automatically cease with statehood. And, furthermore, the aid and support of Virginia would be sorely needed in the contest with Spain that was sure to come.22 Thus the questions that were soon to come before the convention had been more widely discussed, reaching a greater number of people, than ever before. On September 17 [1787] the fifth assembly met and speedily decided unanimously to separate from the rest of the state according to the Virginia terms. It, however, asked that Virginia's authority cease on December 31, 1788; and that in the meantime a Kentuckian be designated as one of the Virginia delegation in Congress. It also adopted a menacing petition to Congress demanding admission into the Union. Finally, it made provision for the election of what was hoped would be the final convention which would make a constitution for the new state. 23 In view of the many disappointments and the excitement caused by the Jay episode, the fifth convention was very moderate and temperate in its discussions and proceedings. The radicals and extremists who had seemed in the earlier part of the year to have had the complete ascendancy, did not carry out the program that would have been expected in those days. The same causes that had prevented any hasty action by the Danville meeting in May operated to the same effect in the fifth convention, which had now adjourned. But, perhaps, one of the most potent reasons was the fact that Wilkinson was not present. His absence was not due to defeat for membership. He had so ingratiated himself with the people by his engaging personality and talents, and with a liberal use of his money, that he was elected to the convention. But when the assembly convened, he was far from the turmoils of Kentucky. He was in New Orleans. Here began actively that series of foreign intrigues ramifying at one time or another into three nations, which was to compromise the patriotism and good name of the West for more than a decade, blast the reputations of at least two prominent leaders, and cast suspicion on a host of others. 22 Kentucke Gazette, September 8, 1787. 23 Collins, History of Kentucky, I, 266. The address to Congress was by no means "perfectly respectful in its character" as stated in Collins, Ibid. See Kentucky Gazette, February 23, 1788; also letter from Innes to Brown, December 7, 1787, in Innes MSS., 28. CHAPTER XX WILKINSON AND THE SPANISH TRADE During these troublous times the economic conditions in Kentucky were almost as serious as was the political situation. In fact they were unusually closely connected. Many people thought that manufactures and commerce waited upon statehood and that everything waited on a free and open Mississippi. As the people passed out of frontier conditions, the economic fabric came to depend absolutely on securing and maintaining a market. The wonderfully fertile Blue Grass Region was producing an ever growing surplus of all kinds of farm products. As barns and granaries were piled higher and higher with wheat, rye, and tobacco the prices of these products became lower and lower; and the discontent of the people increased. In 1786, it was reported from the Falls of the Ohio, that "the quantities of produce they have on hand is immense. Flour and pork are now selling at twelve shillings the hundred; beef in proportion; any quantity of Indian corn can be had at nine pence per bushel. Three times the quantity of tobacco and corn can be raised on an acre here than can be within the settlements on the east side of the mountains, and with less cultivation."1 Under such conditions the Kentuckians came to develop a mania for markets, concerning which it has been said, "No Arabs or Tartars travel farther or wider in pursuit of the unfortunate caravans, which break the silence of their frightful deserts, than Kentuckians used to proceed after a market." 2 The international situation in the West gave a highly political complexion to the Kentuckian's quest for a market, in which dishonesty and secret intrigue were the entering wedges. Washington had early seen the dangers in this situation. "If the Spaniards on their right, and Great Britain on their left, instead of throwing impediments in their way as they now do, should hold out lures for their trade and alliance," he greatly feared the result. He continued, "The western settlers (I speak now from my own observations) stand as it were, upon a pivot. The touch of a feather would turn them any way." 3 But Wilkinson early saw the possibilities of personal profit and intrigue in such a situation, and was not long in taking advantage of it. His principal reason for coming to Kentucky was to provide, by the devious means he could command, a competency for himself and family. He immediately entered into important commercial schemes and ambitions. Within a year or two after his arrival he had established agents and traders in many parts of the country, and had almost monopolized the salt trade. An idea of the nature and extent of this trade is contained in these instructions to an agent: "I beg you to proceed with all possible dispatch to the falls. You will call by the lick, and urge the provision of the salt; and prepare some way of conveying it to the river & &. You will make the best of 1 Green, Spanish Conspiracy, 387. 