xt7fbg2h7f7m https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7fbg2h7f7m/data/mets.xml Smith, T. Marshall (Thomas Marshall) 1855 books b92e209s662009 English J. F. Brennan : Louisville, Ky. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Frontier and pioneer life --Kentucky. United States --History --Revolution, 1775-1783 --Anecdotes. North Carolina --History --Revolution, 1775-1783. Kentucky --History. Legends of the war of independence, and of the earlier settlements in the West. text Legends of the war of independence, and of the earlier settlements in the West. 1855 2009 true xt7fbg2h7f7m section xt7fbg2h7f7m
Co ti)t
CHERISHED MEMORY
OF THE
companion of my earliest youth, AND MY FRIEND THROUGHOUT A SOMEWHAT EXTENDED LIFE, THE
HON. JAMES T. MOREHEAD,
HOW NO MORE AN INHABITANT OF EARTH.
THIS BOOK
18 DEDICATED,
as a testimonial of the admiration,
AND JUST APPRECIATION OF HIS LTFE OF ENLIGHTENED AND VIRTUOUS DEVOTION
SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY.
PREFACE.
The author of the book here presented to the public, has often heard persons regret that histories, which profess to treat of our revolutionary struggle, or of the no less arduous and dangerous conflicts attending the settlement of the vast wilderness of the West, contains so little of the personal history of many of the actors.
Historians, for the most part, confine themselves to the notice of what the world calls important events the movements of armies, the result of battles, the conclusion of treaties, and the general legislation of the State. If they notice individuals at all, it is, generally, only those the most distinguished, the most highly and extraordinarily endowed by nature, the most fortunate in position, or who, attended by fortuitous circumstances, have been enabled to perform some astounding feat or semi-miracle ; while their superiority consists in nothing, in point of real worth or merit, above that of the thousands of faithful and honest cotemporaries around them.
Historians, necessarily, even those most highly esteemed, are but the mere chroniclers of periods, men, and events of nations, generalized. And it is admitted, if all the incidents of all who have acted and preceded us were recorded in histories, then, indeed, could no man, however long his life might be protracted, read more than one half. But we are persuaded histories would furnish clearer conceptions of past events and prove more instructive and at
VI
preface.
the same time more interesting, if they indulged more in personal sketches.
Biography to the writer has always possessed peculiar charms, and it, indeed, may often be regarded as the most instructive branch of history. From his boyhood and his earliest recollection, to stand or seat himself at the foot of a venerated revolutionary father and listen to his unvarnished tales of the War of Independence, the battles in which he participated, and the thrilling scenes he witnessed, or sit by the side of an old soldier or pioneer of the West, detailing his own and his neighbors adventures, wants, privations, sufferings, and hair-breadth escapes from the furious monsters of the forest, and the no less wily and ferocious savages that everywhere pervaded the vast wilderness around them, he has been entranced, and felt, even then, a young heart expand, and new impulses for manly action result in making him a better and a happier boy, and in riper years a better and happier man. Such, we believe, are among the natural and legitimate effects of history telling upon the hearts and lives of the young, the middle-aged, and the old in all ranks of society. To accomplish such end has been to a great extent our aim in this little book, the chief fruition hoped for during our labors.
It is not proposed to make this work a chronological or regular statistical history of the revolution, or of the earliest emigrations to the West. Very creditable productions for this purpose have already appeared. Here are given only sketches of the acts and lives of those as they have stood connected with the facts narrated of, and by the individuals whose biographies are introduced. The facts are vouched for as given by old soldiers, their wives,
preface. vii
pioneers aud their cotemporaries; contided in and of whose narrations memoranda have been made by the author at various times within the last forty years, but who now are believed to be all in their graves. Such memoranda were originally made for his own entertainment ; but now, as they are believed justly to belong to the history of his beloved country, and would otherwise sleep with the dead in the grave forever, they are freely here recorded.
