Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 25^th April 1796

Sir

Since your departure from this place very little have occured [sic], the Assembly adjourned on the 23^d; There was great exertions made for the taxing the Indian lands; and on the other side hand every prudential method taken to obstruct the passage of the bill, which ^was being was effected, and by which means there is not any new act for taxation.

By an act of the Assembly, the Governor is empowered to provide a Seal for the use of the State, and there being no proper artist in my opinion, in this State competant [sic] to the completion of a Seal that might be considered and thought sufficient; you will pardon me Sir, when I take the liberty to request that our Senators will take the trouble on themselves, to have a suitable Seal made, and provided, at the expence [sic] of the

Knoxville April 1 day 1796

M^r Speaker and Gentlemen of the General Assembly

I have the honor to lay before you Governor Vandarhor =ts letter of S^o Carolina letter & ^together with several Resolutions from Entered into by the assembly of S^o Carolina, Accompanied by sundry other papers, relative to the making a Waggon [sic] Road over what is commonly called the Western Mountains - I need not point out to you Gentlemen the Great Utility Benefit & advantages that would be derived by ^to the Citizens of this State, in consequence of such a road being [?] & property ^property & sufficiently and I flatter myself that in your deliberation you will ^not hesitate to prov =ide ample and necessary means to effect the same such a [?] & desireable [? ? ? ? ?] An Advantageous and laudable a beneficent [?] purpose

I have the honor to be your devoted Wih due regard Your devoted Serv.^t

John Sevier

The Speaker & Gentlemen of the General Assemby

Knoxville 6 May 1796

D^r Sir

I am under expectation that I shall be ready to sit out for Washington, some time to day, or early tomorrow morning. [I] Shall I suppose be absent from this place, three or four Weeks; In the mean time I beg you to have a Watchfull eye towards the frontiers, and their your nieghbours the Cherokees.

If any thing of Moment should Occur, let Me know by express as soon as possible.

I am respectfully sir, Your m^o obed^t Serv^t

John Sevier

Circular

Colonels Colonel White & Colonel Kelly and Colonel Weir

Knoxville 2^d April 1796

Friends and Brothers

It is some time since I talked to you upon paper and living so great a distance from each other, we can seldom speak face to face

I am lately come to this place, and as yet not acquainted with all the things that have happened for some time past.

I am sorry to hear that some of my red Brethen are missing or lost if it is the case we cannot as yet find out who it is that have done so wrong and black a deed. but when it is known our laws will then punish him with death.

It is very wrong to punish the innocent for the fault of rogues and bad men, neither will it bring back our friends that sleep in the dust; it is enough for one to be lost by bad people, and not a great many perhaps on both sides was either of us, to begin to take satisfaction, for you know every person have their friends

You that are men and warriors must listen well to my talks and not let foolish and inconsiderate people brake the white belt of.

Knoxville 15 August 1796

Sir

Yours of 23 Ultimo, together with the Duplicate of the 20, ^of June last I have had the Honor to receive- in answer to your first I did myself the honor of Communicating to you, on the 20th dated on Replying on the 20 ultimo, in which ^I hope went safe to hand in which - I signified my reasons some reasons Actionable ^a few some reasons for supplying the different forts forts formerly ^which were supported by the Militia in the ^latter part of the time of Governor Blount, notwiths =tanding ^the pacific appearances, I am of oppinion [sic] that to withdraw the Gaurds [sic] Immeadiately on the Change of the Government, might would impress both the indians, & the people in the frontiers, with Ideas not calculated to promote peace And friendship between the two parties - the indians too readily would take up ^form an oppinion [sic], that the protection of the United States was withdrawn and no longer to be affoarded [sic] ^the frontiers,- which consequently would embolden them, and probably might encourage them to theifts [sic] and Plunder Roberies [sic] to be committed to suppose no worse