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PROOFS of the CORRUPTION OF GEN. JAMES WILKINSON. AND OF HIS CONNEXION WITH AARON BURR - by Daniel Clark. [“Notes” 95-99, Postscript and Notes, Errata] Daniel Clark  1766-1813 |
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PROOFS of the CORRUPTION OF GEN. JAMES WILKINSON. AND OF HIS CONNEXION WITH AARON BURR - by Daniel Clark. [“Notes” 95-99, Postscript and Notes, Errata] Daniel Clark 1766-1813 |
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Pages 181-199 Including PostScript, associated Notes and Errata.
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***181*** Note **95** ~˜ |
“AT date of my last I had learned much new matter on this subject: I now know more; and as you desire a full and free communication, I shall proceed without the least apprehension of a full disclosure, giving you full permission whenever you find it needful to give up my name, warning me at the same time thereof. The man alluded to in my Last through whom Wilkinson carried on his correspondence with the Spanish government, would not let me give up his name: he is a man of as high standing for integrity, as any other in the world. The correspondence was addressed to the Secretary, whose plain name, stripped of all titles is Gilbert Leonard, the son of a shot-maker, who by his great talents raised himself to so high a function. “The plot began between Wilkinson and Governor Miro. Owings, who was killed coming up the river, had six thousand dollars of Wilkinson’s money and seven thousand dollars were shipped to the port of Philadelphia. Nolan the great horse trader brought several kegs of dollars to Fort Washington for him; and in the bearing of one of my informants, who he was then very fond of, he used to say that Governor Miro and him had agreed to lay up a few thousand dollars for a time of need, and this was the first of that money, alluding to the kegs. - As to the two first times he told another gentleman that hes was thought by Wayne and his party to be very poor, but he was not, for he had thirteen thousand dollars. This was before the shipment of it from Orleans. “I find that in the Convenbtion of 1788, at Danville, he (Wilkinson) rose and proposed a separation and Union with Spain to that body, (this was the convention who proposed a separation) and _____________ the senator rose, and in a short speech supported Wilkinson, saying, “that he had it from the highest authority, that if we would join Spain, we might hve any thing we pleased, and any kind of trade we wanted,” Wilkinson then read almost a quire of paper, which he called a letter, written by him to the Governor at Orleans; and read the Governor’s answer, to corroborate what he and ___________________________ had said; Nut it ws so badly received, that it was dropped, and its being spoken of since is much resented by its friends as an imputation on them. _______________ is my informant, and I am going to get the journals of that body, to copy off the names of the members, to be used when necessary. _____________________ was the first mover of this business here, and wrote many letters to the influential men here, to draw them into the measure. When he offered for Congress winter before that, I published this, and offered that my fortune should stand re- |
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***182*** Note **95** |
sponsible, it it was slander, and offered to prove this treasonable correspondence with Gardoqui for this purpose. One of the members opposed to ______________ came to me, to know if he might give up my name I gave him leave, and he went all over town and told it but, don’t be startled - ______________________________________ did not lose one vote by it; not was I ever called on. “This was very astonishing, and filled me with the utmost concern. How wonderfully numerous the friends or neutrals of this infernal scheme!!! “You will see a hurricane the will blow up round my ears when I come back. “Judge Sebastian, of our Court of Appeals, is the man who drew lately on Spain for his pension. Mr. ________ saw the draft, and knows his hand well. It was in favour of John A Seitz, of Lexington and payable to him. Seitz died there, and this paper was in his pocketbook, and is still there, and ______ and ______ are pensioned without doubt. I fully expect some are the friends of these traitors, who are not pensioned, and several such persons are named to you heretofore. Alas! that men, so highly raised by their country in trust and honour should thus betray her. “If I am suspected, the chances of my getting back are very slender. “ I observe that the Marquis Cassa Calvo and all the Spanish officers are prohibited from crossing the lines. It might be well, if reasons of state would permit, to relax this, so as to allow that gentleman to come to Natchez. I would much rather see him there, than go into the Spanish government to do it; - and at Orleans _______________ would give him warning of me immediately. “I wish to see one __________ below Orleans. He commanded the boat which was searched by Secretary Steel, at Natchez, some years ago. He says, had steel looked into a bucket on the top of the boat, containing old tobacco, he would have found papers enough to hang Wilkinson himself. “I feel greatly strengthened by having the support of government, and freely apologize for any expressions of despondency or doubt on that subject in my last letter. “JOSEPH H. DAVEISS
