The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-06-04
Aaron Rur-r.

Aaron Rurr.
A correspondent of the Louisville
Courier Journal, who has been visiting
the vicinity of Blennerhassett's island,
mentions an incident in the life of Aaron
Burr, which it is said has never before
been published It is related by DIR.
William Crump of Powhattan county,
Va, the charges d 'affaires to the court of
Chill during the administration of Presi-
dent John Tyler.
DR.. Crump was an elegant and courtly
, gentleman of the old school of Virginia
Equality" He had married Miss Maria
Moody of Williamsburg, an heiress and
ward of Mr.. Tyler, and the reigning bell
of Virginia about the time that Mary and
Rebecca Belling of Petersburg, were in
the zenith of their beauty and belledom.
1t was at dinner one day during the
canvass between General Winfield Scott
and Mr.. Pierce, that heard remark
able conversation between DIR. Crump
and Hon. w. S. Archer, Senator from
Virginia. It occurred at Letione, the
| mansion of DR.. Crump. The mail was
brought in, and, between the courses,
DR.. Crump obtained copy OF the En-
qui,er, the Democratic organ, edited by
read few moments, and then suddenly
dropped the paper, striking the table
with his fist and exclaiming:
"My God Mr.. Archer, we have q
prophet with us, and Aaron Burr is that
prophet r.
Startled at the name of Aaron Burr,
| Mr.. Archer drew up his aristocratic head
! the fire Of Wing hate cleaning in his
eyes.
And what of Aaron Burr ?" he said,
| with coldness and hauteur, as only q
self poised, thoroughbred virginian can
| assume.
"Mr. Archer, I tell you that Aaron
! Burr was prophet, and has sort of
| prophetic second-sight, as they say over
yonder at Mr.. McCrea's, my neighbor.
who is Scotchman as well as gentle
man-Mr. Colin McCrea," said DR..
| Crump, and then he continued:
GA few years ago was dining in New
York with General Scott. He invited a
| limited number of gentlemen, and among
them was Aaron Burr. 1 remember it
| was the first time I had ever seen or met
| Colonel Burr. He was late in arriving.
and when the distinguished visitor was
announced every one was hushed into
silence and every eye was fastened upon
the little, old, withered figure that en-
tered the room, with the eye of an un-
tanned eagle and the air of an exiled
prince or dethroned emperor. General
| Scott rose to meet him and shake hands;
then presented him formally to each of
his guests. I don't know how it was,
Mr.. Archer, but it seemed natural for
Mr. Burr to lead in conversation and
he talked and we all listened. I never
before heard such flow of wit and hu-
NOR, SO rich blending of wisdom and
wit, and pathos and eloquence. We lis
tened, entranced, to this little old man in
a seedy coat, whose tongue and beauty
had charmed women and subdued men
| to his will whose eye was still like the
eagles and whose very courtly air
| and natural sweetness were undimned
| and unaltered. I could not have
talked if I had wished. I shall never
| forget his reply to Scott, when the gen
eral alluded to the calumnies that had
been heaped upon him in former years.
General Scott, you know, is gentle,
| lovable man, as he is brave and gall
liant officer. He wished, in the goodness
of his heart, to make Colonel Burr feel
at ease in this company. and Scott often
told me that Burr was the keenest poll
tician in the country, and as to being a
traitor, he secuted the idea. Well, as I
said, General Scott spoke consoling
words to the faded old man, and de-
scanted on the ingratitude of princes and
republics. Burr listened, while his eye
frightened and cleaned with the fire of
Inspiration. He spoke on, and I will
never forget his reply. He said, Gen
eral Scott, what you say is true, and is
more so in my case than with many 9th
"a, fhoT R11f
will tell you, General Scott, while you
are in the heyday of your glory and your
greatness, while the glorious sun does
not shine on a greater warrior or nobler
man, the time is coming, andnot far dis
tant, when your countryman will declare
that you were coward at Lundy's
Lane"
'.It seemed that lightning had struck
in the room Such declaration pro-
duced an astounding effect on the whole
party, and every glass was left untouched
and the wine untasted. The silence was
appalling. The little, old faded man, in
faultless linen and coat much worn,
seemed inspired with the indignation he
felt at a nations ingratitude and the
maleyolence of party spirit OF which he
was victim. 1t was many minutes be-
fore the company regained its compo-
sure, and very soon they dispersed. Col
one1 Burr drinking no wine and dining
very abstemiously, as was his custom.
Talk of personal magnetism! Mr.. Burr
possessed it as no other man ever saw;
he commanded and subdued men and
charmed women by his wonderful elo-
quence and his matchless beauty, just as
he willed it."
"And now, Mr.. Archer" continued the
venerable charge daffaires, here is
Burr's prophecy literally fulfilled. Read
yourself and see what the Enquirer says.
He passed the paper to Senator Archer,
perhaps at that time the proudest man In
Virginia, devoted Wing and friend OF
General Scott, and who hated Burr as
much as any good Wing ever hatred
sound Democrat.
And, sure enough, there it was, all
written in the Enq1irer, which Senator
Archer read slowly, and he read we'll.
perhaps better than anyone else OF his
day. unless it was his sister, Miss Betsy
Archer, most gifted and beautiful wo-
man.
That dining party separated at night;
the campaign waxed warm, and General
Scott was Overwhelmingly defeated. and
the prophecy of Burr fulfilled to reple-
ton. / have heard DIR. Crump repeat
edIy saw that General Scott firmly be-
I;eved that the reputation of Burr would