T. M. S.
Louisville, January, 1855.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Col. Davidson sets forth to Charlotte to attend the Convention of the Whigs of Mecklenburg and of other portions of the Colony of North Carolina Meets with two Scotch Tories, John and William Harpe Their Conversation and Doctrines Col. Davidson and Family The Harpes and Family. - - -17
CHAPTER II.
Col. Davidson meets with and renews his acquaintance with Capt. J. Wood Spends the night at his house. - - 2C>
CHAPTER III. Col. Davidson resumes his journey to Charlotte, accompanied by Capt. Wood Meet with Dr. D. Caldwell, Dr. E. Bavard and other Patriots, destined for the same place and the Mecklenburg Convention Discussion upon the causes of the Revolution Brief biographical sketches of Drs Caldwell, Bavard
and others. - -- -- -- -- -32
CHAPTER IV. Mecklenburg Convention How organized Speeches by Rev. H. J. Balch, Mr. Kennon and E. Bavard. - 45
CHAPTER V.
Declaration of Independence and other resolutions passed by the Convention Character and patriotism of the women of the Revolution. - - - - - - - - -'54
CHAPTER VI. Original letters of Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, on the subject of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence in 1775, and as identical in substance with that of 1776. - - - - - - - - - - 61
x
contents.
CHAPTER VII. Proceedings of the Whigs in the colony of Nortli Carolina Questions asked and answered as to the causes of the tyranny that overrides the nations of the earth, and how the freedom of a nation can be effected. - jf J'^'Oy " " " 68
CIIAPTEll VIII.
A somewhat minute examination of the principles'and spirit of the Whig and Tory population in the country, generally, and particularly in North Carolina The Scenery of North Carolina, &o. - - - - - - - 81
CHAPTER IX. The Whig women of North Carolina A few touching biographical sketches of them during the war Uncle Pan and his colored company, with his old "ooman" at her cabin Maj. Kidd and his corps on a trip to Maj. John Adair A hard fought battle between two African slaves, Caesar and John, servants of Lawrence Smith, against five Tories and one Indian They eifectually defend their mistress and daughters, killing two of the enemy and desperately wounding a third. - 91
CHAPTER X.
Rev. James Frazier makes appointment to preach On his way to church rescues Miss Happy Thompson from being precipitated over the Pomonkee bridge Her acknowledgments of the service Mr. Frazier's peculiar courting sermon The return party's comments thereon. - - - - - 107
CHAPTER XI. Thoughts on the designs of Providence in opening up the way from the old world to the new The almost miraculous preservation and prosperity given to the earlier emigrants from Europe, &c. Some touches of the history of the revolution in the middle colonies, particularly in North Carolina The conflicts with the Tories Their abduction of three young and ' beautiful Whig ladies The pursuit and execution of a number by Capt. John Wood and others. - - - - - 116
CHAPTER XII. The attack upon and murder of Capt. John Wood, by twelve Tories, sent forth by Col. Ferguson, of the British army to destroy him His burial by his son. - - - - - 135
contents.
xi
CHAPTER XIII. Parson Frazier again His return to the neighborhood of Elder Brame His courtship and marriage with the rich, young, and accomplished Virginia lady, Miss Happy Thompson, and their settlement upon a portion of her fine estate at Hillsboro,' North Carolina, together with other interesting touches of Virginia gallantry and courtship in the Old Dominion. - 143
CHAPTER XIV. Frank Wood, after the burial of his murdered father, endeavors to find his mother and sisters Uncle Dan and his brave African troops are introduced at his cabin Frank returns home, and immediately afterwards enters upon his first campaign in the army of the revolution He joins the command of Gen. Morgan, at Waxaw Bottoms Is with the Whigs in the battle of Kings Mountain Kills several of the Tories that assassinated his father, and in that battle, shoots from his horse, the British commander, Col. Ferguson, while the latte'- is rallying his retreating troops Other details of Frank Woods' adventures in the service of the country, and in fulfillment of his vow of vengeance. -------- 1G0
CHAPTER XV. Measures taken by Cornwallis Battle of Kings Mountain Death of Col. Ferguson, by the hand of Frank Wood His narrative of the battle and subsequent action. - 174
CHAPTER XVI. Lord Cornwallis encamped at Hillsboro' Marauding parties of British and Tories sent out to ravage and plunder the inhabitants Anecdote of Maj. Hinton, in his attempt to rob Mrs. Slocum Falls into a dry well in her cellar A love adventure of his lordship with Maria Davidson His utter overthrow The Toryism and base treachery of the Rev. Mr. James Frazier toward his wife, and flight to and with the British army, after embezzling his wife's fine estate The hypocrite's picture. --- - - - - - - - - 185
CHAPTER XVIII. Frank Wood again at home Learns the dreadful intelligence of the abduction of his sister Susan and Maria Davidson by the Tories and Indians Visits with his mother the monu-
xii contents.
