USA > Tennessee > The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century: Comprising Its Settlement, as the. > Part 49
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498
A VICTIM OF WESTERN ADVENTURE.
search of adventure across the Sierra Madre, the Sierra Ne- vada, and to the coast of the Pacific. That spirit has sub- dued the wilderness, and made it, teeming with life and fer- tility, the abode of civilized man. That spirit will not be quelled while there is a new country to be gained, or an in- ferior race to be conquered. Anglo-American enterprise and Anglo-American valour, are destined to subdue and oc- cupy all North America .*
* At the moment this eulogy, well deserved-not overwrought-nor dictated by partiality, is being written, a parent's heart is pierced with an immedicable wound, and still bleeds from the recent intelligence, that he is himself a principal victim of the fearless enterprise and hardihood, which the province of an annalist has so of- ten required him to mention. He may not here portray the bitterness of a private grief. This is not the place to inflict upon others the poignancy of a heavy domes- tic bereavement. Many of bis readers, perhaps most of those in the West, know too well the high expectation, the flattering promise and me gilded hope, held out to their fond view, by kindred and friends, going in voluntary exile to the far, the remotest West. Talents, virtue, genius, admitted probity, envied efficiency, learn- ing, patriotism, courage, promise for a moment, success, distinction, usefulness and glory. The shaft of death reaches the generous adventurer, and in a land of stran- gers he finds a grave. Blighted promise, blasted expectation and ruined hope-these, these belong, these belong to the survivors-only to the survivora; to whom, in their affectionate grief, another's sympathy and condolence have said kindly, and with . the soothing voice of comfort-" Friends of the sleeper ! the gentle breeze is sigh- ing a soft sweet dirge over the low resting place of your loved and lost son, Wil- berforce-the stars look nightly down upon his grave in the wilds of California- the green turf is wet with the dews of the night, as if tendering their sympa- thies to the bereaved."
" Rest here in peace ! in the dark hour of danger No sight of the loved ones to thy dim eye arose, Yet sweet be thy sleep, tho' the land of the stranger Doth cradle thy form in its dreamless repose. Green plains are around, and the blue skies are free, Where the earth-wearied spirit is chainless and blest. Then sleep ! till a voice from above shall restore thee To thine own kindred friends in the mansions of rest."
" NO GRAVES ARE THERE- Father ! we thank thee that there is a clime, Guarded alike from death, and grief, and care, Untouched by time. We praise thy name,
That from the darkness of the tomb We can look up in faith, and humbly claim Our future home. Hasten the day, When passing death's dark vale without a fear, We, as we reach that heavenly home, may say No graves are here."
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499
TREATY STIPULATIONS.
By the boundaries, as stipulated in the treaty of Hope- 1785 well, much of the lands that had been entered in the ( offices opened by the Act of 1783, for receiving en- tries of vacant lands, was made to be within the Indian ter- ritory. The intruders were to be punished by the Indians as they might think proper. An exception was made in favour ·of the inhabitants south of French Broad and Holston, who, as well as the Cherokees, were to abide by the decision of Congress on their case. The subject of boundaries gave great offence-not to the settlers only, but to all the South- ern States. It was considered, that too much had been given up for the purpose of conciliating the Cherokees. The boun- daries of the settlements were greatly contracted, and a large extent of country surrendered, which had heretofore been included in the treaty of Fort Stanwix, and in the pur- chase of Transylvania by Henderson and Company. The treaty encountered opposition for other reasons. William Blount, who, as has been shewed, entered his protest on the treaty-ground, as agent of the State of North-Carolina, was at that time a member of Congress, and determined to carry his opposition to the treaty into the Federal Legislature. He contended against it, as violative of the sovereignty of his state, as he considered it beyond the legitimate power of Congress, to make a treaty in contravention of the Laws and Constitution of North-Carolina, concerning lands and boun- daries within her ancient and acknowledged limits. The Articles of Confederation, as he contended, had not given such power to Congress. The occupants of the lands thus retroceded, paid no regard to the boundaries thus circum- scribed. But the appearance of a treaty concession may have appeased Cherokee hostility in some degree. Aggres- sions from that tribe, during the succeeding year, were less frequent and less aggravated, especially on the east of the Cumberland Mountains. West of them some mischief was done to the white settlements, but principally under the in- stigation of the Creeks, who for five or six years had been waging a cruel war against the Georgians. Their most northern towns were in close proximity with the Cherokee villages, on the Tennessee River, and they occasionally se-
500
ROAD LAID OFF TO CUMBERLAND
duced the disaffected of the latter tribe, to join their ma- rauding parties against the Cumberland settlements.
