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PROOFS of the CORRUPTION OF GEN. JAMES WILKINSON. AND OF HIS CONNEXION WITH AARON BURR - by Daniel Clark. [“Notes” Pages 81-100] 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” Pages 81-100] Daniel Clark 1766-1813 |
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Each section below reflects a true page of this historical publication. Note links refer to the letters and documents that Daniel Clark used as evidence of his former friend's treachery. People and place name links are to biographical and geographical pages in Encyclopedia Louisiana. Time links are to the Encyclopedia Louisiana Timeline. |
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tuits and navigation, concluded with Spain, hoping that it will be faithfully observed; and it having appeared proper in him to give this advice, in order to prevent any misapprehension of the motives which direct this movement of their troops, &c. it is very natural that I should answer him, that, in the first place, some doubts have arisen respecting the manner in which the posts are to be withdrawn on the part of Spain, that is to say, if they ought to be delivered with their fortifications and edifices, as the United States understand it, or simply evacuated, razed and abandoned, as I comprehend it, avoiding this way to compromit us with the nations who have ceded to us the territories of the Bluffs, Walnut Hills and Confederation, under the express condition that we should build forts there, to prevent their lands being taken from them, I had resolved, in regard to this point, to await the decision of the court, or of the Minister Plenipotentiary near the United States, as well as theirs, but being informed shortly afterwards that the above mentioned Minister had informed the President, that an English expedition had left Montreal, with the intention of attacking the Illinois , had wintered on the lakes, and was to traverse the territory of the United States, in order to attack Upper Louisiana, and had demanded that, in virtue of the last treaty, the said states should oppose by efficacious means this violation of their territory, I then determined to retain the forts at Natchez and Walnut Hills, to place Lower Louisiana in safety, until the most efficacious measures on the part of the United States should put it in safety from this danger, and until a sufficient corps of troops, commanded by an officer of superior rank, should present himself, to take possession of Natchez, maintain good order there, and restrain the robberies and difficulties with the Indians, conformable to the fifth article of the treaty cited by the said General; that, in consequence, I am ready to evacuate the posts of Natchez and Walnut Hills, on the arrival of the attachment which he announces by his letter dated from Fort Washington, as so as ever the Congress shall have agreed with the Minister Plenipotentiary of his Majesty on the way in which the said evacuation is to take place; but until this decision is made, I request he shall suspend the march of the said detachment, whose presence could not fail to disturb the tranquility of the province, and perhaps the good intelligence which I wish to maintain between the subjects of the two powers. You will be the bearer of this letter, and if you believe you can prevent the American detachment from descending the river, you will deliver a duplicate of it to the commandant, requesting him to wait new orders from his General. The second object of your commission, which no one must penetrate, |
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and which for this reason you must retain your memory, is, to sound and examine the dispositions of the people of the western states, whose militia, it is reported to me, have received orders to be ready to march on the first advice; and in case that should be true, you will inform the commandant of New Madrid of it by the first opportunity you find. But in order not to render yourself suspected, you will content yourself with putting the date of your letter at bottom, and will only treat to indifferent subjects. If hostile preparations are making, you will put before your signature a stroke (une barre) like that which Free Masons use, and which you see at the bottom of this letter; the number of dots above will designate that of thousand men, and that below the hundreds, of which this expedition is to be composed. You will point out the number of pieces of artillery by a number of points placed in your flourish (parafe) according to your custom, the points on the left signifying tens, and those on the right units. This letter will be immediately sent to me by the commandant of New Madrid, in consequence of the orders I shall give him. You may even mention it to him in yours, saying simply, that it is proper that I should be informed without delay of your arrival on the Ohio, and that he should send me your letters by express. On your journey you will give to understand adroitly, to those persons