The contracts for building were let out at vendue to the lowest bidder.] Correspondence with the Spaniards.
During this year Robertson carried on some correspondence with the Spanish governor at New Orleans, Don Estevan Miro.

This was the beginning of intercourse between the western settlers and the Spanish officers, an intercourse which was absolutely necessary, though it afterwards led to many intrigues and complications.

Robertson was obliged to write to Miro not only to disclaim responsibility for the piratical deeds of men like Colbert, but also to protest against the conduct of certain of the Spanish agents among the Creeks and Chickamaugas.

No sooner had hostilities ceased with the British than the Spaniards began to incite the savages to take up once more the hatchet they had just dropped, [Footnote: Calendar of Va.

State Papers, III., 584, 608, etc.] for Spain already recognized in the restless borderers possible and formidable foes.
Miro in answering Robertson assured him that the Spaniards were very friendly to the western settlers, and denied that the Spanish agents were stirring up trouble.