wagons could proceed along Boone's Road in 1775 no further than Martin's cabin. Here everything was transferred to the packhorses. Several letters from Colonel Henderson to Captain Martin, preserved by the Wisconsin Historical Society, give us a glimpse of silent Powell's Valley. One of them reads: "Boonesborough 12^{th} June 1775 Dear Sir: M^r Ralph Williams, David Burnay, and William Mellar will apply to you for salt and other things which we left with you and was sent for us since we came away--Please to deliver to them, or those they may employ what they ask for, and take a receipt--Also write me a few lines informing me, what you have sent &c by hem & by whom--I long much to hear from you, pray write me at Large, how the matter goes with you in the valey, as well as what passes in Virginia--If the pack-horsemen should want any thing towards securing my books from Damage pack-saddles, provisions, or any thing which you see is necessary; please to let them have it on our acc^t.--All things goes well hitherto with us, I hope the[y] do with you would have sent your Mares but am afraid they are not done horsing They will be safely brought by my brother in a few weeks I am D^r Sir your Hble Serv^t Rich^d. Henderson M^r Joseph Martin in the Valley"[10] On July 20 he wrote again: "Am sorry to hear that the People in the valey are distressed for provisions and ammunition have given some directions to my brother to assist you a little with Powder. Standly, I suppose has before now delivered your Inglish mare, and the other you'l receive by my brother--when we meet will render an acc^t. for my behaviour in Keeping them so long--We did not forget you at the time of making Laws, your part of the Country is too remote from ours to attend our Convention you must have Laws made by an Assembly of your own, I have prepared a plan which I hope you'l approve but more of that when we meet which I hope will be soon, tho 'til Col. Boone comes cant say when--Am extreamly sorry for the affair with the Indians on the 23^d of last month. I wish it may not have a bad effect, but will use my endeavors to find out who they were & have the matter settled--your spirited conduct gives me great Pleasure--Keep your men in heart if possible, now is our time, the Indians must not drive us--depend upon it that the Chief men and warriors of the Cherokees will not countenance what there men attempted and will punish them--Pray my Dear Sir dont let any person settle Lower down the valey I am affraid they are now too low & must come away I did not want any person to settle yet below Cumberland gap--My Brother will [tell] you of the news of these parts--in haste D^r Sir...."