The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-09-19
From the Kentucky Gazettee.
BURR AND CLAY.

On the Sd of October 1928, the ailida
Wit of John Downing, Lexington, Ken
lucky.
cat the time Of Aaron Burr's first visi
to the town OF Lexington. was sent for
by John Jordon and Major Boyd, sitting
in room together. Jordon introduced
me to Mr. Burr, who invited me to accom-.
pany him up stairs, followed on, until
he led me into the garnet. When there
alone with him, he developed what he rep
resents to be his plan, and solicited me to
Join the character of a spy, for which du,
ties he stated II had been recommended by
Jordon. His designs, as unloded by
himself to me-were upon Mexico; and he
represented the prospects OF immense
wealth, he likewise declared to me, that
many individuals of the highest respccta-
bilty in this place and elsewhere had as
sociated with him. ! heard nothing of
any unirIendly design upon the Union
After leaving Burr | consulted some of my
friends on the proprlety of joining him,
among the rest, Mr. Clay, who at that time
was a respectable Young lawyer oilhs town
and my particular friend. He advised me
by all means 10 engage in the project, urg-
ing a variety of reasons why it was better
for me, than to continue laboring at my
trade of carpenter, As a further in
ducemcnt, he stated that he himself was
engaged with Burr, and intended to 90
with him. After the interview with Clay
and one with ,Iordon, and with the idea
that they were going, made up my mind
to engage with Barr in his schemes; re-
garding them as did, as perfectly legill-
mate and proper,
After had become one of Burr's men,
had repeated interviews with him, in Jor-
dams garnet to which no one was admitted
but ourselves. When | had concluded
aud departed from the room some one else
would be admitted singly and alone--in
returning from these interviews, have
repeatedly met Henry Clay ascending to
the garnet, into which he was admitted by
Burr to a private interview. | have often
in going up to the garrett met Clay deSccn-
ding, and distinctly rccoIIcct, that upon
one occasion he left the garnet room in
which he was just as entered.
When Clay was in this place last he
sent a young man to me to complain that |
had charged him with being associated
with Burr. | replied that did not know
that | could prove the fact upon MIR Clay,
for had only his (Mr Clny's) word for it,
together with the positive assurance of
Aaron Burr, and further answered, |
would satisfy hun that he had SO stated to
me, ifhe would acknowledge the truth
Mr. Clay did not pay me the visi, de-
sired. 1t was matter Of public notorIety,
a. the time Burr was here that Clay was
his particular friend.
| determined at one time TO abandon my
intention of accompanying Burr; and upon
making the suggestion to Mr. Clay, he dis.
suadcd me from it in the strongest terms,
aud finally succeeded in fixing me in my
original determination.
Given under my hand at Lexington, Ky,
this Sd day Oct, 1898,
JOHN DOWNING.
Personally appeared before me the sub
scribcr a Justice OF the Peace for the
county aforesaid, John Downing and
made oath that the facts Sc; forth in the
above statements are true to the best of
his knowledge. o. kEE, J. p.
October Sd, 1923.