USA > Louisiana > The province and the states, a history of the province of Louisiana under France and Spain, and of the territories and states of the United States formed therefrom, Vol. I > Part 36
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In the meantime, or on February 6, Doctor Robinson, who had volunteered to accompany the expedition, determined to make the attempt from this point to reach Santa Fe, this plan having been determined upon by Robinson and Pike as an excuse to pene- trate to that city. Pike had been commissioned to collect a large debt due William Morrison, of Kaskaskia, who had sent out to the Indian country a man named Baptiste La Lande with a valuable supply of goods; but no sooner had La Lande reached the Spanish country, than he converted the goods to his own use, and took up his residence in Santa Fe. . To collect this sum and bring the culprit to justice was the ostensible object of Doctor Robinson's visit to that city. He set out on the 7th, and in due time reached Santa Fe.
While out hunting on the 16th, Pike and one of the men dis- covered two horsemen approaching, and after considerable maneu- vering they came near enough for conversation. They told Pike that they had been out four days from Santa Fe, that Doctor Rob- inson had arrived there, and had been kindly received by Cov- ernor Allencaster. Pike satisfied himself that they were spies,
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and was confirmed when he found that they did not intend to leave at once. They were taken to the fort and remained over night, departing on the 17th. On this day several of the men of the relief expedition returned with the statement that the others would not be out much longer. Dougherty and Sparks were not yet able to come, but sent in bones from their feet, a result of the freezing and the consequent gangrene. The 19th two men, Will- iam E. Meek and Theodore Miller, were sent back to bring on Vasquez and Smith, who had been left at the stockade on the Arkansas river, and Dougherty and Sparks, on the horses. "I must here remark," writes Pike, "the effect of habit, discipline and example, in two soldiers soliciting a command of more than one hundred and eighty miles over two great ridges of mountains covered with snow, inhabited by bands of unknown savages, in the interest of a nation with which we were not on the best under- standing. To perform this journey each had abont ten pounds of venison. Only let me ask, What would our soldiers generally think, on being ordered on such a tour, thus equipped? Yet those men volunteered it with others and were chosen; for which they thought themselves highly honored."
From the fact that Doctor Robinson had no doubt told the Spanish governor of the presence of the white men, and from the visit of the two Spanish emissaries, Pike well knew that he might expect at any time the appearance of the Spaniards at his fort; therefore he issued strict injunctions as to the method of pro- cedure should such an event occur. On the 26th a party of fifty dragoons and fifty mounted militia, under the command of Don Ignatio Saltelo, arrived and a conference was held. They announced that they had been sent to conduct the Americans to Santa Fe, and later to the headwaters of Red river, where they had heard the Americans were aiming. "What," exclaimed Pike, "is not this Red river?" "No, sir," answered Saltelo, "the Rio del Norte." Pike immediately ordered the American flag taken down. The Spanish commander urged the immediate departure of all hands to Santa Fe, but Pike would not listen to such a step without first providing for the others of the expedition away in the mountains. Although told that no force would be employed to compel him to go to Santa Fe, Pike saw that such a step was fully provided for, and realized that compulsory measures of some sort would no doubt in the end be applied. Saltelo was so courteous and mild, that after he had agreed to provide for the safety of the men in the mountains, Pike deemed it best to com-
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ply with his request before the leader changed his mind and used force. Five or six men against a hundred could do nothing even in this strong fort. He accordingly left orders with two men who were detailed to remain for the others, and having mounted a horse, with the others of his men, they all set forth for Santa Fe. Late on the 3d of March, that city was reached.
Pike was closely catechiised by Governor Allencaster, and though given considerable liberty, felt that he was practically under arrest. All the Americans were well treated. Doctor Robinson was there. After the conference, Pike was informed that it would be necessary for him to go to the commandant gen- eral at Chihuahua, who alone was fully empowered to consider the case. They set out under an armed escort, and arrived at Albuquerque March 7, El Paso del Norte March 21, and Chi- huahua April 2d. After fully investigating all features of the case, Commandant-general Salcedo determined to conduct all the Americans back to their country at the expense of the United States. This was done. Pike and six others were mounted; and, accompanied by an escort, started back ; but returned through the present Texas, reaching San Antonio June 7. There they were received with great cordiality by Governor Cordero and General Herrara. June 24, they arrived at Nacogdoches, and July Ist at Natchitoches. The others of the party were well treated, and in dne time returned to the United States.
