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。