Deponent says that Henry told him in the course of his
interview, which he mentioned yesterday, that the severity
of his strictures in the public prints against republican
government attracted the attention of the British Government.
"Sir James Craig," continued he, "became desirous of my
acquaintance. He invited me to Quebec, where I staid some
time. Hence I went to Montreal, where every thing I had to
fear, and all I had to hope, was disclosed to me. I went
afterwards to Boston, where I established my usual residence.
I was surrounded by all the people pointed out to me by the
agents who were under my orders. I lived at the Exchange
Coffee House, gave large parties, made excursions into the
country, and received an order extraordinary from Sir James
Craig to dispose of the fleet at Halifax, and of the troops,
to further the object of my mission, if required. My devotion
to the cause was extreme. I exhausted all my funds. I spent
many precious years in the service; and was advised to proceed
to London. The Government treated me with great kindness. I
was received in the highest circles; was complimented with a
ticket as member of the _Pitt Club_, without being balloted
for. And when I had spent all my money, and presented my
claims for retribution, the Government attempted to cheapen
my services, [_marchander_,] to beat me down. My claims were
to the amount of £32,000 sterling. I was told, however, that
I should be provided for, by a recommendation to Sir George
Prevost, in case I would return to Canada, and continue my
mission and services as before; and to exercise the same
vigilance over the interests of the British Government. At
the same time, the Government appointed a friend of mine,
an Irish gentleman, Attorney General for Canada, through
my influence." [Deponent saw this gentleman at Mr. Gilbert
Robertson's in New York.] Henry continued: "Disappointed in my
expectations, I was impatient to proceed to Canada to sell my
estates and my library, and take my revenge against the British
Government. I knew that if I went to Canada I must deliver up
my despatches, and that I should afterwards be put off by the
Government. I, therefore, determined to retain the documents
in my possession, as the instrument of my revenge. Determined
to extricate myself from my embarrassing connection with the
British Government, I refused the offer of a passage to Halifax
in one of their ships of war, and determined to live privately
and retired at Ryde, and take passage in the first vessel that
should sail for the United States. This is the cause of your
meeting me at Ryde."
Deponent represents to Henry, "That England was his legitimate
Government; that he would render himself the most odious of
all characters by betraying it; that his (the deponent's)
Government had treated him harshly, and that he then labored
under its displeasure, but no consideration should induce him
to act against it; that we must not resent a parent's injuries;
tells him to have patience, and wait for his reward." Henry
then pleaded in his justification the wrongs of his native
country--Ireland--inflicted by the British Government.
Henry came down to Washington, and stopped at Tomlinson's,
where deponent saw him. He afterwards removed to Georgetown,
to the house of one Davis, an auctioneer, where the deponent
visited him every day, and found him always occupied. Deponent
waited for his disclosures, not having any disposition to
pry into his secrets; but Henry was entirely silent, and
incessantly sighing very deeply. On the day of General
Blount's funeral, deponent took Henry down to Alexandria, in
expectation that he might communicate his projects; but he was
still reserved. After dinner they returned, and while in the
carriage, Henry tells deponent "that he has great confidence
in him; that he (deponent) has been here some time, and asks
his opinion of Mr. Monroe." Deponent answered that he was very
little acquainted with any body, but thought Mr. Monroe a most
virtuous and respectable man.
Deponent remained several days without hearing any thing more,
until one morning at 7 o'clock, Henry came into his apartment
and said--"Crillon! you must sell me St. Martial," [an estate
of the deponent's in Lebeur, near the Spanish frontier;] "you
have the title papers with you. My name will be rescued from
oblivion by living near _Crillon_, the habitation of your
ancestors, and of a man who has been my friend." Deponent
answered that he had no objection; and, if Henry on seeing the
property was not satisfied, he would give orders to his agent
in France to cancel the bargain. The conveyance was accordingly
made.[27] Henry left deponent, when Mr. Brent, to whom Henry
was not introduced, came into the deponent's apartment. About
this time, deponent received four anonymous threatening
letters, and was advised by his friends that he was surrounded
by spies; but he told them that he had nothing to fear--that
he was "_sans peur et sans reproche_." By one of these letters
I was advised to leave the city before 12 o'clock, as a person
had just arrived from London with orders to arrest me.
Meanwhile rumors circulated very generally to the deponent's
prejudice, and he was under the necessity of vindicating his
character, and of correcting the author of those reports.
The Message of the President gave the deponent the first
intelligence of the true state of the transaction.
Henry told the deponent that a Mr. Gilvary, or Gillivray, from
Quebec, had come to him at New York, to persuade him to go to
Canada; but Henry said "he would not--that the Rubicon was
passed."
Henry kept the first company at Boston.
Being questioned if Henry had mentioned the names of any person
with whom he had conferred? deponent answered "None."
Deponent landed at Boston, December 24, 1811; staid there about
ten or twelve days. Visited Governor Gerry twice.
Question--Do you know where Henry is now?
Answer--No. By report, I hear he is in New York.
Deponent left Boston in the public stage. Henry was also a
passenger. But at New Haven deponent took a private carriage to
himself.