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Show APPENDIX TO PART III. oomrnittccl when in a state of intoxication, yet never did one offer, or show a dispo~il!on to cliscovc!· it. It is certain they knew zn.,tant dmtlt would follow; but still their fidelity to thei1· trust is remarka· ble. I have charged them as to communications, and shall dispose «lf tltem in such a manner as not to put it in their power to give thing-s much publicity. Dr. Robinson has accompanied m_e the whole route, is still with me, and of whom I take a pleasure m ac· lmowleclg-ing- I have received important scJ·vices, as my companion in dang·e:·s and hardships, counsellor in difficulties, and to w~1?se £hymica1, botanical, and mineralogical knowledge the expechuon was greatly indebted : in short, sir, he is a. young gentlema~ ?f tn· ]cnts, honor, and perseverance, possessing, m my humble opmwn, a military tum of mind, anti would, I believe, in case of an augmentation of the army, enter, if he could obtain a rank above a subaltern. l hope the general will be pleased to have my co~es f01·r:. um·ded by lil!utenant vVilkinson, so that I can command the use of them .\t \Vashington; a:so, all my letters written him in the expe< litioll, as they contain information I wish to refer to, and the copies were s<'izcd. Dr. Sibley has informed me the expedition up the Arl. 'lllS:l' · is suspended, which superccdcs the necessity of my sendilw t '""express ordered . ...~ I congratulate the g·eneral on the safe arrival of lieutenant \Vilkinson, and am sorry to hear of the difficulties he encountered. I have been obli g·ed to draw money of tho Spanish government, which I have to pay to thc:ir ambassadot· at Washington. I supported those of my men with me all the time in the Spanish country, separ. ttcd from n1y l.ntggaf~e , and never permitted to have it join me, prcseuted to the commandant-gcueral in a blanket cappot: I was nnclcr the ncccs~ity of g-oin~ into very considerable expense to support wh<lt l not only considered my own honor, but the dignity of our army. This, where a captain's pay is 2400 dollars per annum, was a ruinous thing to my finances; but I hope it may be taken into due considcratiott. After making myself pt·ctty perfect in the French language, l have obtained snch a knowledge of the Spanish as to make me confident in asserting, in three or foul' yeat·s I will with ease make myself mastct· of the lattcl', Italian, and Portuguese, sufficient to .read all, ami speak and write the Spanish. The doctor has even exceeded me in that point. I mention this to the general, as I know the interest he takes in the improvement of his military protege. APPENDIX TO PAHT III. 63 We had heard in the Spanish dominions of the convulsions of the western country, ol'iginatin~ in Mr. Burr·'s plans, and that you \\"ere implicated; sometimes that you was al'l'estcd, sometimes superceded, &c. Those reports (although I nevet· gave Cl'< clit to them) gave me ~rcat unhappiness, as I conceived that the shafts or calumny werr. aiming at yom· fame and honor, in a forcjgn cotrutry, where they had hitherto stood high, and were revered and respected by evet·y class. At St. Antonio colonel Cordero illformed me of the truth of the statement, which took a load from my breast and made me comparatively happy, anrl I hope ere long will the villany be unmasked and malignity and slander hide thcit· heads. The before mentioned gentleman sent you by me a box of Spanish chocolate, which I shall forwar·d to colonel Cushing. Governo1· IIcrrara said the maliciousness of the world was such as to lorbid his writing, but begged to be sincerely remembered to you. A letter addressc<l to me Cincinnatti, Ohio, m~ possibly reach me on my route, when I hope to receive the approbation of my conduct. Many letters written to me, addressed to this place, have beeu scct•eted or destroyed : possibly the general can give me a hint on the subject. Those ideas have made a deep impression on my rnind, and did not an all ?'uling jwssion sway me irre sistibly to the profession of tJ?'ms and the jwtlrs of military glory, I would long since have re signed my sword fo1· the rural cot, where peace, health, and content would at least be our inmates, should not ou1· bro'Lus be crownccl with laurel. I must now conclude, as this letter has fat· exceeded the bounds proposed when commenced; but the effusions of' my heart arc such ~nits contents, that I could not limit them to a more contracted space. Excuse my scrawl, as I am entirely out of practice, but br liere me to be, deat· general, with high respect and esteem, yc;,ur obedient, senant, (Signed) Z. i\T. Pro;r:, captain. (;rnrral JVilkinsrm .. |