and arrived in Natcliez during tlie summer of 1787. 

 As was expected, his entourage was siezed, but his 

 {juick tongue and some generous bribery convinced the 

 Spanish authorities that they should promptly release 

 his boats and crews. He sent the boats on to New 

 Orleans and when he arrived himself in late June or 

 early July, he found that liis materials had again been 

 confiscated. 



An associate of Wilkinson is believed to have told 

 Don Esteban Miro, the governor of Louisiana, that the 

 seizure could lead to an angry invasion by Kentuckians. 

 He reportedly suggested that Wilkinson might encour- 

 age this, in light of the known frustration of Kentucky 

 planters who were not receiving lielp from the U.S. 

 government witli sliipping problems, and that by w^ork- 

 ing with Wilkinson Louisiana might be able to help 



Xcdinhoiit^ hccdiUi' a jununis, ;/ not iitai juirt cj I .oitisiiina 



river trade along the Mississippi in tlic lOtli and early 20th eenturies. 



This photograph tias made around 1910. 



26 



