Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-10-23
Glrcm1t Count.
MOTION FOR COMMITMENT
THURSDAY, October 1.

THURSDAY, NJClODcr L.
Gen WiLkinSon'S testimony continued
Mr. HIc&han,. You mentioned that Swart-
won't was with YOU about the first of Octo-
Der? General WiikinSon. think about the
9Th or 10th. Ibelievc have said the mid
die because I marched on the 23d. and
Swartwout had left me some days before.
Mr. Wickham Your letter TO the govern
ment is of the 2lst of October; will YOU as
sign n reason for so long delay A. ] took
time cautiously to draw from Mr. Swart-
won't what Information | could obtain, lest
should excite suspicion. Another circum-
stance was that | was busily engaged in
making arrange ofthe artillery, trans
ports and other military equipments in or
der TO take the field. Mr. Wickhdm. You
say in your letter 10 the President, that
"You are not only unintormed OF The prime
{" mover and ultimate objects OF the daring
"enterprizc, but you are ignorant of the
Z" foundation on which it rests, of the means
"by which it is 10 De supported, and whe-
tther any immediate or collateral protcc-
rtion, internal or external is expected" |
beg leave to ask why you stated this TO the
President after getting the Information you
did from Swartwout y. The answer is
very plain; but the question is complex.
If you viii dismem0er 1T, 1 can answer it.
Mr. WickhaMl read an extract from the let
cr(being part Of that just Quotcd) an; said,
I think this is diii1 cent from the infng nati-
OH you gave the court. General Wikkin-
son. doubted the information ! received
from Swartwout. ] could not suppose that
Col. Burr or any other individual would
have the audacity or folly to undertake
such an enterprise without the assistance
of some foreign power. ] could not, there
fore, view him as the prime mover, bus as
the Instrument. ! doubted Swartwout's
deciarations and although they had an eff
feet upon my mind, | could not place So
lid confidence III them. lie said that the
people OF the territory were ready to join.
He was a stranger in the country and there
fore could know nothing oil their Gispositi.
ons but from information. ] was acauain-
ted With them, and had heard Of no such
disposition. Mr. Wickham. Then YOU doubt
ed whether Swartwout was authorised to
make these communications A. Ibegyour
pardon. believe that he was authorised,
and instructed tn deliver me lessons OF false
hood Mr. Wickham. Then you say that
you still doubted? "A. 1t is so expressed in
the letter. Mr. IViCkhan1. These express
sions, understand, conveyed the true state
OF your mind at that time General W;k-
kinSOn. ! wish you TO understand me.
WHEN contemplated The audacity, the ini-
quity and the folly OF the enterprise, I did
believe that Colonel Burr was stimulated
by some foreisn power. With respect TO
revolgdonziug the territory, ! could not
place any sole confidence IN II, until re-
Ceived the communication OF James l.. Do
madison, esq; when combining ali the cir
cumsraucas ] wrote my letter Of the 18th
OF Novem5er. Mr Wckham. Then / un-
derstanl you 70 say that this was tn. true
q - 81, ..
kinsou Yes Propounding this question
brings 20 my recollection Il subject not
Thought ofbcfore Icnduired of Mr. Swart-
wou5 from whence Colonel Burr derived
his funds. lie said, from the aid offriends,
and tic sale Of property IN Which sale he
had been employed, l knew that Colonel
BUR- had no property. This declaration
ofSwartWcuy give me less confidence in hi:
Communications. Mr. Wickham. ! obser.
we'd ia your letter Of the 2lst Of October
this expression, '.my de sire o avert a grea
national calamity" Al that time you hat
doubts whether the enterprise might mo-
be salutary? General HiitiRson Would
it be improper 70 assign my reasons why
supposed j; might I've salutary? As / paq
sed through NatChez, understood hat Nj
Meade, who exercised the functions of 20
vernon, had spoken of an attack on the spa
nish post of Baton Rouge, and was infor
med by MIR Dunlop and a MIR Smith, tina
he had said the government would conniv,
at the measure.
Mr. Wckhani. This postscript on the let
Ter; " Should Spain be disposed to war sc
Tiously with US, might not some plan be a
dopted to correct the destination Of the rs
sociates, and by a suitable appeal to thei
patriotism, engage them in the service q
their country l merely offer tic sugges
tion rs possible expedieDt to prevent tn
horrors of civil contest. And do bclicv
that with competent authority could &C
complsh the OBJ Am Co uuderstan
that the postscript contains tho true stat
Of your mind at that time A. There
some uncertainty whether that poStscril
is part OF the original letter. II is nc
ted on the corner in my own hand writin,
and not in that of Mr. Burljng, who wa
then one Of my aids-de camp, and by whor
the copy was made. Mr. Baker It neve
was understood that copy would bercce
we'd by .Cclopel Burr. Now we see tho NJ
cessty of having the original1 Geuer;
IViLkinsoH ] have no sort Of hesitation
state what NV feelings were. If the Sp'
n;ards had been seriously disposed to wa
did believe that by p suitable appeal
the feelings and patriotism Of the delude
citizens who might have descended vii
Colonel Burr, they would have been il
duced to join our standard, and oppose