USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee, its people and its institutions > Part 10
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Governor Blount completed the territorial organization by appointing officers for a cavalry regiment for each of the two mili- tary districts, and subordinate judicial officers for each of the two judicial districts, and by licensing attorneys to practice in the supe- rior courts.
170. Territorial Appointments by the Governor .- November 3. Governor Blount "appointed and commissioned Francis Alexander Ramsay Clerk of the Superior Court of Law for the District of Wash- ington, and Andrew Russell Clerk and Master in Equity in the Courts of Equity for the same District."
"Appointed and commissioned in the cavalry of the District of Washington as follows: Thomas King, lieutenant-colonel ; Francis Alexander Ramsay, first major ; George Farragut (father of Admiral
1 John McNairy's name is not included as a territorial judge by Miller in his Official and Political Manual, p. 180; nor by Putnam, p. 336. Putnam, however. on the same page, alludes to an affidavit taken before Judge McNairy. Blount's journal, American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, No. 3, p. 230, states that John McNairy presented his commission, dated June 8, 1790, and was sworn into office December 15, 1790. He is several times officially mentioned in Blount's journal. June 5, 1793, an ordinance is addressed to David Campbell, John McNairy, and Joseph Anderson, judges "in and for the said territory."-Ibid., p. 255.
" Putnam, also, leaves the inference that Daniel Smith was appointed by Governor Blount. The journal of Blount, however, American Historical Maga. zine, p. 231, shows that he was appointed by President Washington.
3 Putnam is, likewise, mistaken in stating that Sevier and Robertson were commissioned major generals.
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Farragut), second major." He also appointed the company officers for the cavalry regiment.1 November I, he licensed Archibald Roan, Joseph Hamilton, Waiglitstill Avery, and James Rees "to practice as . attorneys in the several courts of law and equity." November 22, a similar license was granted to John Rhea. December 15, the same day on which the District of Mero was organized, license " to practice as attornies in the several courts of law and equity in the Territory" was granted to Josiah Love, John Overton, Andrew Jackson, David Allison, Howell Tatum, James Cole Mountflorence, and James White. 2 On the same date the following field officers were appointed for the cavalry in Mero District: Robert Hays, lieutenant-colonel; Edwin Hickman, first major; George Winchester, second major, together with the usual complement of company officers.
David Allison was appointed Clerk of the Superior Court of Law for Mero District, and Joseph Sitgreaves Clerk and Master in Equity. February 15, 1791, William Cocke was appointed Attorney-General for the District of Washington, and Andrew Jackson for the District of Mero.3 Somewhat later, September 10, 1792, Andrew Jackson received his first military appointment, "Judge-Advocate for the Davidson Regiment."
171. Governor Blount's Policy .- Governor Blount showed, in the organization of the territory, great executive ability and tact, as well as a just regard to the rights and wishes of the people. He fully understood that the people were satisfied with the territorial govern- ment only because they looked upon it as an apprenticeship to prepare them for statehood. He, therefore, called their trusted leaders to his councils, and secured their hearty cooperation. Although clothed, as Governor, with autocratic powers, he exercised them in such a way as to appear, and really to be, an instrument for executing the popular will. This plainly appears from the following entry in his journal: "These and all other commissions issued by the governor, were to continue during good behavior or the existence of the temporary government of the United States of America South of the River Ohio." He facilitated every step towards statehood. This wise and magnanimous course made him trusted and beloved by his people, and furnished one of the few instances in American history of a popular autocrat.
1 Blount's Journal in American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, p. 229 (July ยท number, 1897).
2 Ibid., pp. 227, 229, 232.
3 Ibid., pp. 234, 247.
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172. The Territorial Legislature .- The people of the "Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio" asserted the right which the American people always exercise towards institutions which they love. They abridged the long name by which their Territory was known in legislation, and assigned to it the popular soubriquet of the "Southwest Territory." Although this name was never recognized in Federal legislation, yet it came to be almost universally adopted by the whole country, and generally by historians.
