Franklin Township (part 10 of 19)

SuLLivAK County, May 4th, 1787. Dear Sir : - When I last addressed your Excellency, I little expected to have dated a second from the same place. I have stayed long enoaghin this part of the country to see the appearance of the long-dreaded confusion - long enough to see and hear the measures of the last session of Ihe General Assembly treated with the greatest contempt. I have always been of opinion that, without the greatest prudence, it was to end in blood, and am now further convinced that, without government acts a decided part, hostilities will shortly commence. Might I be permitted to request your Excellency's addressing these people, and advising them of the necessity and advantage of returning to their duty <Hioe more, and the danger and evil consequences of their persisting in the attempt of their supporting an independence ? I do assure your Excellency, that it is my opinion, your address on that occasion would have a very good effect on the principal people in the revolted party. I judge this will accompany a letter from General Shelby addressed particuhiny on* this subject.

To his suggestions of maintaining the authority of North- Carolina by an armed force, Governor Caswell replies to General Shdby, under date,

Sir: - Your letter of the 4th current, came to my hands the 19th. I stated the situation of your country to the Council, and laid your letter and every other information I possessed respecting the same, before them for advice ; the result of their deliberations, I have the honour oC enclosinnr you a copy of; they may not answer your expectations, but ^ hope will prove satisfactory, when I inform you upon what princip^* they acted.

They think it would be very imprudent to add to the dissatisfaction. ^ the people there, by showing a wish to encourage the shedding of h\oO ^X as thereby, a civil war would be eventually brought on, which ought at ^ times to be avoided, if possible ; but more especially at the present, ^ we have great reason to apprehend a general Indian war. If ^^ y northern and southern tribes should unite with your Cherokee nei^^ ' hours, you will^tand in need, they think, of all your force; and the^^^Tl fore recommend unanimity amongst you, if it can by any means effected ; as you thereby will be much more able to defend yourselvi than yoii possibly can be when divided ; let alone the circumstances cutting each other's throats. Besides these, it would be impracticable raise an armed force here, to be sent to your a««sistiince at this time, we were ever so much disposed thereto, for the following reasons : Tl people in general, are now engaged in their farming business, and brought out, would very reluctantly march; there is no money in tl treasnry to defray the expenses of such as ixiight be called out ; nor, in feet, have wo arms or ammunition ; that, under such circumstances, it would be necessary to attempt it.

I must, therefore, recommend to you, the using every means in your power to conciliate the minds of the people, as well as those who call themselves Franklinites, as the friends and supjjorters of government. If things could be dormant, as it were, till the next Assembly, and each man's mind be employed in considering your common defence against the savage enemy, I should suppose it best, and wherever unanimity prevails among your people, and their strength and numbers will justify, an application for a separation ; if it is general, I have no doubt of its taking place upon reciprocal and friendly terms.

I have written a letter to the inhabitants of the counties of Washington, SulHvan, Greene and Ilawkins, stating matters in such a point of view, as the opinion of the Council ; a copy of which I have the honour to enclose you. Your express aleo carries a letter for the commanding officer of each of the counties, which you will be pleased to forward to them.

.Friends and Fellow- Citizens:-^! have received information that the former contention between the citizens of those counties^ respecting the aevering such counties from this state, and erecting them into a separate, fr^ and independent government, hath been again raised, notwithatandiDg the lenient and salutary measures held out to them by the General Assembly in their last session ; and some have been so far misled, as openly and avowedly to oppose the due operation and execution of the laws of the state, menacing such as should adhere to the same, with violence ; and some outrages on such occasions, have been actually committed, whereby sundry of the good citizens of the said counties have been induced to signify to government their apprehension of being obliged to have recourse to Ytrms, in order to sup- Citi the laws and constitution of this state. And notwithstanding the haviour of some of the refractory might justify such a measure, yet I am willing to hope, that upon reflection and due consideration of the consequences which must ensue in case of the shedding of blood among

Snrselves, a moment's thought must evince the necessity of mutual endship and the tics of brotherly love being strongly cemented among joo. You have, or shortly will have, if my information is well-grounded, enemies to deal with, which will require this cement to bo more strong than ever ; your whole force may become necessary to be exerted against ihe common enemy, as it is more than probable they may be assisted ly the subjects of some foreign power ; if not publicly, they will furanh arms and ammunition privately to the Indian tribes, to be made use of against you ; and when your neighbours are so supported and assisted by the northern and southern Indians, if you should he ao vnhappj as to be divided among yourselves, what may yoa not then apprebcnd and dread ? Let me entreat you to lay aside your party disputes ; they have been, as I conceive and yet believe will be, if continued, of very great disadvantage to your public as well as private concerns. 'Whikt these disputes last, government will want that energy which is neeosary to support her laws and civili^ ; in place of which, anarchy aid confusion will be prevalent, and, of course, private interest must snfik.

It certainly would be sound policy in you, for other reasons, to anita. The General Assembly have told you, whenever your wealth and dqiiibers so much increase as to make a separation necessary, they will be willing the same shall take place upon friendly and reciprocal terms, h there an individual in your country who does not look forward, in eipeetation, of such a day's arriving ? If that is the case, must not eyerj thinking man believe, that this separation will be soonest and rooit effectually obtained by unanimity ? Let that carry you to the quiet submission to the laws of North-Carolina, till your nnmbers will justify A general application ; and then, I have no doubt^ but the same may be obtained upon the principl«*s held out by the Assembly ; naj, it is my opinion that it may be obtained at an earlier day than some imagine, if unanimity prevailed amongst you.

Altliough this is an official letter, you will readily see that it is dictated by a friendly and pacific mind. Don't neelect my advice on thit account ; if you do, you may repent it when it is too late ; when the - blood of some of your dearest and worthiest citizens may have been spilt, and your country laid waste in an unnatural and cruel civil war; and you cannot suppose if such an event should take place, that gih vernment will supinely look on, and see you cutting each other's throa^ without interfering, and exerting her powers to reduce the disobedient I will conclude by once more entreating you to consider the dreadful calamities and consequences of a civil war. Humanity demands this of me ; your own good sense will point out the propriety of it; at least, let all animosities and disputes subside till the next Assembly ; even let things rem<iin as they are, without pursuing compulsory measures until then, and I flatter myself that honourable body will be disposed to do what is just and right, aud what sound policy may dictate.

Nothing yet had occurred in the transactions between Franklin and North-Carolina so well calculated to heal the breach, and efTect a reconciliation between them, as this letter of Gov. Caswell, and the action of the North-Carolina

Legislature communicated in it. The origin and cause of the separation, at the time it occurred, was the Cession Act That had been repealed. The great object of the secessionists now, was independence of North-Carolina, so as to avoid a re-enactment of the repealed law. The apprehension of that objectionable and iuadmissable policy was removed in minds of some of the earliest and most steadfa43t friends Pranklin by the assurances of the Governor and Legisla- D of North-Carolina, that, at the proper time, a new state -aid be formed, and their cherished wishes for indepenice should be gratified, if the malcontents would return lieir allegiance. The argument was forcible - to many feetly satisfactory and irresistible. It inflicted a vital l> npon the new government, which, within the next year, ised its dissolution.

Fr0Obx8S Of The 8Ettlsment8 South Of French Broad

Jefferson county, was the first white child born south of inch Broad. Nancy Rogers, . daughter of Jonah Rogers B the second. Lfker the treaty of Dumplin, great facilities existed for i occupying the country acquired under it, south of French Broad and Holston, and the stream of emiiion was principally directed in that channel. From nry's Station, at the mouth of Dumplin, the emigrants Med the river, settling along Boyd's Creek Valley, where Ganghy's, NewelVs and other stations were formed. By soon crossed the ridge dividing that stream from Elijah, I formed a station, M cTeer^s, still in the occupancy of a oendant of the same name, William McTeer, Esq. It n became the nucleus of an excellent neighbourhood of dligent, worthy and patriotic citizens - emigrants princily from the valley of Virginia, who brought with, and ued around them, republicanism, religion, intelligence I thrift. They were, for several j'ears, annoyed and based by Cherokee incursions. The proximity of their setnent to the fastnesses of the adjoining mountains, made it lewary, constantly, to guard their frontier. While one rked in the field, another acted as a scout or a sentinel. By were often driven into stations, and twice had to leave ir farms and cabins, and fall back, for a short time, upon older settlements. But gaining, year after year, additionrtffength by new emigrations, they gradually extended the setdemeiits down the valley of Elijah and Naill's Creek. Henry's^ McTeer's, McCallock's, Gillespie's^ Craig's, Kelley's, Houston's, Black's, Hunter's, Bartlett's, Kirk's, Ish's^and others, were, soon after, the neuclei of settlements. Daring the formation and defence of all these stations, a volume 'woold not contain the instances of Indian outrage and aggreasioa perpetrated against the property and lives of the inhabitants, nor the heroic and soldierly conduct of the brave frontiermen, in protecting themselves, repelling invasion, pursoing and chaiftising the savages, inflicting a just retaliation with vengeftal severity upon the cruel Cherokees, in their distant villages and the seclusions of the mountains. Bojrs became men - women turned soldiers - assisting in clefence of the family and the home. Vigilance and heroism, and fearlessness and energy, characterized the entire population. Could a diagram be drawn, accurately designating every spot rig* nalized by an Indian massacre, surprise or depredation, or oourageous attack, defence, pursuit or victory by the whites^ or station, or fort, or battle-field, or personal encounter, the whole of that section of country would be studded over bydelineations of such incidents. Every spring, every ford,' every path, every farm, every trail, every house, nearly, in its first settlement, was once the scene of danger, exposure, attack, exploit, achievement, death. Some of these are given in their chronological order, elsewhere. A few other instances, culled from the whole, are here given : Houston's Station stood about six miles from Maryville, where Mr. Minnis has since lived. It was occupied by the families of James Houston, McGonnell, McEwen, Sloane and Henry. It was attacked by a party of Indians, one hundred in number. They had, the day before, pursued the survivors of the Citico massacre, in the direction of Knoxville, many of whom they had killed. Elated with their preceding successes, they determined, on their return, to take and murder the feeble garrison at Houston's. A vigorous assault was made upon it. Hugh Barry, in looking over the bastion, incautiously exposed his head to the aim of an Indian rifie. He fell, within the station, fatally wounded, having received a bullet in his forehead. The Indians were emboldened by this success, and prolonged the conflict more than half an hour. The garrison had some of the best rifleman in the country within it, and, observing the number and activity of the assailants, they loaded and discharged their guns with all possible rapidity. The women assisted them as far as they were able. One of them, Mrs. McEwen, mother of R. H. McEwen, Esq., of Nashville, and since the wife of the Senior S. Doak, D.D., displayed great equanimity and heroism. She inquired for the bullet moulds, and was engaged, busily, in melting the lead and running bullets for diiSerent guns. A bullet from without, passing through the interstice between two logs of the station, struck the wall near her, and rebounding, rolled upon the floor. Snatching it up, and melting and moulding it quickly, she carried it to her husband and said : ^^ Here is a ball run out of the Indians' lead ; send it back io them as quick as possible. It is their own ; let them have it in welcome."

