Franklin Township (part 16 of 19)

** On the 2l8t of April, 1794, Anthony Bledsoe, son of Colonel Anthony Bledsoe, and Anthony Bledsoe, son of Colonel Isaac Bledsoe, were killed and scalped by Indians near a stone quarry, near the house of Searcy Smith, in Sumner county ; at the same time, two horses and a negro fellow were taken ftom Mr. Smith's wagon.

''On the 29th of May, 1794, in the absence of General Robertson, Colonel Winchester was ordered to keep up the allowed number of iioops on the frontiers. On the 11th of June, they killed Mrs. Gear within four miles of Nashville. Captain Gordon followed the Indians on their retreat upwards of ninety miles, killed one of them and lost one of his party, R#bert McRory. He overtook them at the foot of Cumberland Mountain, near the place where Caldwell's bridge now is. Ci4)tain Gordon was a brave and active officer, distinguished through lifo for a never failing presence of mind, as well as for the purest integrity and independence of principle ; he had much energy both of mind ud body, and was in all, or nearly all the expeditions from Tennessee, which were carried on against the Indians or other enemies of the country, and in all of them was conspicuous for these qualities. He now

^'On the 6th of July, 1794, Isaac Mayfield was killed by Indians within five miles of Nashville. He was standing sentinel for his son-inlaw while he hoed his corn, and got the first fire at the Indians ; but there being from twelve to fifteen of them, and very near to him, ho oould not escape. Eight balls penetrated his body ; he was scalped, a n^w English bayonet was thrust through his face, and two bloody tomahawks left near his mangled body. He was the sixth person of his name who had been killed or captured by the Creeks and Cherokees. Major Oeorge Winchester was killed and scalped by the Indians, near Major Wilson^ in the District of Mero, on the public road leading from his own house to Sumner Court House ; he was a Justice of the reaoe, and was on his way to Court; ho was a valuable citizen, and a good dvil and military officer.**

Joseph Brown, during the summer of this year, accompa- 1794 \ ^^^^ ^ detachment that went on a scout to the head I of Elk. While there. Col. Roberts expressed a wish to cross the mountain, to ascertain whether a road could be found by which to reach the Tennessee at Nickajack. Brown believed it possible ; and he, Joshua Thomas, and Big Elisha Green, volunteered to go with Roberts on the hazardous enterprise. They found no difficulty in crossing the mountain, and went on down Battle Creek to the river bottom, and up by Lowry's Island, and nearly opposite to Nickajack, and returned ; after walking nearly all night, they were ascending the mountain by sunrise next morning, and crossed it that evening on their homeward march.*

This discovery of a practicable route to Nickajack for horsemen, had its influence, a short time afterwards, when the romantic expedition to that place was undertaken.

By the renewed attacks from the banditti Indians, in the five Lower Towns on the Tennessee, upon both extremes of the Territory, the minds of the people became ulcerated in the highest deforce against the Government. They complained to Governor Blount, who, althougl4 sympathizing in their suiferings, felt himself restricted by the orders of the Secretary of War, from authorizing an invasion of the Indian villages from which the mischief proceeded. One of these orders, considered as prohibitory of any oflensive mca- sures, was in these words : - "With respect to destroying the Lower Towns, however vigorous such a measure might be, or whatever good consequences might result from it, I am instructed specially, by the President, to say that he does not consider himself authorized to direct any such measure, moiPe especially as the whole subject was before the last session of Congress, who did not think proper to authorize or direct offensive operations." This order, dated the 29th of July, 1794, reached the Governor, and its contents were communicated to the people in the midst of the frequent attacks made upon their lives and property in August. Patience, under such provocations, had ceased to be a virtue, and longer forbearance was considered only as a license for renewed outrage and cruelty. The people determined to protect themselves, and to adopt the only measures which would render their protection permanent and effectual. They resolved to invade the towns, and retaliate upon their savage inhabitants the injuries they had so long suffered from them.

Some concert was necesrsary to bring to the proposed expe^ dition a sufficient force to make it at once short and successful* An appeal was, therefore, made to the martial spirit of Kentucky, to aid the people of the Territory in punishing an enemy, from whom, they too, had been common sufferers. Colonel Whitley, of that state, was prevailed upon, through Sampson Williams, to enter into the scheme. He agreed to bring to the Cumberland settlements, against a day designated, such troops as he could raise. Colonel -Ford levied troops in that part of the country between Nashville and Glarkesville. These constituted a company, which was commanded by Captain Miles, and marched to the appointed rendezvous at the block-house, two miles east of Buchanan's. Colonel John Montgomery brought a company from Clarkesville to the place of meeting, and General Robertson, who had long before advised the expedition, raised volunteers for it from Nashville and its neighbourhood.

In the meantime^ Major Ore, of Hamilton District, had been detached, by Governor Blount, with a command of men for the protection of the frontiers of Mero District, and opportunely came with them to Nsishville, at the moment the other troops were coneentrating there. Learning the object of the meditated expedition, he entered heartily into the project^ and marched his command to the rendezvous. His troops, alone, had been levied by public authority, and to give pretext for the expedition, and a colonr of a claim fbr .pay of the men, and the outfit and equipments furnished from the public stores of the General Government, Migor Ore as* somed the command, and it was generally called ** Ore's Expedition.'' Colonel Whitley, soon after, arrived ait the rendesvous, when it was agre^ that he should have the chief command of the whole. Colonel Montgomery was elected commander of the troops raised in the Territory. The order for the march was, however, given to Mi^or Ore, as commander of the expedition, to whom Greneral Robertsdn gave

Mb^ Ore : - The olgect of your oommsnd is, to defend the Distriet of ICero agaimt the Creeks and Cherokees of the lowit Towns, whidi I have received information, is about to invade it, as ako to ponidi souk Indians as have committed recent depredations.

For these objects, you will march, with the men under your command, fipom Brown's Block-honse, on the eighth instant, and proceed along Tsflot's Race, towards the Tennessee ; and if you do not meet this party before you arrive at the Tennessee, you will pass it, and destroy the Lower Cherokee Towns, which must serve as a check to the expected invaders ; taking care to spare women and children, and to treat all prisoners who may utU into your hands, with humanity, and thereby teach those savages to spare the citizens of the United States, under similar drcum* stances.

Should you, in your march, discover the trails of Indians returning from the commission of recent depredations on the frontiers, which can generally be distinguished by the horses stolen being shod, you are to give pursuit to such parties, even to the towns from whence they come, and punish them for their agressions in an exemplary manner, to the terror of others from the commission of similar offences, provided this can be consistent with the main object of your command, as above expressed, the defence of the District of A^ro against the expected party of Creeks and Cherokees.

Asmt 0B088Bs Thb Tehmbabsb

Spring; thence, crossing Elk, at Caldwell's Bridge and Cumberland Mountain, they reached the Tennessee, about three miles below the mouth of Sequachee. It was night when the troops arrived ht the river, and most of them remained upon its bank till daylight ; though, in their eager^ ness for retaliation, a few went across before it was light. The river there is nearly three-quarters of a mile wide. The horses were left, with a part of the men, on the north side. Some troops formed rafts of dry cane and other light material, at hand, and went over dry, while others crossed over without any such assistance. Of these, were Joseph Brown and William Trousdale, since Governor of Tennessee, and a United States General in the Mexican War. The former was then a grown man, and had fulfilled, to the letter, the prediction of the old Indian woman, who had, five years before, warned the confederates, ^Hhat if he was not killed then, he would soon be grown, and would get away and pilot an army there, and have them all cut ofi*." He had been the pilot, and with Fendlestone, did conduct the troops along the route, unknown to any of them, and though disabled, from a wound through his shoulder, which was still discharging pieces of exfoliated bone, he, with one hand, swam across the river, and was among the first to reach its southern bank.

As soon as the troops had crossed, and were collected together, they marched up the mountain, between the point of which and the river, stood the town of Nickajack. A mile higher up the river, after passing through a very narrow strait formed by the river on one side, and the mountain jutting into and projecting over it on the other, they came to a spacious plain of low lands, on which stood another town called Running Water. They penetrated into the heart of Nickajack before they were discovered, and first alarmed the Indians by the report of their guns.

Nickajack was a small town, inhabited by two or three hundred men and their families. The army killed in their town a considerable number of warriors. Some of the Indians endeavoured to make their escape in canoes, to the other side of the river, but were fired upon, and men, women and children perished in the deathful havoc. Some were

Ulkd in the cancel, eome jumped into the water and at* tempted to swim off ; but before they eoold get to a eecore diitance, were killed by the firing of the troopsi who followed aifter them so closely, as to be at the river nearly as soon as the Indians themselves. Eighteen were taken prisoners - two boys, fiikeen girls and one woman. A grea;fc number of the enemy were killed, amongst. whom wens fifty-five warriors* Both towns were reduced to ariies.

When the Indians in the other town, called Running Wup ter, heard the firing below, they repaired instantly to the {dace of action, and met their terrified brethren retreating to their town. From the place of meeting they began to reCam, but made a stand at the narrow pass before deaeribed, placing Aemselves behind the rocks, and open the mdes of the mountain ; here they kept np a: .running fire, when the Ootttberland troope came up.

