USA > Tennessee > The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century: Comprising Its Settlement, as the. > Part 67
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No outbreak followed-no conflict between the military and the citizens. A rash and imprudent procedure on the part of the United States troops, like a spark in a powder maga- zine, would have ended in their annihilation. But the cou- ciliatory tone of the circular-the good temper and wise dis- cretion of the officers-the force of general public sentiment and the disposition of the State authorities, prevented a colli- sion. Legislative action and negotiations followed, and the difficulty was settled without violence.
Feb. 27 .- Commerce, by means of the river, began to reach Knoxville. On that day, the Gazette notices the arri- val of two boats, carrying five tons each, from the South Fork of Holston, in Virginia-the distance estimated to be, by water, above three hundred miles. The pioneers in this navigation were Messrs. Russell and Barry, the owners. The cargo consisted of flour, salt and whiskey.
March 4 .- Thomas Shields was killed by the Indians in Sevier county. They cut his head nearly off, ripped open his body, took out his bowels, and otherwise shockingly cut and mangled him.
LOUIS PHILIPPE AND HIS BROTHERS IN KNOXVILLE.
April 30 .- "Arrived in Knoxville, three sons of the Duke of Orleans ; and on the next day, set out on their journey to the westward, by Tellico, Fort Grainger, Nashville, &c. At the age of fourteen, the eldest of those gentlemen commanded one of the wings of Dumourier's army at the famous battle of Jenappe ; and the two younger were imprisoned forty- three months, by the French Government, at Marseilles."*
Mail facilities were necessarily small and exceedingly in- adequate, at this time, in Tennessee. . There was a post- office at Knoxville, of which George Roulstone was the
*Gazette, May 1, 1797.
687
MAIL FACILITIES IN TENNESSEE.
Postmaster. To this office, letters were sent, for much of the country east, and for all the country west of it. In the list of letters published, as remaining on hand, January 1, 1797, are letters sent to Nollichucky, to Sumner county, to Buncombe, to Jonesboro', to Blount, to Davidson, to Jeffer- son, to North Fork, to Bledsoe's Lick, to Nashville, to Hays- boro', to Powell's Valley, to Palmyra and to Dixon's Creek. The mail to Knoxville was at first bi-monthly. To remedy this infrequency and consequent inadequacy of mail facili- ties, different expedients were adopted. The publisher of the Gazette, wishing to extend the circulation of that jour- nal, engaged Mr. Munford Smith to ride post for him. Mr. Roulstone advertised in the Gazette-
" His route will be as follows, provided a sufficient number of sub- scribers can be obtained. He will set out every other Monday, and go by Maryville to Sevierville; from thence, by Dandridge, to Hugh Neil- son's, Esq., on Lick Creek ; from thence to Hawkins' Court-House ; and from thence, by Haine's Iron Works, crossing at McBee's Ferry, to Knoxville. The route will be extended, as subscribers may enable him ; and as soon as a sufficient number of subscribers are obtained, he will start the post once a week. Each subscriber is to pay one cent & paper, in addition to the subscription, which is three dollars per annum."
Besides this private post of Mr. Roulstone, every emigrant and traveller, who came to the country, was a self-consti- tuted letter-carrier. Every horseman had, in his saddle-bags or portmanteau, a small wallet, in which he carried letters from citizens of the old States to the settlers in the new. This was carefully opened and examined at the several sta- tions or places where he lodged ; the letters were then deli- vered, distributed or re-mailed, as the case required. The inhabitants conscientiously and cheerfully performed, gratui- tously, the duty of forwarding, sometimes to distant points, letters thus brought into their care and possession. Official despatches were sometimes received and forwarded in the same way. An endorsement, " on the public service," se- cured the transmission of a letter by a volunteer express, if not with the celerity and despatch of the present United States mail, certainly with as much certainty and fidelity.
According to the provisions of the Constitution, elections were held in August, of this year. John Sevier was again
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688
LEGISLATURE MEETS AT KNOXVILLE.
elected Governor, and William. Charles Cole Claiborne, Re- presentative to Congress.
"On Monday, September 18, the General Assembly convened at Knoxville. The Senators were, from- WASHINGTON-John Tipton. GREENE-Samuel Frazier.
SULLIVAN-George Rutledge.
HAWEINS AND GRAINGER-Joseph McMinn.
KNOX-James White.
