The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-02-03


defend the Allegany, for whole accommo-
dation light boats had been built and were
ready / enquired what would be their
courfe. He faid This territory would be re-
volutionized, where the people were ready to
Is join them, and that there would be fome
feizing he fuppossd at New-Orleans-thst
they expected to be ready to embark about
the frft of February and intended to land at
l. Vera Cruz, and to march from thence to
Mexico ] obferved that there were feveral
millions Of dollars in the bank of this place.
to which he replied, We know it full well,'
and on my remarking that they certainly
did not mean to violate private property, he
faid they merely meant to borrow and would
return it-that they NUT equip themfclvcs in
6 New-O orleans, that they expected naval pro-
lection from Great Britain-That the cap
tain - and the officers of our navy were 70
difgufted with the government that they were
| ready to join-that limilar difguh prevailed
throughout the wetern country, where the
people were jealous in favor of the enter
prize, and that pilot-boat built fchooners were
contracted for along our fouthern coat for
their fervice-that he had been accompanied
from the falls of Ohio, to Kafkafkias, and
| from thence to Fort Adams by Mr. Ogden,
| who had proceeded on to New. Orleans with
letters from Col. Burr to his friends there
Swartwout afked me whether l had heard
from Doctor Bollman, and on my anfwerng
in the negative, he expreiied great furprze, and
obferved-' that the Doctor and Mr.. Alexan-
| der had left Philadelphia before him with diff
patches for me, and that they were to pro-
coed by fea to New-Orleans where he faid
they mum have arrived
Though determined to deceive him if poillble
l could not refrain telling MIR. Swartwout, it
was impofiible that could ever diihonor my
commifiion; and believe duped him by my
admiration of the plan, and by obferving, "that
although I could not join in the expedition
the engagements which the Spaniards had pre-
pared for me in my front, might prevent my op-
pofng it." Yet did, the moment had de-
cyphered the letter. put it into the hands of
Col. Cufhing, my adjutant and infpeetor, max
ing the declaration that fhouId oppofe the law
lefs enterprise with my utmof force. Mr.
Swartwout informed me he was under engage
ments to meet col. Burr at Naihvie the goth
of November, and requefted of me to write him,
which declined, and on his leaving Natchito-
ches about the 18th of Co., Immediately en-
ployed lieut.. Il. A. Smith to convey the infor-
nation in fubftance to the Prefident, without
the commitment of names, for from the extra
ordinary nature of the project, and the more
extraordinary appeal to me, / could but doubt
its reality, notwithstanding the teftimony before
me, and did not attach fold belief to Mr.
Swartwout's reports refpeeting their intentions
on this territory and city, until / received con.
6rmatory advice from st. Louis.
| After my return from the Sabine, crolIed
the country to NatcheZ and on my deficient of
the Mifiiflippi from that place l found Swart
won't and PsterV Ogden at Fort Adams--with
the latter held no communication, but was in
formed by Swartwout, that he (Ogden) had re-
turned 70 far from New-Orleans on his route to
| Tennei1ee, but had been 70 much alarmed by
certain reports in circulation that he was afraid
| to proceed. Ienquired whether he bore letters
| with him from New Orleans, and was informed
by Swartwout that he did not, but that Mr.
| Spence had been fent from New-Orleans thro'
the country to Nalhyie with letters for Col.
| Burr.
I reached this city the a5th ultimo, and on
| the next morning James Alexander, efd vifited
me-he enquired of me aide whether I bad
feen Doctor Bollmau, and on my anf.yering in
| the negative, he afked me whether i would fuf.
fer him to conduct Bolman to me, which re-
fufed. He appeared deirous TO commune ate
fomethng, but felt no inclination to ineulpate
this young man and he left me. A. few days af-
ter he paid me fecond viiit and feemed defirous
to communicate, which avoided, until he had
| rifen to take leave, then raifed my finger, and
obferved, "take care, you are playing dan
gerous game"-he anfwered---" it will ftIcceed"
II again obferved, "take care"---and he re-
piled with ftrong affirmaton---" Burr will be
here by the beginning of next month"---In adj
dition to thefe corroborating circumstances a.
gainft Alexander, beg leave to refer to the &C.
companying documents---A and B---from all
which ] feel no helitaton in declaring under
the foemn obligation of an oath, that do be-
lieve the fad Swartwout, Alexander and Ogden,
have been parties to and have been concerned
in the infurreetion formed or forming in the
ftates and territories the Ohio and Miflifiippi
rivers, againf the laws and contribution of the
United States,
Signed,
JAMES WILKINSON.
Sworn to and fubfcribed before me this 2sth
day of December, in the year of our Lord
1906.
Signed,
GEORGE POLLOCK,
Juftice of the peace for
the county of Orleans.
Extra9 ofa letter, dated Nak5Uille, January
III, 1907.
"The movements of Col. Burr, have excited
much uneaGnefs and conjecture amont us, va
rious reports are circulating refPeeting his
equipment, fometimes il is faid he has fix thou
fand effective men on the Ohio, fometimes lefs,
he left this place, fay ten days fince. Gen. a.
dar and fome others followed on fhortly after,
from Kentucky; he took only eighteen or
twenty men from NafhviIle, and them of the
ragga-muffin kind. for my o0 n part can form
no opinion of the intentions of the man, nnefs