The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-26


II is well known, we believe thai Mr.. Pickett Of
Montgomery, Inns been engaged for some years In
collecting the materials for history OF Alabama.
His researches have been very extensive, and he has
collected quite library OF books and manuscripts
In various languages, bearing on the discovery and
colonization OF this part Of the United States. His
collection contains thing written
the early history ofIouisana and Florida; exceeding,
as We believe, in that respect any public library In
the country. The expense and cost have been great.
The still greater cost Of thorough examination and
anays Is has been also undertaken In the spirit
of dsnterestod zeal for the advancement of knowl-
edge, and the work embodying the fruits ofhis labors,
IL in a state Of forwardness A chapter, or what Il
sketch of Of the chapters Of his book has been
published in advance. Ii relates TO the projected
edition of Aaron Burr against Mexico, and narrates
infinitely thai portion of the adventures Of this re-
markable man, which occurred In the Mississippi
territory, to which the present state of Alabama
then attached--his escape from Na,chez-and sub
seqaent arrest in the waters Of Alabama. There are
many novel incidents, now first published from an.
thentic sources and living witnesses within our
own knowledge making The chapter exceedingly
Interesting We have not room for the whole but
copy thai portion which relates TO what took place
within the present Stale boundaries.
The early greatness and prodigious talent Of Burr
his romantic hiatory-the cxcilemens OF his won
dernl career and the sadness of his bllghted for
tnnes and dismal end--hayp made strong impress
sion upon tho mind Of Mr.. Pickett In some public
matters Burr was harshy dealt by. The complete
and irreverslble popular condemnation which over
IOOk suddenly career OF great service,
vast influence, and when he was felt 10 be in point
of talents courage and address, Of the foremost
men Of the age, Is phenomenon, which men find
difficult to account for, even by the admitted mis-
deeds towards the public with which he is charged.
His fortunes never recovered n moment. Young,
handsome accomplished, eloquent, brave, orator,
a soldier, siatesrnan--he fell and never was fall
more complete. The leader Of party-his party
disowncd him at once and forever One Of the most
engaging OF men in manners and address-perfect in
all the graces of conversation, he lived almost alone
and died in extreme old age-in neglected solitude,
with scarcely friend close his eyes. lawyer Of
unsurpassed ability-he was Stunned by clients, as
one whose association would damage their cause
watched by Judges us one whom 1t was unpleasant
10 hear--and held among the bar as one with whom
II was not creditable to associate, and from whom
every thing was 10 be apprehended, that was faith
less and tortnous. How was il that a career which
promised so highly was darkcned at once and ire
coverabiy, and that through long period of unre-
eved gloom, IL should have closed 90 miserabyl
Webeeye the solution Of this enigma can be found
Ia tho simple fact that with all Burrs great qualities
ofmind, he never had any deep hold upon public es
een. lie had brain and nerve, but the world never
gave him credit for heart, In tho most brilliant pc
Rod of his life men Of high principles and fixed opin
IONS avoided and suspected him-men OF pure lives
kept away from his intimacy. Atno time did he be-
get astins friendship His most partial biographer,
and he had one who tried to represent him In the
most favorable light possible, could quote sin
gle in his whole public career which had not In
/ some faint of selishness. Thirst for wealth, dis
ncton, empire, was distinctly discovered TO be the
ruling appetite Of his public life as disqualification
was the only rule Of his private conduct. His fnmi-
liar letters have been publisedal doubtless selected
AZ the best adapted for the public eye and some care
fully expurgated--yet among them all, there is hardly
found expression Of elevated sentiment or pur-
pose. We doubt whether, with the solitary excep-
lion OF passionate love for his daughter with which,
indeed there was mixed great deal of ambition there
is to be found any thing which above the Cos
sip Of egotism II was to a thorough conviction Of
this moral defect In his character TO which his life
lent daily countenance that Burr owed his ostracism
from the world, more than to the public offences laid
harmony with the generous impulses Of his kind
more fixed in principles of conduct to which man
kind pay reverence In their nnfaing sympathy with
vrtnous misfortune, would have given Burr, If not
new public career at least, tranquil old age, and
troops of friends. Wanting this, he lived like out
law among his kind, and died unnoticed in ignoble
solitude.
Yet Burr in his age and desoation, was an affec-
ting spectacle. We remember him we-a small
figure under the middle size, finely proportioned and
neatly dressed-with step which, at the age of sew
enty was as firm, II not as elastic, as at twenty
large dark eye which carried an understandable inn
| preston Of dignity. His manner, gesture and look
were at that day, graceful and impressive beyond
that Of most men, and we could well understand the
lofty bearing with which he is said to have presided
over the Senate Of the United States;-statey and
courteous, but prompt and decisive at every emer-
gency requiring action. No man even casually met
the glance OF hiss eye, without mentally concluding
III.
expression Of his counenance when unobserved, was
that of profound mournfuness perhaps from tho in
terpal reflection perpetualy dwelling in his heart
| upon lie thrown away but his look when chal-
lenged, was always bold as of one who would bat
| tie with mankind to the last. In our boyhood we
have watched him often with profound interest, as
he walked daily ungreeted, crowded streets stepping
firmly along, with dress scrupuously arranged his
feet, which were remarkable for their beauty, hand
somely trimmed, and a few gray locks dropping from
beneath his hat, over his collar We remembered
with sensations akin 10 awe, that the FORM puny as
II was though still erect had breasted the shock Of
battle fields In the early days Of the Revolution, and
that that despised old head had been guide In the
councils the wisest of the nation had nearly achey-
ed the highest position In this Republic, and had
schemed boldly for n Crown in another part Of this
hemisphere It was the reflection Of muiurer and
sadder years, that stern lesson was 10 hn taught
from the spectacle Of that wreck Of genius, valor
learning, beauty--al The elements combined that
promised worldly prosperity and happiness--save
The one vivifyng element Of high moral principle.
That wanting, all the rest were mere vanity or rath-
err snares for his undong.
We hive been casually drawn into these desulto-
ry "reminiscences by Mr.. Picketts cordial adrni-
ration of Rurrs enrlier career and personal qualities
with much Of which we agtec--only that we cannot
consent to agree that in the main he was unaccona-
bly, or capricionsy treated in The final condenna-
lion Of his whole character by the public.
.