incorporation of the Kentucky country into the official jurisdiction of the state, thereby securing to the settlers legislative, judicial, and military branches of government. This great end was desired; but in the event of the state declining to recognise Kentucky as a part of its domain, then, in that case, the settlers were to hold another convention, and form themselves into an independent state, and to dispose of the lands to actual settlers, for the defence of the country against the invasions of the savages, then instigated by the British forces at war with the colonists. Clark and Jones proceeded on their long journey across the mountains to Williamsburg, at that time the seat of government. After suffering the most severe privations during their travels through the wilderness, the delegates found, on their arrival in Virginia, that the legislature had adjourned. Jones then directed his steps to the settlements proprietary government, Henderson and ernment of Virginia, having in view the others proceeded to act; and on the 23rd of May, 1775, the house of delegates, or representatives of the colony of Transylvania, was assembled at Boonsborough. The assembly was composed of delegates from the different stations, and consisted of seventeen members. Richard Henderson exercised the executive functions of the colony, and, in the usual formal mode, transmitted to the legislature his messages, which were, in like manner, formally answered. Various laws were enacted by this tribunal among them were-an act for establishing courts of justice; an act for regulating the militia; an act for punishing criminals; another to prevent profane swearing and sabbath-breaking; an act for writs of attachment; an act to preserve the range, and for improving the breed, of horses; and an act for preserving game. These, and many other laws, were passed by the Cismontaine legislature. Henderson, in his message, discussed the various on the Holston river, to see his relations. measures which he desired should receive legislative consideration; and among them was a code of laws. He said-"As this law (creating courts) will be the chief corner-stone in the groundwork or basis of our constitution, let us, in a particular manner, recommend the most dispassionate attention; while you take for your guide as much of the spirit and genius of the laws of England as can be interwoven with those of this country. We are all Englishmen; or, what amounts to the same, ourselves and our fathers have, for many generations, experienced the invaluable blessings of England's most excellent constitution; and surely we cannot want motives to copy from so noble an original." The settlers were determined to ascertain the disposition of Virginia in regard to this country; and in June, 1776, at a convention assembled at Harrod's station, George Rogers Clark and Gabriel Jones were chosen members of the Virginia legislature. Clark was not present, but he subsequently accepted the appointment, notwithstanding he knew that the proceedings were not legal, and that he could not obtain a seat in the assembly. His plan was not adopted by the convention. He did not contemplate an unqualified recognition of the jurisdiction of Virginia, but an expression of a preference to be a part of that state. He desired that the people in convention should appoint agents, with general powers, to negotiate with the gov Clark proceeded to Williamsburg, to do what he could with the governor and council, for the good of the Kentuckians. Patrick Henry was the executive of the state, and then quite ill at his residence in Hanover county. Clark waited upon the governor, and stated to him the objects of his mission, and the affectionate attachment the settlers had for the commonwealth. Governor Henry was very much pleased with Clark; was gratified to hear of the patriotic intentions of the backwoodsmen; and gave Clark a letter to the council. Before that body the youthful delegate from Kentucky appeared, and advocated the claims of his constituents to governmental protection; and, as a preliminary, he requested that five hundredweight of gunpowder be sent to the settlers, to be divided between the various stations. The council fully appreciated the zeal of Clark, and had a very great desire to promote the welfare of these remote and infant settlements; but it was restrained from taking any decisive steps, on account of the uncertain and indefinite state of the relations existing between the pioneers and the state of Virginia. The Kentuckians had not been recognised by the legislature as "citizens;" and thus situated they were but roving hordes of men, wandering through unexplored regions, beyond the pale of gov ernmental action. Besides this legal status, Henderson and company had purchased the lands from the Cherokee Indians; had the immediate west of Virginia, because formed a government; and were, at that they never made an invasion without the time, exerting themselves to obtain from certainty of an undisturbed retreat; and Virginia a relinquishment of its jurisdic- that so long as the Kentuckians were tion over the disputed territory. The the more westward, the settlers upon the council could not recognise Clark as an Upper Kanawha, and immediately beyond official person, nor could it declare the the Appalachian