Early Governors' Papers

John Overton 16 Aug^t 1796

His Excellency John Sevier Knoxville

Cap Sample

Came to hand thursday 25 August 1796

will put it in the power of that body to do much service by offering proper reasons in support of the claim of the State, otherwise no doubt exists with us but the general Government will open a land office; and from our inattention probably avoid making the necessary provision for individual claims and thereby involve us in lasting difficulties.

With the utmost defference and respect we take the liberty to subscribe ourselves, your Excellencys' most devoted and very humble servants

Nashville. Oct^r 14^th 1800

Jno Overton John McNairy W: P Anderson

Sam^l Donelson V Coleman Ho. Tatum Jos Herndon Jn^o C Hamilton R Seavy

1797

John Overton

Certificate for license to practice

State of Tennessee

This may certify that the legal knowledge of John Overton esquire entitles him to a license to practice as an Attorney in the several courts of law and equity in this state Given under my hand this 7^th day of April 1797.

John McNairy

Archibald Roane

Certified 22^d Ap^l 1797

His Excellency John Sevier

John Sevier Governor in and over the State of Tennessee.

To all to whom these presents shall come.

Whereas at a Court begun and held for the District of Mero at Nashville before the Honorable David Campbell, Hugh L White and John Overton equires Judges of our Superior Courts of law and equity on the Second Monday of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five, and of the Independence of the United States the twenty ninth, Samuel For^rester was arraigned tried and found guilty of murdering a certain female Negro slave named Mille, the property of a certain Garrett Fitsgerold, for which murder the said Samuel Forrester was sentenced to be punished with death, and the sentence to be put into execution by the Sheriff of Davidson County on the 15th day of June the present month.

And whereas on the fourth day of June Instant, I granted a respite of the execution of the said Samuel Forrester until

8 by the Governor of this State in a few Days

I have only to remark that this Extinguishment of the claim is important to both states; and will be in no wise inconsistent with the attainment of the matter relative to the assent of Congress the Act of this State lately sent you

Perhaps it would be best for you to communicate the subject of this letter to [Alless...?] Anderson Cocks, Rhea and Campbell, so that they may be possessed of every circum= =stance, relative to the present important state of things

I beg that you will write to me by every mail - Two lines and your name at foot

Y^r respet friend

signed Jn^o Overton

The Honble W^m Dickson

N^o 2