Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-06
From the Licking Valley Ky. Register.
BURR AND BLANNERHASSETT

BURR AND SSETT.
Much has been SAID and written on the
conspiracy of Aaron Burr, and diversity of
opinion still exists, as 10 the extent of his de-
signs. The elegant retirement of Banner
hasset, previous to his association with Burr,
has also beena theme eloquence, and "A sub
ject of admiration. AS lived near the GEN.
ter of Burr's operation, and was intimate
with the family of Banncrhassct, many facts
came under my observation which perhaps
are not generally known. therefore COM
ply with your request, by detailing circum-
stances which were familiar to me at that
period.
With reference to Burr's conspiracy,
have never doubted the fact, that his first
object was separation of the States, and the
establishment of" anen6rgetic government"
including our INVEST and Southern ter
ritories. This intention was clearly mani
tested by series of publication with the
signature of" QUERIsT" in the Ohio Ga
zette," paper then printed at Marietta by
one Fairamb.
Those numbers held forth all the argu-
menis that could be urged, TO induce the
withdrawal of the West and South from the
old States. Burr furnished the leading
points, Blannerhasset wrote them out, and
attended to their publication. The first
number was read to the printer by Banner
hasset at my fathers house, and in the pres
ence of several of the family. After the
printer had retired my father made strong
appeal to Mr.. on the folly and danger of
such an enterprise; reminding him of his
narrow escape from the troubles ofIreland of
the happy form of government he then en-
joyed, and of his delightful situation at the
Island, surrounded by all the sources Of earth
ly bliss. Mr.. B was Disconnected he ac-
knowledged his obligations for my fathers
friendly motives, but attributed their differ
ence of age. My 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 against it could
not be concerted under his roof. Mr.. po-
litely withdrew, took up his quarters at a
public house, and never made his home with
us atterward. But number after number of
the " QUERIsT" came before the people
holding forth the possession of the public
lands, with all their mineral productions-tho
great agricultural prospect of the West-the
vast navigable waters the occupation Of
New Orleans as a commercial emporium and
various other arguments in favor of a separ.
ate government. A day was also appointed
to hold Convention at the Island.
But the plans of Burr were not confined
to separation of the States; he knew tina
this project might fail, and the establishment
of an Empire in the Mexican Country, wa
his alternative. A number of battcaux or row
were prepared on the Muskagum River, ant
probably some at other points, with which
he intended rapid descent on New Orleans
or to ascend the Red River toward Mexico
as circumstances nigh, require. Number
of restless and desperate spirits were enlisted
! in his visionary schemes, from Pittsburg t,
New Orleans, but the mass of the Western
| People were attached to their government
and their connexions east of the mountains
If the Convention had assembled at The Is
land, the inhabitants of the ncighborhoo
were prepared to dispense them with fore
and arms. The Convention failed an
r when party attempted to escape with tn
boats, they were prevented by the Militia
under special law of Ohio, passed for tn
occasion, with closed doors. But Their
!, were traitors in that Lcgislature-in Cong
v rcss-and in the Army of the Unite
r States.
It Burr met in council with but fragmer
: of his followers, on an island in the Mississ
j. ippi, where his scheme was abandoned. ii
l. fled in disguise but was arrested, tried at III
: CITY of Richmond, and acquitted by a ouir
a of the law. Blannerhasset and other assC
o ciates were discharged. His family ,servan
G and furniture having descended the river
5, Natchez, he located himself on cotton farI
!, in that vicinity. The Embargo and I'll
d War which followed, defeated his expects
i tons he became embarrassed /; his forum
y having been impaired by his liabilities f
Burr. Under the prospect of civil az
pointment in Lower Canada, he removed
10 Montreal, but his friend, the Governor, b,
ing removed, he was again disappointed ar
= retired at last to the island of Jersey in Il
d, British Channel, where his maiden sister n
y sided, a lady of fortune. There he die
- the victim of romantic and visionary min
Blannerhasset was an Irish Nobeman,
j. man Of science, and polished gentlema
e. He excelled in the composition and perforr
ance Of music, his instruments were the vi
=, T. lin and bass-viol, both of which he used.
~ the manner of the bass. His spacious ii
IS. was constructed in musical proportion
. where the tones OF his viol vibrated with TIN
by ling effect His library was elegant and