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Territory Established
An Act of Congress had established the "Arkansaw" Territory. -
General Assembly Meeting
The first territorial General Assembly met in February and immediately petitioned President Monroe for federal assistance in providing services felt crucial to the improvement of the Territory -
Little Rock chosen as capital
Incumbent James Woodson Bates defeated Mathew Lyon in the race for delegate to Congress. Lyon accused Acting Governor Crittenden of manipulating the vote in Bates' favor. Due to rival claims to the proposed town site, the General Assembly met and adjourned without having relocated the capital to Little Rock. -
Indian Peace Treaty
"Arkinsas" and "Arkansa" were variations in spelling used in the first few years. By 1822, with the aid of the consistent and highly visible use of "Arkansas" in Woodruff's Arkansas Gazette, the spelling had become standardized, with only few exceptions. -
Election and Taxation
President Monroe's annual message to Congress, he outlined a policy of special concern for the western hemisphere and for it's protection from future European colonization. -
Expansion
Bottom lands, bayous and swamps made overland travel into Arkansas very difficult. To encourage immigration, Congress authorized the surveying of a road from Memphis to Little Rock in January. -
New Governor Appointed
In the House of Representatives, John Quincy Adams received a majority vote over Andrew Jackson and William Crawford. As one of the new president's first official actions, he appointed George Izard Governor of Arkansas Territory. -
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Political Controversy and Duels
Crittenden left Little Rock for Washington without the permission of the Secretary of State. He did not know his reappointment as Secretary of the Territory was already in the works. Having taken care of his business in the nation's capital, he hurried back to Little Rock. -
Final Indian Treaty
An agreement negotiated with the Cherokee Nation moved the Cherokee-Arkansas border to a line running north from Fort Smith. The Territory was now completely freed of all tribal property. -
New Officials and Land Sales
President Jackson appointed John Pope, of Kentucky, Governor of the Territory. Pope had hoped to be named United States Attorney General, but accepted this position on the frontier. In an action surprising to many in Arkansas, Jackson removed Arkansas's secretary of 10 years, Robert Crittenden and replaced him with William Savin Fulton, of Alabama, a close friend and former aide of the new president. -
Little Rock and National Politics
President Jackson, ignoring protests against Governor Pope, reappointed him in March. Congress then transferred authority to select and sell the 10 sections of land for the State House from the General Assembly to the territorial governor. Congress also appropriated $15,000 to maintain the Arkansas River Channel. -
Population Growth
The 1840 census gave Arkansawyers a chance to look back on the progress they had made in shaping a state out of the wilderness. In 20 years, the white population of Arkansas had grown from 12,582 to 77,174 people; free blacks now numbered 465, while, in 1820 only 59 had lived in Arkansas & the number of slaves had grown from 1,617 to 19,935. -
War with Mexico
War with Mexico suddenly overshadowed the political situation in Arkansas. Mexico had broken off diplomatic relations with the United States and a border skirmish on April 25 was followed by two victories of the United States Army under the command of General Zachary Taylor. -
Gold Fever
Gold fever swept across the country this year. The Arkansas Route became one of four principal avenues to California. Emigrants traveled up the Arkansas River to Fort Smith and Van Buren and then set out overland to Santa Fe and on to the West Coast. -
Elections
The American Party nominated James Yell to oppose Elias Conway for governor, but Yell's opposition proved weak. When the American Party claimed Conway "ruined" Arkansas, Conway pointed to progress in canceling the bonds of both the defunct banks, a reduction of state debt by more than $1 million and a treasury with $156,000 in specie. Although times were not easy, Arkansas had entered a period of comparative prosperity and the citizens of Arkansas re-elected Conway 28,159 to 15,436. -
Civil War
Gearing up for war, the Secession Convention raised taxes, issued war bonds, confiscated all public lands formerly belonging to the United States, and called for volunteers. Flushed with the excitement of anticipated battle, the community jumped into mobilization. Companies were mustered, women were fabricating uniforms and flags and donations were made to "the Cause."