1

Knoxville 22 January 1798

Sir

I discover in the Secretaries report, he effects to have apprehendid [sic]
great danger, from a party being about to settle at or near
the Muscel Shoals [sic], intimating that the executive was possessed
of information on that head, that ^which menaced the U States in
an extensive Indian War - I make no doubt you are
fully apprized that the Executive, early after the Arrival
of Zachariah Cox in this State, applied to him to be informed
where he intended making a stand, and by what authority he
conceived himself authorized to take such measures as he was then
About pursue - his Answer was laid before the Assembly
which appeared to be satisfactory, ^and that he did not intend
violating the laws of his country, and was ready to give sufficient
Security for a regular conduct, should it be required. and I
presume whatever may be reported, it is well known to all those
who have had any knowledge of M^r. Cox's conduct, that it
has been his uniform declaration that he had no wish or
desire, to transgress the laws of the union, nor of any particular
State. And that he should not proceed until authorized by the
laws of his country - Another great discovery has
been