Minor, Gayoso and Ellicott for January newsletter
In the past we have highlighted the events of the Minor family and their relatives before
they established themselves at Southdown. This story is one of intrigue and deceit, loyalty and
lies. It is the story of Andrew Ellicott and his attempt to bring down Manuel Gayoso and
Stephen Minor at Natchez Mississippi in 1797.
History tells the story of Andrew Ellicott as a surveyor and a mathematician. He is
credited for laying the boundaries for many states, including the line that would separate
Spanish lands from the United States in 1797.
Ellicott traveled from Philadelphia starting in September of 1786 with several men and a
contingency of U.S. troops. He reached Natchez on the 22nd of January. While on his travels he
came across Philip Nolan, a horse trader and eventually the brother-in-law of Stephen Minor.
While on the trip Ellicott eloquently journaled about the surroundings down the Ohio
and Mississippi Rivers. Philip Nolan accompanied him further down the river where the group
was told at New Madrid that they could not continue the journey until the Spanish forts had
been evacuated by order of the Governor General Baron de Carondelet. The Spanish
Commandant said it was due to ice on the river, but if it was gone, then he would let them pass.
Perhaps this was the point where Ellicott was infected by intrigue. He told Nolan that he
suspected something other than they were being told was afoot.
Ellicott was treated with politeness and hospitality by the Spanish leaders he met along
the way, but when he landed at Bayou Pierre, at the residence of Col. Bruin, who was then
holding there office of magistrate under the Spanish authorities. Here Ellicott commenced his
intrigues, and without reason, resorted to a trick which showed him to be unfit for the society of
gentlemen. Representing himself as invested by the government with extensive and
confidential powers, and that he was likely to encounter opposition, he induced Col. Bruin to
proceed before him to Natchez, secretly, to make observations and inquiries to be
communicated to him on his arrival, and with the understanding that they were to meet as
strangers. When they did meet, a few days afterward, in the parlor of Governor Gayoso, they
were introduced to each other! And this Mr. Ellicott duly records as a masterpiece of diplomacy!
When they reached Fort Nogales, north of Natchez, they were detained and questioned
as to their business. Ellicott was annoyed by this and boarded his ship. In the mean time,
Governor Gayoso sent a dispatch to the fort requesting that Ellicott leave his troops at Bayou St.
Pierre and come to Natchez himself to “prevent a misunderstanding”. According to Ellicott’s
journal, he found the request, “improper and unnecessary in the extreme”, but he and his team
of surveyors proceeded.
The Ellicott journal as detailed in the writings of his granddaughter Catherine Van
Cortland Mathews, does not contain his writings at Natchez, however several other narratives
have detailed the accounts of the next year. The meeting with Gayoso was without fanfare,
which offended Ellicott.
According to the writings of John Francis Hamtramck Claiborne, “There was no occasion
whatever for such contemptible masquerading. He had not been invested with diplomatic,
executive or discretionary powers. He was not commissioned to enquire into the temper of the
inhabitants, or to interfere with their relations with the existing or in-coming governments, or to
transact any business whatever, except, in conjunction with the Spanish commissioners, to
determine and define the boundary as prescribed by the recent treaty. He was strictly enjoined
– as the government enjoined all its officer, civil and military – to do no act offensive to the
Spanish authorities. The United States thoroughly understood Spain and her functionaries.
This injunction, constantly reiterated in the dispatches from the State and War Departments,
indicated the policy of our government, and enabled it to accomplish peaceably what would
otherwise have cost years of war and millions of money. But the inordinate vanity of Ellicott got
the control of his judgement, and he assumed, from the outset, the airs of a plenipotentiary.”
