Extract of Letter

Subversive role of Spaniards and Alexander McGillivray

Letter from the Indian Agent in the Southern Department, to President Washington. Provides information regarding actions of Spaniards, which confirms Seagrove's opinion that they act to do injury to United States and that General McGillivray has verified Seagrove's predictions of him. Expresses opinion that Spaniards wish to involve United States in war with four Southern Nations of Indians. Cites enclosed testimony on oath of James Leonard, once a citizen of Beverly, Massachusetts.

1792

07

27

Rocklanding

Extract of a letter.

George Washington

James Seagrove

John Stagg

chief clerk

James Leonard

Alexander McGillivray

Spanish

Indians

Creeks

Rocklanding

Beverly

Massachusetts

Spain

testimony

oath

1792072790003

1

2

Extract of a Letter from James Seagrove Esq. to the President of the United States ..... dated Rock Landing... 27 July 1792.

"Since my last to you which was pretty full on the subject of Spanish and Indian matters I have received many pieces of information all tending to confirm me in the opinion that the Spaniards are acting as
as much to the injury of the United States as they possibly can and that Genl McGillivray hath verified my predictions of him
From every information which I can collect from White People and Indians, there does not remain a doubt with me, but that the Spaniards will if possible they can involve the United States in a War with the four Southern Nations of Indians. Every exertion is making by the Spaniards and undue measures taking with the Savages to stir them up against us.
The incolsed Testimony on Oath of James Leonard who appears to be a man of information and respectable decent manners will explain and open to you new matter of perfidy in Spain as well as base Conduct in General McGillivray. Mr. Leonard is a Stranger to me and in this Country - his appearance is much in his favor, he is a modest man, of few words, and seems actuated in this information by no other motive but to serve the United Stets. He is a Citizen of Massachusetts and lived at Beverly.
Mr Leonards testimony being corroborated to me by a variety of accounts and circumstances within my own knowledge I am the more readily led to place confidence in it. He is now with me and I have taken much pains in cross examining and sounding him on this information but cannot find him defective or any room for suspicion as to his - veracity. -
The forgoing Extracts written on eight pages, are correctly taken from the originals in the file in this War office of this United States.
Stagg Chief Clerk
June 20. 1793.
[Marginalia] From official From James Seagrove the Secty. of War