One of these was a certain Francis Vigo, a trader in St.Louis.He was by birth an Italian, who had come to New Orleans in a Spanish regiment, and having procured his discharge, had drifted to the creole villages of the frontier, being fascinated by the profitable adventures of the Indian trade.

Journeying to Vincennes, he was thrown into prison by Hamilton; on being released, he returned to St.Louis.Thence he instantly crossed over to Kaskaskia, on January 27, 1779, [Footnote: State Department MSS.

Letters to Washington, 33, p.
90.] and told Clark that Hamilton had at the time only eighty men in garrison, with three pieces of cannon and some swivels mounted, but that as soon as the winter broke, he intended to gather a very large force and take the offensive.

[Footnote: State Department MSS.

Papers of Continental Congress, No.