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Show 62 APPENDIX TO PART III. committed when in a state of intoxication, yet never did one offer, or show a cli~position to discove!· it. It is certain they knew instant dratlt would follow; but still their fidelity to their trust is rcmat·kable. I have charged them as to communications, and shall dispose of them in such a manner as not to put it in their power to give things much publicity. Dr. Robinson has accompanied me the whole route, is still with me, and of whom I take a pleasure in acknowledging- I have received important services, as my companion in dnngers and hardships, counsellot· in difficulties, and to whose chymical, botanical, and mineralogical knowledge the expedition was greatly indebted : in short, sir, he is a young gentleman of tale nts, honor, and perseverance, po~sessing, in my humble opinion, a rnilital'Y tul'n of mind, and would, I believe, in case of an augmentation of the army, enter, if he could obtain a rank above a subal· tern. J hope the g-eneral will be pleased to have my copies for ·wardcd >y licutenJnt \Vilkinson, so that I can command the uscof them at \V ushing-t0n ; al~o. all my letters written him in the expedition, as they coutain information I wish to refer to, an<l the copies were seized. Dr. Sibley has infot·mcd me the expedition up the Arkansaw is suspencled, which supercedcs the necessity of my sending the rxpress ot·det·ed. I congratulate the general on the safe arrival of lieutenant '\'ilkinson, and am sony to hcu of the difficulties he encountered. I h<n c been obliged to draw money of the Spanish govemmcnt, which I have to pay to their ambassador at 'Vashington. I supported those of my men with me all the time in the ~; panish countt·y, sc· P· rated from my baggage, and never permitted to have it join nl'C, presented to the commandant-g·cuct·al in a blanket cappot: I was under the necessity of going into very considerable expense to sup· p ort what l not only considct·ed 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 uc taken into due consideration. After making myself pt·etty perfect In the French language, 1 have obpi.ncd such a knowledge of the Spanish as to make me confidemtn asserting, in three ot· fout• years I will with case make myself mastet· of the lattc1·, Italian, and Portuguese, sufficient to l'Cad al l, and speak.. and write the Spanish. The doctor has even exceeded me in that point. I mention this to the general, as I know the intere5t he takes in the improrcment of his military protege. APPENDIX TO PART III. 63 'V c had heard in the Spanish dominions of the convulsions of the western country, originating in Mr. Bun·'s plans, and that you were implicated ; sometimes that you was arrested) sometimes superceded, &c. Those reports (although I never· gave credit to them) gave me great unhappiness, as I conceived that the shafts of cnlumny were aiming at your fame and honor, in a foreign country, where they had hitherto stood high, and were r·evcred and respected by every class. At St. Antonio colonel Cordero informed me of the truth of the statement, which took a load from my breast and made me comparatively happy, and I hope ere long will the villany be unmasked and malignity and slander hide their heads. The before m~ntionecl gentlem::m sent you by me a box of Spanish chocola~ c, whtch I shall forward to colonel Cushing. Governor H c tTat-a sa1d the 71Uiliciousncs.~ of the world was such as to forbid his writing, hut begged to be sincerely remembered to you. A letter ~dclresscd to me Cincinnatti, Ohio, may possibly reach m e on my route when I !~ope to receive the approbation of my conduct. Many ~etters Wl'ltten to me, addressed to this place, have been secreted or destroy~~~: p~ssibly the general can give me a hint on the subject. I hose Ideas have rnnde a deep impression on my mind, and did not an all ruLing j 1assion sway me itTesi stibly to the profes~ion of Q:·ms and the jwtlls of militarr glory, I woulcllon!j since have reSigned my sword for the rurnl cot, where pence, health, and content would at least be our inmates, should not our brorzus be crowned with laurel. I must now conclude, as this letter has far exceeded the bounds P~~posed when commenced; but the effusions of my h eart are such on Its contents, that I could not limit them to a m ore contracted s.pace. Excuse my scrawl, as I am entit·ely out of practice, but bcltevc n,c to be, (Signed) Geurral lVi/kinso11 dear general, with high respect and e steem, your obedient, servnnt, Z . M. Pna:, captain |