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 2
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Such were the aspects exhibited in Kentucky, when in 1767, it was visited by John Finley, and his comrades.
They traversed the country, with sensations of wonder and delight never known by them before ; and thence returned home the same year, to give to their friends an account of the new Eden which they had found. Their narrative excited much curiosity, some belief, and not a little doubt ; but raised up no immediate adventurers, for the pathless wilderness, and dark forests, which had been traversed by them.
At this time the name of Kentucky was but faintly - heard in Virginia, nor is it known that any one from that colony, had ventured across the Cumberland Moun- tain, which seemed to bound her western prospect ; unless it be true, that Doctor Walker, a Virginia gen- tleman of intelligence and enterprise, who had about the year fifty-eight visited Powell's Valley on the east of the Cumberland Mountain, with a small party, intend- ing a tour to the westward in search of the Ohio, had actually crossed the Cumberland Gap, and passed the giver of that name ; of which there is some tradition.
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And that pursuing his rout in a north-eastwardly direc- tion, he traversed the hilly country inveloping the streams of those rivers which issue from the base of that mountain, as far as Big Sandy, by which he returned ; after a journey of prodigious labor and difficulty to his own home. And which necessarily left him as ignorant of the interior of Kentucky as if he had remained at rest ; and gave him such an idea of the country that he did not again attempt to explore it, for discovery. Nor was his representation of it calculated to excite others, by any other motive than curiosity, the gratification of which, would incur, privation, labour, and danger.
The country beyond the Cumberland Mountain, still appeared to the dusky view of the generality of the people, almost as obscure, and doubtful as America itself, to the people of Europe, before the voyage of Columbus .- A country there was ; of this they could not doubt, who thought at all ; but whether land or water, mountain or plane, fertility, or barrenness; predo- minated ; whether inhabited by men or beasts, or both, or neither, they knew not. If habitable by man, they supposed it filled with Indians; for they had always found them on their frontiers. And this had been a powerful reason for not exploring the regions west of the great mountain, which concealed Kentucky from their sight.
Indian tradition alone gave them an idea of its distinct existence, or extent, and what little else was known. But this tradition, besides its coming from heathen, and enemies, was confused, and unsatisfactory. The great
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body of the people in the interior of the colony, knew nothing about the country, or heard it spoken of, as a tale is told in romance. Nor had the bold and hardy hunter of the frontier yet ventured to explore it, for game, his favorite pursuit.
Two years after the return of Finley, to North-Car- olina, some of the first adventurers again visited the country, with DANIEL BOONE ; who will be better known in the progress of this history. -Of John Finley, except that he was the pilot of Boone, and it is a subject of extreme regret, nothing more is known .--- Were we permitted to indulge our imagination, in drawing a portrait, for this man- the first to explore a remote, and savage country -- we could but give him bodily strength, and vigor of intel- lect ; the necessary basis of bold conceptione, and the fortunate execution of untried enterprise. But to the historian, destitute of facts, for his text, silence super- cedes commentary.
The party with Daniel Boone, remained a longer time in Kentucky, than Finley's party, had done: they explored the country more generally ; they discovered its variety, of soil and surface ; they ranged through its forests, and they found its different rivers ; and by pursuing the paths and roads made by wild animals; particularly the buffaloe, they were led to many of the salt-springs, at which salt is now made, for the con- sumption of its present inhabitants ; and to which those animals resorted, for the use and benefit of the salt, 50 necessary to animal life :- this was obtained, by drink-
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ing the water, or licking the earth. Nor did the party with Boone, who was its leader, remain much longer ignorant of another fact, of equal importance to any yet discovered. It was, that notwithstanding there were no human habitations, in the country, for the hospitable reception of the stranger, yet it was the hunting ground ; and often the field of battle, for the different neighboring tribes of Indians, from the north, the west, and the south. Possessed, by none of these, for residence, or cultivation ; the country was claimed as the property of some, and as a common park, where game was to be killed by all of these tribes,
Here these wild, but dexterous hunters often met ; and here they often fought each other, for the skins of the beasts which they had killed ; or to prevent the future killing of others, by the adverse tribes, or individuals. In consequence of which, the country being thickly shaded, was called in their expressive language, THE DARK, AND BLOODY GROUND.
