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to advise your friends how necessary it is to be cautious and not
expose themselves to any liability of the law, for if they do
you may be assured there is always persons to be found
mean enough to distress them; In a country like yours
the first adventureres are not of the richest class of Citizins
and if they should be dragged off to Nashville before a
tribunal that perhaps would not have much lenity for
their conditions, they might suffer greatly were they evenly
not found guilty of any trespas: you know lawyers and
other court Officers will have their fees. Ithrow
out these hints, as it is my wish your neighbours may
not involve themselves, but be cautiously guarded against
the dangers of expensive law suits. With respect to
furnishing provisions on the road, it is my opinion
that all that could be carried would not be sufficient
together with the supplies furnished by the keepers of the
stands, and I dont see why there should be any discontent
on the subject. The indians attend the road constantly, is it not
as free for the passage of the whites? or are the indians entitled
to greater privileges? With great respect &c

John Sevier

Elijah Chism esq^r
Jackson County