Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-10-18
!12 1-2 Gents Singie.l

ton is to be effected by force this appears
to me to be as absurd and as unworthy of
contradiction, as if i had been charged with,
a design to change the planetary system.
All the armies of France could not effect
such purpose because they could not get
here, and If they could get here, they coud
not su5sist, and il they could subsist, they
would certainly be destroyed.
i have no political views whatever these
which entertained some months ago, and
which were communicated to you, have
been abandonedt
Having bought of Col. Lynch, four hum
dred thousand acres of land OH the WashIS
tia, l propose to send th.,her th,s fall, a
number of settlers ; as many as will go and
labor a certain time, TO BE- paiI M land and
found in provisions for the time they labor,
perhaps one year. Mr.. ]. Breckenridge, A.
dair, and Fowler, have separately told me
that it was the strong desire OF the adminis-
tration that American settlers should 20 in
to that quarter, and that cou d not do "a
thing more grateful TO the government
have some other views which are personal
merely, and which shall have no obiecti-
on to state to you personally, but which
do not deem 1t necessary to publish if these
projects could any way affect the interests
of the United States it would be beneficial
deratons have led me to tins Speculation.
but merely the interest and comfort OF my
self, and my friends.
This is the first letter of explanation
which have ever written TO any man, and
will probably be the last 1t was perhaps
due to the frankness OF your character, and
to the friendship you once bore me. shall
regret to see that friendship so greatly
valued must be sacrificed on the affairs Of
calumny.
Be assured that no changes on your part
can ever alter my desire OF being useful to
you, and pray you to accept my warmesr
wishes for your happiness.
1t may be an unnecessary caution, but
never write for publication.
Hon. JOHN SMITH.
The first observation made by the gen.
tleman from Massachusetts upon the con-
tents of this letter, was, that it appeared
wonderful to him that this letter should
have reinstated Burr in Mr.. Smiths good
opinion, after some doubts of h views had
been excited in MIR. Smiths mind, by the
general clamor of the country against him.
The impression produced upon my mind,
by observing the contents of this letter IS
just the reverse. i think the letter written
with great art and address and well calcu-
lated to produce the effect on Mr.. Smiths
mind, which he states it did produce, the
restoration of Burr 20 his confidence To
form just opinion this point, il should
be recollected, that Burr had previously
insinuated himselfinto MrS's nkdence, Sc
that MIR. Smith was not AT that time appri-
sed OF his Illicit objects because 1T that
time they were not generally disclosed
and because it appears from several pas
sages In the letter itself, that Durr had not
disclosed them to Mr., Smith. Since .Burr's
objects have been general known, we may
| fad passages in the letter ooscurely pointing
towards them OF this description Is the
Que referred to by the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts. Speaking Of the separation Of
the union, Burr writes, "Indeed have no
conception OF any mode in which such
measure can be promoted, except by ope~
lrating on the minds of the people, and de-
monstrating 1t to be t,icr interest" The
very mode, says the gentleman, which he
was then pursuing. This ID very true, but
OF that it is certainly not in proof that Mr..
smith had any knowledge and this letter
serves to demonstrate, IN connection with
many other circumstances, that he had not.
But m the very next sentence, Burr pro-
leeds 4" have never written or publlsh-
ed line This subject, nor ever express.
sed any other sentiments than those which
you may have heard from me in public COM
panies at Washington and elsewhere" And
immediately preceding it he thus writes {:
IF there exists any design TO separate the
western from the eastern states, am to-
tally ignorant of i'll never harbored or
depressed any such intention to any one,
nor did any person ever intimate such de-
sign to me-"
NOTES in the hand writing of Mr.. Smith.
]. Smith has heard Col. Burr and o..
theirs say, that IN fifty or an hundred years
the territory of the United States would
compose two distinct governments.
+ J. Smith presumes that MIR. Burr refers
to an invitation TO settle in Tennessee, 81
which he heard him speak.
Il (Shceeh 10 be Continued.
2 FOR SALE.