Simultaneously with the extension of the settlement of the country south of French Broad, after the Franklin Treaty at Dumplin, was its expansion north of that stream and on Holston. Adam Meek made the first settlement on the head of Beaver Creek, at the place in the Quaker Valley now owned by John Bales, Sen. Mr. Meek had no neighbour ivest of him, and so sparse were the settlers on the east, that at first he procured meal from the neighbourhood of Greeneville.

Mr. Meek was a surveyor, an emigrant from Mecklenburg eoanty* N. C, and had, as early as 1785, explored the country and made surveys on the frontier. Like most other pioneers, Mr. Meek built his first cabin of round poles. This he covered with bark and grass, which, for the first year, sheltered his family. During the Indian alarms, the family frequently retired, at evening, to a deep sink, three-quarters of a mile from their cabin, and there spent the night. A fort or station was, at a later period, formed at the Strawberry Plains, now the residence of Rev. Thomas Stringfield. In this station the settlers collected together for mutual protection and defence. It soon became the centre of an enterprising, respectable and intelligent population, and there is stillf one of the most flourishing and enlightened neighbour-

Lands had been entered and surveyed, and grants issued for them, in what is now Knox and Grainger counties. The .current of population followed the vallies, and here and there along the valley south of Clinch Mountain, could be seen springing up in the forests, at the head of Flat Creek, Bull Run and Peaver Creek, the humble cabin of the backwoodsman. In the fork between Holston and French Broad, new settlers began their clearings. Henry's Station, at Dumplin, ceased to be the last post north of the river. A little colony from it crossed Bay's Mountain, and formed what was known as Greene's, afterwards Manifold's, Station* Near it, Gibson, Beard, Bowman and Cozby settled, and with, them came James White, afterwards the proprietor of Knox-- ville. He first pitched his tent four miles above the mouths of French Broad, and on its north bank, near the presents residence of John Campbell, Esq. His early compatriots^ Greene and Cozby, settled soon after near him, but on th&- opposite side of the river. Captain Thomas Gillespie settled three miles below, on the north side of the river. The ruins of his house are still seen. It stood near the present residence of Mr. James Hufacre. A little later came Jeremiah Jack, Esq., and settled the second plantation above the mouth of French Broad.

Robert Armstrong planted corn and raised a crop, this 1787 5 year, on the plantation which, next year, he settled I on Holston, a little above the mouth of Swan Pond Creek. Mr. Devereaux Gillaim, at the same time, occupied the plantation embracing the point between French Broad and Hplston. His first cabin stood east of the dwelling house of the present proprietor, between it and the church.

Archibald Rhea, Sen., settled immediately opposite, on the south bank of French Broad. Alexander McMillan settled the place now occupied by Rev. Thomas Stringfield, then, as now, known as Strawberry Plains, and soon after removed to the farm on which he died, four miles above Armstrong's Ferry, on the present New Market Road.

the Indians, than those south or north of them. Almost insulated by the rivers, the intervention of these large streams furnished to the inhabitants some immunity from invasion. On one occasion, however, some armed warriors crossed the river, and presented themselves at the door of Captain Gillespie's cabin. The captain had, the day before, been clearing in the island and burning brush, and the fires were still burning there, in view of the house. He had left home early that morning, on his way to Dumplin, twelve miles ojflT. The Indians, finding Mrs. Gillespie unprotected, entered the honscy and one of them taking out a scalping knife, drew it across his bare arm, as if sharpening it He then went to a eradle, in which an infant lay asleep, and indicated with his finger a line around its head, along which he intended to apply the knife in scalping it. The other Indians looked on with savage ferocity. The heroic mother, with surprising presence of mind, sprang to the door, and, looking in the direction of the clearing, exclaimed, in a loud voice, ** White men, come home ! come home, white men ! Iftdians I Indians!" The warriors, disconcerted by her well contrived stratagem and her well timed equanimity, precipitately led the house* dashed down the hill towards the spring, and disappeared in the cane-brake. Mrs. G. bearing her child in her arms, escaped in the opposite direction, and in sight of the path along which her husband would return. She had gone several miles in anxious apprehension of the murderous pursuit of the warriors, when she met the captain. He guessed the cause of their unexpected meeting, took the mother and the child upon his horse, carried them hastily back to Maniibld's; leaving them there, he reinforced himself with three men, and returned in haste to his house. The savages had plondered it of its contents, and while some were carrying off the spoils, one was busily engaged in setting fire to the house. He was fired upon by Captain G., who had outrode Qie other horsemen, and shot without dismounting. The In- 3ian was partly obscured by the smoke of the fire he was Idndling, and escaped. The other men came up, the property eras recaptured and the Indians were driven across the river. Two of them were wounded in crossing, at the mouth of Burnett's branch. It was believed that the Indians came to

Steal rather than to murder; indeed, this neighbonriiood suffered more by having their horses stolen, than by any other form of Indian aggression. On one occasion only, is it recollected that the people generally went into a station. A sudden invasion of Little River settlement produced an alamib and the settlers temporarily forted at Gillaim^s ; the alam subsided, and the people returned to their plantations.

The population accumulated rapidly ; being accessible by the two rivers, the neighbourhood received many families from the upper counties in boats and canoes. Amongst these were James Anderson, Moses Brooks and George McNutt, Esq., who removed from Chucky and settled on the north side of Holston, above Knoxville. James White, the year before, had moved from his first cabin in the Fork, and settled on what is since White's Creek. With Captain White, came his old neighbour from Iredell county, North-Carolina, and comrade in arms, James Conner, the worthy ancestor ofH. W. Conner, Esq., of Charleston, South-Carolina. These two were the first to disturb the virgin soil, on which the future Knoxville was to be built. Tradition says, that the lot on which the First Presbyterian church now stands, was the place first cleared by them. Pounded corn was the only bread the first settlers used. Their rifles, which had been used in the war of the Revolution, procured them meat Their cabin stood half a mile from the mouth of the creek, and on its west side, north of Mrs. Kennedy's orchard. This cabin afterwards constituted one corner of White's Fort ; Captain Crawford and others forted in it with him. A quadrangular plat of ground, containing a quarter of an acre, was chosen, on each corner of which was a strong cabin, but of less imposing appearance than Mr. White's, which was two stories high. Between these comers, stockades were placed eight feet high, impenetrable to small arms, and having port-holes at convenient height and distance. A massive gate opened in the direction of the spring. White's Fort became the central point for emigrants, and the rendezvous for rangers and scouts. They were charmed with its beauties. In their short rambles around their encampment, they noticed an elevated parallelogram, extending south, and terminating with a bold front upon the HolstCML

A creek of considerable size glided along its eastern, and another along its western base, from the banks of which gnshed forth, in close proximity, fountains of excellent water. It was noticed that the two streams furnished several eligible sites for water power. The highest point of land between them, seemed designed by nature for a barrack or garrison. As then seen, the site of the future Knoxville was lovely in the extreme - almost entirely sheltered by the primitive forest, in its rich foliage, and having an air of enchanting coolness and rural retirement and seclusion - its quiet disturbed only by the playful murmurings of rivulets, formed by the several springs, and winding through their grassy borders Jn stillness to the creeks. Wooded hills and sylvan slopes completed the picture of rural beauty^ The high land terminated abruptly towards the Holston, seen here and there through the tall trees, winding its way along the cane-brakes which lined its margib. Immediately opposite, was the Little Island, robed in green and almost submerged by the turbid stream. The southern shore presented, in one place lofty hills, resting upon a perpendicular cliff - in another, rising with a more gradual ascent to the ridge beyond. The whole country was carpeted with verdure and clothed with trees - dense woods surrounding you, with the solitude and silence of nature. These attractions, and the advantages of its position, had pointed out the place as the nucleus of a future settlement. Mr. White soon had other settlers as his neighbours. John Dearmond settled south of the river, near ^<Jol. Churchwell's Ferry, and other emigrants came rapidly around White's Fort. A small tub-mill was erected by him. ^The necessity for it was so urgent, that sit first he was forced to a very inferior stone for runners. These were still in at the time of the treaty in 1791. Amongst other emi- *ants, John Adair moved this year to his late residence in ^nox county. He had been appointed Commissary under -^forth-Carolina, to furnish provisions for the Cumberland ^jraards, and in the discharge of that trust, took his position on extreme frontier. Adair's Station was erected at the same e with White's, about five miles north of it. The country ;an to be reached by wagons; set tiers were graduallv ex* tending themselves west, and in quick succession, Well*fl» Bennett's, Byrd's, Hackett's and Cavett's Stations, were formai Campbell's Station was settled by several emigrants of that name from Virginia, survivors of the gallant regiment whidi 'had signalized itself at King's Mountain. Of these the principal one was Col. David Campbell, who has left the savour of a good name wherever he was known. He was the ancestoi^ of the present Governor of Tennessee, who has so well sustained the reputation of the Volunteer States m the late Mexican War.