JEFFERSON-James Roddy.
BLOUNT-Alexander Kelly.
SEVIER-John Clack.
DAVIDSON-Thomas Hardeman.
SUMNER-Edward Douglass. ROBERTSON AND MONTGOMERY-James Ford.
James White was elected Speaker; George Roulstone, Principal Clerk; and N. Buckingham, Assistant Clerk.
The Representatives were, from-
WASHINGTON-James Stuart and Leeroy Taylor.
GREENE-Joseph Conway and John Gass.
SULLIVAN- John Rhea and John Scott.
HAWKINS-John Cocke and James Ore.
KNOX-John Manifee and John Sawyers.
JEFFERSON-Adam Peck and William Lillard.
SEVIER-Spencer Clack and Peter Bryan.
BLOUNT-James Scott and James Greenway.
DAVIDSON-Robert Weakly and Isaac Roberto. SUMNER-Stephen Cantrell and William Hall.
TENNESSEE-William Fort and James Norfleet.
James Stuart was elected Speaker; Thomas H. Williams, Ist Clerk; Jesse Wharton, 2d Clerk ; and John Rhea, Door-keeper."
September 22 .- In his message to the Legislature, Gov- ernor Sevier begged the members to express to the people, in the liveliest terms of sensibility, his gratitude for the honour they had again conferred upon him. He noticed the rapid increase of the population of Tennessee and the pros- perous condition of its agriculture. "But this bright pros- pect of affairs," he continues, "is considerably darkened by the extension of the Indian boundary."-" A large tract of settled and well improved land is said to be within the boun- dary guaranteed to the Cherokees by treaty ;" and " that if the people are compelled to abandon their possessions, great injury must result to individuals and to the public." He in- vites the early attention of the Legislature to this subject,
689
COCKE COUNTY ESTABLISHED.
and suggests the necessity of memorializing Congress, "from whose authority adequate relief can only be obtained." He congratulates the country on the continued peace with the Indians. Referring to the threatening aspect of European affairs, he urges early "provision for holding in readiness the quota of troops assigned to this State," and recommends further improvement in its militia laws.
William Maclin was elected Secretary of State.
Hon. Joseph Anderson was commissioned Senator from State of Tennessee, for remainder of the term for which the late Senator, William Blount, had drawn.
Oct. 28 .- Howell Tatum, Esq., was commissioned Judge of the Superior Court of Law and Equity.
At this session, Jefferson county was divided and the county of Cocke laid off. Henry Ragan, William Job, John Caffee, Peter Fine, John Keeney, Reps. Jones and John Mc- Glocklen, were appointed to select a place for the court-house and erect the county buildings. The first court was held at the house of Daniel Adams.
Cocke county was named for Gen. William Cocke, a native of Virginia, and an emigrant to Holston. He has been re- peatedly mentioned as having participated in the military, civil, legislative and judiciary services of Virginia, North- Carolina, Franklin and Tennessee, where he was known as an efficient and zealous officer, from his debut at Long Island, to his seat in the United States Senate, which he held for twelve years. He will be seen, thereafter, as one of the Circuit Judges for Tennessee. A member of her Legislature at the commencement of the Creek war in September, 1813, after assisting to pass an act to authorize an augmentation of the forces to march against the Creeks, and to protect . the defenceless settlers in the most exposed part of the Mis- sissippi Territory, and repel invasion, he, at the rise of the Legislature, though above sixty years of age, and before visit- ing his home in East Tennessee, volunteered his services as a private in that war, and acted therein most bravely and usefully. He was afterwards appointed United States Agent to the Chickasaws. He afterwards settled in Mississippi,
44
690
COXE'S EXPEDITION TO MUSCLE SHOALS,
and represented his county in its legislature. In private life, he was most hospitable and benevolent.
To encourage commerce, promote industry, and advance the agriculture of the country, the legislature established a public inspection of tobacco in Waynesboro', Davidson county.
Coxe still entertained the design of occupying the Muscle Shoals purchase. The boat to transport the troops, guns and provision necessary to carry into effect the settlement at the Muscle Shoals, was built at the mouth of Chucky. It was of immense dimensions, and was, at that day, from its size and structure, called a ship-having, on all sides, such barricades as would make it impregnable to small arms. It was well provided with howitzers and small ordnance, and constituted a good floating battery.
