The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-07-08
DOMESTIC.
WASHINGTON, July 3.
GENERAL WILKIMsoM.


" denounced innocent persons 10 the govern
ment, he saws
&c How cruel and unwarrantable has been this
imputation How directly opposite to my real
conduct; for heaven can bear me witness, l
treated individual character with SO much deli
cacy, that | confined myself 20 facts merely
without the mention of col. Birr's name even in
my second letter to the President, dated 10Th
November 1906, in which l Observe "nothnr
less than an overt act will in my Judgment war
6 rant the official commitment OF names, and
none such has rs yet been committed within my
knowledge - and in my letter OF tie 9Th De-
ceinbcr, from New-Orieans, when surrounded
by traitors and menaccd from various quarters,
is the folio wing paragraph 1t is with ifeXpres-
sibic rnortiiiCa,nn asdregret, 1 discharge the
painful duty of informing you, that among our
countrymen in this city, have discovered cha
racters hitherto distinguished for probty and
patriotism. men OF high talents and entire trust
honorcd by your confidence and distinguished
by marks OF your regard, who, If not conuect-
ed with the aagitious plan by active cooperate
on, nave withheld from government interest
ing and timely intelligence Of its gradual com.
pietlon, or have dared openly to approve it
Shall mention their names | forbcar, until
strong suspicious be confirmed into certainty
and let me not abandon the hope, that their
eyes may he open to the t0ulness ofthe attempt,
and that thcy may be still retrieved to their coun-
try Over such / shall Keep strict eye, end
preventing their cooperation in mischief,
shall rejoice should this conduct reclaim their
minds from crrcr, and secure their utility to
the cause of the constitution.
But 1t is with proud satisfaction which
swe,ls my breast, thai contrast with tbs par
tial detection of or countiymen tie general
temper OF the great mass Of The people, who
i are 1teIit al tr defence OF their ctv and Will
think III this instance, be found true to TIER
God, to themselves, their country and its con-
| stitution.-Such was the lheraiity, the chart
| ty ard benevolencc OF my conduct and yet mis-
! Representations, gendcred By the friends Of Mr.
Burr, and my personal enemies, and put in cir
culation from one extreme OF ,he Union ia the O.
theT, have INCREASED the number of NV gc.ver-
sarieS, and excited the prejudiccs Of hundreds
10 whom have ne"eG ;s,,::i;cji cai.se u ofirnce
Gentlemen, iii this vndication of Soldiers
! honor, have, fear, worn out yclf patience,
! yet must throw myself cn your Justice and be-
reyoence 10 hear me, whilst take short view
OF an imPntatiam, f3rsi;;; il 10 Ire prirna-
~ objects OF this enquiry, but not less interest
| ing to my honor.
6 1t has been urged against me with peculiar
rancour, from the earliest dawn Of nv OPPOSITE
on to co.. Burr, that i was originally connected
in his reasonable designs and indeed since Mr.
Clark came boldly out IS his auxiliary, some Of
the band have not hesitatei to ascrbe to me the
origin Of the enterprise. On tais subject beg
leave 10 offer the following brief remark thai
| il had been concerned with co.. Burc in his IL
iicit projects ii il not credible that man ofhs
penetration, ar and knowledge OF men and az
fairs, should have neglected to commit me, and
to preserve ;he eyidci.ce Of my conviction and
u Is equally i'm an!'a -, q c5ss5 proof,
that it should have been so long concealed While
l have been assai!cd by the nightcsr efforts Of
! my enemies, ard an outrageous tempest Of oblo-
! guy from all quarters.
| Having taken the ground Of defence, vii!
not descend to notice the suggestions of the hos
tile nor the insjnuations Of the t0eacherous, but
! shall hold myself Ia readiness 70 meet any spe.
ciiic attack, and VIII continue to DEFY nv enc
mics
:" But as Nir. Clark, It seems from his friend
! Mr.. Cox, has expressed his conviction Of my
connection with Col Rurr, il IS proper should
5cNtow tew particular observations on him, ana
his agency N Burr's conspiracy.
| " Although col. Burr had after his arrived at
81. !.oa from New Orleans, for the first lime
| spoken TO ne Of some grand expedition contcmp-
lated by the government; it was from ldr Clark
| ] received the earliest intimation of Mi Buir's
! designs against MeSico, cautiously and artfallv
conveyed t. me in his letter OF the 9TH Se5tem-
! her 1905, which is before the court. Att time
Of the receipt CT this letter, so unsuspicious was
l al any sinister plan being in agitation, that !
gave MIR CIark's letter 10 the Secretary Of The
| Territory over which I presided, and desired
| linn 70 transmit copy o. Ii TO col Burr, which
was accordingly done, and it was1eceiyed by tie
| Colonel. But subsequent events have convinced
me, that Burr having informed Clark, finder
strong iua tons ut silence, tnat was concern
ed N his psoicct, tie latter 70 ascertain the fact
had written this letter with 4 view to sound me
I leg Lac = i',,a &c letter utnis place"
" He'-Orleaus, 7th Sc5tsnber, 1905.
"DEAR SIR,
" Many absurd and wild reports
are circulated here, and have reached the cars
OF the officers Vi Tie late Spanish government,