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ADVERTISEMENT.

IT was general Wilkinson's intention, when he commenced his memoirs, to have offered the humble performance to his country, in regular progression, from his birth to the closing scene of his persecutions; and he had actually brought down the first volume to the period of the convention of Saratoga, when he discovered it was necessary he should abandon the course he had marked out for himself, to meet the torrent of vilification which continued to bear against him, and prepare to combat the prejudices of the House of Representatives of the eleventh congress. Pursuant to those objects, he prepared this volume, and in an Appendix to the fourth, arranged ample proofs to justify his conduct in command on the Mississippi in the year 1809, from whence he had been recalled under circumstances of disgrace, without a trial, or an opportunity to vindicate himself, although; it was earnestly solicited, even before his recall. The preliminary matter to this Appendix which is now in the press, will shortly be offered to the public, and will be followed soon after by an ample exposition of the imputed Spanish conspiracy and its foul ramifications. The memoirs, then, of general Wilkinson's public and private life, will be the last volume published; and will comprehend many incidents and anecdotes of the revolution little known, with a more interesting and authentic account of the battle of Breed's hill, the siege of Boston and the campaigns of 1776 and 7, than is extant.

Persecuted to the verge of destruction, without a dawn of relief, his humble fortune ruined and his domestic happiness blasted, for his fidelity to his country; general Wilkinson has to struggle against power and wealth and talents and influence; and upheld by an approving conscience and a righteous God, he will continue to defend his aspersed honor to the last ebb of life.

"Justice was always heav'n's distinguished mark, And he who bears it not, has no friend there." Washington, May 1st, 1811.

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INTRODUCTION.

IN presenting this volume to the public, we think proper to offer a few introductory observations and inquiries, to the attention of the reader. It will not be denied, that under a government of laws, the interests of the individual and the community are inseparably connected. The social compact, emanating from the people, forms a bond which embraces and gives equal security to the interests of the whole. In such a state of society, where privileges and exemptions are unknown, whatever may affect the rights of one, may endanger the liberties of all.

Let candid men review the scenes of general Wilkinson's persecutions, since his discomfiture of Burr: Let them re-survey the grounds over which he has been pursued, with bitter animosity and unrelenting malice; by public and by private characters; by mock patriots and confessed traitors; by individuals and by hosts; then let them lay their hands upon their hearts, and inquire whether it be wise or just, or constitutional, to raise the public arm against a man, whose services have been acknowledged by that branch of the government, to which he is alone responsible? Whilst the imputations, pointed at his character, have been engendered by envy, malice and disappointed treason, and depend for support on a tissue of hearsays, deductions and ex-parte perjuries, combined and fashioned with professional skill, to alarm the fears and excite the jealousies of the people.

Let it be remembered, that if a man (the record of whose public services cannot be destroyed while the American history endures,) against whom,

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