USA > Kentucky > Madison County > Boonesborough > Boonesborough; its founding, pioneer struggles, Indian experiences, Transylvania days, and revolutionary annals; > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
Having given you a slight view of one side of the question, it may not be amiss to turn the subject over and see what may be said on the other hand. Notwithstanding all our negligence, self-security, scarcity of men, and whatever else may be added against us, I cannot think but we shall carry the matter through, and be crowned with success. My reasons for this opinion, calls for in you, a kind of knowledge of the geography of our country. Those who have no just idea of this matter may be aided by Captain Hart. We are seated at the mouth of Otter creek, on the Kentucky, about 150 miles from the Ohio. To the west, about 50 miles from us, are two settlements, within six or seven miles one of the other. There were, some
I90
Boonesborough
time ago, about 100 at the two places; though now, per- haps, not more than 60 or 70, as many of them are gone up the Ohio for their families, &c .; and some returned by the way we came, to Virginia and elsewhere. These men, in the course of hunting provisions, lands, &c., are some of them constantly out, and scour the woods from the banks of the river near forty or fifty miles southward. On the opposite side of the river, and north from us, about 40 miles, is a settlement on the crown lands, of about 19 persons ; and lower down, towards the Ohio, on the same side, there are some other settlers, how many, or at what place, I can't exactly learn. There is also a party of about 10 or 12, with a surveyor, who is employed in searching through that country, and laying off officers' lands ; they have been more than three weeks within ten miles of us, and will be several weeks longer ranging up and down that country. Now, taking it for granted, that the Cherokees are our friends, which I most firmly believe, our situation exempts us from the first attempt or attack of any other Indians. Colonel Harrod, who governs the two first mentioned settlements, (and is a very good man for our purpose), Colonel Floyd, (the surveyor), and myself, are under solemn engagements to communicate, with the utmost despatch, every piece of intelligence respecting danger or sign of Indians, to each other. In case of invasion of Indians, both the other parties are instantly to march and relieve the distressed, if possible. Add to this, that our country is so fertile, the growth of grass and herbage so tender and luxuriant that it is almost impossible for man or dog to travel, without leaving such sign that you might, for many days, gallop a horse on the trail. To be serious, it is impossible for any number of people to pass through the woods without being tracked, and of course dis- covered, if Indians, for our hunters all go on horseback, and
191
Appendix
could not be deceived if they were to come on the trace of footmen. From these circumstances, I think myself in a great measure secure against a formidable attack; and a few skulkers could only kill one or two, which would not much affect the interest of the company.
Thus, gentlemen, you have heard both sides of the question, and can pretty well judge of the degree of danger we are in. Let your opinions be as they may on this point, by no means betray the least symptom of doubt to your most intimate friends. If help is ever wanting, it will be long before succour can come from you, and therefore every expense of that kind super- flous and unnecessary. If we can maintain our ground until after harvest in Virginia, I will undertake for ever after to defend the country against every nation of red people in the world, without calling on the company for even a gun-flint.
Here I must beg the favor of your turning back with me to Powell's Valley. Our anxiety at that time is now of very little concern to you; but the impressions still remain on my mind, and indeed I would not wish to get clear of them in a little time. It learnt me to make an estimate of the probable value of our country ; to see the imminent danger of losing it forever, and presented me with a full view of the ridiculous figure we should cut in the world, in case of failure. With respect to the real consequence of such a disappointment, I could not so well judge for the company in general, as for myself, but thought it too serious an affiair with respect to us all, to be tamely given up without the fire of a single gun, or something like an attempt to take possession and defend our rights, so long, at least, as we should find our posts tenable.
