Elijah Clarke's Foreign Intrigues and the Trans-Oconee Republic #270976

Although Clarke's land schemes were never renewed, he was accused three years later by the Spanish minister to the United States of another plot against Florida. In a letter to the secre tary of state the ambassador said, I know to a certainty that the English have made propositions to General Clarke of Geor gia, in order to avail themselves of his influence in that State, together with some other persons, for making a diversion of seri ous attack against Florida. Inquiry was made of the Federal district attorney for Georgia about this matter. In his reply he said, I have made diligent inquiry, and cannot find any person here that knows any thing of the business, or that entertains a belief of the kind. Clarke was concerned in a former expedition against the Floridas, in conjunction with the French, and it is possible, from the circumstances, that he is again suspected. He is a man of strong passions, of warm partialities for the French, and violent antipathies to the English. From these circumstances, and from the matter being unknown to the citi zens here, I am led to doubt the truth of the report altogether. Secretary Pickering 's later inquiries of the British envoy failed to clarify completely British machinations regarding Florida. The latter admitted that some persons did actually propose to me a plan for an attack on the Floridas, but none expressed sentiments that were in any degree hostile to the interests of the United States.38 Clarke's past reputation for such ventures was perhaps more responsible for this accusation than any serious conversations he had ever had with the British.