duction were circulated with an air of secrecy, among some of the American settlements on the western side of the Allegheny mountains:

66

"A COPY OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN AT THE FALLS OF OHIO, TO HIS FRIEND IN NEW ENGLAND, DATED DECEMBER 4TH, 1786.

"Dear Sir: Politics, which a few months ago were scarcely thought of, are now sounded aloud in this part of the world, and discussed by almost every person. The late commercial treaty with Spain, in shutting up, as it is said, the navigation of the Mississippi for the term of twenty-five years, has given this western country a universal shock, and struck its inhabitants with an amazement. Our foundation is affected. It is therefore necessary that every individual exert himself to apply a remedy. To sell us, and make us vassals to the merciless Spaniards, is a grievance not to be borne. The parliamentary acts which occasioned our revolt from Great Britain were not so barefaced and intolerable. To give us the liberty of transporting our effects down the river to New Orleans, and then be subject to the Spanish laws and impositions, is an insult upon our understanding. We know by woful experience that it is in their power, when once there, to take our produce at any price they please. Large quantities of flour, tobacco, meal, &c. have been taken there the last summer, and mostly confiscated. Those who had permits from their Governor, were obliged to sell at a price he was pleased to state, or subject themselves to lose the whole. Men of large property are already ruined by their policy. What benefit can you on the Atlantic shores receive from this act? The Spaniards, from the amazing resources of this river, can supply all their own markets at a much lower price than you possibly can. Though this country has been settling but about six years, and that in the midst of an inveterate enemy, and most of the first adventurers fallen a prey to the savages, and although the emigration to this country is so very rapid that the internal market is very great, yet the quantities of produce they now have on hand are immense. Flour and pork are now selling here at

twelve shillings the hundred; beef in proportion; any quantities of Indian corn can be had at nine pence per bushel. Three times the quantity of tobacco and corn can be raised on an acre here that can be within the settlement on the east side of the mountains, and with less cultivation. It is therefore rational to suppose that in a very few years the vast bodies of waters in those rivers will labor under immense weight of the produce of this rich and fertile country, and the Spanish ships be unable to convey it to market.

"Do you think to prevent the emigration from a barren country, loaded with taxes and impoverished with debts, to the most luxurious and fertile soil in the world? Vain is the thought, and presumptuous the supposition. You may as well endeavor to prevent the fishes from gathering on a bank in the sea which affords them plenty of nourishment. Shall the best and largest part of the United States be uncultivated, a nest for savages and beasts of prey? Certainly not. Providence has designed it for nobler purposes. This is convincing to every one who beholds the many advantages and pleasing prospects of this country. Here is a soil, richer to appearance than can possibly be made by art. Large plains and meadows without the labor of hands, sufficient to support millions of cattle, summer and winter; cane, which is also a fine nourishment for them, without bounds. The spontaneous production of this country surpasses your imagination. Consequently, I see nothing to prevent our herds being as numerous here in time as they are in the kingdom of Mexico. Our lands to the northward of the Ohio, for the produce of wheat, &c. will, I think, vie with the island of Sicily. Shall all this country now be cultivated for the use of the Spaniards? Shall we be their bondmen as the children of Israel were to the Egyptians? Shall one part of the United States be slaves, while the other is free? Human nature shudders at the thought, and freemen will despise those who could be so mean as to even contemplate on so vile a subject.

"Our situation is as bad as it possibly can be; therefore every exertion to retrieve our circumstances, must be manly,

eligible and just. We can raise twenty thousand troops on this side the Allegheny and Apalachian mountains; and the annual increase of them by emigration, from other parts, is from two to four thousand.