; ^Tfae troops were landed a Uttle belbte day. At daylight dMy fell into ranksi and were counted by Captain Joha Go^- don, and the exact number who had crossed over waa aaeertained to be two hundred and sixty^five.'' At the back of Nickajaok field, the men were formed into line of battle among the cane. Col. Whitley was on the right, and struck above the mouth of the creek that rose in the field. Col. Montgomery was on the right of the troops from the Territory. Orders were given for the two wings to march, so as to strike the river above and below the towns. On the march, two houses were found, standing out in the field, and about two hundred and fifty yards from the town. Expecting that from these houses their approach would be discovered by the Indians, the troops were here directed to push with all speed to the ^wn. The com was growing close up to and around the houses. Near the house on the left the firing commenced, and was returned by the Indians, one of whom was here killed. From one of the houses already mentioned, a plain path was seen, leading to the town. William Pillow got into it, and ran rapidly along it till he reached the commons. Perceiving that he had got in advance of such of the troops as had come through the corn field. Pillow halted till others had come up. The march or run was then continued by the doors of the houses, which were all open. The Indians, at the report of the first gan, had run off to the bank of the river. The troops pursued the leading way to the landing. Here they saw five or six large canoes^ stored with goods and Indians, and twenty-five or thirty warriors standing on the shore, near the edge of the water. At these Pillow fired, and soon after him a whole platoon sent a volley of rifie balls, from the effect of which scarce a single Indian escaped alive. A few by diving, and others by covering themselves over in the canoes with goods, escaped and got out of reach of the rifies.

About the same time the havoc took place at the landing below. Col. Whitley attacked the Indians above the mouth of the Creek. They were not more than a gun-shot apart

Fifteen men had been directed to stop near the two houses, in the corn field, and way-lay them until the firing had taken place in the town. When the report of the rifles was heard, this detachment attacked the houses. A squaw had remained outside to listen. A fellow came to the door and was shot down. Those vrithin drew him inside and closed the door, leaiHng the squaw on the outside. She attempted to escape by flight, but after a hard chase, she was taken prisoner. The warriors within, made holes through the wall, and made a desperate defence. The squaw taken prisoner was carried up to the town, and placed among the other prisoners in canoes. As they were taking them down the river, to the crossing place, the squaw loosed her clothes, sprang head foremost into the river, disengaging herself artfully from her clothes and leaving them floating upon the water. She swam with great agility, and was rapidly making her escape. Some hallooed shoot her - shoot her. But others, admiring her energy^ her activity, and her boldness, replied, ** she is too smart to kill," and allowed the heroine to to escape.

After the troops got on the mountain, on the other side of the town, Joseph Brown was sent back with twenty men to head and intercept the Indians, at the mouth of the creek below the town, when the main body of the assailants should have driven the enemy to that point. This he effected sueaessfaUy, though his return was resisted the whole way dowOf about a quarter of a mile, by the constant fire of the Indians. Brown and his men guarded the month of the ereek, - while the troops above were killing and capturing thoee be- - tween.the two parties. When Brown met the main body, he inquired if they had taken any. prisoners^ and was immpdiately conducted to a house in which a number of them had been fastened up. When he came to its door he was ,at once recognized by the captives, who appeared to be honor stricken - remembering, no doubty that they had murdend his people in the same town, five years before. At lengdi, . one of them ventured te speak to him, reminding Brown that his life had been spared by them, and importuning him now to plead in their behalf. He quieted her apprehension, by remarking that these were white people, who did n^t kill women and children. Her answer was, ^O see skinney CSolanooney I** ** Oh, that is good news for the wretched P

These land pirates had supposed their town^ to be inacoessible, and were reposing af their ease, in conscious seen- . vity, up to the moment when, under the guidance of Brown, ' the riflemen burst in upon them and dispelled the illusion. ^ Where did you come from ?" said one of the astonished prisoners to Brown ; '* did you come from the clouds ? or did you sprout out of the ground 7" '^ We have not come from the clouds,*' answered Brown, ** but we can go any where we please. We did not wish to kill the Indians, but you have forced that sad necessity upon us.''

The number of the killed was greater than that given by Haywood, from which this account is principally copied. Many of the Indians who escaped to the river, would dive and swim under the water, but when they would rise again above it, the unerring aim of the rifles from the shore would reach their head, neck and shoulders, and thus they were destroyed, though they were not taken into the estimate of the slain at the battle. Brown conversed with a chief afterwards at Tellico Block-house, who informed him, their loss on that occasion was seventy.

mand. His judgment in planning the attack on Nicksgacky and his good conduct generally on the campaign^ impressed those who witnessed it favourably.*

CoL Whitley adopted a new mode of warfare. *' He mounted a swivel upon his own riding horse, so that he could wheel and fire in what direction he pleased. The balls provided were wrought iron.f Some of the men crossed the river on faflst made of dry cane, which had been found and gathered by torch light. William and Gideon Pillow, being excellent swimmers, were selected to carry the raft of their mess across the river« The former held a rope attached to the raft in his teeth, and swam and pulled his craft, and its cargo of guns, shot*bags and clothes, after him, while Gideon and another comrade swam behind and pushed it."

Jasper Pillow, the ancestor of the family, emigrated from England and settled in the colony of Virginia, about 1740. He had three sons, John, Jasper and William, all of whom were soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and continued in the service to its glorious termination, at Yorktpwn.

John Pillow emigrated to Cumberland in 1784. His wife was Miss Johnston, whose five brothers were soldiers of 1776. John Pillow settled near Nashville, where, with his two sons, William and Gideon, he encountered all the hardships, and perils, and privations of frontier life, and of constant conflict with the various Indian tribes, which, to the close of his life, infested and devastated the country.

Gideon Pillow, the father of Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, late of the United States Army, in Mexico, was an active soldier in the expedition against Nickajack, and swam the Tennessee River in the celebrated capture of that Indian fortress.

In the further Annals of Tennessee, Col. William Pillow will be frequently mentioned as a gallant oflicer under Gen. Jackson, at Taladega, and as a quiet, unobtrusive citizen, as amiable in private life as he was vigilant in camp and courageous in battle.

Ifae Tennessee, and in whioh theyy with the wsrrioni of Leekout Moantain and Will's Town, had heartily <taMoperated for yean past ; boasting of their perfect seoarity, not less from their situation, protected as it was by moantainB- on Aree sides and the river on the north, than from the notnber and desperate oharacter of their warriors.

'- This battle was fought on the thirteenth of September. On the evening of the same day, the vietorions troops !»> orossed the Tennessee, and joined such of their cdmrades as liad remained with the horses on the northern bank. Nest aoming th^ took up the line of march homewardt and camped that night on the mountain, the next tiight at tiHi erossing of Elk, near the place where Caldwell's Bridge now is. The next day they came by Fennison's Spring, and to a place since known asPnrdie's Garrison. The next day to Hart's Spring, on the north side of Steele's Greek, and the next day to Nashville, where the volunteers werq dis* banded. M%)or Ore returned immediately to Knoxville, and made to the Gouemor the following report e

Sir : - On the Beventh instant, by order of General RobertBon, of Heio- District, I marched from Nashville, with five hundred and fifty mounted in&ntry under my command, and pursued the trace of the Indians who had committed the latest murders in the District of Mero, and of the party that captured Peter Tumey's negro woman, to the Tennessee. I crossed it on the night of the twelfth, about four miles below Nickajack, and, in the morning of the thirteenth, destroyed Nickajack and the Runxung Water, towns of the Gherokees. The first being entirely sur- Tounded, and attacked by surprise, the slaughter was /rreat, but cannot be accurately reported, as many were killed in the Tennessee. Nine* teen women ana children were made prisoners at this town. The Running Water town being only four mQes above Nickajack, the news of the attack upon the latter reached the former before the troops nnder my conamand, and resistance was made to save it at a place called the Narrows ; but, after the exchange of a few rounds, the Indians posted at that place gave way, and the town was burnt vrithout further opposition, with all the effects found therein, and the troops under my command recrossed the Tennessee the same day. From the best judgment that could be formed, the number of Indians killed at the two towns must have been upwards of fifty, and the loss sustained by the troops under my command, was one lieutenant and two privates wounded.

Miokajack Bzpsditiom

hostile towns of the Cherokees. Nickajaek was not less hostile, but inferior in point of numberB. At Nickajack were found two fresh scalps, which had lately been taken at Cumberland, and several that were old were hanging in the houses of the warriors, as trophies of war ; a quantity of ammunition, powder and lead, lately arrived there from the Spanish Government, and a commission for the Breath, the head- man of the town, who was killed, and sundry horses, and other articles of property, were found, both at Nickajack and the Running Water, which were known by one or other of the militia to have belonged to different people, killed by Indians, in the course of the last twelve months.

The prisoners taken, among whom was the wife and child of Richard Finnelson, my pilot, informed me, that, on the fourth instant, sixty Creeks and Lower Cherokees passed the Tennessee, for war against the frontiers. They also informed, that two nights before the destruction of Running Water, a scalp dance had been held in it, over the scalps lately taken from Cumberland, at which were present, John Watts, the Bloody Fellow, and the other chiefs of the Lower Towns, and at which they determined to continue the war, in conjunction with the Creeks, with more activity than heretofore, against the frontiers of the United States, and to erect block-houses at each of the Lower Towns, for their defence, as advised by the Spanish Government

The prisoners also informed, that a scalp dance was to be held in two nights, at Red-headed Will's town, a new town, abont thirty miles lower down the Tennessee.

