Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-11-22
EXTRACT
From the speech Of Wiiliam H1rt, on the trial
NJ ID

1 ~ hO view VI tfkc tutos UC NUuctuCECu us Oh
accessory in this case, let US inquire whether
he can be so considered in reason.
A plain man who knew nothing Of the Gu.
rious transmutations which the wit Of a man
| can work, would be very apt to wonder by
contrived TO shuttle himself down to the bot
tom OF the pack as an accessory, and turned
up poor BlanDerhasset as principal in this
treason Ii is an honor, dare say, for which
MIR. Blannerhasset is by no means anxious;
one which he has never disputed with Col.
Burr, and which am persuaded he would
be as little inclined to dispute on this occasion
as on any other. Since, however, the modes
ty Of Col. Burr declines the. first rank, and
seems inclined to force Mr. Blannerhasset III
to il, in spite Of his bushes, let us compare
the cases Of the two men, and settle the ques.
ton of precedence between them. II may
save a good deal Of troublesome ceremony
hereafter.
Who then i. Aaron Burr, and what the
part which be has borne in this Transaction
He is its atthor, its proprietor, and its active
executor. Bold, ardent, restless and aspiring,
his brain conceived this hand brought it
into action. Beginning his operations in N.
York, he associated with him inch whose
wealth is TO supply the necessary funds
Possessed of the main spring, his personal Ia
TOR contrivcs all the machinery. Pervading
the continent from New York TO New Or,
leans, be draws into his plan, by every allure.
ment he can contriVe, men Of all ranks and
all description. To youthful ardor, he pre-
sents danger and glory-to ambition, rank,
and titles, and honors-to avarice. the mines
OF Mexico. To each person whom he ad
dresses, he presents the object adapted TO his
taste-his recruiting officers are appointed
men are engaged throughout the continent
civil life is indeed quiet upon IFS surface, but
in ifs bosom this man has coflrived to depo
sit the materials with which the slightest
touch OF bis match produces an explosion TO
shake the continent. All this his restless am
bition has contrved; and 10 the autumn or
1906 he goes forth for the last time TO apply
this match On this excursion he meets with
Blannefhssset
Who is Biannerhassetp A native Of ire
land a man Of letters. who fled from the
storms of his own country to find quiet in
ours His history shewa that war is not the
natural element OF HE mind If /. had been,
he would never have exchanged Ireland for
America. SO far is an army from furnishing
the society natural and proper TO Mr.. Blar
Dcrhasset's character. Mat, on his arrival in
America he retired from the population of
the Atlantic States, end sought quiet and so
liiudc in the bosom OF our western forests
But he carried with him tase, and science,
and wealth; and, "lo the desert smiled. ~
Possessing himself Of beautiful island in
Ohio, he reaIs upon it palaces, ahd decorates
it with every romanti: embelishhont Of fan
cy. A shrubbcry, that Shenstone might have
envied blooms around him music that might
have charmed Calypso and her nymphs is his
an extensive library spreads its treasures
before him--a philosophical apparatus offers
TO hun all the secrets and mysteries of nature
peace, tranquility, and Innocence shed their
mingled delights around him -and, 10 crown
the enehantment of the scene, wife, who
is said to he lovely even Beyond her sex, and
graced with every Accomplishment that can
render it irresistible, had blessed him With
her love, and made him the father Of her chill
dren. The evideace would convince you, sir
that this is only faint picture Of the real
life. In the midst of all this peace. this in
noccace and this tranquility, this feast of the
mind, and pure banquet Of the heart-the
destroyer comes-he comes to turn this para
disc into hell--yet the flowers do not wi
ther at his approach, and no monltory shud
dering through the bosom Of their unfortunate
possessor, warns him Of the ruin that ia com
ing upon him. A stranger presents himself.
introduced to their civilities by the high rank
which he had lately held in this country, he
soon finds bis way to their hearts by the dig
nifty and elegance oil his demeandr, the light
and beauty OF his conversation, and the Sc
ductite and fascinating power OF bis address.
The conquest was not difficult one. limo.
cence isever simple and credulous conscious
of no designs itself, it suspects none In others
it wears no guards before its breast-etery
door, and portal, and avenue OF the heart Is
thrown open, and all who choose It enter.-
Such was the state Of Eden when the serpent
entered its bowers The prisoner, in more
engaging form, winding himself into the open
and unpractised heart of the unfortunate
Blannerlsasset, found but little difficulty Ia
changing the native character Of that ifeart,
and the objects Of its affection. BY degrees
he inluses into it the poison OF his own arn'
bition he breathes into it the fire oil his own
courage-a daring and desperate thirst nor
glory-an ardor painting for all the storms;
and hustle, and hurricane Of life. In a short
time the whole man is changed, and every
object of his former delight relinqulshed. NO
more he enjoys the tranquil scene 1t mas De-
come fiat and insipid to bis taste-his BOOKS
are abandoned-k his retort and crucibie are
thrown aside. his shruhbery blooms and
breathes its fragrance upon the air 40 VAN,
he likes it not-his ear no longer drinks Inc
rich melody of music-a longs for the trnm-
pets clansor and the battles roar-even the
prat,e of his babes, once SO sweet. no longer
affects him. and the angel smile oil ms "lie'
which hitherto touched bis bosom with ecs'a-