Early Governors' Papers

January 13^th 1818

His Excellency Joseph M^cMinn

Dr sir

I wish to inform you that on the night of the 11^th inst James Russ a prisoner in my Jail made his escape by the assistance of some persons at this time unknown: He s^d Russ [stoud?] charged with negro stealing in two cases I cannot learn at present that there was any negligence on the part of my Jailor Thos. Cornahan: But am inclind to think his liberation was effected by a set of villians who have been stealing in conjunction with s^d Russ I would therefore suggest to yr Exellency the propriety of issuing yr proclamation to have him apprehended

M M^cClannahan Shff of Rutherford County.-