After this meeting Ellicott set up camp on the bluff. He promptly erected a U.S. flag. For
reasons unknown, he reported in his journal that he received word from Gayoso to “take down
the flag, and that armed parties were forming to cut it down, who were only deterred by his
known determination to die in its defense.” The only record of this was Ellicott’s diary. Instead
Gayoso visited Ellicott and relieved his questions of a band of Choctaws in the area, who
presumed would attach him for his flag. Gayoso explained to him that they were en route to
another area and had been satisfactorily explained about the flag.
Gayoso then invited Ellicott to stay at his house to which Ellicott responded, “My tent is
more agreeable to me than your palace, because in it I can enjoy the independence characteristic
of my government.” Gayoso was known to be good tempered, or he certainly would have
declined further intercourse with such an ill-bred man.
Ellicott had left Lieut. McCleary at Bayou Pierre, but on the 16th of March he arrived
with his men, and camped at Bacon’s Landing, a short distance below Natchez – the first
detachment of national troops that trod our soil. From this time Ellicott poured upon Gayoso a
volley of notes, remonstrations and expostulations, day after day and often three times a day,
assuming the action of a first-class diplomatist and the authority of a commanding general, until
the Governor, concluding that he really had been sent to Natchez with extraordinary powers,
replied, formally and respectively to his bulletins, always concluding by referring him to his
superior, Carondelet, at New Orleans.
The most mysterious record in Ellicott’s voluminous journal is as follows: “About
the 20th March a gentleman arrived at Natchez who informed me that he had an important
communication to make, which was for myself only. He began a panegyric on Senator Blount
observing that the Secretary of War had consulted him (the stranger) on the propriety of
sending Mr. B as minister to France. Our opinion of Mr. Blount not coinciding, the stranger
made no further communication, except that the Secretary of War was aware, before I left
Philadelphia, of the difficulties I should meet with in executing the treaty. If these difficulties
were known to the administration at that early period, it was certainly very improper to leave me
in the dark to combat them without having any line of conduct marked out for me to pursue. It
left it in the power of the administration to avow or disavow my proceedings” in other words, to
victimize their plenipotentiary as James K. Polk did N.P. Trist in after years!
This remarkable story is supported by no proof, and is not credible. If the
“stranger” was an emissary of Blount, Ellicott, an agent of the government, bound by duty to
communicate important intelligence, would have been the last person he would have called on.
If he did make the call, and was really an emissary of Blount, it implies that the so-called
conspirators had their opinion that Ellicott could be used. And the Quaker, by stupidly
expressing his opinion of Blount just as the stranger was about to disclose the important secret,
show that he was utterly unfit for the role of diplomatist he was playing with Gayoso. The story
about the Secretary of War is absurd. Ellicott received his orders from the Secretary of State,
exclusively, and received through him an order from the Secretary of War for his boats, supplies
and military escort. He had no correspondence with him whatever, nor had the Secretary of
War anything to do with the appointment of a minister to France. Ellicott’s ill-natured comment
would have no importance but for the fact here admitted by him, that he had no line of conduct
marked out for him to pursue. And why not? Simply because he was entrusted with no
discretionary powers, but was sent to run a boundary and to execute that duty, and that only
with strict regard to the convenience of the Spanish authorities, and to the friendly relation
between the two governments.
The next paragraph will probably show that the real motive for introducing this
remarkable story, was to strike a blow at two prominent citizens, who had much to do in
defeating his ambitious projects. “This stranger, after remaining a few weeks in Natchez, and its
vicinity, and spending some time with Anthony Hutchins, a major on the British military
establishment, and with Mr. Papalje, a refugee from New York, who was likewise on the British
establishment, went to Mobile and Pensacola, where he resided at the house of Panton, Leslie &
Co. until the explosion of Blount’s plans. This gentleman, whose mysterious conduct
embarrassed me exceedingly, was paid for his services, whatever they were, by the public.” That
is to say, he was a public officer.
He discovers in this stranger a comrade of Blount, then held up as a public
enemy; he takes no measures to arrest him or to ask the Spanish authorities to arrest or order
out of their territories a man conspiring against the United States, and against the Spaniards.
