Knox, Henry (1750-1806) [Memorandum on the visit of John Pope to Henry Knox]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05187 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph document Date: 5 October 1791 Pagination: 4 p. ; 31.5 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy
This document describes the visit of "Mr. John Pope or Colonel Pope" who was from near Richmond, Virginia. Reports that Pope claimed to have gone down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers last spring in the employ of Patrick Henry and David Ross of the Virginia Yazoo Company. Pope claims to have met the governor of New Orleans (Miro Estevan) traveling up the Mississippi to the Walnut Bluffs to build a military base. He then went to Pensacola, and up the Alabama River, meeting Alexander McGillivray of the Creek Nation. He arrived at McGillivray's on 27 May, staying at his house 7 days, and staying with the Creek nation for a total of 7 weeks. Pope claims that McGillivray spoke affectionately of President Washington, calling him "his adopted Father." McGillivray showed Pope an epaulet, which was apparently a gift from Washington. Reports that Pope believes the letter published under McGillivray's name is a forgery written by a Michael Jones. As proof, Pope produced a passport that Jones forged. Pope believes that McGillivray will not oppose the Yazoo settlements. Note in pencil on page 1 says this was sent "to Carrington," a reference to Richmond native Edward Carrington, who later gave Knox an opinion on Pope (see GLC02437.05195).
[draft]
On this 5th day of October 1791, a gentleman [stating] himself to Mr John Pope or Colonel Pope, near Richmond in Virginia made his appearance at my [office] and produced the [struck: following] letter [hereunto] annexed -
Upon questioning him he [struck: said] appeared to be a man of candor and observation. He said he had gone down the Ohio and Mississippi early last spring in the [employance] of Patrick Henry & David Ross [part] of the Virginia Yazoos proprietors -
That he had met Governor of New Orleans going up to the Walnut Bluffs he [struck: made a] established there a military [post] there with the [vessell] loaded with [troops], and [illegible with] provisions - [2]
That he went down [the] Mississippi to Pensacola, and [thence] up the Alabama to Mr McGillivrays [struck: M]
That he arrived at Mr McGillivrays the 27th of May and [staid] in his house 7 Days and the nation 7 weeks -
That Mr McGillivray appeared [there affected] to the United States and spoke in terms of affection [of] the President of the US calling him his adopted Father, [once exhibiting] a particular Epaulet which the President of the US gave him when in New York.
That the Creeks generally appeared to be there [well pleased] [3] with the [treaty], and spoke of [attendg] [with] the [law] as [mentiond] in the treaty or [illegible]
That it is his opinion (Mr Popes) that the letter published as having been written by [inserted: McGillivray to the Sent of US &] by one Michael Jones is a forgery, he [strikeout] [illegible] Jones who is an [illegible] to the business - That Jones is an impostor, and as a proof [thereof] Mr Pope [addressed] the passport [hereunto] annexed as of Gov O Neills of Pensacola [inserted: which is a forgery].
That Jones by virtue of a forged order from Gov O Neill [struck: he said] obtained from McGillivray [4] an [horse] worth [thirty] dollars -
That McGillivray in his opinion would not oppose the Yazoos settlements he saying that [struck: Cong] although [Congress] had had the subject repeated & [before] them they have not expressed [any] opinion [thereillegible] but that when they did [struck: it was] he [strikeout] [inserted: implored] [he] should support it.
That a party of about 300 Creeks [went] off in June to break up some settlements on the Tennessee [illegible] to have been made by [lane] and others - That upon their arrival at the place [there] were none - Mr Pope says McGillivray was opposed [to this part going], but he could not prevent it - This must have been the [party] [ment] by Major [Montflorence] -
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