The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-10-04

Your most ob't servant,
JOHN SMITH.
Col. EuRR.

@Oui i'AOSl oD servant,
JOHN SMITH.
Col. EuRR.
Idifier more from my honorable friend from,
Massachusetts. upon the Interpretation of this
part OF the evidence, than AN: other, and think
nus inference more unreasonable and improbable
He seems to admit, that theletter Itself contains
nothing criminal, but iniers a criminal intent in
writing 1t. He supposes it to have been the eff
1ect OF an arrangement previously concerted with
Burr to divert and deceive the public attention
and seems to consider it masterpiece of dipio-
matte skill and thus he ascrbes to Mr. SmitI,
the character CT consummate duslicity l thiul,
the character of this transaction is lust the re
verse. l think it the letter OF a plain. unsus.
picious deludeh man. 1t should be observed.
that 1t is scarcely possible thai such an arrange
ment should have been made between Burr and
Mr.. Smith, and is presumed /; because at the
time Burrlett Mr.. Smiths house, neither of them
could have been appraised of Peter Taylor's mis-
sion. He was sent by Mrs. BlanneriIassett. with
out the knowledge of either of them, in conse-
q'lence OF circumstances, which took place after
Burr had left lhe island as well as Mir. Smiths
house--circumstances which Burr could not have
wished OF expected, and therefore could not he
presumed to have taken precautions oir,,,nst
them-nor can 1t be presumed, that Mr. Smith.
could have av;.iled himself of ali opportuniy OF
WRch ne was not appr.sed, ~ 4 moment wi out
minute for elaboration, to contrive & execute
such plan--nor could Burr have been furnished
with any clue 70 his object, if he had 1t would
indeed have been chef a'oasre in the diplomat
&c art-it would have been beyond the skill oi'the
Prince Of Benevenio hmself nor could Mr.
Smith have been made competent to it, BY his
most Siligent attention the Princes pupil for
three months, being about the time in the course
OF Fir Smiths whole lifetime, in which he is
presumed to be completely converted from q
pian dealing honest man, into the Prince of in
tf rndt .i,ra-
capable OF such conversion, If it wished it -
Mr.. Smith could not, if lie would, have thus
metamorPhosed his character. The infer
cnces OF the gentleman therefore are strained
unnatural and scarcely possible. Ie we rive the
letter ITS common and natural import, it is per.
tectiy innocent, if not laudabe. Mr. Smith
doubtless felt some uneasi .;ss at the general re-
sentiment displayed against Burr, ant, might APP
prehend, it would be applied to him in conse-
quence of having Hospitality entertained Burr at
ms house and believing Burr to entertain no dis
honorable views, he very naturally and properly
wrote to him TO disclose his objects, that he
might trang,liiize the public mind respecting
hcm: But InferenceS arc made from Burr's let
ters In reply, intavoraole to Mr. Smith dit.
ter entirely with the gentleman FROM Mass. in
The interpretation of the contents Of that letter
This latter, being in re5iy % Mr. Smith, is such
a material part OF the evidence that I wish TO
present it eatire to the Senate
=" 4. Bnyy's ass1gsr 10 .1no Smith, Goth October.
1906
Lexington, 20 Ocf. 1906
DEAR SIR,
was greatly surprised and rcrl!y hurt
by the unusual tenor Of your letter of the 25l, &
hasten TO rePi TO it as well for your satisf,cti-
onas my own. If there exists any design to Sc
pirate the western from the eastern states, I ain
totally ignorant Of til never harborcl or ex
pressed any such intention to any one, nor did n.
NJ person ever intimate such design TO me. In.
deed have no conception Of any mode in which
sacli measure could be promoted, EXCEPT bv o.
perating on tue niiils Of tho people, nd demon
sEating 1T 20 Iva their interest. have never writ
ten or published line ON this subject, nor eve
expressed any other sentiments th3n those which
on may have heard from me in public companies
It Washington and elsewhere, aud in Which !
aink YOU concItrrcd* IL is a question on ,gh;cl
feel no interest, and certainly never sourht
conversation upon it with anv one bu. cvc,, ,f
bad written aud talked ever so much Of Inc roat.
.sr Il could not be deemed cfininal
But Che idea, am told, which SEINE malevo-
lnt persons Circulate is, that separation is TO be
effected by force Ills appears to me TO be as ab
sntd and as unwori'y Of contradiction, as if had