In November of the same year, the three western counties of Sullivan, Washington and Greene had representatives in the North Carolina Legislature. Not of their number, but on a special mission from those counties, Wm. Cocke appeared before the North Carolina House of Commons, and made a long and able speech on their behalf. He told how the Act ceding them to the United States had led to their separation. Left, as they then were, without any certain authority over or vested in them, without means of defense against frequent attacks from Indians, and with no protection or aid from any human power, they were compelled by the necessities of the case to provide for their own welfare and safety. To be sure, in the winter following the Act of Cession, it was repealed by North Carolina, but the repeal found them penniless and defenseless, with even more urgent reasons than before to care for themselves. North Carolina sent them no help in money or supplies, nor a single soldier, while their savage foes were angered and threatening, because of the stoppage of goods for them by the way. He represented the condition of the western people to be one of distraction, suffering and poverty,--such as should move a magnanimous State to banish its animosity, to bury the past with its differences and errors, and to extend friendly sympathy and relief. “If,” said he, “the mother should judge the expense of adhesion too heavy to be borne, let us remain as we are and support ourselves by our own exertions: if otherwise, let the means for the continuance of our connection be supplied with the degree of liberality which will demonstrate seriousness on the one hand and will secure affection on the other.” The address was well received by the House of Commons, and influenced the General Assembly to a spirit of moderation in dealing with the estranged counties. It proceeded to pardon all offenders who had returned to their allegiance and restore them to civic rights; being careful at the same time, by further legislation to maintain the authority of the State and provide for the due administration of justice under its laws. The effect of its temperate conduct was to increase the number of its friends in the west. CHAPTER IV. EARLY HISTORY--FRANKLAND’S CORRESPONDENCE--ITS STRIFES--ITS DEATH, UPON DEFEAT OF ITS CHIEF--HIS ESCAPE. “Contention, like a horse Full of high feeding, madly hath broke loose, And bears all down before him.” SHAKS.; _Henry IV_. “How just soever Our reasons are to remedy our wrongs, We’re yet to leave them to their will and pow’r, That to that purpose have authority.” MASSINGER.