made with the United States, by his Catholic Majesty, wou'd not be carried into effect by him. That nevertheless, such was his majesty's benevolent disposition, towards the inhabitants of this western country, that so soon as they should, by declaring themselves independent, put it in his majesty's power, he would by treaty, grant them a decided preference over his Atlantic connexions, on commercial subjects, by placing them on a much better footing, than they would be on, if the treaty of the United States should be executed. This despatch was dated Louisville, July 19th, 1797.

Upon its contents, Judge Innis made, as in 1806 he stated upon oath, the following reflections, to Judge Sebastian, with whom he was in consultation: "Upon which this deponent observed, that it was a dangerous project, and ought not to be countenanced, as the western people had now obtained the navigation of the Mississippi, by which all their wishes were gratified. Mr. Sebastian concurred in sentiment; but observed, that Power wished a written answer, and requested me to see Colonel Nicholas, saying, that whatever we did, he would concur in. I promised to visit the colonel in two or three days."

Then stating, that he did not communicate with Mr. Murray, proceeds: "This deponent rode to Lexington, and had a conference with Colonel Nicholas, respecting the communication from Power, who agreeing with this deponent, that the proposition ought to be rejected; he, Colonel Nicholas, instantly wrote an answer, which was copied by this deponent, signed by both of us, and directed by me; that the copy of our joint answer was taken possession of by me, and has been ever since in my possession, except for a short time," &c.; which identifies the copy produced; and which follows, without date.

"SIR: We have seen the communication made by you to Mr. Sebastian. In answer thereto, we declare unequivocally, that we will not be concerned either directly or indirectly, in any attempt that may be made to separate the western country from the United States. That whatever part we may at any time be induced to take in the politics of our country,

that her welfare will be our only inducement, and that we will never receive any pecuniary, or any other reward, for any personal exertions made by us, to promote that welfare.

"The free navigation of the Mississippi must always be the favourite object of the inhabitants of the western country; they cannot be contented without it; and will not be deprived of it longer than necessity shall compel them to submit to its being withheld from them.

"We flatter ourselves that every thing will be set right, by the governments of the two nations; but if this should not be the case, it appears to us that it must be the policy of Spain to encourage by every possible means, the free intercourse with the inhabitants of the western country, as this will be the most efficient means to conciliate their good will, and to obtain without hazard, and at reduced prices, those supplies which are indispensably necessary to the Spanish government and its subjects."

The foregoing was transmitted to Mr. Sebastian; who, it was ascertained, delivered it to Mr. Power, in the original; after he returned from a visit to General Wilkinson, commanding the troops of the United States, on the northwestern frontier.

It is not intended to make many comments on this subject; after the very few circumstances stated by Judge Innis, it can but be remarked, that the transaction would seem almost barren of incidents, were it not for the light thrown on it by Mr. Power, in rendering to his employer, an account of his mission.

Before, however, that is introduced, it will be proper to recite the reasons given by Mr. Innis, for concealing these communications from the president of the United States.

"This deponent says the reasons why he and Col. Nicholas did not communicate the subject to the president of the United States, were these:

"1st. That it was well known that neither of us approved of Mr. Adams' administration, and that we believed he kept a watchful eye over our actions; that the communication must depend upon his opinion of our veracity; and it would have the appearance of courting his favour.

2d. That we both had reason, and did believe, that the then administration, were disposed upon the slightest pretext, to send an army to this state; which we conceived would be a grievance upon the people; and therefore declined making any communication on the subject, as we apprehended no danger from the Spanish government."

Never, probably, was a witness more unfortunate in assigning reasons for his conduct. They will, however, be passed without scrutiny.

The joint answer, wanting a date, deprives the subject of much illustration: while it has made an opening, heretofore not left wholly unoccupied, for the surmise, that it was not written, until after General Wilkinson had been heard from; whose course on the same subject, has been pretty fully deve loped by the common friend of the parties, Mr. Power, whose letters will be adverted to, for illustrations.

