quires an essential explanation, not only with regard to the points alluded to in my proclamation, but likewise as I am authorized to declare to you, that the general of this province finds himself under the necessity to consult his majesty concerning the manner in which the posts are to be evacuated; as it appears by general Wayne's communication to him, that he expects that the posts will be delivered with the buildings standing as they are; and by the treaty, we conceive that the posts are to be demolished before we leave them; and as such interpretation of the true meaning of the treaty either one way or the other [it] might produce unnecessary ministerial contests, my general has given me positive orders to suspend the evacuations of the posts until the matter shall be amicably settled between the two courts. In the mean while, if the troops of the United States thatare daily expected, arrive, they shall be received at Nogales in the most friendly and hospitable manner, as is due to a nation with whom we are at perfect peace, and with whom we wish to keep the most perfect harmony. I flatter myself you will do me the justice to acknowledge the propriety of my conduct in obeying the superior order of my general, who is actuated by the principles of the strictest honour in supporting the interest of his majesty intrusted to him. The uniform good harmony that we have reciprocally promised to each other will subsist; and it will not be only our duty but our glory to banish every shadow of misunderstanding, which is wrongly interpreted by the publick, without any more foundation than assisted those that tried to persuade you of wrongs that they never suffered. I am, &c. MANUEL GAYOSO DE LEMOS. No. 20. From his Excellency Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, to Andrew Ellicott, Esq. Natchez, April 14, 1797. MY DEAR SIR,I am informed that the officer commanding your escort, has enlisted several persons, residents of this government, which being against the laws of nations, I cannot pass unnoticed, it being an infringement on the sovereignty of the king my master, and a disregard of the authority residing in me. I cannot persuade myself that it was done intentionally, nor thinking that it could give the most remote offence; but as the matter is of a most delicate nature, I request you to give the necessary orders, that the men so enlisted may be discharged, and delivered to major Minor, whom I commission for this purpose. The object of the escort not being to raise men in this country, while under his catholick majesty's dominion, I request of you likewise to give the most precise and positive orders to the officer of the troops, or to whom it may appertain, to discontinue such proceedings, or any thing that may injure the immunity of the king's dominions, or his royal rights. The most perfect harmony and friendship subsisting between his catholick majesty and the United States of America, the same being recommended in the most particular manner to the individuals of both nations, it would be unaccountable if we, that have had the honour to be distinguished by our appointments, did not promote this friendly reciprocity, which not only consists in a hospitable and polite intercourse, but guarding and keeping to one another the prerogatives and privileges that are due. Enclosed I have the honour of transmitting to you a list of the men, that to my knowledge, have been recruited, or suffered to be recruited, in this government, by the officer commanding your escort. I have the honour to be, &c. MANUEL GAYOSO DE LEMOS. The Hon. Andrew Ellicott. No. 21. From Andrew Ellicott, Esq. to His Excellency Manuel Gayoso de Lemos. Natchez, April 14, 1797. DEAR SIR,-Your excellency's favour of this date was handed to me by major Minor; but the request it contains is of so general and important a nature, and affecting so deeply the privileges of the citizens of the United States, that I must take a short time to investigate its ultimate tendency, as a part, if not all of the persons named in your excellency's list, cannot, by any construction of the late treaty, or the laws of nations, be considered as the subjects of his catholick majesty. You may rest assured, that having in view the sacred and honourable principles which are the basis of that government I have the honour to serve, and by which treaties are considered the most sacred of all obligations, I will be careful neither to infringe the rights of the subjects of his catholick majesty, nor willingly suffer infringement of those of the citizens of the United States. I am, &c. ANDREW ELLICOTT. His Excellency Manuel Gayoso de Lemos. No. 22. From Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Hault de Lassus, to Major General Anthony Wayne. New Madrid, on the Mississippi, Dec. 18, 1796. SIR, Lieutenant Taylor has delivered me your excellency's letter, dated Detroit, October 19th, 1796, and according to your intention I have acquainted him with the orders I have received from the governour general of this province, respecting the treaty of friendship, navigation and limits, between the United States of America, and the king my master. I here enclose a copy of my letter to him, wherein I hope you will find sufficient and satisfactory information. As lieutenant Taylor has, according to his instructions, determined to return from here without going any further down, I am about sending immediately an express to New Orleans with your excellency's letter to the governour general of Louisiana; I will think myself happy if I have succeeded in complying with your intentions. I have the honour to be, &c. CHARLES DE HAULT DE LASSUS, Lieut. Colonel in his Catholick Majesty's Service, and Commander of the Post of New Madrid. Major General Anthony Wayne, commanding the Army of the United States of America. No. 23. From Lieutenant Colonel Charles de IIault de Lassus, to Lieutenant Taylor. New Madrid, on the Mississippi, December 18, 1796. SIR,-According to his excellency major general Wayne's desire, I have the honour to inform you of my having received from the governour general of this province information respecting the ratification of the treaty of friendship, navigation and limits, between the king my master, and the United States of America. You have seen in his letter which I have read to you, that I have orders not to prevent in the least the going down the Mississippi of the commissioners appointed on the part of the United States to fix the limits, and of the troops who were to accompany them; but that in the mean time he orders me to tell them, that the evacuation of the posts cannot take place until the time of high waters. I will beg leave to observe to you, that although this is the affirmative answer that general Wayne speaks of, yet as he says that the troops, who are to take possession of the posts, are now waiting at Fort Massac, their coming down the river immediately, that is, before the high waters, would be somewhat sooner than the governour general of this province seems to expect, and somewhat contrary to major general Wayne's own intentions, since he tells the baron de Carondelet, in his letter, to appoint the most convenient time for the evacuation of the posts. I hope you will be so good as to make that observation to such officers as are in possession of general Wayne's orders respecting the taking of possession of the posis, and at the same time to make them sensible of the conveniency it will be to both the Americans and the Spaniards to wait for a more proper season for the transport of artillery, baggage, provisions, &c. which could not be moved at this present time, without much trouble and risk on account of the river being so remarkably low, as to render its navigation very dangerous. I have the honour to be, &c. CHARLES DE HAULT DE LASSUS, Licut. Colonel in his Catholick Majesty's Service, and Commander of the Post of New Madrid. To Lieutenant Taylor. Department of State, June 10, 1797. I HEREBY CERTIFY, that the foregoing documents numbered from 1 to 21, inclusive, are true copies of the original communication from Andrew Ellicott, Esq. the commissioner of the United States, appointed to run the boundary line between their territory and his catholick majesty's colonies of East and West Florida, to the Secretary of State. GEORGE TAYLOR, JUN. Chief Clerk. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JUNE 22, 1797. IMMEDIATELY after I had received your resolution of the 10th of June, requesting a report respecting the depredations committed on the commerce of the United States, since the first of October, 1796, specifying the name of the vessel taken, where bound to or from, species of hding, the value (when it can be ascertained) of the vessel and cargo taken, and by what power captured, particularizing those which have been actually condemned, toge ther with the proper documents to ascertain the samel, directed a collection to be made of all such information as should be found in the possession of the government: In consequence of which the Secretary of State has made the report, and the collection of documents which accompany this message, and are now laid before the House of Representatives, in compliance with their desire. JOHN ADAMS. Department of State, June 21, 1797. SIR,-I have the honour to lay before you a report respecting the depredations committed on the commerce of the United States, since the first of October, 1796, as far conformable to the resolve of the House of Representa |