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"The Howard-Smith Collection"

Transcription copyright: 1998, by Mrs. F. A. Augsbury; all rights reserved.
The originals are at the McClung Library in Knoxville.

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To: James T. Gaines, New Canton, Hawkins County, Tennessee
From: Governor Joseph McMinn, Nashville
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                                            Nashville  21 Nov 1815

Mr James T. Gaines

      Dear Sir  I find my residence here is likely to be more lengthy than I
expected when I left home-have therefore sent William on with Capt King
expecting you might stand in need of his services-I wrote you that he had
the fever tho he is perfectly recovered-he was very usefull to me.-behaved
very soberly and with strict honesty-to keep him clear from the vice's of the
place I restricted his fund, and employed Mrs. Childress (my landlady) to
caution him against gambling to which she was very much opposed and as Bill
was a particular favorite of hers she only reported one case for which she
gave him a severe rebuke-and he promised if Mrs Childress would not inform me
he thot he never would dane to do so again which promise I do believe he kept
in its literal sense-I have told him to give the Horse and Trimings with the
exception of one Blanket to Burton who its possible I may send for in the
course of the winter.
      I am sorry that I have not rec'd a line from you since I cam 
here-should I keep my health I am directed to removed the Governments
offices about the first of April next to their old Station Knoxville---Capt
King promised to call on you who will be able to give you the news of this
place which will be more satisfactory than if committed to paper
                                          Your friend & Hum Servant
                                             Jos McMinn