The Scent of Betrayal Read online

  ‘I can enlighten you on this. As Englishmen, you picked the worst possible time to allow yourself to be locked up in a Spanish harbour.’

  ‘We weren’t apprehended!’ said James, offended. ‘Unless you are referring to the way we were brought to this room.’

  ‘Why do you say that?’ asked Harry, in a more normal voice.

  ‘You don’t know about Spain and France?’

  ‘What about them?’

  ‘There’s talk of an alliance.’

  ‘There’s always talk of that,’ Harry replied.

  ‘This time it’s more than just conversation.’

  ‘How much more?’

  ‘Enough to make me nervous about the frontier between America and Spain.’

  ‘Why should you be nervous?’ asked James.

  Harry cut right across McGillivray’s chance to reply. ‘How much of this is mere rumour?’

  ‘It’s not rumour, Captain. Manuel de Godoy has been under pressure from the French ever since he signed a treaty with them.’

  ‘That wasn’t a treaty, it was a surrender,’ said James.

  ‘Which tells you how much power he has to resist, Mr Ludlow. Spain and France are old allies.’

  ‘The Bourbon Kings were old allies. This is a different France.’

  ‘A difference that makes it even more dangerous to a weak monarch. Carlos has subjects who’d like to do to him what their neighbours did to Louis, only they’d want to guillotine his wife first. And some of the hidalgos, given half a chance, would love to hang de Godoy. French Jacobins are just the type to help them.’

  ‘How reliable is this?’

  ‘It comes from the American Ambassador to Spain, Senator Thomas Pinckney.’

  ‘Have you any idea how close they are to agreement?’

  ‘I have a precise idea,’ McGillivray replied. ‘The only thing that’s stopped them up till now is a lack of the means to finance it. Louisiana isn’t the only part of the world that’s bereft of real money.’

  Harry thought for a moment, then suddenly, before responding, gritted his teeth in a silent curse. ‘The Plate fleet!’

  McGillivray nodded. There was no need to explain, even to a lubber like James. The Spanish Plate fleet was the stuff of legend, the fantasists’ dream of plenty. Millions in specie, the fruits of their South American mines, shipped every year, in convoy, from Mexico to Cadiz.

  ‘De Carondelet will know this,’ James said.

  ‘Which is why he’s not worried about stealing valuables out of an English ship,’ added Harry thoughtfully. Again James noticed he was looking at McGillivray in an odd way. ‘Is this common knowledge?’

  ‘No. Quite the opposite, though how long it will remain so I cannot say.’

  ‘And I dare say that anyone in possession of such information could use it to advantage.’

  The Indian didn’t answer, but his hard look was enough to convince Harry that he’d hit a nerve.

  ‘Mr McGillivray,’ Harry continued. ‘I find myself at a stand. I’ve heard conflicting reports of the nature of Spanish rule in Louisiana. Could you enlighten me as to how matters stand in the colony?’

  To James that was an odd request, given what they’d just heard, and the silky tone Harry had used was out of character. But McGillivray seemed happy to oblige. He reprised all the threats that the Governor had spoken of, as well as telling the story of the slave revolt which San Lucar de Barrameda had so enjoyed recounting. That gentleman was dissected accurately by the Indian as typically Spanish in his inertia, as well as a pompous oaf. El Señor de Fajardo de Coburrabias, though identified as a pander, procurer, and dishonest tavern keeper, was nevertheless accorded both affection and respect, as well as being identified as the most active man in the colony.

  ‘If de Barrameda attacked Barataria Bay, you’ll probably find it was de Coburrabias’s idea. He’s a good soldier, and a fair administrator, with the morals of a rattlesnake. Both he and de Barrameda were here with Governor Miro, and being high-born Spaniards have nothing but contempt for what they see as an upstart nobleman from a family that originated in Wallonia.’