To prevent the descent of this boat down the river, Col. Thomas Butler, of the United States Army, issued orders to the troops under his command at South-West Point and Bell Canton, to exercise the utmost vigilance, and to fire upon and sink it. It was believed that the most suitable plan for de- feating the expedition, was to allow it to pass unmolested, as far as Bell Canton .*. There the Holston was narrow, and the position otherwise favourable. Standing orders were is- sued on the 2nd November, 1797, to the officer in charge of the battery, to " have his ordnance in perfect order, and the implements judiciously arranged, to prevent confusion, when it may be necessary to man the works." A look-out boat was to be detached at proper intervals, to make discovery of the approach of Coxe's party, and signals were arranged, to pre- pare for the attack. Should any boat belonging to the expe- dition, approach within one mile of the battery, the com- mander was directed to fire one shot wide of it. Should this notice be disregarded, he was directed to fire on it, and, "if possible, sink all boats that may dare to pass your works."
At the time of its date, Governor Sevier found it necessary to address to 'Zachariah Coxe the following letter :
*This fort was above the former residence of the late Major Len i;, and its ruins are yet to be seen on the farm heretofore occupied by Colonel R. A. Ram- eey, now of Georgia.
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691
PREVENTED BY COLONEL BUTLER.
KNOXVILLE, 20th August, 1797.
Since your arrival in this State, various reports are in circulation, re- specting an intended expedition you are about to make.
It appears to be a matter of importance to this Government, to be in- formed of your intentions and place of destination. I flatter myself you will have no objections to communicate, and lay before the Execu- tive of this State, the plan of your intended operations and movements; at what place you intend making a stand or settlement; and by what authority you conceive yourselves at liberty to prosecute the same.
No answer to this communication has been preserved in the Executive Journal. By a special message, September 23d, 1797, the Governor's letter and Coxe's reply were com- municated to the legislature, and referred to a committee, who, on the 10th of October, reported, that from "the papers they have had before them, it appears that no expe- dition of a hostile nature, or plan inimical to the Govern- ment, is intended or contemplated."
The execution of the Act of Congress of 1796, heretofore mentioned, had produced uneasiness among the people. The legislature sympathizing in that feeling, adopted the follow- ing preamble and resolution :
WHEREAS, official information has been laid before the General As. sembly of this State, contained in an order from Colonel Butler, ad- dressed to the people who are within the Indian boundary, and, foras- much, as it is conceived, great and irremediable injury would arise, should the inhabitants be reduced to the necessity of a compliance with that mandate, at a season when their crops are not fit for transportation, or storing up; also, putting it entirely out of their power to secure their forage. These evils will be rendered doubly distressing, by the gloomy horrors of famine, which threaten to pervade a great part of the country. Seeing, then, the favours of heaven have, in some degree, been with- held, humanity and justice cry aloud for the legislative interposition, in behalf of those of our fellow-citizens, with the executive power.
It is therefore Resolved, That the Governor of the State of Tennes- see be requested to lay before the President of the United States, by the earliest opportunity, the true state and condition of those citizens resi- dent within the Indian boundary, agreeable to the line lately run, set- ting forth, that their request for the present is, that the execution of the order to Colonel Butler, for their removal, be suspended until the next session of Congress.
A copy of these was sent to the Governor, accompanied by a communication to him, urging his official application to the President, to obtain a suspension of the order for the re- moval of the intruders.
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892
UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS
Governor Sevier found it necessary, to appease popular 1798 clamour on the frontier, to give, through the press, the prospect of further negotiations, by the Federal Government, with the Cherokees. On this subject he says, in a circular :
*
*
KNOXVILLE, 23d April, 1798. *
George Walton, Alfred Moore, and John Steele, Esqs., are appointed Commissioners to hold a treaty with the Indians. Walton is from Georgia, Moore from North-Carolina, and Steele from Virginia ; gentle- men of high respectability, and from their known patriotism and abili- ties, I have every reason to believe that the interest of the western country will be deliberately and duly considered.
