USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee, from its earliest discoveries and settlements to the end of the year 1894 > Part 4
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THE STATE OF FRANKLIN.
in the United States of America, on whose summits the clouds gather of their own accord even in the brightest day."
16. "There I have seen the great spirit of the storm, after noontide, go and take his evening nap in his pavillion of dark- ness and of clouds. I have there seen him arise at midnight as ; giant refreshed from his slumbers and cover the Heavens with sloom and darkness: I have seen him awake the tempest. let loose the red lightnings that ran along the mountain tops a thousand miles, swifter than the eagle's flight in heaven. Then I have seen him stand up and dance like angels of light in the clouds to the music of that grand organ of Nature, whose keys seem touched by the fingers of Divinity in the halls of Eternity, that responded in notes of thunder, that resounded through the universe. Then I have seen the darkness drift away beyond the horizon and the morn get up from her saffron bed like a queen, put on the robes of light, come forth from her palace in the sun and stand tip toe on the misty mountain top, and night fled from before her glorious face to his bed chamber at the pole. She lighted the green vale and the beautiful river, where I was born and played in childhood, with a smile of sunshine. O! beautiful land of the mountains, with thy sun-painted cliffs, how can I ever forget thee?"
1. What followed now? Were the colonies in a better condi- ton? Why? 2. What had the War of Independence done? What did Congress urge? What did Franklin do? 3. Whom did the Franklin 'Constitution make ineligible to office? Why ? 4. What of John Sevier? John Tipton? Courts? 3. What of Essension? Constitution? Martin's manifesto? 6. What is -aid of Sevier? William Cocke? North Carolina Legislature? 7. What did the people begin to see? North Carolina had istermined what? S. Franklin refused what? Result ) 9. What did the North Carolina Governor do? Say? ro. Sevier saw what? What effort did he make to perpetuate Franklin? 1 !. How were officers paid? Taxes? 12. What is said of this scenery? 13. Give the boundaries. [4. Of whom was this
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THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
valley once the home? 15. What did Landon C. Haynes say > 16. What do you think of this speech ?
CHAPTER VII.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE.
I. As John Sevier was the father of East Tennessee, so was James Robertson the father of Middle Tennessee. In 177g. there were no habitations in the valley of the Lower Cumberland but the hunter's camp and Spencer's log cabin. In the spring of 1;79. a small party of brave pioneers left Watauga. crossed the Cuni- berland Mountains, and pitched their tents and planted corn en the present site of Nashville. After corn was planted, the party all returned to their families except White, Swanson and Overall. who remained to cultivate it.
2. Capt. Robertson went through Illinois to see Gen. George Roger Clarke. The Watauga settlers, :wo or three hundred in number. west in the fall with Robertson to hs settlement where Nashville is. The depth of the snow and the inclui ency of the weather retarded them! longer than they anticipated, alle they did not arrive until cariv ca I750. A few settled north of, but the more crossed the Cumberland at! JAMES ROBERTSON. settled south of the site of Nashville. 3. Whilst the adventurers were traveling over land. It were on the Tennessee, Cumberland and Ohio Rivers trying to reach Nashville by water. Colonel John Donelson, the project
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MIDDLE TENNESSEE.
: the voyage, commanded them. They had many perils and hardships, but they were hopeful for better results.
1. Colonel Donelson's object in settling in Middle Tennessee att or near the Bluff, was the formation of an independent govern- ment. In this he succeeded May 1. 1780. Colonel Donelson Went up the Cumberland and erected a fort at Cover Bottom. near Stone River, on the south of the river. Dr. Walker, whom Virginia and North Carolina commissioned to run their separating boundary line, was with Colonel Henderson, who was the British agent for the sale of land. Colonel Henderson erected a station on Stone River and remained there and sold lands under the deeds made him and his partners by the Chero- kees at Watauga, March, 1775. Henderson sold one thousand acres for ten dollars. The purchase certificate had a clanse con- hitioned upon the confirmation of the Henderson treaty by the proper authorities
5. Virginia and North Carolina annulled his title and refused to recognize the sales made by him, and the purchasers were never urged to pay for their lands. This land belonged to the Transylvania Company, but Virginia and North Carolina decided its title bad because private individuals had no right to make treaties with the Indians. Each State, however, granted the Company two hundred thousand acres for its trouble and labor.
