Sketches, historical and descriptive, of Louisiana, Part 8

Author: Stoddard, Amos, 1762-1813
Publication date: 1812
Publisher: Philadelphia : Published by Mathew Carey
Number of Pages: 978


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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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These measures of the English and French, extorted loud complaints from Spain: Those of the former were the most dreaded by her. The Spanish minister alleged to our government, that an expedition from Canada, by way of the lakes, was in agitation against Louisiana; pe- remptorily demanded the arrestation of it, and the vin- dication of our sovereignty .. The government was not fully convinced of the truth of this allegation ; yet, to ap- pease the fears of Spain, and to remove the impediments in the way of the pending negociation with that power, it strengthened our frontier posts, and issued strict orders to interdict the passage of any British troops across our territory. The English never attempted to carry such a plain into effect; but a knowledge or suspicion of their views, served to keep Louisiana in a state of alarm, to induce the Spaniards to strengthen their barrier posts, to keep the United States cut of the possession of the terri- tory to the north of the thirty first degree, and to exclude


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them from the commercial advantages of the Mississippi. These two objects were finally adjusted by the treaty of October 1795.


This treaty, which had occupied the attention of the United States for many years, and was so ardently desir- ed, enfeebled the seductive practices of contending rivals, and resuscitated the physical energies of the western peo- ple. Measures were immediately taken by our govern- ment to carry the stipulations into effect. Andrew Ellicott, Esquire, who was appointed commissioner on the part of the United States, arrived at Natchez in February 1797, accompanied by a small guard of soldiers under the com- mand of lieutenant John M'Clary. But, from a variety . of causes, the demarcation of the boundary was delayed for more than a year.


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. It was stipulated between the parties, that one commis- sioner from each, should meet at Natchez within six months after the ratification of the treaty, attended by guards drawn from the troops of their respective nations; at which time the Spanish posts to the north of the thirty. · first degree were to be evacuated.


For the purpose of receiving possession of these posts, a detachment of troops under the command of lieutenant P. S. Pope, soon followed Mr. Ellicott. The orders given to this officer render it sufficiently probable, that the government apprehended some difficulties in the way of the execution of the treaty. He was directed to proceed in the first instance, to fort Massac on the Ohio, and there to wait the return of an officer previously despatched to New Madrid, in pursuit of official information relative to the delivery of the posts; and on the certainty or proba- bility of such an event, he was authorized to descend the Mississippi to Natchez. Ile was particularly charged, on his arrival at that place, " to establish the most perfect " discipline among the troops, to prevent every kind of " disorder, and to promote harmony, and a friendly inter-


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" change of good offices with the subjects of his catholic " majesty, and to treat the Spanish flag with due respect " on all occasions."


It may be safely doubted, whether Spain ever seriously intended to carry the treaty into effect, unless compelled to it by a concurrence of unfavorable events. The clamors of the western people, and the occasional disposition ma- nifested by them to invade Louisiana, in some measure extorted it from her, and therefore the fulfilment or non- execution of it, depended on future contingencies. To detach those people from the union was what she had most at heart, and of course was slow to despair of suc- cess. She was not ignorant, that they expressed much dissatisfaction at the tardy measures of government rela-


- tive to the navigation of the Mississippi, and that their isolated situation had often suggested the necessity of a separation from the Atlantic states. She was well aware, that the publication of the arrangement between the two nations, would bring her projects of disunion to a crisis, and in a manner compel the western people to make a de- cided election, either to adhere to the Atlantic states, or to embrace the splendid advantages held out to them on the Mississippi. It was deemed highly probable, indeed, that, by the distribution of money, and the promises of an unimbarrassed trade, the Kentuckians would eventu- ally accede to the propositions made them by the Spanish authorities. At any rate, as the fulfilment of the treaty would render abortive all future measures of disunion, she determined to make another effort to accomplish her purposes.


