Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 13. August 1805.

Sir

The State of Tennessee is about entering into a Contract with the Agent of Phineas Miller and Eli Whitney, relative to the patent right of a machine or new invention for cleaning cotton, commonly called the Saw Gin; and the Legislature has requested the Executive to use all the means in his power to procure information on the subject - must therefore request the favour of your Excellency to inform me, what is the conceived opinion in the state over which you preside respecting the said Millers and Whitneys right to the said machine, and what has been the event of the suits heretofore brought by Miller and Whitney against the Citizens of the state of Georgia, and will thank you for such other information on the subject, as you may think will be useful to us in making the contract

Our Legislature will convene about the middle

Knoxville 13. August 1805.

Sir

The State of Tennessee is about entering into a contract with the Agent of Phineas Miller and Eli Whitney, relative to the Patent right of a machine or new invention for cleaning Cotton, commonly called the Saw Gin; and the Legislature has requested the Executive to use all the means in his power to procure information on the subject - Must therefore request the favour of your Excellency to inform me, what is the conceived opinion in the state over which you preside, respecting the said Millers and Whitney's right to the said machine, and what the state of South Carolina have done touching the business; and will thank you for such other information on the subject, as you may think will be useful to us in making the contract.

Our Legislature will convene about the middle of next month, and should be happy to receive your answer against that time, or as soon thereafter as may be convenient

I have the Honor to be &c

(signed)

John Sevier

His Excellency The Governor of South Carolina

To the [page damaged] Districts of East and West [page damaged]

By an act passed by the General assembly on the 13th day of September 1806 entitled "an act to carry into effect a contract between the State of Tennessee and Eli Whitney, and Phineas Miller," it appears that the Legis =lature are fully satisfied that the aforesaid Whitney and Miller are the true and Lawfull [sic] proprietors of the machine or new invention for cleaning cotton, common =ly called the Saw Gin. The Executive is not in possession of any facts authorizing delay or farther objection why they should not receive their money agreea =bly to contract, as stipulated by the act of assembly passed October the 22 day 1803. entitled, "an act to purchase for the state of Tennessee the patent right of Eli Whitney and Phineas Miller, of a machine or new invention for cleaning cotton, commonly called the Saw Gin."

It is therefore my opinion that the Treasurers of their respective [page damaged] pay unto [page damaged] legal attorney of Whitney, and Miller, agreeably to the afore =said contract. Given under my hand in Knox =ville the 15th day of June 1807.

John Sevier