3

Knoxville 1 May 1799

Sir

Yesterday Ireceived from the Governor
of North Carolina a letter requesting that Iwould
cause the Books & papers of the land office kept
at Nashville by martin Armstrong to be delivered
unto Gen^l J Willis esqr, & Fran^s Locke esqrs
who are appointed to receive and convey the same
to that State

Not conceving my self authorized to
permit the books, & Documents to be removed
out of this State, I have on duly considering
the importancy of the matter, consented and
directed that the Commissioners be at liberty to
take a full and compeat transcript and copy
of such books & records in the possession of
Martin Armstrong touching the premises as
they may deem proper, for the purpose of
detecting ^such frauds, and forgeries as have been
suggested to have been committed

I therefore pray you sir, to give them
your assistance should it be found necessary
in accomplishing the same

I have the honor &c

(signed) John Sevier