At first, each of these stations was a single cabin in the midst of a clearing. When Indian disturbances broke onti the inhabitants clustered together in the strongest one near them, and it then became a Station, They have all disappeared, except Colonel Campbell's, which still exists as the east end of the present dwelling house of Mr. Martin.

Jacob Kimberlin found lead, and furnished it to the inha- ( bitants. It was found south of French Broad, not &r ( from Gap Creek, on the farm now owned by Jere miah Johnson, Esq.

Besides the Counties of Franklin, the S&te was also ar> ranged into Districts. Whether these were judicial or military, this writer has no means of determining. The only evidence he has been able to procure of this subdivision of Franklin, is furnished by the '' commission " of one of its Colonels, of Elholm District.* The original is before the writer, in the bold chirography of Governor Sevier. The seal of the state affixed to it, is a small wafer, covered with common paper. There was, in all probability, no other seal of state.

Leaving here the chronological order of events in Franklin, we pause to review some transactions in its Foreign policy, which could not be so well introduced elsewhere.

**Elholm Dittrici was, doabtless, to called in honoar of Major Elholm. Id tiw district, at the tradition is, was embraced all the territory of FranUin^ below Washington conntj, tis: Greene, Caswell and Sevier counties. Washington Distriet probably embraoed Washington, SoUiran, Spencer and Wayne tiaa. * interior of the state, had established Houston county in that i P***^ ^^ ^^^ territory north of the Tennessee River, ( and including the Great Bend of that stream, opposite the Muscle Shoals. The Commissioners appointed to organize the new county, held an adjourned meeting, July 30, 1784.

**The Board resolved that John Sevier be appointed to receive locations and entries of lands, and that William Blount, Esq., Lachlin Mcintosh, John Morell, John Donelson, Stephen Heard, William Downs, John Sevier, Charles Robertson, Joseph Martin and Valentine Sevier, junior, Esqrs., be appointed justices of the peace.

--That John Sevier be recommended as Colonel, John Donelson, Lieut. Colonel, and Valentine Sevier, junior, I^ajor. John Donelson, Esq., was appointed Sar\'eyor, and Joseph Martin, Esq., recommended as Agent and Superintendent of Indian Afifairs. The Entry-taker is requested to attend and receive entries for claims of land, on the fifteenth day of March next, at or near the mouth of Elk River.

It is not known that the Board ever assembled at the mouth of Elk. It is scarcely probable that they did as the military expedition which accompanied them, descended the Tennessee River no further than the point where it was intersected by the state line. The appearances of the Indians were so hostile, the Commissioners remained but a few days, and then withdrew.

**'Re9olvedy That the application be made to the Governor and Council by William Downs and Thomas Napier, Esquires, Commissioners, or either of them, for their direction and approbation, to have ten tracts of hnd, containing ten thousand acres each, to be laid out in the bend of Tennessee, for public use."

^ Took into consideration the state of the business, agreeable to a former ns<^ution of the General Assembly, and having certain accounts from the State of Franklin, and the settlements of the Cumberland and Kentucky, that a number of people from the aforesaid settlements are about to go into the District of Tennessee, to make settlements thereon.

^^Resolved^ With leave of the Executive Council, that the business of tnnreying in said district, be immediately put into execution, agreeable tomBeBolve of the Assembly, of February, 1784."

At the ensuing session of the Legislature of Frankliii, tte necessary provision was made to raise a force of monntdi riflemen, sufficient to succour Georgia and subdue the Cred Indians. We copy the act of the Franklin Assembly froB the original manuscript in the possession of this "writer.

Whereas, it appears to this House, from a letter of the 87th d August, 1786, to his Excellency, Governor Sevier, from his Honoor, thi Gbveraor, Edward Telfair, of the 8tate of Georgia, with certain infiMmi' tion that the Creek Indians had declared ^ar against the white people, and had committed several murders on their frontier of late ; 'and tut in consequence of which, he had sent a Peace Talk to 'the natioa of bdians, and that from the best accounts he could get, they intended ti make vigorous assaults on the white people, as soon as they had gathered their com ; and that the said state intends to carry on a vijgorous campaign ag^nstsaid India^,if they do not treat with said static and were to march by the first of November next: and ahK> by a kits from Colonel Joseph Martin, dated the first of October, instant^ with evtun accounts that the Creek Indians were laying in a large quantity of powder, for the purpose of carrying on the war, which was fbnushedlif the Spaniards ; and that they had spies in all the Cherokee towDS» and on our frontiers, and were making every preparation for war ; and han had also information from the Cherokee Indians, that the Creeks intended attacking our frontier, and were making outrageous threats agunst m daily. And whereas, it is the indispensable dutjr of the inhahstanti «f this state to euard against all dancers, and the uonfederation direetiaad empowers each state to defend itself against any enemy.

Be it therefore Resolved hj this General Assembly, That each coun^ in this state, raise one-fourth of the militia of each county, who are hereby required to hold themselves in readiness, to march on horse to the firontiers of this state, at the shortest notice, to defend their own state, in case there should bo any attacks made on it by any enemy, or nation of Indians, when attacked by the State of Georgia, and that every six m«i furnish themselves with one pack-horse, and twenty days' provinofi each man.

2. And be it further Resolved^ That there be officers appointed to command such men so raised, and that they all go as militia men, and to be paid as such, and all plunder taken in action from the enemy, shall be free plunder to the captors.

4. And be it further Resolved, That the Governor and Council hold a friendly correspondence with his Honour, the Governor of Georgia; and that they communicate to him our intentions, and that the men 80 raised, and holding themselves ip readiness, march at th^ direction, on the shortest notice, to the protection of our frontien.

And it is Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor be directed to hold^the militia of this state in immediate readiness to march to the of the frontier, on the shortest notice.

Promulgation Of The Franklin Laws. S79

Besolvedy That the Governor, by and with the advice of his Gouncily is hereby empowered to call the Assembly to any part of the state he thinks right, to direct the movements of the army, now ordered out, in case he should find it necessary to march them out of the state.

As far as is now known, the manuscript from which the above is copied, is the only legislative enactment of the State of Franklin that has survived the ravages of time and accident. At that day, there was no printing press nearer than Richmond, Newbern or Charleston. The proceedings of Franklin were never printed, and for that reason it became necessary to revive a provision made under similar circumstances, many years before, in North-Carolina ; and that was, at the opening of the first session of the county courts, and at the first militia training or muster, after the rise of the General Assembly, an individual was appointed to read all recent enactments aloud in the hearing of the people, at the court-house or muster-grounds. Thirty years since, the late Col. F. A. Ramsey was often mentioned as ** the man who read Sevier's laws to the militia of Franklin.'*

If farther proof were wanting to show that the " .Constitation of the State of Frankland " was never adopted or acted under, the above act furnishes that proof irrefragably. That Constitution, as has been seen, provides for a single house, while this act is signed by the Speaker of the Senate, and by the Speaker of the Commons, and is also attested by the Clerk of the Senate, and by the Clerk of the Commons.

After intelligence had reached the authorities of Georgia that the people of Franklin, of Cumberland and of Kentucky, were intending to emigrate to the Bend of Tennessee, another attempt was made to effect the settlement of Houston county. Got. Sevier was written to on the subject. His reply is dated :

Washington County, 14th of May, 1786. J . Sir : - ^Being appointed one of * the Commissioners of Tennessee Kitrict, I beg leave to inform jour Honour that it appears impractica- Ue to proce^ on that business before the M season.

The people here are apprehensive of an Indian war. daily committed in the vicinities of Kentucky and Cambeilaiid. OAb Donelson, Christian, and several other persona, were lately womided ad are since dead.

