Sevier wrote to Benjamin
Franklin asking his aid in establishing the status of Frankland;
and, with a graceful flourish of his ready pen, changed the new
State's name to Franklin by way of reinforcing his arguments. But
the old philosopher, more expert than Sevier in diplomatic
calligraphy, only acknowledged the compliment and advised the
State of Franklin to make peace with North Carolina.
Sevier then appealed for aid and recognition to the Governor of
Georgia, who had previously appointed him Brigadier General of
militia. But the Governor of Georgia also avoided giving the
recognition requested, though he earnestly besought Sevier to
come down and settle the Creeks for him. There were others who
sent pleas to Sevier, the warrior, to save them from the savages.
One of the writers who addressed him did not fear to say "Your
Excellency," nor to accord Nolichucky Jack the whole dignity of
the purple in appealing to him as the only man possessing the
will and the power to prevent the isolated settlements on the
Cumberland from being wiped out. That writer was his old friend,
James Robertson.
In 1787, while Sevier was on the frontier of Greene County,
defending it from Indians, the legal forces of North Carolina
swooped down on his estate and took possession of his negroes.
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