Pioneers of the Old Southwest

第6章

Thewarriors’equipmentincludedriflesandammunition，tomahawks，knives，shotpouches，aknapsack，andablanketforeachman。Theiruniformswereleggings，breeches，andlonglooseshirtsofgaylyfringeddeerskin，orofthelinsey-woolseyspunbytheirwomen。Theirhuntingshirtswereboundinatthewaistbybright-coloredlinseysashestiedbehindinabow。Theyworemoccasinsforfootgear，andontheirheadshighfurordeerskincapstrimmedwithcoloredbandsofraveledcloth。Aroundtheirneckshungtheirpowderhornsornamentedwiththeirownrudecarvings。

Onthefirstdaytheydrovealongwiththemanumberofbeevesbut，findingthatthecattleimpededthemarch，theyleftthembehindonthemountainside。Theirprovisionsthereafterwerewildgameandthesmallsupplyeachmancarriedofmixedcornmealandmaplesugar。Fordrink，theyhadthehillstreams。

TheypassedupwardbetweenRoanandYellowmountainstothetopoftherange。Here，onthebaldsummit，wheretheloosesnowlaytotheirankles，theyhaltedfordrillandriflepractice。WhenSeviercalleduphismen，hediscoveredthattwoweremissing。HesuspectedatoncethattheyhadslippedawaytocarrywarningtoFerguson，forWataugawasknowntobeinfestedwithTories。Twoproblemsnowconfrontedthemountaineers。Theymustincreasethespeedoftheirmarch，sothatFergusonshouldnothavetimetogetreinforcementsfromCornwallis；andtheymustmakethatextraspeedbyanothertrailthantheyhadintendedtakingsothattheythemselvescouldnotbeinterceptedbeforetheyhadpickeduptheBackCountrymilitiaunderColonelsCleveland，Hampbright，Chronicle，andWilliams，whoweremovingtojointhem。Wearenottoldwhotooktheleadwhentheylefttheknowntrail，butwemaysupposeitwasSevierandhisWataugans，forthemakingofnewwarpathsandwildridingweretwoofthethingswhichdistinguishedNolichuckyJack’sleadership。Downthesteepsideofthemountain，findingtheirwayastheyplunged，wenttheoverhillmen。TheycrossedtheBlueRidgeatGillespie’sGapandpushedontoQuakerMeadows，whereColonelClevelandwith350menswungintotheircolumn。Alongtheirroute，theBackCountryPatriotswiththeirriflescameoutfromthelittlehamletsandthefarmsandjoinedthem。

Theynowhadanarmyofperhapsfifteenhundredmenbutnocommandingofficer。Thusfar，onthemarch，thefourcolonelshadconferredtogetherandagreedastoprocedure；or，inreality，theinfluenceofSevierandShelby，whohadplannedtheenterpriseandwhoseemalwaystohaveactedinunison，hadswayedtheothers。Itwouldbe，however，manifestlyimpropertogointobattlewithoutarealgeneral。Somethingmustbedone。

McDowellvolunteeredtocarryaletterexplainingtheirneedtoGeneralGates，whohadescapedwithsomeofhisstaffintoNorthCarolinaandwasnotfaroff。ItthenoccurredtoSevierandShelby，evidentlyforthefirsttime，thatGates，onreceivingsucharequest，mightwellaskwhytheGovernorofNorthCarolina，asthemilitaryheadoftheState，hadnotprovidedacommander。ThetruthisthatSevierandShelbyhadbeensobusydrummingupthemilitiaandplanningtheircampaignthattheyhadfoundnotimetoconsulttheGovernor。Moreover，themeanswherebytheexpeditionhadbeenfinancedmightnothaveappealedtothechiefexecutive。Afterfindingitimpossibletoraisesufficientfundsonhispersonalcredit，Sevierhadappropriatedtheentrymoneyinthegovernmentlandofficetothebusinessinhand——withthegoodwilloftheentrytaker，whowasapatrioticman，although，ashehadpointedout，hecouldnot，OFFICIALLY，handoverthemoney。Thingsbeingastheywere，nodoubtNolichuckyJackfeltthataninterviewwiththeGovernorhadbetterbedeferreduntilafterthecaptureofFerguson。HencethetenorofthiscommunicationtoGeneralGates：

"AswehaveatthistimecalledoutourmilitiawithoutanyordersfromtheExecutiveofourdifferentStatesandwiththeviewofexpellingtheEnemyoutofthispartoftheCountry，wethinksuchabodyofmenworthyofyourattentionandwouldrequestyoutosendaGeneralOfficerimmediatelytotakethecommand……AllourTroopsbeingMilitiaandbutlittleacquaintedwithdiscipline，wecouldwishhimtobeaGentlemanofaddress，andabletokeepupaproperdisciplineWITHOUT

DISGUSTINGTHESOLDIERY。"

Forsomeunknownreason——unlessitmightbethewordingofthisletter！——noofficerwassentinreply。Shelbythensuggestedthat，sincealltheofficersbutCampbellwereNorthCaroliniansand，therefore，nooneofthemcouldbepromotedwithoutarousingthejealousyoftheothers，Campbell，astheonlyVirginian，wastheappropriatechoice。Thesweetreasonablenessofselectingacommanderfromsuchamotiveappealedtoall，andCampbellbecameageneralinfactifnotinname！Shelby’sprincipalaim，however，hadbeentogetridofMcDowell，who，astheirsenior，wouldnaturallyexpecttocommandandwhomheconsidered"toofaradvancedinlifeandtooinactive"forsuchanenterprise。AtthistimeMcDowellmusthavebeennearlythirty-nine；andShelby，whowasjustthirty，wiselyrefusedtoriskthecampaignunderageneralwhowasinhisdotage！

Newsofthefrontiersmen’sapproach，withtheiraugmentedforce，nownumberingbetweensixteenandeighteenhundred，hadreachedFergusonbythetwoTorieswhohaddesertedfromSevier’stroops。

FergusonthereuponhadmadeallhasteoutofGilbertTownandwasmarchingsouthwardtogetintouchwithCornwallis。Hisforcewasmuchreduced，assomeofhismenwereinpursuitofElijahClarketowardsAugustaandanumberofhisotherTorieswereonfurlough。AshepassedthroughtheBackCountryhepostedanoticecallingontheloyaliststojoinhim。Iftheovermountainmenfeltthattheywereoutonawolfhunt，Ferguson’sproclamationshowswhatthewolfthoughtofhishunters。

"TotheInhabitantsofNorthCarolina。

"Gentlemen：Unlessyouwishtobeeatupbyaninnundationofbarbarians，whohavebegunbymurderinganunarmedsonbeforetheagedfather，andafterwardsloppedoffhisarms，andwhobytheirshockingcrueltiesandirregularitiesgivethebestproofoftheircowardiceandwantofdiscipline：Isayifyouwishtobepinioned，robbedandmurdered，andseeyourwivesanddaughtersinfourdays，abusedbythedregsofmankind——inshortifyouwishtodeservetoliveandbearthenameofmen，graspyourarmsinamomentandruntocamp。

