The War in the Northwest 45 



treaty with the Indians. Commissioners came out 

 from Virginia and North Carolina especially to hold 

 such a treaty 8 ; but the settlers declined to allow it 

 until they had themselves decided on its advisability. 

 They feared to bring so many savages together, lest 

 they might commit some outrage, or be themselves 

 subjected to such at the hands of one of the many 

 wronged and reckless whites; and they knew that 

 the Indians would expect many presents, while there 

 was very little indeed to give them. Finally, the 

 committee decided to put the question of treaty or 

 no treaty to the vote of the freemen in the several 

 stations; and by a rather narrow majority it was 

 decided in the affirmative. The committee then 

 made arrangements for holding the treaty in June, 

 some four miles from Nashborough; and strictly 

 prohibited the selling of liquor to the savages. At 

 the appointed time many chiefs and warriors of the 

 Chickasaws, Cherokees, and even Creeks appeared. 

 There were various sports, such as ball-games and 

 foot-races; and the treaty was brought to a satis 

 factory conclusion. 9 It did not put a complete stop 

 to the Indian outrages, but it greatly diminished 

 them. The Chickasaws thereafter remained friend 

 ly ; but, as usual, the Cherokee and Creek chiefs who 

 chose to attend were unable to bind those of their 



8 Donelson, who was one of the men who became discour 

 aged and went to Kentucky, was the Virginian commis 

 sioner. Martin was the commissioner from North Carolina. 

 He is sometimes spoken of as if he likewise represented 

 Virginia. 



9 Putnam, 196. 