ment she had erected over the grave of his father Visits with his sister Rosa, the family of the Simpsons, and something is told strongly signifying a love match between two young lovers. - - - - - - - - - - 201
CHAPTER XIX. Frank Wood sets out from his home in North Carolina to join his regiment under Gen. Green, according to his furlough He is transferred and attached to the division of the army then under Gen. Lafayette in Virginia In course of time, with that division, he was marched to the vicinity of York-town, and when joined to the other force of Gen. Washington, marched to entrap and besiege Cornwallis at Yorktown When Cornwallis capitulated and provisions were made and completed by Gen. Washington, safely and securely, to dispose of the many thousands captured at Yorktown and dispose of the large amount of munitions of war there given up in the capitulation, he obtains leave from Marquis Lafayette to return to his home and his friends in North Carolina On his way Frank Wood has many thoughts of his country, seeks to look into her future, and prays for her prosperity Finds and consummates his previous engagement in marriage with Mary Simpson. - --.....-- 216jj
CHAPTER XX. Thoughts on the effects of times, surrounding localities, circumstances, physical and metaphysical, climate, topography of country, education, manner of life and action to make the man a giant or a pigmy, a philosopher or an ape, a hero or a poltroon Capt. Jack Ashby His feats of activity and bravery Trip to Kentucky liseape from the Indians at the falls of the Ohio...........226
CHAPTER XXI. Capt. Jack and his companions shoot at the Indian party They kill the principle one, and wound another and the white man The third Indian dives into the river and escapes-*-Salona Maron, the young French girl's story She informs the Captain that the white man, Ben. James is from Virginia Ashby questions him and discovers his knowledge of his family He gives an account of himself Porter is taken sick with fever They start down the Mississippi, taking Bon.
I
contents.
xm
James with them, after sinking the two dead Indians in their canoe Porter dies and is sunk in the remaining Indian canoe, opposite Chickasaw Bluffs Ben. James is allowed to depart for his Indian home Capt. Ashby, Wells and Salona Maron, proceed down the Mississippi They arrive at New Orleans safely Are treated well by Miss Maron's aunt and family Capt. Jack and Wells arrive at San Augustine, where Wells is taken sick and dies Capt. Jack finally gets home after an absence of two years. - - - - - -241
CHAPTER XXII. Thos. McClanahan, another native Virginian Incidents of his boyhood His skill and perseverance as a huntsman Chases a buck on foot six miles Runs him into a farmer's cellar, where he is found next morning, killed and taken home in triumph Tom, at the age of eighteen leaves his home, and joins the continental army Travels one hundred miles on foot to whip a man who insulted his father, and having done so, immediately returns Is engaged in the battles of Brandy-wine, MorristowD, Monmouth and Trenton Returns home after the surrender of Cornwallis Renews his acquaintance with Miss Ann Green Courts her Asks the consent of her brother, Col. Robert Green Is refused. .... 259
CHAPTER XXIH.
Young McClanahan informs his mother of his determination and requests her assistance She breaks the subject to her husband, and they agree to provide their son with funds to consummate his object Miss Nancy and her lover fix upon the course they intend to adopt. -n 266
CHAPTER XXIV.
