Early Governors' Papers

M^cMinnville 2^d May

His Excellency Joseph M^cMinn

Sir

The Inclosed affidavits if in your oppinnon [sic] deserves attention you will be so good as to exerses [sic] you authority to The Governor or his sucksers [sic] to Isue [sic] In the State of allebama [sic], His Proclamation to Bring the [?] to Justice ^The said Hammon and regain That which is Stolen -

I Have the Honour to be Your Exelencys Hum^l Ser[page damaged

Rob French

N B. forward Your Proclemation [sic] under cover directed to Thomas Hopkins or my self at this place

R. F.

The affidavit of Thomas Keef of Lawfull [sic] Age after being duly Sworn deposeth and Saith that he on the 11^th Instant was a going to a Plantation of Thomas Hopkins in The County of warren, on arriving within Sight of the same, he discovered a negro man, mont [sic] his horse, as if somthing [sic] matereal [sic] was the matter, when he road [sic] up hastily to him and stated, that a man by the name of John Hammons, had Just taken out of the possession of Thomas Hopkins, a negro Girl. who he Called Aza, at the mussels of a rifle gun, and requested me to pursue him, and try to regain the Property, I did so, and in a short distance from the Plantation I Overtook Hammons, in Possession of the Girl, I Asked him what he was about, His blasfimous [sic] ^oaths disturbed my year [sic] and his Threats of death to those who would attempt to take the Girl or molest him, gave me reasons to Beleave [sic] which I do beleave [sic], that he was taking unlawfully the Property of said Hopkins

The affidavit of James S. Tompson of Lawfull age after being duly sworn Deposeth and saith that Rob^t French acting as agent for Thomas Hopkins being Informd [sic] that a Certain man by the Name of John Hammons had unlawfully taken Out of the Possessin of said Hopkins, one Negro Girl, and the Mother, Pursud [sic] after her I the said Tompson was Imploy^d By said Robert French as asting agent For Thomas Hopkins to pursue on and regain the Stolen Property, I did So, and In the County of Jackson In the State of Allebama [sic] the residence of Said Hammons whare [sic] I saw In possession of Said Hammons the negroes as described to me Viz. a woman about forty three years of age and a Girl

about 17 Years of Age which property I Have Just Reasons to beleave [sic] is ^the property Belongs to Thomas Hopkins, his thrats [sic] of Killing Any One that would attempt to fource [sic] the said negroes Out of his Possession and from what Knoledge [sic] I Have of the matter I do beleave [sic] He the said Hammons is unlaffey [sic] in possession of two Negroes the property of Thomas Hopkins

Leighton Ferrell Justice of the peace

Jas S. Mampson

sworn & subscribed to before me Leighton Ferrell Warren County Tennessee 5 May 1820