[19] Ellicott's Journal, 39-40. This escort consisted of only twenty-five men (Amer. State papers, For. Rel. II. 20). [20] Ellicott's Journal, 44. [21] Ib. [22] Ib. 50. [23] Ellicott's Journal, 52. [24] Ib. 52. [25] An effort had been previously made to induce Ellicott to visit the Baron at New Orleans. July 14, the President directed the Commissioner to remain at Natchez until the Spaniards were ready for operations. Amer. State Papers, For. Rel. II, 102. [26] Ellicott's Journal, 47-48. [27] Ib. 84. [28] These pretexts often overlap, two or more being given at the same time. They are arranged in the order of their first appearance. [29] Report to the President of the United States, dated June 10, 1797, in Amer. State Papers, For. Rel., II, 72. [30] Ib. 92. [31] Ib. 20. Letter from the Secretary of War to Gen. Wilkinson, dated June 9, 1797 in Ib. 92. [32] This pretext was given in connection with the preceding one in the proclamation of March 28 and 29. [33] Ib. 25. [34] Ib. 92. [35] Amer. State Papers, For. Rel., II, 66. Lieutenant Pope wrote to the Secretary of War, from Natchez, May 9, 1797, "there have been several attempts to draw on the Indians upon my troops" (Ib. 73); General Wilkinson also wrote him from Fort Washington, June 4, 1797, "letters from all quarters announce the discontent and menacing aspect of the Savages; ... they ... are making no preparations for a crop, which is certain indication of their intention to change ground" (Ib.); Lieutenant Colonel Hamtramck wrote from Detroit, May 21, 1797, "I am pretty sure that both the French and Spaniards have emissaries among the Indians" (Ib.). The Secretary of State received a letter from Winthrop Sargent, at Cincinnati, bearing date of June 3, 1797, in which he says, "it ... appears from various channels, that they (the Spaniards) are inviting a great number of Indians of the (Northwest) territory to cross the Mississippi.... A large party of the Delawares passed down White River about the 6th of May, on their way to the Spanish side, bearing the national flag sent from St. Louis" (Ib. 88). [36] Ib. 73. [37] Ib. 78. This reason was expressed by Governor Gayoso in a letter to Commissioner Ellicott, dated March 31, 1797 (Ellicott's Journal, 71). [38] This declaration was made March 23, 1797. Gayoso suggested, at the same time, that this post would be held only until the arrival of American troops to take possession (Amer. State Papers, For. Rel. II, 91). [39] Ellicott's Journal, 71. [40] Amer. State Papers, For. Rel. II, 20. [41] Ib. 97. He also cited several precedents established by different powers in fulfilling treaties of a similar nature. See Ib. 92-'3.