Dear Secy [Box Mc 1, No. 87.] Lynchburg 13th March 1820 Major Risque who is owing me some money has beat me to this place, and now I am told he is at Campbell Court where I propose to visit him tomorrow God willing, in doing I will loose one day more, tho as the debt has been standing upward of eight years, I think it my duty to attend to its collection, and the only circumstance I regret is detention from my official duty, which I have no doubt will be pardoned by the generous freemen of Tennessee-I have been Stoped 4 days since the date of my last by rain, Snow, hail & high waters, and this day altho excessively wet, I have traveled upward of 20 miles please remember me as usual Your friend Honl D. Graham. Jos. McMINN. [Box Mc 1, No. 88.] Nr Canton 27 March 1820 Dear Secy Your favor of the 3d inst was handed me on yesterday evaning on my arrival here, the contents read with great satisfaction &C-I am sorry Colo Bradfords case could not have recd, more early attention, tho I hope no disadvantage will result, as I do not conceive an election can be held upon legal ground, When an appeal was obtained in due form, however I will endeavor to obtain information, and put the parties to rest as far as within my Power The road, have been unusually bad for upward of two weeks, which has so far reduced my horses as to render a stay here of a few days indispensable, in order to recruit for the ballance of the trip-nothing has occurred since my last from Salem, in any degree interesting to you or my other friend, in Murfreesboro, except that I have been informed, that a very strong desire exists in the west relative to a Call of the Legislature; but for what I have not distinctly learned, and therefore can only say to those who Speak to me on the Subject, that for my Self I know of of necessaty that would Justify the expenseBut that my mind Shall at all times be open to conviction, and ready to pursue Such measures as may be dictated by a Solemn regard to my duty and the general interest of the State One of the letters alluded to by your last I presume reached me the day on which I left the City, and presume its receipt has been acknowledged ere this-I will keep you advised of my movements as I progress to the west, and beg you to (do what I know you will namely) keep the public mind at at rest as far as possible untill I return-In doing which you may safely say that I first embarked in the Cherokee business for the single purpose of promoting what I conceived to be the best interest of my Country, which has driven me into the necessaty of making this Tour to the City to Settle, my accounts which no other person could have done, without my Suffering a very great Sacrifice. Honl D. Graham. Adieu farewell Jos. McMINN. [Box Mc 1, No. 89.] Knoxville 11 April 1820 Dear Secy Your favor of 19th ult was handed me yesterday evaning on my arrival-have read its contents with great pleasure, particularly where you refer to the sweet expression made by Miss Slaughter in relation to my return I am detained here to day in adjusting Some old Cherokee business Tho am nearly through and tomorrow morning God willing I Set my face for the west once more-my Suit and horses all in fine plight for travelling-tho have to make a Stop in Kingston to Settle with the militia who Served as Guardsmen at the agency-from which place I will write you again Adieu farewell Jos. McMINN. please attend to the Standing order remember me to all inquiring friends J. M. [SEAL.] [Box Mc 1, No. 90.] STATE OF TENNESSEE, No. 15315. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: KNOW YE, That by virtue of part of certificate No. 160 dated the 9th. day of July 1807. issued by the board of commissioners for West Tennessee to Hardy Murfree for 274 acres and part of warrant No. 1474. dated the 2d. day of April 1798. issued by John Carter entry taker for Washington County to Martin Treaver for 625 acres, and entered on the 22d. day of October 1816. by No. 4172. There is granted by the said state of Tennessee, unto Thomas Hopkins assignee of the said Hardy Murfree and Martin Treaver A certain Tract or Parcel of Land, containing one hundred acres, by survey bearing date the 20th. day of October 1817. lying in the third District in Warren County on the waters of Collins river, and bounded as follows, towit Beginning at a black oak twelve poles east of the south east corner of a 200 acre survey granted to Joseph Colville, running thence south one hundred and two poles to a white oak, thence east fourteen poles to a stake in Christian Shells line, thence north with said line twenty poles to pointers said Shells N.W. corner of a 50 acre survey, thence east with a line of the same sixty four poles to a stake thence north seventy two poles to Jacob Weavers S.W. corner, continuing the same course in all two hundred and two poles to a black oak, thence west seventy eight poles to a stake, thence