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。