"TheBackWatermenhavecrossedthemountains：McDowell，Hampton，Shelby，andClevelandareattheirhead，sothatyouknowwhatyouhavetodependupon。Ifyouchoosetobedegradedforeverandeverbyasetofmongrels，saysoatonce，andletyourwomenturntheirbacksuponyou，andlookoutforrealmentoprotectthem。

"Pat。Ferguson，Major71stRegiment。"*

*Draper，"King’sMountainanditsHeroes，"p。204。

Ferguson’sforcehasbeenestimatedataboutelevenhundredmen，butitislikelythatthisestimatedoesnottaketheabsenteesintoconsideration。InthediaryofLieutenantAllaire，oneofhisofficers，thenumberisgivenasonlyeighthundred。Becauseofthestateofhisarmy，chroniclershavefoundFerguson’smovements，afterleavingGilbertTown，difficulttoexplain。Ithasbeenpointedoutthathecouldeasilyhaveescaped，forhehadplentyoftime，andCharlotte，Cornwallis’sheadquarters，wasonlysixtymilesdistant。WehaveseensomethingofFerguson’squality，however，andwemaysimplytakeitthathedidnotwanttoescape。Hehadbeenplanningtocrossthehighhills——tohim，theHighlander，nobarrierbutachallenge——tofightthesemen。

Nowthattheyhadtakentheinitiativehewouldnotshowthemhisback。Hecravedthebattle。Sohesentoutrunnerstothemainarmyandrodeonalongtheeasternbaseofthemountains，seekingafavorablesitetogointocampandwaitforCornwallis’said。

Onthe6thofOctoberhereachedthesouthernendoftheKing’sMountainridge，inSouthCarolina，abouthalfamilesouthofthenorthernboundary。Herearocky，semi-isolatedspurjutsoutfromtheridge，itssummit——atable-landaboutsixhundredyardslongandonehundredandtwentywideatitsnorthernend——risingnotmorethansixtyfeetabovethesurroundingcountry。OnthesummitFergusonpitchedhiscamp。

Thehillwasanaturalfortress，itssidesforested，itsbaldtopprotectedbyrocksandbowlders。Alltheapproachesledthroughdenseforest。Anenemyforce，passingthroughtheimmediate，woodedterritory，mighteasilyfailtodiscoverasmallarmynestingsixtyfeetabovetheshroudingleafage。WordwasevidentlybroughttoFergusonhere，tellinghimthenowaugmentednumberofhisfoe，forhedispatchedanotheremissarytoCornwalliswithaletterstatingthenumberofhisowntroopsandurgingfullandimmediateassistance。

MeanwhilethefrontiersmenhadhaltedattheCowpens。TheretheyfeastedroyallyoffroastedcattleandcornbelongingtotheloyalistwhoownedtheCowpens。Itissaidthattheymowedhisfiftyacresofcorninanhour。Andhereoneoftheirspies，intheassumedroleofaTory，learnedFerguson’splans，hisapproximateforce，hisroute，andhissystemofcommunicationwithCornwallis。Theofficersnowheldcouncilanddeterminedtotakeadetachmentofthehardiestandfleetesthorsemenandsweepdownontheenemybeforeaidcouldreachhim。Aboutnineo’clockthatevening，accordingtoShelby’sreport，910mountedmensetoffatfullspeed，leavingthemainbodyofhorseandfoottofollowafterattheirbestpace。

Rainpoureddownonthemallthatnightastheyrode。AtdaybreaktheycrossedtheBroadatCherokeeFordanddashedoninthedrenchingrainalltheforenoon。Theykepttheirfirearmsandpowderdrybywrappingthemintheirknapsacks，blankets，andhuntingshirts。Thedownpourhadsochurnedupthesoilthatmanyofthehorsesmired，buttheywerepulledoutandwhippedforwardagain。Thewildhorsemenmadenohaltforfoodorrest。WithintwomilesofKing’sMountaintheycapturedFerguson’smessengerwiththeletterthattoldofhisdesperatesituation。TheyaskedthismanhowtheyshouldknowFerguson。HetoldthemthatFergusonwasinfulluniformbutworeacheckeredshirtordustcloakoverit。ThiswasnottheonlymessengerofFerguson’swhofailedtocarrythrough。Themenhehadsentoutpreviouslyhadbeenfollowedand，toescapecaptureordeath，theyhadbeenobligedtolieinhiding，sothattheydidnotreachCornwallisuntilthedayofthebattle。

Atthreeo’clockontheafternoonofthe7thofOctober，theovermountainmenwereintheforestatthebaseofthehill。Therainhadceasedandthesunwasshining。Theydismountedandtetheredtheirsteaminghorses。Ordersweregiventhateverymanwasto"throwtheprimingoutofhispan，pickhistouchhole，primeanew，examinebulletsandseethateverythingwasinreadinessforbattle。"Theplanofbattleagreedonwastosurroundthehill，holdtheenemyonthetopand，themselvesscreenedbythetrees，keeppouringintheirfire。Therewasagoodchancethatmostoftheansweringfirewouldgoovertheirheads。

AsShelby’smencrossedagapinthewoods，theoutpostsonthehilldiscoveredtheirpresenceandsoundedthealarm。Fergusonsprangtohorse，blowinghissilverwhistletocallhismentoattack。HisriflemenpouredfireintoShelby’scontingent，butmeanwhilethefrontiersmenontheothersideswerecreepingup，andpresentlyacircleoffireburstuponthehill。Withfixedbayonets，someofFerguson’smenchargeddownthefaceoftheslope，againsttheadvancingfoe，onlytobeshotinthebackastheycharged。Stilltimeandtimeagaintheycharged；theoverhillmenreeledandretreated；butalwaystheircomradestooktollwiththeirrifles；Ferguson’smen，preparingforamountedcharge，wereshotevenastheyswungtotheirsaddles。Ferguson，withhiscustomaryindifferencetodanger，rodeupanddowninfrontofhislineblowinghiswhistletoencouragehismen。

"Huzza，braveboys！Thedayisourown！"Thushewasheardtoshoutabovethetriumphantwarwhoopsofthecirclingfoe，surginghigherandhigheraboutthehill。

