Early Governors' Papers

John Sevier Governor in and over the state of Tennessee

To the sheriff of Sullivan County, Greeting

His Excellency John Tyler Governor of the common wealth of Virginia, in pursuance of the Constitution ^and laws of the United States, have demanded of the Executive of this state, that a certain negro man slave, (named Barney) lately the property of John Carmack of Washington County Virginia, but now in the possession of Isaac Shelby of Sullivan County in this state, should be arrested and delivered unto William Gray, who is appointed agent on the part of the Executive of Virginia, to receive the aforesaid Barney, who is charged on affidavit with having on the night of the 21^st of May 1808, set ^on fire the Barn of Robert Preston of the county of Washington in the state of Virginia; which Barn with its contents on the night aforesaid was consumed.- I therefore command you, the sheriff aforesaid, to arrest the said Barney, and him safely deliver unto the aforesaid William Gray agent, in order that the said Fugitive, may be conveyed safely into the county of Washington, the place where the alleged felony was committed: This shall be your Warrant for so doing. Given under my hand near Knoxville the 27th day of June 1809 and in the 33^d year of American Independence -

John Sevier