USA > Kentucky > The history of Kentucky : including an account of the discovery, settlement, progressive improvement, political and military events, and present state of the country > Part 15
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Thus he became acquainted with the first settlers in the country ; to whom he was every where serviceable ;
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and with whom, he every where partook of danger, for the residue of that, and the whole of the next year.
He generally acted as a spy, and was in sundry skir- mishes, besides several sieges, at Boonesborough.
In 1778, he joined Colonel G. R. Clark, and was with him at the capture of Kaskaskias. After the fall of that place, Butler, with others, was sent to Kentucky with dispatches ; on their way, they fell in with a camp of Indians with horses ; they broke up the camp, took the horses, sent them back to Kaskaskias, and pursued their rout, by Post St. Vincennes. Entering that place by night, they traversed several streets, and departed with- out discovery, or alarm, after taking from the inhabitants who were hostile, two horses, for each man. When they came to White River, a raft was made on which to transport the guns, and baggage, while the horses were driven in, to swim across the water. On the opposite shore there lay a camp of Indians, who caught the horses as they rose the bank.
Butler, and his party, now finding themselves in the utmost danger, permitted the raft to float down the stream, and concealed themselves till night ; when they made another raft at a different place, on which they crossed the river, returned safe to Kentucky, and des' livered the letters, as they had been directed ; some of which were intended for the seat of government.
This part of his duty being discharged, Butler made a tour to the northern part of the country, and in the same year was made prisoner by the Indians. They soon after painted him black and informed him, that at Chillicothe, A2
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where they were going, he should be burnt. Nor were they willing to permit him to pass the interim, without adding to his mental pains, those of the body. Not more to torture him, than to amuse themselves, they mounted him on an unbroke, and unbridled horse ; tied his hands behind his body, and his feet under the an- imal ; and then let him loose to run through the bushes.
This he did capering, and prancing, through the worst thickets, thereby to discharge his load, but in vain. There is no means left of checking the horse, or of guarding the body, or face, or eyes, from the brush. This rents the clothes, and almost tears the flesh from the bones-to the very great amusement of the savages- and to the great danger of the rider's life.
'The horse, at length worries himself, becomes gentle, and rejoins the cavalcade ; which now approaches within a mile of Chillicothe ; the Indians halt, dismount their prisoner, and prepare the stake. At this, they kept him tied, and standing, for nearly twenty-four hours ; with what sensations, can better be imagined, than ex- pressed. From the stake, however, he was not released, by fire ; but taken by the Indians, to run the gauntlet. At this place, there were assembled, five, or six, hundred Indians, of all ages, sexes, and conditions. These were armed with every kind of hand-weapon known to sava- ges ; and formed into two rows, reaching to the coun- cil house ; distant nearly one mile. Butler was now told, that he was to run between these files to the drum ; which was beaten at the council- house door ; and that, if he could get into the council-house, he should be cleared.
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But that he was to expect a blow from each Indian, as he passed. Next, he was placed between these ranks, and put into motion, by an order, and a blow. In a little time he broke through one of the files, before he received many blows, and continued running for the council house door ; which he had nearly gained, when he was knocked down by a warrior, with a club. Here he was severely beaten, and again taken into custody.
In this distressed, and miserable condition, when life had become burthensome ; and death, would have, been a relief, was he marched, from town, to town ; often threatened to be burnt at the stake ; and frequently compelled to run the gauntlet.
On one of these occasions, he broke the rank, deter- mined, at the risk of his life, to make his escape ; and had actually gained a considerable advantage of his foot pur- suers, when he was met by some Indians coming into town on horseback, and compelled to surrender.
At thirteen towns, he ran the gauntlet, and was cer- tainly to have been burnt, at the Lower Sandusky. But an accident suspends his progress, and seems to change his destiny.
At the Upper Sandusky, resided Simon Girty ; who had just returned from an unsuccessful expedition a- gainst the frontiers of Pennsylvania ; and in very bad humor. Hearing that there was a white prisoner in town, he saught him, fell upon him, threw him on the ground; and to color his violence, accused him of stealing the Indians' horses. Butler, recognising Girty, made himself known. They had been comrades, and
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friends ; Girty is astonished, to find him in such a situ- ation ; relents, raises him from the ground, offers him his hand, promises to save him from further injury, and to obtain his release from captivity.