The iDvasion and destruction of the Lower Town^, was not only not authorized by the Federal authorities, but, as has been seen, was prohibited by the instructions of the Secretary of War to Gov. Blount. The latter felt it, therefore, liis duty to enquire of General Robertson, the reasons for "which he had issued the order under which Major Ore acted. General Robertson, soon after, explained to Gov. Blount the reasons which had induced him to order Ore to pursue the Indians. He writes under date - >

Nashville, October 8th, 1794. Sir : - I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the second instant. Enclosed you have a copy of my order to Major Ore, of the sixth of September ; my reasons for giving it, were, that I bad receieved two expresses from the Chickasaws, one by Thomas Brown, a man of as much veracity as any in the nation, the other by a common runner, giving information, that a large body of Creeks, with the Cherokees of the Lower Towns, were embodying, with a determination to invade the District of Mero ; and not doubting my information, I con- ouved,ifMajorOre did not moet this Invading army of Creeka and CbeMkeea, as I expected, that it could not be considtred otherwise this defensive to alrike the first blow on the Lower Towns, and thereby cbedt them in their luiviUice ; nor could I suppose that the pursuing of parties of Indians, who had recently committed mnrders and thefts, to tba lowus from whence they came, and there striking them, could be conaidered as an offensive meAsuro, unauthorized b^ the usage of nations in such cases. It cannot be necessary to add aa a justification, the long r*- giated, and, I might aay, almost daily sufferings of the people of the iatrict of Mero, by the hands of the Creeks and Cherokees of the Lower Towns. The destruction of the towns by Major Ore, was on tbe thirteenth of September. On tbetwelflb, in Tennessee county, Miss Roberta iras killed on Red Hiver, forty miles below Nashville ; and on tbe (onrteenth, Thomas Reasons and wife were killed, and their house plundered, near the eame pl4ce, by the Indians. On tbe sixteenth, in Davidson county, twelve miles above Nashville, another party killnd

Donnelaon'e Station, and carried oft' sundry horses ; and in Sumner tKtanty, on the eamo day, a tbird party of Indians killed a woman on Bed River, near Major Sharp's, about forty milea northeast of Nashville, and curried off several horses. This proves that three separate and di»- tinct parties of Indians were out for war against the District of Meto, b«R>re the march of Major Ore from Nashville.

If I have erred, I ehall ever regret it; to be a good dtijMn, obedient to the law, is my greatest pride ; and to execute the duties of the commisaion vith which the President baa been pleased to honour me, in such a manner as to meet his approbation, and that of my superiors in rank, has ever been tny most f.'fveiit wish. Previous Ui the march of Major Ore from Nashville, CoL Whitley, with about one hundred men, anived tiiere, from EenUieky, sning they had followed a party of iDdiau who had committed depredations on tbe aoutbem frontier of that country ; that, in the pursuit, they had had a man killed by the Indiana, and several horses taken, and that they were determined to pursue to tlie Lower ' Town. They were attached to Major Ore's command, which augmented tbe number to upwards of five hundred and tifty men. Encloaod it a «op^ of a letter to John Watta ; and, from my experience in In^an afiaira, I have my hopee, that, from the scourging Majw Ore htm given the Lower Cherokees, we shall receive leas injury from t}mm than heretofore.

Conscious that he had pursued the best policy, in hiTsding the hostile villages on the Tennessee, General Robertson, soon after their destruction, wrote to John Watts, Chief of the Cherokees, and intimated pretty plainly that another expedition might soon become necessary, if prisoners among the Cherokees were not surrendered and assurances of peace given.

volanteer expedition going through and from the Territory, against the Indians on its southern border. Governor Blount Communicated that information to the Secretary of War, and also an account of the measures he deemed it necessary to adopt on that subject.

" On the 24th of October, 1Y94, a party of Indians fired upon John Leiper and another man, near the house of the former, on the east fork of Red River, in Tennessee county. On the 6th of November, 1794, a party of fifty Indians, on the waters of Red River, in Tennessee county, fell ' upon the families of Colonel Isaac Titsworth and of his brother, John Titsworth, and killed and scalped seven white persons, wounded a negro woman, and took prisoners a white man, three children and a negro fallow, and also a daughter of Colonel Titsworth. Pursuit was given by the neighbouring militia, and the Indians, discovering their approach, tomahawked the three children and scalped them, taking off the whole skins of their heads. The white man and the negro fellow they either killed or carried off, together with the daughter. These murders were imputed to the Creeks.''^

Colonel Valentine Sevier had removed west of Cumberland Mountain, and built a station near Clarkesville. This the Indians attacked. An account of the assault is copied from bis letter to his brother,' General Sevier, dated -

Dwar Brother : - The news from this place is desperate with me. On Tnesday, 11th of November last, about twelve o'clock, my station was attacked by about forty Indians. On so sudden a surprise, they were in Ernest every house before they were discovered. All the men belonging to the station were out, only Mr. Snider and myself. Mr. Snider, Betsy his wife, his son John and my son Joseph, were killed in Snider^s house. I saved Snider, so the Indians did not get his scalp, but shot and tomahawked him in a barbarous manner. They also killed Ann . Sang and her son James, and scalped my daughter Rebecca. I hope ahe will still recover. The Indians have killed whole families about here this fall. You may hear the cries of some persons for their friends dttly.

^ The engagement, commenced by the Indians at my house, continued about an hour, as the neighbours say. Such a scene no man ever witnessed before. Nothing but screams and roaring of guns, and no man to assist me for some time. The Indians have robbed all the goods out of every house, and have destroyed all my stock. You will write our ancient father this horrid news ; also my son Johnny. My health is much impaired. The remains of my family are in good health. I am so distressed in my mind, that I can scarcely write. Your affectionate brother, till death.

^^On the 27th of November, 1704, a partf of Indians killed and scalped Colonel John Montgomery, and wounded Julius Saunders with four balls, and Charles Beatty through the arm, on the north-western frontier of Tennessee county. And on the 20th, another party of Indians, on the northern frontiers of Sumner county, killed and scalped John Lawrence, William Hains, and Michael Hampton, and wounded a fourth, whose name was not reported. On the 20tn of December, were killed and scalped by Indians, on Harpeth River, Hugh Tetpin, of Sumner county, then late colonel of Orange county in North-Carolina, and John Brown and William Grimes.

*^ On the 5th of January, 1705, Elijali Walker, one of the mounted in&ntry on duty for the defence of Mero District, acting as a spy on the firontiers, was kiUed by Indians, twelve miles south of Naahvilie. On the 5th of March, a party of Indians, supposed to be Creeks, at Joslin^ Station, seven miles from Nashville, fired upon Thomas Fletcher, Enkiel Balding, and his brother, a lad, wlio were at work in their field; wounded the two first with balls through their bodies, knocked down the third with a war club, broke his skull bone, and skinned the whole of his head. On the 14th, a man was killed by the Indians, within fit6 miles of Nashville. On the 5th of June, old Mr. Peyton was killed, and a negro, belonging to Mr. Parker, wounded dangerously in a field of Mrs. Bledsoe, near Bledsoe*s Lick, by Indians."*

The exceedingly long catalogue of Indian outrages and aggressions upon the frontier of Mero and Hamilton Districts, and the account of the spirited manner in which the inhabitants so successfully repelled them, could have been indefinitely extended. A volume could be filled with these already detailed, and those which have been necessarily omitted. For fourteen years, constant warfare existed on Cumberland, without even a temporary abatement. On the other side of the mountain, the condition of the inhabitants was little better, for the same period. In each section of the country there were unremitted oflfences on the part of the Indians, and persevering vigilance, enterprise and intrepidity by the frontier people. No part of the West - no part of the world - suffered more, or resisted nr.ore bravely or more successfully, than the frontiers of Tennessee.

The Etowah campaign, penetrating, as it did, to the most southern towns of the Cherokees, and the splendid victory of the Cumberland troops at Nickajack and Running Water Town, broke the spirit of the Indians and disposed them to peace.

Territorial Lboiblatuxb Mbbts

Little mischief was afterwards done till the approaching war with England, in 1812, again stimulated into life their passion for war, and revived their almost extinguished hope of even yet resisting the wave of civilization which threatened their expulsion from the land of their fathers or the extinction of their tribes.

S habitants in the Territory had so far augmented as to entitle them to a Territorial Assembly and Legislative Council, as provided for in the Ordinance of 1787. Satisfactory evidence had been presented to Governor Blount, that more than five thousand free males resided in his Territory, and he, therefore, authorized an election to be held for representatives of the people on the third Friday and Saturday of December, 17d3.

** Two from each of the counties of Washington, Hawkins, Jefferson and Knox ; and one from each of the counties of Sullivan, Greene, Tennessee, Davidson and Sumner ; the elections to be conducted under the regulations prescribed by the election laws of North-Carolina ; and the letaming officers were directed to certify the names of the elected to the Secretary's office, at KnoxviUe, as soon as migbt*be. On the 22d and 23d of December, elections were held accordingly in all the countles of the Territory, and the people elected Alexander Kelly and John Baird, for the oounl^ of Knox ; George Doherty and Samuel Weir, for Jefferson ; Joseph Hardin, for Greene ; Leeroy Taylor and John Tipton for Washin^n ; George Rutledge, for Sullivan, and William Cocke and Joseph McMinn, for Hawkins ; James White, for Davidson ; David Wilson for Sumner, and James Ford for Tennessee.

*^ No sooner were the elections over, than, by a proclamation, issued on the 1st of January, 1704, the Governor appointed the Assembly to meet at Knoxville, on the 4th Monday of Feb. 1794. The Assembly, on the day appointed, convened at KnoxviUe, and appointed David Wilson, Esq., their Speaker, and Hopkins Lacy, Esq., then* Clerk. And it is to be considered as an auspicious omen of the future prosperity of their young empire, that they laid its foundations in piety to God. On the next day the members, preceded by the Governor and the Speaker, went in procession to the place of worship, where the Reverend Mr. Carrick, alter offering up an appropriate prayer, preached to them from these wordA in the epistle of Paul to Titus : * In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the worid began : but hath in due time manifested his word through preaching ; which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.'

