Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)

by United States. Congress

Wednesday, January 20.

General Wilkinson.

The President’s Answer to the House Resolutions.

The Message from the President of the United States was then read, as follows:

To the House of Representatives of the United States:

Some days previous to your resolutions of the thirteenth instant, a Court of Inquiry had been instituted at the request of General Wilkinson, charged to make the inquiry into his conduct which the first resolution desires, and had commenced their proceedings. To the Judge Advocate of that court, the papers and information on that subject, transmitted to me by the House of Representatives, have been delivered, to be used according to the rules and powers of that court.

The request of a communication of any information which may have been received at any time since the establishment of the present Government, touching combinations with foreign agents for dismembering the Union, or the corrupt receipt of money by any officer of the United States from the agents of foreign governments, can be complied with but in a partial degree.

It is well understood that, in the first or second year of the Presidency of General Washington, information was given to him relating to certain combinations with the agents of a foreign Government for the dismemberment of the Union; which combinations had taken place before the establishment of the present Federal Government. This information, however, is believed never to have been deposited in any public office, or left in that of the President’s Secretary; these having been duly examined; but to have been considered as personally confidential, and therefore retained among his private papers. A communication from the Governor of Virginia to President Washington, is found in the office of the President’s Secretary, which, although not strictly within the terms of the request of the House of Representatives, is communicated, inasmuch as it may throw some light on the subjects of the correspondence of that time, between certain foreign agents and citizens of the United States.

In the first or second year of the Administration of President Adams, Andrew Ellicott, then employed in designating, in conjunction with the Spanish authorities, the boundaries between the Territories of the United States and Spain, under the treaty with that nation, communicated to the Executive of the United States papers and information respecting the subjects of the present inquiry, which were deposited in the Office of State. Copies of these are now transmitted to the House of Representatives, except of a single letter and a reference from the said Andrew Ellicott, which, being expressly desired to be kept secret, is therefore not communicated; but its contents can be obtained from himself in a more legal form; and directions have been given to summon him to appear as a witness before the Court of Inquiry.

A paper “on the commerce of Louisiana,” bearing date the eighteenth of April, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight, is found in the office of State, supposed to have been communicated by Mr. Daniel Clark, of New Orleans, then a subject of Spain, and now of the House of Representatives of the United States, stating certain commercial transactions of General Wilkinson, in New Orleans; an extract from this is now communicated, because it contains facts which may have some bearing on the questions relating to him.

The destruction of the War Office by fire, in the close of one thousand eight hundred, involved all information it contained at that date.

The papers already described, therefore, constitute the whole of the information on these subjects, deposited in the public offices, during the preceding Administration, as far as has yet been found; but it cannot be affirmed that there may be no other, because the papers of the office being filed, for the most part, alphabetically, unless aided by the suggestion of any particular name which may have given such information, nothing short of a careful examination of the papers in the offices generally, could authorize such an affirmation.

About a twelvemonth after I came to the administration of the Government, Mr. Clark gave some verbal information to myself, as well as to the Secretary of State, relating to the same combinations for the dismemberment of the Union. He was listened to freely; and he then delivered the letter of Governor Gayoso, addressed to himself, of which a copy is now communicated. After his return to New Orleans, he forwarded to the Secretary of State other papers, with a request that, after perusal, they should be burnt. This however was not done; and he was so informed by the Secretary of State, and that they would be held subject to his orders. These papers have not yet been found in the office. A letter therefore has been addressed to the former Chief Clerk, who may, perhaps, give information respecting them. As far as our memories enable us to say, they related only to the combinations before spoken of, and not at all to the corrupt receipt of money by any officer of the United States; consequently they respected what was considered as a dead matter, known to the preceding Administrations, and offering nothing new to call for investigations, which those nearest the dates of the transactions had not thought proper to institute.

In the course of the communications made to me on the subject of the conspiracy of Aaron Burr, I sometimes received letters, some of them anonymous, some under names true or false, expressing suspicions and insinuations against General Wilkinson. But only one of them, and that anonymous, specified any particular fact, and that fact was one of those which had been already communicated to a former Administration.

No other information within the purview of the request of the House, is known to have been received by any Department of the Government, from the establishment of the present Federal Government. That which has been recently communicated to the House of Representatives, and by them to me, is the first direct testimony ever made known to me, charging General Wilkinson with the corrupt receipt of money; and the House of Representatives may be assured that the duties which this information devolves on me, shall be exercised with rigorous impartiality. Should any want of power in the court to compel the rendering of testimony obstruct that full and impartial inquiry, which alone can establish guilt or innocence and satisfy justice, the legislative authority only will be competent to the remedy.

TH. JEFFERSON.

January 20, 1808.

The said Message, together with sundry documents accompanying the same, were read, and referred to Mr. John Montgomery, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Upham, Mr. Smilie, Mr. Taylor, Mr. G. W. Campbell, and Mr. Jedediah K. Smith, with instructions to report thereon by bill, or otherwise.

[The following are the documents communicated with his Message by the President:]

War Department, Jan. 2, 1808.

In compliance with a request from Brigadier-General James Wilkinson, the President of the United States has directed a court of inquiry to be instituted, for the purpose of hearing such testimony as may be produced in relation to the said General James Wilkinson’s having been, or now being, a pensioner to the Spanish Government, while holding a commission under the Government of the United States.

Colonel Henry Burbeck, as President, Colonel Thomas H. Cushing and Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Williams, as members, are hereby directed to meet at the city of Washington, on Monday, the 11th day of the present month of January, as a court of inquiry, for the purpose above stated; and, after a full investigation of such evidence and circumstances as may come to their knowledge, the court will report to this Department a correct statement of its proceedings, together with its opinion on the amount of testimony exhibited.

Walter Jones, Esquire, District Attorney for the District of Columbia, will be requested to act as Judge Advocate or Recorder to the court.

H. DEARBORN, Secretary of War.

Col. Henry Burbeck, President Court of Inquiry.

Richmond, May 31, 1790.

Sir: The enclosed copy of a letter from the Spanish Governor of New Orleans to a respectable gentleman in Kentucky, was handed to me by Mr. Banks of this city. As the subject of this paper appears interesting to the United States, I have taken the liberty to forward it to you.

I am, with the highest respect,

Your most obedient servant,

BEVERLY RANDOLPH.

New Orleans, Sept. 16, 1789.

Sir: General Wilkinson having represented to me, that you had it in contemplation to settle in this province, and that your example would have considerable influence on many good families of your country, I think it my duty, in order to forward the intentions of my royal master, to inform you that I shall receive you and your followers with great pleasure, and that you have liberty to settle in any part of Louisiana, or any where on the east side of the Mississippi below the Yazoo river. In order to populate the province, His Majesty has been graciously pleased to authorize me to grant to the emigrants, free of all expense, tracts of from two hundred and forty to eight hundred acres, in proportion to their property; and in particular cases of men of influence, who may aid these views, I shall extend the grant as far as three thousand acres. To all persons who actually become settlers, liberty is granted to bring down their property in the produce of your country, duty free; but the King does not agree to take your tobacco, and, of consequence, you must depend upon the common market of this city, as the province makes more than the quantity which the King allows me to take. I mention this particular to prevent disappointment. You will be exempt from taxation, and will be allowed the private exercise of your religion without molestation from any person whatever, and will enjoy all the rights, privileges, and immunities of His Majesty’s other subjects.

In order to cultivate an amicable connection with the settlers of the Ohio, His Majesty has been graciously pleased, at the same time, to give liberty to the inhabitants of that country to bring down their produce to this city for sale, subject to a duty of fifteen per cent, on the value here; but to prevent imposition, and to distinguish between the real settler and the trader, the former, on entering their produce at the custom-house, will be obliged to subscribe to the conditions mentioned in the proclamation, of which General Wilkinson carries a copy for your information.