  The Governor was described as a man who couldn’t make a decision. When called upon to act, he oscillated between a weak response and employing maximum strength. This wasn’t necessarily due entirely to his nature, but more to the manifold difficulties he faced in running such a disparate and huge colony that ran all the way from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. His troops, poorly paid, were not only too few in number, they were totally unreliable. If they weren’t the scrapings of Spanish gaols, they were Cuban and not to be trusted. All except the detachment of Royal Walloon Guards de Carondelet had brought from Spain as a sort of personal bodyguard.

  ‘They are the ones who guard his residence. It was their muskets that threatened your ship when you anchored. Carondelet keeps them under his personal control, which creates great friction between him and his senior officers.’

  ‘Surely they’d be better employed in the field,’ said Harry.

  McGillivray laughed. ‘You sound just like de Coburrabias. The only time, up till now, they’ve left New Orleans is if there’s been trouble with the Kentuckians. That happens less since Pinckney’s Treaty. Though opening up the river has solved one problem and created a dozen more.’

  ‘What has it solved?’

  ‘Festering resentment by the frontiersman, who are as bellicose a bunch of people as you’re ever likely to meet. They even rebelled against their own government over a proposed whiskey tax. If there’s one thing a Kaintuck hates, it’s a tax.’

  Pollock had said much the same thing about the peoples of Kentucky and Tennessee.

  ‘I heard they threatened to secede.’

  ‘They did, and that’s not settled. There’s a strong party in the Kentucky and Tennessee legislatures who think they’d be better off on their own.’

  ‘And the drawbacks?’

  ‘What de Carondelet needs is stability. If you take the territory as a whole, most of the planters, even the French, are happy with Spanish rule. The last thing a slave owner wants is any talk of equality and the Dons have obliged them by harsh reprisals for insurrection. But that doesn’t apply in New Orleans. The urban French aren’t like those in the countryside. And even if he excludes any more French immigrants how do you stop Americans from settling here in such numbers that their mere presence makes matters worse? Of course there are certain people who’ve been here for years, some of whom are just as much trouble as the French. The Spanish don’t trust them but they’re tolerated. But with the number landing goods at the levee on rafts and riverboats, not all of whom go back, banning immigration is a law that’s impossible to implement. And the incomers are more inclined to agitate for the United States to take over control of the delta in perpetuity.’

  James cut in. ‘Is that a prospect that tempts the sainted Washington?’

  ‘That I couldn’t say!’ snapped McGillivray. ‘But I take leave to doubt it.’

  ‘Why?’ asked Harry.

  ‘Because he’s got enough trouble with the land they already administer. The Federal government is only seven years old and since they’ve begun to raise taxes it isn’t universally popular.’

  ‘That will make our dear King George happy,’ said James with a grin. ‘He’s never quite got over losing America. They say it’s what drove him mad.’

  ‘Well, the Union is no different. The imposition of Federal taxes, especially on whiskey, had the frontier in open revolt. After they put down the Whiskey Rebellion in ’94 matters improved. But it’s not settled, by a long chalk. Our dear friend the Barón would, of course, be delighted to see them secede.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because it would be weak in the face of the more numerous states to the east. That means it would require Spanish help to sustain itself.’

  ‘And where do you stand on this?’

  ‘In between,’ he replied, acidly.

  ‘Which is why de Carondel
et suspects you of carrying on an illicit correspondence with the American government.’

  ‘Who says we are?’

  ‘I think you have, Mr McGillivray.’

  ‘I don’t recall doing so.’

  ‘Do you recall saying you have a daughter, sir?’ asked Harry, with a smile.

  ‘I don’t see such a subject as one to be treated lightly,’ replied McGillivray.

  ‘When we were with the Barón de Carondelet tonight, he asked me how I knew certain things without being told. For instance, I put forward the notion that the bullion he shipped on the Gauchos was a secret so well guarded that not even Captain Rodrigo knew he had it aboard.’

  ‘I can’t see what you’re driving at.’

  James opened his mouth to say the same thing, then thought better of it.

  ‘I asked him about passengers, Mr McGillivray. He couldn’t tell me anything about them, in fact he didn’t know that at least one existed, which was singular considering the cargo. Yet you are asking me to believe that the daughter of a man he regards as potentially dangerous was on that ship.’

