Early Governors' Papers

a Countenance itself, from the [?]

can only be Noticed or favored for their atrocious Murders, Roberies, and a disolute Wantonness, to commit every diabolical Crime, that could possibly suggest itself to savage invention.

A great number of people are determined to descend the Mississippi, and if ^the measures are pursued, that now so impertinently Stare us in the face; I fear one half of our Citizens will flock over into another government; indeed, they are now doing it daily - Instead of our state ^in its infancy, being encouraged, Fostered, and Matured, it appears that measures are [?]= ating to check and destroy its the happiness, if not its existence.

Suppose our delegation, on proviso, an ^no other mode could not be effected; would propose to extinguish the indians Claim a second time, at our own expense; Certainly if the General Government had any intention, to of doing any thing to benefit us, in this remote corner they will not object to a measure purely right in its self, and without cost to the Union. The prevention of a settlement at or near the Muscell Shoals [sic] is a manifest injury done the whole Western Country; And so long as it may be is the case, we shall be debared [sic] from the navigation ^which leads by ^the way of Moabile [sic]; perhaps a an outlet to commerce equal, if not Superior, to any in the United States.

Permit me to remark to you, that the American line will Cross low down on the ^bay of Moabile [sic], which will include a number of inhabitants there with^in our line, that there is ^also now settled high up on Tom bigby river [sic], a considerable number of families above between the chickasaw nation & the Alabama

Supposed to be about the distance of one hundred miles from the Musscel Shoals [sic], directly in the way from thence to Moabile [sic].

The distance from the Shoals, to the town of Moable [sic] does not exceed two hundred miles- the portage across from the Tennessee, to the Bigby, is about thirty, Miles, and to where the tide ebbs and flows not more than one hundred. I state these circumstances to you sir, to explain and evince, in what an advantageous a manner, the ^our intercourse and commerce, may be carried on with, I may say, all the World? with every Quarter of the Globe? The small String, or neck of land, lying between Tennessee and Bigby rivers, is the all the difficulty; and easily Surmounted which is so trivial, that it is not worth examining, in the great scale of ^the Western commerce, that must ere long, be equal if not greatly superior, to any in all America; May I not say, in the whole world? - Will the American Congress, Cramp and refuse to the Western Americans, the great natural advantages and blessings, providence has designed for, us ^and placed before them? Will the that body suffer the Citizens to be drained out of their States, by and migrate into by other nations, who will encourage take the advan =tage of our discords and jealousies; by granting to emigrants the privileges of promoting their natural & useful advantages? God forbid, I hope they will not. And I sincerely pray, they will Maturily deliberate on the matters and things relative to the ^interest of the Western Country, while they have it in their power, to keep us united, by only granting and extending our just and equitable rights. A thing so just in itself, that I am flattered with a belief, cannot be denied - I have the honor &c &c

Williamson April 19^th 1807

Sir

We the undersigned Commissioners by [page damaged] of an act of the General assembly of the State of Tennessee directing a road to be laid of the nearest and most direct way from the Town of Franklin- to the Tombigby [sic] by the way of the Mussalae shoals [sic] [page damaged] agreeable to that act proceeded [sic] to [page damaged] of and mark the same a plat wherof [sic] is hereto anexed [sic] the nearest and most direct way as far as the Mussalae shoals [sic] at whict [sic] prace [sic] we were stopped by the Indians we have the honour to be your most Obdt Servts

Joseph B. Porter James Neelly John Hawkins

(Map of Mussle Shoals)

(Map of Muscle Shoals that mentions the following)

Big Tombigby Creek

Duck River

Knob Creek

Fountain Creek

Rutherford Creek

From here North is [plates?] 400 poles to the inch

From this place is a County road to

5 Miles

The settlement on Tombigby the letter i and those bordering on the Mississippi K

If your Excellency should concur with me in opinion I request you to publish this regulation and to recommend to my fellow citizens over whom you have the honour to preside and who may be affected by it to conform to it.

I have the honour to be very respectfully Sir, your Excellencys most obedient serv^t.

Benjamin Hawkins agent for Indian affairs South of Ohio.

His Excellency The Governor of the State of Tennessee