Article Title: [No. 6] [Translation] [No. 7] From Timothy Pickering. The Spanish believe British agents are active in Georgia to raise an expedition against Spanish possessions. 
Author: 
Published in: Minerva Mercantile Evening Advertiser
Place of Publication: New York, NY
Publication Date: 7/11/1797


 
 
DOCUMENTS. (CONTINUED.) 
[No. 6.] 
[TRANSLATION.] 
SIR, Whilst I possess new reasons for believing it is intended to carry into effect the expedition against upper Louisiana, on the part of the English, by violating the territory of the United States, as was manifested to you in my letter of the 2d March last, I must add that I know to a certainty that the English have made propositions to General Clarke, of Georgia, in order to avail themselves of his influence in that state, together with some other persons, for making a diversion or serious attack against Florida ; and as by your letter of the 11th of the last month, you assure me that the United States would take the necessary measures for causing their neutrality to be respected, I do not doubt that in consequence of this my information, the executive government will take the proper steps, in order that Georgia also should not infringe the laws of neutrality to the injury of the possessions of the king my master. 
I embrace this opportunity to renew to you my wishes to serve you, and that God may preserve your life many years. 
Your most obedient servant, CARLOS MARTINEZ DE YRUJO.Philadelphia, April 21, 1797. 
Timothy Pickering, Esq.[No. 7.] 
From Timothy Pickering, to the Chevalier de Yrujo, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of his Catholic Majesty. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Philadelphia, April 28, 1797 
SIR, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st inst. repeating your suspicions that it is intended to carry into effect an expedition, on the part of the English, against upper Louisiana, thro the territory of the United States ; and adding that you know to a certainty that the English have made propositions to General Clarke, in Georgia, to obtain his influence in that state, with a view to a diversion or serious attack against Florida. 
To the first point I have the honor to answer, that altho this government is still destitute of any knowledge of facts or circumstances indicating that an expedition on the part of the English, against upper Louisiana, has been projected, yet desirous of living on terms of amity with our neighbours, on one side and the other, agreeably to subsisting treaties, I have communicated to the minister of his Britannic Majesty, for the information of his government, the suspicions you have expressed, of an intended expedition against upper Louisiana, and the declaration of the President of the United States, that he cannot consent that either should march troops thro the territory of the United States to attack the other. The sense of the American government being thus declared beforehand, we cannot presume that a measure will be undertaken which cannot be prosecuted without a violation of our neutral rights. 
With regard to the project of an expedition by the British against Florida, with the aid of General Clarke, and of persons whom he might influence, I have to inform you, that orders have been forwarded to the district attorney of Georgia, to inquire into the fact as stated by you, and if discovery should be made of designs to violate our neutral duties, and especially of forming an expedition against the territories of his Catholic Majesty from the territory of the United States, to take the most proper and effectual measure, for frustrating such designs ; and if the same should be manifested by any overt acts, to cause the offenders to be arrested, and brot to condign punishment. 
I have the honor to be, c.TIMOTHY PICKERING.The Chevalier de Yrujo,Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of his Catholic Majesty.