Early Governors' Papers

By Joseph McMinn Governor of the State of Tennessee

To all Sheriffs Coroners Constables Magistrates and other officers and citizens of the State of Tennessee Greeting

Whereas it is represented to me by the Honorable Isaac Shelby Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky that a certain Joseph Conway hath feloniously stolen taken & carried away from a certain Robert Boyce, of the county of Mercer in said State of Kentucky a certain negro man named Warner the property of said Robert Boyce out of his possession in said county & State on or about the 17^th day of March last. and the said Governor of Kentucky having forwarded to me the affidavits of said Robert Boyce Jesse Scott James H Scott Ellen Scott and George Stegall. taken in said State and county duly authenticated and sworn to before Joseph Morgan & Samuel Davis Justices of the peace. and certified as authentic by said Gover nor. of the State of Kentucky to be [correct?] that said crime was committed & said defend^t had fled and said Isaac Shelby having made demand of me in proper form that said Joseph Conway be

assistance of this light which has since sprung up.

We are fully apprised of the facility with which petitions can be gotten up; for the prevention of the action of public justice; Nevertheless we hope that this, with numerous others; ere this before; you will enable you not only to answer our prayers in compleat justification of your self but also in mercy. For which, we your petitionerswill feel our selves bound, in bonds of lasting gratitude

Enos Lassiter Robert Thomson Caleb Bymon Web Bloodworth Enok Lassiter Levi Allen W C May Richard [?] Benjamin W: Ireland Ja^s Towrey Ja^s W.Barn Isaac A Robinson Willey tilley John bosoman Jas T Saurey Saml M Can R Bridgers Tho^s May [Balce?] May Jonathan Wallace John A Lewis Orren Wallace William Wallace W^m May [Wilbert?] Wallace]] William Peyton Sam^l Brittan O Walkins James Strattan Richard Parker W^m B. Johnson George Cato Edw^d Shallon Stephen [yelan?] [?] Warner [?] Douglass

To his Excellency Joseph M^cMinn [G,S,S,?]- By Your Excellencys permission Joseph M^cMinn We the Undersigners respectfully represent to your Excellency that Joseph Conway, who was lately [visited?] by Virtue of Your [Warrant?] a representation from the Govenror of Kentucky; and delivered toa certain Robert Boyce, as Agent of that State on a Charge of Feloniously [Taking?] away a certain Negro Man called Warner alleged to be the Property of the said Boyce, is a [?] Man of good Character, and honest demeanor, and that the said Negro is the Property of Thomas Conway Sen^r; who is also a Man of fair, and respectable Character; and is theFather of the Young Man; and that the said Negro was taken away By Thomas Conway Sen^r without the consent of the said Thomas Conway Sen^r; as we [from?] information, to be relid on, firmly believe; and that the Father as soon as he heard where his Negro was; sent his Son Joseph witha power of attorney to get the said Negro; and he found him in Kentucky on the Highway, and took him into possession, and brought him home; and delivered him to his Father; that immediately, on his return, he made it known; and said Negro never has been concealed; and said Thomas Conway, never denied having him; but always claimed him as his property; and offered to the said Boyce to give good, and sufficient Security, for the forthcoming of the said Negro, if the night should be decided against him, in a Court of Justice: That