REPORT of the Secretary of War, [ACCOMPANYING A CONFIDENTIAL MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.] [Received the 3d of July, 1797.] A 2 --- REPORT. [underline: REPORT of the Secretary of War to the President of the United States.] War-Office, 30th June, 1797. THE Secretary of War has the honour respectfully to Report to the President of the United States, the annexed extracts of letters from Brigadier General Wilson and Lieutenant Colonel Hamtramck, relative to certain causes which may have affected the disposition of the Indians on the Western Frontiers; as also extracts of dispatches to Brigadier General Wilkinson and Captain Guion, respecting the conduct to be observed by the latter Officer on his arrival at the Natchez and Walnut-Hills; with copies of a correspondence between His Excellency Manuel Gayofo de Lemos and Lieutenant Piercy Pope, of the corps of Artillerists and Engineers, and Commandant of the advanced guard of the troops of the United States, destined to take possession of those Posts, which exhibit the reasons that had prevented his receiving them. The Secretary further Reports a copy of a letter from William Blount, Senator from the State of Tenessee, (the original of which is believed to be in his hand writing) addressed to James Carey, Interpreter to the Cherokee Nation, and assistant to the Indian factory at Tellico, in Tenessee, who had received it, and which had since come to the hands of the Principal of that factory. JAMES M^cHENRY, Secretary of War. --- DOCUMENTS. [No. I.] [underline: Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War to Brigadier General James Wilkinson, dated War-Office, 9th June, 1797.] YESTERDAY the Secretary of State received letters from Mr. Ellicott, by which it would appear that scruples on the part of Governor Gayofo had retarded the evacuation of the Posts. These scruples or objections are, first, That in his opinion the forts ought to be demolished; 2d, That he thought it necessary to continue his force in that quarter till the claims of Spanish subjects to lands should be adjusted by negociation. As to the first, our Officer may be instructed to agree to the demolition of the works if insisted on. As to the second, he will assure the Governor that he is authorized to say, that no person shall be disturbed in his possession or property till an opportunity has been afforded to apply to Congress, and that they may rely upon their claims being adjusted upon the most equitable principles. It is to be presumed, that on receiving these explanations, the Spanish garrisons will be withdrawn. If, however, contrary to expectation, this should not happen our officer is to take a secure position, but not so near them as to give any cause to the Spanish garrisons to apprehend insult or injury."— --- 6 [No. II.] [underline: Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War, to Captain Isaac Guion, commanding a detachment of the Troops of the United States, destined for the Natchez, dated War-Office, June 10th, 1797.] "I ENCLOSE you duplicate of my letter to Brigadier General Wilkinson of yesterday's date for your government, in case he should have left Fort Washington, or by any accident be prevented from communicating to you the contents.— "Having a perfect reliance on your prudence and judgment, I cannot doubt but your command will be satisfactory to yourself, and advantageous to the United States.". [No. III.] [underline: Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War to Captain Isaac Guion, dated War-Office, June 15th, 1797.] "I SEND this dispatch to find you, where I expect you will, at the Natchez, and the Spanish garrison still in possession of the works at that place; you will be pleased to lose no time in communicating to the commanding officer there, the enclosed copy of a message* from the President of the United States to Congress, and to the inhabitants of Natchez its contents, that both may be possessed of the intentions of Government. You will so inform the Spanish Commandant, that you are instructed, to pay the strictest attention to the engagements the United States have entered into by the Treaty with his Catholic Majesty; to permit the demolition of the works; to use your utmost endeavours to preserve a continuance of the pacific dispositions of the Indians within our limits towards the subjects of His Catholic Majesty, or his [* 12th June 1797.] --- 7 [underline: ins]; and to prevent their commencing hostilities (of which there is no appearance) against either, conformably to the fifth article of the said Treaty. That you flatter yourself, after these candid assurances, that you will have immediate pleasure to announce to the President, a full compliance with the treaty on the part of the Commander of his Catholic Majesty's forces within the United States."— [No. IV.] [underline: Draft of a letter from Brigadier General James Wilkinson to the Secretary of War, dated Fort Washington, 3d June, 1797, received 22d instant.] LIEUTENANT Colonel Howard, of the regiment of Louisiana, an accomplished Irishman, has arrived at St. Louis, with four hundred regular troops; he is strengthening the works of that place, and organizing a Militia; and I have information, through a confidential channel, that it was determined as early as September last, not to give up the posts on the Mississippi." [No. V.] [underline: Draft of a letter from Brigadier General James Wilkinson to the Secretary of War, dated Fort Washington, 3th June, 1797, received 22d instant.] LETTERS from all quarters announce the discontents and menacing aspect of the savages; two white men have been recently murdered on the Ohio below Cumberland, and the savages beyond the Mississippi, and those who pass Mafsac, make no hesitation to avow their purpose for war; the Shawanese, at the old Tawa towns, are our nearest neighbours; they profess friendship, but are making no preparations for a crop, which is a certain indication of their intention to change ground." --- 8 "The enclosed extract of a letter from Colonel Hamtramck is corroborated by information from Kaskaskia, St. Vincennes, and Mafsac." "At the same time Colonel Howard is strengthening his works at St. Louis, and organizing the militia, are taken into pay at nine dollars per month."