He took up his temporary abode at Harrodstown--visiting all the forts, however, and being much in the woods by himself,--and his commanding mind and daring, adventurous temper speedily made him, what for ten critical years he remained, the leader among all the bold "hunters of Kentucky"-- as the early settlers loved to call themselves.
He had advised against delegates to the convention being chosen, thinking that instead the Kentuckians should send accredited agents to treat with the Virginian government.

If their terms were not agreed to, he declared that they ought to establish forthwith an independent state; an interesting example of how early the separatist spirit showed itself in Kentucky.

But the rest of the people were unwilling to go quite as far.

They elected two delegates, Clark of course being one.

With them they sent a petition for admission as a separate county.