6. Many were very anxious to complete their cabins, but they erected a fort for their common safety, called Nashborough in honor of Francis Nash, of North Carolina. This was to be the principal fort and headquarters for all. Other smaller forts were also built.
7. The winter of 1779-80 was unusually severe. The Cum- Lerland was frozen sufficiently to permit Robertson's party to cross on the ice. The settlers suffered intensely from the severity of the weather. Having hastily and loosely constructed cabins. it was impossible for them to be comfortable. Their food, con. sitting in part of game, was poor and difficult to secure The In-
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THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
dians now were giving the settlers an interim of rest. A family which had the small pox came with Donelson. Stewart required them to stay some distance away from the rest, which led to their capture by the Indians. The latter took the disease and died by the thousands. This gave the colonists time to prepare for the onslaughts which followed. Meanwhile the settlers were improving their cabins and securing additions to their settle- ment.
. 8. With jealousy, the Indians mustered their forces to repel the whites and drive them away. Finding the white force too great, the Indians decided to drive away all the game, and thereby cause the settlers to perish. Almost succeeding in this. many of the whites heartily wished they had never joined the settlement. Many having secured good homes, put their trust in Providence and resolved to stay. North Carolina arranged at this time to remunerate the soldiers of the Continental line by giving them land, and this led to a rapid settlement of these lands. .
9. Ramsey said: "As ou the Watauga at its first settlement. so now here the colonists of Robertson were without any regularly organized government." This country was included in Wash- ington county, which extended to the Mississippi. More than six hundred miles from the seat of government, they felt a neces- sity of a strong government and they appointed trustees and signed a covenant obligating themselves to conform to the judg- ment and decisions of their officers in whom they had vested the power of government.
Io. The signers secured land thereby. Those who dil not sigu the covenant had no right to the land. Like the Woniau- gans, the trustees were not paid. To them were also committe 1 the functions of the sacerdotal office in the celebration of the rites of matrimony. James Robertson married the first couple. Captain Leiper and his wife.
11. The Legislature of North Carolina in 1785 gave the settlers
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MIDDLE TENNESSEE.
three hundred men for protection, and these men had to clear roads so the settlements could be reached more easily. Hitherto. they were approached through the wilderness of Kentucky. With the completion of the e reads many people became settlers and ere long everything assumed a more pleasing aspect.
12. Soon after the failure of the Franklin government in 1719. it became evident that North Carolina was exceedingly econom- ical in the adoption of measures and the providing of means tor these western counties, which revived the di-content and com- plaint of the settlers, especially those who suffered defeat in the Franklin revolt. A separation was discussed and deemed pru- dent. The last town established by North Carolina in Tennessee was Rogersville, in Hawkins county, in ING.
13. The Cumberland River settlers were alinost entirely in- sulated from the community in Hast Tennessee by the Alleghany Mountains. There were included in Mero District the counties of Davidson. Tennessee and Summer. In Middle Tennessee there were a few other settlements, which were not very in- portant, but after the admission of the State they became large. active and progressive. The early history of East Tennessee is essentially the history of Middle Tennessee. We have the same details of Indian butchery, desultory warfare and savage incur- sions.
14. On April 30. 1;39. General George Washington, com- mander-in-chief of the American army during the Revolution was inaugurated President of the United States. He appointed. in 1700, William Blount, Territorial Governor, who was con- missioned August 7, 1790, and served till 1746. June 1, 17,5 Tennessee was admitted into the Union as the sixteenth Satte. Ifer great seal is shown on the title page.
QUESTIONS .- I. Whit of the pioneers on the Lower Cumber- land? Who remained to coltivate corn? 2. How many went in the fall to Robertson's settlement? What of the winter? How did the adventures go? Who projected the voyage? i
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THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
fort was built where? 4. What was his object? What of Walker and Henderson? 5. What did Virginia and North Carolina do? Why? To whom did this land belong? 6. What was the name of the fort erected? After whom named? 7. What of the winter of 1770-So? What were the Indians doing? Settiens? 8. After the Indians attacked the settlers what did the former decide ? Result? 9. How did they organize a government? Io. Why were the signers entitled to land? Whom did Robertson marry : II. What did the North Carolina Legislature give? 12. was a separation deemed prudent? 13. What of settlements and Indian barbarities? 14. What occurred April 30. 1789? Whom did Washington appoint Territorial Governor? When?
