USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee, its people and its institutions > Part 11
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Gen. Daniel Smith was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, Octo- ber 29, 174S, and died at his residence, Rock Castle, in Sumner County, Tennessee, June 16, 1818, and is buried in the family ceme- tery near his residence. He was an accomplished civil engineer, and was one of the commissioners of Virginia in locating the line which is now the northern boundary of Tennessee. Subsequently he re- moved to Tennessee, and became one of the most distinguished of its pioneers. He served as Secretary of the Southwest Territory, as United States Senator from Tennessee, succeeding Andrew Jackson, as commissioner in treating with the Indians, etc. He was the author of ,a geography of Tennessee, containing the first map of the State made from actual surveys, published in Philadelphia by "Matthew Carey, book-seller." He located an extensive grant of land on Drake's Creek, near Hendersonville, in Sumner County. This tract of land has never passed from his descendants, or been divided. It is now the property of his great granddaughter, Mrs. Horatio Berry. After being increased by the purchase of adjoining lands, it contains
1 The narratives of the early historians differ slightly. A careful study will make it clear, that "Searcy" Smith is a misprint for "Secretary " Smith, and later writers have perpetuated the error. See Haywood, p. 404 ; Ramsey, p. 607; Put- nam, pp. 470, 502 ; Guild's Old Times in Tennessee, p. 26; Carr's Early Times in Middle Tennessee, pp. 41, 194.
II8
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
more than four thousand acres, and is one of the most magnificent estates in Tennessee. Upon this tract, Daniel Smith built the stone house, which was famous in its day, and is now historic. It was built under his own supervision from rock obtained from the " stone quarry" which he opened a few hundred yards from the site. The stones were cut and laid with such precision as to form a structure perfect in workmanship, and so substantial that not a crack in the walls can be found to-day. Though old-fashioned in style, it remains a monument to the engineering skill of its builder. According to the family legends, the house was built in 1784.1 The sad fate of the Bledsoe boys has placed on record that it was finished before 1794; for they were boarding in the house, going to school in the neighborhood, and were killed at the quarry on their way from school. As there is no record that there was any per- son at the quarry to take part in the fight, or to dis- cover the pres- . ence of the In- ROCK CASTLE. dians, it may be inferred that their work had been finished, and the residence completed. The annexed picture, taken from a photograph of the building as it now appears, testifies to the progress which had been made in archi- tecture by the Cumberland pioneers within a few years after they had planted their first colony, and began the conquest of the wilderness.
190. Nickajack Expedition Planned .- There was then living near Nashville a young man who seemed appointed by Fate to be the
I F. A. Michaux, who traveled through the country in ISo2, and published a book in London in ISO5, says: "Stopped at the house of General Smith, one of the oldest inhabitants of the country, where he had resided fifteen or sixteen years." This confirms the family legend. Michaux also says : " We likewise saw, en passant, General Winchester, who was at a stone house that was building for him on the road ; this mansion, considering the country, bore the external marks of grandeur."
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THE SOUTHWEST TERRITORY.
instrument for the destruction of the Chickamauga towns. In 1788, Col. James Brown, an old Revolutionary soldier, the father of Joseph Brown, was traveling with his family to settle on military lands which had been granted him near Nashville. After reaching the eastern portion of the Territory, he decided to travel the rest of the journey by water. The entire family, consisting of himself, his wife, five sons, and four daughters, together with a party of five men, ac- companied by several negroes, embarked in a river boat, sometime in April or May. Descending the Tennessee River, the boat was passing the Chickamauga towns, when it was met by a fleet of Indian boats, and was captured by treachery. The father, with his two grown sons and the other five men, was brutally murdered, while the women, children, and negroes were made slaves. Young Joseph Brown, then about six years old, was held as a slave in the town of Nickajack for nearly a year. He and two of his sisters were released in exchange for prisoners captured by John Sevier. Later, his mother, his brother, and the other sisters were released or exchanged. Many of the In- dians insisted on killing young Joseph Brown at the time of his cap- ture. Especially, an old Indian woman prophesied that he would escape, and would be the means of destroying the town.1 In the summer of 1794, the time had arrived when the prophecy of the old Indian woman was to be verified. Joseph Brown was sent, as the guide of a scouting party under Colonel Roberts, to select a route suitable for the invasion of the Chickamauga towns, and was subsequently one of the guides of the invading force. September 6, of the same year, General Robertson ordered Major Ore to invade the Indian country and destroy the Chickamauga towns. Major Ore, with 550 mounted infantry, crossed the Tennessee River, and on September 13, 1794, destroyed Nickajack and Running Water towns. The Indians were taken completely by surprise, and were routed with fearful slaughter. More than fifty were killed, and nineteen prisoners taken. The following extracts are taken from the report of Major Ore: "At Nickajack were found two fresh scalps, which had lately been taken at Cumberland, and several that were old were hanging in the houses of the warriors, as trophies of war; a quantity of ammunition, powder and lead, lately arrived there from the Spanish Government, and a commission for the Breath, the head man of the town, who was killed, and sundry horses, and other articles of property, were found, both at Nickajack and the Running Water, which were known by one or
I Putnam, pp. 304-308 ; Ramsey, pp. 508-517.
