Early Governors' Papers

Jonesboro: March 8^th 1819

D.^r Sir

I had the honor to receive your letter of the 24^th Ult. with a Commission appointing me a Judge of the first Judicial Circuit of this state therein inclos'd, to prevent a failure of the administrtion of Justice as far as in my power I have been prevaild on to undertake to discharge the duties of that office in the best manner I am capable of. tho' at a sacrafice [sic] I am illy able to bear. I have but little expec= =tation that the situation of my business will justify me in holding the office even until the next stated Session of the Legislature. and should I come to a determination of resigning before that period you shall be timely apprizd [sic] thereof, so as to occasion as little difficulty as possible in procuring a successor I am very respectfully

y^r. fr^d & ob^t Hb.^l ser^t

S. Powell

Hon^l S. Powell [accept....?] Judge of the first Circuit 22 March 1819

to be laid before the Legislature

18 ^1/2

His Excellency Joseph M^cMinn Murfreesborough West Tennessee