1From William Blount to John Adams, 23 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honor to inform you that we are within the walls of your Chamber, ready to produce, to you papers to prove, that we have been duly and legally elected Senators to represent the State of Tennessee in your Body—and that State having a right to be represented in the Congress of the United States, on an equal footing with the original States; in all respects whatever, our Duty compels...
2From William Cocke to John Adams, 21 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
Having had the honour of being legally and Constitutionally Elected to Represent the State of Tennessee, in the Senate of the United States, My Duty compels me to claim for that State, the right of being admitted into the Union with the Original States in an equal footing in all respects Whatever, and to notify you, that should any doubts remain, or subsist as to the legality, or expediency of...