"The Southwest Territory " now demanded a territorial legis- lature. Governor Blount sympathized with this demand. October 19, 1793, he issued an ordinance affirming that proof had been made "that there are five thousand and upwards of free male inhabitants of full age in the said Territory." He caused a census to be taken, and ordered an election for representatives to the Territorial legislature to be held on the third Friday and Saturday of December, "qualified as provided by the Ordinance of Congress of July 13, 1787." The election was duly held, and the Territorial legislature assembled at Knoxville, February 24, 1794. 1
173. The Personnel of the Legislature .- This legislature consisted of thirteen members. It is interesting to note their names: David Wilson of Sumner, speaker; Leroy Taylor and John Tipton of Washington, George Rutledge of Sullivan, Joseph Hardin of Greene, William Cocke and Joseph McMinn of Hawkins, Alexander Kelly and John Beaird of Knox, Samuel Wear and George Doharty of Jefferson, James White of Davidson, and James Ford of Tennessee. Hopkins Lacy was elected clerk. The following were nominated by the legis- lature to compose the Council of the Territory: James Winchester, William Fort, Stockly Donelson, Richard Gammon, David Russell, John Sevier, Adam Meek, John Adair, Griffith Rutherford, Permenas Taylor, from which number Griffith Rutherford, Jolin Sevier, James Winchester, Stockly Donelson, and Permenas Taylor, were selected and commissioned, by President Washington.
174. Progress .- During the six years of the existence of the Territory, the following new counties were established: Jefferson and Knox, in 1792, by ordinance of the Governor; Sevier, in 1794, and Blount, in 1795, by act of the Territorial Legislature. By ordinance of the governor, March 13, 1793, an additional judicial district. was established comprising the counties of Jefferson and Knox, and desig- nated Hamilton District.
I American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 257-262.
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175. Indian Outrages .- While the country was making steady progress under the Territorial organization, the people, and especially those residing in the western portion, were subjected to daily incur- sions of the Indians. The Spanish diplomacy had now fully devel- oped. The Spaniards had gained complete control over the Chero- kees, Chickamaugas, Creeks, and Choctaws. The Chickasaws alone had resisted all their blandishments and remained the faithful allies of the Cumberland people. The other tribes under the influence of the crafty Creek chief, McGillivray, continued to maintain the anomalous position of peace with the United States and war with the people of the Southwest Territory. This murderous guerrilla warfare was conducted by small parties, who perpetrated outrages and then re- treated into their own territory where the settlers were not al- lowed to follow them, being re- strained by imperative orders from the Federal government. They thus escaped detection, and each tribe denied participation in the outrages.
176. The Federal Government Deceived .- While Spanish agents were secretly inciting, and even TAH-CHEE, CHEROKEE CHIEF. bribing the Indians to continue hostilities, and were aiding them with arms and supplies, the Spanish representatives at Washington were professing friendship, and using adroit means to convince the Federal authorities that the hostility of the Indians was caused by the aggressions of the white settlers. With apparent sincerity they ten- dered the service of Spain to aid in pacifying the Indians, and held out as a bait the readiness of Spain to enter into a favorable treaty for the navigation of the Mississippi. So plausible and successful were their representations as to dazzle the ill-balanced mind of Secretary Timothy Pickering, and even to mislead the calm judgment of George Washington.
177. Unjust Sentiment of New England .- To make matters worse, a strong sentiment of jealousy to the Southwest grew up among the people of New England and the Atlantic seaboard. This
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jealousy arose partly from political, and partly from commercial reasons. The Northeastern politicians feared that the admission of new Western States would tend to destroy their political influence, and the merchants feared that the free navigation of the Mississippi River would create a commercial rival at its mouth. The influence of the Northwest thus united with Spanish influence to impede Western progress. 1
178. The Separatists .- In still another direction Spanish diplo- macy was exerted, and reached a certain point of success. Agents were sent to inflame the Western people against the Federal govern- ment, and to urge them to form a separate Western republic in alliance with Spain. This movement was more successful in Ken- tucky than in the Southwest Territory. Some of the Western leaders were bribed, and a party of separatists was formed. With the excep- tion of some diplomatic correspondence with Sevier, at a time when the Franklin government was in extremity, and with Robertson, when the very existence of the Cumberland settlement was imperiled by Indian hostilities, this phase of Spanish intrigue made little progress in Tennessee. After the organization of the territory, its influence was hardly felt. The contemporaneous intrigues of the French Minister Genet were, likewise, without effect in the Southwest Territory. For this reason the Indian hostilities were the more relentlessly pressed against the Southwest Territory, and especially against Mero District.
