1

Knoxville 11 January 1797

Sir

Yours of the 13 Ult. Iam duly honored favored with, and should have
done myself the honor to have answered the same before ^now this, had
I been at this place, being in some measure oblidged up
into Washington and some of my family much indisposed
prevented my returning so early as I otherways expected
intended. It is extremely painful to be informed of the thefts
and roberies committed by the indians, and distressing ^in the extreme to hear
the manner in which several people traveling through
the Wilderness have been striped of their homes and other property

permit me to assure you sir, that Ishall take
the most effectual ^and prompt measures that Iam capable of
determining on, [?] ^and the nature of the case will admit, to have the property restored
to the proper Owners, and that the perpetrators shall [not]
pass off escape with impunity, if it is in my power to
have it otherways effected. should any person repair to
the indian Camps that are in your Vicinity in search of
Any of the property stolen, from the travelers, Ihope [? ?]
it is expected ^and recommended that they will peaceably make inquiry after the
same, and if it should be found ^in the possession of the indians
and they refuse to deliver it up, themselves the owners will
then be justifiable to take in taking the same, into taking care at
the same time to make no use of any Violence unless their
own lives should be in danger. as soon as Ihear from the
Nation, Iwill do myself the honor to give you information

Ihave the honor to be &c

John Sevier

Lieut S. Williams