them for a rupture with the United States, and to awe into a quiet submission the inhabitants of this district who are at their mercy. I am sorry that no circumstance has yet occurred to make me change this opinion.

Immediately upon Mr. Pope's arrival, he was joined by ensign M'Clary, who commands my escort, which consists of about thirty-seven men, and all encamped with me. We now make a respectable appearance-the men are in good health, and well clothed, and the strictest discipline is observed by the whole camp. Lieutenant Pope has hitherto conducted himself in such a manner as to give general satisfaction to the neighbouring inhabitants, without incurring the displeasure of the present governour, or his officers, and at the same time steadily supported the honour of the United States; but he has unfortunately been indisposed almost ever since his arrival. I am, sir, with great esteem, &c. ANDREW ELLICOTT.

Secretary of State, United States.

No. 2.

From Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, to the Honourable Andrew Ellicott. Natchez, May 1, 1797.

SIR, I have the honour to acquaint you, that the commander general of this province desires me to inform you that his majesty's envoy in the United States, has given him the intelligence of an attack proposed against our part of the Illinois, by the British from Canada; and as such an expedition cannot take place without passing through the territory of the United States, said envoy did officially communicate what was necessary, to the Secretary of State of the United States, requiring that convenient orders should be issued to have their territory respected and provide for their own safety, which we doubt not but the United States will acquiesce to, in consequence of the treaty and the good harmony that subsists between the United States of America and his majesty.

The said commander general of this province, in consequence of the foregoing information, finds himself under the necessity of putting in a state of defence, several points of this river, and particularly Nogales,* to cover Lower Louisiana, in case the British should succeed in their project against Illinois, for which purpose a convenient force shall be sent to Nogales, to repair and defend that post, which, far from being against the interest of the United States of America, will, in case of being agreed to, leave the military posts in that state of defence which it may be found.

As this is a powerful reason in addition to those that offered before to suspend the evacuation of these posts and of running

• Walnut Hills.

the line; as our attention is entirely drawn towards the defence of the province, the said commander general orders me to pass to you this official communication, and in consequence of the unavoidable delay to repeat to you in his name, the proposal of remaining here to go down to lower Louisiana; or, as he thinks might be preferable, to remove to Villa Gayoso, where there are sufficient buildings to accommodate you; this insinuation being an effect of the desire we have to show every degree of consideration as a proof of our disposition to improve the friendship between our nations, assuring you that in any part that you should determine to remove to, or stay, the commander general will facilitate every conveniency in his power for your satisfaction. I have the honour, to be, &c.

From Andrew Ellicott, to his Excellency Manuel Gayoso de Lemos. Natchez, May 2, 1797.

SIR,-Your excellency's favour of yesterday is now before me, but as it principally concerns the commanding officer of the troops of the United States in this quarter, who I presume will give you a satisfactory answer, it will therefore be unnecessary for me to make any remarks upon it.

In a former communication you were apprized of my determination to remain at this place until we proceed to running of the line, or recalled by the Executive of the United States. I am, &c. ANDREW ELLICOTT.

His Excellency Manuel Gayoso de Lemos.

No. 4.

SIR-Three days ago I declared to you the just reasons which I had for suspecting that an expedition was preparing on the lakes, on the part of the English, the object of which is to attack Upper Lousiania, and take by surprise the posts of St. Louis and New Madrid. The proofs which I have since been able to obtain, confirm me in my suspicion that the English troops who meditate this coup-de-main intend to descend the Mississippi by Fox River, Onisconsin, or by the Illinois or other parts of the territory of the United States. I suppose the government of this country too jealous of its rights to suffer so scandalous a violation of its territory; but having always in view the interests of the king my master, and the security of his possessions in this part of the world, in his name I request, sir, that in virtue of the information cited, this government may take the measures necessary for preventing the passage

of foreign troops, of what description soever, over its territory. An undertaking in which are united the dignity of the United States, and the security of the possessions of a friendly nation, assures me beforehand that the administration of this country will take the measures which shall be most adapted to this end.

With these reasons, I offer myself to your disposal, and pray God to preserve you many years. Your most obedient humCHARLES MARTINEZ DE YRUJO.

ble servant,

Philadelphia, March 2, 1797.

No. 5.

From Timothy Pickering, to the Chevalier de Yrujo, Minister Plenipotentiary of his Catholick Majesty. Department of State, March 11, 1797.

SIR, I have laid before the President of the United States your letter of the 2d instant, mentioning your suspicions, that an expedition is preparing on the lakes, on the part of the English; the object of which is to attack upper Louisiana, and to take by surprise the ports of St. Louis and New Madrid; and that to accomplish this object the English troops intend to pass by the routes you mention, or by other parts of the territory of the United States: and you request their government to take the necessary measures to prevent such a violation of their ter ritory.

