Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-03-30


include the States west of the Alleghenies
subsidiary to this, and connected with it, was
plan for the colonization of large tract of
land upon the Wa.hta. Introduced to the
ciyilties of the hospitable possessors of the
island by the high rank which he had held,
sshe soon finds his way to their hearts by the
dignity and elegance of his demeanor, the
light and beauty of his conversation, and the
seductive and fascinating power of his ad-
dreSs.n
ssThe conquest continues Writ eswas not
difficult. Innocence is ever simple and credu
lous. :. Burr, winding himself into the o.
pen and unpracticed heart of Blennerhassett,
found but little difficulty in changing the ma
tive character of that heart and the objects of
its affection. BY degrees he infuses into it
the fire of his own courage; daring and des--
peratsthirst for glory; an ardor painting for
great enterprises, for all the storm and hustle,
and hurricane of life. In a short time the
whole man is changed, and every object of
his former life is relinquished. No more he
enjoys the tranquil scene; it has become fiat
and insipid to his taste. His books are aban-
doned. His retort and crucibe are thrown
aside. His shrubbery blooms and breathes its
fragrance upon the air in vain; he likes it not.
His ear no longer drinks the rich melody of
music: it longs for the trumpet's clangor and
the cannon's roar. Even the prattle of his
babes, once so sweet, no longer affects him ;
and the angel smile of his wife, which hther-
to touched his bosom with ecstacy so unspeak-
able, is now unseen and untelt. Greater OBJ
jects have taken possession of his soul. His
imagination has been dazzled by visions of
diadems, of stars and garters, and titles OF
nobility. He has been taught to burn, with
restless emulation, at the names of great he
roes and conquerors. His enchanted island is
destined soon to relapse into a wilderness
and, in a few months the beautiful and tender
partner OF his bosom, whom he lately spermit-
e -.
roughly, we find shivering at midnight on the
banks of the Ohio, and mingling her tears
with the torrents that froZe as they feT.''
So powerful was the influence of Burr, that
soon the entire west was in a state of excite
ment. Under various pretences, and for diff
ferent ends, men enlisted in this conspiracy.
A premature arrest of Burr was made at Lex
ington, Kentucky, and he was defended by
Hon. Henry Clay, having first the assurance,
on the honor of Burr, that he was engaged in
no design against the laws and peace of his
country. Although Burr was acquitted, there
was an armed force in his service, at that time
occupying Blennerhassett's Island, and large
number of boats had been built on the Mus
kingum, and were then at Marietta, laden with
provisions and stores.
President Jefferson issued a proclamation
denouncing the enterprise and warning the
west against it. His proclamation reached
Ohio about the first of December, and soon
AFTER, Dy the OTutlS OI the dONGIubt VI tudb
State the boats on the VI MGskngum were seiz-
ed At the same time the Virginia militia, of
Wood county, lying opposite BlennerhasSetts
Island took possession of the mansion OF
Benuerhassett. The owner, however, sue
ceeded in effecting his escape down the Ohio
in one of his boats
Blennerhassett was subsequently arrested,
and during the trial of Burr at Richmond he
was placed in the Virginia penitentiary. He
was afterYard set free, but was nearly ruined
in fortune by the advance he made to Burr.
When the Virginia militia took possession
of the island in 1906, the mob spirit rar riot,
and great injury was done to the grounds, and
the dwelling and it's furniture. In 1911 the
work of devastation was completed by fire,
which destroyed the mansion.
Such is the mournful history of this once
beautiful spot. OF its present appearance, Miss
Forbes, in private letter says; sit was with
mingled emotions of awe and pleasure that
stood on the ground which but few years
ago was the theater of such thrilling events.
The rank weeds grow, and the young corn
moves with rustling sound on the spot where
stood that happy home, and where the plea
SAINT voices of its inmates rang out upon the
perfume laden air, little dreaming of the dark
clouds that were even then gathering IN the
horison of their future. l thought of the van
ity of human hopes, of earth's broken trust,
and the short life of all that is most priced on
earth till the sunlight looked sad, land the 6ree-
! zes seemed to say, as they swept over the spot,
.Alas for life if this be all
And naught beyond, earth ~
| The fingers of time have not been idle. n 9TH
ing remains of all the beautiful grounds and
buildings but few stunted friut-trees, part OF
| 4 hedge. the ruins OF a cellar, out of which
| grows a tall tree ard large well, eight feet
| wide the curb or mouth of which is cut from
solid rock. The spot where the house for
| merlv stood is a desolato wilderness OF weeds
| and brush, and the remainder OF the ground Is
covered with orchards and fields of grain.
| The surface is uneven enough to Danish any
appearauce of monotony. From the ONO
| shore its appearance is beautiful. 1t is cover
| ed along the edge with beautiful groves OF
willow and water-maple, which droop their long
branches over the water, forming bowers OF
| shadow-ft haunts for the spirits of the past
while far above the tall sycamore lifts its
white arms aloft as if to grasp the quiverlng
| sunhesms above. l have seen 1t at the close
| of summer day, when the setting sun was
| filing all the air with halo OF brightness, lie
| reflected in the clear, still waters below IKE
| an emerald set in gold, and it reminded me OF
| that other island of which we all Know, ''lhe
Isle of the Long Ago"
| We need not follow Blennerhasset through
his subsequent painful yicissitudes. we draw
| a veil over his sorrOTful career. On the Isle
| of Guernsey, in 1921 ,wearied with the turmoii
| of life. he sank to his eternal rest. The hoarse
surges that forever beat the islands rock
| hound coast sing his mouruful requiem
A sadder biography is that OF his faithful,
heart broken wife,. Returning to this country,
| she preferred claims against the United States
Government for spoliations upon their proper
ty bv the militia, but before the claim could
be considered, about thirty four years ago, IN
the city of New York, she closed her earthly
existence.
Half an ounce of soap boiled in pint OF