Zebulon M. Pike (1779-1813)
In 1806 Pike led an expedition into the
southwest by secret order of President
Jefferson. He stole Spanish mining
information and maps while a guest after
being captured by the Spanish. He and his
men smuggled them out in the barrels of
their long guns. Years later Zebulon Pike
died in action in the War of 1812 at the
battle of York. In the 'Writings of Thomas
Jefferson' there is a letter from the Spanish
requesting the return of the maps. Jefferson
replied making light of it by saying Pike
acted on his own because his zealous patriotism.
The maps are thought to be in Jefferson's private
papers, but have never been publicly shown.
This points out that Jefferson, a gold prospector
who found color in Virginia, knew of the vast
wealth in the Spanish held lands of the west
long before it was public knowledge.
I would be interested in comparing the maps
that you post.
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