James Wilkinson A.L.S. Fayette, [Ky] March 1st 1788 : to Colonel R. [Richard] C. [Clough] Anderson
1788
MSS L1241.8
Available at Main Library
Formats
| Format | |
|---|---|
| BibTeX | |
| MARCXML | |
| TextMARC | |
| MARC | |
| DublinCore | |
| EndNote | |
| NLM | |
| RefWorks | |
| RIS | |
Title
James Wilkinson A.L.S. Fayette, [Ky] March 1st 1788 : to Colonel R. [Richard] C. [Clough] Anderson
Published
Fayette, [Ky] 1788
Language
English
Description
[3] p. on 2 conjugate leaves ; 21 x 17 cm.
Call Number
MSS L1241.8
Note
Wilkinson writes of his relief in being finished with his voyage after a rough trip on the Ohio River and his plans for transporting tobacco down the Mississippi River. He repeatedly urges Anderson to provide him with tobacco to be "ready at the falls" as soon as possible.
Wilkinson forcibly describes the importance of trade on the Mississippi to Kentucky saying that "the accomplishment of this project will seal our ruin, as the occlusion of the Mississippi is avowedly the first object of this Government." The project Wilkinson refers to was the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which Wilkinson and many in the Southern states strongly opposed.
Wilkinson refers to an upcoming election which he describes as crucial. This election was the Richmond Convention held in June 1778 at which Virginia narrowly voted for ratification of the Constitution despite heavy opposition.
Wilkinson wrote this letter to Anderson just returned from his controversial trip to New Orleans in the dealings known as the Spanish Conspiracy. In his letter to Anderson, however, Wilkinson does not directly mention dealings with Spain but says "I will not enter upon the details of my voyage, it will suffice for me to tell you at this time that I have fulfilled every expectation or wish of my Friends..."
Wilkinson was a former Revolutionary War officer with a scandalous career, however, he was never convicted of any wrong doing in any of his many intrigues.
The letter includes the original address and a partial wax seal. There is some water damage and discoloration of the paper making the item difficult to read at times.
Transcription of letter in VF Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825
Alexander Ferguson Anderson collection.
Digitized image available.
Wilkinson forcibly describes the importance of trade on the Mississippi to Kentucky saying that "the accomplishment of this project will seal our ruin, as the occlusion of the Mississippi is avowedly the first object of this Government." The project Wilkinson refers to was the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which Wilkinson and many in the Southern states strongly opposed.
Wilkinson refers to an upcoming election which he describes as crucial. This election was the Richmond Convention held in June 1778 at which Virginia narrowly voted for ratification of the Constitution despite heavy opposition.
Wilkinson wrote this letter to Anderson just returned from his controversial trip to New Orleans in the dealings known as the Spanish Conspiracy. In his letter to Anderson, however, Wilkinson does not directly mention dealings with Spain but says "I will not enter upon the details of my voyage, it will suffice for me to tell you at this time that I have fulfilled every expectation or wish of my Friends..."
Wilkinson was a former Revolutionary War officer with a scandalous career, however, he was never convicted of any wrong doing in any of his many intrigues.
The letter includes the original address and a partial wax seal. There is some water damage and discoloration of the paper making the item difficult to read at times.
Transcription of letter in VF Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825
Alexander Ferguson Anderson collection.
Digitized image available.
Indexed In
Harrison, Lowell H. Kentucky's road to statehood. Lexington, Kentucky: University of Kentucky Press, 1992.
Source of Acquisition
L1241.8
Record Appears in