important factor in Spain's delay in relinquishing the posts. If war were declared, Spain would be relieved of the necessity of carrying out the terms of the Treaty. It has also been suggested that Godoy aimed at gaining

54

Perhaps, too,

55

the French favor by holding the posts. the fear that Natchez was but a step toward Louisiana caused the Spaniards to dread giving up that region. In addition, the current belief concerning the temporary character of the Union enhanced the Spanish to hold on to 56 the Yazoo strip.

interest.

The interesting train of events that fol

lowed in the summer and fall of 1797 is not of present 57 The main object of tracing the situation thus far was to indicate the disturbance at Natchez over the boundary line at the very time when Blount's plan was being worked out. The only tangible connection to the

54. Cox, pp. 31, 54. In 1798 when the French forced him out of office, the Prince of Peace gave orders for carrying out the Treaty.

55. Ibid., p. 33.

56. Ibid.

p. 35.

57. On June 9, 1797, the people of Natchez encouraged by Pope and Ellicott, revolted, and selected a temporary committee of safety. In July, a permanent committee took charge of affairs. In November, the inhabitants refused to accept Colonel Carlos de Grand Pre as commandant and in December, Captain Isaac Guior established American jurisdiction at Natchez, Cox, p. 52.

intrigue is the fact that the Spanish offered the prospect of an invasion from the British as one of the pretenses for longer retention of the posts.

It was because of the critical relations

with France over the Jay Treaty, and the strained relations with Spain over the running of the Southern boundary line, that President Adams was so keen to prevent any other trouble that might complicate foreign relations. The Blount letter, coming at a most inopportune time politicalalarmed the President who immediately called for Congressional action.

ly,

CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSION

Senator Blount and his friends tried to postpone the question of expulsion from the Senate until after the case had been tried, then if he were found guilty, the loss of his seat in the Senate would be a part of the sentence, but the Senate refused to consider

this proposal.1 The second set of proceedings against

Blount concerned his impeachment.

He was charged with

violating the neutrality of the United States by conspiring to set on foot, within the jurisdiction and territory

1. Life of King, II, p. 196.

The prompt action of the Senate in accepting the Committee report, and rejecting Blount's plea to hold the matter over, led some to believe that the Senate seized this opportunity to get rid of one of its democratic members. It is too venturesome to agree with this view, but it is true that Blount was a Democrat and favored the election of Jefferson. See Willie Blount's Vindication, in Draper MSS XX 42.