The horrors of his mind, now yielded to the cheering prospects of hope, and better fortune ; and the little life which yet languished in his bruised, and emaciated body, became an object of his solicitude.
A council was called, the case stated, and Girty's in- fluence, obtained a decree of liberation, in his favor. Girty now took him to his house, bestowed on him the rights of hospitality, washed his wounds, and dressed him in a new suit of clothes.
For five days, he was at liberty, and felt himself reco- vering, both strength, and spirits. But such is the in- stability of a disorganised democracy, and the spirit of ferocity in uncivilized man, that the chiefs of several neighboring towns, hearing that the white prisoner, was set free, now became dissatisfied ; and repairing to San- dusky, demanded another council. This was according- ly held, and the former decree in favor of Butler, not- withstanding all Girty's exertions, promptly reversed ; he once more reduced to the condition of a prisoner, and his former sentence of death renewed against him. Girty was now compelled to give him up, and he was marched away to Lower Sandusky, to be burnt. At this place, he met with Peter Drewyear, Indian agent from Detroit. Drewyear, from motives of humanity, interceded with the council, and obtained permission to take Butler with him, on his return home. At Detroit he was given up
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to the British governor, and paroled, with orders to appear at nine o'clock, each day, when the drum beat for parade.
This partial freedom, was solaced with joy, by meeting with Jesse Coffer, Nathaniel Bullock, and o- thers from Kentucky ; who had been taken prisoners by the Indians, and found safety for their lives, at a British garrison.
In some short time Butler, and the two men, just named, found means of escape, and in 1779 returned to Kentucky, after a march of thirty days through the woods.
In the same year Butler, went to St. Vincennes, with a party to guard that place ; whence he returned in the end of the summer : and in 1780 he was on Clark's ex- pedition.
In this year, his brother John Kenton, came to Ken- tucky ; and recognising Simon, he resumed his family name, by which he has since been known.
In 1781, he resided at a new settlement on Salt river : and the next year, commanded a company, in the ex- pedition against the Indian towns.
He had become a locator of land, and was now for a year, or two, engaged particularly, in attending to the surveyors. Frequently encountering the most imminent danger from the Indians.
In 1786, with thirty-six men, he crossed the Ohio, surprised a camp, and defeated a large party of Indians, on Bullskin ; and retook their plunder. In this year, he commanded a volunteer company, on Colo. Logan's
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expedition. The next year with forty-six men, he pur- sued a large party of Indians to their camp, where New- Market, now stands. They had just decamped ; which was a fortunate circumstance, for he ascertained by their sign, that they were at least, twice his number.
The same year, the Indians took a waggon on the road near the Blue Licks, and made a man by the name of Scott, prisoner ; Kenton, with a party, followed the Indians thirty miles over the Ohio, and retook Scott.
For the three succeeding years, Kenton had many scouts, after the Indians who in small parties infested the country, on the northern frontiers. And in 1792, the 17th of April, he followed with his company, a party who had stolen horses, to the East fork of the Little Mia - mie ; came up with them in camp, attacked them, and would have defeated them ; but the firing, alarmed some adjacent camps, whence reinforcements were immediate- ly sent ; which placed his party in the utmost danger ; from this, he extricated it, by a timely retreat, with the loss of two men : that of the enemy, was never known.
About the same time of year, 1793, he attacked ano- ther camp of Indians on Paint creek ; killed a man by the name of WARD, who having been taken a prisoner, from Greenbrier, when young, had remained with the Indians.
In this attack, the Indians descended the bank of the creek, which concealed them. And Kenton apprehen- sive of reinforcements to the enemy, left the ground be- fore day-light.
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This year, Colonel John Edwards, headed a party of two or three hundred men on an expedition, intended a- gainst some of the near towns on the Sciota, which how- ever he did not reach ; of this party was Kenton. 1
Kenton, commanded a company of horse on General Wayne's campaign of 1794.
