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XXVI.-GENERAL JOSEPH MARTIN AND THE WAR OF THE

REVOLUTION IN THE WEST.

BY PROF. STEPHEN B. WEEKS,

OF JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY.

S. Mis. 104-26

CONTENTS.

Page.

I. INTRODUCTION: Character and influence of struggles with the Indians on national character; the Martin family a type......

407

II. FAMILY, BIRTH, EARLY YEARS: Friendship to Sumter and
Cleaveland

III. THE FIRSt Settlement OF POWELL'S VALLEY: Explorations of Dr. Thomas Walker; an old-time race for the Cherokee strip; failure of the undertaking.....

409

412

IV. MARTIN A FARMER, AND REMOVAL TO HENRY COUNTY,
VIRGINIA...

415

415

V. MARTIN AND THE SHAWNEE WAR OF 1774.
VI. TRANSYLVANIA AND THE SECOND POWELL'S VALLEY SET-
TLEMENT: Organization of the Transylvania Company;
slow movement westward of population; Martin under-
takes a settlement in 1775; made entry taker of Powell's
Valley; settlement broken up by Indians....

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VII. THE CHEROKEES AND THE REVOLUTION: Instigated by the
English; projected attacks revealed by Nancy Ward and
defeated....

VIII. CHRISTIAN'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE CHEROKEES IN 1776:
Martin commands a company in the expedition.....
IX. THE TREATY OF THE LONG ISLAND OF HOLSTON AND MAR-
TIN'S APPOINTMENT AS INDIAN AGENT: Martin stationed
at the Rye Cove fort and at Fort Lee; the treaty; made
Indian agent and major of volunteers....

X. THE KING'S MOUNTAIN CAMPAIGN: Martin's skill in keep-
ing the Indians quiet makes the expedition possible.....
X CAMPBELL'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE CHEROKEES IN 1780-'81:
Martin holds independent command; Campbell urges the
building of a fort on Tennessee and the placing of Martin
in command; Martin's expedition in April, 1781; a com-
missioner to treat with the Cherokees; tories; takes In-
dian chiefs to Richmond; Martin a commissioner to treat
with Cherokees, Creeks, and Chickasaws..

416

420

423

425

427

429

XII. THE THIRD POWELL'S VALLEY SETTLEMENT: The movement urged by Col. Christian....

436

XIII. MARTIN AND THE EXPANSION OF GEORGIA: Martin's defense of his course.....

439

XIV. THE TREATY OF HOPEWELL: Results of white encroach

ments on Indian lands; Hopewell the beginning of a new
era; Martin a commissioner; terms of the treaty; treats
with the Choctaws and Chickasaws; dissatisfaction caused
by the treaty....

442

XV. THE STATE OF FRANKLIN: Causes of the secession from North Carolina; also directed against Virginia; Martin favors North Carolina; is made brigadier-general of her militia for the western district; difficulty of his position; letters to Gov. Johnston and Col. Kennedy; fall of the State of Franklin..................

XVI. MARTIN AS AGENT of North CAROLINA AND OF THE UNITED STATES: Difficulty of his position; hostility of Sevier and the party of encroachment to Martin; White made Superintendent of Indian Affairs; Williamson's letter to Martin on his failure................

XVII. MARTIN'S CHEROKEE CAMPAIGN OF 1788: The Cherokees
become restless; Martin made agent of the Cherokees and
Chickasaws for six months; his summary of Indian Affairs;
the Chickamauga branch of the Cherokees, their history
and character; Martin leads an expedition against them;
results ...

XVIII. MARTIN AND THE SPANIARDS: Correspondence with Patrick
Henry on his letter to McGillivray; Henry's defense of
Martin's conduct; his conduct vindicated before the North
Carolina legislature; unfortunate result of these charges.

Page.

451

456

460

465

469

XIX. MARTIN A TRADER AMONG THE CHEROKEES
XX. MARTIN IN THE MILITARY SERVICE OF VIRGINIA
XXI. MARTIN A BOUNDARY COMMISSIONER: The Virginia and
Kentucky boundary; the Virginia and Tennessee bound-
ary.....

470

471

XXII. ESTIMATE OF MARTIN: Martin's services to Virginia and North Carolina other than military; his personal appearance and character.....

XXIII. THE MARTIN FAMILY.

472

474

PREFACE.

The following paper owes its existence, primarily, to the enthusiasm of the late Lyman C. Draper and to the courtesy of the officials of the Wisconsin State Historical Society. While collecting materials for his history of the border warfare and border heroes of the United States Dr. Draper made several visits to Col. William Martin, who was then still living in Smith County, Tenn. He made Col. Martin's house his home, and at his request Col. Martin began in 1842 an account of the career of his father, Gen. Joseph Martin, and of many of the events with which he was personally acquainted or knew at first hand. His accounts were submitted to Dr. Draper from time to time, who criticised them, pointed out what he thought were errors, and asked more questions. The original of Col. Martin's account has come to me from Mrs. Fanny M. Tate, of Montvale, Bedford County, Va. Its omissions have been filled in from the original letters of Martin, Sevier, Blount, Henry, Christian, Campbell, and others, and from the MS. narrative of Maj. John Redd, who served under Martin in Christian's campaign in 1776, which are now in possession of the Wisconsin State Historical Society.

Few of the charges to which "reminiscences" are so frequently liable can be brought against Col. Martin's narrative. It is remarkably accurate. I have frequently doubted some of his statements, but on tracing them back to an undoubted authority have found that he was correct.

Some letters of Gen. Martin and others relating to his career have been recently printed in the Calendar of Virginia State Papers, and in the Life, Correspondence, and Speeches of Patrick Henry. Others were printed in the American State Papers, Indian Affairs. Quotations have been made from the originals in all cases where they were accessible to me, but I have added references to the places where such may be found, if printed.

The local histories dealing with the subject have been used only so far as was necessary to supplement the MS. accounts, and their use has been indicated in the footnotes. When no

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