Daniel Boone continued in this country about two years, and then returned to his home in North-Carolina ; without having made any permanent settlement ; but possessed of an extensive knowledge of the country ; which he disseminated among his acquaintances.
About the year 1770, a rumor of Kentucky having reached the western settlements, of Virginia, on the new-river, Holston, and Clinch, a party of about forty stout hunters, associated for the purpose of traping, and shooting game, west of the Cumberland Mountains. Equipped, with their rifles, dogs, traps, blankets, and
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suitable dress for the woods, they commenced their arduous enterprise in the real spirit of hazardous adven- ture, through the rough and rugged forests, which, invelope, these mountains, and their appendages of hills.
Nine of this company, led on by the present Colonel James Knox, reached Kentucky ; and from the time they were absent', otbained the name of the LONG HUN- TERS ; the rest of the party either killed by the Indians ; or fearing to encounter the increasing danger and fatigue of the tour, saw not the interior of Kentucky, and are no more spoken of in this history.
The party with Knox, confined their excursions, and researches, principally to the south side of the Kentucky River; and after an extensive, and irregular range through the country, returned to their former habita- tions, with the experience of many incidental hardships and difficulties ; and with a goodly stock of knowledge of the southern regions of Kentucky, to compensate them for other privations.
There is no tradition, that Boone, and Knox, ever met in these excursions, or knew of each other's being in the country at the time.
The return of Knox, to Virginia, contributed to diffuse a knowledge of Kentucky through the part of the country, where he lived ; and was the cause of rousing others to engage in a like enterprise. He also repeated his visits, and is reconed among the early, if not among the first, settlers in the country. We admire per- severance, and consistency of design, and feel a pleasure in knowing, that an extensive property in
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the fertile soil of the country, has rewarded the industry, and good management of Col. Knox, with an affluent independence.
In the mean time, FAME, who like ENVY, never ceases to busy herself with the affairs of men, had flown through the colonies, with the name and description of Kentucky ; which she embellished by her invention ; and blazoned from her wide mouthed trumpet, of " various note."
Thus was curiosity excited in the interior of Virginia, and the minds of the people more familiarised to the dangers of exploring those unknown regions beyond the habitations of the western settlers.
In more northern latitudes, some of these objects were better known; the last war in Canada between Great- Britain and France, had led many of the colonists, to the upper waters of the Ohio ; and by an association of ideas, to contemplate, the country below. But of that knowledge of Kentucky which proceeds from visual observation, even those were not possessed; nor is it known that any adventurers down the Ohio, had re- turned, so early as 1767 ; the time that Finley visited the country, with any intelligence from Kentucky. But causes were in operation, which unavoidably led to - a full discovery, and settlement of the country.
The peace of 1763 secured to Great-Britain the right of territorial sovereignty, to the country on the east of the Mississippi, comprehending Kentucky, to which France had previously asserted the paramount right of territory and dominion. The change of this right of
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dominion, whether real or imaginary, necessarily facili- tated the transmigration, of British colonists, from their atlantic settlements to the newly acquired territory, on the western waters.
Another circumstance of direct influence upon the fuller discovery and future settlement of the country on the Ohio, was the bounty given in the western lands, to the officers and soldiers of the Virginia troops, who had served in the British army, in the war of Canada.
These lands were to be surveyed by the claimants on the waters of the Ohio-of which the upper part of the Great Kanhawa, called NEW-RIVER, was known, and thinly settled at an earlier day. This river, on the fertile banks of which, some of these bounty lands were. surveyed as early as 1772, led directly on to the Ohio. In 1773, several surveyors were deputed to the Ohio River for the purpose of laying out other tracts of bounty land.
These surveyors descended the Ohio, as low as the Rapids, in thirty-eight degrees, and eight minutes of north latitude. Thence they explored the country for some distance, and made surveys on some of the salt licks, and other choice places, and returned home.
About this time Gen. Thompson, of Pennsylvania, also came to the country, and made an extensive con- nection of surveys on the north fork of Licking River.
