encamped from the mountain to the Rio de las Animas, and to dig out all the goods we had put in the ground for security, (having no use of them in the winter.) We started from Taos, and a few days after reached this side of the mountains, where we were soon joined by Mr. Chouteau, to whom we had sent an express. We took out of the ground all the goods, and furs, &c. we had hidden in different places; this being done, sergeant M. Vaca told us, that the governour had further ordered, that the whole of our party must go to visit with them our former encampments, as low down as Rio de las Animas; that if no fort was found, he would leave us there, to get to St. Louis as well as we could. To this we could not consent, for it would have carried us to an inevitable destruction, it being the time when the Pawnees are lurking for prey in all directions about Arkansaw river; besides, we should have lost the benefit of our spring trade. We proposed to the sergeant, that I should go with him to the Rio de las Animas, that Mr. Chouteau would remain where we then were, with a party, that he (the sergeant) would leave to guard him,and that at our return we would go away in a northern direction. Both commanders agreed to this proposition. I started with a party of fifty men to search the so much talked of fort, which, is needless to say, could not be found. Every thing was in order, and a good understanding existed between our people and Spaniards, when we returned. Next day we parted, and were accompanied some distance by the lieutenant, sergeant, and few men. Much delay having taken place by the coming of the Spaniards, it was now impossible for us to proceed to the head waters of the Columbia by the route we had at first intended to go, which was by following the foot of the mountains up the Rio del Almagre, and then turn to the west. Though we knew the road to be good, we could not undertake it for want of time, therefore resolved to enter the mountains on the north side of Arkansaw river. We passed the first chain with great ease, but we were no sooner on the other side, than we foresaw all the difficulties we had to encounter. We had before us a chain of snow capped mountains much higher than the one we left behind. The cold was intense, and the recital of hardships would renew the sufferings we underwent. After three days of steady labour through snow, in order to cut a route, we had the mortification to retrace our way back.

Perceiving that nothing advantageous could be performed that season, it was agreed that seventeen men with the most reduced horses, should go down river Plate, and there to wait for Chouteau, who was determined to remain one year longer. Both he and me, with the balance of our men, (except five Shonee Indians, who had left us several days before,) we came on this side of the first chain of mountains, to take the goods we had put in the ground at the entrance of the mountains, and myself take the furs and return to St. Louis, which was fixed on the 23d of May.

In the night,a very heavy rain commenced, which continued all day on the 23d, and prevented my starting. At about 2 o'clock, P. M. one corporal and four soldiers came to us they said that a large party was behind, and would come up next day. On the 24th, sergeant Mariano Vernal, came up with his party and informed us, his orders were to take us all to Sante Fe. (Afterwards we were told he had instructions to take us alive or dead.) We secured again our goods in the earth, and were escorted to New Mexico. When on our way there, sergeant Vernal, as it was reported, sent a detachment of his men back to steal our property, of which we never heard any thing of, only three days previous of our leaving Santa Fe, while the governour made a kind of an inventory of the same. When we got to the Rio de la Culevra, Chouteau, myself, and one of our hands, under an escort of ten men, took the advance, and on the 1st June arrived at Santa Fe. 1 was first introduced to the governour, who inquired in a very angry manner, why I had not obeyed him, when ordered to go out of the Spanish domains? I replied, his orders were obeyed as soon as received; that we were taken on the American territory, where our governour had given us a license to go. At this he got in a violent rage saying that we should pay for our own and our governour's ignorance; using all the time very abusive language, repeating several times that he would have our brains blown up; that we were fortunate he had not come himself, for he would not have taken us alive.

Mr. Chouteau told me since, that he experienced the same treatment, and was likewise confined in a dungeon and in irons.