179. Indian Atrocities .- The six years of the existence of the Southwest Territory was a period of constant struggle with the In- dians. The annals are full of Indian atrocities, depredations, murders, mutual complaints to the Federal authorities, conferences, treaties ; all interspersed with occasional battles. Throughout the period, is found Indian aggression, accompanied by restrictions and reprimands from the Federal government to the territory, amounting almost to denying the people the right of self-defense.2 During the year 1792
' The student may perhaps doubt the accuracy or the candor of our own historians - Haywood, Ramsey, and Putnam. He is referred to a distinguished author, who is a native of the Northeast, a candid and accurate historian, a soldier in the Spanish war, now Governor of New York ( 1900), and one of the ablest statesman in the United States. He paints a passionless and vivid picture of the injustice of the Northeastern States toward the Southwest during this period, and clearly portrays the Spanish intrigues. See Roosevelt's " Winning of the West," Vol. III, Chap. 3, and especially pp. 98-106 ; also, Vol. IV, pp. 101-171.
2 See Haywood, Ramsey, Putnam, Roosevelt, Blount's Journal, Correspond- ence of James Robertson, American Historical Magazine, etc.
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more than sixty of the inhabitants were murdered near their own firesides by skulking parties of Indians, among whom were Col. Anthony Bled- soe, and three sons of Valentine Sevier; a much larger number were wounded, among whom were Gen. James Robertson, and his son ; many were carried off as prisoners. The Knoxville Gazette published a list of twenty-one citizens of the territory held in slavery by the Creeks.
180. Indian Battles .- Although pretending to be at peace, and endeavoring to avoid detection in their piratical excursions, the In- dians were occasionally guilty of such overt acts that the identity of the perpetrators could not be concealed. Such invasions were open acts of war, yet the Federal authorities, who claimed the right to con- trol the Indian relations, pursued the policy of chiding the inhabitants of the territory for provoking the Indians, prohibiting retaliation, and declaring that the Indians were in a state of peace. The Indians, thus unchecked became every day more aggressive. June 26, 1792, a strong band of Creeks attacked and captured Zeigler's Station, a block-house fort near Cairo in Sumner County. 1About thirty persons, including women and children, had taken refuge in this fort. Of these, "five were killed, four wounded, eighteen taken prisoners, three or more escaped."
181. Blount Deceived .- Previous to the capture of Zeigler's Station, General Robertson had received notice from Opiomingo, the friendly chief of the Chickasaws, that the Creeks were planning an invasion. He entreated permission to anticipate the movement by attacking them in their own country, but was prohibited by Governor Blount, acting under instructions from the Federal authorities. The remedy which Blount proposed was to hold a friendly conference with the Indians. May 26, he wrote Robertson, informing him of a conference which he had just held at Coyatee at which 2,000 Indians were present. who saluted the American flag with demonstrations of affection, and met Governor Blount with faces beaming with joy. The chiefs, Bloody Fel- low, John Watts, Kittageska, and others declared themselves advocates for peace amid the acclamations of the assembled Indians. A similar meeting had been held a short time previously in Georgia between Superintendent Seagrove and McGillivray at the head of 2,000 Creeks. He is fully persuaded that Indian troubles are at an end, and thus concludes his letter: "I rejoice in my visit to Coyatee. The happy consequences in this quarter appear evident." The first act in the sequel has already been narrated. Just one month after the conference at Coyatee occurred the invasion which resulted in the capture of
1 Putnam, p. 378.
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Zeigler's Station. This was to be followed in a short time by a still more formidable invasion.
182. Blount's Vacillation .- The capture of Zeigler's Station had taught the lesson of watchfulness to the people of Mero District, but not to Governor Blount. Even after the capture of Zeigler's Station his delusion remained. Disturbed for a few days by positive informa- tion of Indian preparations, he ordered General Robertson, September 12, to call out his brigade for defense. His suspicions being lulled to sleep by fresh assurances from the Indian chiefs, he sends to General Robertson, September 14, an order to disband the brigade, and says: "I heartily congratulate you and the District of Mero upon the happy change of affairs. I had really dreadful apprehensions for you." Two days later, September 16, Governor Blount again became alarmed, and ordered General Robertson and General Sevier to muster their brigades into active service at once. He wrote to Robertson: "The danger is. imminent; delay not an hour." The letter arrived one day too late. 1 Before its arrival the Indians had already openly declared war against the United States, had invaded Mero Dis- trict, and the battle of Buchanan's Station had been fought.
