The true Democrat., 1854-06-06
The Arrest of Aaron Burr in
 Alabama.

AOOO, 1AaC Ou udu SOIuo OeSlS1S on lOOC, duO the silence and secrecy which attended all o ms movements failed not to excite the suspi- cons of the government, through their secret agents. President eferson in his special mes- sage of January 23, 1907, says that he had two distinct objects ln view, "one of these the sever ance of the union of the States by the Ale. ghany mountains; the other an attack on Mexi- coz third object was provided merely ostensi- pie, to wit: the settlement of pretended pur- chase of tract of country on the Washita, claimed by Barou Bastross.
 In the latter part of the year 1906, a party of Kentuckians, induced by the proclamation of President Jefferson arrested Burr, and brought him to trial. Henry Clay, whom Burr had previously and frequently met, appeared as his counsel, and he was acquitted upon the ground of insufficiency of evidence to convict Thus released, he continued down the Mississippi with few boats and men; but just above Na- tchez he was again arrested by Colonel Clai- borne, at the instance of the Governor of Mis- sissippi. Again prisoner of the United States, public sympathy in that section was strongly excited, and he found no difficulty in giving the necessary bond for his appearance at court When brought before court, he denied that his offence came within the jurisdiction of Mssis- sippi. The Attorney General took sides with him, and insisted that he should be released from his bail and sent to competent tribunal. The Judges, however, refusing to grant the applica- tion for discharge, it was ascertaned at the opening of the court the prisoner had departed. Officers were at once dispatched in pursuit, and large rewards offered for his apprehension.- And this brings us to the circumstances of his arrest in Alabama.
 About month after his failure to appear at court, Burr found himself, with one compan- ion, in the vicinity of the village of Wakefield, Washington county, Ala. Fearful of detection he entered the town, under cover of the night, with the determination of passing through and gaining, if possible, the house of Col. Hinson, gentleman whom he had met at Natchez and who had invited him to his house. Riding LID to the door of a cabin, Burr inquirer of two young men, seated within, first for the tavern and then for directions to Col. Hinson's Per kins, one of the young men. replied that it was several miles to Hinson's, that the way was diff fcult to find, and that dangerous creeks inter- vened The travellers thanked them for their information and rode off As they passed the door the light shone fully upon the face of the elder gentleman Perkins was close observer: and the richly caparisoned horse, the fine sad dle and holsters, the noble and digniied mien of the stranger, observable despite his coarse dress, and the bright sparkling eye, which flashed from beneath hlS slouched hat, seemed to thrust con- vlctlon upon him, and he at once exclaimed "ttat's Aaro,a Burrr'
 Satisfied as to the correctness of his concu- sion, Perkins at once sought Brightwell, the sheriff; and m very short time the two were following closely upon the tracks of the travel CTS. Arriving at Col. Hinson's, Burr found that hls friend was absent; and his request for a nights entertainment was tacitlv refused-pro- bably through fear; by Mrs. Hinson, who quietly closed the window in reply Making their way to the Kitchen, they seated themselves by the tire, intending to pass the night there; but the sheriff, who was relation of Mrs. IIinson, ap- bearing soon after, she hastily prepared supper for them. During supper, Burr charmed the hostess With hls elegant conversation, though evidently disconnected by the keen glances of the sheriff, who remained in the room As the former left the table before the others Mrs. Hnson, at the instance of the sheriff, turned to the traveller and said, "have I not the pleasure of entertaining Col. Burr in the gentleman who has just walked out?'' Much confused. he made no answer, but, rising, walked off Bright well was now satisfied that 1t was really Burr. but the fascinating address of the latter had won his heart, and he did not return to Perkins. whom he had left shivering with cold in the adjoining woods.
 Perkins, in the meantime, becoming impa- tient, and still believing he was right made his way, in haste, to Fort Stoddard and reported to Capt. k. P. Gaines. A file of soldiers was at once put in motion under the command of Capt. Gaines Directed by Perkins, the party met Burr and his companion about o'clock in the morning, when the following conversa- tion ensued:
 Gaines-I presume, sir, have the honor of addressing Col Burr?
 Stranger.-I am traveller in the country, and do not recognize your right to ask such a question.
 Gaines.-I arrest you at the instance of the federal government.
 Stranger.-By what authority do you arrest a traveller, on the highway, on his private busi- ness?
 Gaines.-I am an officer of the army hold in my hands the proclamations of the President and Governor, directing your arrest
 Stranger.-You are young man, and many not be aware of the responsibilities which result from arresting travellers.
 Gaines.-I am aware of the responsibilities, but 1 know my duty.
 Burr still persisted in denouncing the arrest unjust and unwarranted, and attempted to frighten Gaines from the discharge of his duty, but the latter sternly replied, "you are my pri soner, sir, and you must accompany me to Fort Stoddard." Finding resistance of no avail Burr yielded, and soon found himself priso- ner in Fort Stoddard
 During his stay in the Fort his kind atten- tions to George $. Gaines. (brother of the Cap- tain) whom he found dangerously ill-his gen. tlemanly department and agreeable address to- words all made him many friends He spent much of the time in the company of the &C., compished Mrs. Gaines, who enjoyed much of his brilliant conversation That lady sympa- thised deeply with the unhappy position of Burr, and in common with the other ladies of the fort shed tears when she saw him depart for Washington, guarded by file of soldiers
 The escort was placed under the command of Perkins, at whose instance Burr had been arrested With party of ten men, Perkins set out upon his arduous journey, his route lying up the Alabama river to the present city of Montgomery, thence north-eastward, through Georgia. South and North Carolina into Vironia