Early Governors' Papers

Monroe 12 March 1818.

The Governor of the State of Tennessee.

The undersigned represent to your Excellency, that Nathaniel W Williams esquire contemplates resigning his office of Judge for the third Circuit, previous to the commencement of the fall term: That Jacob C. Isacks esquire, of Winchester, has after much persuasion, con sented to accept the appointment thus vacated, if conferred upon him. Mr. Isacks, it is believed, is well qualified to discharge the duties of the office - his legal information, is substantial and extensive - his character, as a man of honesty, integrity, good moral habits, and industry, is unexceptionable: in short; it is believed, no one would be found willing to accept the appointment, so well qualified to perform the duties thereof.

The undersigned hope that their anxiety to have this highly responsible office filled by a man of ability equal to its importance, together with their long acquaintance with mr. Isacks as a lawyer, and man, will be esteemed a sufficient apoligy for this note.

John Patron Adam Huntsman Nath W Williams James Finney James Badgers

Washington April 2^nd 1818

His Excellancy [sic] Joseph M^cMinn Esq

Sir it is with no small degree of diffedence that I approach you on this subject. as you know I am not well disposed toward pro, tem, appointments when they can be avoided But from the nature of a free Government all men may at pleasure lay down any office which they haved held under it and as officers of the Government have no Case for their lives vacancies will orriginate [sic] from both causes It is there =fore a wise regulation that the Governor for the time being has been by the Constitution invested with the Authority of filling those vacancies when they occur in the recess of the Legis =lature Permit ^me Honorable sir here to remark that I am throughly perswaded [sic] none will exercise that important trust with more care and Circumspection than you will (for by things that are past we Judge of things that are to come) I am informed that his honor Natt Williams has or is about resigning the office of Judge of the third Circuit into your hands it will therefore devolve on you

18 1/2

Carthage T June 11^th

His Excellency Joseph M^cMinn Esq^r Knoxville Mail

Judge Williams 14 June 1818 ans^d same day

Resignation