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***183*** Notes **96-97** |
“Perhaps you are surprised at my speaking, in the other letter, as highly of the integrity of him, through whom General Wilkinson so long carried on his correspondence with Spain. I asked him to explain it. He said he thought the thing at that time a mere fetch of Wilkinson’s, to get money, and had no idea of any serious result from it; and besides, he himself had no sort of participation in it, but only afforded conveyance for the letters. “It was a bad excuse; but he might be deemed by many an honest man and a good one. “Some years ago, H. the son of ______________, of Baltimore) came to an intimate friend and relation of his, and told him that he (H.) had been offered 2000 dollars for his trouble in circulating 6000 dollars; and asked ____ if he would take a part of it. ______ enquired what was the object in circulating the 6000 dollars, and was told it was to make friends to the king of Spain, who should mark the public tone and report it. ____ told him to have nothing at all to do with it. “I said, in May last, that many knew of these treasonable doings who had no pensions. It may turn out that ________ and _ are ot these. I have no doubt the first knew of Wilkinson’s doings, and I have heard, but dare not enquire now, that ______ sent the murderers of Owings to Wilkinson, aat fort Washington. The second, I a confident, knew well of the treason at first, I don’t know how it is lately. He knew all about the 100,000 dollars.” NOTE No. 97. “If you chance to hear anything about a Captain Collins (of Florida) attend to it. This man has been a very active agent for Wilkinson. He carried the 7000 dollars to Philadelphia for Wilkinson; and is the man he sent as a spy round by Canada; and a long story was told was told about him being captured by the Indians, and the many hardships he suffered. I think it likely you’ll find some report of Wilkinson’s on this subject in the war office, unless it was burned. But from the information I have received from a gentleman, who I know does not go on light conjectures, I fully believe that this man was sent to Col. England, of Detroit, on a very friendly mission; being at that time in the pay of Great-Britain. If Newman is living in the southward, |
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***184*** Note **97-99** |
as is said, I have no doubt it may be proved that Wilkinson is the man who sent him to the Indians, to warn them of the approach of Wayne’s army.” NOTE No. 98. Monticello, September 12, 1806 SIR, YOUR letter of Aug. 14 has been just received. The first, of January 10 was acknowledged in mine of Feb. 15. After that, those of Feb. 10, March 5, and 21, came in due time. As their matter did not require answer, their acknowledgement was postponed, to avoid the suspicions of which you seemed to be aware, as well aas to await your return from the journey you had undertaken. The acknowledgments of their receipts is now therefore made, to relieve you from any anxiety respecting their safety; and yyou may rely on the most inviolable secrecy as to the past and future communications you may think proper to make. Your letters are not filed in the office; but will be kept among my private papers. Accept my salutations, and assurances of respect, TH: JEFFERSON J. H. DAVEISS, Esq. NOTE No. 99. Lancaster, January 31st, 1808 DEAR SIR, LAST night a paper printed by Mr. Binns, of Philadelphia, was handed to me, in which I observed a number of my communications to the Department of State. These communications are perfectly nugatory, not being accompanied by the documents referred to. Why these documents have been withheld I cannot conceive. Mr. Eppes’s resolution, so far as I had any agency in the business, appeared to remove the injunction of secrecy. Under this impression I forwarded a letter to General Wilkinson, a copy of which you will find enclosed, and which you have my permission to communicate confidentially to Mr. Randolph. I am, Sir, Your sincere friend, and Humble Servant (Signed) ANDREW ELLICOTT. HON. DANIEL CLARK, Esq. |
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***185*** Note **Postscript** |
SINCE the preceding pages were sent to the press, some documents have been received, which are calculated to strengthen some of the charges. The first is a letter from Mr. Collins, stating the sum which he received for general Wilkinson, and the precise period at which it was paid to him. [Note A] The next is a letter lately received, from Mr. Beverly Chew, at Amsterdam, stating, that a Spanish officer of high rank, a near connexions of governor Miro’s, had asserted the fact of Wilkinson’s actually holding a commission in the Spanish army, at a public table in Paris, and asserted it as coming within his own knowledge [Note B.] Americans! Your disgrace has become the table talk of Europe your Commander in Chief not only a pensioner, but holding a commission, subject to the orders of a foreign power! How long is this to be endured? My next supplementary document is drawn from the cabinet of an intelligent foreign minister. It may be supposed, that, during the pre- |
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***186*** Note **Postscript** |