In 1774 other surveyors were sent to the Ohio on the like errant, and pursuing the same rout as those of the preceding year from Virginia, they landed at the Rapids of the Ohio, and thence travelled up the country, cn
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both sides of the Kentucky River as high as Elkhorn, and Dick's River, making surveys occasionally as they progressed.
There were yet no families moved into the country, nor any permanent residence commenced ; but in the course of this year was a cabin built at Harrodsburgh 3 so called from James Harrod, who had led a party of Monongahelians, to that place. At this place, the hunters, and surveyors, occasionally, took refuge, from the inclemency of the weather, or the fury of the Indians.
In this year also open hostilities ensued, between the tribes of Indians on the north-west of the Ohio, and the Virginians. The adverse armies met on the Ohio, at the mouth of the Great Kanhawa ; and after a severe battle which terminated in favor of the Virginians, the Indians fled home, and many of the soldiers, returned to their residence, by the way of Kentucky.
Peace was concluded in the same year ; and the sur- veyors, who had been recalled from the country, returned with returning peace, and in this, and the next year, completed the execution of their commissions.
In 1775, the people of Virginia, and the neighboring colonies, being much better informed than before, of the country ; and apprehending less danger from the Indians, in consequence of the recent peace, repaired to Kentucky in numerous small parties, for the purpose of selecting tracts for improvement, and future settlement. These improvements were made without intention, of continued occupancy ; and consisted principally, in cutting the under brush, and belting the larger trees-to which was
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sometimes added a log pen called a cabin, with open top, or bark cover, as the foundation of future claim. Upon the approach of winter these adventurers generally returned home ; and contributed, by extending informa- tion of the country, to rouse up other adventurers, who the next summer made a like visit for like purposes ; and after improving as others had done, returned home.
In 1775, some permanent settlements were however made in the country, particularly at Harrodsburgh, Lo- gans, and a few other places, under the auspices of Vir- ginia ; the adventurers being generally from that colony +-besides the settlement at Boonesborough, which was made under the influence of Henderson and company, from North-Carolina.
During the interval between the return of Daniel Boone from Kentucky; and this period, he had not been silent or inactive. The accounts of Kentucky first cir- culated by Finley and his little party, and authenticated by Boone, through North-Carolina, had excited the attention and awakened the cupidity of Colonel Richard Henderson and others ; who anticipating in imagination the immense riches to be amassed by the acquisition of the country on the south side of the Kentucky River, (then claimed as far as the Tennessee, by the Cherokee Indians, resident within the chartered limits of North- Carolina) and to colour the possession which they con- templated taking of that vast region, determined to become the purchasers from those Indians ; and then to settle the country. For these purposes having associated themselves, and brought about the necessary treaty with
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the Indians, the purchase was accordingly made ; a deed executed ; and in the same year possession taken ; and Boonesborough built :- Naming the place after Daniel Boone, who had been the principal; but not the first harbinger of the new world ; the agent in purchasing the country from the Indians ; and the leader of the first colony to the Banks of Kentucky.
Henderson and his associates now considering them- selves the proprietors of this spacious territory, opened an office for selling out the land to purchasers, to whom they proposed making deeds, by virtue of their Indian title.
Whether the gentlemen of this association were igno- rant of the Virginia charter ; or supposed it gave no preemptive right to the purchase of these lands from the Indians ; or whether they were encouraged in this act of aggression, on the sovereignty of the colony, by the in- creased difficulties, and beginning war, between Great- Britain, and her American colonies, is not certainly known. But whatever were the principles upon which they reconciled these transactions to themselves, or ex- pected to justify them to the world, they seemed deter- mined to persevere, and actually made several deeds to private purchasers.
The most flattering prospects of wealth and power, nowy presented themselves to the associates, when an account of their proceedings was transmitted to Virginia, and gave rise to rumors, and murmurs, of the most inauspicious nature.