The success of the Muscle Shoal enterprise, greatly dependa aajkk number that will go down to that place. A small force wiQ notk adequate to the risk and danger that is to be encoantered, and the pn* pie here will not venture to so dangerou^a place with a few*

Your Honour will be pleased to be further informed, and, tbioai^ you, the difierent branches of your government, that no anbir adff» tage will be taken from this quarter ; no surveying will be attemplal until a force sufficient can be had, and timely notice given to tboM vfci may intend' to move down. The people in this quarter wiali to noceed in the fiill, but will wait your advice on this subject. Tour ttniour may rest assured that I shall, with pleasure, &ci]itato everything my power that may tend to the welfare of this ~

Gov. Telfair, replying to Sevier's letter of May 14^ iih formed him, Aug. 27, 1786, that the Legislature of Geoigia had postponed the consideration of the Tennessee Lud District ; that the Greek Indians had been committing ma^ ders and depredations on the frontier of Georgia ; that commissioners had been appointed to negotiate terms of a peaces in failure of which, the state would, at once, carry on Tigor ous hostile operations against that tribe. It had been 8q|jt gested, continued Gov. Telfair, that the State of FranUm intended to march a body of men against the Creeks. ^F flatter myself it will be greatly to the success of both armies to begin their movements at one and the same time, should it become necessary. The flrst of November I suggest as the time for marching. On this subject I have to solicit your immediate answer and determination.** He also informs Gov. Sevier that Robert Dixon and Stephen Jett; Esquires, were appointed Commissioners on the part of Georgia, to confer with him on that subject.

Not long after the date of this letter, to wit, Aug. 96^ 178G, Governor Houston, of Georgia, commissioned Govermv Sevier, Brigadier-General for the District of TennessiSe. This brigade was formed for the defence of Georgia^ and for repelling any hostile invasion.

Governor Sevier was not unwilling to accept this evidence of the confidence and friendship of the Governor and people of Georgia. He was sensible of the opposition Franklin had encountered, and the growing discontent and difficulty yet to be encountered from some in the new state, and from the government of North-Carolina. His Cherokee neighbours, and their allies, the Creeks, were ready, at any moment, to take advantage of the necessities of the infant government, and to involve it in a general war. He took the precaution, therefore, to assure himself of the good feeling and co-operation of the Georgians, and to identify that people with his own in the common cause of self-defence and self-protection. With many of their leading men he had become acquainted, in his several campaigns to the Soathy during the Revolutionary war. Some of them were at his side on King's Mountain, and other battle grounds of that struggle. Some of them, at its close, had followed him to the West, and adhered to his fortunes in every vicissitude. The countrymen of Clarke, and Pickens, and Matthews, all knew his gallantry and were his steadfast friends. Of these, no one appreciated Governor Sevier more highly than a foreigner, Caesar Augustus George Elholm. He was a SDHMhflOMk^or Polawder, a member of Pulaski's Legion, and«l C^i'^^a^ was with that brave leader at the siege of Savannah. A feat performed, in part, by him, once considered fabulous, hat recently authenticated by I. K. TefTt, Esq., of Savannah, is here given in the words of that learned antiquarian and aoonrate historian :

*^ While the allied army was engaged before Savannah, and while the nege was pending, Col. John White, of the Georgia line, conceived and executed an extraordinary enterprise.

** Captain French, with one hundred and eleven British regulars, taken post on the Ogechee River, about twenty-five miles from XBavannah. At the same place lay five British vessels, of which four ^^rere armed, the largest mounting fourteen guns and the smallest four. ^}6L White having with him only Captain Csesar Augustus George ^Bhoho, a sergeant and three men, on the night of the 1st of October, /

^779, approached the encampment of French, kindled many fires, were discernible at the British station, exhibiting from the mangier of arranging them the plan of a camp. To this stratagem he kidded another. He and his comrades, imitating the manner of the rode with haste in various directions, giving orders in a loud voice, became satisfied that a large body of the enemy were upon hiro, on being summoned by White he surrendered his detachment, the of the five vessels, forty in number, and one hundred and thirty stand of arms. Having thus snooeeded, CoL White pretended that he must keep back his troops* lest their animosity should break out, and an indiscrimiDate slaughter take place, in defiance of his authority, and that| therefore, he wodd commit them to three guides, who would conduet them safely to ffood quarters. The deception was carried on with so much address, uat the whole of the British prisoneis were safely "oonducted by three of the captors for twenty-five miles through the oonntiT to the American post at Sunbury. One of these captors was 0. A. Q. Elholm."

When, in 1*786, it became necessary for the new state to strengthen the relations of friendship and good feeling witii other communities, Governor Sevier, through the Legislature of Franklin, professed a readiness to unite with Georgia^ and make conmion cause with that state in the proseentiiMi of the war against the Creeks, which seemed then inevitable. The management of this proposition, Sevier entrusted to Migor Elholm, whom he despatched to Augusta. Bearing widi him the strongest evidences of the Gbvemor^s confidence, and with ** sealed instructions'* in his possession, he waited upon the Executive of Georgia. In accordance with the main object of his mission, Elholm succeeded in procuring an embassy to accompany him on his return, to whose care was committed the charge of enlisting the Western people into an invasion of the Creek nation. An account of the reception of the embassy in Franklin, and the Major's con* jectures of its results, will be given in his own words. The reader will excuse the Major's Gallicisms. They are well atoned for by his ardour and enthusicusm.

Governor Sbvier's, Franklin, September 30, 1986. Sir : - I does myself the honour to inform your Excellency, that your Commissioners set out from this the 28th inst, by the way of Kentodty and Cumberland. They were received very politely by his Excelleacy^ the Governor, from whose zeal for to assist you, aided by the inclination of the Franks, I am fully convinced your embassy will meet all wished success by the Assembly of this State, which is ordered to assemble 12th next, by his Excellency's command, in consequence thereof! Several of the inhabitants have waited on the governor, for to be informed (rf the contents of the embassy from Georgia. And when being ao- quainted therewith, it gave me great pleasure to find no other apprehension appeared, but that of making peace with the Creeks without fighting, by which occasion they said so favourable a chance for humbling that nation would fall dormant. The. Governor, in order that the Americans may reap a benefit from the dread the Cherokces and Ghickasaws feels from the displeasure and power of the Franks, he has despatched letters to them, ofiTering them protection agatest the Creek nation, with condition that they join him.

Cumberland, it seems, has it at this time in contemplation to join in government with the Franks. If so, so much the better, and it would surely be their interest so to do, .as they are yet few in numbers, and often harassed by the Indians.

Judging from apparent circumstances, you may promise youself one thousand riflemen and two hundred cav^dry, excellently mounted and accoutred, from this state, to act in conjunction with Georgia.

** P. S. Governor Sener received letters from the pnncipal men in Cumberland, which inform him of a convention held lately at that place, when Commissioners were chosen by the people with power for to join inth the Franks in their government

^Hr. John llpton's party, which is against the party of the new gOTemment, seems deep in decline at present, which proves very favourable to the embassy from Georgia."

Toun of the . 2'7th August, I am honoured with. I consider myself mueh obOged with the information your Honour was pleased to give me ranwcttDg the manner and form you intend to conduct with the Creek Inaums.

You will please to be informed, that the deliberations of our Assembly have not, as yet, been fully had, respecting the marching a force against that nation of Indians. Our Assembly will be convened in a few days, at which time, I make notthe smallest doubt, but they will order out a respectable force to act in conjunction with the army of your state. The daterminationa of our Legislature I shall immediately communicate to«^ jour Honour, as soon as the same can be fiilly obtained. The movements to begin about the first November, I fear will be rather early for our army. Could the time be procrastinated a few- days, I hope it would not obstruct the success of the expedition. Shall be much obliged by being informed of the time of marching, should the same be found neceesary. Also, as near as may be, of the time and place your army may be expected in the Creek country.

Gov. Telfair replied, under date of 28th November, 1786, ^'That Commissioners appointed to treat with the Creek nation have concluded a peace, on account of which every preparation for hostile operations are now suspended.^' The governor also expressed a hope that the peace might be lasting. This hope was doomed to be disappointed.

The ofier of assistance by the people of Franklin, made by Gov. Sevier, and his recommendation of Major Elholm, his ambassador, to the Governor and Council of Georgia,

Mr. O^Brien, from the Committee to ^hom was referred the letts from John Sevier, Esq., brought in a report, which was agreed to^ and is as follows :

That the letters from the said John Sevier, Esq., evince a disposilkm which ought not to be unregarded by this state, particularly in the intention of settlers in Nollicliucky, etc., to co-operate with us during the late alarm with the Indians, provided the necessity of the case required it ; they, therefore, recommend to the House, that his Honour, th (Governor, inform the Honourable John Sevier, Esq., of the sem this state entertains of their friendly intentions, to aid in the adjostmeBt of all matters in dispute between us and the hostile tribea of Creek hdians that were opposed to this state.

That in regard to Major Elholm, who has been so particularly reoommended, they cannot forbear mentioning him as a person entitled to the thanks and attention of the Legislature, and recommend that lus Hoaour, the Grovemor, draw a warrant on the Treasury, in favour of Mijor {llholm, for the sum of fifty pounds.

Subsequently, an act was passed by the Liegialatore of Georgia, authorizing the Governor and Executive Conncil to make an engagement with the people of Franklin to suppress the hostilities of the Creek Indians.

Dear Sir : - I received your favour by Major Elholm, who informed me of your health. Assure yourself of my ardent friendship, and that you have the approbation of all our citizens, and their well wishes for your prosperity. We are sensible of what benefit the friendship of yourself and the people of your state will be to Georgia, and we hope you will never join North-Carolina more. Open a Land Office as speedily as possible, and it cannot fail but you will prosper as a people ; this is the opinion current among us.

I have considered greatly on that part of your letter which alludes to politics in the Western country. It made me serious, and as seven states have agreed to give up the navigation, it is my friendly advice that you do watch with every possible attention, for fear that two more states should agree. I only obser\'e to you, that the Southern States will ever be your friends.

