HISTO KENTUCKY Class EUlSii Book__il5a^ Cc^yriglitN? COPnUGHT DEPOSIE HISTORY OF KENTUCKY BY ELIZABETH SHELBY KINKEAD 3i*:£ NEW YORK .:. CINCINNATI :• CHICAGO AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY Copyright, 1896, 1909, 1919, by AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY HISTORY OF KENTUCKY EP 28 otr lb !9!b ©CI.AJ)30853 -I I TO THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER William 115ur^ ^infeeaO FROM WHOM WAS DERIVED WHATEVER TRUTHFUL UNDERSTANDING OF THE KENTUCKY PEOPLE THIS LITTLE BOOK CONTAINS PREFACE In the preparation of this book, an attempt has been made to relate the events of practical, everyday life, in such a manner as to make the study of the history of our State a pleasure to the pupil. While adhering to facts as closely as they could be ascertained, the aim has been that the whole shall entertain as a connected story. Special effort has been made to portray the spirit of the Kentuckians, in order that the student may understand and revere the people from whom he is sprung. To this end, more space has been given to their character- istics as indicated by tales of particular acts, than to the statistics of battles in which they have taken part. As this is a narration of the life of a State, and as the connection of one incident with another is of more im- portance in a work of this kind than the grouping of kindred topics, the chronological order of development has been followed. The subject naturally divides itself into five clearly marked periods. And these* lend themselves readily to important subdivisions. That portion of the history which extends to the close of the War of 1812 belongs to the poetic stage in the State's life; and that which follows, to the prose stage. It has been necessary in developing the later prose periods to depart somewhat 5 5 PREFACE from the simple method followed when setting forth the early poetic periods. But this seems rather an ad- vantage; for if the interest of the pupil is awakened at the outset, he will be eager to follow the fortunes of his State to the end, and will, it is hoped, patiently study the more prosaic episodes, in order to get a thor- ough grasp of the whole. It has been my earnest desire that the work should be historically sincere. The difficult aim has been con- stantly before my mind to make it impartial in all in- stances, and at the same time forceful and inspiriting. A Kentuckian, from my infancy I have been imbued with a knowledge and love of the State. And yet, having grown up in the New Kentucky, in her days of quietude, I have been enabled to approach the con- sideration of her significant periods with little individual prejudice. I have made a laborious and careful study of all available material, and I have tried to let the actions of the people, as they have been unfolded to me, speak for themselves, and reveal the Kentuckians. It is my hope that what I have written will find favor with my own people. E. S. K. CONTENTS \— PIONEER DAYS 1669-1782 PAGE I. First White Men in Kentucky 9 II. Early Settlements in Kentucky .... 19 III. The County of Kentucky 29 IV. Division of the County . . . . . .40 W — THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE 1 782-1 792 V. The District pF Kentucky 50 VI. Beginning of the Struggle 59 VII. The Spanish Conspiracy 69 VIII. The End of the Struggle 82 \\\ — FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH 1 792-1 850 IX. Organization of the Government X. Political Situation in Kentucky XI. The War of 1812 XII. Local Affairs XIII. Civil Affairs and the Mexican War 7 93 105 116 127 141 CONTEXTS W—THE CIVIL WAR XIV. The Situation in Kentucky XV. Kentucky's Position of Neutrality XVI. The Invasion of Kentucky XVII. The Second Invasion of Kentucky XVIIl. Civil Conflicts FACE 161 186 196 V— THE NEW KENTUCKY Since 1865 XIX. The Restoration of Peace XX. The Era of Transition . 205 212 Constitution of Kentucky 227 Index 273 I— PIONEER DAYS, 1669-1782 CHAPTER I FIRST WHITE MEN IN KENTUCKY, 1669-1775 The history of Kentucky is at once unique and attract- ive. It begins like a romance, thrilling in tales of heroic deeds and exciting adventures. From the ,, ^ , , ° Kentucky's earliest settlement of the State, all through the honored crises in its own life and the life of the nation, ^°^^ ^^^ Kentucky has held an honored position, and has produced men of great and noble character. None but the brave dared or desired to risk the perils of these untried forests ; therefore, Kentucky was founded by men of forceful qualities, remarkable as well for strength of mind as for endurance of body. The tide of immigration has passed, for the most part, to the north and to the south of Ken- tucky ; hence its present population consists almost exclu- sively of the descendants of the early settlers. The men who are prominent to-day are, in the main, sons of fathers whose fathers helped to establish the Commonwealth. Long ages before Kentucky was discovered, there dwelt in the land a race of beings called Mound Builders, on account of the mounds or monuments they The Mound erected. Many of these mounds have been Buii sixth conven- However, as an outgrowth of the prevailing excitement, it called for the election of dele- gates to a seventh convention, who should be empowered " to do and accomplish whatever, on a consideration of the state of the District, may in their opinion promote its interest." Now was Wilkinson's opportunity to lead the people to believe that it would " promote their interests " to become Spanish subjects; but like all schemers he worked slyly, never openly. Before the election of delegates to the seventh conven- tion, George Muter, chief justice of the District, published Judge Muter's ii^ the Gazette 'd.xv address to the people. He address proved that they had no authority to act for themselves independently of Virginia, and that by so doing they would be guilty of treason. He pointed out the evi- dent meaning of the resolution of the late convention. He showed that it clearly gave to the delegates of the next convention power to treat with Spain to obtain the naviga- tion of the Mississippi. He proved that such action would be contrary to the Federal constitution, and he therefore THE SPANISH CONSPIRACY 77 suggested to the people of Fayette County that they should instruct their next delegates not to agree to frame a con- stitution and form of government without .first obtaining the consent of the Virginia legislature and not to make any application for the navigation of the Mississippi other than to the legislature of Virginia or to the Congress of the United States. This had the desired effect. The contest in the other counties was quiet ; but in Fayette it was attended by great excitement. As usual, the election lasted five The Fayette days. It became evident that the Country