Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-13
AARON BuRR,s ROMANCE.
Burr's Motives for ais Intended Expedi-
ton, as Given by an 8 coompIIce.


who will judge as men desiring TO 1t
right, who believe charity 10 be yirtu
sad who consider that their Judgment
OF characters Of men ought TO be formed
in that mereirul spirit of justice which
they themselves may require in passins
down the uncertain road Of life may moi
believe that Aaron Burr was guilty o
''high treason" 1t is not single act o
right or wrong which should determine tht
character of an individual. His true
character can only correctly be under
stood By following him through lie, an
alyzing his deeds and discovering whether
or not the principles which governed him
were virtuous. Few men IN this lite will
bear a critical examination into every
act, and II every man is TO be damned IN
public estimation because one or two
dark spots may be found in the midst OF
many bright ones, then we venture the
assertion that few will be found in any
country passing safely the investigation
of every ordeal.
We find in the history OF Texas by Gen.
MOsely Baker, a Texas veteran, one OF
the Spartan band at San Jacinto, who
gives the particulars Of Aaron Burrs
purpose in his intended expedition
to settle the disputed intentions OF Burr,
but as a part and parcel of the history Of
Texas. He makes use Of the Burr in
cident among other responsibilities Of the
United States government in respect to
the Texas revolution. He does it 10
clearly represent other important oc-
currences and other important person
ages.
BELIEF IN BURR's GUILT.
Gen. Baker was a student Of William
Craven, an English gentleman, who had
been associated with Burr, and VINO, with
Burr, was arrested in the ViciAlty of the
TOmbigbee river In Alabama, and con-
veyed TO Richmond. Va, for trial. Rich
mOnd was at the time the very focus OF
JeffersOnisnism and the public mind was
already prepared for Burr's conviction.
Never, perhaps, in any country was there
greater unanimlty OF opinion upon any
subject than that Of Burl's guilt Of high
treason Never, perhaps, was there a
greater display OF talent and elOquence
and never was there a more patient, fair
and impartial trial. Had Chief Justice
Marshall never before or after performed
a yirtuOus act the decision of the Court
in Burr's case ought 20 have immOrtaliZed
him. RumOr, with her thousand tongues,
had been busy and President jefferson,
with al his noble qualities, possessed
perhaps received as truth the created
tctions concerning Burr's intended
treachery.
William Craven was Bakers preceptor,
and was a gentleman whose veracity
among those who knew him well
was like unto C9sar's wife's-beyond
suspicion. From Craven, Baker learned
the following:
Dir. Craven had been one OF large
-, 4
Mexican trade: had resided many years
at the City Of Mexico, and had daily op-
p0rtunities Of Witnessing the degradation
TO which the mass Of the people had been
reduced by the naughty and tyrannical
aides-de-camD of the spanish government:
that in consequence OF heavy losses h
was compelled 10 emgrate to the United
States. At the city OF Washington he,
among other distinguished citizens, was
introduced TO Mr.. Burr, with whom he
contracted the most intimate acqualnt-
ance, and their intercourse was charact.
cried by frank and cordial friendship.
Burr inquired Of him very particularly
touching the political, moral and social
condition of the Mexicans, and received
all the information which many years
experience in Mexico had enabled him to
collect. He informed Burr that the mass
OF the people were ignorant, superstitiOus
that there were many among them
destined for distinction, and among these
there was scarcely man that was not
restless and DISCONTINUED under the reign
ing government, and only needed some
encouragement from abroad TO enable
them to undermine the Spanish DYNASTY
and PROSTATE its already crumbling
columns TO the earth.
FIRST STEP OF THE CONSPIRACY.
He stated tnat Burr believed that his
reputation was lost in the United States
If be remained in the country; that he
was a man of rare talents and acquire
ments; that he was ambitious in the ex-
IRENE and was ripe for any enterprise
that promised even a hope OF retrieving
his character, and IN any attempt for that
purpose Burr intended 10 signalize him
self elsewhere, not doubling but success
would blunt the malice OF many OF his
enemies, ana that this would in he end
enable him to atone for the death OF
Hamilton, for whose memory he cherished
The greatest respect, and declared that
Alexander Hamilton had been used by
worse men for the purpose Of getting
rid Of one or the other or, If possible,
both.
Burr's first step was TO open a cor
respOndence With some OF the leading
men in Mexico and then to traverse the
" tsbtIh STATES lot LAe purpose OF sound
ing some Of the most influential citizens
In the Mississippi Valley and that success
In both undertakings surpassed even
what they had been wont 10 expect. Ii
was found that many men in the Western
country had ideas OF conquest and fame.
There were many such men In the valley
OF the Mississippi and in all the Spanish
dOminions in America besides. while
the patriots IN Mexico hailed them as
disciples of freedom and furnished the
outline Of systematic plan for future
operations.
WHAT WAS TO BE DONE.
It was suggested by citizens Of the
United states that Burr should approach
the frontiers Of Mexico and establish his
headquarters on the W8shita, within the
limits Of our country, but that he
perempt0rilY declined. IL was finally ar
ranged that they should float down tue
Mississippi and 60 on "a vessel at the
Balize, which the king pirate OF the gull
LATTE, was 70 have IN readiness, and sail
for Galveston Island, then In his posses.
sion. II was further understood that
trading houses were TO be established
among all the surrounding tribes OF
Indians, for the purpose OF buying their
friendship, and that, il possible by any
peaceable means, the inhabitants of the
old spanish towns OF san Antonin.
Nacagloches and others in Texas.
fstlt "a wvfu ~ 10 a