Since the late 1600's trade was brisk between the British colonies and these Cherokee towns. In 1730 an English trader, Sir Alexander Cumming, took seven young Cherokee chieftains to London for a two-year visit. The youngest of the seven would become the great Attakullakulla, one of the most influential chief of the Cherokee. Ties between the English and Cherokee were strong if not always amicable.
In the 1740's competition between the English and French began for the allegiance, trade, and land of the Cherokee's. This competition was part of a bigger conflict that would become the French and Indian War (1756-1763).
In 1746 Gov. Glen of South Carolina proposed that a fort be built among the Overhill band. The legislature and home government thought this was a great idea. The legislature even went as far as to approve the money. Unfortunately they did not come through with the cash.
The Cherokee also thought that this was a good idea. They were at odds with several of the northern, French aligned tribes. They were also afraid of losing British trade, such as it was. At that time the traders were often cheating them. In 1747, in exchange for a promise from Charleston that trade would be regulated the Cherokee would grant them a tract of land to build a fort. The land was officially granted in 1748. Trade never was regulated.
It was another eight years of broken promises and false starts before any money was ever advanced to build the fort. Instead of Gov. Glen receiving the money 10,000 pounds were given to Virginia with the understanding they would cooperate with South Carolina in building a fort among the Overhill towns. Virginia gave South Carolina 1,000 pounds and used the rest to build a fort of their own.
The expedition to build the Virginia fort ran into major cost overruns. Ultimately they build a small 100 foot square stockade across the river from Chota which was the capitol of the Cherokee nation. This tiny fort was never garrisoned and was soon destroyed by the Cherokee themselves.
Governor Glen had been visited many times over the past eight years by various Cherokee chiefs. Each wanting to know when the fort would be built. They had become so disgusted with the promises they referred to Charleston as "The place where lies come from." Governor Glen was able to borrow 3,000 pounds and set out to lead the expedition himself.
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