Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1828-08-02
CHARLOTTESVILLE.
THURSDAY; JULY 81, 1923.
JACKSON AND BURR.

In our last we promised this week to take that
notice Of Judge Williams statement, which our
other engagements then prevented. 1t is our
purpose now to fulfil that pledge.
Most of readers already informed that
during the session. Of the Adlms Convention in
Richmond in January last, letter purporting to
have been written by Judge Nathaniel Williams
of Tennessee to Mr.. Kerr of this state, was ex-
hibted, circulated, copied, and much talked Of,
in which the writer affirmed Of his own know
ledge that there had existed criminal connex-
ion between Gen. Jackson aud Aaron Burr.
Those who have observed with what avdty the
friends of the administration seize ON every charge
against Gen. Jackson, which folly or malignity
can invent, in the vain hope that by their Glamour
against him, they may be able to divert public at
tention from the corruption and incapacity Of
those whom they support, will not be surprised to
learn that this story improbable it is was most
favorably received by them. 1t was not indeed
20 far distinguished to be allowed place in
the Address, along with other accusations equal
ly unfounded, but individual enterprise and
partizan zeal were relied on to give it circulation
and they have accomplished the object no less
effectually, than if thirty thousand" impress
sions of it also, had issued from the same mint,
which stamped if it did not coin many similar cal
umnies. BY the adoption of this mode it has too
been so circulated, to preclude all enquiry as
to its truth, all exposure of its fallacy. We re-
joice that its author has at length ventured from
his conceament, though with every advantage
which the aoerp,ent of immateria facts and the
deduction from them of those he wished to estab-
lsh-which omission and confusion of dates
and we believe, which change Of plot, induced
by subsequent Developments, may arrord him.
We are indeed somewhat at a loss to imagine, to
what proper cause can be attributed his long ST.
Ience. AS early as February last, he was inform
ed by Gen. Jackson, that the facts understood to
have been communicated by him to Mr.. Kerr,
were untrue, and he permits them to remain in
private circulation from that time until about the
first Of this month. without retractng or explain
ing what he had said, or assuming the response.
biity Of its truth Such course, in our opinion
cannot be justified or defended. 1t is directly at
war with every principle of fair dealing and hon
arable opposition. Our business however is will,
the accuracy Of Judge Williams statements-not
the proprie,y Of his conduct--and with the for
mer only shall we now concern ourselves.
Gen. Jackson having been informed by friend
in Virginia of Williams letter to Kerr, addressed
the following communication to him
(Gen. jackson to Judge Wiilians.)
HERMITAGE, February %, 1928
SiR-TIaving received letter from a high
minded, honorable gentleman of Virginia who
aoves trutA and k7ovs how TO appreciate character
lose no time in laying before yon the postscript
of his letter, which is in the following words, to
wit 1T may be well to say that a letter was
handed about at the adams Conpention, L hear,
accusing you of being concerned in Burr's con-
spiracy, upon the authority of a Judge Nathaniel
Williams of your State. The report is, that this
Judge Williams writes, when young man, he
applied to you, then Judge, to sign his license
lawyer, that you did So but recommended 10
him, as you conceived him to be a man of prom
sse, to push his fortune by joining Burr, ,oAo vas
then an yonr house, promising, if he would do so,
30 procure tor him a commission as Captain i'm
Burr's army. This story is going the rounds
from the Adams Delegates who have returned
home, Notwithstanding they ought 10 know that
you was the first person TO put Governor Ciai-
borne on his guard against the schemes of Burr
yERBUM SAT-
The records Of The country contradict this
statement, as it is well known. that resigned my
appointment Of Judge before Col. Burr euer tcas
az the State Of Tennessee. l cannot, then, Nor
one moment, permit myself to believe that yot.
elevated you arc, to seat the judicial bench
Of Tennessee, could give your authority TO such
an unfounded falsehood. Duty to myself as we'll
rs justice to you, therefore, require that should
without delay, advise you of this libel upon my
character, so that you may at once declare wheth-
or you are or are not the author of this calumny.
before fexpose it as such.
am, and have been, well advised of a secret
combination Of base and wicked fen in Ten
nessee, whose object is TO SANDER me, but, until
n0ac, have never heard, or had the least intma-
ticn that you were Of that group. Nor do 1 now
believe that you, who must be so well satisfied OF
tho falsebood contained in the postscript of the
letter referred to above, we'll the rectitude Of
my conduct since your acquaintance with me
could be so lost to oirtuc and to truth as to have
originated and put in circulation 30 base caun1-