First Clas It es wit/1 t!te United States
the American commander that the Spanish troops on the frontier were animated by no hostile intention, and that they were operating within territory recognized as Spanish from time immemorial. Respecting Major Freeman and his party who had been ordered back by Spanish troops on the Red River, the commandant general explained that French jurisdiction had never extended up the Red River beyond Natchitoches. The Government of the United States was fully aware of this, he declared, as shown by the fact that application had been made for a Spanish passport for a Mr. Dunbar, who was originally intended to lead the expedition. Major Freeman was appointed only after Dunbar was refused the passport. For a country to permit an armed group of foreigners to go freely through its territory was contrary to the prac- tice of nations. The flag incident in the Caddo village had been misrepresented. The national emblem had not been taken down from a flagpole. It had been found in a deserted Indian hut in an Indian village, together with a Spanish flag bearing the Burgundian cross. The two flags had been confiscated and the Indians warned not to fly the American flag within Spanish jurisdiction. The three Americans, said to have been arrested, in fact had been detained merely for questioning and sent with an escort to San Antonio. They had been found under suspicious and compromising circumstances. But in spite of their unsatisfactory explanations, the order for their immediate release had been issued and they should have already reached the frontier. The question of the runaway slaves had been carefully investigated. It turned out that on May 23, there came to Nacogdoches three negro brothers, and a negress with three children. They had presented a safe- conduct signed by the justice of the peace. An examination of the document proved it was false. On July 12 a Mr. Jacob Bean, resident of Opelousas, had come to Nacogdoches and claimed the slaves as run- aways. He explained that the Negroes had robbed him and made their escape. Under the circumstances the request for their return was refused. But instructions had since been issued to all officials along the frontier that in the future runaway slaves were to be returned promptly on demand of the legal owner presenting adequate proof. These instructions were, of course, subject to the approval of the king. With regard to the troops east of the Sabine, he assured Governor Claiborne that they would not establish permanent quarters within the
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