Buttherewereothersinhisbandwhoknewthefightwaslost。

Theovermountainmensawtwowhitehandkerchiefs，axedtobayonets，raisedabovetherocks；andthentheysawFergusondashbyandslashthemdownwithhissword。TwohorseswereshotunderFergusoninthelatterpartoftheaction；buthemountedathirdandrodeagainintothethickofthefray。SuddenlythecryspreadamongtheattackingtroopsthattheBritishofficer，Tarleton，hadcometoFerguson’srescue；andthemountaineersbegantogiveway。Butitwasonlythegallopinghorsesoftheirowncomrades；Tarletonhadnotcome。NolichuckyJackspurredoutinfrontofhismenandrodealongtheline。Firedbyhiscouragetheysoundedthewarwhoopagainandrenewedtheattackwithfury。

"ThesearethesameyellingdevilsthatwereatMusgrove’sMill，"

saidCaptainDePeystertoFerguson。

NowShelbyandSevier，leadinghisWataugans，hadreachedthesummit。Thefiringcirclepressedin。Thebuckskin-shirtedwarriorsleapedtherockybarriers，swingingtheirtomahawksandlongknives。Againthewhitehandkerchiefsfluttered。Fergusonsawthatthemoraleofhistroopswasshattered。

"Surrender，"DePeyster，hissecondincommand，beggedofhim。

"Surrendertothosedamnedbanditti？Never！"

Fergusonturnedhishorse’sheaddownhillandchargedintotheWataugans，hackingrightandleftwithhisswordtillitwasbrokenatthehilt。Adozenrifleswereleveledathim。Anironmuzzlepushedathisbreast，butthepowderflashedinthepan。

Heswervedandstruckattheriflemanwithhisbrokenhilt。Buttheothergunsaimedathimspoke；andFerguson’sbodyjerkedfromthesaddlepiercedbyeightbullets。Menseizedthebridleofthefrenziedhorse，plungingonwithhisdeadmasterdraggingfromthestirrup。

Thebattlehadlastedlessthananhour。AfterFergusonfell，DePeysteradvancedwithawhiteflagandsurrenderedhisswordtoCampbell。Otherwhiteflagswavedalongthehilltop。Butthekillingdidnotyetcease。Itissaidthatmanyofthemountaineersdidnotknowthesignificanceofthewhiteflag。

Sevier’ssixteen-year-oldson，havingheardthathisfatherhadfallen，keptonfuriouslyloadingandfiringuntilpresentlyhesawSevierrideinamongthetroopsandcommandthemtostopshootingmenwhohadsurrenderedandthrowndowntheirarms。

Thevictorsmadeabonfireoftheenemy’sbaggagewagonsandsupplies。Thentheykilledsomeofhisbeevesandcookedthem；

theyhadhadneitherfoodnorsleepforeighteenhours。Theydugshallowtrenchesforthedeadandscatteredthelooseearthoverthem。Ferguson’sbody，strippedofitsuniformandbootsandwrappedinabeefhide，wasthrownintooneoftheseditchesbythemendetailedtotheburialwork，whiletheofficersdividedhispersonaleffectsamongthemselves。

Thetriumphantarmyturnedhomewardastheduskdescended。Theuninjuredprisonersandthewoundedwhowereabletowalkweremarchedoffcarryingtheiremptyfirearms。Thebadlywoundedwereleftlyingwheretheyhadfallen。

AtBickerstaff’sOldFieldsinRutherfordCountythefrontiersmenhalted；andheretheyselectedthirtyoftheirprisonerstobehanged。Theyswungthemaloft，bytorchlight，threeatatime，untilninehadgonetotheirlastaccount。ThenSevierinterposed；and，withShelby’saddedauthority，savedtheothertwenty-one。AmongthosewhothusweightedthegallowstreeweresomeoftheTorybrigandsfromWatauga；butnotallthevictimswereofthischaracter。SomeofthetroopswouldhavewreakedvengeanceonthetwoToriesfromSevier’scommandwhohadbetrayedtheirarmyplanstoFerguson；butSevierclaimedthemasunderhisjurisdictionandrefusedconsent。NolichuckyJackdealthumanelybyhisfoes。TothecoarseandbrutishCleveland，nowastrideofFerguson’shorseandwearinghissash，andtothethreehundredwhofollowedhim，maynodoubtbelaidtheworstexcessesofthebattle’safterpiece。

Victorsandvanquisheddroveoninthedark，closetothegreatflankofhills。FromwhereKing’sMountain，strewnwithdeadanddying，reareditsblackshapelikesomerudelyhewntombofaprimordialagewhentitansstrovetogether，perhapstotheearsofthemarchingmencamefaintlythroughthenight’sstillnessthehowlofawolfandtheansweringchorusofthepack。ForthewolvescamedowntoKing’sMountainfromallthesurroundinghills，followingthescentofblood，andmadetheirlairwheretheWerewolfhadfallen。Thesceneofthemountaineers’victory，whichmarkedtheturnofthetidefortheRevolution，becameforyearsthechiefresortofwolfhuntersfromboththeCarolinas。

Theimportanceoftheovermountainmen’svictorylayinwhatitachievedforthecauseofIndependence。King’sMountainwasthepreludetoCornwallis’sdefeat。ItheartenedtheSouthernPatriots，untilthencastdownbyGates’sdisaster。TotheBritishthedeathofFergusonwasanirreparablelossbecauseofitsdepressingeffectontheBackCountryTories。Ding’sMountain，indeed，broketheToryspirit。SevendaysafterthebattleGeneralNathanaelGreenesucceededtothecommandoftheSouthernPatriotarmywhichGateshadledtodefeat。Greene’sgeniusmettherisingtideofthePatriots’courageandhopeandtookitattheflood。Hisstrategy，individinghisarmyandtherebycompellingthedivisionofCornwallis’sforce，ledtoDanielMorgan’svictoryattheCowpens，intheBackCountryofSouthCarolina，onJanuary17，1781——anotherfrontiersmen’striumph。ThoughtheBritishwonthenextengagementbetweenGreeneandCornwallis——thebattleofGuilfordCourtHouseintheNorthCarolinaBackCountry，onthe15thofMarch——GreenemadethempaysodearlyfortheirvictorythatTarletoncalledit"thepledgeofultimatedefeat"；and，threedayslater，CornwalliswasretreatingtowardsWilmington。Inasense，then，King’sMountainwasthepivotofthewar’srevolvingstage，whichswungtheBritishfromtheirsuccessionofvictoriestowardsthesurrenderatYorktown。

Shelby，Campbell，andClevelandescortedtheprisonerstoVirginia。Sevier，withhismen，rodehometoWatauga。WhentheprisonershadbeendeliveredtotheauthoritiesinVirginia，theHolstonmenalsoturnedhomewardthroughthehills。TheirroutelaydownthroughtheClinchandHolstonvalleystothesettlementatthebaseofthemountains。SevierandhisWatauganshadgonebyGillespie’sGap，overthepathwaythathunglikeanarrowribbonaboutthebreastofRoanMountain，liftingitscrestindignifiedisolationsixty-threehundredfeetabovethelevels。

