Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 6th June 1798

Sir

The Commissioners have requested the Indians to meet them meet them assemble near Tellico blockhouse On the 25th Instant, and it is supposed that the Treaty will be held at or near that place

I have an thought it would be proper for the agents to attend at this place on the 20th ^instant at which time you will please to give your attendance, in order that you may receive ^your further instructions, and deliberate, together on the business of your Agency -

I have the honor to be sir With great regard & much Esteem Your m^o. Ob. Serv^t

To the Agents, each a seperate address - Jos Robertson Jos Stuart Lachlin M^cIntosh} agents

State of Tennessee

John Sevier Governor in and over the same

To all who shall see these presents. Greeting know ye that I do hereby appoint James Robertson late Brigadeer General of the district of Mero, James Stuart esquire Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Lachlin McIntosh esquire of Knoxville, Agents on the part of the state of Tennessee with full power to all or either to attend the treaty, which the president of the U. S has authorized to be held with the Cherokees, by Alfred Moore, John Steele and George Walton esquires ^commissioners on the part of the U. S and there to state the obligations of the United States to extinguish the Cherokee claim to such lands as have been granted to individuals by the state of N^o Carolina, and in all things to represent the interests of the state of Tennessee

Given under my hand and seal at Knoxville this 23^d day of June - 1798

signed

John Sevier

By the Governor Wm Maclin Secretary

Mess^rs James Robertson, James Stuart and Lachlin McIntosh

Gentlemen

Having appointed you as Agents on the part of this State, to attend the ensuing treaty now about to be held between the United States and the Cherokee indians. ~

You will therefore pleased to repair to Tellico Blockhouse, at which place you will be on the sixth instant prepared to attend the negotiations, at whatever point they may open.

It will be impossible to instruct you in the minutia of those interests, to which you are called to attend; as an outline, you will understand the State to require as extensive an extension of the indian claim North of the Tennessee as may be obtained. -

To Mess.^rs James Robertson, James Stuart and Lachlin McIntosh

Gentlemen

Having named appointed you as agents on the part of this State, to attend the ensueing treaty now about to be held between the United States & the Cherokee Indians. ~

It will be impossible to instruct you in the minute

You will therefore please to repair to Tellico blockhouse, at which place you will be on the sixth instant prepared to attend the negotiations, at whatever point they may open-

It will be impossible to instruct you in the minutia of those interests, to which you are called to attend; as an outline, you will understand the state to require as extensive an extension of the indian claim north of the Tennessee, as may be obtained-

The communication of the Holeston and Clinch with the Tennessee, and the right bank of the last river from our south east boundary to its confluence with the Clinch, are points to which you will direct your attention, as also to secure from future molestation, the settlements so far as they have proposed progressed, on the northern and western borders of the state ^state settlements - The connecting the districts of Mero and Hamilton, now separated by a space of an extinguished hunting grounds of near eighty miles in width, will be considered by you Gentlemen as an object of great importance, as the inconveniences resulting from the present State of our settlements, must be obvious to every mind conversant with the Geography of the Country,

And also to have the priviledge of an the unmolested navigation of all rivers, & waters within the chartered bounds of the state, and particularly to obtain where it may be necessary, suitable posts ^for deposit and carrying places from river to river, so as to facilitate, and for a communication make as easy as possible the importation & exportation of all ^the articles necessary for the commercial intercourse of the State -

You will please direct engage some ^suitable person to Supply You with the necessary Stores suitable for your support during your attendance at the treaty. and for the discharge of the same I will grant ^a warrant or warrants on the treasury for the necessary sum to be to be expended on that occasion, which is to be understood not ^not to exceed in the whole expenditure one relative to the objects of your agency, one thousand dolars -

Wishing you every Success compatible with the interest of the state

I have the honor to be respectfully Your m.^o obed.^t and Hbl Serv.^t

John Sevier

Knoxville 4 July 1798

James Robertson James Stuart Lachlan McIntosh } esq^rs.