The Federal Legislature has appropriated twenty-five thousand eight hundred and eighty dollars for the purpose of the negotiation-a sum, I hope, that will be fully commensurate and adequate to the object, and evince to our fellow-citizens the good disposition of the Federal Execu- tive and Legislature towards the interest and welfare of this State, and particularly in the relief of our unhappy fellow-citizens, who have been compelled to remove from their homes and plantations. It is expected the treaty will commence about the middle of next month ; the Com- missioners have not, as yet, arrived, but are expected in a few days. With respect to the intended treaty, I presume it will be readily con- ceded that the State of Tennessee is very much interested in the event, and, perhaps, more so than may happen in any future period. On this important occasion, it will be particularly useful and beneficial to the Executive, to have the aid and instructions of the legislature; but as that body cannot, with conveniency, be convened, and it is at all times attended with considerable expense, and, at the present, would be em- barrassing to the local circumstances of many of the members, and also our public funds, the Executive will, therefore, be under the necessity of resorting to such measures as to him may appear most likely to pro- mote the public interest, assuring his countrymen that nothing shall be lacking that may tend and lead to their present and future advantages, so far as he may be enabled under existing circumstances.
The boundary between the Cherokees and the whites had not been run and marked ; some of the settlers had crossed what has been known as the experimental line, and to pre- vent further difficulties, the Federal Government ordered a removal of these trespassers, and proposed a further treaty of limits, &c. The Commissioners appointed for that pur- pose, were George Walton, Alfred Moore and John Steelc. The Agent of the United States, Silas Dinsmore, was direct- ed to convene the Indians at the shortest notice, and the commandant of the Federal troops in Tennessee was directed
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693
HOLD A TREATY . AT TRULICO ..
to hold in readiness a detachment to cover and protect the parties.
Soon after their arrival in Tennessee, the Commissioners issued the following :
BELL CANTON, 21st May, 1798.
Sir :- Being arrived at this place, with powers to hold a treaty with the Cherokee Indians, on behalf of the United States, and being in- formed, by divers persons, since our arrival in the State of Tennessee, that the persons who were removed from the settlements on the Indian lands, do frequently cross the line, and cultivate the soil, in violation of the law and the orders to Colonel Butler, and much against the will and consent of the Indians-we, therefore, have thought it our indis- pensable duty to interfere, and admonish the persons so trespassing, of the bad effects a perseverance in such conduct may produce ; assuring the people so concerned, that we very sensibly feel for their condition, and that we will do everything in our power for their most speedy re- lief; but, at the same time, we warn them that they, by persisting in the conduct so complained of, may put such relief entirely out of our power.
We wish you to make this communication as extensively known as possible, and that you will impress the importance of our advice upon the minds of the people as much as possible.
We are, sir, your ob'd't serv'ts.
. June 21 .- Preparatory to the treaty, the Agent of the United States, Mr. Dinsmore, was instructed to request the Indians to convene at such place as he might think most convenient for them to assemble, and which, at the same time, would most facilitate the obtaining the necessary sup- plies of provisions. With these objects in view, be was desired, by the Commissioners, to remonstrate against meet- ing the Indians at Oostinahli, on the 14th, as they had pro- posed, and to invite them to assemble at their beloved town, Chota, or any other place on the banks of the Tennessee con- venient for them. They abandoned the idea of meeting at Oostinahli, and determined to assemble at Tuskeegee, on the 25th. The place of meeting was afterwards changed to Tellico, where they met the Commissioners.
June 20 .- Governor Sevier having named General Robert- son, James Stuart and Lachlan McIntosh, as Agents to represent the interest of Tennessee, at the treaty about to be held at Tellico, proceeded to give them minute instruc- tions on some points of special importance to the State. These were-
694
STATE AGENTS APPOINTED BY SEVIER,
Ist .- To obtain as wide an extinguishment of the Che- rokee claim, north of the Tennessee, as was attainable.
2d .- An unimpeded communication of Holston and Clinch Rivers with the Tennessee, and the surrender of the west bank of the Clinch, opposite South-West Point.
3d .- To secure from future molestation, the settlements as far as they have progressed on the northern and western borders of the State, and the connection of Hamilton and Mero Districts, then separated by a space of unextinguished hunting ground, eighty miles wide.
4th .- To examine into the nature and validity of the claim recently set up by the Cherokees, to lands north of the Ten- nessee River. Does it rest upon original right ? Is it de- rived from treaties ? Is it founded only upon a temporary use or occupancy ?
He further advises that, acting as they were with Com- missioners of the United States, they might yield, for the sake of harmony, everything but the interest and dignity of Ten- nessee.
