when the Indians set tire to the buildings and
reduced them to ashes.'
To forestall more serious difficulty it was necessary to negotiate a
new treaty with a view to purchasing the disputed territory. Accord-
ingly, through the efforts of Governor Blount, a convention was held
with the principal men of the Cherokee at White's fort, now Knox-
1 Ramseyj Tennessee, pp. 522, ~<M ,56] . 1853.
» Washington to the Si nate, lugusl 11, 1790, American State Papers: Indian Airuir*. [,p.83 1832
Knox to Presldenl Washington, July 7, 1789, ibid., p.58.
* Ramsey, op. clt., pp. 550, 551.
moosey] TREATY OF HOLSTON 1791 69
ville, Tennessee, in the summer of 1791. AYith much difficulty the
Cherokee were finally brought to consent to a cession of a triangular
section in Tennessee and North Carolina extending from Clinch river
almost to the Blueridge, and including nearly the whole of the
French Broad and the lower Holston, with the sites of the present
Knoxville, Greenville, and Asheville. The whole of this area, with a
considerable territory adjacent, was already fully occupied by the
whites. Permission was also given for a road from the eastern
settlements to those on the Cumberland, with the free navigation of
Tennessee river. Prisoners on both sides were to be restored and
perpetual peace was guaranteed. In consideration of the lands sur-
rendered the Cherokee were to receive an annuity of one thousand
dollars with some extra goods and some assistance on the road to
civilization. A treaty was signed by forty-one principal men of the
tribe and was concluded July 2, 1791. It is officially described as being
held "on the bank of the Holston, near the mouth