to whom you will have an opportunity of speaking, that the delivery of the posts, which the Spaniards occupy on the Missisippi, to the troops of the United States, is directly opposed to the interests of those of the west, who, as they must one day separate from the Atlantic states, would find themselves without any communication with Lower Louisiana, from whence they ought to expect to receive powerful succours in artillery, arms, ammunition and money, wither publicly or secretly, as soon as ever the western states shall determine on separation, which must insure their prosperity and their independence; that for this same reason Congress is resolved on risking every thing to take these posts from Spain, and that it would be forging fetters for themselves to furnish it with militia and means, which it can only find in the western states. These same reasons diffused abroad, by means of the public papers, might make the strongest impression on the people, and induce them to throw off the yoke of the Atlantic states; but at the very least, if we are able to dissuade them from taking part in this expedition, I doubt whether the states could give law to us, with such troops alone as they have now on foot. If a hundred thousand dollars distributed in Kentucky could cause it to rise in insurrection, I am very certain that the minister, in the present circumstances, would sacrifice them with pleasure; and you may, |
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without exposing your self too much, promise them to those who enjoy the confidence of the people, with another equal sum to arm them, in case of necessity, and twenty pieces of field artillery. You will arrive without danger, as bearer of a dispatch for the General, where the army may be, whose force, discipline and disposition, you will examine with care and you will endeavour to discover, with your natural penetration, the General’s dispositions. I doubt that a person of his character would prefer, through vanity, the advantage of commanding the army of the Atlantic states, to that of being the founder, the liberator, in fine, the Washington of the Western states; his part is as brilliant as it is easy; all eyes are drawn toward him; he possesses the confidence of his fellow-citizens and of the Kentucky volunteers; at the slightest movement the people will name him the General of the new republic; his reputation will raise an army for him, and Spain, as well as France, will furnish him the means for paying for it. On taking Fort Massac, we will send him instantly arms and artillery, and Spain, limiting herself to the possession of the Forts of Natchez and Walnut Hills, as far as Fort Confederation, will cede to the Western states all the Eastern bank of the Ohio, which will for a very extensive and powerful republic, connected, by its situation and by its interest, with Spain, which, in concert with it, will force the savages to become a party to it, and to confound themselves in time with its citizens. The public is discontented with the new taxes; Spain and France are enraged at the connexions of the United States with England; the army is weak and devoted to Wilkinson; the threats of Congress authorize me to succor on the spot, and openly, the Western States; money will not then be wanting to me, for I shall send without delay a ship to Vera Cruz in search of it, as well as of ammunition; nothing more will consequently be required, but an instant of firmness and resolution, to make the people of the West perfectly happy. If they suffer this instant to escape them, and that we should be forced to deliver up the posts, Kentucky and Tennesse, surrounded by the said posts, and without communication with Lower Louisiana, will ever remain under the oppression of the Atlantic states. If you represent forcibly these reasons to Wilkinson, Sebastian, La Cassagne, &c. and if you diffuse these notions among the people, gaining by promises, which shall be faithfully realized, the best writers, as Brackenridge and others, you will be able to effect the most fortunate and the most glorious commotion; you will cover yourself with glory, and you may expect the most brilliant fortune; if, on the contrary, you should fail in this commission, it will not deprive me of the opportunity |
