Pike was a very dedicated soldier on a mission for his young country and filled with patriotism.

Wilkinson had a lot of high-powered influence in the United States, Spain and France. Wilkinson commissioned Pike, but what were his motives? He had already sent men into New Orleans and Texas (still under Spanish control) on filibusters or spying missions. He was making contact with Spanish viceroys and selling information to Spain (U.S. military arrangements for $12,000).

Originally, the Louisiana Purchase was much smaller, but it ended up this vast area. The Spanish didn't recognize the purchase. Louisiana had bounced back and forth between Spain and France. The French weren't supposed to transfer it to an English-speaking nation, and they weren't supposed to transfer it without notifying Spain.

There are so many questions. People feel strongly he was a spy or he was not a spy.

You have to remember he wasn't trained. He does make some mistakes.

Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong.