Early Governors' Papers

Harpeth Dec^r 5^th 1825

Dear Sir

Having returnd [sic] home from the duty assign^d me for the present, in aiding the engineers of the united states in the examination of the route for the national road from Washington City to Neworleans passing through our state. I deem it proper to commu= =nicate to you the result of the examination that has been made

The enginiers [sic] commencing at Washington City pass^d along East of the blue ridge to Rock Fish Gap where they cross^d over into the valley west of the ridge leaveing [sic] Staunton on their right passing through Lexington Salem Christiansburg Wythe and Abbingdon in the State of Virginia thence pursueing [sic] the stage road through Blountsville Rogersville and Rutledge in Tennessee to Knoxville where I joind [sic] them on the evening of the 22^d ult, Capt Pousin immediately made me acqua= =inted with the orders and instructions from the Dep^t. under which he acted, from which it was obvious that the several routes so interesting to the people in the different sections of our state could not now be examin^d and from the further information obtaind [sic] from the enginiers in relation to the other two routes that have been examind [sic] south and East of the mountains I was fully impressd with the Opinion that the Gen^l interest ^of our state (for the present)

Rutledge July 21st 1825.

Gov. Houston

I understood yesterday in Knoxville that Genl. Howard had stated there, on his return from Nashville a few days since that owing to the pressure on those indebted to the Nashville, and New State Bank, and some other causes, there was grat proba =bility that you would be constrained to convene the legislature,- that you had so expressed yourself, which if it be true, author= =ises the belief that there will be an extra session- at least with me, as I know your feelings to be against it- I would like to know certainly- or if you have not determined on it, to know from you whether there is a probability of it. Perhaps I should not make the enquiry- I will hint to you my reason, you can then answer me on this subject or not as you think most prudent. If you write your letter shall be confidential or not as you may direct - -

[Lurney?] has left our district, and I have understood will resign should there be a called session, this I do not know certainlyhowever I think it very probable

Rutledge Tn July 21st 1828 His Excellency Sam. Houston Nashville Tenn

Whiteside 21 July 28

M^r. Speaker and Gentleman of the House of Representatives

We concur with you with respect to the amendments by you proposed to the Bill for the Better establishment and regu =lation of the militia, and name Messrs. Rutledge & Ford to see the same executed.

Wm. Blount S. S.

By Order G. Roulstone C.S.

Mr. Speaker and Gent of the House of Repre sentatives

The Senate concur with you in appointing a committee "to take into consideration whether some compensation should not be made Governor & Secretary of State for house rent, Stationary, &c. and add on their part Messrs. Ford & Rutledge

Wm. Blount S.S.

By order G. Roulstone CS.