The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-02-27
CHARGED WITH TREASON IN
OLD VIRGINIA..
The Arch Traitor Prosecuted by the
Great william Writ and Defended
By Luther Msrtln-ea,lef
Justice Marshall.

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gentlemen with powdered wigs and
snowy buckles, whipping in from their
estates in the adjacent country. Upon
the bench with Chief Justice Marshall
sat Cyrus Griffin, the Judge OF the Dis
trict OF Virginia. Calm. dignifed rs
competent to try the most important
case which had as yet presented itself
in the American republic as the best
judge who had ever worn English err
mine Marshall was then in the very
prime Of mental and physical vigor
having only passed his fifty second
birthday.
If John Marshall was the great
Judge Of the day. Writ on the side OF
the prosecution. and Luther Martin
on the side OF the prisoner, were two
OF the most skillful lawyers William
Writ was then about thirty-fve and
had been associated by Jefferson with
George Hay the prosecuting attorney,
son-in-law OF Monroe, as one OF the
most expert advocates OF Virginia
Alexander Mckae the lieutenant-gov-
ernor OF tho state Acted with them.
Hay was shrewd and alert but scarce
ly equal to the occasion. McRae was
keen. sarcastic. and indefatigable. On
Writ mainly rested the herculean and
impossible task OF fastening the
charge OF treason upon the prisoner
Burr led on his own side. dressed with
his accustomed scrupulous neatness.
He brought cool head, quick sight
and moderately fluent tongue
to bear adroitly in his own
behalf. Joined with him in
his defence was Edmund Randolph.
an elderly gentleman who had
been a leader in the convention for
framing the constitution. and after
wards the succ essor OF Jefferson as
secretary of state under Warrington.
He was second cousin to John Ran
dolph Of Roanoke, and had resigned
his secretaryshIp at the capital under
serious suspicious. There were also
John Wickham one OF the ablest
lawyers in Richmond; Baker lame
lawyer who. Il he depended on
crutch had a full compensation for his
bodily weakness in ready wit fer
tile brain. and an exhaustless tongue;
and Benjamin Bolts, the father of
John Minor Bolts. q man of uncon.
querable will and fine ability. But
Luther Martin, OF Maryland. was. next
to Burr himself, the bulwark OF tho
alleged conspirator. Versatile. I'M
scrupulous. fond OF a vulgar joke,
given to extravagant profaneness, and
never in better condition than when
stimulated by huge draughts OF wine
or brandy. Luther Martin was es-
teemed as one OF tho best lawyers OF
his time.
The principal witnesses against
Burr were.General Eaton and General
Wilkinson. The evidence may be
summed up in fow words. Burr
had boon in the habit of talking wildly
about the crazy constitution. and the
certainty OF the union expiring in a
CONFUSION. Among the most intimate
friends. and with others sometimes
when more than usually confidential.
he had not hesitated to speak. with
military accent OF throwing the adj
ministration at Washington into the
Potomac. Tho expedition which he
had arranged was meant to seize Span
ish territory. out OF which great Pa
cifc empire was to be formed. over
which Burr and Theodosia were to
reign after the Napoleonic manner IN
France Wilkinson was to stand
at their right hand. only second
to Aaron Burr. His expectation was
strong that affairs in the United States
would so shape themselves that the
western states and territories would
break loose from tho union, and Join
their fortunes with the more splendid
Mexican empire. 1t was possible in
carrying out his plans. that to obtain
the necessary money, Now Orleans
might be seized and the bank plum
dered, though this was only dimly
revealed as very natural suspicion
through tho thick voil in which the
adventurous scheme was necessarily
hidden. No state OF actual war was
shown to have existed in which Burr
was guilty Of any overt act of treason.
No two witnesses showed. nor did any
one claim that there ever had been.
on the part OF Burr any overt act OF
treason in the district in which the
trial was taking place.
Nine days wore spent in arguing
the inadmissibility OF indirect evil
dence. and in settling the point that
a direct act Of treason must first OF
all be proved. When tho decision OF
Judge Marshall was rendered that be-
fore any evidence showing intention
could DO admitted the fact OF treason
must be shown in some distinct treason
able net the trial was virtually set
tied. Seldom has such debate been
heard in England or America as that
which began on the goth OF August
Writ on the part of the prosecution.
excelled himself In splendid declama-
ton. while Luther Martin. more than
his match In ability. and with the
master position to maintain. tore In
shreds the evidence offered, and bat
tered into the finest dust the strongest
position OF the prosecution. With
q memory singularly retentive. great
quickness In perceiving and
taking advantage, and with
an immense fertility OF resources, he
moved steadily upon the intrench-
ments OF the Encouragement and the
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