Whether his influence had anything to do with what amounted
virtually to a mutiny among Clark's forces is not ascertainable;
but, for a disinterested onlooker, he was overswift to spread the
news of Clark's debacle and to declare gleefully that Clark's sun
of military glory had now forever set. It is also known that he
later served other generals treacherously in Indian expeditions
and that he intrigued with Mad Anthony Wayne's Kentucky troops
against their commander.
Spain did not wish to see the Indians crushed; and Wilkinson
himself both hated and feared any other officer's prestige. How
long he had been in foreign pay we can only conjecture, for,
several years before he transplanted his activities to Kentucky,
he had been one of a cabal against Washington. Not only his
ambitions but his nature must inevitably have brought him to the
death-battle with George Rogers Clark. As a military leader, Clark
had genius, and soldiering was his passion. In nature, he was
open, frank, and bold to make foes if he scorned a man's way as
ignoble or dishonest. Wilkinson suavely set about scheming for
Clark's ruin. His communication or memorial to the Virginia
Assembly--signed by himself and a number of his friends
--villifying Clark, ended Clark's chances for the commission in
the Continental Army which he craved.
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