The schemes of Aaron Burr and the undoubted connection therewith of General Wilkinson, who sent to the West Captain Pike, were not only the cause of arousing the suspicion of Gov. Joachin R. Allencaster and Gen. Nemesio Salcedo against the expedition of Pike, but was also the cause of the subsequent belief by many in the United States that the latter himself might have been knowingly connected with the Burr conspiracy. The Spanish leaders were kept fully posted of the progress of the scheme in the United States ; and were also aware of every move- ment, hostile or otherwise, against their frontier. The expedition of Captain Sparks up Red river became known in Mexico soon after it was projected ; and therefore a large force was sent to the Caddoe nation to check its advance, as told elsewhere herein. They were also aware of the movements of the expedition under Captain Pike; but miscalculated the date of his arrival at the Republican Pawnee villages, owing to his delay with the Osages and to his slow movements up the Osage river. Therefore, the Spanish army which had turned back Captain Sparks on Red
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river, arrived at the Pawnee villages about three weeks too early to encounter Captain Pike. It would have been an excellent stroke of policy for them, had Captain Pike been met by the Spanish army in the presence of the Pawnees and been forced to return : the object lesson with the Pawnees would have been to increase immensely the prestige of Spain with that powerful tribe. This was undoubtedly the object aimed at by Lieutenant Malgares, the commander of the Spanish expedition : even as it was, Pike was almost obliged to use force in order to proceed beyond the Pawnee villages, so favorable had been the reception of the Spanish dragoons by the Indians.
Lieut. Don Faciendo Malgares, though young, was already a distinguished officer in the New World. He was an accomplished courtier ; and, while Pike was in New Mexico, showed him and his party every consideration in his power, consistent with his position as an officer of Spain. Pike became greatly attached to him for his gentlemanly qualities and his spontaneous friendship. The army with which he invaded the territory claimed by the United States consisted at first of between three hundred and four hundred dragoons and mounted militia, well armed and otherwise equipped for fast movement and active service. Later reinforce- ments raised the force to over six hundred men. It has been claimed that the Spanish authorities knew the army was invading the territory of the United States; but such claim has only the color of fact. As will be seen elsewhere herein, the boundary between Spain and the United States was yet indefinite. The United States secured Louisiana with its western boundary unde- termined. Spain claimed the sources of the Red and the Arkan- sas, as did also the United States. The first proposition of Spain for a settlement asked that the boundary be established at the Aroyo Hondo in the present State of Louisiana ; thence by a line northwest to the Missouri ; thence down the Missouri to the Mis- sissippi ; and thence up the latter to its source. The United States first claimed westward to the Rio Grande; and there can be no doubt that, had France retained Louisiana, the western boundary of the same would have been fixed much farther toward Mexico than the Sabine. Thus the territory invaded by Lieutenant Mal- gares and by Captain Pike was in dispute, and one had as much right to invade it as the other until the dispute was settled. Pike's movements were justifed until he entered the valley of the Rio Grande in New Mexico, where the Spanish had been established for more than a hundred years.
