Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-07
From The Licking Valley Ky. Register
Rrpu AND nl.ANNERuASsET,

Much has been said and written on the con.
spiracy Of Aaron Burr. ard diversity Of opn-
ION stIll exists. as 10 the rx'ent % lis designs.
Tho elegant retirement nf Rlsnnorlas,pt, pre-
vous to his association with Burr. has also
been theme ufeloQuepce, and subject Of ud-
mra,ion. As lived near the centre Of
Burr's operations, end wse intimate with the
family of BIannerhasset, many facts came un-
der my observation which perhaps are not gem
orally known. therefore comply with your
request. by detailing circumstances which were
familiar to the at that period.
With reference to Burr's conspiracy, have
never doubted the fact; that his first object was
a separation Of the States, ard the establish
ment of"an energetic government including
our North West and Southern territories This
intention was clearly manifested by series of
publications with the signature of "QuEp1sr"
IN the "Oho Gazette" paper then printed at
Marietta by one Fairlumb.
Those numbers held forth all the arguments
that could be Urged, to induce the withdrawal
OF the West and South from the old States.
Burr furnished the leading points, Blonnerhas-
set wrote them out and attended to their pub
lication. The first number was read TO the
printer by Bannerhasset at my fathers house,
and in the presence OF several of the family.
After the printer had retired, my father made
strong appeal to Mr. B. on the folly and danger
| of such an enterprise reminding him of hi.
narrow escape from the troubles Of ireland, Of
the happy form of government he then enjoyed,
and Of his delightful otustion at the Island sur
rounded by all the sources Of earthly bliss. Mr..
D. was disconcerned h- acknowledged his o.
bigations for my fathers friendly motives, but
attributed their difference Of age, Mr.. father
Indignantly replied, that he had Fought for the
government under which he lived that he loved
it as the apple Of his eye, and that treason a
gainst it could not be concerned under his roof.
Mr.. B. politely withdrew, took up his quarters
at public house, and never made his home
with us anerward But number after number
Of the "QrERIsr" came before the people, hold
ing forth the possession ofthe public lands, with
all their mineral productions-the great agri'
cultural prospects ofthe West-the vast navi
gable waters--the occupation Of New Orleans
as commercial emporium, and various Other
arguments in favor Of separate government
A day was also appointed to hold a Convention
at the Island.
But the plans Of Burr were not confined To 4
separation of the States; he knew that his pro
ject might fail and the establishment OF an En-
pre in the Mexican Country, was his alrerna
tive. A number of batteaux or row.galiies WIRE
prepared on the Muskingrm River, and proba
bly, some at other points, with which he inten
ded rapid descent on New Orleans, or TO as
cord the Red River toward Mexico, as crcum
stances might require. Num'ers Of restless
and desperate spirits were enlisted in his Wis
: iouary schemes, from pjnsar~g 20 New Or
> leans, but lac mass of lha Ne.',ru prope wer
attached to their government, ard their con
: nexrons east Of the mountains fthe CONVEX
! tants of the nelghborhood were freparei to t.i
/ pcrse them with force OF srms. The CONVEX
ton failed and when the psr.y attempted
!, escape with the boats, they We're prevented
n the Militia, under specisr law of Ohio, pass,
. for the occasion, win closed doors. But The
were traitors in that L-gislature--in Congrs
!, and in the Army of the United state,.
rs Burr met in council with ftag, merit of
0, followers. on an Island in '.ne Mss!ssir
m where his scheme was ~ ,od,,nsa lie fed
disguise oTt was ai' .;ed, tried a, the city