3io The Winning of the West 



carried out by bodies of mere volunteers, who gath 

 ered only because they were forced to do so by bit 

 ter need. Confronted by such a condition of affairs, 

 the militia officers issued a circular-letter to the 

 people of the district, recommending that on De 

 cember 24, 1784, a convention should be held at 

 Danville further to consider the subject, and that 

 this convention should consist of delegates elected 

 one from each militia company. 



The recommendation was well received by the 

 people of the district; and on the appointed date 

 the convention met at Danville. Col. William 

 Fleming, the old Indian fighter and surveyor, was 

 again visiting Kentucky, and he was chosen Pres 

 ident of the convention. After some discussion 

 the members concluded that, while some of the 

 disadvantages under which they labored could be 

 remedied by the action of the Virginia Legislature, 

 the real trouble was deep-rooted, and could only be 

 met by separation from Virginia and the erection 

 of Kentucky into a State. There was, however, 

 much opposition to this plan, and the convention 

 wisely decided to dissolve, after recommending to 

 the people to elect, by counties, members who should 

 meet in convention at Danville in May for the ex 

 press purpose of deciding on the question of address 

 ing to the Virginia Assembly a request for sep 

 aration. 13 



The convention assembled accordingly, Logan 



13 State Dept. MSS. Madison Papers, Wallace to Madison, 

 Sept. 25, 1785. 