He gives no warning to the inhabitants, so soon expecting to become American citizens. He
permits him to remain quietly, hatching treason in the district for weeks, and merely records the
incident in his private journal, with an ill-natured attach on the Secretary of War. The
statement that this emissary was in the public service at the time, is not credible, and is in
keeping with the habitual hatred he held, as will be seen hereafter, for every officer of
government he came in contact within his district.
By this time Mr. Ellicott had persuaded himself, and had impressed his
convictions on a number of other, that the Spanish authorities had no intention to give up the
country in compliance with the treaty. He induced many to believe that they were in danger of
confiscation, arrest and deportation, and that it would be better to retire from the district to the
American settlements, the nearest of which was on the Cumberland River! On the 31st March
he made a formal application to Governor Gayoso, to concede them the privilege of disposing of
their property, and passports to leave the district. On the same day the Governor wrote: “You
inform me of several respectable inhabitants requesting your interposition, to procure for them
a privilege they have always enjoyed, and which is the birth-right of the Spaniard. There is not
one single example in this government of having opposed any one welling his property and
leaving the country, whenever he asked for a passport, and of course, I shall not now deny the
same privilege to anyone who calls for it. No one who observes the laws is in danger or arrest.
There is but one single individual imprisoned in this entire district, and that is upon a criminal
charge. There is not a single patrol out in pursuit anybody nor do I find any occasion for it. But
if necessary I shall employ every means in my power to repress disorder, and to keep the peace
of the country, as I always have done.”
Noble words, fitly spoken, by a good officer and a man of honor. The same
people, into whose minds Ellicott had infused his own suspicions, had lived under the mild rule
of Gayoso, and his predecessors, in peace; had enjoyed the same rights as Spanish born subject,
and received liberal grants of land, of their own selection, for merely nominal fees; had paid no
taxes, rendered no military service; had been appointed to offices of trust; had been protected,
on their own prayer, from the rapacity of usurers and creditors, and to stimulate their industry
had been allowed fee access to the market of New Orleans and had been paid by the King a
liberal price for all the tobacco they could produce. The Catholic religion was the established
faith of Spain, but she did not enforce it upon the inhabitants with as much rigor as the English
enforced episcopacy in their dominions, and as the New Englanders enforced their rigid
sectarian views. The immigrants to the Spanish territories came with full knowledge of the
Spanish laws on the subject, and as they came voluntarily they had no right to complain. They
were allowed liberty of conscience and the right to worship in their own way, in their families.
Prior to the arrival of Mr. Ellicott no discontent prevailed, and in the entire district from the
prosperous community at 31 degree north latitude to the mouth of the Yazoo, but one man was
in prison! And this in a frontier settlement, with a heterogeneous population, of conflicting
races and creeds, with no restraining power but the Governor and half a dozen magistrates. But
this peaceful and prosperous community, under the teaching of Ellicott, became discontented
and factious. He made frequent communications to the Secretary of State, complaining of
Carondelet and Gayoso, and that they did not intend to execute the treaty, and in all these
communications he traduced Colonel Hutchins and his friends. According to his own shoeing,
the government put a low valuation on his communications and calumnies, and made no answer
whatever to him.
The policy of the United Stated, as it had been, was then and continued to be,
towards Spain, to “hasten slowly” a “Masterly inactivity,” allowing her to be as dilatory as she
pleased, bot infringing on her dignity and ceremonial, but waiting patiently for grand results.
Not so with the man who assumed to be the representative of the United States.
He plunged into an angry correspondence with Carondelet and Gayoso of fifty different pretexts,
and scattered broadcast discord and strife. The district was unquestionably, for the time being,
and with the assent of the United States, under the jurisdiction of the Spanish authorities, until
the boundary should be defined, and a reasonable time allowed for them to evacuate the posts.