On the 7th of the same month, the lieutenant, don Jose Maria de Arce, came in to give the welcome intelligence,

that the governour had ordered my irons should be taken off. After forty-four days imprisonment, we were presented before a court martial composed of six members and a president, who was the governour himself. Only one of the six members appeared to have some information, the others not knowing even how to sign their names. Many questions were asked, but more particularly why we had staid so long in the Spanish dominions? I answered, that being on the waters of Arkansaw river, we did not consider ourselves in the domains of Spain, as we had a license to go as far as the head waters of said river. The president denied that our government had a right to grant such a license, and entered in such a rage that it prevented his speaking, contented himself with striking his fist several times on the table, saying, gentlemen, we must have this man shot. At such conduct of the president, I did not think much of my life, for all the other members were terrified in his presence and unwilling to resist him, on the contrary do any thing to please him. He, the president, talked much of a big river that was the boundary line between the two countries, but did not know its name. When mention was made of the Mississippi, he jumped up, saying that that was the big river he meant, that Spain had never ceded the west side of it! It may be easy to judge of our feelings to see our lives in the hands of such a man. That day the court did not come to any determination, because the president (as I heard himself say to lieutenant de Arce) had forgot every thing he had to say. Next day we were again presented to the court, but as I knew then what kind of a man I had to deal with, I never attempted to justify myself of his false assertions. We were dismissed, and Mr. Chouteau and myself put in the same room.

Half an hour afterwards, the lieutentant came in with the written sentence; we were forced to kneel down to hear the citure of it, and forced likewise to kiss the unjust and iniquitous sentence that deprived harmless and inoffensive men of all they possessed of the fruits of two years labour and perils.

What appears the more extraordinary, is, that the governour acknowledged to me afterwards, and in the presence, of don Pedro Pino, (the deputy of New Mexico to the cortes) and several others, that we were very innocent men, and notwithstanding this, all our property was kept,

and permitted to come home, with each, one of the worst horses we had.

I have alrerdy taken too much of your time in narrating our journey. Many incidents are probably unnecessary, but by relating facts as they really are, I thought you would sympathize with our sufferings. Our actual loss amounts to $30,380 744. The benefits which we had a probable, indeed a most assured confidence, to reap from our labours, would no doubt have fully compensated us. It remains now to know whether our government will demand satisfaction of the king of Spain, for outrages committed by his ignorant governour on American citizens. Our accounts have been forwarded to the honourable I. Scott, our delegate, and we hope, that your excellency will assist our case with the zeal and generosity so congenial with your feelings of justice.

I remain, &c.

JULIUS DE MUN.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS an arrangement was entered into at the city of Washington, in the month of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, between Richard Rush, Esq. at that time acting as Secretary for the department of State of the United States, for and in behalf of the government of the United States; and the right honourable Charles Bagot, his Britannick majesty's envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, for and in behalf of his Britannick majesty, which arrangement is in the words following, to wit:

"The naval force to be maintained upon the American lakes, by his majesty and the government of the United States, shall henceforth be confined to the following vessels on each side; that is

"On lake Ontario, to one vessel, not exceeding one hundred tons burden, and armed with one eighteen pound

cannon.

"On the upper lakes, to two vessels, not exceeding like burden each, and armed with like force.

"On the waters of lake Champlain, to one vessel, not exceeding like burden, and armed with like force.

"All other armed vessels on these lakes shall be forthwith dismantled, and no other vessels of war shall be there built or armed.

"If either party should be hereafter desirous of annulling this stipulation, and should give notice to that effect to the other party, it shall cease to be binding after the expiration of six months from the date of such notice.

"The naval force so to be limited shall be restricted to such services as will, in no respect, interfere with the proper duties of the armed vessels of the other party."

And whereas the Senate of the United States have approved of the said arrangement, and recommended that it should be carried into effect; the same having also received the sanction of his royal highness the prince regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of his Britannick majesty:

Now, therefore, I, James Monroe, President of the United States, do, by this my proclamation, make known and declare that the arrangement aforesaid, and every stipulation thereof, has been duly entered into, concluded, and confirmed, and is of full force and effect.

Given under my hand, at the city of Washington, this twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States the forty-second. JAMES MONROE.

By the President.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,
Secretary of State.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS, by an act of Congress of the United States, of the 3d of March, 1815, so much of the several acts imposing duties on the ships and vessels, and on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the United States, as imposed a discriminating duty of tonnage between foreign vessels and vessels of the United States, and between goods imported into the United States in foreign vessels and vessels of the United States, were repealed, so far as the same respected the produce or manufacture.