It was reported that East and West Florida were ceded by the Spaniards to France, but it is not so. I know that you must have the navi* gation of the Mississippi. You have spirit and right ; it is almost every man's opinion that a rumour will rise in that countzy. I hope to ses

Augusta, Georgia, 13th February, 1*787. Sir ; .... I took the liberty, in my place, to lay your commuD^catioDS before the legislature, with a few comments thereon. I am happy, sir, to inform you, they were received with that attention and respect doe to the friendly manner in which you were pleased to convey the aid |roa were authorized to afford the state, in case of active operations iwlBg found necessary to be carried on against the Creek Nation.

Sir: - Yours of 12th February, with the resolves of the Honourable dhe General Assembly therein enclosed, I had the honour to receive Mm Major Elholm. A principal chief of the Choctaws arrived here, fAo had come by way oi the Creek Nation, and was there informed, iiat nation intended hostilities against the State of Georgia early this Itting; - that they intended last summer to have given Georgia a home troke, had not a small party, contrary to their councils, committed hos- BitieB before the main body of the warriors was ready to go out

Permit me, sir, to return you mj sincere thanks, and through you the Iber gentlemen of your state, for the great honour done me on the ifkli day of February last.

The honour alluded to in this last paragraph by Gov. Seder, was the recommendation of his election as an honorary Bember of the District Society of the Cincinnati. His cerifieate of membership is before the writer. In the report of lie Committee, appointed to ''investigate the merits of the [onourable Brigadier-General John Sevier," it is mentioned That he had a principal merit in the rapid and well conncted volunteer expedition, to attack Colonel Ferguson, at lin^s Mountain, and a great share in the honour of that which is well known gave a favourable turn to our lo^nny and distressed situation, and that an opportunity ever yet appeared, but what confessed him an ardent friend .nd real gentleman.'^ oil received him as a man of distinction, and invited him tD a seat with them, while the subject of his mission was mder consideration. There and elsewhere, he took every opportunity to descant, in his fervid manner, and in the most glowing terms, upon the excellence and beauty of the country from which he came, and dwelt at length upon the prowes of the western people, and their devotion to liberty and independence, and succeeded in creating an interest and enthusiasm in their behalf. "Success to the State of Franklin, His Excellency Gov. Sevier, and his virtuous citixens^*' became a common toast Gen. Clarke continued his correspondence, under date -

Sir : .... Should any farther appeanmoe of war he app«PBDt|I shall take the earliest opportunitj of commtinicatinff it to yoo, with dw expectation of actiDfl: in confidence and concert with yonr state, in tki operations taken against the Creeks.

I am very sorry to hear you have not peaceably established yov- -elves in the State of Franklin, and that the unhappy contention yet prevails between that and the State of North-Carolina, and more potieblarly when they think of reducing you by foroe of arms. Iliese idtm^ have not proceeded from any assurance from this state, as it js the fseeived opinion of the sensible part of every rank in Oeorjgia, that joc will, and ought to be, as independent as the other states in the Unioa.

Other gentlemen of distinction and character in Geoi^'a, in like manner, held out to the Governor of Franklin assurances, not of good wishes only,^but of assistance. One of them writes, under date,

^i>; .... We have various reports respecting the di^rent opinions of the politics of your state. I must inform you I have had, witlun these few months, the different opinions of a numher of the greatest poHtidans in our state respecting yours, who give it as their opinion, *fc«t it will support itself without a doubt ; and, from what I can uudentaodi would give every assistance in their power.

As a further means of adding to the strength of the new state, Governor Sevier and his Council asked the advice of Doctor Franklin. His reply is dated -

Philadelphia, June 30, 1 787. Sir: - I am very sensible of the honour your Excellency and your Council have done me. But, being in Europe when your state wm fiirmed, I am too little acquainted with the drcumstances, to be aUe to ofo yon any thing, just now, that may be of importance, since every thing material, that regards your welfare, will, doubtless, have occurred to yourselves. There are two things which humanity induces me to wish you may succeed in : the accommodating your misunderstanding with the government of North -Carolina, and the avoiding an Indian war by preventing encroachments on their lands. Such encroachments * ana the more unjustifiable, as these people, in the fair way of purchase, nanaliy give very good bargains ; and, in one yearns war with them, you may suffer a loss of .property, and be put to an expense vastly exceedlag in value what would have contented them, in fairly buying the lands they can spare.

I will endeavour to inform myself more perfectly of your afi^irs, by inquiry, and searching the records of Congress ; and if any thing should oeear to me, that I think may be useful to you, you shall hear from me thereupon. I conclude with repeating my wish, that you may amicably wttle your difference with North-Carolina. The inconvenience to your \

M^^e, attending so remote a seat of government, and the difficulty to Imt government in ruling well so remote a people, would, I think, be lowerful inducements to it, to accede to any fair and reasonable propo- Mon it may receive from you, if the Cession act had now passed.

Cren. Wm. Cocke, a Brigadier of the Franklin militia, and k member of the council of state, addressed Governor iCatthews the following, dated -

MuLBERRT Grove, 25th June, 1787. J Sir : - When I take a view of the local and political situation of this [PHntryv I conceive the interests of your state, so far as respects Indian QBurs, almost inseparable with the safety and happiness of this country ; ad on hearing that the Creek Indians have committed hostilities in l^orgia, I have endeavoured to consult with my friends here, on the of lending you any assistance in our power, provided you should tand in need of such assistance ; and I am certain every thing to serve oar state or its interests, will be done by the people of Franklin, that tiey could, with reason, be expected to do. I imagine General Kennedy ill be able to raise a thousand or fifteen hundred men, as volunteers,

*It it worthy of remark, that this letter is dated, " SUte of Frankland.*' This <xily instance, as this annalist a^ers, in the whole list of letters and other which he has had such ample ot>portQnity to read and examine in the >n of these sheets, in whidi the name of the new state is not spelled PVwUhi.'' In the Convention, Gen. Cocke had been in favour of the (rejected) Constitntioo of the State of FVankland," and may be supposed to have retained MBi a feeling of paternity, the name first intended for his bantling. It is ob.' lUe, however, that in the body of hb letter, he gitet the proper orthography and I think I can raise a like nnmber. - An army of tWo or Aim tknaand, will be quite sufficient to march through any of the towna thatu should have to pass through. I hope the Indians hftTe not beean Bucbessful in your state as £e Cherokees report ; the aooooiilB from An nation are that the Greeks have killed twenty-five fkiniliea, without the loss of a man. I have ordered the different cokmeb under my eo» mand, to hold their men in readiness, and on being well iinred of dn Indians attacking your state, we shall mard^ into their towoBy ao sooi as we shall be requested by you. But lest the United States Bii|^ think us forward, we shall remain in readiness^ until we ere celled for bj the State of Georgia or until hostilities are committed in onr stele.

Propositions to assist in the conqoest of the Creek natiot were also made to Gov. Sevier, by the King, Chiefs and Leaders of the Chickasaws.

The proffered aaxiliaries from the Chickaaanv'fl^ the r^ peated assurances of co-operation from Georgia, and the eipected assistance from Virginia and Camberland^ atimiilated both the authorities and people of Franklin to undertake ths subjugation of the Greeks. Another consideration in favmir of that policy, exerted at this moment a powerful inflaeneenp* on the mind of Governor Sevier. Some of the causes for separating the western counties from the parent state, had either ceased to exist, or operated now, upon the minds of the p«h pie with less intensity, and it was very evident that a very formidable party in Franklin was now opposed to a further continuance of the new government.

In Washington county, this opposition had become most apparent. The magistrates appointed by the authorities of North-Carolina, met at the bouse of William Davis, some distance from the seat of justice, and organized a court, when the following proceedings took place :

Feb. 6. The gentlemen on the Dedimus, appointed justicea of the peace for said county, are as follows : John Tipton, Loindon Caiter, Bobert Love, James Montgomery, John Hamer, John Wyer, John Strain, Andrew Chamberlain, Andrew Taylor, Alex. Moffett, William PuEiky, Edroond Williams, and Henry Nelson.

In other counties, the authority of Franklin was so far extinct, that of North-Carolina so fully recognized, that elections were not held for the Greeeneville Assembly, but representatives were regularly chosen for the legislature of the old state, to meet at Tarborough, on the 1 8th November. Of those thus elected, several had been the early and steadfast friends of separation and independence, and had been the jniDcipal functionaries of the new commonwealth. Even Greene county, which had refused to allow commissions emanating from the old dynasty, to be accepted and acted under, within its boundaries, had partaken of the general defection, and had elected to the Assembly at Tarborough, David Campbell, the presiding Judge upon the Franklin Bench, as Senator ; and Daniel Kennedy, one of the FranKHli, brigadiers, and James Reese, Esq., once a member of its lepslature, to the House of Commons.

