The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-01-14


old fellow student, Emmett who had Just
left Ireland on account of the political
troubles. In the beginning of Decem>
ber he received a letter from Bcrr, re-
GREETING that they had not met on the
Island in the previous October Flat
tered by the interest taken in him by the
ex-Vice. President, he wrote back in re-
ply. expressing hope that he might be
honored with share in any speculation
which might, during his tour of the
country, have presented itself TO Burr's
Judgment as WORTHY 10 engage his ia>
ents. In making this advance, not merely
r commercial or land enterprise was
contemplated, but military adventure
was mentioned lie supposed the Gov
ernment was indignant at the aggressions
of Spanish troops upon the American
borders, as well as the conduct of the
Spanish Minister at Washington. Un>
der this impression, he supposed speedy
war with Spain was inevitable aud he
offered, if Spanish war should induce
the Government 10 call on Burr. to en-
gage with him IN any enterprise to be
undertaken for the conquest Of any OF
the Spanish dominons. In the lollow-
ing April, 1906, Burr wrote n highly
complimentary letter in reply. He stated
that he had projected such a speculation
as Blennerhasset had mentioned and
which he would have suggested, had he
found Blennerhasset at home in the pre-
vious Autumn. lie aGded that it could
not be begun before December. if ever !;
that, as il could not be explained by let
ter, an explanation would be deferred
until an interview could be had and
that there would be no war unless the
country should be actually invaded by
Spain.
10 August 1906, he visited the Island again
W itli his daughter, Mrs, Alslon, arriving at
noon, leaving next morning. While on the
Island, he had an hours private conversation
with Blennerhassct and the next day, at
Marietta, at snatchcd Intervals, the conver,
sation was renewed. Bennerhasse. was as
sured that the expulsion Of the S panisll hom
the American territory, then violated by
them, or even m invasion OF Mexico, would
be pleasing to the Administration, if ii could
be done without declaring war with Spain,
and that such war would be avoided as
long a= possible, although existing circum-
stances would probably occasion It's COM
menecmcnt before he would engage in any
operation. Persuaded that the Government
would moi he averSe to such designs. provid-
ed they should be kept secret ill their eve>
cu;ion should he legalized by a declaration
of war he rendered his services generally 10
Burr.
Burr said that the people OF Mississippi
Territory were di,aIected towards the Gov
ernmtnt that they would at 10 distant per
oi revolt. and call in foreign aid; and,
when this time should arrive. the people OF
the Western States would be called on TO de-
tcrmine to which section they would adhere.
But hc said this was a matter in which he
was not Mt all concerned, though it was then
spoken of and feared at the seat of Govern
menl Both agreed ha; the people shon'd
be informed on the subject, so that they
might not be drawn unawares inlo a contest
for which they were not prepared. Burr
before leaving, contracted at Marietta toT
the building of fifteen batteaux, capable o.
carrying FIVE hundred men.
After his departure, Blennerhassetl wrote
for the Marietta newspaper n short series 0
articles advocating the proPrieiy of separai
inc the West from the Eastern part of th'
Union, and another series confuiing the first
These papers BIennerhassel aflerward
stated had no reference TO their scheme be
cause their scheme had nothing to do will
United States His object was, partly, Il
prepare the minds Of the people for what h
considered an inevitable event but mainly
to divert the public attention from the Mex
lean invasion, which he supposed the Gov
ernment would approve so long as il shoul
be kept secret, though, if it should hecom
known, the Administration would feel boun
10 suppress it. BY this time, rumors Of III
intended expedition began to be noised owe
the country. They occasioned gener,
disque;ude, and even alarm, which W
complacenty smile at in these days whe
such expeditions are rife. The Governmer
appointed secret agents to spy out It's organ
lzaton unusual powers were conferred VI
on the commanding General in the West
the Legislature in the West enacted speech
laws TO aid in suppressins it bands of hast
ly organized militia were posted along III
Ohio, the Mississippi and the rivers fiown
inlo themi and bill suspending the oPerr
tion of The haJeos corpus act passed ,hroug
one branch of Congress,
In October, Blennerhassel went 10 Lex
'inelon, in Kentucky, with Mrs. Aston, VIII
had been his guest since August. and he
husband who had just arrived at the Island
Here he observed Burr's popularity increas
ing, and no Jealousy shown on the part c
the Government towards him. But, helor
the month WAS ended, he received speci'
messenoer from his wife. who WAS alaGme