Early Governors' Papers

State; You will have it in your power among the great number of ingenious macha =nics that are to be found in the City of Philadelphia, to have such a one made, as will be elegant comprehensive and sufficiently expressive of the purposes and use the fame is intended for.

I hope your attention will not be lacking, to ^Endeavor & to procure the monies the monies due the Officers and Privates for their services in the late expedition against the Cherokees under my command; I flatter myself that the present Secretary of the War office department, will consider the propriety ^& legality of the measure.

I have the honor to be with sincere and much Esteem, Your M^o Obt. & very H.^l Serv.^t

John Sevier

Honble W^m Blount & W^m Cocke

of War to the executive of this state, dated 13 August last only arrived here on the 11^th instant, brought by Mr John Deadrick from Cumberland, Another from same department dated 29 September came by our fort a few days before. How these irregularities happen Iam at a loss to know. It is not the first time my letters directed to me at this place from Philadelphia, has went round by the way of Cumberland, and some of them came forward with a broken seal.

Ihope you will ^please acquaint the post Master General of such Irregularities, in order ^that the defect may be remedied.

Captains Captain Wades and Captain Spark's companies have arrived neither of them compleat, if no more is sent, these will be inadequate to the protection of our Frontiers, and the defect ought to be supplyed by militia. Three companies of infantry and a troop of horse, would answer the purpose, in which Ihave wrote the secretary of war

Ihave the honor to be &c

Signed

J. Sevier

John Sevier Letter to the members in Congress 17^th January 1797

(No 17)

Knoxville 14 February 1797

Sir

Yours of the 3.^d Ultimo by M^r Casey came duly to Hand. I expect ere this reaches you Congress will Have risen, but as there is a probability that you may remain in Philadelphia some time after the session is over, I think it necessary to inform you that the indians have killed one person in Powels Valley and wounded another, also have killed one more on harpeth (Cumberland) I congecture that this has been done in retaliation for two indians said to be Very inhumanly murdered by Ned Mitchell and John Levistone some where near unto the head of Kentucky river, I hope to have there be an the matter shortly made up so as to restore peace and

harmony restored. The reports of a probability of a War with the french, and direct taxation seems to exite Cause much Clamor, and exites ^apparently much general indignation among many here, against the administration ^measures of the executive American Government.

I have not write to the other members Expecting they will in all probability have leave Philadelphia, before this letter will arrive, which I hope will be sufficient apology should it be otherwise

I have the honor to be &c

J. Sevier

a copy of a letter of a letter inclosed which was sent to Silas Dinsmore agent

Honble M^r Wm Blount

Letter to Hon^ble M^r Blount 14^th Feb^y 97-

(N^o. 22)

Recorded

2^d

speak to you with a false toungue, nor do Iwish your people to be treated ill, but on the contrary that they may live in peace and safety and raise their children in Quietude

Iknow very well, that some of ^the white our people are bad men and have been guilty of a horrid Crime in killing the red bird and Will, and Iexpect that when ever they can be taken they will shall suffer for it, one of them has run away and the other as yet is not taken; as Itold you in my last I tell you in this, that the innocent ought not to suffer for the guilty, neither ought your people to take any satisfaction until you had first made your complaint And stated your sufferings. It is impossible for me to know when damage is done to your people without you inform me; and your own good sense will point out to you that a murderer seldom discovers upon himself, which I suppose is the reason why your people denies they have done any Mischeife

You say you have been a long Jorney and while at Philadelphia received very different talks from that of mine; and say that I say you are best a handful of people and in consequence of our superiority in numbers ^suppose we had aright to do as we please - Ideny saying we had a right to do as we please & on any such a supposition, neither is there any such a word in my letter