The General Assembly of North-Carolina, at its Novem- ber session of this year, taking notice of the exposed condi- tion of the inhabitants of Davidson county; adopted mea- sures for their protection and defence. At the instance of Captain Robertson, then a representative of the county, it was enacted that three hundred men should be embodied for the protection of the Cumberland settlements. That when assembled at the lower end of Clinch Mountain, the troops should cut and clear a road from that point by the most eli- gible route to Nashville, making the same at least ten feet wide, and fit for the passage of wagons and carts. The troops were to be marched from time to time to the Cumber- land frontier, and were to be stationed at such places, and disposed of and proportioned in such numbers, as the field officers of Davidson county might direct, or consider most conducive to the intimidation of the Indians, and the pre- vention of their hostile incursions. The commanding officer of these troops was, moreover, invested with the power, when the emergency rendered it necessary, to make such other dis- position of them as the safety of the inhabitants might de- mand.
The same act also provided that four hundred acres of land should be laid off for each private, in full satisfaction of the half of his first year's pay, and in the same proportion for his further service. To the officers of this troop, a propor- tionate allowance in land was also made, for the pay to which they were entitled. Such lands to be located west of Cumberland Mountain.
In strict accordance with the policy invariably pursued, when disbursements were to be made by North-Carolina for the benefit of her western possessions, this indispensable clause was inserted, "that the monies arising from the tax of lands west of the Apalachian Mountains, should be ap- propriated to the purpose of discharging the expense of rais- ing, clothing, arming and supporting the troops to be em- bodied in pursuance of this act." And, as 'a clear intimation of the future policy of the Legislature upon all similar sub-
501
BY CRAB-ORCHARD AND FLAT ROCK.
jects, the General Assembly further enacted, "that in all re- turns of taxable property, made by receivers of lists and clerks of courts, these officers should particularly specify the lands situated west of the Cumberland Mountain, that the nett produce of the revenue arising therefrom may be as- certained." Thus leaving the frontier people to infer, that beyond that amount, the treasury of the parent state should not be held liable, for the satisfaction of debts incurred in maintaining and defending her remote settlements.
During this year, the road, as directed in the act, was .opened, from Clinch River to Nashville. Emigrants had heretofore reached Cumberland, by the original route through the wilderness of Kentucky. Hereafter the route was more direct - for not only horsemen, but wagons, and immense numbers of the more wealthy people of the Atlantic sections, sought the Cumberland through the new road, which ran nearly over the same track still pursued as the stage road, by the way of the Crab-Orchard, the Flat Rock, &c. The top of the mountain is described as being then, a vast upland prairie, covered with a most luxuriant growth of native grasses, pastured over as far as the eye could see, with numerous herds of deer, elk and buffalo, gamboling in playful security over these secluded plains, scarcely disturbed in their desert wilds at the approach of man, and exhibiting little alarm at the explosion of his rifle or fright at the victim falling before its deadly aim. The frowning cliffs and precipices, that every where surroun- ded the mountain, and the dark laurel thickets, that ob- structed the entrances and ascent to its summit level, had hitherto, excluded even the hunter and Indian from an easy access to it in pursuit of game ; and the boundless natural meadow, with its lofty enclosures of granite, erected by Om- nipotent masonry, presented to the first intruders, the aspect of primeval solitude, quiet and security. This aspect it wore no longer. The mural escarpment and the mountain water- fall, yielded to the energy of the troop and the guard. Na- ture doffed her power, her beauty, and her dominion, and succumbed to the reign of art and civilization.
At the same session of the North Carolina Legislature,
502
SUMNER COUNTY LAID OFF.