In 1795, there was peace, with the Indians. And from this time Kenton turned his attention to the habits of domestic, and civil life. He attained the rank of a Major in the militia ; and the character of a good citi- zen, and an honest man.
His early, and general knowledge ofthe country, had en- abled him to locate many land-warrants ; whence he was considered the proprietor of much valuable land. And here we can but regret his want of education. He could not read, or write ; circumstances which more or less, placed him in the power of every one with whom he made contracts : and in a manner withdrew from his view, or placed on his memory, those which he had made. The ease with which, as he supposed, he made land, induced him to sell out a great amount ; and the purchas- ers, as was the custom of the country, paid for it, with the most perishable materials. Besides, his locations, like those generally made at carly periods, were found to be vague, subject to dispute, and frequently lost. He thus found himself involved in controversy, and embarrassed by li- tigation, which presented an inextricable labyrinth, of hazard, expense, and trouble ; with which he became disgusted : and for which he left the state. Preferring rather to encounter the Indians on the frontiers of Ohio,
1
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than the law-officers, of Kentucky. He now bears the rank of General ; and enjoys a competency only.
Thus have we chosen to give, in a connected series, this byographical sketch, although in it we have antici- pated the regular chronology of events. Which in our opinion, appeared the less objectionable, because while they are such as we could not safely omit, they seem to belong particularly to the life of Kenton; and would have appeared as digressions, from the general history. Which will now assume new political aspects of the most interesting nature.
In the autumn of this year, information was received by Colonel Benjamin Logan, that some of the Cherokee tribes meditated an invasion of the southern frontiers. While those to the north, made several demonstrations of hostile intentions ; which were readily connected in the public mind, with the detention of the posts.
These circumstances, induced Colonel Logan to pro- pose a meeting of such citizens, as chose to attend, at Danville, for the purpose of concerting the means of ge- neral security. The meeting was effected, and as an introduction to the main object, Logan communicated the intelligence he had received. All had a distinct perception of the evil ; for which a remedy was now to be devised. After a short consultation, the unanin:ous opinion was, that the surest way to guard against the threatened mischief, was to frustrate the enemy, by in- vading them. This led to another enquiry of much more difficulty. Who was authorised to order an ex-
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pedition, to call out the men, and to supply them, with necessary ammunition, and provisions ?
Upon an investigation of the ex sting laws, they were found wholly inadequate to these objects. No man, or collection of men in the district, were competent, to call the militia into service, for offensive measures. The district contained no public magazine of arms, or pow- der, equal to the necessary supply. There were no provisions in store, nor funds, to purchase. The citi- zens individually, had arms, ammunition, and provisions. There was no law to conscript the owners-none to place their effects in requisition. The expeditions heretofore carried on against the Indians, had been ef- fected in time of public war, and under an universal im- pression of danger ; but now a change had taken place in these circumstances. The syren song of peace had been sung, danger itself had retreated to the frontiers. And if formerly some force had been used, and tolerated for the public safety-it would now be too hazardous an experiment, when that safety was not apparently jeopardised. No expedition could be ordered. In vain would it be to propose one of volunteers. The danger was not sufficiently imminent. The inconvenience and the expense to be incurred, were serious objections. 'The government, might disapprove of the measure, and refuse to reimburse the expenditure, to pay the offi- cers, and men, or to compensate them for losses.
The project was abandoned ; no expedition took place. Perhaps the intelligence which occasioned Co- lonel Logan to convoke the meeting, was premature ;
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perhaps an expedition at this time would have been un. fortunate. For certain it is, no invasion of Kentucky was made by the Indians.
It is however to be noticed, and regretted, that some out-lyers of the Chuckamoggas, committed depredations on the wilderness road, upon the travelling emigrants.
This had often been the case ; and again similar acts of violence were inflicted, when whole companies were either killed, taken, or dispersed.
The deliberations at Danville, sufficiently developed the situation of Kentucky, as to her legal resources for defence, to make some change, a desideratum of the first importance.
It was now apparent that her inherent strength was every way equal to her protection, and security, against the Indian tribes, though numerous. And that she re- quired only the faculty of bringing this strength into ac- tion, to be every way competent to her own preservation. But to want this faculty, was a tremendous defect in her political condition ; locally situated as she was.