Though unknown to you, General Wilkinson has taught me to respect your character.

It is, therefore, I subscribe myself, with great esteem, your most obedient and humble servant,

ESTEVAN MIRO.

Benjamin Sebastian, Esq., Kentucky.

Attest: S. COLEMAN, A. C. C.

Natchez, June 17, 1796.

My dear Friend: I received your favor of the 12th instant, in which you give me a proof of your sincere friendship by opening your heart, without reserve, on the interesting subject of the treaty. Following the same sentiments that have dictated to you the confidence that you have in me, I shall unreservedly, and in the most confidential manner, give you my opinion on the same subject.

I have powerful reasons to believe that the part of the treaty concerning limits will never be accomplished; and for that reason so little has been said on what otherwise should be detailed concerning the subjects and citizens of both countries. The State of Georgia is as much displeased as you express yourself, and several petitions have already been presented to Congress against the treaty.

In the time that the treaty was signed, the political affairs of Europe determined our Court to do any thing to keep the United States in a perfect neutrality, and thereby destroy a new plan that was forming to renew and continue a destructive war. The treaty with England had a different object. It was to attract the Americans to their interest in such a manner as to have still in her power to keep them dependent; the plan has fallen through, and the British will no longer deliver the posts. Our treaty that was made to counterbalance that, will suffer equal difficulties; for the circumstances being altered, so will be the conditions on every side. Spain made a treaty with the Union; but if this Union is dissolved, one of the contracting parties exists no longer, and the other is absolved from her engagements. It is more than probable that a separation of several States will take place, which will alter the political existence of a power that could influence on the balance of that of others; therefore Spain, being deprived of that assistance which could arise from her connection with the Union, will alter her views. This is the political situation of things with regard to the treaty; besides that, there are other insurmountable difficulties with respect to the Indians, which render impracticable the execution of the part concerning limits; therefore, even when no change should happen in the United States, the treaty will be reduced to the navigation of this river.

Laying aside every obstacle, and only guided by the same principles that have affected you, I have already represented in the strongest and most energetic manner on the subject of real property; without a solution from Court, it will be out of our power to fulfil the contents of the treaty. When I told you that your property should not suffer in this Government, it was founded on all these principles, and several others that are not vanished. I have constantly been a friend to the country, and in this critical moment will not neglect its interests. Be sure, and assure all your neighbors, that I will do the needful, and that my exertions at all times shall be in proportion to the exigency.

With regard to the debts of this Government, they will continue to be paid in the manner prescribed; however, I shall act in such a manner as to have them cleared much sooner than what is expected. Every individual of this Government is just now attending their crops of cotton, that promise very advantageously; therefore in this critical moment they must not be disturbed, or they will suffer essentially. I am waiting anxiously for Mr. Dunbar to regulate several things in which he has had, and is to have an interference. I really believe that the Baron has him employed. I do not know for certain when the Baron is to go to the Havana, nor do I believe that he knows it. The first packet may perhaps throw some light on the subject. The return of our Court to Madrid will be productive of some very great change in the administration of our affairs; therefore I wait that moment with impatience.

Nothing can affect the mortgage you have on Fuly’s property; he has not yet appeared, but Mr. Ree acts for him.

I remain, with the most sincere friendship, my dear friend, your most obedient,

M. GAYOSO DE LEMOS.

Reserve this letter.

P. S.—In the other letter I express the reason of my new regulation, &c.

Daniel Clark, Esq.

Extract from a paper on the commerce of Louisiana, supposed to be referred to in a letter from Mr. Daniel Clark to the Secretary of State, of the 18th April, 1798, and written by him.

About the period of which we are now speaking, in the middle of the year 1787, the foundation of an intercourse with Kentucky and the settlements on the Ohio was laid, which daily increases. Previous to that time, all those who ventured on the Mississippi had their property seized by the first commanding officer whom they met, and little or no communication was kept up between the countries. Now and then, an emigrant who wished to settle in Natchez, by dint of entreaty, and solicitation of friends who had interest in New Orleans, procured permission to remove there with his family, slaves, cattle, furniture, and farming utensils; but was allowed to bring no other property, except cash. An unexpected incident, however, changed the face of things, and was productive of a new line of conduct. The arrival of a boat, belonging to General Wilkinson, loaded with tobacco and other productions of Kentucky, is announced in town, and a guard was immediately sent on board of it. The General’s name had hindered this being done at Natchez, and the commandant was fearful that such a step might be displeasing to his superiors, who might wish to show some respect to the property of a general officer; at any rate, the boat was proceeding to Orleans, and they would then resolve on what measures they ought to pursue, and put in execution. The Government, not much disposed to show any mark of respect or forbearance towards the General’s property, he not having at that time arrived, was about proceeding in the usual way of confiscation, when a merchant in Orleans, who had considerable influence there, and who was formerly acquainted with the General, represented to the Governor that the measures taken by the Intendant would very probably give rise to disagreeable events; that the people of Kentucky were already exasperated at the conduct of the Spaniards in seizing on the property of all those who navigated the Mississippi; and, if this system was pursued, they would very probably, in spite of Congress and the Executive of the United States, take upon themselves to obtain the navigation of the river by force, which they were well able to do; a measure for some time before much dreaded by this Government, which had no force to resist them, if such a plan was put in execution. Hints were likewise given that Wilkinson was a very popular man, who could influence the whole of that country; and probably that his sending a boat before him, with a wish that she might be seized, was but a snare at his return to influence the minds of the people, and having brought them to the point he wished, induce them to appoint him their leader, and then, like a torrent, spread over the country, and carry fire and desolation from one end of the province to the other.

Governor Miro, a weak man, unacquainted with the American Government, ignorant even of the position of Kentucky with respect to his own province, but alarmed at the very idea of an irruption of Kentucky men, whom he feared without knowing their strength, communicated his wishes to the Intendant that the guard might be removed from the boat, which was accordingly done; and a Mr. Patterson, who was the agent of the General, was permitted to take charge of the property on board, and to sell it free of duty. The General, on his arrival in Orleans some time after, was informed of the obligation he lay under to the merchant who had impressed the Government with such an idea of his importance and influence at home, waited on him, and, in concert with him, formed a plan for their future operations. In his interview with the Governor, that he might not seem to derogate from the character given of him by appearing concerned in so trifling a business as a boat-load of tobacco, hams, and butter, he gave him to understand that the property belonged to many citizens of Kentucky, who, availing themselves of his return to the Atlantic States by way of Orleans, wished to make a trial of the temper of this Government, as he, on his arrival, might inform his own what steps had been pursued under his eye, that adequate measures might be afterwards taken to procure satisfaction. He acknowledged with gratitude the attention and respect manifested by the Governor towards himself in the favor shown to his agent; but at the same time mentioned that he would not wish the Governor to expose himself to the anger of his Court by refraining from seizing on the boat and cargo, as it was but a trifle, if such were the positive orders from Court, and that he had not a power to relax them according to circumstances. Convinced by this discourse that the General rather wished for an opportunity of embroiling affairs than sought to avoid it, the Governor became more alarmed. For two or three years before, particularly since the arrival of the Commissioners from Georgia, who had come to Natchez to claim that country, he had been fearful of an invasion at every annual rise of the waters, and the news of a few boats being seen was enough to alarm the whole province. He revolved in his mind what measures he ought to pursue (consistent with the orders he had from home to permit the free navigation of the river) in order to keep the Kentucky people quiet; and, in his succeeding interviews with Wilkinson, having procured more knowledge than he had hitherto acquired of their character, population, strength, and dispositions, he thought he could do nothing better than hold out a bait to Wilkinson to use his influence in restraining the people from an invasion of this province till he could give advice to this Court, and require further instructions. This was the point to which the parties wished to bring him, and, being informed that in Kentucky two or three crops were on hand, for which, if an immediate vent was not found, the people could not be kept within bounds, he made Wilkinson the offer of a permission to import, on his own account, to New Orleans, free of duty, all the productions of Kentucky, thinking by this means to conciliate the good will of the people, without yielding the point of navigation, as the commerce carried on would appear the effect of an indulgence to an individual, which could be withdrawn at pleasure. On consultation with his friends, who well knew what further concessions Wilkinson could extort from the fears of the Spaniards, by the promises of his good offices in preaching peace, harmony, and good understanding with this Government, until arrangements were made between Spain and America, he was advised to insist that the Governor should insure him a market for all the flour and tobacco he might send, as in the event of an unfortunate shipment, he would be ruined whilst endeavoring to do a service to Louisiana. This was accepted. Flour was always wanted in New Orleans, and the King of Spain had given orders to purchase more tobacco for the supply of his manufactories at home than Louisiana at that time produced, and which was paid for at about $9.50 per cwt. In Kentucky it cost but $2, and the profit was immense. In consequence, the General appointed his friend Daniel Clark his agent here, returned by way of Charleston in a vessel, with a particular permission to go to the United States, even at the very moment of Gardoqui’s information; and, on his arrival in Kentucky, bought up all the produce he could collect, which he shipped and disposed of as before mentioned; and for some time all the trade for the Ohio was carried on in his name, a line from him sufficing to insure to the owner of the boat every privilege and protection he could desire.

