USA > Louisiana > The province and the states, a history of the province of Louisiana under France and Spain, and of the territories and states of the United States formed therefrom, Vol. II > Part 9
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'This mission was performed with fidelity by Mr. Power, but resulted in complete failure, as he himself stated upon his return. He reported that General Wilkinson would not now entertain the propositions of the Spanish authorities; that the inhabitants of the Western states, since the treaty of 1795, could not be shaken in their allegiance to the Federal Union ; and that the army of the United States comprised about three thousand men.">
'The concessions of the Spaniards at New Orleans to the set- ters of the western country, particularly during the last decade of the eighteenth century, were cominved partly with the expec- tation that they would eventually separate themselves from the Atlantic states and set up an independent government, in which event, as the Mississippi was the aortic artery of their com- merce, they easily could be induced, in order to gain the per- manent right to navigate that stream, to attach themselves to Louisiana.f In June, 1796, Baron de Carondelet issued orders for strengthening the post at Fort St. Ferdinand at the Chicka- saw Bluffs ( Memphis), and observed July to in a letter to the commanding officer there, "for the evacuation of that important post is not yet so certain as not to admit of doubt, at least so long as the savages remain attached to us. Besides, it is proper to keep in view that the neighboring states, that is to say, Ken- tucky and Tennessee, are interested that it ( the post) should remain in our power, for political reasons which cannot be trusted to paper. You must, of consequence, keep them in those sentiments, by treating their inhabitants, to whom the liberty of the navigation is granted, with kindness and regard. Let the friendship of the Chickasaws and the satisfaction of the Americans who navigate the river be the basis of your con- duct." He said September 12, in a letter to the same officer, "Should the court think proper, as may very well happen, not
Statement of Mr. Power; American State Papers.
I See numerous letters; American Mate Papets.
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to evacuate our posts on the Mississippi, I will dispatch a courier to you in all haste;" in order that the fort there might be repaired. He also promised, in such an event, to send reinforce- ments. He said, "You ought to make the latter ( the inhabitants of Kentucky and Tennessee ) understand that their natural inter- est leading them to separate some day (un jour) from the Atlan- tic states, the occupation of our posts on the Mississippi by the troops of the latter could not but be disastrous to them, since they would cut off all communication between them and us, from whom alone they could. in that case, hope to receive assistance."
In 1802, Daniel Clark, a prominent American resident of the western country, informed the president of the United States, that an agent from Kentucky had visited New Orleans, Natchez, etc., late in 1795 and carly in 1796 "to negotiate on the part of that state, independent of the general government, for the navi- gation of the Mississippi, before the result of the treaty of 1795 was known."* In a letter dated June 17, 1796, Don Manuel Gayoso wrote to Daniel Clark: "It is more than probable that a separation of several states will take place, which will alter the political existence of a power that could inthience on the balance of that of others; therefore, Spain, being deprived of that assistance, which could arise from her connection with the ' Union, will alter her views. . . 'There are other insur- mountable difficulties with respect to the Indians, which render impracticable the execution of the part concerning limits; there- fore, even when no change should happen in the United States, the treaty (of 1795) will be reduced to the navigation of the river." 'This meant that the Spanish would claim that the bound- ary of West Florida would be as high as the Yazoo, and that - the western country contemplated a separation from the Atlantic states.
In June, 1797, President Adams informed congress that the running and marking of the boundary between West Florida and the United States had been delayed by the Spanish officers at Natchez and New Orleans who declared their intention of maintaining the Spanish jurisdiction to the territory until the meaning of the article in the treaty concerning the withdrawal of the troops and the disposal of Spanish property should have been settled.+ At this time, according to Mr. Ellicott, the Amer- ican commissioner appointed to conduct the survey, the inhab-
. American State Papers.
t Messages and Papers of the Presidents.
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itants of the Natchez district numbered nearly four thousand, and nearly all desired to come under the jurisdiction of the United States.
