Early Governors' Papers

To His Excellency John Sevier Esq^r Govenor of the State of Tennessee

Whereas a number of the good Citizens of this State are much har= rassed and oppressed in consequence of the existing Embargo: which has entirely precluded us from the means of disposing of our produce at a foreign market, and hence a scarcity of specie ensues, and an inabillity to meet our demands, our property is often times taken by execution and sold for less than one fourth of its value. In consequence whereof dellegates from different Captain Companies Within this County properly authorised have met together in a peaceable manner att the Court house in the Town of Charlotte, this 28^th day of Febuary 1809. in order to give in the sence of the Citizens comparing the different Companies which they were chosen to represent (a true Copy of the proceedings wherof we herewith enclose) And whereas it appears to be the oppinion of the Citizens of this County that is expedient, and necessary, that your Excellency convene the Legislature in order to take into consideration and

the extreme distress that the good people of this state, particularly this County, labour under with respect to the Execution law, in consequence of the Embargo, and provide some means for our relief; if possible it can be done without infringing upon our Constitution. We therefore pray that the Legislature may be convened for the purposes her above mentioned

And submiting this our petition to your Excellencys Consideration, we remain with much respect Your Excellencys Most Hb^l Serts

Stirling Brewer Tho^s Watson Cuthbert Hudson John Read

For and in behalf of this Committee Charlotte, Dickson County Feb^y 28^th 1809

Postcript This Committee further conceiv it expedient and necessary and as such pray & petition that the legislature, likewise may be convened on account of altering the Congressional Ellection of this State, It appearing from advices rec^d from our representatives in Congress, that Congress will be

Charlotte Ten March 4^th 1809

Double 34

His Excellency John Sevier Esq^r Gov^r State of Tennessee Knoxville

S. Brewer Cha of committee of Dickson County

Answered p[er] mail 22 March 1809

At a Meeting of Dellegates from different Captains Companies in the County of Dickson, at the Court house in the Town of Charlotte on Monday the 28^th of Febuary 1809. In order to give in the sense of the people Citizens composing the different Captains Com= panies in said County which they represented, on the question whether it be or not to be expedient to the petition the Governor of this State, to Convene the legislature in order to be taken into Consider= ation. And provide some means to alleviate the extreme distress that the Citizens of this state labor under with respect to the Execution Law in consequence of the Embargo: the follow= ing dellegates came forward duly authorised and after appointing Sterling Brewer Chairman & John Read Clerk, proceeded to give in their returns as follows viz.

to close a breach made by the omnipotent hand & ought to invoke his bessing upon our exertions to promote the good of our fellow Citizens.

Court will be holden at Charlotte on The 8^thday of [march?] next, I pray you let no =Thing come in contact with your acceptance which you can possibly keep out of view

I have The honor to be very respectfully your obedient sert

Jos. M^cMinn

Honl Thomas Emmerson