of Virginia in the same year. These two sets of resolutions were sent to the legislatures of the other States, but they did not meet with cordial approval. In November, 1799, the Kentucky legislature passed a new set of resolutions, in which the principle was again expressed that the several States were sovereign and independent and had a right to decide whether the compact between the co-States had been infringed or not, and "that a nullification by these sovereignties of all unauthorized acts done under color of that instrument is the rightful remedy." In the last decade of the century Kentucky grew very rapidly. In 1800 the population consisted of one hundred and seventy-nine thousand eight hundred and seventy-three whites, forty thousand three hundred and forty-three slaves, and seven hundred and thirty-seven free colored. The white population had increased in this time two hundred per cent, and the slave two hundred and twenty-four per cent. CHAPTER VIII THE TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES SOUTH OF THE OHIO, AND THE ADMISSION OF TENNESSEE We have noticed the checkered career of the Watauga Association and that of the State of Franklin, especially the attempt of the latter to gain independence and be admitted to the Union. The short and stormy career of the State ended after the legislative convention of 1787, when the adherents of Franklin transferred their allegiance from that State to North Carolina. A rapid increase in population followed in the Cumberland settlements, but these as well as the others were not at all satisfied with the attitude of the Federal government toward the navigation of the Mississippi. Their prosperity was identified with the control of that river. As in Kentucky, this problem was destined to play an important part in the future of the Tennessee region. In 1789, North Carolina ceded her western lands to the Union, and the cession was accepted in April of the next year. There was the usual provision that the territory should be made into a State or States, and one sentence showed the fears already entertained by the South: "No regulation made or to be made by Congress shall tend to emancipate slaves." According to the deed of cession, Congress must satisfy certain claims before it could make any disposition of the lands ceded by North Carolina. It was found that there were more claims than the ceded lands could satisfy, so that no public lands were created out of this territory. On May 26, 1790, an Act was passed for the government of the "Territory of the United States south of the river Ohio." In general the administration of the territory was patterned after the form prescribed in 1787 for the government of the territory north of Ohio River. It was a rule by a governor and three judges, who were to have power until the population of the territory reached five thousand, when it entered upon the second stage of territorial government. The people of the Tennessee district were fortunate in having William Blount for the first governor, a man who was not a typical frontiersman, but rather a polished gentleman accustomed to associate with the most refined people of the country. He was a friend of Washington, stately and dignified, yet he succeeded in winning the affection and confidence of the frontiersmen. From the first, his appointment was very popular. His administration was not marked by any work of legislative importance. There were the usual Indian troubles, a constant feature of southwestern life at that time. Murders and depredations by these savage neighbors were frequent, especially in the Miro district. The navigation of the Mississippi and the relation of the backwoodsmen to the Spaniards in Louisiana were questions of growing interest and anxiety. But in spite of all the hindrances, the settlements continued to grow. The Acts passed by the governor and judges previous to the convening of the territorial Assembly were not of great importance. The boundaries of Greene and Hawkins Counties were defined, and Jefferson and Knox Counties were laid out. Taxes were created to repair or build courthouses, prisons, and stocks. Arrangements were made for holding the Superior Court, and attention was given to various financial matters. But Blount and his associates did little legislating, but when any was done, they followed the laws of North Carolina. By the ordinance for the government of the territory, the people could elect a territorial legislature, as soon as there should be five thousand free male inhabitants of full age in the district. The first territorial legislature met on August |