Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-27

power, negotiation is still preferred, and provi-
aional measures only are nccessar. TO meat the
event OF rupture. While therefore we do not
oc1ecs IN the slightest degree from the course we
'hen assumed, and are still pursuing, with mutu-
IL consent, to restore good understanding. we
are not TO impute to them practices as irrecon-
cieabie to interest as to good faith. and chang
ing necessarily the relation. of peace and Justice
between us to those of war. These surmises are
therefore 10 be imputed to the vauntings of the
author OF this enterprise - multiply hi, psrti.
sans by magnifying the belief of his prospects
and support.
BY letters from gen. Wilkinson, of the four.
tenth and eighteenth Of December which came
TO hand two days after the date of the resoluti-
on Oh the House OF Representatives, that i, TO
say, on the morning OF the eighteenth instant,
received the important affidavit, a copy of
which now communicate, with extract, Of so
much OF the letters as comes within the scope of
the resolution, By these it will be seen that of
three OF the principal emissares of Mr.. Burr,
whom the general had caused to be apprehend-
ed, one had been liberated by habeas corpu,.
and two others. being those particularly employ.
ed in the endeavor to corrupt the general and ar
my OF the United States, have been embarked nv
kim tor ports in the atlantic states, probably on
the consideration that an impartial trial could
not be expected, during the present agtations
OF New. orieans, and that thar city was not an
yet safe place Of confinement. AS xoou a,
these persons shall arrive, they will be delivered
to the custody the law, and left 10 such course
OF trial both as to place and process as its func
tionaries may direct. The presence of the high.
est Judicial authorities, TO be assembled ar this
place within few days, the means Of pursp;ng
sounder course of proceedings here than else.
where, and the aid of the executive means.
should the Judges have occasion to use them.
render It equally de5irabie, for the Criminal as
Tor tine public, that, being already removed from
the place where they were apprehended. the 6rst
regular arrest should take place here, and the
Course otProcsedings receive here its proper di.
rection.
January 22d, 1907.
Extract of letter from Cen. lanes Wilkinson.
dated, New-Orlc3nS, Dec IL, 1906
Alter several consultation with tue governor
and Judges, touching the arrest and confinement
OF certain known agents and emiss,ries or c,I
Burr, in this city and territory, whose intriguss
sTd machinations were to be apprehensed il is
with their privity and appreciation that have
caused three OF them TO be ATreStsd, viz doctor
Errick holman, Samuel Swartwout aud Peter
Ogden, against whom possess strong facts.
and have recommended 10 The governor TO have
James Alexander, esq. taken up on the grounds
OF strong suspicion, These persons and all O.
theirs who, by their character and deportn.n,
may be considered hostile TO the interests of ,be
United States, or dangerous TO this feeble from.
TIER under the menacing aspect of things from a.
oove' wl' IT my influence can prevail, be seized
and sent by to the United S.sr.s, subject to
the disposition of the government, and acc I'M.
panied by such information As may Justify their
confinement, and furnish clue 10 the deyelone.
ment OF the grounds, progress and projectors OF
the reasonable enterprise in which they are en-.
gagged.
This letter will accompany doctor Bollnan.
who is TO be this day embarked in vessel
bound tor Charleston, under the charge of lieut.
Wiison OF the artillery, who has orders 10 land
with his prisoner at fort Johnston or fort Moul.
trie, TO forward This dispatch by mail, and
TO wait the orders OF the executive. Mr..
Swauwout will be sent to Baltimore by vessel
which will sail some time in the ensuing week
in custody of another subaltern, who will be the
| Bearer OF strong testimony against him and also
, col. Burr, and the Others will follow under due
precautions. by the earliest opportunities which
may present.
: deem 1t essential 20 keep these prisoners a.
part TO prevent the adi us,ment of correspondent
= answers, or confessions to any examination
{ which may ensue, and hope the nea sures of
: the esecutive may be 50 prompt and efficient as
/, to relieve the officers in charge of them from
their trust before the iuspositicH OF the friends
of the PTisoners may effect their liberation.
. BY this procedure we may intimidate the con.
Y federsreS. who are unquestionaby numerous in
tins as well as the adjacent territory, discomfort
their arrangements and possibly deGtroy their in.
j, trigues; and hope the zeal which directs the
5 measure may be justified and approved, for
q whilst the glow of patriotism actuases my con.
+, duct, and | am willing to offer myself a martyr
: 40 the constitution ct my country, should in,
e deed be most grievousy disappointed did 1 in.
= cur its censure.
n Here, sir, find the key to the western
. states, and here we must form one grand deposi
tory and place of arms combine to this 2ispo.
5 sition nver ieet competent to its occIusjon,
n and post is thirty OF forty leagues above the
n Yazoo river, and we may repose in security, for
: the discomfort and suffeIings of our insurgsnt Gle
c tizens which must Immediately ensue, will soon
;, open their eyes to the vic Nedness of their lead
}. ers, and work radical reformation without
: oloodshed. This is my plan for resisting an in
= ternal attack for external defence Jun boats
s and bomb ketchet, with floating batteries AZ the
10 mouths of the Mississippi, and the passes from
: lake Ponehsrtrsin, will be necessary.
: Extract of 4 letter from Gen. James Wilkinson,
dated New Orleans, December 10, 1906.
:. SIR,
= Since my last Of the 18th instant, wits Of
habeas corpus have been issued for the bodies Of