The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-01-14
VOL. IX-NO. Al.


Mr.. PARTON has rendered valuable service
in adding the Life OF AARON BURR TO the
biography Of the distinguished men Of this
country, for there has been scarcely charac-
ter in the history Of any country concerning
whom such difference Of opinion has OBJ
taiued. Setting aside, as impartial readers
Mr.. PARroS's prejudices 10 favor of the
subject Of his biography, it is impossible to
arrive at the conclusion Of many, that Burr
was the malignant and Satanic character
assumed by them. Unprincipled there can
be no doubt he was, and though selfish as
a general rule and hard a. the neither mil
stone," yet in his relation TO his own family,
he was warn. hearted aud even tender to u
degree whilst it is moral impossibility
that he should have induced hundreds OF
brilliant and amiable young men to love.
nay almost idolize him without his entering
largely into their feelings and identifying
himself with their interests--a circumstance
Of itself showing kindly disposition, al
though its aim was selfinterested 10 Ger
tain extent.
In his character Of q lawyer, no one
could be more indefatigable, although per-
fectly INSCRIPTIONS in his means to ensure
success, and in this particular he stood not
not alone at the period in which he lived
The following anecdote shows bis knowledge
of effect upon the minds of jury
No means were too trivial for him to mploy.
If he thought them likely to promote his pur-
pose. He used 20 say that he had once saved
man from being hanged by certain arrange.
ment Of the candles in a court room. he re-
ferred to q trial for murder. In which both Ham.
ilton and himself defended the prisoner. and
which excited intense interest at the time. At
first, the evidence against the prisoner seemed
conclusive, and, think. Burr himself thought
him guilty. But as the trial proceeded, suspi
eions arose against the principal witness. Co.
lionel Burr subjected him to a relentless cross
examination. and be became convinced that the
guilt lay between the witness and the prisoner
with the balance Of probability against the wit
ness.
The mans appearance and bearing were most
unprepossessing. Beside being remarkably
sgiy, he had the mean, dorm look. which il as
sociated with the umidity OF guilt. Hamilton
had addressed the jury with his usual fluent ell.
oquence. confining his remarks TO the vindica-
ton Of the prisoner, without sluding TO the
probable guilt OF the witness. The prosecuting
attorney replied. and II wss now Burrs prov
incs to say the last word for the prisoner B1,
the day had worn away, and the court took q
recess till candle light. This was extremely an
moving 10 Colonel Burr, ts he meditated enact
ing a little scene, 10 the success Of which II
strong light was indispensable. He was not TO
be banked, however. Through one oi his sat
elites, OF whom he always had several revolv.
ins around him. he caused an extra number Of
candles TO be brought into the court room, and
To Oc so arranged as TO throw q strong light
upon q certain pillar, in full view of the jury,
against which the suspected witness had leaned
throughout the trial. The court assembled.
the man resumed his accustomed place, and
Col. Burr rose. With the clear consciousness
OF which he was master. he set forth the facts
which bore against the man. and then seZing
two cande eabra. from the table, he held them
up toward him, throwing glare Of Eght upon
his face. and exclaimed
Behold the msrderer. gentlemen,
Every eve was turned upon the wretch.
CHASTITY counteuance, which, to the excited mu
utgde seemed wear the very expression of a
convicted murder The man r.cled a. though
he had been struck then -hrunk away behind
the crowd, and rushed from the room. The ef.
feet OF this inc ldent was decisive. Cot Burr
concluded his speech the Judge charged, the
jury gave verdict Of aCqnttal, ard tue priso
n"r wasftee.
After his trial for treason. W. lind him
wandering over every par, Of the continent
CT Europe. vaniy seeking an asylum. and
attempting any kind OF speculation whereby
he could gan his daily subsistence, but in
al. instances with signal failure Still. in
what 10 hm must have been ifc Of misery
ne does not forget thyse al home
Colonel Burr made many endsavnr. IN Pan.
20 improve his finances. A. one uIas
am absor bed IN o speculation m the share. of
the Holland Company, va shc ch he embarked
al lis slender ca pits.. For many days he was
on the rack of anAiet q. bat he eventually gained
few hundred dollars ty the venture II be
could have obtained passport 10 Ainsisrdam.
ne thought he could have c.es1ed tea thousand
i0ilar-, IN lev week., hy more extensive
operation 81 She same kind. He spirits rn.e al
. the prospect. :" ! Sh send you. be sad g.
B Thsodo.a, "a million Of franc. sth n ..T
months. and thea. siib mary eXgtauDn,
, ADDS. pat Que ha.f Of i must be lad ogI N
pretty thing. SHAT beautiful thing. vii
send you. Ganpiu-. too. must have /. beau
tIful iIt,!. watch. and al least sf,y ,rnmpe;s u
different sorts and .Is.. Hons a. ten. and
hAv. been casting up my million. sbd spend.
l1s u. Lord, hos ma8y people have msas
happy
Dreams all he tined in Tan 70 get the psss-
port He then intrustsd the -cnsrne 70 sfrini.
Sso vas To act for MIN IN Ioiis d. ard share
the proceeds of To. sp.caiaiios. That fr'snd
betrayed HIN. an3 nOthing hat occurred 70
Col Jgrr during all the year. Of si- exile
toaehed him 30 nearly ss shAt. Ny dear The
oiostA. he wrote on the DAY of the di.coysry,
n am seek 81 heart. having made the mos, 81
Trs- ~ al a Il . friS