Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-06-24
Gcto5b P1,oceeAtuqg.

SATURDAY. June 90.

IMMEDIATELY On the meeting of the
court, Mr.. Hay produced letter to him
from the President of the United States
iHclosing authenticated copies OF the orders
issGed from The Departments of War and
the Navy relative to the suppression of A.
aron Burr's conspiracy. He observed that
the court would recollect the former letter
from the President mentioned the circum-
stance of his having entrusted to Mr.. Rod
ney, Gen. Wi,kinson's letter, which Col
Burr now demands to be produced that
the President had written to Mr. Rodney
to return it, that it might be furnished 70
the court; hut since that gentleman, (as
lie understood had lately left Wilmington
in Delaware, on his way to the City of
Washington, the Presidents letter by the
mail might have passed him on the road.
lie doubted not, however, that, as soon as
possible, the letter in question would come
10 hand.-The Presidents letter and the
documents inclosed were received, as his
return, in Part, TO the gV,ft Of su6hoenG
duceS tecRm, and are as follows.
SIR, Washington, e1fure l., 1867
IN answering your letter of the gin, which
desired communication OF one TO me from Gen.
Wilkinson, specified by its date, I informed
YOU in mine Of the 18Th that had devcsed
with al 'thcr papers respecting the cha ges a
gainst Aaron Burr, to the Attorney General
when c w:ut 10 Richm end, thas had suppo.
sed he had lefr them in your possession but
would Immediately write to him. if he had NOT
to forward thar particular le,tes without delay
wrote 10 him accordingly on Che sam daY. but
having no an'wer, l know not whether he
has Forwarded the letter. ] stated in the same
letter that had desired the Secretary AZ War 10
examine his Office in order 20 comply with your
tur her request 10 turnish copies of the orders
which had bren given respecting Aaron Burr
| and his property and IN subsequent letter Of
he same day forwarded 20 YOU copIes Of two
letters from the Secretary at War, which appear-
Ell 70 be within rhe description expressed in yoar
letter. The a,Aer from he Sccrc'a-y OF the Ma
Wy. you said yoa were in passessicn sc.
| The receipt of these papers had. l presume
so far anticipated and others this day forwe,-
ded will hav- substantially fulfilled the object
of subpoena from the Dis'rict Court Of Kici
mond requiring that those officers and NV self
should attend the court in Richmond with the
letter of Gen Wilkinson, tho answer 10 that iet
ter, and me orders ol the Departments Of War
and the Navy therein generally described. M
answer to Cen WillSinson's letter. other han =
mere acknowledgment of las receipt ia a le,ts,
wtten Tor different purpose. WAS evsr writ
! ten by myself o. any other To ihe:e conmuni
cations OF papers, III add. TIA If the defendant
! supposes there are any faces wi;hir ths know
ledge of the heads of departments, or of myself
which can be useful for his defence. from, de-
sire Of doing thing our situation will permit
| in iurherance of Justice shall nc read, to
| give him the benefit OF it, by way of deposi ion
through any persons whom tho court shall au-
thorse 20 take ou- testimony a. ,his place.
know indeed Mr. Hay, that this canno be done
Hut 10y onseut Of psr;e', and therefore au.ir1-
rise YOU 10 give consent on the part OF the U. s
Mr. Bur S consent will be given Of course j. he
| suppose he testimony useful
As TO our personal attendance at Richmond.
am persuaded the oour is sensible that para.
mount du,iec TO the nation at large control the
obligation of compliance with their summons in
this case, as they would. should we receive 81
milsr one 10 attend the trials of BIanuerhasset.
and others in tho Mississippi territory, ,hose in
! twed at 81 Louis, and other places on the
Western waters, or at any place Other than the
seat Of government To comply with such calls
would leave he nation wi hout 49, executive
ctanch, whose agency nevertheless is understood
20 be 50 Constantly necessary, that it is the sole
branch which the contribution requires to De al
ways in function. IL could not then mean that
!, should be Withdrawn from i,s station by an,
coordinate au'horiIy. wi II rsspec, 70 papers
there is certainly pubic. and prlvae side 10
our n, IS T. he f,imsr belong gsants ofldud,
patents 70 Inventions. Ger ain commissions,
proclamations. and other papers pa,en,.in their
nature. TO the oth,r belong mere executive
proceedings Al nations have found it neces-
sary that. for the advantageous conduct of their
affairs, some Of these proceedings at east. should
remain known to their executive functionary
only lie Of course, from the nature OF the case f,
must be the sole Judge Of which Of them The pub
lic interest will permit publication Hence I'm
der our constitution IN requests Of papers from
the legislative TO the executive bra ca. an ex
ccpton is carefully expressed sc thoie which
he may deem The pubiI we fatC may requir, not
70 be dscloted, as you vii see IN the inciosed
resoIu ion NJ he House Of Representatives which
produced the message Of Jan q respecting ms
case The respect mutually due between the
constituted Authorities in their Official intercourse.
as well as sincere dispositions 10 do for every ono
what is Just, will always ensure from The execu
tive in exercisipgth the duty Of determination con
fded 70 him, the same caudoT aud integrity e.
whi,h the nation has in like manner trusted IN
IN disposal 90. II judica s Cons'oerS
ing you as the organ. 70, Communicating these
sentiments to the court, ad .ress Them to yo4
Tor that purpose, aud salute you with esteem and
refpeet. tbs JEFFERSON
7 CERTIFY that the annexed is a true
r ny,, fror, the rccords in tho office of fbe