arkansas Territory, which then needed
a leader.
Miller was a well-known, highly respected and successful
politician. He was born in New Hampshire in 1776. He rose through the military
ranks as a young man and commanded the 21st U.S. Infantry by the War
of 1812. During the Battle of Lundy’s Lane in Niagara, Ontario, Miller’s
commander ordered him to seize British artillery, which was hammering the
American forces. Miller replied, “I’ll try, sir,” then successfully completed the
mission. The phrase became a symbol of Miller’s pluck and determination.
Miller’s successful military career led him into politics and put
him in a position to be considered for the new Arkansas Territory’s
governorship. But, Miller was not the only candidate for the position.
Congressman George Robertson of Kentucky was a contender and was the most
likely choice because he had guided the bill that created the Territory. When Robertson
declined to pursue the position, Miller became the leading candidate.
On March 3, President Monroe commissioned Miller as the first territorial
governor. Monroe also appointed Robert Crittenden, a 22-year-old Kentuckian, to
serve as territorial secretary. The secretary position was akin to the current
position of Lt. Governor.
By June, governmental appointees began arriving in Arkansas
Territory, but Miller had not even begun traveling to Arkansas. The March
appointment had been mistakenly delivered to Arkansas Post instead of to
Miller’s New Hampshire home. The mistake was not discovered until the end of
May.
Miller wrote June 1 to U.S. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and
asked for permission to delay his departure until September. Miller wanted to
make sure his family would be cared for during his absence and wanted to collect
weapons and ammunition to arm a territorial militia. Adams agreed.
Miller’s delay left a political
vacuum that Crittenden quickly filled. The territorial secretary began
organizing the government, making appointments and approving expenditures.
Miller set out from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Arkansas aboard
the barge named Arkansaw. He took a meandering route and stopped at towns where
locals cheered the Hero of Lundy’s Lane and Veterans of the War of 1812. People
traveled to towns to shake the American hero’s hand and often honored Miller
with a toast. People used the phrase “I’ll try, sir,” to honor him.
Miller arrived at Arkansas Post the day after Christmas in 1819.
Arkansas Gazette Editor William Woodruff wrote, “We cordially greet [the
governor’s party] – bid them welcome to our land – and sincerely hope that they
may meet with all the encouragement their spirit and enterprise so richly
deserved.”
Because of Crittenden’s hard work, the territorial government was
functioning when Miller arrived. Miller presided over the first legislative
session, which included approving Crittenden’s appointees. He also undertook
moving the territory’s capitol to Little Rock.
At the beginning of the legislative proceedings Feb. 10, 1820,
Miller spent most of his time apologizing for his late arrival. “(T)he subjects,
which will require your particular attention during the present session, must
be better understood by you than by myself being as yet almost a stranger,” he said.
Miller remained territorial governor until 1824, when he became
collector of customs in Salem, Massachusetts. He held that position until 1849.
Arkansas’s sixth county, Miller County, was formed in 1820 and is
named after the first territorial governor. Miller died in 1851.
Crittenden stayed in the Territory and was an important political
figure for several years. Arkansas’s 12th county, formed in 1825, is named after Crittenden. In 1834, he was arguing a case in Vicksburg,
Mississippi, when he collapsed and died at the young age of 37.
For more information about Arkansas Territory, Miller or Crittenden
visit the Arkansas State Archives at http://archives.arkansas.gov.
