Year: 1861

The Escape of Gov. SEWER.


The general rejoicing upon the receipt
OF the intelligence that Great Britain had
acknowledged the independence Of the re-
volted colonies, was succeeded by season
of great gloom aud dependency among the
people Of the separate States, which threat
ened the Union Of the confederation. The
immense debt that had been incurred in
carrying on the war was the principal
cause of this depression. and the measures
adopted to meet the liabilities Of Congress,
and of the various States, were calculated
to give rise TO spirit of anarchy and in
subordination, which, in the case Of the
settlers in the western part of North Caro-
lima, THAT portion now embraced within
the limits of the State of Tennessee, broke
out into open revolt. Congress had called
upon all the States possessed of vacant lands
to cede them to the general government.
that the proceeds of their sale might be
applied to the liquidation Of the national
debt. North Carolina, among Others, ae-
ceded to the request, and the inhabitants Of
the western part Of the State found them
selves without the pale of the law. Here
tofore they had paic the proportion Of fs xes
toward the maintainancs of the government
Of North Carolina, and had received at
least quasi support in their wars with the
Indians but now they felt that their money
and means would be drawn from them,
WHILE at the same time. they would have
to support the whole weight of the expense
of those wars themselves. They according
Iy assembled in convention ana adopted a
resolution to form themselves into a new
State--independent of North Carolina
which they called Frankland, or Franklin
in honor of the American philosopher. At
subsequent convention, they adopted a
constitution, which was ratified by the DEL
egates of the people, met at GreeDyille. on
the llth of November, 1875, for that pur-
pose.


General John Sewer, who had been in
timately associated with the inhabitants
from the earliest period of their settlement
in the country, and had led them tovictory
in many a hard fought battle with the
Creeks and Cherokees, and who was uni
versally beloved by them for his good DUAL
ties of both head and heart, was elected
Governor of the new State. The government
OF North Carolina refused to ratify the
" Declaration Of Independence of their
revolted colonies, and recalled their act
ceding chem to the United States. Con-
gress refused to notice the mission of Gen.
eral Cooke who had been despatched to Law
before it the constitution of the new State.
and petition for admission into the Union
and contest for supremacy ensued between
the government of Franklin ard that of
North Carolina. The latter made conces>
sIons, which many of the constituents of
the former thought adequate, and becoming
weary OF feud which threatened to end
In bloodshed, they earnestly desired to re-
turn to their allegiance to the parent State.
Matters soon drew to a crisis, end IN Feb
ruary, lTT8, the State of Franklin ceased
to exist The rash conduct of Sewer. in
resisting, by force of arms, the execution
OF a process, by which his negroes were
levied upon and removed from his keeninp
ard Which resulted in boodshed, rendered
him liable to attainder for infraction If the
laws. lie was accordingly seized by an
rrmed posse, and conveyed into the settle
ments, on charge of high treason against
the State OF North Carolina. Had the de-
stroylng angel passed through the lard.
and destroyed the first born of eyery sec.
tion, the feelings of the hardy frontiersmen
would not have been more incepsed had
the chief and warriors of the whole Chero-
kee nation fallen upon and butchered the
Geiencless settlers. the feeling of retaliation
and revenge would not have been more
deeply awakened in their bosoms, Thew
had fought under him-had suffered with
him :~with them he had shared the dangers
and privations of a frontier life, and say.
age warfare and they were not the spirits
to remain inactive when their friend was in
danger. The chivalry of the country gath.
cred together, and number Of mon were
selected to fly to the rescue Armed to the
teeth, these sons of the woods crossed the
mountains, determined to rescue their be
loved commander, or leave their bones IN
bleach upon the Sand hills of North Carroll
ma, proud nlemento of tho children Of the
West. 1t was ascertained that the trial
was to take place at Mcrgantown. and
thither this daring band bent their eager
steps. Their plan was to obtain his release
by stratagenI. and if that failed, they were
to fire the town, and in the hurry and con-
fusion, burst the prison door by force, and
make their escape. Probably at no time
before had the quiet town of Morgantown
assumed such an air of excitement and in
terest as at present; for the fame of the
unfortunate prisoner had gone before him
and the novelty Of the scene had drawn 10.
gether large crowd.


The Franks had apr reached as nenr IN
the town as they deemed it prudent. when
four of them concealed themselves near the
road, while two of their number-,James
Cosby and Nathaniel Evans, went forward
into ,he town. They rode to a convenient
distance from the Court House. tied their
horses to tree, near to which they hid
their rifles, and boldly entered the town
their capacious hunting shirts concealine
the side arms they had provided in case Of
need. Soon they had mingled with the
crowd, and easily passed off for countrymen
attracted there by common curiosity.-
Evans had taken charge Of Gen. Sewers
celebrated race mare, ard led her up in
front of the Court House door, with the
bride thrown carlessly over her head he
was apparently an unconcerned observer of
passing events. Cosby entered the house
and there arraigned at the bar. sat the oh.
ject of their solicitude. There he sat as
firm and undauDted as when charging the
hosts of Wynca on the Lookout Mountain.


Slowly he turned his head, and their ewes
met. Sewer knew the rescue was at hand.
but he was restrained from any outward
demonstration by n significant shake os
O0oVJ ho"d put IL couIu not prevent the
tear of gratitude from falling. for he knew
daring spirits were near who would risk
their lite's blood in his defence. During
pause IN the trial, Cosby stepped forward
IN front OF the Judge and, in that quick
and energetic tone so peculiar TO him, asked
II he "was done with that man ?" The
question, manner, and tone, caused every
person to ssart-to cast their eyes first upon
the querlst, then on the Judge in utter
amazement. 10 the meantime Sewer had
caught q glimpse of his favorite mare
standing at the door. Taking advantage
OF the confusion. he made one spring to the
door, the next ne was safely in the saddle,
and, with the speed Of thought, was borne
from-she wondering crowd.


Yes, exclaimed a waggish voice among
the spectators, I'm be id if you aint