2 Butler, History of Kentucky, 435. 8 John Marshall, Life of George Washington [Philadelphia, 1805-7] quoted in A. J. Beveridge, The Life of John Marshall [Boston, 1916-19], III, 282. 4 Brown, Political Beginnings of Kentucky, 91-93. your way to Nashville, and there dispose of it for cotton, beaver furs, raccoon skins, otter, &. You must always observe to get as much cash as you can. When you have completed your sales, you will yourself, move with the horses, &., by land, and commit the other articles, with the barge to Capt. Alexander, with directions to him to proceed up to the falls; there secure the boat and property, and give me the earliest advice of his arrival, by express or otherwise. "The goods which Capt. Alexander carries down to the falls, I wish you to exchange for horses, or elegant high blooded mares, if you can get great bargains; otherwise, sell them for cash, peltry, or cotton. When you receive the salt, take care to have it measured in a proper honest way, with a spade or shovel, and no sifting, &c. One Smith is preparing to go down with two or three hundred bushels from the lower lick. Endeavor to get off before him, and if you can not, persuade him to stay for you; but you must not wait for him a moment, as it will be your interest to arrive before him. You will remember you are going amongst a set of sharpers, and therefore must take care of yourself. Write to by every opportunity, letting me know how you come on. Don't fail in this. God bless you and give you good luck." This trade, though extensive as it was in Kentucky and down into the Tennessee regions, could not satisfy Wilkinson, when there appeared before him the pleasing prospect of feeding the hungry markets of the Spaniards in New Orleans with the cheapening and accumulating supplies Collins, History of Kentucky, II, 370. in Kentucky. Other transactions besides establishing commercial relations with the Spaniards were eminently possible, and in fact these former considerations might necessarily have to precede the latter. Wilkinson was equal to any eventuality. He began to break the way as early as 1786, when he made a trip to Natchez and made the acquaintance of Gayoso, the Spanish commandant. The next year, in April, he had so far matured his plans, that he set out down the Mississippi with a number of flatboats laden with flour, bacon, and tobacco. The first obstacle to his journey was Natchez, where many pioneer traders so bold as to attempt to navigate the lower Mississippi had been seized and their property confiscated. But Wilkinson had previously paved the way. After a short perfunctory delay, he was allowed to proceed to New Orleans. On reaching his destination, he with his cargo was seized and held for investigation. He was soon able to secure a conference with Miro, the Spanish governor. All that took place at this conference and subsequent ones is not known, but Wilkinson was allowed to dispose of his cargo, and it has been established that he entered into a commercial and political arrangement with the Spaniards. In these conferences, Wilkinson laid before the Spanish governor the whole Kentucky situation. A past master at dissimulation and doubledealing, he told of the growing impatience of the Kentuckians on the opening of the Mississippi, how if there were not some relaxation made, they might swarm down on the Spanish domains and take possession of them. Having established this fear in the mind of Miro, he next suggested the possibility of winning over the Kentuckians to a Spanish connection, as perhaps after all the best way to solve this menace to Spanish possessions. This would, of course, mean giving extraordinary powers to Wilkinson and making him a Spanish agent to bring about the desired results. In order to enhance his importance among the Kentuckians, as well as to allay any premature suspicions of his real purpose, he should be given important trading privileges. But Wilkinson explicitly advised the Spaniards against relenting the slightest to the demands of the United States, for in so doing, they would make the Kentuckians contented, who would then seek admission into the Union as a state, and his power and influence would be destroyed. Wilkinson declared that if Spain made a treaty opening the Mississippi it "will destroy the power which Spain now enjoys over the American settlements, and entirely defeat our principal view." As a reward for suggesting this course of action and as compensation for future services, a pension was settled upon him, as well as the trading privileges.8 The commercial arrangements