election party was going to be completely victorious. The ever adroit Wilkinson, one of the candidates of the Court party, perceived the situation, and promptly announced that he would be guided in voting in the convention by the wishes of his constituents. This promise and his great popularity secured his election, while his associates were defeated. The other four delegates chosen were John Allen, Colonel Joseph Crockett, Colonel Thomas Marshall, and Judge Muter. The seventh convention assembled November 4, 1788. The most vital question in the life of Kentucky was about to be decided : whether she should determine seventh to submit to the recent act of Congress and convention take the necessary legal steps to obtain her separation from Virginia and admittance into the Union, or whether she should determine to separate herself illegally from Virginia and erect herself into an independent State. If the latter course were followed, the Spanish government had a good chance to obtain control of Kentucky. The forces in the convention were drawn up against each other. Let it not be supposed, however, that all those who favored violent separation from Virginia knew 78 THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE of, or sympathized with, Wilkinson's scheme to make Kentucky a Spanish province. At the outset a discussion arose as to the power which the convention possessed. The Court party contended that it had all power necessary to frame a constitution, to declare the District independent, etc. The Country party, on the contrary, strongly opposed every argument of this nature. Upon the day following this discussion Wilkinson made a speech before the convention. He dwelt feelingly upon Wilkinson's the dangers of Indian hostilities, and described speech brilliantly the advantages of the navigation of the Mississippi River, and pointed out the inability of Con- gress to obtain for Kentucky this benefit. He openly advocated the violent separation of Kentucky from Vir- ginia ; but he only hinted at his real scheme, — to deliver Kentucky when thus separated into the hands of the Spanish government. And all the while he watched the faces of his hearers to see what effect his adroit sugges- tions would have upon them. If he discovered satisfac- tion on their countenances, he would go further and declare his plan ; if he discovered disapproval, he had not com- mitted himself in words, and he could yet retreat. The majority of the convention were not only indisposed to listen to any overtures from Spain, but they were de- Loyaityofthe cidedly loyal to the government of the United convention States, and opposed to an illegal separation from Virginia. Wilkinson misunderstood the Kentuckians. They applauded his showy oratory, but they were independ- ent in action and stanch in principle. They were thor- oughly aroused to an appreciation of the dangers which might arise from their dependent position, and of the fatal results of the Mississippi being closed to them. And yet they nobly resisted the temptation of benefits offered to THE SPANISH CONSPIRACY 79 them by Spain, and remained loyal to the country for which they had fought, and had been ready to give their lives. In the revulsion of feeling created by the sentiments thus boldly advocated by Wilkinson a resolution, offered by John Edwards and seconded by Thomas Turning point Marshall, was agreed to, which proved to be ^^ *^® contest the turning point in the contest. The resolution provided for the appointment of " a committee to draw up a decent and respectful address to the people of Virginia, for ob- taining the independence of the District of Kentucky agreeable to the late resolutions and recommendations of Congress." But even after this decisive indication of the loyal feel- ing of the convention had been given, other efforts were made by the opposite faction to carry their object. Before the ''decent and respectful" of the court address was accepted, Wilkinson offered a resolution that a committee be appointed to draft an ad- dress to the good people of the District urging them to furnish the convention at its next session with instruction how to proceed in this important subject of an independent government. This resolution was adopted, greatly to the fears of the party opposing illegal separation. Whereupon, Colonel Crockett, lately an officer of the Revolution patriotism and a stanch adherent of the Union, left the triumphs convention and hastened to Fayette County. He returned in two days, having obtained the signatures of several hundred citizens who were opposed to an illegal separa- tion. Wilkinson, who had given his promise to be guided by the will of his constituents, was obliged to submit. Patriotism carried the day. The address to the Virginia 8o THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE Assembly was accepted, and the convention adjourned to meet again the following July. This was the crisis in the life of Kentucky. It has been dwelt upon thus at length because no other event in her history so clearly reveals the character of the Loyalty ■' ■' characteristic people. Let every one who studies this subject en uc y jg^j-j^ <(^^'^ \^^ |-]^g midst of high excitement the Kentuckians acted deliberately and soberly ; in the midst of strong temptations they acted wisely and patriotically. Let him also learn that in Kentucky every individual has weight. Although Wilkinson did not abandon his scheme to separate Kentucky from the United States, and although his friend, Sebastian, after this received a pension from Spain for his efforts in that work, yet there was no further danger that Kentucky would become disloyal to the Union. RECAPITULATION Spanish possessions in America. Spain desires to hold the region. Owns both sides of the Mississippi below the 31st degree of latitude. Refuses navigation to the Ameri- cans. " Jay's project." Action of Congress on the subject misunderstood. The navigation necessary to Ken- tucky's prosperity. Excitement in the District. Meeting of citizens at Danville. Wilkinson goes to New Orleans. Allies himself with Spain. Right of trade, etc., granted him. He returns in state to impress the people. Kentucke Gazette established. Fifth convention holds a quiet session. Fixes the time for separation. Proceedings published in the Gazette. John Brown, congressman of the Dis- trict. He presents Kentucky's petition. Congress is absorbed in other mat- ters. Pays no attention to the petition. New P^deral constitution adopted. The petition is brought before the old Congress. Is referred to the new Congress. The sixth convention is informed of this fact. Brown's letter to McDowell, Gardoqui's proposition to Kentucky. Kentucky distracted because of her situation. Two classes in the Court party. The Country party loyal. THE SPANISH CONSriRACY 8i Wilkinson an