Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 17 February 1797

Sir/

Some time past two negro fellows belonging to Capt James Richardson of this County ran away and went into the Cherokee Nation, from whence thence to the Creeks, Where they were taken by a half breed, by sold one called the [fife?] and by others Lastly; He pretends to hold them until he is made whole for some horses stolen from him by the Cherokees. there has been also ^a man killed lately, & & a number of horses lately ^lately taken from the Cumberland settlements, supposed to be done by the Creeks or Cherokees

I beg of you to exert your influance [sic] ^to keep the indians within bounds and have the both the Negroes and horses returned, ^as soon as possible otherways it will be impossible we need not expect to support peace and tranquility much longer - the Negroes belongs to a person in Moderate Circumstances, and the loss is very injurious considerably sensibly felt by him and his family - I hope the pleasure of seeing

Henry Bryant William Patten Laurence Angell William Angell William [illegible] [Wallace Brant?] [illegible] [illegible] Angell [illegible] morris William M^cBee James Johnston William maghee Turner george A Brock Isham [Wamack?] John [bant?] William Richards Arnold [hethen?] Hutson Buris. William Lusk James [Hegar?] Samuel Johnson William Stevenson [Sillas?] glenn Joseph Dunkin Stogner Bray [Alex?] E Patton

Samuel B Sherril Henry Sherril Isaac Cartwright William harper George Richardson John [illegible] Abraham [Kuy?] Kendall John [Kuy?] Kendall John [Busksey?] Jas. Richardson George More Th^o. Kenedy Johan [Lush?] Jesse [illegible] Daniel [Dun? Deen?] James Sandal William Sandal Wm. [Grover?]