mountains, would not be so people in Kentucky "fellow-citizens" of Virginia; but in order to promote the welfare of those hardy and brave people, the council agreed to lend the gunpowder desired, upon the principles of friendship. It was found difficult to carry out that humane resolve, because it was necessary to pass the material from state property to some nominal responsibility. To comply with official form, the council proposed to Clark for him to receive the powder, and be responsible for its value, in case the legislature should refuse to recognise the Kentuckians as "citizens" of the state: the council also informed Clark that it expected him to transport the powder at his own expense. Upon these terms Clark declined to accept the powder. The Kentucky delegate had not the means to defray the expenses, nor were the settlers in a condition to contribute actual money. Trade was carried on between the people in the form of barter and labour. The work done by one man was repaid by the labour of another; the handiwork of the women was compensated for by the return" of game or other products of the rifle. As there was no money to defray the expense of transportation, Clark determined to make another effort to obtain the required powder. He met the council, and spoke to them as a true patriot-not alone as a delegate from Kentucky, but as a Virginian; and he told them that the emissaries of the British were employing every means in their power to engage the northern Indian tribes to make war upon the western frontiers of the colonists; and it was for the council to judge of the expediency of allowing the offensive measures of the savages to be extended, so as to make a nearer approach to their immediate settlements, or whether they should be confined to the more sparsely settled regions of Kentucky. Independently of aiding the Kentuckians, he argued that it proved to be a protective policy, and would drive the Indian war far into the west. He explained to the council the fact, that if the battle-field were continued in Kentucky, the savages would lessen their offensive operations in liable to their incursions; but if these defences of the west were not maintained, the fury of the savages would burst upon their more immediate inhabitants. The council fully appreciated the views expressed by Clark; but as it was a legal question, it could not exceed its power further than had been proposed; and with this view it declined a change of action in the matter. The keeper of the ammunition magazine had received directions to deliver the powder to Clark upon the conditions mentioned; but the Kentucky delegate declined to receive it under the stipulated terms. Having failed to secure a recognition of the Kentucky country as a part of Virginia, and the supply of powder for the different stockades, Clark determined to return to Boonsborough, and advise his constituents to form themselves into a body politic, as an independent state. He addressed a respectful letter to the council, accompanying it with the return of the conditional order for the powder; and he concluded the letter with the expression, that a country which was not worth defending, was not worth claiming." The council assembled on the 23rd of August, 1776; received the letter; and after a short deliberation, it sent for Clark, who appeared again in behalf of his far-distant friends in the wilds of the west. After a few explanations, the council passed an order for the transmission of the powder to Fort Pitt, where it was to be delivered to Clark, or his order, for the use of the people of Kentucky. This was the first official act of Virginia calculated to benefit its noble pioneers in that part of the west; and it was reciprocated by a continuation, for ever thereafter, of the affection of the people for the old commonwealth. From thence the people were united in their attachment for the mother state; and, with the Virginians, felt that they had a common glory. This little act secured for Virginia the immense domain it subsequently acquired in the north-west. The legislature assembled in the autumn of 1776, when Clark and Jones applied for admission as delegates from "the western part of Fincastle county, on the Kentucky river;" but they number of men to secure the prize conwere refused. They then applied for the cealed at the mouth of Limestone Creek. organisation of Kentucky into a county, Kenton then conducted Clark to Harrod's which was granted, notwithstanding the station, where there was a larger force— energetic opposition of Colonel Henderson leaving Jones at McClelland's. After the and his associates, who were anxious to departure of Clark, Jones prevailed upon maintain their proprietary government ten men to accompany him for the powder. under the Cherokee purchase. The act of They left the fort, and, on Christmas-day, the legislature formed the territory into a 1776, they were attacked by the warrior county, with power to organise judicial and chief Pluggey, and compelled to make military establishments. This gave the Ken- their escape into the woods. Jones and tuckians a political existence, and entitled one of his men were killed; two others them to send delegates to the Virginia were taken prisoners; and the remainder assembly. The mission of Clark and Jones reached the fort in