“If your Western settlements could sell what you raise, you would be very powerful. But you are hemmed in. The thirteen States are satisfied with the Atlantic coast. That is all they have cared for. They have no sympathy with over-mountain development. They are not strong enough to combat Spain, and they know their Western country can amount to nothing so long as Spain holds the Mississippi. Spain holds the Mississippi. Now she asks the Western settlements to form a Government under her protection. The thirteen States will not try to stop you from doing that.
“You say you won’t put on the yoke of Spain. Spain doesn’t ask you to wear a yoke. She knows she can’t win what she must have—our trade—by force. To stop the intrigues of France and England she does want a Government over here—a new republic will answer perfectly—that will be in sympathy with her and favour her in trade. Outside of a commercial advantage, Spain asks nothing from you or me. It only means Spain’s backing while the new Government west of the Alleghanies gets on its feet. Once the new Government stands alone and needs no European help, Spain would retain her trade advantage because of her just and kindly treatment of us during our development.”
He paused and Sevier shot in—
“What do you get out of such a combination?”
With great dignity McGillivray promptly answered:
“I should still be Emperor of the Creeks. I should retain a monopoly of the Creek trade and, very probably, should have a voice in the affairs of the Cherokee Nation. No, no. Don’t misunderstand me. I shall not interfere with the rights of the Cherokees. John Watts and others are convinced of that. My influence would always be to knit the two nations firmly together. Once that is accomplished we will be invincible.”
“Against whom?”
“Why, against any trespasser,” McGillivray slowly replied.
“Possibly against Spain?”
“If she attempted any injustice, yes. And we’d whip her, too. For she would have to bring the fight to us or lose all she has over here.”