McMinn_Letter_063_48449

State of Tennessee Rutherford County

January 13^th 1818

This day personally come Jeremiah Fletcher before me James L Rawlings a justice of the Peace of said County and made oath that on the night of the 11^th inst immediately on hearing that James Russ had broke the jail of said County of Rutherford I proceeded to the jail and exam.d the [?] and from what discovery I was enabled to make I am fully convinced that said Russ made his escape from said jail by the assistance of some combination to effect his liberation and who at this time are unknown-

I further more swear that I have no interest in keeping said jail but have only been called by the shff of said County to state my impression as to s^d Russ escape.

J [?] Fletcher seal

Sworn to & subscribed before me this 13^th Jan^y 1818 Jas L Rawlings Justice of the Peace

January 13^th 1818

His Excellency Joseph M^cMinn

Dr sir

I wish to inform you that on the night of the 11^th inst James Russ a prisoner in my Jail made his escape by the assistance of some persons at this time unknown: He s^d Russ [stoud?] charged with negro stealing in two cases I cannot learn at present that there was any negligence on the part of my Jailor Thos. Cornahan: But am inclind to think his liberation was effected by a set of villians who have been stealing in conjunction with s^d Russ I would therefore suggest to yr Exellency the propriety of issuing yr proclamation to have him apprehended

M M^cClannahan Shff of Rutherford County.-

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M M^cClennahan Sheff of Rutherford on the subject of escape 20^th January 1818

1818

18/2

His Excellency Joseph M^cMinn Eq

Knoxville