James Wilkinson collection, 1788-1819 | Louisiana Research Collection

By LAC Group

Collection Overview

Title: James Wilkinson collection, 1788-1819Add to your cart.

ID: LaRC/Manuscripts Collection 746

Primary Creator: Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825.

Extent: 1.0 Boxes

Arrangement: The collection is arranged chronologically. The collection consists of one box.

Subjects: Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836., Claiborne, William C. C. (William Charles Cole), 1775-1817., Governors -- Louisiana -- History., Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826., Plaquemines Parish (La.), United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783., Washington, George, 1732-1799., Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825.

Forms of Material: Correspondence., Deeds., Property records., Translations.

Languages: English, French

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection consists of copies of correspondence (1788-1818) and two original land transactions (1818-1819) involving James Wilkinson (1757-1825). Wilkinson was governor of the Louisiana Territory in 1805. He was also known to be involved in what was known as the "Burr Conspiracy." Correspondents include George Washington, Juan Ventura Morales, Thomas Jefferson, and W.C.C. Claiborne.

Biographical Note

James Wilkinson (1757-1825) served under General Horatio Gates during the Revolutionary War. Following the war, he moved to Kentucky, where he worked to gain its statehood. In 1787 Wilkinson turned traitor and began a long-lasting relationship as a secret agent of Spain. After Thomas Jefferson purchased Louisiana from Napoleon Bonaparte, Wilkinson was named territorial governor of northern Louisiana. He also served as the commander in chief of the U.S. Army. Wilkinson also engaged in a plot with Aaron Burr to set up an independent nation in the West. Wilkinson was tried for, but was later acquitted of, treason. He rose to the rank of major general in the War of 1812, but both of his campaigns failed. He published Memoirs of My Own Times in 1816 and visited Mexico in pursuit of a Texas land grant in 1821, but died while waiting. He was married to Anne Biddle and had four children.

Subject/Index Terms

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836.
Claiborne, William C. C. (William Charles Cole), 1775-1817.
Governors -- Louisiana -- History.
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826.
Plaquemines Parish (La.)
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783.
Washington, George, 1732-1799.
Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. No known restrictions.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Preferred Citation: James Wilkinson collection, Manuscripts Collection 746, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: Collection processed in 1987 by HB and ML.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid information entered in Archon by LAC Group in 2011.

Box and Folder Listing


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Box 1: James Wilkinson collectionAdd to your cart.
Folder 1: Letters, 1788-1804Add to your cart.

1788 February 20. George Washington, Mount Vernon, to James Wilkinson thanking him for Indian fabrics; obliged to Wilkinson for offer of service. Copy of original letter housed at Chicago Historical Society.

1800 February 12. James Wilkinson, New Orleans, to the Marques de Casa-Calvo. requesting permission for free passage of supplies for the United States garrison on the Mobile River. Photostat.

1803 April 20. James Wilkinson, Fort Adams, to Juan Ventura Morales, Intendant of Louisiana. Introducing Daniel Vertnor, contractor to the United States troops and asking certain favors for the passage of provisions. Negative and positive photostat.

1803 May 4. Juan Ventura Morales, New Orleans, to James Wilkinson. Stating that Daniel Vertnor, Dinsmoor and Chambers had accorded favor and protection as requested by Wilkinson. Photostat.

1804 February 5. James Wilkinson, New Orleans, to the Secretary of War. Reporting on payment of militia by Lieutenant Burks, the state of the monetary market, military stores at Fort Adams, and the failure of the Spanish to evacuate. Photostat.

Folder 2: Letters, 1807Add to your cart.

1807 January 3. James A. Wilkinson, Army Headquarters, New Orleans, to Governor W.C.C. Claiborne, concerning preparations to combat the approach of Colonel Aaron Burr. Typescript copy.

Note by G.F. Taylor dated 1958 December: Original may be in collection of S.J. Shwartz.

Folder 3: Land papers, 1818Add to your cart.

1818 February 4. Act of sale for property located in Plaquemine Parish sold to James Wilkinson and John Kilty Smith by Antoine Valette.

1818 April 13. Act of sale of property located in St. Charles Parish sold to James Wilkinson and John Kilty Smith by Marcel Theophile Sommereau and Robert Barde.

1818 June 25. Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, to James Wilkinson. Photostat.

1818 December 29. Act of sale for property in Plaquemine Parish sold to James Wilkinson by Jean Baptiste Dufour and Pierre Dufour.

Folder 4: Land sale, 1819Add to your cart.

1819 May 18. Act of sale of land in Plaquemine Parish by Benjamin Morgan to James Wilkinson. In French. Photostat.

Plus carbon typescript of English translation by Sidney Villere.


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