Early Governors' Papers

H Balch Ap^l 11 1796

His Excellency John Seveir Knoxville-

M^r Hall-

Dr Sir - greene County - April 11^th 96.

Thro, the great goodness of heaven, I have returned - Had a prosperous journy [sic], and safe return. A great number of gentlemen, parti cularly members of congress, had their kind compliments to you - I have requested the Trustees to convene at Greeneville on the Thirsday of the may Court - I hope, sir, you will give us the pleasure of your company, if in your power - I am, sir, your excel lencys most obed^t & Humble serv^t

Hez^ah Balch

Governour Seveir

Greeneville 10th August 1802

His Excellency Arch^d Roane Esquire

Sir

On the first day of January last I received a commission accompanied with your letter of instruction and the law, which commission im= powered me to take into my possession the books of entry & locations call [?] Hardins office - In obedience to which I made all possible inquiry, after the books and after some time found they were not in Greene County but in the possession of Joseph Hardin Esquire of Knox County, I have twice since wrote him on the subject and beg an

shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respectively as the same shall be done pursuant to the true intent and the meaning of the act in such case made and provided. And if it shall appear that any will or Testament was made by the said Dec^d and the Exe^r or Exe^rs therein named do exhibit the same into Court making request to have it allowed and approved of accordingly If the said Adm^r & adm^rs above bound being thereunto required Do render and deliver the said letters of [Administration?] (approbation of such Testament being first had and made in the said Court) then this obligation to be Void or Else to remain in full [form?] and virtue Signed Sealed and acknowledged in open court

Christopher Taylor seal Chloe Rentfroe + her mark seal Henry Conway seal James Wilson seal

Test Dan^l Kennedy [CGle?]

State of Tennessee Greene County ss

I Andrew Patterson Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions of said County, Do certify that the above is a true copy of the Bond therein mentioned as the same appears in my Office In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Office in Greeneville the 13th day of May 1816.

A. Patterson

By his Deputy

V. Sevier.

Private

Jonesborough Feby 5^th 1819 -

Dear Sir

Accompanying this you will receive my acceptance of the commission enclosed in your's of the 20^th Ult^o together with that letter of which you wished a copy but not having time to copy it before the mail leaves this I enclose the original which you can return me when we meet - You will readily believe that it has not been without hesitation that I have ventured on an acceptance of so laborious an office under existing circumstances, but so far as I have received any information on the subject I have ^been induced to believe that my acceptance will give as general satisfaction as can be expected on this side the mountain- how it will be with you I cannot say - The Courts in this Circuit commence at Greeneville on the first monday in March it will therefore be necessary to appoint my successor as early as practicable. I have not been able to ascertain as yet with certainty who is willing to accept the office. From what I have lately heard I have reason to believe Judge Powell will & if so I presume no person would be more satisfactory acceptable I will endeavour to have you informed of the Sentiments of the Bar here by the

Greeneville 2d March 1822

Sir,

My secular concerns make it necessary that I should vacate my seat as a Representative from the County of Greene in the 14th Gener Assembly of the State of Tennessee. This measure although dictated by necessity should nevertheless be dispensed with, rather than put the People of my County to the trouble of a special Election, did I believe that such an occurrence would follow – but believing as I [did?], (and this belief, I have the pleasure of learning in consonant with your Excellency's views on the same subject–) that at present, we know of no sufficient grounds to justify an expectation that the Legislature will be convened before its stated meeting. I therefore offer this my resignation with the greater satisfaction

With sentiments of the greatest respect and esteem, I am yr Excelency's obdt. servt

Valentine Sevier

His Excellency William Carroll Esqr