USA > Missouri > A history of Missouri from the earliest explorations and settlements until the admission of the state into the union, Volume I > Part 36
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from the battalion of New Madrid to St. Louis (who would provide detachment for the rivers of St. Peter and Moine), would suffice to inspire respect for the dominion of Spain throughout upper Loui- siana." He also thinks that the battalions could always be kept complete, saving the great expense of transportation necessary to carry "troops by river to such remote places," if to such of the soldiers as married free rations were given, on promise to serve five additional years in the militia, after the expiration of their time of service on condition of establishing themselves in the colony and cultivating the soil.
In 1795 the French minister at Philadelphia, Adet, sent General Victor Collot and another Frenchman west to observe the military posts and country. When General Collot arrived at St. Louis, in 1796, he was treated by Trudeau with distinguished consideration, but this was attributed by Carondelet to his "sweet and peaceable character." He considered him "fully trustworthy," although he was not pleased with this "excessive indulgence" to General Collot, who was afterward detained by him in New Orleans for some days, for "having made in relief the plan of the river and most of the forts of this province."37 To General Collot we owe a complete plan of St. Louis. It was made by him "pour le compte de la Republique Francais," and a copy has been preserved in the Spanish archives. In a full report, General Collot explains to the Marquis de Yrujo the utter worthlessness of the existing fortifications and the weak and defenseless condition of the country. He also submits a plan for forming at St. Louis an entrenched camp.
At this time, "a certain Papin, a systematic man who writes well, but a restless spirit, an enemy of the government, of which he spoke with acrimony and falsehood," gave the Spanish authorities at New Orleans some concern, for after the departure of Collot from St. Louis he and another Frenchman, then a resident of St. Louis, named Coig- nard, formed a society "under the name of Sans coulottes." This society had frequent meetings, public balls, and "during these enter- tainments revolutionary songs were sung, which" says Carondelet, "are susceptible of inducing the most loyal vassals to rebellion." The society even marched through the town to the houses of the
37 Copy of confidential letter from Carondelet to Don Miguel Jose de Azanza, in General Archives of the Indies, Department of St. Domingo, Louisiana, and Florida, 1796.
PLAN de St Louis des Mincia
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GEN. COLLOT'S PLAN OF ST. LOUIS, 1796
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notable inhabitants, "and especially that of the curè, with music" to wish him "a happy New-Year, on the 23rd of September last, or rather on the eve of the 23rd, on which the year begins, according to the new French calendar."
It was this agitation and the rumor of English invasion that led to the expedition up the Mississippi to St. Louis under Colonel Don Carlos Howard, an event in the annals of St. Louis made memorable as the "L'Annee des Galeres." This expedition, undertaken by order of Carondelet, under "the pretext of replacing at Natchez, Governor Gayoso in charge of tracing the border lines," started from New Orleans in the galley "Phelipa" with only twenty men, under command of a subaltern officer. On his arrival at Natchez, Howard was ordered to transfer one half of the crew and detachment to the royal galiot "La Activa," with the least possible delay, taking the strongest and most courageous men and paying them, "in order to satisfy them, one month's wages in advance," taking from the "Phe- lipa" two months' provisions at least, for his men. Here Governor Gayoso was to be informed in confidence that he was going to "St. Luis de Ilinoa in order to establish the peace, which had been broken by some hot-headed people since the departure of General Collot, and nothing more." But the other object of the expedition, viz., the evacuation of Fort San Fernando de Barancas, was not to be known, because if the Chickasaw Indians were advised of this, they might resent this proceeding. This fort was to be destroyed and everything in it loaded on the galleys and the smaller boats accom- panying them and taken to New Madrid. At New Madrid, four cannon, each with a hundred bullets and fifty grape-shot, four swivel guns with forty shots each and powder, thirty-two artillerymen and two corporals taken from St. Fernando were to remain. The balance of the force, artillerymen and two corporals, and in addition to eight gunners, a troop of 110 men of the standing army, were to be taken to and stationed at "St. Luis de Ilinoa ;" this troop also including four sergeants, eight corporals and two drummers. In order to complete his force, Colonel Howard was ordered to take "sixty-one men of the standing army at New Madrid, including the twenty of the active service, all artillerymen, the artillery and stone-slingers with their weapons and ammunition, and two galleys, two galiots, and a gunboat in case they can be carried therein." The remainder were ordered to embark in a third galley to be put in service under command of Don Juan Barno y Ferrusola, and return to the capital, leaving on the