The lovers consummate their marriage A description of the bride's person Col. Green's chagrin and disappointment His wife's sensible advice, and the colonel's final reconcilement to what he could not help. - - - - - - 277
CHAPTER XXV. McClanahan removes to New River Is famed for his pugilistic encounters and victories A conspiracy to whip him Seven men undertake to do so, but after five of them being by him nearly killed, the other two run and leave him victor He, with his family, emigrate to Kentucky Reach and reside
contents.
at Boone's Station McClanahan's intimacy with Daniel Boone Has several severe combats with Indians Delights in the occupation Boone makes him commander of a company of rangers, and sends him to the settlements on the Ohio to watch the Indians His success. - - - - - 283
CHAPTER XXVI. The party overtakes the Indians After destroying forty of them, they release Miss Lucy Smith and Harriet Lane, and conduct them in triumph to Fort Washington, now Cincinnati Lucy Smith is married to one of the Rangers The first wedding ever celebrated at Cincinnati. - -.....295
CHAPTER XXVII.
McClanahan's account of Harmar's defeat His own miraculous escape from death Makes his way back to camp, much to the surprise of his comrades, who had given him up for lost. - 303
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Lord Rawdon's inhuman execution of Col. Isaac Hayne Death of Hayne's wife and child Some thoughts on these sad occurrences. - - -- - - - - - - 309
CHAPTER XXIX. Particulars of the abduction of Susan Wood and Maria Davidson by big Bill and Josh. Harpe Their treatment of the girls on their journey to the hunter's cave, and from thence to Nickajack on the Tennessee River, a town of the Cherokee's Destruction of that town by Gen. Jackson, and flight of the Harpes with their victims to the.Cumberland mountains. - 317
CHAPTER XXX. Rev. William Lambeth's adventure with Big Harpe The Harpes leave their camp at the Cumberland Mountain, and start for the Ohio Meet with, murder and rob two Marylanders Maria Davidson's account of that horrible crime They waylay, murder and rob a young Virginian They are chased and secured in Danville jail They escape and make their way to Spring-fiold The two ruined girls their victims, being free, discuss the propriety of seeking the sympathy and protection of the settlers They decline doing so The Harpes return to the
contents.
XV
women and start for the neighborhood of Snelling's Station Again they steal horses and journey towards what is now Columbia, Adair Co., Ky., where they are believed to have murdered Col. Trabue's little son Continue their journey and operations of murder and robbery into Tennessee, are chased back to the Mammoth Cave, but not captured Big Harpe murders his own child. - - - - - - 32")
CHAPTER XXXI. The Harpes and Cherokees continue their blood-thirsty journey At the point of the Clay Lick woods they murder, strip, and mutilate the families and servants of two brothers They are chased by a party from Russellville and Drumgool's stations The Harpes, in the meantime, murder Stegall's family near the Double Licks, rob and burn up his home They are overtaken at the "Lonesome Oak" by the pursuing party Big Harpe and one Indian is killed, and the head of the former hung on a tree Stegall attempts to murder Susan Woods Is restrained and wholly checked by Win. Stewart, of Russellville Maria Davidson and Susan Woods are taken with the return party to Russellville Excitement of the populace against them They are privately conveyed out of town to a place of safety Maria is subsequently married. - - 334
CHAPTER XXXII. Further narrative of the adventures of Josh Harpe His escape His appearance at Natchez with Peter Alston They conspire to murder and decapitate Mayerson for the government reward They do so and while waiting for the reward are recognized and seized, tried, condemned and executed. - - 341
CHAPTER XXXIII. Major Bland Ballard His parentage His father locates at Boonsboro Removes to Tick Creek Family locates at Tyler's Station Maj. Bland marries The Station becoming crowded, the Bal lards remove outside the stockades Danger from the Indians anticipated The family of old Mr. Ballard is attacked and nearly all murdered by the Indians Maj. Bland, hearing the attack, rushes to the door of his cabin to receive the last groan of his murdered mother Decides to take the open ground and defend himself and wife Is heroically assisted by his wife After shooting seven Indians, he |
xvi
contents.