Considerable time was necessary for this experiment, and it was obtained under various pretexts. The Spanish minister intrigued at the seat of government, and the au- thorities in Louisiana ably seconded his views. The first object was to prevent our commissioner, and the guard attached to him, from descending the Mississippi. The


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commissioner on the part of Spain, don Manuel Gayoso,* `governor of the district of Natchez, under pretence, that he was not ready to evacuate the posts, and dreading, as he pretended, the approximation of the troops of the two nations, forwarded an express to Mr. Ellicott, and re- quested him to leave his guard at Bayou Pierre till the preparatory arrangements were made. . This request, however, was disregarded, and they landed and encamped at Natchez. Lieutenant Pope soon followed with another detachment, and as it seems, contrary to his instructions, and was detained at the Walnut Hills by the orders of Gayoso. Mr. Ellicott secretly invited him to descend to Natchez in opposition to the Spanish authorities ; though Gayoso, before his arrival, was prevailed on to sanction the descent.


The arrival of Mr. Ellicott and the troops of the Uni- ted States at Natchez, was contrary to the wishes and ex- pectations of the Spanish authorities : Yet they resolved to delay the execution of the treaty; and the treaty itself, as well as the peculiar circumstances of the times, furnish- ed several plausible pretexts for the measure. They al- leged, that, as the treaty had not stipulated for the secu- rity of the landed property of the inhabitants, nor was explicit as to the delivery or demolition of the public buildings and fortifications, it was necessary to postpone the evacuation till these unexpected difficulties were set- tled by the two governments. They likewise alleged that the Canadian English contemplated the invasion of Lou- isiana by way of the lakes; and hence the posts at the Walnut Hills and Natchez were necessary to cover New Orleans. The noted conspiracy of Blount was calculated to excite their fears.


These allegations, however plausible and well founded, were urged by the Spanish authorities more to procure


* He acted however, under the orders of the baron Carondelet.


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delay, than from any other motive. Their final evacua- tion or retention of the posts wholly depended on the de- feat or success of the measures, which were taken to de- tach the western country from the union.


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For, when the conclusion of the treaty was first known in Louisiana, an emissary was despatched to Tennessee and Kentucky, authorized to enter into engagements, to encourage the leading characters to seduce the minds of the people, to stipulate for the delivery of large sums of : money, and to promise independence and a free trade. This was the last effort at disunion, and had it resulted in success, the treaty would have been totally disregar- ded. .


But it was found, that the people were less disposed for a change than ten years before. Some of the most prominent characters, who formerly advocated a sepa- ration, and were probably stimulated in their exertions by pecuniary rewards, now discovered an aversion to the hazardous experiment, especially as they were likely to acquire by amicable arrangement, the free enjoyment of the Mississippi navigation, which had been the great ob- ject of all their efforts. Hence they were not inclined to incur the danger of defeat, when even the most ample success would not place them in a more prosperous situa- tion than that contemplated by the treaty.


Mr. Ellicott, during this period, was not an idle spec- tator of events, nor ignorant of the designs of the Spanish authorities, and he took measures to defeat them. Whe- ther these measures were prudent and wise, or injudici- ous and reprehensible, perhaps may admit of dispute. Some will unquestionably be inclined to think, that in one instance he tergiversated, and in several openly vio- lated the sovereignty of Spain; while others will find in his peculiar situation and motives, a complete justification of his conduct. To his irregular proceedings, indeed, has been imputed the detention of the posts, at least six


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months longer than was actually contemplated by the Spa- nish authorities.


On his arrival at Natchez he insultingly displayed the flag of the United States in full view of the Spanish garrison. Lieutenant M'Clary, who acted as he directed, proceeded to augment the number of his guard by the enlistment of Spanish subjects, and by the apprehension of deserters from the army of the United States, who had taken re- fuge in the territories of Spain. Governor Gayoso loudly complained of this conduct; he even directed the flag to be taken down, and demanded the liberation of the de- - 'serters. Mr. Ellicott was not disposed to yield the points in issue ; and the Spanish governor conceived it best not to press the subject a second time. No one will maintain, that he had a right to. infract the laws of nations, or to attack the sovereignty of Spain. From the nature of the instructions given to lieutenant Pope, may be pretty clear- ly inferred the pacific tenor of his own.


