Vigo County, Indiana - Chapter 5: Colonel Francis Yigo, 1891

IT was stated in the preceding chapter that it was one of the circumstances and men intimately connected with the fortunes of the remarkable expedition of Gen. George Rogers Clarke, who has often been called "The Hannibal of the Northwest," that most appropriately resulted in giving this county its name.

It has already been told how Gen. Clarke pushed out in the bold enterprise with less than 150 men to capture Kaskaskia and Vin¬ cennes, that were then British military posts, and by virtue of which they were holding as conquerers the northwest, or all that empire of wealth that is in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michi¬ gan. And further the expedition and capture of Kaskaskia and Vincennes has been described, and then how the British General Hamilton came from Detroit down the Wabash river and recaptured Vincennes, and tore down the American flag and raised that of England.

Gen. Clarke knew of the loss of Vincennes. This was a terrible blow to him, and he could hope for so little succor from Virginia that his dilemma grew more and more perplexing. In this condi¬ tion of affairs he remained until January 29, 1779, when he was suddenly and happily relieved by the unexpected appearance of Col. Francis Vigo. This circumstance and its attendant results was the auspicious moment that linked forever so intimately his memory and name to the history of Vigo county. The people of the mag¬ nificent county that bears so proudly his name will some day observe January 29 as the recurring anniversary of the first meeting of Clarke and Vigo, now one hundred and eleven years ago.

These men were necessary to each other; they were necessary to that greatest era in all human affairs, and it is permitted now to us to look back over the more than one hundred years that have passed, and to see some of the results that were made possible by the time¬ ly conjunction of these two men's lives. Without the auspicious meeting of these men, in the very heat of the struggle for independ¬ ence, the Union would have been a feeble republic, skirting the Atlantic shores and running west to the Mississippi, and its north¬ ern line would have been the Ohio river, whose banks would have been lined with spies and hostile officials, to prevent that natural flow of trade, commerce and those unrestricted friendly relations so imperative to the people on both sides. The power and arrogance of England would have remained supreme on our continent, and the permanent effect of our Revolution, not only on us but on mankind, there is but little doubt, would have been radically differ¬ ent from what it really was.

Francis Vigo was a Sardinian, born in Mondovi, in 1740. He left his home when a youth, and joined a Spanish regiment, with which he went first to Havana, and thence to New Orleans, then a province of Spain. In a short time he left the service, and became a trader among the Indians, as an employe of some capitalists of New Orleans. He made his way up the Mississippi and to St. Louis, where he soon engaged in the fur trade for himself, and then was interested in the business with Gov. de Leyba. From St. Louis he traveled and traded with the Indians, both east and west, and was favorably known to many of them. He understood the Indian character well, as is evidenced by his reply to Gen. Clarke, when he inquired of him how to win the red man's favor: "Always tell them the truth and they will tell you the truth." In other words, it was as true of the savage as the white man: Honesty is always the best policy.

When Vigo realized the danger threatened to Gen. Clarke and his army, by the re-capture of Vincennes by the British, he at once left his business, and went to Kaskaskia, to aid all he could in the cause of American independence, where he arrived on the day above mentioned, and at once tendered his services. Clarke commissioned him to go to Vincennes, observe and report as often as possible the exact condition of affairs. Taking with him one servant, he started at once across the Illinois country. When he had reached the Em¬ barrass river, and had gone into camp on its banks, he was captured by a band of hostile Indians, under command of a British officer, and carried to Vincennes and delivered to Gen. Hamilton, charged with being a spy. On his way he ate the paper that would have convicted him of the charge, and thus destroyed all evidences of guilt. He was held on parole at the fort, simply being required to report to the commander each day. The pure and gentle priest, Father Gibault, who had been chiefly instrumental in securing to Gen. Clarke the post of Vincennes, was then at Vincennes, and deeply interested in the welfare of Vigo. He had made every endeavor to secure his liberation, and finally, one Sunday morning in January, he, aftei church sei vices, went to the fort, at the head of his parish¬ ioners, and informed Hamilton that they would furnish no more supplies to the garrison until Vigo was released. Hamilton, it seems, was a fair and just man. He had failed to find any evidence against the prisoner, and realized that he could not forfeit the good- will of the villagers. - Vigo claimed that he was a Spanish subject, and as a merchant he had a right to travel among the Indians not hostile, and to trade with them, not giving aid or comfort to the enemy. Hamilton had from the first offered to release the prisoner on parole, but these terms Vigo had refused. But upon the repre¬ sentation of the villagers, under Father Gibault, he did release him with no other condition than that he should "not do anything injurious to the British interests on his way to St. Louis." Vigo at once embarked, with two companions, and in all haste passed down the Wabash, down the Ohio, and then up the river to St. Louis. Reaching this point as quickly as possible, he had fulfilled his terms of release to Hamilton. In haste he changed his apparel, and without stopping to refresh himself, was again in his canoe, and swiftly going down the river on his way to Kaskaskia, where he un¬ folded to Clarke the exact situation of affairs at Vincennes. It was this information that quickly determined the movements of the general, and resulted, as related in the previous chapter, of the expedition that captured Hamilton and made the British army pris¬ oners of war. The inside history that enabled Clarke to make this important expedition was what passed chiefly between Vigo and Clarke. This was the generous offer of Vigo to furnish all the money he could spare to enable the general to organize and lead his forces to Vincennes. The situation was desperate. Clarke could execute and Vigo could provide ways and means. The one was as essential to the enterprise as the other, and each was ready to fling the gauntlet in the face of fate. He at once placed a large amount of money in Clarke's hands, and this induced the French merchants to contribute liberally. Clarke gave to Vigo four drafts on the financial agent of Virginia, O. Pollock, then at New Orleans, in all amounting to $11,387.40. All knew that it was doubtful if these drafts would be promptly paid on sight, for all understood the dis¬ tress of the government for means to supply its armies and carry on the war. But no one could believe that payment would be delayed a moment after payment became possible.

