Early Governors' Papers

August 22d 1803

Dr Sir,

Trainum who last spring stole Mr. Montgomerys horse, and who afterwards (as I have heard) was supposed to have stolen one from Capt. Joseph Payton of Jackson County was seen at the Crab Orchard last Thursday evening in Company with a man who had lost an ear

I have had information that it is strongly suspected that they lately murdered Maj. Brashear of Kentucky at the Kegg Spring near Duck River on the post road leading to Natchez and robbed him of 2000 dollars in Gold, and some silver. As I have no doubt Trainum is guilty of horse stealing and from the circumstances believe him guilty of the robbery and Murder above stated I am anxious that he should be apprehended for trial and wish you could make such inquiries as might lead to a discovery whether he has been in his old range on Clinch, and what rout [sic] he has gone, Whether he has deposited money there, &c

I have thought it ^might be prudent to conceal the information respecting the Murder ^to wait defaming him until some further intelligence can be had respecting him. I know you detest a Villain and will do on this occasion what prudence and a love of Justice may dictate

I am &c Archibald Roane

Henry Breazeale Esq^r Roane County

22^d August 1803

Dear Sir,

Trainum who formerly lived on Clinch, who stole M^r Montgomery horse last spring and swapped him in your county. Was seen last thursday evening at the Crab Orchard well mounted and armed with pistols, in company with a man who has lost an ear, It is conjectured they were bound for Stockdon Valley. I have heard that you suspected the same Trainum for stealing a horse from you, and that you had never yet been able to find him. I have thought proper to give you this information that you may have it in your power to use those measures you may think necessary. I will also add that from the information I have received ^it appears very probable that Trainum was lately guilty of murdering and robbing Maj^r Brashear of Kentucky near Duck river on the road from Natchez to Nashville

If this charge can be made supported against him, the person who apprehends him will be entitled to a reward of four hundred Dollars

I have thought it prudent not to circulate that suspicion here generally of his being guilty of the murder until the measures I have taken I can ascertain whether he will venture back to Clinch where he formerly resided. He is so notorious a Villain that I am anxious he should be apprehended and brought to Justice.

D^r Sir &c

Archibald Roane

Cap^t Joseph Taylor Jackson County

Measures are constantly pursueing [sic] for the purpose of extinguishing that Indian Claims on to on all the lands on the n.^o of Tennessee, and that the President is by law ^further authorized to exchange with any of the Indian tribes, lands of lying on the W.^t side of the Mississippi, for lands on the east side of that river,- and should the ^present friendly disposition of our neighboring tribes be stat continue and ^be preserved, I have not a single doubt remain ing but the this such a desirable exchange may ^and will be accomplished:

When we further contemplate the Great and almost boundless requis =ition of lands, lately obtained ^from France on both east and West ^sides of the Mississippi, no doubt can remain but an ample ^& sufficient Quantity of Lands will be approp =riated for to supply the wants of every description of our fellow Citizens, that may wish or be disposed to become adventurers in settling those fertile regions, so widely and wide extensive, and also so desirable as are now placed before us - I therefore hope you will ^deliberate and reflect seriously, and discard from your intentions any object, every Idea and that would will have a tendency, to either involve yourselves, or your Country, in any unnecessary and disagreeable consequences -

I have the honor to be very respectfully Gentlemen, Your m^o ob. Hbl, Serv^t.

1 copy sent to the Inhabitants by col^o Montgomery 1 ditto to Col.^o Meigs P post

april 1^st 1804

would be promoted by pursueing [sic] from Knoxville the nearest and best route leading in the direction for Neworleans so as to make (if possible) this route the nearest and best for the construction of the road. Whereby it would be most likely to obtain the preference over the other two routes, with which it must be held in view, we are now in competition, at the same time I believe not entirely without some prospect of success. To effect this object to the utmost extent that was practicable in the very expostitious examination the enginiers [sic] are instructed at this time to make I found it necessary to call to my aid Maj. Thos Brown of Kingston who had an entire knowledge of the country not only along the route we view^d, but also that leading through the Tennessee and Wills town Valleys, and whose information in this respect was of considerable importance to us. He Joind [sic] us at Campbells Station, and continu^d with us a small distance after we cross^d the Highuassee River, where we were furnish^d by Col^o Montgomery the agent ^with an interpreter and guide through the cherokee nation, I continu^d on with the engineers untill [sic] we cross^d the Southern boundary of our state into that part of the Territory of Georgia inhabited by the cherokees on the head waters of the chickamaggy near the South Eastern part of the Lookout Mountain from, which place

Montgomery October 26 1829

Dear Sir

Since the last trail I have had the [Page damaged] [?]tion of A number of Citizens on Brimstone [Page damaged] [?]erted, in my hands for the purpose of [Page damaged] [?]ling to you to have Richard Childress [Page damaged] [?]ted ajustice of the peace to fill the [place?] [Page damaged] [?] of David Trust who has moved out [Page damaged] [of?] the County &c. you will give that [Page damaged] [credit?] to it. it may be entitled to. it is right [Page damaged] [that?] some person should be appointed [Page damaged] [to?] fill said vacancy.

there was one matter I forgot in my letter by last mail

- the People on the south side of this county is very much opposed to anew [Page damaged] [?]ty being made & Wishes [Morgan?] to [re?] [Page damaged] [?] its [?]. this fact I am warra[?] [Page damaged] [Page damaged] [?] making the Statement to you on [?] [Page damaged] personal Information of a number of Citizens who live on the south side of the County

therefore if a petition for a new county should come before the house I wish to info[rm?] [Page damaged] [?] that the People may have & opportun[?] [Page damaged] [Page damaged] [?] remonstrate against [?] yours &c [Levi? Tre?]