Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-05-25
TERMS OF ADVERTISING:
An Historical Retrospect First Trial for
Treason.

an Historical Rstrospeet-Tho First Trial for
Treason.
10 the Editor of the Aleru1trtu G,tzetie: fl
You will oblige subscriber, and constant
reader Of the Gazette, by republishing an article
which appeared week ago in the National
Intelligencer The article was signed An
Old Man. and was 4 brief account Of some Ol
the actors in the trial Of Aaron Barr, in 1907.
l send you the name of the author, who does
not sign his name only because, IL matter Of
taste, he does not like to parade his name in
the newspapers, except upon demand OF L
party complaining, aolen he holds hinnseh,in all
respects, responsible for whatever he says and
however he says it. 3.
Mr.. EDITOR: Ii is now just sixty years ago
since the first trial OF an American statesman
and soldier on the charge OF high treason was
had in republican America.
The great judicial drama recurs at the pre-
sent day, after the |. pse Of more than half a
century. for the second and the only other
time. TIE locality of the two transactions is
precisely the same. Virginia in 1907 stood
among her sister States prlD1Ms inter pares by
universal consent, as conspicuous as saul
among the Prophets, or as modern Prussia
ties Of the old German confederation.
It was fitting that Richmond should be the
first theatre for the practical application aud
authentic exposition of the principles provided
for cases so grave, under our new aud then
untried system 1t was within the State of
Virginia (at that time admitted 10 be real
State and not Military District No. -
that the overt act OF treason was alleged to
have been committed Richmond was even
then venerable as she has always been
polished and refined city, with a population
that claimed an ancestry more ancient than to
date back merely to the period when they
reached our shores from the nother country.
1t was the capital OF the native State Of the
most eminent jurist who has appeared in
America, if not in the world during the past
and the present century, as II has after long
lapse OF time been made the chosen capital OF
the Southern Confederacy, so-ca!cd, within
which tho cause of The pending trial has arisen:
At the trial of Aaroo Burr our great Chief
Justice ] ohm Marshall presided, assisted by a
most respected associate, Mr.. Critic. The
numerous counsel were the most distinguished
lawyers of the day on either side Of the ques.
tons discussed and settled For the prosecu-
ton, Jeffersons Attorney General Rodney, OF
Delaware; William Writ, Of Virginia, after
wards United States Attorney General to more
than one administration George Hay and
Alex. McCrae, leading lawyers of the city OF
Richmond.
La the defence wcre Charles Lee, Washing
toms Attorney General; Luther Martin, Of
Baltimore; Edward Randolph, John Wickham,
BENJAMIN Bolts, and John Baker, of the Rich
mond bar The foreman of the jury was John
Randolph, of Roanoke. The members Of that
body | cannot recall, but am very sure that
James Barbour, Littleton Waller Tazewell,
and Paul Carriogton and men of that sort
that is to say, the first gentlemen and most
distinguished citizens of Nirginia-6lled the
whole array
: Perhaps more adequate preparation was
never made for an occasion OF that sort, not
even in the celebrated case OF Warren Hastings.
The whole country was intensely excited; pollt-
cal parties were arrayed on opposite sides ;
there were no stage tricks, no ingenious devices
for delays prosecutions, tor!ures, and rasca-
lies Of various kinds, no contriVances to kill a
man that the prosecutors were afraid to try,
no judicial murders to put out Of the way III
convenient witnesses.
Aaron Burr was arrested in Mississippi Terri
tory on the 10th of February, 1907. Without
moments delay he was brought on to Rich
mond and delivered to the civil authority on
the 26th Of the following March. The case
was taken up Immediately, and after brief de-
lays, it was said, by no fault OF the court OF
the accused, he was at last, on the 24tli OF
June, arraigned, and two bills were brought in
against him, the one for treason, the other tor
misdemeanor. The trial proceeded with no
further delay than might have been expected
pal witness---a sort Of army lawcr aud general
controsersialist, who in his youth was de-
spatched by General Washington to the Conti.
mental Congress with news Of rebel victory,
and lettering on his way reached his destina-
nation after the news had got there by the or
ainary channels whereupon friend moved n
vote of thanks Tor his fidelity, and old Timothy
Pickering, | think, proposed to offer him
pair Of spurs au appropriate ac&nowedg-
ment of the celebrity OF his operations. The
trial Proceeded, and early in September was
concluded although the report of the proceed
ing filled two large Volumes chiefly occupied
with arguments Of counsel and the decisions OF
the Judges on the various points arising in the
trial.
The witnesses of that proceeding are gonl
long apo. In the course of nature, no man
then Of middle age, now survives. Ii they
were here, how interesting to them would Of
the contemplation of the passing scene nov
competent would they not be, looking hrst or
that picture aud then on this, to appreciate thf
value OF that hoasted progress which Tor tht
last half century, by the aid of Red Repfbli
canism and Black Repubhcanism in harmony,
has been rushing us on with railroad velocity
10 that elyslum, DOW almost in sight, and tol
which the true patriots have so long sighed
aud so devouly prayed
John Marshall is not an actor now, nor is
his associate, Griffin but Underwood is there
...-Judge Underwood, so called-and he boldl,
bears on his herculean shoulders, solitary apt
alone the responsibility Martgs dyd5d add n on the former
How lar Mr.. Underwood is likely to prov
eoual TO a task so confidently undertaken,