fore, eager to find purchasers in order to dispose of

The international situation had an important effect upon the value of the lands, and the strong possibility of the recession of Louisiana to France had caused a slump. Romayne contrasted the price of the Genesee lands in New York State, and the sales of those lands abroad with the Tennessee lands. The fact that New York lands were close to British territory had boosted land sales abroad. Romayne remarked how unfortunate it was that Great Britain did not own Louisiana. Blount caught upon this suggestion and said that since the Spanish were very weak, British control of Louisiana could easily be brought about. According to Romayne's statements, this discussion on land speculations and sales, was the origin of the plan to carry on a military expedition against Louisiana. It is significant that the plan grew out of Blount's personal interest in the value of the Tennessee lands.

94

The Senator informed Romayne that Chisholm

and others were engaged in a somewhat similar plan, and Romayne, from the first he heard of it, objected to having

93. Annals, 5th Cong., 2d Sess., p. 2357. The statements are taken from Romayne's deposition. This is a most interesting narrative, but one wishes it were authenticated.

94. Annals, 5th Cong., 2d Sess., p. 2358.

95

a man of his character in the scheme.

After he heard

that Chisholm had interviewed the British Minister,

Romayne sent a note to the Minister warning him against

Chisholm, and telling him that more competent persons were

Romayne and Blount thought that Louisiana

in the hands of Spain was desirable, but if Louisiana were to change hands, it was of vast importance that Great Britain secure control rather than France. The widespread rumor in 1797 of the recession to France, caused Blount and Romayne to consider more seriously an 97 attack on the Spanish possessions.

"I have reflected much", Romayne wrote Blount

on February 10, 1797, "since you left me, respecting our plans to the Southward; and the more I think on them, the more important they appear to me in their consequences.. I am sure of success, from a variety of circumstances, and am sure I an not too sanguine. "98

In March, 1797, Blount was considering a trip to Europe to find out whether or not Great Britain would aid in the proposed expedition against Louisiana and the "I shall certainly attempt to carry our plan

Floridas.

95. Wright, p. 43.

96. Ibid., p. 47.

97. Ibid., pp. 43, 133.

98. Annals, 5th Cong., 2d Sess., p. 2340.