A Letter from the War Office, 23 June 1796

From James McHenry, Secretary of War, to Governor Sevier

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War Office 23 June 1796.

[The LOC seal is visible]

Sir,

           I do myself the honour to inclose you a duplicate of my letter of the 20th instant forwarded by express, to which permit me to interest your attention.

           As the frontiers of the State of Tennessee may occasionally require the protection of militia it may not be improper to mention, that no claim for militia services, which have not been authorized by the President , can be submitted or paid, agreeably to existing laws: and that altho a State may callout its militia or any part thereof, without the consent of congress or the President "when invaded or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay," yet no pay can be allowed them or remuneration made to the State till the whole circumstances of the case be laid before Congress and have received their decision and approbation.

           Should you therefore conceive the services of any part of the Militia to be requisite for the defence of the frontiers you will be pleased to mention it to me with the circumstances which induce the opinion and the number deemed necessary that it may be submitted to the President for his consideration and orders.

With the highest respect          
I have the honor to be       
Sir                
Your obedient servant

Governor Sevier

279-93
[Numbers written by LOC]