Report on Navigation of the Mississippi River, 25 February 1786, enclosing John Jay to Alexander Fowler, 13 February 1786
Report on Navigation of the Mississippi River
Office for foreign Affairs 25th. February 1786
The Secretary of the United States of America of the Department for foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter to him from A. Fowler of 1st. October last, complaining that a Boat which he had sent down the Mississipi was stopped at the Natches by the Spaniards—1
Reports
That there is good Reason to believe that the King of Spain is resolved if possible to exclude all Nations from the Navigation of that Part of the Mississippi which runs between his Territories.—
That therefore the United States will not have that navigation open to their Citizens unless by Arms or by Treaty. That in the Opinion of your Secretary the Time for the former is not yet come—That the free Navigation of that River is now the Subject of Discussion between the spanish Encargado de Negocios and himself—and that great Difficulties oppose their agreeing on that Head. But that however doubtful the Success of these Negotiations may be, it appears to him most prudent that they should not be precipitated; and therefore he thinks that the Letter which he has written to Mr. Fowler, and of which a Copy is subjoined, prevents the Necessity of taking further Measures for the present. As the Country adjacent to the River becomes filled with People, and the Affairs of the Confederacy become regulated and arranged, the Attainment of that and every other Object will daily and proportionably become more probable and easy.—
All which is submitted to the Wisdom of Congress2
John Jay
[Enclosure]
John Jay to Alexander Fowler
New York 13th. February 1786
Sir
I have been favored with your Letter of 1st. October last and am sorry you have experienced the Difficulties and Disappointments mentioned in it. It is to be hoped that all territorial Questions between the United States and Spain will be amicably settled, and that both Parties will in the mean Time cultivate that Disposition which is most likely to promote that End—Whatever Resolutions Congress may take on your Letter shall be communicated to You, and if further Occurrences relative to the Subject of it have since happened, I wish you had taken an Opportunity of informing me of them.—3 I am Sir, &ca.
(Signed) John Jay
DS, enclosing copy of letter to Alexander Fowler of 13 Feb. 1786, DNA: PCC, item 81, 2: 39–41 (EJ: 3885). Endorsed: “Report of the Secretary for / foreign Affairs on his / Letter of 13 Feby accompanied / with a letter to him from / A Fowler dated 1 Oct 1785 / Read 28 Feby 1786 / Referred back to the Secy / for Foreign Affairs to take / Order.—” LbkCs, DNA: PCC, item 124, 1: 273–74 (EJ: 4555); NNC: JJ Lbk. 3. 30: 85–87.
1. Fowler, a trader from Pittsburgh who claimed to be unaware that the Mississippi had been closed to American traffic by Spain, sent a cargo of pelts down the river. Spanish authorities seized his employees and goods at Natchez. In his letter of 1 Oct. 1785, above, Fowler asked JJ to apply to Congress for assistance in regaining his property. For Fowler’s subsequent opposition to the Constitution, see 14: 137–38.
2. On JJ’s negotiations with Gardoqui, see the editorial note “Negotiations with Gardoqui Reach an Impasse,” below.