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lately been run by commissioners on the part of this State to Sparta
thence along the Stage road by way of McMinnville, Winchester and
Salem to Huntsville ^but also through the counties of Rhea and
Hamilton along the main road down what is called the
Tennessee valley, crossing the Tennessee river at Browns ferry
so as to admit the direct continuance of the route in Alabama
through Wills' Valley. There is an other route in the examination
of which, West Tennessee feels very deeply interested. Many are
impressed with a belief, that the great national road from
Washington city South Westward should terminate at some
point on the Mississippi river, near the ^mouth of big Hatchee river.
If it is inconvenient for the Engineers to make the latter
survey on their way to New Orleans you will indeavour [sic]
to prevail on them to do so as they return to Washington city.

It is understood that the Engineers are instructed are
instructed to make a survey of a route along which a canal
would have to pass connecting the waters of the Hiwassee
with those of the coosa. To this subject so essential to the ^commerce
of ^the Eastern part of the State your attention wil be parti
cularly directed. It will be proper for you to keep
a Journal of the routes examined, noticing the quality of the land
through which they pass - the elevation of the
principal hills - water courses, and the convenience of
materials for the construction of good turn pike roads

Without adding any thing further, the whole matter
is submitted to your Judgement and direction.

I am most respectfully
y.r ob.^t serv^t
W^m Carroll

Colo Newton Cannon,
Murfreesboro,
Tennessee.