In a military point of view, this position was well chosen; and had it been well fortified, and garnished with heavy cannon, would have effectually commanded the river. Without a doubt, at some future day, it will be a place of great importance in the western country. It is within the limits of Kentucky, and should not be alienated. For however, the apparent importance of commanding the Mississippi, may be dimin ished by the acquisition of Louisiana, and its incorporation with the United States; yet that river is still, and probably will remain, a boundary of two distinct territorial governments. And however ardently it is wished, that the union of the states, may be perpetual-there is nothing in the constitution, which renders it indissoluble. While the extension of boundary, or the want of it; an idea so flattering to heedless ambition, and so seductive to superficial politicians, may rend it to pieces, by an effort to embrace an indefinite number of parts. Now, a suitable garrison, at fort Jefferson, should it ever be necessary, would hold in check, both the upper, and lower Mississippi. The influence of which, upon the navigation of that river, and its kindred streams, might be applied, by Kentucky to the most important objects of her interests, in making arrangements with her neighbours; should it ever become necessary.

The occupation of it by Colonel Clark, for the time, added the Chickasaw Indians, to the numerous enemies of Kentucky; and made it advisable, to evacuate the fort, as a mean of restoring peace.

It was on their territory-it had been erected without their consent and those who made it a point of friendship, not to invade Kentucky, resented with a high sense of indignation, and open hostility, this unprovoked violation of their country. Such was the patriotism, and spirit of those Indians.

The evacuation of the fort, was the signal of peace, which was tacitly accepted by them; and has been faithfully observed by both parties, to the present time. An example, worthy of the imitation of the most enlightened and magnanimons nations of the world.

There remains another occurrence of this year, which deserves to be noticed. The line of latitude which at thirtysix degrees, thirty minutes north, separated Virginia, and North Carolina, had not been traced between the colonies, farther than the Allegheny mountains. But the settlements, having been extended on both sides much further, very serious inconveniences, and some disputes had ensued between the . borderers; as well on the subject of property, as of jurisdiction.

The governments, of the two territories, then become independent states, were at length induced to act on this subject of growing controversy; and each appointed a commissioner, possessed of astronomical, and mathematical science, for the purpose of extending the line, to the Ohio, or Mississippi, as the one, or the other, might first be presented. Doctor Walker, who has been mentioned, was appointed on the part of Virginia-and Colonel Henderson, also previously noticed, on the side of Carolina.

These gentlemen, with their attendants and apparatus, met agreeably to appointment, and commenced the business of their mission. When one, or both, of them--making his observations under the influence of state prepossession, or inaccurate instruments, they soon disagreed in the result; and each adhering to his own opinion, they crossed each other's line; and instead of one, produced two boundaries, reciprocally deviating from each other, as they encroached on the opposite territory. They each continued his line to the top of Cumberland mounjain: Here they were some distance apart; and Colonel Henderson desisted--but Doctor Walker, pursued his course, and had his line marked to the Tennessee river; where he stopped; after crossing the Cumberland river twice. He then descended by water, and on observation, ascertained that the line of latitude, would strike the Mississippi-not the Ohio.

So far from this essay to adjust the boundary between the two states, having produced the desired effect-it served to increase the inconveniences, previously felt; and to throw new obstacles in the way of adjustment. Which the more peremptorily demanded attention; as they had a tendency to rupture

the peace, and good understanding, between the neighbouring parties. Notwithstanding which, for many years, the boundary, not only remained unsettled, but unattempted, between the states. While their respective offspring--Kentucky, and Tennessee, have been, yet, more tardy, on the subject, as it concerned them—not having adjusted it, until very recently: a notice of which, will occur in its proper place.

The winter had now arrived, and was very cold-the crop of corn was nearly exhausted--and the inhabitants, especially the new comers, suffered much for provisions. They however, hoped for better things the next year.

