[No. VIII.] Don Manuel Gayofo de Lemos, to Lieutenant Pope. SIR, BY Mr. Philip Minor I am informed, that you was preparing to come down the Miffippi to take poffeffion of the pofts on the eaft bank of this river, to the north of 31° latitude. Not long ago, General Wayne fent a meffage to Baron Carondelet, General in Chief of this province, enquiring when it would be convenient and agreeable to him to order the faid pofts to be evacuated. His Excellency the Baron has anfwered, and the anfwer cannot yet have produced the determination you have taken to anticipate the time appointed. Depending on the friendly arrangements that the two Generals had entered into, neither Nogals or this place is yet evacuated, though the neceffary fteps are taken to verify it will one month; therefore I requeft that you will encamp your troops in the firft convenient place on either bank of this river, nigh the place where this may be delivered to you, by my Adjutant, Captain Stephen Minor. I fhall with pleafure fee your condefcenfion, as this will be a proof of the good harmony that fubfifts between our nation, which is more particularly recommended to us by the King. The prefence of the troops of the United States, while the evacuation of this place is carrying on, would have an appearance of compulfion, which would not be decent to the decorum due to his Catholic Majefty, when fo intimately allied to the United States of America. As foon as the military ftores are embarked, I fhall do myfelf the honour to acquaint you with it, and then will be very happy to fee you here, and to be perfonally acquainted with you. I am, with the higheft confideration, Sir, your moft humble obedient fervant, MANUEL GAYOSO DE LEMOS. Natchez, 25th March, 1797. CAPT. POPE.