tained by the Cumberland people, and the occasion became one of festivity, enlivened by games and athletic sports. 1

152. The Chickasaw Cession.-At this conference, or treaty, the Chickasaws ceded to North Carolina the tract of country extending from the Cumberland River south to the ridge dividing the waters that flow into Duck River from the waters that flow into the Cumberland. This treaty, although not authorized or recognized by the United States, was sacredly observed by the Chickasaws, and secured their cordial and lasting friendship to the Cumberland settlers. The terms of this treaty were subsequently confirmed by the United States by "the treaties of Hopewell, concluded with the Cherokees on the 28th day of November, 1785, and with the Chickasaws, on the oth day of January, 1786.”2

153. Causes of Anxiety.-Although a preliminary treaty of peace had been agreed upon between Great Britain and the United States, yet it was not to go into effect until ratified by our allies, France and Spain. There were important points at issue between these powers and Great Britain. Among them were questions connected with Florida and the Mississippi River. In these questions the Cumberland settlers were deeply interested. While they rejoiced in the temporary respite from war, they looked anxiously to the future. Still harassed by the guerrilla warfare with the Cherokees and Chickamaugas, they dreaded a renewal of dangerous invasions, if the treaty should fail, and the British should again become allies of their savage foes. They also feared that the conclusion of the treaty would leave Great Britain in possession of Florida and in control of the mouth of the Mississippi River. In this event they foresaw annoyance to their commerce, almost the prohibition of the use of the Mississippi, and active Indian hostilities.

154. The Final Treaty of Peace.--When the Definitive Treaty of Peace was concluded, September 3, 1783, the Cumberland settlers learned with joy that Florida was ceded to Spain, and the control of the Mississippi had passed into the hands of one of our allies, who, though not an active ally like France, had aided our struggle for

'The historians differ somewhat. See Putnam, p. 194; Haywood, p. 361; Monette, Vol. II, pp. 216, 268; Ramsey, pp. 459, 489; American State Papers, Folio Edition, Vol. I, p. 15, Vol. V, p. 432. See map of Indian Treaties, page 128; also Jefferson's Report of 1791, Imlay, page 586, and American State Papers; Ramsey, p. 463.

2 See Putnam, pp. 238-241; Jefferson's Report of 1791; Imlay, p. 586; and American State Papers.

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independence, had overrun Florida during the war, and had forced its cession from Great Britain. They looked forward to the cessation of Indian invasions, and to favorable terms for the navigation of the Mississippi.

Deep was their disappointment when they found that instead of a friend and ally, they were to encounter a wily and treacherous enemy.

Then began the peculiar period of Western history, known as the period of the "Spanish Intrigues." The policy of Spain had been

foreshadowed in 1781, and later at Paris in the negotiations preliminary to the treaty of peace.

155. The Spanish Intrigues. In June 1781, France, at the instigation of Spain, persuaded the Congress of the United States to pass a resolution consenting that peace might be made on terms satisfactory to France, provided only that the Independence of the United States should be acknowledged.1 When the real purpose of France and Spain came to be understood, this resolution was repealed. Spain, although wishing to strike England by aiding in the revolt of her colonies, was no real friend of the United States. On the contrary, Spain was alarmed at the principles of freedom which formed the basis of American institutions, and feared that these principles would spread among the Spanish American colonies.

156. Plan to make the Western Country a Vast Indian Reservation.-France coöperated with Spain in the effort to limit the western boundary of the United States to the Alleghany Mountains. 2 In the peace negotiations at Paris in 1782, our two allies urged our Commissioners to consent to this limitation. It was proposed that the entire western country should constitute an Indian reservation, to be divided into three parts; that the portion north of the Ohio River should be under the protection of Great Britain; the portion between the Ohio River and Florida should be divided into two parts, the eastern part to be under the protection of the United States, and the western part, under the protection of Spain. This purpose was defeated by the firmness of our commissioners and the magnanimous action of Great Britain, and our boundaries were extended to the Mississippi River on the west and the Great Lakes on the north.

157. Continuation of the Spanish Intrigues.— Being foiled in the purpose of establishing an Indian Reservation as a barrier between. her American possessions and the United States, Spain had to be content for the present with acquiring Florida. With this acquisition,

1 This action of Congress was taken in secret session, but rumors began to circulate which caused alarm throughout the country, and aroused deep resentment in the West. At a later period, when the Virginia convention was considering the question of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States, this action of Congress was investigated, and was severely condemned by Patrick Henry. It came very near preventing the ratification of the Constitution. See Virginia Historical Collections, Vol. IX, New Series, Virginia Convention, Vol. I, pp. 230-247.

