Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-09-16
eWscMmon&, 3eht. 70.
TRIAL OF AARON BURR FOR A
lNISDElIE.4NOR.
The Testimony ofMAUrGcE p. BELKNAp
deiiUered WCdne SdaV, Seht. 9.

!
Jordan at Lexington, Kentucky. In that
letter was enclosed one to Col. Burr. Some
time previous TO Blannerhasset's asking me
to so to Lexington, i stated TO nm that
believed the expedition was an unlawful
one. i showed him letter which had
received from one of my friends, and told
him would have nothing to do with the
expedition He declared that it was not
! unlawful. For that reason he read To me
his letter to col. Barr. In that letter, he
IN substance, congratulated col. Burr on
his acquittal ut Lexington, and that the
! Grand Jury did not find bill against him
he mentioned the state of the boats build
/ ing On the Muskirgam, though 10 not par
ticularly recolcct what lie said concerning
| them.
(Ierc Mr.. BcLknah was asked at what
time was this He answered, about the
| middle OF November, 1869
! The letter mentioned like wise the guam
tity of provisions that he shou Il have to
take down the RIVER with him; Qpar5ict-
| larry rcccliect corn-rneal as one of tie ar
ticles J and also that he should probab Y
cake his family down with him. The letter
was of considerable length. l can not re-
| collect half of il. | delivered it to Mr.
Jordan. He broke the seal of the cover ad-
dressed to him and requested me 10 take
the enclosed ono TO col. Burr at Frankfol t.
! carried it 10 Frankfort and delivered it
10 col Burr, and took letter back from
him to Bldnnerhasset. Col. Burr before
he closed his letter handed il to me, read
Il part ot 1t, and asked him an explanation
OF part which did not understand. He
then took it ana read TO me the whole as
! supposed. The substance was that he
thanked Mr.. BlanneraaSset for his eXert,-
II rArp no " CT fol ,,n
should probably leave chat place in eignt
day ior NASHVILLE that he should proba-
| bly, 10 down the river before Blannernas-
set that he was glad TO hear chat ms fa-
Huly was gong down and that he would
procure tor them - comfortable settlement
! at NaCChez or at New-Orleans until they
| cuuid be heter situated ON the Washita -
( Ike requested bianuernasset to MAKE all
| possible speed, as The probability was that
the river would close up.
Eramined By rte Council for the United
! StGfes. -.
| MIR. fiav. Do-you recoilect that he sta-
/ ted ANY other reasons A. No. Mr. Huy.
( Did you carry any. verbal instructions 4.
Acs Burr requested bianGcrhasset To have
/ the boats IN The day time Ia Carry white
nag, and ia the night a lamp. Mr.. tug
/ ocheVlng, when you were first Ini arIned of
| rhlse@ PvdiLum, that its object was lawful,
! had you not acCeGed to il Il. Yes. MIR. H.g.
| 9npposinS ITS OileGl was proper aud la ili /?
! "A Yes. hIr. BlGLncriIasset SAID the officers
of government knew aud approved of It. MIR.
lIc. Rae. Did he meAtion the object Of the
enterprise He stated that he expected
there would ben war with Span and, in
th~t event, these who went Gown the river
would Join the regular army and so against
| the Spaaidrds. IT there Was 40 war, they
wpnld then make settlement on the
W &shita. lie mentioned several persons
To me who had Joined it. Among the rest
he named Gen Eaton and Mr.. Gaiiatin
he named Ger Wilkinson too. MIR. Wirf.
Dad you so down with him A. did not
Mr. Htrt. What prevented you A o.
my return found in the Post-GtHce a let
ter Tor me ir"n young Mr.. Danielson, gen
I.aton, > sen u, law, stating the substance O
Gen EatOn'S deposition. ] repeated hi
/ important contradiction of one OF BlaGner
hdssett's statements to q number Of nv
friends and this occasioncd several to a.
bandon the expedition, Trading they ha,
been deceived Mr.. HGy. I'D Won an,
conversation with Col. Burr A. No. II.
only asked me the prospect as to the boats
; ana the number Of men. l had very littlC
cnnversatio ON with him Mr.. 1fc rae Yc,
shy that you and many others Withdrew
. rom the enterprize on finding yourseve
: deceived 4. Yes. ] recnl Get that Mr.
Gushing, Mi. Dana's brother, and severa
others from Marietta .orsUok il. Mr.. Hay
DID YOU carry no message from Burr t,
Blan' erhasset warming them to depart il
, consequence Of danger A. No nothin,
DIT what have related except that II,
, said 1t appeared from the Newspapers tn,
public mind was much az tated tina
, therefore there might DC some difficulty il
\ getting down the river but I've hoped the
r would not oppose the constituted authorl
o 'les. Mr.. Hdy. Were the ulcn preparing
, TO depart when you got 10 The island. a
b cs. was Surpr zed 10 find 50 many mel
~ the hal. They appeared to be In con
iusion and one Of Them was wipng
gun i supposed their number 20 be ab1u
= twentv. MIR. Wfrf. When Burr spoke .
those boats and men did he speak OF then
as one having authority over theml a
te spoke of them as one concerned d
p. not recollect that he said anY thing abou
q authority.--Mr. NC Rue. When he sDoE
q the p ople going to descend tie rive
. did lie call them hi8 he,Hc a. don
{ ! recoiicct that. But lie was speaking Of th
y people who Blauncrhasset had informc
:, nm were coming down. Mr. Nc Re,
" Did lac speak as being ~ connection witI
" them \. lie did. Mr.. Hay. Did yo
- hear nothing Of the proceedings of the Re
glsature Of Ohio before You carried TN
Il letter ! \ Not iii m return. (Ih
4 Chic/ Justice here observed that that Lc
qriglrsurp did t,rt ruesf 5.,l d, r.,-,,,,.. . a.