Obliged to choose between North Carolina
and his own people, Sevier's hesitation was short. The State of
Frankland, or Land of the Free, was formed; and Nolichucky Jack
was elevated to the office of Governor--with a yearly salary of
two hundred mink skins.
Perhaps John Tipton had hoped to head the new State, for he had
been one of its prime movers and was a delegate to this
convention. But when the man whom he hated--apparently for no
reason except that other men loved him--assented to the people's
will and was appointed to the highest post within their gift,
Tipton withdrew, disavowing all connection with Frankland and
affirming his loyalty to North Carolina. From this time on, the
feud was an open one.
That brief and now forgotten State, Frankland, the Land of the
Free, which bequeathed its name as an appellation for America,
was founded as Watauga had been founded--to meet the practical
needs and aspirations of its people. It will be remembered that
one of the things written by Sevier into the only Watauga
document extant was that they desired to become "in every way the
best members of society." Frankland's aims, as recorded, included
the intent to "improve agriculture, perfect manufacturing,
ENCOURAGE LITERATURE and every thing truly laudable.
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