" They elected ten persons, out of whom five were to be chosen by Congress, as the Legislative Council ; they appointed a committee to draft an address to the Governor, which was drawn accordingly and approved o^ in which they strongly recommend some offensive mea-

Bum, oould they be retorted to, otherwiee thai defearive onee nug^ at least be adopted, lAid bloek-bonaea erected on the frootien at all proper ^aoesymany of which they named; and they stated, that^imtil the SroDtier people should be better protected, it would be impbeiiUe tan them to nuse their crops, and that they would be finreedto evacuate Adr ^antations, and to leave otheis in the same desolate rirmmntsnOT They recommend^ a guard for the proteotioB of the Camberind members on their retam, adverting to the recent fiwt of an ^aganm haying been severely wonnded i^ the wilderness, as he camefiom llaihville to Knozville.

^ The committee also, who were apMHoted for the pnipoae, Mr. Idiit^ Mr. Ckxske, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Weir and Mr. Taylor, drew an addnis to Gonmss, which was approved of bv the House, and was signed by the Speuer. In it they demand a decianition of war unmiBt the Crab and Cherokees; and stated tha^ sboe the treaty 6t fiohton, th^ kd killed, in a most barbarous and inhuman manner^ upwards of two handled dtiiens of the United States, reudents in th» Teiritoij, wHhoot ngud to age or sex, and carried otheis into captivity and ahveiT; bd robbed the dtizens of their slaves, stoloi, at leas^ two thonsaad jmkbsb, which, at a moderate calculation, were worth one hundred thooMsd doUars.

''Besides the just causes of war daily given by thoM twp finthlasi nations, we ecmcdve it essential to call to your recoUecCioa their tiA: powerful invasions of this countiy ;. the fint in Septamber, lf9^ eoft^ .sbting of one thousand Creeks and Cheiokees,who,Ott the 80Ui of that month, attacked Buchanan's Station, within five miles of Nashville, aai were repulsed. The second, in September, 1703, consisting of nine hundred, who, on the 25th of that month, attacked Cavet's Station, within eight miles of Kdox ville, and, in a manner too shocking to relate, murdered Cavet and his family, thirteen in number.

*^ Scarcely, they said, is there a man of this body, but can recount a dear wife or child, an aged parent or near relation, massacred by the hands of these blood-thirsty nations, in their houses or fields ; nor are our neighbours and friends less miserable. They, too, can enumerate the Bufiering of equal calamities. Such have been, they say, the sufferings of your fellow citizens resident in this Territory, more than ought to be imposed on men, who, by their joint exertions with the citizens of the United States at large, have acquired freedom and independence.

^^ They rejoiced in the vigorous measures which Congress were about to take against the rapacious and eoslaviog Algerines, and concluded with reminding Congress that the citizens who live in poverty on the extreme frontiers, were as much entitled to be protected in their lives, their families and little property, as those who were in luxury, ease and affluence in the great and opulent Atlantic dties. The Governor then prorogued the Assembly to the fourth Monday in August"*

This memorial from the representatives of the people was referred to a committee of the United States Congress, which, through their chairman, Mr. Carnes, reported : ^ That from the representations made to them, the condition of the Territory called for the most energetic measures, and they recommended that the President should be authorized to call out an adequate military force to carry on oiSensive operations against any hostile tribe, and to establish such posts and defences as would be necessary for the permanent security of the frontier settlers."

S executive and judicial, but legislative powers. The Ordinance, by the United States in Congress assembled, for the government of the Territory south of the Ohio, provided that the Governor and Judges, or a majority of them, shall adopt and publish in the District, such laws of the original states, criminal and civil, as may be necessary and best suited to the circumstances of the district, *^ and report them to Congress from time to time, which laws shall be in force in the district until the organization of the General Assembly therein, unless disapproved of by Congress ; bat afterwards, the Legislature shall have authority to alter them as they shall think fit." The Ordinance further declared that the Legislature should consist of the Governor, Legislative Council, and a House of Representatives, and specified how thb latter bodies should be selected. This having been done, on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of Au« gust, 1794, the General Assembly of the Territory of the United States of America, south of the Ohio, met at Knoxville.

LsoiSLAuvE Council. - The members nominated by the Representatives of the people, and commissioned by the President of the United States as Legislative Councillors for said Territory, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats, to- wit :

Mr. Premdent and Gentlemen of the OmneH : - Tbm Hboae h smt formed and ready to proceed on the. public buainoM, and wiah to koov if you are met and pjiepared to receive communicationa from the Hoon c^ Repreaentatives.

Ob motion of Mr. Wincheeter, Mr. Sevier waa appointed to confei with Buch member or memberi of the Houae of BepraaentaliTaa aathef may join, and report what rules are neceesary to be obeeiTed in doof buBinees, between the Council and House of Representativea.

Honaa of Rbpbbsbntatives. - Monday, the twen^-fifth daj of AigUBt| 1704, being the day appointed for m meeting of the Bepraaentatives of the people <tf this Territorv, the followingmemben appeared and took their seala, via : David Wilson, Jtoies Whitei Jamea Fmd, William Cocke, Joseph McBfinn, Oeoige RuUedga, Joiseph HsidiB, George Doherty, Samuel Wear, Alexander Kelly am John Baiid.

3d. No member, in coming into the house, or removing fix)m his place, shall pass between the Speaker and a member speaking, nor shall any member go across the house, or from one part thereof to the other, whilst another is speaking.

4th. When any member stands to speak, he shall stand in his place uncovered, and address himself to the Speaker ; but shall not proceed to speak until ^rmitted so to do by the Speaker, which permission shall be signified by naming the member.

6th. When any member is speaking, no other shall stand or interrupt him ; but when he is done speaking, and taken his seat, any other member may rise, observing the mles.

6th. When the Speaker desires to address himself to the houae, he shall rise, and be heard without interruption, and the member then speaking, shall take his seat

7th. When any motion shall bo before the house, and not perfectly undeistood, the Speaker may explain, but shall not attempt to away the house by arguments or debate.

10th. Exceptions taken to onensive words, to be taken the same day they shall be spoken, and before the member who spoke them shall go out of the house.

16th. If there shall be an equality of votes for, and against any questioUy the Speaker shall declare whether he be a yea or nay ; but shall, in no other case, give his vote.

The Hoase of Representatives having thus adopted rules ( for the government of its own members, proceeded, at ( once, on motion of Mr. Cocke, to appoint a committee ^ to consider and report as soon as possible, what bills of a public and general nature are necessary to be passed into laws, the present Assembly." Mr. White, Mr. Cocke, Mr. Hardin, Mr. Wear and Mr. Doherty, were the committee. Mr. Sevier had been appointed on the part of Council, '' to act with such member or members of the House, as a committee, to report the rules necessary to be observed in doing business " between that body and the House. Mr. White and Mr. Rutledge were appointed to confer with him. This joint committee afterwards made the following report :

^ That it is proper for this House to send any message by a member of this House, to the Council or the Clerk, to be delivered to the President of the Council or the Chairman. That when a bill is to be sent to the Council, it shall be taken by two of the Representatives, to be delivered in the same manner. That no bill shall be debated or rejected on its first reading. That no bill being once rejected, shall be again taken up the same session."

Rules regulating the intercourse of 'the two Houses being thus provided, Mr. Sevier and Mr. Winchester were appointed on the part of the Council, to join the House Committee, to prepare business for the Assembly. It was at once in medias res^ and on the 28th, through its Chairman, Mr Hardin reported, '' An act to regulate the militia of this Territory ; an act to establish the judicial courts, and to regulate the proceedings thereof; an act making provision for the poor ; an act to enable executors and administrators to make rights for lands due upon bonds of persons deceased ; an act declaring what property is to be taxable, and the mode of collecting the tax thereon ; an act to levy a tax lor the support of Government for the year 1794 ; and an act to provide for the relief of such of the militia as have beeo wounded by the Indians in the late invasions. **

This brief catalogue of enactments necessary for the people of the Territory, presented to the consideration 9f its Legislature, and, perhaps, in the exact order and degree of the importance of each, the several subjects that were deemed of primary moment, and demanded prompt and immediate action.

The instincts, the sagacity and discernment of the constituents, had not been at fault in the selection of their public servants. Perhaps no other deliberative body, vras ever more distinguished for identity and familiarity with the interests, the wishes and the wants of those for whom they acted, and none could have surpassed them in honesty, promptness and zeal.

Committees were at once raised in each House, to whom was referred one of the subjects already enumerated. They seem to have been constituted with a wise and patriotic reference to the qualifications, experience and past pursuits of the members. On the bill to regulate the militia of the Territory, the House appointed, on the fourth day of the session. Wear, Taylor and Doherty, each of whom had been actively engaged as officers in the service of the country, and with them the Council associated Colonel Winchester. On the Committee on the Judiciary, Mr. White and Mr. Cocke. To make provision for the poor, Mr. Hardin and Mr. Tipton To levy a tax for 1794, Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Mc- Minn. To declare what property is taxable, Mr. Hardin and Mr. Ford ; and to provide relief for wounded militia, Mr. Doherty and Mr. Wear.

In justice to the members of Knox county, whose names do not appear upon any of these committees, it ought to be mentioned that, on Wednesday, the third day of the session, ** on motion of Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Hardin, ordered, that Mr. Kelly and Mr. Beard have leave of absence, to go on a scout against the Indians.'^ These gentlemen held commissions in the militia of Knox county, and, on account of their

:gallantry and public spirit, had been honoured with seats in the House of Representatives. A threatened incursion of hostile Cherokees, made it necessary for them to lay down their legislative and resume their military functions. And, upon the motion of one of them, Mr. Kelly, his colleague and himself had leave of absence. In a week from that timQ, *' Mr. Kelly returned and took his seat." Mr. Beard had returned the day before.

