The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-02-03
CVoLuME 8.

neiee, and I.ouana his peron and his neafures--
declared he had ineAhauible reiources funds az
iured me the regular arny would aa with him, and
would be reinforced by ten twelve thoniand
| from the above mentioned Gates and territory and
from other parts OF the union; fad he had powerful
agents in theSPanih territory-and, for MiranSs,
! laid MIR. Burr, we muf hang Miranda. He
proPofed TO give me the ieeond command in his ar
my. afked him who ihould have the chief com-
| mand He faid, General Wilknion obferved il
was iinguar that he fhould count on General Wkin.
Ion: the elevated rank and high tru he now held
| commander in chief OF our army and governor of
province, he would hardly put hazard for any pre-
carious prcipects of aggrandzsment Mr.. Burr fad,
general Wilkinon balanced in the confidence of CO.
vernment, was doubtful of retaining much longer the
confederation he now enjoyed, and was confequentiy
prepared to feeure to himelf permanently. afked
Mr. Burr, if he knew general Wikinlon |! He an,
| iwered yes: and echoed the quefton. faid knew
him well. What do you know of hin, faid MIR.
Burr know, replied, that general WilkinfoR
will ACT as lieutenant to man in exifenee. You
are in error, iaid Mr. Burr" Tpikia/on zviH as es
lieutenant TO me-" From the tenor of repeated con-
VIBRATIONS with Mr. Burr wa: induced believe the
plan offeparating the union which he had contemplate
ed had been communicated to and approved of by ge
neral Wilkinfon (though fufpett it artful
gumens OF feduaion} and he often expreffed full
confidence that the generals influence the offer of
double pay and double ratons the profpea of plum
der and the ambition of achievement would.draw the
army into his meafures, MIR. Burr talked of the eff
taosment of independent government wet of the
Allegheny matter of inherent, constitutional right
nf the people change which would eventually take
places and for the operation of which the preent cri
lis was peculiarly favorable. There was faid he no
energy in the government De dreaded and the dv-
hons al political opaions through the union was
circumstance of which fnould profit. There were
many enterprifng men among us who afpired to
iomething beyond the dull puruits of civil life and
who would volunteer in this enterprise, and the vaf
territory belonging the United States, which offer
ed to adventures and the mines Of Mexico would
bring ih-ength to his ffandard from all quarters I
liitened 20 the expedition of col. Burrs views with
ieennng acquefcsnce. Every interview convinced
me more and more that he had organized deep laid
plot OF treafon in the wef in the accomplishment of
which he felt fully confident Till, at length dif.
covered that his ambition bounded by the
waters of the Miiinfpp and Mexico, but that he me-
ditated overthrowing the prefen government of our
country He faid, it he could gain the marine
corps, and fecure the naval commanders. Truxtou
Preble Decatur, and others, he would turn Congref..
neck and heels of doors; safrate the PRECEDENT
ieze on the treaury and the navy, and declare him.
iei the protector OF an energetic government. Tbs
honorable truR Of corruping the marine corps and of
founding commodore Preele and captain Decatur,
COL Burr propoied confiding tome. Shocked at thi,
proposition, dropped the rralk, and exclaimed a..
ganit his views. He talked of the degraded ituation
OF Our country, and the neceity of 6lszy by which
that blow could be fruck here at this time, he was
confident of the fupport of the beh blood of An,eri
ca, told col Burr he deceived hSnfeIf in prefum-
ing that he or any other could excite party in
this country who woald counenance him in fuch Plot
OF desperation, murder and treafon. He replied!
that he, perhaps knew better the dipoGtions of the
influential citizens of this country than did told
him, one iotary word would delroy him. fie AK
ed. what word anfwered. UGrp.y He
lmiled at my hefta'ion, and quoted fon,e great
examples in his iavsr. obferved to him.
that had lately travelled from one extreme of
the union to the other and, though found
diveriity of political opinion among the people.
they appeared united the moi dlfant apea of ma
tional danger. That, for the fiction of the union to
which belonged, | would vouch, fhoud he fuc-
coed in the fri inRance here he would within
fix weeks afterward have his throat cut by Yankee
militia.
Though wild and extravagant Mr.. Burr's IaG pro-
ject and though fraught with premedta,ed naueh
ter, felt very eafy the lubjet becaule IFS defeat
he had depofted in my hands did not feel 70
fecure concerning that of dsjointing the union But
the very intereiting and embarraflng iruation in
which his communications Placedme, left me, con-
feis, at a ftand to know how conduct myfelf with
propriety He had committed no overt aa of sv.
grsiion againh law. ] could draw nothing from hin,
in writing; nor could learn that he had expofed his
plans to any perion me by whom my teftimony
could be Imported. He had mentioned to nae no
PeIioHs WHO were pTHcipaliy ana decidedly engaged
with him except General Wilknion---a Mr.. Alton,
who found was his fon.in-law--anda Mr. Ephraim
Kibby late captain Of rangers in General Wayne's
army. Satisfied that Mr.. Burr was refclnts in puf,-
ing his projeG Of rebellion in the wsR of the Alleeha-
ny, and apprehenve that it was too well and too e1-
tsnfively organized to be eafiy fupPrened though
dreaded the weight Of his character when laid in the
balance againt my folitary aerton, brought nv
e to the reiolution to endeavour defeat il by get
ting MIN removed from among us, or to expors my
Tell TO all consequences by dlcofure OF his intent.
ons. Accordingly, waited on the PreGdent, of the
United STATES; and after fome defultory converfat.
on, in which aimed to draw his view 90 the weR-
ward, aied the freedom to fay to the Prefident I
thought Mr.. Burr boud be fent out of this country
and gave for reafon, that believed him dangerous
in IL. The Prelident aked where he fould be fentp
mentioned London and Cadiz, The PRECEDENT
thought the tru too important, and lesued to enter
tain doubt of Mr. Burrs integrity. minated
that no one, perhaps, had lronger grounds TO milf
truh Mr. Burr's moral integrity than n1yleR, vet
believed ambition 70 much predomnated over him
that, when placed on eminsnce and put on his no.
nor, refPee to himGelf would enfure his fidelity,
His talents were objectionable. perceived the lob.
e6 diiagreeable to the Prefdent aud 10 give IL
the her,eR courie to the point, declared my concern
that Mr. Burr 7t0sHof In (svr qDay dT(bgz IT. zOs
oHS 7vbia eighteen wszfJf baVs an i,rsfion, II net