s 



among several Kentuckians supposedly involved — to 

 separate the western territories from the United States 

 and place them under the protection of Spain. 



ecret agent — or monopolist? 



Before Wilkinson returned to Frankfort in February 

 1788, via Philadelphia, he had sworn an oath of alle- 

 giance to Spain, apparently a routine formality imposed 

 on foreign merchants. What was not routine was that 

 he had become an agent — "Number 13" on the diplo- 

 matic records of the monarchy — and was on the Spanish 

 payroll. Yet Wilkinson was a doubtful character, in any 

 meaning of the word. For no one, despite heavy research, 

 has been able to prove that he was actively engaged in 

 the subversive scheme of breaking away the western 

 territory. Wilkinson, born to the cloak and dagger, was 

 a master at concealing his real motives. Probably taking 

 advantage of a political situation, lie merely wanted tlie 

 trade with the Spanish at New Orleans — provided he 

 could monopolize it. 



What Wilkinson did announce on his return was that 

 the route to domestic eastern markets in the United 

 States and the markets of Europe was now open. His 

 friends received him "as an ambassador who had gained 

 greater concessions from Spain than the Federal Gov- 

 ernment had been able to secure." This "epoch-making 

 event," wrote a present-day historian, "was the actual 

 beginning in the heart of Kentucky of world export trade 

 by river." Wilkinson Jiad in effect (or so he thought) 

 control of Mississippi River commercial traffic from 

 Louisville south. The Spanisli autliorities, already large 

 buyers of Mississippi and Louisiana tobacco, now offered 

 to bu\ that produced in Kentucky and Tennessee. 



29 



