Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 18^th July 1817

To Samuel Jackson Mathew Aiken. James V. Anderson John M^cAlister John G. Eason and John Kennedy esquires directors of the Holston Tennessee bank.

Gentlemen Your Joint address of the 3^rd Instant is now before me, to which I beg leave to submit the following reply. Its with great satisfaction I observe your resolution for avaling your selves of the benefit of an institution which cannot fail in producing much public good. It will meet considerable aid from the adjoining Counties, but its best guarentee [sic] will be found to arise from your commercial capitol and the industry and enterprise of your own Citizens which from the best and most recent account are not surpassed by any of your neighbours in this section of Country

But to give you an explicit answer to your request. I am compelled to say that I have borrowed seven thousand five hundred Dollars since I came into office to meet payments due

Jos. M^cMinn Esq^r

Sir

The undersigned directors of the Holston Tennessee Bank, have come to the resolution to open books for the subscription of the Stock of said bank at Jonesboro on the Teusday next after the third monday of the present month.

We consider it our duty to acquaint your Excellency with this information and beg leave to know of you whether the State will probably take the Shares reserved for its benefit. Your early information to us on this subject will greately facilitate our progress in this business which we consider of great importance in this section of Country

We have the honor to be your Excellencys Obt Servants

Samuel Jackson Mathew Aiken Adam M^cKee John M^cAlester James V Anderson John G Eason John Kennedy

Jonesboro 3 July 1817