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of obtaining for you from the Minister an appointment, which will render you independent of hatred and jealousy. You must set off without delay, and by land, going strait to Cumberland, as well to avoid Fort Massac, as to endeavour to fall in with the American detachment, and persuade it to wait the answer of new orders from General Wilkinson; for if it arrives at Natchez, there is every reason to believe that we may come to blows, not being of a humour to put up with insults. The Intendant sends an order to pay you one thousand dollars. If you could persuade the commissioner, Mr. Andrew Ellicott, to descend to the capital, I should with the greatest pleasure form an acquaintance with him, and by shewing him with out disguise the copy of the orders which I have sent to Mr. Gayoso, since his arrival at Natchez, hw will perceive that my conduct towards the United States is frank, founded on prudence and good faith, and void of the idea of breaking or falling in the articles of the treaty; that, in fine, the unaccountable part of the conduct of the Governor of Natchez only proceeds from the alterations which he has made, of his own accord, in my arrangements. Lastly, you may assure Mr. Andrew Ellicott that I and persuaded, that in a month or two all the difficulties will be settled by Congress and by the Minister Plenipotentiary of his Majesty, Don Carlos Martinez de Yrujo, and that consequently he would do very ill to withdraw; on the contrary, he may come down conveniently in my barge with Mr. Guillemard, who is desirous of spending a month or two here, whilst we are waiting the answer of Congress. Mr. Ferrezola has also orders to come to town. I inform Mr. Gayoso that you are the bearer of the answer to the letter which General Wilkinson has written to the Commandant of New Madrid, and that I have given directions to pay you one thousand dollars on account of your last journey, and that you are about to undertake. This suffices. The field which is opened is brilliant enough, but as much prudence as capacity is required, in order to succeed. Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant, LE BARON DE CARONDELET. MR. THOMAS POWER. New Orleans, the 28th May, 1797. According to the instructions which I have given you, that as soon as you receive from the Brigadier Don Manuel Gayoso, that assistance which I have ordered to be afforded you for your commission, set off by land, to deliver to General James Wilkinson, the answer of the letter |
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he wrote to the Commander of New Madrid, relative to the taking possession with a detachment of troops, of the forts Nogales and Natchez; but if you should meet the detachment, which ay not have departed from Massac, take a mere copy of said letter, that it may be delivered to him, and act in conformity; and you continue your journey as far as Fort Washington or to Head-Quarters, where you will find the Commander in Chief, Don James Wilkinson, whose answer wait, and return it immediately, by water, with all speed. God preserve you many years. BARON DE CARONDELET. THOMAS POWER, Esq. Note No. 39 UNIMPORTANT Note No. 40. Natchez, 4 Juin, 1797 J’ai recu hier la letter du 26 Mai, que vou m’avez fait l’honneur de {Complete French/Spanish Text not yet included} |
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{Complete French/Spanish Text not yet included} THOMAS POWER
(Flourish with code.)
Monsieur LE BARON DE CARONDELET
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TRANSLATION OF NOTE No. 40. Natchez, 4th June, 1797. I RECEIVED yesterday the letter of 26th May, which you have done me the honour to write me, and which the preparation for you journey do not permit me to answer but very briefly, I have received of Mr. Gayoso the dispatch for General W. together with the copy, in order to make use of it as circumstances may require. With respect to the second object of my expedition, which is the most interesting, as nothing can coincide better with my inclination, you may depend that I may acquit myself of it with all the fidelity and zeal which you know me to posses, and with that good understanding, resulting from a perfect knowledge of the place and personages with whom we are concerned. To avoid the possibility of a mistake, in the communications which I shall have to make to the Commander of New Madrid, I will explain what I mean to give you to understand, by my signature. This bar, with the dots (drawing) before the signature signifies 4,600 men. (drawing) In another flourish, the dots to the left of the small stroke are tens, and those of the right are units, so that they mean thirty-five pieces of artillery. The date at the bottom of my letter will simply signify, that the militia are on foot, and ready to march. The remarks which your letter contains are well adapted to cause the strongest sensations in Kentucky, as much on the people, as on General W. and others, distinguished characters; and I will not fail to represent them in that point of view which is most striking, and I will strengthen them with those, which the study I have made of their interests, and the ardor with which I desire to see their decision, may suggest. However, I will use wisdom and prudence in my measures, not to compromise myself, and all imaginable precautions will be necessary on my part, in order not to let slip any thing which may give light to my design; for whenever se me enter their territory, their mistrust and their jealousy causes them to suspect that I have some secret object in view. I will tell W. that the difficulty and the danger of carrying money by land have prevented you from sending him the 640 piastres. The ambition and politics of this General are a certain guaranty to me, that he will support our plans (which have always been his) with all his influence; and we may rely upon Nicholas, Sebastian, Innes, Murray, Clarke; in a word, on all those who are attached to W. and also those who were to compose the army of Clarke. |
