Oliver Pollock's Spending Spree - Working With Spain and Funding the War in the West
Oliver Pollock was an important financier for the Western Theater of the Revolutionary War.
Pollock also worked closely with Spanish leaders in Louisiana during their efforts on behalf of the Americans.
Oliver Pollock
Oliver Pollock is one of those tremendously important Founders who took on the thankless task of financing the Revolutionary War but is almost completely forgotten today.
Although he was already in his 20’s when he immigrated to Pennsylvania from Ireland, his association with that colony permitted him American citizenship when the time came.
Just two years after his arrival, Pollock took up a career as a merchant. This enterprise would lead him to great wealth.
New Orleans
Shortly after starting his business, Pollock removed to Cuba where he ran his trading business.
Oliver then travelled to New Orleans, where his access to goods made him one of the most successful men in the city.
Despite technically being an American in Spanish territory, Pollock developed an extremely friendly relationship with Governor Bernardo de Galvez and the rest of the colony’s leadership.
Commercial Agent
When the American Revolution began, Pollock’s association with Louisiana’s governors became extremely important.
Oliver was given the title Commercial Agent of the United States at New Orleans. While foreign policy was carried out by Ministers in Spain, Pollock became the young nation’s official representative in this important port city.As such, he worked to fund George Rogers Clark’s exploits in the
Western Theater of the war.
Furthermore, when Spain joined the hostilities, Pollock served as an aide-de-camp to Galvez across the Southern Theater.
Bankruptcy
Unfortunately, Pollock invested so heavily in the Patriot Cause, that he eventually went bankrupt.
He returned to the United States and continued to keep company in the highest circles. In addition to travelling to Mount Vernon, he hosted George Washington (and, at times, several other Founders) for dinner during the Constitutional Convention.
In 1791, Congress forgave Pollock’s debts based on his contributions during the war.
Do you want to read about other Founders involved with the SOUTHWEST?
You might like some of these stories:
James Wilkinson - America’s Favorite Double Agent
Fulwar Skipwith Founds Another Nation
Bureaucracy Ruins Meriwether Lewis
Oliver Pollock led a fascinating life.
‘Life and Times of an Unknown Patriot’ is an in-depth study of this Founders life.
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