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country as early as 1775. He bore an important part in the early settlements, and lived in Nashville until 1823. One of the streets of Nashville is named in honor of him. Richard Hogan, William Bowen, John Duncan, James Ferguson were noted pioneers. In 1778, a settlement of less than a dozen families was formed near Bledsoe's Lick. "About the same time a number of French traders advanced up the Cumberland River as far as the 'Bluff,' where they erected a trading post and a few log cabins." Richard Hogan, Spencer, Holliday, and others, planted corn near Bledsoe's Lick in 1778. Dr. Ramsey called this the "first plantation in Middle Tennessee."

108. Nashborough. The way was now cleared for permanent settlement. In 1779, a band of adventurers from Watauga, led by James Robertson, the father of Tennessee, reached the Cumberland River early in the spring. James Robertson, George Freeland, William Neely, Edward Swanson, James Hanley, Mark Robertson, Zachariah White, and William Overall, accompanied by a "negro fellow," constituted the party. Soon after their arrival, they were reinforced by another party, led by Kaspar Mansker. The names of this latter party are not given by the early historians. They laid the foundation for the settlement by planting corn, and returned home to bring their families, leaving Overall, White, and Swanson to guard their crops from the ravages of wild animals.

109. The Permanent Settlement.-Early in the winter of 1780, the settlers above named returned from Watauga, and were joined by "John Rains and others," the entire party numbering from two to three hundred.1 The winter of 1780 is famous as the "cold winter.” The colonists were subjected, during their journey, to much inconvenience and suffering on account of the cold and snow, and found the Cumberland River frozen over. Most of the party crossed the river and settled along the bluffs where Nashville now stands. Others, among whom was Amos Eaton, remained on the east side, and founded Eaton's Station. John Rains settled on Brown's Creek. The colony was strengthened by the arrival of a party from South Carolina. Among these, were John Buchanan, Alexander Buchanan, Daniel Williams, John Mulherrin, James Mulherrin, Sampson Williams, and Thomas Thompson. 2

110. Awaiting their Families. While actively at work, hewing down trees, building cabins, and making preparations for permanent

1 Ramsey, pp. 184-195; Putnam's, pp. 66, et seq.

2 Ramsey, 196; Putnam, 66.

residence, the settlers were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their families. When they left Watauga, they had provided, as they thought, a safer and more pleasant mode of transportation for their women and children. They decided themselves to march on foot through the wilderness, expecting to encounter danger, toil and privation. They wished to spare their families this toilsome journey. They, therefore, constructed vessels, on which, they placed their women and children and weaker members of the party, under the protection of a strong escort commanded by Col. John Donelson. This little fleet also afforded the means of transporting a few articles of comfort or luxury for which no other means of transportation could be provided.

111. The Voyage. Fortunately for history, Col. John Donelson kept a diary, in which is recorded the events of this remarkable voyage. This journal is headed as follows:

"Journal of a voyage, intended by God's permission, in the good boat Adventure, from Fort Patrick Henry, on Holston River, to the French Salt Springs, on Cumberland River, kept by John Donelson."

The narrative begins December 22, 1779, when "The good boat, Adventure," left Fort Patrick Henry. After much delay, caused by excessive hard frosts, the Adventure was joined at the mouth of Cloud's Creek by sundry other vessels bound for the same voyage.' February 27, 1780, the little fleet started on the voyage which was destined to incur unexpected dangers. A complete account is given. by Col. Donelson of the perils of the voyage, the atttack by the Indians, and the unforeseen dangers and discomforts of pioneer navigation, especially in passing through Mussel Shoals. Finally, the fleet arrived April 24, 1780, "at our journey's end at the Big Salt Lick, where we have the pleasure of finding Capt. Robertson and his company."

