Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 2.^d April 1797

Sir

In a report from the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, I observe he has stated sundry claims for militia services filed in the office of the Accountant of the War department performed in the years 1794, 1795, & 1796. performed within the States of Georgia and Kentucky, but no mention is made of any Claims for similar services rendered done within the state of Tennessee.

One of the members of Congress has also informed me, that the Secretary of War told him him, that no papers relative to Our or Major Johnsons Commands, were forwarded to his office. I have no doubt but your conduct on the Occasion has been circumspect & impartial. Therefore I have taken the liberty to mention this Circumstance to you, and beg wishing to be informed why or what may be those reasons those papers have not been forwarded in the due order of time, Otherways if the papers have been transmitted, You may have it in your power to exculpate yourself from imputation of neglect.

I have the honor to be with great respect sir, y.^r obed.^t Hbl serv^t

J Sevier

Col.^o David Henly agent to the war department}

Sir-

Your letter of the 2 April I received by M.^r Maclin Saturday evening, defered [sic] answering it, til I had wrote M^r Simmons the accountant of the War departmt [sic] upon that subject, which seems at present to have an aspect, as tho I was inattentive to the pay of the Militia, and of consequence to the interest of the State; which I can assure you is not the case. And you may defend that my conduct has been as you express, circumspect and impartial."

To M^r Simmons I have sent a letter this day by M^r Cowan, pointing out to him ware [sic] the estimate for the services of Major Johnson and one may be found, with my report accom panying it. A Copy of which you may inspect

at this Office at your leisure.

Major Ore's expedition was in the year 1794, from the 6:^th to the 25 Septem^r, the amount calculated is 8,773. D^lo 17^Cts; That of Major Johnson^s the same year, and from the 12 Novem. to 9 Decem^r. amount calculated to 3,302 D^lo .29^Cts.

I beleive [sic] it will appear that the misfortune attending the business, has happened, from the change of the officers of government, is both the Secretary of War, and accountant, have been appointed, subsequent to the Year 1794.

It is impossible that when Gentlemen are appointed to such Offices, they can immediately have the whole of their duties, and details, of so ex= tensive business in perfection. -

I am very respectfully Your excellencys Obd^t Hum Serv^t David Henley

Knoxville th 11 April 1797

His excellency Governor Seveir [sic]

Murfreesboro 18^th Oct^r 1820

Sir

Your letter of the 30^th August last, did not reach my hand unti 14^th inst, owing in part to my being Absent, from the seat of Government for the space of 4 weeks past,

I am greatly obliged by your at =tention to my request, relative to the de =scription of Colo Johnson sword; but Sir your price so far exceeds any sum which has been spoken of here, that, I am in =duced almost to negative the proposition for sir the price of one sword say $1200 is at least double equal to what has been thought by men of some information, would be the cost of both-

But as I am willing to admit that Colo Johnsons ^sword agreeable to your description, must be one of first rate, I will propose giving you eighteen hun =dred Dollars for two sword, equal in size, and equal in richness of mounting &

Middletown. Conc.^t 30^th Aug^t. 1820

His Excellency Jos. M^cMinn

Sir

your favor of the 12^th ins^t I have this day rec'd and I now proceed to give you the information requested. The Blade of Col^o. Johnson sword was damask, cure'd in the sabre form, richly emboss'd and thirty two inches length of blade. on the outer side of the grip of the hilt were the arms of the United States. on the inner side a plate surrounded by wreaths on which was engraven the vote of congress. the head an American Eagle with a collar of thunder bolts around its neck and holding in its beak an oaken wreath. the guard was form'd of a bunch of scions bound together as emblematical of the union of the States surmounted with a bust of Ceres. the thumb pieces on each side of the guard were form'd by a spread Eagle holding in his talons a wreath compos'd of emblems usually born by Ceres - On the scabt are the bands to which the rings are attached some