parations of colonel Burr, Mr. Yrujo was not a disinterested spectator. He was busily employed in collecting intelligence for his court; and on the 18th December, 1806, wrote a dispatch, of which an extract is contained in [Note C.] this proves the former connexions of W. with Spain, since he was “well known as No. 13” it proves the idea that was entertained of his connexions with Burr and contains some shrewd conjectures as to the nature and tendency of his movements. I also add a letter, which, tho’ no testimony in itself, will direct the researches of government to the person from whom it may be obtained. [Note D.] [E.] is a letter from Laussat, the French Prefect, written soon after we had taken possession of Louisiana. It shews what he thought of the subject of the present discussion, and that, as a husband is sometimes the last to hear of his own dishonour, so no one but the President of the United States was ignorant of the infamy of the commander of his armies. I have not the original of this letter. It was, however, seen by governor Claiborne, and the translation can be proved to be true. I will not close this publication, without doing an act of justice to the characters of two gentlemen, whose names are mentioned in some of my documents. Mr. H. Innes and Mr. G. Nicholas were applied to, in order to engage them in the Spanish interest. A copy of their answer is annexed, [Note F.] and shews the manner in which this proposition was received. |
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***187*** Note **Postscript** |
I have already shewn, that while Wilkinson was flattering governor Claiborne and Mr. Jefferson, he spoke of the one as a fool, and the other as his “contemptible fabricator.” The two letters [Note G] and [Note H.] will give those gentlemen his real opinion of them; - and if they do not please quite as much as the incense he now offers, they will at least put them on guard against adulations, which may endanger the safety of a nation. I omitted also a reference to the declaration of Mr. Newman, which he published some time since in the Berkley Intelligencer. [Note I.] It strongly corroborates Mr. Power’s testimony, throws great light on the whole transaction, and adds one more to the list of witnesses, upon whom the government may call, whenever the choose to lay open this maze of iniquity. New Orleans, May 1st, 1809 |
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***188*** Blank |
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***189*** Notes **A-B** |
REFERRED TO IN THE POSTSCRIPT [A.] Paskagoula, 10th of March 1809. DEAR SIR, I RETURNED yesterday from Mobile and Pensacola, and found your letter of the 19th of February last, requesting me to send you the date I received the money from Don Gilberto Leonard, in New Orleans; therefore have had recourse to my journal round the Florida Point. I find that we left Bayou St. John on the 22d of August, 1794 and must have received the 6334 dollars about the 19th or 20th of August the same month. I am, Your very humble servant, JOSEPH COLLINS. Mr. Daniel Clark Extract of a letter from Mr. Beverly Chew, of New Orleans, dated Amsterdam, 4th October, 1808, to his partner, Richard Relf. “I have read, with the deep interest you can readily imagine, the publication of our respected friend, D. Clark Esq. In the National intelligencer of April, in his own defence, against the pompous, vain and false assertions of Wilkinson. I feel perfectly easy under the conviction that he will produce such a cloud of evidence in support of his own testimony, that incredulity itself cannot doubt of the criminality of Wilkinson. It may be useful to mention, that while at Paris I was informed that General Pontalba* had, at a dinner where there was a *General Pontalba married the niece of Governor Miro, who was the person by whose means Wilkinson entered into his arrangements with the Spanish government. Pontalba was a Colonel in the Spanish service in the time of Carondelet, and in his confidence. Every thing was known to him. He now holds the rank of a General of a Division in the French army, and his son is a Page of the Emperor. |
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***190*** Notes **B-C** |
large company, stated, that he had seen, and held in his hands, a commission of Wilkinson as a Spanish officer. Mr. Skipwith, who goes home in the Hope, was present, and can testify to the above effect, if required. M. Reynes told me that it was generally understood among the Spaniards at New Orleans, that Wilkinson was a Spanish pensioner, and that he had, on a particular occasion, insinuated the same to Wilkinson, who, far from being hurt, only laughed at it.” Extract of a dispatch from M. Yrujo to Don Cevallos, dated December 18th, 1806. Translated and certified by Peter S. Duponceau, Esq. “IN order to put Congress more completely under the impossibility of taking such measures, Wilkinson, who undoubtedly acts in concert with Burr, had, under the pretence of danger on the frontier of Texas, endeavoured to draw all the disposable force of the U. S. to that distant point; and in order that orders should not be given to weaken his little army, he is clearly inventing incidents to keep it together. We were informed some time ago that he had dismissed all the militia which had been sent to him from the Mississippi Territory, from New Orleans, Atacapas, and Opelousas, in consequence of a convention that he had made with the Spanish commandant, that the latter should withdraw to the westward of the Sabine, that the American troops would withdraw in the same manner to Natchitoches, and