Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-10-10
BLANNERHAssET's ISLAND & BURR's
rnNrc DID Adv -Rx II1ncR HALL.

Island, a spot which the intrigues OF one dlst'a'
guished individual. the misfOrtunes oil another,
and the eloquence Of third. have made classic
ground. would gladly have loitered here tor
a few hours; but IS time and tide, says the old
saw, " wait for no man." How provokIng!-
but time, and tide, aud captains OF keel boats:
koow nothing of the solicitudes OF sentimental
traveIIers,and hurry US away from famous spot,
with as little ceremony as from halt hnlshed
breakfast.
We approached the Island in fine style, the
boatmen Juggling manfully at the oar. and STRAIN
ing their woes in concert Aswe reached the
upper end of it. they ceased their labors and al
lowing the boat to float with the current amused
each other with stories Of Burr his confederates.
An event has seldom occurred, so intrinscally
insignificant IN its results, which has created so
great sensation as the conspiracy OF Burr; which
indeed, derives lis consequence principally from
the celebrity of the names attached to 1t. and the
ignorance of the world as to its final object
Burr was the rival of Hamilton; Hamilton the
friend of Washington-his military aid, his pOii-
tical adviser, his sacia companion equally emil
nent as soldier. an orator, writer, tinancler.
and lawyer. The man who could make Ham
ilton experience or even counterfeit,
"The stern joys that warriors feel,
In f0eman worthy O!their STEEL"
must have stood far abnve mediocrity. Colonel
Burr was the son of gentleman, eminent for
his learning and piety, for many years president
of the most celebrated college in America: and
was himself man Of transcendent genius, and
great a!tainments. lie was remarkable for The
elegance of his manners. the seductiveness of his
address, the power and sweetness of his eo-
quence; but more SO. perhaps, for the bo'dness
and energy of his mind. Burr had contended
unsuccessfulIy with JefeI son for the presidential
chair, which he lost by single vote; but while he
filled the second place in point of dignity. lew
at that time would have assigned him an inferi.
or station in point Of talents.
The duel between Hamilton and Burr filled
the nation with establishment and grlcf--grief for
the death of a great AMI useful man. and aston.
ishment at the delusi0n which occasioned It, -
Burr, with the corpse of Hamilton at bis feet,
might have felt the triumph Of conquest; but it
was momentary flush: the laures Of the hero,
watered by the tears of his country, retained
their verdure, and even those who might have re-
joced al his political fall, execrated the destroy
er of his existence.
Shortly after this bloody catastrophe. the con.
duct OF Burr began to excite the attention of the
public. He had resigned his former employ
ments, forsaken his usual haunts, and was lead
Ing an erratic and mysterious life. He frequent
ly ira, eiled incogniio. performed long and rapid
journeys, and remained but short time at any
one place This restessness was attributed to
uneaslness of mind, and many began to sympl-
thize with him whom they supposed to be thus
tormented with the stings Of conscience. But
whatever might have been the workings Of his
mind. he soon evinced that his fire was not
tai taI H.,
seen traversing the western wilds, eagerly seek
particularly those who possessed military expert
ence. or had hearts alive to the stirring Imbulses
of ambition.
These indications were quickly succeeded by
others of more decided character. Secret az
his intentions we're, the first movements towards
their execution awakened suspicion. The assem-.
bling of men, and collecting munitions Of war,
reused the government to action. Burr was ar
rested his plans defeated, his adhercnts dIspers.
ed, and his reputation blasted. He becam. an
exile, and wanderer. and alter years OF suffer.
ing, returned to his native land, to become an
insignificant member pf that bar Of which no mad
been among the highest ornaments; an 0bsure ci-
tisen of the country over whose councils he had
presided; and to add another to the list Of spen.
did men who have been great without benefit to
themselves or others, and whose names will be
preserved only
To point moral. or adorn tale"
He was entirely abandoned. Never was a
man more studiousy avoided, more unanimously
condemned. The voice of eulogy silent.
the breath Of party was hushed. OF the many
who had once admired and loved him, none ven
tured to express their love or admiration. One
fatal act Of folly, or Of crime, had obscured all
the brillance Of splendid career; and although
cquitted Of treason by a court OF justice. a
higher tribunal, that Of public opinion, refuse
to reverse the sentence which consigned him to
disgrace.
Such was the fate Of Burr; but hi plans are
yet enveloped in mystery. A descent upon some
part of Spanish America, and the establishment
of an independent government, has been stated
to have been the object; but It is alleged that
separation of the western states from the Union
formed part Of the project. The latter charge
rests almost entirely upon the evidence of Gen
eral Eaton, a gentleman whose chivalrous dispo-
stlon led him through many singular adventures,
and whose history, as recorded BY himself, pre-.
,ents a more favourable pcture of his heart anil