Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-10-20

inese proceedings were oil that the
present circumstances justified. Hi
therto the designs Of certain prepare
lions was unknown. That an inroad
into Mexico was intended, was mere
ly grounded on rumor and an inference
arising out Of probabilities. II seems
TO have been no ones suspicion that
any hostility was designed against the
United States; that the old project of
erecting q separate empire on the Mis-
sissippi, or even the dismemberment
OF New Orleans from the United States.
was in the view Of the author Of these
preparations. The earliest evidence,
sufficient to influence the public opin-
ION on this bead was transmitied 10 the
government by Gen. Wilkinson him.
self. That officer. in letter to the
President informed him that he had
received in the moath Of October. a
letter from Aaron Burr, written in cy-
Pher. An imperfect copy Of the letter
was transmitted 10 the government.
from which il was inferred, that the
writer was DESTROYS of engaging the
General and his army in the seizure of
New Orleans. and the erection Of the
western States into an independent GO
vernment. These views. according to
the Generals report. were further con-
irmed and more particularly explain
ed. by the messenger who brought the
letter.
According 20 the testimony Of Gen.
Wilkinson, given upon oath before
magistrate, il appears that, on the sixth
OF October, at his camp at Natchito-
ches. he received a letter from Erick
Bollman, dated at New Orleans. This
letter was delivered by 4 Frenchman,
TO whom the General was a stranger.
and merely referred TO certain enclo-
sures. with which Bollman declared
himself to have been charged by one
whom he merely describes as "our mu-
tuai friend" and requests the appoint
ment OF place and time for an inter-
view. The enclosed letter was in cy-
pher. and mutilated Interpretation of
1t is given. BY this Interpretation Il
appears, that the writer had obtained
funds, and actually commenced an en-
terprise. The object of the enterprise
Is not distinctly explained. but 1t is said
that detachments from points, and un-
der ditierentpretences, will rendezvous
on the Ohio, on the first Of November:
and the protection Of England Is Sc
cured that person called T., appa-
rently the initial OF his name, had
gone to Jamaica. 10 arrange with the
Admiral on that station, and would
meet in the Mississippi. and that the
navy Of the United States were ready
to join that Burr proposed to move
down rapidly from the Falls on the
10th Of November. With the FIRST five
hundred or thousand men, in light
boats. then constructing for the pur-
pose, and to reach Natchez, within a
month, where, on meeting with Gen.
Wilkinson, i: was 10 be determined
whether they should seize or pass by
Baton Rouge.
The various intelligence, now in pos.
session Of the government, led then. 20
form the following opinion Of the views
OF Aaron Burr. II was imagined that
this desperate adveniurer had con-
ceived the double design Of dividing
the United States by the Allegheny
mountains. and making an inroad into
Mexico. Both these plans were TO be
pursued together. or one before the
other, as circumstances might suggest.
IL one should prove iinpracllcable, the
other was 10 be executed alone. These,
Il was imagined, were his real designs
but the steps to these were sheltered
under the pretence Of = plan to settle
an extensive tract Of country on the
Washita, claimed by Burr under con.
veyance from Baron Bastrop. As this
settlement required large store Of pro-
visions, Of arms 10 equip the settlers
for defence end occasional hunting. and
OF vessels TO convey them, their fami- |
lies, and stores, 70 the scene Of action.
these were collected and prepared with
out disguise. Followers were to be Al. !
lured BY the prospect Of this settle
ment, add in case Of the failure Of his
real designs, this was an Ultimate re-
source, and a shelter from public prose-
COTTON o. punishment.
Finding oil his arguments end slrata.
gems incapable Of bringing about the
disjuaction Of the Western States, the
minds Of men beng not sufficiently
prepared for that event. and being M.
able 10 accomplish Il BY any military
force within his power, nc proceeded 7
TO the second object. and, being ap-
prsed Of The defenceles state ~ tie l
city Of New Orleans, be determined 10
descend the fiver attack that city, end 4
amer possessing himself Of the money
"a the bank, aad Of the military and
naval stores. 10 proceed on bis expedi.
lion To Mexico. Tie busily employedl
himself N collecting followers smoeel
he sFdeni. restless. desperate, and die
thected persons who would naturally
Be dazzled By such projects, and amone
ihe more sober and Discreet. by pro.
Tossing 70 act ~ the secret diFeciion oil
he Government % BY promises Of lsnd
upon the Washiia.
The Government having STAINED sol
some degree q cefisisty. eth respect
p The eoihog and objects II lhe plnl col