[rec'd [undecipherable] [undecipherable] 1798 Jan 12, 1799] Mobile October 26^th 1797. Sir, I received on the 24^th instant your letter of the 25^th July with its inclosures since about the 1^st Instant I have been a prisoner under the orders of Governor Gayoso who has succeeded the Baron de Carondelet, no cause has been assigned whatever — tomorrow I set off for Orleans on board of a Galley where I expect to be informed of the cause. I suspect however that it is on account of M^r Blount's projected invasion of this country, the Governor knew I had formerly lived in M^r Blount's family, and might reasonably enough suspect me of a connection with him. to this suspicion I have nothing to oppose but the most solemn negations. If I should be unsuccessful in satisfying the doubts of Gayoso I will be obliged to return to the U.S. by whatever rout he may assign me. I inclose you your own on some other letters and papers which it might be improper for to keep in my possession here. There is no prospect yet of the Treaty being executed, the last account from Orleans is that a packet was in the river but had not reached the city, perhaps [undecipherable]'s success at Cadiz may operate in favor the U.S. My situation will I hope plead my excuse for not being more full. I have the honor to be with sincere respect & esteem Your Obedient Servant John M'Kee 28^th the boat in which I am going to Orleans being detained upon a few days affords me an opportunity of adding a few lines to my letter. I think it is very probable that M^r M^c[undecipherable] will decline the [undecipherable] the ensuing Spring in which case would it not be the [undecipherable] Interest of the U.S. to have supplies of some port on the Mississippi in readiness to take it up — the Spanish possess Mississippi. To have [undecipherable] to the Indians I am well informed that an agent has been very recently appointed for the Chickasaws and Chikasaws in the room of Cl. [undecipherable] who died at this place about the first of September — as no part of these Nations live north of the 31° of North Latitude this measure affords no additional proof if one is necessary that the Spaniards do not intend to execute the Treaty if they can avoid it indeed everything forbodes an expected rupture with the U.S. One of our citizens [undecipherable] lately went to locate a settlement a few leagues above this in quest of his property and was there wantonly murdered the murderers are known and going at large the [undecipherable] is true there have talked something of revenge which has created some considerable alarm — should My friend M^r [undecipherable] go to Philadelphia as soon as to be the bearer of this letter give you the detail the principal commissioner here and you may only on the government [undecipherable] he is the only confidant I have had in this country and he has had all my confidence except on the subject of your memo. he intends going soon. I have taken your name from your letter to me lest accident which is very improbable should put it in the hands of the Spaniards, and this letter I leave without any address to be forwarded by the first safe conveyance and then to be addressed to you J. M'Kee I will write you as soon as possible.