to sue for peace, and in mid-
summer of 1781 a treaty of peace -doubtful though it might be — was
negotiated at the Long island of the Holston. 5 Tin' respite came just
in time to allow the Tennesseeaus to send a detachment against Corn-
wallis.
Although there was truce in Tennessee, there was none in the South.
In November of this year the Cherokee made a sudden inroad upon
the Georgia settlements, destroying everything in their way. In
retaliation a force under General Pickens marched into their country,
destroying their towns as far as Valley river. Finding further prog-
ress blocked by heavy snows and learning through a prisoner that the
Indians, who had retired before him, were collecting to oppose him in
the mountains, he withdrew, as he says, "through absolute necessity,"
having accomplished very little of theat the Long
island. Early in 17^1 the government land office had been closed to
further entries, no! to be opened again until peace had been declared
with England, bul the borderers paid little attention t<> the law in
such matters, and the rage t'<>r speculation in Tennessee land- gre^
stronger daily. 8 In the fall of L 782 the chief, Old Tassel of Echota,
<in behalf of all the friendly child's and towns, sent a pathetic talk
tn the governors of Virginia and North Carolina, complaining that
in spite of all their efforts to remain quiet the settlers were constantly
encroaching upon them, and had built houses within a day's walk of
the Cherokee towns. They asked that all those whites who had settled
beyond the boundary last established should be removed.' A- was
to have been expected, tin-