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The principal characters of the place are united to us by ambition and interest; and an excessive gallicism, and a love of change, ensure the support of the people, who will willingly submit to your project. If I give credit to my presentiment, out success is infallible. There are so many powerful motives, which should lead he western states to take this step, that we should be permitted to believe that they had lost their senses, if they flinch. As to myself, I will spare neither pains or labour for the success of this important revolution; and I have to request of you, that you will deign to accept of my most sincere acknowledgement, as well for having launched me into a career so glorious and so brilliant, as for protecting me from jealousy and hatred. I have seen Ellicott. I told him what you communicated to me about him, and he was very well satisfied with it. He spoke of you in the most flattering terms, and requested me to present you his best respects, and to assure you, that however affairs may turn out, he will not leave the province without seeing you. The 1000 piastres have been delivered to me, and I only wait a horse to set off. Do not cease to trust in my zeal, vigilance and courage. I have the honour to be, with the most profound respect, and most sincere acknowledgment, Sir, &c. THOMAS POWER
Monsieur LE BARON DE CARONDELET.(Flourish with code.) NOTE No. 41, - See No. 11. NOTE No. 42. Head-Quarters, Detroit, September 5th, 1797.. Sir, I HAVE the last moment received your letter of the day, which occasions me much surprize. At our first interview, the night before the last, I expressed to you the necessity of your speedy return by the shortest route to the Baron |
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de Carondelet, which my answer to the letter which you bore me from him. You offered no objection to this proposition, except the incapacity of your horses for the journey, which I immediately agreed to remove, by furnishing others. You at the same time complained to me of the violence and outrage which you had experienced on your journey to this place, being at one time stopped, and another time pursued, seized and examined, in a=every particular of person, baggage and papers. It seems a little singular, that you should incline to retrace a route in which you had suffered such abuse, when a secure and convenient one is proposed to you. As no man can more highly appreciate the rights of treaties and of individuals than myself, and as I am well apprized of the obligations subsisting between the United States and his Catholic Majesty, I am among the last men on earth, who would wantonly or capriciously question the compacted rights of the two sovereignties, their citizens, or subjects. But as you have approached me in a public character, and on national business, which requires my speedy answer to the letter o the Governor of Louisiana, whose messenger you are, I cannot consider you so far a free agent, as to elect the time or route for your return, but that you stand bound by motives of political import, as well to Spain as to the United States, to consummate the objects of your mission with all possible promptitude; and, of consequence, that all objects of a private or personal nature must yield to the obligations of public duty. I therefore, Sir, cannot recede from my purpose, and will hope you may be prepared to take your departure early to-morrow morning, in the company of Captain Shamnburgh, who will be instructed to attend you to New Madrid, and who will receive and forward any letter you may wish to send to the Falls of the Ohio, from the most convenient point of your route. Your most obedient servant, JA. WILKINSON. NOTE No. 43. El dia 3 mez de Junio po. po. recibi la carta del Senor Baron de Carondelet, con fha de 28 del mes anterior, acompanado de la instruc- |
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cion anunciada, en ella de que incluyo copias, Nos. 1 y 2. {Complete French/Spanish Text not yet included} |
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Sres. Nicholas, Innes, Todd, y otras personas de su cofiuanza, practicas y {Complete French/Spanish Text not yet included} |
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{Complete French/Spanish Text not yet included} |
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{Complete French/Spanish Text not yet included} |
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{Complete French/Spanish Text not yet included} |