On granting this privilege to Wilkinson, the Government came to a resolution of encouraging emigration from the Western country, and offered passports to all settlers, with an exemption of duty on all the property they might bring with them invested in the produce of the country they came from under the denomination of settlers. All those who had acquaintances with a few persons of influence in Orleans obtained passports, made shipments to their address, which were admitted free of duty, and, under pretence of following shortly after with their families, continued their speculations. Others came with their property, had lands granted them, which, after locating, they disposed of, and, having finished their business, returned to the United States. A few only remained in the province, and they were the people who, in general, availed themselves least of the immunities granted by the Government. They possessed a few slaves and cattle, but had little other property, and they generally settled among their countrymen in the Natchez, and increased the cultivation of tobacco, at that time the principal article raised for export in the district. This encouragement given to emigrants and speculators opened a market for the produce of the Ohio. Flour was imported from Pittsburg; and the farmers finding a vent for all they could raise, their lands augmented in value, their industry increased, and they exported annually to Louisiana, for some time past, from ten to fifteen thousand barrels of flour, for which they generally find a ready market. When the first adventurers began to purchase, flour was to be had for from eighteen to twenty shillings, Pennsylvania currency, per barrel, on the Monongahela, but was of a very bad quality, and was only made use of for biscuit, or in times of scarcity. It gradually improved, and in 1792 the best kind was supposed equal to that manufactured in Philadelphia; but, being put up negligently, does not keep so long, and for that reason alone is not so much esteemed as Philadelphia flour.

The Court of Spain, informed by its officers here of the steps they had taken, and the motives which had induced them, otherwise ignorant of the situation of affairs with respect to Kentucky, and consequently easily impressed with the ideas they wished to inculcate, not only approved of what they had done, but granted a further permission to all the inhabitants of the Western country to export their produce to Orleans, where it was admitted on paying fifteen per cent. duty. This increased the intercourse, as many who would not before adventure, while it was a matter of favor granted by the Governor, now entered into commercial speculations; and, from the Ohio, the province of Louisiana was not only supplied with a sufficient stock of flour, whiskey, and salted provisions, hemp, and, latterly, cordage, but a considerable quantity of some of them often was shipped from hence, as the produce of this province, to Havana and other Spanish ports; besides these articles, the produce of their lands, dry goods were secretly imported, and sold in the different ports along the river; and, although orders were given to the commandant of New Madrid, the first Spanish port below the mouth of the Ohio, to prevent such importations, and seize on all who transgressed these orders, it was easily avoided. Here the boats gave a manifest of their cargo, under which a passport was given; this was endorsed by the different commandants on the river as the boats passed; the owners might sell their cargoes where they pleased, and by the manifest which they were bound to deliver to the Government immediately on their arrival at New Orleans, their duties were calculated. These duties continued to be exacted at the rate of fifteen per cent. until after the arrival of the Baron de Carondelet, when, under the idea of facilitating certain political ideas of his own, he reduced them, on his own authority, to six per cent. This measure was highly disapproved of by Gardoqui, the Minister of Finance, who threatened to make him personally responsible for the difference, and ordered the duties to be placed on the former footing. The Baron, who was not easily diverted from a favorite measure, paid no attention to the Minister’s first orders; he represented a second time, and again received a more positive order than the first. Despairing of being able to gain his point with him, and determined not to abandon it, he addressed himself to the King, through the Minister of State. His plans were approved of, and the duty fixed at six per cent., at which rate it still subsists: and this is the duty exacted on every thing imported from any of the American settlements on the Ohio or Mississippi for sale in New Orleans. This duty is far from being burdensome to the importer, on account of the low rate of estimation, and the facility with which, by various means, a considerable part of it is always avoided. Flour is valued but at four dollars a barrel; first quality tobacco, three dollars per hundredweight; other quality, two dollars; whiskey, thirty-seven and a half cents per gallon; and salt provisions and all other articles at a reasonable rate, as may be seen in the tariff which accompanies this, according to which the duties are calculated, and which naturally fall on the consumer. By degrees the importation of flour from the Ohio has almost put a final stop to any from the Atlantic States, and we shortly expect that such quantities will be manufactured in the Western country, as to permit the merchant of Orleans to enter into competition with those of the Middle States at foreign markets. The quantity of different productions imported from the Ohio since the opening of that trade has varied considerably from year to year. In the beginning, tobacco was the principal export from Kentucky, and, at one period, from one thousand five hundred to two thousand hogsheads came down the Mississippi annually for three or four years; they, at the same time, exported a great quantity of butter, lard, and salt provisions. Within the last three years, the exportation of tobacco has considerably diminished, and flour seems to take its place. Hemp has likewise been imported from thence in considerable quantities; was formerly reshipped from hence to the Atlantic States, but what now comes is manufactured here. Cordage is likewise imported from Kentucky, where some rope-walks are set up; and, in future, it is to be presumed that little or no hemp will be exported from New Orleans: for the encouragement of the manufactory here, that article is exempt from duty on importation. In the year 1792, the King ceased purchasing the usual quantities of tobacco in Louisiana, which was formerly two millions of pounds, on account of some frauds in packing, and the general bad quality of the tobacco, as the planters, sure of having theirs received by the inspectors, on giving a small gratuity, made generally three cuttings, and put up every thing that ever looked like tobacco. This punishment was sensibly felt, as a great price was given for it, say nine dollars and a half per hundredweight. This culture ceased immediately on the eastern side of the Mississippi on this event taking place. The people of Natchez turned their attention to indigo, which they raised with success; but changed this branch for that of cotton, which now forms the staple article of their growth, and bids fair to be an object of the greatest importance; the crop of last year from that district is supposed to exceed three thousand bales, of two hundred and fifty pounds each, and the average price has been twenty cents per pound.

Natchez, June 4, 1797.

