1

Knoxville 12th January 1797

Sir

Yours of the 8th of November Iam duly honored with, and
should have done myself the pleasure of answering the
same before this time had Ibeen at this place. Some
of my family in Washington being much indisposed
which required my presence is my opoligy, together with
the severity of the Weather ^which prevented my return so soon
as Iintended. Idiscovered at the first sight of the
Act of Congress you advert to, that the it would have a
tendency rather to encourage, then discourage settlements
to be made as low down as the Tennessee River, tho I
make no doubt that Honorable body fully anticipated
very salutary and interesting consequences would be
derived: in The experimental line tried by ^Messeures Campble
McKee, & McClung is reported as Iam informed, to Cross
Holeson near the confluence of that and Tennessee Rivers
The Act of Congress embraces an Idea, that from that
place the line is to be extended a south to the S^o Carolina
Indian boundary. Now Sir if the experimental line above
alluded to is accurate, will not the line ^Course to be run south
Immeadiately cross the Tennessee? This is my Idea is generally
entertained by all those who are acquainted, and the opinion
you know is readily indulged by all who wish to settle
on the Land-