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{Complete French/Spanish Text not yet included} SAN.DON MANUEL GAYOSO LEMOS ON the 3d of June last I received the Baron de Carondelet’s letter, dated 28th of the preceding month, accompanied by the instructions therein announced, of which I enclose copies, No. 1 and 2. In consequence of the orders and intention which his Excellency has deemed proper to advise me of in them, I took the necessary steps for the journey, and set out on the 8th of the same month. Having lost my horses the day I set out form Bayou Pierre, and by other unforeseen and unavoidable accidents, My arrival at Nashville (capital of Cumberland) was retarded until the 5th of July, where I was compelled to remain some days, as well to execute with exactness my private instructions, carefully to examine the dispositions of its inhabitants with respect to the differences then existing between the United States and us and to ascertain definitively the part the y intend to take in the present crisis, as also to lessen the difficulties which were rising to provide against doubts, and avoid the dangers which would not fail to result from the rumours spread among the public as to the true object of my journey; the magistrate, Mr. J. Gordon, detained me some days. Having done away with and overcome these difficulties, I pursued my journey to Louisville, where I had an interview with Mr. Benjamin Sebastian, to whom, as the above letter mentions, I communicated the apparent motive, and likewise the true cause of my mission. Besides the propositions expressed in my instructions, not to lose the fruit of my journey, I found myself compelled to add the following, since, without the first, I perceived that neither he nor the other persona interested in this important undertaking would have taken the necessary |
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measures for the happy issue of it. In the first place I have agreed, that whenever one of those who favored the fomentation of the projects of the Baron should by this means lose his office, he shall receive from the King an indemnification, with the emoluments which he enjoyed. 2d. That the boundary line on the north, between the territory of his Majesty and that of the new States of the East, must begin at the mouth of the river Yazou , and extend in that direction as far as the Tombecbe; that the last strong post of Spanish settlement on said river be six miles within his Majesty’s territory. 3d. That the place called St. Fernando de las Barrancas, with all the land granted to Spain by the Chicacha nation it n the treaty made with her by Mr. M. G. de Lemos, must remain in his Majesty’s possession. 4th. That the King is not to interfere, either directly or indirectly, in the formation of the government or laws which they may think proper to establish. Consequent to these objects, we resolved that he should make them known to Messrs. Nicholas, Innes, Todd, and other persons in whom he confided, who were zealous for the improvement, prosperity, and independence of Kentucky, and absolutely refusing to speak to Murray or Brackenridge on the subject, as he mistrusted both. The first is given to drink, infidelity and perfidy; the other is known to hold conferences with them, tending to fulfil the wishes of the Baron, and to concert measures to that effect. In the mean time I should continue to Detroit where General Wilkinson was, as well to deliver him the Baron’s letter, as to conceal the object of my mission, and avoid what was plotting against me at Louisville, whose inhabitants were much alarmed at my arrival in the country, and were openly threatening me. We agreed also, that on my return I should pass through Grenville, Cincinnati, Newport, Georgetown, Lexington, Frankfort, &c. to see the gentlemen above mentioned, and informed myself thoroughly of the result of their conferences, and that he (Sebastian) with another appointed person, should accompany me as far as New Orleans. Notwithstanding Mr. B. Sebastian is persuaded, that for the present all the means and endeavours is used to stimulate the inhabitants of the Eastern states to separate themselves from the confederation will be useless, still he will not fail to exert his utmost to obtain what we so anxiously desire. To return to my journey. I sat out from Louisville the ____ of July, to reach at Detroit as soon as possible, and the following day I met with the accident manifested in the document No. ___. Note, that |
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on the 16th of July I wrote to Capt. Isaac Guyon, forwarding him the copy of the Baron de Carondelet’s letter to General James Wilkinson; I enclosed a copy of mine to said Capt, Guyon, No. _. Nothing new presented itself in the course of my journey, and I arrived in the neighborhood of Detroit on the 16th of August, I was informed tat General Wilkinson had set out for Machilimakinac, in consequence of which I did not enter the post until the 24th, which was the day they expected him; but he did not return before the 3d or 4th of September. Before he arrived, as soon as he knew I was there, he ordered me to remain arrested in the quarters of the officers. On the 6th he delivered me his answer to the Governor’s