The"Unakas"wasthenametheCherokeeshadgiventothosewhitemenwhofirstinvadedtheirhills；andtheUnakasisthenamethatwhitemenatlastgavetothemountain。

GreatcompaniesofmenweretocomeoverthemountainpathsontheirwaytotheMississippicountryandbeyond；andwiththem，asweknow，weretogomanyofthesemountainmen，topassawaywiththeircustomsinthetransformationsthatcomewithprogress。Buttherewereotherswhoclungtothesehills。Theywereofseveralstocks——English，Scotch，Highlanders，Ulstermen，whomingledbymarriageandsometimestooktheirmatesfromamongthehandsomemaidsoftheCherokees。TheyspreadfromtheUnakasofTennesseeintotheCumberlandMountainsofKentucky；andtheyhaveremainedtothisdaywhattheywerethen，aprimitivefolkofstrongandfierymenandbravewomenlivingastheirforefathersofWataugaandHolstonlived。Inthelogcabinsinthosemountainstodayareheardthesameballads，sungstilltothedulcimer，thatentertainedtheearliestsettlers。Thewomenstillturntheold-fashionedspinningwheels。ThecodeofthemenisstillthecodelearnedperhapsfromtheGaels——thecodeoftheoathandthefeudandtheopendoortothestranger。Orwerethese，theethicaltenetsofalmostalluncorruptedprimitivetribes，transmittedfromtheIndianstrainandassociation？Theiryoungpeoplemarryatboyandgirlages，asthepioneersdid，andtheirweddingfestivitiesarethesameasthosewhichmaderejoicingatthefirstmarriageinWatauga。TheircommonspeechtodaycontainswordsthathavebeenobsoleteinEnglandforahundredyears。

ThricehavethemountainmencomedownagainfromtheirfastnessestowarforAmericasincethedayofKing’sMountainandthricetheyhaveacquittedthemselvessothattheirdeedsarenotedinhistory。AsouveniroftheirpartintheWarof1812attheBattleoftheThamesiskeptinoneofthefavoritenamesformountaingirls——"LakeErie。"IntheCivilWarmanyvolunteersfromthefree，non-slaveholdingmountainregionsofKentuckyandTennesseejoinedtheUnionArmy，anditissaidthattheyexceededallothersinstatureandphysicaldevelopment。AndinourowndaytheirsonsagaincamedownfromthemountainstocarrythetorchofLibertyoverseas，andtoshowthewhitestarsintheirflagsidebysidewiththeancientcrossintheflagofEnglandagainstwhichtheirforefathersfought。

ChapterX。Sevier，TheStatemakerAfterKing’sMountain，SevierreachedhomejustintimetofendoffaCherokeeattackonWatauga。AgainwarninghadcometothesettlementsthattheIndianswereabouttodescenduponthem。

Seviersetoutatoncetomeettheredinvaders。LearningfromhisscoutsthattheIndianswerenearhewentintoambushwithhistroopsdisposedinthefigureofahalf-moon，thefavoriteIndianformation。HethensentoutasmallbodyofmentofireontheIndiansandmakeascamperingretreat，toluretheenemyon。

ThemaneuverwassowellplannedandthegroundsowellchosenthattheIndianwarpartywouldprobablyhavebeenannihilatedbutforthedelayofanofficeratonehornofthehalf-mooninbringinghistroopsintoplay。ThroughthegapthusmadetheIndiansescaped，withalossofseventeenoftheirnumber。ThedelinquentofficerwasJonathanTipton，youngerbrotherofColonelJohnTipton，ofwhomweshallhearlater。ItispossiblethatfromthiseventdatestheTiptons’feudwithSevier，whichsuppliesoneofthebreeziestpagesinthestoryofearlyTennessee。

Notcontentwithputtingthemarauderstoflight，Sevierpressedonafterthem，burnedseveraloftheuppertowns，andtookprisoneranumberofwomenandchildren，thusputtingtheredwarriorstothedepthofshame，fortheIndiansneverdesertedtheirwomeninbattle。Thechiefsatoncesuedforpeace。Buttheyhadmadepeaceoftenbefore。SevierdrovedownupontheHiwasseetowns，meanwhileproclaimingthatthoseamongthetribewhowerefriendlymightsendtheirfamiliestothewhitesettlement，wheretheywouldbefedandcaredforuntilasoundpeaceshouldbeassured。Healsothreatenedtocontinuetomakewaruntilhisenemieswerewipedout，theirtownsitesaheapofblackenedruins，andtheirwholecountryinpossessionofthewhites，unlesstheyboundthemselvestoanenduringpeace。

HavingcompelledthesubmissionoftheOtariandHiwasseetowns，yetfindingthatdepredationsstillcontinued，SevierdeterminedtoinvadethegroupoftownshiddeninthemountainfastnessesneartheheadwatersoftheLittleTennesseewhere，deemingthemselvesinaccessibleexceptbytheirowntrail，theCherokeesfreelyplottedmischiefandsentoutraidingparties。ThesehilltownslayinthehighgorgesoftheGreatSmokyMountains，150

milesdistant。NooneinWataugahadeverbeeninthemexceptThomas，thetrader，who，however，hadreachedthemfromtheeasternsideofthemountains。WithnoknowledgeoftheIndians’

pathandwithoutaguide，yetnothingdaunted，Sevier，lateinthesummerof1781headedhisforceintothemountains。Sosteepweresomeoftheslopestheyscaledthatthemenwereobligedtodismountandhelptheirhorsesup。Unexpectedlytothemselvesperhaps，aswellastotheIndians，theydescendedonemorningonagroupofvillagesanddestroyedthem。Beforethefleeingsavagescouldrally，themountaineershadplungedupthesteepsagain。SevierthenturnedsouthwardintoGeorgiaandinflictedaseverecastigationonthetribesalongtheCoosaRiver。

When，afterthirtydaysofwarfareandmadriding，SevierarrivedathisBonnieKate’sdoorontheNolichucky，hefoundamessengerfromGeneralGreenecallingonhimforimmediateassistancetocutoffCornwallisfromhisexpectedretreatthroughNorthCarolina。Againhesetout，andwithtwohundredmencrossedthemountainsandmadeallspeedtoCharlotte，inMecklenburgCounty，wherehelearnedthatCornwallishadsurrenderedatYorktownonOctober19，1781。UnderGreene’sordersheturnedsouthtotheSanteetoassistafellowscionoftheHuguenots，GeneralFrancisMarion，inthepursuitofStuart’sBritishers。HavingdrivenStuartintoCharleston，SevierandhisactiveWataugansreturnedhome，nowperhapslookingforwardtoarest，whichtheyhadsurelyearned。Oncemore，however，theywerehailedwithalarmingnews。DraggingCanoehadcometolifeagainandwasemergingfromthecavesoftheTennesseewithasubstantialforceofChickamauganwarriors。AgaintheWataugans，augmentedbyadetachmentfromSullivanCounty，gallopedforth，mettheredwarriors，chastisedthemheavily，putthemtorout，burnedtheirdwellingsandprovender，anddrovethembackintotheirhidingplaces。Forsometimeafterthis，theIndiansdippednotintotheblackpaintpotsofwarbutwerecontenttostreaktheirhumbledcountenanceswiththevermilionofbeautyandinnocence。

