The Counsel of Caleb Starr
By October 13, 1776 the Cherokee had signed away much of their homeland. The Chickamaugan's lead by Dragging Canoe, were promoting war. Indian agent, Alexander Cameron, & traders, Nathaniel Gist and Caleb Starr were among the Overhills who were meeting at Buckingham Island on the south bank of the French Broad River. After the Cherokee had spoken among themselves, Cameron and Gist spoke briefly. After their speeches Caleb Starr spoke.
These are his words:
Ha! Cherokees of the rivers Owassi and Tanasi, Overhill people across great mountains to whom have fled warriors from Oconaluftee, from Tomassee and Seneca Towns, from all that eastern country caught by Rutherford and Williamson for the Carolinas, and by the Georgia Jack, I am before you.
As in our early years when Cumming read to you from Bunyan, and Priber (Christian) with his printed universe inflamed your hearts to Paradise, but jealous sovereigns cursed your London journey and threw the Frenchman into irons, so now I quote a single verse "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
It is Sunday, and from Long Island of the Holston, from the fort called Patrick Henry, Colonel Christian leads two thousand men against this council and its cohorts. He counts Sevier among his captains, and Daniel Smith, and Robertson of Watauga. They have reached the Nolichuckey, will be upon us within a night.
We have heard of Oconostota, War Chief of many camps. At Loudoun he was Achilles, and even Camero will concede the strength of him who routed British soldiers and Demere the fool. This Dawn, in long silence, alone, he prayed to the Nunnehi. he argues peace, and for a treaty. Then talked the Little Carpenter, maker of agreements at Saluda and Sycamore Shoals, Bartram's friend near Tulula Gap. On the Big Island he (Attakullakulla) was born, and the French Broad River whispered his name, Attakullakulla, or the Leaning Wood. He fears destruction of the Upper Towns and in the manner of the highest diplomat commends us to conciliation.
Savanukah spoke, the Raven of Chote, son of a Shawnee brave. He is the dark-skinned athlete, Oconostota's nephew, blood heir to this nation. Above all your younger chiefs stand he and the Dragging Canoe. Coronoh's black wings beat with his elders. he advises patience and has sent the trader Ellis Harlin to confer with Christian. Nathaniel Gist concurs as does Old Abram of Chilhowee, who struck with the sun twelve weeks ago and lay Fort Caswell to a summer siege. Parched corn saved a hundred families there, and now their thirst is for revenge, for your valley water, their legions hungry with DeSoto's sullen frenzy on his march for gold two centuries past.
Some of you would march them all in battle. Dragging Canoe is first in this, Tsugunsini, son of the Carpenter. Survivor of the pox, he leans to war, and with him are a third the Nation led by Bloody Fellow, Tsaladihi, Willenawah and the Hanging maw, Lying Fish, John Watts, the Buck, and Kitegiska, brother to Oconostota.
I have been a trader to the country thirty years, and in that time a fury filled its reservoirs. Wise Ostenaco Calls for confrontation, and also Onitossitah, your ablest orator. Alexander Cameron is in agreement with this effort, yet the settlers will be undenied. As to me, I counsel neither treaty nor the knife.
I recommend retreat with no delay at Chestua or Conasauga or Coyatee. Forsake the towns. Mountains are your care and rightful dwelling. Go to your principal ranges. I would explain myself but Harlin (Ellis) has returned and the chiefs expect his message. I'll wait and sit to raise again
(Harlin speaks, then Mr. Starr rises to speak again)
Cherokees, Harlin's communication throws us into anger or sorrow. He relays the Colonel's answer and requests that Cameron be surrendered to the army. "How can you ask for peace when you have assembled your men to fight me should you dislike my terms?"
The Canoe is in a rage and argues for a short retreat with an eye to later devastation at some encounter further south. Christian wishes the engagement locked beforehand into massacre. "I shall cross the river and come to your towns. I will distinguish between those towns which have behaved well toward us, and those which have not." The sabbath is forgotten, how closely drown the Darkening Land. From Tsuskwanunnawata, twilight place of your dead, the stars will out and show this territory strangely visible, this meeting in the moon's shade. I fear the dusk, its lines adrift from stones to trees to faces vague with the moment's enemy. I fear the end of your day, as it will be the last of mine, our shadow out of the sun.
Hear me now, you race of the Red Clay fashioned separate from the White. Your loss has been determined elsewhere, above this world, and fighting would be folly, or to other wise enjoin the endless force of their invasion.
Give them your farms, the black bottom land of cultivation, embrace the hills and forrests green with unturned leaves, redeem your dances from a cycle of corn to the lost life where hunters and their provender keep unshameful company. Cherokees, I tell you, achieve mountains, enter Gadalutsi, the frog place, Walasiyi.
I tell you, dross the high gaps, there at the head of Raven Fork is where the bears wash, rabbits on the summit balds, mulberries at the Dome. This must be our lesson, our fate and retribution. Climb Utawagunta! Climb Uyahye! Be as the ginseng, climbing mountains. Ha! Cherokees go to the mountains and live forever.
{Mr. Starr's speech must have had the desired effect. Christian reached the French broad River. Upon crossing found a deserted camp.}{Caleb was married to the offspring of Ellis Harlin, Nancy Harlin.}