Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 8th March 1797

Dr Sir

Your election like a number of the others is to be contested, and the complaint seems to be that principally is that Genl. Winchester contrary to law, Voted for Major General at Knoxville in the district of Hamilton, and at the same time he was Brigadier of the district of Mero, and ought ^they contend was only entitled to to have given his Vote in his own District. As I have no power to determine Contested And disputed elections, it will must of course have to be laid before the next General assembly for their determina =tion -

I have the honor to be very respectfully Your most obed^t & Hbl Serv.^t

Signed John Sevier

Geo. Conway esq^r. Greene County

M^r Speaker of the Senate & of the house of Representatives

I have the honor to lay before your Honorable body The Returns ^of the elections held within the districts, of Washington, Hamilton, and Mero for Major General; you will perceive discover by papers discovering accompanying the same that the elect legality of the election is disputed

You will therefore ^please to make such rules and make such decision, as may ^will be necessary to direct the executive on the subject

Your obed.^t serv.^t

Signed

John Sevier

Knoxville 14 9^th Ocober 1797

John Sevier Governor and commander in Cheif [sic] in and over the State of Tennessee

To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting

It is made known to me that at the last Superior Court Held for the district of Mero at ^the town of Nashville, a Certain William Sutherland was Indicted on a charge of feloniously [stealing?], taking, and carrying Away, two negro Slaves, the property of Captain Donohoo, for which felony he was found Guilty, And sentence of Death ^have passed on him, which sentence Was to be put into execution on the 20th ^day of december (instant)

Now know ye, that a number of respectable Citizens of this State, have represented to me, that the said William Sutherland have heretofore sustained, a fair & respectable Character, and pray that mercy may be extended towards him, and being ever desireous to extend mercy and clemency to all those who may be fit objects to obtain ^& receive the same, I do hereby Grant a pardon to & reprieve ^to the aforesaid William Sutherland and consign to oblivion the Crime & felony aforesaid -

Given under my hand & seal in Knoxville the 12th day of December Anno Dom, 1797.

By the Governor.

Knoxville 8th of december 1797

Sir

I have to acknowledge your two favors of the 3^d and ninth of November ultimo, and beg leave to return you my thanks for the information therein Contained, and also ^for the prompt and necessary measures you took in order to have endeavor to have those [base?] murderers apprehended who had that so inhum anly killed the two cherokee indians - I beg sir, that you will use your ^utmost exertions, to have those lawless and atrocious murderors [sic] apprehended and brought to Condign punishment if possible, by Issuing

You will please to call on the officers both Civil and military of your district, to make every effort That may be necessary in order to discover and appre hend the person, or persons, that have been guilty of so flagrant and daring a piece of Violence and murder -

I have the honor to be &c

J. Sevier

Gen^l. Winchester

Mero District (written in pencil)

Knoxville 5th February 1798.

(circular)

Sir

A very important law Question has arisen, and in it self a singular one, which very much effects the interest ^and welfare of this State. The constitution being authorized to call on the attorny [sic] generals for ^their advice ^& counsel on certain Occasions, I take the liberty to request that you will without delay come forward to this place, and attend on the Wednesday the fourteenth Instant, in order to take under ^your consideration Such matters & things as will be then Laid I shall then lay before you & the other Attornys [sic]

I have the honor &c

John Sevier (in pencil)

Attorny [sic] Generals - (sent to Mero) Hamilton Attorny [sic] Generals for Mero District