A considerable proportion of the people in the district of Natchez had removed from the United States, and no wonder they were solicitous for the meditated change. 'They fully comprehended the motives, which induced the Spanish authorities to postpone the execution of the treaty, and therefore became impatient. A confidence of impu- nity led them to associate for the purpose of accelerating the desired change, and they were in a great measure guided by the hints and insinuations of Mr. Ellicott. In the end they unguardedly proceeded to such acts of op- position to the established authorities, as rendered them highly culpable in the eye of the law, and therefore, to avoid its penalties, found it necessary to acquire by vio- lent means, what they had a right to expect from solemn stipulations. From these Mr. Ellicott selected what he called his "Little Council," and the members of it were not disposed to pacify the tumult among the peo- ple.


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The disorders in the district did not escape the notice of Gayoso, who, by a proclamation dated March the twenty ninth 1797, and another of a subsequent date, en- deavored to appease the impatient disposition of the peo- ple, and adverted to the reasons or pretexts, already sta- ted, for the inexecution of the treaty. He approbated private meetings for the purposes of devotion, and inter- dicted all processes for debt till after the planters had pre- pared their ensuing crops.


These acts of condescension failed of their intended ef- fect, particularly as they were believed to result from a sense of danger. The people were extremely jealous, and seemed to discover in the sudden augmentation of the military force at Natchez and the Walnut Hills (though " for the avowed purpose of obstructing the descent of the English) a deliberate design to seize the malecontents; and an apparent conviction of this truth precipitated them into measures of a hostile nature. Such indeed, were the commotions in the district, that Gayoso and his fa- mily, on the tenth of June, repaired to the fort for safety. About this period the people were indirectly invited by Mr. Ellicott, to assemble and deliberate on their grievan- . ces. Such a measure accorded with their most ardent wishes ; but as it would be in opposition to legal authority, they were apprehensive of an attempt by the Spanish troops to disperse the meeting, and to arrest those who should attend it. To dissipate their fears on this head, lieutenant Pope, on the twelfth of June, addressed them a letter, wherein, among other things, he declared, " that " he would at all hazards protect them." Ile called on them " in the most solemn manner to come forward and " assert their rights," and at the same time offered his " sincere co-operation to accomplish that desirable ob- " ject." Ile requested their assistance in return " to re- " pel any troops or hostile parties that might make an at- " tempt to land for the purpose of reinforcing the garri,


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" son, or other purposes detrimental to the interest of the " country." At the bottom of this address, Mr. Ellicott added a note in these words: " From the present alarm- " ing situation of the country, I fully approve of lieute- " nant Pope's letter of this date to his fellow citizens as- " sembled at Mr. Belts."*


Some time prior to this event, the baron Carondelet had publicly charged Mr. Ellicott with menacing the Spanish government. Gayoso on the thirteenth of June, the day after the date of the above mentioned letter, and while confined to the walls of his garrison, repeated the same charge in a communication to Mr. Ellicott, and demand- ed of him a statement of the part he took in the rebelli- ous proceedings of the people. Mr. Ellicott on the same day answered, " since you demand a positive reply to the " general question, whether I am concerned in measures " destructive of his catholic majesty's interest, or in an " attempt to attack the fort, I give you my word of honor, " that I am not !" .


It by no means accorded with the temper and feelings of Gayoso to be immured within the walls of the fort, and to be deprived of his power. The laws authorized coercive measures; but of what avail were the laws with- out the means of carrying them into execution ! Gayoso felt himself humbled; . and on the fourteenth of June, while under a strong perturbation of mind, addressed an elaborate proclamation to the people, requesting those in . bodies to disperse, and to resume their usual occupations ; the consequences of which he declared to be, an amnesty for the past, and security for the future. This proclama- tion conceded every thing desired by the people ; it exhi- bited more the features of a humble remonstrance, than . the dignified language of magisterial reprehension : Yet Mr. Ellicott says, that " it contained some expressions


About eight miles in the rear of Natchez.