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way down ten men at the Arkansas post. If this third galley should be needed for the expedition of the remainder of the force, it was provided the men should embark in it, but the effects were to remain deposited at New Madrid until his return. In order not to surprise the "restless spirits in San Luis" Colonel Howard was directed, on his arrival at New Madrid, to spread the news that the object of the expedition was in case war should be declared, to protect St. Louis from any possible invasion of the British. If, on his arrival at New Madrid, the river should be frozen, and his arrival at St. Louis should be deemed urgent, it was expected that he "should try all possible means to get through by land, leaving orders with the commander of the galleys to meet him with his squadron as soon as the ice should permit." As it was not supposed that sufficient quarters were to be found in St. Louis for lodging the 110 men to be stationed as a garri- son there, it was ordered that the residents "must give lodging in their own houses to those who could not find room at the fort," or a house must be rented at the expense of the people for that purpose, "making them understand that this troop is there for their own pro- tection." The three officers of the command, Don Jose de Ville, Don Francesco Barras, and Don Frederico Auteman, were to be lodged in the houses of some "of the best citizens" as near "as pos- sible to the troop." The strictest discipline was to be observed, the artillery to be cared for, and frequent drills were to take place in handling arms and cannon as well.
And enumerating the leading citizens able to give him much and truthful information, Carondelet says that DeLuziere, the Chouteau brothers, Clamorgan, Don Antonio Soulard, Cerrè, Pratte, Robideau, Don Francesco Vallè, are men deserving confidence, and are "hon- orable and loyal citizens" with numerous business connections, and he advises Colonel Howard to consult with them as to the condition of affairs in the country, but he adds, "it will be desirable to dismiss the captain of the regulars, Don Enrique Peyroux (of Ste. Gene- vieve) a suspicious, loose-tongued fellow, if plausible ground for doing so shall appear. About two years ago, he promised to leave this post, of which my predecessor had made him commandant, but he never carried out his promise." Don Louis Lorimier, he says, "'may be of great use ; "as for the rest, "he is a selfish man who thinks of his own advancement;" and Gratiot, he says, "has talent, and many connections in Canada."
The position of Carondelet at this period was one of no little diffi-
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culty. Impressed with the importance of protecting upper Louisiana he gave Lieutenant-Colonel Howard full and detailed instructions. He ordered him, after the troop was established in St. Louis, and all the artillery unloaded, with ammunition, weapons, etc., in the neigh- borhood of the fort, and distributed at such points of defense as deemed necessary, to call a meeting of the most prominent residents, and tell them how disagreeable the ungratefulness shown by some of the residents toward the Spanish government had been to the governor-general. Spain had always tried, and to an especial degree in the last few years, to promote the business and prosperity of the Illinois establishments, but they had gone to excesses, not only in showing an indecent joy at the unfounded hope that they would change rulers, but they had gone so far as to form a private society called "Sans-Culottes," singing turbulent and revolutionary songs in contempt of the government. He was also instructed to inform them that, after having been well informed of the parties who had promoted such excesses, and well convinced that the rest had been drawn in inconsiderately, and involved in them on account of fear, and of bad example, the governor-general had decided that Cogniard and Papin should at once be sent to the capital, but as to the others, their conduct should first be ascertained by Don Zenon Trudeau, Don Vallè, and Don Carlos de Lassus. He also instructs Don Carlos Howard to reduce this number to the least possible level, in order to pacify the rest of the residents. "You will add at last," Carondelet says, "that I am convinced that all the people will con- tribute with their property and with their slaves to put the city under safeguard from the insults of the British, and for this reason, I sent them a numerous detachment." Howard was instructed to secure at once a list of the people able to take up arms, giving their ages and skill, their weapons and ammunition. After the adjournment of this meeting, the guilty were to be captured, embarked on board of a galley, and sent away under guard, but 110 men of the standing army were ordered to remain in St. Louis.