Washington county, in like manner, was represented by Tohn Tipton, James Stuart^ and John Blair ; all of whom had been the first to propose, and the most active in carrying Ato effect, the insurrectionary movement. - Sullivan county lad chosen Joseph Martin, John Scott, and George Maxwell ; ind Hawkins county, Nathaniel Henderson and William Iftarsball; all original supporters of Franklin, and advocates »f separation. Sevier and Caswell counties alone maintained their allegiance to tte^ew state, and adhered to Gov. Sevier and his fortunes ; and even in these, there were not wanting men whose position was equivocal, and who hesitated not to dissuade from further resistance to the current li4iich now set so strongly in favour of the mother state. Harassed by the difficulties that surrounded his official positioD, and perplexed by the duties and responsibilities devolvaOO BBViBE nnriTW thb msdiatiok or osasaiA.

ing on him as a patriot, Governor Sevier inatitatad afinAtt embassy to the State of Georgia, with the hope of extiiea* ting himself and his government from surrounding enibam» ments. As a dernier resort, he invited the medmtion o( Greorgia between North-Carolina and Franklin ; and addressed to Governor Matthews the following commaucation :

The party in opposition to our new ^public, althoogh few and iiconsiderable, yet, by their coutention aqd disorder, they occaaion mack uneasiness to peaceable minds. We are friendly citizena of the American Union, and the real desire we have for its welfare, opulence, aid splendour, makes us unwilling and exceedingly sorry to think, that aof nolent measures should be made use of, against the adherenta of any of our sister states ; especially the one that gave us existence, though now wishing to annihilate us. And what occasions in us excmdatit^ pain i^ that perhaps we may be drii-ento the necessity, unparalleled and nnasampled, or defending our rights and liberties against thoae, who ntAkng since, we have fought, bled and toiled together with, in the oommoa cause of American Inde|>endenoe, or otherwise become the ridienlo cf a whole world. This I hope, however, Qod will avert ; and that a lannion will take place on honourable, just, and equitable princijpki^ lacq>rocally so to each f>arty, is our sincere and ardent wish.

When wo remember the bloody engagements in which we hava fought together against the common enemy, the friendly, timely and mutual supports afforded between the State of C^rgia and the people of this country, it emboldens us to solicit you, sir, and through yon the dififerent branches of your govemmeiit, that you will be g^cioosly pleased to afford to the State of Franklin such of your countenance 'as ^ you may, from your wisdom and uprightness, think, from the nature of our cause, we may deserve, - in promoting the interest of our infiint republic, reconciling matters between us and tlie parent state, in such manner as you, in your magnanimity and justice, may think moat expedient, and the nature of our cause may dcHcrve.

Permit us to inform you that it is not the sword that can intimidate us. The rectitude o%Dur cause, our local situation, together with the spirit and enterprise of our countryjnen in such a cause, would inflama us with confidence and hopes of success. But when we reflect and call to mind the great number of internal and external enemies to American Independence, it makes us shudder at the very idea of such an incurahla evil, not knowing where the disorder might lead, or what part of tha body politic the ulcer might at last infect.

The nature of our cause we presume your Excellency to be sufficiently acquainted with. Only, we beg leave to refer you to tlie Cession act of North-Carolina, also the constitution of that govemment, wherein it

We cannot forbear mentioning, that we regard the parent state with paitioular affection, and will always feel an interest in whatever may «Mie«m her honour and prosperity, as independent of each other.

Franklin, 24th June, 1787. / Sir : - At the request of a number of respectable inhabitants of Virgiiiia, North-Carolina and Franklin, I am induced to write your honourmUe body, respecting the Tennessee lands, informing you that there is a hkrge number of the aforemenlioned people who, for some time past, have been at considerable expense, in order to equip themselves to beeome residents in that quarter, who have been led to behcve, from the tenor of your resolves, and the conduct of the Commissioners appointed fcr that business, that they, the people, might, with great propriety,' expect to become immediate settlers.

Permit me to inform your honourable body that we have every rea- to believe, that the making the aforesaid settlements would be of injBoite advantage to your state, and of much utility to the adventurers ; tod further, were that place inhabited, from the great advantages it would be to this state, I am confident that Franklin would give every neoeisary support to the inhabitants, that might be wanting to protect them from the ravages and depredations of any of the hostile tribes of fiyliMng^ which will, in a great measure, be effected, by erecting some garrisons on the frontier of our state, which we have lately resolved to 3ow We submit it to your wiser consideration, and myself, as one of

Jour Commissioners, shall be happy in rendering every exertion that the nty of my office may require, in compliance with your determinations,

JD^ar General : - l met with the Old State party on the 27th last month ; Tew of our side met, not having notice. I found them much more aompliable than I could have expected, except a few. I have agreed to ft. second conference, which is to be held at Jqnesboro^ the last day of thie month. You will please to give notice, to all those appointed by the lonvention, that may be within yoiir district, to be punctual in attending the time and place. I shall earnestly, look for you there, and as many 3Clier of our friends as can possibly attend, and I flatter myself somodiiDg for the good of the public may be effected.

* In the ** Columbian Magazine," for November, 1787, is Found the following extract of a letter from General Cocke be Migor Elholm, at Augusta, Georgia.

AoguBt 27, 1787. f GoL Tipton the other day appeared with a party of about fifty meUf of Bticfa as be could raise, under a pretence of redressing a quarrel that bad arisen between our sheriff and the sheriff of North'<Sux>hDa, tboush their prindpal view was, to put themselves in possession of our records. This conduct produced a rapid report, that they had made a prisoner of his Excellency, to carry him to North-Carolina, which caused two hundred men to repur immediately to the house of Col. Tipton, before they became sensible of the mistake, and it was only through the influence of his Excellency^ that the opposite party did not fall a sacrifice to our Franks. During this time, a body of about fifteen hundred veterans, embodied themselves to rescue their governor (as they thought) out of the hands of the North-Carolinians, and bring him back to the mountains - an instance that proves our citizens to have too noble a spirit to yield to slavery or to relish a national insult

Sir : - I had the honour to receive your favour of the 9th inst, by {he express. You are pleased to mention, that you are of opinion thiSt your Assembly will be favourably disposed towards this state. TliA measures entered into by your Executive, relating to our business, we are very sensible of, and the honour you thereby <k> us.

I have enclosed your Excellency copi^ of two letters from Colonek Robertsoil and Bledsoe, of Cumberland, wherein you will be informed of the many murders and ravages committed in that country by the Creeks. It is our duty and highly requisite in my opinion, that suck lawless tribes be reduced to reason by dint of the sword.

I am very sensible, that few of our governments are in a fit capacity for such an undertaking, and perha()s ours far less so than any other ; but, nevertheless, be assured, that we will encounter every difficulty to raise a formidable force to act in conjunction with the army of your state in case of a campaign.

We have lately received accounts from some gentlemen in Virginia, who generously propose to send a number of volunteers to our assistance. We snail cultivate their friendship, and I make no doubt but a conside^ able number may be easily raised in that quarter.

Our Assembly sat but a few days. The only business of importance done, was the making a provision for the defence of our frontier, by raising four hundred men, which is nearly completed. They are to be stationed in the vicinity of Chickamauga, and in case of actual operations against the Creeks this number will bo ready.

Our Assembly is to meet on the I7th of next month, at which time I shall do myself the honour of laying your despatches before that honourable body, who, I am happy to inform you, will be favourably disposed to render your state every assistance in their power, by making such ar Tangements as may be judged adequate to the business. Their de

Colonels Robertson And Bledsoe To Sevier. 80S

Sir : - ^By accounts from the Chickasaws, we are informed that at a haxtd Council held by the Creeks, it was determined, by that whole istioo, to do their utmost this fall to cut off this country, and we expect he Cherokees have joined them, as they were to have come in, some Ime ago, to make peace, which they have not done. Every circumstance eems to confirm this. The 5th day of July, a party of Creeks killed ^tain Davenport, agent for Georgia, and three men in the Chickasaw atioD - wounded three and took one prisoner, which the Chickasaws re not able to resent for want of ammunition.

The people are drawing together in large stations, and doing every bing necessary for their defence ; but, I fear, without some timely asstance, we shall chiefly fall a sacrifice. Ammunition is very scarce, nd a Chickasaw, now here, tells us, they imagine they will reduce our tation by killing all our cattle, etc., and starving us out. We expect, iom every account, they are now on their way to this country, to the umber of a thousand. I beg of you to use your influence in that yatitry to relieve us, which, I think, might be done by fixing a station mr the mouth of Elk, if possible, or by marching a body of men into Id Cherokee country, or in any manner you may judge beneficial. We ope our brethren in that country will not suffer us to be massacred by le savages, without giving us any assistance, and I candidly assure you lat never was there a time in which I imagined ourselves in more dan- «r.

Kentucky being nearest, we have applied there for some present but fear we shall find none in time. Could you now give us ny f I am convinced- it would have the greatest tendency to unite our yaoties, as the people will never forget those who are their friends in a me of such imminent danger.

I have wrote to General Shelby on this subject, and hope that no diision will prevent you from endeavouring to give us relief, which will e'ever gratefully remembered by the inhabitants of Cumberland, and onr most obedient bumble servant.

Sumner County, Aug. 5th, 1787. jDmt Sir : - ^When I had last the pleasure of seeing your Excellency, ! think you was kind enough to propose, that in case the perfidious Jldckamaugas should infest this country, to notify your Excellency, and foa would send a campaign against them without delay. The period las arrived that they, as I have good reason to believe, in combination nth the Creeks, have done this country very great spoil by murdering lumbers of our peaceful inhabitants, stealing our horses, killing our and hogs, and burning our buildings through wantonness, cutting Sown onr com, etc

I Am well aasured that the distress of the CShickainaiiga tribe m the onlj way this defeDoelese country will have quiet The militia bang Terr few, and the whole, as it were, a frontier, its inhabitants all shut op ID stations, and they, in general, so weakly manned, that in case of an iovaiHion, one is scarcely able to aid another, and the enemy daily in our eountry committing ravages of one kind*or other, and that of the moat aiivage kind. Poor Major Hall and his eldest son, fell a sacrifict to. their savage cruelty two days ago, near Bledsoe's lick. They have kilted about twenty-four persons in this country in a few montha, besidei numbers of others in settlements near it. Our dependence ia much thai your Excellency will revenge the blood thus wantonly shed.