Though the danger Mr. Cocke exposed himself to in render- ing this piece of service to the company, dwelt on me for some
192
Boonesborough
time, yet having despatched a messenger to Captain Boone was a matter of such consolation, that my burthen from that time was much lightened. We soon found, by his letters on the road, that he had a companion, and went on very well (a small stoppage by waters excepted). On Thursday, the 20th April, found him with Captain Boone and his men at the place appointed, where he had related the history of his adventures, and come in for his share of applause ; here it was that the whole load, as it were, dropped off my shoulders at once, and I questioned if a happier creature was to be found under the sun. Why do I confine it to myself ; it was general; the people in the fort, as well as ourselves, down to an old weather-beaten negro, seemed equally to enjoy it. Indeed it was natural for us, after being one whole month, without intermission, traveling in a barren desert country, most of the way our horses packed beyond their strength ; no part of the road tolerable, most of it either hilly, stony, slippery, miry, or bushy ; our people jaded out and dis- pirited with fatigue, and what was worse, often pinched for victuals. To get clear of all this at once, was as much as we could well bear; and though we had nothing here to refresh ourselves with, but cold water and lean buffalo beef, without bread, it certainly was the most joyous banquet I ever saw. Joy and festivity was in every countenance, and that vile strumpet, envy, I believe, had not found her way into the country.
By this time, gentlemen, I make no doubt but you would be glad that I would change my subject, and enter on some- thing more interesting. You want a description of our country, soil, air, water, range, quantity of good land, disposition of the people here, what probability of keeping possession and avail- ing ourselves of the purchase, how much money can be
Appendix 193
immediately raised towards defraying the first purchase, and, if any, overplus that will remain on hand for the use of the copartners, &c. &c. &c. These, sirs, are matters of the utmost importance, and many of them deserve your most serious attention. With respect to the country, Mr. Hart, who brings this, will give you ample satisfaction. All that I shall say about it is, that it far exceeds the idea which I had formed of it; and indeed it is not surprising, for it is not in the power of any person living to do justice to the fertility of the soil, beauty of the country, or excellence of its range ; let it suffice, that we have got a country of good land, with numberless advantages and inducements to a speedy popula- tion ; that this country is large enough, and surely will be settled immediately on some principles or other : the grand affair, on our part, is to manage matters so as to have our rights acknowledged, and continue lords of the soil. Every thing has succeeded to my wish with respect to title. The torrent from Virginia appears to be over, and gentle- men of considerable fortune, from thence, are some of them come, and others coming, with design to purchase under us, as they cannot come within the indulgences to adventurers of this season; and applications are daily making for the next year's price. Many of them are returned home, and would have been much dissatisfied, if I had not promised them, on my word and honor, that the terms should be immediately published in all the Williamsburg papers.
26
194
Boonesborough
M LETTER TO PATRICK HENRY FROM HENDERSON & CO., APRIL 26, 1775.
( Copied by James Hall from the Original. )
HILLSBOROUGH, April 26, 1775.
Sir,-The late meeting of the delegates, from the several counties, cities, and boroughs, in his majesty's antient Colony and Dominion of Virginia, at Richmond, was an event which raised the expectations and attracted the attention of the whole British America, as well on account of the acknowledged wisdom and public integrity of the delegates, as the important and inter- esting purposes of that numerous and respectable Convention. The copartners in the purchase of lands, on Louisa, from the Indians, neither intending by their distant and hazardous enter- prize, to revolt from their allegiance to their sovereign, nor yet to desert the grand and common cause of their American brethren and fellow subjects, in their manly and glorious struggle for the full enjoyment of the natural rights of mankind, and the ines- timable liberties and priviledges of our happy constitution, were anxious to know the result of the wise and mature deliberations of the Convention, and particular in their enquiries concerning the several matters which became the subject of consideration in that august assembly. It was not long before we learnt the particulars from some of the members, and that the minute cir- cumstances of our contract with the Cherokee Indians had occasionally been moved and debated. The true point of view in which, we are told, you, with several other gentlemen, con- ceived the nature of the contract, and the eloquence and good sense with which you defended, and the liberal principles on which you supported our claim to the benefit of our engagement with the Indians, in addition to the universal applause of the whole continent, for your noble and patriotick exertions, give you
195
Appendix
an especial claim to our particular acknowledgements, of which we take this earliest opportunity of begging your acceptance. It would, Sir, have afforded us the most singular satisfaction to have had it in our power to give you a more substantial evidence of our gratitude. Yet we conceive the generous disinterestedness of your principles and publick conduct to be such, that even our thanks may be more than you expected or wished for. We hope, however, that our wishes to make known our gratitude to you, will be considered as a sufficient apology for our having given you the trouble of this letter.
