Manuel Soileau, 16 Don James Fernandez, 17 Don Silvestre 2d Lieutenants of militia. 18 Don Henry Darcancel, officer of administration. NOTE. By a particular favour of his majesty, the widows of the persons employed, who are enjoying of pensions, though they are unable to go to Pensacola, are the following.: 1 Donna Marquisite Waths, widow of the brigadier Don Manuel Gayero de Limos, late gov. of this province; 2 Mrs. Villemont ; 3 Mrs. Bouligny; 4 Mrs. Pariis; 5 The Baroness de Browner; 6 Mrs. Trevino; 7 Mrs. Causot; 8 Donna Françoise Trudeau; 9 Mrs. Zespedes. NOTE. There was a small number of retired serjeants and privates, who are to go to Baton Rouge or Pensacola. (Signed) ANDREW LOPEZ ARMESTO. New Orleans, July 30, 1805. I do certify the above translation. SIR, MOREAU LISLEY, Interpreter. 120 MILES FROM NEW ORLEANS, AUG. 26, 1805. THE report of the retrocession to Spain of the country west of the Mississippi had also prevailed in New Orleans. The evening previous to my departure, being on a visit to the Marquis of Caso Calvo, I asked him if he knew upon what authority that report was circulated? He answered in the negative, and added that he had understood the negotiation was suspended, and that Mr Monroe had left Madrid, he further said that the minister of state (Cevallos) had informed him (the Marquis) that the desire of the court of Spain was, to make "the Mississippi river the boundary, and in time it was expected, that that object would be attained." The Marquis delivered himself in the French language; from my imperfect knowledge of French, it is probable I may have misunderstood some of his expressions, but I am sure I have given you the substance of what he said. The prospect of a retrocession of the west bank of the Mississippi, is now, and has always been the theme of the Spanish officers who remain in this territory; and many citizens seem to view it as an event likely to happen:-an impression which I greatly regret, since it tends to lessen their confidence in the American government, and to cherish a Spanish party among us. Next therefore to a final adjustment of limits with the Spanish government, I most desire to see every Spanish officer removed from the ceded territory. There certainly must be a power some where vested, to cause to be executed the clause in the treaty which directs "the Spanish forces to be withdrawn within three months from the ceded territory," and I should indeed be pleased to have it hinted to me, that in my character as commissioner or governour, I could on this occasion take (if ne. cessary) compulsory measures. I have the honour, &c. WILLIAM C. C. CLAIBORNE. The Hon. JAMES MADISON, Secretary of State. The Governour of the Mississippi Territory to the Sec retary of State. Mississippi Territory, Town of Washington, Sept. 14, 1805. SIR, THE enclosed affidavits, marked No. 1 to 11, inclusive, will inform you of some outrages committed within this territory by two Spanish parties. The letters marked No. 1 to 5, and an order to Col. Ellis, will inform you of the steps which I have thought it advisable to take. The messenger with my letter to governour Grand Pré has not returned, although he was requested and undertook to be back by this morning. I have not received any answer to my despatch to you on this subject of the 14th June. If, sir, I am to risk any thing on this occasion, it shall be in defence of the liberties and the property of the citie zens, and in support of the honour and independence of my government: and I hope the measures taken and advised by me will not be found adverse to the views of the executive or to the interest of the United States. I am, with respect, yours, ROBERT WILLIAMS. The Hon. JAMES MADISON, Secretary of State. AFFIDAVIT, No. 1. Wilkinson County, Mississippi Territory. PERSONALLY appeared before me, one of the justices of the peace for said county, Arthur Cobb, jun. and being duly sworn, according to law, on his oath deposeth, that on the night of the 3d of September, 1805, being at the house of Samuel Kemper, or otherwise the tavern of the Kempers, between the hours of eleven and twelve, he wakened from his sleep by the cry of murder and robbers. On leaving his bed, he saw a man in actual contest with Samuel Kemper-on proceeding further, he saw another man and afterwards one more, and all being armed with instruments of death, such as guns and pistols, he thought proper to retreat to call assistance; that afterwards a pistol was found, which must have belonged to one of those men, and from every appearance he believes it to belong to Ira Cook Kneeland. LIKEWISE, as sheet No. 1. appeared William Westbery, and deposeth, that at the same time being awakened from his sleep by the breaking open the door-that on rising he saw he thinks five men in the act of beating with a stick Samuel Kemper in the town of Pinckneyville-that he saw them drag him by the hands, heard the men give orders to tie his hands with a rope-that said Samuel Kemper gave the cry of murder, and that was the last he saw or heard of them. (Signed) WILLIAM WESTBERY... Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 3d day of September. (Signed) JOSHUA BAKER, J. P. 1 AFFIDAVIT, No. 3. LIKEWISE at the same time appeared before me James Latta, who deposeth on oath, that at the same hour, being just awakened by some man requesting to see Samuel Kemper, he heard them ask for whiskey, and being asked who he was, said a friend; that they then being in the house, broke open the door of said Kemper's private lodging room, that he, Latta, attempting to rise, was thrown back on the bed by two men, who said they would take his life if he spoke-That there appeared to be five men in number, and all disguised in black paint, that after some short time he got an opportunity of escaping-when he went for assistance, and before his return, they had borne off the said Samuel Kemper, and he saw them no more. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3d day of September. (Signed) JOSHUA BAKER, J. P. : AFFIDAVIT, No. 4. Wilkinson County, Mississippi Territory. PERSONALLY appeared before me, one of the justices of the peace for said county, John Atkinson, Henry Gamheart. Richard Richardson and John Whitaker, who, being duly sworn according to law, on their oaths depose, that on the night of the 3d September, 1805, being at the house of Nathan Kemper, in the vicinity of Pinckneyville, between the hours of eleven and twelve, they heard some person bail the house, and on being asked two or three times who they were, they steadfastly affirmed it was captain Abrams. Immediately afterwards they opened the door, which swung on the inside of the house and was fastened by a string on the inside-immediately on this Reuben Kemper, appeared to be only at that moment awaked from his sleep, asked who was there? when they immediately seized him, dragged him out of the house, and tied him, after bruising him very much with a club or clubs. Almost at the same time they dragged Nathan Kemper from the bed wherein he lay with his wife, and tied him also, but did not beat him as much as they did Reuben. Said Nathan Kemper, requesting to see his wife, was refused in very rough language; she likewise was refused in her request of seeing her husband. On Nathan Kemper's asking what they had done to deserve such treatment, was answered, God damn! you have ruined our country, which he, Atkinson, believes to be the American territories of Spain. That the said Nathan Kemper's wife received considerable injury from the violence of these men, who all appeared armed with guns, pistols or clubs. That in the act of confining the above two men, they cocked and uncocked their guns a great many times, and ordered every man in the house to tell his name, and kept a strict guard at both the doors of the house, and would not admit of any one of the family or any one that did not belong to their party passing and repassing, as they frequently presented their guns cocked, and said they would blow the first one through who attempted to oppose them. That they then gave a regular military word, forward march, and at the second word of command they proceeded on their way, and bore off both Reuben and Nathan Kemper. That the next morning they saw a considerable quantity of blood apparently issuing from the wounds of Reuben Kemper. (Signed) JOHN ATKINSON, HENRY GAMHEART, to before me, this third day of |