Preface
The author hopes no one will confuse this school history of Tennessee with his History of Tennessee: The Making of a State. The plan of each book is entirely different, though in both he has attempted to show Tennesseans something of the structure of their State, the stages of its history, the causes of its growth, and the greatness of many of its children. The last-named work closes with the war between the States, and omits all mention of the War of 1812, the Creek War, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. The school history gives an account of these, and it conies down to the present. It was the tragic fate of Tennessee to see her children arrayed on different sides during the late war. The author has endeavored to be impartial and non-partisan, after 1860 giving only facts without comment. The book has been elaborately illustrated and provided with three maps, each one showing a different stage of development.
Copyright, 188ij
SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.
Successful instruction in any branch depends almost entirely upon the intelligence and skill of the teacher. This is particularly true of a history which is confined to the limits of one of many States. The object of this book is to teach the children of Tennessee something of the wonderful history of their native State, of the lives of the great men who have figured in it, and of its relation to the general history of this country. In giving the history of Tennessee, its growth, its deeds, and its institutions, the author has not lost sight of the fact that this State has been one of a great whole. Enough mention has, therefore, been made of events of national history to enable the teacher to establish in the minds of his pupils a clear comprehension of the relations binding State and national history.
The biographies of the governors and other prominent Tennesseans are to be used with discretion. To force the pupil to commit to memory the exact date when some prominent character first went to the Legislature or was made a colonel would be to burden him with unnecessary labors. These are given to aid the mind in grasping the real events of any given career, and should be so treated by the teacher. The questions at the foot of the page are more suggestive than full. The teacher should leave these to the pupil in studying, and should ask questions suited to the occasion and requiring an intelligent knowledge on the part of the pupil to enable him to give proper answers. The teRcher should also explain the general facts a knowledge of which is presupposed, such as the method by which a State casts its vote for a Presidential candidate, and the like.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Early Fort
John Seyier
James Robertson
Willtam Blount
John Overton
Samuel Doak
Philip Lindsley
Andrew Jackson
Willie Blount
John Coffee .......
William Carroll
Sam Houston
William Hall
Hugh Lawson White . . .
Newton Cannon
David Crockett
John Bell
Felix Grundy
Cave Johnson
James K. Polk
Jeremiah George Harris .
James Chamberlain Jones .
Gideon Johnson Pillow . .
Aaron Vail Brown . . . .
PAGE
PAGE
94 104 110 124
Ephraim H. Foster . . . .
Neill S. Brown
William Trousdale . . . .
Andrew Jackson Donelson William B. Campbell . . .
Andrew Johnson
Gustavus A. Henry . . . .
Meredith P. Gentry . . .
William Walker . .
Isham G. Harris
Nathan Bedford Forrest .
Leonidas Polk
172 174
178 180 181 183 196 202
125 William Gannaway Brownlow . 205
131 Emerson Etheridge 210
132 De Witt Clinton Senter . . . . 214
133 John C. Brown 216
134 Horace Maynard 218
139 Benjamin Franklin Cheatham . 219
140 James Davis Porter 221
145 David McKendree Key 223
150 Albert S. Marks 224
152 Alvin Hawkins 226
160 William B. Bate 228
162 Robert L. Taylor 230
Chapter I. The First Settlements
History of Tennessee neglected. — An Epitome of the History of the United States. — William Bean builds a Cabin. — Indian Tribes. — The Great Trace. — The Title to the Soil. — North Carolina granted to an English Company. — John Locke’s Scheme of Government. — Contests between the Whites and Indians. — English Forts. — Indian Hostilities. — Peace finally made. — Daniel Boone. — Treaty of Stanwix. — Beginning of Tennessee History. — Emigration — The Emigrant’s Outfit. — The Building of his Cabin. — The Clearing of the Land. — Country Festivities 13
Chapter II. The Watauga Association
The first three Settlements. — Increase of their Population.— Origin of the Association. — Articles of Association. — The Nolliclmcky Settlers forced to sign. — Confusion of Boundary-lines. — Lease from the Cherokees. — An Indian War averted by James Robertson. — Treaty of Sycamore Shoals. — The American Revolution. — Action of North Carolina. — The Mecklenburgh Resolutions. — Feeling of the. Watauga People.— Their Exposure to Indian Hostilities. — Assaults of Dragging Canoe and Old Abraham. — Invasion of the Indian Country 21
Chapter III. Annexed To North Carolina
Annexation of the Watauga Settlement to North Carolina. — Washington and other Counties organized. — Trouble with the Tories. — The Cliickamauga Expedition. — The Western Settlements in the War for Independence. — The Battle of King’s Mountain. — John Sevier. — His Mode of Warfare against the Indians. — Their just Cause of Complaint. — Dissatisfaction of the Western Settlements with North Carolina.— Tennessee ceded to the United States. — Opposition to the Cession. — The Settlements in Convention Devise a Form of Government 26
CONTENTS.
