The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-29

BIOGRAPHY.
James Wilkinson, Once Governor of
Louisiana, and the Man Who Intrigued
with Spain Against His Own Country.


I Pardon In his Life Of Burr: The things
which II was improper to letter to me are
pretty plainly expressed In a communica.
ton made about the same time Coy Wiikin-
SOM to General Adair. The letter Is dated
Rapid Of Ohio May 2S. 1906. and contains
these expressions: II was to have intro
duced my friend Burr to you. but I'm this
failed by accident. He understands your
merits and reckons on you. Repair tn ms
and / Will tell yoJ ALL We must have q
peep at the unknown world beyond me-
The letter to me / think fully proves that
some secret plan of Burr's was known to
Wilkinson in May. 1905. That to General
Adair leaves no doubt on the subject In
mediately after this he went to ST. Louis
where his very first act. before he had
broken bread IN the territory was an en-
deavor to bring Major Bruff Into his plans.
He tells him that he had grand scheme
that would make the fortunes Of all con-
cerned'; and though Major Bruh's manner
of receiving this overture put stop to any
further disclosure: yet we may judge OF its
! nature for it was introduced by Philippe
against democracy. and the ingrautuds OF
Republican Governments.
The plan to conquer Mexico and establish
government with Burr at the head
seemed feasible with Wilkinson's aid Will
kinsOn was at New Orleans. with we'll
drilled troops at his command. and ie
secm med that war with Spain was imminent.
THE summer of 1896 was a busy one. in
deed, with General Wilkinson" writes Mr..
Parton. what with terrifying New Or
leans. transporting troops to the Sabine.
and writing long dispatches to the Secre-
tary of War. the portly General lad his
hands full. He had never before been SO
important a parsonage. Besides being
Governor of Territory. he was the Com
mander-in-Chief of the army; and the crit
ical relations existing between Spain and
the United States fixed upon him. for the
time. the eyes Of two nations
AT the last moment Wilkinson shrank
from the work expected Of him. The prob
ability is strong that he always meant to
do so. That he was a weak, vain. false.
greedy man. Is likely enough. That car
ried away by the magic OF Burr's resist
less presence, and hoping the scheme would
never involve him In its folds. he sug-
gested. encouraged and aided 1t. Is very
probable. That he had given Burr to un-
derstand in some way that he would
strike a blow which would begin war when
ever II should be needed. Is also probable.
That he chose the part he did choose from
a calculation Of advantage to himself. from
motives mean and mercenary. rests upon
evidence that convinces. Nevertheless. the
fact remains. that he did not strike the
blow he did not involve two nations In
war; he did not shape his course according
to the wishes Of Aaron Burr. instead Of the
orders Of Thomas Jefferson. II he was q
traitor, he was a traitor to his confeder-
ates, not to his country. his commission.
his flag.
while Wilkinson was still in some doubt
what course to pursue, he received let
ter from an acquaintance In Matches.
which Che says decided him. 1t stated
that a weil-authenticated rumor was afioat
that a plan to revolutionize the Western
country had been formed. matured and In
ready to explode; that Kentucky. Ohio.
Tennessee, orleans and Indiana are COM
bined 10 declare themselves Independent on
November Is. That proposals have been
made TO some Of the most influential char
acters Of St. Louis. by an accredited agent
Of the conspiracy. to join in the plan
And pages more to the same effect.
Then ii was that :ne General, percetv-
ing the golden opportunity. fully resolved
TO set up in the character OF deltvarer OF
his country"
The fame which such an action Of loyalty
might have crowned q man was not des-
tined to be General wflkinson's. Although
he has written . lengthy memoir. defend
ing the various positions which he took
and about which his loyalty was SO much
questioned, this work ID not convincing. He
was courtmartialed in ISL. charged with
reasonable connection with Burr. and ac-
quilted. At the close Of the war of 1917
he was discharged from the United States
service He then removed to Mexico.
where he owned much property. He died
there. December q. ISIS. The verdict OF
history seems to be that Wilkinson's claim
to be a celiverer Of his country Is not In
accordance with facts.