Davidson county was divided, and a new county established. As further evidence of the martial spirit of the time, and in testimony of the respect and gratitude of his countrymen, the name Sumner was given to the new county, in honour of the military services of General Jethro Sumner, of the North- Carolina line. During the whole of the Revolutionary war, he had continued in the service of the country ; acted a dis- tinguished part in the greater number of the hottest actions which had taken place in that struggle, and was as eminent for personal valour, as for equanimity and suavity of manners. His name is precious in the estimation of his countrymen ; it is engraven on their hearts in characters of imperishable duration .*
RECORDS OF SUMNER COURT-APRIL TERM, 1787.
Agreeable to an act of Assembly, for the establishment of Sumner County Court, at the house of John Hamilton, on the second Monday in April, 1787, Daniel Smith, Isaac Lindsey, David Wilson, John Harden, Joseph Keyhandall, William Hale and George Winchester, Esqrs., who each of them took the oath for their qualification of office, and also the oath of office of Justices of the Peace, for said county, and proceeded to business.
David Shelby, is appointed Clerk of the Court of said county. John Harden, Jun., is appointed Sheriff. Isaac Lindsey, is appointed Ran- ger.
The General Assembly of North-Carolina met, this year, 1787 - at Tarborough. The members of that body from Da-
~ vidson county, were James Robertson and David Hays. The delegation from the two counties made a solemn statement, in writing, of the sufferings of their constituents. In its preparation, they received the assistance of Col. Wil- . liam Blount, who became, afterwards, more closely identified with the people and fortunes of Tennessee. In the paper thus prepared and submitted to the Assembly, it was repre- sented :
" That the inhabitants of the western country were greatly distressed by a constant war that was carried on against them, by parties of the Creeks and Cherokees, and some of the western Indians ; that some of their horses were daily carried off secretly or by force, and that their own lives were in danger whenever they lost sight of a station or stock- ade ; that in the course of the present year, thirty-three of their fellow
· Haywood.
503
PETITION TO ASSEMBLY.
citizens had been killed by those Indians, a list of whose names they annexed, and as many more had been wounded ; that by original letters or Talks, from the Chickasaw nation, which they submitted to the in- spection of the Assembly, it appeared that they were jealous or uneasy, lest encroachments should be made on their hunting grounds; and that unless some assurances were given them, that their lands should not be located, there was reason to apprehend, that they shortly would be as hostile as the Creeks and Cherokees ; that these counties have been settled at great expense and personal danger to the memorialists and their constituents, and that, by such settlements, the adjacent lands had greatly increased in value, by which means the public has been enabled to sink a considerable part of the domestic debt. They and their constituents, they say, have cheerfully endured the almost unconquerable difficulties in settling the western country, in full confidence that they should be enabled to send their produce to market through the rivers which water the country ; but they now have the mortification, not only to be exclu- ded from that channel of commerce by a foreign nation, but the Indians aro rendered more hostile through the influence of that very nation, probably with a view to drive them from the country, as they claim the whole of the soil. They call upon the humanity and justice of the state, to prevent any further massacres and depredations of themselves and their constituents, and claim from the Legislature, that protection of life and property, which is due to every citizen ; and they recommend, as the most safe and con- venient means of relief, the adoption of the resolves of Congress, of the 26th of October last .* This relief, they trust, will not be refused, espe- cially as the United States are pleased to interest themselves on this oc- casion, and are willing to bear the expense."
At the same session of the Assembly, at the representation of the members from Davidson and Sumner, the militia offi- cers of these counties were authorized to appoint two or more persons to examine, survey and mark out the best and most convenient way from the lower end of Clinch Mountain, to the settlements of Cumberland, and to order out the mili- tia of these counties to cut and clear the road so marked. The regiments of these counties were ordered to be divided into classes and parts of classes, beginning with the first, and so on, in rotation, till the road should be cut. A tax was also to be assessed upon these counties, to defray the expense of opening the road. The military duties of guarding the settlements, as imposed by a prior act, upon the troop of three hundred men as heretofore provided for, had been too incessant and burthensome to allow them to
. That body had recommended the cession of their western lands by states which owned them, to the United States.