The galley "Venganza," the two galiots, and the cannon-launch with complete crews, were ordered to remain in St. Louis, under the command of the lieutenant of the army, Don Juan Metzinger, and the second Lieutenant, Don Bernardo Molina, "to receive orders from lieutenant-Colonel Don Carlos Howard, commandant of the military forces." In case the galley should have to be equipped
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for some expedition, it was ordered that Don Juan Metzinger was to command it, and the crew was to be completed with that of the two galiots, but if all these should be needed just at the same time, the crew of the galley was then to be completed by the people of the coun- try, who were to receive the same pay as the other sailors, unless they consented to go as volunteers, and without any payment, on promise to receive a certain part of the booty taken from the enemy. The same rule was to be observed if necessary to equip the cannon-launch with men. Carondelet further expressly advised Colonel Howard that as it is not permitted to undertake work of any magnitude with- out the approval of the king in advance, all that could be done to carry out the plan of fortification as mapped out would be to make the city safe against surprise, and that the defensive work was to be provisional only, the total cost not to exceed five thousand pesos. To direct this work of fortification, he employed Don Luis Vandenbenden, whom he describes as a skillful engineer, at a salary of eighty pesos per month while in service, until his majesty should decide upon the rank to be bestowed upon him. As these works were to serve prin- cipally to protect the inhabitants of the city, as well as the vicinity, Carondelet directed that all were to try to encourage persons to engage in this work, but, in case of necessity, the army and fleet would be compelled to work at it, receiving two reals per day, as usual. The Spanish minister at Philadelphia had employed a French engineer, Monsieur de Finiels, at a salary of one hundred pesos, for the same purpose, but Carondelet gave it as his opinion that he could not be superior to Vandenbenden, because the latter united "with his in- telligence the advantage of a knowledge of the country;" therefore, he proposed that his pay should be the same as Mons. de Finiels'. Count de Yrujo testified in a letter that De Finiels was eminent in his profession ; he formerly belonged to the engineer corps of France, and was a captain in the United States army, but through a love "for the interests of his country so intimately connected with ours at the present day," offered his services as a volunteer. It may be observed that Carondelet and Vandenbenden were both from Flanders, a fact which might account for his partiality for him. Carondelet reasoned that upon the safety of the St. Louis of Illinois depended the safety of all upper Louisiana from the Missouri river as far as New Madrid, and that it would be necessary, in case the city was threatened by the British, to collect in it all the militia of the country. This body, composed of
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nine companies, that is to say, three in St. Louis, three in Ste. Gene- vieve, one in Carondelet, one in St. Charles, and one in Florissant, would constitute a sufficient number with the regular troop "to make a brilliant defense," as "the enemy cannot attack the city with artil- lery, on account of the difficult and almost impossible transportation of same from Lake Michigan." Further, he pointed out that two essential objects must have the attention of Lieutenant-Colonel Carlos Howard, viz., the protection of St. Louis and the destruction of the English trade on the upper Mississippi as well as on the Mis- souri. To accomplish this latter purpose, he ordered an expedition up the coasts of the Mississippi from St. Louis to the entry of the San Pedro river, to destroy and capture as many English trading canoes as possible. The goods thus secured were to be distributed, half to the king and half to those composing the expedition. In order to be protected from insults on the part of the savages siding with the Brit- ish, he says it would be suitable to have the cannon-launch in the expedition, with the small galleys, "as the large artillery contained in the first will frighten them and make them flee." Referring to the expedition in the year 1781, when a small number of the St. Louis residents with some savages took St. Joseph, on the river of the same name, a tributary to Lake Michigan, he reminded them that what was done then "could be done now with better means and skill," for the captain of the militia, Don Carlos Tayon, who was in the earlier expedition, was still living, and "I have no doubt he can teach the way of taking and destroying that place a second time." Such an expedition, he thought, might attack, also, any other post the British had established in order to trade in furs, on the upper rivers, pro- viding the news that Lieutenant-Governor Don Zenon Trudeau had obtained was confirmed, that the British had established a fort among the Mandan tribe. In this matter, Colonel Howard was admon- ished to proceed with the greatest secrecy, securing all the informa- tion he could from the traders who had gone as far as that tribe. He was to send an expedition strong enough to destroy the same, "as the orders of his majesty on this matter are positive and do not admit of any objection, nor any further delay than is necessary in the selec- tion of the most favorable season for the success of the enterprise."