CHAPTER VIII.
WEST TENNESSEE.
I. Originally the whole territory was known as the Western country, but by the Constitution it is divided into East, Middle and West Tennessee. For some time after its admission, the State was divided into East and West Tennessee, but after the treaty of 1818, by which the Chickasaws ceded their interest in Tennessee, the division, Middle, was added, and the former West Tennessee became Middle Tennessee.
2. There is nothing very eventful in its history and growth. This portion of the State was not opened for settlement till long after the State became prosperous. As far back as there is any authentic record, this land was owned by the Chickasaws. Ther possessed a remarkable friendship for the English, but did not so highly appreciate the Spanish, owing to a feud between them and De Soto.
3. De Soto in 1540, spent the winter with them very pleasantly at Chisca, but when he demanded two hundred of their number to carry his baggage, they burned their village and flew to arms. Marquette, in 1673, explored this region along the Mississippi, and found the dusky men of the forest armed with weapons of
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WEST TENNESSEE.
civilized warfare, which doubtless had been obtained from the Atlantic coast traders.
4. Memphis, the largest city in this division, is the county seat of Shelby, and is situated on the Mississippi. It is in the centre of a cotton region, and is the largest inland cotton market in the world. In 1825. the county seat was transferred to Raleigh, but afterwards it was removed to Memphis
5. While the colonies were under English rule, the Indians in nearly all the wars of the United States sided with the English and assisted them, and at the treaty of Hopewell the Indians were liberally remunerated therefor. The government donated them land, corn and other supplies.
6. The Spanish Governor of Natchez, Gayoso, wanted posses- sion of the Chickasaw Bluff, and in 1782 appeared there with the intention of building a fort. He prepared his material on the west side of the bluff, but when it was ready he transferred it to the east side and erected it. The Chickasaws complained to Governor Blount. November 9, 1795, who. by direction of the President, notified Gayoso that the United States considered this in encroachment not only upon the territorial rights of the United States but also upon the rights of the Chickasaws. and that he was expected by the government to demolish the fort and withdraw his troops from it.
7. Various trenties were made with the Chickasaws with a view to obtaining their territory in the State for settlement. Among these treaties were those of r806-7, by which they relin- quished 355.000 acres for settlement for $22,000 and a large amount of supplies. Another treaty in rst6 gave them $4.500 cash and Sia,oco in ten annual instalments.
3. On October to. 18IS, the final treaty, by which they relin- quished all of West Tennessee, was signed by Isaac Shelby and Andrew Jackson on the part of the United States, and the chicks on the part of the Chickasaws. This treaty was to settle all territorial controversies and remove all grounds for complaint
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THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
and dissatisfaction between the United States and the Chickasaws.
o. Inhabitants from East and Middle Tennessee, North Caro- lina, South Carolina and Virginia began to settle down in the midst of the virgin forest. and their energy soon converted it into beautiful fields, abounding in corn and vegetables. Nearly all settlements were made along the rivers, as they were about the only means of egress. is oui narrative progresses. other early incidents will be unfolded and given.
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QUESTIONS .- 1. What was theoriginal territorial name? What occurred in ISIN? 2. What of Indian friendship for the English ? Spanish? 3. How did De Soto incur their malice? 4. What of Memphis? Raleigh? 5. Why did the government remunerate the Indians? 6. What of the Spanish governor? What did Governor Blount do? ". Give the substance of this section. S. What treaty was made in tsts? What was this treaty to settle ? 9. Give the substance of this section.
CHAPTER IX. EARLY HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
1. John Sevier, the first Governor of Franklin, was elected without opposition the first Governor of Tennessee. He was the idol of his party, and being bold, vigilant and untiring, and having an indomi- table will and herculean energy. he easily ranked among the greatest men of his day. He was inaugu- rated March 30. 1796. John Sevier was born in Virginia, September 23. 1745. He was early distin- guished for bravery and skill in GOV. JOHN SEVIER. fighting the Indians, and was made captain. In 1772. he removed to the Watanga settlement, and in
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EARLY HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
1774 was in the battle of Point Pleasant. He was a delegate to the State Convention that declared for separation from Great Britain. He fought successfully in the Indian wars. He was Jected Governor in 1795, and re-elected for three successive terms. In ISI, he was elected to Congress, and was re-elected twice, but died before he was sworn in for the last term. He died September 24. 1815, and was buried near Fort Decatur. Ala. bama, but his remains were removed to Knoxville in June. 1889, and buried by order of the Legislature in Court House Square.