south to the Beginning With the hereditaments and appurtenances. To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of Land with its appurtenances, to the said Thomas Hopkins and his heirs forever. In witness whereof, JOSEPH M'MINN, Governor of the State of Tennessee, hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the great seal of the state to be affixed, at Murfreesborough, on the 28th. day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one and of the Independence of the United States the forty-fifth. BY THE GOVERNOR, Daniel Graham SECRETARY. Jos. McMINN. Thomas Hopkins is entitled to the within mentioned tract of land. D. McGAVOCK, Register Recorded in the Register's office of West Tennesse 8th July 1822. F MCGAVOCK D Reg CORRESPONDENCE OF GEN. JAMES ROBERTSON. (282) War Department Dec. 22, 1803. Sir: By the direction of the President of the United States, the following instructions have been given the several Indian agents: "Many inconveniences having arisen from parties of Indians. visiting the President of the United States who have no business of such importance as might not be adjusted by the agents, and who often suffer on their way for want of proper passports and the necesary arrangements for their accommodation on the journey, you will therefore inform the Indians within your agency, that in future when any of them wish to visit the President that they must inform you of their intention, and the number and rank. of their Chiefs, in which case, if their request appear reasonable you will give information to this office of the number & that proper passports may be forwarded to you to be delivered them when they set off." But notwithstanding these precautions some stragling parties find their way to the seat of government without the knowledge of the agents and frequently without any interpreter, which is not only embarrassing to the President, but attended with considerable expense to little or no purpose, and as such parties usually call on some officer of the state unto which they first come, for passports or some directions or assistance, it is the wish of the President that you would be so obliging as to give directions to the officers and magistrates of your state to discourage any such parties from coming on, and if possible prevail on them to return home, and inform them that the President will not be pleased with their visit unless under the regulations before recited. I have the honor to be with esteem, Your humble servant, His Excellency Archibald Roane, Signed, H. DEARBORN. (283) Sir: NASHVILLE, May 30th, 1803. I make no doubt you have had information that I am a candidate in the next election for Governor- -Many are the efforts now endeavoring to be made, in order to traduce and degrade my character, which I view with that contempt and disdain that calumniators and defamers are entitled to meet with. Permit me sir, to observe, that I have long resided within the state of Tennessee, whose citizens have more than once honored me with their confidence in different appointments; How far I have discharged the trust reposed, is for my fellow citizens, and not myself to say. Vain would it be in me to attempt imposing on the understanding of so many enlightened characters as are contained within the State of Tennessee; neither can I descend into a sycophantic flattery, or a jesuitical probity. I am destitute of both principles or calling, that would either punish the innocent or extricate the guilty perpetrators. Should I be fortunate enough to have any friends in your country, I wish them to conduct only as becomes Americans, republicans and independent citizens; not to become dealers in scandal, nor revilers of characters-If I should be happy enough to merit their support, I shall duly contribute to their prosperity and welfare, and gratefully remember their friendship in such manner as my feeble abilities may enable me-As to what has been so illiberally insinuated respecting titles for lands, I can answer, that if there be any deficiency in mine, the laws can be readily employed to vitiate and annul them, and it is well known there are dealers enough in the article of land, to rejoice at such an opportunity. I will observe to my friends that I am authorized to declare, that I am fully possessed of documents and proofs to convince an impartial world, that I have not procured any titles for land, but such as I have fully paid the monies for, long previous to their being obtained; and whether or not there is a fraud in the obtaining titles under such circumstances, I leave every candid person to put the question to himself and determine-It would far exceed the bounds of a letter, to give to my friends a full and concise statement of all the business alluded to, but hope what is here stated will be thought sufficient to satisfy every reasonable person so far at least, as to suspend any un |