To General Sevier, of the Council, is due the paternity of a bill, ** for the relief of such persons as have been disabled by wounds, or rendered incapable of procuring, for themselves and families, subsistence, in the militia of this Territory ; and providing for the widows and orphans of such as have died." He had been, as we have already narrated, actively employed in the military service, and knew well the sacrifice of treasure and of blood which the martial spirit of his countrymen had occasioned, and the havoc which, by the gallantry of his fellow-soldiers, had been made upon the comfort, and property, and lives, of those he represented.

To an enlightened Representative from Davidson county, is due the immortal honour of having made the first legislative effort, in the Territorial Assembly, in behalf of Learning. On the 29th of August, *' Mr. White moved for leave, and presented a bill to establish a University in Greene county ; read for the first time, passed, and sent to the Council." Four days after, the bill became a law, creating a Literary Institution, though under a less imposing name, Greeneville College. The preamble to the act of incorporation follows ;

^ Whereas^ in all well-regulated governments, it is the incumbent daty of the Legislature to consult the happiness of the rising geneAtioD, and endeavour to fit them for an honourable discharge of the social duties of life, by paying the strictest attention to their education, Be it enacted by the Governor," <fec

The act appoints the Rev. Hezekiah Balch, President of the College, and locates it upon his farm. The Trustees are - *' Hezekiah Balch, Samuel Doak, James Balch, Samuel Garrick, Robert Henderson, Gideon Blackburn, Archibald Roane, Joseph Hamilton, William Cocke, Daniel Kennedy, Landon Carter, Joseph Hardin, Sen., John Rhea and John Sevier." The law invests these Trustees with the usual poWen of saeh corporations, and anthorizei them to mako snefa laws for its government, as^to them may appear neeessary for the promotion of learning and virtue ; provided the same be not contrary to the unalienable rights of human nature, or the' laws of the Territory.**

On the same day, Mr.. Doherty presented a petition from the inhabitants south of French Broad'River, setting forth their right of occupancy to their lands, and praying that their case may be laid before Congress.^ This subject afterwards became a fruitful source of complaint and tedioos legislation, the details of which will be elsewhere given.

In the Ordinance for the government of the Territory, it was provided ^That as soon as m Legislature shall be Ibrmed in the District, the Council and House, assembled ia one room, shall have authority, by joint ballot, to decC a Delegate to Gongress.** The details of that transaction aid here extracted from the Journals.

B$9oiv$d, That the bsUoting for the Delegate to Oongrm takeplsee to morrow, at ten o'dock, and that the foUowing meiuge be sent to the Council:

Mr, President and Oentlemen of the Council : - We propose to billot to-morrow, at ten o'clock, at the Court House, for a Delegate to Congress, and on our part appoint Mesers. Taylor and Doherty to superintend the balloting. The Council concurring, Mr. Taylor waa appointed to conduct the balloting on their part. On the Sd, ULt, James White, of Davidson county, was elected by a majority of both Houses, Delegate to Congress.

On the petition of the inhabitants south of French Broad, your Committee report that the said inhabitants ought to have all the assistance m the power of this House to give towards securing them in their impovements. That as the disposal of the soil rests in Congress, it will DC proper for this Assembly to draw up a memorial to that body, stating the facts as may induce them to secure the said inhabitants in a nght of preemption, and pray that an Act of Congress may be passed for that purpose.

The blank was afterwards filled with Blount, and on the tenth of September, the bill establishing Blount College became a law. Next to Mr. White, the friends of learning are indebted to one of the representatives from Hawkina, Mr

Cocke, for his early care and prudent foresight in laying broad and deep a foundation for the intellectual improvement of the young men of the Territory. Blount College has since become the University of East Tennessee, and the laudable curiosity to see the incipient efforts of the first patrons of literature and science in the West, shall be gratified with, some extracts from

Whereas^ the Legislature of this Territory are disposed to promote the happiness of the people at large, and especiaUy of the rising genera- ^on, by instituting seminaries of education, where youth may be habituated to an amiable, moral and virtuous conduct, and accurately inatruct^ in the various branches of useful science, and in the principles of the ancient and modern languages.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Governor, Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of the United States of America, south of the River Ohio, That the Reverend Samuel Carrick, Preudent^ and his Excellency William Blount, the Honourable Daniel Smithy Secretary of the Territory, the Honourable David Campbell, the Honourable Joseph Anderson, General John Sevier, Col. James White, CoL Alexand^fr Kelly, CoL William Cocke, Willie Blount, Joseph Hamilton, Archibald Roane, Francis A. Ramsey, Charles McClung, G^rge Boubtone, George McNutt^ John Adair and Robert Houston, Esquires shall be, and they are hereby declared to be a body politic and corporate,, by the name of the President and Trustees of Blount College, in the Ticinity of Knozville.

Resolvedj That whenever this House shall render a list of absent members to the door keeper, to wara them to attend, that each member 80 mentioned and warned, shall pay one shilling to the door-keeper for his trouble.

This fine would appear inadequate for either of the pui^ poses intended by it, if we fail to consider the difference between the per diem of members and door-keeper in the Assembly of 1794, and their pay in 1850.

As further evidence of the diligence and application of members to their legislative duties, it may be mentioned that on the 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11 th, the House adjourned to meet the succeeding days at 7 o'clock, A. M., and the Council regularly at 9 o'clock.

their consideration whether the laws of North-Carolina ar now in force and use in this Territory/' and proposed thi the conference be at the Court House at four o'clock.** Am ther proof of the fidelity with which these servants of tl people despatched their public duties. The Court Hous where this conference was proposed, and Mrhere the tn Houses had met together for the election of a Delegate 1 Congress, was a small one-story building, about thirty fe< long and twenty-four broad. The Council met in the ba rack. The house in which the Assembly held its sessioi was sometimes in another room of the barrack, and occi sionally the large room of Carmichael's Tavern, on Cunibei land-street, and now owned by Major Swan. Neither t the buildings was sufficiently spacious to alloi^' a joint ba lot or joint conference of the two bodies, and on these occi sions each left its own chamber and repaired to the Com House. These were primitive times in Knoxville. Lei than fifty families lived there then. Mr. Stone kept taver on what is now known as Park's Corner, and his Mras th very northern boundary of the town. Nathaniel Cowai lived at the corner of Water-street, not far from what is no\ Churchwell's Mill, and most of the buildings were in tha part of the place near the river. Many members boarde< in the country, and walked morning and night to and fron their quarters. A carriage was unknown in that day upoi the frontier, and would have attracted more attention, am occasioned more remark, than a steam-car would in 185( upon the top of Chilhowee.

In the Council, ** Mr. Donelson, from the Committee ap pointed to make an estimate of the expenses for the yeai 1794, reported that the probable expenditures for said 3'ear will amount to two thousand three hundred and ninety dollars." This financial estimate was for the whole Territory and fifty-six years afterwards, the estimate would be consid* ered small for a single county in Tennessee. So true is it, with regard to communities as with individuals - the n'ltural wants of man are few and easily supplied, while those that are artificial, are at once numberless and insatiable.

Knoxville, Sept. 1, 1704. Mr, President and Oentlemen of the Legislative Couneilj and Mr, Speaker and Oentlemen of the House of Representatives : Herewith, bj the hands of Mr. Hugh White, my Private Secretary, you will receive an act entitled an act, &c, &c, to which I have given my as- Bent Mv Private Secretary being now officially made known to you, I -hall, in future, cause the acts to which I give my assent, to be delivered by him to you, without any written message, and having obtained your ugnatures, to deliver the same to the Secretary of the Territory.

Sept. 12. - Mr. White, from the Committee appointed to draw up a memorial to Congress in favour of the people south of French Broad, presented the following memorial :

The memorial and petition of the inhabitants living south of French Broad River, sheweth, That your memorialists have settled on vacant lands, lying on the south side of French Broad River, and which was granted to the people of this country, by the Indians, at different times.

First At the treaty of Dumplin Creek, held with John Sevier, Esq., at which time, the Indians received a compensation in clothing and other articles, for said land ; and in the year following, the same Indians did, in a fresh treaty, held with them at Coyatee, confirm the grant aforementioned. That, in consequence of these treaties, made under a then existing authori^, your petitioners were induced to settle on the land 80 granted, whicn they cultivated with great labour and expense, and established within the bounds thereof, large and improved possessions. This memorial further sheweth. That the country aforesaid has been ceded to the United States, partly, at the treaty of Senaca, and finally, at the succeeding treaty of Holston, Your memorialists, therefore, petition Congress to make them secure in their labour and improvements, whenever Congress may think it expedient to open a Land-office, by granting them a right of pre-emption to their hard-earned improvements and possessions.

And whbrbas, numbers of these petitioners have been induced to believe, that Congress would confirm such warrants or grants as had issued from the State of North-Carolintf, and, therefore, have purchased the same, and laid them on their lands ; they pray that Congress may permit them to hold their lands by such warrants, but that the justice and goodness of your honourable body will provide, that no stranger may, by such warrants, take from the holder and improver of the land, his possessions, the right of which ought to be derived through Congress.

