During the administration of Ex. Gov. [Excellent Governor] N. S. [Neill Smith] Brown , I recd [received] instruction from him to collect all of the Public Arms and accoutrements in this country, and report the same to him when collected. I have now in or about collected them all, and can have them ready to send to Nashville at any time. I am informed that the first stand of arms brot [brought] to this co [county] was 22 or 3 years since__ They were drawn for the use of a volunteer company, and used by them, some 6 years; at the expiration of which time, the company and muskets were pretty well wornout The captain who commanded the company has been since lied, and but few of the Co. [Company] Now remain in this county The 2nd stand of Arms but to this county was in 1837 or 8_ They were brought to this County, for the use of another volunteer Company which was organizing here__ Ex_ Gov. Cannon was then in this [unclear: place, ] and authorized the Company to send [added: to] Nashville and yet a stand of Arms which was done. About that time, the Texas was Commenced, and some of the Company left for the seat of war, Camping with them some 8 or 10 of the Muskets__ and I have been in formed that they used them to a great advantage in massacreeing [massacring] the Mexicans. The first stand of Musket are nearly all worn out or lost. The last stand is in a tolerable fair condition [added: considering] what they have been through. I had them in my possession, or partly so, until the presidential Election in 1844 when I gave them up to the Democrats, and they were used by them during the Presidential Canvass of that year. Ex_ Gov. Brown refered [referred] me, in his letter, to the act of 1845-6, pages 291 n [and] 292. I presume that it is expedient

for you to take some action with upon the subject They can be repaired in the Penitentiary without Call to the state. I find it a hard matter to keep them together & the sooner they are removed the better. It was the intent of Ex Gov B. [Brown] to have them all Collected and retd [returned] to Nashville. I should be pleased to hear from you upon the subject. I can refer you to [added: the]respectable portion of the community here for the Correctness of my statements____

with the highest respect I am your obdt servt [obedient servant]

John T Slatter