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It is claimed by some writers that Pike knew he was not on Red river when he built his blockhouse on the Conejos west of the Rio Grande; that his expedition, under the pretense of making explorations on behalf of the United States, penetrated past the Spanish frontier for the purpose of ascertaining the vulnerability of Spain ; and that, should the Burr conspiracy succeed, a large tract of the Spanish domain would be wrested from her and made a part of the new republic or empire that was designed to be estab- lished with Burr as its supreme ruler. It is well known that Pike himself, having stated in his journal under date of February 7, 1807, that "the demands which Doctor Robinson had on persons in New Mexico, although legitimate, were in some degree spu- rious in his hands," sanctioned the visit of Doctor Robinson to Santa Fe. Indeed, Pike wrote as follows in the same footnote in explanation of that statement : "In the year 1804 William Mor- rison, Esq., an enterprising merchant of Kaskaskia, sent a man by the name of Baptiste la Lande, a Creole, to the country up the Missouri and La Platte, directing him, if possible, to push into Santa Fe. He sent Indians to that town, and the Spaniards came out with horses and carried him and his goods into the province. Finding that he sold the goods high, had land offered him and the women kind, he concluded to expatriate himself and convert the property of Morrison to his own benefit. When I ( Pike) was about to sail, Morrison, conceiving it was possible I might meet some Spanish factors (merchants) on Red river,. intrusted me with the claim, in order, if they were acquainted with La Lande, I might negotiate the thing with some of them. When on the frontiers, the idea suggested itself to us of making this claim a pretext for Robinson to visit Santa Fe. We therefore gave it the proper appearance, and he marched for that place. Our views were to gain a knowledge of the country, the prospect - of trade, force, etc., whilst, at the same time, our treaties with Spain guaranteed to him as a citizen of the United States the right of seeking the recovery of all just debts or demands before . the legal and authorized tribunals of the country, as a franchised inhabitant of the same, as specified in the 22d article of said treaty."
Thus the claim was placed in Pike's hands for adjustment. "When on the frontiers," in a starving and almost helpless condi- tion, it occurred to Pike and Robinson to use the claim for the double purpose of obtaining assistance for the perishing men, and of catering New Mexico "to gain a knowledge of the country,
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the prospect of trade, force, etc." According to Pike this idea did not occur to them until they were "on the frontiers." The expression of Pike in the above footnote that the "demands were in some degree spurious in his ( Robinson's ) hands," meant noth- ing more than that Pike, and not Robinson, had been authorized to adjust the demands of Morrison.
It is argued by some writers that Robinson, at least, was a spy of the Burr conspiracy acting under the orders of General Wilkin- son ; that his ostensible object of going to Santa Fe to collect a debt had been devised previously to be used if necessary to save his life in case he should be arrested as a spy ; and that when he was met by Pike the latter affected not to know him, in order thereby to save him from possible arrest. As a matter of fact, when the expedition reached the mountains, both Pike and Robinson became lost, because, as Pike expressed it, the region was so different from what they expected. Though in search of the head- waters of Red river, they were also instructed to explore the sources of Arkansas river ; this they proceeded to do. The reason why both Pike and Robinson sought to find some occupied Span- ish camp, was in order to learn where they were and to ascertain the shorest route to Red river. They were aware that any Span- iard could furnish them just the information they wanted. But the Spaniards and the Indians had left that section; and there- fore Pike and his freezing and starving comrades wandered in the deep snow for more than a month before they learned that Red river must be farther to the south or the southwest. Pike had nothing to fear from the Spaniards because he considered himself within the territory of the L'uited States. The two coun- tries, though disputing over the boundary, were at peace ; besides, the army under Malgares had invaded such territory, and, at the worst, Pike had the right to do the same on behalf of the United States.
Doctor Robinson, on his arrival in New Mexico, told Malgares that he was one of Pike's party, and Malgares told Governor Allencaster. But Pike denied it to Allencaster. If both were in the Burr conspiracy, would they thus have contradicted each other? The contradiction proves there was no elaborate concert of action. Doctor Robinson also told of the presence of Pike on the Conejos. Why did he do so when he knew their capture would certainly and speedily follow? Was it not because he thought it better for them to be succored by the Spaniards than to perish from cold and starvation? What reason could either Pike
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or Robinson have had to desire to be captured by the Spanish, other than to save the expedition or to examine the interior of New Mexico? Would Pike have kept his soldiers in the mount- ains until they were frozen and almost helpless skeletons, if he had gone out either to attack the Spaniards or to spy upon them? What could he spy with his force that he could not better spy alone or with two or three companions? When once on Spanish soil that had so long been jealously guarded from the sight of Americans, it was natural for them to observe everything possible. Doctor Robinson was not a part of the expedition except in a vol- untary capacity, for he was at liberty to leave it when he chose; so that Pike really told the truth when he informed Governor Allencaster that he was not a member of the expedition. But Doctor Robinson also told the truth when he said that he had come as a part of the expedition. This contradiction may have been the principal cause of the suspicion of Governor Allencaster and of his determination to send Pike to General Salcedo, at Chihuahua.
