Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-10-18
Your most ob't. servant.
JOHN SMITH.

JOHN SMITH.
Col. BURR.
differ more from my honorable friend
from Massachusetts, upon the Interpretation
of this part of the evidence, than any other,
and think his Inference more unreasonable
and improbable. He seems to admit, that
the letter itself, contains nothing criminal,
but infers a criminal intent in writing it.
He supposes it to have been the effect of an
arrangement previously concerted with
Burr to divert and deceive the public at
tention, and seems to consider it a MASTER
Ipiece of diplomatic skill I; and thus he as
cribes to Mr.. Smith the character of con-
summate dupicity. / think the character of
this transaction, is just the reverse. l think
it the letter of plain, unsusp'cious Geluded
man. 1t should be observed, that it is
scarcely possible that such an .-rrane ement
should have been made between Burr and
MIR. Smith, and Is presumed because at
the time Burr left Mr. Smiths house. nei-
Their of them could have been apprised of
Peter Taylor's mission. He was sent by
Mrs. Blennerhassett, without the knowledge
of either of them, in consequence of circum-
stances, which took place after Burr had
| left the island as well as Mr.. Smiths house
circumstances which Burr could not have
wished or expected, and therefore could
not be presumed to have taken precautions
against them Dor can it be presumed, that
I MIR. Smith, c uld have awaited himself OF
an opportunity of which he was not appri-
| sed, In moment, without minute for de-
liberation, to contrive and execute such a
tplan-nor could Burr have been furnished
with any clue to his object, if he had. II
would indeed have been Chef d'OnUre in
the diplomatic art-it would have been be-
Iy0nd the skill of the Prince os Benevento
himself; nor could Mr.. Smith have been
made competent to il, by his most diligent
attention as the Princes pupil for three
months. being about the time in the course
of Mr.. Smiths whole lifetime, in which he
is presumed to DC completely converted
from plain dealing honest man, into the
Prince of intriguerS and negociators. Hu-
man nature is not capable of such CONVEX
sion, If it wished il Mr.. Smith could not
if he would, have thus metamorphosed hi:
own character. The differences of the gen
tleman therefore are strained, unnatural
and scarcely possible. If we give the let.
ter its common and natural import, 1t /:
perfectly Innocent, if not laudable. Mr.
Smith doubtless felt some uneasineSs at the
+ general resentment displayed against Burr
and might apprehend, it would be applied
to him in consequence of having Hospitality
t entertained Burr at his house; and believ
ing Burr to entertain no dishonorable views
, he very naturally and properly wrote to hin
{ to disclose his objects, that he might tran
auiize the public mind respecting them
But differences are made from Burr's let
tiers in reply, unfavorable to MIR. Smith
differ entirely with the gentleman from
Massachusetts, in the Interpretation of thu
contents of that letter. This letter, being
| in reIify to Mr. Smith, is such materia
D part of the evidence that wish to presen
D it entire to the Senate.
Il. Burr's answer to Jno. Smith, 26th Oct
1906.
Lexington, ash Oct. 1906.
DEAR SIR,
was greatly surprised and really hur
by the unusual tenor of your letter OF tn
23d, and 1 hasten to reply to it as well TO
your satisfaction as my own. Ii there ex
ist any design to separate the western iron
the eastern states, | am totally ignorant {
i'll never harbored or expressed any sue
:" intention to any one, nor did any person C
yer intimate such design to me. Indeed
have no conception of any mode in whic
r such a measure could be promoted, excep
by operating on the minds OF the people
o and demonstrating II to be their interes
have never written or published a line o
this subject, nor ever expressed any othe
sentiments than those which you may hav
:; heard from me in public companies a
} Washington and elsewhere, and in which
think you concurred.% 1t is question o
II which I feel no interest, and certainly ne
! yer sought conversation upon it with AN
4 one but even if had written and talke
lever so much of the matter, it could not b
Ideemed criminal.
, But the idea, am told, which some ms
levolent persons circulate is, that separ;