that the territory in controversy should be completely evacuated by both parties, until its fate should be decided on by negotiation. By the last news from the country we are informed that General Wilkinson, well known by the number 13, instead of acting as by the said convention it was to have been expected, and affecting great zeal for the rights of the United States, was going to advance with his little army as far as the river Sabine, on the eastern bank of which he intended to erect a fort. This movement must have produced fresh embarrassments, at least in appearance. The Spanish commandant, it was said, was going to oppose himself to Wilkinson’s resolution, and in this manner a kind of crises has been produced, by means of which the federal government will not dare to diminish his force, by drawing them to other points. From all this it results, that the small effective force of the United States will in fact |
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***191*** Notes **C-D** |
be of no use to them, to prevent or to counteract the movements of Burr, and that he will have free scope for all his operations at the outset, flattering himself, no doubt, that he will be able, by the influence of the commander in chief, and by the offers which he may make to the troops of double rations, grants of lands, and other temptations of the same nature, to bring them over to his party. In this situation of things, the United States have no resource left but the militia; that of the adjoining states, except a part of that of Kentucky, will be directed by Burr, instead of acting against him; and that of the Atlantic states will not be willing to go in the depth of winter to so great a distance, to fight against their fellow-citizens, who, according to the principles laid down in the declaration of the independence of this country, have the same right to separate themselves, which these colonies had to sever the political bands which united them to England. By this means we may perceive the motives which may have induced Burr to levy a considerable armed force, to purchase provisions, and, in one word, we fins a key to all the apparently inconsistent moments of General Wilkinson.” New Orleans, January 13th, 1809 Daniel Clark Esq. SIR, On my way to Kentucky, some time in August, 1807, I called on Captain John Chiles, of Jessamine county, Kentucky, and while in his company, he, the said Chiles, informed me that he had been at a public dinner in Travellers’ Hall, in Lexington, some time in July. At dinner, the late Colonel Pain, of Scott county, espoused the cause of General James Wilkinson, and said different things in favour of said Wilkinson. To which Captain C. observed Colonel Pain, if you knew as much of General Wilkinson as I do, you would think differently. Aye, said Colonel P. what do you know of General W. ? to which Captain C. observed About seventeen years past II was in Frankfort, and being an old acquaintance of General W. he invited me to his house, and while in his company there he informed me that he had something of high importance to communicate to me, and that he wished me to engage in the plan, which was to sever the Union. He the said W. offered me 2000 dollars, if I would take an active part in |
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***192*** Notes **D-E** |
the plan; and further observed, that he was authorized so to do by the government of Spain. I then asked General W. if this would not be the cause of a great deal of bloodshed? Oh! Damn them, said he, what do we care, so we get our ends answered. To which I replied, that I would not be the cause of one innocent man’s blood being spilt, for all the wealth of Peru. To which General W. replied that General S. and Colonel C. had sanctioned the measures, and that the eastern states had treated the Western States very improper with respect to the trade of Missisippi. I made my apology to General W. and mounted my horse and rode to General S. and informed him what General W. had said. He, General S. observed, that it was a damn’d lye; and if he heard of General W. taking those liberties with him again, that he would shoot him. I then went to Colonel C. whose reply was much the same. Finding that things were nothing so alarming a situation as I had thought them, I returned home Some time afterwards I saw General W. in Danville, and he observed to me, that he had found his plan would not answer, and requested me not to expose him, which I have not made known to any person for seventeen years. I am, Sir, with sentiments of respect, Your obedient servant, LEWIS CRAIG, Junior MR. LAUSSATT, in his letter to the Minister, says “I ought, in taking my leave of Louisiana, to acquaint your Excellency with the state of the public mind, and of its great character. The President of the United States, pressed to take an hasty possession of this country, appointed two men, the nearest at hand, of note, as Commissioners Mr. Claiborne, Governor of the Mississippi Territory, and General Wilkinson, Brigadier, and commander of the 3,000 men that composes the land forces of the United States. The first a man of very little means, and still less character. The latter, a man who passes three quarters of his time in wine, committing many weak (etourderies) and inconsistent actions, and generally known to have been subsidized by Baron Carondelet, when he wished to disturb the United States in the early settlement of their western country. The inhabitants, who were at first bore away by the flattering hopes of an imaginary liberty, have now discovered the illusive charms, and the more they become acquainted with their new masters, the more they dislike them, and all their |