Sir: As it is probable that this will reach you before my despatches of the 27th of last month, by way of New Orleans, I have enclosed duplicates.

About seven days ago, twenty-five Spanish soldiers arrived at this place, where they continued one night, and then proceeded up to the Walnut Hills. On the 28th of May, I received a letter from Governor Gayoso, No. 1, to which I replied on the 31st, No. 2. From Governor Gayoso’s letter, it appears that the Baron de Carondelet is not well satisfied with his conduct; they are at this time not on good terms, and the breach has been widened by the artful management of a certain Mr. Power, now at this place, who was last season intriguing in the State of Kentucky for the Spanish Government; he is particularly patronized by the Baron. The transactions which the Baron alludes to, I suspect, are the arrangements I made with Governor Gayoso, by which the troops of the United States were brought into this district with his consent and apparent approbation. The difficulty of getting them away is now obvious both to himself and the Baron, and as it was done without consulting the latter, he feels an inclination to condemn the conduct of the former.

It is now reported by the Spaniards that a Minister Plenipotentiary has been sent by the Court of Madrid to the United States to inform our Executive that the country and posts now held by His Catholic Majesty on the east side of the Mississippi, above the thirty-first degree of North latitude, are not to be given up until a general peace takes place in Europe, and that, from the uniform pacific disposition of the United States there can be no doubt of his success. This report is credited but by few.

The citizens of the United States, who are trading on the Mississippi, are frequently treated with great insolence at the Spanish posts, and their property taken for the use of His Catholic Majesty, when wanted, and always at a reduced price. About three weeks ago, a cargo of flour, consisting of between three and four hundred barrels, was taken at the Walnut Hills from a Mr. McCluny, of Washington County, in the State of Pennsylvania, against his will, to be paid for in New Orleans at such price as the officers of Government see proper to give, which is generally three dollars per barrel less than the current price in market. A few days ago Mr. Francis Baily, a citizen of the United States, who had lately come on here with some goods, had a tender of a commissary’s certificate payable at the treasury in New Orleans, which species of paper was passing at a discount of twelve per cent.; Mr. Baily declined taking the certificate as payment for the debt, and appealed to Governor Gayoso for redress, who immediately decreed that the tender was legal. These cases are not singular; they are particularized because both the gentlemen mentioned will be in Philadelphia in the course of a few weeks, and I expect will make a point of substantiating the facts—both cases being a violation of the late treaty between His Catholic Majesty and the United States.

From the jealous and suspicious disposition of the Spaniards, I do not think it possible that any treaty or compact can be lasting between that nation and our Western people, while the former have any possessions on the east side of the Mississippi.

Dr. Watrous is now here. He was on his way from Fort Hamilton, on furlough, to the State of Connecticut, but Captain Pope and myself prevailed upon him to stay with us, until we have some intelligence respecting our continuance in this country.

I am, sir, with great esteem and respect, your friend and humble servant,

ANDREW ELLICOTT.

Hon. Secretary of State.

P. S.—At the moment I was folding this, the enclosed proclamation, No. 3, by the Baron de Carondelet, was put into my hands. The various and contradictory reasons assigned by the Spanish officers for their delay in carrying the late treaty into effect, are too obvious to need a comment.

A. E.

Natchez, June 5, 1797.

Sir: I have this moment received private information that Mr. Power, who I have mentioned to you in my communication of yesterday, is, by order of the Baron de Carondelet, to proceed immediately through the wilderness, to the State of Kentucky. There is every reason to believe that his business is to forward the views of Spain, by detaching the citizens of Kentucky from the Union. It has been hinted to me that Mr. Power will, in the first instance, pay a visit to General Wilkinson, who, we are informed, is now in Cincinnati.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

ANDREW ELLICOTT.

Hon. Secretary of State.

Darling’s Creek, November 8, 1798.

Sir: On the 10th of last month, having opened the boundary between the United States and His Catholic Majesty, from the Mississippi River to the thin pine country, we ceased carrying the line on in that accurate scientific manner in which it was begun, and from the end of the line, designated in the report which accompanies this, the work will generally be done with a common surveying compass, and corrected at the different navigable water-courses which it may happen to cross.

The line mentioned in the report is opened sixty feet wide, and passes through a country impenetrable to any but Americans. The labor has been equal to what would in our country have opened at least one hundred miles. The business, it is evident, will not go on with that rapidity we could wish; nothing, however, will be wanting on our part, and I think it will be completed the ensuing season. Governor Gayoso has evidently been brought into a co-operation very reluctantly, and certainly has no desire of having it pushed. Mr. Power, a gentleman well known for his intrigues in Kentucky and other parts of the United States, is the surveyor on the part of the Crown of Spain; he has attended but one week on the line, and I do not believe that he will attend another, during the execution of the work. He has, however, employed a deputy, who is Mr. Daniel Burnet, the same person who carried Mr. Hutchins’s papers to Congress last winter; he has yet behaved very well. The others employed, Major Minor excepted, are of little consequence, except to disorganize and talk politics. The acting commissary is a Mr. Gensack; he was taken by the British at the Cape, and carried to Jamaica, from whence he made his escape to the United States, where he found safety, but, in the true character of his nation, he equally hates both Americans and British: he is sullen, reserved, and intriguing. There are no Spaniards concerned in the business, and but a few of the common soldiers. Major Minor and Mr. Burnet are Americans; the others, including the laborers, are generally French, or descended from French ancestors, or Roman Catholic Irish. When I look over this strange heterogeneous collection, I cannot help asking this question: “Can the Spaniards really be serious in carrying the treaty into effect?” If they are, it is very extraordinary that there is not one of that nation employed above the rank of a common soldier.

I have always been of opinion that it was a happy circumstance for both countries that Major Minor was appointed Commissioner on behalf of the Crown of Spain; his prudence and sound judgment will, in all probability, enable us to carry the work through, which I am confident would not have been the case, had Mr. Power been appointed to that trust, as was proposed by Governor Gayoso, and to which I pointedly objected, as did Mr. Dunbar also.

If our surveyor had been a man of prudence and talents, our difficulties would have been much less; but his want of information, extreme pride and ungovernable temper, constantly furnish the opposite party with weapons. He has insinuated that the work is erroneous, and that Major Minor and myself have combined to injure both Governments, and wantonly lavish away public money. He himself has been the only idle person on the side of the United States; his whole attendance on the line as surveyor would not exceed one week. His insinuations, I am confident, would have but little weight with the people of the United States, but the case is very different with the Spaniards, naturally jealous, and uninformed in science, particularly so far as it relates to astronomical operations.

On Friday, the 12th of last month, General Wilkinson arrived at our camp, and continued with us until Sunday, the 14th. We had much conversation on the state and situation of the country; his ideas respecting both appeared very correct so far as I was able to determine. He informed me that he had seen some of Mr. Freeman’s correspondence with Captain Guion, which, in his opinion, came fully within the meaning of the late sedition law; and recommended, in the most serious manner, that he should be immediately suspended from his employment on the line. This, added to the opinion of Governor Sargent, (who spent a number of days at our camp,) Colonel Bruin, and many other respectable gentlemen, determined me in taking that measure. The surveying at present is done by Mr. Gillespie, the chain-carrying by Mr. Ellicott and Mr. Walker. General Wilkinson has removed Mr. McClary from the command of my escort; his conduct was far less exceptionable than that of Mr. Freeman, and when he did err it was generally the effect of bad advice.

Mr. Freeman left our camp on the 30th September, at the very time we were changing our system of carrying on the work, and in which the compass only is used, without giving me any notice of his departure, that arrangements might be made to meet the want of a surveyor. He was absent until the evening of the 17th ultimo, and on the morning of the 18th he was furnished with a note of suspension. He has constantly conducted himself in that same independent way.