There is no good reason to doubt Pike's statement that he thought he was on Red river. He felt justified in building his blockhouse on a western branch of Red river, because the United States claimed the whole Mississippi basin, of which all branches of Red river were a part. The fact that he built at all is alone sufficient proof that he thought he was on Red river ; because he never would have had the unmitigated audacity to build beyond the Rio Grande, thus rendering a misunderstanding, likely a con- fliet, between the two countries possible through his act. Both countries at that time pushed their claims as far as possible by actual occupancy. So Spain crossed the Sabine and went north to the Caddoes and the Pawnces; and the Americans went west of the Sabine and the Red. When Pike became aware that he was west of the Rio Grande, he realized at once that he had gone beyond the widest claims of the United States. He accordingly hauled down his flag ; and not fearing anything serious, and desir- ing to succor his men, reach the sources of Red river, and exam- ine the interior of New Mexico, he wisely yielded and agreed to go to Santa Fe.
But the Spanish governor at Santa Fe at first took an altogether different view. He suspected that Pike was leagned with Burr to detach a portion of Spanish territory. He therefore cate- chised him closely and examined minutely all his papers, and then not being fully satisfied, and being unwilling to take the responsi-
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bility, sent him to Commandant-General Salcedo, at Chihuahua. The latter finding not a scrap to connect him with the Burr con- spiracy, treated him and his men as respectable Americans, advanced him one thousand dollars on the credit of the United States for the pressing needs of him and his soldiers, and escorted . him safely to Natchitoches, which town was conceded to be within the American domains. But it will be observed that Pike was not permitted to return via Red river, because all the upper course of that stream was claimed by Spain. Had Salcedo permitted him to do so, it would have been tantamount to a recognition that American territory extended to that river. From the above observations it will be seen that, while, in a certain sense, both Pike and Robinson were spies for the United States, though act- ing on their own violition, they cannot in any particular be con- nected with the Burr conspiracy. It will also be seen that not all the objects of Pike's second expedition were accomplished.
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CHAPTER XI ..
The Fur Traders, the Santa Fe Commerce, the Pony Express, Etc.
T HE United States possesses a chapter of history so unique as not to be matched in many particulars by any other por- tion of the globe. The settlement of the Great West con- tains such a wealth and such a blending of remarkable incidents, as to place an account of it in a class of absorbing interest by itself. First, the fur trappers and traders appeared, penetrating to the heart of the hostile Indian country with a fearlessness that seems almost unaccountable. Then came the private trading expeditions, with their goods for the Indians, their hunts of the buffalo, and their privations from thirst and starvation. The opening of the Santa Fe trade opened at the same time another wonderful era in the West -- that of the caravans, their herds of horses, cattle and mules, their large stocks of merchandise, their dealings with the crafty Spaniards, and their skirmishes with the Indians. Following immediately, came the post and the express lines, ending with the pony riders, a wonderful exhibiton of what intelligence, pluck and .endurance can accomplish. Later, the gold discoveries kindled hope in many despondent hearts; and soon the plains were lined with wagon trains and strewn with broken vehicles, discarded household articles and the skeletons of oxen, mules and men. But all this has vanished. The buffalo, like the Indian, being the product of uncivilized conditions, has almost wholly passed away. The wagon trains are but a thrilling memory. A nobler order of affairs has risen over the ashes of the past, and it seems idle now to count the cost. All of the topics are so filled with surprising incidents, that scores of volumes might be employed in their recital.