ItshouldbechronicledthatSevier，assistedpossiblybyotherWataugans，eventuallyreturnedtotheStateofNorthCarolinathemoneywhichhehadforciblyborrowedtofinancetheKing’sMountainexpedition；andthatneitherhenorShelbyreceivedanypayfortheirservices，noraskedit。BeforeShelbylefttheHolstonin1782andmovedtoKentucky，ofwhichStatehewastobecomethefirstGovernor，theAssemblyofNorthCarolinapassedaresolutionofgratitudetotheovermountainmeningeneral，andtoSevierandShelbyinparticular，fortheir"verygenerousandpatrioticservices"withwhichthe"GeneralAssemblyofthisStatearefeelinglyimpressed。"TheresolutionconcludedbyurgingtherecipientsoftheAssembly’sacknowledgmentsto"continue"intheirnoblecourse。Inviewofwhatfollowed，thisresolutionisinteresting！

ForsometimetheoverhillpioneershadbeengrowingdissatisfiedwiththetreatmenttheywerereceivingfromtheState，whichonthepleaofpovertyhadrefusedtoestablishaSuperiorCourtforthemandtoappointaprosecutor。Asaresult，crimewasontheincrease，andthelaw-abidingweredeprivedoftheproperlegalmeanstocheckthelawless。In1784whenthewesternsoldiers’

claimsbegantoreachtheAssembly，theretobescrutinizedbyunkindlyeyes，thedissatisfactionincreased。Thebreastsofthemountainmen——themenwhohadmadethatspectacularridetobringFergusontohisend——werekindledwithhotindignationwhentheyheardthattheyhadbeenpubliclyassailedasgraspingpersonswhoseizedoneverypretenseto"fabricatedemandsagainsttheGovernment。"Norwerethosefierybreastscooledbyfurtherplaintstotheeffectthatthe"industryandproperty"ofthoseeastofthehillswere"becomingthefundsappropriatedtodischargethedebts"oftheWesterners。TheymightwithjusticehaveaskedwhattheindustryandpropertyoftheEasternerswereworthonthatdaywhentheoverhillmendrilledinthesnowsonthehighpeakofYellowMountainandlookeddownonBurkeCountyoverrunbyFerguson’sTories，andbeyond，toCharlotte，wherelayCornwallis。

TheNorthCarolinaAssemblydidnotconfineitselftoimpoliteremarks。ItproceededtogetridofwhatitdeemedwesternrapacitybycedingthewholeovermountainterritorytotheUnitedStates，withtheprovisothatCongressmustacceptthegiftwithintwelvemonths。AndafterpassingtheCessionAct，NorthCarolinaclosedthelandofficeintheundesireddomainandnullifiedallentriesmadeafterMay25，1784。TheCessionActalsoenabledtheStatetoevadeitsobligationstotheCherokeesinthematterofanexpensiveconsignmentofgoodstopayfornewlands。

ThiscleverstrokeoftheAssembly’sbroughtaboutimmediateconsequencesintheregionbeyondthehills。TheCherokees，whoknewnothingabouttheAssembly’ssystemofpoliticaleconomybutwhofoundtheirownprovokinglyupsetbythenon-arrivalofthepromisedgoods，beganagaintodarkenthemixtureintheirpaintpots；andtheydugupthewarhatchet，neverindeedsodeeplypatteddownunderthedustthatitcouldnotbeunearthedbyastubofthetoe。Needlesstosay，itwasnotthethriftyanddistantEasternerswhofelttheiranger，butthenearbysettlements。

Asforthewhiteoverhilldwellers，thelaststrawhadbeenlaidontheirbacks；anditfeltlikeahickorylog。NosoonerhadtheAssemblyadjournedthanthemenofWashington，Sullivan，andGreenecounties，whichcomprisedthesettledportionofwhatisnoweastTennessee，electeddelegatestoconveneforthepurposeofdiscussingtheformationofanewState。Theycouldassertthattheywerenotactingillegally，forinherfirstconstitutionNorthCarolinahadmadeprovisionforaStatebeyondthemountains。Andnecessitycompelledthemtotakestepsfortheirprotection。Someofthem，andSevierwasofthenumber，doubtedifCongresswouldacceptthecostlygift；andthemajorityrealizedthatduringthetwelvemonthswhichwereallowedforthedecisiontheywouldhavenoprotectionfromeitherNorthCarolinaorCongressandwouldnotbeabletocommandtheirownresources。

InAugust，1784，thedelegatesmetatJonesboroughandpassedpreliminaryresolutions；andthenadjournedtomeetlaterintheyear。ThenewswassoondisseminatedthroughNorthCarolinaandtheAssemblyconvenedinOctoberandhastilyrepealedtheCessionAct，votedtoestablishtheDistrictofWashingtonoutofthefourcounties，andsentwordofthealteredpolicytoSevier，withacommissionforhimselfasBrigadierGeneral。Fromthestepsoftheimprovisedconventionhall，beforewhichthedelegateshadgathered，SevierreadtheAssembly’smessageandadvisedhisneighborstoproceednofurther，sinceNorthCarolinahadofherownaccordredressedalltheirgrievances。ButforonceNolichuckyJack’sfollowersrefusedtofollow。Theadventuretoogreatlyappealed。ObligedtochoosebetweenNorthCarolinaandhisownpeople，Sevier’shesitationwasshort。TheStateofFrankland，orLandoftheFree，wasformed；andNolichuckyJackwaselevatedtotheofficeofGovernor——withayearlysalaryoftwohundredminkskins。

PerhapsJohnTiptonhadhopedtoheadthenewState，forhehadbeenoneofitsprimemoversandwasadelegatetothisconvention。Butwhenthemanwhomhehated——apparentlyfornoreasonexceptthatothermenlovedhim——assentedtothepeople’swillandwasappointedtothehighestpostwithintheirgift，Tiptonwithdrew，disavowingallconnectionwithFranklandandaffirminghisloyaltytoNorthCarolina。Fromthistimeon，thefeudwasanopenone。

