Reading Skills Assessment

Standard 8.26

Petition of the Inhabitants of the Watauga District

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

Name:
10/03/2014

Class:

To the Hon. the Provincial Council of North-Carolina:

about six years ago, Col. Donelson, (in behalf of the Colony of Virginia,) held a
Treaty with the Cherokee Indians, in order to purchase the lands of the Western
Frontiers; in consequence of which Treaty, many of your petitioners settled on the
lands of the Wataugah, &c., expecting to be within the Virginia line
but to their great disappointment, when the line was run they were left out;
finding themselves thus disappointed, so they applied to the Cherokee Indians, and
leased the land for a term of ten years, before the expiration of which term, it
appeared that many persons of distinction were actually making purchases forever;
thus yielding a precedent
This purchase was made and the lands acknowledged to us and our heirs forever, in
an open treaty, in Wataugah Old Fields; a deed being obtained from the Chiefs of the
said Cherokee nation, for themselves and their whole nation, conveying a fee simple
right to the said lands.. of the sum of two thousand pounds sterling, for which
consideration they acknowledged themselves fully satisfied, contented and paid...
The purchase was no sooner made, than we were alarmed by the reports of the
present unhappy situation between Great Britain and America we proceeded to
choose a committee, which was done unanimously by the consent of the people. This
committee resolved (which is now in our records) to adhere strictly to the rules and
orders of the Continental Congress, and in open committee acknowledged
themselves indebted to the united colonies their full portion of the Continental
expense.
We therefore trust that we shall be considered as we deserve, and not, as we have
(no doubt) been many times, represented, as a lawless mob
We pray your mature and deliberate consideration in our behalf, that you man
annex us to your Province in such manner as may enable us to share in the glorious
cause of Liberty; enforce our laws under authority, and in every respect become the
best members of society; and for ourselves and constituents we hope, we may
venture to assure you, that we shall adhere strictly to your determinations, and that
nothing will be lacking or any thing neglected, that may add weight to the glorious
cause in which we are now struggling, or contribute to the welfare of our own or
ages yet to come.

1. What unhappy situation are the authors of the petition talking about in line 20?
a. The American Revolution
b. The French and Indian War
c. The American Civil War
d. The Glorious Revolution
2. What is the main idea of the first two paragraphs?
a. The settlers laid claim to the land, but it was taken by the Indians.
b. The settlers laid claim to the land, but they found it too hard to live there.
c. The original settlers werent included in the first distribution of land, so they
had to renegotiate their land claims.
d. The original settlers had to move back into North Carolina when their original
land claims fell through.
3. (lines 13-17) How did the settlers feel about their deal with the Cherokees?
a. They believed they had fooled the Cherokee into accepting a low price.
b. They felt that the Cherokee were satisfied because the price was fair.
c. They believed that the Cherokee had cheated them.
d. They knew they would have to renegotiate the deal every ten years.
4. What is meant by lines 22-25?
a. The settlers will be loyal to the colonies in their fight with Britain.
b. The settlers will defend the frontier against continental attacks.
c. The committee of settlers will send representatives to the Continental Congress
at once.
d. The settlers do not intend to obey the Continental Congress.
5. What was the authors purpose of writing this document? (lines 30-37)
a. To ask that the Continental Congress create a new state west of the
Appalachian Mountains
b. To inform the Indians of their intent to settle in the area.
c. To ask to become a part of North Carolina.
d. To join the efforts of loyalists to stop the Revolution.
6. What is the best definition of determinations in line 34?
a. the boundaries of the settlement
c. religious orders
b. rules, laws, and regulations
d. funds (money)
6/6=100

5/6=90

4/6=75

3/6=60

1 or 2/6=50