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

had left the government, and take possession OF
Bston Rouge. Mr.. Ralston further stated to
this depouent thar Il was NOT the intention OF
Colonel Burr TO promote and make separa ion
OF the union. but to act against the Spanish 60.
vernnent and stated the intended expedition 4
gaiust Mexico When this deponent mentioned
the name of Captain Shaw. MIR Ras,on obser-
we'd, that if he was one of the Mediterranean OF.
Ulcers he was friendly to their measures that il
was well understood tina, large proportion of 'he
officers of the army and Mediterranean officers
were already engaged in their interests Mr..
Ralston expressed great surprize at the conduct
of General Wilkinson in arresting certain char
acicrs, Swartwout Ogden, Bollman, and Alex
ander, and repeatedly asked his deponent what
he thought Of the conduct of General Wilkinson,
and whether he believed he had deserted the IN
teres;s of The party, or was il only to cover his
greater objects This deponent further declares
that Mr. Ralston and Mr. Fioyd visited the fort
of Fort Adams on the evening ofIhe l2th of IAN
uary instant, between sunset and dark, and wal
ked rou"d the said Fort
Signed. John F CARMICHAEL.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 18th day
of January, 1907.
Signed, CENAS, Justice Of Peace
From this affidavit C,f i, be admitted to have
any weight u must appear that this never TO be
sufficiently detested plan which according to A.
Naf iiu-H Fauhteu was IN the event
we were It at hostility with spain, TO be pu ely
agricultural had i, in view, frs. unwarran adj,
and wcked!y to seize upon the possessions of
friendly power and secondly. general corrupt
on of the officers of the army and navy being
effected. toprosecuie scheme of conquest which
1t successful must eventua.e in the separation of
he union
From this document II might also De inferred
(what is highly probable) thar Burr intention
Iol Il -.
sembe withour suspicion from different quarters.
while the leader was to descend the Mississippi
with so uncomfortable number of s,riplinSs as
to throw a ridicuie on all apprehensions OF his
warlike preparations Thus might suspicion
be eluded. and the plan more securely conducted
--or in case of an alarm. and the intervention
OF the constituted authorizes and acquittal upon
trial. and consequently the future uninterrupted
prosecution of the design secured. AS lawyer
he well knew that offence cognisabie By RE
iaVrS had b en- hitherto committed, that alth rngh'
suspicion might he excited. and jealously awake,
he mad to fear neither punishment, for The past.
nor an efeet i've prec1u;ion agains; the figure as
dsmago gue he had exactly compared the ou-ren,
Of popular prejudice, which like the refinx Of
| the tide, runs with equal force IN the oppo-
site direction, aud would probably on his acquit-
tai. set in his favor as strongly as it had before
| opposed him and as i profound poi ne
friends, (of which, if we Judge by the specimen
we have here, great number must BE- di'pe sed
throughout that country 10 improve the
| sion to swell the cellar of his acqurtal into a
| triumph, TO nisield. 10 corrupt, 10 turn upon
his enernie., and Fl ally TO succeed. Even while
II the act of cnnrni,ting this paper the ca
t17'rophe may ne winding up. and he last act #
this eventfdl drama may be performing on the
great theatre Of our western world
| Whaf he MIGHT
saries ave new striving 20 ef-a, and The ven
geance OF an eXnsperated pso1ie is imprecote /
| On the he ID of wilkinson, as an awful lesson u
| he American officer how he presunes - hi 5
own dread responsibility 10 stiHe cans piracy in
her bir'h or battle he purposes OF rebellion
! To efeet this end, tbs constitution is violated
! cry Alexander and Adair, and = ssnseless and
mad crowd of macontents echo the complains
| IA her let the western country become prey TO
civil discord. and drenched in the blood of her
defenders, ra,her let treason and Bur- hand IN
hand trample on our in5ri'u.ons, overthrow our
laws dissolve the government plumber property.
public and private, and marching over 4 pros
trate and inlb"cie administration carry T. the
conquest of Mexico, the proud satisfaction OF
having conquered his country, than that the
compact made for general security and happi
ness should be infringed for its own preserva
ten. than the administration should triumph in
mid pari6c policy, and rather than an officer
should be otherwise than execraed and punish.
e. who lad dared 20 avert .iamiy f.om the
country in spite of her insitutions
The glorious opportunity of casting down a
wise and benevolent admin. tra'ion is lost-coH.
spiracy has been bafled, its agents have been
seized. its resources diminished, the most fIm
and decisive mea ures of prevention adopted
and the protector Of The whole diab0lical schene
within the grasp of the law without sword
being drawn or shot fired.
H'nc lilac laehrymae
The rage which the ICED violation of the
Constitution has exci'cd, would have exhausted
i'seif on an Object much more congcnial to the
wishes of the enemies OF the country, if a cri.
minal indifference had permitted conspiracy to
walk at large; if the only force emp Dyed to
crush rs endeavours had been the force of the
aw 1t IN q remote territory, and with new and
nnirIed poPula ion. the commander in chic
with his eyes open to the consequences had
sought selfish responsibility in the weakness.
OF the laws, and sacrificed his country above
ALL VI treason had in cons, quence proved suc.
cessfui' then woud'faGlon have been eratifed
WIN copiois theme of abuse and defamation
and the name of Wilkinson been SYNONYMOUS
WIN HdifW A CITIZEN.