Physically, Kentucky might be compared to Sampson going down to the Philistines-politically, to the same Sampson, after his amour with Delilah.
To an intelligent people, concerned about their own political situation, there is no dilemma which is inextri- cable; no evil, without a remedy. Wherever freedom of action is unrestrained by despotic power, and follows the freedom of discussion, the means of safety being the first objects of the people's duty, and belonging eseenti-
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ally to their rights, cannot long remain unknown, or un- attained.
To the people of Kentucky, forming a part of Virgi- nia, and accustomed to look up to her for acts of legisla- tion, and for grants of authority, it was both natural and reasonable to apply to her for the means of protec- tion. At least for the legalised right of using those means, which God, and their own spirit, and exer- tion, had put intotheir power for that purpose.
The right which exists in nature to resent injury, and to seek redress for grievances, had been sanctioned in the constitution of the state, by authorising remonstrance and petition, to the Legislature.
This right was familiar in practice to the people, on ordinary subjects ; but it was thought the present state of the country, had assumed unusual importance; and to make the contemplated application to the Legislature, with the greater propriety, and best effect, it was deem- ed expedient by the assemblage at Danville to invite to the same place in the month following, a CONVENTION of the representatives of the whole people of the district : in order that the result of their joint deliberations might be presented to that honorable body, for relief.
The crisis, it was said, presented hostility without, and anarchy within.
This assemblage recommended in a circular letter, addressed to the people, that each militia company in the district should elect on a day, therein named, one re- presentative, to meet in convention at Danville, on the
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27th of December 1784, to take into consideration, the important subject of self-defence.
The recommendation was well received ; the elections were made agreeably to requisition; and the de- puties assembled, at the time and place appointed.
They hence placed themselves in a deliberative posi- tion under the denomination of " convention ;" having elected Samuel M'Dowell, president; and Thomas Todd, clerk.
Their enquiries and deliberations, now directed to the means of obviating existing difficulties, and of guarding against those of a similar nature in future, were conducted with much decorum ; which after a session of ten days, resulted in the opinion, that many of the causes of com- plaint, might be removed by the legislature of the state ; : while others, and those of the greatest magnitude, taking their rise in the local situation of the country, and existing in the very nature of the government, were beyond her legitimate power of redress in the ordinary mode of le- gislation ; and could only be obtained by a separation of the parts, and the erection of Kentucky into an indepen- dent member of the confederation. An expedient, which was sanctioned by the constitution itself, was therefore embraced with considerable ardor by many of the con- vention, who urged the exposed situation of the country, and its want of political power, as unanswerable argu- ments, for its adoption.
Thus dawned the aurora of separation, which some hailed with auspicious invocations ; and others depreca- Ted with ominous forebodings.
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In fact, it suggested an untried state of things, not destitute of risk, when viewed as relative to the hetero- genious mass of people within, or the feeble state of the confederation, connected with its domestic, and foreign relations.
Those who felt themselves at their ease, in places of safety-those who were strongly attached to Virginia- those who were unmoved by new objects of ambition- could but anticipate the event with some apprehension ; er openly opposed it as premature.
There was however a decided majority in the conven- tion, in favor of the separation.
Hence it was recommended very earnestly, to the peo- ple, by a resolution of the convention, that they should, at their general elections, in April of the next year, for members of the legislature, also choose representatives, to meet in convention in the May following, at Danville, for the express purpose of considering, and deciding on the propriety and expediency of applying to the general assembly for an act of separation, and permission to be- come an independent member of the union.
There being no printing-press in the country, some pains were taken to inform the people, of the extraordi- nary election of members for convention ; and to ex- plain to them the objects proposed ; by written circulars, and otherwise.
There was an immense accession to the settlers ; and very great extension given to the settlements, during this autumn. Many genteel families, and persons of information, were among the emigrants, The frontier's
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were greatly extended, many parts recently exposed to danger, now became quite enveloped within the pale of safety ; had the Indians even kept up their usual hostili- ty : but there was in this year a very sensible relaxation in their depredations. Indeed they were pacific, for a while : and some friendly intercourse took place between their parties, and the people of the country.
