The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-02-23
Fort Saekvile Nncennes Ind. From, en- Old Drs~a.a)

failed-and which he never did collect even
though Clark, by winning skirmish, annexed
an empire"
For, as every American knows, Clark did win
his "skirmish' at Vincennes, a skirmish which
ended in the surrender of Fort Sackville by Ham
ilton to the Virginia leader on February % 1779,
and the capture of this post strengthened the
hand Of the American peace commissioners at
the close of the Revolution in demanding that
the western boundary of the new Republic should
be the Mississippi river instead of the Allegheny
mountains. But how many Americans know
what was the reward of vigo for his services in
making that possible or what was his later
career?
1t is not story of which we as nation, can
very well be proud. After the Revolution vigo
made his home at Vincennes. He continued to
provide money to sustain American credit in the
newly won wilderness He tried to build up a
series of trading posts and protected trade routes
between Philadelphia, Detroit and New Orleans
that would bind the Indians to the American
cause His extensive loans finally led to fnan-
cial disaster for the rich Spanish merchant"
and his plan for the trading posts and trade
routes was defeated by American inertia and
ineptness in dealing with the Indians. When he
tried to get back some of the money which he
had lent Clark and Others penurious and sus-
picious federal government refused to honor his
claims, despite the fact that Clark made full
Acknowledgement of the justice of the claims in
letters to Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson and
to George Mason.
To vincennes came William Henry Harrison,
first governor of the territory who became Vigo's
friend Years later while the Italian was pressing
his claims against the government, Harrison.
then President, used his influence (unsuccess-
fully, albeit) to get them paid. In doing so Har-
rison paid Vigo this tribute: II have been &C
quainted with Colonel Francis Vigo Of Vincennes
for thirty nine years. I have lived in the same
house with him and upon terms of the most init
mate friendship. have often heard him speak
of the draft which had been given to him by
General Clark for supplies furnished to the Army,
and that it had never been paid. With respect
to the credibility of Colonel vigo's statement, 1
solemnly declare that I believe him utterly in
capable of making a Misrepresentation of the
facts. however great may be his interest in the
matter; and am also confident that there are
more respectable persons In Indiana who would
become the guarantors of Colonel Vigo's integ-
rity than could be induced to lay under a similar
responsibility for any other person. His whole
life as long as his circumstances were prosper
ous was spent in acts of kindness and benevo-
lence to individuals; and his public spirit and
attachment to the institutions of our Country
are prOverbiaL
To vincennes in 1884 came the noted traveller.
Macmillan prince of Wied who wrote in his
journal: another interesting character lives
here but forgotten. neglected. and in great pow
erty l mean Colonel Vigo. who rendered impor-
tant services to the Americans. They, indeed,
gave him the rank of Colonel, but now suffer
him to starvew
In 1876 the "Vgo claims" totaling $40 S9S.60
were paid by the government to the second gen.
Grafton of his in-laws. But the payment had
come just 40 years too late to save Francis vigo
from repeating the words which had become his
refrain in the long evening of his last days:
Everybody has forgotten me-everybody.'" He
died on March %. 1885, and this once wealthy
Spanish merchant" possessed at that time, ex-
elusive of his credit CD upon the government
exactly s77.62.
Indiana remembered him to the extent of NAM
ing county after him. The bronze voice of a
bell which he gave to his fellow-citizens of Vim
cennes. sounds every day from the courthouse
of vigo county at Terre Haute to recall bis
memory. and over grave in the cemetery at
vincennes the Daughters of the American R.vo-
luton have erected memorial which tells that
here lies Francis vigo. patriot. whose devotion
to the cause of American liberty nade possible
the capture of Fort Sackville."
g by Western Newspaper Unon-