Early Governors' Papers

State of Tennessee

To the Sherriff of Hawkins County Sir

I am just ^now informed by an express from the Governor of the state of Kentucky, that a Most Cruel daring and unprovoked Murder was perpetrated by Edward Mitchel and John Levingston, Citizens of this State and inhabitants of Hawkins county, on two indians of the Cherokee Nation (one of the name of red Bird) who was hunting in the State of Kentucky, On the Waters of Kentucky river.

The perpetration of so ^such a horrid and unwarantable Ac an Act is contrary to the treaties existing between the United States and the indian tribes, as also All laws human and divine, and such aggressions Ought to meet examplary and adequate punishment According ^suitable to the demerit of the ^their crimes, agreably [sic] to the laws

they have, so flagrantly and wantonly violated.

In conformity to the demand made by his Excellency the Governor of the State of Kentucky, and agreably [sic] to an act of Congress in such Cases made and provided: I do hereby command you, to take the aforesaid Edward Mitchel and John Levingston, or either of them if to be found in your County, and them or either of them safely and securely to convey unto the public Jail of Kentucky, then and there, them or either of them, you are to deliver unto the keeper thereof.

In order that you may be the better enabled to apprehend, take, and convey the said Edward Mitchel and John Levingston, or either of them as aforesaid, you are hereby impowered to apply to, and call upon, Any officer or officers, either Civil or Military within this State, to furnish you with such gaurd or Gaurds,

as may be adequate and necessary for the purpose of taking, and safely conveying them, to the public Jail of Kentucky as aforesaid. I also command and enjoin that all officers both Civil and Military, to be aiding and assisting in having the aforesaid Edward Mitchell and John Levingston apprehended and taken in order ^that they may be dealt with as the law in such Cases may direct.

Given under my hand and seal in Knoxville this 19th day of March 1797.

Signed

John Sevier

By the Governor

State of Tennessee

To the Sheriff of Hawkins County

Sir

I am just now informed by an express from the Governor of the state of Kentucky, that a most cruel, daring, and unprovoked Murder was perpetrated by Edward Mitchell and John Levingston citizens of this State and inhabi= tants of Hawkins County, on two indians of the Cherokee nation (one of the name of Red Bird) who was hunting in the State of Kentucky on the waters of Kentucky river.

The perpetrations such horrid and unwarrantable an acts, is contrary to the treaties existing between the United States and the Indian tribes, as also all laws human and divine, and such aggressions ought to meet examplary and adequate punishment suitable to the demerit of their crimes, agreeably to the laws they have so flagrantly and wantonly violated.

In conformity to the demand made by His Excellency the

the Governor of the State of Kentucky, and agreeably to an act of Congress in such Cases made and provided: I do hereby command you to take the aforesaid Edward Mitchell and John Levingston, or either of them if to be found in your county, and them or either of them safely and securely to convey unto the public Jail of Kentucky; then and there, them or either of them, you are to deliver unto the keeper thereof.

In order that you may be the better enabled to apprehend, take, and convey the said Edward Mitchell and John Levingston, or either of them as aforesaid, you are hereby impowered [sic] to apply to and call upon any officer or Officers, either civil or military within this State, to furnish you with such gaurd or guards as may be adequate and necessary for the purpose of taking and safely conveying them, to the public Jail of Kentucky as aforesaid. I also command and enjoin, that all Officers civil and military be aiding and assisting in having the aforesaid Edward Mitchell and John Levingston