The Assembly adopted and sent forward to Congress, a long memorial on the subject of the existing Indian war. To this memorial was appended ** a list of the names of

On the 18th, lOtb, 20th, 86th and 27tb, the H^iisi adjourned to meet at seven o'clock the snoc^mg moniSrig; Such an economical devotion of its time to putiUc basines^ and such indefatigable attention to legislative duty* woqU seem to require some corresponding pecuniary eompemaliaa. As their session approached its termination, it was

As the adjournment of the Territorial Legislature approached, its members were unwilling to separate, without making another effort to awaken the attention of the Federal Government to the necessity and importance of more am* pie and effective means of defence and protection for their suffering and bleeding constituents. Since the last meeting of the Assembly, many of them had lost members of their own families - killed by savage ferocity or stratagem - ^many of their neighbours had been wounded or taken prisoners ; much valuable property had been stolen or destroyed ; and during the present sitting of the Legislature, two members of it from the Metropolitan county, had been compelled, from the threatened aggressions of the enemy, to leave the halls of legislation and resume the sword, to prevent an attack upon the seat of Government. Under this condition of things, on the twenty-fourth of September, the House ing to the PresideDt of CongresB, ihe additional list of one hundred and five of our fellow-citizens, vbo hare suffered by the Creeks and Cherokees, since our memorial to Congress in the spring, in addition to the former innumerable and cruel acts of hostility with which this Territory has been insulted by those Indians ; and to assure hi^ Excellency Uiat if the people of this Territory have borne with outrages which stretch human patience to its utmost, it has been through our veneration for the head of the Federal Government, and through the hopes we entertain that his influence will finally extend, to procure for this injured part of the Union, that justice, which nothing but retaliating on an unrelenting enemy, can afford.

The patience of the people was well-nigh exhaasted, and it required all the authority and weight of character of Governor Blount to restrain the impetuous temper of the soldiery of the Territory, which everywhere manifested itself - exacerbations of feeling and resentment, which, indeed, in every instance, kis authority was unable to repress.

Sept 25. - In the Council, ** Mr. Sevier moved for leave, and presented a bill appointing a public printer.'' Another era in the early legislation and improvement of an infant community, second only to the founding of institutions of learning and the creation of tribunals of justice.

At the request of the members from M ero District, Governor Blount ordered a sufficient guard of soldiers to accompany them on their return home.

Great difficulty arose in arranging the details of the Tax Bill, and the last days of the session, amendments were constantly proposed to the bill of the one House and as uniformly rejected by the other. Several days were consumed in modeling and adjusting the Tax Bill.

A Sabbath intervened, but on Monday the House contiaued inflexible ; other messages were interchanged with a like result. The Council at length agreed to make the tax on a hundred acres of land, eighteen cents. To which the House again objected, and insisted upon *' a tax of twenty-five cents per hundred, as it stood in the bill when it went from this House." .

At this length of time since these transactions took place, it is difficult to account for the discordant views entertained by the two Houses of the Territorial Assembly upon the land tax. A tariff is always a subject of troublesome adjustment, and then, as now, the proper arrangment of its details, was the most perplexing duty of the Legislature. It has been conjectured, that the conflict of sentiment between the Council and the House, may be legitimately traced to the organism-^tho mode by which each body was created. The five members of the Council were not elected by the people, but appointed by the Congress, and commissioned by the President of the United States, from ten citizens of the Territory at large, selected and nominated for 4;hat purpose by the House. Their term of office was for five years. The members of the House, on the other hand, were really the representatives of the people, were elected directly by them, and holding their office for but two years, were dependant upon popular suffrage for a renewal of their trust.

The constituent body - the people - were generally small landholders, while most of the appropriated lands of the Territory, was held by large grantees, and they - many of them - non-residents. The toil of subduing the wilderness, the danger of reclaiming it from its savage occupants, the sacrifice of ease, of property and of life, in opening and defending it, the responsibility of founding its government and maintaining its rights, had all been undergone by actual settlers. Their adventure had planted the infant settlements, their valour had defended them, and to their services, were non-resident landholders indebted for the present and prospective enhancement of the value of their property. The tenacity, therefore, with which the immediate representative body adhered to its policy of raising the revenue principally by a tax upon real estate, cannot be considered either strange or unwise.

Sept. 30. - The morning of the last day of its session, the House exhibited a further instance of its restraint upon the action of the Council, by refusing its assent to a bill excusing

Before their adjournment, the two Houses did concur in resolutions, requesting '' the Governor to direct, that when the census is taken next June, the sense of the people may at that time be enquired into, how far it may be their wish, for admission into the Union as a State," - also directing, ^ that John Stone be allowed ten dollars, for the use of the house now occupied by the Legislative Council.'* - ** That James White be allowed five dollars for the use of the court house during the session of the Assembly." - "That George Roulstone & Co. be allowed the sum often dollars, if in ten days they print fifty copies of the act, " respecting the levying and collecting the taxes. " That John Chisholm be allowed the sum 6( two dollars, for his monies expended for the public service of this Territory, during the recess of the Assembly," and, " that the thanks of this General Assembly be presented to Governor Blount, for the application of his labilities and attention, in forwarding their business as representatives ; more especially, in compiling and arranging the system of court law ; and that as there appears to be no more business before this Assembly, his Excellency be requested to prorogue the same to the first Monday in October, 1795."

'* Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives; - ^While vote of ' thanks, of this day, affords a proof of your liberality, It offers me the highest reward for such attention as I have had in my power to pay to me court and other laws. I should feel myself wanting to the Council and House of Representatives, were I not to acknowledge, that the laws which have been offered for my assent, have been such as are essential to the promotion of the public happiness, and that no law of importance at tins time is omitted. Herewith you will rtoeive the prorogation to the day as by you requested.

" To the President and Gontlemen of the LcgUIative Counci), mid tha Bijeaker and Oectlemen of tbe House of HepreseRtAtives : - The session of ihe General Assembly is prorogued, until the first Monday in the month of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, then to commence at this place.

The per diem of the members of House of Represeotalives, and of tbe Clerk and Door-keeper, for the February session, and other incidental expenses, amounted to «473,59|.

These proceedings of the Territorial Legislature will acl quaint the reader with the mode of transacting its ( business, and, to some extent, with the amount and importance of its labours. It may be safely asserted that, in so short a session, the same number of law makers, under like difficulties and embarrassments, never had achieved more. Their session was one of only thirty-seven day». The number of members was small - in the Council, five - Id the House - thirteen, and some of these, for various reasons, allowed leave of absence, at different periods of the session. Most of them too, though men of strong intellect and great good sense, were entirely inexperienced In legislation, and uninformed upon some of the subjects the emergency of the times brought up for their action and decision. Bat all of them were identified with the interests of the people, and had been honoured with theit confidence on account of their patriotism and public virtue. They were assiduous in the discharge of their new duties, an4 th^ were faitlirul to the trust confided to them. Of tbeir competency, the work executed by them is an andying me- Rwrial. They bad become suddenly, and, with many of them, unexpectedly, the guardians of weighty interests in an immense Territory, The foundations of society were to be laid in different isolated communities, extending from the Alleghanies to the westammost settlement. lavaaioD from hostile Indian tribes had to be repelled ; an exposed frontier had to be guarded ; aggression had to be resisted ; stations protected ; forts defended ; emigrants encouraged ; and roads had to be opened through a trackless wilderness ; towns and counties were to be laid out ; a police to be established^ and public buildings to be erected. A system of jurisprudence had to be, if not enacted de novo^ amended, enlarged and remodeled, in adaptation 'to the circumstances and wants of a new community. These - these all were to be done. Nay, more - ^the fostering care of a new government had to be directed to the improvement and refinement of the ** rising generation,'^ and, to its other labours, the Legislature added the crowning honour of founding, at its first session, two Institutions of Learning.

'^ An act was passed to divide Jefferson county into two distinct counties.'' Joseph Wilson, Robert Polk, Samuel Magahee, Samuel Newell and Thomas Buckingham, are made Commissioners to locate the court house in the new county, which is called Sevier ; courts to be holden, for the first time, at the house of Isaac Thomas.

Sevier county was attached to Hamilton District. The house of Isaac Thomas, where the first court for Sevier eounty was holden, stood on the west bank of Pigeon, nearly opposite the confluence of its east and west branches, between which, and near their junction, was, October, 1795, laid out, and afterwards erected, the present Sevierville. It is a beautiful spot - surrounded by, and embosomed among, lofly and almost inaccessible heights, through which the confluents glide in placid quiet or rush with boisterous violence through their narrow and tortuous channels. The bottoms below Sevierville are remarkable for their fertility. The county has been the land of hunters, soldiers and patriots. It has its stations, forts and battle grounds. It was one of the counties of Franklin. Dumplin Treaty was held on its soil.

The magistrates who held the first court, Nov. 8, 1794, were - ** The Worshipful Samuel Newell, Joseph Wilson, Joshua Gist, Peter Dryant, Josejlh Vance and Andrew Evans." Besides these^ there were magistrates not present -

BL Lewia and Robert Ppllook. The comity officen were - ^Samuel Newell, first chairman; Jeehoa Gist, 2d ; and Joseph Wilson, ^ ; " Samael Wear, olerk; John Lowry, ooanty solicitor; Ambrose Arthur, depoty sheriff; Jesse Byrd, Register ; Thomas Backingham, collector ; Mordecai Lewis, coroner ; Alexander Montgomery, ranger." - In the early minutes of the County Court of Sevier, notay be seen something of the summary proceedings ^hich characterized the courts of JPranklin or the Temporaiy form of GrOTcmment which, south of French Broad, followed the dissolution of that State. At Ajpril Term, 1795^ it waa - ing date December 17, 1794, shall wt be admitted to record, and that the word Fraudulent be wrote^ by the islerk, qq. the face of said bill of sale.''