504
CURRENCY OF CUMBERLAND.
make a road sufficient for the purposes of the vast emigra- tion which was now pouring into the country beyond the wilderness. One wider and more level was demanded by the exigencies of the times. Under the provisions of this act, a road was soon afterwards cut from Bledsoe's Lick into the Nashville road leading to Clinch River ; and the last men- tioned road was also widened and cleared.
It was further provided, that no person be permitted to go through Davidson or Sumner county to any Indian town; without a pass from some officer duly authorized under the United States, the Executive of North-Carolina or the field officers of one of said counties. The field officers were fur- ther directed to raise militia guards, not exceeding fifty men each, when it should be made known to such officers that a number of families were at Cumberland Mountain, waiting for an escort to conduct them to the Cumberland settlements ; the expense to be paid by a poll tax, which the county courts were authorized to levy upon those counties respec- tively.
The currency of Franklin was, at this time, peltries, flax linen, &c .- something that could be worn-that of Cum- berland was different-something that could be eaten.
1787 .- OCTOBER TERM-DAVIDSON COUNTY RECORDS.
" Resolved, That for the better furnishing of the troops now coming into the country under command of Major Evans, with provisions, &c., that one-fourth of the tax of this county be paid in corn, two fourths in beef, pork, bear meat and venison ; one-eighth in salt, and one-eighth in money, to defray the expenses of removing the provisions from the place of collection to the troops ; and that the following places be appointed in each captain's company for the inhabitants to deliver in, each, his proportion of the above tax, viz: [Here follow the several stations.] And Daniel Rowan is hereby appointed to superintend the collecting and removing the provisions aforesaid, and that he be allowed twenty dollars per month for his services, and he is hereby directed to hire hands and horses at as low a rate as possible, for the purpose of removing the specifics, as aforesaid; and it is hereby resolved, that the following species of provisions be received at the undermentioned prices, viz : Corn, at four shillings per bushel ; beef, at five dollars per hun- dred ; pork, at eight dollars per hundred ; good bear meat, without bones, eight dollars per hundred wt .; and venison at ten shillings per hundred wt .;. and salt at sixteen dollars per bushel. And the Superin- tendent is hereby directed to call for such proportions of the aforesaid tax, as the commanding officer of the troops shall direct, and on any person failing to deliver his or their quotas, at the time and place di-
505
MANUFACTURE OF BALT ENCOURAGED.
rected, to give notice thereof to the sheriff, who is hereby directed to distrain immediately,
1788-April Term. The Court appointed Robert Hays, Anthony Hart and John Hunter, to inspect the currency now in circulation in this county, and such of the bills as they shall believe to be counterfeit to deface, so as to prevent its further circulation."
By the improvements of the roads through which the new country was reached, and the security and protection thus given to the lives and property of the emigrants, great ac- cessions to the strength of the Cumberland community were constantly made thoughout the next succeeding years. Large numbers of families would concentrate on the banks of the Clinch-encamp there a few days, waiting the arri- - val of the guard-accompanied by them, they would pass through the wilderness with little apprehension of Indian aggression. The emigrants being well armed, would, with the guard of fifty practiced woodsmen and Indian-fighters, constitute a formidable corps. With a population thus con- stantly enlarged ; their agricultural labour amply remunera- ted by bountiful crops, from a most prolific soil; with an abatement of the envenomed hostility from the nearest Indian tribes ; with increased confidence in themselves, and with the.sure prospect of augmented numbers and means of defence, the settlers had a foretaste of a final triumph, over the discouragements and disasters that had so long depressed and enfeebled them. They became still more vigorous and elastic, and better prepared to repel future savage aggres- sion, and, in a short time after, to carry on offensive war- fare against their enemies. The legislature passed an act for the encouragement of the making of salt in Davidson county.
Such was the rapid increase of the population of David- son county, that for the convenience of the inhabitants resi- ding most remote from Nashville, its seat of justice, it was found necessary again to divide it, and form a new county, called Tennessee.
Col. Robertson gave notice, of this date, by a publi- 1788 § cation in the State Gazette of North-Carolina, Nov.
