around this time, a sharp political rift occurred between pro-french and pro-english factions in the cherokee hierarchy. when pro-french sentiments began to prevail in the key overhill town of great tellico, its pro-english headman ostenaco was forced to flee to the little tennessee valley. by the time henry timberlake visited the little tennessee valley on his peace mission in 1761, ostenaco was governor of tomotley (attakullakulla was listed as governor of nearby tuskegee and mialoquo).