Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-05-20
From q haher entitled Liberty Hall, iyfnt.
ed at Cincinnati.
COMMUNICATION.
WILKINSON AND BURR.
" Il beseech YOU,

I" / beseech YOU,
Wrest once the law to your authority:
do great right, 90 little wrong;
And curb this cruel devil of his will"
SHAKESPEARE
From the present agitated state of our
country, relative to the late transactions OF
/ general Wilkinson and col. Burr, it will be
diihcult To remove erroneous prepossessi-
ons, or 10 cause the voice of truth to be
heard. But, sooner or later, the evidence
OF facts must prevail and those whose bu-
siness 1t has been. to delude the public
mind, VIII be execrated by all honest and
impartial citizens. Iprctcnd not to explain
all the causes of the late extraordinary
movements, nor to disclose all the views OF
the leaders ofthem. Ii can bring our So
per cihzenst to reflect justly on the subject,
induce them to think unfavorably of hasty
DETERMINATIONS, and stimulate them to re-
view the steps they have taken, nv object
IN tins publication will be fully answered.
| Ii viii he recollecteG by all, that our dis
pute with Spain is of a very serious nature.
Each party is tenacious of it's own opinion,
and does not appear disposed to yield any
points IN the discussion. On this DISPUTE
depends territory of greater extent than
all the Atlantic states: No wonder we are
not disposed to yield it. The conduct of
the Spanish court more than two years
| ago, and the new dispositions assumed by
the Spanish troops on the borders of Lou
lsiana, connected with variety of other
circumstances, created fear in our govern
ment that war was inevitable. Under
these circumstances il became the duty of
the President to be prepared for events.
and to devise the best means of defence and
annoy ance 1t is understood, that he con-
! suit, q gen Wilkinson and col. Purr lat that
Ame NIce-president) on the most suitable
plan or operations, in case we were plung-
ed into war Ic is also understood that
'hese two gentlemen suggested nearly the
same great outlines, and that the Presi-
dent appeared to think well of them.
These circumstances, added to the pros
poets OF war, strengthened the intimacy
between Wilkinson and Burr Their os-
tehsio!e OBJECTS were nearly the same, but
tney were influenced by different motives
he former was SOLICITORS to discharge hi
duty, and to share with his country the
glory of successful enterprise; the latter
was stimulated by ambition, and the hoDes
OF profit. In consequence of his dispute
with hamilton, and the unfortunate termi-
nation OF Il, he was obliged to abandon the
Atlantic states and to seek a residence g.
mong strangers. DeStitu, ofemnlovmcut
he turned his whole attention to the means
necessary to accomplish whatever views
he had formed. For this purpose he visit
ca the Mississippi in 1905; and most pro-
oaOly mutual intercourse en- the subject
Oh spanish war, existed at that time be-
tween nm and Wilkinson. The real fact
is, that Burr was determined in his own
mind, at the head of host oTchoice shirts.
to share the glory of whatever enterprise
might DC undertaken; and no doubt he FAT.
tered himself with the acquisition of a
sp endId fortune, and perhaps with seat
on the throne OF Mexico. Naturally san.
Iguine i'll his temper, rendered still more
ardent by his embarrassed situation. he
readily conceived, that the golden pros
poets, which presented themselves, Nyould
induce thousands of warriors to flock to his
standard. In this, however, he was sadly
disappointed for with all his exertion.
only few hundred were ready to follow
his fortune.
Inc conciliatory agreement made by
Wilkinson on the Sabine, Disconnected the
lprojects of Burr, and disappointed him in
his expectations. Had he been honest in
his views he ought to have reioiced at the
continuance ofpeace, and Immediately dis.
banded MS folowers.-But instead Of thi.
he Ill eXertcd himself to procure men
and the munimentS Of war, and gradually
luntolded new schemes, subversive of the
interests ard peace of the United States
tIhese were doubtless formed long before
as VIII appear from the disclosure of gen
Eaton Wilkinson first became acquainted
with them while on the Sabine, partly from
the written declarations of Burr, and part.
lly from the communications of his spies
and adherents Whatever were the pri.
vate sentiments Of Wilkinson, relative tc
q Spanish war, no sooner had he conclud.
cd the Sabine convention, than his duty
compelled him to Illustrate the hostile
movements of unauthor' sed individuals, and
to arrest them for trial. What then was
his astonishmcnt when he found that Burr
still persisted in his project, and even at.
tempted TO allure him by bribe Much
Igrcs!er must have been his establishment
when re 'nund that Burr had either decciv.
ed him, or had relinqushed his origina
design and that instead Of aiding the u
S. he contemplated a separation Of the u
Mon, and the seizure Of New Orleans a,
preparatory to it. lie then repaired t,
the defence of tho capital-and at a con
venicnt time denounced Burr as a conspi
rator and traitor.
Gen. Wilkinson was early apprised o
these hostile projects but he deemed j
prudent to keep the knowledge Of them t
himself The people were ignorant Of TN,