For the credit of the American character for honesty and grati¬ tude the history of its treatment of Father Gibault, Gen. Clarke, Francis Vigo, and the French merchants who made the sacrifices that brought our countrymen so much, should be written in the sand or on the water. And of all these the cases, of Clarke, Vigo and Gibault will forever stand the most conspicuous, and Marshall in his Life of Washington is of the opinion that of these cases of ingratitude and neglect "that of Francis Vigo was the worst of all." His services, outside of the money advanced, were great and daring. He was widely known as "the Spanish Merchant;" he was robbed of a valuable horse, $500 in money, and other valuables when cap- turecl as a spy, and after he had advanced the money, being a wealthy man, had made no hurry to get his dues from Virginia. In 1788 he met O. Pollock in Pennsylvania, and the second time pay¬ ment was refused for "the want of funds." The agent could only advise him to keep his drafts, as they would be paid " some time or other." Vigo in time, being hard pressed, sold the smaller drafts at a discount of eighty per cent, but held the large one $8,616, until 1799, when in his extremity he handed it to Judge Burnet and Arthur St. Clair, Jr., for collection. Not a move was made even looking toward the payment for more than the third of a century. With liis other misfortunes about that time Vigo was overtaken with sickness that confined him to his house for a space of five years, and during that time his business became so deranged that he was reduced to utter poverty.

Col. Vigo had continued his valuable public services after the conquests of Clarke. He understood the Indian character well, was respected by these forest children, and in him they placed implicit reliance. He was often sent on important missions, and his integ¬ rity and ripe judgment were never at fault. He was appointed col¬ onel, and was in command at Vincennes. He was the principal and trusted agent to visit the Indians and adjust matters between them and the whites. In all the years he mixed and had dealings with them they never mistrusted him, never doubted his word or his friendship, and they would not deceive him.

In 1802 he and Gov. Harrison were elected delegates to the In¬ diana Territorial convention. These were the principal leading, public-spirited men at that time in this important body, whose coun¬ sels were as valuable as had been their actions in the preceding bloody dramas. July 20, 1790, Gen. Knox, then secretary of war, addressed a letter to him, expressing the thanks of the President and his own appreciation of the valuable services he had rendered to the country and his zeal for the public welfare, making especial mention of the services rendered to Maj. Doughty, Maj. Hamtranck and Gen. Harmar. And in December of the same year the secretary of war addressed another letter to him again thanking him " for other and distinguished services."

When past middle life, Francis Vigo married Miss Shannon, whose father was a settler on the Wabash, a little below Vincennes in 1784, from Maryland. All the family were massacred by In¬ dians except Mrs. Vigo, two sisters and a brother, who were at the time fortunately absent at Vincennes. No issue was born of this marriage.

