Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-14
EVENING STAR.
MEN AND THINGS OF THE Pks-.
John Barney's Anecdotes Of Remarkable
Public Men.

Gossip about Bur-, Jefferson, Math.p l..
Davis and Chas. Dickens.
The venerable yet vivacious Honorable John
Barney, Of Baltimore, has in press 9 very pi-
QUAINT "Sketch Book" which is likely TO re-
| fresh the American mind in both political and
social "reminiscences. The following chapter
on Burr, Matthew L. Davis, Thos. Jefferson,
and Charles Dickens in America will be read
with peculiar interest.
| AARON BURR-How he PRESIDED IN TIE SENATE
| In 1903 witnessed the dignity, impartial
| ity and winning grace with which Aaron Burr
| presided in the Senate Of the United States
during the trial of Judge Chase, impeached
for partiality and injustice towards John Fries,
indicted under the Alien and SeditiOn Law.
HIS TRIAL AT RICHMoSD
! l attended his trial at Richmond, when he
| hims self was indicted for treason. His promi-
nent counsellor was Luther Martin, Of Balti
more-my father slawyer, neighbor and friend
His daughter Maria, afterwards celebrated
as Mrs. Richard Rsynal keene, invited my
sister and self to dine with Col Burr He was
| then living in house standing alone, around
which was patrol of guards.
Tho dinner was superb, aboundiug In all The
/ luxuries which Virginia's generous soil yields
! in lavish abundance Twenty ladies and gen.
! ,lemen, of rank, fortune and fashion, graced
! the festive board.
He was esteemed 4 prosecuted martyr Dis.
! tress, In every form and shape, makes an irre-
sistible appeal to wOman's sympathy; her
! tears often flow for the suffering of the crimi-
! nal who expiates his crimes on the gibbet.
| his TENDERNESS FOR THE sEx.
| On this occasion, Burr's fascinating batteries
| were layished indi 'criminately on the sex in
| general. Man he had ever found treac herous;
| woman always true TO sustain him in adversi-
| ty, sOlacing IN affiictiOn, and giving charm
J 20 lite without which life itself was not worth
! possessing.
his REnovAL TO PRisog
! The Grand Jury finding true bill, he was
! forthwith removed to the State Prison. There
we followed him; lie received Us in his usual
/ bland. courteous manner, apolOgized for our
( being introduced into hi, bed chamber, his
drawing room being then deTanged by the tit-
3 ting up ot his ice house, which was In fact in
his chimney corner. Iron gTatirgs prevented
/ his egress, admitting free circulation of light
ond air. | felt prIde and took pleasure in
being permitted to become his emanuensis
Each day as rode along the streets my cur
ricle was freighted with cake, confectionery,
flowers redOient with perfume, wresthed into
fancy bouquets Of endless variety.
HIS TRIAL
The trial was tedious and prolonged. I
travelled on TO the borders of North Carolina.
fingered for while at the noble mansion of
Lady Skipwith. On my return l found the
pefaevering Attorney General, George Hay,
fatigued-worried
Would that I could only hang upon a
crate and nave little negro 70 swing me to
and fro all day The laws delay-the special
pleadings of the bar, its interminable contro-
versies have worn out and exhausted me
shan't be able to hang Burr, but will be con-
tent to hang myself On a CRATE" Thus spoke
George Hay, than whom never lived a purer
patriot or more upright, conscientious man.
His wife was daughter Of James Monroe, the
modest, retiring President, aud a worthy com
peer of Jefferson and Madison. Praise is thus
exhausted.
HIS ACQUITTAL
Burr was acquitted. he came to Baltimore
was feasted by Luther Martin. He rose from
the dinner table, threw open the window,
gratefully and gracefully to volunteer COM
pany, in full feather, commanded by Captain
Leonard Fraily; band Of music cheeIed him
with lively air, and he accepted, gracefully.
the distinguished honor conferred upon him
When my friend Hughes touched bis arm
. Colonel" said he, " they are playing the
Rogues March, with charged bayonets 1 The
windows were closed, the wine circulated and
We calmly arrived at the conclusion that Capt
Fraily was very ofhcious volunteer.
THE THREAT TO MOB HIM
The IeXt day, strOlling down Market street,
arm in arm with my prosecuted friend, Mr.
Hughes overlook us Colonel said he.
ass Light street without looking down
Fountain Inn is surrounded By groups Of your
admiring friends. Capt. Fraily is out cf uni
form to-day, but there Is general desire |
manifested 10 give you a warm reception in |
citizens clothes. You must take your depart |
ure without further civil or military tcnors |
being conferred upon you With his accus- |
toned celebrity OF action and excellent judg- |
rru ho oil IoI hooI
Colonel my friend Barney will accompany |
you. You will have a pleasant drive out 10 !
Herrons Run L will secure a seat in the |
stage coach, take charge of your baggage, |
swop you for my friend BArney-DEiug hIin |
home, and send you on your way To rejoice |
escaping being hustled by a Baltimore mob " |
| fear no mob" the Colonel sternly replied, |
" L have seen the cannon hostile fdsh-haye |
counted the bristling baJonets of the enemy
and hold in contempt lawless mob
4" This is all fine bravadO,' said Hughes
Barney and l have no desire TO shoot down, |
or TO be shot By our fellow citizens Youmay
throw your own life away, Colonel, but this |
bright world has too many attractions for Us |
to throw away ours, in defending you, when |
pleasant ride of half an hour will save YOU /
from danger and restore US 10 our ma-ma's.
his TREACHERY, Erc.
This was the last of Col Burr His vii.
lainy, his treachery, his infamous exposure of |
confidential letters addressed to him by the |
cOnhding sex, on whom he was layishing |
praise, but induced by mere qualification If |
puppy vanity TO desire to throw broadcast to
the world their letters Of civility in answer to /
their bewitching batteries, lavished upon thom |
without stint or measure The noble, honest,
but poor Mathew l. Davis, his executor, re-
ceiyed from him, while living, trunks full Of /
female correspondence, by which Burr thought |
TO make his (Oavis's) fortune, but which were
generously returned, without fee or reward. 20 |
the grateful recipients.
LoBBYING-AND MATHEW l.. DAVIS
Lobbying (nOW an anomaly was in full
force in hose days. Several important bills |
had passed the New York Legislature. and
some we're 50 uncharitable as to insiuuats that
improper means had been resOrted to, and my
friend DAVIS was accused of being engaged IN |
A lady of rank and fashion condescendsd /
(and ladies rarely condescend 10 minpIe in |