Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-06-06


STATES and Cyrus Griffin, District Judge.
Continuation Of the Debate on the nation
made by Mr. HAr, on Monday the 25th
3iit. 10 commit Col. Buzz on me charge
Of TkkASoN.
WHEN Mr.. UIrt had finished, mes
sage was received from the grand jury in
forming the court that they desired to be
brought in, and If any argument was going
on which it would be improper for them to
hear, thati night be suspended during their
presence. The grand jury were accord
ingly introduced; and Mr.. Jshn RandoLhh
their foreman observed, that, in couse-
quence of whathad passed III he morning,
they did not conceive themselves at liberty
TO dispense that they had found no pre-
sentiment, and had no business before them,
but were nevertheless willing to continue
their attendance rs long as the public good
required it. They therefore requested to
be adjourned unit! the next morning; but
it was not their wish or intention, indivi-
dullly, or collectively to hear any thing
which was improper. The court thereup-
or adjourned them until Tuesday IL o.
clock, and they Immediately retired.
Mr.. Hay then rose and spoke to the fol-
lowing effect.
May IL please yon7' honorS,
On this occasion beg leave TO make
enc or two preliminary remarks. I stand
here engaged in the performance of very
delicate task. The duty | have to per-
form is indeed most serious and important.
The subject now before us is one which
deeply affects the character of the govern
ment and the charge is the most solemn
and interesting that can be exhibited "a
gainst any individual. The motion nave
to make is that .4aron Burr may he COM
mitted on a charge of treason against the
United States
Sir, it was natural to suppose, that such
serious charge would have made a most
serious impression upon A. BIS mind that
he would have reused all the energies of
his understanding in his service in vindicat-
ing himself& n ~ casting imputation sup
oil the government: Why then doe, he turn
from defending himself to attack the admit
nistration Why these complaints ofperse-
cution which have fatigued our enrs most
Soiemnly deny the charge. ] most conf
IDENTITY avow, that there is not a title of
evidence to support it. None can be pro-
duced, unless 1t be persecution, that the
government brings him before legal tri-
bunal, where his guilt or innocence will be
impartially established. A. Burr stands ac
cuscd ofthe highest crimes and misdemea-
nors; he stsndS charged with deliberate
design OF involving his country in all the
horrors of a civil insurrection, or of entan-
81 ng her in war with foreign nation.
This is the true question before the court,
and instead OF meeting this charge with the
energy and firmness which became him
instead of confrontiDgi it with his evidence
he complains Sorsooth of persecution And
where, sir, is this immense persecution.
Because he was sent here by a militia
ry authority!" But could A Burr have been
tried in the country where he was arrest
ed Was Blanerhasset's island in theMis-
sissippi territory &! Or ought he not to have
been conveyed to that judicial district.
which possessed a competent Jurisdiction
But if A Burr ought to have been sent
here, by what number of men should he
have been escorted? Was it by one man
only from whom he could have been so ca
silly rescued, and whose vigilance he could
most probably have eluded? Or ought he
20 have been conveyed, as he really was,
by the energy of men, like Perkins, whose
unshrinking frmness, and whose hunoni-
~ in the presence of Aaron Burr himself.
avow it, let him deny it, if he CAM had
completely qualified him FOR the safe trans.
portation of his prisoner?
But, sir, when this cry and yell of per-
secHtion are once excited, it is not easy to
set bounds to its fury. Not contentet with
inveighing against the pretended persecu-
ton OF the goverlment---a government,
which never did pcrsecute------a govern
ment, which cannot persecute, and which
will forer stand firm in the affections of the
people, from the integrity and intelligence
which mark its mcasures---.not contented
with lavishing their complaints against that
government, the counsel for the prisoner
have even turned against the humble in
strumcnts, who conduct the prosecution.
They seriously complain, that we have Civ
Ell them no previous notice Of this motion
-s--and these are the very men, who have
ooften offered motions to this court, with
ont the slightest intmatioh to ourselves.
Sir, most positively assert, that no notice
IN the present case ought to have been Civ
en-. ] shall not pretend to assert, that A
Burr was disposed under the present state
OF Things, to effect his escape But, I say.
that supposing such 70 have been the fact.
and supposing that, awaiting himself of the
Information, which we had imDarted. he
should have taken to Fight III appeal TO
ihe oandor OF every impartial man 49,
lappeal to the candor Of the opposite coun-
sci themselves, whether ] should not have
99een guilty a most gross violation Of nv
duties v "'I
But hey say, he ought not TO be commit
tee, because the prcsence of tl,s s.r,,I -