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Show 196 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. for the good of his country, shall become the subject v 1• of co,n~<lendation or reproof. ~ Hi> first attention, on arriving at Fort Jackson, had 1814' been directed to a subject, which he believed to be of greater importance than making treaties ;-to establish some plan, by which he might be constantly advised, during his stay, of those schemes that were agitating in the south: believing that every passing event might be readily obtained through the Indians, who could go among the British, without in the least exciting suspi· cion: he had required colonel Hawkins to procure some who were confidential, and might be certainly relied on, to proceed to Deer island, .and return as early as they could obtain con·ect information of tl1e strength, views, and situation of the enemy. In about fifteen days they came back, confirming the statement, that a considerable English force had arrived, and was then in the bay of St. Rose; that muskets and ammunition had been given to the Indians, and runners despatched to the different tribes, to invite them to the coast. Satisfied that such permissions, by a neutral power, were too grievous to be borne, he addressed a letter to the governor of Pensacola, and assured him he had understood, that every protection and assistance was furnished the enemies of the United States, within bis tetTitory ; requested him to state whether or not the fact were so, and to surrender to him such of the chiefs of the hostile Indians, as were with him. "I rely," continued he, "on the existing friendship of Spain, and that neutrality which she should observe, as autl1ority for the demand I make." The govern_or's ;mswer, which sl)ortly afterwards ',.vas received, evtnr· LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 1~9 ed nothing of that conciliatory temper which was look- CHAP. ed for, and left no hope of pwcuring any other redress VI. than that which might be obtained through his fears:._..,.._, This, however, was a matter which required to be rna- 1814' naged with great caution. Spain and the United States were at peace ; to reduce any part of her territory, and ~e possession of it, in exclusion of her authority, m1ght be constru«d such an aggression, as to induce h~ into the war. On the other hand, to suffer her, w1th open arms, to receive our enemies, and permit ~em _to make every preparation within her ports, for mvadmg and attacking our country, were outrages too monstrous to be borne, and should, in the opinion oi J.ackson, be remedied, let the consequences in prospec-tive be what they might. Altl10ugh these things had been earnestly pressed upon the consideration of the war depart~ent, no answer to his repeated solicitations on thC: ~~bJect, had been received . . On his own re-spmlS! blhty, to advance in the execution of a me . h. 1 . asme, w Jc 1 mvolved so much, when his government was ~ld had for some time, been in possession of all th~ Circumstances, was risking too much. yet, were it de~yed longer, every day might give Pensacola ad~ Jtlonal sn:engtll, and increase the danger attendant on Ilt'ks reduction. Undetermined • under con s1' de rat.w ns I e iliese, he resolved upon another expedient -to despatch a ~essenger, to lay open to ilie governo~ ilie gr~und of hJs complaint,-to obtain from him a declaratiOn of his intention, as regarded the course he meant to. adopt , and pursue,-and to ascerta.m whether he de- Signed to make subsisting treaties between the two na- |