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
other of the militia to liave belonged to different people, killed by the Indians."
" Two nights before the destruction of Running Water, a scalp dance had been held in it, over the scalps lately taken from Cumber- land, at which were present, John Watts, the Bloody Fellow, and the other chiefs of the Lower Towns, and at which they determined to continue the war, in conjunction with the Creeks, with more activity than heretofore, against the frontiers of the United States, and to erect block-houses at each of the Lower Towns, for their defense, as advised by the Spanish Government." 1
191. Resentment Against the Federal Government .- General Robertson was severely censured by Governor Blount and by the Federal authorities for authorizing the Nickajack expedition. These censures led him to resign his commission as brigadier-general. He had the satisfaction, however, to know that his course met the enthusiastic approval of his people. The Secretary of War refused to pay the troops engaged in Sevier's invasion and in the Nickajack expedition. When an appeal was made to Congress, in 1798, for the pay of these soldiers, the Secretary of War, James McHenry, reported that the Nickajack expedition was "offensive, unauthorized, and in violation of orders." Notwithstanding this adverse report Congress passed the bill making appropriation for their pay. The Territorial Legislature, early in September, 1794, sent a memorial to Congress petitioning a change in the Federal policy, and [annexing a list of Indian atrocities-showing that between February 26 and Septem- ber 6, 1794, sixty-seven citizens of the Territory had been killed by the Indians, ten wounded, and twenty-five captured, and that three hundred and seventy-four horses had been stolen. On the 24th of the same month, Hon. James White, the Territorial delegate, was instructed to lay before Congress this memorial, with an additional list, showing that one hundred and five citizens of the Territory had suffered by the cruelty of the Indians, " and to assure His Excellency that if the people of this Territory have borne with outrages which stretch human patience to the utmost, it was through our veneration for the head of the Federal Government," etc. Notwithstanding this " veneration" for President Washington many residents of the Ter- ritory felt deep resentment, even against him. Among these was Andrew Jackson who a few years later as Representative in Con-
1 Ramsey, pp. 616, 617. Putnam, pp. 434, 485.
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THE SOUTHWEST TERRITORY.
gress from the State of Tennessee, when the resolution of confidence and thanks to the retiring President came up for action, voted "No."
192. Indian Wars Ended. - Sevier's invasion, and the Nickajack expedition, followed by the news of General Wayne's victory in the North, and the threat of Kentucky to send General Logan with a large force to invade the country of the Cherokees and Creeks, broke the spirit of the hostile Indians. They sued for peace, which was granted. The wholesome lessons they had learned constrained them to a better observance of their treaty obligations. Although some minor depredations were subsequently committed along the borders they seemed to be acts of individual lawlessness, contrary to the wish of their tribes, and trifling in comparison with former outrages. 1 Numerous conferences, or "talks," or "treaties," were held with the Indians, among others one at Tellico, December 28, 1794: another with the Cherokees, Chickasaws and Creeks, November 30, 1795, and another June 24, 1796, etc., all of which conduced to peace and more friendly relations.
