A Glance At The World Picture During The Beale Era

[bigscoop]

When Joseph was placed on the throne Britain allied themselves with the Spanish loyalist. Given that the US was still under the threat of British invasion this was of great concern to the US since Spanish held Mexico was sitting at its back door. In fact, one might say that the Napoleonic Wars and the Peninsular War staved off this inevitable invasion, hence Napoleonic France actually being our strongest ally and potential savior weather we liked it or not. Up to this point the US had managed to remain neutral in these European conflicts but would it always remain this way?


Napoleon needs money to continue financing his campaign, under a secret treaty he is obligated to sell the Louisiana Purchase back to Spain, a country, that at the time, was on the verge of becoming his enemy. Naturally, the US shutters at the scope of the looming threat that could potentially appear on the horizon if Spain regains control over the Louisiana territory. And so Napoleon suddenly has a HUGE bargaining chip. As a result the Louisiana territory is sold to the US, a country who badly needs the territory but strangely resist immediate expansion into that region where there is no current defense. Why?


When Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo he and his loyalist immediately depart for the US. If not for one fatally poor decision Napoleon himself would have arrived here along with the others, these others being swiftly accepted and swiftly allowed to be re-routed into the Texas region. After capture Napoleon himself is spared and put on display at a very secure and remote island, where he lives in relative comfort until Spain, Britain, France, Mexico, and the US have all entered into agreeable and peaceable boundary and commercial terms. The world is suddenly productive and at peace again. And then just afterward, what of Napoleon?


This is the world picture during the era surrounding the Beale Pamphlet.

 

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[bigscoop]

Prior to Napoleon's last and final campaign his treasurer suggested that he send a significant portion of the treasury to the United States in case of defeat, which was likely, but "at that time" Napoleon didn't order it. This is all documented. Question is, why the United States?

After Waterloo many of Napoleon's closest loyalist came to America where they were swiftly granted "a farming community".

Now consider this. Before the battle of Waterloo and while considering his options prior to that battle, one of Napoleon's biggest concerns in possibly having to go to the US was, and I quote, "to become a farmer." Question is, how could Napoleon have know that farming would be part of his future in America unless prior deals/arrangements had been arranged?

Oddly enough, after Waterloo and prior to his final capture Napoleon was trying to escape to America, as were all of his military loyalist, to become farmers within their own community.

 

[releventchair]

Expansionism and choose who your greatest threat is. On the part of multiple parties. Britain needed allies as did France and the U.S. too. Though allies may be a more generous term than any actual concern for their plans of expansion, unless it ultimately helped the stronger party.( See Scoop, I learned something from your posts somehow). Like a chess board with four sets of chessmen, at least, being played at the same time.

 

[Old Silver]

Do you think Bonaparte's treasury, or a portion of it, ended up being sent to America, and that this ended up being called the Beal treasure?

 

[releventchair]

If it were allowed it would need help to get here and to be kept secured. Also would need to be part of a long term plan. All possible but perhaps the reasons why would vary between the agreeing parties.
Could the lure of treasure have been a use of the Beale papers to reveal political maneuvering or plans regarding certain foreigners that the writing party or parties wanted the searchers to uncover rather than an unobtainable treasure? French were here and needed funding from somewhere. For the writer(s) the papers would be a way to attract attention to what was happening in the era without tipping their hand or violating a "gag" order and directing any repercussions back on themselves?

 

[bigscoop]

Expansionism and choose who your greatest threat is. On the part of multiple parties. Britain needed allies as did France and the U.S. too. Though allies may be a more generous term than any actual concern for their plans of expansion, unless it ultimately helped the stronger party.( See Scoop, I learned something from your posts somehow). Like a chess board with four sets of chessmen, at least, being played at the same time.

It was politics at its shady finest. I don't know what happened exactly, but during the Louisiana Purchase a secret deal of some sort was struck between the United States and Bonaparte. And this isn't a new accusation by any means, several newspapers and politicians boasted this same claim as well. One also has to realize that "a lot" of US citizens at the time were pro-Bonapartist, especially true of his early campaigns. Bonaparte had directly challenged both Spain and the UK, this country's two greatest threats. This Banapartism didn't exclude Bedford County, Virgina.

