Harrod, with those who had associated
themselves with him in making a settlement in that country and aided
in the erection of the fort at Harrodsburg, joined the army of General
Lewis at Point Pleasant; and when, after the treaty of Camp Charlotte,
the army was disbanded, many of the soldiers and some of the officers,
enticed by the description given of it by Harrod, returned to south
Western Virginia, through that country.[2] The result of their
examination of it, induced many to migrate thither immediately; and in
1775, families began to take up their residence in it.

At that time, the only white persons residing in Kentucky, were those
at Harrod's fort; and for a while, emigrants to that country [142]
established themselves in its immediate vicinity, that they might
derive protection from its walls, from the marauding irruptions of
Indians. Two other establishments were, however, soon made, and
became, as well as Harrod's, rallying points for land adventurers, and
for many of those, whose enterprising spirits led them, to make their
home in that wilderness. The first of these was that at Boonesborough,
and which was made, under the superintendence of Daniel Boone.

The prospect of amassing great wealth, by the purchase of a large body
of land from the Indians, for a comparatively trifling consideration,
induced some gentlemen in North Carolina, to form a company, and
endeavor by negotiation to effect such purpose. This association was
known under the title of Henderson and company; and its object was,
the acquisition of a considerable portion of Kentucky.[3] The first
step, necessary towards the accomplishment of this object, was, to
convene a council of the Indians; and as the territory sought to be
acquired, did not belong, in individual property to any one nation of
them, it was deemed advisable to convoke the chiefs of the different
nations south of the Ohio river. A time was then appointed at which
these were to assemble; and it became necessary to engage an agent,
possessing the requisite qualifications, to attend the council, on
behalf of Henderson and company, and to transact the business for
them. The fame of Daniel Boone which had reached them, recommended
him, as one eminently qualified to discharge the duties devolving on
an agent; and he was employed in that capacity. At the appointed
period, the council was held, and a negotiation commenced, which
resulted in the transfer, to Henderson and company, o