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Everybody knows about the 13 original colonies that fought for American Independence on the Eastern Seaboard, but few probably know about the 14th British Colony, which included Natchez.
From French to British Ownership
At the close of the French and Indian War, a vast amount of land passed from France to Great Britain. This included land in Canada and all French Post on the east side of the Mississippi River, with the Natchez Country being a small part of the transfer.
Many of the incoming settlers were British veterans, and upon reaching Natchez they found a few abandoned log huts Under-the-Hill and a desolate and dilapidated Fort Rosalie on top of the bluffs. After making the necessary repairs to the fort they re-christened the fort Panmure, in honor of the British Minister of War, and hoisted their flag.
These English veterans soon opened large land grants and erected sturdy houses. In the newly cleared grounds they planted seedlings brought from home, and in a short time, hundreds of fertile acres were yielding ample food and money crops. About ten years later, the population was greatly augmented by scores of rich Tories (supporters of the King) who fled to this remote outpost when the American Revolution seemed imminent. Many new plantations were opened in the wilderness, clustered around the small navigable streams. All during the British regime the Natchez settlement remained rural and decentralized. It was a country of scattered plantations, lush fields and tangled jungles.
Natchez-under-the-Hill, the chief port of entry and trading, remained a straggling settlement along the river’s edge. Crude log huts, a few rough warehouses, piers and small shops formed the village that was destined to become one of the most notorious river ports in American history. A primitive ferry was operated by Richard Bacon and some large rowboats made monthly trips to New Orleans. But for the most part Natchez was completely separated from the thirteen English colonies on the Eastern Seaboard, and it often took a year for a letter from the northern colonies to reach Natchez.
Natchez, the Fourteenth Colony
The deluge of Tories naturally influenced the sentiment of the entire Natchez region. If there were any wavering in loyalty to the King, these rabid newcomers put a stop to any such ideas. Many of the new arrivals told bitter and harrowing tales of hardships, hate and cruelty in the northern colonies. Neighbor had turned against neighbor and the American Revolution was spreading to the scattered settlements.
Although a fourteenth colony of Britain, Natchez was too remote and unimportant to receive British reinforcements, and its inaccessibility was to be its chief protection. Sentiment around Natchez favored England, but the war was so distant that the Natchez colonists were not particularly concerned. They knew it was bound to affect them indirectly, but the actual conflict could harm them only if the Indians proved troublesome, and they even expressed gratitude to the French for virtually exterminating the Natchez Indians.
Supporter of the American Revolution
One exception to local sentiment was James Willing, a big handsome daredevil from Philadelphia, who owned and operated the principal shop in Natchez-under-the-Hill. All the leading gentlemen of the colony knew James Willing and many purchased their annual supplies from him, while others socialized and hunted with him. His manners proclaimed him a gentleman, and rumor said he had good connections, but now he had the boldness to espouse the Rebel cause and talked loudly of freedom.
News leaked out that Willing planned to close his doors and join the ragged mob of Continentals under the arch rebel, George Washington. Some declared he would regret such foolish judgment, and others said they would miss him, because Willing’s shop was a favorite rendezvous. Red Coats from the fort, country squires, Indians and Kentucky boatmen gathered at his establishment to discuss the weather, crops and the price of deerskins. They would sit around his open fireplace, sample his Jamaica rum and argue about the war.
Those loyal to the King realized that Willing might prove quite dangerous. He knew their views, political leanings, financial standing and ailments. He also knew the weakness of the fort, and the vulnerable condition of the whole Natchez colony with its scattered plantations and impassable roads. Some thought canoes often left Willing’s store late in the night, heavily laden and always headed upstream, perhaps taking supplies to the rebels.
Opponent of Willing
Anthony Hutchins, a British officer in Natchez was vocal in his denunciations of Willing. He was arrogant, sharp-tongued, and wiry and hated the Colonists. Hutchins predicted dire things ahead and perhaps feared Willing’s influence because it was rumored that scores of young men were flocking to Willing’s store to consult him about joining Washington’s army. Hutchins said this was treasonable and all should be arrested. As for Willing, Hutchins had long suspected him of being an informer and villain.
James Willing soon sold out, lock, stock and barrel to Lum Brothers, wound up his other business affairs and set out in a well-stocked pirogue, headed upstream with a number of Natchez youths.
Months passed and there was no word about Willing or his followers. Anthony Hutchins was elated, and said he hoped Willing and his co-hearts had perished in the river.
Willing Returns
Early one spring morning of 1778, a sentinel at Fort Panmure saw a fleet of boats headed downriver. A British officer rushed to the tower and saw the boats headed toward the landing with a tall man, who looked somewhat familiar, standing at the front of the flagship wearing a buff and blue uniform.
The news spread like wildfire. James Willing, the renegade, had presumably returned on a friendly mission. He was armed with a commission from the Continental Congress, and he carried a calm assurance that baffled his former associates. He told those who gathered around that the Continentals were sure to win the war because the tide was turning in our favor. And he went on to explain that the British Colony of the Natchez region was literally caught between two fires. He told them that Spain, which controlled New Orleans and all of Louisiana, was now a secret ally of the colonist, and he was on his way to New Orleans to obtain supplies for the Continental Congress’ Western Army. He also told them that all the Continental Congress requires of them was strict neutrality, and to allow its boats to pass these bluffs without being molested. He said that if Spain declared war openly they couldn’t expect aid from England. Willing went on to tell them he was empowered to offer the oath of neutrality, and thus they can avoid the devastation of war.
Many citizens crowded forward to take the oath, and practically every influential man in the Natchez country accepted Willing’s offer. There was one important planter absent, Colonel Anthony Hutchins, who was sick in bed. Willing knew this Tory was capable of turning the people against his cause, so he decided to arrest Hutchins and take him to New Orleans.
Upon arriving in New Orleans Hutchins made a miraculously recovery from his illness and after signing an “oath of parole” was given the freedom of the city. Immediately Hutchins broke his oath, bought a horse and left New Orleans in the dark of night. He hurried back to the Natchez country where he aroused the populace and armed hundreds of men to await Willing’s returning boats.
As boats carrying Continental Soldiers came up river they were hailed ashore by a slave waving a white flag and crying in distress, as instructed by Hutchins. Armed men under Hutchins command ambushed eight Revolutionary soldiers as they came ashore.
Spanish Armada Arrives
A few months later, Natchez was in a great furor when a fleet of Spanish galleons bearing a thousand armed men came sailing up the Mississippi River and landed at Natchez Under-the-Hill. Colonel de Galvez, Military Governor of New Orleans, commanded them. Galvez calmly announced resistance was useless and the King’s Crier stepped forward to read an edict from Spain’s King Carlos.
The people of Natchez were no longer citizens of the British Empire; they were now subjects of the King of Spain. Thus the fourteenth British Colony came to an end. |