193. Looking to Statehood .- Even before the Nickajack expedi- tion the people of the Territory had begun to take steps looking to statehood. In addition to the higher political plane to which they would be elevated as citizens of an independent State, the people looked to statehood as a means of acquiring greater power to protect themselves from Indian hostilities. The stream of immigration had been steadily flowing in, and they believed that the population was now sufficient to entitle them to admission as a State. The Territorial Legislature now took the preliminary steps with the official sanction of the Territorial Governor.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE SOUTHWEST TERRITORY BECOMES THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.
194. The Territorial Assembly Takes Preliminary Steps .- The first session of the Territorial Assembly met on the twenty-fifth day of August, 1794. It had no sooner met than it began to prepare the way for the admission of the Territory into the Union as a State. First, a resolution was passed, requesting the governor to cause a new census to be taken. Just before the session was prorogued an-
1 Putnam, pp. 495. 496, 523.
122
WEST TERRITORY.
123
other resolution to be admitted into the Union, the might be inquit call a convention for the purpose of the Territory ineffect as soon as Congress should pass 195. Gove
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he earnestly deled the governor's course. Immedi- best, however, tl a proclamation calling an extraor- body would conly. Under this proclamation the Territory of the the last Monday in June, 1795, and statesmen differ numeration of the inhabitants of the Dr. James Whitgovernor, in the event such enumera- privately, reachand inhabitants, to call a convention to act in advancestitution for the permanent govern-
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
other resolution was passed, requesting that the sense of the people might he inquired into at the same time, touching the admission of the Territory into the Uniou as a State.
195. Governor Blount Consults Members of Congress .- Governor Blount did not take any official action under these resolutions, But
THE SOUTHWEST TERRITORY. 123
thought, if the people wished to he admitted into the Union, the proper procedure would he to call a convention for the purpose of framing a constitution, to take effect as soon as Congress should pass an act of admission.
196. Governor Blount Cal's the Assembly Together .-- This emi-
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he earnestly desired the admission of the Territory. He thought it hest, however, to ascertain from members of Congress what steps that body would consider necessary to be taken. Up to this time, no Territory of the United States had heen admitted into the Union, and statesmen differed as to what would be the correct mode of procedure. Dr. James White, the territorial delegate, after canvassing the matter privately, reached the conclusion that Congress could not he induced to act in advance of an application on the part of the Territory, He
nently wise suggestion determined the governor's course. Immedi- ately upon its receipt, lie issued a proclamation calling an extraor- dinary session of the Assembly. Under this proclamation the Assembly met at Knoxville, on the last Monday in June, 1795, and passed an act providing for the enumeration of the inhabitants of the Territory. It authorized the goveruor, in the event such enumera- tion should disclose sixty thousand inhabitants, to call a convention for the purpose of framuing a constitution for the permanent govern-
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
ment of the State. But recognizing that the Territory might be found to contain less than sixty thousand inhabitants, the officers tak- ing the enumeration were directed to ascertain whether or not, in that event, it was the desire of the people that the Territory should be admitted as a State with such less number. From this enumeration it appeared that the Territory contained more than sixty-six thousand free inhabitants, and above ten thousand slaves.
197. Call for a Constitutional Convention .- As soon as Governor Blount had officially ascertained the result of the enumeration, he issued his proclamation calling a constitutional convention to meet at Knoxville on the eleventh day of January, 1796. He thought it necessary to announce, in the same instrument, that the Territorial government would not cease until the convention should have framed and published a constitution. No one expected it to continue longer. The people believed the Territory, having attained the requisite popu- lation, was entitled to become a State by virtue of the original com- pact between the United States and the State of North Carolina. This view finally prevailed in Congress.
198. Constitutional Convention Meets .- The convention met at the time appointed. It was composed of five members from each of the eleven counties in the Territory. Among its members were many able men, such, for example, as Andrew Jackson, afterwards Presi- dent of the United States, and James Robertson, who is called the father of Tennessee. It is a notable fact that John Sevier was not a member. He was, at that time, a member of the Legislative Council, none of whom were members of the convention, although Governor Blount was its president.
