[No. XV.] From Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemos to Lieutenant Piercy Pope, dated Natchez, 3d May, 1797. S I R, YESTERDAY, by Lieutenant John M'Clairy, I received your answer to my communication of the day before. I am sorry to find the construction you give to such an official information, which leaves no room of doubt. The project of an attack from the British in Canada, is positive, and in consequence thereof, it is the duty of the Commander General of this Province to oppose it by every means in his power, tho' the probability is, that they will not be able to carry their plan into execution, as we rely on the friendship of the United States, who certainly will not voluntarily permit such an armed force to pass through their territory, to attack the dominions of his Majesty; but, as when such an expedition was proposed, the British knew very well that to accomplish they must necessarily pass through the territory of the United States, they certainly have had it in view either to pass the Posts by surprize, or some other combination secured to them the means of reaching Illinois: it to prevent the effects of such an event that the said Commander General takes every measure to obstruct their effects at their first approach, or a continuation of it, if fortune should favour them in Upper Louisiana. We are far from acting in a manner so as to alter the good understanding that happily subsists between our nations. Political reasons have caused a suspension of the evacuation of these Posts; reasons that are to be settled ministerially, and that are out of my line to controul; my duty is to comply with the superior orders of my General in Chief, which are positively to keep the best harmony with you, and attend to every other object concerning the safety of this Province. There is no reason to apprehend that the Treaty between the United States of America and his Majesty will not take place in every point; the delay experienced in regard to one part of it, is not a violation of the Treaty, and is only referred to the regular ministerial procedure, which, when settled, will be exactly complied with; in the mean while, no alteration can take place, nor can any part of his Majesty's dominions be considered as abandoned or delivered in a solemn and regular manner, and until that period the dominion of his Majesty does not cease. The communication that the Commander General of this Province has ordered me to impart to you, is a living proof of the good understanding that he is do[ing...]