The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-02-14


uments showing the feasibility of pene
trating Mexico. He denounced the Pres
ident and Government as devoid of ener
~, and suggested that Eaton could in
demnify himself for bis recent losses il
Africa by joining the expedition as an Of
ficer. Burr subsequently, revealed his reaI
object to be to excite revolution West oi
the Alleghsnies, establish an Independent
empire there with New Orleans for its
capital and himself its chief He said bis
funds were ample; that be had 10000
men; that Tennessee, Kentucky, and the
Orleans Territory, as we'll as the United
States army there, were all with him.
Gen. Wilkinson, the Governor of Orleans
4 Territory, was to be his commander-in-
chief; and he and his army were to be Sc
cured By the promise of double pay and
ratons. Burr mentioned the names of
other officers as being pledged to bis en-.
terprise, and if be could secure Truxton,
Preble, and Decatur, "he would turn
Congress neck and heels out of doors, as
sass sinste the President, or what amount
ed to that, and declare himself the Pro-
tector of an energetic Government" He
proposed to Eaton to gain the marine
corps and to sound Preble and Decatur.
Eaton reasoned with Burr on the folly
and wickedness Of these projects, averring
that the three CoDmodores were incor-
ruptible; that he would find it impossible
to procure party of men in this country
to support projects so reasonable. and
that one solitary word would destroy him. !"
Burr asked what it was. "Usurper, re.
piled Eaton. But Burr declared the blow
U ust be struck. Eaton declined having
anything to do with bis schemes, and
communicated them to Government.
Commodore Truxton testified that Burr
sought to detach him from the navy, and
to induce him to join bis expedition, hold
ing out the prospect of making him Ad-
miral. Burr spoke of capturing Havana
and other Spanish ports, and assured him
that many prominent men were concerned
in the plan. He declared that Mexico
was ripe for revolt, and was certain of
success. Burr's cross examination of
Truxton was done in so searching and
Ill asterly manner, at the same time with
% ost respectful courtesy. as efectually to
neutr aize the virus Of bis testimony. He
brought out the Commodore's unqualified
admission that all bis plans were to be
carried out only in case of war with
Spain.
Other witnesses proved that Burr had
contracted for the building of numerous
boats at Marietta, and the purchase of
large quantities of provisions; that in De
cember body of thirty to fifty men bad
assem- bled at Blannerhsssets Island, most
of whom were armed, aud who appeared
to be commanded by Col Comfort I yler.
Blannerbasset told one witness they were
going down to take Mexico; that Burr
would be King of Mexico, and bis daugh
ter, Mrs. Aston, would at his death be-
come Queen. At midnight on the 3th
of December, these men suddenly de-
camped in four boats and went down the
river, in consequence of the leaders hav-
ing learned that Government troops were
after them, and that warrants were out
for the arrest OF Burr and Blsnnerbasset.
The party bad but four boats, ali those
built at Marietta, as we'll as the provi-
sions ordered there, having been seized
BY the authorities. 1t was distinctly
shown that Burr was not at the island
with this armed party, and that he had
been there only once or twice previously.
If this assemblage constituted the overt
act, Burr was not shown to be personally
participant. His counsel had persever
insisted in every stage of the trial that
the prosecution must FIRST prove the oUert
act, and that the design was not sufficient
to convict. They now moved the Court
to exclude any further evidence from the
Jury and stop the prosecution, alleging
that Burr cot being present on the island
at the time of the assemblage, could not
be a principal in the treason; that no
waging of war, no. the use of force had
been proved; and that DO evidence was
relevant to connect him with others, and
to thus make him traitor by relation,
until the others were shown to have com
mitted an act of treason. which act they
denied the assemblage on the island to
be.
This motion gave rise to an elaborate
argument, in which all the counsel on
both sides repeatedly addressed the
Court. It occupied ten days. aud, with
the opinion of Judge Marshall, fills 100
pages of the report. It's in itself com
prehensiye treatise on the law of treason,
rich in authorities, with lucid applications
to the point at issue. 1t was in the pro-
eress Of this great argument that William
Writ electrified vast audience with his
impassioned apostrophe: "Who is Blan-
nerhassett7" and his touching description
of Blsnnerhassett's intellectual and floral
paradise in the Ohio Rivera shrubbe-
ry that Shenstone might have enyied
blooms arouDd him: music that might
have charmed Calypso and her nymphs
is bis. An extensive library spreads its
treasures before him; philosophical ap-
paratns offers to him all the secrets and
mysteries of nature; peace, tranquility,