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***193*** Note **E** |
affections are turning towards the mother country. The Governor shews a childish preference for his native countrymen; hence discontent, jealousies and disgust which was first manifested at the public ball, (attended by the first society.) The dispute originated about a country dance, whether they should have the English country dance so much liked by the Americans; the Creoles preferred the French country dance. Violins broken, the ladies frightened and run away, some leaping from windows, disputes, threats and challenges followed. At length a number of American seamen, disguised in the Kentucky dress, were brought in, headed by a fire brand (fier bras) who formerly served in our revolutionary war at St. Domingo, and now Captain of the port, assaulted the young men with fists and clubs. Let your Excellency now behold our national character; a few young Frenchmen, joined by a handful of young Creoles, repulsed these bravadoes and held their ground when the ball closed, and all this passing in the presence of the American Commissioners. The American Commissioners now endeavour to cast the odium of these transactions, or what they term passé volants, on the French lately arrived from our colonies. They have written to me again and again, complaining of this conduct. I have investigated the whole affair with care, and am well convinced of the falsehood of their charges; and in my answer to them have fully and victoriously removed this their only resource to reflect on our countrymen. As to myself, I keep quite retired, and a silent spectator, and I know every thing, and am dumb. The Creoles and French established in the country all unite in favour of France, nor can you persuade them that the convention for the cession of this country is but a political trick, and that at peace it will again return under the dominion of France. Neither the American with all their means and sarcasms, nor their hired politicians to satyrize the French government, alter in the least their belief. Oh! Let Bonaparte go on, every thing will come right at peace, reply the Creoles. At one time there is a report that Canada is revolted, at another that 50,000 men are landed in Ireland, and then that the descent on England has actually taken place, and now say they we shall soon behold the tricolor flag floating on the banks of the Missisippi. Although these are but the fanciful dreams of the imagination, I think it my duty to impart them to your Excellency, that the government may learn, from its proper agent on the spot, the true dispositions and character of the people they have so lately lost. As for myself, I can say that I am free from prejudice, being about to quit the country, never again to revisit it. I can say, with truth, that I have received the most flattering marks of friendship from all classes, both for my person and for our common country. |
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***194*** Note **E** |
The Americans here are of the character and manners of the Chinese, extremely jealous of their new acquisition. The most trifling circumstance is sufficient to create in them the greatest alarm. The Spanish Commissioners take advantage of the three months allowed them by treaty to evacuate the country, but a part of their troops have been sent away. The American Commissioners have written to me, in the most pressing manner, to cause the complete evacuation of the French and Spanish forces It is thus they speak in their communications, applicable to I know not what. I have transmitted their demand to the Spanish Commissioners, who promise to hasten the departure of their troops as soon as possible. The time already consumed is much longer than I could wish. My own presence has become the cause of great uneasiness and ill humour to these gentlemen. They have become very importunate to gain possession of the arsenal and public stores, still retained by the Spaniards. They have behaved most basely towards the brig Express, bringing the last evacuation of our military hospital at Cape St. Nicholas Mole. They could discover nothing but a fresh cause of alarm at the arrival of about fifty of these unfortunate convalescents, about to make a descent. Rumours were industriously circulated, that they were infected with the yellow fever, plague, &c. The brig was not permitted to come up to town, but to drop anchor at the bottom of the river, without conveniences of refreshments, in the most unhealthy situation, amongst the marshes, along while without tents, of even a hut t shelter them from the inclemency of the weather; and notwithstanding all my exertions to procure a remedy, I was only answered by some fine dissertations on the rights of humanity and laws of nations. The Americans have given fifteen millions of dollars for Louisiana; they would have given sixty millions of dollars rather than not have possessed it. They will receive one million of dollars from their customs the present year, which is much more than the interest of their money at six per cent, without taking into consideration the value of the very great quantity of vacant lands. As of the twelve years accorded to pour vessels on the national footing, it will only appear but an illusive prospect, considering war, and the impossibility of out being able to enter into competition with their merchantmen. Besides, all will in a short time turn to the advantage of the English manufactories, by the great means this place will exclusively enjoy, by its local advantages, to supply the Spanish colonies as far as Equator. In a few years he country, as far as the Rio Bravo, will be in a state of cultivation, principally for sugar. At that period New Orleans will have a population of 30 to 50,000 souls, |