Carondelet also surmised that the French might attack Canada by way of the St. Lawrence river, and thus arouse a revolution in their favor, which would compel the governor of Canada to give
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all his attention and forces to upper Canada. He advised Lieuten- ant-Colonel Carlos Howard to try beforehand to secure information as to the force and situation of the British posts, and also of the dis- position of the principal inhabitants of " Michelimakinak " and to aid this post in case of a revolution in lower Canada in favor of France. This would put upper Louisiana entirely in safety from the British during this war. Since the correspondence of the inhabitants of St. Louis with those of "Michelimakinak" is very lively, he suggested that there ought not to be much difficulty in forming secret plots with them. Weapons, ammunitions, and even support with an expedition can be promised them in case the English governor should with- draw the army from lower Canada in order to fight the French in upper Canada. The men to be used in any of these expeditions would not exceed two hundred, divided between the regular troops and the militia. It was also to be understood that not over forty men could be spared for the artillery, provided, in this expedition, some light batteries could be used with effect on the savages. From the militia might be selected as many as two hundred of the most loyal and courageous for each expedition, promising them a part of the booty, providing a large one was secured, and the same promise was to be given to those who would go with the expedition as volunteers, and without pay. The rest were to have the usual pay while under service, with daily rations. The principal object in strengthening the St. Louis garrison was to be in a better position to annoy the British and ruin their trade in the Spanish territory on the upper Missouri river.
Lieutenant-Governor Don Zenon Trudeau was not to be super- seded in civil matters, because the inhabitants were greatly attached to him, and Don Carlos Howard was instructed to treat him with kindness and trust, so that the inhabitants would gladly execute his military orders. Concerning the merits of the several officers under him, Carondelet said that Lieutenant Don Josè de Ville de Gontin had a firm character, and could be trusted with the command of an expedition requiring courage and activity, for he would look after the comfort of the detachment, but that the second lieutenant, Don Francesco Barras, had only the courage of a grenadier, and that his conduct was not so good. In his opinion, the lieutenant of the army, Don Juan Metzinger, was fearless, an excellent hunter and untiring, without any military talent, always willing, keeping good
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order and discipline in the marine. He was to remain commander of all the king's ships. On the other hand, the second lieutenant, Don Bernardo Molina, was rough, coarse, untiring, courageous, and an excellent man for subduing his inferiors, but his sailors said that he had become addicted to drink since he had been at Les Ecores. Finally, in case the enemy should attack the city of St. Louis with such superior numbers as to deprive the Spanish forces of any hope of a dignified defense, Lieutenant-Colonel Don How- ard was to try to destroy all the artillery and ammunitions which could not be embarked, and to withdraw to New Madrid, removing all things from there also, as soon as the enemy approached with much superior force, in such way as to be able to collect at Arkansas Post all those defending upper Louisiana. They were to fortify themselves at that post, to cover the inland settlements on the west- ern side of the Mississippi, and to molest the ships of the enemy who might try to go down the Mississippi and to continue thus until orders are received from the commander-general of the province. 38
In December, 1796, Carondelet wrote Don Miguel Jose de Asansa in regard to affairs in upper Louisiana: "I shall with great secrecy and celerity organize in St. Luis de Ilinoa about one hun- dred and twenty men of the regular troops, one galera, two galeotas, and one gun-boat, with which I purpose to stop the clandestine com- merce which the English from Canada carry on upon the Mississippi, from the river of San Pedro to 'San Luis de Ilinoa,' and from that town to the 'Nation Mandana' situated upon the Missouri four hundred leagues above St. Louis : to destroy the fort which they have built upon the river Chato (Platte), and if afterward I can gather at that point some more troops, in event of filling the 160 vacancies in this fixed regiment, or the 2d battalion of the Mexican, whose permanency is indispensable during the war in these provinces, and which I beg your Excellency to supply, I do not doubt of attacking the posts which the English occupy east of the Mississippi as far as Lake Michigan, the destruction of which would cause them a con- siderable loss, and would ruin the rich commerce in furs which Michelimakinak carries on north of the Missouri. In the event that the French should determine to reduce upper Canada, I will also undertake to form and maintain an understanding with the inhabi- tants of lower Canada, by means of which we may be able to stir up