The jurisdiction of the court was exercised, beneficently, not only within the - limits of Sevier county and of the Ter-' litory, but embraced, in its benevolent plenitude of power, the contiguous State of Virginia also. October nnfiions, 1795, it was - ^^ Ordered that an idiot, produced by John <7raig, to this court, is to be delivered to a constable of this county, to be conveyed to the next constable, and so from officer to officer, until she is conveyed to the proper owner, in the State of Virginia, which is, by information, M, M. in Powell's Valley.'*

The legislature exhibited no indifference to the pleasant charities of life. Ample provision was made by law, for persons disabled by wounds, and for the widows and orphans of such as had died in the military service of the country.

Among other acts of a local character, was one for establishing Knoxville. It was, at that time, the seat of the Territorial Government, and so continued to be, during the existence of that organization. It became the seat of Government of the State of Tennessee, and so continued to be for many years after. Kingston, Murfreesborough and Nashville, were its successors for several years, when, in 1817, Knoxville again became the seat of Government, but for the last time. The strong Ao6d of emigration to the West, had carried with it the centre of population beyond the Cumberland Mountains, and with it, the seat of Government. The sceptre has departed from her ; but time, and change, and progress, cannot deprive her of her ancient honours, nor make her less venerable 'for the proud associations that cluster around her early history. Here Squollecuttah, Kunoskeskie, Nemtooyah, Chuquilatague, Enolchi, Talohtuski, and other chieftains of the Cherokee nation, met Governor Blount in Council, smoked the pipe of peace, and formed the Treaty ^f Holston ; - ^herethe pious White pitched his tent in the wilderness, lived his life in patriarchal simplicity and unostentatious usefulness ; - here died the founder of Knoxville, and his memory is here embalmed in the affectionate remembrance of a succeeding generation. Here the infant Government of the Territory was cradled, and nurtured in its youth by the paternal care of Blount, of Anderson and Campbell. Here, too, the sages and patriots of 1794, met and deliberated, and made laws. Here, too, was born the infant Hercules - since become a giant - Tennessee. Tennessee looks back to Knoxville, and recognizes her as the home of her youth, and the fond centre of her hallowed recollections.

Speaking of the question of State or no State, which, at this time, began to be agitated by the people of the Territory, Governor Blount writes to General Sevier, December 4th : " I frankly say to you, I am for the Territory becoming a State as early as possible ; and I think this change can be effected so as to have a Constitution formed, and a representation in the next Congress. I have already written to my friends in Congress, requesting them to have an act passed, authorizing this Territory to become a State, whenever the people shall express their wishes to this effect."

! living twelve miles above Knoxville, hearing a noise at his stable, and leaving his house to discover the cause, his return was intercepted by Indians, who fired upon and dangerously wounded him. He fled for concealment to a cave at a short distance, but was followed by the savages, dragged from his hiding place and slain. The wife had heard die retreating footsteps of the faidiaas as they pmsoed her husband^ and having looked the door, sat in silent expectation, with her sleeping children around her. Soon she hears the tramp of approaching feet. Perhaps it is the neighbomsy alarmed at the firing, and coming to the resenet She is about to rush oat and meet them, bat she hears their Yoiees in a strange tongue. The horrible conviction seises her, that the savages are returning to the slaughter. The rifle is instantly in her hands ; that morning she had leaned the use of its IHggers, and levelling it carefully at the crevice of the door, near the look, she awaits the result Stealthy slips are moving along the walls ; the door is pressed -against' - it yields - is partly open - a savage is|oa his hands and knees at the entrance ; another behind, and still another ; her finger is upon the trigger ; she thinks of her children, and fires! The first Indian falls heavily to the ground - the feeoond screams with pain - the others gather up the woonded aadfiyl

That lone Woman, by her courage and presence of. mind, had repulsed twenty*^ve savage warriors. Had a word escaped her lips after the explosion of the rifie, the lives of herself and children would have been lost. The perfect silence impressed the Indians, and believing armed men to be in the house, they fled.*

The Indians set fire to the barns and out-buildings, but did not venture to approach the house, from which a defence so heroic and successful had been made. Mann, himself, was found next morning, cruelly scalped and mutilated. Pursuit was made after the body of Indians, but they could not be overtaken.

Dr. White regrets, in a letter to General Sevier, the unwiU lingness of Congress to pay the men of his brigade, and its ungrateful neglect to pay the Chickasaws, and adds, ** the Spaniards will not neglect the opportunity to detach those Indians from us. The Government of Louisiana is already fortifying at the Chickasaw Blufis."

fort at the Chickasaw Bluff, and it was not surrendered till a special demand was made for its surrender under the instructions of the Federal Government to Governor Blount. Anticipating that still further obstacles would be thrown in the way of surrendering Louisiana, Mr. Jefferson called for a regiment of volunteers from Tennessee, to be present at the surrender.*

As has been elsewhere shewn, the Territorial Assembly had been prorogued by Gov. Blount until the first Monday of October, 1795. For reasons mentioned in his Message, he had called them together by proclamation, at an earlier period, June 29, 1795. Upon that day, the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives again assembled at Knoxville, and there held the second session.

'* The principal object for which I have called you together, at an earlier period than that to which the (General Assembly stood prorogued, is to afford an opportunity to inquire whether it is, as I have been taught to believe, the wish of the majority of the people, that this Territory should become a State, when by taking the enumeration there flhoold prove to be sixty thousand free inhabitants therein, or at such earlier period as Congress shall pass an act for its admission ; and if it is, to take such measures as may be proper to effect the desired change of the form of government as early as practicable.

** Upon the head of Indian Affairs, I have the pleasure to inform you, that the prospect of peace between the United States and all the In- .-dian tribes or nations, are more pleasing than in any other period since the commencement of the war between Great Britain and the United States. I would not, however, in thus expressing myself, be understood that it is my opinion, that no more murders and thefts will be committed by Indians upon the frontier citizens ; on the contrary, I believe, that while there is a tribe of Indians remaining on this side of the Mississippi,! uncircumscribed by the citizens of the United States, that a description of them by the chie&, denominated bad young men, will continue, more or less, frequently to commit murders and thefts upon the frontier inhabitants ; but against that description of Indians, as well as all others, should an alteration of disposition take place, Congress, at the last session, by the augmentation of the militiry establishment^ have enabled the President to ^vo more effectual protection to the fron-> tier GiUzens than they have hitherto experienced."

t This is believed to be the first intimatioD of the wie« policj, long afterwards rteommeoded by General Jackson, and adopted by the Goveromeai, of removing the Indian tribee to the west of the Miasi&iippi.

The bill establishing " Washington College, in honour of the illuslriyus President of th« United StalPH," was parsed and ordered lo be engrossed.

-' An Act, etc. "Wberens, tlie irfgiRlatura of North -Carolina ««Ubliahed an academy in Washinglon couuly, by the name of Mtutio Academy, which bascoodnued for ten or twelve yearn Daut, under the presidency of the Rev. Sninuel Douk, and has l»een oi considerable uiilitT to the public, find affords a prospect of future UMf^ilnees, if invested witir ponera wid privilege* up pertaining to Collegea,"

The corporators were the Rev, Samuel Doak, Pre.sideDl. the Kev. Charles Cummins, Edward Cniwlbnl, John Coson, James Batch, Robert Henderson and Gideon Blackbam; Judge Joseph Anderson; General John Swvier; Colonels Landon Carter and Daniel Kennedy; Majors Leeroy Taylor and John Sevier; John Tipton. William Cocke, Archibald Roane, Joseph Hamilton, John Rhea, Samuel Mitchell, Jesse Payne, James Aiken and William Charles Cole Claibornet Esquires; Drs. William Holt and William Chester ; Messrs. David Deaderick. John Waddle, Jun., Alexander Matthews, John Nelson and John McAllister.

Sir : - ^The memberB of the Legitlative Council, and of the flooH - of It«preaentatives, b«g leave to eipren to your Excellency their uwobation of the object for whi<^ they were prindpally called tpgetMr; and feeling convinced that the great body of our constituents ar« aemi- Ue of the many defects of our present mode of government, and of lln grestand permanent advantages to be derived from a change and speedr Rpresentation in Congress, the Genera' AeAembly of this Territory wai, during the present session, endeavour to devise such means m mtij h$M a tendency to effect that desirable object ; and, in doing so, ve saall^bs happy in mseting with yonr Excellency's concurrence."

itfae Treasorer of Washington and Hamilton DiBtriota,. give, in the conclnsion of their report, a flattering view of the condition of tht. finances :

" Yonr Committee beg leave to observe, that the monies, ariung fan tbe tax levied by the last Geneml Assembly, Terr much exceeds tbeii most saDguiDO expectationB ; and that sucb nill be the state cT the Treasury iJepartment, that the next Ux to be levied may be very nneh

The condition of the Treasury, thas favourably indicated through official sources, doubtless had its influence, in determining public sentiment in the Territory to aspire to and assume the higher position of an independent State. The great increase of population, the preference of the inhabitants for a state form of government, and the importance of having an immediate representation of this large section of country in Congress, induced the Assembly to have a census of the people made, so as to ascertain whether the Territory contained sixty thousand people. Upon that question, there was little conflict of opinion. Non progredi est regredi^ is the Western maxim, and it was apparent that the Territorial Grovernment was approaching its end - a single dissentient was found in the Assembly.

The general sentiment, however, was otherwise, and the Legislature, reflecting the opinion of the people at large, passed an act for the enumeration of the inhabitants of the Territory, in which it was provided, that ^ if it shall appear that there are sixty thousand inhabitants therein, the Governor be authorized and requested to recommend to the people of the respective counties, to elect five persons of each county to represent them in Convention, to meet at Knoxville at such time as he shall judge proper, for the purpose of forming a constitution or form of government, for the permanent government for the people who are or shall become residents upon the lands by the State of North-Carolina ceded to the United States." The act provides also, *' That each member of Convention shall be entitled to receive the same wages as a member of this present session of Assembly.''

