The Indian Wars, 1784-1787 289 



him. A year later he was elected a member of the 

 North Carolina Legislature; after some hesitation 

 he was allowed to take his seat, and the last trace 

 of the old hostility disappeared. 



Neither the North Carolinians, nor any one else, 

 knew that there was better ground for the charge 

 of treason against Sevier than had appeared in his 

 overt actions. He was one of those who had been 

 in correspondence with Gardoqui on the subject of 

 an alliance between the Westerners and Spain. 



The year before this Congress had been much 

 worked up over the discovery of a supposed move 

 ment in Franklin to organize for the armed conquest 

 of Louisiana. In September, 1787, a letter was sent 

 by an ex-officer of the Continental line named John 

 Sullivan, writing from Charleston, to a former com 

 rade in arms; and this letter in some way became 

 public. Sullivan had an unpleasant reputation. He 

 had been involved in one of the mutinies of the 

 underpaid Continental troops, and was a plotting, 

 shifty, violent fellow. In his letter he urged his 

 friend to come West forthwith and secure lands on 

 the Tennessee; as there would soon be work cut 

 out for the men of that country; and, he added: 

 "I want you much by God take my word for it 

 we will speedily be in possession of New Orleans." 49 



far as it has any basis at all, lies on statements made nearly 

 half a century after the event, and entirely unknown to Hay- 

 wood. There is no evidence of any kind as to its truthful 

 ness. It must be set down as mere fable. 



49 State Dept. MSS., No. 150, Vol. Ill, John Sullivan to 

 Major Wm. Brown, September 24, 1787. 

 VOL. VII. 13 