finds his bullet-pouch exhausted Is supplied by his wife who melts her spoons for the purpose, and exposes her life to hand the bullets to her husband He finally triumphs. - - - 345
CHAPTER XXXIV. " William Stout" Thoughts on the adage " Murder will out" Why Stout came to Kentucky His dark deeds of blood His care of his family Tracks and destroys the murderer of his son Redresses the widow's wrong Prevents Jerry Moore's trip to Missouri Dies. ------ 350
CHAPTER XXXV. A picture of the earlier settlements in the West State of Society Who gave it tone and polish. ------ 362
CHAPTER XXXVI. Religious revival in the West Rev's John and William M'Ghee Their appointments to preach Preaching at Red River Meeting House Its results Preaching at Beech Meeting House Results, especially on those who came to mock, but remained to pray Meeting at Muddy River Church The Meeting House too small to accommodate They go out into the open air A pulpit is erected First Camp Meeting Great results. - - - - - - - - - 370
CHAPTER XXXVII. State of Western Society Dr. Gist's story of the honey Its disastrous results Is confirmed by Dr. Wilmot His additional remarks. - -.....- - 374
CHAPTER XXXVIII. Religion in the West The revival of 1799 Its effects Dissenting of the Presbyterians and denial of God's hand in the work Results of such denial Cause of the organization of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Conclusion. - - 389
LEGENDS
OF THE
WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
AND OF THE
EAELEER SETTLEMENTS IN THE WEST.
OHAPTEE I.
Col. Davidson sots forth to Charlotte to attend the Convention of the Whigs of Mecklenburg and of other portions of the Colony of North Carolina Meets with two Scotch Tories, John and William Harpe Their Conversation and Doctrines Col. Davidson and Family The Harpes and Family.
"AVell, honor is the subject of my story. I cannot tell, what you and other men Think of this life; but, for my single self, I had as lief not be, as live to be In awe of such'a thing as I, myself. I was born as free as Caesar; so were you; We bath have fed as well and even can both Endure the winter's cold as well as he." Shakspeare.
In the year 1775, and on one of those beautiful evenings in May, after hours of heavy rain from dark clouds, with repeated claps of thunder; and when the effulgent source of day had brushed the mists that intervened between him and field, and flower, three neighbors John and William Harpe, brothers, and Oapt. John Davidson, 2
18 legends of the
afterwards Col. Davidson, in the army commanded by Gen. Nathaniel Green met at a small country Inn, on the road leading, at that time, from Hillsboro' to Charlotte, the county seat of Mecklenburg county, colony of North Carolina. Their meeting was more than usually cordial; and, after the ordinary salutations between them, Capt. Davidson, who, though a Virginian by birth, had been reared, from an early age, in Mecklenburg; and having married when but little passed minority, settled and cultivated a very productive farm near one of the tributary streams of the Yadkin. He said to the two brothers :
"I am glad, neighbors, to meet you here, for many reasons: First, because we shall be company to Charlotte, which is yet a good long ride; and secondly, because I am glad to find you, at last, coming into our views of the necessity of resisting, some way, the doings of old George, and his vile officers of the Crown extorting, on all occasions, their high taxes without our consent, in any way and levying and exacting the most extravagant fees for the least official service sacrificing, . without restraint of even the proclamations of the Governor, the citizen's property, to satisfy them. For I suppose you are going to the meeting, to-morrow, called by our chief-committee-man, Col. Polk ? "
" You need nae think that, Jonny Davison," said John Harpe, the elder; " 'Tis a' thrue, we seed the writin' of Col. Polk and read it, too callin' the meetin', but din nae heed it. The regulations is nae the work for mea. And ye, Jonny Davison, afthur you're fitin' givinor Thryon and his guid boys at the Allemance, three years agone, and runnin' awa' half kilt, yoursel', and more nor half the regulation kilt and bleedin' on the ground at the Allemance, ye, yoursel', wad nae more be creepin' afthur the regulation, nae anny biddy else. Mouthin' and scald-in' the king, and the givinor, and the Clarks and the Sherricks. Din nae hear, twad be far bether to tarry at
wak of independence. 19
hame, luvin' and cheerin' yere bonny wife, and the bonny dather, jist bloomin' like the pretty fluer, nor ridin' to town to flout and fiaro! Nae, Jonny Davison, the aith the givinor mad' mea and mea brither tak' and aboon that, the la' o' the kirk forbids the regulation with us."
