USA > Tennessee > The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century: Comprising Its Settlement, as the. > Part 68
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* State Papers, vol. v., page 638.
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097
ORIGINAL LETTRA' FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON.
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The treaty provides for the running and marking of the 'boundary, and the payment to the Cherokees, for this cession of territory, of five thousand dollars, and an annuity of one thousand dollars.
The people of Greene county participated in the sentiment of the nation, in reference to the difficulties with France. The following proceedings were had :
At a meeting of the citizens of Greene county, held at Greeneville, Tenn., Colonel Daniel Kennedy was called to the chair, and George Duffield appointed secretary. A com- mittee was appointed to "draw up and transmit to General Washington an address, expressive of the grateful sensibili- ties of the people, at his acceptance of the appointment of Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Ameri- can Armies at the present eventful crisis." The committee discharged the duty assigned, and received from General Washington this reply :
TO THE INHABITANTS OF GREENE COUNTY, IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
Gentlemen :- Having once more engaged in the arduous duties of public life, (after I had retired therefrom, with the most ardent wishes and pleasing hopes, that no circumstances would occur to call me from my peaceful abode, during the few remaining years of my life,) I cannot be insensible to the approbation of my fellow-citizens; and while I thank you, gentlemen, for your warm and friendly address, permit me to ob- serve, that I can take no merit to myself for my personal sacrifices I may make - -, in accepting the important trust with which I have been honoured ; for when the property of our citizens has been spoiled, our sovereignty encroached upon, our constituted authorities threatened, can that man be deserving the appellation of an American citizen, who would suffer any motives of personal consideration, to withhold his exer- tions at such an eventful crisis ? It certainly appears, gentlemen, as you observe, that the mild and pacific policy of America has been mistaken for cowardice and a base desertion of our rights. But I trust that the injured spirit of our country will now be roused, and that we shall show to the world, that we can and will support our rights and the govern- ment of our choice, against all aggressions, and that we will yield our independence only with our lives. To do this, requires a spirit of unani- mity, which, I presume, will shortly prevail in every part of the United States, and that every virtuous citizen will see the necessity of his exer- tions, to preserve the invaluable blessings which we have yet in our power.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Mount Vernon, Sept. 8th, 1798.
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Agrocably to. the proclamation :of Goverser, Sovier, the 4 { second session of the second. General Assembly of the (State of Tennessee began at Knoxville, December &, 1798.
Thomas Hardeman, Senator from Davidson, had resigned, and. James Robertson was elected. in his. place. .. William Blount was elected Senator from Knox, in place of James . AWhite, resigned. Governor Blount was elected Speaker of the Senate ; George Roulstone, Clerk ; and N. B. Bucking- bem, Assistant Clerk ..
(4: Edward Scott was elected Principal Clerk, and Stephen Hard, Assistant Clerk, of the House of Representatives. ","
1. In the message to the Legislature, transmitted by Governor Bovier, he suggests an amendment of the militia law, "at this moment, when the United States are menaced with foreign aggression ;" and also "an appropriation to provont deficiency in arms and ammunition." He calls attention to the " recent proceeding of North-Carolina, militating with the Act of Cession and closing her offices, by which that State prevents the inhabitants of Tennessee from perfecting their land titles." He directs legislative. attention to the lands recently acquired from the Cherokees, and congratu- lates the country on the return to their homes, of such of the citizens as had been excluded temporarily from their quiet possession.
SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.
Fourth Congress-Second Session-Began 5th December, 1796, ended 3d March, 1797. Senators-WILLIAM COOKE, WILLIAM BLOUNT. Representative-ANDREW JACKSON. Special Session of the Senate for one day, being 4th March, 1797. Senator present-WILLIAM BLOUNT. Fifth Congress-First Session-Began 15th May, 1797, ended 10th July, 1797. Senators-WILLIAM COCKE, WM. BLOUNT, attended 16 May, 1797.
Expelled, 8 July, 1797.5
(It does not appear that any Representative from Tennessee attended at this session.)
699
IN CONGRESS FROM TENNESSEE.