199. The Constitution of 1796. The provisions of the consti- tution were based, as those of Franklin had been, upon the Constitu- tion of North Carolina. Thomas Jefferson pronounced it the "least imperfect and most republican " system of government that had been adopted by any of the American States. Having completed the labor which had brought them together, the convention adjourned on the sixth day of February, 1796, after a session of twenty-seven days. Relying upon the compact under which they had become a Territory of the United States, they abandoned forever their condition of tute- lage, and constituted themselves an independent people, demanding admission to the Union as a matter of contract right, with a firm pur-
-
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THE SOUTHWEST TERRITORY.
pose to continue as an independent State until that right should be recognized. 1
200. Governor Blount Notifies the President .- In obedience to the direction of the convention, Governor Blount, its president, for- warded to Secretary Pickering, at Philadelphia, by the hands of Major Joseph McMinn, a member of the convention, and subsequently Gov- ernor of the State, a copy of the constitution. At the same time he notified him that, when the General Assembly of Tennessee should meet, on the twenty-eighth of March, the temporary government would cease.
201. The New State Goes into Operation .- This communication was received on the twenty-eighth of February, but was not trans- mitted to Congress until the eighth of April, eleven days after the State government had gone into operation. In the meantime the Sec- retary of the late Southwest Territory had made his last official report to the Secretary of State. Its Governor had accepted the office of Uni- ted States Senator, under the new State of Tennessee, and was on his way to Philadelphia, where Congress was in session. And "citizen" John Sevier, late in commission of the United States as legislative councilor, found himself, for the second time, at the head of an anoma- lous government, a self-constituted State, not yet recognized by the United States. This government, however, was destined to a brighter future than the daring, though amiable, State of Franklin.
202. Application for Admission Made a Party Question .- The application of the State of Tennessee for admission to the Union was made a party question. The Federalists, who were essentially a sec- tional party, had long regarded with concern the commercial compe- tition, as well as political rivalry, that New England should expect from the daring pioneers of the Mississippi Valley.
203. Rufus King and the Free Navigation of the Mississippi .- Ten years before, when Mr. Jay advised that the United States should abandon to Spain the exclusive navigation of the Mississippi River for twenty-five or thirty years, but that Spain should in return pur-
1 In the Constitutional Convention of 1796, "It was then moved by MI .. Outlaw, and seconded by Mr. Anderson, whether it is the sense of this house that if we should not be admitted by Congress, as member States of the general gov- ernment, that we should continue to exist as an independent State. Mr. Cocke moved, and was seconded by Mr. David Shelby, that the above question be post- poned, which was objected to; the question was then put, and carried in the affirmative." This is all the record. Journal of the Constitutional Convention of 1796, p. 23.
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
chase many articles from the United States, of which whale oil and codfish were especially insisted upon, Rufus King moved to repeal the clause in the instructions given to Mr. Jay by which the free naviga- tion of the Mississippi had been declared a sine qua non in his nego- tiations with Spain, and all New England supported him. 1
204. Rufus King Reports against Admission .- Rufus King was now chairman of the Senate committee to which the President's mes- sage was referred. He brought in a long report opposing the admis- sion of Tennessee, on the grounds, (1) that Congress should first declare the whole territory ceded by North Carolina to be one State, and (2) provide for the enumeration of its inhabitants under the authority of the Federal Government.
205. The House Passes the Bill for Admission. - The House, under the leadership of such men as Thomas Blount, a brother of Governor William Blount, and Madison and Gallatin, took a different view of the matter. They held that the Territory, having attained a population of sixty thousand free inhabitants, and adopted a repub- lican form of government, thereby became a State of the Union, en- titled to all the rights and privileges of statehood. Accordingly, they passed a bill for its admission on the sixth day of May, by a vote of forty-three to thirty.
206. The Senate and House Reach an Agreement. - On the twenty-sixth of May the Senate passed a bill, by a vote of fifteen to eight, laying out into one State the territory ceded by the State of North Carolina to ,the United States, and providing for the enumera- tion of its inhabitants. The House proposed an amendment, substi- tuting the provisions of their bill, which was disagreed to by the Senate. At the request of the House, conference committees were appointed, and on the thirty-first of May the Senate receded from their disagreement, the effect of which was to pass the House bill.