" Aye, Jonny, we ken you a gude sojer," said the younger brother, William Harpe ; " Nae man iver made a bonny rifle crack bether nor you, whene the duty injin stude annent ye, or the glowerin' panther, or creepin' bear across yere thread, dare stand, and ye tak' a hunt to the Blue Mountains. But Jonny Harpe tells ye thrue, the givinor's aith and the la' o' the kirk tither the hauns of the gude man, and no meeting the regulations for me, either. Ye're fitin' the injins, and the bears nae ilka the givinor's thrupes. The beasts ye ma' kill; but God and the big buke forbids ye kill the king's men and that ye'll ha' to do."
" Well, well; I have no time to talk these matters over with you, now. I shall have a hard ride to get to Charlotte in time to attend the meeting. I confess I do not understand what you mean by the law of the Church, forbidding your resisting the oppressions of the king and his officers, in their unjust taxes and unlawful fees. In this way the people here or any where could have no rights, and must become slaves. Indeed, so it is, all nations in Europe are now subjects of tyranny, and must forever remain so. I don't believe a word of it. I was born free and I mean to die so."
" Why, Jonny Davison," said John Harpe, " ye din nae untherstand how the la' o' the kirk, and the big buke forbids ye're fitin' the king ? An' din nae ken the scripther saith, ' ye'll abide the powers that be, an' that ev'ry gude covenanter sweareth like he will stand by the king, and his auldest boy or dather, as next the king.' But we know ye'll gang, Jonny, to the meetin' take gude care, howndeavor, ye ha' nae rebels among ye. The big presbyther, Docthur Killwell fra' the Gilfords we
20 legends of toe
knoo'll be thare, an' the mickle-larned man, Bavard, talk-in' like a buke, an' a' the rist o' the regulation who's nae luve for the gude King George, 'ill be thare."
" I have no love, I confess, said Capt. Davidson, for kings, and little respect for them that do love them. "With the people of the Colonies it has now come to this: ' They must decide whether they will quietly submit to the king's arbitrary assumptions of power and parliaments ; or resist by revolution or otherwise. Submit now, and we are slaves ; resist, and with the blessing of God, we will be free. Farewell."
Capt. Davidson was tall in stature; somewhat slendor in person, with light hair, fair skin, deep blue eyes; nose prominent, but finely turned, and a mouth little more than ordinarily broad ; lips generally compressed; expressive of moral courage and personal prowess in respect to which, he had been distinguished in several panther and bear hunts, in the adjacent mountains, and in several perilous conflicts with marauding invaders from the several Indian tribes, bordering on the Northern and North-western boundaries of the Colony, and still more by his courage and efficient deportment in the battle fought by the Regulators, as they were then called, at the AllamaDce, against Gov. Tryon, and his myrmidons, in the year 1771. And in which though the royalists triumphed and slew many of Capt. D.'s bravest and best fellow-citizens, (left dead on the field,) wounding and most brutally and cruelly maltreating many more, himself among the rest, but in which, or the results of which, although the bloody Tryon framed a new oath of allegiance and extorted from each of the survivors and all the inhabitants of the Colony, to swear the most humiliating and unlimited submission to the king and the British Parliament there was kindled in the breasts of the people, (certain Scotch and Irish religionists always excepted,) a flame of resentment and indignity toward the king, that never ceased to blaze and burn intensely, till
wah of independence.
21
full independence and freedom was nobly fought for, and gloriously obtained for the whole country, as will be abundantly shown in the further progress of this narrative.
