2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
WILKINSON, James (1757-1825) - Army general; Southwestern frontiersman; 1st Governor Louisiana Territory. Wilkinson had a scandal ridden career. He was court-martialed three times (acquitted) and forced to resign some of his postitions. In 1778 he was involved in the Conway Cabal (an attempt to replace Washington with Horatio Gates); and was thought to be the mastermind behind the Aaron Burr Conspiracy, 1804-05. He had a number of secretive financial dealings with the Spanish territorial government over a nearly twenty year period, late 1780s-early 1800s. Letter signed, "Jas Wilkinson" 2 1/2p quarto, New Orleans, Sept. 25th, 1812. Plus, 1/2p autograph note signed, "J. W." on verso. 3 1/2p total. In a fine content letter to Mississippi Territory governor [David] Holmes, Wilkinson urges an attack on the Spanish garrison at Mobile [then New Florida] and comments on the arming of the Mississippi Territory forces. It reads in part, "Doctor Claiborne called on me this morning and afforded me much satisfaction by his report of the spirit and alacrity with which the yeomanry of your territory are turning out, and in consequence of this information, I shall order up, by the Steam Boat, an additional number of Arms, which I will direct the assistant Quarter Master to have put in good order at the public expense. As I shall leave this in a few days for Fort Stoddert [Stoddart], my next letter to you will be from that place, where I should indeed delight to meet you. I am hurried thither through the woods, to take prompt and effectual measures to prevent the violation of your territory and the national sovereignty by a Spanish force arrived at Pensacola, which, I am well assured, is destined to reinforce their garrison at Mobile. This circumstance has brought home to my feelings and reflections, the unexampled spectacles of a foreign military garrison being permitted to keep post, within the national domain, and the defined limits of our civil jurisdiction,; - I fear, Sir, should the usurpation be suffered much longer, it may form a source of reproach to our general government, and arrest the operations of the law and the regular course of justice, within the territory, over which you immediately preside: - Nay, more, - this post may be put in possession of the enemy; it will then become a terror and a scourge to our south eastern frontier in this quarter, and may produce consequences dangerous to the general safety of the country."; "I consider it my duty, to assure you of my readiness and my desire to remove this dangerous nuisance beyond the limits of our civil jurisdiction…I deem this authorization from you the more proper, because it is vitally interesting to the citizens under your immediate protection, that this military post should be removed without a days unnecessary delay."; "The Dragoons should be mustered, armed, inspected and held in readiness for a prompt movement. The Infantry should be kept in your immediate vicinity, prepared to march either to Mobile or Baton Rouge on the shortest notice…" In an autograph postscript signed "J.W." on the verso, Wilkinson notes that he was detained and the Steam Boat has not arrived. "…therefore should your Militia be ultimately ordered to Baton Rouge, could not the unarmed men descend to that place & then be equipped? I ask the question but shall at all events embark the arms." In legible ink on folded folio sheet. 2" split on top vertical fold (both pages). Small section of paper loss on Wilkinson's signature affecting the "s" and "Wi". A few areas of ink smearing and staining on verso, bottom of page not affecting text, though possibly the cause of the signature loss on the third page.The autograph postscript signed "J. W." entirely intact. An excellent historical letter.
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