safety. About the thus resulted in the attainment of the most 28th of December, Clark and Kenton recomplete success. They had obtained a turned from Harrod's station with some recognition of their country as a part of men to join the expedition for the ammuVirginia; and they succeeded in getting nition. But, on hearing of the fatal attack for their people the right of political upon Jones's party, the men returned to organisation; and, further, they secured their homes. On the morning of the 1st of the necessary gunpowder for their various January, 1777, the chief Pluggey and his military stations. In the meantime the warriors appeared before Fort McClelland; powder was sent to Fort Pitt, and was and, by their conduct, a battle was anticithere held till further orders. Clark and pated, and Indian reinforcements hourly Jones determined to return home by way expected. But fearing the consequences of Fort Pitt, and carry with them the resulting from an attack by a large Indian much-desired ammunition. At that place force, McClelland and his men rushed from they purchased a common flat boat, with the fort, and made a desperate attack an uncovered top; and in the latter days upon the savages. The gallant officer and of November, accompanied by some six two of his men were slain; four were other men, they descended the Ohio with wounded; and the remainder retreated into the first or autumn rise of that river. The country along its margin was infested with thousands of savage warriors, and these made many attempts to get the boat, though they knew not that it was laden with powder. In the descent Clark kept to the centre of the river, so that he could be beyond the rifle-range of the savages along the banks. In December, they arrived at the mouth of Limestone Creek, at the spot where the city of Maysville is situated, in north-east Kentucky; and at this place they unloaded their cargo, and concealed it at different places in the thick brushwood a few hundred yards from the mouth of the creek. They then turned the flat boat adrift in the middle of the Ohio current, then near the Kentucky shore. This was to decoy the savages away from the hidingplace of the powder, as they were sure to follow the boat, hoping to kill the inmates and gather the booty. Clark and his men then proceeded across the country to McClelland's station, in order to procure a sufficient force to protect the transportation of the powder to the different stockades. At this place there were not a sufficient the fort. The Indians suffered severely by the attack, and they left the field, carrying with them their dead and wounded to the north side of the Ohio river. In a few days, Clark, accompanied by Kenton and others, proceeded to Limestone for the powder, which they secured, and safely carried to Fort McClelland, where they waited about a week; and then the whole force, including all the families, departed for Harrod's station. At this time Clark took steps to effect an organisation of the county; and, in the spring of 1777, the court of quarter sessions. held its first sitting at Harrod's station, attended by the sheriff and other officials. It was determined to organise the militia; and Clark was appointed major, though without formal executive commission. He selected six energetic men to travel over the country, and watch the movements of the Indians; and, for their payment, he pledged the faith of Virginia. At the head of these six sentinels was Simon Kenton: he, with the rest, had most singular powers for tracking the savages. They alternately ranged up and down the Ohio river, and were able to observe any movement towards and, preliminary to an attack, fired an outan invasion. Life was not safe outside of cabin on the east side of the town. The the fort; and the utmost precaution had to garrison, unconscious of the proximity of be observed on all occasions. Notwith- the enemy, and supposing the fire to be standing the most extraordinary discretion the result of accident, rushed out of the of the inhabitants, they were occasionally fort with a view to extinguish the flames. attacked and murdered within sight of The Indians evidently intended to decoy their gates. Some of the many fatalities the whites from the fort; and, on their may be given to illustrate the peculiarity approach to the fired cabin, they attempted of the savage practices. Early one morning to get between the whites and the fort; Kenton and two others loaded their guns but in this strategy they were timely defor a hunt, and were standing in the gate-tected, and the whites retreated towards way of the fort at Boonsborough, when they the station, from tree to tree, and defended heard Indian guns, which they soon learned themselves until within the immediate had been discharged at two men in the corn- vicinity of the fort, when the Indians field. The men fled towards the fort, and were abandoned the pursuit, and fled with their pursued by the Indians. Within seventy wounded, leaving but one of their dead yards of the fort, a warrior overtook and behind. Four of the whites were wounded, tomahawked one of them: he then delibe- but none were killed. rately proceeded to scalp the man; and, at In March of the same year, a party of that moment, Kenton elevated his rifle, wood-choppers were attacked near Harrod's and shot the