At home Capt. D. was very happily situated. His companion was what might be called a handsome lady, the daughter of-Graham, a farmer of great respectability, in the vicinity of Hillsboro. She was pretty well educated in most of the English branches, and thoroughly instructed in, and accustomed to all the most useful and approved departments of housewifery; full of love and reverence for her worthy husband; and of earnest affection and maternal solicitude for the proper instruction and rearing of an only daughter, now arrived at the age of fifteen years, and under the tuition and care of a Presbyterian Minister, the Eev. James Frazier, who, in conjunction with his very accomplished and highly educated lady, Mrs. Happy Frazier, had charge of one of the finest female Colleges, ever, for many years, opened in North Carolina.
In respect to estate, Capt. D. owned an ample farm fertile, and made by his own industry, economy, and management, and the aid of several sturdy and well-trained farm-servants exceedingly productive; yielding not only an abundant supply of everything common to the country, and for all domestic and culinary purposes, but sent to the markets abroad a profitable surplus. He was born in Bedford county, Virginia, of Irish parents, who early removed to Mecklenburgh, Forth Carolina, where he was principally reared and educated. The country being then well filled with game, such as elk, deer, and turkies and other wild fowls,' and sometimes with bear and panther; he became, early, an adept in the use of the rifle, and a most successful huntsman ; and when the savages would sometimes make down from the mountains and cross into the valleys below the Blue-Eidge, in companies of fifty and sometimes a hundred in number
22
legends of the
for the purpose of murder, rapine and robbery young Davidson was often foremost in pursuing them, and the most successful in overtaking and inflicting the severest punishment and most summary justice upon them.
Of the two Scotchmen with whom Capt. D. held the above detailed narrative, little need be said. Both had emigrated with their wives to the new world together, some fifteen or sixteen years before the period of which we are writing, and settling in the county of Orange, near Hillsboro, purchased each a small farm and chiefly employed themselves in its cultivation and hunting in the contiguous and extensive forests, reaching to, and beyond the blue mountains. These Scotchmen, as is perceived from their conversation with Capt. Davidson, had been thoroughly educated and brought up under the superstitious notions that sprung from the feudal teachings of many centuries since, spread and obtained all over Europe; the doctrine of " The Divine Rights of Kings! " a scheme cunningly devised and propagated by priests and the flatterers and fawners of power in church and State, in order to employ the superstition of men, as a chief instrument in subjecting them to the arbitrary control and iron heel of monarchical authority; to build up and perpetuate over the nations, a theology teaching a dread of opposing tyranny in any form; under color of which, kings and other potentates have made their persons sacred, whatever their crimes, and sanctify to all patient endurance and submission, whatsoever iniquities they perpetrated whatsoever cruelties they inflicted! A doctrine doubtless concocted in the deep pits of infernal darkness, seized and assiduously and insiduously wielded by the pride of rulers and the lovers "of oppression! Under the sanction of which kings and rulers have practiced such tricks, in the sight of heaven as should make even fallen angels blush! But in respect to this stratagem of darkness, these illiterate Scotch brothers had been like many thousands of others who lived in the Colonies, that wrought.
I
war of independence.
23
with might and main, to thwart the progress and success of the struggle for liberty, and to perpetuate the tyranny and oppression of king and parliament, the pupils of their peculiar church, the Scotch kirk or covenanters, known to have a fundamental principle in their confession of faith and discipline, as the Harpes declared, from which circumstance the name of the covenanters actually takes its rise. All who are in its communion or are subjected to its laws and control are understood expressly, or tacitly, to be forever bound by a covenant and a most sacred, solemn and religious promise or pledge, never to yield or submit to, or permit the exercise of the sovereign reign, of any prince, potentate, or other power, save, and except, the kings and queens of the throne of England and the heir apparent to the throne. This is the bonus given by conquered Scotland, for a few extra and minor privileges granted to the people, and for the protection of the Scotish kirk as a separate establishment, wholly independent of the discipline and organization of the Pro-teBtant Episcopal Hierarchy. No wonder, then, that these, and all others of like religious opinions taught