Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 5 August 1804

Sir

Our Commissioners for the purpose of marking and laying off the road from Tennessee through the Indian nation into the State of Georgia, are preparing to meet those of from that State at James Vans on the 15th instant-

I have deemed it proper to give you this information, in order that you may avail your self of any an opportunity of giving the necessary information to the Indians Chiefs that they may attend- I beg you will be so oblidging as to Write on to Vans, letting the Commissioners know of Georgia know, those from Tennessee will soon be [on?]- if not on the day, in a very short time afterwards.

I would [?] would be unwilling to impose this trouble on you, have we any opportunity from this Quarter

I have the Honor &c

Colonel Meigs

Knoxville 9th August 1804

Gentleman

Having received notice from the Georgia Comm =issioners proposing a meeting at James Vans on the 15th Instant, you will readily discover the necessity of repairing to that place with the utmost dispatch

Permit me to recommend in the first place, an agreement to be made with the Georgia Commissioners Consigning to each State an equal part of the road most conveineint for each party to open and clear out- If this point should be settled and agreed upon, very probably your place of meeting will be considered near the Middle ground- Secondly- you will proceed to explore and mark out the nearest, best, and most conveineint routs, for Waggon roads, leading from the two stations agreed upon between the United States and Cherokees, (to wit) "From South West point and Tellico Blockhouse", to such part of the way and place as may be agreed upon by the Commissioners: The

Knoxville 19 July 1804

Gentlemen

Your favour of [space] instant with its enclosures I have been duly honored with, and the information therein affoards me much pleasure- Iam happy to find that the Commissioners of Georgia are in such readines to act in conjuncion with those of Tennessee - the Laying off and cutting out the contemplated road I hope will be a great and mutual advan =tages to both states, and be equal to our most sanguine wishes and expectations - our assembly convens on Monday next, at which time it is expected every provision will be made to forward this desireable object, and Imake no doubt our Commissioners will be ready to meet you on the 15th of August at James Vans. If they should not Iwill advise you of the same previous to the time of your meeting, and you may rest assured Gentlemen, that every exertion will be made to facilitate and forward the busines- Iwill forward by tomorrows mail the letters to Col^o Meigs and Major McCray

I am &c &

W^m Barnet esq^r and B. Harris esq^rs Commissioners