1

Knoxville 4th April 1803

Sir

I had the honor of receiving yours of the 14th January
last enclosing a Resolution of the Legislature of
North Carolina, and demanding Stockly Donelson
as a fugitive from justice.

As the present demand
is founded on the copy of a Bill of Indictment
heretofore transmitted to me by Govenor Williams
I must refer your Excellency to my Letters addressed to that
Gentleman for the reasons why I cannot
comply with the demand. That you may be
better enabled to judge of the propriety of those reasons
I have herewith enclosed a copy of the record of the
proceedings had on the Bill of Indictment as certified by
me. On a perusal of that paper I trust your
opinion will coincide with mine.

I have the Honor to be with high respect
your Excellency's
Most Obedient Servant
Archibald Roane

His Excellency
James Turner