Virginia hitherto, under some restrictions from thé Crown of Great Britain, as to her western territory ; or
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occupied by the momentous contest then existing, be- tween the mother country, and her colonies, on the sub- ject of taxation, had paid but little attention, to Ken- tucky, so late the residence only of wild beasts-or the ; resort of Indians, still more wild, and untractable. The next year however changed the state of the case. In : this year Congress, having adopted the Declaration of Independence, Virginia took the decided attitude of a free, independent, and sovereign state; formed a constitution of government-and asserted her territorial rights to be co-extensive with the limits of her royal and colonial charter of the 23d of May, 1609, by the King of Great-Britain. Within these chartered limits, which extended from the Atlantic, to the Pacific Ocean, she asserted the exclusive right of purchasing the soil from the aborigines. .
In pursuance of these principles, the Legislature of Virginia, afterwards declared the purchase made by Henderson and company, utterly null and void, as it related to them, but effectual as to the extinction of the Indian title, which consequently devolved on the state ; in whom vested the paramount title, and prior right of purchase from the Indians.
Thus vanished the golden dream of Col. Henderson, and his speculating associates : And an incalculable fund of future wealth, power, and dominion, was ac- quired to the commonwealth, without any advance of money, or exertion of physical force on her part.
Henderson, and his associates were however deemed korthy of compensation, and a tract of two hundred B
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thousand acres of the same land was assigned to them, at the Mouth of Green River.
With this grant the associates became satisfied ; and the settlers under them, in the other parts of the country, universally acquiescing in the authority of Virginia ; they all henceforth looked up to her for their titles, and protection.
In the interim the Legislature of Virginia also con- firmed a purchase made by Col. Donaldson, of the country on the north side of the Kentucky River, from the six nations ; which for a time had been improvi- dently slighted.
Thus was the Indian title to the whole of the country north of Tennessee, extinguished by purchase ; which reconciled the demands of justice, with the dictates of sound policy on the part of Virginia -- who now stood high, in the estimation of her sister states, for patriotism, for talents --- for population-and for riches : extending her territorial dominion, and settlements, to the Ohio eight hundred miles west of the Atlantic Ocean.
CHAP.
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CHAPTER II.
CONTENTS OF CHAPTER II.
Progressive emigrations-Indian hostility-Daughters of Colo. Calloway, and Daniel Boone made prisoners and rescued-Description of an Indian Siege, and general mode of warfare-Benjamin Logan removes to Har- rodsburgh-George Rogers Clark, noticed-Boonesbo- rough besieged at different times -. Logan returns to bis own station which is afterwards besieged-men arrive from North-Carolina-Colo. Bowman with 100 men arrives from Virginia-General state of the Country -Biographical sketches of Boone, Harrod, and Logan.
A ROAD sufficient for the passage of pack-horses in single file, having been opened from the settlements on Holston, to Kentucky, by Daniel Boone; it was soon after trodden by other adventurers, with families.
On the opposite side of the country, the river Ohio, opened an avenue of easy access, to emigrants ; while the points at the mouth of Limestone, now, MAYS- VILLE, and at the mouth of Beargrass, now, LOUIS- VILLE, were selected as landing places. Both ways,
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were infested by Indians, and rendered dangerous to travellers. During the year 1775, Boonesborough, and Harrodsburgh, were places of general rendezvous, and it is believed, the only places of safety for residents, and travellers, to be found in the country. Nor were these safe beyond the walls of their respective forts. If other settlements were permitted to exist, it was more owing to their obscurity, than to their strength.
About the month of September in this year, Harrods- burgh became the residence of several females, and some children ; from this period we date the permanent set- tlement of this place. And are enabled to name Mrs. M'Gary, Mrs. Denton, and Mrs. Hogan, as the first white women who made their appearance in this new settlement, with their husbands and families. Other families soon followed, and the social virtues found an other asylum in the midst of a savage wilderness.
In December, one man was killed at Boonesborough, by the Indians, whose sign was frequently observed, by the hunters in different parts of the country.
In the latter end of this year, or early in 1776, Colonel Richard Calloway, removed his family, accompanied by some others to Boonesborough.