Convinced that our purchase is neither against the laws of our country, nor the principles of natural justice and equity, and conscious to ourselves of the uprightness of our intentions, we totally disregard the reproaches thrown out against us by ill- informed or envious and interested persons ; and now encouraged by the approbation of the respectable Provincial Congress of Virginia, we shall hereafter pursue with eagerness what we at first adopted with caution.
We beg that you will pardon the length of this letter, and that you will do us the honor to believe, that we are, with the highest sense of gratitude for the part you have taken in favor of our hazardous enterprise, and with the greatest respect and esteem for your eminent and distinguished character and reputa- tion, among the vigilant guardians and illustrious patrons of American liberty,
Sir your most obliged and very mo. devoted h'ble serv'ts,
RICHARD HENDERSON. NATH'L HART.
THOMAS HART. DAVID HART.
JOHN WILLIAMS. LEND. H. BULLOCK.
JAMES HOGG. JOHN LUTTRELL.
WM. JOHNSTON.
To Patrick Henry, Esq., Hanover County, Va.
N. B .- A copy of the above letter sent to Thos. Jefferson, Esqr., Virginia.
196
Boonesborough
N
JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COLONY OF TRANSYLVANIA,
BEGUN ON TUESDAY THE 23D OF MAY, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD CHRIST 1775, AND IN THE FIFTEENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HIS MAJESTY, KING OF GREAT BRITAIN.
( Copy of the Original. Furnished by James Alves1 to Mann Butler in 1835.)
The proprietors of said colony having called and required an election of Delegates or Representatives to be made for the pur- pose of legislation, or making and ordaining laws and regulations for the future conduct of the inhabitants thereof, that is to say, for the town of Boonesborough six members, for Harrodsburg three, for the Boiling Spring settlement four, for the town of St. Asaph four, and appointed their meeting for the purpose aforesaid, on the aforesaid 23d of May, Anno Domini 1775 :-
It being certified to us here this day, by the secretary, that the following persons were returned as duly elected for the several towns and settlements, to-wit :
For Boonesborough,
For Harrodsburg,
Squire Boone,
Thomas Slaughter,
Daniel Boone,
John Lythe,
William Cocke,
Valentine Harmon,
Samuel Henderson,
James Douglass ;
William Moore, and
Richard Callaway ;
I James Alves was a descendant of James Hogg and the legal repre- sentative of Hogg and other members of the Transylvania Company in the matter of lots in the town of Henderson, Kentucky. Certain papers of said Company and of Judge Henderson were in Mr. Alves' possession.
197
Appendix
For Boiling Spring,
James Harrod,
Nathan Hammond,
Isaac Hite, and
Azariah Davis ;
For St. Asaph, John Todd, Alexander Spotswood Dan- dridge, John Floyd, and Samuel Wood.
Present-Squire Boone, Daniel Boone, Samuel Henderson, William Moore, Richard Callaway, Thomas Slaughter, John Lythe, Valentine Harmon, James Douglass, James Harrod, Nathan Ham- mond, Isaac Hite, Azariah Davis, John Todd, Alexander Spots- wood Dandridge, John Floyd, and Samuel Wood, who took their seats at convention.
The House unanimously chose Colonel Thomas Slaughter Chairman, and Matthew Jouett Clerk, and after divine service was performed by the Rev. John Lythe, the House waited on the proprietors and acquainted them that they had chosen Mr. Thomas Slaughter Chairman, and Matthew Jouett Clerk, of which they approved ; and Colonel Richard Henderson, in behalf of himself and the rest of the proprietors, opened the convention with a speech, a copy of which, to prevent mistakes, the Chair- man procured.
