"As I was informed there was to be a physic dance at night, curosity led me to the town house, to see the preparation. A vessel of their own make, that might contain twenty gallons (there being a great many to take the medicine) was set on the fire, round which stood several gourds filled with river water, which was poured into the pot; this done, there arose one of the beloved women, who, opening a deer skin filled with various roots and herbs, took out a small handful of something like fine salt; part of which she threw on the headman's seat, and part into the fire close to the pot; she then took out the wing of a swan, and after flourishing it over the pot, stood fixed for near a minute, muttering something to herself; then taking a shrub-like laurel (which I supposed was the physic) she threw it into the pot, and returning to her former seat. As no other ceremony seemed to be going forward, I took a walk till the Indians assembled to take it. At my return I found the house quite full; they danced near an hour round the pot, till one of them, with a small gourd that might hold about a gill, took some of the physic, and drank it, after which all the rest took in turn. One of their headmen presented me with some, and in a manner compelled me to drink, though I would have willingly declined. It was, however, much more palatable than I expected, having a strong taste of sassafras: the Indian who presented it told me it was taken to wash away their sins; so that this is a spiritual medicine, and might be ranked among their religious ceremonies. They are very solicitous about its success; the conjurer, several mornings before it is drank, makes a dreadful howling, yelling and hollering from the top of the townhouse, to frighten away apparitions and evil spirits. According to our ideas of evil spirits, such hideous noises would by sympathy call up such horrible beings; but I am apt to think with the Indians, that such noises are sufficient to frighten any being away but themselves. "I was almost every night at some dance or diversion; the wardance, however, gave me the greatest satisfaction, as in that I had an opportunity of learning their methods of war, and a history of their war-like actions, many of which are both amusing and instructive. "I was not a little pleased likewise with their ball-plays (in which they show great dexterity) especially when the women played, who pulled one another about, to the no small amusement of an European spectator. "They are likewise very dexterous at pantomime dances, several of which I have seen performed that were very diverting. In one of these, two men, dressed in bear skins, came in, stalking and pawing about with all the motions of real bears: two hunters followed them, who in dumb show acted in all respects as they would do in the wood: after many attempts to shoot them, the hunters fire; one of the bears is killed, and the other wounded; but, as they attempt to cut his throat, he rises up again, and the scuffle be tween the huntsmen and the wounded bear generally affords the company a great deal of diversion. "The taking the pigeons at the roost was another that pleased me exceedingly; and these, with my walking and observations, furnished me with amusement for some time; but the season not always permitting my going abroad, and as I had so little to do at home, I soon grew tired of the country. The Indian senate indeed would sometimes employ me in reading and writing letters for them of which I generally acquitted myself to their satisfaction, by adding what I thought would be acceptable, and retrenching whatever might displease." CHAPTER 16. Tennessee The Constitution of 1796 and 1834- On July 11th, 1795, the territorial government directed an enumeration of the population of the territory to ascertain if it contained the sixty thousand population necessary in order for it to become a State, and Governor Blount forwarded the result of the election in the shape of a schedule to President Washington in the city of Washington. The following is the schedule: "Territory of the U. States of America South of the River Ohio. Schedule of the aggregate amount of each description of persons, taken agreeably to 'An act providing for the enumeration of the inhabitants of the Territory of the United States of America south of the River Ohio;' passed July 11, 1795. 16, 179 19,944 29,554 973 10,613 77,262 6,504 2,562 "I William Blount, Governor in and over the Territory of the United States of America south of the River Ohio, do certify that this schedule is made in conformity with the schedules of the sheriffs of the respective counties in the said Territory, and that the schedules of the said sheriffs are lodged in my office. "Given under my hand, at Knoxville, November 28, 1795. "William Blount." It will be observed that the Middle Tennessee counties were opposed to statehood, and the East Tennessee counties largely in favor of it. Governor Blount, General John Sevier and their followers were all strongly for the new State. Thereupon Governor Blount issued his proclamation announcing the result of the election: "William Blount, Governor in and over the Territory of the United States of America south of the River Ohio, to the people thereof; "Whereas by an act passed on the 11th day of July last, entitled 'An act providing for the enumeration of the inhabitants of the Territory of the United States of America south of the River Ohio,' it is enacted, 'that if upon taking the enumeration of the people in the said Territory as by that directed, it shall appear that there are sixty thousand inhabitants therein, counting the whole of the free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed and adding threefifths of all other persons, the Governor be authorized and requested to recommend to the people of the respective counties to elect five persons for each county, to represent them in convention, to meet at Knoxville, at such time as he shall judge proper, for the purpose of forming a constitution or permanent form of government.' "And whereas, upon taking the enumeration of the inhabitants of the said Territory, as by the act directed, it does appear that there are sixty thousands free inhabitants therein, and more, besides other persons: Now I, the said William Blount, Governor, &c., do recommend to the people of the respective counties to elect five persons for each county, on the 18th and 19th days of December next, to represent them in a convention to meet at Knoxville, on the 11th day of January next, for the purpose of forming a constitution or permanent form of government. "And to the end that a perfect uniformity in the election of members of convention may take place, in the respective counties, I, the said William Blount, Governor, &c., do further recommend to the sheriffs or their deputies, respectively, to open and hold polls of election for members of convention, on the 18th and 19th days of December, as aforesaid, in the same manner as polls of election have heretofore been held for members of the General Assembly; and that all free males, twenty-one years of age and upwards, be considered entitled to vote by ballot for five persons for members of convention; and that the sheriffs or their deputies, holding such polls of election, give certificates to the five persons in each county, having the greatest number of votes, of their being duly elected members of convention. "And I, the said William Blount, Governor &c., think proper here to declare, that this recommendation is not intended to have nor ought to have, any effect whatever upon the present temporary form of government; and that the present temporary form will continue to be exercised in the same manner as if it had never been issued, until the convention shall have formed and published a constitution or permanent form of government. "Done at Knoxville, November twenty-eight, one thousand and seven hundred and ninety-five. "Wm. Blount. "By the Gov. Willie Blount, Pro. Secretary." In this proclamation Governor Blount recommended that an election be held on the 18th and 19th days of December 1795, to select five persons from each county to meet in convention in Knoxville, January 11, 1796, for the purpose of forming a constitution and organizing a permanent form of government, and accordingly the election was held, and the persons elected assembled on January 11 at Knoxville, and were as follows: REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COUNTIES. Blount County,- David Craig, James Greenaway, Joseph Black, Samuel Glass, James Houston. Davidson County,-John McNairy, Andrew Jackson, James Robertson, Thomas Hardeman, Joel Lewis. Greene County,-Samuel Frazier, Stephen Brooks, William Rankin, John Galbreath, Elisha Baker. Hawkins County,-James Berry, Thomas Henderson, Joseph McMinn, William Cocke, Richard Mitchell. Jefferson County,-Alexander Outlaw, Joseph Anderson, George Doherty, William Roddye, Archibald Roane. Knox County,-William Blount, James White, Charles McClung, John Adair, John Crawford. Sullivan County, George Rutledge, William C. C. Claiborne, John Shelby, Jun., John Rhea, Richard Gammon. Sevier County,-Peter Bryan, Samuel Wear, Spencer Clack, John Clack, Thomas Buckenham. Tennessee County, Thomas Johnston, James Ford, William Fort, Robert Prince, William Prince. Washington County,-Landon Carter, John Tipton, Leeroy Taylor, James Stuart, Samuel Handley. |