It was for the United States, and not for Mr. Ellicott, to hold them responsible for delay in
carrying out the treaty, but this man, having neither civil or military authority, with not baton
but his Jacob staff, talked of war and opened a recruiting office and began to enlist men who had
sworn allegiance to the Spanish government.
1797. April 15th, Lt. Pope, USA with his company, arrived at Walnut Hills, where
the Spaniards were occupying Fort Nogales, and anchored his boats there in conformity with a
notification from Governor Gayoso. The moment Ellicott heard of his arrival he wrote to him
that a rupture between the United States and Spain was impending, that his proper post was at
Natchez, and urged him to arrive at the earliest possible moment. On receiving this news, Pope,
with the promptitude of a soldier, prepared to depart. The Spanish commandant protested
against it, but finding the American deaf to his appeal, retired to his fort, and doubtless would
have opened fire upon him but at that critical moment at express arrived from Gayoso,
withdrawing his objection to the advance of the Lt. and his party. Thus the extreme anxiety of
Gayoso to preserve the peace, prevented the effusion of blood. Had a collision occurred, it
would have postponed the running of the line indefinitely, the district would have been
commercially ruined, and immigration effectually suspended. There was not the most remote
probability of a rupture between the two governments. If the Spanish authorities were dilatory,
it was a well-established characteristic of their government. At that very moment the British,
equally dilatory and indifferent, had not evacuated the forts on American territory, which, by the
treaty of 1781, there were bound to evacuate within six months.
Lt. Pope was young, impetuous and brave, anxious for military fame, but lacked
discretion. He had been dispatched by General Wayne, to Fort Massac, with orders to remain
there until advised of the evacuation of the Spanish posts, when he would receive further orders.
General Wayne died on Lake Erie, in December 1796. Pope hearing exaggerated rumors of the
disturbances at Natchez, and that the United States flag was flying, but in danger, deemed it his
duty to descend the river. He came without artillery, money, medicine or a surgeon and on his
arrival was generously supplied by Gayoso the enemy whom he had expected to fight, with
clothing and medicines for his men! A few days thereafter, on the receipt of a communication
from the Governor addressed to them jointly, a dispute arose between Pope and Ellicott as to
who should conduct the official correspondence. Pope, recognizing Ellicott in his true capacity
of surveyor, considered himself the superior. Ellicott submitted, but revenged himself by
worrying the Governor with letters every day on his own account. Pope was not a man to be
bullied, but on all occasions expressed his contempt for Ellicott, and that no dependence could
be put on his word. Ellicott, more prudent, vented his spleen by innuendoes; and as much as he
abuses the Spanish officials in his journal, he is more severe on the officials of the United States.
“The difficulties we met with,” says he, “were as great, if not greater, than any we met with from
the Spanish officers, but as these arose from the conduct of certain citizens of the United States,
some of whom did at that time, and still continue to enjoy the patronage of our government, it is
possible they acted in conformity to instructions.”
Ellicott’s artful and persistent assumption of authority imposed on Gayoso, and
on many inhabitants of the district. Remote from the seat of government, with no mails, no
political influence, no advisers, citizens alternately of the British and Spanish government, a
completely isolated and helpless people, they took it for granted that a man who came with a
military escort, with the flag of the United States, and who call the Spanish Governor to answer
for every act he performed, must be a very great personage, invested with extraordinary powers/
They were aware that the district would be delivered to the United States as soon as the line
should be established, and it began to be hinted that this very officious gentleman held in his
pocket the commission of Governor. They soon discovered that the nearest road to his favor was
to denounce their old friend, Governor Gayoso, under whose administration they had enjoyed
many privileges,, and had lived in profound peace. Educated in England, liberal and tolerant, he
had dispensed an elegant hospitality end maintained social relations with all the principal
citizens. Yet, under the tutorage of Ellicott, many respectable persons began to view Gayoso as
an enemy, and finally he had to abandon his mansion and take refuge in the fort, being
threatened by a mob – the worst of all evils that infest the social system.
