Early Governors' Papers

good 2^nd rate timber oak and Hickory and the Last 18 miles mix^d with pine of Large size the ground generally firm and compact and mix^d with gravel in places forming an excellent foundation for a road From Calhoun to Wm Robisons in the Cherokee nation on Cottiwak creek 26 miles crossing Highwassee river which rises 20 feet and requires a Bridge 130 yards long firm rock bottom crossing mouse town creek Candys Creek & Cottiwak passing John Walkers the fan of the country generally level. soil 2nd rate Timber oak pine and Hickory firm soil mix^d with flint gravel in the most rolling parts. Gen^l direction So W^t

From Robisons to the southern boundary of our state 6 miles level ground soil inferior 2nd rate Timber oak pine and Hickory Gen^l direction So W^t crossing two small forks of the chickammoggy

From ^there to Rich^d Taylors on the Georgia road six miles same direction and level, timber and soil nearly the same also

Pursueing [sic] the same course M^r Taylor inform^d us the way would ^be level and firm by a vally [sic] passing though the S^o Eastern point of the Lookout mountain leaving it on the right and strikeing [sic]the head waters of Canoe Creek they intend leaveing [sic] the Town of Cahawba on

he is dissipated.

Such was commenced against the executor in 1822 by Wiggins, Taylor and Baker, sisters children of the testators, to set aside the Will, on the grounds of the testators insanity. The cause was heard before the Ordinary and the Will sustained. The plaintiff appealed to the circuit or district Court, and there it has been, continued upon for proof, each party continuing the cause from time to time up to this period. Both parties have been assiduous in collecting proof, and no doubt is entertained, but a final hearing will be had at their present October term. The testimony is all written, I examined most of it, and I have no hesitation in believing that the testator was of sound mind when he execued his Will; and that it will be sustained by a Jury - The counsel employed by the executor have not the least fear of the result. There is some [contrarily? controversy?] of testimony, but the weight of proof is greatly on the side of the Will. Most of the proof made in the cause goes to shew, that the testator has a strange compound, and a very excentric man, tho' this was characteristic of him when young, and accompanyed [sic] him to old age. One thing relied on in proof by the plaintiff as evidence of the testators insanity, is the fact of his having decided William Pennywell to be his son under the following circumstances. There lived with the testator before and at the birth of William, some man who overlooked his hands, and was his agent in the management of his affairs. The testator had observed that when his agent clomb a fence, he [?] got over by passing between the upper rail and the [ride?]. This Lee discovered to be invariable with him. When the child was born and arrived at the age of three or four years, he prooved [sic] to be of the climbng species also, and the testator

[less?] appointed it -

I give you a Carte blanche to do in this matter as you think but hoping & believing that you will aid me all you can -

If you think it advisable to get recommendations from [here?] let me know in what form [?] generally from the Bench & Bar, on from them individually to members of Congress - or both -

As Mr. Polk made all of his appointments in Oregon from the [Nov?] slaveholding states. I pressure Genl. Taylor will work those in California from the slaveholding states -

It might probably be as will for you to send on to Mr. Bell [yours?] & other recommendations, [write?] me fully.

My regards to Mrs. Brown & the family

Your friend [?] Goode

To Genl. N. S. Brown

N.B. I shall of course desire our of the highest judicial officers to be filled -