2. The question of the admission of Tennessee into the Chiou was submitted to the people, a large majority of whom favoral it. and on January II, 1705, a convention met at Knoxville to adopt a Constitution. The new State was named Tennessee after its largest river. Formerly this river was called Cherokee, but now Tennessee. When the bill for the admission of this State was submitted to Congress, it met opposition. In the House after some debate it passed, but the Senate bitterly opposed it.
3. Its enemies said the inhabitants could not enumerate the census, which must be done by Congress. It was asserted that it was a scheme to elect Jefferson, President, by adding new States to the Union. The older States thought it would decrease their power. When the final vote was taken in the Senate, it passed by a majority of one, the deciling vote being castig the acting President, who was severely criticised by the Federalists.
4. William Blount and William Cooke were elected Uoitre States Senators, March 31. 1796. The State was divided into three Judicial Districts: Washington. Hamilton and Mero. The Legislature adjournel on April 14, 1795, but was convene ! : extra session, July go, to rectify errors in the election of Sera- tor -. Blount and Cocke were again elected to the United States Sen ... November ». Landon Carter was commissioned BY. 22- dier General of Hamilton District, and James Winchester di Meto District.
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EARLY HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
5. November 12, 1796, Andrew Jackson was commissioned the fist Representative in Congress from Tennessee. He was born in North Carolina, in 1-67, of Scotch-Irish descent. His early training was in the backwoods handling a rifle or breaking and riding a wild or vicious horse. He was brave, energetic and magnetic. In 1;S4. he began the study of law in Salisbury. North Carolina. Four years later he came to Nashville. where he opened a law office. In Ito;, he was elected United States Senator, but soon resigned because he felt the body too dignified for him, and because he was too poor to dress and sustain him- self in it. Subsequently he will be referred to. The Tennessee electoral vote was cast, three for Thomas Jefferson for President, and three for Aaron Burr for Vice-President. In tryg, a United States Court was established for Tennessee, and John McNairy appointed Judge. On July 8, this year, William Blount was expelled from the United States Senate. Nashville had a news- paper, the "Tennessee Gazette," afterwards called the " Clarion. "
6. December 3. 1793, the second session of the Legislature met at Knoxville, and William Blount was elected Speaker, vice James White, resigned. It passed several important laws. In March, a United States Marshall attempted to arrest William Blount, who had been expelled from the United States Seuate. Blount resisted and the articles of impeachment were withdrawn by the Senate, because he ceased to be a member of that body.
7. Washington who had now served honorably as President of the United States for eight years, and had refused a re-election. retired to his home at Mt. Vernon, Virginia, and John Adams, a Federalist, waselected hissuccessor. The Republicans nominated Thomas Jefferson, their ablest leader. The contest was a bitter one, but Jefferson was defeated. In the second year of Adams' administration the Navy Department was created. Adams, fear- ing war with France on account of her seizure of American vessels carrying British goods, called a session of Congress, May 15, 1797, to take the necessary precaution.
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THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
S. Jefferson was inaugurated President of the United Str .. March 4, ISOI. His address was a model of manly fairness. generosity, and irreproachable patriotism. In tryg, the drs. camp meeting in the State was held in sumner county. In the next year great revivals were held near Clarksville, led by the Rev. James McGrody, from which the Cumberland Presbyterian Church hed its origin. Ex-Governor Blount died at Knoxville. March 21, 1800. This year George Rutledge was commissioned Brigadier-General of the Washington District.
QUESTIONS .- I. Who was the first Governor of Tennessee? How many terms did he serve? Give a sketch of his life. 2. When and where did the convention meet? Did Congres- oppose the admission? Why? 3. Why did the Federalists criticise? ¿. In 1795, who were elected United States Senators? Into what was the State divided? Why was the Legislature convened in extra session? 5. Who was the first Represent tative in Congress? that was the Tennessee electoral vole: 6. What of the second section of the Legislature? ;. What it the Presidential campaign? 8. What of Jefferson? Camp meetings? Who lied !? When?
CHAPTER X. -
DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE.