The gentlemen thus appointed and instructed, met July 2d, at Knoxville, and having appointed John Smith, Esq., their Secretary, and Joseph Sevier, Interpreter, repaired to the treaty ground, near Tellico Block-house. On the seventh, they made known to the United States Commissioners the object of their appointment, and their desire of forwarding, by all the means in their power, the object of the mission, and #occasionally to state the ground on which Tennessee rests her expectation of such effectual interference on the part of
. the Union, as shall consolidate her detached settlements, and afford to her inhabitants the uninterrupted use of streams destined by nature for their accommodation.".
. Col. Butler, the commandant of the post, treated the Agents with marked attention, and offered to convey them, from time to time, during their negotiation, in his barge, from their place of encampment to the Council House. The .Commissioners informed them, " that a seat in the Council would be provided for their accommodation, but any pro- posals you may have to make or information to give, will be
695
WHO ATTEND AT THE TREATY.
received by us, at such time as may be convenient, at this ยก place."
1 " The Council opened. The Bloody Fellow having pre- 1 faced the subject, delivered a paper which he stated to con- tain their final resolutions, which were a peremptory refusal to - sell, and an absolute denial to permit the inhabitants to re- turn to their homes."
Monday, July 9 .- The State Agents feeling considerable doubt of the favourable result of pending negotiations, in the manner they had been and were likely to continue to be conducted, transmitted to the Commissioners a communica- tion in writing, prepared with great care and exhibiting much research and familiarity with all the principles in- volved in the matter of their agency. It covers eight closely written pages of the Journal of the Agents now before this writer. It is worthy of a careful reading, and should be preserved, but its great length forbids its insertion on these pages.
To this elaborate communication, the Commissioners re- plied verbally, that though an able paper, much of its con- tents was irrelevant to the subject of present negotiations and that it would be their duty to forward it to the Govern- ment.
The chiefs manifesting the same determined opposition to a relinquishment of territory, the Agents of Tennessee made an effort to secure from them and the Commissioners, leave to the inhabitants who were beyond the experimental boundary, to harvest and remove the crops of small grain, then ripe and liable to injury and loss. The Commissioners considered this application to be " wholly without the objects of their mission."
Further negotiation was postponed until the ensuing fall. James Stuart, Esq., having resigned, his place was filled by Gen. James White, of Knoxville, and the negotia- tions were resumed at Tellico, on the 20th of September. The commission to Gen White, is thus expressed on the Exe- cutive Journal-
JAMES WHITE, Brigadier-General of the District of Hamilton, com- missioned as Agent on the part of the State of Tennessee, with full
:006
CHEROKEE BOUNDARY.
power to attend the treaty which the President of the United States has authorized to be held with the Cherokees, and there to state the obli- gations of the United States to extinguish the Cherokee claim to such Jands as have been granted to individuals by the State of North-Caro- lina, and in all things to represent the interests of the State of Ton- nessee."
The United States Commissioners were Col. Thomas Butler and George Walton, Esq.
During the progress of the treaty, it was found impracticable to effect the primary objects had in view, in the appointment of the State agents. Gen. Robertson failed to attend, and Mr. McIntosh resigned. It became necessary for the Governor, himself, to attend. He did so. The Commissioners suc- ceeded, at length, in effecting a treaty. It was signed by Thomas Butler, George Walton, and a long list of Cherokee chiefs.
By this treaty, the boundary was stipulated to be : Begin- 1798
ning at a point on the Tennessee River, below Tellico ( Block-house, called Wildcat Rock, in a direct line to the Militia Spring, near the Maryville road ; from the said spring to the Chilhowee Mountain, by a line so to be run, as will leave all the farms on Nine Mile Creek to the northward and eastward of it ; and to be continued along Chilhowee Moun- tain, until it strikes Hawkins's line ; thence along the said line, to the great Iron Mountain ; and from the top of which, a line to be continued, in a south easterly course, to where the most southwardly branch of Little River crosses the divi- sional line to Tugalo River. From the place of beginning, the Wildcat Rock, down the north-east margin river, (not including islands,) to a point or place, one mile above the junction of that river with the Clinch ; and from thence, by a line to be drawn in a right angle, until it intersects Haw- kins's line, leading from Clinch ; thence down the said line to the River Clinch ; thence up the said river to its junction with Emmery's River ; thence up Emmery's River to the foot of Cumberland Mountain; from thence a line to be drawn north-eastwardly along the foot of the mountain, until it intersects with Campbell's line .*
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