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.