[Nº 13] [From the Same to the Same] Sir, I have the honor to acquaint you that the Commander General of this Province desires me to inform you that his Majesty's Enemy in the Atlantic has given him this intelligence of an attack proposed against one part of the Atlantic by the British from Canada and as such an expedition cannot take place without passing through the territory of the States, said Enemy did officially communicate what was necessary to the Secretary of State of the United States requiring that convenient Orders should be given to have their Territory respected and provided for their own safety; which we doubt not but the United States will acquiesce to in consequence of the Treaty and the good harmony that subsists between the United States of America and his Majesty. The said Commander General of this Province in consequence of the foregoing information finds himself under the necessity of putting in a state of Defence several points of this River and particularly Nogalls to cover lower Louisiana and in case the British should succeed in their projects against Illinois, for which purposes a convenient force shall be sent to Nogalls to repair and defend that Post, which far from being against the interest of the United States of America will, in case of being agreed to, have the military post in that State which it may be found. As this is a powerful reason in addition to them that offered before, to suspend the evacuation of these posts and of running the line, as our attention is entirely drawn towards the defence of the Province, the said Commander General orders me to pass you this official communication and in consequence of the unavoidable delay to repeat to you in his name the proposal of remaining here, to go down to lower Clinsianna, or as he thinks might be for [undecipherable] able to remove to Villa Gayoso where there are sufficient buildings to accommodate both you and your Troops, this invitation being an effect of the desire we have to shew every degree of consideration, as a proof of our disposition to improve the friendship between our Nations, assuring you that in any point that you should determine to remove today, the Commander General of this Province will facilitate every conveniency in his power for your satisfaction. I have the honor to be with the highest consideration Sir, Your most H^ble Servant Manuel Gayoso de Lemos Natchez 7 May 1797 [Capt B. S. Pope]