Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-10-22
Aaron Burr & Henry Clay.

1A"EOH DuFr W denry Clay.
Clay's espousal of the cause of
Aaron Burr proven by incon.
testible evidence!
We re publish the following affidavit
for the PSrusal Of all rueRsPUblicAns, who
hate treason. and know bow 10 apprsci.
ate tr iitors.
A.9idaUit Of John DOiOning cfLszing-
ton, Kentucky.
Al lhS time Of Aaron Burr's first visit 10
The town Of Lexington. was sent for by
John JOrdOn 20 come to his house. Up
on going there, | found Burr, John and
Major Boyd, sitting in room together.
JOrdon introduced me to Col. Burr, who
invited me tOiaccom pany him up s!ails,
! followed on until he led me int tho
garret. When there alone with him, he
developed what he represented to be his
plan, and solicited me to jein him in tho
character of spy, for which duties he
stated had been recommended by Jor-
don. His designs, as unfolded by him-
self 10 me, we're upon Mexico, aud he
presented the prospect Of immense
wealth. lie likewise declared to me that
many individuals Of the highest respect.
blity, in the place and sewhers, had as
sociatsd themselves with him. | heard
no inlimation OF any unfrieDdIy designs
upon the Union.
After leaving Burr, consulted some
Of my friends az TO the proprietJ Ofioin-
ing him. Among the rest Mr., Henry
Clay, who was at that time respectable
young lawyer of the town, and my partic.
ulOr friend. He advised me by all means
to engage in the project, urging a variety
ofressens why it was better for me thaI
10 continue lub"ring al my trade of a car
penler. Asa further inducement, he
stated that he himself was engaged with
Burr and Intended to go with him. Afier
this interview with Clay, and one with
Jordon, and The idea that they we're GO
ing, made up my mind to engage with
Burr in his schemes, regarding them Ss
! did as perfectly legitimate and prope'.
After had becems one Of Burr's men,
| bad repeated interviews with him in
Jordon's garret, to which no one was ad-
mitted but OURSELVES. When had con-
cluded end departed from the room, some
one else would be admitted siEgly and
alone; in returning from the interviews
! have repeatedly met Clay ascending
to the garret, into which he was admit
ted by Burr toa private interview. 1
have often, in going up to The garrett met
Mr.. Clay descending, end | particularly
recOIleci that on one occasion he left
the garrett room in whichBurr was, just as
entered
When Mr.. Clay was in this place he
sent q yonng man TO me to complain
that had charged him with being assoc
cialed with Burr, replied that did net
know that could prove the fact on Mr..
Clay, fer | had only his mr.. CIay's)word
for it,togelber with Ihe puslive assurance
Of AaroO Bnrr, and fuiher answered,
that il Mr.. Clay would call upon me,
would satisfy him that he hal stated
to me, il he would acknowledge the
ruth.
Mr.. Clay did not pay me the visit de-
sired. Il was a matter Of public noiori.
ely at The time Burr was here, that Clay
was his particular friend. determined
al one time to abandon my intention of
accompanying Burr, and upon lnskiDg
the suggestion to Mr.. Clay, he dissuaded
me from it in the strongest terms, and Fl.
nalIy succeeded in fixing me in my orig
inal determination.
Given under my hand at Lexington,
Ky. this 3rd day Of October 1928.
JOHN DOWNING.
FAYETTE CeUNTY, Sc.
Personally appeared before me, the
subscriber, one OF the Justices Of the
Peace for the county aforesaid, John
Downing and made oath that the facts
set forth in the above statement ale tue
to the best Of his knowledge aud be'
lief
Oct. 3, 1928. O. KEEN, up.