The reference, No. 9, which was in cipher, in my communication of the 14th of November last, contained an account of an extraordinary plan; but that plan, in my opinion, is now given over, and the knowledge obtained of the country, its strength, and the disposition of the inhabitants, will be turned to the advantage of the United States by some of the principal characters concerned. It is the best they can now do. That the plan is given over may be collected from No. 1, which for particular reasons is in cipher, and ought to be secret. It cannot be considered as a literal translation, which you will see by the introduction, but it conveys accurately the ideas contained in the letter from which it is extracted.

The plan of Baron de Carondelet, mentioned in my communication of 27th of June last year, was correct as there stated; the particulars I have since obtained, and will be detailed to you by a gentleman, in the course of a few months, who was in the secret of the whole business. That you may not be at a loss when that gentleman calls upon you, he will have a letter of introduction from me, with an official communication, and a number of questions in the same cipher with reference to No. 1. His answers to those questions will convince you that my information has constantly been correct.

I shall leave this place (where I have only halted to draw up this communication) to-morrow, and proceed to the Pearl River, where the guide line will be corrected. I shall then proceed down the river to Lake Maurepas, from thence into Lake Pontchartrain and to New Orleans, where I expect to arrive about the 1st of January next. From New Orleans I shall follow the coast to Mobile, and again correct the guide line as run by the surveyors. From Mobile I shall follow the coast to Pensacola; I shall pursue the coast to the Chatetucka, and ascend the river to the guide line; as soon as that is corrected, I shall proceed to the mouth of Flint River and from thence to St. Mary’s.

You will easily perceive that my design in following the coast is to obtain an accurate knowledge of its situation, the navigation of the different rivers we shall have to ascend, and to correct the geographical positions where it may be necessary. My map of the Mississippi, corrected by a great number of observations, is now made out in the rough, and ready for copying.

The astronomical observations which I have made since I left Philadelphia, will make a large and not uninteresting publication.

Our business now goes on with the greatest harmony. That part near the coast, in which, as an American and friend to my country, I feel myself the most interested, will be nearly completed before Mr. Freeman can join us, if the President should disapprove of the measures which have been taken with him; and in that case I must request the favor of being permitted to return home. All that his friend General Mathews, Colonel Pannell, and a few others, can say of him, must be negative evidence; they may say what he has done; but what they say he has done in forwarding our business must be from his own report. They have not been visitors at our camp, where the only information founded upon facts could be had. He has not made a single observation since we came into this country, though he endeavored, after my course at the beginning of the line was furnished, one whole week without success. He is, nevertheless, by General Mathews and Colonel Pannell, declared not inferior to Newton! This is not strange; they may possibly have less scientific knowledge than he has, and the solemn air and dictatorial manner of a professional schoolmaster may have contributed much to establish his character with them. His abuse of me I disregarded, till his caballing got into the camp; the consequences then became more serious, and the measure which I took was founded upon the best of motives—the service of my country, and I have but one, added to a natural desire to live in peace with all mankind. I have but few observations to add to the depositions respecting his conduct which are forwarded with this. Mr. Robins, one of the deponents, is superintendent of the laborers, and always with them. Mr. Collins, another of the deponents, is as worthy a man as any in the United States, and assistant to Mr. Anderson; he constantly resides in the laborers’ camp. Mr. Lindsey likewise resides in the camp; he is a gentleman of veracity, and agent for the contractor. These gentlemen have been with us from the commencement of the business to the present time, and perfectly acquainted with the conduct of Mr. Freeman, and superior to his art, which he frequently exerted with them in vain. Similar depositions to those forwarded might be obtained from the gentlemen of the Spanish camp, but it appeared to me improper. You will see I have omitted taking those of Mr. Gillespie and the chain-bearers; it might be said they were interested. And, as Mr. Anderson has been equally abused with myself, on that account his has not been taken. You will see by the depositions that I rise early: it is generally before the break of day; from that time until dark I rarely sit down one hour; after candle-light I am generally engaged until 10 o’clock in writing and arranging my observations.

I hope the citizens of the United States begin by this time to be weaned from their attachment to the French nation. For my part I have experienced so much want of principle and integrity among them, and their partisans in this country, both individually and collectively, that my prejudices against the whole nation are so strong, that it is with difficulty I can guard my expressions so as not to give offence.

The arrival of General Wilkinson has created considerable alarm in the Spanish colonies below, and Governor Gayoso has directed that the militia within his Government he immediately armed. The fears and jealousies of the Spanish nation will certainly, in the course of a few years, occasion the loss of all the country on this side of the Mississippi, to the Crown of Spain.

The whole of my correspondence on various subjects, since my communication of the 29th of July last, would make a large volume, and as there is but little of it immediately interesting to the United States, I shall only refer you to Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

I am sensible you will perceive a great want of arrangement in this communication; but at the same time I am equally so that you will excuse it, when I assure you that the whole packet, except Mr. Clark’s letters and the correspondence with Governor Gayoso, is the work only of two nights and one day, and that in the woods, without any other table than a small instrument box, the weather cold and windy, and all my young men who used to aid me in copying many miles ahead on the line.

I am sorry that the report mentioned in the beginning of this is not forwarded; my part has been done some time, but the Spanish part is not yet ready, owing to the absence of Mr. Power. I shall write to you again from New Orleans. In the mean time, believe me to be, &c.

ANDREW ELLICOTT.

Hon. Secretary of State.

P. S. Daniel Clark, Esq., of New Orleans, has lately spent a number of days with me in my camp; from him I have received much valuable information, which it will be unnecessary for me to detail, as he will give it to you himself in Philadelphia the ensuing winter. He intends to visit that city immediately after our interview in New Orleans.

There is not a gentleman of literature or science, and scarcely one of respectability in this country, with whom I have not been upon the most intimate footing ever since I came into it; and every attack that has been made upon me has arisen either from envy or misconception, to which I should never have paid any attention had the principles of opposition not entered our camp, and begun to embarrass our business.

A. E.

[Communicated to the House, February 4, 1804.]

To the House of Representatives of the United States:

In my Message of January 20th, I stated that some papers forwarded by Mr. Daniel Clark of New Orleans to the Secretary of State, in 1803, had not then been found in the office of State, and that a letter had been addressed to the former chief Clerk, in the hope that he might advise where they should be sought for. By indications received from him they are now found. Among them, are two letters from the Baron de Carondelet, to an officer serving under him at a separate post, in which his views of a dismemberment of our Union are expressed. Extracts of so much of these letters as are within the scope of the resolution of the House are now communicated. With these were found the letters written by Mr. Clark to the Secretary of State, in 1803. A part of one only of these relates to this subject, and is extracted and enclosed for the information of the House. In no part of the papers communicated by Mr. Clark, which are voluminous, and in different languages, nor in his letters, have we found any intimation of the corrupt receipt of money by any officer of the United States from any foreign agent. As to the combinations with foreign agents for dismembering the Union, these papers and letters offer nothing which was not probably known to my predecessors, or which could call anew for inquiries, which they had not thought necessary to institute, when the facts were recent, and could be better proved. They probably believed it best to let pass into oblivion transactions which, however culpable, had commenced before this Government existed, and had been finally extinguished by the Treaty of 1795.

TH. JEFFERSON.

February 4, 1808.

Extract of a letter from the Baron de Carondelet, dated

New Orleans, July 10, 1796.