ThatbriefandnowforgottenState，Frankland，theLandoftheFree，whichbequeatheditsnameasanappellationforAmerica，wasfoundedasWataugahadbeenfounded——tomeetthepracticalneedsandaspirationsofitspeople。ItwillberememberedthatoneofthethingswrittenbySevierintotheonlyWataugadocumentextantwasthattheydesiredtobecome"ineverywaythebestmembersofsociety。"Frankland’saims，asrecorded，includedtheintentto"improveagriculture，perfectmanufacturing，ENCOURAGELITERATUREandeverythingtrulylaudable。"

TheconstitutionofFrankland，agreedtoonthe14thofNovember，1785，appealstoustodayratherbyitsspiritthanbyitspracticalprovisions。"ThisStateshallbecalledtheCommonwealthofFranklandandshallbegovernedbyaGeneralAssemblyoftherepresentativesofthefreemenofthesame，aGovernorandCouncil，andpropercourtsofjustice……ThesupremelegislativepowershallbevestedinasingleHouseofRepresentativesofthefreemenofthecommonwealthofFrankland。

TheHouseofRepresentativesofthefreemenoftheStateshallconsistofpersonsmostnotedforwisdomandvirtue。"

Intheseexalteddesiresoftheprimitivemenwhoheldbytheirriflesandhatchetsthelandbythewesternwaters，weseetheinfluenceoftheReverendSamuelDoak，theirpastor，whofoundedthefirstchurchandthefirstschoolbeyondthegreathills。

EarlyinthelifeofWataugahehadcomethitherfromPrinceton，azealousandbroadmindedyoungman，andasturdyone，too，forhecameonfootdrivingbeforehimamuleladenwithbooks。

Legendcreditsanotherminister，theReverendSamuelHouston，withsuggestingthenameofFrankland，afterhehadopenedtheConventionwithprayer。ItisnotsurprisingtolearnthatthisglorifiedconstitutionwaspresentlyputasideinfavorofonemodeledonthatofNorthCarolina。

SevierpersuadedthemoreradicalmembersofthecommunitytoabandontheirextremeviewsandtoadoptthelawsofNorthCarolina。HoweverlawlesshisactsasGovernorofaboltingcolonymayappear，Sevierwasessentiallyaconstructiveforce。

Hispurposeswereright，andsmallmotivesarenotdiscernibleinhisrecord。HemightreasonablyurgethattheFranklandershadonlyfollowedtheexampleofNorthCarolinaandtheotherAmericanStatesinsecedingfromtheparentbody，andforsimilarcauses，fortheState’ssystemoftaxationhadlongborneheavilyontheoverhillmen。

ThewholetransmontanepopulacewelcomedFranklandwithenthusiasm。MajorArthurCampbell，oftheVirginiansettlements，ontheHolston，waseagertojoin。SevierandhisAssemblytookthenecessarystepstoreceivetheoverhillVirginians，providedthatthetransferofallegiancecouldbemadewithVirginia’sconsent。MeanwhileherepliedinadignifiedmannertothepainedandmenacingexpostulationsofNorthCarolina’sGovernor。NorthCarolinawasbiddentoremembertheepithetsherassemblymenhadhurledattheWesterners，whichtheythemselveshadbynomeansforgotten。AndwasitanywonderthattheynowdoubtedthelovetheparentStateprofessedtofeelforthem？Asforthepuerilethreatofblood，hadtheirqualityreallysosoonbecomeobliteratedfromthememoryofNorthCarolina？Atthissortofwriting，Sevier，whoalwayspulsedhotwithemotionandwhohadaprettyknackinturningaphrase，wasmorethanamatchfortheGovernorofNorthCarolina，whoseprerogativeshehadusurped。

Theovermountainmennolongerneededtocomplainbitterlyofthelackoflegalmachinerytokeepthem"thebestmembersofsociety。"Theynowhadcourtstospare。Franklandhaditscourts，itsjudges，itslegislativebody，itslandoffice——infact，afullgovernmentalequipment。NorthCarolinaalsoperformedallthenaturalfunctionsofpoliticalorganism，withinthewesternterritory。SevierappointedoneDavidCampbellajudge。CampbellheldcourtinJonesborough。Tenmilesaway，inBuffalo，ColonelJohnTiptonpresidedforNorthCarolina。Ithappenedfrequentlythatofficersandattendantsoftherivallawcourtsmet，astheypursued，theirduties，andwhenevertheymettheyfought。Thepostofsheriff——orsheriffs，forofcoursethereweretwo——wasfilledbythebiggestandheaviestmanandthehardesthitterintheranksofthewarringfactions。Afavoritegamewasraidingeachother’scourtsandcarryingofftherecords。FranklandsentWilliamCocke，laterthefirstsenatorfromTennessee，toCongresswithamemorial，askingCongresstoaccepttheterritoryNorthCarolinahadofferedandtoreceiveitintotheUnionasaseparateState。Congressignoredtheplea。ItbegantoappearthatNorthCarolinawouldbevictorintheend；andsothereweredefectionsamongtheFranklanders。SevierwrotetoBenjaminFranklinaskinghisaidinestablishingthestatusofFrankland；

and，withagracefulflourishofhisreadypen，changedthenewState’snametoFranklinbywayofreinforcinghisarguments。Buttheoldphilosopher，moreexpertthanSevierindiplomaticcalligraphy，onlyacknowledgedthecomplimentandadvisedtheStateofFranklintomakepeacewithNorthCarolina。

SevierthenappealedforaidandrecognitiontotheGovernorofGeorgia，whohadpreviouslyappointedhimBrigadierGeneralofmilitia。ButtheGovernorofGeorgiaalsoavoidedgivingtherecognitionrequested，thoughheearnestlybesoughtSeviertocomedownandsettletheCreeksforhim。TherewereotherswhosentpleastoSevier，thewarrior，tosavethemfromthesavages。

Oneofthewriterswhoaddressedhimdidnotfeartosay"YourExcellency，"nortoaccordNolichuckyJackthewholedignityofthepurpleinappealingtohimastheonlymanpossessingthewillandthepowertopreventtheisolatedsettlementsontheCumberlandfrombeingwipedout。Thatwriterwashisoldfriend，JamesRobertson。

In1787，whileSevierwasonthefrontierofGreeneCounty，defendingitfromIndians，thelegalforcesofNorthCarolinaswoopeddownonhisestateandtookpossessionofhisnegroes。ItwasTiptonwhorepresentedthelaw；andTiptoncarriedofftheGovernor’sslavestohisownestate。WhenNolichuckyJackcamehomeandfoundthathisenemyhadstrippedhim，hewasinatoweringrage。Withabodyofhistroopsandonesmallcannon，hemarchedtoTipton’shouseandbesiegedit，threateningabombardment。Hedidnot，however，fireintothedwelling，thoughheplacedsomeshotsaboutitandintheextremecorners。Thisoperabouffesiegeenduredforseveraldays，untilTiptonwasreinforcedbysomeofhisownclique。ThenTiptonsalliedforthandattackedthebesiegers，whohastilyscatteredratherthanengageinasanguinaryfightwiththeirneighbors。TiptoncapturedSevier’stwoeldersonsandwasonlystrainedfromhangingthemonbeinginformedthattwoofhisownsonswereatthatmomentinSevier’shands。