The nineteenth century dawned upon a free and happy country - peace, with all its blessings, had come. The wounds of war were healed, and the air was vocal with the songs of brightening cheer and hope. At this hour, at his home in Vincennes, was the povertystricken invalid, with no hope for the future save that of an abiding faith in the ultimate justice of his adopted country, for which he had done so much and for which he had sacrificed all. His attor¬ neys pressed his claim, and, no doubt, contrary to his wishes, told in glowing terms of his labors and sacrifices, and of his necessities that urged him ever to press his claims. His attorneys were active, and his friends who knew him best were earnest in his assistance and pleading for justice to the poor old broken man. They bore willing testimony to his good name and great deeds, and begged for justice. In 1834 President Harrison wrote:

"I have been acquainted with Col. Francis Vigo, of Vincennes, for thirty-nine years, and during the thirteen years I was governor of Indiana I lived in the same towui with him, and upon terms of the most intimate friendship With reference to his credibility, I solemnly declare I believe him utterly incapable of making a mis¬ representation of the facts, however great may be his interests in the matter; and I am also confident that there are more respecta¬ ble persons in Indiana who would become the guarantees of his in¬ tegrity than could be induced to lie under a similar responsibility to any other person. His whole life, as long as his circumstances were prosperous, was spent in acts of kindness and benevolence to individuals, and his public spirit and attachment to the institutions of our country were proverbial."

"A letter from a man wdio has always occupied a distinguished place in my affection and esteem must insure the warmest and most cordial reception; an affection, the result, not so much of being associated in the placid stream of tranquility and the benign sun¬ shine of peace, as companions amidst the din of war and those struggles where the indefatigable exertion of every muscle and nerve were demanded. But it may be enough to remark that while one is the effect of your uniformly discreet and irreproachable con¬ duct in the intricate paths of civil and domestic life, the other is wrought by a strong sense of that gratitude due from your adopted country, having myself both witnessed and experienced the signal advantages flowing to our common country from your inestimable conduct; and what is more enhancing to such services, having ren¬ dered them at a time when under the cloud on which fate assumed the most menacing aspect."

John Badolet, register of the land office at Vincennes, in a communication, testified as to his knowledge of Col. Vigo, and of his high sense of honor: "If the alternative were presented him of receiving a large pecuniary recompense for his inestimable services to our country and the pecuniary aid he has rendered it or simply receiving a public acknowledgment of it by the government," had no hesitation in expressing the belief that he would not hesitate a moment "in choosing the latter."

But it is useless to add, as might be done, to these individual tributes to the worth of the man. The whole of the liberty-loving world knew Francis Vigo, "the Spanish Merchant," the friend of America, and his great sacrifices and his great labors in her behalf, and that, too, in the darkest hour in which "fate assumed the most menacing aspect."

Age and sickness and poverty had compelled this man to humble himself to beg of his adopted country to render unto him that meed of justice that our country's self-respect should have impelled it to have hunted this man out over the wide globe, to have forced upon him everything in its power, as inadequate as the utmost would have been, as a part of the just recompense so abundantly due. But is it not true that nothing can be more ungrateful than, at times, one's country?

The dear old man lived on, his life dragged out, it would seem, that he might see the growth and glory of the great States of Illinois and Indiana filled with a happy and prosperous people and villages and towns start into existence where lie had traveled in the wilder¬ ness and camped and traded with the savages and gone on danger¬ ous missions in behalf of the country. On every hand he saw the ripening fruits where he had mostly helped to plant, and the young and joyous generation reaping in the golden fields, while his dry crust was not sweetened by even the public acknowledgment of the government of how he had helped to do all this, much less any earnest attempt to repay the actual outlay he had advanced to its heroic little army of the west. In the long course of time the claim passed from attorney to attorney, from one agent to another. Seven times house committees reported favorably on it; twice sen¬ ate committees did the same, and against its payment no man in the world ever suggested a negative.

First. That Francis Vigo was "The Spanish Merchant " as he has been called by way of honorable distinction, who was renowned for his integrity, liberality and benevolence as well as his firm friendship for and disinterested and efficient sup¬ port of Virginia in the war of the Revolution.

Third. That the bill referred to (for $8,616) remained in his possession until he suffered with a long and severe illness, commencing in 1802 and continuing several years, when he handed over the said bill to Judge Jacob Burnet, of Ohio, to obtain something, if possible, from Virginia upon it.

Fourth. That the said bill was drawn for supplies actually furnished to the Illinois regiment, under the command of Gen. G. R. Clarke, by said Francis Vigo.

It gives me pleasure to be able to make a favorable adjustment, and to ascer¬ tain the sum of money due from Virginia to a man who has rendered the most im¬ portant services to his adopted country, and who, if his neighbors who are among the most distinguished men in the part of the United States where he resides, are to be believed, is one of the most upright and honorable of men.

This report had been delayed nearly half a century from the time of the original transactions. But it did not at once secure the payment of the long deferred claim. It must at all events have been encouraging news to the dying old patriot. For nearly a gen¬ eration he had already passed the alotted time of man on the earth.