Sir : - ^I have fortunately met with Mr. William Talbot, who is now on his way to youi^ state. I am happy to have it in my power to in^ Ibnn your Excellencv that the Legislature of this State has passed aa aot| authorizing the Executive to forward an lud to your assistance, conaisting of nine hundred men, together with several companiea, who at tar their assistance, from Virginia.

We flatter ourselves this force, with that from your state, will be mt fident to answer the wished for purpose. We now wait the determination of your state, and shall endeavour to comply with any reasonaUs request we may receive from your state towards carrying on a i^mj^g^^ in oonjnnction with you, against the Creek Indians. The Greeks, I sm told, have, in some measure, abated their hostilities at Cumberland. They have not done us any damage in this quarter as yet

While they were under consideration, Major Elholm wi invited to a seat in the Council, and was requested to far nish a projet of the military preparation necessary for tlB. conquest of the Creek nation, and the settlement of the Gre Bend of the Tennessee River. The plan he submitt^^^

' and advised, was to appropriate the Great Bend as hoxx^^^^^ ties, to the officers and soldiers employed in taking ai^^^ occupying it ; and that while they continued to maintain an^^^ protect their settlements, without expense to Georgia c::^ . Franklin, the inhabitants should pay no taxes for a term C^ years. In support of his plan. Major Elholm added, **I ar^-"^^ certain you may expect at least one thousand men froiC^ Franklin."

Further Foreign Embassies. M5

the Councily F. A. Ramsey, was . selected for that mission, k is tradition that he proposed to assume, on the part of the new government, the whole Continental debt of North-Carolina. At first his embassy met the favourable attention of the Legislature, but the failure to adopt the Federal ConstitatioD, then under discussion, produced delay, and the negotiation failed. After his project was acted on by the Council, Major Elholm made the following address.

and the Honourable Council : Moved with the liveliest sense of obligation, for your attention paid to the Franks, my constituents, I feel it the most pleasing task to so- Bdt, for a moment, to give the due thanks to the magnanimity of your

. We are prepared to move in concert with the operation of your mili- )Hfj forces, against our common enemy ; and for that purpose, a detach- OBont of upwards of a thousand men, well accoutred, now waits on your Caoellency's chief movements and command, with a reserve on occanoo, to increase said force, two thousand strong.

Sir : - Your obliging and very friendly letter I had the honour to -eoeive, and which was laid before the Executive Council. I have now, §r^ to return you, (in behalf of the supreme power of this state,) my rarmest thanks for your assiduity, as well as for the close attention you laTO paid mutually to the State of Georgia and the people of Franklin, mpressed deeply as w6 are, for the welfare of all those who have had intopeAdence enough to free themselves from British usurpation, we cannot Mt be mindful of the good people of Franklin, ^nd hope, ere long, the Hlorests of both will bo securely and lastingly cemented.

Permit me, now, sir, to wish you a safe return, and a happy sight of hi^ people by whom you were commissioned ; in which I am joined by be honourable the Executive.

Augusta, Nov. 12th, 1787. Svr .' - I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 30th August. The Assembly of the State are now fully persuaded that they risrer caahave a secure and lasting peace with the Creek Indians, till ftaj are well chastised, and severely feel the effects of war. They have piBied a law for raising three thousand men for that purpose, and have ioipowered the Executive to call for fifteen hundred men from Franklin, )b addition to that number ; which united force, 1 flatter myself, Will be fliore than adequate to chastise their insolence and perfidy. Major BUlolm takes with him the acts for raising the men, which will so fully infenn you on that matter, that I need not tooch on the snljeeL I ha;ve to request, that you will infonn me aB soon as poosibley if I may de-

Cnd on that number of troopsxfron^ Franklin ; ana what time they wiU ready to take the field, as I most ardently wish to have a speedy end Kt to Uie war. The Bend of Tennessee being allowed for your men, I tter myself, wiU give pleasure, and, as the bonn^ is given ibr fightbg our common enemy, will be, I am persuaded, thought generoua and liberal

Sir : - It afibrds me pleasure to congratulate you on the legislature of this state, and goverument, having teiken measures that, in my opiiiion, will prove extremely beneficial to Franklin, inasmuch as to evinoe to the Union that one of the members of it has full confidence in the valour and rectitude of the people and government thereof

When a people unite in common danger, and when a certain portiBn of the blood of each commonwealth engaged therein must be vpH, in the progress and events of a savage war, it will unite ftiendship, awake the feelings, and even hand to posterity a grateful remembrance of n«t transactions ; permit me, then, as an individual, to suggest the propnetf of the intended co-operation having for its basis a well-directed (awb, supported by energy, and conducted by talents and abilitiea. It is a cnsis by which a young people may rise in estimation, and I flatter my^ lel^ it will give tone to the name of Franks.

An officer of similar rank and powers, was directed to accompany Major Elholm, on his return from his Georgia «^ mission. The negotiation, with the management of which that .^ Commissioner had been entrusted, had been conducted with mt^ zeal and fidelity, and had resulted to the entire satisfactioi of the governor, the council, and those of the people Franklin, who still adhered to the declining fortunes that state. Despatches containing the proceedings at A^' gusta, and the alliance between the contracting parti^^ were forwarded by express to Governor Sevier. The in*>*^' ligence was hailed with acclamations of joy by his adherer^^ and was not unacceptable to that part of the people \v^^ had transferred, or were prepared to transfer, their allegiai^^ to the mother state. The object of the alliance - the cC^^^ quest of the Creeks, and the occupancy of the country bel<^^ . them on the Tennessee - accorded exactly with the mart^^, spirit of the western soldiery, and comported well with th^^' character and taste for adventure and enterprise. Small -^^ was their number, remote and inaccessible as was the the^' re for the contemplated campaign, difficulty and danger^ miy stimulated them to the undertaking, and they longed for be opportunity of carrying their victorious arms to the counry above Mobile. Rumours had reached them of the occlulioQofthe Mississippi, and they already cherished the design )f opening up by their own swords, a channel of commerce jrith the world, in despite of Federal indifference or foreign liplomacy and injustice.

If the people of Franklin rejoiced at the successful issue of Blholm's mission, it may be easily supposed that Governor SeTier received the intelligence with the highest gratificaion. He was too sagacious not to have observed, that the new riate was at the point of dissolution - the crisis was at hand nrfaich it could not probably survive. Elections had not been lolden of members for a succeeding session of the Franklin ikflSembly. His gubernatoriak term would expire in a few ihprt month - she was himself ineligible, and a successor srald be appointed only by a vote of the legislative bodies. Fhe only chance of preserving the integrity of his governlieiity was that the projected campaign woul^ silence the damoar of the malcontents, and restore harmony and conleit to the distracted members of his little republic. This lope was fallacious and illusory ; but the governqr*s per- 0Terance was indomitable, and he appealed at once to his joontrymeui and issued the circular which follows, to the olonel commandant of each county, and through them to the liaople.

A colonel, one thousand two hundred acres ; a lieutenant-colonel, one Aoinand one hundred ; a maior, one thousand ; a captain, nine hunlired; first-lieutenanl, eight hundred; second-lieutenant, seven hun- JtMd and tiij ; non-commissioned officers, seven hundred ; privates, well and accoutred, six hundred and fortj.

The Bend of Tennessee is reserved for the troops of Frankfin, vbiek is a desirable spot, and will be of great importance to this state. Ws are to have an additional bounty of fidy acres on every one hmdrai acres, in lieu of rations, and all other claims against the State of Gc«> gia, which maKss our proportion of lands amount to half mm m nch don as what is above allotted. A private man*s share, if be finda Uimd^ amounts to nine hundred and siity acres, and officer's in proportieo.

This great and liberal encouragement will, certainly, induce nmnboi to turn out on the expedition, which will not only be d<nng 8onietfaii| handsome for themselves, but they will have the honour of ssiiifi^ a very generous and friendly sister state to conquer and chastise an iasolent and barbarous savage nation of Indians.

I now request that you will, with the utmost despatch, canse m gm^ ral muster to be held in your county, and endeavour to get aa mtaj volunteers to enter into and engage in the aforesaid secviee, and under the above conditions, as is in your, power. You may, also, eneoonfi active persons to turn out and recruit ; and both yourself, and those thtf may recruit, to transmit to me, immediately after the general mnslK^ your numbers of recruited volunteers. If I am spared, I think to Ids the field once more, and wish we 9iay be able to march abont Chriitmas, if possible, for the sooner we march, the sooner the people caa return in time to put in their spring crops.

I congratulate you, and every true friend, on the success of our CSooimissioner in the State of Georgia, and am happy to inform yon that our situation as a state is now secure and on a permanent footingmuch occasioned by one of the members of the Union, through ner liberal and sisterly affecUon, having taken us by the hand, and notidng us as a people, of which you will be convinced by the copies, &&, accompanying this. The good peo])le in this country are under Ingh obligations to our trusty and worthy Commissioner, Uajor ElkdiBi whose acquaintance and abilities have enabled him to accomplish for us most desirable purposes.

