首页 >出版文学> 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。