To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Henley, 18 August 1803
From Samuel Henley
Marys Ville August 18th 1803
Sir
I am inspired by God; Almighty; I am now at Mr William Burks;—in Marys Ville; I am taking a large quantity of Arsneck daily. it is in your power to releve me from my Situation the United States will be all ruined,1 if they do not desist—from such wicked practices, it is in your power to Order me to the General Government; when that takes place I am ready to obey your Commands. should you Hang me that will close the scan of my unfortunate life. I shall apply to Esquire McGee: for a Horse Saddle and Saddle and Bridle and he will not refuse me if you give him the directions;
I am Sir your Humble, Servt
Sam Henley
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “To Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 31 Aug. from “Mary’s ville (Tennissee)” with notation “madman” and so recorded in SJL.
William Burk (burks) was sheriff of Blount County, Tennessee, from 1800 to 1802 (History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present [Chicago, 1887; repr. Nashville, 1972], 83).
1. MS: “runied.”