2 See Narrative and Critical History, Justin Winsor, Vol. I, chapter 2, entitled "Peace Negotiations of 1782-1783," by Hon. John Jay; Marbois' History of Louisiana, pp. 149-153; Bancroft, Vol. VI, pp. 441-484.

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she obtained control of the mouth of the Mississippi and of all the streams which flow into the Gulf of Mexico.

As soon as peace was concluded in 1783, Spain began the secret operations against the western settlements in Tennessee, Kentucky, and the Northwest Territory, which historians have denominated the "Spanish Intrigues." Her first efforts were addressed to the work of inciting the Indians to hostilities against the infant settlements, with the purpose of forcing the English settlers to abandon the count:y. To effect this purpose, the Spanish governors resorted to every artifice known to diplomacy to incite the Indians by secret means. At a later period, the policy of Spain was materially changed, and was directed to conciliate the western people and to induce them to separate from the United States, and to establish an independent government in alliance with Spain. Let us now examine the first period of the "Spanish Intrigues," which extended from 1783 to about 1788.

158. Active Hostilities of the Indians.-Just as the Cumberland settlers were beginning to look for rest from savage warfare, which had so long harassed them and retarded their growth, they were confronted with an unusual activity among the Southern Indians. They were slow to believe that their old ally, Spain, was instigating and aiding the Indian aggressions, but the conviction was gradually forced upon them, and brought a sense of anxiety. Although beginning in 1783, the Spanish intrigues were not fully developed until a few years later, when the Indian hostilities and the restrictions on the use of the Mississippi River became disastrous to the interests of the Southwest.

159. State Court Established.-Steadily growing, in spite of all obstacles, the Cumberland settlers felt the need of a court of justice whose powers emanated from the State. January 7, 1783, the Court of Notables, the tribunal of the Cumberland Compact, had been revived, and its jurisdiction enlarged, but a court whose powers rested only on general acquiescence was manifestly inadequate to the demands of the growing community, and its authority was weakened when Davidson County was established by State authority. The situation was relieved by the governor. He appointed Anthony Bledsoe, Daniel Smith, James Robertson, Thomas Molloy, Isaac Bledsoe, Samuel Barton, Francis Prince, and Isaac Lindsay justices of the "Inferior Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions" for Davidson County. This court was organized October 6, 1783, at Nashborough. Andrew Ewin1 who was at the time clerk of the Court of the Notables, was appointed clerk of the new court. The "Cumberland Compact

1Afterwards changed to Ewing.

now

passed out of existence, except so far as its precedents served to supplement the laws of North Carolina.

160. 1784. In this year the name of Nashborough was changed to Nashville. It was in August of this year that the movement began to establish the State of Franklin. In this movement Davidson County took no part. Of the four counties of Tennessee, Washington, Sullivan, and Greene were geographically connected, and were all the offspring of the Watauga settlement. Davidson County was geographically distinct. The two centers of population were about three hundred miles apart, with no common interests except sympathy and community of danger from Indian neighbors. It thus happened that the Cumberland had no share with the Watauga in the glory of King's Mountain, or in the organization of Franklin. The time was not far distant, however, when the spread of population and the facilities for intercommunication should unite these two communities which began their careers so far apart. In June of this year occurred an event of dangerous import to the Western settlers, and especially to the citizens of Davidson County. The three Spanish governors met at Pensacola, Fla., and entered into a treaty with the celebrated Creek chief, Alexander McGillivray. It was the purpose of this treaty to bring the powerful Creek nation to the aid of the Cherokees and Chickamaugas, and to unite all the Southern Indians in the movement to drive the Cumberland settlers from the country.1 It was well for the Cumberland people that hardy immigrants were coming to aid them to meet this new danger.

161. New Counties.-With the increase and spread of population came the necessity for establishing new counties. November, 1786, Sumner County was formed from Davidson. In November, 1788, Tennessee County was formed from Davidson. This latter county gave up its name when the State of Tennessee was admitted, and its territory was divided and organized into two counties.

162. The Coldwater Expedition.-The Indian aggressions had become so atrocious in 1787 that Colonel Robertson determined to submit to them no longer. Learning from the friendly Chickasaws that the Indian station, for carrying on their depredations, was located at Coldwater, a famous spring (now Tuscumbia, Ala.), he determined to carry the war into the enemy's country. Taking two Chickasaw guides, one of whom was named Toka, he made a rapid march, with one hundred and thirty men, commanded by himself, Colonel Robert 1 Putnam, p. 221.