Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 8 January 1798

Sir

Yours of 7^th december ultimo, came duly to hand, and for the information therein contained I am very much oblidged. It is realy laughable to discover how matters have been contrived in regard to the testimony of Ripley and Odson, and in the paultry cunning manner of Eatons contradicting the whole part, that implicated T. Pickering -How vain are such paltroons [sic], that can Suppose their sneaking cunning with all their usual double faced duplicity, can arrogate to themselves, the fulsome opinion of imposing on ^upon the understanding of a whole nation - Our new consul has made a [sad bank?] in his first first start, and it is doubtful whether or not, his sudden transition, from demo to Aristocrat princess es, has not Occasioned such a Vertigo in his brain, that his whole Race will be, a very crooked one -

I am extremely well pleased to be informed, of the presidents promise to afford relief to our ^distressed frontier Suffer Citizens, for I assure you they stand in great need, for we may truly call their suffering, a real calamity. I have nothing very particular, this is My fourth. With every sentiment of esteem & respect

Your m^o obed.^t and Hbl serv.^t

John Sevier

Honorable M^r. Jackson