savage warrior dead. The station, at the Shawanee springs. Spalding other Indian was followed by one of Kenton's and other authorities inform us that the party men. Boone heard the firing of guns, and, consisted of four men-William and James with ten men, hurried to the scene of battle. Ray, Coomes, and Shores. They were clearThe Indians were in ambuscade; and, in a ingland for a crop of corn; and, being thirsty, few minutes, the parties were mixed together the Rays and Shores proceeded a short in the woods. Kenton observed a warrior distance from the clearing to a sugar camp. deliberately sighting his gun at Boone, and Coomes continued at his chopping, until he instantly raised his rifle, and killed the non-return of his companions induced the Indian. Boone proceeded onward him to fear that something had occurred after the savages; but, to his surprise, he to prevent them from getting back. With soon found that he and his fourteen men some apprehensions of fear Coomes went in had been cut off from the gate of the fort search of the absent men, in the direction by a large body of Indians. There was no of the sugar camp; and, on approaching time for delay; and it required a sudden it, he saw a body of Indians, about fifteen and desperate hand-to-hand fight for their in number, coming directly towards him. lives. Boone gave the order to his men to He immediately concealed himself behind a charge upon the warriors; and they did so fallen tree; and, at the same time, cocked with a degree of heroism seldom equalled his rifle, to be ready to kill at least in the annals of warfare. Seven of the one of the enemy, in case they detected whites were wounded on the first attack; him. Fortunately, the savages did not and of these was Boone, whose leg had see him, owing to the thick growth of been broken. He was lying upon the cane in which the tree was lying; and the ground in great agony, when he was ob- whole gang passed near by him in single served by a warrior, who sprang over him, file, to a temporary log cabin, which the and was in the act of plunging his toma- woodsmen had erected for their accommohawk into his head, when Kenton rushed dation preparatory to the establishment of upon the savage, discharged his gun into a new settlement. After the Indians were his breast, and then bore the gallant Boone out of sight, Coomes escaped, and cauinto the fort. Kenton won great distinction tiously proceeded towards the sugar camp, on this occasion; he killed three Indians, in quest of his companions. But while and saved the life of his captain from the uplifted tomahawk. The enemy kept up the siege of the fort for three days, and then retired. In the month of March, 1777, the Indians approached the vicinity of Harrod's station, searching for them, he saw other Indians in the distance approaching that place. There was no time to escape except by concealment, which he did amidst the boughs of a recently fallen hickory-tree, lying in a cane-brake. The leaves were faded, and thus the savages had no reason to expect the presence of choppers, as the faded leaves evidenced the fact that it had been cut down some days previous. In a few moments, a party of forty Indians arrived upon the sugar-camp ground, and were soon rejoined by the fifteen whom he had but a few minutes before seen. The savages remained there for a long time, drinking the sugar-syrup, singing warsongs, and dancing their war-dance. Coomes was a silent spectator of these scenes of revelry from a distance of some fifty yards, and he knew not but that he would be detected, and fall a victim to their savage desires. In the meantime some twenty other Indians arrived, in squads of four or five in number, swelling the aggregate to some seventy-five warriors. The situation of Coomes was exciting. Within a few yards of his hiding-place he saw a band of Indians, painted and ornamented with all the symbols of savage warfare; they had their guns, tomahawks, and scalping-knives, ready for the bloodiest attack upon the whites, then but a short distance from that place. On the approach of the first band of savages, one of the Rays had escaped through the cane-brake to the fort, and communicated the information of the presence of the Indians. Two of the leading men of the fort-McGary and Harrod-had a quarrel on account of the mode of defending it. They levelled their rifles at each other's bosoms, resolved to mete out to themselves certain death. The wife of McGary rushed at the infuriated men, and turned aside the rifle of her husband; when, by the code of duelling, Harrod immediately withdrew his, and thus the difficulty was adjusted for the time being. McGary, at the head of thirty men, was dispatched in search of the absent men, and they soon reached the sugar camp, which the Indians, but a few minutes before their arrival, had abandoned. Near it they discovered the mangled remains of Ray. Coomes was rescued, but Shores was not found. After burying Ray, the men returned to the fort with the sad intelligence of the death of one of their bravest men, and the loss of another. During the year 1777, the savage warriors collected in great numbers in Kentucky; and, from time to time, appeared before Boonsborough, Harrod's, and Logan's stations. They not only intended to kill the people by piecemeal, but they had in |
