Louisiana and Aaron Burr 215 



in the seacoast cities, but that the people at large 

 were beginning to realize what the truth was, and to 

 show a proper feeling for the President and his gov- 

 ernment. 9 Some of the Cumberland people, be- 

 coming excited by the news of Clark's preparation, 

 prepared to join him, or to undertake a separate fili- 

 bustering attack on their own account. Blount im- 

 mediately wrote to Robertson directing him to ex- 

 plain to these "inconsiderate persons" that all they 

 could possibly do was to attempt the conquest of 

 West Florida, an'd that they would "lay themselves 

 liable to heavy Pains and Penalties, both pecuniary 

 and corporal, in case they ever returned to their in- 

 jured country." He warned Robertson that it was 

 his duty to prevent the attempt, and that the legal 

 officers of the district must proceed against any of 

 the men having French commissions, and must do 

 their best to stop the movement; which, he said, 

 proceeded "from the Machenations no doubt of that 

 Jacobin Incendiary, Genet, which is reason sufficient 

 to make every honest mind revolt at the Idea." Rob- 

 ertson warmly supported him, and notified the Span- 

 ish commander at New Madrid of the steps which 

 he was taking; at which the Spaniards expressed 

 great gratification. 10 



However, the whole movement collapsed when 

 Genet was recalled early in 1 794, Clark being forced 



9 Robertson MSS., Blount's letter, Philadelphia, Aug. 28, 

 1793. 



10 Robertson MSS., Blount to Robertson, Jan. 18, 1794; let- 

 ter from Portello, New Madrid, Jan. 17, 1794. 



