The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR OF TENNESSEE.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

IN compliance with your request at the last session, I have deemed it expedient to convene the legislature, in order to lay before them for their consideration, the acts of Congress, and state of North Carolina, together with the result of the mission of your agent to the latter, respecting the landed interest of the state of Tennessee. It must afford great satisfaction to discover this business brought so far towards a final and amicable adjustment with those governments. The proposed liberal modifications by the national legislature to our state, are such, if acceded to, which I entertain no doubt you will avail yourselves, as will, in my opinion, ultimately ensure a permanent security in all its relations touching the claims of the state, and individual citizens holding lands under the laws of North Carolina, the basis on which the real prosperity of this state has been derived. Many important matters will present themselves for legislative investigation: but a recurrence to the principles of our constitution, the cession act of N. Carolina, and the several laws passed on the subject, will readily conduct you safely through, so as to enable you to form regular and adequate laws on this important consideration.

Among the many great objects you will have before you for legislative consideration, will be the situation and circumstances of those people settled on the south sides of French Broad and Holston, and west of Big Pigeon rivers: They are respectable and worthy inhabitants, who have suffered by Indian depredations in a manner too deplorable to relate—they are justly deserving the patronage and indulgence of a liberal and patriotic legislature; and I entertain every hope that the paternal care of the assembly will be tenderly exercised towards such a deserving and worthy class of citizens.

When I had the honor of addressing you at the last session, I suggested the probability of extensive acquisitions of land being shortly acquired from the Indians, for the use and benefit of the state. I have now the satisfaction of informing you that those ideas have become realized. On the north side of the Tennessee large portions of the country claimed by the Cherokee and Chickasaw Indians have been obtained, insomuch that the same will afford considerable settlements, and encourage great emigration into the state. The land is important for its situation, extent and fertility. This subject will claim proper care and regulation, and of course will be the means of increasing great additional strength and energy to the government.

The lands conceded to this state by the national government, especially those lying on the south sides of French Broad, Holston, and west of Big Pigeon rivers, will alone, inevitably in the course of no distant period, furnish the treasury with considerable and ample funds sufficient to enable the government to facilitate all the desirable and beneficial improvements calculated for the happiness and prosperity of the most opulent and long established republics. No additional burthens of taxation need ever be required or imposed on our fellow citizens; we may safely contemplate, under the care of Divine Providence, with mild and salutary laws, on always continuing to be a free, happy and independent people.

Very liberal and ample donations are now procured for the establishment and support of several of the most ornamental and instructive seminaries of learning. I am sensible of your good disposition to forward and promote so noble a work, and yield it all the aid and dispatch within your power; and will readily discover, the sooner the same can be brought into operation, the greater will be the utility of such inestimable and useful institutions.

I have before, in this address, recommended the inhabitants residing south of French Broad and Holston, and west of Big Pigeon rivers, to your patronage, and indulgence. I would also recommend to your consideration, other occupants and improvers of vacant lands, and suggest the propriety of their being indulged with a preference of securing a small quantity including their improvements, and thereby prevent persons actuated by avarice and speculation from depriving the poor of their labor.

The executive appointed reviewers to examine and report the condition of the roads leading from Tellico and South West Point, to the state of Georgia, who have proceeded accordingly and examined the same. Their report on the subject was deemed insufficient to authorise the granting of any warrant on the treasury for the sum appropriated by law for the purpose of cutting & opening those roads. I have therefore thought it most proper to reserve the proceedings on the subject for the direction and better judgment of the legislature.

I deemed it indispensably the duty of the executive to dispatch to the governor of North Carolina, a commissioner empowered to apply for and receive the papers and documents procured by John Overton, Esq. the agent appointed for that purpose: but notwithstanding the appointment took place on the second day of June last, I have not received any correct information on the success of this mission, but nevertheless, hope the commissioner will speedily arrive with all those documents.

The foregoing are the principal matters I have thought most necessary to lay before you at this time. Other things will be laid before you in the course of the session.

JOHN SEVIER.

Knoxville, 28th July, 1806.