The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-21
Mn. cLARKE's STATEMENT.

In obedience to the direction ofthc House ofRe.
representatives. expressed in their resolution of Fri
day last, submit the following statement
arrived from Europe at New Orleans in De-
ccmbcr 1886 .having been invited to the country
by AN uncle of considerable wealth and influence,
who had been long resident in that city. Short
~ after my arrival, I was employed in the Office
of the Secretary Of the government. This Office
was the depository of ali state papers In 1887
Gen. Wilkinson made his first visit to n Orleans,
an WAS introduced by Tny uncle to the governor
and other officers of,he Spanish Government.
In the succeeding year, 1888, much sensation
was excited bv the report OF his having entered
into some arrangements ~ith the government of
Louisiana Il separate the Western country from
the u States, and this report acquired great Gre
dit upon his second visit to New Orleans i'll 1889
About this time saw letter from the General
to pcrseD in New-Ollcans giving an account of
Col. Connolly mission to him from the British
government il Canada md fprop9s Us made to
HIM OH the part of that government and mention
ing his determination OF adhcIing to his connexi-
with the SpAnniards.
Ny intimacy with the officers ofthe Spanish
government, and my access TO official informant
on disclosed To- me shortly afterwards some of the
plans the general had proposed to the government
for cifcct.ng the contemplated separation The
gene. - prJjGCt was, tue severance OF the west
ein country tInh the u. States, and the establish.
HlCBt 81 i separate government III llc alliance and
Il der the protection of Spain. In cifccting this
Spain was to furnish money and anus, and the
minds ofthc western people were to be scduccd
and brolglJ owe" to tie project by beralia
gcs resulting from it, 90 be held out by Soain.
The trade OF the Mississippi was 10 be rendered
free, thc port of New Orleans ia be opcned TO
them, and free commerce allowed in the pro-
auctions ot tho new government with Spain and
her West India Glands
Ircmcmber about Tire same time TO have seen n
list OF names of citizens Of the western coun,rv
which was in the hand writing Of the General.
vino were recommended for pensions, and tho
sums were stated proper TO be paid to each, and
then distinctly understood that he and others
were actually pensioners Of the Spanish govern
ment
had no personal knowledge of money being
pad TO General Wilkinson or to any agent for him
ON account of his pension previously 10 the year
I793 or 1894 In of these years and in which
cannot be certain until can consult nv books.
| Il Mr. La Cassag1e, who l understood was
)st-naster at the falls Of Ohio, came 10 New Or
ans, and as one ofthe association with General
Wilkinson IN the project Of disin srobermept. re-
celted Sum Of money, four thousand dollars OF
when Or thercabJ0t, were embarked BIZ 4 sptci.
al permission free ofduty on board vessel which,
I had been con gncd to me, and which sailed for
/ Philadelphia, IN which vessel NJ Ia Casspene
/ wen, passenger. ~ and prior to thi, pr5ioI !
mad various Opportunities Of seeing thc IrAiccts
submit ed to sic Spanish government, md oGilsaT.