InMarch，1788，theStateofFranklinwentintoeclipse。SevierwasoverthrownbytheauthoritiesofNorthCarolina。Mostoftheofficialswhohadservedunderhimweresoothedbybeingreappointedtotheiroldpositions。Tipton’sstarwasnowintheascendant，forhisenemywastobemadethevicarioussacrificeforthesinsofallwhomhehad"ledastray。"PresentlyDavidCampbell，stillgraciouslypermittedtopresideovertheSuperiorCourt，receivedfromtheGovernorofNorthCarolinathefollowingletter：

"Sir：IthasbeenrepresentedtotheExecutivethatJohnSevier，whostyle’shimselfCaptain-GeneraloftheStateofFranklin，hasbeenguiltyofhightreasoninlevyingtroopstoopposethelawsandgovernmentoftheState……YouwillissueyourwarranttoapprehendthesaidJohnSevier，andincasehecannotbesufficientlysecuredfortrialintheDistrictofWashington，orderhimtobecommittedtothepublicgaol。"

Thejudge’sauthoritywastobeexercisedafterhehadexaminedthe"affidavitsofcrediblepersons。"Campbell’sjudicialopinionseemstohavebeenthatanyaffidavitagainst"thesaidJohnSevier"couldnotbemadebya"credibleperson。"Herefusedtoissuethewarrant。Tipton’sfriend，Spencer，whohadbeenNorthCarolina’sjudgeoftheSuperiorCourtintheWestandwhowassharingthathonornowwithCampbell，issuedthewarrantandsentTiptontomakethearrest。

SevierwasattheWidowBrown’sinnwithsomeofhismenwhenTiptonatlastcameupwithhim。Itwasearlymorning。Tiptonandhispossewereabouttoenterwhentheportlyanddauntlesswidow，surmisingtheirerrand，drewherchairintothedoorway，plumpedherselfdowninit，andrefusedtobudgeforallthewritsinNorthCarolina。Tiptonblusteredandthewidowrocked。

ThealtercationawakenedSevier。Hedressedhurriedlyandcamedown。Assoonashepresentedhimselfontheporch，Tiptonthrusthispistolagainsthisbody，evidentlywithintenttofireifSeviermadesignsofresistance。Sevier’sfuriousfollowerswerenotdisposedtolethimbetakenwithoutafight，butheadmonishedthemtorespectthelaw，andrequestedthattheywouldinformBonnieKateofhispredicament。Then，debonairasever，withperhapsatingeofcontemptatthecornersofhismouth，heheldouthiswristsforthemanacleswhichTiptoninsistedonfasteninguponthem。

ItwasnotlikelythatanyjailinthewesterncountrycouldholdNolichuckyJackovernight。Tiptonfearedariot；anditwasdecidedtosendtheprisonerforincarcerationandtrialtoMorgantowninNorthCarolina，justoverthehills。

TiptondidnotaccompanytheguardshesentwithSevier。Itwasstatedandcommonlybelievedthathehadgiveninstructionsofwhichthehonorablemenamonghisfriendswereignorant。Whenthepartyenteredthemountains，twooftheguardsweretolagbehindwiththeprisoner，tilltheotherswereoutofsightonthetwistingtrail。ThenoneofthetwowastokillSevierandassertthathehaddoneitbecauseSevierhadattemptedtoescape。Itfelloutalmostasplanned，exceptthattheotherguardwarnedSevierofthefateinstoreforhimandgavehimachancetoflee。Inplungingdownthemountain，Sevier’shorsewasentangledinathicket。Thewould-bemurdererovertookhimandfired；buthereagainfatehadinterposedforherfavorite。Theballhaddroppedoutoftheassassin’spistol。SoSevierreachedMorgantowninsafetyandwasdepositedincareofthesheriff，whowasdoubtlesscautionedtotakeagoodlookattheprisonerandknowhimforadangerousandadaringman。

Thereisastorytotheeffectthat，whenSevierwasarraignedinthecourthouseatMorgantownandpresentlydashedthroughthedoorandawayonaracerthathadbeenbroughtupbysomeofhisfriends，amongthosewhowitnessedtheproceedingswasayoungUlsterScotnamedAndrewJackson；andthatonthisoccasionthesetwomen，latertobecomefoes，firstsaweachother。JacksonmayhavebeeninMorgantownatthetime，thoughthisisdisputed；buttherestofthetaleispurelegendinventedbysomeonewhoseloveofthespectacularledhimfarfromthefacts。Thefactsarelesstheatricalbutmuchmoredramatic。Sevierwasnotarraignedatall，fornocourtwassittinginMorgantownatthetime。*Thesherifftowhomhewasdelivereddidnotneedtolooktwiceathimtoknowhimforadaringman。HehadservedwithhimatKing’sMountain。Hestruckoffhishandcuffsandsethimatlibertyatonce。PerhapshealsonotifiedGeneralCharlesMcDowellathishomeinQuakerMeadowsofthepresenceofadistinguishedguestinBurkeCounty，forMcDowellandhisbrotherJoseph，anotherofficerofmilitia，quicklyappearedandwentonSevier’sbond。NolichuckyJackwaspresentlyholdingacourtofhisowninthetavern，withNorthCarolina’smenatarms——asmanyaswerewithincall——drinkinghishealth。SohissonsandacompanyofhisWataugansfoundhim，whentheyrodeintoMorgantowntogiveevidenceinhisbehalf——withtheirrifles。

Sincenonenowdisputedthewaywithhim，Sevierturnedhomewardwithhiscavalcade，McDowellandhismenaccompanyinghimasfarasthepassinthehills。

*StatementbyJohnSevier，Junior，intheDraperMSS。，quotedbyTurner，"LifeofGeneralJohnSevier，"p。182。

NofurtherattemptwasmadetotryJohnSevierfortreason，eitherwestoreastofthemountains。InNovember，however，theAssemblypassedthePardonAct，andtherebygrantedabsolutiontoeveryonewhohadbeenassociatedwiththeStateofFranklin，EXCEPTJOHNSEVIER。InaclausesaidtohavebeenintroducedbyTipton，nowasenator，orsuggestedbyhim，JohnSevierwasdebarredforeverfrom"theenjoymentofanyofficeofprofitorhonorortrustintheStateofNorthCarolina。"

