3. James Wilkinson was involved in treasonous activities but avoided prosecution
James Wilkinson was a career military officer with a penchant for scandal, double-dealing, and treasonous activity throughout his career, though he always managed to extricate himself from investigators and minimize the damage to his reputation. It was Wilkinson who, after being one of plotters most involved in the Aaron Burr conspiracy, changed his mind and informed President Jefferson of the scheme. During the American Revolution Wilkinson joined the cabal of officers who schemed to have George Washington removed from command of the Continental Army. During the 1790s Wilkinson, while holding a commission from the United States Army, accepted payments from the Spanish government in New Spain to protect the interests of Spain.
General Anthony Wayne developed enough evidence to attempt to court-martial Wilkinson, but died before he could present his case. From 1800 to 1812 Wilkinson held the position of being the senior officer in the United States Army, during which time he continued to receive payments from the Spanish, serving as a spy for the Spanish government. Wilkinson testified at the trial of Aaron Burr, producing a letter which had been written in cipher which described the Burr conspiracy, but which Wilkinson had altered while deciphering to minimize his own involvement. Wilkinson’s many acts of treason during his long career were brought to light after his death in Mexico City while serving as an envoy there in 1825. Theodore Roosevelt later said of him, “In all our history, there has been no more despicable character”.