The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-06-03
F., BUkR's CONSPIRACY.

be the same Reuben kemper, lately nvo'eo IN dis
putss in Fiorida but presume it is. He may have
thought with the Presidents Proclamation, " tina
posscssich shall be taken of the said territory in The
name and behalf OF the United States; and that oui
government would not give orders merely to ask foI
il, but not take il, at one and the same time HUI
be this rs il may, the relation below is entitled 10
attention. 1t contains many interesting particulars
which, though they belong to conspiracy that can
no longer excite fear, may yet arouse our gratitude
to the prosecuted veteran and patriot who averted
plunder. rapne and bloodshed, by his wise precsu-
ton and speedy interposition. II is for defeating
Burr that calumny has often brandished her for
ked tongae against Gen. WILKIssoN--it is for re-
yenge Of this failure, that mock patriots in Con-
gress and out Of Congress, (from John Randolph
down to the petty retailer Vt Clarkes sanders have
let loose their snakes is for this offence that fed
eral persecution kindled her faggots and PREPARED
her rack k.--This narrative appears TO have been
drawn up in New Orleans; but business calling the
writer suddenly to Point Coupee, he made oath to
its verscity at the latter place. IBah. Hhy)
Some time in March 1906, arrived in this
place, where met Samuel Kemper, who had
been here few days before me who, the
!, tav before arrived, mentioned he had been
spoken to by Mr.. Keene," on subject Of APP
parent importance, and referred him (SamucD
to Mr.. Lewis Kerr for the necessary Informal
ton, who he had already waited OH, and had
an interview with on the subject. Inquired
of what nature ! He said he was not able to
tell at that time, but he was OF opinion that if
the thing was shewn in its true colours to him,
that myself should have no objections 10
embark he also said he was requested TO in
yite me on my arrival in Mr.. Kerr's name to
wait on him That he himself was not at
liberty to state to me even what he knew of
the principals of the business, but would adj
wise me to soc Mr. Kerr, and that the bust
ness would be made known to me under the
solemnity of All oath. Accordingly that eve
ming waited Oh Mr.. Kerr at his own house,
n little before sunset, where the pretended
disclosure was made after administering an
oath of secrecy, which ran, as near as can
recollect, in this manner -" You solemnly
swear, to keep secret whatever may be here
after com municated TO you as such, except
in a confidential manner, until proper time
for making these things publick." Before
taking this oath, told Mr. Kerr that WAS
there any thing in opposition to the govern
ment Of the United States, that it must not
be made known to me ON any terms whatever!
he assured me there was not {; that SO far to
the contrary, 1t was set on foot by men higher
in Office than any others in the United States
O believe meaning the President) These
impressions having been made, told him
had no objections, having some faith in Sam
uel's Judgment and good wishes to the gov
crnment.-Mr. Kerr stated that we Ameri-
cans were forming socie.y tor the purpose
OF taking Baton Rouge and the Floridas, that
he knew we should have no objections 10 an
enterprise Of that kind that our fate had
been hard among the Spaniards-that coun-
try would be great acquisition to ours that
in fact our country must have it that there
were agents appointed to view the fort of
Mobile, Pensacola, &c.. that in his opinion
the views OF the government would extend
further than TO the Floridas that he expec-
ted they had an eye at least OH the Mexican
provinces that it was their wish to appoint
agents in the recruiting service for the States
OF Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. That in
his opinion Samuel and myself would be pro-
per agents to fill these appointments, and we
might calculate on having the offer made, as
being somewhA, acquainted with these coun-
tries. told Mr.. Kerr, there would be two
very great objections to the acceptance of
such appointments should they be offered
that in the first place neither Of US were quail
iiicd 10 fill such AN appointment and the 9TH
er vas, we had no funds to support such a
suauass. He said that was all nothing ! thar
sae5 had money at will we should not be fur
ni. ned, if we went to either place, with less
,h.n five thousand dollars each, and power to
draw for any sum-one hundred thousand
dollars at least.-About this time Mr.. Nott'st
name was mentioned as being interested in
the enterprizs, but what gave rise to the ma.
ming him do not now rcCollect However,
after having seen Mr., Mott, and hearing him
spoken Of AS man Of general information,
l recommended him as fit character. Mr..
Kerr agreed with me in opinion, but there
was place Of great importance allotted to
him. In the conversation, l observed that
was the business of taking the Floridas auth
crized by the government of the Y. States,
there would be no difficulty in procuring men