Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville April 6th 1796

Sir

It is [expected?] necessary for me to know the situation of the Frontiers with respect to the protection at this time Affoarded [sic], by the militia the places of Defence [sic] rather & the numbers at block [houses?] or Otherwise, & the manner in which the militia have generally been called into Service to gaurd the those places [same?] - when your

Could you spare so much time, before your departure from this place as would enable you to furnish me with a short detail of the above particulars. You would greatly oblidge

Your sincere friend Obed^t. Serv^t.

Knoxville 28th April 1796

Sir

This moment I have rec.^d information ^by letter from a Mr. Pucket that a party of indians to the amount of ten or twelve, fired on, a John Bird, Robert Henderson, & John Phillips Citizen of Sevier County; they returned the fire, and say they Killed one Indian, and wounded another, it is said supposed ^this happened on the west fork about 25 miles above the forks of Little Pidgion [sic], The men was out hunting horses that they supposed was Stolen, and while on the Trails was fired upon. I have wrote to the indians ^relative to the affair. The Contents you will see have an opportunity of seeing - -

I most earnestly wish to Keep the peace between the two parties, but this seems an unfavourable Circumstance I have no Doubt of your good offices to effect, concilat Concilatory measures, and beg you will intrerest take Every Method your prudence will dictate to promote Effort the same

I have the honor to be sir With respect & Esteem Your M^o. Obed. Hbl. Sev.^t

John Sevier

Knoxville 4^th July 1796 (Circular) [illegible]

to copy

Sir

I have rec^d. [records?] iformatio [sic] from the Honble [sic] Messrs Blount, & Cocke, that Tennessee is by an Act of Congress admitted as a member State of the Union.

By this Act we are only entitled to the priveledge [sic] of [sending?] having one [?] representative, the Senate of the United States objected against our senators [takeing]? seats within their body.

Matters being thus deranged, it becomes Expidi =ent [sic] and necessary, for the assembly to be convened at an early day, in order to Alter and regulate our present Mode of Election for representatives, Electors, of President, and Vice President of the United States, Reelect Senators, and other business of public Utility.

Your punctual attendance at the seat of Governm^t On the first Monday in August next last Saturday in the present month will be expected.

I have the honor to be respectfully Your M.^st Ab Humble Servant signed John Sevier

Knoxville July 4^th 1796

Sir

[The following is struck through]

by authentic information I am informed by good authority I am informed, that there by the Honble [sic] Me^ssrs. Blount & Cocke that the Congress of the United States, will have passed An Act admiting [sic] only one representative from this state to represent them in Congress. Also neither could would the was our Senator admited [sic] our the Senator from this state to take seats in Same, from [?] such occurrences, it appears ^to me that Our senators must be reelected, and the Act passed directing the mode of electing representa -tives altered.

Circular to the Members of Assembly

Recorded

July 4 - 1796 N^o. 17

Knoxville 7 July 1796 No. 20 Recd

Friends & brothers

Since peace has taken place between us I shall always be happy to hear of your welfare_ I am rejoiced to find your people have seen their folly of going to War and have concluded to keep deep under ground the hatchet and scalping knife - by such measures and conduct of your nation, you may become strong, numerous, And have all the good thing you stand in need of.

This letter will be delivered unto you by Colonel Whitly from the State of Kentucky who is going into your country to [hunt?] see and get some White people, that some of your people took prisoners from that country some time ago, Also to get some black people, that was taken from the same place, (A Woman and three children that belonged to General Logan of that Country.) Now my brothers I shall earnestly expect that you will immeadiately [sic] give up all these people, and let them be conveyed home to their own Country, which is in our last treaty