America's Favorite Double Agent - James Wilkinson
Updated 7/31/21
James Wilkinson was the Senior Officer of the US Army and Governor of the Louisiana Territory…while acting as a secret agent for Spain.
Introducing: Agent 13...
James Wilkinson
When the Revolutionary War broke out James Wilkinson was a young Maryland native who volunteered to serve in the Continental Army.
Wilkinson proved his value quickly and became an aide to Nathanael Greene, then to Benedict Arnold.
Soon thereafter James was promoted again, becoming an aide-de-camp to Horatio Gates whom he assisted in the Saratoga Campaign.
Brigadier General
Wilkinson, still just 20 years old, was the man sent to Philadelphia to deliver the good news regarding victory at Saratoga. It was his report that led to Gates, not Arnold, becoming known as the Hero of Saratoga.
Furthermore, he exaggerated his role in the events, which led to the Continental Congress appointing him as a Brigadier General.
This (and his involvement with the Conway Cabal) angered many Generals. James’ superiors forced his resignation to quell unhappiness within the ranks.
Spanish Conspiracy
James Wilkinson left the Continental Army and moved to Kentucky (then Virginia).
He pushed for Kentucky to be recognized as a State. To secure this, he began secretly corresponding with the Spanish who, at the time, controlled the Mississippi River and the port at New Orleans.
The Spanish began to pay Wilkinson for information about the American Government. His code name was Agent 13.
Senior Officer of the Army
After fighting in the Northwest Indian War, Wilkinson was respected enough to be considered an option for Senior Officer of the Army. The newly created Legion of the United States was the first professional army under the Constitution.
Wilkinson was passed on for Anthony Wayne. Although James was second in command, these two men began a heated rivalry.
Wayne eventually found proof that Wilkinson committed treason and was prepared to bring him to trial., however, Wayne passed away before the charges could be brought to court.
James became Senior Officer of the Army which meant that, after the President, he was the most powerful military man in the United States.
Burr Conspiracy
After the Louisiana Purchase, Wilkinson was also appointed as the first Governor of the Louisiana Territory.
About this time, James began working for the Spanish again.
Wilkinson was involved with Aaron Burr’s attempt at conquering land in Texas during his term as Governor. When the secret conspiracy was revealed, James went to testify in the treason case against Burr.
Wilkinson presented documents which were clearly falsified. Because of this, Burr was released.Additionally, the Jefferson Administration was made to look bad as Wilkinson was their star witness.
Envoy to Mexico
Somehow, Wilkinson was still not removed from his position. He held the post of Senior Officer of the Army almost continuously for thirteen years.
After participating in the War of 1812 with middling success, Wilkinson was appointed as the first Envoy to Mexico. He was in Mexico City during that nation's revolution for independence.
Wilkinson built the first diplomatic relationship between Mexico and the United States. He passed away a few years later in that nation's capital.
There are actually a surprising amount of books about Wilkinson. I recommend 'An Artist in Treason' (affiliate link below) because it simultaneously explains his life, Spain's place in the Revolutionary War, and how a Double Agent could openly hold such high office in the early republic.
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