The ostensible reasons for the Spanish retention of the Natchez district are contained in Governor Gayoso's proclamations of March, 1797, to the inhabitants, as follows: "His Majesty has offered to support the rights of the inhabitants to the real prop- erty ; and until that is ascertained, I am bound to keep posses- sion of this country, as likewise until we are sure the Indians will be pacific," and later, "until the real property shall be secured to the inhabitants . . by an additional article to the late treaty, and until that article is officially communicated to me, I am bound to keep possession of the country." These procla- mations and the course of the Spanish officers in delaying the evacuation greatly alarmed the American residents in the dis- trict. On the 31st of March, he gave as an additional reason for the delay that it would be necessary for him to consult the Spanish sovereign concerning the method to be adopted under the treaty of evacuating the country, whether the buildings were to be removed, demolished, or left standing, before he would deliver the district to the Americans, and in the meantime he should maintain order, protect the inhabitants and keep the Indians in subjection. In July, 1797, he gave as a still further reason for retaining possession and for strengthening the for- tifications "to guard against an attack by the British from Can- ada."> He notified Mr. Ellicott that Nogales ( Walnut Hills) in particular would he strengthened. The Spanish minister at Washington had learned that an expedition of the English, the enemies of Spain, was being organized on the great lakes for the purpose of moving against the Spanish posts of St. Louis and New Madrid. He reported that the expedition was designed to descend the Fox and the Wisconsin rivers, or the Illinois river, thence down the Mississippi.
This information was sent to the Spanish authorities at New Orleans and Natchez, and preparations were promptly made there to strengthen every Spanish post in the Mississippi country. Troops were sent to Natchez, Nogales, Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkan- sas, New Madrid, St. Louis ( three hundred ), and elsewhere, and galleys armed with cannon were stationed at intervals in the Mississippi to beat back any expedition of the enemy that might descend the river. It was correctly thought by the Spanish
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* American State Papers.
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anthorities that the act of the United States in permitting such an expedition to be organized within its borders, and to march through its country for the purpose of attacking a nation with which it was at peace, furnished them sufficient grounds for retaining the posts at Natchez and Nogales and of strengthen- ing those garrisons. It was learned later that, while rumors to that effect had been circulated in some portions of Canada and the United States, no positive steps were taken to organize such an expedition. But this rumor and the uncertainty over the details of the evacuation were sufficient to warrant, for the seen- rity of the Spanish possessions, the continued occupation by Spain of the American posts of Natchez, Chickasaw Bluffs, and Nogales. The uncertainty of the results of the war in Europe on American affairs had much to do, also, with the delay. In the supposed emergency, the Spanish authorities did not hesitate in an attempt to gain the assistance of the Indians of the Upper Mississippi valley. It was an important consideration for the Spaniards throughout Louisiana, in fact it was their duty for their own protection, to know whether they should under the treaty of 1795, leave standing all the posts, forts, buildings, earthworks, etc., which they had built and occupied, ready for the Americans who seemed to be siding with the English, or ready for the occupation of the British troops who should descend the Mississippi. While it is true that the Spaniards were mis- taken in supposing the Americans would permit the British to pass through their country to attack the Mississippi posts, they acted for their own protection upon what they then considered good grounds. And who will undertake to say that, had they not taken prompt measures to repel such an attack, the rumor might have swelled into actuality and the expedition been dis- patched ere the United States could have prevented it? The United States actually sent troops from the Ohio to Tennessee to check the settlers from trespassing on the Indian lands, but this was regarded by the Spanish as a covert movement against their possessions .*
In his proclamation of June 14, 1797, Governor Gayoso inti- mated the possibility of a war with the United States. It was rumored in New Orleans that a body of American troops, or militia, might descend from the Tennessee or Cumberland river and attack the Spanish posts. The basis of this rumor was the letter written to a friend by William Blount from "Colonel
* Records of the War Department.
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THE PROVINCE AND THE STATES.