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" very offensive to the people." Why then has he omitted to record it in his journal ? It does not appear, after · an attentive perusal, to contain any such expressions. -


Certain it is, however, that incredible pains were taken to find in this official document some secret reservation, some occult quality, artfully designed by Gavoso as a pre- text for future punishment, should it ever be in his power to inflict it. Many of the people resorted to their arms, formed themselves into military bands, and elected their officers. . Occasions were dexterously seized to insult the Spanish authorities, and to wound their pride. Lieute- nant Pope repeatedly put himself at the head of his men, sounded the charge, and menaced the garrison with an escalade. One of his men, by his contrivance, eluded the vigilance of the Spanish sentinels in the night, cut a small piece of wood from the door of the magazine, and made his escape ; and lieutenant Pope, to tantalize Gayoso, im- mediately sent him the fruit of this successful enterprise.


The extent and progress of the opposition at last began to alarm Mr. Ellicott, and he resolved to check it ; more indeed from a wish to escape the odium of it, than to `prevent the expulsion of the Spanish authorities. He was not disposed to ride in the whirlwind, but he had an inclina- tion to direct the storm, and to gratify his purpose prevail- . ed on the people to delegate their power to a committee, a body deemed more manageable, and less liable to be ex- acerbated by the fluctuating occurrences of the times.


The people assembled on the twentieth of June, to de- liberate on their affairs. The pacific declarations of Gay- oso, contained in his proclamation, excited their jealousy, and they trembled, lest they were designed as a snare. They felt an inclination to prescribe the conditions of their own security, not only to avoid all ambiguity of expres- sion, but seemingly to extort what they knew was ready . to be granted them. 'They therefore acceded to the pro- position of Mr. Ellicott, and appointed a committee of


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safety, invested it with extensive powers, and that gen- deman and lieutenant Pope were chosen members of it. This committee proposed to Gayoso, that he should recog- nize its existence as a body ; that the people should not be prosecuted nor injured on account of the part taken by them against the government ; that they should be ex- empted from serving in the militia under the Spanish au- thorities, except to repel the invasion of the Indians, or to suppress riots ; that they should be considered as in a state of neutrality, though governed by the Spanish laws, and not be sent out of the country on any pretext what- ever. Gayoso readily yielded his assent to these propo- sitions ; and they were soon after ratified by the baron Carondelet, with an exception of no great moment, when the Spanish authorities resumed their functions, and the storm in a great measure subsided.


. Thus the people gained a complete victory over the constituted authorities. These became pledged to obli- viate all transactions of a treasonable nature ; to sanction and to legalize the existence of a dangerous power with- in their jurisdiction, able at any moment to subvert the go- vernment ; to exempt the militia from obedience, except in two specified instances, and tacitly to authorize it to o- bey the mandates of a rival nation, or its agents. These conditions are not destitute of point, and manifest a con- siderable degree of policy and skill.


Some of the members of the committee were not fully in the confidence of Mr. Ellicott. He suspected colonel Anthony Hutchings, in particular, of entertaining views detrimental to the United States ; and the more so, as he had been a British officer, and was then a known pensi- oner of Great Britain. He therefore prevailed on Gay- oso to dissolve the committee of safety by proclamation, and to authorize the election of another, which was to be considered as permanent. This new committee was or- ganized about the first of July, and the electors did not


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: - think proper to bestow their suffrages on colonel Hutch- ings. Hence a permanent committee was now formed, much more dangerous to the Spanish authorities than the' other, because it was elected and organized by virtue of their own mandate. It is strictly true as Mr. Ellicott - boasts, " that this measure, as was really intended, put " a finishing stroke to the Spanish authority and jurisdic- " tion in the district."


