It has been represented to the Executive that John Sevier, who stiles himself Captain General of the State of Franklin, has been guilty of high Treason in levying Troops to oppose the Laws & Government of this State and has with an armed force put to death several good Citizens. If these facts shall appear to you by the affidavits of Credible persons, you will issue your warrant to apprehend the said John Sevier & in case he cannot be sufficiently secured for Tryal in the District of Washington, order him to be committed to the Public Gaol for the district of Hillsborough and I will give orders to the commanding Officer of Washington District to furnish a sufficient Guard to Assist the Sheriff in the Execution of his Duty.

It is necessary that this business be conducted with secrecy & dispatch, in order that it may succeed in such manner as to restore peace & tranquility to that part of the State; you may include in the Warrant against Sevier any one or two of his associates, such as may appear to you to have been most active in his Treasonable practices.