First Clasl1es witle t/1e United States
235
Samuel Moore, whom he tried to get interested in the venture. After declaring he had finally obtained permission to trade in horses through the recommendation of Wilkinson and the expectation of GoYernor Carondelet of being furnished plans and information concerning the country visited, he said, "But I shall take good care to give him [Carondelet] no information, unless such as may be calculated to mislead him. Whatever discoveries I can make," he concluded, "shall be carefully preserved for General Wilkinson, for the benefit of our government. . . . I look forward to the conquest of Mexico by the United States; and I expect my patron and friend, the General, will in such an event, give me a conspicuous command."u Suspicion a,·oused. Governor Carondelet proved an easy mark for Nolan's wiles, but the Spanish boundary commissioner, Gayoso de Lemos, suddenly became distrustful of the enterprising young protege of General Wilkinson. The rebellious attitude of the inhabitants in Natchez in June and July, who practically drove Gayoso out of the city; the humiliation inflicted upon him by Ellicott and his friends; and the unexpected display of American loyalty, which the double-dealing Wilkinson felt compelled to make at this time. caused Gayoso to realize the betrayal of the trust placed in the new commander-in-chief by Spain. There was little he could do against him, but his agent was perhaps still within his power. He immediately warned Baron Carondelet against Nolan, who, he declared, "will take an active part against us; he is popular and enterprising, secure him." The dislike was mutual. The young adventurer knew Gayoso had seen through his plans, and wrote Wilkinson that Carondelet was trying to shield him (Nolan) from Gayoso's ven- geance, of whom he said, "I might be compelled to shoot the monster with a poisoned arrow." 13 Nolan in Texas and Nuevo Santander. Late in July, 1797, Nolan set out for Texas again, accompanied by John Murdock, William Escot (Scott), four Spaniards. and two Negroes. The party carried twelve good rifles :tnd seven thousand dollars' worth of well-assorted merchandise. Murdoc:~ was a Natchez merchant with whom Nolan had entered into partnership.u After a short stay in Nacogdoches. he arrived in San 12 Philip Nolan to Samuel P. Moore. Wilkinson, ,1/emoirs, II, Appendix IX. lSJbid., II, Appendix 2 . 14 King, Grace, "The Real Philip Nolan," Louisiana Historical Society, Publications, X, 100.
Powered by FlippingBook