This suit originated on October 19, 1812, when Francois Michel appeared before Samuel Treat, a justice of the peace in Arkansas Township in the District of Arkansas, claiming that Perly Wallis owed him thirty dollars plus interest by virtue of a promissory note made out by Wallis to Michel. Treat accordingly issued a summons for Wallis. Just as the sheriff served summonses from the Court of Common Pleas, so did the constable serve summonses from the justice of the peace. Samuel H. Carter served the summons on Perly Wallis on October 19. Perly Wallis appeared before Carter on October 24, and gave bond for eighty dollars. John W. Hunt was his surety. Three days later, Wallis applied for removal to the Court of Common Pleas, at which point these papers were filed with that court. Included with the pleadings was a copy of the note, payable to Francois Michell in month of November 1809 for thirty dollars in “peltry,” or fur pelts, made by Wallis and witnessed by Andre Fagot. Unfortunately for the plaintiff, the Court of Common Pleas would hear no more cases, and it would be almost two years before a similar court held sessions at the Arkansas Post.

That next tribunal was the General Court, under Judge George Bullitt, which met in September 1814. There are two proceedings which may be connected with Michel v. Wallis; the first, on September 7, 1814, is the suit of Michel v. Wallis. The record book notes that Alexander S. Walker, representing Wallis, pled payment, but does not state any type of ruling by the court. The second, dated September 10, refers to a case of Wallis v. Michel being appealed from a Justice of the Peace, and notes that Perly Wallis appeared and discontinued the suit “at his own costs.” There is no further mention of the case in the record book.

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