Zebulon Pike: Thomas Jefferson's Agent for Empire

Through careful examination of primary documents this book reveals that the true purpose of Zebulon Pikes western expedition in 1806–1807 was not innocent exploration of the West but an espionage mission in preparation for an American invasion of New Mexico.In 1806 the United States was on the brink of war with Spain over the disputed western boundary of the Louisiana Purchase and anticipated invading New Mexico. Possessing only meager information on the terrain as well as Spanish troop numbers and fortifications President Thomas Jefferson and General James Wilkinson needed an agent who could cross the continent to Spanish territory all the way to the capital of Santa Fe provide a plausible cover story for being there and return with the vital information. Zebulon Pike: Thomas Jeffersons Agent for Empire is the story of how Pike carried out his mission as a prelude to an American invasion of New Mexico.This unique book is the first to fully chronicle Pikes 1806–1807 expedition to the Rocky Mountains and beyond addressing both the exploratory and the clandestine purposes of Pikes western journey. By carefully examining the evidence available in primary documents which shows that Pike prepared and carried a map showing a route to Santa Fe on his journey the author overturns the conventional wisdom that Pike became lost searching for the Red River and mistakenly wandered into Spanish territory. This book also presents the Spanish perspective and response to Pikes invasion of Spanish territory and provides historical context to understand the role of Pikes expedition in Thomas Jeffersons quest to build an American empire for liberty.Clarifies the true purpose of Zebulon Pikes 1806–1807 western journey and answers the question asked for more than 200 years: Was Pike an explorer or a spy?Examines historical evidence that Pikes actual purpose was to conduct a military reconnaissance in preparation for an American invasion of New MexicoExplains how Pike rightfully earned the title Father of the Santa Fe Trail with the 1810 publication of his book An Account of Expeditions