The War in the Northwest 367 



chiefs came in to talk, and were met at Chota ; 7 but 

 though they were anxious for peace they could not 

 restrain the vindictive spirit of the young braves, 

 nor prevent them from harassing the settlements. 

 Nor could the white commanders keep the frontiers- 

 men from themselves settling within the acknowl- 

 edged boundaries of the Indian territory. They 

 were constantly pressing against the lines, and eager- 

 ly burst through at every opening. When the army 

 marched back from burning the Overhill towns, 

 they found that adventurous settlers had followed 

 in its wake, and had already made clearings and 

 built cabins near all the best springs down to the 

 French Broad. People of every rank showed keen 

 desire to encroach on the Indian lands. 8 



The success of this expedition gave much relief 

 to the border, and was hailed with pleasure through- 

 out Virginia 9 and North Carolina. Nevertheless 

 the war continued without a break, bands of warriors 

 from the middle towns coming to the help of their 

 disheartened Overhill brethren. Sevier determined 

 to try one of his swift, sudden strokes against these 

 new foes. Early in March he rode off at the head 

 of a hundred and fifty picked horsemen, resolute 

 to penetrate the hitherto untrodden wilds that 



7 The Tennessee historians all speak of this as a treaty; 

 and probably a meeting did take place as described ; but it 

 led to nothing, and no actual treaty was made until some 

 months later. 



8 Calendar of Va. State Papers, II, letter of Col. Wm. Chris- 

 tian to Governor of Virginia, April 10, 1781. 



9 State Department MSS., No. 15, Feb. 25, 1781. 



