Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-22
Mr.. CLARK,s sTATENTFN1,

Mr.. CLARK'S STATEMENT.
In obedience, TO the direction OF the House
ot Representatives expressed in their rcsu-
luton of Friday last, submit the following
statement:
arrived from Europe az Ncw-O rleans
IN December 1886, having been invited to
the country By an uncle of considerable
wealth and influence, who had been long
resident in that city. Shortly after nv
arrival, Twas employed in the Office of the
Secretary of the government. THIS Office.
was the depository of al state papers. In
l7S7, Gen. Wilkinson made his 6rst visIt
o New-Orieans, aud was introduced ~
ny uncle to the governor and other officers
OF he Spanish government
In Inc succeeding year, / 7SS, much SEN
sation WAS eXGited by the report of ms hay-
ihS entered into some arrangements with
the government OF Louisiana - sep rae
the western country from the u. States, ans
TINS report acquired great credit upon his
second visit 10 New-Orleans n 1890. A
bout this time, saw letter from the e..
neral 70 person in New-O rie ans ,rIviug an
account of Col. Connelly's mission 70 hin,
from the British government in Canao,
aud OF proposals made 10 him ION the nart
| of that government, aud mentioning his de-
termination OF adhering to his come xion
with the Spaniards.
My intimacy with the officers fthe SPA
nish government, and my access 10 of6c,al
Information disclosed tn me shortly after
wards some OF rhe plans the general had
proposed to The government for effcctine
tie contemplated separation. The genera,
| project was, the severance of ;he western
country from the u States, and tho ESQ.
0hsa~eut of a separate government, in IN.
Alliance and under the protection of Spain
In eHectIng this, Spain was To furnish mo-
Dey aud arms, and the minds of th.. ,yee,.
eTn people were to be seduced and bro,ieh,
over 10 he project by liberal adv,ntat,,..
resulting from il, to be held out bv Snsin
The trade of the mississippi was 10 I've
rendered free, the port of New-Orleans
TO be opened to them, and free comme,r re-
allowed III the productions of the new On.
! verhment with Spain and her West-Iud,a
iSi1nds.
| remember about the same time 10 bav.
seen list of names OF citizens OF the west
err country which was in the hand writino
OF The General, who were Recommended
tor pensions, and the sums were stated pro-
per to be paid 10 each, and then distinct.
/ " understood that he aud others were ac-
tu"uy pensioners Of the Spanish govern.
mcnt.
had no personal knowledge of money be-.
ing paid 10 General Wilkinson or ~ an,
agent FOR him on account ofhis pension orc.
vious TO TIE year 1793 or 17g4 In one OF
these years, and Ia which / cannot be Ger.
tam until J can consult my books. a Mr.
La Cassagne, who I understood Wa ms
master al the fails OF Ohio, came 10 New
I Orleans, and as one Of the association win
| General Wilkinson ~ the project of dis.
membermcnt, received sum of ,,,e,e,,
four thousand dollars Of which or thers,
about were embarked by a special pern;s-
sion free OF duty on board a vessel ,vbici,
had been consigned to me, aud which s.ii-
ed tor Philadelphia, in which vessel Mr. a
CassaEne went passenger. At and prior IN
TINS period l had various opportunities "a
seeing the projects submitted 10 the S,.-
nish government. and OF learning MANY Of
the details from the agents employed to car.
ry them into execution.
IN 1894 two gentlemen Of the names NJ
Owens and Collins, fir ends and agents OF
General Wilkinson, came TO New Orle,ti,.
o the hrst was entrusted. as was rar 4.
cularly informed by the officers Of the Spa-
nish government, the sum OF SIX thousand
dollars 10 be delivered TO General Wilkin
soa Oh account Of his own pension, and tbat
oi others. On bis way, in returpinp 10 Ken
tucky Owens was murdered by his boat's
crew, and the money il was understood wa.
made away with by them This occurrence
OccasiOncd n considerable noise IN X ent,tc-
ky. and Coutribufsd ,yifb NJ u...s =.