The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-02-22

en- from Vfncennes, the real center OF their pow
er 10 that region. his hold on Kaskaska was pre-
carious at best and his chances for extending
MS conquest were very slight The only answer
TO bis problem was to attack Vincennes and
capture or drive away Gen. Henry Hamilton. the
British commander, and his force there. or this
Rosel says:
CLARK, at Kaskaskia, was helpless until he
knew what was going on at Vincennes, over 200
miles away through muddy wilderness infested
& Dy(Ehose scalpng Indians OF General Hamilton
whose prowess had brought upon that stern fight
er the nickname OF Hair Buyer No news had
leaked through since August 1st l1778); winter
with It's terrors was already upon them: and
spring was bound to reopen the line OF suDply
between British Vlncennes and British Detroit
Vigo, at this time already a prosperous mer
chant who could not with IMMUNITY forego hIa
interests, and an Italian to whom the future of
this Franco-Ango-Hl spano American continent
might have seemed immatera left everything.
and. with no remuneration whatsoever started
upon his career as gentleman-spy He took
with him single servant. and made for yin.
cennes
Ills one chance to accomplish his mission
depended upon the following succession of
events: He must be taken prIsoner-preyail upon
his savage captors not to scalp hm-appear be-
fore Hamilton-manage to avoid not only i'm
prsonment or execution, but even expulsion
niger on Ia Vincennes, seeing everything In the
fort and everybody In the settlement-then make
good his escape. Not an easy program: but one
which ne followed according to plans and sched-
nle"
For Vigo succeeded In doing just as he had
planned. He was captured by Indians brought
safely to Fort Sackville at Vincennes, questioned
by Hamilton, succeeded In aaying the British
generals suspicious enough so that Hamilton
allowed him to depart after he had been M
Vlncennes for some time upon his signing pledge
that ne would return to st. Louis without doing
anything Injurious to British interests" yIgo
scrupuousy kept his pledge by returning to St
Louis after which he Immediately departed for
kaskaskia and made the report to Clark on the
condition OF the garrison at Vincennes which
determined Carks decision to march against
that post
But this spying trip of Vigo's was not his only
contribution to the success OF Clark's expedition.
In fact. 1t was the least OF 1t. for far more
Important was his financial help which made
the expedition possible During the summer OF
1778 Clark had only Virginia currency, which
was no good with the French merchants OF that
Town, TOT the purchase of supplies until vigo
induced them to accept 1t. Now Clark was again
In need OF money-to pay his men, to buy arms
eAA SuPphNo- Abhiu ~ Eo tHIne 10 HlS rescue On
December he cashed draft OF Cark's on
Oliver Pollock, the Virginia agent at New Or
leans, for more than $1,000 and on January %
he cashed another for nearly $780,
Forty eight hours later, Clark and his party
OF IT., rapidly equipped with Vigo's cash and
supplies. we're disappearing In the wilderness
eastbound," writes Rose "A long time would
pass before the gallant colonel beheld Pollock,s
letter explaining his refusal to extend
further credit to the Americans: How Colonel
Clark and the State OF Virginia expect such
heavy sums to be paid BY men without money. ia
mystery which only time can point out II Ia