David Holmes Letter

Collection

Identifier: M46

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

One original letter, dated December 29, 1822, from Senator David Holmes of Mississippi to the Secretary of the Navy. The letter endorses the recommendation made by Judge Thurston Speaks of Missouri that Hamilton E. V. Robinson, also of Missouri, be appointed as a midshipman.

Dates

Creation: December 29, 1822

Conditions Governing Access

Noncirculating; available for research.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Biographical / Historical

David Holmes, Mississippi's last territorial governor and first state governor, was born March 10, 1769, at Mary Ann Furnace, near Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania. He received a classical education and studied law prior to his election as Virginia's representative to Congress, 1797-1809. In 1809, President Thomas Jefferson appointed Holmes territorial governor of Mississippi, where he served until 1817 when Mississippi was granted statehood. Holmes served as president of the Constitutional Convention of 1817 and in September 1817 when Mississippi was elected as first governor of the new state. After a two-year term as governor, Holmes was unanimously elected to the United States Senate and served Mississippi in that capacity until 1825, at which time he resigned to run for governor again. Although reelected governor in January 1826, Holmes had to resign on July 25, 1826, because of poor health. After his resignation, he returned to Winchester, Virginia, where he lived until his death, August 20, 1832.