Smyrna times., 1858-02-04
II tOgrGp hi cal.
THE BURR QUESTION.

LECTURE OF REV. w. II. MILBURN.
A new Life of Aaron Burr has been publish.
ed, In which the author of the Biography, Mr.
Parton of New York, endeavors to plaster over
much of the discreditab'e and wicked part OF
his life.
The book has called forth vast amount of
criticism from the press, as well as the llerutti
of the country.
The following synopsis of Lecture by the
Rev. w. IL. Milburn, upon the subject, reveals
perhaps the most truthful history yet given to
the public:
The lecturer commenced by giving a brief
sketch OF the life of Aaron Burr, aud spoke Of
his death, which occurred obscure, unha ppy.
unhonored, aud unknown. Both his parents
were Inbued with strict Piety, but died before
young Burr attained the age of three years.
Ills peculiar habits developed themselves early.
Tor at four years of age he had a quarrel with
his teacher, and instead of biting and kicking.
as others OF the same age would do, he betook
himself to the woods, and remained there for
several days, until removed by force. At the
age OF ten he hired as cabin boy on board
snip, and when his uncle came for him he ran
up the maln-top, and refused to descend till his
guardian came to his own terms. When thir-
teen he was candidate for the Junior class in
Princeton College, but as the old gentlemen or
ladies who had tha business in charge THOUGHT
such candidate unacceptable, be was put into
the Sophomore, which he regarded as an insult:
yet he studied for about II or l3 hours day.
and prescribed for himself regimen, giving
himself The smallest possible quantity of animal
food, TO which he rgidly adhered for manv
ho lad n
opponents. but so meanly did he think of him
self that he never touched a card again. He
then lived near the college for sometime and
amused himself by writing letters to friends,
until revival of religion took place in thq !
college, and young Burr was called upon for |
ms opinion. At length an old friend of his |
father invited him to study divinity with him, |
when he went in l773, and ended his theolori.
cal study in the following spring, settling the
the course Of Christianity by showing that
salvation was open alike to all He next COM
menced the study of law and history under
Aaron Reeve, and read all the discussions of
Constitutional law and colon al right set forth
by the writers of the times, and his whole en-
ergies were put forth 10 behalf of the strug-
CLING colonist He next offered himself 10
Washington as recruit, and during this period
he caught fever, but one night when conva
lescent he heard his comrades talk of ArnoId's
expedition TO Quebec, and enleebled as he was
Instantly volunteered to go, and went the whole
way on foot. messenger arrived from bis un-
Gle stating that he must 90 home. How will
you take met" said he " won't go, and if Won
attempt force | will have you hung in ten min
utes." The messenger had double set of in
siructions and gave him most affectionate
letter and roleau of gold, which he pocketed,
but would not return; and during that whole
naarn hiaV al.
the corpse of his commander off the field of
battle. Not liking the command of Arnold, he
left the Army, in spite of his threats and ioin-
ed Washington in New York in May, i776,
being then a MAJOR. After a while Burr got
into the family of Israel Putnam, and there he
INDUCED 10 his lifelong propensity in causing
the RUN OF the daughter of an officer; she
afterwards lived miserable life under the
name of Mrs. Collum, and wrote IL pamphlet
before her ideath, tracing her ruin to Major
Burr. Some years after, as great discipline
rlan, be was placed in command of detach-
ment by Wayne, and his tyrannical disposition
ciused conspiracy to be formed against his
lite, which he soon discovered; and one NOON
light night he summoned the conspirators out,
having first had the cartridges drawn from their
muskets; he went down the line, one sprang
forward and presented his musket at him, say
ing, Now is our time, boys" but Burr struck
nun down with his sword, and the mutiny was
queied.' AT tue battle of MagmouIh he bore
himself bravey, and suffered from sun.stroke
which caused him to leave the army and study
law. -Tbe other lawyers were all against him.
but be passed triumphal examinaton: ana '
having married al beautiful woman, named q
Theodosia Provost--tlfe widow of a Br.ti.hl ,
Oficer--he commenced the practice Of his pro.
fesaion. ",Law," he said, !" is whatsoever is
plainly stated and skilfuHy made good "Zdnl
asseEtion which was as unjust TO the profession
as 10 was Characteristic Of the, man. ,,'- ~,
Mr.. Mliburn then passed to the. political ca
reer Of Burr, and stated that doubtless his an
ilpathya TO Washington and Hamilton caused
hlm 10 join. the opposing party. m 1901 he {
was elected Senator Pennsy wanna, and in1
l19l his wife died, %hiehw was a marked esentl I,
"''t@i 'fsSi'Fiii'- aib' = Z. Boa &c ~ II
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