CHAPTER I

WILLIAM BLOUNT

PART I

The Blount Conspiracy is an expression of the

sentiment of the Southwestern frontier in the 1790's. It throws light upon that peculiar willingness of the frontiersman during this period to engage in shady transactions; displays the loose bonds of union between the newly formed government and the Southwest; and shows the dominance of the transportation problem in the minds of the Westerners.

In addition, it concerns British and

French interest in Louisiana, the situation in Natchez, and Spain's delay in carrying out the Treaty of San Lorenzo. Diplomatic disturbances with France, the

European struggle and land speculation in Tennessee are also connected with the intrigue.1

1. "Documents on the Blount Conspiracy 1795-1797", ed. by Frederick J. Turner, reprinted from the American

It is often an interesting as well as signifi

cant bypath of American History to follow up the story of an event that never happened. The so-called Blount Con

spiracy relates to such an episode. The most favorable view of William Blount and the part he played in the plot is given by General Marcus J. Wright, Blount's biographer, whose main purpose appears to be a vindication of the Senator rather than a non-partisan presentation of facts. The object of this study is to investigate more closely the Tennessee background in order to appreciate how the scheme grew out of the frontier conditions in Tennessee.

The leading figure, William Blount, was a man of considerable importance. Born of an aristocratic, well-to-do family, in Bertie County, North Carolina, on March 26, 1749, he was offered the best education of his 3

time. From the beginning of his career he took an

active interest in public affairs, and especially sympa

4

thized with the Western settlers. By the year 1790, he had become a prominent political figure; he had been a delegate from North Carolina to the Continental Congress, a representative in the State Senate, a signer of the

2

2. See Marcus J. Wright, Some Account of the Life and Services of William Blount (Washington, 1884).

3. Edward Albright, Early History of Middle Tennessee (Nashville, 1909), p. 154.