Fifth Congress-Second Session-Began 13th Nov., 1797, ended 16th July, 1798. Senators-ANDREW JACKSON, JOSEPH ANDERSON. Representative-WILLIAM CHAS. COLE CLAIBOURNE Special Session of the Senate, began 17th July, and ending 19th July, 1798. Senator-JOSEPH ANDERSON-(one seat vacant.) Fifth Congress-Third Session-Began 3d Dec., 1798, ended 3d March, 1799. . Senators-DANIEL SMITH, JOSEPH ANDERSON. Representative-WILLIAM . C. C. CLAIBOURNE. Sixth Congress-First Session-Began 2d December, 1799, ended 14th May, 1800. Senators-JOSEPH ANDERSON, WILLIAM COUKE. Representative-WILLIAM C. C. CLAIBOURNE.
July 8th .- William Blount, Senator from Tennessee, was, on this day, expelled from his seat in the Senate of the United States. Three days before that time, he wrote the following letter :
PHILADELPHIA, July 5th, '97.
In a few days, you will see published by order of Congress, a letter said to have been written by me to James Carey. It makes quite a fuss here. I hope, however, the people upon the Western waters, will seo nothing but good in it, for so I intended it, especially for Tennessee.
The letter to Carey became the platform of proceedings against Senator Blount. The Sergeant-at-arms of the Uni- ted States Senate, James Matthers, soon after repaired to Knoxville, with the purpose of arresting the ex-senator, and of taking him in custody, to the seat of Government. After the service of process upon Blount, the Sergeant-at-arms found it impossible to execute that part of his official duty, which required him to take the accused to Philadelphia. He refused to go. Matthers was treated by the citizens of Knox- ville with marked attention and civility. He became, for several days, the guest of Governor Blount, and was hospita- bly entertained by the State authorities. After some days, wishing to return with his prisoner to Philadelphia, he sum- moned a posse to his assistance. But not a man could be found willing to accompany him. Whatever foundation there , may have been for the impeachment of William Blount, and whatever truth there may have been in the
700 '
BLOUNT'S IMPEACHMENT,
charge preferred against him, there was no one in Tennessee who viewed his conduct as criminal, unpatriotic, or un- friendly to the true interests of the State, or the West ; and all refused to sanction the proceedings against him. The in- fluence of the Marshal of the District was either withheld, or was impotent amongst the countrymen of Blount. The Sergeant-at-arms, convinced of the fruitlessness of further attempt, to execute one part of his mission, started home- ward. Some of the citizens accompanied him a few miles .from town, where, assuring him that William Blount could not be taken from Tennessee as a prisoner, bade him a po- lite adieu.
Next to Sevier, Blount was the most popular man in Ten- nessee. He had been identified with her people from the earliest settlement of the country, and his public services had been particularly advantageous to their interests, and had secured their approbation, and were rewarded by their esteem and their gratitude. Whatever may have been pub- lic sentiment elsewhere, at home he never lost the confidence, nor forfeited the good opinion of his countrymen. An op- portunity occurred, soon after the impeachment of Mr. Blount, in which the people of Knox county and the Senate of Tennessee demonstrated their appreciation of his fidelity to their interest, and of his capacity to serve them. General James White, the Senator from Knox county, sympathizing in the general feeling, resigned his seat in the Senate of Tennessee. With this resignation, the Speaker's chair, to which he had been elected, became also vacant. The voters of Knox county seized the opportunity, and elected William Blount their Senator ; and upon its meeting at the called session of Dec. 3, 1797, the Senate unanimously elected him its Speaker. And it is a circumstance somewhat re- markable, that while that body was acting as a Court of Im- peachment, of which Speaker Blount was the President, the United States Senate was, at the same time, engaged in try- ing the impeachment against him.
In the meantime, the trial of Mr. Blount progressed.
"MONDAY, Dec. 17, 1798. " The process issued on the first day of March last, against William Blount, together with the return made thereon, were read."
701
AND HIS ACQUITTAL.
The Articles of Impeachment, in substance, charged that William Blount did conspire to set on foot a military hos- tile expedition against the territory of his Catholic Majesty in the Floridas and Louisiana, for the purpose of wresting them from his Catholic Majesty, and of conquering the same for the King of Great Britain. "William Blount did not appear." Tuesday, Dec. 18, 1798 .- Jated Ingersoll and A. J. Dallas asked and obtained leave to appear as Counsel for Wil- liam Blount. and on the 24th, filed their plea, objecting to the jurisdiction of the Court, as William Blount was not now a Senator of the United States, and because, by the eighth ar- ticle of the Constitution, it is declared and provided "that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the State or District wherein the crime shall have been committed," &c., &c.
