The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-09-20

aicipation in Bur's projects the face Of these
expressions We arc told th'.y were snecul,-
tive opi.,ois-art we hear complaints that mar
should be held accountable for 10, political spec.
u.auons But when spec alive opinions are |
associated with military preparations. Z for
midable enterprise i'll the very process OF eAeca-
ton, then SIR, they assume different corn
plexioR from that of free and legitimate dscussi-
on. Speculative opinions, at all times have such
an influence upon practice, that hold it not
ry justinabe in man vested with public trust, to
speak in terms of appreciation, of a iismen,her-
ment of this union, upon any contingency. at
any distance of time. We ought to deprecate
this greatest of all possible calamities, for our
pos.erty as we'll for ourselves. Yet, / ac-
knowledge, that even these dangerous opinions,
when merely speculative may be expressed with
out evil intentions, and ought not to draw the
weight of public censure, upon the person using
them, in the form at decision of this body--
1t is thcrtime, the occasion, the circumstance up
on which this speculative opinion was divulged,
which display it as evidence of Mr.. Smith's
participation in Burr's conspiracy against ths,U-
nicn.
We have followed the course of events until
the close OF September, about which time Bian-
nerhasset follows MIR, Burr into Kentucky. In
| the course Of that and the followisg month, the
preparations and conversations of both these per-
| sonages the numbers of the Querist, ard Ger
tain publications of an opposite character, which
| appeared in another Newspaper called the West
ern World, had reused the suspicious, the anxi.
etes, the resentment of the people in that part of
the Union to the highest degree. About the Goth
of October, Mrs. Bannerhassett found it neces
sary to dispatch Peter Taylor from the Island,
tor Kentucky, for the purpose of warning Burr,
that he could not with personal safety to hims elf
return to the Island. Taylor was to 20 first to
| Chiiiicothe-then tn Mr. Smiths at Cincinnati !;
and there he was to be told where Burr and
Biannerhasset were to be found. At this time
q Gaf.. f,,in ~,
the states. The people there, thank God, were
not to be deluded BY Mr.. B,rr's mod.
otncr mode of eiEecting a dismemberment-
They were true to Themselves and their country
he public odiun had arrived 1T such pitch,
that 1t might not be advisable for Mr. Smith
! TO appear SO intimate with Burr as to know
where nc was to be found, and it might also be
necessary for him to have the ostcnsible osiec It
! OF Burr's purposes ascertained. Fer although
! he says that when Burr was with him in Sen
temser ne had talked about the settlement Of
the Washita Islands, vet at that time the e,,ur.
chase was not made.
! lhis view of the state of things at that time
Will explain the particulars of Peter Taylor's
testimony. When he arrives 1T Mr.. Smiths and
| enquiries for Barr and Blannerhassett Mr.. Smith
2i,swe that lie knows nothing of either of them
That 1 yior must be mistakcn-that WAS not The
Ptace-b,it finding Tay!or to be B!annerbaeseft.s
servant, he tells him So he expected they were
at Lexington, ~ the 6ouse eta MIR Jourdan,'-
NOW, SIR, what does this denial IN the first in
stance, that he knew any thing of them and this
pointing so precisely afterwards to the very
house where they were 10 be found indicate ;;
The council for M. Smith says that Taylor was
sent there for Mr.. Burr's great coat-Dothin~ of
that appears III the evidence. But from Tay-
ior declaration 1t appears that he was Sent
tRcre to ascertain where Burr ard Blannerhas
sest were 10 DC found that Mr. Smith ri first
denied knowing where they were. and ,ffer.
he N-pr,
where he was to go for them. AS the sole Oh
l9ect or isyior's gong 20 Mr Smiths was, to en-.
qnire where Burr and Elannerisssett were and
as before he left the house Mr.. Smith rave him
ctter for Burr, under cover to Blan.ierhassett.
1T is impossible to doubt the correctness ST 'ra,
~, .eSt'''i"ny n t!=s respect tiiaL MI Saith
tofi niia where TO go The inference is ire
s'stiOie- TINS accurate knowledge where tnev,
were, ana this express denial OF that knowledge.
% man whom he supposed a stranger, is a
proof that even then MIR. Smith knew much
more than he was willing TO avow
The remainder of Peter Tay!2i's story en- g..
as 1T respects Mr.. Smith, all conc,lrs To- sstlIisb
the same't'+.. M. Smiths anxious enquiries for
."c news Tor what was passing for what was
SAID about general Wilkinson; the cnarre tn
feter Taylor not To go to a tavern lest lie should
DC Siitce WIN questions; and finally, the letter
pro'essedty TO Biarerhassett, but enciosina ono
10 mr. burr. all combined to exhibit q state OF
MIND sgItatsd ana alarmed, stutLious of conceal
Tnent and fearful of detection
Above AL, consider the enquiry; whatwas said
about General Wilkinson. WHAT could hove
associated IN mind utterly ignorant Of all Burr's
projects, enquiries about Wilkinson, with the
then situation OF Burr and Blannerhassett Re
coiiect the passage of the cyphered letter.
Already hes the contractor orders TO furnish
SIX month provisions ut the points Wilkinson
Shall name this shall be used only at the last
moinent, aud then under proper injunctions"
mr Smith has at one time dcnied all the ma.
tGf'h facts attested by Pc ter Taylor and he at.
tempted to disgrace bis CHI ractcr so littje has
he been borne ont by his own evidence NOW pro
duced, that he formally adsiits the very facts he
had denied. The ,ine course has been pursued
win regard t" Col james Taylor's testimony
Sir, tiJs treatment OF the witnesses is not calcu
iatated to inspire confidence an the solidity Of
M amith's defence. Unfounded attacks uoop
the character of a respectable witness, not only
confirm, but aggrayatc the weight Of his testimo-
ny. (T1 be c0nfi.t.ed