First remarking, that the government of the United States possess no information, nor the knowledge of any circumstances indicative of such a design as that you suspect, I have the honour to assure you, that true to the principles of an impartial neutrality to which the United States have hitherto invariably adhered, their government will be anxious to maintain the rights of their neutral situation, and on all occasions adopt and pursue those measures which shall appear proper and expedient for that end. I am with great respect, &c.

The Chevalier de YRUJO,' Minister Plenipotentiary of his Catholick Majesty..

TIMOTHY PICKERING

No. 6.

TRANSLATION.

SIR, Whilst I possess new reasons for believing that it is intended to carry into effect the expedition against Upper Louisiana, on the part of the English, by violating the territory of the United States, as was manifested to you in my letter of the 2d March last, I must add that I know to a certainty that

the English have made propositions to General Clarke, of Georgia, in order to avail themselves of his influence in that state, together with some other persons, for making a diversion or serious attack against Florida; and as by your letter of the 11th of the last month, you assure me that the United States would take the necessary measures for causing their neutrality to be respected, I do not doubt that in consequence of this my information, the executive government will take the proper steps, in order that Georgia also should not infringe the laws of neutrality to the injury of the possessions of the king my master.

I embrace this opportunity to renew to you my wishes to serve you, and that God may preserve your life many years. Your most obedient servant,

CARLOS MARTINEZ DE YRUJO.

Philadelphia, April 21, 1797.

TIMOTHY PICKERING, ESQ.

No. 7.

From Timothy Pickering, to the Chevalier de Yrujo, Envoy, Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of his Catholick Majesty. Department of State, Philadelphia, April 28, 1797. SIR-I have the honour to acknowledge. the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, repeating your suspicions that it is intended to carry into effect an expedition, on the part of the English, against Upper Louisiana, through the territory of the United States; and adding that you know to a certainty that the English have made propositions to General Clarke in Georgia, to obtain his influence in that state, with a view to a diversion or serious attack against Florida.

To the first point I have the honour to answer, that although this government is still destitute of any knowledge of facts or circumstances indicating that an expedition on the part of the English, against upper Louisiana, has been projected, yet desirous of living on terms of amity with our neighbours, on one side and the other, agreeably to subsisting treaties, I have communicated to the minister of his Britannick Majesty, for the information of his government, the suspicions you have expressed, of an intended expedition against Upper Louisiana, and the declaration of the President of the United States, that he cannot consent that either should march troops through the territory of the United States to attack the other. The sense of the American government being thus declared beforehand, we cannot presume that a measure will be undertaken which cannot be prosecuted without a violation of our neutral rights.

With regard to the project of an expedition by the British against Florida, with the aid of General Clarke, and of persons

whom he might influence, I have to inform you, that orders have been forwarded to the district attorney of Georgia, to inquire into the fact as stated by you, and if discovery should be made of designs to violate our neutral duties, and especially of forming an expedition against the territories of his Catholick Majesty from the territory of the United States, to take the most proper and effectual measures for frustrating such designs; and if the same should be manifested by any overt acts, to cause the offenders to be arrested, and brought to condign punishment. I have the honour to be, &c.

The Chevalier de Yrujo, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of his Catholick Majesty.

TIMOTHY PICKERING.

No. 8.

From Timothy Pickering, to Robert Liston, Esquire, Envoy Extraordinary, &c. of his Britannick Majesty. Department of State, Philadelphia, April 28, 1797.

SIR, The minister of his Catholick majesty, early in March last, represented to this government his suspicions that an expedition was preparing on the lakes, on the part of the English, whose object was an attack on the Spanish posts in Upper Louisiana, by a route through the territory of the United States, and requested the government to take measures necessary to prevent such a violation of their territory.

In the answer to the Spanish minister, after the remark that the government of the United States had no knowledge of any circumstances indicative of the design he suspected, he was assured, that true to the principles of an impartial neutrality, to which the United States have hitherto invariably adhered, their government would be anxious to maintain the rights of their neutral situation, and on all occasions adopt and pursue the measures which should appear proper and expedient for that end.

His Catholick majesty's minister having lately renewed his representation, declaring that he had recent ground to believe that it is intended to carry into effect the expedition before men. tioned against Upper Louisiana, through the territory of the United States, I am directed by the President of the United States to make to you this communication, and to declare, that desirous of living on terms of amity with their neighbours, on one side and the other, agreeably to subsisting treaties, he cannot consent that either should march troops through the territory of the United States to attack the other.

The sense and motives of the American government being thus expressed, I doubt not the same will be duly respected on the part of the British government; and without judging whe