N^o 10 Lieut. Pope to Captain Burguard Com^g Officer Walnut Hills. — Walnut Hills 13 April 1797 Sir, I have this morning with attention perused two letters from Governor Gayos mentioning a message from General Wayne to Baron Carondelet, General in Chief of this province, to know when it would be convenient to him to have the posts evacuated; I could not know or anticipate the [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] Gayos's message, but on my arrival at [undecipherable] I was informed by the Commanding Officer at that place that the posts were ready to be evacuated. Agreeably to my [undecipherable] and in consequence of this information I am now coming forward with my detachment for the purpose of taking possession of [undecipherable] right [bank] of the Mississippi, the [undecipherable] they posts. [undecipherable] it is my wish as well as that of the United States to preserve [undecipherable] a friendly exchange of good offices between [undecipherable] and the subjects of his most catholic Majesty. I am with respect Your very humb^le Serv^t Percy S. Pope Lieut. Art^y Com^g U.S. Troops Mississippi Capt. Burguard Com^g Officer. Walnut Hills N^o 11 Lieut. Percy S. Pope to Don Manuel Gayos de Lemos. Walnut Hills, 13 April 1797 Sir, Your letter of the 26^th of March and the other of the 1^st instant were both delivered me by the commanding Officer of Nogalls yesterday. I was extremely sorry that my indisposition was such as prevented an Answer — I am not unacquainted with the circumstance of Gen^l Wayne having sent a Message enquiring when it would be convenient to evacuate the Posts. I am unacquainted with the Answer to this enquiry, nor did I anticipate the time appointed for their delivery, for the first information received by me on this subject was at Fort Massac, which together with my Orders or instructions induced me to suppose a delay for receiving the posts would be improper. I have agreeably to your request encamped my Troops on the East side of the Mississippi immediately above Nogalls. I assure you it is with pleasure I have to acknowledge the polite treatment and attention my Troops have received since their arrival at this place from the Commandant, and rest assured that nothing shall be wanting on my part to cultivate that present interesting harmony which is between the two Nations; nothing will give me more pleasure than to be personally acquainted with you when convenience will permit. — I am with the highest respect Your very Ob^t Serv^t Percy S. Pope Lieut. Artil^y Com^g U.S. Troops Mississippi