1

To his Excellency
John Sevier
Governor of the state of Tennessee

At a time when the evils of a serious nature
threaten the public prosperity we are impelled by
self preservation to turn our attention towards the
proper source of protection. The constitution and
the voice of the people having invested your Excellency
with the power of convening the Legislature we respectfu
lly submit to your consideration the propriety of
Excecising that important prerogative this time.
We presume it to be well known to your excellency that
at the period when the political establishment of our
common wealth were brought into existence the state was
In its infancy; its inhabitants have but lately emigra=
ted from various States with nations prejudices and
political opinions better suited to their old than their
new abode; the States had but recently emerged
from British oppression; the people had been so zeali=
ously employed in resisting foreign aggressions and savage
depredations that they had not sufficiently reflected
on the impropriety the unfitness and the destructive
consequences which would attend the adoption of the
political institutions laws and maxims of that corrupt
and tyranical government from ^whose devouring grasp they
had escaped with toil and bloodshed.

Experience had not then taught them to substitute
theories more congenial with their interests and convenience
and unnatural imitations of their ancient government
were incorporated into their political fabric which
destroys its beauty and utility. Our Judiciary system
in particular is found by experience to be oppress=
ive