This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

258
SPAIN IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLK5T, 1765-J794
tion of the Mississippi River which is now become absolutely essential to the happiness of the Inhabitants west of the Alleghany Mountains.
From your situation I cannot doubt your want of knowledge as to our increasing wealth & population, it can therefore be no matter of surprise to you to be informed that the people of Kentucky are extremely desirous of obtaining from the Court of Spain such privileges as may enable them to export by way of the Mississippi their surplus commodities, which from the industry of the Farmer & fertility of soil are become very abundant.
To give you an idea of the prevailing sentiments of the people of Kentucky on this all important subject, enclosed is an Address to the Western people of the United States & a Remonstrance from them to the Congress, both of which are generally approved by the Inhabitants of this State; altho? there is an expression in the remonstrance which indicates offensive measures but I can assure you Sir, that it is considered by the thinking people to be the last recourse & only to be resorted to when every other mode of application to obtain that which we conceive to be our joint right proves inefectual . . . [Line cut off] Your Nation reciprocal & adequate advantages.
I have been informed that Baron Carondelet in a late confidential \ communication, declared that the Court of Spain was disposed to grant to the inhabitants of the United States residing on the waters of the Mississippi certain Priveledges on certain Conditions. Hints of this kind will amuse us but a little while, if therefore your Court hath any serious intentions of making propositions to the people of Kentucky there is no time to be lost in coming forward with the proposals, they must be libberal & such as may promote the interest of both Nations & secure the support of the influential characters of this State in their favor.
Should you incline to carry on a confidential correspondence with me, it will be necessary to prepare a Cypher for my safty to prevent an intercepted letter operating to my prejudice as you know Sir that I hold an Important & Lucrative office under the American Government. Send your answer by one conveyance & the Key by another.
You no doubt have had various reports respecting an expedition under the auspices of General Clark down the Mississippi?it is a project carried out by him (& it is said) the French Minister it is unsupported by influence, it will therefore unquestionably fail as it has not the essential ingredients money & Influence.
Our friend Gen1. Wilkinson was in good health the 27th ultimo &
I flatter myself is in the fair road to Honor & Preferment I am with great respect & esteem Sir you mo. ob. Serv1.
Harry Innes
PROBLEMS OF FRONTIER DEFENSE], 1792-1794
Carondelet to Filhiol February 16, 179i157
Replied 3d of April, No. 4.
No. 16.
The preparations which several French vagrants are making on the Ohio for the purpose of troubling Louisiana have alarmed this colony. I have deemed it necessary to reassure the inhabitants by telling them exactly what is going on and enlightening them as to the insidious actions of some agents scattered in Louisiana, who have nothing to lose and hope to take advantage of the confusion which they are trying to create there by their pernicious speeches, or by exaggerating the resources of the enemy.
Consequently, I am turning over to you the two enclosed copies which you will pass around and have read to the inhabitants assembled by your order, according to your judgement as to what is the easiest and most suitable means.
God have you in His holy keeping.
Le Baron de Carondelet (Rubric)
New Orleans, 16th of February, 1794-To Mr. Filhiol.
Lanzob to Carondelet February 19, 179i **?
No. 523
Expressly commissioned by his chiefs, the Indian named Chilta-hamb? came to relate to ine what is contained in the document which I enclose to Your Lordship with No. 1.
This was followed by another from the interpreter Simon Fabre, with the letter which I also enclose with No. 2. A little while later another express messenger came from the Choctaw nation with the letter and message contained in No. 8.
I replied to the first by referring to the force of the treaty which the greater part of the chiefs of his nation had signed in the congress at Nogales. To the second I answered that in a short time Commissioner Don Juan de la Villebeuvre might be expected there with everything necessary for the fort, that is, if no obstacles had presented themselves to Your Lordship to cause you to deviate from the last orders which I have received. To the third, I give thanks for their activity in giving the information. I believe it to be no cause for anxiety, since the official to be named lieutenant general will he com-
187 BL, (French).