Litchfield enquirer., 1838-08-30

the Herald furnishes the following Darticu.
lars respecting Blannerllasset and his ac-
complislled lady:
A few miles below Marietta We pass
ed Blannrri,asSs,t's island. We ran under
the lee of it some distance; but the thick
wood III ihe river Obstructs any view Of the
in'eri"r. We saw no traces Of the beauii-
fnl mansion Of Blannerhassct, except the
chimney at the north end Of the island,
which was all that escaped the fire in
which that dwelling WAS consumed. I
learn, however, that the beautiful shrub
berry still lives on iIsc island, which was
planted by Blannerhasset, and thar many
"i the walks laid out are vet open. Blan-
HeFhaSset was one of the Irish patriots who
were compelled to flee from ireland, after
their attempt to libera,e that country from
the ,hraldom Of England. He was pos
sessed Of large amount Of property, the
greater part of which he was fortunate
| enough TO render available in money be-
fore his departure. Disgusted with the
corruption of courts and the turmoils Of
political life, he sought for retirement in
the western wilderness. on a beautiful ISL
and in the Ohio, then on the borders Of
civilization. He built a princely mansion
on it, and embellished il in the most cost
ly manner. Situated on the borders Of
Virginia, Kentucky. and Ohio, he had ac-
cess 10 a very refined society, with which
it WIS his custom to constantly intermingle
and interchange civili,ies. His hospitali-
~ was unbounded, and dealt out as it was
by his own chivalric courtesy and the grace
Of his beautiful wife, this island was the
general visit for all the country around,
and is even yet celebrated for the splendid
revelries and entertainments of which il
was the scene. Blannerhassst was fine
sample Of the polished Irish gentleman,
and rendered himself very affectiona,e
object Of regard, by the amenity of his man.
ners and disposition. His lady was WE
man Of rare beauty and accomplishments,
which were heightened by pure and un-
impeached character. She reigned the
Queen of this beautiful kingdom Of taste
and refinement which Blannerhasset had
created on the Ohio, and. according Ia the
contemporary accounts, she deported her
self with q grace and dignity that might
have become throne. She was woman
Of high spirit and ambition. and when
Burr, aware Of her commanding influence
over her husband, con6dentially entrusted
her with his plans of Mexican dominion.
she was fred al the boldness and intrepid
~ Of his enterprise, and Immediately de-
termined to engage her husband as con-
fedcrate. Blannerhasset was q man Of
ductile temper, and was easily induced by
the dazzling representations Of prospective
glory and honor, which his ambitious wife
set before him, to become q participant
with Burr. He was moreover liberal OF
the French school, Of which Burr was well
aware. The gorgeous representation which
Burr held up to him, of Mexico redeemed
from tyranny, by their united efforts, fred
his soul, and he entered with enthusiasm
into what he believed an honorable and
humane undertaking. When once pledg-
ed to Burr under the mastering genius OF
his wife, he actually engaged in enlistiDg
men. building boats and preparing the es-
sen.iais Of the expedition. Many Of the
most respectable citizens OF the neighbor-
ing country were connected with the af-
fair, all deludad in the same manner as
Blanncrhasset. The entertainments on the
island were broken up, and its shores At
nigh. echoed only to the muffled oars Of
the conspirators, as they crossed from the
adjacent bank, or to the silent tramp Of
bold adventures, as they congregated on
the beach to resolve and discuss their plans
of Mexican redemption. A large number
of Gat-boais had been built on the Mus
kingum and sent over TO the island, and
every thing was ripe for embarkation.
when the plot was discovered to the pub
lie authorities by one Of the aeeomplices.
Blannerhasset was instantly deserted by
his followers, and left alone to the storm.
Timothy BueI, commander Of the milf
tia. with small detachment, went over TO
arrest Blannerhasset. He hardly set foot
Oh the island before he was met by Mrs.
Blannsrhasset, whose spirit seemed to rise
with the increasing desperation Of her for-
tunes. She had seen the party coming,
and snatching up pair Of her h0s6and's
pistols, she ran from the house to meet him.
Jus. as the militia major stepped out oi
the boat, she seized him by the shoulder
and thrust him back. presented two formi-
dable pistols full in his face, cooked and
Drimsd. commended him in the most po-
sitivc tone Net to advance one step for
ward, and ! will send you into eternity
"i, is easier for me to- do, than to say it,
were her words. according to my narrstar,
who was one Of tho party. Her splendid
figure, drawn Us to its fall height, her eyes
fixed With Stern and determined gaze. her
hands clinching firmly ihe pistols which
she held a, arms length. told the militia
major in language n"t ,o be mistaken. tho
terms on which he might advance. The
old fellow quailed and trembled before the
courageous woman, and was forced 10 re-
turn withou, his victim. Blannerhasset
made his escape, and is now living with his
| - L.