Cato West Explained

Cato Charles West was an American military officer and politician. He was Secretary of the Mississippi Territory and served as an acting territorial governor of Mississippi in 1804 and 1805. He corresponded with U. S. President Thomas Jefferson.^[1]

Career

He was a militia commander and had land claims in the territory.^[2] He succeeded William C. C. Claiborne who was posted to New Orleans after Thomas Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase.^[3] He received a memorial of grievances.^[4]

Legacy

His family published a history on the bicentenary of his death.^[5]

See also

• List of governors of Mississippi

Notes and References

1. Web site: Founders Online: To Thomas Jefferson from Cato West, 13 February 1804. founders.archives.gov.
2. Book: Encyclopedia of Mississippi History: Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons . 1907 . S. A. Brant .
3. Web site: West, Cato. Mississippi Encyclopedia.
4. Web site: Memorial to the Honorable Cato West, secretary, exercising the power and performing the duties of governor of the Mississippi Territory. The right of the people to petition for a redress of grievances is incident to the nature of our government. January 1, 1850. Library of Congress.
5. Web site: The Family of Cato West. Acting Governor of the Mississippi Territory, 1804-1805, on the bicentenary of his death|Paperback. Barnes &. Noble. Barnes & Noble.