January 3, 1799 .- Mr. Bayard, in behalf of the managers, filed a replication. To this Mr. Ingersoll filed a rejoinder.
January 10 .- Court proceeded in the debate on the mo- tion, "That William Blount was a civil officer of the United States within the meaning of the Constitution of the United States, and, therefore, liable to be impeached by the House of Representatives, and that as the Articles of Impeach- ment charge him with high crimes and misdemeanours, sup- posed to have been committed while a Senator of the United States, his plea ought to be overruled." It was determined in the negative. Yeas, 11; Nays, 14.
January 14, 1799 .- Judgment was pronounced by the Vice 1799 President, that " The Court is of opinion that the ( matter alleged in the plea of the defendant, is suffi- cient, in law, to show that this Court ought not to hold jurisdiction of the said impeachment, and that the said im- peachment be dismissed."
The failure to sustain the prosecution against Mr. Blount, and his elevation by his fellow-citizens and the Senate of Tennessee to the dignified position assigned him after his impeachment, testify sufficiently, that in their judgment, he had perpetrated no wrong-inflicted no injury, and purposed
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702
VINDICATION OF BLOUNT
no evil-especially against his own State. Had he lived longer, that State would still have confided in and rewarded him further. His services and his abilities were never more highly appreciated than at the time of his death, which occurred soon afterwards, at Knoxville, March 21, 1800, in the 53d year of his age. The several offices he had held, have been enumerated elsewhere in these Annals, and need not be here repeated. In all of them he had acquitted him- self with signal ability, zeal and faithfulness. " De mortuis nil nisi bonum." If he erred in the whole course of a pa- triotic life, let the error be ascribed to an overwrought devo- tion to North-Carolina and to Tennessee. To the special interests of the mother and the daughter he devoted his life, his energies and his character. In the latter, especially, his memory is still revered, and the name of Blount is gratefully remembered, even at the present day. Here, he was never censured for the conduct which was made the occasion of the Senate's proceedings against him ; and his friends, con- scious of his good intentions, never found it necessary to make a public vindication of his conduct. There is, how- ever, in the hands of this Annalist, a vindication of William Blount, made in 1835, by Willie Blount, his younger brother, who was associated with him in most of the transactions of his public and private life, and who succeeded him in the administration of the duties of Governor of Tennessee for many years. His character for candour, truth and impar- tiality, will be nowhere questioned, and the position of no one could have been more favourable for the ascertainment of all the facts he mentions, or the purposes to which he alludes, in the vindication of William Blount. It is addressed to Richard B. Blount, and the other orphan children and the relatives of the deceased. This document covers several closely written sheets, and, on account of its length, cannot be here given.
This vindication was never necessary for the good name of the subject of it in Tennessee. Had he lived longer, other positions would have been assigned him in the public service ; but he was cut off in the prime of life. A plain marble slab covers his remains, and points out his grave,
703
DECEASE OF GOVERNOR BLOUNT.
near the entrance of the burying-ground of the First Pres- byterian Church in Knoxville, upon which there is only the simple inscription : " William Blount, died March 21, 1800, aged 53 years."*
During an early period of Governor Sevier's administra- tion, he was mainly instrumental in procuring the passage of an Act by Congress compromising the land interest, or Ten- nessee claim to her soil, by securing the appropriation of two hundred thousand acres north and east of the Congressional reservation line, for the use of two colleges ; and also, fur- ther appropriations for county academies and common schools.t
His administration was also signalized by efforts to con- nect Tennessee with her sister States, viz : through the Che- rokee nation, from Tellico Block-house to Georgia ; also, from Winchester to Georgia, by Lowry's Ferry ; and still another, leading from Nashville' to Natchez, through the Chickasaw and Choctaw country.
On the last day of the called session of 1798, viz : January 5th, 1799, the presiding officers of the two Houses thus ad- dressed the Governor :
TO JOHN SEVIER, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE : .
The communication you have thought proper to make to both Houses of the General Assembly, at the commencement, and during the present session, afford additional proofs of the care which hath always marked your official character, since the first appointment to your present station.
In the course of the present session, the Legislature have taken into consideration, the object of your several communications, and acted upon the same consistent with the exigency.
The General Assembly, having finished the business before them, pro- pose to adjourn this evening, without day.
JAMES STUART, S. H. R. WM. BLOUNT, S. S.
