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

IerRment, which were not attended with
tsuccess.
/ Collins, the co-agcnt with owens, firt at
tempted 70 tit out "A small vessel inthe port
lot New-Orleans, in order to proceed to some
Iport IN the Atlantic states; but She was de-
lstroyed by the hurricane at the month of
August of 1894 He then fitted out small
vessel in the Bayou st. John, and shipped
lin her at least eleven thousand dollars which
he took round TO Charleston.
THIS shipment was made under such pc
ocular circumstances, khat ii became known
to many, aud the destination of il was af-
forwards fully disclosed to me by the Off
GERS OF the Spanish government, BY Collins,
and by General Wilkinson himself who
Icomplained that Collins instead of sending
him the money on his arrival had employ
ed it IN some wild speculations 10 the West
Indies, by which he had lost a cons derable
sum, and that in Consequence of the mis-
management of his agents he had derived
but little advantage from the money paid on
ms account by the Spanish government.
Mr. Power was 4 Spanish subject, resi-
ident IN Louisiana, and the object OF his vi
sits 70 the western country became known
to me IN 1875, when he embarked on board
she brig Gayoso at New Orleans for Phila-
ldeiphia in company with iudge Sebastian,
IN which vessel as she had been consigned
to myself, l saw embarked uRder speci-
! al permission four thousand dollars or there
about, which, / was informed, were forSe-
bastian's own account, as one of those con
cerned in the scheme of diSmemberment OF
the western country
Mr.. Power, as lie afterwards informed
me, on ms tour through the western coun-I
try, saw u neral Wilkinson AT Greenville,
and was the bearer o. 4 letter to hin, for
re rs rl,s
ana, dated the 9TH or 9Th March, 1896, ad
visIng thata sum OF money had been sent to
Don Thomas Portell, comm,ndant of New
Madrid. to be delive, ed 10 his order. This
money Mr.. Power deiveredto Mr. Nolan. |
by Wilkinson S directions. What concern |
ed Mr. Nclan'S agency il this business. l |
learned from himself, when he afterwards |
visited New Orleans.
In 1877, Power was entru ted with ano- |
ther mission to Kentucky, and had direc-
IONS to propose certain plans 10 effect the |
separation of the western country from the !
United States. These plans were proposed
ana rejected as often Solemnly assured ne, !
through the means of a Mr.. George N;cbo- |
las, 10 whom among others they were com.
nunicated, who spurned re idea Of recei- |
wing foreign money. Power then proceed |
ed to Detroit 10 see General Wilkinson. and |
was sent back by him under guard 70 New
MADRID from whence he returned to New |
Orleans. Powers secret instructions were.
known to me afterwards, and 1 am enabled
TO state that the plan then contemplated en-.
tirtly failed
Al the periods spoken of, and for some,
time afterwards | was resident in the Spa
nish territory, subject to the Spanish laws.
ana without an expectation of becoming :,
CITIZEN OF she United States My obliggti
/ fhf.t,
nIcate to the government OF the Unifed
states, the projects and enterprises which |
have mentioned Of General Wilkinson and |
the Spanish government.
In the month of October of 1898, / visi !
ted General Wilkinson by his particular
request at his camp at Loftus's heights.
where he had shortly before arrived The
General had heard of remarks made by me
on the subject of his pension, which had
rendered him uneasy, and he was DESTROYS
OF making some arrangements with me on
the subject. lpassed thee days and nights
III the Generals tent. The Chief subjects
| ut our conversation were the views and en-
! IfrPrlzes OF the Spanish government Ia re
i'uoh 10 the United States, aud speculate
ons as to the result of political affairs. I'm
the course OF our conversations he stated I
that there was still balance or ten thou |
sand dollars due him by the Spanish gov.
ernment Tor watch he would gladly take in
exchange Governor Gayoso's plantation
near tlle Match 2, who might reimburse /
himself from the treasury at New Orleans /
asked the General whether this sum WAS
due on the old business Of the pension-be |
replied that 1t was, and intimated wish
that should propose to Governor Gayoso
transfer of his plantation for the money
due him from the Spanish territory The
Whole AMIR had always been odicus TO me
and declined any agency I'M lucknow. !
lodged to him that had often spoken free /
| ly and publicly OF his Spanish pension. bat
told hlI''l had communicated nothing To his
| government on the subject advised him
To drop his Spanish connection. He iusti6- /
! ed Il heretofore from the peculiar situation
! OF Kentucky, the Disadvantages that coun-
TRY labored unGer at the period when he
formed his connection with tile Spaniards.
the doubtful and distracted state Of the mi.
on at that time, which he represented A i
bound together by nothing better than "a |,
rope OF sand, and he assured inc solemnlv
that he bad terminated his connexions viii II
the Spanish government, and thar they ne.
yer should be renewed. ] gave the Gene h
raj 10 un erstand that AS the aff ir stood / /,
should not in future say any Thing about +,
From that period until the present / have /
heard Cue report only of the former cen,e,. II