"We have taken all the goods belonging to the Spanish merchants of Post Vincennes and the Illinois, and are determined they shall not trade up the river, provided they will not let us trade down it. Preparations are now making here (if necessary) to drive the Spaniards from their settlements, at the mouth of the Mississippi. In case we are not countenanced and succored by the United States (if we need it) our allegiance will be thrown off, and some other power applied to. Great Britain stands ready with open arms to receive and support us. They have already offered to open their resources for our supplies. When once re-united to them, "farewell, a long farewell to all your boasted greatness." The province of Canada and the inhabitants of these waters, of themselves, in time, will be able to conquer you. You are as ignorant of this country as Great Britain was of America. These hints, if rightly improved, may be of some service: if not, blame yourselves for the neglect." *

It is not probable that the opinions and sentiments of the authors of this letter, were ever held or entertained by any considerable number of the western settlers. It seems, indeed, from the following memorial which was sent to the Governor of Virginia, that many of the most influential citizens of the district of Kentucky regarded with sentiments of disapprobation the projects of Mr. Green, and the proceedings of the troops under the command of General Clark, at Post Vincennes:

"DANVILLE, [Kentucky,] Dec. 22, 1786. "SIR: Whatever general impropriety there may be in a few private individuals addressing your Excellency on subjects of public nature, we cannot resist those impulses of duty and affection, which prompt us to lay before the honorable Board at which you preside a statement of certain unwarrantable

*Secret Journal Congress, iv. 320.

transactions, which we are apprehensive may, without the seasonable interposition of the legislature, deeply affect the dignity, honor, and interest of the commonwealth.

"The testimonials which accompany this will give your excellency a general idea of the outrage which has been committed at Post Vincennes, of the illicit views of Mr. Green and his accomplices, and the negotiation which has taken place between General Clark and the Wabash Indians.

"We beg leave to add, that we have reason to believe property has been plundered to a very considerable amount, and that it has been generally appropriated to private purposes. We are fearful that Green will find no difficulty in levying auxiliaries in the titular state of Frankland, and the settlements on Cumberland; in the meantime attempts are daily practised to augment the banditti at Post Vincennes, by delusive promises of lands, bounty and clothing, from the officers appointed by General Clark.

"We beg leave to suggest to the serious consideration of your excellency, the necessity of carrying into effect the treaty proposed in April; for we fear, that the savages, when assembled, if they are not amused by a treaty, or kept in awe by a military force at Post Vincennes, will form combinations among themselves hostile to this country; and before they disperse, may turn their arms against our scattered settlements in such force as to overwhelm them. To the superior wisdom and the paternal care of the heads of the commonwealth we take the liberty of submitting the matters herein mentioned, in full confidence, that every necessary measure will be immediately adopted and have the honor to be, with every sentiment of respect, your excellency's most obedient,

At Danville, a committee was appointed to wait on General Clark, "and receive from him such information as he thought proper to make respecting the establishment of the corps at Post Vincennes, of the seizure of Spanish property made at that place, and such other matters as they might think necessary." Here follows the report of the committee:

"They find by enquiry from General Clark, and sundry papers submitted by him to their inspection, that a Board of field officers composed from the corps employed on the late Wabash expedition, did in council held at Post Vincennes, the 8th of October, 1786, unanimously agree that a garrison at that place would be of essential service to the District of Kentucky, and that supplies might be had in the district more than sufficient for their support, by impressment or otherwise, under the direction of a commissary to be appointed for this purpose, pursuant to the authority vested in the field officers of the district by the Executive of Virginia. The same Board appointed Mr. John Craig, jun. a commissary of purchases; and resolved that one field officer and two hundred and fifty men, exclusive of the company of artillery to be commanded by Captain Valentine Thomas Dalton, be recruited to garrison Post Vincennes. That Colonel John Holder be appointed to command the troops in this service.

"In consequence of these measures it appears to your committee that a body of men have been enlisted and are now recruiting for one year: that General Clark hath taken the supreme direction of the corps, but by what authority doth not appear; and that the corps hath been further officered by appointments made by General Clark, who acknowledges that the seizure of the Spanish property was made by his order for the sole purpose of clothing and subsisting the troops; and that the goods seized were appropriated in this way. That John Rice Jones, who acts as commissary to the garrison, had passed receipts for the articles taken. The General alleges that the troops were raised for the security of the district; that he considers them subject to the direction of this committee, who may discharge them if they think proper, but conceives this