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284
SPAIN IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY, 1765-1794
Delavillebeuvre to Gayoso de Lemos May 8, 1794 175
(Copy)
I arrived at the Choctaw nation several days ago after a 24-day trip on the Tombigbee River where I met very strong currents. After > a few days rest I left for the nation, which I nave just told you about reaching. I beg you to send me your orders. I spoke to the chiefs to ease their minds about the presents, because they said that the time set at Nogales for them to receive the presents had passed. I gave them the reason for this. They were satisfied, and the nation was quiet.
Several Choctaw parties went to war against the Kickapoos at the instigation of Payemingo of the Chickasaws, who promised them that he would have presents given to them at Kentucky, as well as munitions, in order to go to war on the side of the Americans. As the Kickapoos are their common enemies, several parties started ; on their way, but more than three-fourths of them have quit. I told them that they should fight for the Spaniards, and not for the Americans who would do them no good.
I was not at all satisfied with what Ogoulayacabe said at an assembly called in the Choctaw nation by Favre during my absence in connection with a letter which you had sent him to induce him and his warriors to go to the Ecors a Margot against the French. He said that he was surprised that you should ask them to take up arms against white people, because the Spanish chiefs had always said that they did not want to shed the blood of the red men, nor allow them to mix in the wars of the white men, where they should merely be spectators. Franchimastabe, who is a very peaceable man, spoke after him and approved this policy very much. So you can see there is quite a bad example given by two chiefs who have been loaded with favors by the Spaniards. This sort of thing happens every day with them..
The American commissioner who resides in the Talapoosa nation sent a message to the Talapoosa chief, Mad Dog, to have him write to the Choctaw chiefs to go to the Creeks to get presents, but fortunately they did not want to go there because they were expecting their presents, and that is all there is to that.
This year the presents are going to be given at Mobile, and the Sieur Lanzos, commandant of that place, has just sent to the Choctaws the commissioner named Juzan, to arrange for their departure.
Some time ago a trader called Frainque or Degrange died. I made an inventory of his possessions and sold them at auction and got
mBL, (French).
PROBLEMS OF FRONTIER DBFBNSE, 1792-1794
318 piasters, but as he owed to another trader 250 piasters who went security for him at Panton?s store at Mobile, as is proved by a letter which Forbes wrote me about it, and as other bills have been presented to me, I think that unless you decide otherwise they will have to divide on a pro rata basis. I wrote about this to the Baron, but I beg you to send me your orders about it. I sold on six months? credit, there being no cash here.
The Talapoosas are up to their usual tricks now that spring is here, and have just stolen at Tombecbe three horses belonging to the interpreter, Simon Favre. I sent a courier bearing a message to the commissioner who relieved Don Pedro Olivier. He is called the Chevalier de Villiers, captain of militia. I asked him to have the horses given back and to speak to the chiefs of that nation to prevent them from coming near the Choctaws, who are already quite dissatisfied, because it might have dangerous consequences.
I have also written to Red Shoe. At present the savages do not want to go alone to carry letters for fear of accidents. They go by twos. I beg you to pay them with brandy; it will cost the King less.
A Chickasaw half-breed told me that even the old women went to get the presents, and I fear very much that the Choctaws will follow their example, although the Baron desires that only a few of them go. You have seen what happened at Nogales, despite what I could do. Well, at the present time they are dying of hunger, God have you in His holy keeping.
Bouxfouoa, 8th of May, 1794.
Juan Delavtllebeuvrb (Rubric)
To Monsieur Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemob.
Carondelet to de Blano May 16, 1794.?
I approve of the small present which you found necessary to give to the chief of the Kits de Singes who with fifty-three warriors from this nation presented himself to you. I have instructed Monsieur Tauzin to issue an order for the seventy-seven pesos and six reales which it cost, including the provisions for their subsistence during the five dayB they were at that post.
May God spare you many years.
New Orleans, May 16, 1794-
El Baron de Carondelet (Rubric).
Senor Don Luis de Blano.
?bl.