Chapter IV. State Of Franklin, And John Sevier
State of Franklin. — Character of Sevier. — Plan of Government framed by William Cocke and others. — Opposition to the new State. — John Tipton, Leader of the Opposition.— Meeting of the Legislature. — The new State named Franklin. — Sevier elected Governor. — Manifesto of the Governor of North Carolina. — Sevier’s Reply. — A Commissioner appointed. — Struggles between the Tipton Party and the Sevier Party. — Unsuccessful Appeal to North Carolina. — The People weary of the Struggle.— Sevier’s Efforts to uphold the new State. — Last Session of the Franklin Legislature.— Sevier’s Mortification. — His Trial and Escape. — His Election as Senator in the North Carolina Legislature. — His Appointment as Brigadier-general . . 33
Chapter V. The Cumberland Settlement
The Cumberland River Region. — Accounts of Hunters and Trappers. — James Spencer. — James Robertson and John Donelson. — Diary of the “Adventure.” — The Transylvania Purchase. — The “Compact of Government.” — Forts and Stations. — Hardships of the Cumberland Settlers. — Question of Abandoning the Settlement. — Heroic Acts of James Robertson. — The Battle of the Bluffs.— Dangers surrounding the Settlers.— They adopt the Tricks of the Indians. — Condition of Affairs in 1783 . . 41
Chapter VI. Davidson County, And The Second Cession
Davidson County organized. — Nashborough becomes Nashville. — Increase of Settlement. — Sumner County established. — Treaty of Hopewell. — Indian Troubles. — Unsuccessful Appeals for Protection. — The Toka, or Cold Water, Expedition. — Robertson’s Justification. — Intrigues of Spanish Traders. — Cession of Tennessee to the General Government. — Act of Acceptance. — William Blount Governor ... 48
Chapter VII. End Of The Indian Wars
Sevier’s Invasion of the Indian Country. — The Power of the Indians broken. — Indian Hostilities on the Cumberland. — Efforts to secure the free Navigation of the Mississippi River. — Robertson refuses to allow an Attack on the Indians. — The Attack on Buchanan’s Station. — A Succession of Fights with the Indians. — The Nickojack Expedition. — The Chickamaugas of the Five Lower Towns. — Joseph Brown and the Squaw’s Prediction. — Destruction of Nickojack and Running Water. — End of the Struggle. — Robertson reprimanded by Governor Blount 52
CONTENTS.
Chapter VIII. Spanish Intrigues, And The Admission Of Tennessee Into The
UNION.
The Spanish claim exclusive Navigation of the Mississippi River. — Their Intrigues with the Indians against the American Settlements. — Alexander McGillivray. — Robertson’s Diplomacy. — The Spanish Treaty. — Purchase of the Lower Mississippi Valley from France. — Admission of Tennessee into the Union. — Its Name. — Opposition in the United States Senate to its Admission 58
Chapter IX. Institutes Of Tennessee
The Institutes of Tennessee. — How derived. — The Rights of the States. — The Governor. — The Secretary of State. — The Comptroller of the Treasury. — The Treasurer. — The General Assembly. — The Senate. — The House of Representatives. — The Judiciary.— The Supreme Court. — The Circuit Courts. — The Chancery Courts. — The Attorney-General. — The Grand Jury. — The Petit Jury. — The Administration of the Law. — Duty of the Children of Tennessee 60
Chapter X. How We Govern Ourselves
Local Self-Government. — The County Court. — The Justice of the Peace. — The County Offices. — The Sheriff. — The Trustee. — The Coroner. — The Ranger 69
Chapter XI. West Tennessee
.West Tennessee. — Its History. — Development of Memphis. — The Rice Grant. — John Overton, the Father of Memphis. — The first Proprietors. — Memphis the County- Seat. — Randolph. — Rivalry between the two Towns. — Success of Memphis. — Relations between its Proprietors and the Inhabitants. — The Navy- Yard .... 72
Chapter XII. Churches In Tennessee
Principal Denominations. — The Presbyterian Church. — Its Doctrines. — Samuel Doak. — Thomas B. Craighead. — The Great Revival of 1800. — The first Camp-Meeting. — The Cumberland Presbyterian Church — The Methodists. — Their Progress. — The Circuit-Rider.— Other important Denominations 77
CONTENTS.
