Early Governors' Papers

termed old in the profession, yet I am at the same time, young in the practise here, and I would willingly cultivate a more general acquaintance, and afford my self an opportunity of being more generally known - I have heretofore held the same office in Pennsylvania for twelve or thirteen years, and therefore think I am not wholly unacquainted with the duties of the situation, and then only declined it in consequence of the multiplicity of my other business-

Should you then Sir, judge it adviseable to confer upon me the appointment I hope I shall be able so to conduct myself in the discharge of the duties of it, as shall neither reflect any dishonour upon you, nor discredit upon myself - Your favour will be thankfully acknowledged by Sir,

Your friend & hble serv.

William M. Brown

P. S. The Gentleman of Louisville above alluded to, was a Mr Lucket an Attorney of that place and who appears respectable in his profession -

5

improvement, I would recommend the propriety of incorporating companies, imposing such restrictions and extending to them such privileges as approved by the experience of other States, where such companies have long existed; and for the purpose of incouraging [sic] that kind of associations the State should be authorized to subscribe for one half or at least a third of the stocks. This plan has been succesfully pursued in Pennsylvania for the last fifteen years, and the extent of her improvements during that time has been without example in the history of any county in proportion to her population. Good roads and the certain navigation of our rivers have such an important bearing upon agriculture, commerce and the growing prosperity of our State, that I cannot but earnestly recommend to your attention, the propriety of adopting such a system of internal improvements as we can certainly acheive [sic] by our own resourses [sic]. The commissioners appointed at the last session to constitute a board of internal improvements held their first meeting at Nashville in May eighteen hundred and thirty. Measures were then taken to employ an Engineir [sic], for the purpose of making surveys and estimates of the expense of constructing roads and improving the navigations of our rivers. A gentleman was engaged for that purpose who was expected to enter the service of Tennessee on his having completed some work he had prevously undertaken to perform. It was contemplated that he would be able to commence his labors for us, early int he past sum-mer; but owing to ill health he was obliged to decline all attention to business of which fact he advised us

Circular.)

Sir.

In obedience to an act of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed on the fourth day of April 1792, I have th ehonor to trnasmit to you, for the use of the Legislature of the State, in which you preside, a copy of ht eLaws of this Commen-wealth from the 8^th day of January 1791 to the 22^nd: day of April 1795; the receipt of which you will be pleased to acknowledge.

I am, Sir, Your Excellency's Most Obedient Humble Servant James Trimble Deputy Sec^ry

Secretary's Office Philad: 20^th May 1796

To His Excellency John Sevier, Esquire, Governor of the State of Tennessee

Secretary office of Lancaster 3^rd July 1802

Sir

As there was little probability of a direct conveyance, to the Capitol of your State, offering] from this place, I have taken the liberty of sending to the care of the Clerk of the House of Representatives of the United States at Wash -ington City one Copy of the 4^th Vol. of the Laws of Pennsyl vania for the use of your Legislature.

I have the Honor to be with your high respect your obedt. Servant J.M. Thompson. Sec.

His Excellency The Governor of Tenessee

State of New Hampshire.

Exeter Octo. 3^d 1814

Sir,

I shall enclose herewith Copy of a Vote of the Senate and House of Representatives of this State respecting an Amendment of the Constitution of the United States proposed by the new respective Legislatures of Tennessee and Pennsylvania.

I have the honor to be Very respectfully your humb. serv^t.

J. T. Gilman

His Excellency The Governor of Tennessee