Andrew Ellicott was appointed by Washington Surveyor-General to run the boundary; but when, early in 1797, he reached Natchez, the Spanish representative refused point blank to run the boundary or evacuate the territory.

Meanwhile the Spanish Minister at Philadelphia, Yrujo, in his correspondence with the Secretary of State, was pursuing precisely the same course of subterfuge and delay.

But these tactics could only avail for a time.

Neither the Government of the United States, nor the Western people would consent to be balked much longer.

The negotiations with Wilkinson and his associates had come to nothing.