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***195*** Notes **E-F** |
when this province will produce sugar enough to supply all North America and a part of Europe. Let us not dissimulate. In a few years the existing prejudices will be worn away; the inhabitants will become gradually American, by the introduction of native Americans and English, a system already begun. The present inhabitants, disgusted, will leave the country. Those who have large fortunes will retire to the mother country, a great proportion will retire to the Spanish settlements, and the remaining few will be lost in the crown of the new comers. Should not some fortunate political combination intervene, what a magnificent Nouvelle France we have lost. Kentucky, Lexington, September 14th, 1797 SIR WE have seen the communication made by you to Mr. Sebastian. In answer there to we declare, unequivocally, that we will not be concerned, either directly or indirectly in any attempt that may be made to separate the western country from the United States. That whatever part we may at any time be induced to take in the politics of our country, that her welfare will be our only inducement, and that we will never receive any pecuniary or other reward for any personal exertions made by us to promote that welfare. The free navigation of the Missisippi must always be the favourite object with the inhabitants of the western country; they cannot be deprived of it longer than necessity shall compel them to submit to its being withheld from them. We flatter ourselves that every thing respecting this important business will be set right by the governments of the two nations; but if this should not be the case, it appears to us that it must be the policy of Spain to encourage, by every possible means, the freest intercourse with the inhabitants of the western country, as this will be the most effectual means to conciliate their good-will, and to obtain without hazard, and at reduced prices, those supplies, which are indispensably necessary to the Spanish government and its subjects. We are, Sir, your obedient servants, HARRY INNES, G. NICHOLAS. Mr. THOMAS POWER. |
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***196*** Notes **G-H** |
DEAR SIR, YOUR sudden departure disappointed me, for your continued absence induces the belief that you have prudently proceeded to the city, to take care of your property a precaution which should not be a moment unnecessarily suspended; for I fear your honest, manlike zeal has carried you beyond the limits of strict discretion, and that some humane friend may by loose whispers put your interests in danger. I speak not of personal considerations, because I know you despise them. I send you under cover, and in most sacred confidence, a literal extract from a letter written March 6th , by a gentleman* whom you found, at his own table, giving lessons to certain members of a great assembly. The puerility and weakness of this extract is perhaps unequalled but by the spirit which dictated it. Those who do not know how to preserve peace, or to make war, surely are unfit for exalted stations of public confidence. Another courier has gone down, which the G_____r calls highly important, and that we shall certainly know what we have to expect in twelve days. God of Heaven! that our Honour, interests and safety should be confided to such hands. Take care of yourself, for rest assured you will not be supported or protected by those who owe both to you. Yours, in corde. April 30th, 1803. DANIEL CLARK, Esq. * Mr. Jefferson. Fort Adams, June 9th, 1803. DEAR SIR, YOUR letters by tone came expeditiously to hand, since which I have received those by mail, and have done every thing you desired. I was taken ill, the morning after Tone’s arrival, with a sort of bilious cholic, which still harasses me too severely for writing, or thinking. I have kept Tone two days, in hopes of some relief; but I am obliged to send him with this scrawl, and the assurances you shall hear |
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***197*** Notes **H-I** |
