he wrote to the Interpreter of the Cherokee Nation was the Cause of it. A Project was set on foot, ostensibly to engage & encourage the British to attack the Spanish Settlements. But it rather appears that the real object was to alarm the Spaniards, and when the Agents in this Business had created serious Apprehensions in their Minds, then to offer their Services to arrest or oppose its Progress, from which they expected to derive immense advan tages. This nefarious Scheme was dark & intricate, & the full Extent of its Views is not yet unravelled. It has defeated the Provisions of the Spanish Treaty, as relative to the Cession of Territory, near the Boundary Line, & without great Prudence, at the present moment, on the part of our Government may involve us in a war with that nation.

I will write to Baron Hompesch on the Subject of his Proposals relative to the Transportation of his Germans to this Country: I do not think that I can offer him much Encouragement. Such an arrangement can only succeed after a Variety of necessary Measures have been pursued preparatory to their Arrival. However I will present the Matter to him in different Points of View, so that he shall be fully acquainted with the Subject & be able to act with Confidence.

With great sincerity yours,

R. KING TO WM. HINDMAN.

WM. BINGHAM.

LONDON, July 15, 1797.

DEAR SIR:

It was some time after my arrival here that I received the Letter that you wrote to me just before my embarkation. My Brother accompanied me as my Secretary, but as he is destined to the Profession of the Law, and had not been admitted to the Bar when he left America, he has returned home in order to pursue his Studies. This has occasioned a vacancy in the place of my Secretary, which I am willing should be filled by Mr. Helmsley. Inclosed is a letter for him which I request you to deliver. Mr. Helmsley will be one of my family in all respects, except that he will not lodge in my house. This was the footing on which Mr.

Deas was with my Predecessor. My table will be that of my Secretary, and his servant will eat with mine. I mention these small circumstances that no misconception may take place respecting them. If I have but a very slight knowledge of Mr. Helmsley that indeed has left favorable impressions of his character; I rely essentially upon your knowledge and recommendation of it. I shall be inclined to treat him as a friend, if he will put it in my power.

Farewell, my worthy friend, and accept

the assurance of my sincere Esteem and Friendship,

RUFUS KING.

CHAPTER XVI.

Maryland Bank Stock-Mr. King advises no partial Regulations relative to the Detention of Seamen-Provision of Money to meet Obligations under Treaty with Tunis-Sir Joseph Banks asks for Passport for Mr. Masson to go to America to collect Plants-Letter of R. King to M. Talleyrand, introducing Col. Trumbull and Asking his friendly Influence to aid in removing the Troubles between France and the United States-R. King to the Secretary of State-France probably owns Louisiana—Genl. Allen's Claim -T. Pickering on Gov. Blount's Conspiracy-R. King to A. HamiltonGloomy Views relative to Affairs in Europe-Letters from G. Cabot and Wm. Hindman-R. King to T. Jefferson-S. Williams relative to Genl. Lafayette.

MY LORD:

R. KING TO LORD GRENVILLE.

GREAT CUMBERLAND PLACE, July 19, 1797.

I have the honor to send your Lordship inclosed copies of my Letter of the 10th of February and also of a Letter that some time ago I wrote to the Lord Chancellor respecting the Maryland Bank Stock. I have the satisfaction to add that the Lord Chancellor lately informed me that the Certificate (which for many years has been in the Court of Chancery) is now in a situation in which a Transfer of the Stock could be made to me, provided his Majesty under his Sign Manual would give an order for that Purpose.

Since the date of my Letter to the Chancellor, I have ascertained that the other persons who claimed to be indemnified from the Fund for their Losses in Maryland, have as American Loyalists been compensated for these Losses by his Majesty's Government, so that the Claim is freed from those demands, which are supposed formerly to have obstructed the Transfer. I take the Liberty to request your Lordship's interference for the Purpose of Compleating, in such manner as shall be deemed adviseable,

the Transfer of the said Stock to me for the use of the State of Maryland.

With perfect Consideration & Respect, &c. &c.

RUFUS KING.

MY LORD:

R. KING TO LORD GRENVILLE.

Private.

GREAT CUMBERLAND PLACE, July 20, 1797.

From what has taken place in the Court of Chancery, I flatter myself that there no longer exists any objection agt. the Transfer of the Maryland Bk. Stock my only remaining concern is, that the Business should be finished without Delay. Since the Transfer is to be made, I take the liberty to express to your Lordship my earnest wish, that it may take place as soon as possible. I think I do not deceive myself in supposing that the satisfactory settlement of this Affair at the present juncture may be attended with consequences mutually beneficial to both Countries.

I presume that the order will enjoin the Accountant General of the Court of Chancery to pay over such Dividends as he may have received since the Stock has stood in his name, and which may not have been invested in further Sums of capital Stock.

I intreat your Lordship's attention to this Subject before the King goes to Weymouth; and beg you to accept the assurance of the sincere Respect and Esteem, &c.

RUFUS KING.

R. KING TO SECRETARY OF STATE.

LONDON, July 27, 1797.

DEAR SIR:

I was a few days since informed that Instructions were by the last vessel sent to Mr. Liston to propose an article to be added to the late Treaty, which should stipulate that all Deserters from the Army and Navy of the two countries should be delivered up and obliged to return to the service from which they deserted. This Instruction, it is understood, has been given in consequence of

the inconvenience experienced by the British Ships of war in our Ports. We cannot with propriety object to such just and convenient Regulations as may be calculated to promote and secure a good Understanding and friendly intercourse between us and other Nations. But that proposed embraces only part of a Subject of great Extent and Importance; and it does not appear to me that it would consist with good Policy to enter into any partial Stipulations respecting it; more especially when our repeated Overtures to adjust the entire Subject on Principles of liberality and mutual advantage, if not neglected, have not been received in a manner we had a Right to expect.

I have received a letter from Col. Humphries, dated the 21st of June, in which he informs me that it is probable that our Peace with Tunis has been concluded and that for the purpose of compleating our Treaties with the three principal Barbary Powers, he may be obliged to draw on the House of Barings for 170,000 or 200,000 dollars; he adds that he has no other resource but the Credit of the United States in London, and that a failure in the procuring of this Sum, may put at Risque what we have already expended to accomplish this object. The House of Barings are already in advance a few Thousand Pounds beyond the Funds remitted to them. You are sensible that I have no authority to enter into any engagements upon this Subject, the whole concern having been committed to Col. Humphries.

I have not however on that account omitted to employ the best means in my power to make a provisional arrangement for the advance of this money, should Col. Humphries be under the necessity of drawing for it. Accordingly the Mess. Hopes and the House of Barings have agreed to accept and pay Col. Humphries' Bills. The Business will be conducted by the House of Barings. I have informed Col. Humphries of this arrangement and shall in a few days be able to send you Copies of the Letters between Col. Humphries and me and between me and the Mess. Barings; these will give you full information of the terms upon which the money will be advanced by the Mess. Hopes & Barings.

.

My letter of the 26th of June will apprise you of the Regulations I have presented to Mr. Bayard concerning the Receit, Custody and payment of the Monies. (Paid under the Decisions