Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1871-12-12
A MIssIssIPPI ROMANCE.


"Nota Bene, IColone John f. II. Clal-
borne,) contributes TO the Matches Democrat
the following romance OF the early days oil
| Mississippi, a romance in which the eloquent
accomplished and fascinating Aaron Burr
played a conspicuous part:
The arrest of Aaron Burr, at the mouth oil
Coles Creek, by order of Cowles Mead, Act
ing Governor Of Mississippi Territory, and
his arraignment In the old town Of Washing
ton on The charge of treason, the sell-posses-
sion, ability, and tact he exhibited, and the
favorable impression he made on the COM
munity, are all well remembered historical
| incidents. IIo was discharged on giving
bond for his appearance, and his principal
bOndsman was Colonel Benijah Osmun,
native of New Jersey, and the comrale of
| Burr in the Revolutionary war. lie was an
old bachelor, of handsome fortune, a high
toned Federalist in politics, retained his
military habits, and was held in great esteem
( Colonel Osmun was one of the most practical
and successful planters in the Territory
was the first who commenced 10 improve our
breed of horses, and was renowned for his
table aud his winos. His beautiful estate
extended 10 the Half Way Hill. Ills lands,
on his death, were purchased by the late
| Gerard Brandon, and were given 10 his sons
| in-law, Colonel james Smith and William
Stanton, two OF our most valuable citizens,
now deceased. Here Colonel Burr resided
some weeks after his discharge, receiving
the visits of influential sympathizers, but
passing his afternoons in the woods The
flalf Way Hill then clothed with majestic
trees, was a fayorite resort But its re-
ireshing shade aud its charming prospect
were not tho only attraction. There lived
at that time, near the summit OF the hill,
in little vine-covered cottage. a
widow lady from Virginia, whose small
| farm and two or three slaves were the only
remains of large fortune. Her husband
had converted his property into money, and
on his way to this Territory had been robbed
and murdered by the notorious Joseph
Thompson Hare, more blo0d-thlrsty villain
even than the C lebrited Mason She had
but one child, Madeline. who must still be
remembered by a few Of our older citizens
as a miracle of beauty. In form and feature,
IN grace and modesty, she was all that the
| old masters have pictured OF the divine Ma
donna, or that artists ever dreamed of human
lOYlness. Those that saw her loved her
yet she was never conscious Of the senli.
ment until she listened 10 Aaron Burr. The
family were Catholics, and there Col. Burr
went to meet by appointment one OF his
| numerous agents and correspondents, the
| Able Viel, a Jesuit priest oil remarkable
ability. lie was born in New Orleans in
1896, studied at Paris, and became q member
Ol the Congregation OF the OratOry. At the
dissolution OF that body by the FreRch Gov.
eminent lie returned TO Louisiana, and exer
cised the priestly function in tue parish ol
Attackapas lie subsequently returned to
France. 1t is probable that Col. BUR, in
his projected invasion Of Mexico, cOntem-
plated securing the influence OF the religious
orders, and for this purpose al opened
correspondence with the Abbc, and met him
by appointment at this secluded place
length, after canvassiug his situation
with Colonel Osmun and six other conlilen-
tial friends, Colonel Burr determined 10 tor
felt mis- bond and make his way to Pensacola.
One stormy night in Februiry, 1907, be set
forth, mounted on the faYOriie horse OF his
hos, and attended by Jerry, a faithful
groom who had orders 10 go as far as
Pearl river. Urgent as the necessity for
expedition, Colonel Burr halted Till day
light at the widows cottage, pleading with
the beautiful Madeline TO be the companion
of his flight. lie promised marriage, Tor
tune, high position, and oven hinte1 at i'm
peral hOnOrs not realizing, even then, q
fugitive ard branded traitor, the crushing
downfall that impended over him The
maiden had given him her heart; she had
, listened 10 his wiiChery night aler nlgnt,
and loved him with all the ferYOr ol her
Southern nature. Size would have followed
him TO tue ond OF tue earth, and to the
2 scaftO,d, aud her aged mother would freely
[ give her to this captivating man-lor they
r looked on him as a demi-g1d-- but as with
[ most of our Southern women, virtue
5 propnety were stronger than pTepOsstssou
. and passion, aud tue enlreaiies oil tue accom-
plished libcrline we're firmly rejected
D Batiled aud disappointed he was compelled
e TO proceed, but promised to return, ant
e carried with him the covenant and pledge o
4 the beautiful Madeline. She was WOOgd hl
=. many lover. The young and ralan
masters OF the large plantations on Secont
" Creek and ST. Catnerlne's stroYe in vain to
8 her hand. Fortunes and the homage OF de
ir voted hearts were laid Mt her feet; but III
If maid OF the Half Way Hill remained true Il
o her absent lover; the more so of the rumor
K that reached her Ui his misfOituues and hi
n guilt. She lived on the recellecllOns vi hi
s. manly beauty, and the shades lie had nos
i'll effected were her constant haunts, A
rs length, when he fled from The United States
pursued by Mr., Jefferson aud his remorse
less agents that swarm around power an
auihority-when he had been driven frol
n Eugand--and an outcast in Paris, shiVern
with cold and starving for bread-he seem
to have felt, tor the first time, the UTE
oCl hopeessness Of his fortunes And then Ii
. wrote to Madeline, and in a few forms
ot words released her from her promise. Sta
A. ing that he never would return 10 the Unite
al States, he advised her 10 enter a cOnven
/ should she survive her mother. A year Q
fs two after this she went 10 Havana wit
". Mrs. W., a highly respectable lady, VIII
n. then owned the property where Mis-. s
a John Elliott now resides. Her extrem
ri beauty, her grace and elegance, produce
the greatest enthusasm. The hotel Whel
al they put up at was besleged. II she appearc
n. on The balcony dozen cavaliers were wal
ing to salute her. When her Uoldnt WI
Ma seen ON the PdscO or the Plaza de Armls
mi was escorted by the grandees Of the islam
a. She was ieted by tue Governor Genera
no sereuades and balls followed IN rapid su
Of cCssion, and the daily homage 10 her beau
al. never ceased until the evening bells sound,
nil the Angelus.
of Without surrendering her heart, or bell
10 carried away by universal admiration, 81
lal returned TO the cottage on the Half WI
ial Hill She VS. followed there by Mr.. Il
nil an English gentleman, the head OF 4
& : largest commercial house in Havana, and
him, ON his second visit, she gave
Iod b md.
ses The vino covered cottage, its lrellise al
M borders have crumblei into dust. 4
nm. courlly lover and the innocent maiden {
10. long Since dead. But the old hill still Ii
its aged Draw, wrinksd all over with lraC
cal ions. A layorite lookout Of the Natchez
al time Of war-lhc scene OF daring c,
led spiracY againtt the Spanish authority
10 rendez,o is Of lOvers-ihe hid NJ place
bigSnds, and depot for their blood-staiu
,eo treasuIe-mute, but faithful witness of
for past.
as nm
lass WHAT THE RAT DfD.-A b1v pot n