Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-04

The collected merits, Of your conduct
during the examination and trial of Burr,
have not failed to make n proper impression
on the puDhc mind, although many of the
separate parts have lost their divided and
peculiar favour, in the combined sweetness
of the whole. The distinct tastes OF the
component parts, shall yet feastthc palate
Of the public.
In another letter, shall remark upon
your conduct OH the examination of Aaron
Burr for treason and miSdemeanor, and
so!emnly undertake to shew, that you haze
rendered the admin st,ufioH of justice Sus-
hected-that you have unaffected har-
stahty disgraeefM TO ;he character of q
judge-and that you have Frustrated the
dignity Of the chief justice ofthe u. s.
These serious charges will meet the at
tention of the public, and will command
even your consideration. If they are
groundless, the voice of the public by ho-
rorably acqui.ting you, will condemn me.
The severity oftruth will probably wound
your feelings and excite the hatred aud
luminosity, ofyour friends, and party. But,
sir, the best interests OF the nation must
not he sacrificed To the feelings OF any man.
shalt not regard the threats and menaces
otyour friends, nor an affected contempt,
or an impu3cnt and hardy denial of facts
by yourself.
Whether the whole of your conduct has
been guided by personal considerations, pri-
vatc friendship, or by party spirit--or a
determined hatred and hostility to the go-
vernment and the laws, is not for me to
determine. do not " sh to dive into your
breast. Your warmest friends cannot at
tribute topersoDal cnmity, or private pilue,
the animadversions of man, who never
lfa>r N
far as he is acquainted wiki your private
character, will bear testimony 10 its Cor
rectncss.
| Every good man must deplore the blind
zeal, the mad infatuation, which have
turned your transcendant talents against
your cauntry, and rendered you a disgrace
to the bench of justice. You might have
been loved for your virtues, revered and
respected for your wisdom, and admired
for your talents you might have been one
of the boosted patriots of Virginia, and the
illustrions beneiactor of your own species
But you have chosen to be among the lea
ders of faction, who would ne as faIthless
to you to morrow, as they are to Hamilton
this day, had they no prospect of deriving
advantages from the use Of you-a faction
remarkable for nothing, but rancorous an
imosity, violent opposition to the govern.
HSht vi tnSlr country, ana TO the Choice oil
the people; and tor their daring attempts
by intrigue and violence, to destroy the Ii.
berty and happiness of America :-YSa
must deplare in secret the choice you have
made.
| IL is not necessary to the establishment
OF my charges against you, that should
shew breach of legal forms: 1t is the
aEir1t of justice, and tie meaning o, the
La7rs, which you have violated and disre.
garded. complain that only the form,
remain. Even Brumkcy, Jeffes, ant
Nang6eLd, as well as Marshall, said they
respected the forms oflaw.-Nor will it be
expected, that in arraigning you at ths
bar of the public, ] shall preserve the
accurate precision of a special plcader.
If NV accusation IS substantially true.
and plainly set forth, l shall be permitted
to disregard these technical forms, which
serve Only to protect some persons wLo up.
4 hold them, from the punishment due &c
their crimes. However informal the ac-
cusation, and dull the arguments may be, |
shall he honored with the attention of the
public, because the honor and dignity OF
the highest judicial officer of the o. States
| are involved in the issue.
LUCIUS.