183. Buchanan's Station .- The defense of Buchanan's Station was one of the most heroic and successful in the history of In- dian warfare. An In- dian force of Creeks, Cherokees, Chicka- maugas, and Shaw- OLD FORT RIDLEY-NEAR BUCHANAN'S FORT. From Picture in Featherstonhaugh. nees, commanded by the famous chief, John Watts, one of Governor Blount's "champions of peace," at the conference at Coyatee, had furtively approached this little block-house, and at midnight, September 30, while all but the guards were asleep, completely surrounded the inclosure, and
1 American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 61, 65 (January number, IS97) ; Putnam, pp. 385, et. seq.
1 American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 71, 77; Putnam, pp. 390, et seq.
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
rushed to storm the fort. Suddenly aroused, the garrison of fifteen men sprung to the defense, aided and encouraged by three or four women. During several hours of fierce and unremitting assault, they made good the defense against a force variously estimated from three hundred to nine hundred, inflicting upon their assailants a severe re- pulse. Conspicuous in the fight was Mrs. Sally Buchanan in command of her female corps. They loaded guns, supplied the men with ammunition, acted as sentinels to watch doors and port-holes; when the supply of bullets began to fail, they molded bullets; and on pressing occasions fired upon the enemy. Towards morning the re- port of the swivel at Nashville was heard. This is a signal to the hard pressed little garrison that their distress is known to their brethren, and General Robertson is marching to their relief. The Indians understood the signal and silently retired. In the morning it was discovered that many of the Indians were mounted, and had carried off their dead and wounded. Three chief. were killed-Kiachatalee, a Cherokee; Tom Tunbridge's stepson, a Cherokee, and a Shawnee chief. Seven were known to be wounded, among them John Watts, the leader of the expedition. From blood and other signs left on the ground, it was conjectured that many others were killed or wounded. 1
184. Invasion of Washington District .- After the severe blows dealt upon the Indians in 17SI by Campbell and Sevier, and in 1783 by Sevier, which had been followed by the Treaty of Hopewell, in 1785; and the repetition of these blows by Sevier in 17SS, fol- lowed by the Treaty of Tellico in 1789, and the treaty of Holston in 1791, Washington District had been freed from any general invasion, although suffering from petty depredations. The vengeance of the Indians had been wreaked upon the more exposed and weaker settle- ments of Mero District. After the adoption of the Constitution of the United States by North Carolina, and the organization of the Southwest Territory, the Federal policy had tied the hands of the inhabitants of Mero District, and placed them at the mercy of the sav- ages. This weak policy now bore its legitimate fruit. The Indians had committed so many outrages unchecked that they began to despise the white people, and boldly declared war against the United States. Instigated by McGillivray in the Spanish interests, they decided to invade the more populous and stronger settlements of Washington District.
1 American Historical Magazine, Vol. I, pp. 247-252 (July number, is96) ; Vol. II, pp. 77-82; Putnam, pp. 392-397.
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185. Defeat of Captain Handly .- The invasion of Washington District was begun by small bands of Indians, moving furtively through the country, committing murder and theft. These parties soon became larger and bolder. In November, 1793, Capt. Samuel Handly, under the order of General Sevier, was marching from Kingston with a mounted company of about sixty men, on his way to report to General Robertson at Nashville. There had been some rumors of Indians infesting the Cumberland Mountains, but Captain Handly did not expect to meet any formidable Indian force. While marching carelessly, he was suddenly attacked, near Crab Orchard, on the Cumberland Moun- tains, by a strong party of Cherokees, Creeks, and Shawnees, com- manded by the Indian chief, Middle Striker. Capt. Handly behaved bravely, but his men were panic-stricken, and were utterly routed, with a loss of about twenty of their number in killed and wounded. Captain Handly was wounded and captured. His experience as a pris- oner was somewhat similar to that of Capt. John Smith. The most romantic account of his captivity is that narrated by himself. 1
186. Captain Beard's Attack .- Governor Blount, Gen. James Rob- ertson and General Sevier petitioned the Federal authorities in vain for permission to retaliate by an invasion of the Indian country. The Indian depredations continued. The situation became intolerable. The indig- nant population demanded to be led against the Indians. Those living along the borders could not be entirely restrained. Captain Beard made an attack for which he was subsequently tried by court-martial, and acquitted. His act was disowned by the Territorial authorities, and agents were sent to appease the Indians, and offer reparation. 2
Soon after the above event, an Indian force more than 1,000 strong, composed of Cherokees and Creeks, destroyed Cavett Station, eight miles east of Knoxville, murdered the family of thirteen, except one boy, and ravaged the country.
