1

Raleigh Dec^r 30^th 1803.

My Dear Sir

Before the receipt of this you will have rec^d
all the papers which in any Manner relate to the
Subject of my Mission to this Place

The Governor to day showed
me a Copy of a Memorial of our representatives
in Congress, stating a wish that Congress would ap=
=point Commissioners to settle the dispute be=
=tween the U States and Tennessee respecting the
surplus lands

Before I left Knoxville Maj^r Macmin
showed me a letter as well I recollect from
Judge Anderson upon that subject It was
Just before the rise of the Assembly It [con=]
=tained an Expression of a desire that the Legis=
=lature of our State, should give the representa=
=tion in Congress some fresh Instruction, rela=
=tive to the subject

M^r McMinn asked my opinion, I told him
that it would perhaps be best for the present