Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 29 January 1798

Sir

Your favor of the 15 Ins. Came duly to hand, in which you inform me that you have received from General Armstrong all the Warrants and original locations, that was in his office, and have the same in your Hands-

The Governor of North Carolina had dispatched to this State, James Holland James Willburne James Brittain and William Brittain esquires, for the purpose of securing and taking into their possession Custody all the books and papers belonging to the office of Martin Armstrong &c. and have requested them, to call on the Governor of this State, for his Aid to Accomplish the same should it be found necessary- You permit me sir to request that you will please to deliver the papers you have rec^d out of the aforesaid office of Martin Armstrong, unto the above named Gentlemen appointed to receive them the same, and also affoard them such [?]

Knoxville 29 Jan^y 1798

Sir

The Governor of North Carolina by directions of the General Assembly, have appointed James Holland, James Willburne, ^James Brittain and W.^m Brittain esquires, to take into their Custody, the books and papers of belonging to your office, with directions ^also to call upon the Governor of this State for his aid if necessary in to obtaining the same -

I therefore request that you will please to deliver unto the Aforesaid three Gentlemen, the books and papers required

I am sir

Your obed Hbl. serv^t

John Sevier (in pencil)

General Martin Armstrong

Copies to Judge Tatum & Gen.^l M. Armstrong

29 Jan.^y 1798

P. Ja^s. Holland Ja^s. Willburne & W^m Brittain Esq.^rs

In regard to the Armstrong books + papers

no 20

Recorded

William Maclin esquire Secretary of the state of Tennessee.

Sir

You are hereby authorised to arrest and take into your possession, and the same safely keep, all the books and documents, belonging to the office of Martin Armstrong, that may be found in the hands or possession of James Holland esquire and others Commissioners from the state of North Carolina, appointed to take the same into their possession-

And for the purpose of arresting and detaining the same, your are hereby empowered to call on any Officer or

Officers of this state to assist in making the arrest should it become necessary, and this warrant shall be your authority for the same-

You are hereby directed to permit the said James Holland esquire and others to take such authenticated Copies, and transcripts of the aforesaid records as they make think proper, for the purpose of detecting the frauds and Villainies alledged to has been committed by Terrell and others-

Given under my hand and seal at Knoxville This 17^th day of February 1798 -

John Sevier