That he was disposed to be a willing tool of his superior officer in his commercial ventures will be readily inferred from the promptness with which he spoke of the proposed venture as "ours."

"Oh, I am all right with the President," said the General. "I understand Jefferson and he understands me. I think he is the right man in the right place, and I have reason to believe that he has the same opinion of your humble servant.'

"I never took any interest in politics," remarked Captain Claiborne. "I voted for Jefferson, because, naturally, following the teachings of my father, I never had much sympathy with the political sentiments which are uppermost in the New England States."

"Jefferson is all right," remarked the General. "His great political principle is to secure all possible rights to the common people. Hamilton and his sympathizers worship a lord or anything that looks like one, while Jefferson and his followers adore the Man-the ordinary, common man. Jefferson has engraven on his watch seal the same inscription that Oliver Cromwell had on his-Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God,' but I think," continued the General with a laugh, "history shows that obedience to tyrants is usually more profitable than resistance."

"You will excuse my ignorance," remarked the Captain, "but did the President take a prominent part in the Revolution?"

"In some ways, yes," replied the General. "He formed the committee of correspondence—that is, the leading men in the thirteen colonies wrote letters to each other, advising resistance to British rule. Then Jefferson printed a pamphlet defending the inalienable rights of British subjects, which so incensed the royal governor, Lord Dunmore, that he tried to arrest him, swearing that if he got hold of him he would hang him to the nearest tree, but the to-be rebellious colonists did

not pay much attention to British threats in those days.

"Of course you know," continued the General, "that Jefferson was chairman of the committee which drew up the Declaration of Independence. From that time to this the United States has showered its favors thick upon him. He was first a member of Congress, then Secretary of State under Washington. Of course they did not agree, for Federalists and Democratic-Republicans won't mingle any more than oil and water.

"While minister to France, he was supposed to have imbibed ultra-French Jacobin principles. The northern people, especially those of New England, anticipated that all the horrors of the French Revolution would be revived in this country if Jefferson were elected President, but so far, I think, he has gone on in a very conservative way and has shown particularly good judgment in the selection of his subordinates."

As he said this, Captain Claiborne averted his face to hide a smile.

The General ruminated for a moment, then he continued, "Jefferson was never a fighter. I had almost forgotten to tell you that when he was Governor of Virginia the notorious Colonel Tarleton gave him little official ease. He was driven from pillar to post and narrowly escaped capture on several occasions. He was Vice-President with that irascible old Federalist, John Adams, and from all I hear, the two had a cat and dog life until the choleric old Massachusetts politician was defeated in 1800."

"I am much obliged to you," said Captain Claiborne, “for so much interesting information concerning the gentleman whose favorable opinion of our services is of so much importance to us.'

As he said this, he arose and walked towards the door.

"I expect the boats to-morrow," remarked the Gen

eral. "In the meantime, I will prepare your letter of introduction and full instructions.'

Both officers saluted, and a moment later the General was alone.

He took up his quill and wrote steadily for a long time, throwing the sheets to one side as he rapidly, finished them. Upon the last of these the ink was not dry, so he took the sand-box and carefully sprinkled those that were still wet. His task completed, he sat back in his chair, dropped his head upon his hand, and remained for a long time in deep thought. Then he took up the letters one at a time and ran them over hastily.

The first was to a Mr. John Graham, who, it appeared from the language used in the letter, was a confidential agent of the United States government, engaged upon secret service, and who made his reports directly to the President.

Mr. Graham was requested to inform the President that the writer was confident matters were progressing in a way that would be entirely satisfactory to the chief executive. He was using his influence to prevent the intriguing agents of Spain from making any headway in their efforts to induce the citizens of Kentucky and Tennessee to refuse to join the American Union, and, instead, to cast their fortunes with New Spain. On the other hand, he was presenting a strong intimation of military preparations to the Spanish Governor of Louisiana and was assuring him that the present situation could not long continue; and that Spain would eventually be obliged to open the Mississippi River to free navigation.

To two persons in Kentucky, evidently friends from the familiar manner in which they were addressed, he wrote in a somewhat different strain. In these letters the gentlemen were informed that everything was progressing as they wished; that the Spanish governor

would grant concessions to a few representative men in Kentucky and Tennessee, which would allow them to send their produce to New Orleans on payment of a moderate duty. As soon as it was generally known throughout these States that such privileges could be obtained, it would undoubtedly lead these parties to see that their commercial interests and future prosperity depended upon an alliance with Spain rather than with the States on the eastern side of the mountains. Everything goes well," said he, "Governor Miro and myself understand each other perfectly.

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The fourth letter was to the Spanish Governor of Louisiana, whose name was Miro. It informed that gentleman that affairs were coming to a climax in Kentucky and Tennessee; that every day was raising up new advocates for a union with Spain, for his friends could see that their future prosperity depended upon such an alliance. The writer took occasion in the course of his letter to state that His Catholic Majesty, King of Spain, had no more devoted adherent than himself, but he incidentally remarked that at the present time he was somewhat embarrassed financially and that he trusted the quarterly compensation of five hundred dollars allowed him by His Majesty for services rendered would soon be forthcoming, as it was now long overdue. He added that this letter would be delivered by one of his staff, who would be in charge of some boats containing tobacco that he had purchased on credit. It would be evident, of course, he continued, to the Governor, that a low rate of duty on the same would help him financially, and he trusted that the Governor would give his representative every possible opportunity to dispose of the cargo and return with. the proceeds at the earliest possible moment.

It is evident from a perusal of the letters referred to, that General Wilkinson was serving two masters, was paid by both and was faithless to each. The contents

indicated a strange condition of military and political affairs in the United States in the early part of the nineteenth century, for the general in command of its army is found to be engaged in a treasonable correspondence and at the same time sends one of his officers as an emissary to carry out a part of his treasonable plot.