Lot 171
Jefferson, Thomas. Letter Signed "Th:Jefferson" as Secretary of State, 2pp, including integral leaf with docket, 10x7¾", Office of the Secretary of State (New York), 6 April 1790. Very good; moderately toned, with a few marginal chips and small separations at edges of folds; boldly penned and signed. Written to "His Excellency the Gov.r of Georgia," (Edward Telfair, who was a delegate to the Continental Congress, signed the Articles of Confederation, and was a member of the state convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution, as well as Governor of Georgia 1786-87 and 1789-93). Jefferson writes: "Sir - I have the honor to send you herein inclosed two copies duly authenticated of the Act to accept a cession of the claims of the State of North Carolina to a certain district of western Territory; also of the Act to prevent the exportation of Goods not duly inspected according to the Laws of the several States, and of being with sentiments of the most perfect respect, Your Excellency's Most Obedt. & most h'ble servant - Th: Jefferson." The copies of the Acts referred to are not present; nevertheless, this is a letter of immense importance to both Tennessee and North Carolina.
The "western Territory" of North Carolina to which Jefferson refers became the state of Tennessee on June 1, 1796. North Carolina had ceded its western territory once before, in 1784, to help pay Revolutionary War debts, but the settlers in that terrritory, who had long felt neglected by North Carolina, voted to form a new state, "Franklin," and North Carolina withdrew its gift, fearful that the land would not be used to pay debts. The "Franklanders" and their governor, John Sevier, continued to clash with North Carolina's officials for four years, until the state of Franklin collapsed with the expiration of Sevier's term. The "Franklanders" then organized "The Government South of the Holston and French Broad Rivers," adopting the constitution and laws of North Carolina but using former Franklin officers and other delegates. This state of affairs existed until 1790 when North Carolina's second offer of cession of its western terriories was accepted by Congress and became the Act referred to in Jefferson's letter offered here. Thus came into being "The Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio," commonly known as the Southwest Territory or Tennessee Territory, with William Blount as its Governor. On January 11, 1796, Tennessee petitioned Congress for admission to the Union. Congress delayed action and Tennessee went ahead and organized its own state government. Finally, on June 1, 1796, Tennessee was admitted as the sixteenth state in the Union.
Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000.
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