Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-04-15
HAYWOOD'S
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE
[CoNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

~ huOANlilt, anu utllNtIeu W ulnl u
speech expressive of the same senti-
ments, and required aid to enable him
to oppose the Creeks who were prepar-
ing a formidable invasion of his coua.
try. Gen. Robertson, sensible of the
difficulties into which the Chickasaws
had been drawn by their friedship for
the United States, and by the conf
dence they had in the friendly dispo,
sition of the United States towards
them; and urged, also by sentiments
of justice and gratitude, could not re
frain from rendering them assistance
He had been written to by Portell, the
commandant at New Madrid, to supply
him with corn. On the 23d Of April,
he sent off his son with cargo Of corn,
in boat down the river, who arrived
at New Madrid on the 7th of May, and
he carried with him a swivel for the
defense of his boat. Mr.. Portell wrote
to Gen. Robertson on the 10Th of May,
regretting that he had not been ad
vised in time of the General g intention
to send him the corn. AS the season
was so far advanced, he had expected
that his letter to the General on that
subject had miscarried, and had pur
chased from others; but in order not
wholly to disappoint the General, he
had taken hundred bushels at an ad,
vanced price, and paid the cash to Mr..
Robertson. He very politely thanked
the General for his attention, and
wished it had been in his power to
have taken the whole. Mr.. Robertson
proceeded to the Cbickasaw Bluffs and
landed his cargo. Information was i'm.
mediately given of these transactions
by Mr.. Portell to the Baron de Caron
dalet, at New Orleans, who instantly
transmitted the intelligence to the
Spanish agents at Philadelphia: and
at the same time, on the 2lst of May,
1903, presented to Gen. Robertson his
information and sentiments upon this
subject. Being acquainted, he said,
by the commanding officer at New
Madrid, with the arrival there of the
eldest son of the General, as we'll as
with the motives OF his voyage, he
highly approved of every kindness
shown 10 him, and had given to the
commandent proper directions to EN-
brace every opportunity of being use.
full to the General. But, nevertheless,
that he felt the greatest concern in
pursuing the letter of Mr.. Portell, on
account of the measures taken by the
General to comply with the request Of
the Chickasaw nation, in respect of a
supply of corn, sending to them at the
same time, "a little piece, which although
small, is an arm too dangerous in the
hands of Indians, from whom it's
knowledge and practice ought by both
nations, the United States and Spain,
to be carefully concealed, as until this
time has been observed. On the other
hand, said he, it is the interest of every
power to keep their Indian allies in
peace between themselves, as well as
with the nighboring tribes, without
lntermeddling in their affairs. This,
said he, has been my method with the
Cherokees, when several of the princi
pal chiefs applied to me requesting
supplies against the United States.
And really, he asserted, that his en-.
deavors had been successful, since he
had prevailed upon them to stop any
hostility against the Cumberland set.
Elements and the neighboring ones,
unless they should be forced to
take up arms in their own defense,
whilst his gracious king, whose pro.
lection they requested, was mediating
with Congress to direct the fixing of
certain boundaries, which being advan
tageous to both nations, might prevent
altogether, every further controversy.
The same rule, he said, had been OBJ
served with the Creeks, whom he had
turned from being hostile to the Geor.
gians, whilst the matter of the limits
is in fair and friendly way treated of
at Madrid between the minister of
the king Of Spain and the agents of
the United States; and had the chief
of the Creek nation, Alexander Nc
Gillevray, been still alive, the attempt
lately made bv some of their individ
uals against the stores at st. Mary's
would not have taken place. The
chief, no doubt, said he, will give
every satisfaction. To restore peace
between the Chickasaws and Creeks,
he had, he said at Natchez and the
Walnut Hills, declared to both nations,
that he would constantly refuse them,
whilst involved in war against each
other, every supply of arms and am.
munition; and should the General, as
he expected, follow the same system,
they would, as he believed, be soon
reconciled. The Cherokees had request
ed of him, he said, in pressing terms,
or warmly, to endeavor by every means
to prevent the Creeks from passing
through their lands to attack the set
Elements at Cumberland and their
neighbors. 1t was probable that in a
short time general peace would take
place, without which that settlement
could not flourish. He wished for an
opportunity to see the General, that he
might convince him of the great esteem
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