38 Instruction of Carondelet to Col. Howard, dated November 26, 1795.
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an insurrection among those who are yet generally inclined to France, which would facilitate our entry as auxiliaries, and would make a diversion very favorable to the French. By means of these steps, the execution of which I entrust to the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fixed Regiment, Don Carlos Howard, an officer of much merit, military talent and prudence, I would succeed not only in quieting and securing 'San Luis de Ilinoa,' but also to destroy the men- tioned fort upon the river Chato, the clandestine commerce of the English, and stir up the nearest settlements. The town of San Luis, capital of upper Louisiana, being extremely important on account of its situation, for upon its holding depends that of the whole territory as far as Arkansas, a post located two hundred and fifty leagues lower down, it is very possible and even probable that the English would attempt its conquest. This, in the position in which that post is, would cost no more than to present themselves before it with six hundred men, since all its defense consists in a little fort of palli- sades, garrisoned by twenty-eight men. In consequence, I have decided to place the town, at very little cost, in a regular condition of defense, availing myself of a little river of which the waters will sup- ply a considerable overflow around the same. I will cause the stream to flow backwards by means of a dam, and will erect at its extremities two redoubts of earth and fascines, defended by some pieces (of artillery): these will keep up a cross fire with the fort which is situ- ated in the center, on a commanding eminence, so that the enemy can- not bring up artillery without the utmost difficulty.39 It is evident that San Luis with the detachment of regular troops which it will have, and with some five companies of excellent militia besides which can be raised there, will be capable of a regular defense against the small forces that can attack it." 40
In such an emergency Carondelet also placed great reliance on Don Pedro Chouteau, who, he says, could bring 500 picked savages to the defense of St. Louis, and on Don Louis Lorimier, who could bring "about 200 Chaouanous and Abenaquis." 41
Carondelet, in 1794, to protect the trade on the upper Missouri to the point where the English traders of Montreal and Hudson's
39 This refers to the Petit Rivière (Mill Creek) where Chouteau's Pond afterward was and the great St. Louis railroads yards now are.
40 Letter of Carondelet to Asansa, dated December 1, 1796.
41 General Archives of the Indies, Seville, Letter of Carondelet to Godoy.
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Bay had penetrated, encouraged Clamorgan and others of St. Louis to organize a Spanish Commercial Company for trade on the Mis- souri river, and granted the company the exclusive traffic for ten years with all the Indian nations on the upper Missouri. In addition, he offered a premium of "two thousand dollars to the first person who should reach the Southern Sea," beyond the sources of the Mis- souri, and the attestation by the Russian commandants, who were then known to have made a settlement above California, Carondelet says, "will be the most authentic proof that can be produced" that the discovery of a route to the Pacific has been made.42 Don Andreas Todd, a "young and robust Irishman," to whom Carondelet, in order to exclude the traders of Montreal, granted the exclusive trade of all the upper Mississippi, afterward became interested in this com- pany. Todd, it seems, was at first a trader at "Michelimakinak," and from there sent goods to the Spanish territory, engaging in con- traband trade. But his goods were seized on the Missouri and sold for something like $2,860, and, endeavoring to secure restoration of his goods or the proceeds thereof, he came into relations with the Spanish officials and at length secured the exclusive trading privilege on the upper Mississippi. For this he paid a duty of six per cent, provided he should "establish himself in Louisiana," and, in order "to renew" his zeal, it was also ordered to return one third of the proceeds of the goods belonging to him which had been seized and taken by order of Lieutenant-Governor Zenon Trudeau. Todd entered on this trade with great vigor, caused great quantities of goods needed in the trade to be shipped from New Orleans up the river, sending furs south for export. It was also his plan to enlist young men in Canada for his company, and at the end of their enlist- ment it was supposed that they would remain in the Spanish settle- ments, and thus an increase of the population would be secured. The superior character of the goods taken into the Indian country on the headwaters of the Mississippi and Missouri by the English traders greatly aided their trade, and it was with the hope that Todd would be able to supersede them that Carondelet granted him the exclusive trade of this territory.
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