from me fully before I march, which will be the moment I am able. I must, however, express my pleasure at the measures you have accomplished to favour the poor people of Tombigbee. C.C.C was afraid you should do any thing to deserve the thanks of our government. He is a mass of duplicity, meanness, envy, ignorance and cowardice. Yet you must not make any attack on him at present. Your’s, truly and sincerely, J. WILKINSON. D. CLARK, Esq. MR. ALBURTIS, TO comply in full with the remarks preliminary to the publication of your paper of the secret instructions given to Mr. Power, who was the agent in common between the Spanish government and the conspirators in Kentucky and the territories on the waters of Missisippi, would require a development of facts and circumstances too lengthy for a newspaper. Such developments are, however, now preparing, and will be published at length, as soon as they are completed, and other circumstances will admit. I shall at present, therefore, only observe that Mr. Power did, pursuant to the instructions given, call on me at Natchez, and presented certain interrogatories, in the hand writing of Captain Campbell Smith, which were, from the circumstances of the case, calculated to implicate General Wayne, and to establish certain charges against him, which General Wilkinson had thought it prudent to make. This business of turning the tables seems to be habitual to this gentleman. For the establishment of these charges he relied principally on me; and to induce me to co-operate in such views, the most ample rewards were offered, mingled with threats, in case I should decline the co-operation. Those views were inimical to the United States. In consequence of certain facts and circumstances, discovered through me in 1794 in the army and in Kentucky, General Wayne was convinced that he was surrounded by a conspiracy of a very formidable nature, and therefore took measures to discover its extent and object, and especially the principal actors. General Wayne had acted preci- |
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***198*** Note **I** |
pitately in the first instance, and had given advantages to his adversary, the confidence of General Wayne having been betrayed to General Wilkinson, so far as the betrayer had it in his power. Had General Wayne lived, and his confidence not been betrayed, he would have probably succeeded. This piece of treachery disconcerted the views of General Wayne. Mr. Power’s visit to me in Natchez, and afterwards that of Mr. Nolan, placed within my knowledge the principal actors, their object, and the plans the conspirators had and were then pursuing against General Wayne, to get him removed from the head of the army. General Wayne and Captain Lewis were peculiarly obnoxious to the conspirators, but neither of those gentlemen were capable of keeping pace with the intriguing and corrupting faculties of the conspirators; for like certain fish, they so discolored their way, as almost bid defiance to pursuit. However, General Wayne, fortunately for them, died; and as to myself, they had the advantage of me, and had nothing to do but to cry mad dog, and (from the peculiarity of my case) I could not then help myself. This their dirty agents done meanly and sneakingly in all cases (such as Charles Hyde and others) when it was deemed necessary to excite prejudices against me. Mr. Hyde is the man who so persecuted Mr. Stockdale; first by causing him to be thrown into confinement, and thereby meanly oppressing him, and endeavouring to force him to disclose the purpose of his visit to me, at Louisville, by order of Gen. Wayne. A considerable sum of money was offered Mr. Stockdale to disclose, by General Wilkinson. The transactions were published in the “Western World.” That General Wilkinson was in treaty with the Spaniards in 1796 and 1797, respecting the dismemberment of the Union, was clearly and distinctly known to me. But General Wilkinson as clearly and distinctly denied it, and gave the whole of the transactions in the western country such a turn, that even in spite of myself, I have been in part deceived, as would appear by several letters addressed to him and others. But General Wilkinson, in Richmond, admitted to me he had held a correspondence with the Spaniards on the subject, but declared most solemnly that he never seriously designed the dismemberment of the Union; and that his only object was to cheat the Spaniards of their money, and that he had cheated them out of half a million dollars for himself and friends. It would not perhaps have been material, my knowing the object of the conspiracy in in 1796 and 1797, had General Wayne lived. I was within the power of the Spaniards and the conspirators, and they could have shaped my testimony as they pleased. My being thus situated was in consequence of the confidence of General |
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Wayne being betrayed to General Wilkinson. If there were none others in the United States concerned in this affair but General Wilkinson, there would be but little danger of either the Spaniards or the United States being again cheated in the same way. But there are others. They are behind the curtain. What excellent materials to cheat a French Emperor if he should happen to fall in their way. R. NEWMAN. Mill Creek, June 18th, 1808. Page 33. 3d line from the bottom, instead of 401 dolls. Read 48 dolls. 5 1/2 reals. Same page, 2d line from the bottom, instead of No. 29 read No. 32. _34, 10th line from the top, instead of No. 5 read No. 4 _36, 7th and 8th lines from the top, instead of No. 29 & 30, read No. 30 & 31. _38, 14th line from the top, instead of evidence, read evasion; - and in the same page, 18th line, read this, instead of his. _46, 22d line, instead of treasure , read treason. _54, 6th line, instead of No. 41, read No. 12. _66, in the two last lines, instead of the man, read to him. _67, in the 3d line, omit and; - and instead of that man, in the 4th line read and. _70, line 4th, read Bruin, instead of Burr. 74, 29th line, read ever, instead of never. 79, 20th line, read acquaintance, instead of acquainted. |
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