112. The Cumberland Fleet. The fleet of Donelson, which accomplished the first navigation of Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, came nearer than any other flotilla to being the State navy. While its exact relation to the Cumberland Colony was not accurately defined, it was, at least, a flotilla of thirty or forty vessels engaged in public service, and used in hostilities with the Indians. Posterity should honor the names of those who accomplished this famous voyage. They are given by Col. Donelson, as follows: John Donelson, Sr., Thomas Hutchings, John Caffery, John Donelson, Jr., James Robertson's wife and children, Mrs. Parnell, M. Rounsifer, James Cain, Isaac Neelly, Jonathan Jennings, Benjamin Belew, Peter Looney, Capt. John Blacke

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more, James Renfroe, William Crutchfield, Mr.
Johns, Hugh
Henry, Sr., Benjamin Porter, Mrs. Henry, Frank Armstrong, Hugh
Rogan, Daniel Chambers, Robert Cartwright, - Stuart, David
Gwin, John Boyd, Reuben Harrison, Frank Haynie, - Maxwell,
John Montgomery, Daniel Dunham, John Cotton, Thomas Henry,
Mrs. Cockrill, John White, Solomon White, Solomon Turpin, John
Gibson, Isaac Lanier,
Payne (killed). There were other names

not put down, women, children, and servants.1

CHAPTER XII.

GROWTH OF THE CUMBERLAND SETTLEMENTS.

113. Preparing for Government. Six days were allowed for the rejoicings over the arrival of the Donelson voyagers, the reunion of families, and the installment of the new comers in their homes. On the seventh day, May 1, 1780, the settlers entered upon the stern duty of inaugurating a government for the Cumberland settlements. In taking this wise action, they were moved by the natural instinct of all Anglo-Saxon peoples, which has made them, wherever found, constitution-makers, law-makers, and abiders of law and order. In addition to this, their situation demanded prompt and decisive measures. They were beyond the reach of any organized government. They were, says Ramsey, "Equi-distant from the most warlike and ferocious tribes on this continent, tribes that had frequently wasted the frontiers of Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania with tomahawk and fire, and were now aided in the unnatural alliance of Great Britain, by the arts and treasures of the agents of that government." Their position rendered them peculiarly exposed to attack from the Indians of the North, and the Indians of the South. Their fears were quickened by the presence of a large hunting party of Delawares, who were encamped on a branch of Mill Creek, a few miles south of Nashborough.

114. The Cumberland Articles. In addition to the considerations above mentioned, the presence of Col. Richard Henderson, under whose purchase from the Indians the settlers claimed title, rendered a public meeting important. The meeting was held at Nashborough (now Nashville) May 1, 1780, and entered into "Articles of Agreement," or Compact of Government." The assembly then adjourned

1 See Putnam, pp. 75, 76; Ramsey, pp. 202, 203.

to meet May 13, 1780, at which time additional articles were adopted, and the entire instrument was signed by the white male settlers. Two hundred and fifty-six names were signed, nearly all in the handwriting of the signers. In the printed copy published in Putnam's History only one signature by mark is found. 1

115. The Character of the Articles.-This was the second constitution framed by the Tennessee settlers, nearly all of whom were native Americans. Unfortunately the first constitution adopted by the Watauga settlers lost, and we can judge of its features only by such meager evidence as we can glean from the institutions which were established under it. Thanks to the researches of Mr. Putnam, we have the Cumberland Compact before us. In point of literary merit it compares favorably with any constitution that was ever written. In point of fitness to its purpose, it is a model of jurisprudence. It is framed with consummate wisdom, and is exactly adapted to the environments of the pioneers.

116. Some Features of the Compact.-It establishes a tribunal of twelve members, with certain judicial, legislative, and executive functions, which are limited and defined. It distributes the membership of this tribunal, or court, equitably between the eight stations, or settlements, viz.: Nashborough 3, Gasper's 2, Bledsoe's 1, Asher's 1. Stone's River i, Freeland 1, Eaton's 2, Fort Union 1.

It confers the elective franchise on all free men over the age of twenty-one years. It makes careful provisions for the entry of lands, for the registration of land titles, and for the descent of lands, and takes care to bind Richard Henderson and his Land Company as parties to the compact. It provides for the administration of justice in civil and criminal cases. It renders justice accessible by instituting inferior courts, and courts of appeal. It binds all by a solemn agreement to abide by the decisions of the Cumberland Courts, and to renounce all right of appeal to North Carolina.

It adopts regulations for "the common defense and general welfare." It makes all males over sixteen years of age subject to military duty, and in consideration thereof confers on them the right to

1 This remarkable document was lost for many years. It was found in 1846 in an old trunk, which had once belonged to Col. Robert Barton, who had been in his lifetime one of the "Notables," and to whose custody this valuable relic had evidently been entrusted. The first page was destroyed, and second torn, but the remainder was in good condition and legible. To Mr. A. W. Putnam, the historian, belongs the credit of the discovery. See Putnam's History of Middle Tennessee, pages 84-103.

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