XXVI Congreso Internacional de Americanistas

- 37 1 ­
times proposed (once by vVilliam Panton himself) but never effected.
In the course of nearly tvvo generations, Panton's temporary concession
carne to mean an fron-bound monopoly of the Southern fur-trade embracing
the Creeks, Seminoles, Alabamas, Choctaws, 01Íckasaws and
Cherokees.
Complications arase at various times - the Spanish Ambassador at
London strongly suspected smuggling was going on under cover of [h e
lndian commerce. Some of N avarro's successors in the Louisiana Intendence,
notably Juan Ventura Morales during his personal feuds with
fellow-officials, and Ramón López y Angulo in the short but stormy
days of his administration, opposed the firm's projects, reported adversely
on its privileges, sometimes caused the Co. dela)' and loss by insistence
on irritating formalities, and even petitioned the central government
to suppress the House of Panton altogether as incompatible with Spanish
interests. They insinuated that considerable co nlrabancl tracle \Vas being
carried on with the connivance of the Governors. The minor merchants,
envious of Panton's privileged, position, despatched strong but unavailing
protests to the King himself. AlI opposition was overcome by the
constant and anlent Sllpport of ever)' Governor of Louisiana and the
Floridas. This consistent and unanimous approval of aE the colonial
Governors cannot be explained by mere bribery. 1t must rather be 3Ccepted
as convincing proof of the valuable services Panton, Leslie, Forbes
& Co. were able to render lhe Spanish cause as long as Spain had
colonies in Louisiana or the Floridas. For this reason the Court decided
ever)' dispute in favor of the Company and, sooner or later, gave approval
to each new privilege granted by Governor or Intendant.Wide liberties
were conceded - at times in direct contravention of strict orders from
rl'fadrid. Even whell Spain Wii:; in war \vith Great Britain, the prim;n)"
need for lndian supplies forced the harrassed officia.Js to allow this English
commerce to continue, the under cover of the neutral American flag.
In general, the Company's traclers were loyal and vigilant agents of
Spain among the tri bes, her surest, swiftest and safest source of information,watchdogs
of Spanish soyereignty, read)' to conllnteract and report
any rival activity oí American trader or lndian Commissioner. To the
extent [hat lndians could be influenced by vvhiles, however intimate their
connectiol1, that influence \Vas exerted in favor of Spanish interests.
lInder cover of Paton's tracle , the Southem lndians \Vere fournished arms
and munitions at critical perioels of the border struggle, and kept subservientlya
vary:ng generosity of gifts of necessary provisions and rum,
er cocked hats and shiny medals. When the Louisiana Government
needed prompt anel certain news from the Americ;m seaboarcl at the turn
of the century, the Compan)' obligingly established a regular expre,smail
service between Pensilcola and Savannah.