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328,
SPAIN IN THE) MISSISSIPPI VALLEY, 1765-17S4
"clown the Ohio River with boats loaded with stakes and that during-?the night they planted them at the mouth of the Cherokee River where the old French fort used to be. He says that the Chickasaw: hunters who were with them reported this. They say that the fortjt, was finished during the night but I find it hard to believe. How-! ever, we must presume that, in any case, they will finish it. Theirs purpose is doubtless to prevent the Cherokees from receiving any; help.	iJv,
You have without doubt heard of the injury done to the Sieur Chastan, inhabitant of Mobile, by over one hundred Alibamons who ; shot his Negro, killed some of his cattle and all of his poultry, and ! are said to be threatening to prevent the settlement at Tombecbe. As for this last threat, they are not to be feared except in connection with the boats, because the fort is finished. Besides, I think that this is all due to drink. They will have forgotten everything upon awakening. It is not possible any longer to deprive either them or the Choctaws of drink. The Choctaw chiefs ask me for it all the time. I must beg you to be so kind as to order liquor to be sent to the fort. This is about the cheapest thing we can give them.
1 can do no less than to point out to you once again how much inconvenience there is in giving commissions at Mobile to the traders of the Choctaw nation to trade in various villages. They have discussions every day amongst themselves because the commandant of Mobile cannot possibly know whether the village for which the commission is asked is free or not. He gives it to anyone who asks him for it without knowing whether he is entitled to it, so that dishonest traders often try to displace those more honest than themselves to whom the Indians often owe four or five hundred skins. The result is that once the permission is granted, these poor fellows must lose everything. This already happened several times, and as you see, it is very hard on them. Since my arrival several of them have complained to me but the others present their commissions to me and I am unable to settle anything. It would seem to me more natural that I, who am residing at or near this nation, should give them these commissions, as the English commissioners used to do. This would prevent all disputes and I would have a first-hand knowledge as to who was right and who was wrong. I beg you to give me your orders on this matter and I shall abide by them.
I have asked whether Bichers had given to Franchemastabe on your behalf the quart of salt, the two pounds of sugar, and the twelve and a half pounds of coffee, as you informed me. He has received none of these things and Bichers tells me that thev onlv
PROBLEMS OF FRONTIER DEFENSE, 1792^1794
329
wanted to give him six pounds of salt and only a little sugar and coffee. Therefore he refused to take anything, even food supplies.
God have you in his holy keeping.
Boukfouka, July 22, 179b.
Juan Delavillebeuvre (Rubric) Monsieur the Baron de Carondelet, governor general.
Cordoba to Carondelet July 26, 179b 211
Senor Governor
Colonel Baron de Carondelet: Being in command of this town of Nacogdoches, bordering on that province under command of Your Lordship, I have observed that the insolent behavior of some of the Indian nations, our enemies, is the result of their being well-s,upplied with munitions, which they obtain exclusively through some individuals in that province. I thought it right to inform my governor, Senor Don Manuel Munos, of the many injuries that the aforesaid individuals are inflicting upon this province of Texas. His Lordship, notwithstanding that he has taken the required measures, orders me to inform Your Lordship of all that is necessary for a prompt
remedy.
One of the most warlike nations, and one which has caused the greatest injury to this province, is that of the Apaches, and the only place where they find some shelter is at the post of Opelousas, dependent upon that province in charge of Your Lordship. The proof of this is that last year the Bidais Indians brought me a passport which an inhabitant of the aforesaid post called De Beorde gave them and which reads thus: ?Having written to the governor, on petition of the Attacapas Indians, for the purpose of soliciting the peace which the latter desire with the Apache Indians, who also have asked for it, the governor replied to me that it might properly be given to them and they might be regarded as brothers. For this purpose four chiefs are going to Arcoquisa to offer them peace.? With this motive the Attacapas Indians brought thirty-five guns with their corresponding powder and ball. The aforesaid chiefs gave the passport to the Bidais Indians, and the latter came to present it to me. I regret very much not being able to send the original passport to Your Lordship, for I had the misfortune to mislay it. If I am fortunate enough to find it again I shall send it to Your Lordship
at the first opportunity.
I am also informed by several persons worthy of belief that there
is now in one of the most populous nations which belong to this