Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-06-26
HAYWOOD'S
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

CONTINUED FROM LAST wEEK.l
The Assembly of Frankland, by a
communication signed by the two
speakers, and transmitted to Alexander
Martin, Esquire; the Governor of North
Carolina, announced to him, that they,
and the inhabitants of the counties of
Washington, Sullivan and Greene, had
declared themselves independent of the
State of North Carolina, and no longer
considered themselves under the SOW.
ereignty and jurisdiction of that State.
In this document they set forth the
reasons for their separation. On the
Goth of April, 1885, Governor Martin
issued his manifesto, in which he stated
and answered seriatim. each alleged
cause of separat on. One reason, said
he, is, that the western country was
ceded to Congress without their consent
by an act of the Legislature, and the
same was repealed in the same manner.
To this he replied, that the impartial
world may judge, let facts be brought
forward and speak for themselves. The
journals of the Assembly hold up to
public view the names of those who
voted on the different sides of that i'm.
portant question. where 10 found u
considerable number, if not ma
jority of the members, some of whom
are leaders in the present revolt, then
representing the above counties in the
aforesaid territory, in support of the
act they now deem impolitic, and pre-
tend to reprobate, which in all proba-
bility would not have passed, but
through their influence and assiduity.
the passage of which was at length eff
fected but by small majority. That
Government should still be supported,
and the anarchy prevented, which it is
now suggested the western people were
ready to fall into. the sovereignty and
jurisdiction of the State of North Caro-.
lima were by another act passed at the
same Assembly, reserved over the
ceded territory, with full power and
form rs before, until Congress should
accept the cession aforesaid. The last
Assembly having learned what un.
easiness and discomfort the cession act
had occasioned through the State,
whose inhabitants had not been con-
suited in that precipitate measure,
judging the act impolitic at this time,
more especially, as it would for small
consideration dismember the State of
one half of her territory, when no one
State had parted with any of her citi-
zens on the like occasion, or given any
thing like an equivalent, but vacant
lands of disputed title and distant
situation; and also. considering that
the act by the tenor and form, was re.
vokable at any time, before the dele.
gates should complete the cession by
grant, repealed it by great majority.
At the same time, the Assembly, to
satisfy the people of the western coun-
try, that although they had ceded the
vacant territory, by no means had re.
linquished the sovereignty and juris
diction of the State over them, and to
convince them of their affection and
attention to their interest, attempted to
render Government as easy as possible
to them, by removing such inconven'
fences and grievances as they might
labor under, for want of regular ad.
ministration of criminal justice, and q
proper and immediate command of the
militia. A new district was erected
an assistant judge, and brigadier
general, were appointed. s
Another reason for the revolt is as
signed, that the Assembly on passing
the cession act, stopped quantity OF
goods they had intended for the Chero
kee Indians, as q compensation fol
their claim to the western lands, and
that the Indians had committed mur
ders in consequence thereof The jour
nails of the Assembly evince the con
trary, that the goods were still ordered
to be given to the Indians, but under
the regulation of Congress, should the
cesion take place. This occasioned the
delay of not Immediately sending
them forward, of which the indiana
were particularly and timely notified
And l am well informed, said he, tha
no hostilities or mischiefs had beer
committed on this account, but on tn,
other hand, that provocations hav,
been and are daily given, their land
trespassed upon, and even one of thei
chiefs murdered with impunity. o.
the repeal Of the cession act, treaty
was ordered|to be held with the Indians
and the goods distributed as soon a
the season would permit, which befor
this would have been carried into ef
feet, had not the face of affairs beel
changed. Under what character bu
truly disgraceful, could the State o
North Carolina suffer treaties to b
held with the Indians, and other busi
ness transacted in country, wher
her authority and government wer
rejected and set at naught, aud he
officers liable to insult, aud void o
assistance and protection. The particu
lar attention the Legislature have pai
to the interest of the western citizens
though calculated TO conciliate thei
affections and esteem, has not bee
satisfactory, but has BEEN attributed t