On the first of January, 1785, all that part of Jeffer- son county " south of Salt River, became Nelson county.
The winter revolved as usual ; in March the Indians killed a part, and dispersed the residue of a family, re- cently settled at the mouth of Kentucky. Their sign was frequently seen by the surveyers, and hunters ; they stole horses ; and kept the frontiers in a state of alarm, without doing much real injury.
April arrived, andthe election of members for the con- vention took place, agreeably to previous recommenda- tion.
On the 23d of May, they assembled in Danville. And having organised themselves as a convention, they pro- ceeded to business. On the ninth day of their sitting, they came to sundry resolutions, which we deem worthy of being transmitted to posterity. They follow --
" Resolved unanimously, as the opinion of this con- vention, That a petition be presented to the Assembly, praying that this district may be established into a state, separate from Virginia :
"' Resolved unanimously, as the opinion of this con- vention, That this district, when established into a state, ought to be taken into union with the United States of
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America, and enjoy equal privileges in common with the said states.
" Resolved, That this convention recommend it to their constituents, to elect deputies in their respective counties, to meet at Danville on the second Monday of August next, to serve in convention, and to continue by adjournment till the first day of April next, to take further under their consideration the state of the district.
" Resolved unanimously, That the election of depu- ties for the proposed convention, ought to be on the prin- ciples of equal representation.
" Resolved, That the petition to the assembly for es- tablishing this district into a state, and the several re- solves of the former and present convention, upon which the petition is founded, together with all other matters relative to the interest of the district, that have been un- der their consideration, be referred to the future conven- tion, that such further measures may be taken thereon, as they shall judge proper.
" To the Honorable the General Assembly of Virginia.
" THE petition of a convention of the inhabitants of the District of Kentucky, begun and held at Danville, in Lincoln county, on Monday, the twenty-third day of May, 1785 :
'' HUMBLY SHEWETH,
"'That your petitioners having been deputed by the people, pursuant to the recommendation of a late convention, to take into consideration the propriety and expediency of making application to the legislature for having this district established into a separate state, to be
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taken into union with the United States ; (as also the several grievances stated by that convention ; and to adopt such measures thereon, and whatever else might come before them, as should appear most conducive to its interest) are unanimously of opinion-that the re- mote situation of the district from the seat of govern- ment, together with sundry other inconveniences, subject the good people thereof to a number of grievances too pressing to be longer borne, and which cannot be reme- died whilst the district continues a part of the state of Virginia ; conceiving it to be not only the privilege, but the duty of all men to seek happiness by entering into any form of civil society, not injurious to others, that they may judge most conducive to this great end : at the same time being anxiously desirous to cultivate the most per- fect harmony with our brethren in the other parts of the state, and when we are under the necessity of being se- parated from the parent, whose fostering hand we grate- fully acknowledge, has formerly been extended to our infant settlements ; wishing nothing more devoutly, than that her blessing may ever attend us : therefore we are induced to pray, that, agreeable to the provisional clause in the constitution, the district of Kentucky may be established into a separate and independent state, to be known by the name of the Commonwealth of Kentuc- ky ; which we wish to take place under the following re- gulations, to wit :
" That as soon as may be after the said state is estab- lished, a convention be authorised to assemble and adopt a constitution and form of government ; that the several
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acts of assembly which may be in force at the time of se- paration, together with the common law of England, all statutes or acts of parliament, made in aid of the common law, prior to the fourth year of the reign of James the first, which are of a general nature, not local to that kingdom nor repealed nor altered by the legislature of Virginia, continue to be the rule of decision ; and be considered as in full force, so far as they are applicable to the district, until the same shall be altered by the legisla- tive power of the commonwealth of Kentucky ; and that as soon as conveniently may be, after the district is esta- blished into a state, an equal number of commissioners from Virginia and the said state, be appointed and au- thorised to settle and adjust the proportion of the state debt to be paid by each ; and if the commissioners can- not agree, that the difference be referred to and settled by congress, as provided by the articles of confederation and perpetual union.
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