James Wilkinson

When the United States government reorganized the Army as the [[Legion of the United States]], President George Washington was faced with the decision of whom to name as its commanding general. The two major candidates for this promotion were Wilkinson and [[Anthony Wayne]]. In the end, the cabinet chose Wayne due to Wilkinson’s suspected involvement with the Spanish government. The cabinet promoted Wilkinson to brigadier general as consolation, since the President was aware of Wilkinson’s fragile ego.

When the United States government reorganized the Army as the [[Legion of the United States]], President George Washington was faced with the decision of whom to name as its commanding general. The two major candidates for this promotion were Wilkinson and [[Anthony Wayne]]. In the end, the cabinet chose Wayne due to Wilkinson’s suspected involvement with the Spanish government. The cabinet promoted Wilkinson to brigadier general as consolation, since the President was aware of Wilkinson’s fragile ego.

Wilkinson developed a jealousy of Wayne, but he maintained an ostensible respect toward the general. However, upon Wilkinson’s refusal of an invitation to Wayne’s Christmas party, Wayne developed a full-fledged hatred for Wilkinson, deeming the refusal to be an act of disrespect. For example, Wayne had led the Legion Army against the Native Americans in the [[Battle of Fallen Timbers]] in August 1794. This battle was a huge victory for the United States, yet Wilkinson had criticized General Wayne’s actions during the battle, simply to antagonize him.

Wilkinson developed a jealousy of Wayne, but he maintained an ostensible respect toward the general. Throughout the Ohio campaign, Wilkinson secretly tried to undermine him. Wilkinson wrote anonymous negative letters to local newspapers about Wayne, spent years writing negative letters to politicians in D.C. Wilkinson’s refusal of an invitation to Wayne’s Christmas party, also created suspicion. Wayne eventually developed a full-fledged hatred for Wilkinson, after receiving a tip from Henry Knox. After Wayne had led the Legion Army against the Native Americans in the [[Battle of Fallen Timbers]] in August 1794. This battle was a huge victory for the United States, yet Wilkinson had criticized General Wayne’s actions during the battle, simply to antagonize him.<ref>https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-plot-against-anthony-wayne</ref>

Wilkinson proceeded to file formal complaints with President Washington, against Wayne and his decisions. Upon finding out about the complaints against him, Wayne decided to fight back, launching an investigation into Wilkinson’s history with the Spanish. During all of this time, Wilkinson had renewed his secret alliance with the Spanish government (through the Governor of Louisiana [[Francisco Luis Héctor de Carondelet]]), alerting them to the actions of both the US and the French occupancy in North America. When Spanish couriers were intercepted carrying payments for Wilkinson, Wayne’s suspicions were confirmed and he attempted to [[court martial]] Wilkinson for his treachery. However, Wayne developed a stomach ulcer and died on December 15, 1796; there was no court-martial. Instead Wilkinson began his first tenure as [[Commanding General of the United States Army|Senior Officer of the Army]], which lasted for about a year and a half. He continued to pass on intelligence to them in return for large sums in gold, but most of his information was of little value.<ref name=”Nelson, 1999″>Nelson, 1999</ref>

Wilkinson proceeded to file formal complaints with President Washington, against Wayne and his decisions. Upon finding out about the complaints against him, Wayne decided to launch an investigation into Wilkinson’s history with the Spanish. During all of this time, Wilkinson had renewed his secret alliance with the Spanish government (through the Governor of Louisiana [[Francisco Luis Héctor de Carondelet]]), alerting them to the actions of both the US and the French occupancy in North America. When Spanish couriers were intercepted carrying payments for Wilkinson, Wayne’s suspicions were confirmed and he attempted to [[court martial]] Wilkinson for his treachery. However, Wayne developed a stomach ulcer and died on December 15, 1796; there was no court-martial. Instead Wilkinson began his first tenure as [[Commanding General of the United States Army|Senior Officer of the Army]], which lasted for about a year and a half. He continued to pass on intelligence to them in return for large sums in gold, but most of his information was of little value.<ref name=”Nelson, 1999″>Nelson, 1999</ref>

===Quasi-War with France===

===Quasi-War with France===