207. Samuel Livermore Did Not Give Casting Vote .- It is a popular error that the bill passed the Senate by the casting vote of their President, pro tempore, Samuel Livermore. This could not have been true, because, first, the President, pro tempore, did not have the right to give a casting vote; and second, there was no division of the Senate. The State was indebted to Samuel Livermore for his generous support of the bill, by which he incurred the dis- pleasure of his constituents, but was more indebted for its passage at that time to the absence of Rufus King, who notified the Senate that
1 Life of William Blount, by Gen. Marcus J. Wright, pp. 127, 123.
I 27
THE SOUTHWEST TERRITORY.
he had accepted the appointment of Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of London, and resigned his seat in that body eight days before the final action on the admission of Tennessee was taken.
208. The Act Admitting Tennessee Signed by President Wash- ington .- The bill being approved by President Washington on the succeeding day, which was the first day of June and the last day of the session, Tennessee became a member of the Federal Union-the first member erected out of a territory of the United States. 1
'On the action of Tennessee in the matter of her application for admission to the Union, see Journals of the Territorial Council ; of the Convention of 1796; and of the first and second sessions of the Legislature of Tennessee for 1796, reprinted by order of the General Assembly in 1852. The action of Congress on her application will be found in Benton's Abridgement of the Debates of Con- gress, and in the Annals of Congress.
129
I28
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
KNOXVILLE
O MEMPHIS
[ The followiies are arranged chronologically. Those under which no cessionap are designated by numbers.]
a. Nicholson's raham's Two Treaties, 1816, March 22.
b. Cumming'sackson and Meriwether's Treaty, 1316, September 14.
c. Oglethorpe Chickasaw Treaty, 1816, September 20.
d. Glenn's Trackson and McMinu's Treaty, IS17, July 13.
e. Waddell's Threat Chickasaw Cession, ISIS, October 19.
f. Captain Jack:alhoun's Treaty, 1819, February 27.
g. Littleton's Calhoun's Treaty, 1319, February 27.
h. Grant's Trecalhoun's Treaty, 1819, February 27.
i. Treaty of ACalhoun's Treaty, 1819, February 27.
j. Treaty of Hcalhoun's Treaty, IS19, February 27. . 4-
k. Treaty of Flcalhoun's Treaty, 1819, February 27.
I. Treaty of Lcalhoun's Treaty, ISI9, February 27. .
1. Leases of WCalhoun's Treaty, 1319, February 27.
coincides with 3). Overton's Treaty, IS23. L
2. TransylvanDverton's Treaty. 1323.
m. Purchase Ofarbour's Treaty, 1328, May 6.
n. Purchase dtokes and Ellsworth's Treaty, 1833, February 14.
March 19. Vashon's Treaty ( repudiated by President Jackson), :9;4.
0. Second Purio.
purchases, n and o, freaty of Removal, 1835, December 26. !
128
THE INDIAN TREATIES
129
[ The following list of Indian treaties may be used as a topical analysis, and also. for convenient reference to the map. The treaties are arranged chronologically. Those under which no cessions of land are shown on the map are designated by letters. Those coder which cessions of land are shown on the map are designated by numbers. ]
o. Nicbolson's Tresty, 1721.
5. Cumming's Treaty, 1750.
c, Oglethorpe's Trealy, 1732.
d. Glenn's Treaty, 1;55, November 24.
e. Waddell's Treaty, 1756.
/. Captain Jack's Grant. 1757, March 1.
g. Littleton's Treaty, 1760.
A. Grant's Treaty, 1;6t.
f. Tresty of Augusta, 1,63.
j. Tresty of Hard Labor, 1,63, October 14.
. Treaty of Fort Stanwix, 1;68, November 5 \ overlapped by 21.
I. Treaty of Lochabar. I.To, October 18.
I. Leases of Watauga Settlers sad Jacob Brown, 1 ;?? ( nearly coincides with 31.
2. Transylvania Purchase, 1773, Mareb I7.
m. Purchase of Carter's \'alley. 1.75, March 1 ;.
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