 

[bigscoop]

Do you think Bonaparte's treasury, or a portion of it, ended up being sent to America, and that this ended up being called the Beal treasure?

It's possible that it may have been a portion of it. The French that did make it here "were certain" Napoleon would soon be arriving as well. On his last day of freedom Napoleon encountered an unusual proposition, one he was warned not to accept, and yet he did, otherwise he would have arrived when Lallemand did, the grant for the Vine & Olive Colony already in place, the plans for the French relocation into Texas already in place as well. In fact, all of the arrangements for Napoleon's planned escape route had already been in place, if only he would have stuck to those plans, which he alone did not. After his capture and his isolation on the island he had opportunities to escape that would have most likely been successful, this even being admitted in a British document. However, when faced with these escape options Napoleon's greatest fear was that he wouldn't live long enough in the hands of his rescuers to arrive in the States. So clearly, given all the treaties that had been signed between the US, Spain, & Britain, Napoleon was aware that the US no longer wanted his presence, at all cost. So why was he so certain they would accept him "to be a farmer" prior to those new treaties? The US, Spain, and Britain were no longer at war and they were all now enjoying trade and commerce. The world had changed shape.

Now considering the above circumstance and political atmosphere, let's consider the possibility that a portion of that treasury was sent to the US. Where would/could you trust putting it? "Nowhere!" The only possible safe place for it would be in extremely trusted hands, certainly not in a US bank, and most certainly not in a US bank that was on the brink of possible failure, unless you had "certain terms", i.e., "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." So, yes, I'd say it is possible, if not even likely, that a portion of that treasury did find its way here.

 

[ECS]

During the "Beale Era" the currency of the United States was in a deplorable condition-state banks had multiplied threefold and had issued more than one hundred million dollars of bank notes with only 15 million of real hard cash in their vaults.Many of these banks had been forced to "suspend specie payment",that is to redeem their notes for gold or silver.
President James Madison during December of 1815,called for the re-establishment the NATIONAL BANK,and it was passed by both houses on Congress,April 10,1816.In less than 3 years,40% of state bank notes disappeared from circulation,replaced by the NATIONAL BANK notes that had a guaranteed value,and the state bank notes which still survived were forced to resume specie payments.
Which brings us to 1819,and SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE John Marshall and his ruling on McCulloch v. Maryland,in which the State of Maryland,guided by the state bankers of Maryland,attempted to impose a state tax on the business of the branch of the UNITED STATES BANK in BALTIMORE.Marshall stated,"The power to tax involves the powere to destroy,and no state has the the right to control or hinder the operations of a national institution established within its borders".
Those behind that Maryland tax were the players in the aforementioned "French Connection",and may be the source of the Beale deposits as a way to avoid specie payments.

 

[Rebel - KGC]

During the "Beale Era" the currency of the United States was in a deplorable condition-state banks had multiplied threefold and had issued more than one hundred million dollars of bank notes with only 15 million of real hard cash in their vaults.Many of these banks had been forced to "suspend specie payment",that is to redeem their notes for gold or silver.
President James Madison during December of 1815,called for the re-establishment the NATIONAL BANK,and it was passed by both houses on Congress,April 10,1816.In less than 3 years,40% of state bank notes disappeared from circulation,replaced by the NATIONAL BANK notes that had a guaranteed value,and the state bank notes which still survived were forced to resume specie payments.
Which brings us to 1819,and SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE John Marshall and his ruling on McCulloch v. Maryland,in which the State of Maryland,guided by the state bankers of Maryland,attempted to impose a state tax on the business of the branch of the UNITED STATES BANK in BALTIMORE.Marshall stated,"The power to tax involves the powere to destroy,and no state has the the right to control or hinder the operations of a national institution established within its borders".
Those behind that Maryland tax were the players in the aforementioned "French Connection",and may be the source of the Beale deposits as a way to avoid specie payments.

There WAS a depression in Lynchburg, Va. in the "Beale Era" (HISTORY), not much $$$$$$; So...