*For some of these details, the writer acknowledges himself indebted to the last survivor of the pioneers of Knoxville, James Park, Esq., of that city, who, at an advanced age of a life of piety, usefulness and public spirit, has kindly contribu- ted, from the rich stores of a well-informed mind and tenacious memory, his recol- lections of the past.
He is, also, in like manner indebted for letters from Hugh Dunlap, Esq., de- ceased, late of Paris, Tenn., who assisted in laying the foundation of Knoxville, and of civilization in Tennessee, from its eastern to its western section He was the ancestor of the family of that name, already distinguished in their native State, and in Mississippi and Texas.
+Blount Papers.
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704
MEETING OF THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE.
Elections were held agreeably to law, and resulted again in the election of John Sevier as Governor of Tennessee, and W. C. C. Claibourne, Representative to Congress.
Sept. 16 .- The first session of the third General Assembly. met at Knoxville on Monday, the sixteenth day of Septem- ber, 1799, when Alexander Outlaw was elected Speaker of the Senate, and John Kennedy, principal Clerk.
William Dickson was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Edward Scott, Clerk.
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.
BLOUNT AND SEVIER COUNTIES -- Samuel Glass.
COCKE AND JEFFERSON .- Alexander Outlaw.
CARTER AND WASHINGTON .- David Deaderick.
DAVIDSON .- Joel Lewis and Robert Weakly.
GRAINGER .- John Cocke.
GREENE .- Samuel Frazier.
HAWKINS .- George Maxwell.
KNOX .- Jobn Crawford.
MONTGOMERY AND ROBERTSON .- James Norfleet.
SULLIVAN .- George Rutledge.
SUMNER .- Sampson Williams. -
MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
BLOUNT .- James Scott.
CARTER-Samuel Williams.
COOKE .- William Lillard.
DAVIDSON .- Wm. Dickson, Geo. Deaderick and Wm. Nealy.
GRAINGER .- Major Lea and Elijah Chishum.
GREENE .- John Gass.
HAWKINS .- William Hord.
JEFFERSON .- George Doherty.
KNOX .- John Menifee and John Sawyers.
MONTGOMERY .- William Bell.
ROBERTSON .- John Young.
SUMNER .- Wm. Hall, Isaac Walker and Wm. Montgomery.
SEVIER .- Spencer Clack.
SULLIVAN .- John Scott and Richard Gammon.
WASHINGTON .- Leeroy Taylor and John Sevier, Jun.
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives :
It is with peculiar satisfaction I have the honour, this day, of meeting your august body in this House, where I have the pleasure of informing you the State is blessed with peace and quietude-the fields of the husbandman abundantly supplied with the fruits of the earth-our
705
GOVERNOR SEVIER'S MESSAGE TO LEGISLATURE.
harvests have yielded to the labourer ample satisfaction for his toila, and the other crops of grain are equally proportionate.
The laws and regular decorum, so far as come within my knowledge, I have reason to believe, are duly observed and supported throughout the government. Emigration and population are daily increasing, and I have no doubt, under the propitious hand of Providence, your patron- age, the wise and wholesome laws you, in your wisdom, may think pro- per to enact, that our State will become more and more respectable and. conspicuous, and the citizens enjoy all that happiness and comfort this human life, in an ordinary course, will afford them. The poor and dis- tressed claim the first share of your deliberations, and I have not the smallest doubt your attention will be duly directed to that, and every other object worthy of legislative consideration. Among other things, gentlemen, permit me again to remind you, that the landed es- tates of your constituents, in general, appear to be verging on to a very precarious and doubtful situation, and should a timely interference be neglected, it may become a subject of very great regret. I, therefore, beg leave to recommend, so far as may be consistent with the cession act, public and good faith, that you provide, in the most ample man- ner, for the security and peaceful enjoyment of all such property may appear to be in jeopardy.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Repro- sentatives :
I now proceed to enjoin on you the great necessity of promoting and encouraging manufactories, the establishing ware-houses and inspections of various kinds. It will give a spring to industry and enable the agri- cultural part of the community to export and dispose of all the surplus part of their bulky and heavy articles. Providence has blessed this State with a soil peculiarly calculated for the production of wheat, hemp, flax, cotton, tobacco and indigo ; it abounds with ores and minerals, and has navigable rivers, amply sufficient to enable us to export to the best of markets. This being the case, gentlemen, you may readily conceive how essentially necessary it will be for the encouraging and promoting of all the advantages enumerated, for you to lend your early legisla- tive aid and patronage. With respect to the affairs of Europe, I am not able to give you much satisfactory information. The public prints seem to furnish contradictory accounts, but so far as I am capable of judging, our affairs with France assume a less threatening aspect than heretofore, and I have the fullest confidence that the Executive of the General Government will use the greatest and wisest exertions to pro- mote and secure the peace, safety and dignity of the United States.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Repre- sentatives :
I am deeply and sensibly impressed with the honour conferred on me by my fellow citizens, in being elected a third time, to preside as the Chief Magistrate of the State. I earnestly wish I possessed greater abilities and talents to enable me to discharge the important duties, trust and confidence they have reposed; but rest assured, so far as I am
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706
SMITH COUNTY LAID OFF.