Gayoso resided at Concord, two miles from the fort. The cornices and mantles
were imported from Spain. When Gayoso was transferred to New Orleans he sold Concord to
his successor, Don Stephen Minor, who liked there in very stately style, dispensing a splendid
hospitality until his death. His highly respected widow, one of the most intellectual ladies of the
South, for many years maintained the hospitalities of the mansion, succeeded by her
accomplished son, William John Minor. Since the war the family have resided on their estate,
Southdown, near Houma, LA No one mansion in Mississippi has so many historic memories
clustering about it as the old Gayoso-Minor House.
About the 10 June 1797, Andrew Ellicott of Pennsylvania, aided by thirty or forty bushwhackers whom he had brought with him, and by a few desperadoes whom he had picked up
here to serve his unlawful designs, taught the people of Natchez how to get up a mob- the first
and the last ever seen in that most law-abiding and peaceable community.
The Governor, deeply feeling the indignity offered to his authority, very properly left his
residence for the fort, using every exertion to restore tranquility.
Ellicott, after stimulating this evil spirit among the inhabitants, many of whom regarded
him as the organ and representative of the government, had the meanness to tamper with a
large party of Choctaws who had just returned from their raid upon the Cadoes – the same
Indians that frightened him soon after his arrival, and against whom he had solicited the
intervention of Gayoso. He used every art to enlist them against the Spaniards.
In this State of anarchy - seeing the danger of a conflict between the American and the
Spanish troops, when the two governments were on the best terms, many citizens spontaneously
assembled at the house of William Belk, an elected official from the Committee of Safety,
consisting of Anthony Hutchins, Cato West, Bernard Lintot, Gabriel Benoist, Joseph Bernard
and William Ratliff.
1797. June 22nd, the Committee met at Natchez and the Chairman submitted the
following propositions to be laid before Gayoso respectfully request their transmission to the
Governor General at New Orleans.
1. The inhabitants of the district of Natchez who, under the persuasion that they were
citizens of the United States, agreeably to the treaty, assembled and embodied themselves, are
not to be prosecuted or injured on that account, but to stand exonerated and acquitted.
2. The inhabitants of the district above the 31degree of north latitude, are not to be
embodied as militia or called upon to aid in any military operation, except in case of Indian
invasion or the suppression of riots, during the present state of uncertainty, owing to the late
treaty between his Catholic Majesty and the United States, not being yet fully carried into effect.
3. The laws of Spain in the above district shall be continued, and on all occasions to be
executed with mildness and moderation; not shall any inhabitant be transported as a prisoner
out of this government on any pretext whatever. And notwithstanding the operation of the
Spanish laws is here admitted yet the inhabitants personally shall be considered as neutrals, in
the present state of uncertainty.
4. The Committee engage to recommend it to their constituents and to the utmost of
their power will endeavor to preserve the peace and tranquility of the district, and the due
execution of justice.”
To which the following response was immediately made:
“Being always desirous of promoting the public good, we do join in the same sentiment
with the Committee, and accede to their four stipulations, agreed upon for the purpose of reestablishing the peach and tranquility of the district; and that it may be constant and
notorious, I sign the present under the seal of my arms and countersigned by the Secretary of
this government at Natchez, June22 179.
Manuel Gayoso De Lemos, Brigadier in the Royal Armies, Governor, Military
and Politca, of the Natchez and its Defenses. Joseph Vidal, Secretary
These proceedings were sent to the Baron de Carondelet, by the hand of Mr. Benoist, for
his consideration and he promptly returned his approval.
July 1797. This restored the public tranquility and Governor Gayoso returned to his
usual residence. About this time Carondelet being promoted to the government of Quinto,
Gayoso succeeded him as Governor-General of Louisiana, leaving Don Steven Minor who had
long been in the Spanish service as Governor of the Natchez district.