I suppose, sir, that you are now at the Bluffs, and in possession of a command which requires firmness, vigilance, conciliation, and prudence, as well with regard to the savages as to the Americans; for the evacuation of that important post is not yet so certain as not to admit of doubt, at least so long as the savages remain attached to us. Besides, it is proper to keep in view that the neighboring States, that is to say, Kentucky and Tennessee, are interested that it should remain in our power, for political reasons which cannot be trusted to paper. You must, of consequence, keep them in those sentiments, by treating their inhabitants, to whom the liberty of the navigation is granted, with kindness and regard. Let the friendship of the Chickasaws and the satisfaction of the Americans who navigate the river, be the basis of your conduct; as for the rest, I have not yet received any official news from the Court concerning the treaty, which we know nothing of but through the American gazettes.

All the appearances of an approaching peace in Europe have vanished; but it is probable that we shall not have war with the English. Fourteen French ships of the line, with ten thousand men, are actually to take possession of the Spanish port of St. Domingo; and France and Spain appear more united than ever. The Spanish inhabitants have lost their slaves.

Extract of a letter from the Baron de Carondelet, dated

New Orleans, Sept. 12, 1796.

In answer, sir, to your private letter of the 10th of last month, I will acknowledge to you that I was under the belief that the Fort of St. Ferdinand was badly constructed, but not to the degree that you point out to me. You must, however, without augmenting the expenses which its evacuation would render useless, put it in a state to maintain yourself there until I receive new instructions from the Court. Should the Court think proper, as may very well happen, not to evacuate our posts on the Mississippi, I will despatch a courier to you in all haste, that you may change the situation of the fort, which ought to be done with all diligence, and so as that it be again sufficiently intrenched to prevent its being surprised or attacked before it is in a state of defence; for this purpose I will send immediate and secret orders to New Madrid and to St. Genevieve, that carpenters, masons, &c., should instantly be sent to you, and you may also count on a reinforcement of troops, which I will send to you by the galley Philapa, which I am causing to be rebuilt without noise; all these dispositions, I repeat to you, ought to be prompt and secret. I expect the answer of the Court in ——.

If His Majesty, on the contrary, should persist in it that the evacuation of the forts must take place, it will be done in the most simple mode, towards the commencement of January. In the mean time you must prepare the minds of the Chickasaws, and of the inhabitants of Kentucky and Tennessee, for one or the other of these events. You ought to make the latter understand that their natural interest leading them to separate at some day (un jour) from the Atlantic States, the occupation of our posts on the Mississippi by the troops of the latter could not but be disastrous to them, since they would cut off all communication between them and us, from whom alone they could, in that case, hope to receive assistance.

Extract of a letter from Daniel Clark to the Secretary of State, dated

New Orleans, March 8, 1803.

As a proof that expectations of assistance from ourselves against our own Government have been always relied on by the Spaniards, and that they have constantly looked to a division of our Western States from the General Government, I now forward you an order to receive from Washington Morton, Esq., of New York, a sealed packet which I left in his possession when I set out for Europe, and which I then mentioned I would show you at my return, not thinking, at that time, that circumstances would occur so soon as to render the disclosure a measure of immediate necessity. Among other papers of less importance in this packet, is a small part of the correspondence of the Baron de Carondelet with the officer commanding Fort St. Ferdinand, at the Chickasaw Bluffs, in which he suffers his plans and views to be clearly perceived, and which were solely aimed at our destruction; the remainder are, as well as I recollect, copies of talks and letters to and from the Chickasaw Indians; and, by the Baron de Carondelet’s letter to the officer, you will perceive that the fact I advised you respecting the annual pension of five hundred dollars to Uguluycabé cannot be disputed.

Should you think these documents of sufficient importance to require my presence in Washington to elucidate any part of them, I shall immediately sacrifice all private business of my own, and hasten there; and, in the mean time, will endeavor to collect, from undoubted sources, such other information relative to this subject as may be acceptable.

Although for four or five years past I had a perfect conviction that the intrigues of the Spaniards with the Western country were not for the time dangerous, on account of the incapacity of the Governors of this province, and their want of pecuniary means, yet, fearful of what might happen in future, should more enlightened and ambitious chiefs preside over it, I could not last year resist the temptation of hinting my suspicions of what had been formerly done in this way to the President at an interview with which he honored me, and I even went so far as to assert that a person supposed to be an agent from the State of Kentucky had been here in the end of 1795 and beginning of 1796, to negotiate on the part of that State, independent of the General Government, for the navigation of the Mississippi, before the result of the Treaty of St. Lorenzo was known, wishing that this hint might induce the President, to cause inquiry to be made into the circumstance, which he could easily find the means of investigating; but as he made no other inquiry of me respecting it than merely in what year the thing happened, it struck me that he must have had other information on the subject, and that he thought it needless to hear any thing more about it. By great accident I have lately learned something which induces me to suppose that any information he may have received respecting the measure alluded to has been incorrect, and given with the view of misleading him, and I request you will mention the subject anew to him, that you may know how far I am right in my suspicions. The information I possessed on the subject, could not, from the way in which it was obtained, be accompanied with what would be proof to convict the person concerned, or I should have openly accused him in the face of the world; but to me it amounts to a moral certainty of his guilt, and my conduct to him showed, on all occasions, how much I detested his object and his person. The same want of proof positive, sufficient to convict him, prevents me at present from naming him; but if inquiry is diligently made about the influential character from Kentucky, who at that period was so long in Natchez, and afterwards here, what his business was, and what was the idea entertained of him, enough will doubtless be discovered to put our Government on its guard against him and others of his stamp, and against all foreign machinations in that quarter in future.

Communicated to the House, April 25, 1808, by Daniel Clark.

Pursuant to the resolution of the House, calling on me for testimony relative to General Wilkinson’s receipt of money from the Spaniards, I now lay before it some original papers, corroborating the statement which I have already given:

No. 1. The first is the translation of a letter, in Spanish, from Thomas Power to D. Thomas Portell, dated at New Madrid, June 27, 1796, and containing the reasons why it was proper for Portell to deliver to Power, without an order in writing from General Wilkinson, a sum of money which had been placed for that purpose in Portell’s hands by the Spanish Government of New Orleans. The original letter is subjoined in the handwriting of Mr. Power, with which I am acquainted.

This letter explains the deposition of Derbigny, and also makes mention of the letter in cipher from General Wilkinson to Gayoso, then Governor of Natchez, of which a translation, in the handwriting of Gayoso, has heretofore been laid before the House. It may be proper to add that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of Gayoso, in which the translation is written, and that he has been dead more than eight years.

No. 2. A translation of Portell’s answer to the foregoing, dated Madrid, on the same day, June 27, 1796. The original is subjoined in the handwriting of Portell, with which I am acquainted.

The object of this correspondence seems to have been to furnish to Portell the means of explaining to his superiors his motives for delivering the money without a written order.

Nos. 3 and 4 are two original papers in the handwriting of Philip Nolan, with which I am well acquainted. Nolan was the confidential agent of Gen. Wilkinson in 1796, and has been dead several years.

These two papers are stated by Mr. Power to be secret instructions given to him by General Wilkinson, after the latter received money from Portell, mentioned in Nos. 1 and 2. The instructions, according to Mr. Power’s statement, were given in the handwriting of Nolan, as a measure of precaution against the danger of detection. The six hundred and forty dollars, of which they make mention, are stated by Mr. Power to be a part of the sum received, for Wilkinson, of Portell, which Power, after his arrival in Kentucky, was obliged to use for the expenses of his journey.