enabled, nothing will be lacking or neglected in me, that will tend to- wards the interest, welfare and safety of the State. Before I close this address, I cannot forbear requesting a harmony of measures in your councils, and that you unite in endeavouring to promote our dearest rights and interests, and I have the fullest hope that, by your wisdom and policy, you may secure to our country the advantages and respect to which it is entitled and has a right to enjoy. (Signed) JOHN SEVIRE
September 19th, 1799 ..
As was the custom of the day, the Speakers of the two Houses made a suitable response to the Governor's message. It is here inserted :
To his Excellency, JOHN SEVIER, Governor of the State of Tennessee.
Sir :- It is with peculiar satisfaction the Senate and House of Re presentatives received your communication announcing to them that our State is crowned with the blessings of peace and quietude; that the toils of the husbandman are amply rewarded with abundant crops ; that the laws, throughout the State, are well and duly executed ; that emi- gration and population are daily increasing ; and we beg leave now to assure you that, under the directing hand of the All-seeing Providence, nothing, on our part, shall be wanting to increase the respectability of our rising State, and promote the welfare and happiness of our constitu- ents.
Receive, sir, our assurances that the matters and things contained in your communications, and recommended to us as objects of legisla- tive attention, shall meet with that due investigation and deliberation that the importance of the different subjects requires.
We beg leave, now, sir, to express our gratification of being the wit- nesses of your being once more called, by the unanimous suffrage of the freemen of Tennessee, to the seat of the Chief Magistrate of the State, and expressing our public confidence that you will continue to execute those dutice, which appertain to your office, with that firmness, judgment and impartiality which have heretofore characterized the Chief Magistrate of Tennessee.
A. E. OUTLAW, S. S. WM. DICKSON, Jun., S. H. R.
Oct. 26 .- The county of Sumner was reduced to its con- stitutional limits, and a new county, by the name of Smith, established. Its first Court was held at the house of Major Tilman Dixon. Smith county was called for General Da- niel Smith, who who was a native of Virginia, and was appointed, by Governor Jefferson, a Commissioner to run the dividing line between that State and North-Carolina. In the execution of this duty, he saw the beautiful country in the West, and soon afterwards removed to what is now
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707
WILSON AND WILLIAMSON COUNTIES LAID OFF.
Sumner county, whose people he represented in the North- Carolina Legislature, and in the Convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States. He became Secretary of the Territory and a member of the Convention of 1796. He was afterwards elected one of the Senators from Ten- nessee. General Smith was a practical surveyor of lands, whose works never needed correction. For intelligence, well-cultivated talents, for integrity and usefulness, in sound- ness of judgment, in the practice of virtue and in shunning vice, he was equalled by few ; and in purity of motive, ex- celled by none .*
Another new county was, at the same time, established. It was called Wilson, after Major David Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Sumner county, then North- Carolina. Here he was chosen a member of the Territorial Assembly, and, subsequently, Speaker of the House of Re- presentatives. He was an active and valuable officer in the Revolutionary war, and, for his services, the State of North- Carolina, by a special act of her Legislature, presented him with a tract of valuable land within the limits of the State of Tennessee. He was an honest and highly meritorious citizen.
The first Court of Wilson county was held at the house of Captain John Harpole. First magistrates were-Charles Cavenaugh, John Allcom, John Lancaster, Elmore Douglass, John Doak, Matthew Figuns, Henry Ross, Wm. Gray, An- drew Donelson and Wm. McLain.t
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