garrison this place and the Walnut Hills. There have been several attempts made to draw on the Indians upon my troops. I have fully ascertained this fact and demanded of the Governor to have a principal actor immediately brought to punishment or sent out of the Country. He has been sent for and is now on board of one of the Gallies which is [undecipherable] recovering the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemos to Lieut. Pope. By M. Philip Minor I am informed that you was pre- paring to come down the Mississippi to take possession of the posts on the East Bank of this River, to the North of 31°. [undecipherable] Not long ago General Wayne sent a Message to Baron Carondelet, General in chief of this province, enquiring when it would be convenient and agreeable to him to order the said posts to be evacuated. His Excellency the Baron has answered, and the answer cannot yet have [undecipherable] the determination you have taken to anticipate the time appointed. Depending on the friendly [undecipherable] that the two [undecipherable] have entered into neither [undecipherable] at this place [undecipherable] the necessary [undecipherable] are taken to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] therefore [undecipherable] that you will [undecipherable] your [undecipherable] the first convenient Place, on either bank of this River, not the place where this may be delivered to you by my [undecipherable] Lieutenant Stephen Minor. I shall with pleasure [undecipherable] condescension, as this will be a proof of the good Harmony that subsists between our nation, which is more particularly recommended to us by the King. The presence of the Troops of the United States, while the evacuation of this place is carrying on, would have an appearance of Compulsion, which would not be decent to the decorum due to his Catholie Majesty when so intimately allied to the United States of America. As soon as the Military Stores are embarked I shall do my- self the honour to acquaint you with it and then will be very happy to see you here and to be personally acquainted with you. Natchez [undecipherable] I am with the highest consideration Sir Your most humble obedient servant Manuel Gayoso de Lemos Capt. Pope. — Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemos to Lieutenant Pope. Natchez [undecipherable] April 1797. Sir Since I addressed you by Major Minor, I have received orders from his Excellency Baron Carondelet, General in chief of this province, to suspend the evacuation of the posts within my jurisdiction, until [undecipherable] with the United States of America some difficulties which can be [undecipherable] by our respective Ministers. The perfect peace and harmony now subsisting between the two Nations do not allow us to doubt, but we shall [undecipherable] intelligence concerning the result of this [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] to inform you of this circumstance and at the same time to offer you any [undecipherable] that you may be in need of at the Walnut Hills and give you every [undecipherable] of my disposition to keep up a good understanding and sincere friendship with the United States. — [signature: undecipherable]