Chapter XIII. The Public Schools
* The first Literary Institution. — The Common-School System. — The Public-School Fund. — The Colleges of Tennessee. — The University of Nashville. — Philip Lindslev. — The Development of the Common-School System 82
Chapter XIV. The First Governors
John Sevier the first Governor. — His History. — His Character and Popularity. — His first Term of Service. — Roane succeeds Sevier. — Charges against Sevier. — Jackson’s Opposition to Sevier. — Tipton’s Hostility. — Sevier again elected. — The Federalists and Anti-Federalists. — The Whisky Tax and the Alien and Sedition Laws. — The Democratic-Republican Party. — The first United States Senators from Tennessee. — Andrew Jackson. — Willie Blount succeeds Sevier 87
Chapter XV. The Creek War And New Orleans
The Creek War. — Tecumseh. — Red Eagle, or William Weatherford. — Massacre at Fort Mims. — Jackson’s Fight with the Bentons. — He takes Command of the Tennessee Troops. — He advances into the Creek Country. — Battle of Tallushatchee. — Jackson builds Fort Strother. — Movements of General Cocke. — Battle of Talladega. — General Cocke destroys the Hillabees. — The Troops mutinous. — Battles of Emuckfau and Enotachopco. — Battle of the Horseshoe, or Tohopeka. — Surrender of Red Eagle. — Battle of New Orleans. — John Coffee 95
Chapter XVI. M’minn To Carroll
Contests for the Governorship. — Account of Joseph M’Minn. — He is elected for three Terms. — The Contest of 1821. — The People against the Quality.” — Dissatisfaction with the Constitution of 1796. — Edward Ward. — William Carroll. — The Newspapers take Part in the Contest. — Election of Carroll 105
Chapter XVII. History Of Tennessee Banks
The Banks of Tennessee. — The first Banks established. — The State Bank of 1820. — The End of this Bank. — The Bank of Tennessee of 1831. — The State Bank of 1838. — The Free Banking Act of 1852. — The General Banking Act of 1860 Ill
CONTENTS.
Chapter XVIII. Internal Improvements
The History of internal Improvements in Tennessee. — The Plan of 1829. — The Plan of 1835. — The Mania for building Railroads. — The first Railroad. — The Commercial Convention of 1845. — Completion of the Railroad from Memphis to Charleston. — The Plan of 1848. — The State Debt 110
Chapter XIX. Carroll And Houston
The Extent and Character of Carroll’s Administration. — Sam Houston as Governor. — His Career. — His Marriage and Resignation. — His subsequent History. — William Hall becomes Governor. — Carroll again elected in 1831 and in 1833. — Is succeeded by Newton Cannon in 1835 122
Chapter XX. Andrew Jackson As President
Jackson’s Reputation. — Isa Candidate for the Presidency in 1824. — Receives the highest Number of Votes. — Election by the House of Representatives. — Adams successful. — Jackson again a Candidate. — His Duels. — Is elected President in 1829. — His Policy. — Origin of the Whig Party. — Hugh Lawson White. — Jackson opposed by Newton Cannon. — By David Crockett. — By John Bell. — Jackson’s Efforts for Van Buren. — His Course toward White 126
Chapter XXI. White A Candidate For The Presidency
White determines to be a Candidate. — Plan of the Jackson Men to defeat him. — Failure of the Programme. — Prominent Men in the White-Van-Buren Contest. — John Henry Eaton. — Felix Grundy. — Cave Johnson. — John Catron. — George W. Campbell. — John Haywood.— J. G. M. Ramsey. — A. W. Putnam. — Defeat of White. — Accessions to the Whig Party. — James Knox Polk 137
Chapter XXII. Polk And Cannon, And The Whigs
The Contest between Polk and Cannon. — Prominence of Tennessee in National Politics. — Principles of the Whigs and of the Democrats. — Nomination of Harrison for President. — Features of the Campaign. — The Whig Convention of 1840. — Election of Harrison and Tyler. — Jeremiah George Harris 146
CONTENTS.
