More than twenty years ago, I have heard old gentlemen (living in the neighborhood of the tree), who were then from fifty to seventy years old, assert that the carving was on the tree when they were boys, and that the tradition in the community was that the inscription was on the tree when discovered by the first permanent settlers.

The posture of the tree is "leaning," so that a "bar," or other animal could ascend it without difficulty.
While the letters could be clearly traced when I last looked at them, still because of the expansion of the bark, it was difficult, and I heard old gentlemen years ago remark upon the changed appearance of the inscription from what it was when they _first_ knew it.
Boone certainly camped for a time under the tree; the creek is named after him (has always been known as Boone's Creek); the Civil District is named after him, and the post-office also.

True, the story as to the carving is traditionary, but a man had as well question in that community the authenticity of "Holy Writ," as the fact that Boone carved the inscription on that tree.
I am very respectfully JOHN ALLISON.
APPENDIX D--TO CHAPTER VI.
The following copy of an original note of Boon's was sent me by Judge John N.Lea: July the 20th 1786.

Sir, The Land has Been Long Survayd and Not Knowing When the Money would be Rady Was the Reason of my not Returning the Works however the may be Returned when you pleas.

But I must have Nother Copy of the Entry as I have lost that I had when I lost my plating instruments and only have the Short Field Notes.