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Overview
In 1806, the United States was on the brink of war with Spain over the disputed western boundary of the Louisiana Purchase and anticipated invading New Mexico. Possessing only meager information on the terrain as well as Spanish troop numbers and fortifications, President Thomas Jefferson and General James Wilkinson needed an agent who could cross the continent to Spanish territory all the way to the capital of Santa Fe, provide a plausible "cover story" for being there, and returban with the vital information. Zebulon Pike: Thomas Jefferson's Agent for Empire is the story of how Pike carried out his mission as a prelude to an American invasion of New Mexico.
This unique book is the first to fully chronicle Pike's 1806–1807 expedition to the Rocky Mountains and beyond, addressing both the exploratory and the clandestine purposes of Pike's western jourbaney. By carefully examining the evidence available in primary documents, which shows that Pike prepared and carried a map showing a route to Santa Fe on his jourbaney, the author overturbans the conventional wisdom that Pike became lost searching for the Red River and mistakenly wandered into Spanish territory. This book also presents the Spanish perspective and response to Pike's invasion of Spanish territory and provides historical context to understand the role of Pike's expedition in Thomas Jefferson's quest to build an American "empire for liberty."
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781440844317 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Publication date: | 02/22/2016 |
| Pages: | 202 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.20(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.80(d) |
About the Author
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Map: Pike's Santa Fe Trail Map xi
Prologue: The Questions to Be Answered xiii
1 Mr. Jefferson's Quest for Empire 1
2 For Spanish Eyes 19
3 Camp Independence 33
4 Contested Colors 47
5 Hurray for the Mexican Mountains 63
6 "Is Not This the Red River?" 79
7 Spies and Lies 99
8 Politics, Religion, and Fandangos 113
9 A Question of Honor 131
Notes 151
Bibliography 169
Index 179
What People are Saying About This
"Matthews challenges the standard narrative that Zebulon Pike was lost when Spaniards captured him in present-day Colorado in February 1807. This groundbreaking study argues convincingly that Pike had a map. This proves he knew where he was and reveals what he was up to—spying for President Thomas Jefferson."
"Here is a story of espionage, depravity, and empire with New Mexico in the cross hairs. This is a much-needed fresh look at an important aspect of American history."
"George Matthews skillfully captures the era of international intrigue that surrounded America's western expansion. He unpacks the political dimensions of Jefferson's dream of an 'empire for liberty' and Pike's deep exploration of the vast interior of North America. With wit and eloquence Matthews connects the diplomacy and duplicity of American, Spanish, and French operatives in the emergence of the nation."
"Here is a story of espionage, depravity, and empire with New Mexico in the cross hairs. This is a much-needed fresh look at an important aspect of American history."
"Matthews clearly explains complex intrigues and easily balances the many moving pieces of the Pike story."
"Matthews' Zebulon Pike reconstructs Pike's southwestern excursion to Santa Fe, revealing how Pike aided James Wilkinson's nefarious schemes and expanded Jefferson's 'Empire of Liberty.' The map to Santa Fe that Pike carried reveals that he may not have been quite so lost after all!"