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King's Iron Works" on the Cumberland river April 21, 1797, his language being as follows: "I believe, but am not quite sure, that the plan then talked of will be attempted this fall, and, if it is to be attempted, it will be in a much larger way than then talked of ; and if the Indians act their part, I have no doubt but it will succeed. A man of consequence has gone to England about the business, and if he makes arrangements as he expects, I shall myself have a hand in the business, and propably shall be at the head of the business on the part of the British. You are, however, to understand, that it is yet not quite certain that the plan will be attempted, and to do so will require all your management; I say, will require all your man- agement, because you must take care, in whatever you say to Rogers, or anybody else, not to let the plan be discovered by Hawkins, Dinsmoor, Byers, or any other person in the interest of the United States of Spain."" The letter continued in much the same strain, guarded, but clear in the design of an attack by the British on the Spanish posts. The letter revealed, also, that the Indians were to be enlisted in the cause. It was plain to the Spaniards that the American settlers on the Tennessee and the Cumberland rivers were leagued with the British in the proposed expedition. No other settlers of the west had suffered so much from closing the navigation of the Mississippi as the residents on those rivers. Many boat loads sent down the rivers to New Orleans by them had been practically confiscated by the Spanish, or been charged ruinous rates of toll. Under the Spanish view that the Americans had no right to navigate the Mississippi, they were justified in confiscating these loads, par- ticularly, as the Americans had been warned not to descend the river. Even after the terms of the treaty of 1795 concerning navigating the Mississippi had become known, the Spanish still continued their exactions on the river commerce; and when it was determined not to surrender the posts the previous rule of prohibiting the navigation was revived and largely carried into execution. This greatly increased the indignation of the Amer- icans. It may be said with truth that, at this time, Spain, like France, was practically at war with the United States. Iler privateers of the ocean and the Gulf seized large numbers of American vessels and confiscated their goods. This fact was well known and still further widened the breach.
Inasmuch as many of the inhabitants of Natchez were bit-
* American State Papers.
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terly hostile to the Spaniards, Governor Gayoso, in order to pre- vent organizations against him, directed in his proclamation that all persons who might collect in bodies should be promptly dispersed. The menaces of Mr. Ellicott and of Lieutenant Pope contributed to the bitterness of the situation. It was the view of Mr. Pickering, secretary of state, that the real reason for the Spanish retention of the country was "the expectation of an immediate rupture between France, the intimate ally of Spain, and the United States." This was no doubt true, so that . Spain was justified in retaining the American posts, on this ground alone, because a declaration of war by the United States against France meant war against Spain as well. The posses- sion of these posts would give Spain immense advantage at the commencement of such a war. She was, therefore, wise to retain the posts, owing to the imminency of the danger; and she did so with such plausibility, prudence and finesse, that the reten- tion was permitted by the United States far beyond the treaty stipulations without serious results to herself, though a bloody encounter at Natchez was narrowly averted .*
The continued retention of the posts and the strengthening of the Spanish garrisons, gave the American officers great uneas- iness, because it was construed to mean that the Spanish would not abide by the treaty of 1795 and surrender the navigation of the Mississippi. In June, 1797, the residents made prepa- rations for hostilities. The alleged unjustifiable arrest of one of their number, and his confinement in chains by the Spanish, was the immediate spur to action. The residents armed them- selves, gathered in great numbers, organized companies and elected officers, and sought to enlist the active co-operation of Mr. Ellicott and Lieutenant Pope. Within a few hours Governor Gayoso and the Spanish garrison were confined to the limits of the fort, while armed and organized bands of citizens sur- rounded them in menacing attitude. Governor Gayoso requested an interview with Mr. Ellicott and Lieutenant Pope, which was granted. The former two were anxious to avoid hostilities, but the latter declared that he would repel with force any attempt to imprison American citizens, as Natchez was American terri- tory.t
Finally, a pacific "lamation was issued by Governor Gayoso
· American Sta'
+ Ellicott's Jou.
