wish-but I must communicate my sentiments as they Occur. You know my sentiments are that no peace can take place in Europe for some years, certainly not this century, at least such is my opinion-I am sure I cannot be wrong that peace is not at hand. You are therefore to consider if the object we have proposed is not of greater moment the more it is considered. I have mentioned to you in my last letter my wishes that you should go in an Amsterdam or a Hamburgh vessel, even in one bound to France if she goes up channel, in preference to any other mode. I have made the necessary enquiries, and I am told there will be good ships going from this in Maythough none are specified-You will be at no loss from this port. I must communicate to you two sentiments which are strongly impressed on my mind. The one is, that you be not seen or known in any commercial or land speculation in--for it will be of immense disadvantage if known in respect to your other business as long as that is pending-if you have any views that way let it go through your brothers to Cap. Laurence who is known to them and is a good man, or Mr. Mullitt; this I wish to impress very much on your mind-the second is, that I have reason to believe there is a personal dislike in Mr. King towards you and I think it absolutely necessary that the objects we contemplate be kept from him-Upon this head then we are to be prepared and armed and I shall throw sentiments of that kind in all my letters to keep the business from King, and to anticipate his conduct. This is all that occurs to me now- -As you know my opinions respecting the continuance of the war, you must know what are the prospect of things in the United States-1 think they will not be very flattering-You who are at the head of things must have a great opportunity of knowing how things will be. Let me hear from you soon-for I am very anxious to know your future determination as it must very much govern mine, The Hon. Wm. Blount, Esq. Yours affectionately, NICS. ROMAYNE, New MY DEAR SIR, New-York, March 15th, 1797. I have this day received your letter of the 11th instant. I do not know that I shall write you after the 23d on the subjects we contemplate because the utmost caution is necessary for us both to observe. The great point is now decided, and will corroborate the opinions I gave you that the war will go on, and you may depend it will for some years with a degree of acrimony and horror not to be described. This then is fixing one point in this state of things; if you and I can benefit ourselves, and be at the same time of service to our fellow creatures we ought to do it. In our 1 find that Hamilton and our politicians here are very averse to the French being in our neighbourhood and are equally so that there should be any change I am very cautious and circumspect, but I get all the opinions I can. business we will have nothing but enemies here-therefore the utmost reserve is required. I shall give out that I mean to visit some of the states and then to sit down and practice physic here I think that will kill all suspicion about my being engaged in any political matters. In my last letter I gave you some ideas of King and of not being seen in any business in a certain place, so as to appear a pure dignified political character-let me know if these letters have reached-I never was so confident of success in my life in the success of any business as I am in this of our contemplation. 1 I wish to impress on your mind very much the idea of secrecy in our business and not to confide in any one, for it may be of material disadvantage to us. This perhaps may be of moment for you to consider, That every means should be used in the Tennessee, Kentucky, &c. to give every assurance that a certain country is certainly ceded to France. That of course all property in these countries will be of no value as it will be in a neighbourhood of a hostile and warlike people who will favour the liberation of all the slaves, As landed property must fall in these U. S. it is well to give it this turn among the western people, it will be well to say that the mouth and navigation of a certain river will be shut against all Americans. It might answer to get some meetings of the people to instruct Congress against the French getting the Spanish cession, &c. You may inflame the minds of the people in a certain way so as not to let out any of our plan, and yet put things in such a situation as will make our plan when it takes place appear as a salvation of L4 the the people or as Common Sense was in 1776, for ground 'must be prepared before seed will bear properly-all the fermentation you can make to the southward, respecting the change of possession, &c. the better-when it is in your hands it will be well done. With respect to the U. S. we are to be pissed upon and degraded or I am deceived. If any new ideas should occur I will write to you again— in the mean time we have no time to lose-You must positively be all expedition, I am fearful you will hardly have time to visit the Tennessee and yet it may be very necessary. Adieu, God bless preserve you wherever you be. Your affectionate friend, you and NICS. ROMAYNE. What would you think of my writing certain pieces for the Knoxville gazette, &c. Burn or destroy my letters, The Hon. Wm. Blount, Esq. Mui señor mio, 110 Junio, 1797 Por qualquiera accidente que sea que la carta incluida fui descubierta, lo cierto es que debo à enviarla à v. m. y por ventura, sea un eslabon de la cadena execrabile conque los enemigos callados de nuestra patria esparaban à deshonrarla. Diome esta carta un amigo de mi, y de mi patria, en cuyas manos echaba por acaso, y porque sospechaba à essa carta de estar el descubrimiento de una especulacion de tierra, conservola para si, sin relacion à las razones de estado. B. L. M. de V. M. EL ENEMIGO ETERNO DE CADA INFLUENCIA ESTRANGERA, N. B. Escribo con el Español, aunque incorrectemente, porque es mui incognito, y en razon de los otros. Sr. Don T: Pickering, que soi rodeado de SIR, SIR, (TRANSLATION.) 11th June, 1797. By whatever accident the inclosed was discovered, it is certain that I should send it to you. Perhaps it may be a link of the execrable chain, with which the secret enemies of our country hope to dishonour it. A friend of mine, and of my country, gave me this letter. It came to his hands by accident, and as he suspected that it was the discovery of a land speculation, he preserved it for himself, without regard to reasons of state. Your most obedient servant, AN ETERNEL ENEMY TO EVERY FOREIGN INFLUENCE. N. B. I write in the Spanish language, though incorrectly, because it is not much understood, and I am surrounded by other persons. Timothy Pickering, Esq. MY DEAR SIR, New-York, March 17th, 1797. Yesterday I acknowledged your last favour that came to hand, and gave you some ideas respecting impressing certain facts on the minds of the western people. I can only repeat to you, that it might be well in you to advocate the Spaniards holding their present possessions as most advantageous. to the western people, and committees or meetings ought to be held to request Congress to take the business in hand and remonstrate against the French getting possession. I readily see that as the French are a military and not a commercial people, that if they do get possession they will oblige the western people to come into all their measures and caprices, or they will shut up the navigation-they will sow discord among the people, and the value of lands and all property will be greatly reduced. These facts and probabilities may be enlarged upon in such manner as will best suit our purposes. The time is fast approaching in which something must be absolutely done. We have not more than six weeks time. I have spoken to my sister about my visiting Europe-as yet she she will not consent, but if you go, and you can't you think that you are immediately necessary to make arrangements in the Tennessee, &c.- then I will endeavour to go myself, if you can't. I know that you will be more important in Europe than I-so you are here-for I must be a nuility till you return. In the mean time think what will be necessary, act for the best and let me hear from you early on this last subjectany event we must meet the beginning of May, and then determine-Keep yourself prepared to go and I will do the At in On a further investigation of my business-after your departure from here it is insisted on my going to urope stantly-therefore 1 saile tomorrow at 9 oclock-I shall expect to see you verry soone-Every thing promises fair— Dont faill come soone. The Honorable William Blount Baltimore if he is left JOHN CHISHOLM. Baltimer to be forward DEAR JACK, to Alexandria Virgin. Philadelphia March 17h. 1797. I now tell you in Earnest that at nine oclock tomorrow I go on Boord the Ship favorite & saile for Old EnglandRegected by the u S-I now steere for forein Climes-I wish you well most sencerely-and Dam all the rest I prayDam C: DH & SD-BH-The honarable S: Cr Wthe loss of on is the choice of 20 and the gaines-of 2—to be plaine Jack-I will conqer or be Damd Let me be serious to you pr. fear I may neaver see you permit me to tell you that from my hart & soule I cencerely wish you well-& Eaver shall Esteem you for your Conduct whilts in Philadel |