1

Knoxville 7 April 1797

Dear Richard

The prisoners had like to have made was near making their
Escape by the Assistance of files which I suppose
they had been furnished with by some of their own
Class, they had cut the Irons off and was only
waiting an opportunity to clear themselves.

Suffer me my D.^r Sir to intreat of
you to give strict orders to your the guard to
be very watchful over the prison, both day
and night, and suffer no person to Visit
or speake [sic] to the prisoners except but in presence
of the sheriff or Jailer. I know sir this is
imposing on your good nature disposition
to oblidge [sic], but beg leave to remark, that
except you lend me your assistance
in this particular, I see that these scoundrels
is to make their escape, which I ^am sensible
you dont wish they should do be done

I am D.^r Sir
your obed^t serv^t
J Sevier

Cap^t ^Wm Richard