187. Sevier Invades the Indian Territory .- So great was the popular indignation that Gen. Daniel Smith, acting governor in the absence of Governor Blount, assumed the responsibility to authorize General Sevier to invade the country of the Cherokees and Creeks. Sevier, with a force of about six or seven hundred men, moved with his accustomed celerity, and his expedition was crowned with com- plete success. He marched right through the Cherokee country.
1 See narrative of Capt. Handly in American Historical Magazine, Vol II, pp- 86-90. Ramsey, 571, 572.
" American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 367, 368 (October No., 1897)
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Pausing for two or three days at Estinaula, an Indian village, to refresh his men, he burned the town, and pursued his way to the Indian town Etowah1 (now Rome, Ga.), the Indians flying at his approach, and attempting no resistance, except an occasional skirmish. Upon reaching Etowah, October 17, 1793, he found an Indian force assembled under King Fisher ( killed by Hugh Lawson White), one of their most noted leaders. Sevier made an immediate attack, and gained a complete victory. After burning the town, he led his troops home, having inflicted upon the Indians a crushing blow, and con- pleted his last campaign. This victory brought a cessation of Indian hostilities against Washington District. Although a few predatory bands subsequently assailed the frontiers, the wars were practically ended, and John Sevier, the greatest of Indian fighters, who had "fought thirty-five battles, and had been thirty-five times a victor," henceforward devoted his energies to the victories of peace. 2
188. Mero District Becomes the Battle-ground .- The tide of Indian warfare was now diverted to Mero District. The crafty McGillivray sought to direct his machinations against a weaker adversary. With a population much less in numbers, and more widely scattered, Mero District was more open to attack.
It was fortunate for Washington District that Sevier had com- pleted his work during the governor's absence. It was unfortunate for Mero District that Robertson had not been permitted to make a similar campaign. The lower towns of the Chickamaugas, Nickajack, Running Water, and other villages, had become the rallying point for all hostile Indians. Protected by the Tennessee River in front, and by the regulations of the Federal government, the marauding parties found these towns convenient points of rendezvous, and secure points for retreat. From these points they harrassed the people of Mero District until the situation could no longer be endured. An atrocious outrage occurred April 21, 1794, near the northern boundary of Ten- nessee, in a locality which might have been supposed secure from attack. The two Bledsoe boys, both named Anthony, each of whom had lost a father by the hands of Indian banditti, one the son of Col. Anthony Bledsoe, and the other the son of Col. Isaac Bledsoe, were killed on Drake's Creek, in Sumner County, by a band of Indians supposed to be Creeks. Their mangled bodies were found,
' Pronounced " Hightower."
2 Ramsey, pp. 583-589. American Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 366-368 (October number, 1897) ; Vol. III, pp. 77-79 ( January number, 1898).
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partially stripped of clothing, and scalped. A negro man named Jack, who accompanied them, was captured and carried off by the Indians. The murder of these promising boys, who were beloved by all who knew them, caused deep grief and resentment among the settlers. These out- rages so wrought.upon the mind of General Robertson that he deter- mined to throw aside the restrictions imposed on him by the Federal authorities, and by Governor Blount, and to act in defiance of orders.
189. Incidental Testimony.1-The narrative of the murder of the Bledsoe boys has established, incidentally, two important facts. Our early historians have neglected to record the statistics of indus- trial improvements and of education. We can learn of the former only by a few permanent landmarks, which stand as monuments, and tell their own story ; and we learn of the latter only by tradition, aided by occasional incidental allusions of contemporaneous writers. The record of the murder of these two boys testifies to the facts that the fine old farm residence, "Rock Castle," was built previous to 1794, out of rock quarried in the neighborhood, and that country schools had been established outside of Nashville previous to 1794.
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