Chapter XXIII. Polk And Jones
The Campaign of 1841.— The Polk-Jones Contests.— James Chamberlain Jones— Jones as a Stump Speaker.— Discussion of National Questions.— Polk’s Method. — How met by Jones.— Jones elected Governor.— The Senatorial Contest of 1841.— The two
Parties evenly balanced in the General Assembly. — The Immortal Thirteen.”
The Polk-Jones Contest of 1843.— The Result a Matter of National Interest.— Jones again elected iki
Chapter XXIV. President Polk And The Mexican War
The Presidential Contest of 1844— The Slavery Question— Nomination of Polk by the Democrats. — Clay the Whig Candidate. — Character of the Campaign. — The Tariff. The great Whig Convention. — Clay carries Tennessee. — Election of Polk. — The Results of Polk’s Administration. — The Northwestern Boundarv. — “Fifty-four-forty or Fight.”— Annexation of Texas— The Mexican War.— Battles of the War. — Tennesseans who distinguished themselves during the War. — Gideon J. Pillow : . . . 155
Chapter XXV. The Two Browns
The Candidates for the Governorship in 1845. — The Annexation of Texas, and the Oregon Question. — Aaron V. Brown. — Ephraim H. Foster. — Character of the Canvass betwreen Brown and Foster. — Election of Brown. — Action of the General Assembly.— The Gubernatorial Contest of 1847. — Its Effect upon ihe Presidential Contest of 1848. — Neill S. Brown. — The Whigs have the Advantage. — Neill S. Brown elected 161
Chapter XXVI. Slavery, And The Southern Convention
The Presidential Contest of 1848. — Lewis Cass and Zachary Taylor. — Slavery the important Question. — The Territories and the Missouri Compromise.— The Democrats fail to carry Tennessee. — Taylor elected. — Contest for the Governorship in 1849. — William Trousdale. — The Southern Convention of 1850. — “ Squatter Sovereignty.” — Andrew Jackson Donelson. — Proceedings of the Southern Convention. — William B. Campbell. — Campbell and Trousdale. — The National Election of 1852. — Division of the Whigs on the Question of Slavery 167
CONTENTS.
Chapter XXVII. Andrew Johnson Governor
The Contest for Governor in 1853. — Andrew Johnson. — Gustav us A. Henry. — Johnson elected. — The Contest of 1855. — The “ Know-Nothings.” — Meredith P. Gentry. — Buchanan carries Tennessee. — The Slavery Question the absorbing Topic. — Filibustering.— William Walker 175
Chapter XXVIII. Harris And Secession
Candidates for the Governorship in 1857. — Robert Hatton. — Isham G. Harris. — Harris re-elected in 1859. — John Netherland. — The Situation in 1860. — Presidential Nominations.— Abraham Lincoln. — Secession of the Southern States. — The Feeling in Tennessee. — Governor Harris’s Position. — Action of the Legislature. — Union Sentiment in Middle and West Tennessee. — Act of Secession passed 182
Chapter XXIX. Tennessee A Battle-ground Of The War
Tennessee a continual Battle-Ground. — Disposition of the Federal and Confederate Forces. — Operations of General Grant in 1861. — Battle of Mill Springs. — Felix Zollicoffer. — Fall of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. — Evacuation of Columbus. — Battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing. — Civil History of Tennessee during the War. — Andrew Johnson Military Governor. — Buell’s Movements. — Nathan Bedford Forrest. — Battle of Stone’s River. — The Tullahoma Campaign. — Rosecrans captures Chattanooga. — Battle of Chickamauga. — Battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. — Events succeeding the Fall of Atlanta. — Battle of Franklin. — Battle of Nashville. — Leonidas Polk. — Alexander P. Stewart 189
Chapter XXX. Governor Brownlow’s Administration
Efforts to re-establish Civil Government. — Andrew Johnson elected Vice-President. — The Union Convention of 1864. — Brownlow elected Governor. — William Gannaway Brownlow. — His Administration. — Proceedings of the Legislature. — The Franchise Act. — The Disfranchisement Act. — Extra Session of the Legislature. — The Power of the Governor over Elections. — The Gubernatorial Contest of 1867. — Emerson Etheridge. — Increase of the State Debt. — The Ku-Klux 203
CONTENTS.