 

[bigscoop]

During the "Beale Era" the currency of the United States was in a deplorable condition-state banks had multiplied threefold and had issued more than one hundred million dollars of bank notes with only 15 million of real hard cash in their vaults.Many of these banks had been forced to "suspend specie payment",that is to redeem their notes for gold or silver.
President James Madison during December of 1815,called for the re-establishment the NATIONAL BANK,and it was passed by both houses on Congress,April 10,1816.In less than 3 years,40% of state bank notes disappeared from circulation,replaced by the NATIONAL BANK notes that had a guaranteed value,and the state bank notes which still survived were forced to resume specie payments.
Which brings us to 1819,and SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE John Marshall and his ruling on McCulloch v. Maryland,in which the State of Maryland,guided by the state bankers of Maryland,attempted to impose a state tax on the business of the branch of the UNITED STATES BANK in BALTIMORE.Marshall stated,"The power to tax involves the powere to destroy,and no state has the the right to control or hinder the operations of a national institution established within its borders".
Those behind that Maryland tax were the players in the aforementioned "French Connection",and may be the source of the Beale deposits as a way to avoid specie payments.

This is the type of stuff Tat & I have been investigating for so long, and we have compiled a lot, it's all part of that much larger picture I keep mentioning. At the time of the deposits Steven Girard was heavily involved with the activities in the Texas region and communications to and from still exist today solidifying that involvement. Ironically, in these letters we also find further connection to Bedford County, Virginia and the Galveston Island/Camp de Asile region. It is a very complex and complicated theory but it is also "a very strong" theory with far too many coincidences and a ton of solid/documented supporting evidence. BUT.....what is lacking is the actual exact "inner workings". We understand some of it but not all of it. On top of this, in his employ Girard also had a runner we only know to be referenced as a "Beale", this employee being responsible for carry important documents and securing important transfers of merchandise, etc. "Most likely" this is the same Beale who listed his residence as simply being "China" in that census - since at the time Girard was busy trying to find a way to get his Asian trade across the country from a port in the west rather then having to navigate all the way around South America.

 

[lastleg]

"A port in the West". Would not that be a Pacific Ocean port? I'm thinking Acapulco. Course that's
just off the cuff. Or maybe just accept shipment at the Isthmus. Short haul to the Gulf but very
treacherous and besides that is where Cook lost all that silver getting the gold to the Atlantic.

 

[bigscoop]

"A port in the West". Would not that be a Pacific Ocean port? I'm thinking Acapulco. Course that's
just off the cuff. Or maybe just accept shipment at the Isthmus. Short haul to the Gulf but very
treacherous and besides that is where Cook lost all that silver getting the gold to the Atlantic.

Girard wanted a direct overland route to at least St. Louis. From that point shipping routes to the east were already established. From what I've read he wanted a port somewhere in the Oregon territory. What I don't understand is why since that route would only be passable for a few months each year, at best. But make no mistake, he wanted through those mountains badly, perhaps that Asian trade just being a side-bar excuse. This guy and those like him were always conniving new deals and ideas.

 

[lastleg]

That's right, they didn't see a problem only a solution. By the time reality set in they were broke and
hungry. Only a few saw their old homes again. Shipping routes didn't exist yet, not in 1816. It would
be in the '30s before the Santa Fe Trail began to be used and the hardships of that route, really three
routes, were endured only by the strongest. So many turned back it looked like the movie "Waagoons
East!"

 

[bigscoop]

That's right, they didn't see a problem only a solution. By the time reality set in they were broke and
hungry. Only a few saw their old homes again. Shipping routes didn't exist yet, not in 1816. It would
be in the '30s before the Santa Fe Trail began to be used and the hardships of that route, really three
routes, were endured only by the strongest. So many turned back it looked like the movie "Waagoons
East!"

True, but the big money guys kept brainstorming, kept looking for land grabs and possible investments with great potential returns, kept trying to influence policy for personal gain, etc., etc., etc. Corporate America was alive and well even in the good old days. Texas was a huge potential land grab because after the Louisiana Purchase it was seen as a "debated territory" with no clear ownership. Even recently, if you've been watching the news, a father has just claimed a similar territory for his daughter so she could hold the title of a princess. From a legal standpoint he was well within his rights since the two countries he contested we're in the same unsettled state. What was happening in Texas was the calculated mobilizing and building of recognizable third parties, or threats of such, depending on whose agenda was being pursued. Burr had an agenda, Long had an agenda, the United States had an agenda, don't think for a moment that the Napoleonic French didn't have theirs. Even after the Adam's Onis Treaty the United States still had their sights set squarely on owning Texas, if only by other means. After Mexico became recognized as an independent nation the United States even tried to buy Texas, and more then once.