March 1776 Benjamin Logan, moved Mrs. Logan and the residue of his family from Holston to his Kentuc- ky settlement ; from which however he prudently sought a temporary safety in Harrodsburgh. On the 14th of July, 1776, one of Daniel Boone's daughters, and two of the Miss Calloways, amusing themselves on the outside of the fort, were surprised by a party of Indians,
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fying in ambush, and carried away prisoners. The alarm was immediately given ; and Daniel Boone col- lecting a party of eight men, pursued the Indians with the utmost dispatch. Such however was their celerity, that they were not overtaken, until the 16th, when two of them were killed, and the girls rescued, without injury.
Soon after this occurrence, it was ascertained, that a - host of savages had come into the country with hostile intentions ; and the better to efectuate these, according totheir mode ofwarfare, had dispersed into smaller bands, and at the same time, infested the different stations in the country ; some of which had been recently erect - ed. The Indian manner of besieging a place is some- what singular ; and will appear novel to those who have derived their ideas of a siege, from the tactics of regular armięs ; it is such however as the most profound reflec- tion, or acute practical observation, operating upon existing circumstances, would dictate, or approve. They have neither cannon, nor battering engines : nor have they yet learnt the use of the scaling-ladder. Be -. sides, caution in war, is even more inculcated than courage. To secure himself, and kill his enemy, is the first object with the Indian warrior. This sentiment is common to all the tribes ; and their practice is conform- able to its utmost extent ; with the exceptions incident to general rules. The Indians in besieging any place, are seldom seen in force upon any quarter ; but dispersed, and acting individually, or in small parties, they con- ceal themselves, in the bushes, or behind trees, or the stumps of trees ; or waylay the path, or field, and other.
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places, to which their enemies resort : and when one, or more, can be taken down, in their opinion, they fire their gun, or let fly their arrow ; if necessary they retreat ; if they dare, they advance upon their adversary, and make him prisoner, or take his scalp, if possible. They cut off the garrison supplies, by killing the cattle ; and they watch the watering places, for those who go for that arti- cle of primary necessity ; that they may by these means reduce the placetotheir possession, or destroy its garrison, in detail. In the night, they will place themselves, near
the fort-gates, ready to sacrifice the first person who shall appear in the morning ; in the day, if there be any cover, such as grass, a bush, a large clod of earth, or a stone as big as a bushel, they will avail themselves of it, to ap- proach the fort, by slipping forward on their bellies, within gun-shot ; and whosoever appears, gets the fire, while they retreat behind the smoak of the powder. At other times, they approach the walls, or palisades, with the utmost audacity, and attempt to fire them, or beat down the gate. They draw out the garrison by a false alarm on the one side of the fort, and enter it by surprise on the other.
And when their stock of provision, which is always in- dividual, is exhausted, they supply themselves by hunt- ing, and again return to the siege.
Such was the enemy, who infested Kentucky, and with whom early settlers, had to combat. In the fight, they were brave ; in defeat, they were dexterous ; in victory, they were cruel. Neither sex, nor age, were exempted from their tomahawk, or scalping knife.
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They saw their perpetual enemy, taking possession of their HUNTING GROUND ; and they were determined to dispute it, by a resort to their utmost resources. Had they possessed the skill, which combines individual effort, with a concerted attack; and had they directed their whole force against each of the forts, in succession, in- stead of dissipating their strength by attacking all, at the same time, they could easily have rid Kentucky of its new inhabitants ; and again restored it to the buffaloe, and the Indian : the wild game, and its red hunters. But it was otherwise ; and after inflicting great distress on the settlers, without being able to take any of the forts, the approach of winter dispersed them ; but not till they had killed sundry persons ; and destroyed most of the cattle around the stations.
The settlers in the mean time, acquired fortitude, and dexterity, in proportion to the occasional pressure. The Indians were obliged to retire into the woods, sometimes in search of provisions, sometimes as to a place of safety : and generally by night they withdrew to a distance; in these intervals the white men would plough their corn, or gather their crop, or get up their cattle, or hunt the deer, the bear, and the buffaloe. In travelling, they left the paths ; and they frequently employed the night, to go out from, or return to, the garrison. They often ex- changed shot with the Indians; and sometimes when they came in, on one side of the fort, the enemy were on the other.
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