Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-23
THE TRIAL OF BURR.
RsrisT Of Ono Of tho Host kotiDls
Cases In Our History.



Of That Day Esssged--sIow Pro-
cess Of Getting wftnesses-Mr. JEFF
ferson's Unfriendliness 60 Prisoner
The two most exciting trials that ever
elected the ipteres, or engaged the at
tertion OF the English-speaking people
we're, undoubtedly. first. the riai OF
Warren Hastings before the British FAR
lament for high crimes snc misdemeah-
ors involved In his mode OF acquiring
India as en- appendage OF the bnusn
crown, and. second, the trial OF aaron
Burr. ex-vice President OF the United
etates. for misdemeanor In preparing the
means of q military expedition against
Mexico. q territory OF the King OF Spain,
with whom his country was at peace;
and for high treason in levying war
against the United States. Richmond
was the theatre of the trial OF the last
named distinguished gentleman. and a
memorandum Of that noted occurrence
v now In order.
during Napoleon Bonaparte's career OF
conquest he caused Spain to cede II to
France. In 1903. wanting some extra
mercy, he sold 1t to the United States.
The Spanards across the line were not
pleased at this, and were Constantly
making themselves eminentiy disagree
able TO their American neighbors-they
L. hA Ia nd
Americans, Of course, encouraged the
Spanish xealots In their efforts. for 1t
authorized them TO go over and get some
more territory. This state Of things con-
tIuued for nearly three years. That
other slices OF Spain (Mexico) would
have been acquired in the event of a
disturbance Is as certain as two and two
make four. But no war came. and rest
less spirits uneasily examined their arms.
In 1901 Thomas Jefferson had been put
In as President by majority OF one vote
over Aaron Burr. who TOOK second place.
No man more brilliantly equipped men,
tally than Burr ever stepped In the arena
OF American politics. Between the
time of his installation as Vice-President
and when he stepped down and out. in
1906. he had succeeded IN killing himself
socially, politically. and financially; also,
Alexander Hamilton In duel Utterly
discredited In the North. and debarred
from preferment OF any sort there. on
account OF the Hamilton AFFAIR, and his
fortunes being at low ebb, he naturally
doated on the sea of circumstance. In
the South and west Burr was popular
and respected. being regarded as g.
victim OF fractional hate. His career as
Revolutionary officer was conspicuousiy
brilliant. and little wonder that he should
look upon a war with Spain as desirable
tnang. A.efnaps he saw himself as leader
OF victorious American cohorts. selling
Mexico and ruling Il as President, Vice
roy, or something OF the Sort But
war with Spain had to come for him to
get any good out of the deal. The United
States parties down in New Orleans
thought IL their duty to give the marble
heart and cold hand to any efforts made
by Colonel Burr in the direction of a
mess with Spain. Burr seemed to for
get that his old enemy, Thomas Jeffer-
SON, had succeeded himself as President,
and was going with one eye all the time
on his efforts 10 make a new deal. he
found II out afterwards. His friends
General James Wilkinson, United States
army, appointed Governor OF the Ter
ritory of Louisiana, and General William
lations. and betrayed them.
In his crusade through the South and
West Burr visited Blennerhassetts Island.
below Wheeling. W. Va.s and made q
convert of the proprietor. OF that name
a wealthy young Irishman, living there
with his wife In romantic seclusion. He
spent his money on Burr's projects. to his
own utter ruin financially. Burr and his
friends were carried through "a regular
course of sprouts from 1906 to 1907, being
always under inspection, and his chief
remembrancers being his old partners
+. Jefferson and Generals Wilkinson and
Eaton, his whilom friends. Once he was
arrested, and carried before the United
States court at Frankfort. KY. where
he was triumphantly acquitted from all
suspicion Burr. proceeding down the
Mississippi river, on another occasion.
heard OF the muss he had raised. and.
going ashore at Natchez, he surrendered
10 the Governor of the Territory. The
United States grand jury there not only
refused to indict. but presented that his
treatment was O public grievance. The
fateful year of 1907 was. however ap-
preaching. His own energies, weakened
by constant attention. and the resources
OF his friends stolen or wasted. he finally
became
arrested on the Tombigbee river. In Ala
hama. having been recognized. IL is said
on account Of the brIlliancy of his eyes
Arrested In Alabama In February, II was
not till March that Burr. after long and
tedious Journey on horseback. arrived in
Richmond under guard TO be tried be-
fore John Marshall. Chief Justice OF the
United States. then holding Circuit Court
here.
When the grand jury. whose foreman
vas John Randolph Of Roanoke. pre-
aented Burr for misdemeanor In trying
20 unlawfully get slice of Spanish ter
ritcry. he was allowed every liberty in
this city. but later, when indicted for
treason In levying war against the
United States. he was confined but
under unusual liberties. In the peniten-
tiary. On August Sd. after the trial had
lasted about six months. II was no nearer
concluded than before. Till that time
there was a bewildering succession OF
examinations. motions, adjournments at
tachments. and. above all. of wrang-
iinKs. dignsfied by occasion and learning
into argument. It Is said that the pro.
ceedIngs OF the court IL printed. would
have made 100 volumes OF loo pages
each. The United States was represented
during this memorable trial by George
Hay. who married q daughter OF James
Monroe: William Writ afterwards At.
torney- General OF the United States. whS
married a daughter OF Colonel Robert
Gamble. OF this city. and by Alexande,
NcRac. q noted lawyer. at one time
Consul to Great Britain: member OF the
Z Council Of the State OF Virginia, and, as
president Of the same. Lieutenant Gov.
crnor Of Virginia. He was grandfather
Of our present popular and estimabl.
feIlow-citizen, James r.. Werth.