Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-10-30

SSdiaT NSt''li pt tle proceedings Ot COlCnCl
Burr fr"0 has first passage oil the noun
t,;is, but have been adv sed to- conline
myself to "a narration uf the occurrences
which commenced ut Eatchi;oches. lis
now my duty To- ~ back To- that period and
trace col Burr step by step.
The Chief Justice said, tina, the curt
could not SIT tn hear any thing except
what related to the cause As TO the in
tention " til which general Wilkinson had
done any particular act, he had been per-
United 10 explain, in the whole course oil
his testimony. With respect to what had
been drawn from Mr. razewcll, as he un-
derstood 1t, there was no variation between
his statement and that of General yyiikm-
SON.
The papers which gen. Wilkinson wish
ed "a refer to had rs we'll appear before the
public in ary other way as thru the chan
hcl uf this Court
Mr. Nc rae said he did not know that
general Wilkinson had gone so fully inso
am explanation Of the various parts of his
evidence as lie intended. He had UNDER
stood the court to say, that general
Wilkinson might be perntted to explain
himself rs TO any particular fact mention
ed III the course Of his testimony. 1t is the
WISH o. general Wilkinson, on every occa-
~
ell him and If III some points, he has not
been so full as he intended, he hoped that
the court would still hear him.
Mr. UickAaDr. Genera, Wilkinson must
necessarily stand IN very delicate SITUATE
OIL. Very heavy charges are brought a
gainst Colonel Burr, which are attempted
10 be established by the testimony of gene
RAJ Wilkinson. IL must have Gcen fore
seen that the unset Of colonel Burr, if they
Gid their duty, wcU.d endeavoT to lmpeach
the credibility OF general Wilkinson as u
witness But this is a Common case. Ii is
thing which may happen in the case Of
every witness who is brought before the
court. a witress is brought forward on
whose testimony much reliance is placed
lie is, ot Course, cross-examined to see
whether he be consistent with himself; or
whether his credibiiity can be impeached
In The present case, am Certain that ge-
neral Wilkinson has been treated with G.
very degree of delicacy which the nature
OF the CAGE would admit of. With respect
to myself, am conscious Of having done
nothlng but what my duty dictated and of
having used as much dsicacy towards pc
neral Wilkinson, as his relation would JUS
hty. We do not see the necessity or pro-
Iricty of general Wilkinson's entering ini O
explanations IL these arc to be made,
they had better be reserved for some other
time, and some other pl2c".
Col. Burr. Gen. Wilkinson has been
sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth II he has not told
the truth, let him do it now and not by
his explanations, interrupt the examina,;-
on Of other witnesses
Gen. IPiikiHSon. have received, and
have now in my possession number OF let
tiers from colonel Burr Of an ambieuou. liz :
turc, combining matters personal with
matters political; but they contained no.
thing which would subject him to legal Pc
naIty or legal obstruction. l have before
observed, that under the circumstances in
which these letters were received, / did
not feel myself at liberty to divulge their
contents without the permission OF colonel
burr. now ask that permission, for |
feel that deicacy which others hrofcss to
feel. thc letter post marked the 18th OF
Nay has often been mentioned, and has
been used TO injure my character, and en-
veiNpe 1t in doubts and suspicious. This
letter, if written at all, must have been in
answer 10 one received from colonel Burr.
Why has it not been produced I chal-
lenge its production: for if it were brought
forward, it would release me from all OBJ
legation to silence; and would enable NE
TO exhibit to public view, the letters of col.
Burr. Sir, / am incapable of uttering an
Intentional ialsehood; and under the solem-
n.ty OF the oath which have taken, have
no hesitation III saying, that the declara-
tons OF that gentleman (pointing to colonel
Bury that lie had put the letter beyond his
power and with my knowledge, is totally
destitute OF truth.