Letter to Secretary at War regarding trading house of Panton, Leslie and Company
Document 1797Writing from Pensacola, John McKee informs James McHenry that the trading house of Panton, Leslie and Company have monopolized the Choctaw and Chickasaw trade but lost the Cherokee business. McKee discusses the role of trade in maintaining peace on the frontier and the role of the Spanish Court in granting Panton, Leslie and Company privileged access to Indian markets. McKee speculates that Panton, Leslie and Company might be inclined to continue its business under the authority of the United States. McKee proposes a plan for the U.S. to secure the markets and infrastructure of Panton, Leslie by assuming and disbursing their debts among the various U.S. agents and factors in the region. McKee opines that the likelihood of war with France makes his proposal necessary for the U.S. to secure native alliances via trade. But McKee also suggests an alternative plan. Following on a model used by the British, McKee suggests offering the Indians liquidation of their arrears to Panton, Leslie in return for a tract of land. This alternative proposal would disburse the debts of both Panton, Leslie and the Indians under more economical terms for the U.S. Government. McKee closes his letter by requesting that McHenry grant him powers to put these proposals into effect.
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