The Hawaiian gazette., 1876-01-19
AWAIIAN GAZETTE
AN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL,
DEVOTED TO HAWAIIAN PROGRESS.
Aaron Burr.
The secret orHls POwers OF FaseinatlOn,

He came here several weeks ago, totally blind,
and suffering from q cataract on his left and sole
remaining eye. lie was operated on Tor cataract
by one Of our Cincinnati oculists. aud although
the venerable man has attained the uncommon
age Of ninety years and four months the delicate
operation was perfectly successful, and the pa
tient now has the happiness OF enjoying his sight
once more
The old gentleman is physician. by name, DR..
David Creel and is one of the early graduates Of
the old University of Pennsylvania, at Phladel-
phia. He is the fatherin-law Of Judge Stafford,
of our State, and is al present resident OF Chill
licothe.
Part Of Dr. Creel's history is matter Of na.
tional interest, from the fact that he was one OF
the jurors in the great trial Of Aaron Burr for
conspiracy against the United States Govern
ment.
Father Creel is happy cheerful, and enthusiast
tic as 4 girl Of sixteen. Before the trouble with
his eyes bis health was perfeet-better than sixty
years ngo-and be is yet able TO walk good five
miles He says that STILL at bis great age, he is
as DESTROYS of living as be ever was. and don't
want to get out of the world bit more than be
did when he was twenty years old. His bearing
is excellent. bis memory as good as yours Or any
bOdys, aud his mind perfectly clear. he is man
of much learning and great intelligence, quotes
Latin at will. and knows Shakespeare, Cicero, and
al those old fellows By heart.
DR.. Creei has written much for publication in
his day, and gave the final shock TO his eyesight
by sitting up and using bis eyes writing ut night.
{" It's great shame made such u blockhead
of myself" says he.
This risky old boy is going to the Philadelphia
Centennial this year 10 see tue sights, and says
he really cannot see any reason why he should ut
live ten years yet. He was asked if he pursued
any particular plan Of diet or habits by which he
kept his heslth and hopefBlness in such re-
mGrkabe degree at this advanced age.
No. said he, 81 have no particular diet or
habits. except that take plenty of exercise by
walking, and | live on brown bread entirely.
When wheat is bOlted. all that is good is taken
out Of it. aud white bread is not ct for any hu-
man being to eat. Then drink only black tea
black 0olOng aud not very much OF that. use
very little tea or coffee either.
Like most Of the very old men left among Us,
DR.. Creel went through the war of 1872. He is
a Virginian by BIRTH and was surgeon to the %
Virginia regiment in the war of 1872. On his
way to the sea: Of war in the North be stopped
ut Cincinnati few days, and party was given
by Gen. Findlay Gen. Harrison's daughter
Elizabeth, then a blooming young lady, was at the
party. Dr. Creel says that Elizabeth Harrison
was very beautiful woman, and the perfect pic
ture of her father.
DIR. Creels recollections Of the Burr trial, whom
be knew well, are, however, the most interesting
Of all. The trial of Aaron Burr, it will be re-
membered, took place in September, 1907. So
far as our venerable friend knows, he is the sole
man remaining Of the twelve men who acquitted
Aaron Burr OF treason against the United States.
There is probably no doubt that he is the only
one left. as he was Que OF the youngest Of the
jurors. and be is now over ninety years old.
The trial lasted MONTH" said Father Creel.
And how did the jury stand T. was asked.
Unanimous for acquittal,' said he" unani-
nous. Burr's principal lawyer was Luther Mar
tin, Of Philadelphia. Luther Martin was the
finest lawyer of the day, but he was unfortunate
", hopeless drunkard. He was retained in the
Burr case on condition that he would drink moth
ing intoxicating as long as the trial lasted. He
accepted the condition, and agreed TO drink moth
ing that would make him drunk till the case was
finished. But Luther Martin could no more keep
g. A. II. ..--Ia i---r e.
ming so though be kept his pledge by the letter,
be broke it in the fact. He took bread and
soaked it in brandy, and ate it necessarily during
the whole trial, thus whipping the devil around
the stump"
"Ohl it vas famous trial, that was-worth
lifetime to hear. Luther Martin was one Of the
first lawyers of the age, and put forth his most
powerful efforts in Burr's behalf. Chief Justice
Marshall allowed Burr to speak in his own de-
fence whenever he chose, and although as have
said, Martin was one of the most accomplished
lawyers Of the age, yet Burr knocked TO pieces
IN FIVE minutes all that Martin could say. When
ever be opened his lips there was most perfect
silence in the Court, Aaron Burr was SO graceful
and splendid in oil that he did or said. Every
word made most profound impression on the
jury. / shall never forget it-never-though l
live to be Eve hundred years DID,"
Was be so elOquent?"
No; be was not eloquent at all, in the ordi-
nary sense'of the word. He was not bit fowery
in his language. 1t was just clear, precise and
simple, with no attempt whatever at ornamental
clap-trap. but be had q way Of putting point be-
fore 8 jury more clearly than any man ever
knew. so clearly that they had to see it,"
. What was the fascination about him do you
think 7"
Z" | think it was bis manner. There was
charm about that. that no human being could re-
sist, particularly woman. 1t is fact, without |
8 particle Of exaggeration, that when once be |
Fixed his fascinating eye upon woman there
was no escape for her. 1t may sound strange, |
but /, having seen and known The man as have, |
must say that doubt if there was ever another
as fascinating man on earth as Aaron Burr. |
Then bis intellect was far more powerful than is |
generally supposed. His head did not slope back |
from his brows, like that Of Henry Clay, as is |
represented 10 his pictures, but it was
massive and full in the forehead. His brain was
in my opinion. equal to Jefferson's"
" Was Aaron Burr 60 very handsome 7"
/" Not 60 handsome in the face but, though /
rather q small man, be was the most perfectly |
formed man ever saw, and his manner Of carry
ing himself was lndescribably princely and splen-
did"
& Did the jury which tried him really believe
him innocent 2"
Not one Of rs thought be had any direct de-
signs against the Government OF the United
States. His ambitions and his plans were mag
ni6cent, but they were not to be directed against
his country. st least not then. As near as We
could censcieutiously get at the truth, We judged
hat his plan was about this First, the conquest
1f Mexico and the establishment Of government
which would probably have been mild form Of
with Aaron Burr for King. Then az
erward, perhaps few Of the southern United
States would have been attached, but be never
had an idea Of trying TO break up the United
States Government itself. After conquering
Mexico, and perhaps annexing few Of our South
lru States, his plan was to 60 on South and add
o his kingdom from the South American States
There vas not shadow of doubt in our minds,
ither, that General Wilkinson, who commanded
he United States troops in the South, was Just
s guilty as Aaron Burr was, but for some reason
Wilkinson was never brought to trial"
You know the Bleunerhassetts well, too, Dr.
Creeli :"