II. ARKANSAS POST AND THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

C. Captain Colbert Intervenes

3. Captain Colbert Strikes

f) The British Talk Too Much

James Colbert, who declared his goal was to revenge the ill-treatment given his countrymen, was not reticent about his plans. He talked freely. Boasting to Labadie he announced that he had been apprised of

your coming, who you were, on what day you left New Orleans, what cargo you were bringing, in short every thing that was necessary for me to know in order to seize you. . . . In proof of this you may see here a letter from the capital.

Colbert showed Labadie a letter, but as he could not read English, he did not know whether Colbert was telling the truth or bragging.[52]

Madame Cruzat likewise heard that Colbert had been alerted to their approach. Francisco la Grange told her that “they received news from the post of Natchez in six days and that messengers or postmen came from that place nearly every day, and they received the information of the going up of the boat by letter sent by some inhabitant” of New Orleans.[53]

The British complained of the “vexations” to which they had been subjected, by Commandant de Villiers of Arkansas Post and Commandant Grand-Pré of Natchez. The former was in the habit of claiming from the hunters skins they had taken, and in supplying them with merchandise, demanded such exorbitant prices that it was impossible for them to make a living. Grand-Pré, they protested, had confiscated their goods, claiming they had participated in the Natchez rebellion.[54]

Colonel Alexander McGillivray, a mixed-blood leader of the Creeks and a British agent, reached Captain Colbert’s camp in mid-May. Colbert, in McGillivray’s presence, told Labadie

If we had not taken you . . ., we would now be masters of the fort of Arkansas, for we would have fallen upon it if you had delayed some days; but we shall not fail within six or seven days to carry out this project. We know also that the fort of Natchez is difficult to take at this time, but we shall blockade it within a short time, and, as we attack, we shall make it easy for those inhabitants who are not satisfied with the Spanish government to retire with their’ families and slaves; and in the case of those who do not wish to do this, and who abandon their possessions, we will destroy everything with fire and blood. If we cannot take the fort by causing its garrison to suffer from lack of provisions and munitions, we shall abandon the site, and retire satisfied with having done all the harm possible.[55]

Continuing, Colbert stated that a Mr. Harrison (Hutchins), who had fled Natchez, had gone east to Georgia to see if he could bring back with him two regiments. Upon their anticipated arrival in the autumn, all the British in the Chickasaw Nation would rally on Colbert’s command. Accompanied by the Chickasaws and a number of Choctaws, the British would attack the Ilinueses settlements.

We know, Colbert droned on, that while St. Louis is fortified, “Ste. Geneviève is open on all sides.” The Spanish garrison was “very small,” while the Americans had withdrawn their troops from the Illinois Country. “If we cannot possess ourselves of that country we will at least cause a general destruction.”

Colbert would have continued his monologue, but he was interrupted by Colonel McGillivray. Breaking into the conversation, McGillivray remarked, “You talk very freely, and are making our projects known to a man who, if he is given his liberty today or tomorrow, will not forget to publish our intention, which will not be in any way
favorable to us in carrying it out.”[56]

Although McGillivray did not enjoy the dominant position he was destined to gain among the Indians of the region during the next decade, he demonstrated a better grasp of the situation than Colbert. Following his May 15 arrival in the camp “a better defined program of action was launched.” McGillivray had come from Savannah by way of the Chickasaw towns, and, according to Labadie, brought orders “which seemed to emanate from Monr. Tranble who is in the said Chickasaw nation.”[57]