1. By the Constitution of Tennessee no one could be Governo: more than three successive terms, but after some one else had served one term. The man who had served three terms was again eligible. Archiball Roane was elected Sevier's successor was inaugurated S member 23, 10. Little 1, known of Gor- ernor Ronne'spersonal history. Hewas unostentatious, pleasant and scholarly, aul had ban julge and teacher, having given instruction to Hugh I. White who was in mogothe White can- didate for the Presi lepcy.
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE.
2. The term of the Governor was two years, and he had :D be re-elected if he served longer. At the end of his first turin. Roane wanted to be re-elected: but Sevier, being now Migible, and his friends being desirous that he should become a candidate, he consented. His popularity was almost unbounded und ke easily defeated Governor Roane.
3. During their candidacy. the friends of each were enthusiastic for the victory of their man. Roane's friends accused Sevier of speculating in land warrants and of forgery. When the election was over, the matter was investigated. £ A report adopted by the Legislature neither exonerated nor condemned him, but his trends did not believe the reports. In the time of Washington there were two political parties, the Federalists and the Anti- Federalists. The Federal party was in power from the beginning of Washington's administration to the beginning of Jefferson's term. In isot, the Anti-Federal of Democratic-Republican party obtained control of the government.
4. This country had been in a critical condition for a long while. Several of the American newspapers were edited by 'Ofsigners, or by men who sympathized with France and wanted to force us into a war with England. To stop this, Congress. in 1795, unwisely enacted the Alien and Sedition laws. The Alien liw empowered the President to banish any alien or foreigner from the country whose influence he thought dangerous to the Welfare of the country. The Sedition law undertook to punish persons who should speak. write or publish anything false or rdlicious against the President or the government of the United States. These laws became very odious to our people during Roane's administration
5. The fourth session of the Legislature met at Knoxville: September 21, For, and adjourned November 11. A few of the was enacted at this session were: An act to prevent frauds and Perjury; to empower County Courts to emancipate slaver: 10 authorize the Governor to appoint Commissioners to ascertain
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THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
the boundary line between Tennessee and Virginia: to preves dueling: to prevent the disturbance of public worship. November 6, the towns of Gallatin, Rutledge, Lebanon a: Tazewell were established. In 1802. John Sevier, Moses F :: and John Rutledge were appointed Commissioners for Tenne-it : with Creed Taylor, Joseph Martin and Peter Johnson for Vi- ginia, to run the line between these States. An act was pas- to purchase a patent of a cotton gin from Eli Whitney Phineas Miller. Jackson challenged Sevier to duel. In tos a law was enacted regulating the laying out of public roads.
6. At this time the amount of crime was appalling and i. w. plain that something must be done to diminish it. The severity of the penal laws tended rather to increase than to decree .. the number of crimes committed. Punishment was limited the whipping post, stocks, pillory, county jail, the brandin. iron, and the gallows. The penalties were either lighter the. could prove effective, or else in severity were out of all pri- portion to the offense committed. In ryog, the Legislatu passed this act. "Be it enacted, that from and after the passa. of this act. any person who shall be guilty of feloniously ste ing, taking or carrying away any horse, mare or gelding. sha: for such offense suffer death. without benefit of clergy. Iso7, the Legislature modified the penal laws, making the pun- ishment lighter.
7. A Masonic lodge was chartered in Nashville in 1796. know" as St. Tammany No. r. North Carolina issued this charte" December 17. 1706. but that State continued its authority ofer the lodge till 1812. December r. istr, a convention met te Knoxville, representing the lodges of the State. Resolution. were passed favoring a seperation from the Grand Lodge North Carolina. In 18t3, in a Knoxville convention, a de
- relinquishament from North Carolina was presented. The Si .. has many large lodges that do much charity work for the d - tressed families of their deceased members. Many other ex:
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE.
'ent lodges have from time to time been organized, and are doing ity work in many ways.
$. In 1806, Congress passed "An act to authorize the State of Tomessee to issue grants and perfect titles to certain lands therein described, and to settle the claims to the vacant and "appropriated lands within the State." This act provided for I0,000 acres of land for two colleges, one in Hast Tennessee, The other in West Tennessee. This land was to be in one tract. out of the lands gotten from the Cherokee Indians. Also 100,000 deres for academies, one for every county, to be established by the Legislature: 640 acres were given to every six miles square. The land was to be sold for two dollars an acre and the proceeds applied to the school fund.
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