letter, obliging me (contra jus gentium) to return to New Madrid, by Wabash, under a guard, commanded by Capt. Bartholomew Shaumburgh, as is proved, not only by my correspondence with him on the subject, which is copied in No. ___, No. ___, and No. ___, but also by the annexed declaration of Shaumburgh, No. ___. On my arrival at Post Vincennes I dispatched an express to Louisville, with a letter for Benjamin Sebastian a copy of which goes enclosed, No. ___, advising him of what had occurred and informing him minutely of the motives which preventing me from complying with my promise given him. On the 10th of October we arrived at New Madrid, without any particular occurrence, I remained in that place fifteen days, waiting for Mr. Sebastian. Finally seeing that he did not come, and not hearing from him, I departed on the 24th of October, but by low tides, had weather and winds from the southward, I did not arrive at this capital before the 39th of last month. Capt. Shaumburgh, by order of Gen. Wilkinson, and on account of the United States, defrayed all the expenses of our voyage from Detroit to New Madrid. But let us return to the object of my mission. General Wilkinson received me very coolly. During the first conference I had with him, he exclaimed very bitterly, we are both lost, without being able to derive any advantage from your journey, and then asked me if I had brought him the 640 dollars: he added, that the Executive had given orders to the Governor of the North-Western Territory to take and send me to Philadelphia; that there was no other resource for me to escape, but by permitting myself to be conducted immediately under a guard to the Fort Massac, and from there to New Madrid. Having informed him of the proposals of the Baron, he proceeded to tell me that it was a chimerical project, which was impossible to execute; that the inhabitants of the Western States, having obtained by treaty all they desired, would not wish to form any other political or commercial alliances, and that they had no motive for separating themselves from the interests of the other states of the Union, even |
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if France and Spain should make them the most advantageous offers; that the fermentation which existed four years back was now appeased; that the depredations and vexations which American commerce suffered from the French privateers had inspired them with an implacable hatred for their nation; that some of the Kentuckians had proposed to him to raise 3000 men, to invade Louisiana, in case war should be declared between the United States and Spain; that the latter had no other course to pursue under the present circumstances, but to comply fully with the treaty, which had overturned all his plans, &c. and rendered useless the labours of more than ten years; that as to him, he said that he had destroyed his cyphers, and torn all his correspondence with our government, and that his duty and his honour did not permit him to continue it; that, with all, the Governor ought not to be apprehensive of his abusing the confidence which he had placed in him; finally, that Spain, by delivering up to the United States the territory of Natchez, &c. might perhaps name him Governor of it, and that then he would not want opportunities to take more effectual measures to comply with his political projects. He complains very much that the secret of his connexions with our government had been divulged, for want of prudence on our part; that he knew in September of the last year by means of one of his officers, that Spain had no intention to give up the posts, as the above mentioned officer saw a letter at Post Vincennes, written by a Spanish officer of the Ilinois, ad directed to an inhabitant of that place, in which he tells him, that Mr. Audrain had a correspondence with Z. Trudeau (or makes it to be believed) and that he communicates to him private affairs of the government, so that Audrain is accustomed to spread news that in all events may cause a rupture on the frontiers; that Mr. Trudeau has conducted himself with a great deal of imprudence, having sent emissaries among the Indians in the territory of the United States, inviting them to come and establish themselves in that of Spain, telling them that his father, the Spaniard, was at war with the English, and that he would soon make it with the Americans, &c. &c. With respect to the dispositions of the people of Kentucky, the opinion of Mr. Sebastian differs very much from that of General Wilkinson. He says, that, even if war is declared between Spain and the United States, we will have nothing to fear from the Kentuckians; and he has not omitted to insinuate, that it would be the most efficacious mode to spur them on totake a violent part against the Atlantic States. Without considering the many representations, which, verbally and in writing, I have made to your Excellency and to the Baron de Carondelet on this subject, I will recapitulate in a few words the result of my many observations, made with the most scrupulous attention. A great portion of the principal characters in Kentucky, Cumberland and the North West Territory, have been instigators of the expe- |
