Tennessee the Volunteer State 17691923: Volume 1 THE LAND HUNGER The first settlers on the Cumberland were attracted by the hope of securing large tracts of land. Robertson and Donelson both were drawn by this lure, and when the commissioners previously referred to laid off in 1783 the military grants, and other grants had been made to the aggregate amount of 65,932 acres, the speculation in lands and land warrants became rampant. Footnote This was near Robertson's Station afterwards built west of Richland Creek, West Nashville. Robertson at this time, however, was living at Freeland's Station, for which, see Historic Spots and Places. The famous Nashville Campground was also located near this spring at a later period. Footnote Putnam's Middle Tennessee, pp. 238-241; Imlay's Topographical Description of the Western Territory of North America, p. 586. Tennessee the Volunteer State 17691923: Volume 1 THE BEGINNING OF THE HARASSMENTS OF SPAIN page 134 The location of the bounty lands also brought the settlements in the Cumberland country a large stream of hardy immigrants who constituted a part of the best population. The advent of the newcomers, the constantly increasing population reaching out for more and more land, added to the irritation of the Indians and caused a new treaty with the Chickasaws and the Cherokees to be concluded at Nashborough in June, 1783. This was held at the Cherokee Spring, on the Charlotte Road.3 This treaty was called at the request of commissioners Donelson and Martin from Virginia and, while it was not favored by Robertson, the settlers, by a small majority, voted to hold it. By this treaty the Cherokees ceded to North Carolina the country extending [p.134] from the Cumberland River south to the ridge separating the waters which flow into the Cumberland from those which flow into Duck River. The terms of this treaty, at first not recognized by the United States, were confirmed by the treaties of Hopewell, concluded with the Cherokees on the 28th day of November, 1785, and with the Chickasaws, on the 10th day of January, 1786, and by the treaty of Holston, concluded with the Cherokees, July 2, 1791.4 ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com