No. 5. Is the translation of a letter to the Baron de Carondelet from Mr. Power, dated at New Orleans, May 9, 1797, after his return from Kentucky. The original letter in Spanish is subjoined. It is in Mr. Power’s handwriting, with which I am acquainted. It explains the affair of the six hundred and forty dollars, mentioned in the secret instructions, Nos. 3 and 4, and refers to and quotes those instructions as the instructions of General Wilkinson.

No. 6. Is the translation of the Baron de Carondelet’s answer to this letter. The answer is in Spanish, and in the handwriting of Don Andres Armesto, Secretary to the Government, which I know. It is signed by the Baron de Carondelet, with whose signature I am acquainted.

DANIEL CLARK.

No. 1.

Translation of a letter from Thomas Power to Don Thomas Portell, Commandant of New Madrid, dated

New Madrid, June 26, 1797.

Having received verbal instructions from Mr. James Wilkinson, the American General, to take charge of the money, which, by a letter, he received from the Secretary of the Government, Don Andres Armesto, under date of 7th or 8th of March last, of which I was bearer, he has advice, is deposited in this post, and being informed by the official letter which you have received on this business from the Governor General of the Province, of which you will be pleased to furnish me a copy, that said money is not to be delivered without an express order from the said Mr. Wilkinson, I find myself forced to relate circumstantially some particulars to smooth and remove the difficulty which the want of a written order on the part of the aforesaid General Wilkinson presents. Although this relation may appear an abuse of the confidence with which the Governor General of the Province and the Governor of Natchez, and particularly General Wilkinson, have honored me, I am persuaded that the urgency of the case which offers will serve me as an excuse and justification.

You are not ignorant of the fact, that Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemos being here in the month of September, of the year last past, he intrusted to me some despatches of the greatest importance for General Wilkinson, which I carried to Cincinnati, and I returned with the answers in the month of November. By order of the said Don Manuel Gayoso, I made immediately another journey to the Ohio, and I ascended it to Red Bank in search of Sebastian, who came with me to the mouth of the Ohio, where we met with the Governor of Natchez. At the end of December, I accompanied this gentleman to Natchez, and I went thence to New Orleans.

The principal object of my going down was to take charge, by order of General Wilkinson, of the money which you have now in deposit for him, which is shown by the letters which he wrote to the governors of this province and of Natchez; but, at my arrival, the money had been already sent off in one of His Majesty’s galleys, for this place, which I learned from the Baron de Carondelet, the Intendant, and Don Andres de Armesto. I repeatedly treated on this business with the two last of these persons, urging forcibly the necessity of sending sugar, coffee, and powder, to New Madrid, to form a cargo to take to Kentucky with Wilkinson’s money, hiding, by this means, the true intention of the voyage, and giving it the appearance of a commercial speculation. All this Wilkinson had before represented as indispensable for many reasons, particularly in order to avoid a misfortune similar to that which had already occurred. At last the Secretary told me that the barge in which Mr. Aaron Gregg, the American officer, was to go up, was destined for this service, and that as for the crew, he would permit me to choose among the Creoles, residents in this post, those who might appear to me most worthy of confidence, so that I left New Orleans with the belief that at my return to this post I should find every thing disposed conformable to what I have just related. On arrival at Greenville, informed General Wilkinson of the steps which had no doubt had been taken, from whence has resulted, that he, like myself, was impressed with the belief that all the measures for executing this service with success had been taken. I cannot communicate all the motives why Wilkinson has not given me an order in writing; but one of them was, that he did not know the sum of money which you had to deliver to his order, the Governors not having written a word to him on the subject, the Secretary only saying that his money was deposited in New Madrid, without expressing the sum. In the letters in cipher, from General Wilkinson for the governors, which are here enclosed, he tells them that he has sent me to bring the aforesaid money, informing you that the No. 1 is for the Governor General of the Province, and the No. 2 for Don Manuel Gayoso. I will add that General Wilkinson, when I represented to him that on presenting myself without his order in writing, some difficulty might arise, authorized me, if the case required it, to write an order that you should deliver his money, specifying the sum there might be, signing it in his name, and giving you a receipt therefor. I cannot omit that the commission of General Wilkinson was so sudden, so urgent, that it was extended even to limiting my return to my destination by the first of August, of which I advise you that you may endeavor not to delay the service. I believe that the Governor General is not ignorant of the embarrassments of General Wilkinson, nor can he be ignorant that, for a long time past, he has been expecting this money, the delay of which has been the cause of much trouble to him, involving him in great difficulties; and I can assure you, confidently, that he will be very much disgusted with any delays in the expedition, which might be productive of serious injury. As for the mode of carrying the money, it is evident that to take it openly would be too scandalous a thing, if I were not to say that it would be madness. The unhappy result of the expedition of the unfortunate Henry Owen ought to serve as a beacon in order not to lose ourselves on the same rock, and to make us take another course less dangerous. I would wish you to put a bag of one thousand dollars in a barrel of coffee or sugar, so that although the difference of the respective gravity, between silver, sugar, and coffee be very great, the quantity being so small, it will not be easily known. It will likewise be prudent to carry some barrels without money in order to sell them before arriving at Cincinnati, if it should so happen that any one should offer to buy these goods, because not to sell them when it might be done to advantage would excite suspicion; and to complete the disguise it would be well to take a certain quantity of powder and rum. If these dispositions should appear defective, I beg you to make such changes as may be to your mind. God preserve you many years.

No. 2.

Translation of a letter from Don Thomas Portell to Mr. Thomas Power, dated

New Madrid, June 29, 1796.

Having well considered the contents of your letter of this day, I mention that I agree in every thing to the whole of the reflections you place before me; although at first sight it appears that I ought to wait the decision of the Governor General, as he prescribes to me in his official letter of the 20th of January of the present year, and of which I enclose you a copy, which you request of me. The circumstances which you expose are such, that they leave me nothing more to do than to tell you to forward me a memorandum of the number of pounds of coffee, sugar, barrels in which to fill the powder and rum you desire for your expedition, because, as soon as I receive it, I will get it ready as you desire, informing you that for the merchandise you must sign me an acknowledgment of having received it, and for the money a receipt as attorney of General Wilkinson.

In order that the barge may be ready, and as you may want it, I have written an official letter to the Lieutenant-colonel Vincente Folch, that he may send it as soon as possible, because as nothing was said to me of what you have now mentioned respecting it, Mr. Francis Langlois asked it of me for an affair of service, and took it loaded with corn to the Fort of San Fernando, and it has not been returned, although I have required it, thinking it might be wanted here; Don Vincente Folch having answered me, that if I had not orders to keep it, there were none to return it.

The two letters in cipher remain in my hands, which I shall forward by the first safe opportunity, with the distinction you point out, No. 1 to the Governor General, and No. 2 to the Governor of Natchez.

As for packing the money and arranging the barrels, as soon as they are ready, between you and myself, all this may be done without any one else acquiring a knowledge of it. God preserve you many years.

No. 3.

Instructions from Gen. Wilkinson to Thomas Power.