Just one year before Commissioner Smith made his report, Col. Yigo made his last will and testament, December 9, 1834. In it appears the following clause:

Whereas, The county of Vigo has been named after me, and I feel toward it and its citizens a great degree of esteem and affection for many favors conferred and services rendered me, especially by the inhabitants of Terre Haute, it is my will, wish and desire and earnest request that if the claim aforesaid is recovered and the amount due me paid to my executors, that they, or some one of them, shall pay out of the sum $500 to the county of Vigo, to be laid out by the commissioners of said county, or in such other mode as shall be deemed most desirable by said county, in the purchase of a bell for the court-house of said county, on which shall be inscribed, "Presented by Francis Vigo."

It is, however, understood that in case said claim is not recovered, that said money is not to be paid, and the receipt of the treasurer of Vigo county for the sum, when paid to my executors, shall be binding and good against any said residu¬ ary legatee, and a good and sufficient discharge to said executors, or either of them, for the sum aforesaid paid as aforesaid. And it is my will that said executors, their survivors or survivor, join with the said John Law, Albert T. Ellis and Luther H. Reed, Esq., in prosecuting the claim which I have on the State of Virginia, under the contract made with these gentlemen, should it become necessary to do so, and that he or they do everything which I might or could do for such purpose and so far as is deemed necessary or advisable.

The people of Vigo county extended to the venerable Colonel a most cordial invitation to visit them on July 4, 1832. He was then ninety-two years of age, but gladly accepted the invitation, and came on his last visit to a people he loved so well, and was their honored guest at the joyous reception given him. The entire com¬ munity greeted him cordially and accorded to him every honor posible to bestow, and from the kindly old face they were richly repaid by the beaming pleasure that lighted it up and brightened again his eyes. He had now despaired of, in his lifetime, if ever, the Government doing ought in acknowledgment of his claim, and it was, no doubt, that on this, his last visit to those alone, of all the world, who had given him such generous evidences of their appre¬ ciation of his life and deeds in their behalf, that it entered his mind to insert in his will the clause in reference to the court-house bell. In his dying hour he must have felt that here was at least a people freely extending to him all in their power to make amends for that long neglect of the country to do exact and even justice.

In his poorly-appointed sick-room a great and good man lay dy¬ ing. He had grown long since accustomed to that depreciation that is so severe to old age and poor and feeble health - patiently and serenely amid these evidences of poverty he felt his life slowly passing away, and yet no murmur of complaint escaped him. When he was rich and the country that owed him so much was very poor, he gave so munificently, without the asking; nay, more, he left his home and country and came to the young nation in its darkest hour, and upon its altars placed his fortune and life. Now all was changed. The young nation had grown great, powerful and rich, and he was old, feeble, poor, childless and dying, having out¬ lived his own blood and near friends, having outlived his generation *and times by many years, having outlived all except the cold neglect, if not ingratitude, of his country.

In accordance with the direction in his will, his attorneys and executors pushed the collection of the claim. Without going into the miserable details of this protracted struggle, suffice it to say that after the lapse of nearly one hundred years judgment was at last obtained in the court of claims for the debt and interest, amounting to nearly $50,000. Time then had ceased to be of any importance in the case. Vigo was dead; lawyer after lawyer had worn out his life in the case and passed it to younger hands, and now there was nothing except the public sense and the coming historian to spur the authorities to ever arrive at a conclusion at all.

Was the judgment promptly paid when finally obtained? Oh, no! It was appealed to the supreme court, because in the judg¬ ment was included interest on the original amount. One of our barbarous legal fictions is that the government is always ready to pay its debts, and therefore, unless in the bond, it must pay no in¬ terest. The case of Col. Vigo is a fine satire upon this dogma - this silly fiction that is a fit companion-piece to that of "The king can do no wrong." The ruler can do no wrong - the people can do no right - has been the grievous burden of every civilization. It is the truth reversed. Such a sacred debt as that of Vigo's was resisted for a hundred years and then strong resistance to paying a small interest thereon, and in the meantime the plunderers of the public treasury had clutched in their large and grimy hands hundreds of millions.

To the credit of the supreme court a point was strained and the judgment, with interest, paid. It afforded the representatives of the estate no little pleasure to carry out the direction of the will in reference to the court-house bell in Vigo County, where it is now, from its tall cupola, with its deep, musical tones, clanging so merrily each passing hour. For one I can say I never hear its deep notes floating out upon the air but it comes to me like the glad voice of the departed: " Presented by Francis Vigo." - " All's Well! "