 

[Rebel - KGC]

PROBABLY came down from NEW FRANCE (aka CANADA)... FRENCH colony in St. Louis, MO combined FRENCH ppl from New Orleans & Canadian FRENCH; it was ALL in the "Family"...

 

[bigscoop]

Lastleg, consider this:


The Laffitte Memoirs, grab whatever opinion you like about John A. and those memoirs. However, both Tat and I have spent years investigating many of the details in those memoirs and after a lot of painstaking research we can tell you that whoever wrote those memoirs had way too much intimate knowledge to have produced a fake. So just for the moment let yourself assume that they are the real deal, because they likely are.


“During the months of October 1818 and November 1819 my commune had 476,000 put away”. This coincides perfectly with George Grahams visit to Galveston Island and Lallemand's decision not to return despite his earlier promise to the contrary. So let's assume this accounts for the first Beale deposit. Remember, Graham was sent to Galveston by Monroe, the same man who Jefferson sent on a secret mission to broker the Louisiana Purchase deal.


In the memoirs Laffitte tells us that a second shipment was made “somewhere secret” just prior to his departure from Galveston Island, this coinciding perfectly with the second and final Beale deposit.


Now what is interesting in all of this is that it appears that Laffitte, while assisting them, was operating somewhat independent of the French in Texas. So let's further assume that the two deposits consisted of Napoleonic money and Laffitte back money, or two independent sources working towards the same common cause. Now hold this thought.


If these two independent sources were involved with someone else in the east, like say Girard or even Monroe, and if this illegal money was in some way deposited into their care/direction for whatever reason, “why wouldn't you need a third party” just in case things went south? You would absolutely have to have that completely unknown third party if a previous agreement/trust (Ten year term) was violated.


From all the evidence researched, this is "very possibly" the circumstances and the source of the Beale pamphlet story.

 

[lastleg]

If you and tat could prove that to the satisfaction of historians who are in the business of tracing
known events of the 19th century, well, wouldn't you/all be in the catbirds seat. I really do hope
you uncover something significant and bookworthy.

 

[Old Silver]

If you and tat could prove that to the satisfaction of historians who are in the business of tracing
known events of the 19th century, well, wouldn't you/all be in the catbirds seat. I really do hope
you uncover something significant and bookworthy.

It's not always the man with a degree that finds the truth.

 

[bigscoop]

It's not always the man with a degree that finds the truth.

Since we began our little investigation we've discovered quite a bit in regards to some of those men with degrees. While some of them are, and have been helpful, others simply find themselves in positions that aren't very agreeable with their previous opinions and commitments and so they turn the cold shoulder quickly. Another area where we have run into some difficulties has to do with public and private collections, the notion that you might be looking for something that may actually cause an unfavorable light to be cast on the subject getting you disbarred from access or any means of help. Oh, yes, some curators are very protective of the images they embrace. And in some of the very tight circles, well, sometimes known documents just sort of no longer exist. Pride is sometimes a very powerful and moving thing, indeed.

The same thing that exist here is often the same thing that exist within the archeological community, the sharing of information requiring an official passport, the same reason you're unlikely to see a lot of existing documents freely posted here in these forums. And some of those who have helped us also dropped hints that we not publicly announce their help, one's position among his/her's peers apparently subject to scrutiny and possible change. So a great deal of the time you're walking on eggs when searching for information but even so we have discovered that there is still quite a bit out there that goes largely unmentioned. For some, good information = $$$ and prestige. And last, unless you know what you're looking for some of this stuff would go completely unnoticed for what it really is or may be, just depends on what one knows and what they are looking for at the time of the search. And, there are still some collections that have never even been searched at all. So who knows how it will all turn out in the end.

 

[tat2guy]

If you and tat could prove that to the satisfaction of historians who are in the business of tracing known events of the 19th century, well, wouldn't you/all be in the catbirds seat. I really do hope you uncover something significant and bookworthy.

The dots are all there, now it's just connecting some of them. After being in NC and Va the last 2 days I found some more great leads with this and they link to Bedford connecting Girard there. More on that soon