Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Benedict Arnold is often remembered as the worst traitor in American history. But he wasn't. After all, when you consider what some American presidents have gotten away with, we should give Arnold some forgiveness too. Especially when you consider what he actually did for our country before turning traitor. In fact, the actions of the man discussed in this book may have contributed to Arnold's eventual treason, as he played a key role in getting Arnold relieved of his command at the Battle of Saratoga.
But imagine if a commander of the entire American Army was actually in the pay of a foreign power for decades, and did his best to limit, if not destroy, our country's advancement. How would you feel? And what would you think of those in power, who had a pretty good idea what he was doing, but protected him for political reason? Especially, if they were the presidents. Well, it happened. Due to my reading in American history, I've known James Wilkerson was an active traitor in the pay of Spain for a long time, but I never new the extent of it until reading this book.
Wilkerson was a high-ranking American military officer from the American Revolution through to the War of 1812. And for much of that time he was the commander of the U.S. Army. At times he fought bravely for our country. But he was still on salary as a Spanish spy known as "Agent 13." And while there was a lot of suspicion about him, much of it was covered up.
More than once he schemed to create a separate nation of the emerging states in the West, with himself as the president, if not Emperor. He schemed to exchange the Louisiana Purchase for West Florida. When Jefferson send Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase, he notified the Spanish to send troops to intercept and arrest them. This would have prevented the U.S from claiming rights to the Pacific Northwest, which would then have become a British possession and later a Canadian province.
He also tried, while commander of the U.S. Army, to get politicians to change the oath soldiers took to the Constitution and instead swear loyalty to the President. This would have allowed a possible military coup at some point in our history. Despite what he did, it took almost two centuries for his treason to be confirmed when documents were discovered in Spanish archives in Spain.
This is not a popular history or easy read. But if you have a deep interest in American history and wish to know about what really went on, it is a fascinating read.
But imagine if a commander of the entire American Army was actually in the pay of a foreign power for decades, and did his best to limit, if not destroy, our country's advancement. How would you feel? And what would you think of those in power, who had a pretty good idea what he was doing, but protected him for political reason? Especially, if they were the presidents. Well, it happened. Due to my reading in American history, I've known James Wilkerson was an active traitor in the pay of Spain for a long time, but I never new the extent of it until reading this book.
Wilkerson was a high-ranking American military officer from the American Revolution through to the War of 1812. And for much of that time he was the commander of the U.S. Army. At times he fought bravely for our country. But he was still on salary as a Spanish spy known as "Agent 13." And while there was a lot of suspicion about him, much of it was covered up.
More than once he schemed to create a separate nation of the emerging states in the West, with himself as the president, if not Emperor. He schemed to exchange the Louisiana Purchase for West Florida. When Jefferson send Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase, he notified the Spanish to send troops to intercept and arrest them. This would have prevented the U.S from claiming rights to the Pacific Northwest, which would then have become a British possession and later a Canadian province.
He also tried, while commander of the U.S. Army, to get politicians to change the oath soldiers took to the Constitution and instead swear loyalty to the President. This would have allowed a possible military coup at some point in our history. Despite what he did, it took almost two centuries for his treason to be confirmed when documents were discovered in Spanish archives in Spain.
This is not a popular history or easy read. But if you have a deep interest in American history and wish to know about what really went on, it is a fascinating read.
Susan S. (beau64) reviewed An Artist in Treason: The Extraordinary Double Life of General James Wilkinson on + 84 more book reviews
Really liked this book, I knew nothing about Wilkinson, and what an eye opener about how politics worked, even back then.