A party of men from Harrodsburgh, this year, going out towards Logan's fort, were fired on by Indians, and two of them mortally wounded; one got into the fort, where he gave an account of the affair--and of the fate of his wounded companion; who had fallen in the weeds, incapable of getting any farther: The rest of the party had fled. Logan, instantly raised a small number of young men, then about the fort, and repaired to the assistance of the wounded man; they found him alive, but not in a condition to help himself: He had escaped the Indian research, by mere chance as it appeared-for their recent sign was seen near him. The man was now to be removed, without loss of time; and no one else being equal to the task of carrying him, Logan, took him on his back, and so carried him, with but little help, to his own home. After they had left the wounded man, and were returning, the Indians fired on them, and wounded a man, so severely that he could not travel: The assailants were nevertheless repelled; and again it fell to the lot of Logan to carry the wounded man; which he did, with his known humanity, and fortitude.

In the autumn of this year, Captain Logan, anxious to remove his mother, and a sister, who lived with her; to his own residence, went into the interior of the state, brought them out-gave them land, and built them a house. In addition to this, he was the instrumental cause of a numerous connexion, migrating to Kentucky; for whom he had chosen lands of fine quality, and convenient situation; and who proved themselves to be a

great acquisition to the population, and added much to the improvement, of the country. While Logan, himself kept an open house and hospitable board for emigrants and travellers: often meeting them on the road, and assisting them into the settlement.

No man felt more than Captain Logan the responsibility of his situation. In the early stages of the settlements, his fort, was one of the main pillars of the new population; and he distinctly perceived all the importance of sustaining its garrison. He had a family to provide for, and to protect; it was highly necessary to keep up a correspondence with the other stations; while every hour, outside of the fort walls, was beset with danger to the adventurer, in any direction; to all these objects he attended. Travelling by night, frequently alone, and generally with such celerity, that but few could accompany him--such was the course prescribed by prudence. And by these means he effected what others would not attempt. Thus he conveyed intelligence, collected information, or hunted the wild game.

He was this year elected to the general assembly.

[1781.] The seasons, as usual revolved--and the Indians, as if attached to the spring, again made their appearance→→ hostility was the consequence,

In March, 1781, several marauding parties entered Jefferson county—and waylaying the paths, killed Colonel William Lynn; also Captains, Tipton, and Chapman; at different places, on Bear Grass.

Pursuing one of these parties, Captain Aquilla Whitaker, with fifteen men, having trailed the Indians to the Ohio at the foot of the rapids, and supposing they had crossed the river, embarked in a few canoes to follow them; when to his astonishment, the Indians fired on his company, from, the rear; and killed, and wounded nine of his party. The residue, relanded, and gallantly attacking, beat the enemy.

In April, a station settled by Squire Boone, near where Shelbyville now stands, became alarmed by the appearance of Indians; and after some consultation among the people of the

place, they determined to remove to the stronger settlements, on Bear Grass. In executing this resolution, men, women, and children, incumbered, with household goods, and cattle, were overtaken on the road, near Long run, by a large party of Indians, attacked, and defeated, with considerable loss, and general dispersion.

Colonel John Floyd, getting the intelligence, with great haste, raised a company of twenty-five men, and repaired to the scene of this disaster; intent upon administering relief to the sufferers, and chastisement to the enemy. And notwith standing that he divided his party, and proceeded with considerable caution, such was the address of the Indians, and the nature of the country, that he fell into an ambuscade-and was defeated, with the loss of half his men-who, it was said, killed nine, or ten, of the savages. These, as to numbers, were supposed to have been, three times the amount of Colonel Floyd's force. The colonel himself must have fallen into the hands of the victors, but for the assistance of Captain Samuel Wells. The former, had been dismounted, and was retreating on foot, nearly exhausted, and closely pursued-in this situation, Wells, who was on horseback, saw him, and immediately riding up, gave him his horse; and ran by his side, to support

him.

This conduct, of Captain Wells, was the more magnanimous; as the colonel, and himself, were not friends. Service, such as he had rendered, was of a nature to subdue all existing animosity; nor was it bestowed on an unworthy object. No man knew better than Floyd, how to appreciate, or reward, so gallant, and disinterested an action. Nor could he who performed it, entertain an ungenerous sentiment-they lived, and died, friends.

As if every month, was to furnish its distinguishing incident→→→ in May, Samuel McAfee, and another, had set out from James McAfee's station, for a plantation at a small distance; and when advanced, about one fourth of a mile, they were fired on; the man fell-McAfee, wheeled, and ran, towards the fort: in fifteen steps he met an Indian-they each halt, and present