Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 2^d. August 1807

Sir,

you will perceive by the enclosed copy of a letter, from Robert Koyl, that a certain John Prigmore, has been lately murdered, by the Indians-

A certain Leonard Cash was also murdered last Spring in the neighbourhood of Flint River, and afterwards found in Tennessee, with his body riped [sic] open and head cut off, with other mutilations of and egregious nature-. I have been farther informed (not official) that one other person has been murdered near the Shoals, said to be done by the creeks. Such enormities are of too aggravating a kind, and such as will not be longer suffered, to be committed on any of the citizens of Tennessee. I request you will be good enough to make diligent enquiry in order to discover the perpetrators that they may be dealt with agreeably to existing Treaties, and the laws in such cases made and provided. I am unwilling to be= =lieve that the Cherokee chiefs would countenance such out= rages, but should it be discovered to be otherwise, this situation maybe soon become very disagreeable, unless they finally put an end to such aggressions. I shall expect that the Cherokees will make every necessary enquiry to dis= =cover

N^o 1

A copy Executive letter

To Co^l. Meigs -

1807

in regard to the murder of some white people by indians

Cash Prigmore

Highwassee 30^th Aug^t 1807.

Sir:

M^r Samuel Riley has just returned from the Muscle Shoals where I directed him to make carefull enquiry respecting the murder of Cash & Prigmore - He makes to me a circumstantial report - a Copy of which I enclose for you, I shall set out tomorrow for the Chickasaw old Fields & shall make further enquiry.: but I believe the report of M^r Riley to be correct as to the facts. Should I find anything more particular or certain, I shall communicate it to you as early as I can. -

I have the honor respectfully, to be y^r Ob^t Servant

Return J Meigs.

Governor Sevier.

N^o 2

Letter from Col Meigs with Ryly's report of the Murder of Cash &c

Kingston Sept 5

John Sevier Esq^r Governor of the State of Tennessee. Knoxville

1807