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to the following effect: That the citizens should disperse and return to their homes; that no person should be molested on account. of his opinions ; that the citizens were mistaken in think- ing that war had been declared between Spain and the United States; that no Indians had been called to assist Spain ; that the Spanish reinforcements to the Mississippi posts were for use against an actual enemy only; that no interruptions should be put to land or water communications; and that no corps of mili- tia should be formed except in case of actual invasion, when volunteers should be called for. The proclamation was unsat- isfactory to the citizens, who strenuously objected to its phraseol- ogy, and in many instances it was torn in pieces. It did not produce the effect intended by Governor Gayoso, but rather increased the gravity of the situation, until it seemed that hos- tilities were inevitable. The Spanish strengthened the fort in every manner possible, and the companies of citizens were drilled and fully organized.
At this critical stage another interview was held, at which Governor Gayoso was informed that no terms would be accepted that were not honorable to the citizens, who had felt their strength and were not to be trifled with. The next day the resi- dents held an immense meeting, at which the following propo- sition was drafted, and later submitted to Governor Gayoso, with the approval of Mr. Ellicott and Lieutenant Pope:
"I. The inhabitants of the district of Natchez, who, under the belief and persuasion that they were citizens of the United States, agreeably to the late treaty, have assembled and embodied themselves, are not to be prosecuted or injured for their conduct on that account, but to stand exonerated and acquitted. 2. The inhabitants of the government aforesaid above the 3Ist degree of north latitude, are not to be embodied as militia, or called upon to aid in any military operation, except in case of an Indian invasion, or for the suppression of riots during the present state of uncertainty, owing to the late treaty between the United States and Ilis Catholic Majesty not being fully carried into effect. 3. The laws of Spain in the above district shall be continued, and on all occasions be executed with mildness and moderation, nor shall any of the inhabitants be transported as prisoners out of this government on any pretext whatever; and notwithstand- ing the operation of the law aforesaid is hereby admitted, yet the inhabitants shall be considered to be in an actual state of neutrality during the continuance of their uncertainty, as men- tioned in the second proposition. 4. The committee aforesaid
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do engage to recommend it to our constituents, and to the utmost of our power endeavor to preserve the peace and promote the due execution of justice."s
This proposition was acceded to by Governor Gayoso, and the following proclamation by him, dated June 22, gave general satisfaction and terminated the impending hostilities : "Whereas, the threatening calamities to which the inhabitants of this dis- trict have been lately exposed, did awake the zeal of every indi- vidual, and rouse them to seek the most efficacious means of re-establishing good order and that tranquillity which, for many days, was lost; the good sense of a number of the inhabitants dictated to them the necessity of a convention, in which they chose persons of the most notorious probity and intelligence as a committee to co-operate with us toward the re-establishment of the public peace and tranquillity; and the members of the said committee having met at Natchez, after due deliberations and consultations, stated and presented us the following propo- sitions, in the terms and form here expressed, to-wit: (the same as above) ; being always desirous of promoting the pub- lic good, we do join in the same sentiment with the commit- tee, by acceding to their propositions in the manner following (repeated the propositions). This left the American citizens free from molestation except for offense against the law, and left Governor Gayoso in charge of the administration of affairs and in possession of the post. He thus attained his object of practical authority and continued occupation.
The Spanish government did not seem disposed to hurry matters, and the United States did not deem it expedient to use force, so the troops of the former continued to hold the Amer- ican posts. The autumn of 1797 wore away and winter came and still no move was made to evacuate. At length, on January 18, 1798, Mr. Ellicott received the following letter :*
"New Orleans, January 10, 1798.
"To HON. ANDREW ELLICOTT:
"By a packet just arrived I have received orders from court by which I am authorized and ordered to evacuate the forts of Natchez and Nogales ( Walnut Hills) in consequence thereof by this express. I send the necessary orders to withdraw the artillery and other military effects. As the gallies will not be sufficient other vessels shall be sent from this (place) to com-
. Ellicott's Journal.