I have not time to transcribe and send, for your's and the people's perusal, a copy, in .full, of the Georgia act, respecting Franklin, but hope the outlines, herein inserted, will be satisfactory. I also recommend that the recruiting officers might apply and take a copy for the aatisfaetion of those who may be inclined to enter into the service.

The State of Georgia has appointed Col. George Handley, a respectable character in that state, to attc^nd the State of Franklin in character of Commissioner. I expect bim in a few days, and shall be desirous of giving bim every information before his return. I recommend the inmrmation herein contained, through your patronage, to the people, who^ I hope, after seeing the great notice and respect shewn ttfem by the State of Georgia, in her application to us for our assistance, and the high confidence they place in the spirit and bravery of the people here, that they will be animated with the idea, that they are now capable of enn-

Miutia Of Franklin

Dg to the world that, like a young officer who first enters the field, they « competent, from their hravery and merit, to make themselves known id respected amongst the nations of the world ; and, though we have )t large cities and sea-ports, which generally sink into wealth and ixmj, by which means the ofl&pring dwindle into effeminacy and dispalion, yet, I hope, we shall always remain as happy, free and indeendent as any other people ; if not, sure I am, it will be our own adti and we ought never to be pitied.

Sir: - ^We now inform you, that we have a iust sense ef the good iQBtMHM of the pepple df Franklin towards this state ; and we are dl-persuaded, the information contained in your letter, when properly ire^ed, is such as will tend to the mutual welfare and prosperity r both.

We haTe the satisfaction to assure you, sir, that great progress is urie in our recruiting service. The regular troops will be marched into le Indian country, putting to death all who make opposition. Mercy Dl not be granted on any other terms than a total surrender of their ^btry and themselves.

'JkJl this, we assure you, would have happened, had not Congress, groeably to their act of the 26th of October, 1787, ordered one Com- ^Moner to be appointed from each of the states, North-Carolina, nith-Oarolina, and Georgia, to hold a treaty with the Indians, and we fW only suspend our operations till their determinations are known.

This letter is sufficiently explanatory of the delay in relying to Sevier, as well as of the cause of abandoning the xpedition. This delay, and the consequent disappointment I* the militia of Franklin, baffled the hope which the govirhor had cherished of harmonizing his people in support of he new government. The volunteers were restless, impaimt i^nd disappointed. Employment, suited to their taste - Uinger, with which habit had made them familiar - victory, irhich had ever followed them and their leader - conquest, idiich they never doubted - renown, which they deified - achievement which they idolized, and fame Ibr wkiek t^f sighed, had suddenly vanished and eluded 'their grasp. Not a word of censure was uttered against their gallant commas der-in-chiefy but the soldiery remained in sullen discontent at home.

During the disturbances in Franklin, and more particnlailj while Governor Sevier was recruiting an army to co-openti with Georgia in the invasion and subjugation of the Cnek Indians, some restles spirits in the country contemplated tin seizure of the Spanish posts at Mobile, Natchez and New- Orleans. It was well known, that by the stipulations of tin treaty at Pensacola, in 1784, the authorities of Spain consid> ered themselves bound to treat the Creeks as friends and alli«^ and that they furnished them supplies of ammunition, if th^ did not excite them to hostilities against the western settle ments. This engendered a feeling of resentment agaiiiM Spain, which was exasperated when Congress consented to deliberate upon the proposal of Mr. Jay to surrender, ton a term of years, the right of navigating the Mississippi river. It is not strangp that, under these circumstances, the weslen people should consider the Spaniards and Creeks alike ai enemies to them and to their interests ; nor that they shooU agitate the subject of redressing their grievances and maintaining their rights, by their own arms. This subject was agitated in Franklin, and one of the agents of North-Carolina, in criminating the new government, took occasion to impute to Governor Sevier designs unfriendly to the Union. At this conjuncture it was, that a letter came into the posses* sion of the Federal authorities, pointing out unequivocally machinations and designs against Spain on the part of Franklin. The letter alluded to, was written Sept 24, 1767, from Charleston, South-Carolina, b>^ohn Sullivan, and was addressed to Major Brown, late of the Maryland artillery. The writer, speaking of the Tennessee River, said : '* There will be work for you in that country. I want you much. Take my word for it, we will be speedily in possession of New -Orleans." This letter, written about the time the Legislature of Franklin contemplated and authorized the erection of garrisons in the Bend of Tennessee, and at the time, too, when the alii- ance was matured between them and Georgia, alarmed the Federal Government, then negotiating with Spain. The War Office at once directed General Harmar to institute the strictest enquiry into the subject. No formal conspiracy could be detected. Those engaged in it, were probably too few, and the embarrassments nearer home too pressing, to allow the execution of their plans, which, under other circumstances, they could have easily effected. Cumberland, Kentucky and the whole West, could have co-operated in preventing the occlusion of the Mississippi River against their commerce. The inhabitants left the subject to the negotiation . of the ' Federal Government, and chose not to disturb its foreign relations.

Having thus presented in detail the foreign affairs of the State of Franklin, we return to its domestic transactions. Pending the negotiations for obtaining auxiliaries from abroad, the new government was every day losing an adherent at home, who, by transferring his allegiance to North- Carolina, sensibly diminished the influence atid authority of Sevier. In 1787, there scarcely remained in thfi. Commonwealth of Franklin vitality enough to give it a nominal existence ; its substance and strength were absorbed into the Carolina Regime^ and the pangs of political annihilation having thus come, little more was left of the skeleton of the government, than its head. That still, under all the debility which affected the body, retained its wonted vitality and vigour. The Council of State had participated in the general disaffection, and some of its members had accepted office under North-Carolina, while others had failed to meet their colleagues in the Board, or had formally withdrawn from it. The judiciary, in its highest department, was annihilated by the election of Judge Campbell to a seat in the Tarborough Legislature, by which he was soon after appointed Judge of the Superior Court for the District of Washington, at Jonesboro\ The Legislature of Franklin suffered also from the prevalent disintegration, and manifested a strong tendency to dismemberment. From some of the old counties there was no representation, while the delegates from others exhibited indecision or discordance. In September, of this year^ a qoomm was got together, aod constitated, at 6reeiMmlle» the last session of the Legislature of Franklin. Of this body, John Menifee was Speaker of the Honse of Representatives! and Charles Robinson, Speaker of the Senate. Their legislation was chiefly confined to unimportant amendments of the laws of North-Carolina. ' The Governor was soaroely able to secure the passage of an act, to provide ways, and means to carry into effect his negotiation with Greorpav and for descending the Tennessee River with his troops^ and ta* king possession of its Great Bend. This bQl was passed fay a compromise. The quid pro quo given to tlie dissentient^ was the appointment of two delegates, to attend the Logjislature of North-Carolina, to make such representatioas. of the affairs of Franklin as might be thought proper. Under this final adjustment, Jtidge Campbell and Landon CaxMr were elected delegates - the former of whom, as has bee» already stated, was, at the same time, a member of the Tai^ borough Assembly. The Gceeneville Legidature also pnssed an act, creating a land oflEice in Franklin, with a provisUm^ that peltry should be taken by the Entry-taker instead of money.

It is not known that the State of Franklin issued grants for lands. It had acquired by treaty with the Oherokees, the country south of French Broad, and west of Pigeon. It is probable that only incipient measures were adopted for appropriating it to specific purchasers. Each county had its Entry-taker's office, and its Surveyor.

Whbrias, James Raddle hath paid into the Entfy-taker^s Office of thk C!ounty, ten Bhillings, . for one hundred acres of land in said County ; you are hereby required to receive his location for the same, and to lay oS and survey the above quantity of land, and make return thereof to the Secretary's Office, agreeable to law.

which the partizan and rival conflicts, of the respective officers of the old and new jurisdiction, exposed them. It is tradition, that one of the married daughters of Governor Se« vier concealed them, on one occasion, in a cave. A portion of the Docket of Washington County Court, now before this writer, seems to have undergone such an exposure. From one of its mutilated pagos, he is able to decipher :

^ On motion being made by the Attorney for the State^ and at the same time exhibited a handbill containing an ' Address to the Inhabitants of Frankland State,' under the signature of a citizen of the same, the Court, upon the same being read publicly in open Court, adjudged it to contain treasonable insinuations against the United States, and false, QBgenerous reflections against persons of distinction in the Ecolesiastio department, fraught with falsehood, calculated to alienate the minds of their citizens from their government, and overturn the same.

''Upon mature deliberation, the Court condemned said handbill to be publicly, burned by the High Sheriff of the Connty, as .a treasonable, wicked, false, and seditious libel.*

The defection had, in the meantime, extended further, and egdbraced the State Council. Its members were the last to yield to the force of that current in public affairs, which but too plainly they saw, was now setting against Franklin. They all continued the faithful and steadfast friends of Sevier. Bat the legislature, session after session, became smaller and smaller, and confining its action to subjects of immediate importance and urgency, failed to elect the State Council, and the Grovernor was left ** alone in hi^ glofy." Some of the old Board, though no longer his constitutional advisers, dissuaded him from further effort to perpetuate the new government, and advised him to yield to the necessity which portended its fate, and threatened to overwhelm its Executive. Vestige after vestige of Franklin was obliterated ; its judiciary was gone ; its legislature reduced to a skeleton ; its council effete, defunct, powerless ; its military disorganixed, if not discordant ; and its masses confused and distntcted, with no concert and unanimity among themselves.