Original manuscripts arranged and subdivided by Draper into three groups:
1) James Robertson papers, 1783-1794. Robertson (1742-1814) was a man of action and not a literary figure as evidenced both by his letters and by his career, which was highlighted by service in Dunmore's War, explorations in the Cumberland region and leadership of the company making the first settlement of Nashville in 1779, and participation in Indian warfare and negotiations in many subsequent years. Seven letters, 1791-1794, written by Robertson to Daniel Smith and Isaac Shelby, pertain to Indian affairs. Although there are scattered references to relations with the Spaniards in the Mississippi River Valley in several letters, one of particular interest on this topic was written in 1789 by Andrew Fagot in New Orleans. Other letter writers were Samuel Barton, Robert Hays, the Chickasaw chief Piomingo, Elijah Robertson, and Absolom Tatum. A passport issued to a party of Creek Indians was written by Alexander McGillivray. Two Davidson County, North Carolina, legal papers, 1783-1784, precede the correspondence.
2) William Blount papers, 1783-1795. Blount (1749-1800), a prominent North Carolina and Tennessee politician, held many offices: member of Continental Congress, signer of the Constitution, governor of the Territory South of the River Ohio, superintendent of Indian affairs (1790-1794), member and president of the Tennessee Senate (1798-1800). Twenty-one letters, 1783-1795, written by Blount to Joseph Martin, John Sevier, and Daniel Smith, discuss Tennessee land purchase, militia appointments, Indian affairs, and politics. One letter by Richard Caswell to Sevier (1786) discussed North Carolina's non-recognition of the State of Franklin, Blount's conduct in treating with the Indians, and congressional actions in Indian matters. In one letter (1794) Willie Blount, William's half-brother, reported Indian forays and commented upon the Whiskey Rebellion.
Closing this section are selections copied by Draper in 1844 from papers of Willie Blount, including a biographical sketch of William; notes on the government of the State of Franklin; and portions of several letters written by Willie.
3) Daniel Smith papers, 1774-1804. Smith (1748-1818) had an active civic, military, and political career as surveyor, cartographer, soldier, secretary of the Southwest Territory, and United States senator from Tennessee. His papers include: a few military receipts and an undated muster roll for Smith's Fincastle County (Virginia) militia company; letters, 1774-1782, from Arthur Campbell and William Preston concerning service in Dunmore's War, later militia matters, and surveying business; a letter (1783) from Thomas Walker on the Loyal Land and Greenbriar Land companies; one (1789) by Spanish governor Estevan Mero at New Orleans concerning Andrew Fagot, Alexander McGillivray, trade, and Indian affairs; and one (1790) by Benjamin Hawkins urging Smith as secretary of Southwest Territory to encourage manufacturing, fruit growing, and other economic improvements. Also included are financial accounts and drafts of two letters (1804) by Smith concerning his work as Indian commissioner in negotiations with the Cherokee. Among other writers of letters and documents are William Blount, Isaac Davis, William Edmiston, James McCorkle, Robert Nelson, James Sanders, and Daniel's brother Joseph Smith. Printed items include a contemporary broadside publication of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and a few later newspaper clippings about the State of Franklin. Only one of Daniel Smith's manuscript maps is filed in this volume.
