Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-10-10

NenCe. MT w lChudIn. VIC Olliy Wdht
the letters of September and October,
which state that war with Spain is incvi-
table Gen Wilkinson. / think that ! may
have said so, and believe that | have pa
pers here which throw some light on the
subject Here are my instructions to the
officer who commanded the troops when
they left ST. Laus. [Gen>AVilkinson ham
ded to Mr. Wickham copies of his iDstruc-
tons to col Gushing. Mr. Nj Rae. What
is the date oi those Instructions! A The
9th and 9Th Of May 1906. Gen Wilkinson
said that he would, with pleasure, submit
the whole correspondence, il he could do
it consistently with his own ideas ofpropri-
ETY.. But there were contained Ill IT such
secret military operations, as 1t might be
improper to expose. Mr. Wickham. y
think YOU state that at that time, the eX
pectation of war with Spain was very gen
eral? A 1t was so: and If my inStrucu-
ons to col. Gushing can be read, they will
shew my own impressions. Here M'Rae
read the instructions of Gen. Wilkinson
To- Col. Gushing of the 9th of May 1906;
for which, see notes X" and l..
Mr. Wickham | think you have said
that there was an universal expectation of
war with Spain, about the time when the
troops of that nation crossed the Sabine.
a Yes have said SO Ihad made arrange
ments for general attack. Mr. w. To
what cause are we TO ascribe the accom-
moddtion which took place between the two
armies. \ Toa wish to spare the eiiusion
of blood and, perhaps, because on one side
there were reluctance to fight. Q On which
side a On the side of Spain. MIR Wick
ham. Can YOU tell the particular motives
which induced them to re-cross the Sabine,
and Change their position? A think can
n-rl, .r,.i-
vat AT Natchitoches OF the 2&th of Scptem-
Der, addressed letter to Governor Cor
dcro, whom considered the Commander
in Chief of the Spanish forces Oh that from
tier. l communicated to him my orders
from the President, and urged him, on the
ground of right and of humanity, to with
draw his troups from the east Of the Sabine
and recess that river. Whether this or the
vigorous preparations for the offensive OPP
erations which Immediately commenced
on nv arrival at Natchitoches, produced
the effect or not, cann'.t tell. But the
fact is that the Spaniards about the 27th
of the month, raised their camp at Bayou
b Pierre, marching by their right intersect-
ed the highway from Natchitoches TO Ma
cogdotches, about twenty miles in front,
pursued that route, and reCrossed the Sa-
bine about the 29th or 30th.
received the cyphered letter? a No. 1t
was some time before. Mr. Wickham.
Had you any correspondence with the Span
ish commandment, OIL the subject Of colonel
Burr's expedition against Mexico! a
None The earliest communications which
! made on that subject were after my re-
turn to Natchez Mr. w. Has the juris-
.diction of the United States ever been ex-
ercised as far as the Sabine? A l cannot
tell. Mr. w. Was it in consequence of
instructions from the government that you
concluded the convention with the Spanish
commandment? A No. Mr. w. | do not
recollect whether that convention has ever
been published. A Never. MIR w. Have
you any copy of that convention? A Yes.
But until it shall be the pleasure of the go
vernment to publish it, do not think my
self at liberty to divulge its contents.
do not think it reconcilable to the duty ola
military commander to anticipate his go
vernment in the publication of official COM
munIcatiOnS.
Mr. Wickham Were there any secret
articles in that conventions A None.
There was but one article. Mr. w. Was
there any sum of money agreed to be paid
on either side a Not one cent Mr. w
You note two letters TO the President, one
of the 21st of October, and the other ofthe
18th of November 1906. Have you a copy
o. that of The 9th of November and will
You give me leave 10 ask whether that let
ter was before the Grand Jury ? A 1t was
submitted to the Grand Jury. TMr Wick
ham said chat they called for copy of that
letter. If the counsel on the other side
thodght proper &C. oppose it, they might do
il at once Mr. Hay. We shall certainly
oppose the production of the letter. The
President has been consulted on the sub
jcct and he has excepted such parts As
he thought it would be improper to pro-
duce. The Chief Justice, remarked, that
after the President had Been consulted, ne
could not think of requiring from Gen Will
kinson the exhibition Of those parts of the
Letter which the President was unwilling to
disclose. Mr. Wickham. The whole let
ter having been before the grand jury, and
acted upon by them; we certainly have a
right to call for il aiso] Mr. Wickham.
Were the Spsniartls in considerable force
OH the East side of the Sabine ? A They
were repuied to be so. Mr. w. What
Was the strength Of the army of the United
States? A About 500 effective men. Mr.
w. What orders did you receive from
the government in the months Of December
and February las? a cannot say what
particular orders / received during those
months. Owing to the frequent changes
OF M position, | vas for more than Six
months without orders. But it is imDos-
sihlc for me 10 answer the interrogatory To
Nt.r.. -. II. 1. = .