Early Governors' Papers

permit me to say sir, that I have ^& entertain a high sense of your friendship and attachment to the interest and welfare of our State; and particularly, towards those our unhappy frontier Settlers who have been oblidged to remove from their farms. Your readiness to relieve their Sufferings, will lays this government under peculiar obligations, who will remember and wish for an opportunity to repay with gratitude, the munificent and benevolent paternal services of rendered them in your administration.

I further beg leave suffer the further to assure you, notwith =standing some unfavorable reports that may have been circulated to the prejudice of the people of this Country, that if Occasion should require it; you may rely ^with full confidence on their firmest and most zealous support in opposition to any invaders, that may attempt an attack on our common Country

I have the honor to be sir, With sincere & very Great Esteem Your m.^o ob. & Hbl. Serv.^t

John Sevier

John Adams esq.^r President of the U. States

Gov Sevier to Pres Adams 1798

N^o 1

Recorded

5 April 1798

State of Tennessee

Knoxville 17 September 1798

Sir

It affoards [sic] me great pleasure to have it in my power to transmit to you, sundry resolutions entered into by four Companies of Cavalry and mounted Infantry belonging to the District of Washington together with an address from Captains Gillispie & Nelson -

You will discern sir, that they have tendered their services to the President, provided the same should become necessary, and be assured, that the officers and privates, will do honor both to their Country and Selves, Should they have an opportunity of rendering the Same - You may ^also expect with certainty, that four more companies from this State, of the same kind, will be ready to turn out on the Shortest notice - I have the honor to be sir, with every sentiment of respect Your m^o. ob. Serv.^t

John Sevier

John Adams Esquire President of the United States}

Philad^a June 2^nd 1796

Sir

We have the honor to inclose you herewith a printed Copy of the proceedings of Congress respecting the State of Tennessee whereby your Excellency will be informed of the necessity of convening the Legislature by Proclamation at an early day for revising the law respecting the Election of Representatives to Congress and to elect Senators.

It is generally believed that the State of Tennessee would have experienced no difficulty in the Admission of her Senators if it had not been understood that George Washington would not again accept the Presidency and that that State would throw its weight into the Southern Scale against M^r Adams whom it seems the northern People mean to run at the approaching Election.

The Legislature will also have to take measures for lessening the Numbers of the Electors for President and Vice President as we are told four have been appoint -ed and the State can have but three

We have the honor to be very respectfully Your Excellencys most obedient Servants

W^m Blount W^m Cocke

His Excellency John Sevier Esq^r Gov^r in & over the State of Tennessee

War Office 7^th March 1798

Gentlemen,

I have the honor to inform you that the President of the United States has received your letter of the 5^th instant addressed to him, stating an aggression to have been committed on Judge Campbell, in violation of the laws, by Lieut Col. Butler, commanding the Troops of the United States in the State of Tenessee.

The President has previously received a letter of the date of the 6. February ultimo from Governor Sevier on the same subject; in consequence whereof, a letter, of which the enclosed is a Copy, was immediately written to Lieut Col. Butler. You will perceive that this letter is the commencement of an investigation, which this business seems to require. -

I have the honor to be Gentleman with great respect Your obed servant. James W Henry

Joseph Anderson, Andrew Jackson W^m C. C. Claiborne Esq^rs

(CIRCULAR)

PHILADELPHIA Dec. 27th, 1796,

SIR,

THE Speech of the President of the United States to Congress, delivered on the 7th instant, contains the following paragraph.

" While in our external relations, some serious inconveniences and embarassments have been overcome, and others lessened, it is with much pain, and deep regret I mention, that circumstances of a very unwelcome nature, have lately occurred. Our trade has suffered, and is suffering extensive injuries in the West Indies, from the cruisers, and agents of the French Republic; and communications have been received from its Minister here, which indicate the danger of a further disturbance of our commerce by its authority; and which are, in other respects, far from agreeable.

" It has been my constant, sincere, and earnest with, in conformity with that of our nation, to maintain cordial harmony, and a perfectly friendly understanding with that Republic. This with remains unabated; and I shall perservere in the endeavour to fulfil [sic] it, rights and honor of our country; nor will I easily cease to cherish the expectation, that a spirit of justice, candor and friendship, on the part of the Republic, will eentually ensure success.

"In pursuing the course, however, I cannot forget what is due to the character of our government and nation, or to a full and entire confidence in the good sense, patriotism, self-respect and fortitude of my countrymen.

"I reserve for a special message, a more particular communication on this interesting subject."

You will ask, "what are we to expect war or peace with France?" I answer that I have not heard any person say war, and people in general hope peace.

Information is here lately received, and is believed correct, that the French Republic have stipulated with Spain for two Floridas, and a part of Louisiana; by a part of Louisiana you are to understand, a part of the Spanish dominions on the west and adjoining the Mississippi, but what particular part I have not heard.-And not knowing the motives nor conditions, upon which the change of sovereignty of so large a tract of country has taken place, I can offer no opinion as to the effect it will have upon our State, and the other transatlantic inhabitants.

The Secretary of war yesterday reported to the House of Representatives upon the Petition of Hugh Lawson White, which was presented to Congress in the year 1794, and immediately referred to the Secretary to report. -The Prayer of this Petition payment for his services performed in the Cherokee nation, in the 1793, under the command of General Sevier. I have not seen the Report, but I am informed that it constians a statement of the facts, without any opinion for or against, and it stands for the order of the day tomorrow, in this House to which it has been made: so that a decision of Congress will be made this session, whether the officers and soldiers who served under General Sevier in 1793, in the Cherokee nation, will be paid or not. I hope the determination will be in the affirmative, but of this I am by no means certain.

I will inclose [sic] a copy of the Secretary's Report to the Printer of the Knoxville Gazette, with a request he will publish it for the information of such of the citizens of Tennessee as it may concern.

It is generally understood for whom all the States except Georgia, Kentuckey and Tennessee have voted for President and Vice President; and from the best judgment that can be formed how those three states will probably vote, it is believed Mr. John Adams will be President, and Thomas Jefferson Vice President.

A Committee was yeterday appointed in the Senate to report "a Bill giving effect to the laws of the United States within the State of Tennessee," which will no doubt pass without opposition, as similar acts have passed upon the admission of Vermont, and other States.

From the newness of the session, and the extreme coldness of the weather, Congress have done very little business, except appoint Committees to report Bills, decide upon Petitions, &c.

I have reason to believe three companies of regular troops (infantry) will be ordered to the frontiers of Tennessee, for the preservation of peace and order.

I am Respectfully, Your Obediant Servant

W^m Blount