Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 2 January 1798

Sir

I am Just now informed by letter from the Gov.^r of N.^o Carolina of a very daring and alarming fraud, that has been carried on for some time by W.^m Terrill and others. I cannot better explain to you the Nature of the Crime, then by refering [sic] you to the copies of the Governors letter, and some resolves of the General Assembly ^herein enclosed. The Governors request You will discover in his letter to Myself; but how far, I should be Justifiable to carry the same into full effect, is a doubt with me, However anxious I may be to bring to Justice the perpetrators of a Crime of so base and glaring -

To seize upon the different ^offices of Armstrong, with the Documents and papers therein, might probably do great injury to a number of innocent persons, and would at all events Occasion much delay and trouble ^& expense to many of the ^good Citizens of this, and neighboring states. The emergency of the business does not admit of any delay, and the offices

being heaped in your own vicinity, I am induced Induces me to commit the business to you, requesting that you will ^please consult Judge McNairy On the Occasion, for it may be that it is probably it is an offense against the United States, as well as this, and North Carolina. I therefore request that you will take the most legal means and method, measures that may appear ^most likely for the discovery of the fraud and forgery ^alluded to, and take such measures to be informed of ^proceed in such a manner to obtain proof of Facts and persons ^things feloniously concerned; as to you may appear therein, so that all offenders proper and legal; ^may be brought to Justice should it be deemed ^by you necessary ^and advisable to have the different offices with the papers & documents seized, you will please to Issue your Warrant for the same have the same done -

I have wrote to Judge McNairy on the subject, but have not time to inclose him copies ^of the papers that refered [sic] him to a perusal of these inclosed to you

Your Obed serv^t.

P S. I am informed that M.^r [R Searcy?] who keeps Armstrongs office is a reputable character, could he not throw some light on the affair -

Judge Tatom

Knoxville 29 January 1798

Sir

Your favor of the 15 Ins. Came duly to hand, in which you inform me that you have received from General Armstrong all the Warrants and original locations, that was in his office, and have the same in your Hands-

The Governor of North Carolina had dispatched to this State, James Holland James Willburne James Brittain and William Brittain esquires, for the purpose of securing and taking into their possession Custody all the books and papers belonging to the office of Martin Armstrong &c. and have requested them, to call on the Governor of this State, for his Aid to Accomplish the same should it be found necessary- You permit me sir to request that you will please to deliver the papers you have rec^d out of the aforesaid office of Martin Armstrong, unto the above named Gentlemen appointed to receive them the same, and also affoard them such [?]