About this period a considerable change took place in the Spanish colonial government. The baron Carondelet was transferred to the province of Quito, and Gayoso succeeded him as governor general of Louisiana, and re- paired to New Orleans. Colonel Grandpree was appoint- ed governor of the district of Natchez ; but the perma- nent committee resolved, that he should not be received as such, and he never made his appearance. In the mean time, and until the evacuation of the posts, the Spanish government in the district devolved on major Minor, a gentleman originally from Pennsylvania, and at this time one of the most wealthy planters in the Mississippi ter- ritory.


Colonel Hutchings was not a little chagrined and disap- pointed at the defeat he experienced in the late election ; and the doubts entertained of his patriotism served to wound his pride, and to excite his resentment. No won- der, then, that he became inimical to the permanent com- mittee, and meditated its destruction. After the depar- ture of Gayoso he attempted the dissolution of it, and the organization of another. He failed in his first object, and succeeded in the second. Hence the district was vi- olently agitated by the bitter contests of the two rival committees. The Spanish authorities were too feeble to resist the views of opposition, or to impart energy to a rival power.


One of the first steps taken by the new committee was to prepare a petition and memorial to congress, in which


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the measures of Mr. Ellicott and lieutenant Pope were severely reprehended. The other committee endeavoured to shield these gentlemen from the resentment of the ex- ecutive of the United States; and resolved, that the neu- tral position of the district resulted from the friendly and salutary advice of the first, and that the second " deserved " well of his country."


Captain Guion arrived at Natchez in December with a considerable detachment, and assumed the command of all the troops of the United States in the district. From the tenor of his instructions, it is evident, that they were dictated with a view to the prevalent disturbances. At any rate, he conceived it his duty to discountenance the hostile attitude of the people, and to disconcert the efforts of the permanent committee : He even threatened to disperse the members of that body, and to put Mr. Elli- cott in confinement, whose conduct he reprobated in the strongest terms.


'This decisive tone, added to measures of a correspond- ing nature, at once arrested the progress of the disorders ; the ferment gradually subsided, and tranquility was re- stored; the Spanish authorities resumed their former consequence, and no longer hesitated to prepare for an evacuation of the posts. No doubt this event was accele- rated in part, by the restoration of order in society, and in part, by the complete failure of all attempts at disunion.


The evacuation of all the posts to the north of the thirty first degree, took place in the early part of the summer of 1798. The demarcation of the boundary line com- menced near the same period, and was completed in March 1799, except a small portion of it along the bor- ders of East Florida, which was suspended on account of the hostile appearance of the Indians. William Dun- bar, esquire, distinguished in the republic of letters, and major Minor, were successively the commissioners on the part of Spain ...


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It has already been hinted, that the acquisition of our independence excited the jealousy of Spain. That me- morable event led the politicians and statesmen of that power to speculate on our future views. They dreaded the example we had afforded to the world, and trembled at the probable introduction of the spirit of liberty into the Mexican dominions. In 1787, the intendant of Lou- isiana prepared an elaborate memoir on this subject by order of the Spanish court, in which he represented the people of the United States as extremely ambitious, as animated by the spirit of conquest, and as anxious to ex- tend their empire to the shores of the Pacific. He then suggested a line of policy, which, in his opinion, it was incumbent on Spain to adopt. The dismemberment of the western country, by means of pensions and commer- cial benefits, was considered by him as not difficult. The attempt was therefore strongly urged, particularly as it would, if successful, greatly augment the power of Spain in this quarter, and forever arrest our progress west- ward. These suggestions were favorably received, and formed the ground work of that policy, which Spain af- terwards pursued. If she interdicted our commerce, it was from an apprehension that our government under the confederation was too weak to assert with effect the rights of the nation ; that this weakness would eventually alien- ate the affections of the western people, cool their patri- otism, and induce them to become Spanish subjects : At any rate, the measure seemed well calculated to remove to a distant day, the dangers of mutual intercourse, which it was feared would disturb the tranquility of the provinces. On this ground the proposition of some of our revolutionary officers to form an extensive settlement in the heart of Louisiana, was rejected both by Guar- doqui, and the authorities at New Orleans.


That Spain actually resolved on the non execution of the treaty, is fully explained in a letter written by gover-




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