Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-03

declare and swear, that i'm the beginning of
the month of October last, when in com
mand at Natchitoches, stranger was in
troduced to me by Col. Gushing, by the
name of Swartwout, who few minutes af-
ter the colonel retired from the room slipt
into my hand letter of formal introduction
from Col. Burr, of which the following is a
correct copy.
PHILADELPHIA, Juiy 25th, 1906.
! DEAR SIR,
MIR. Swartwout, the brother of col. s. of
New York, being on his way down the Mis-
sssippi, and presuming that he may pass
you at some post OH the river, has request
ed OF me letter of introduction, which I
give with pleasure, as he is most amiable
young man, and highly respectable from
his character and connections. pray YOU
to afford him any friendly offices which his
situation may require, and beg you to par
don the trouble which this may give you.
With entire respect,
Your friend and obedient servant.
A. BURR.
His Excellency
GENERAL WILKINSON.
Together with a lcket which he inform
ed me he was charged by the same person
to deliver me in private. This packet con-
tanned letter in cypher from col. Burr, of
which the following is substantially as fair
an Interpretation as have heretofore been
able to make, the original OF which hold
in my possession.
81 (Aaron BURY have obtained funds
and have actually commenced the enter
prlze--detachments from different points
and under different protences will rendez-
vous on the Ohio 1st November-everv
thing internal and external favors views
Protection of England is secured--T
us going to Jamaica to arrange with
the admiral on that station; it will meet
on the ississippi-England- of
the l nited States are ready To JON and final
orders are given to my friends * followers
II Will be an Host of choice spirits-Wil-
Sinson shall be second to Burr only-NVil-
klnson shall dictate the rank and promote
on ofhis officers-Burr will proceed West
ward 1st August-never to return-with
MIN so his daughter-the Husband will
follow in October with corhS of worthfes
send Forthwith AN intelligent and con.
nsentlal TREND with whom Burr NAV con-
ter. lie shall return Immediately with fur
ther interesting details-this is essential
to concert and harmony of movement
J SEND list all persons known to Wilkin-
son west of the mountains, who NAV be USE
tul, with note delineating their characters.
! BY your Messenger send me4 or s of the
commission of vour officers which YOU
can borrow under any pref nee you please
They shall be returned faithfullv-alrea-
| dy are orders to the contractor given to
forward six months provisions to points
| Wilkinson may name--thiS she'll not be
used until the last me ment, and then under
proper iniunctions-the project is brought
to the point so lono desired-Rurr euaran-
tees the result with his life and honor
with the lives, the honor and fortunes of
hundreds, the be blood OF our countrv-
surr's plan of operations is TO move down
RAPIDLY from the falls on the 15th of Nnvem-
Der with the first 500 or 900 men in light
boats now constructing for that purpose
to be IT Natchez between the 5th and 18th
o. December-there To meet Wilkinson
there TO dett rhine whe ther II will he ex-
Dedient in the first instance to seize on or
pass by Baton Rnure-on recent # this
send Hurr an answer--draw on Purr for
an eXpeDces, &c. The people of the coun-
trv To which we are going are preparing to
receive uS--their AGENTS now with Burr saw
that II we viii protect their religion and
viii not subject them to a FOREIGN power,
that IN three weeks all will be settled.
ne ''ods lHTte to glory and fortune-;t
remains tn he seen whether we deserve the
boon. The bearer of this goes express 70
vou--he will hand formal letter Of intro.
duction TO YOU from Burr. he is man OF
inviolable honor and perfect discretion
formed to execute rather than to nroiect-
capable Of relating facts with fidelity and
incapable Of relating them otherwise. He
IS thoroughly informed Nf the plans and in.
tenrlons ot-----, and will disclose tC
YOU as far as YOU enquire and No further
he has imbibed reverence f.r your cha
racter and NAV be embarrassed in vou
presence-put him at ease and he will sa.
tiSfv YOU. "-29th July''
instantly resolved to avail myself of the
reference made to the bearer, and in thu
course of some days drew from him (thC
said Swartwoue) the following disclosure
} 'That he had been dispatched bv Col. Bur,
from PHILADELPHIA, had passed through
sthe states Of Ohio and Kentucky, and pro
'ceeded from Louisville for St Louis
'where he expected to find me. but disco.
'vering at Kaskaskias that had descend.
'ed the river, he procured skiF hired
'hands, and followed ire down the Missis.
'sippi to Fort Adams, and from thence set
'out for Natchtocfes, in Company with
captains Sharks and Hooke under the pre-
'terce Of a disposition To take part in the
campaign against the SpaDisrds then de-
'pending. That Col. Burr with the sun.
sport Of a powerful association extending
'from New-York to New Orleans, was 1e-
ewing an armed body Of 1000 men from
'the state Of New.York and the western