215
From San Lorenzo to Ret1'ocession of Louisiana, I795-I80I
The Spanish commander was coldly polite, asked the occasion of the visit, and feigned absolute ignorance of the treaty of 1795. Ellicott was by now convinced that the Spanish officials desired to postpone the survey of the boundary and the evacuation of the territory now occupied. Here he received a letter on February 21 from Gayoso de Lemos who explained that lack of adequate facilities to withdraw the troops would delay the survey. He politely asked Ellicott to leave his military escort at Bayou Pierre before continuing his journey to Natchez. Agreeable to the request, the American commissioner proceeded next day without the escort to the post just above Natchez where he met Gayoso de Lemos on February 24 and, after a brief interview, set March 19 as the date for beginning the survey. 12 While in Natchez, Ellicott learned the cause for the hesi- tation of Spanish officials and their desire to postpone the execution of the terms of the treaty of 1795. 15 T lie N atcleez affair. Ellicott discovered that rumors of a possible French seizure were rife and that French relations with the United States had become_strained as a result of Citizen Genet's affair. Exceeding his powers, he sounded out the opinion of the settlers in and around Natchez and found out that the majority favored becoming citizens of the United States. He injudiciously hoisted the American flag in his camp, and began to organize American sympathizers for resistance by force of arms. The Indians in the vicinity now became openly hostile and threatened the American camp with destruction. Ellicott protested. Gayoso hastened to explain that the hostility of the natives was due to the hoisting of the American flag. This had aroused their fears and hatred. On March 16 Ellicott used the incident to move the escort from Bayou Pierre to the American camp. 14 The Spanish fort at Natchez was dismantled on March 17, but suddenly the guns were remounted and the garrison reenforced. Ellicott protested, and Gayoso replied that the evacuation would have to be delayed because of Indian unrest. The natives had complained against American friend- ship with the Choctaws. Irritation continued to increase, and on March 29 Gayoso issued a proclamation to calm the inhabitants of Natchez and to assure them that Spanish law would continue in force until the country was officially turned over to the United States. 15
12 Ellicott, Journal, 32-40. IS/bid., 44.
14 /bid., 44-55. 15 / bid., 57-67.
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