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dition of Genet and Clarke against this province, consequently they are enemies of those who are of the French; more than half of the rest are those , who take the greatest interest In a more intimate union of the Western States with us; and many of those who remain, as they are not very desirous of gaining conquests over Spain, but only to preserve the limits and privileges marked in the treaty, will do what they can, in order to avoid hostilities the people permit themselves to be implicitly governed by one of the parties mentioned, so that, considering these circumstances, we may labour under no apprehension on this account. But other more weighty reasons oppose to their declaring themselves independent of the Eastern States. I will content myself with relating the principal one; Whilst they will be making a treaty with the government of Louisiana, what certainty will they have that the Cabinet of Madrid is not making a treaty at the same time, very different from what they may have agreed to here? Experience has taught them, to their misfortune, that this is not a mere conjecture. Three motives alone would be able to impel them to break the confederation with the other states, viz. 1st. War with the Republic of France. 2d. A prohibition to navigate the Mississippi, and to establish themselves in the dominions of the King. 3d. Their incapacity to pay in cash their share of the common duties(28000 dolls.) or to see the government intent on recovering it by force. These are the axis upon which their policy turns, It now remains for me to say something of the military forces of the United States. Their army amounts to near 300 men; they consist of four regiments of infantry, one double regiment of artillery and two companies of cavalry> In each regiment there are eight companies; each company is composed of 65 men, including a Captain, a Lieutenant, and an Ensign, but there is not one complete. It must be observed, that the two companies of cavalry amount to 180 men, but there are only 60 mounted. Each regiment has a Colonel, and two Serjeant-Majors. The first regiment, commanded by Colonel Hamtramk, is at Fort Wayne, and the other forts towards Fort Washington; the second, commanded by Colonel Strong, is encamped at Detroit, Michilimakinac, Niagara, Presq-Isle, Oswego, &c. the third, commanded by Colonel Gathers, fortifies the Forts at Massac, Barrancas, &c. one or two companies remaining in Georgia; the forth, commanded by Colonel Butler, is in Tenessee; the artillery men are divided among the forts, although the greatest part does not go from Stony -point, in the Eastern States; the cavalry is divided between Tenesee, Detroit, and Fort Washington, With Regard to their forts, as it is a subject of little importance to us, I do not wish to trouble your Excellency with a tedious description of them. There is a strict discipline observed in the army; the soldiers are almost all youths, |
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from 15 to 16 years of age; they go through some military evolutions with sufficient precision. With respect to the officers, from the lowest to the highest (excepting very few) they are deficient of those qualities which adorn a good soldier, except fierceness, and are overwhelmed in ignorance, and in the most base vices. The influence of General Wilkinson in Kentucky has become very limited; and in the army, by wishing to introduce some innovations, it lessens from day to day. I hope, from what is said on the subject of my mission, at that you will be convinced, that if it has not had a more happy issue, it ought not be attributed in any manner to indiscretion, or other deficiency, on my part, since it is evident that it sprung from a cause which no human penetration could foresee, and no prudence prevent: and if I have been deficient in the intelligence and capacity, which the discharge of my commission required , it will not be boldness in me to say, that the promptitude and zeal, silence and fidelity, which, on more important occasions, I have manifested in the service of His Majesty, have not been of any avail on the present, God preserve you many years. December 5, 1797.. P. S. I enclose you, with the other documents, the account of the expence of the journey No. 11; that of the 640 dollars which Gen., Wilkinson so anxiously solicits, and which he has charged me to receive on his account, I remitted to the Baron de Carondelet in the month of May of this year. No. 3, with the other documents those which I received, as stated in his official letter of the 28th of the same month and year, of which I also enclose a copy, No. 12. M. MANUEL GAYOSO DE LEMOS. NOTE No. 44. Nouvelle Orleans, ce 23 Avril, 1797.. {Complete French/Spanish Text not yet included} |
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