Early Governors' Papers

Blountville Oct^r 20^th 1802

May it please your Excellency

I have procur'd two Books of Entries, from ~ James gains Esq^r, also a blank book in which Imean to make a transcripts of said Entries, but on perusing them I find they are very defective in regard to spelling and otherwise, the names of several of the persons, who have made Entries, are differently spelt in different Entries ~ many words are wanting to render the reading easy to be rightly understood and many words are inserted which ought not remain and other words ought to be substituted in their place. many of the entries conclude in the following manner Viz^t including my former Entry including the land I now live on bounded by my former [page damaged] & & where it plainly appears that other words ought to [have?] been written

As I do not know whether I am allow'd to depart in any manner the Entries as they now stand, either in regard to spelling or otherwise Ithought it best to decline, begining to make the transcript untill I had acquainted your Excellency with my reasons for defering the business ~ The bearer hereof John Anderson Esquire has been pleased to examine every Entry in the Books, and as he was and is acquainted with the greatest number of the persons therein mentioned also the different transactions of the land Office business, he can give your Excellency more and better information respecting said Entries than any other person I know of, to him I beg leave to refer your Excellency and by him I hope to be favour'd with a line of directions from you which shall govern my proceedings respecting said Entries ~

I am with great respect your Excellencys most hu Serv^t

John Williams

His Excellency Governor Roane