To proceed to Galliopolis: to make application and propositions to the leading characters there to induce them to move to New Madrid, with all the French of that settlement; to urge this point in such measure as to attract the attention of the public officers there, whose report to the Executive will immediately follow, and will account for his frequent missions to that place: to return as rapidly as possible; to load with flour and proceed without a moment’s delay to New Orleans; in the route to see Newman, and to enter on the subject of his desertion; to inform him of the facts which have transpired, and the opinions prevalent; to urge his return, as the request of all his friends; to assure him of safety, and of such reward as he may demand; also that being pardoned for the imputed offence, no further process can lie against him for the same; that the oath which he was suborned to take, being made while in duress, is in itself a nullity, and cannot be offered in crimation of him; it will be necessary that he should take down his examination, founded on the interrogations furnished him; and if they prove material to the crimination of Wane and his associates, then he must embark N——n under a fictitious name at New Orleans for Philadelphia; and having arrived there, must lodge him in some retired place, and call upon me, under cover of the night, for further advice. You will hear of me at ——. If N——n cannot be prevailed upon to return under dispositions favorable to my views, then let his declaration on oath be circumstantially taken to all the points enumerated in the interrogations, in the presence of Dr. Flowers, Colonel Bruin, Daniel Clark, or any three or four of the most notorious, and of the most respectable Americans of the Natchez district. Let these gentlemen certify to two copies, and to the original, and let them be transmitted to me through different channels. P. to take charge of the original. Mr. P. must take with him credentials from the Government of Louisiana, acquitting him of any political connection or agency injurious or hostile to the interests of the United States. He must carry to Philadelphia testimonials of his family and character, addressed to as many of the native respectable merchants of that city as possible: these may be readily procured from New Orleans and the Havana.

It is indispensable that P. should meet me in Philadelphia; for the rest let him rely on my friendship and address. To collect from Bradford every information respecting the Pittsburg insurrection, which may be employed, should it be found necessary, to disgrace certain persons: to bear no paper about him which carries my name upon it.

No. 4.

Employ the six hundred and forty dollars, avec le cargaison, to pay expenses and lay in a cargo of best flour pour la ville, where it will help to reimburse. In making your settlement, take care to secure me the six hundred and forty dollars advanced, and bring them with you. I have urged peremptorily the necessity of your presence at the metropolis. Bring me N——n, if, upon examination, you find his presence of more consequence than his deposition, when taken as directed. I believe he was caused to desert by O’Hara: probe him to that point. You are to bring me papers, but my name is not to be written or spoken. You must do the needful below to detect and expose past treachery or indiscretion, and to prevent either in future. I have referred particularly on this head. I shall expect you impatiently. Should I continue where I am I shall wish you near me. If I cross the water, you are to accompany: bring every credential of family and fortune to repulse the insinuations of ——. Trust something to my address, and put faith in my honor and affections to the grave.

No. 5.

Letter from Thomas Power to the Baron de Carondelet, dated

New Orleans, May 9, 1797.

Enclosed your Excellency will receive the documents relative to my last confidential expedition, made by your Excellency’s order, on the Ohio, of which I have already given you a narrative, as well verbal as in writing. The remarks which follow will serve for its elucidation.

I left New Madrid with ten oarsmen and a patron; the provisions which were delivered to the crew were, biscuit for a month; meat for a month; rum for fifteen days.

To disguise, as far as possible, the true object of the expedition, we had hired the people under the same conditions as are common in commercial voyages, so that the monthly rations allowed by the King did not even last fifteen days. The reason why I issued to the crew two extraordinary allowances of liquor daily, counting from the day we left Red Bank until our arrival at the falls of Ohio, was to encourage them to row with vigor, that Lieutenant Steel, whom I thought in pursuit of me, might not again take me, because, had I fallen into his hands a second time, I was lost. As respects the one hundred and fifty dollars, for the horse which I bought to make the journey from Frankfort to Cincinnati, and the expenses which accrued on this journey, they were indispensable for a double motive: to carry my complaint against Steel, for having offered so great an insult to our flag, and to give advice of my arrival to the American General, Mr. James Wilkinson, that he might take the necessary measures. I have to add that, the motive which has induced me to dispose of the merchandise which I received of J. and A. Hunt, in exchange for the coffee and sugar, was to give credit to the opinion which I myself had raised, that I had come to purchase horses to take to Natchez, in order to better the breed in that district. Besides this, as the occurrence with Steel had awakened suspicions, excited apprehensions, and attracted the attention of the inhabitants of the Western country, all had their eyes directed on me, so that I found myself obliged to do something which should please them, that it might serve me as a safe conduct to quit those parts, which by the this means I happily effected. The mare, of which statement No. 1 makes mention, was lost on my arrival at New Madrid in the woods, where she died of thirst, the excessive frosts having entirely frozen up the waters. The stud-horse I delivered on going down to Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, but he returned him to me a short time since, and I have him carefully kept until your Excellency is pleased to make some disposition respecting him. Of the sum of $9,640, which I was to deliver to Mr. James Wilkinson, I have only delivered him nine thousand, having retained the six hundred and forty dollars to avoid the unfortunate result with which I was threatened, and likewise to provide what was necessary for the crew during the voyage. The following are the documents which are enclosed:

No. 1. The account sale of the merchandise, laden, &c.

No. 2. Account of the expenses for the crew.

No. 3. Account and expenditure of the six hundred and forty dollars.

No. 4. Statement which shows in what manner the merchandise has been made use of.

No. 5. Statement which shows what is due to me.

No. 6. Invoice of J. and A. Hunt.

All which are accompanied with the obligation of Mr. N. Welch for one hundred and five dollars, and the two receipts of Mr. Boyd, the one for four hundred and sixty-six dollars and two-thirds, for the value of a horse; the other for two hundred dollars, for the value of a mare. The balance which appears in my favor, according to the statements Nos. 3 and 4, as well as the account of my monthly pay for fourteen months, I beg your Excellency will be pleased to direct that it should be remitted to me, or delivered to Mr. Philip Nolan, to whom I have given advice on the subject.

Mr. James Wilkinson, in the instructions which he has given me, directs that I should present to your Excellency the account of the expenses to which the six hundred and forty dollars have been applied, (and I have done so in the statement No. 3,) that he may be reimbursed said amount. The instruction says, “in making your settlement take care to secure me the six hundred and forty dollars advanced, and bring them with you.” Although he charged me to take them to him to the United States, I am of opinion that no one is better suited to remit them than Mr. Philip Nolan, as your Excellency has now resolved that I should remain in this province; your Excellency will please to suffer me to assure you that in every particular I have acted with prudence, with honor, and the disinterestedness of an honest man, as well as with the zeal and fidelity which the King’s service requires, and with the vigilance and activity, [here there is a line unintelligible.] I deserve nothing and expect nothing for having fulfilled the obligations of a good subject to His Majesty, unless your Excellency will be pleased to procure me opportunities of displaying the inclination I feel of sacrificing myself for the prosperity of my country and glory of my Sovereign.

God preserve your Excellency many years.

THOMAS POWER.

No. 6.

Answer to the foregoing, dated

New Orleans, May 28, 1797.

There remain in my hands the six documents relative to the account of the last expedition which you made on the Ohio, and which you enclosed to me in your official letter of the 9th instant, and they are as follows:

No. 1. Account sales of the effects laden at New Madrid.

No. 2. Another of the expenses of the crew.

No. 3. Account of the expenditure of the six hundred and forty dollars.

No. 4. Statement which shows how the merchandise has been employed.

No. 5. Statement which shows the balances due to you, &c.

No. 6. Original invoice of J. & A. Hunt.

On account of it there will be delivered to you one thousand dollars, that you may make preparations for your journey in the new commission which I intrust to your care.

It is necessary to see how you can get rid of the horse with the least possible loss, as well as to recover the debt of Nicholas Welch, or have it recovered, for which purpose I enclose you his obligation; and likewise the proceeds of the merchandise, which, to the amount of three hundred and fifty-three dollars, you delivered to Don Pedro Derbigny, in order to give an account to the Court without these balances, which cause trouble and appear speculations, when they are no more than the effect of necessity, and the difficulty which these commissions cause in places where there are no resources, when you have to deceive the vigilance of spies.

As you finish these matters, and as soon as your present commission is fulfilled, you will give me advice.

God preserve you many years.

BARON DE CARONDELET.

To Thomas Power.