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The Hudson's Bay Company was organized in 1670, but before that event the Indian trade in furs had become immensely val- uable to Canada. Charles Fort had been built by Zachariah Gilliam on Prince Rupert's river ; and Medard Chouart and Pierre Esprit Radisson had already distinguished themselves among the Indians. Although it was provided by the treaty of Ryswick that commissioners should be appointed to establish the boundary between France and England in America, it does not appear that they performed their duties, even if they were appointed. The treaty of Utrecht also provided that commissioners should run the line, but they were slow in doing so. Immediately succeeding this treaty, came the designs to discover a northwest passage, the father of which project was Arthur Dobbs, whose real object is said to have been to found a rival organization to Hudson's Bay Company. The two treaties of Ryswick and Utrecht, obliged France to leave Hudson Bay and enter the Lake Superior coun- try. But the re-discovery of the Mississippi river by France did not solve the problem of a northwest passage, though it was thought probable that the Missouri river might lead to the coveted route. Soon after the treaty of Utrecht, Pierre Gaultier Ver- endrye learned from members of the Assiniboine tribe of the existence of the river of their name and of its many branches, all superior beaver country. This distingushed explorer set out in 1728 and in due time, as elsewhere narrated, built several forts north of the present Minnesota. In 1738, accompanied by over fifty persons, he visited the Mandan villages on the Missouri, made famous later by the visit of Lewis and Clark. Four years later his son and a few companions, not only visited the Mandan villages, but ascended the Missouri by its Yellowstone branch to the first chain of mountains,
General Wolfe had scarcely overthrown the Canada of France in 1759, before the English traders, clerks, agents and wood- rangers began to pierce the western country. Finally, the Mon- treal merchants in 1783-4 organized the Northwest Company ; but were at first handicapped, owing to a division in their ranks, though all differences were adjusted by 1787. By this time the two companies-Hudson's Bay and Northwest-were involved in intense rivalry for the western fur trade. Important stations were established on the Souris and the Assiniboine rivers by both com- panies. . From them nearly all the tribes of Indians living in what is now the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana were supplied with goods and fire-arms in
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exchange for their valuable furs. David Thompson, who at first was associated with the Hudson's Bay Company, finally joined the force of the Northwest Company about the year 1796 .. He was dispatched by the latter to visit the Mandan villages on the .Mis- souri, and was accompanied by Rone Jussaume and Hugh McCracken, both of whom could speak the Mandan tongue. They took with them a supply of goods for the Indians, several horses, and about thirty dogs to draw the sleds. Thompson learned by this visit that traders of the Hudson's Bay Company had previously made flying trips to the Mandan villages. In February, 1798, with a few companions, he went up Red river of the North, found at Pembina a trading station under Charles Chaboillez, another at Grand Forks under J. Baptiste Cadot ; and from this point marched eastward to Red Lake river, thence up the same to Red lake, thence across to Turtle lake, and four days later stood on what he thought was the source of the Mississippi river. He was mistaken. He visited the Northwest Company's forts on Red Cedar lake, Sand lake, St. Louis river and the portage.
It was at this time that the X Y Company began to rival the Northwest Company, and for several years the struggle for the western trade was conducted with great spirit, enterprise and audacity. The union of the two companies in 1805 so strength- ened them that they at once became a powerful rival of the Hud- son's Bay Company. The junction of the Souris and the Assiniboine soon became the most central and important point of the Indian trade in all the northwest. The sharp rivalry for the furs of the Indians was the cause of the introduction of large quantities of whisky among them. The Indians turned over their furs to the traders who treated them the best-in other words, who gave them the largest supply of spirits. François Antoine Larocque, Charles McKenzie and five others were at the Mandan villages when Lewis and Clark reached there. . These traders afterward visited these villages.
Nearly a hundred years before the English race ascended the Missouri river, the French Canadian trappers and voyageurs had gone as far up as the mouth of the Yellowstone, and thence up the latter river to the mountains. The French Canadians feared the English colonists, the Iroquois Indians, who were the friends of the English, and the Canadian government, which would confis- cate their furs upon sight, under the laws which granted a monopoly to the Canadian companies. The English interfered with their trade as far west as the Mississippi, but did not go
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