Chapter XXXI. The Democrats In Power
Dissensions among the Republican Leaders. — Senter elected Governor. — De Witt Clinton Senter. — The Democratic Party in Power. — Repudiation of the State Debt. — Changes in the Constitution. — Reconstruction. — The Democrats elect.a Governor. — John C. Brown. — Efforts to Liquidate the State Debt. — The Political Contest of 1872 for Congressman-at-large. — Maynard elected. — Horace Maynard. — Benjamin Franklin Cheatham 213
Chapter XXXII
. SETTLEMENT OF THE STATE DEBT.
Peaceable Development of the State. — The State Debt a pressing Issue in 1874. — James Davis Porter Governor. — The Feeling of Resentment abated. — David McKendree Key Postmaster-General. — Plans for the Settlement of the State Debt. — Albert S. Marks Governor. — Efforts of the Legislature of 1879 toward Settlement. — Alvin Hawkins Governor. — The Legislature of 1881 and the State Debt. — William B. Bate Governor. — The Legislature of 1882 provides for the Settlement of the State Debt. — Robert S. Taylor Governor. — A brief Review. — Natural Advantages of Tennessee.— State Pride of its People 220
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Chapter I. The First Settlements
1. The history of Tennessee has long been neglected. It became a State after the War for Independence, and on this account it has not been as prominent as if it bad been one of the original thirteen colonies. But, in spite of this fact, the State has a distinct history of its own, which its children should study.
HISTORY
OF
TENNESSEE.
1. What is said of the history of Tennessee?
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
All Tennesseans who are familiar with the history of their State are proud of the part it has played and of the great men it has produced. It has not until recently been recognized that Tennessee has produced more men who took prominent positions in national life than any other State except Virginia and Massachusetts.
2. Its history is an epitome of the history of the United States. The way in which a wilderness can be changed by cultivation and population from barbarism to civilization can be seen as plainly in the history of Tennessee as in that of the New England States, Virginia, or the Carolinas. In it we can study the growth of religion and laws. Even the financial history of Tennessee is in many respects like the financial history of the United States. To study carefully the history of Tennessee, therefore, is to study national history ; far from being dry and uninviting, it is full of interest.
3. William Bean built a cabin in 1769 near where the Watauga River and Boone’s Creek unite, in East Tennessee. This was the beginning of Tennessee history. At that time the soil which is now Tennessee was covered with thick forests, inhabited here and there by Indians, who lived in wigwams and hunted wild game. 4 4. There were several tribes of Indians. The Cherokees were the
most warlike of all, and inhabited the mountains of the east, extending into Kentucky on one side and Georgia on the other. The Chickamaugas were a branch of the Cherokees, and were even more treacherous and bloodthirsty than the parent stock. They lived at first on the high peaks near where Chattanooga now stands. The Creeks
]. W hat is said of the great men Tennessee lias produced? 2. What relation does the history of Tennessee bear to national history? 3. What is the beginning of Tennessee history? 4. What tribes of Indians inhabited Tennessee?
THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
lived lower down, on the banks of the Tennessee River, partly in Alabama. The Chickasaws lived in West Tennessee, in the neighborhood of the present Memphis. The Uchees had inhabited the region of country around the present site of Nashville, but were exterminated by the Cherokees before the white race began to come in.
5. The Great T'ace, as it was called, was a kind of road which the Indians used in their expeditions into Tennessee. The soil of this State was claimed by several tribes, including the Six Nations of the Lakes. There was a great deal of game here, and the country became a common hunting-ground. No tribe was able to hold it exclusively. The Great Trace ran through East Tennessee, and connected the South-west and the North. It must not be confounded with the Great Natchez Trace which subsequently ran from Nashville to Natchez.
6. The title to the soil which is .now Tennessee was for a long time in dispute. In fact, it was always difficult to decide who owned any land which was not a part of one of the thirteen original States. The king of Great Britain claimed all territory on the North American continent which was settled by his subjects, and gave away large tracts — sometimes to individuals, sometimes to corporations and companies. He maintained that no one could get land from the Indians except himself, and that when the Indians made a treaty and gave anybody their lands, these lands ceased to belong to the former owners, but did not become the property of the indi-
4. Where did these Indians dwell ? 5. What was the “Great Trace” ? Who claimed the soil of Tennessee ? Did any tribe hold it exclusively ? What was the “ Great Natchez Trace”? 6. What is said of the title to the soil of Tennessee? What claims did the king of Great Britain make? W hat of land bought from Indians by individuals?