— [No. VI.] [underline: Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Hamtramck, Brigadier General James Wilkinson, dated Detroit, May, 1797.] "THE departure of the fourth regiment, and not the artillery, makes us very weak—it has reduced the guards from officer's guards to non-commissioned officers; and our strength does not admit of three relieves. "I have had, for a long time past, a large number of Indians—I do not know well their intentions—I think it would be prudent not to weaken the garrison more than it is; and I am pretty sure that both the French and Spaniards have emissaries amongst the Indians—I have it from indubitable authority, that a large Belt of the Spaniards is now travelling through the different nations." [No. VII.] [underline: Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Piercy Pope, to the Secretary for the Department of War, dated Camp, May, 1797—Received 29th June.] S I R, "I ARRIVED at the Walnut-Hills on the 13th last month. Previous to my arrival at that place, orders were lodged with the Commandant of that Post, not to suffer my troops to come any lower down until fur- --- 9 ther. At this place I remained for eight or ten days, when I received a letter from Governor Gayofo, informing me, that he should be happy to see myself and detachment arrive. I immediately embarked all my troops and moved on to Natchez, at which place I arrived the 5th April, was received extremely well, and every thing appeared to go perfectly right for several days; the evacuation appeared to be going on with great life; when all at once the military flores were immediately ordered back, the troops busily engaged all night taking back and remounting the cannon; this kind of conduct, I assure you, alarmed the garrison here, detachments of troops daily arriving; the whole of which are both-day and night working and fortifying themselves; I can't fay against what. Reinforcements are daily going up to the Walnut Hills—for no other purpose but strengthening that place. The Gallina is ordered to be embodied—this however is a report, though I believe a very just one, which has alarmed the inhabitants extremely, who are respectable and numerous. I am also informed, this evening, that what is called the Mexican regiment are now on their way to 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 now about descending the river." [No. VIII.] Don Manuel Gayofo de Lemos, to Lieutenant Pope. S I R, BY Mr. Philip Minor I am informed, that you was preparing to come down the Mifsipi to take possession of B 2 --- 10 the posts on the east bank of this river, to the north of 31° latitude. 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 produced the determination you have taken to anticipate the time appointed. Depending on the friendly arrangements that the two Generals had entered into, neither Nogals or this place is yet evacuated, though the necessary steps are taken to verify it within one month; therefore I request that you will encamp your troops in the first convenient place on either bank of this river, nigh the place where this may be delivered to you, by my Adjutant, Captain Stephen Minor. I shall with pleasure see your condescension, as this will be 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 Catholic Majesty, when so intimately allied to the United States of America. As soon as the military flores are embarked, I shall do myself the honour to acquaint you with it, and then will be very happy to see you here, and to be personally acquainted with you. I am, with the highest consideration, Sir, your most humble obedient servant, MANUEL GAYOSO DE LEMOS. Natchez, 25th March, 1797. Capt. Pope. --- 11 [No. IX.] Don Manuel Gayofo de Lemos, to Lieutenant Pope. Natchez, 1st April, 1797. S I R, 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 our Court has settled, with the United States of America, some difficulties which can be levelled only by our respective Ministers. The perfect peace and harmony subsisting between the two nations, do not allow us to doubt but we shall shortly receive intelligence concerning the results of this suspension. It is my duty to inform you of this circumstance, and at the same time to offer you any assistance that you may be in need of, at the Walnut Hills, and give you every proof of our disposition to keep up a good understanding and sincere friendship with the United States. Notwithstanding I have already given the necessary orders to the Commandant of that Post to prepare convenient accommodations for your troops, I reiterate them by this opportunity, being anxious that you may meet with every possible conveniency at that place. I am, with consideration, SIR, Your most humble and obedient servant, MANUEL GAYOSO DE LEMOS. [Alexander Pope, Esq. commanding officer of the troops of the United States of America, at the Walnut Hills.] --- 12 [No. X.] [underline: Lieutenant Pope to Captain Burguard, commanding officer, Walnut Hills.] Walnut Hills, 13th April, 1797. S I R, I HAVE this morning, with attention, perused the letters from Governor Gayofo 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 answer to General Wayne's message, but on my arrival at Fort Mafsac, was informed by the commanding officer at that place that the posts were ready to be evacuated. Agreeably to my orders, and in consequence of this information I am now coming forward with my detachment for the purpose of taking possession of the lowest post on the Mississippi, the Natchez post. It is my wish, as well as that of the United States, to promote harmony and a friendly exchange of good offices between the United States and the subjects of his most Catholic Majesty. I am, with respect, Your very humble servant, PIERCY S. POPE, Lieut. Artil. commanding U. S. troops, Mississippi. Captain Burguard, commanding officer, Walnut Hills. [No. XI.] [underline: Lieutenant Piercy S. Pope, to Don Manuel Gayofo de Lemos.] Walnut Hills, 15 April 1797. S I R, YOUR letter of the 25th of March, and the other of the 1st. instant, were both delivered me, by the com- --- 13 manding 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 General 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 information received by me on this subject was at Fort Mafsac, which, together with my orders or influence, 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 most 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 humble servant, PEIRCY S. POPE, Lieut. Artily. Comdg. U. S. Troops, Mifsisippi. [No. XII.] [underline: Don Manuel Gayofo de Lemos, to Lieutenant Piercy S. Pope.] Natchez, 17th April, 1797. S I R, BY the commandant of that post I am informed of your arrival there, with the troops under your command; and he has also sent me the letter that you wrote to him acknowledging the reception of my two.