Ordered, that said speech be read-read the same which follows : Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the Convention :
You are called and assembled at this time for a noble and an honorable purpose-a purpose, however ridiculous or idle it may appear at first view, to superficial minds, yet is of the most solid consequence ; and if prudence, firmness, and wisdom are suffered to influence your councils and direct your conduct, the peace and harmony of thousands may be expected to result from your deliberations ; in short, you are about a work of the utmost importance to the well-being of this country in general, in which
198
Boonesborough
the interest and security of each and every individual is insep- arably connected ; for that state is truly sickly, politically speak- ing, whose laws or edicts are not careful equally of the different members, and most distant branches, which constitute the one united whole.
Nay, it is not only a solecism in politics, but an insult to com- mon sense, to attempt the happiness of any community, or com- posing laws for their benefit, without securing to each individual his full proportion of advantage arising out of the general mass ; thereby making his interest (that most powerful incentive to the actions of mankind) the consequence of obedience : this at once not only gives force and energy to legislation, but as justice is, and must be eternally the same, so your laws, founded in wisdom, will gather strength by time, and find an advocate in every wise and well-disposed person.
You, perhaps, are fixing the palladium, or placing the first corner-stone of an edifice, the height and magnificence of whose superstructure is now in the womb of futurity, and can only become great and glorious in proportion to the excellence of its foundation. These considerations, gentlemen, will, no doubt, ani- mate and inspire you with sentiments worthy the grandeur of the subject.
Our peculiar circumstances in this remote country, surrounded on all sides with difficulties, and equally subject to one common danger, which threatens our common overthrow, must, I think, in their effects, secure to us an union of interests, and, consequently, that harmony in opinion, so essential to the forming good, wise, and wholesome laws. If any doubt remain amongst you with respect to the force or efficacy of whatever laws you now, or hereafter make, be pleased to consider that all power is orginally in the people ; therefore, make it their interest, by impartial and
*
199
Appendix
beneficial laws, and you may be sure of their inclination to see them enforced. For it is not to be supposed that a people, anxious and desirous of having laws made,-who approve of the method of choosing delegates, or representatives, to meet in gen- eral convention for that purpose, can want the necessary and concomitant virtue to carry them into execution.
Nay, gentlemen, for argument's sake, let us set virtue for a moment out of the question, and see how the matter will then stand. You must admit that it is, and ever will be, the interest of a large majority that the laws should be esteemed and held sacred ; if so, surely this large majority can never want inclina- tion or power to give sanction and efficacy to those very laws, which advance their interest and secure their property. And now, Mr. Chairman, and gentlemen of the convention, as it is indis- pensably necessary that laws should be composed for the regula- tion of our conduct, as we have a right to make such laws without giving offense to Great Britain, or any of the American colonies, without disturbing the repose of any society or com- munity under heaven ; if it is probable, nay, certain, that the laws may derive force and efficacy from our mutual consent, and that consent resulting from our own virtue, interest, and con- venience, nothing remains but to set about the business immedi- ately, and let the event determine the wisdom of the undertaking.
Among the many objects that must present themselves for your consideration, the first in order, must, from its importance, be that of establishing courts of justice, or tribunals for the punishment of such as may offend against the laws you are about to make. As this law will be the chief corner-stone in the ground-work or basis of our constitution, let us in a particular manner recommend the most dispassionate attention, while you take for your guide as much of the spirit and genius of the laws
200
Boonesborough
of England, as can be interwoven with those of this country. We are all Englishmen, or, what amounts to the same, ourselves and our fathers have, for many generations, experienced the invaluable blessings of that most excellent constitution, and surely we can not want motives to copy from so noble an original.
Many things, no doubt, crowd upon your minds, and seem equally to demand your attention ; but next to that of restrain- ing vice and immorality, surely nothing can be of more impor- tance than establishing some plain and easy method for the recovery of debts, and determining matters of dispute with respect to prop- erty, contracts, torts, injuries, etc. These things are so essential, that if not strictly attended to, our name will become odious abroad, and our peace of short and precarious duration ; it would give honest and disinterested persons cause to suspect that there was some colorable reason, at least, for the unworthy and scan- dalous assertions, together with the groundless insinuations con- tained in an infamous and scurrilous libel lately printed and published, concerning the settlement of this country, the author of which avails himself of his station, and under the specious pretense of proclamation, pompously dressed up and decorated in the garb of authority, has uttered invectives of the most malignant kind, and endeavors to wound the good name of persons, whose moral character would derive little advantage by being placed in competition with his, charging them, among other things equally untrue, with a design "of forming an asylum for debtors and other persons of desperate circumstances ;" placing the proprie- tors of the soil at the head of a lawless train of abandoned vil- lains, against whom the regal authority ought to be exerted, and every possible measure taken to put an immediate stop to so dangerous an enterprise.
