Early Governors' Papers

Copy of letter

to Colonel M^cKee N^o. 10

28 Apl. 1796

Recorded

Knoxville 12th January 1797

Sir

Yours of the 8th of November Iam duly honored with, and should have done myself the pleasure of answering the same before this time had Ibeen at this place. Some of my family in Washington being much indisposed which required my presence is my opoligy, together with the severity of the Weather ^which prevented my return so soon as Iintended. Idiscovered at the first sight of the Act of Congress you advert to, that the it would have a tendency rather to encourage, then discourage settlements to be made as low down as the Tennessee River, tho I make no doubt that Honorable body fully anticipated very salutary and interesting consequences would be derived: in The experimental line tried by ^Messeures Campble McKee, & McClung is reported as Iam informed, to Cross Holeson near the confluence of that and Tennessee Rivers The Act of Congress embraces an Idea, that from that place the line is to be extended a south to the S^o Carolina Indian boundary. Now Sir if the experimental line above alluded to is accurate, will not the line ^Course to be run south Immeadiately cross the Tennessee? This is my Idea is generally entertained by all those who are acquainted, and the opinion you know is readily indulged by all who wish to settle on the Land-