| 1796 |
Sept. 22 A letter from Wilkinson to Gayoso, the only one that Clark includes in the body of his 1809 expose, says in code "never suffer my name to be written or spoken" and "The suspicion of Washington is wide awake." Ill Health and many pressing engagements must be my apology for a short letter. I must refer you to my letter to the baron for several particulars, and to a detail of my perils and abuses, I must beg leave to refer you to our friend Power, whom I find of youthful enterprise and fidelity; HE CERTAINLY DESERVES WELL OF THE COURT, and I don't doubt that he will be rewarded. What a political crisis is the present! and how deeply interesting is its probable results, in all its tendencies, and thereby must hope it may not be carried into execution. If it is, an entire reform in the police and the military establishments of Louisiana will be found immediately indispensable to the Mexican provinces. I beg you to write me fully on the question in cipher by Power, whose presence in Philadelphia is necessary, as well to clear his own character, attacked by Wayne, as to support the fact of the outrage recently offered to the Spanish Crown in his person, and bring me either the person or the deposition, now under your command, who has been suborned by Wayne to bear false witness against me, and afterwards, for fear he should recant, bribed him to leave Kentucky. Power will give you the perfect account of this infamous transaction, and I conjure you, by all the ties of friendship and of policy, to assist him on this occasion. IF SPAIN DOES NOT RESENT THE OUTRAGE OFFERED TO POWER IN THE FACE OF ALL KENTUCKY. My letter to the baron will explain the motives which carry me to Philadelphia, from whence I will write again to you. Power will explain to you circumstances which justifies the belief of the great treachery that has been practiced with respect to the money lately sent to me. For the love of God and friendship, enjoin great secrecy and caution in all our concerns. Never suffer my name to be written or spoken. THE SUSPICION OF WASHINGTON IS WIDE AWAKE. Beware of Bradford, the Fort Pitt refugee; he seeks to make peace - there are spies every where. We have a report here that you are appointed governor of Louisiana - God grant it, as I presume the baron will be promoted. I am your affectionate friend, W_---(P40-41 Clark) On a separate paper he says what follows: This letter will be delivered to you by Nolan, whom you know is a child of my own raising, true to his profession and firm in his attachment to Spain. I consider him a powerful instrument in our hands, should occasion offer, I will answer for his conduct. I am deeply interested in whatsoever concerns him, and I confidently recommend him to your warmest confidence. I am evidently yours affectionately Wilkinson. A copy, Signed Manuel Gayoso de Lemos. |
| 1797 |
Thomas Power travels from Natchez to Detroit to talk to Wilkinson. Wilkinson is away at Michilimacinac. Col. Strong, under Wayne's orders, has Power confined as a spy. Wilkinson returns in September and Power is freed. |
| 1797 April 23 |
A letter from Carondelet (to Power?) mentions that through the Spanish envoy "near" the United States he has learned that the English are going to attack "the Illinois". St. Louis has but a small fort and nothing is between there and Nogales and lower Louisiana. He has ordered Gayoso to warn Ellicott that he is compelled to put Nogales in a state of defense by moving artillery and troops from Natchez. This leaves fifty men at Natchez under Don Manuel Lanzos, Gayoso leaving for Nogales with Guillimard and Perchet ( and Vidal). Also being sent to Nogales is a company of grenadiers. 12,000 Spanish troops expected at Havana. Through Nolan he describes a rift between Gayoso and Ellicot where Choctaws drank to excess, got into a dispute with Ellicot's servants, who thought that Gayoso had made them drunk. Ellicot made Nolan stay in his camp. Carondelet believes that if Ellicot had announced his entrance into the territory properly none of this would have happened. (Note 44, Proofs. |
| 1797 May 26 |
A letter from Baron Carondelet to Thomas Power who is taking a messages to Gayoso in New Madrid and Wilkinson at Cincinnati. Wilkinson is moving troops to take possession of the forts at Natchez and Walnut Hills following the treaty concluded between Spain and the United States. The Baron is trying to prevent a build up of troops at these posts and describes a way for Power to pass on to him troop and artillery strengths that may be sent to the new forts by the Americans. Carondelet is flattering Wilkinson that he would rather be the liberator of a new nation than the Commander of the army of the Atlantic States. |
| 1797 June 3 |
Thomas Power sets out from Bayou Pierre on this date and does not arrive in Nashville (capital of Cumberland) until July 5 due to problems with his horses, etc. He is detained by the magistrate there, J. Gordon, then travels on to Louisville to meet Benjamin Sebastian. He reaches Detroit on August 16. Wilkinson was not there, being at Machilimakinac and did not return until September 3. He returns to New Madrid October 10 and to New Orleans 30 November. Wilkinson had told him that the inhabitants of the Western States, having gained everything they wanted through Pinckney's Treaty were no longer interested in separating from the United States |
| 1797 September 5 |
Wilkinson acknowledges Power and sends a reply to Carondelet through Power as soon as possible. (Note 42, Proofs) |
| 1805 September 5 |
In the 1805 City Directory of New Orleans Thomas Power is listed as residing at 39 Levee - Haute de la Ville - South |
| 1807 |
(Clark p 64)Wilkinson asks Power, then governor Folch to vouch for his innocence. Power signed an affidavit quickly but Folch dances around with his honesty at stake. Wilkinson also approaches Salcedo who is in Philadelphia, on his way to Texas to be governor there. Salcedo publishes in the Philadelphia Gazette only that Daniel Clark was universally known in Louisiana as a zealous patriot of the United States, an upright man of the highest integrity both in his public and private affairs, always preferring the public good to his own interest. He could only answer the innocence of Wilkinson by revealing the intrigues of his own nation. |
| 1807 October 5 |
(Note 74, Proofs) Letter from Wilkinson in Richmond. He understands that Clark is coming around with Captain Power to do Wilkinson harm. Wilkinson discounts these reports due to Clark's declarations to General Smith last winter and assurances made to Captain McClean in New Orleans. Charges had been made by Bradford. Cenas writes to Wilkinson saying Clark is bound for Philadelphia. It is a long letter. Wilkinson had written to Burr, on Clark's advice and to Dr. Brown, Burr's brother-in-law. Bollman has gone to great pains to implicate Clark to Wilkinson. Swartout tried to convince him that Ogden had gone to New Orleans with dispatches from Burr and that Clark was to furnish provisions. He has a bill on Clark from G. W. Ogden in favor of P. V. Ogden drawn on account of land purchase. Wilkinson obviously feels the weight of the trial on him. |