The commission with which he set out to visit Kentucky, &c. is dated, New Orleans, 28th May, 1797, and delivered to him the 3d of June ensuing. Its perusal fully justifies the proposals delivered to Mr. Sebastian, as previously detailed. He proceeded by the way of Nashville, where he was detained some days-thence to Louisville, Kentucky-where he was the 19th of July-and in the neighbourhood of Detroit, the 16th of August-having previously notified his approach, to General Wilkinson, through Captain Guyon. The general having gone to Michilimackinac, he took private quarters. On Wilkinson's return, they had an interview. The following is extracted from the official account of Power:-"General Wilkinson received me very coolly. During the first conference I had with him, he exclaimed very bitterly, 'we are both lost, without being able to derive any advantage from your journey.' He said the governor had orders from the president, to arrest me, and send me to Philadelphia--and added, "that there was no way for me to escape, but by permitting myself to be conducted immediately, under a guard, to the fort Massac, and from there to New Madrid.' Having informed him of the proposals of the baron, he proceeded to tell me that it was a

chimerical project; that the inhabitants of the western states, having obtained by treaty, all they wanted, would not wish to form any other political or commercial alliances; and that they had no motive for separating themselves from the other states of the union, even if France and Spain should make them the most advantageous offers; that the fermentation which had existed four years back, was now appeased." That French spoliations had disgusted the Americans, and that some Kentuckians had proposed to him, to raise and march three thousand men into Louisiana, in case war should be declared between the United States and Spain. That the latter had no course to pursue under present circumstances, but to comply fully with the treaty; which had overturned all his plans, and rendered his labours for ten years, useless. That he had destroyed his ciphers, &c.; and that his honour did not permit him to hold correspondence with the Spanish government. He complained that his secret had been divulged: that he had known from the preceding September, that Spain did not intend to give up the posts, but would be compelled. That he might be named governor of Natchez, and he should then perhaps, have it in his power to realize his political projects.

With respect to to the people of Kentucky, Mr. Sebastian had a different opinion. He said, if there is a war with Spain, she will have nothing to fear from Kentucky: and he has insinuated that it will be the readiest way to hurry them on to take an open part against the Atlantic states.

Mr. Power next gives his own opinion, and says:—“A great portion of the principal characters in Kentucky, Cumberland, and the northwestern territory, have been instigators of the expedition of Genet and Clark, against Louisiana; consequently they are enemies to those who are enemies of the French: more than one half of the rest, are those who take the greatest interest in a more intimate union of the western states with us; and many of those who remain, as they are not very desirous of gaining conquests over Spain, but only to preserve the limits and privileges marked in the treaty, will do what they can, to avoid hostilities.

The people permit themselves to be implicitly governed by one of the parties mentioned; so that considering these circumstances, we may labour under no apprehensions on this account. But other more weighty reasons are opposed to their declaring themselves independent of the eastern states, I will content myself with relating the principal one. Whilst they will be making a treaty with the government of Louisiana, what certainty will they have that the cabinet of Madrid is not making a treaty at the same time, very different from what they may have agreed to here? Experience has taught them to their misfortune, that this is not a mere conjecture. Three motives alone would be able to impel them to break the confederation with the other states, viz:

"1st. War with the French republic.

"2d. A prohibition to navigate the Mississippi, and to esta blish themselves in the dominions of the king.

"3d. Their incapacity to pay in cash, their share of the com mon duties, ($28,000,) or to see the government intent on recovering it by force.

"These are the axis upon which their policy turns."

Other gleanings from the same letter:

"To Mr. Benjamin Sebastian, I communicated the apparent motives, and likewise the real cause of my mission. He then proceeded to exhibit certain requisitions with which I had to comply; as, in case any one making exertions for Spain, should lose his office, he should be compensated by the king, &c.

"Consequent to these objects, we (that is, Sebastian and himself) resolved that he should make them known to Messrs. Nicholas, Innis, Todd, and other persons in whom he confided, who were zealous for the improvement, prosperity, and independence of Kentucky; and absolutely refusing to speak to Murray, or Breckenridge, on the subject, as he mistrusted both. The first is given to drink, infidelity and perfidy; the other, is known to hold conferences with them, tending to fulfil the wishes of the baron, and to concert measures to that effect,"