The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-01-03

rate themselves under the existing
conditions. On December IA, 1855
Elisha Battle, always moderate, but
firm, as chairman of a select commit
tee made a report to the Senate de-
nying immediate separation. but PROM
Using it when the wealth and number
of the b ntS Shouid justify il.
In the meantime no taxes were TO be
collected for the period Of the interreg
num-since 1884; and oblivion and
pardon were offered, embracing ali
persons, for every kind of offence
against the government; and the civil
and military officers appointed in
1884 were continued and confirmed in
their respective offices. To give re-
lief from some inconvenience. Sulli-
van was divided and the county Of
Hawkins was created.
Farther to the west, on Cumberland
River, Davidson county was likewise
divided n Sumner count created;
and, n Indians being hostile, a mill
tary force of three companies was or
dered to be raised for the protection
of the inhabitants of that region, but
as q preliminary the commanding of
fcer was to open a good road from
CIInch on the Watauga to
NaShVlIfe, for as yet no wheeled Vehi-
Gle had passed into the wilderness,
all provisions being transported on
pack horses.
Later another division of these
counties was made and the new coun-
ty OF Tennessee Incorporated; which
was the first application of tina name
to a territorial division.
Hardly had the spectacular trial Of
the State prisoners charged with fraud
closed at Warrenton before conditions
at the west, becoming more acute,
claimed the anxious attention Of Gov
ernor CasWell. Affairs there were
rapidly assuming an alarming aspect.
To placate those who were insisting
on independence he wrote letters and
addresses kindly in their tone, holding
out the hope of an early separation,
when the people should be sufficient
ly strong to maintain a government
and protect themselves from the In
dians; and as indicating his good will,
he declared that he himself expected
to lay his bones on the western wa
ters." But at the same time he sent
W the civil and military COM
missions ordered by the Legislature
and insisted on a loyal obedience to
the authority Of the State. In some
of the counties these. commissions
were accepted; in others they were
refused. The two factions, that sus-
tanning the Independent government
called Franks, by themselves, and reb-
els by the Others, were almost on the
1oN oAAi AIooAA 1SRAS g
sented n sustained the authority Of
a government that the other opposed.
ClaShlng between the two courts and
county officers was inevitable. To avert
trouble, in March General Evan Shell
by, acting in behalf of those adhering
to North Carolina, and Governor Sc
vier entered into an agreement that
while the respective courts might try
criminal cases they should not proceed
to any civil business accept to prove
wills and deeds, and that the inhabi-
tants might a their taxes either to
North Carolina or to the State Of
Franklin as they might select; and fur
Their, that the sheriffs and jailors under
the Franklin government should re-
ceive felons committed by the North
Carolina courts. This agreement, toll
Grating North Carolina authority, was,
however, Immediately repudiated by
the Franklin Legislature, then in ses-
sion.
That body. rejecting every purpose
of temporizing, acted with vigor and
vehemence. It passed an act punish
ing with fine and Imprisonment any
person who should act as a magis-
trate Or in any other civil capacity
nder the authority Of North Carolina,
and it directed the Governor to raise
the militia and oppose by force the
operation Of any North Carolina law,
authorizing a bounty of 400 acres of
land to those who would enlist; and,
to draw the wavering to their side, a
land office was opened where grants
were to be obtained on very Easy
terms. Sewers attitude, which had
been moderate, now was completely
changed. He wrote to Caswell: I'VE
shall continue to act Independent nj
would rather suffer death, in all it's
various and frightful shapes, than
conform to anything that is disgrace
full" The purpose to maintain indie
pendence was fixed and strong, while
those who adhered to North Carolina
We're equally resolute and determined
The division between the two parties
among the inhabitants was clearly
drawn, and the circumstances of every
day intensified the eStraugement. Toll
Grafton rave way to bitterness. In
May the situation was SO acute that
General Shelby notified CaSMell that