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plete the operation with all possible speed. Please to furnish Major Minor with the information I request that I may be enabled to provide everything concerning the execution of the boundary line between His Majesty's dominions and the terri- tory of the United States. It is with the greatest satisfaction that I have the pleasure to announce to you this agreeable event, as it justifies our disposition in complying with our engagements as soon as political circumstances would justify it.
"MANUEL. GAYOSO DE LEMOS."
The reception of this letter was so agreeable to Mr. Ellicott that he lost no time in making it known to all the inhabitants, particularly to those who had favored the American purposes and contentions. In his journal he said, "The disagreeable state of suspense we had been in for almost a year relative to the fate of the treaty was partly terminated by the following letter fromn Governor Gayoso." However, he was too well acquainted with the methods of the Spanish to believe that they would commence the evacuation and the survey at once, and he was correct in his conclusion. On January 31, Governor Gayoso wrote that he would go to Natchez himself at once to assist in making the necessary arrangements to run the boundary. No step having been taken by the middle of February, Mr. Ellicott resolved to begin the survey alone as soon as the Spanish troops should be withdrawn. Finally, on the 9th of April he left Natchez with his instruments and his workmen, and arrived at Clarks- ville on the toth, where he set up his clock and zenith sector. He found that he was three miles and two hundred and ninety perches too far north. He left Clarksville on the 24th and reached Bayou Tumnica on the 26th. Here he ascertained his starting point in the middle of the Mississippi, as set down in the treaty on the northernmost point of the thirty-first degree of north latitude. On the 21st Major Minor and his laborers and on the 26th Mr. Dunbar, the astronomer, arrived, all on the part of the Spanish. On the 31st Governor Gayoso, accompanied by several officers, arrived in the camp. He had heard of the American movements without his co-operation and had thought, doubtless, that it was time for him to bestir himself. Having examined the work of the Americans, he approved the same June ast; but when requested by Mr. Ellicott to confirm it he avoided doing so. Mr. Ellicott continued the survey, with very little assistance from the Spaniards. He reached Little Bayou Sara on June 7th, and Big Bayou Sara on July 17th. He
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arrived at Thompson's creek on October 27th and Pearl river November 19th. They opened a strip sixty feet wide through an almost impenetrable thicket, the Spaniards reluctantly assist- ing .* Governor Gayoso owned a large plantation at Natchez, having previously secured it with the expectation that the Natchez district would become a part of the Spanish dominions. Being himself an ardent Spaniard, he saw with intense regret the boundary line established about thirty-nine miles due south of Natchez. Thomas Power, a Spaniard well known in the west- ern country for his participation in the secret acts of the Span- ish authorities to induce the western people to separate them- selves from the Atlantic states and unite with the Spanish Louisi- ana, was the commissioner for the survey on the part of Spain ; but he was more of a hindrance than an assistance to the Ameri- cans in the practical operations of the survey.
The Spanish authorities in New Orleans were at this time exceedingly fearful of the Americans; so much so that upon the arrival of Gen. James Wilkinson about this time in the lower country, Governor Gayoso armed and called out the militia and made other defensive operations .* Mr. Ellicott wrote to the authorities at Washington on November 8, 1798, that "the fears and jealousies of the Spanish nation will certainly, in the course of a few years, occasion the loss of all the country on this side of the Mississippi to the crown of Spain." His prediction proved singularly correct. They lost not only that territory, but ere long were stripped of all their possessions in both of the Americas. It was inevitable-was the logical result of the settled policy of ignorance and exclusion of the Spanish government.
It was unquestionably the intention of the Spanish authori- ties of Louisiana, under the orders of the Spanish monarch, to hold the American posts on the Mississippi, if possible, until it should be determined whether France and the United States were to become involved in war. Spain was at this time the pup- pet of the French republic. It was realized by France, under the stimulus of the revolutionary government, that a protracted war with England might give her the coveted opportunity to recap- ture Canada. It was also known to the French directory that pressure brought to bear upon Spain would result in the retro- cession of Louisiana to France. But the Upper Mississippi valley could not be secured, it was thought, without a war with the United States. France held strong resentment against the
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