TheoverhillmeninGreeneCountytookduenoteoftheAssembly’sfiatandatthenextelectionsentSeviertotheNorthCarolinaSenate。NolichuckyJack，whosedemeanorwasneversodecorousaswhentheillconsideredactionsofthoseinauthorityhadmadehimappeartohavecircumventedthelaw，consideratelywaitedoutsideuntiltheHousehadliftedtheban——whichitdidperforceandbyalargemajority，despiteTipton’sopposition——andthentookhisseatonthesenatorialbenchbesidehisenemy。TherecordsshowthathewasreinstatedasBrigadierGeneraloftheWesternCountiesandalsoappointedattheheadoftheCommitteeonIndianAffairs。

NotonlyintheregionaboutWataugadidthepioneersofTennesseeendurethethroesofdangerandstrifeduringtheseyears。ThelittlesettlementsontheCumberland，whichwerescatteredoverashortdistanceofabouttwenty-fiveorthirtymilesandhadafrontierlineoftwohundredmiles，wereterriblyafflicted。TheirnearestwhiteneighborsamongtheKentuckysettlerswereonehundredandfiftymilesaway；andthroughthecruelestyearsthesecouldrendernoaid——couldnot，indeed，holdtheirownstations。TheKentuckians，aswehaveseen，werebottledupinHarrodsburgandBoonesborough；and，whilethenorthernIndiansledbyGirtyandDequindredarkenedtheBloodyGroundanew，theCumberlandersweremakingadesperatestandagainsttheChickasawsandtheCreeks。Soterriblewastheirsituationthatpanictookholdonthem，andtheywouldhavefledbutfortheinfluenceofRobertson。Hemayhaveputthequestiontotheminthebiblicalwords，"WhithershallIflee？"Fortheyweresurrounded，andthosewhodidattempttoescapewere"weighedonthepathandmadelight。"Robertsonknewthattheironlychanceofsurvivalwastostandtheirground。Thegreaterriskshewaswillingtotakeinperson，foritwashewhomadetripstoBoonesboroughandHarrodsburgforashareofthepowderandleadwhichJohnSevierwassendingintoKentuckyfromtimetotime。InthestressofconflictRobertsonborehisfullshareofgrief，forhistwoeldersonsandhisbrotherfell。Hehimselfwasoftenneartodeath。Onedayhewascutoffinthefieldsandwasshotinthefootasheran，yethemanagedtoreachshelter。

Thereisastorythat，inanattackduringoneofhisabsences，theIndiansforcedtheoutergateofthefortandMrs。Robertsonwentoutofhercabin，firing，andletlooseabandofthesavagedogswhichthesettlerskeptfortheirprotection，andsodroveouttheinvaders。

TheChickasawswereloyaltothetreatytheyhadmadewiththeBritishintheearlydaysofJamesAdair’sassociationwiththem。

TheywerefriendstoEngland’sfriendsandfoestoherfoes。

Whiletheyresentedthenewsettlementsmadeonlandtheyconsideredtheirs，theysignedapeacewithRobertsonattheconclusionoftheWarofIndependence。TheykepttheirwordwithhimastheyhadkeptitwiththeBritish。Furthermore，theirchief，OpimingoortheMountainLeader，gaveRobertsonhisassistanceagainsttheCreeksandtheChoctawsand，insofarasheunderstooditsworkings，informedhimofthenewSpanishandFrenchconspiracy，whichwenowcometoconsider。SoonceagaintheChickasawswereservantsofdestinytotheEnglish-speakingrace，foragaintheydrovethewedgeoftheirhonorintoanIndiansolidarityweldedwithEuropeangold。

SinceitwasgenerallybelievedatthatdatethatthetribeswereinstigatedtowarbytheBritishandsuppliedbythemwiththeirammunition，savageinroadswereexpectedtoceasewiththesigningofpeace。ButIndianwarfarenotonlycontinued；itincreased。InthelasttwoyearsoftheRevolution，whentheBritishweredrivenfromtheBackCountryoftheCarolinasandcouldnolongerreachthetribeswithconsignmentsoffirearmsandpowder，itshouldhavebeenevidentthattheIndianshadothersourcesofsupplyandotherallies，fortheylackednothingwhichcouldaidthemintheireffortstoexterminatethesettlersofTennessee。

NeitherFrancenorSpainwishedtoseeanEnglish-speakingrepublicbasedonidealsofdemocracysuccessfullyestablishedinAmerica。ThoughintheRevolutionaryWar，FrancewasacloseallyoftheAmericansandSpainsomethingmorethananominalone，thesecretdiplomacyofthecourtsoftheBourboncousinsillmatchedwiththeiropenprofessions。BothcousinshatedEngland。TheAmericancolonies，smartingunderinjustice，hadofferedafieldfortheirrevenge。ButhatredofEnglandwasnottheonlyreasonwhyactivitieshadbeensetafoottoincreasethediscordwhichshouldfinallyseparatethecoloniesfromGreatBritainandleavethedestinyofthecoloniestobedecidedbytheHouseofBourbon。SpainsawintheAmericans，withtheirEnglishmodesofthought，amenacetoherauthorityinherowncoloniesonboththenorthernandsoutherncontinents。Thismenacewouldnotbestilledbutaugmentedifthecoloniesshouldbeestablishedasarepublic。Suchanexamplemightbetooreadilyfollowed。ThoughFrancehad，byasecrettreatyin1762，madeovertoSpaintheprovinceofLouisiana，shewasnotunmindfuloftheBourbonmotto，"HewhoattackstheCrownofoneattackstheother。"AndshesawherchancetodealacripplingblowatEngland’sprestigeandcommerce。

In1764，theFrenchMinister，Choiseul，hadsentasecretagent，namedPontleroy，toAmericatoassistinmakingtroubleandtowatchforanysignsthatmightbeturnedtotheadvantageoflesduexcouronnes。EvidentlyPontleroy’sreportswereencouragingfor，in1768，JohannKalb——thesameKalbwhofellatCamdenin1780——arrivedinPhiladelphiatoenlargethegoodwork。Hewasnotonly，likeseveraloftheforeignofficersintheWarofIndependence，aspyforhisGovernment，buthewasalsothespecialemissaryofoneComtedeBrogliewho，afterthecolonieshadbrokenwiththemothercountry，wastoputhimselfattheheadofAmericanaffairs。ThisBrogliehadbeenforyearsoneofLouisXV’schiefagentsinsubterraneandiplomacy，anditisnottobesupposedthathewasgoingtoattemptthestupendoustaskofcontrollingAmerica’sdestinywithoutsubstantialbacking。

SpainhadbeenadvisedmeanwhiletorulehernewLouisianaterritorywithgreatliberality——infact，toletitshineasarepublicbeforetheyearningeyesoftheoppressedAmericans，sothattheEnglishcolonistswouldariseandcastofftheirfetters。OncethecolonieshadfreedthemselvesfromEngland’sprotectingarm，itwouldbeasimplematterfortheBourbonstogathertheminlikesomanylittlelostchicksfromarainyyard。