48 The Winning of the West 



with the British than the Spaniards began to incite 

 the savages to take up once more the hatchet they 

 had just dropped, 12 for Spain already recognized 

 in the restless borderers possible and formidable 

 foes. 



Miro in answering Robertson assured him that 

 the Spaniards were very friendly to the Western 

 settlers, and denied that the Spanish agents were 

 stirring up trouble. He also told him that the 

 harassed Cherokees, weary of ceaseless warfare, had 

 asked permission to settle west of the Mississippi 

 although they did not carry out their intention. He 

 ended by pressing Robertson and his friends to come 

 down and settle in Spanish territory, guaranteeing 

 them good treatment. 13 



In spite of Miro's fair words the Spanish agents 

 continued to intrigue against the Americans, and 

 especially against the Cumberland people. Yet 

 there was no open break. The Spanish governor 

 was felt to be powerful for both good and evil, and 

 at least a possible friend of the settlers. To many 

 of their leaders he showed much favor, and the 

 people as a whole were well impressed by him ; and 

 as a compliment to him they ultimately, when the 

 Cumberland counties were separated from those ly 

 ing to the eastward, united the former under the 

 name of Mero 14 District. 



19 Calendar of Va. State Papers, III., 584, 608, etc. 



13 Robertson MSS. As the letter is important I give it in 

 full in the Appendix. 



14 So spelt; but apparently his true name was Miro. 



