Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1885-10-29

in the extreme and was ripe for any
enterprise that promised even a hope
of retrieving his character, and in any
attempt for that purpose Burr intend
ed to signalize himself elsewhere, not
doubling but success would blunt the
malice Of many of his enemies, and
that this would in the end enable
him to atone for the death of Hamil-
ton, 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 irsi step was to open cor.
respondence with some OF the leading
men in Mexico and then to traverse
the western States, for the purpose Of
sounding some of the most influential
citizens Of the Mississippi valley and
that success in both undertakings sur.
passed even what they had been wont
to expect. 1t 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 bailed them as
disciples Of freedom and furnished
the outline Of a systematic plan for
future operations.
What Was to be Done.
1t was suggested by citizens Of the
United States that Burr should ap-
proach The frontier Of Mexico and
establish his headquarters on the
Washita, within the limits of our
country, but that he peremptorily de.
ciined. 1t was finally arranged that
they should float down the Mississippi
and 90 on vessel at the Bslize,
which the king pirate Of the gulf,
La6tte, was to have in readiness, and
sail for Galveston island, then in his
possession. It was further understood
that trading houses were to he estab-
lished among all the surrounding
tribes Of Indians, for the purpose Of
buying their friendship, and that, if
possible by any peaceable means, the
inhabitants of the old Spanish towns
of San Antonio, Nacagdoohes and
others in Texas. The inhabitants
were to be conciliated and enlisted in
the cause by agents who under pre-
tense Of selling goods, were to reside
in these places. Should this ultimate
ly fail the fortresses in Texas were to
be taken forcible possession of and
used as depots as soon as the patriots
in Mexico were ready to cooperate
efectually. 1t was clearly under.
stood that no attempt whatever should
be made to dismember the United
States or interfere in any way with
her people or her laws further than
the fact Of concocting a scheme in
the country fer the above mentioned
purpose.
! Failure Of the Scheme. %
\ Circumstances rendered it nece &
..gary to got out Of the QumberlaI
SfIVer much sooner than time was af.
&orded to complete all arrangements,
and no sooner was there an appear.
ance of danger than many of those
Who had been most active in prepara-
tions withdrew their support and for.
warded information to General Wilk.
inson, then in command at New Or
leans, which together with instruc.
tions from the government, would
have made it impossible for Burr and
his party to pass that place.
Under such circumstances it was
proper to leave the Mississippi and
90 to Florida, where Burr hoped to
meet assistance from abroad and in.
gratiate himself into the good gra.ss
of influential persons there, who were
known to be extremely tired Of the
Spanish yoke and ripe for a revolu.
tion in the government. But after
undergoing many difficulties and pri.
vations they w.re captured and all
their golden dreams vanished il thin
air. Some Of those who had been
dreaming of honorable Immortality
were transformed for a time into
criminals and objects Of almost uni.
versal execration.
The circumstances were not sufi-
ciently strong to warrant Burr's ar
rest, if taken in connection with his
enterprise against the dominions Of
nation with whom we were at r )ace.
President Jefferson from rumors, but
certainly not from proof, believed it
was possible for Burr to form com.
bination for the purpose of dismem-
bering the union.