ties that they should promptly release boats and crew. 

 Wilkinson then sent them down the Mississippi to New 

 Orleans. A few days later, in late June or early July — a 

 matter of skilful timing— he appeared at the export city. 

 The flatboats and cargo had been confiscated. 



Fx 



ront men and conspirators 



Preceding Wilkinson's appearance an American busi- 

 nessman at New Orleans who had been thoroughly in- 

 structed by the master mind had had an urgent talk 

 with Don Esteban Miro, governor of Louisiana. 



Seizing the property of an American general, 

 even though a foreigner, simply isn't done. It 

 will enrage those hardy Indian fighters, the 

 Kentuckians. They'll come swooping down 

 and take New Orleans. This may he a clever 

 scheme on the general's part. Better talk to 

 him, your excellency. Furthermore, you know 

 the Kentucky planters are angry at the federal 

 and Virginia governments for not helping 

 them get their produce out ...If they separate 

 from the Union, they might become a Spanish 

 province. General Wilkinson could he most 

 useful. Better see him, your excellency . . . 



Based on contemporary conditions and immediately 

 succeeding events, that was the substance of the argu- 

 ments advanced by Wilkinson's contact man. The seized 

 cargo was released, Governor Miro and Wilkinson met, 

 friendly relations were established. As a result of that 

 first meeting, and subsequent ones, the "Spanish In- 

 trigue," so intriguing to historians, had its origin. The 

 intrigue revolved about a nebulous plan— Wilkinson was 



28 



