Gazette Of The United States

UNITED STATES.

GEORGE-TOWN, November 25.

Extract of a letter from an American gentleman at St. Augustine, East-Florida, to his friend in this town, dated October 20, 1789.

"The report of the proceedings between the Commissioners of Congress and M'Gillivray, reached this place three days after the business was finished; but as the Spaniards are exceedingly cautious towards strangers, they take care to keep the result of that day a profound secret; 20 Chiefs of the upper and lower Creek nations arrived here a few days after the treaty on Rock-Landing broke up; they frequently wait in a body on Governor ZESPEDES, who entertains them at his own house, and suffers no one except an Interpreter to be present;-it is whispered that the reason of M'Gillivray's not entering into a treaty with the Commissioners was, that the terms offered by Congress, would, (if accepted of) infringe on the treaty existing between his Catholic Majesty, and the Creek nation; that such a treaty exists is beyond all doubt, for the King of Spain, ever since the recovery of the Floridas, had paid an annual tribute of 8000 dollars to the Indians bordering on the Provinces; they are regularly supplied with clothing, arms, and ammunition, out of the King's Magazine here and in Pensacola.

"Trifling as this present affair may appear to some, I can assure you, from my own observations, a personal knowledge of Mr. M'Gillivray—the Indians—the extent and situation of their country,—the weak state of our Southern Frontiers, &c.

"That the next step Congress takes in the business will be of importance to the United States.—

"I have the greatest reverence and opinion of the wisdom of our leaders, but am apt to think that the sword instead of the olive branch, will be their result at last—and therefore a speedy application of the former might save lives and money."