Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22

Colonel Burr readily assented. Inis
motion. as the book shows. was at the
very beginning OF the proceedings. Under
date OF the very next day. and on the
same paige, I read: ION the suggestion
OF the counsel. that II would be impos-
sible TO accommodate the spectators
In the courtroom. the Chief Justice
adjourned to the hall OF the House OF
Delegates" On page 10 i read: Col
onel Burr's recognizance was renewed
for his appearance at the Capitol" On
page 20 see the statement: THE Judge
again attended at the Capitol, when
Colonel Burr, with five securities, en-
tered into n recognizance." etc. On page
35i read: 1.-The Court determined that
the prisoner should be removed to his
former lodging near the Capitol: pro-
vided they could be made sufficiently
strong for his safe-keeping." Why
lodgings near the Capitol" IL proceed
ings were not held there? On page $50,
under date OF August 3, 1901, I find
this entry: IAN immense concourse OF
citizens attended TO witness the proceed
ings Of this important trial" Is It like
Is that amy frame structure" though
"big," would be big enough to hold IAN
immense concourse of citizens?
turn now to Partons Life OF Aaron
Burr" Speaking of the recovering OF
the court on May %. 1907, he says: The
struggles for admission 10 the hall were
terrible" page 1879 HAL would more
naturally be applied 10 the room In which
I place the trial than to any frame
structure" Speaking OF the opening
OF the court. on the Sd OF August, Par
ton says: Burr had been brought
TO a building in the city. near
the courtroom, where he was guarded
vigiantly night and day." page 4S) IL
can be scarcely doubted that this build
ing near the courtroom means. through
and out, exactly the same as "lodg-
lngs near the Capitol In the quotation
from Robertson. Referring to Andrew
Jackson's presence in Richmond during
the proceedings against Burr. Parton
introduces q certain gentleman OF his ac-
abundance. who says: "As / was cross
ing the courthouse green. | heard
great noise OF haranguing at some dis
lance of. Inquiring what 1t was, was
told II was a great blackguard from
Tennessee, one Andrew Jackson, making
n speech for Burr, and damning JET
ferson as prosecutor" page 45s) Now
can we find out what ground this court
house green" was? Turn to Parton's
life of Andrew Jackson" Volume l.,
mage 3s:D and read: "a few months later
we find him Jackson) at Richmond
whittier he had been summoned as
witness In the trial OF Burr. There ne
harangued the crowd In the Capitoi
Square. defending Burr, and angriiy de-
nouncing Jefferson as a prosecutor.
can we resist the conclusion that the
courtroom was at the Capitol? But
porton's "IJfe of Andrew Jackson"
throws a little more light on the ques-
ton. It quote Volume l.. page 3SD Blen.
nerhassett's account OF an Interview held
with Burr in his prison. at Rlch-
mond: ole declares he will not lose
n day after the favorable issue at the
Capitol This acquittaD, OF which ne mas
no doubt"
would also refer TO the newspapers
or the day. so far as they have been
preserved to us: Attention may be d.
rected specially &c the Richmond Enquirer
of August and September, 1897. (See
files in Virginia State Library)
The authorities to which l have ap-
pealed pertain to every stage or the
proceedings. from the moment When
Aaron Burr first came face to face with
John Marshall, as his judge, to the hour.
FIVE months afterwards. when the jury
brought In verdict or SUBSTANTIAL nc
quittal.
or the correctness Of my view 7 give
one additional proof. 1t is, secondhand.
but still may be OF some value. have
n distinct recollection of once hear
ing the late Colonel McRae say that the
trial Of Aaron Burr was held In the han
OF the House OF Delegates Colonel
McRae, It is we'll known, was long In
charge OF our State Library, and was
well informed In all matters pertaining
10 the history of Richmond. and of Vir-
ginia. JOHN POLLAhD
Richmond College.