were developed by degrees. Miro's first agreement was to allow Wilkinson to send to New Orleans $30,000 worth of negroes, butter, cheese, tallow, apples, live stock, tobacco, flour, bacon and lard, the proceeds to remain on deposit there until plans were better matured. To enter into all of these agreements and projects with a stranger and a foreigner on so short notice, seemed perhaps rather fast action to the Spaniards, and was doubtless an agreeable surprise to Wikinson. To show the Spaniards that his soul and interests were with them, on August 22, 1787, in a rather lengthy document, he took the oath of allegiance to the king of Spain. He set forth how his personal fortune demanded the change of allegiance. He had rendered valuable • Fish, American Diplomacy, 76. W. R. Shepherd, "Wilkinson and the Beginnings of the Spanish Conspiracy" in American Historical Review, IX, 490-500; McMaster, History of the People of the United States, I, 520, 521. 8 It must be borne in mind that Wilkinson made the trip to New Orleans before the Spaniards had ever sent agents to Kentucky, or had matured plans concerning it. Shepherd, "Wilkinson and the Beginnings of the Spanish Conspiracy," 502-506. Wilkinson had asked to be allowed to import $60,000 worth. services to the struggling colonies in the Revolution and had seen the successful issue of that contest. "This event," he continued, "having rendered my services no longer needful, released me from my engagements, dissolved all the obligations, even those of nature, and left me at liberty, after having fought for her welfare, to seek my own. Since the circumstances and policy of the United States have rendered it impossible for me to attain this desired object under her government, I am resolved, without wishing them any harm, to seek it in Spain. * * *" 10 Having disposed of his cargo and entered into these secret intrigues, Wilkinson returned to Kentucky by sea, by the way of the Atlantic seaboard, stopping at Charleston and Philadelphia. He saw the possibilities of the first impressions he should make on his return. He entered Lexington as a conquering hero, in a coach-and-four attended by a retinue of slaves.11 He had unsealed the great outlet of the west, a task that the national government could not perform. True enough the privileges extended to himself only; but was this not another indication of his power and importance. Opponents were not slow in imputing other motives than merely his desire to aid the Kentuckians in their commerce; but he had brought back results and for the time he carried the day. He now set about greatly increasing and extending his organization of agents and traders in Kentucky. As the trade had to be carried on with New Orleans under his name, he began the systematic collection. of large stores of goods preparatory to shipment. An advertisement for hams, tobacco, and other farm products had been inserted in the Kentucky Gazette, even before he returned. It read as follows: "The subscribers are authorized by General Wilkinson, to purchase tobacco, tallow, butter, well cured bacon, hams, lard, and smoked briskets of beef, to be delivered on the Kentucke at the mouth of Hickman, the mouth of Dick's River and General Scott's on or before the twentieth of January next. The butter and lard to be in kegs not to exceed fortyfive pounds net. These articles being intended for a foreign market it is necessary that they be handled in the manner not only to do the seller credit but to recommend our commodities to foreign merchants and make them desirous of engaging in a commercial intercourse with the Western Country. * * Those who have any of the above articles to dispose of may know the terms by applying to Harry Innes; Horatio Turpin."12 Also, he still kept up his salt trade, carrying this on as a means of barter for tobacco and other products that could be sold to the Spaniards.18 * Wilkinson tried to make himself a factor through whom Kentucky's commercial life should function. He had a special system by which he collected the farmer's tobacco. Assisted in the work by Peyton Short, he sent out circular letters setting forth his method of conducting the business and the terms on which he would receive the tobacco. A considerable blank space was provided with each letter for the names of the farmers and the amounts they promised to deliver. He sent Isaac Shelby one with the request that he start it going and in that way lend his good name and influence to the movement in his community. The circular stated that the purpose was to collect the tobacco at the different towns for shipment to New Orleans or Europe. He argued advantage of large shipments which he was providing: "1000 Hdds: of Tobo in the hands of one man, will stand a much better chance for a good market, than the same quantity in 20 hands at any market, and we know that the privileges and connections of our J. Wilkinson will give us a decided |