  McGillivray shrugged. ‘If he didn’t know who the passengers were …’

  ‘I wasn’t thinking of his ignorance, sir. I was alluding to yours. If you have a daughter, then I dare say she would be of more value to you, and your tribe, than a dozen crocks of gold and silver ingots. Here we have a sixteen-year-old girl, from the senior clan in your tribe. I am assuming that power will pass through her bloodline, in the same way it did with your own mother. Yet you are asking us to believe that you put her, a sixteen-year-old, alone aboard a ship, without enquiring whether there were any other passengers, and if there were, their identity.’

  McGillivray didn’t answer. He just stared hard at Harry for several seconds.

  ‘And I would also assume that a man in such a sorry pass would not have time to spend enlightening two complete strangers as to the problems faced by the Governor of New Orleans. In short, Mr McGillivray, your hanging about here doesn’t make sense. What would make sense is if you were to tell us what you’re really after.’

  ‘I’m not sure that would be wise.’

  ‘Then let me help you,’ said Harry, coldly. ‘If you want a certain chest kept from the possession of the Spanish, it must be because there is something inside it that you do not wish them to see.’

  ‘You’re a clever man, Captain Ludlow.’

  James cut in. ‘Please don’t say that, Mr McGillivray. He’s hard enough to share a cabin with already.’

  ‘Since the ship was bound for New York, I assume that your chest contains some form of compromising correspondence with the American government. Letters that the Barón de Carondelet would find hard to understand.’

  ‘That’s the irony, Captain Ludlow. We’re talking about Creek land. For Carondelet to suspect us of making trouble for him is absurd. Nothing suits our interests more than that the Spaniards should stay in the Louisiana Territory. They may be a nuisance with their priests forever at us to take the Catholic faith. But all they do is build missions, and those are only ever home to a few people. They don’t threaten us like the frontier settlers.’

  ‘Do they threaten you so badly?’ asked James.

  ‘They do because they are numerous and getting more so. Because every one of them who has nothing believes that by moving west he can become rich. All he needs is land. Yet I can’t ally the Creek nation, outright, with a Spain that is too weak to really defend the frontier. I must stay on good terms with the Americans, since they are the only people with the power to contain their own settlers. Does that answer you, Captain Ludlow?’

  Harry nodded. ‘You feared the chest taken aboard today might be yours.’

  ‘I had to know.’

  ‘Then I can set your mind at rest, sir.’

  ‘You said something, earlier, about Carondelet taking some money of yours.’

  ‘I’m afraid that is true. Whatever reason he had for sending that cargo to New York still exists. But the treasure doesn’t. It is our misfortune to be in possession of enough to replace it. He has the temerity to call it a loan when it was forcibly removed from my ship.’

  ‘He offered us a bill on the Spanish treasury as security,’ added James. ‘Clearly, after what you’ve told us regarding the possibility of war, that was just a bluff to avoid unnecessary trouble.’

  ‘Spain will be at war with Britain before you can present it.’

  Harry smiled grimly. ‘His next suggestion was even less attractive. He invited us to find his gold and silver for him, saying that if we did so we could keep it.’

  ‘Well, out of the two, Captain Ludlow, the first is deplorable and the second near impossible.’

  ‘That depends on where it is, Mr McGillivray. If it’s still in the Territory, it will be hard for anyone to hide, especially if they’re tempted to spend any. Merely being in possession of too much of that commodity, in a land devoid of specie, would raise suspicions.’

  ‘Are you asking me for something, Captain?’

  ‘I am. I assume you maintain a presence here in New Orleans, one that you use to keep yourself informed of what is happening.’

  The other man didn’t answer. But his eyes narrowed enough to tell Harry he was right. Not that it took a genius to deduce such a thing. If McGillivray couldn’t come to the city himself he’d be a fool not to have channels of information. The silence lasted for several seconds as he weighed up the pros and cons of aiding the two brothers. Not that it was possible to see this internal debate on his face, which remained impassive. Finally he spoke, careful to avoid anything that smacked of surrender.

