Newton Cannon Circular
Governor Newton Cannon published this circular to present his position and objectives in the current race for governor. This document is addressed to Mr. John Rhea in Marshall County, Tennessee. In it, Cannon supports a national bank, deplores Van Buran’s profligacy, refers voters to his record in office, anticipates supporting the Whig/Republican candidate in the presidential campaign two years hence, and opposes a large standing army and government support of West Point. Cannon closes by asking for his readers’ support in the coming election.
Dates
- 1839 May
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Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
Governor Newton Cannon published this circular to present his position and objectives in the current race for governor. This document is addressed to Mr. John Rhea in Marshall County, Tennessee. In it, Cannon supports a national bank, deplores Van Buran’s profligacy, refers voters to his record in office, anticipates supporting the Whig/Republican candidate in the presidential campaign two years hence, and opposes a large standing army and government support of West Point. Cannon closes by asking for his readers’ support in the coming election.
Biographical/Historical Note
Newton Cannon was born on May 22, 1781, in Guilford County, North Carolina and moved to Williamson County with his family in 1790. He served as a colonel in both the War of 1812 and the Creek War of 1813. He married Leah Perkins on August 26, 1813, but she died in 1816. He then married Rachel Willborn on August 27, 1818. Cannon’s political career began when he was elected to the Tennessee State Senate in 1811. He served until 1814 when he became a United States representative. He lost the election in 1816, but returned to his seat in 1819, serving again until 1823. In 1829 he returned to the Tennessee state senate and served until 1831. In 1835, Cannon was elected as Tennessee’s first Whig governor, winning reelection in 1837, but later beaten by James K. Polk in the 1839 election. During his term as governor, he oversaw expansion of internal transportation options in railroads, turnpikes, and canals; he helped to charter a state bank to raise funds to support education; and he increased the size and scope of the state government. Cannon died on September 16, 1841, in Nashville, Tennessee. Cannon County, Tennessee was named for him.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Special Collections purchased this document in 1986.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository