Early Governors' Papers

(a copy) Executive office, Nashville May 1. 1827.

Sir:

Your letter of the 22^nd of December informing me of the death of Mr. Carlos, late Executor of Mason Lee dec^d. came to hand by due course of mail.

The copy of Lees will, sent to me four or five years ago, was laid before several of our most eminent Lawyers, who were unanimously of opinion, that an executor could not be appointed by Tennessee in the way pointed out by the will. Hence all we could do was to employ a Lawyer to look to the interest of the State; and General Brady's report shews that you were retained by him for that purpose.

My principal object in writing at present is to learn who has been appointed Executor- his capacity to discharge the duties attached to the station- the value and disposition made of the property, and whether under the Will, an amicable settlement could not take place by which the two states could allow to the parties contending a portion of the property and thereby put an end to a tedious and troublesome lawsuit. It is true that the dec^d. declared in his Will that no part of his property shall be enjoyed by his relations; but could not South Carolina and Tennessee buy their peace by the payment of a sum of money from their respective Treasuries? If the suit continues, at what probable time will it be finally settled?

In the progress of the business you are at Liberty to draw upon the Governor for such reasonable fee, as you may deem due to you from Tennessee.

In the hope of hearing from you shortly.

I am most respectfully your Ob.^t serv^t

Wm Carroll

Josiah J. Evans, Esquire Society Hill, S.^o Carolina.

His Excellency W Carrol

Sir

General Brady requested the when he was here last spring to notify you as early as practicable the result of the Case of Wiggins et al. vs Excr of Mason Lee in which the state of Tennessee is interested The case was not tried on Account of the Accidental absence of all the Councel [sic] employed by the Excr. but myself I should have complied with the general's request earlier but have but now return home from a long & fatiguing Circuit & from attendance on the legislature, I had arranged every thing so as to insure a trial at the next spring Court but the

Murfreesboro', October 8, 1827.

Dear Sir,

I expect an application will be made to you for a pardon in the case of Albert F. Keeble. Part of his sentence has been remitted by your predecessor in office. He is yet suffering imprisonment. My views in relation to his case are contained in a letter of mine to General Brady which I have understood is lodged in the secretaries office. My opinion is unchanged. I was mistaken in my anticipations of the course Governor Carroll would pursue. The part of the sentence which the defendant is now suffering, is inflicting pain and distress on his innocent and amiable family; and is, in its nature, onerous to the public, and at the same time, injurious to the defendant himself in a point of view which cannot benefit him, his family, or society. I mean that it is calculated to impair his private morals.- I have already been misconceived in my views on this subject, and for my candid and matured opinions, beg leave to refer you to my letter to General Brady. My views have at least the merit of being honest. They are not formed in referrence to men or parties. I am not now Attorney General, and respectfully, as a private citizen, address this short letter to you as a friend and constituent; for which character,

I beg leave to assure you, of my respect and esteem-

Samuel H. Laughlin

His Excellency S. Houston