By an act passed by the Governor, Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Territory, Knox county was divided and Blount county established. William Wallace, Joseph Black, Samuel Glass, David Craig, John Trimble, Alexander Kelly and Samuel Henry, were appointed Commissioners, to select the place for the county seat and erect county buildings. The act names the seat of jus- tice, Maryville. Tbis was out of respect to Mrs. Maiy Blount, the wife of the (Governor. The county was thus named for Governor Blount. The first Court was held at the house of Abraham Weaver. Blount county was attached to Hamilton District.

In September, of this year, Biouot county Court first met at the house of Abraham Weaver. William Wallace, Wii- Uara Lowry, Oliver Alexander, James Scott, David Craig and George Ewing, produced eommissions from Governor Blount, appointing them magistrates for the county. William Wallace was elected Chairman : John McKee, Clerk ; Littlepage Simms, Sheriff; William Wallace, Register; Robert Rhea, Coroner.

July 8. - Up to this period, emigrants from North and South- Carolina had continued to reach the Territory, by the then usual channels of travel over the Yellow and Stone Mountains, and sometimes by the Good Spur route through Western Virginia nnd the valley of the Holston. On the 8lh of July, Governor Blount submitted to the Council " several papers, respecting the opening of a wagon road from Buncombe Court-House, in North-Carolina, to this Territory," and ifrcommended this important measure to their consideration. Tlie Council appointed a epecial committee, Menra. Ssviet;- aDd Taylor, with whom the House ajssociated Messrs. Wear, Cocke, Doherty and Taylin-, to whom that sub^t was re» fetred. They report:

"Tour Committee, to whom vbb refarred the retolnlios of tli« A^ Mmbly of South-Carolina, together with Governor Vanderhont't «i)d. Blotut'a letters, on the subject of cutting and opening a road tluoiigh., tiie eastern mountaias, report the following resolution :

SMohed, That his Excellencjr, Governor Blount, be authoriwd wai directed to appotat three ComtauBionen, to meet the three Caiaii6msm* era appointed by the State of South- Carolina, to deliberate and conanl^ op measnres, for the purpose of cutting and opening a road throng)i the eastern monnta&u, and report unto our next Genei'al Aasembty (he remit of their oonference ; alao, the practicabili^ and probable flxpanaeof outtiag and opening tlra aaid read the neaieat aad beet roxta thnii^> the mountuDs."

The Governor was alflo authorized to draw *' a sum oat o{ the Treasury, not exceeding one bundred dollar^" to d^wje tbe expense -of the CjDDunisuoBen. .-..,.

The consideration of other subjects before the Legislature, was postponed. The conviction had become general, that the Territorial would soon be superseded by a State Government, and to its counsels and authority, the present Assembly chose to confide whatever was defective or immature in their own legislation. The session was a short one - ^but of thirteen days continuance.

The Council informed the House by message, ** The business being about to be brought to a close, this evening, we propose that a message be sent to the Governor, informing him of the same, and request to be prorogued,'' - which being concurred in by the House, the Governor sent the following message -

" To the President and Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and the Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : - The business of this session being completed, the General Assembly is prorogued, sine die.

Governor Blount, in the reception of a liberal salary from the United States Treasury, and from the resources of an ample private fortune, had been able to indulge his disposition to entertain freely and even elegantly. The style of his receptions was, necessarily, below that of Philadelphia and Wilmington, but it was from the condition of things, scarcely less expensive to the liberal host, who, in the infancy of society around and in Knoxvillc, left no means unemployed to manifest a hospitality at once worthy of the chief magistrate, and creditable to the gentleman. The older citizens still refer to the last years of the Territorial Government, as furnishing models of refinement and etiquette, of gentility and polish, seldom seen in a new community. Not the upstart consequence, and assumed superiority of suddenly acquired wealth and unexpected promotion ; but the genuine politeness, ease, grace and cordiality, the result and accompaniment of innate good feelings, sterling worth, and admitted respectability. The court of Governor Blount was

The Statb Of Tenmsssh The State Of Tennessee

More than a quarter of a century had now passed, since VlW \ ^^^ germ of civilization had been planted by the pio- ( neers of Tennessee upon the banks of the Watauga. Their progress westward has been given in the preceding pages, with such account of their civil and military annals, and their social advancement, as the limited supply of material within the writer's command, has enabled him to furnish. Under the simplest form of government, the patriarchal system of Robertson and Carter, and their associates on Watauga, we have seen the infancy of Tennessee - auguring bright hope and brilliant expectation for its future. That hope and expectation we have seen gloriously realized in the active participation of the western volunteers in the American Revolution. With the establishment of their National Independence, we have noticed the origin and growth of empire in the West - the wish to govern themselves under a sovereignty purely western. We have traced the rise, progress and fall of the ancient Commonwealth of Franklin. We have given the history of the Territory of the United States south of the River Ohio. In all these varied periods of her growth, we have seen much to admire, little to censure or condemn, in the Annals of our proud State. Here and there a youthful indiscretion or a wrong-doing, which time, reflection and experience, have promptly corrected. Now and then, an act of disobedience, or a feeling of insubordination, soon after atoned for, by dutiful afiection and filial regard ; always a manly assertion of the rights and privileges of grown-up sons, without a perverse and stubborn disposition to cast off or rebel against rightful authority. An impatience, sometimes, to set up for and govern themselves, rather than wilful disobedience, filial impiety or unfraternal feeling. Her infancy, youth, boyhood, had been well passed,

Sekedule of the aggregaU amount of taeh deieription of ptrsont, U^ettt ogretaMy to " An act providing for the enumeration of the inhilitanta of the Territory of the United Stales of America south of ilu Rivtr Ohio ;" paaatd July 11, 1795.

I, William Blodht, Qovenior id and over the Territoiy of tLe United Ststes of America soutli of the lUver Ohio, do certify that this schedule k made in conformitf with the schednlee of the aheriffi of the reepeetiTC couDlies in the said Territory, and that the Echedulea of tlie nid aherifia are lodged in mjr offioe.

From this ennmeratioD it appears, that more than onethird of the voters in the Territory, were opposed to the formation of the State Government. This opposition was strongest in the Cumberland counties : only ninety-six in Davidson, and fiAy-eight in Tennessee county, voting in its favour ; while east of Cumberland Mountain, the majority for the new State was large, approaching, in Blount and

Sevier, almost to ananimity, occasioned probably by the peculiar situation of their land titles. Governor Blount and the officers of his government, were understood to be decidedly in favour of the State organization, and General Sevier and his adherents zealously so. '' Sevier and his Captains" were still omnipotent.

The Territory was found to contain more than the number of inhabitants, requisite by the Ordinance creating it, to authorize the formation of a State Government, and Governor Blount issued his proclamation.

Whereas, by an act passed on the 1 1th day of July last, entitled ^ An act providing for the enumeration*of the inhabitants of the Territory of the United States of America south of the River Ohio,*' it is enacted, " that if upon taking the enumeration of the people in the stud Territory as by that directed, it shall appear that there are sixty thousand inhabitants therein, counting the whole of the free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, and adding three-fifths of all other persons, the Governor be authorized and requested to recommend to the people of the respective counties to elect five persons for each county, to represent them in convention, to meet at Knoxville, at such time as he shall judge proper, for the purpose of forming a constitution or permanent form of government.'^

And whereas, upon taking the enumeration of the inhabitants of the Territory, as by the act directed, it does appear that there are sixty ihousand free inhabitants therein, and more, besides other persons: Now I, the said William Blount, Governor, &c., do recommend to the people of the respective counties to elect five persons for each county, on the 18th and 19th days of December next, to represent them in a convention to meet at Knoxville, on the 1 1th day of January next, for the purpose of forming a constitution or permanent form of government

And to the end that a perfect uniformity in the election of the members of convention may take place in the respective counties, I, the said "William Blount, Governor, <!^c, do further recommend to the sherifi^ or their deputies, respectively, to open and hold polls of election for members of convention, on the 18th and 19th days of December, as aforesaid, in the same manner as polls of election have heretofore been held lor members of the General Assembly ; and that all free males, twentyone years of age and upwards, be considered entitled to vote by ballot for ^ve persons for members of convention ; and that the sherifis or their deputies, holding such polls of election, give certificates to the five persons in each county, having the greatest number of votes, of their Deing duly elected members of convention.

And I, the said William Blount, Governor, d^c^ think proper here to declare, that this recommendation is not intended to have, nor ought to have, any effect whatever upon the present temporary form of government ; and that the present temporary form will continue to he exercised in the same manner as if it had never been issued, until the convention shall have formed and published a constitution or peimanent form of government.

In accordance with this proclamation, elections were held for five members of Convention, from each of the eleven counties in the Territory. These assembled on the day appointed, Jan. 11, at Knoxvilie.

Besides the members, there was an immense gathering of the more enlightened, patriotic and influential citizens, from all parts of the Territory, and some from other states. Knoxvilie had never before contained more intelligence and weight of character. The occasion demanded wisdom and moderation, public spirit and public virtue - and these were there.

The Convention proceeded to the choice of a President, when William Blount was unanimously elected and conducted to the chair. William Maclin was chosen secretary, and John Sevier, Jun., reading and engrossing clerk. John Rhea was appointed door-keeper.

On motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Roddye, - Ordered - ^That the session commence to-morrow with prayer, and a sermon to be delivered by Rev. Mr. Carrick.

The rules for the government of the Convention were, with slight modifications, the same that had been adopted by the House of Representatives of the Territorial Assembly, Aug. 6, 1794.