( 28th, that "the new road from Campbell's Sta- tion to Nashville, was opened on the 25th September, and
506
ADAIR'S PROVISION HOUSE.
the guard had attended at that time, to escort such person as were ready to proceed to Nashville ; that about sixty families had gone on, amongst whom were the widow and family of the late General Davidson, and John McNair, Judge of the Superior Court, and that on the first day d October next, the guard would attend at the same place for the same purpose."
The General Assembly of this year made further enact 1789 - ments, of a local character, for her western counties They established a provision store on the frontier of Hawkins county, at the house of John Adair, for the recep- tion of corn, flour, pork and beef, for the use of the Cumber land guard, when called on to escort and conduct emigrating families through the wilderness to the Cumberland settle ments. John Adair was appointed a Commissioner. for the purchase of these provisions. In payment of these, it was made his duty to give certificates, which should be received by the different sheriffs in the District of Washington, in part payment of the public taxes in the counties of that district, and from them by the State Treasurer. A tobacco inspection was also established at Clarkesville, upon the Cumberland River, below Nashville.
Provision was also made for such persons as had been wounded in the formation and defence of the Cumberland settlements. The county courts were authorized, when per- sons thus wounded, were unable to pay the expenses of their treatment and cure, to pass the accounts of the physician, surgeon and nurse ; and the accounts so passed, were to be received in payment of any of the public taxes. In a like manner, accounts were passed for provisions furnished to the Indians, by any of the inhabitants on Cumberland. The courts were also authorized to sell the several licks in the country, at which salt could be manufactured ; and all deemed unfit for that purpose, they were to declare vacant and liable to location and entry. Two of the licks of the first description, with the adjoining land, were to be retained for the use of Davidson Academy. Thus early, was provi- sion made for the the endowment of a Literary Institution upon the remote frontier. The Assembly also enlarged the
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50.7
MERO DISTRICT ESTABLISHED.
powers and increased the salary of the Judge of the Superior Court of the district. This district had been laid off the previous year, and embraced the three Cumberland counties, Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee. It was named in the act, Mero District, in honour of Don Estephan Mero, Colonel in the service of Spain and Governor of New-Orleans. The Legislature had, in this case, departed from the usage that' had hitherto governed, in giving names to the civil subdi- visions of her western possessions. This innovation was made at the instance of the members from the Cumberland counties, and no doubt, was in consonance with the feelings of their constituents, who ragarded Gov. Mero as their friend and benefactor. He had extended, on several occasions, to the western traders, commercial facilities, and maintained towards the western people, generally, a mild and concilia- tory official intercourse with them, -thus reconciling them to the Spanish authorities, and securing to himself their affectionate regard.
An act was passed, empowering the commanding officers
1788 of Washington, Sullivan, Greene and Hawkins coun- ( ties, to erect a station on the north side of Tennessee River, to be garrisoned for one year, with a guard consisting of a captain, lieutenant and ensign, and thirty-three non-com- missioned officers and privates; the men to be raised by a voluntary enlistment, or an indiscriminate draft from these counties. The pay and rations of the said guard to be "pay- able out of the funds arising from the taxes of the said four counties, and out of no other fund whatever, provided the price of the ration shall not exceed one shilling per day." The right of disbanding the guard, is reserved to the Go- vernor, whenever he and his Council should think proper. This act was repealed at the next session.
To promote the growth and encourage the settlements upon Cumberland, and facilitate and protect emigration to it, the legislature authorized a contract to be made for ex- ploring the route, and making a wagon road through the wilderness waste lying between those settlements and the Holston counties. After this was done, the legislature pro- vided a guard, whose duty it was to escort emigrants, and
508
REMARKABLE ADVENTURE
protect them from Indian attacks, while in the wilderness. A public provision store was also continued at the house of John Adair, then residing a few miles north of Knoxville.
As a further protection for the Cumberland settlements, a battalion of soldiers was authorized to be raised and marched for the purpose of repelling the marauding parties of Indians, which were constantly making inroads upon that frontier. A further duty of these troops, was to complete a road suitable for wagons, on the nearest route from the end of Clinch Mountain, through the wilderness, to Nashville.
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