Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-03-20

buTT III lUc CNSUI Vi tic uctcCtlOn ana ue-
feat of his project, had so little prudence
and caution as not to be furnished with
plausible tale calculated to gull the multi
tude as to his ostensible object, that he
would not have some other resource than
hight for safety, and that he would not be
prepared, when interrupted in his design,
TO prove that he had been unusti6ably and
injuriously hindered in his lawful PURSUITS,
by those to whom he would inevitably re-
tori the brand of traitor. They who de-
ceived by so shallow an artihce, are ready,
In opposition to the strongest evidence to
take ms 7cord and that Of his ddherents
for the tact, s. believe his intentions inno-
cent, because he nogv declares them hraiSe-
Svorthy, have arrived at state of inert
credulity. on which argument or demon
stration can effect nothing, and must per-
severe stupidity and blindly in belief, because
determined not to be convinced, and loving
the traitor more than they hate the treason
With such 1T is idle to reason, and to such
these observations are not addressed.
True it is that the human mind ever
prone to extremes, if it can bring itself to
doubt the existence of this conspiracy, by
natural transition proceeds TO an unquali-
fed condemnation of Wilkinson. But what
temper short of infatuation would it be,
which discrediting positive proof, and the
stronger assurance of concurring circum-
stances. commits the compendious injustice
OF not only declaring Wilkinson guilty upon
infinitely lighter evidence than that upon
which Burr is at once acquitted, but in re-
turn for the detection and defeat of treason,
received as indisputable the daring and in
credible imputation cas-. by exaspcrated
guilt on the honor of him who provoked its
fury, by opposing its designs and spurning
at its offers
Burr in the first rage of his disappoint.
ment charges Wilkinson with having been,
and still being the g Pensioner of foreign
governmental there is party infatu-
ated enough to credit the wicked assertion
OF a baffled traitor!
Bollman and Swartwout, Alexander, Og-
den, and Adair, are discharged by judicial
authority from confinement, because the
law is not suite emily strong for their pu-
nishment, and there are men hardy enough
TO assert their innocence, and that they have
been the objects of the relentless persecu-
ton of a military tyrant
is there any doubt that Swartwout and
Bollman were each of them the bearer of
treasonable proposal from the ringleader to
general Wilkinson? And vet upon their
escape by the unprecedented interference
OF a court without cognizance ofthe offence,
there are tobe found men ready to receive
them with open arms, and to give public
congratulatory dinners on the occasion.
Alexander in the most open and uncqui-
vocal manner evinced his knowledge and
appreciation of the enterprise, and proved
himself beyond all reasonable doubt par
ty interested, and vet there are Americans
prepared to defend him, because he has "a
bused Wilkinson and reflected on the adj
ministration.
Although it is susceptible of proof, that
Adair when in the custody of the officer to
whose Charge he was committed after his
arrest, exclaimed in his hearing, in all the
rage OF disappointment, "d-n seize
him, (Vilkinson) if he had delayed his arr
rest for forty-eight hours, he should have
been my prisoner" and although, as APP
pears by the affidavit hereto subioined, ma
jor Floyd, and Mr.. Ralston Ito whom re-
ference is made in Adair's publication, and
who are therein stated neUer to haze sho-
Ken to him on the subject ofhiS intended
Toute) did positively assert to a gentleman
OF responsibility, that the operations of Burr
were carried on conformity with Adair, poin-
ted out with correctness the route which
Adair was to take to New-Orleans and
without the slightest temptation to false
hood concurred in saying, that Adair after
consulting with Wilkinson, was to meet
them at certain day, at a certain spot,
yet the cry of military persecution, and of
the invasion of the constitution, will conti-
tinue to be resoundcd by all who are ready
TO adopt even the cause of rebellion, if it
can furnish plausible occasion of abusing
the administration.
Let the reader here refer to the affida-
Wit and judge for himself.
County Of Orleans, So.
Personally appeared before me, the subscriber
one OF the justices Of ,he peace in and for the
said county, DR.. J"hn f. Carmichael, who on
his solemn oath declares, that on the evening OF
the llth January, inst. Mr. Raj Ton and Mr.
Floyd. the son of captain Floyd of Louisville
Kentucky, called AZ tho house of this deponent
spent the evening and breakfasted with him the
next day; thar the conversation during the even.
ing and morning gene ally related TO the varou.
opinions in circulation respecting Col Burr and
the situation of this country; that after break.
fast Mr.. Ralston opened his business with ,hii
deponent, stating that he had descended the Mis-
sissppi as far as New Madrid in company with
Col Burr, where he l.ft him that General A.
dair had gone TO New Orleans by a circuioul
route and that his intention was to communicate
with General Wilkinson, and to return so as tc
meet them At my house about that time iF pos
sibe that IL was an object with them to ascer
tain the exact situation of the fort at Baton
Rouge. the state Of the works, the number oil
men, its weak situation and that the For
adams was OF some consequence, what United
States tYOODs there. and Who