I have not the least doubt, gentlemen, but that your conduct
Appendix 201
in this convention will manifest the honest and laudable intentions of the present adventurers, whilst a conscious blush confounds the willful calumniators and officious detractors of our infant, and as yet, little community.
Next to the establishment of courts or tribunals, as well for the punishment of public offenders as the recovering of just debts, that of establishing and regulating a militia, seems of the greatest importance ; it is apparent, that without some wise institution, respecting our mutual defense, the different towns or settlements are every day exposed to the most imminent danger, and liable to be destroyed at the mere will of the savage Indians. Nothing, I am persuaded, but their entire ignorance of our weakness and want of order, has hitherto preserved us from the destructive and rapacious bands of cruelty, and given us an opportunity at this time of forming secure defensive plans to be supported and carried into execution by the authority and sanction of a well- digested law.
There are sundry other things, highly worthy your considera- tion, and demand redress ; such as the wanton destruction of our game, the only support of life amongst many of us, and for want of which the country would be abandoned ere to-morrow, and scarcely a probability remain of its ever becoming the habitation of any Christian people. This, together with the practice of many foreigners, who make a business of hunting in our country, killing, driving off, and lessening the number of wild cattle and other game, whilst the value of the skins and furs is appropriated to the benefit of persons not concerned or interested in our set- tlement : these are evils, I say, that I am convinced can not escape your notice and attention.
Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the convention, you may assure yourselves that this new-born country is an object of the
27
202
Boonesborough
most particular attention of the proprietors here on the spot, as well as those on the other side of the mountains ; and that they will most cheerfully concur in every measure which can in the most distant and remote degree promote its happiness or contrib- ute to its grandeur.
May 23, 1775. RICHARD HENDERSON.
Ordered, that Colonel Callaway, Mr. Lythe, Mr. Todd, Mr. Dandridge, and Mr. Samuel Henderson, be a committee to draw up an answer to the proprietors' speech.
May 25th. Mr. Todd produced to the house an answer (drawn up by the committee) to the proprietors' speech, and being approved of by the committee, ordered, that Mr. Todd, Mr. Cocke, and Mr. Harrod, wait on the proprietors with an answer to their address which is as follows :
Colonel Richard Henderson and Company -Gentlemen -
We received your speech with minds truly thankful for the care and attention you express towards the good people of this infant country, whom we represent. Well aware of the confu- sion which would ensue the want of rules for our conduct in life, and deeply impressed with a sense of the importance of the trust our constituents have reposed in us, though laboring under a thousand disadvantages, which attend prescribing remedies for disorders, which already call for our assistance, as well as those that are lodged in the womb of futurity. Yet the task, arduous as it is, we will attempt with vigor, not doubting but unanimity will insure us success.
That we have an absolute right, as a political body, without giving umbrage to Great Britain, or any of the colonies, to frame rules for the government of our little society, can not be doubted by any sensible, unbiassed mind-and being without the jurisdic-
203
Appendix
tion of, and not answerable to any of his Majesty's courts, the constituting tribunals of justice shall be a matter of our first contemplation ; and as this will be a matter of the greatest importance, we will still keep in the genius and spirit of the English laws, which happy pattern it shall be our chief care to copy after.
Next to the restraint of immorality, our attention shall be directed towards the relief of the injured as well as the creditor, nor will we put it in the power of calumny and scurrility to say, that our country is an asylum for debtors or any disorderly persons.
Nor shall we neglect, by regulating a militia, as well as the infancy of our country will permit, to guard against the hostilities and incursions of our savage enemies, and at the same time, to be cautious to preserve the game of our country, so essentially necessary for the subsistence of the first adventurers.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.