Creator: Territorial Auditor (RG 3).

Collection Summary: Records consisting almost entirely of the Auditor’s annual report to the General Assembly (Legislature). Additionally, there is one small file of accounts and correspondence regarding General Assembly business affairs. The Auditor was enjoined from an early date (the law passed March 1, 1806, is often cited in the Auditor’s preface to his reports) to make an annual report to the members of the Legislature containing the “General Accounts together with the account of balances due to and from the Territory.” As the territory grew and finances expanded, the Legislature continued to instruct the Auditor in how to present the territory’s financial situation. See, for example, the resolution of February 10, 1807, “directing the manner in which accounts against the Territory shall hereafter be presented...” Typically, the annual report contains a very broad statement of income and expenditures, often with more detailed balance sheets attached as schedules or abstracts.  The reporting period covered in these records varies, but generally each report could be dated October/November - November/December of succeeding years.

Access Restrictions: Access to original materials is limited due to age and fragility. A microfilm copy is available.

Date(s): 1807-18179.

Volume: 0.50 Cubic Feet.

Finding Aid Created By: Colby Cox in April 2025.

Related Materials: TBD.

Record Group History: The Mississippi Territorial Auditor was a positioned created by the Territorial Legislature on March 1, 1806. The Auditor was to be appointed by the Territorial Governor and granted the authority to examine all public accounts for the Mississippi Territory and conduct investigations into the use of the Territory’s funds. The auditor was also authorized to issue treasury warrants for the payment of public debts.

Collection Inventory:
Box Content 

Box/Microfilm Number

General Assembly RecordsMicrofilm #1392
1807: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1807: Claims (Abstract)4797
1808: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1808: Warrants (Memoranda)4797
1809: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1809: Claims (Abstract)4797
1810-1816, n.d.: Accounts and Correspondence4797
1810: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1810: Balances (List for 1809-1810)4797
1811: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1812: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1812: Balances4797
1813: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1813: Returns (Statement of)4797
1814: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1814: Balances (Abstract)4797
1814: Warrants (Schedule)4797
1815: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1815: Warrants (Abstract)4797
1816: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1816: Balances (List)4797
1817: Annual Report to General Assembly4797
1819: Balances for 1816-18174797