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
viduals who had bought them. They became the property of the
king, to grant to whom he chose.
7. North Carolina was granted to a company of distinguished Englishmen, and included Tennessee. In making this grant, Charles II., who was king of England, paid no attention to the claim of the Indians that they owned the soil. The men to whom he made this large grant were called Lords Proprietors. Ihey settled North Carolina, and ruled it through a governor until 1729, when it was ceded back to the king and became a royal colony. It was during the time the Lords Proprietors owned North Carolina that they induced the great philosopher John Locke to prepare tor the new colony a scheme of government, which he called the k undamental Constitution. In this Locke departed from the usages, customs, and principles of the laws under which the English people had been living from time immemorial. The colonists refused to lne under such a strange system of government, and the Lords Proprietors
Avere compelled to yield.
8. Until the building of Bean's cabin the territory of the State of Tennessee had very little history. There was a constant attempt on the part of the white race — generally Carolinians and \ irgimans— to subdue the Indians that inhabited it. The latter fought bitterly to resist subjugation. The French people, who wanted to take all this country from the English, incited the Indians to hostilities. In order to accomplish their purpose, they built forts all through tne Mississippi Valley, and among the forts built were one at Nashville
and one at Memphis.
7. What did the grant of North Carolina include? Who made the grant, and to whom ? How was the colony ruled ? What became of the Fundamental Constitution ? 8. What is said of Tennessee before the building of Bean’s cabin ? hat of the t rench ?
THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
9. The English also adopted the policy of building forts in order to counteract the efforts of the French. At first the Creeks and the Cherokees were friendly toward the English. They allowed them to build Fort Dobbs/ in Rowan County, North Carolina, about 1756, and Fort Prince George, on the Keowee River, about the same time. Not long after this Fort Loudon was built, and this was the first fort built by the English-speaking people on Tennessee soil.
10. But hostilities soon began between the English and the Indians. When the former attacked the French Fort du Quesne, the Cherokees assisted them. After its fall the Cherokees were returning home through Virginia, when they saw some horses running at large. They supposed the horses were wild, and caught them. The Virginians who owned the horses thought the Indians were horsethieves, and killed some of them. The Indians were filled with rage, and at once began to make war on their former allies. They besieged Fort Prince George, but it was too strong for them to take it. They killed all the white people they could capture. They laid siege to Fort Loudon. After those in it were reduced to starvation, they agreed to surrender if the Indians would allow them to go back to Carolina unmolested. The Indians agreed to this, but, having got possession of the fort, they fell on their prisoners and killed them all except a man named Christe, who escaped and gave an account of the butchery. Troops were sent against them, and they were defeated at a place named Etchoe.
9. How did the English meet the French? What forts did they build? Which was the first on Tennessee soil? 10. What was the cause of hostilities between the Indians and the English? What did the Cherokees do? What happened at Fort Loudon ?
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
11. Peace ivas finally made, and population began to increase in the neighborhood of Fort Prince George, gradually spreading westward toward Tennessee. Various parties of trappers, hunters, and explorers entered Tennessee and Kentucky by this route, and gave to many of the mountains and streams the names which are now familiar to us. The most celebrated of all these hunters was Daniel Boone, who was among the first to lead the way into Tennessee as well as into Kentucky. Boone’s Creek was named for him.
12. In 1768 tlce Treaty of Stanmix teas made between the Six Nations, who lived upon the northern lakes, and the king of England. By this the former ceded to the latter a region of country which embraced the bulk of East Tennessee. It was claimed that this treaty was ratified -by a few Cherokees who happened to be present ; but if so, this ratification did not prevent the Indians from waging a relentless war against the whites, who took advantage of the treaty to move into the beautiful valleys of East Tennessee. This war never ceased for any length of time until the power ol the Indians was finally crushed by John Sevier in the east, and by James Robertson at the town of Nickojack in the west.
13. In 1769 , Captain William Bean of Virginia advanced farther into these Western wilds than anybody else, and built his cabin, which marks the real beginning of Tennessee history. His son, Russell Bean, was the first white child born on Tennessee soil. Just before this period the Indians had had terrible wars among themselves, and were so weakened that they could not rally their
11. What happened after peace was made? Who passed into Tennessee? What did hey do? What is said of Daniel Boone? 12. What is said of the Treaty of Stanwix ? What followed it ? 13. What of Captain William Bean ? Who was the first white child born in Tennessee? What weakened the Indians?
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