Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-04-17

we believe, however, tneJuuge necu not
have been so fearful of subjecting his wor-
thy friends to too heavy loss; for, if the
rccognizance is forfeited, we think it ex-
tremely probable it will be discharged by
! a general subscription among their party
and so numerous will be the subscribers
that no individual will have to pay more
than one hundred dollars
That Col. Burr will forfeit his recogni-
zance in case sufficient evidence to convict
him of treason, or even of a misdemeauor,
shall be obtained by the Odd day of May
next, no rational man can doubt. On one
side would appear to his view the hor-
rors of a dungeon or of an ignominious
death on the other, only q breach Of
faith, which, if he is guilty of the crimes
imputed to him, must to him have been
long ago familiar. DishoDored and BIAS
ted as he would be forever in the OPT
Mons of all good men, could he hesitate TO
add small additional stigma to his cha
racter in order to save his life, or escape
from prison Indeed, if it should be un-.
derstood between him and his securities
that his failing to appear in discharge of
his recognizance would be necessary for
his safety, and his federal friends and din-
| ner-co1ptanions should agree to contribute
the requisite sum for his benefit, he might
disappear and leave them to satisfy the re-
cognizance without any violation of good
| faith. If this arrangement should not be
resorted to, can it be believed that the
wealthy Mr.. Aston of South Carolina, how
ever Innocent we admit him to be of the
criminal designs ofhis father-in-law, would
permit that father-in-law to languish in a
prison, or expire on a gibbet, when he
might save him from either deplorable al
tentative by paying the sum Of ten thousand
dollars? That gentleman, whose charaC
ter we are happy to say is that of a man of
honor, is said TO have arrived in this city,a
/ for the purpose, it is presumed, Of visiting
and comforting his distressed relation
IF others who have Visited and comforted
that unfortunate gentleman, had had as
| good an excuse as Mr.. Aston for so doing,
no aDimadversions upon them would have
appeared. We sincerely feel for the sor-
rows of Mr.. Aston and his lady, and la
ment with them the disgrace which must
now be forever attached to the name OF
| Burr. We cannot, however, expect that
Mr.. Aston will possess the Heroic virtue
of an ancient Roman, and that his abhor-
renee of the treason will induce him tc
leave the traitor to his fate. We canno,
expect that he will not exert himself to the
utmost TO screen. him from punishment.
1t seems therefore evident, in case the
government of the United States shall be
able to prove col. Burr guilty of either o
the charges against him, that the small
ness ofthe sum in which he Vas let to bal
will insure his failing to appear at the next
Federal Court. This act of the Chief Jus
ticc has certainly injured him considera.
by in the opinion of his country, an,
we leave it to his ingenuity to wipe Of
the stain on his reputation which we flea,
will be indelible If this SHOULD be out o
his power, and traitor should escape b,
his Continuance, his consolation will be il
th+ applause of that party to which he il
attaChcd III opposition TO his country, ant
whose appreciation he prefers TO that of TIL
rest of mankind in the present and Of pos
terity iii future ages.
-
sour correspondent, we apprehend, ha
been misinformed. We have not heard q
the arrival Of Mr.. 4. in Richmond; Their
was however rumor to that effect il
circulation few days'since.-E.. A.