  ‘The loading of the Gauchos was, according to my people, a semi-public event, attended by every dignitary that could be drummed up for the occasion, which is an irony given that the Gauchos then stayed tied up by the quay another whole day. Much is being made of this sugar granulation as though it will provide some panacea to the endemic ills of running Louisiana at a loss. Too much in my estimation. Once the process is public, every sugar planter who can, will copy it.’

  ‘We know that the Navarro left her berth at the same time as the Gauchos. That strikes me as curious. Captain San Lucar de Barrameda is not someone I’d be inclined to trust.’

  ‘He’s angling for the post of Intendant,’ said McGillivray. ‘At present de Carondelet holds that as well as the Governorship, which is very unusual. The Dons generally like to split the functions of their officials so that no one gets too ambitious. They give one man control of the law and another control of the money.’

  ‘The Intendant looks after the treasury?’

  ‘That’s right. And in most cases he won’t release any money to the man who has the responsibility for everything else. De Carondelet could never have done what he has without control of both offices. I find it hard to believe he actually raised as much as you say. The last Intendant we had fought Governor Miro every step of the way. As a system of government, it leaves a lot to be desired.’

  ‘So anything that would embarrass the Governor, would also please de Barrameda.’

  ‘Not just him.’

  ‘What about the members of the Cabildo?’

  ‘Functionaries. Small-time businessmen and magistrates. If, as you say, the gold and silver was stolen at sea, I can’t imagine any of them having the courage to be a prime mover. It would be easy to find out where they’ve been the last few days, since they rarely leave New Orleans.’

  ‘What if they had connections to pirates?’

  McGillivray shrugged. ‘Possible, but unlikely. I’ve already told you what they’re like.’

  ‘What do you know about Captain Pasquale Fernandez?’

  ‘You ask a lot of questions, Captain.’

  ‘Especially for a man who flatly refused to help de Carondelet,’ said James.

  ‘Fernandez!’ said Harry, emphatically.

  ‘Cuban. Not very highly regarded. A bit lazy, I’m led to believe. Neither a good soldier nor an exampl
e as an officer. Had a bit of trouble with a ranker. Balize is not the kind of command that goes to a zealous officer.’

  ‘So he’s disgruntled?’

  ‘I’ve met him once, Ludlow. And from that brief acquaintance I’d say it’s hard to know. He’s not a man to say much, which makes him either the dullard he appears or a deep fellow with hidden talents. I incline to the former.’

  ‘De Coburrabias?’

  ‘He was in Havana collecting replacements,’ said James.

  ‘So he was,’ Harry replied, with a smile. ‘But what if he had an accomplice?’

  ‘What exactly is the population of New Orleans?’ asked James, sarcastically.

  ‘Could you find out if any other ships, apart from the Navarro, weighed within twenty-four hours of the Gauchos?’

  ‘I can tell you that now because I had an interest. Apart from the other galley there were none. Three merchant ships were set to depart but they were delayed by a sudden customs search. Given what you say the Gauchos was carrying that makes more sense now than it did at the time.’

  ‘I wonder if with your contacts and some judicious questioning we might not trace de Carondelet’s property.’

  McGillivray hesitated for a split second before responding. ‘That’s a tall order, Captain Ludlow, since you don’t have the faintest idea where to start looking.’

  Harry’s face took on a grim expression. ‘That’s true, sir. But I have no intention of sitting still and doing nothing.’

  ‘And what do you offer me in return?’

  ‘Either the return of your chest, sir, or at the very least the correspondence it contains.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘At the point that I’m satisfied that you have done everything in your power to help us.’

  ‘That’s not very reassuring, Captain.’

  ‘Nevertheless, Mr McGillivray, it is a case of take it or leave it. I cannot guarantee that whatever cell Charpentier is occupying will not soon accommodate us as well. I would say your earnest and speedy endeavours would count as enlightened self-interest.’

  ‘I will need some time to make enquiries,’ he said, avoiding actual spoken capitulation. But the expression on his face showed that he was clearly unhappy.