Early Governors' Papers

Vincennes Aug^t 18^th 1803

Sir

I have the honour herewith to enclose a copy of an Indictment from the Records of the General Court of this Territory against Robert Slaugter for the murder of Joshua Harbin & also a copy of a [ommission from me authorising [sic] John Harbin to receive from [?] person as your Excellency may think proper to appoint to deliver him, The said Slaughter & to convey him to this place.

The Constitution & laws of the United States having made it the Duty of the Executive authority of the Several States & Territory, &c Deliver fugitives from Justice upon the Appli cation of of the Executive of that State or Territory from which such persons know may have fled to Trust your Excellency will immediably [sic] cause the above mentioned fugitive to be delivered to M^r Harbin

Slaughter is I understand in the jail at Nashville to answer for some trifling offence which he has committed in Smith County & I have just heard from a respectable person who conversed with him a few days ago

Territory of the United States North west of the River Ohio Knox County Sct

In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight

The Jurors of the United States upon their Oath present, that Robert Slaughter late of the State of Tennessee not having the fear of you before his eyes but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil, on the twenty seventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight; with force and arms in the County aforesaid in and upon Joshua Harbin in the peace of God and of the United States then and there being feloniously, wilfully [sic], and of his malice afore thought did make an assault; and that the said Robert Slaughter a certain Rifle gun then and there loaded and charged with Gunpower and one leaden bullet, which he the said Robert Slaughter in both hands then and there held and supported to, against, and upon the said Joshua Harbin, and then and there feloniously, wilfully [sic], and of his malice ofasthough [sic], did shoot and discharge, and the said Robert Slaughter with the [leaden bullet aforesaid out of the rifle Gun aforesaid, then and there by face of the Gunpowder shot and sent forth as aforesaid, the aforesaid Joshua Harbin in and upon the right shoulder of the said Joshua a little the right pass of him the said Harbin then and there with the leaden bullet aforesaid out of the rifle Gun aforesaid by the said Robert Slaughter so as aforesaid shot discharged and sent forth feloniously, willy [sic] and of his malice aforethought did strike penetrate and wound, giving to the said Joshua Harlin then and there with the leaden bullet aforesaid so as aforesaid shot discharged and sent forth out of the rifle Gun aforesaid by the said Robert Slaughter in and upon the said right shoulder of the said Joshua a little above the right breast of him the said Joshua one mortal would of the depths of nine Inches and breadth of

half an such of which said mortal wound the said Joshua Harbin then and there instantly died, and so the Jurors aforesaid upon their oath. do say that the said Robert Slaughter the said Joshua Harbin in manner and form aforesaid feloniously, wilfully + of his malice aforethought did Kill and murder against the peace and dignity of the United States and this their Territory Danl. Tymmes Atty Gen^l. pro: tem: pore

A true bill

James Johnson foreman

I Henry Hurst Clerk of the General Court of the Indiana Territory, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an Indictment (as the same remains of Reason my office found against Robert Slaughter at a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail [Delivery?] and vice [illegible] helo at [illegible] for the County of Knox before the Honorable John Cleves Symmes Esquire and Henry VanderBurgh and Robert Buntin his associates Justices on the second day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand such hundred and ninety eight In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my here and affixed the seal of the said General Court this eighteenth day of August, One thousand eight hundred and three, and of the Independece of the United States the twenty eight. Hel Hurst Clk Gl

By the Governor of the Indiana Territory The above is an authentic document from

United States vs Robert Slaughter

copy Ind^t

Indiana Territory [?]

by William Henry Harrison Esquire Governor and Commander in Chief of the Indiana Territory

To all shall see these presents Greeting

Know Ye that I have Constituted and appointed, and do by these presented Consti tute and appoint John Harbin my agent, (agreeably to the Law of the United States of the 12^th Feb^y 1793) to receive from the Executive of the State of Tennessee Robert Slaugh ter, who stands Indicted on the records of the Supreme Court of this Territory for the murder of Joshua Harbin, and [I do?] by these presents authorise and Empower the said John Harbin to Convey the said Robert Slaughter after he shall have been Legally delivered to him to the Jail of the County of Knox in this Territory, to be dealt with according to Law.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto see my Land and Caused the Seal of the Territory to be affixed at [?] this 10^th day of August 1803, and of the Independence of the United States, The twenty Eight

Will^m Henry Harrison

A true copy Attest

Jn^o. Gibson Secrety