New-York tribune., 1897-06-27
THE STATE OF FRANKLIN.
AN ALMOST FORGOTTEN CHAPTER IN THE
NATIONAL HISTORY

NAllONAL HISTORY.
From The Chicago Post
When the American Revolution broLe o,,,
what is now the State Of Tennessee was an unor-
ganized sparsely settled territory. In 1776 II,
vier petitioned the North Carolina Legislature to
be annexed to that State in order to contribute
the expenses of the war bore heavily on the old
North state. her Legislature was only too glad
and what is now Tennessee formed part OF North
Carolina until the close OF the Revolution AZ it
had now become a source Of expense rather than
help. the North Carolina Legislature in June
l'of without consulting those most affected
ceded to the Federal Government the whole an
neNed territory under the name of the District OF
Washington. provided the Government should
within two years signify it's assent
wholesale disposition Of themselves, rose up In
wrath. The manner and conditions of the ces-
SION were repugnant and the people felt that they
had not only been trned with. but subjected to
TWO years of anarchy and disorder. Calling a
convention in August. 11Si, they formed the
state OF Franklin. The North Carolina IeEisla-
take and reannexed the Washington District.
The inhabitants of Franklin rejected offers Of
reconciliation. and Captain Sewer though at first
inclined TO advise a return OF allegiance TO North
Carolina yielded to an overwhelming public SEN
unent and accepted the Governorship of the new
state He was inaugurated at Watauga March
J. 80 Some sort of order was established
militia thoroughly reorganized and peace effected
with Indians, who had been carrying on de-
structlNe warfare for quarter Of a century
But peace did not long prevail. Complications
arose which kept the young State of Franklin in
nize 1t. and North Carolina still asserted juris-
dction. reaction. stimulated by disappointed
of1ce-seekers, ensued among those who had been
I, EoSC SiillorouS lor the new state Jealousy OF
sewers success animated his rivals. who hence
torth sought TO make his life a burden. Tho
population was divided into the Franklin and tho
North Carolina factions. Elections were held
ana appointments made under the laws Of both
ot"teS, 80 Mo S'tS or otncers claimed authority.
each multiplying the acts Of the other. One fac
uon would steal thn public records from tho
other. only to he treated in like manner in turn
The courts were in chaotic condition Wills
administered No taxes we're paid MaTriores
performed by officials OF one faction were not
recognized 10y the other
Sun the determined young State fought for
It's lne II exercised even federal power and
medium Of exchange continued to be the skins
or Wild animals. Finally emissaries were sent
to the North Carolina L. ogslature TO make over
lures Of peace. The address Of Franklin's rep
resentatve was a model of eloquence. fervid
1t fe upon unheeding ears. NJ recognition
you'd be made of the rebellious state. though
consent "''
,,d, The :, last S session o, the Frankn Legislature
no intention Of surrenderng is evident from one
or or the acts Of the legislature which has been
preserved ana which is interesting as an exam
pie OF primitive financiering The law is as fol-
Stat" of Franklin. and it is hereby enacted bV
the authority of the same: That from the FIRST
of this commonwealth be as follows TO wit:
His ExCelency the Governor per annum
His Honor the Chief Justice. 500 deerskins
Inc secretary OF His Excellency the Gov
ernor 9b raccoon skins.
skins '' '"C'"oh
Each county clerk, 300 beaver skins
"Clerk or the House OF Commons 900 racco,,
skins wv 'd''"'h
Member of the Assembly. per diem Q raccoo,
skins f '' " i"'''oh
Justices fee for signing warrant. I muskrat
skin ' ''NHN'a a'
ITO constable. for serving a warrant mink
skin '''iiA
ENACTED into law the 18th day of October
llo'' under the great seal OF the State"
Meantime Governor CaSWell. of North
llna- issued his proclamation declaring the gov
ernment OF Franklin illegal stgmatizing its Of
hcers and adh"rents rebels and demandinv
surrender and acknowledgment Of the authorit1
or North Carolina. The Frankntes refused
and II was only when forced by a superior mum
Der or troops that they yielded. The state ended
It's short-lived career with a sort Of judicial
farce. SEWER. OF course, was arrested and prose
cuted. During the proceedings an ardent Frank
Unite rushed into the presence Of the Court ana
dramatically referred TO the popular idol then on
trial. In the uproar that followed Sewer walked
out or the couI troom and not again molest-
ed Years afterward he elected first Gov
ernor of Tennessee
The state Of Franklin was obliterated its ter
ritorN forming part OF North Carolina once
more until 1870. when, under the name OF tho
District OF Washington II ceded to the Fed
eral Cove rnment. June I 1876 II was duly ad-
mitted to the Union. The Nashville ExpoSition
Is a ft expression Of its achievements during the
century that has intervened