He had been involved in one of the mutinies of the underpaid Continental troops, and was a plotting, shifty, violent fellow.

In his letter he urged his friend to come west forthwith and secure lands on the Tennessee; as there would soon be work cut out for the men of that country; and, he added: "I want you much--by God--take my word for it that we will speedily be in possession of New Orleans." [Footnote: State Dept.MSS., No.

150, vol.iii., John Sullivan to Major Wm.

Brown, September 24, 1787.] The Secretary of War at once directed General Harmar to interfere, by force if necessary, with the execution of any such plan, and an officer of the regular army was sent to Franklin to find out the truth of the matter.

This officer visited the Holston country in April, 1788, and after careful inquiry came to the conclusion that Sullivan had no backing, and that no movement against Spain was contemplated; the settlers being absorbed in the strife between the followers of Sevier and of Tipton.