Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-03-06
uin. Aaron Burr was ono OF the most

of handsome aquiline features, wiyh
high mental endowments and in pos
session of rare conversational powers,
he had the instincts of yult,A.e and
was eternally scheming for his own
personal qualification and aggrandize-
ment, reckless of the ruin and piisery
his selfshness wrought. His career had
been brilliant until when, as vice pres
ident of the United States during Pres
ident Jefferson's first term, he imbrued
his hands in the blood of Alexander
Hamilton and brought upon himself
the eAecration Of his countrymen. 1t
was then he formed the Napoleonic
conception. andapparently feasible one,
of Wrestling from Spain the empire of
Mexico, and from the United States the
vast and almost unsettled solitudes of
the Mississippi valley, there to organize
a magnificent empire, of which he was
Ia be imperator.
Burr had heard of Blennerhassett,
of his wealth, and of his influence over
the rapidly-increasing population OF
the Ohio valley, and he resolved to enlist
him in the enterprise. In the spring
of the year 1906, Burr appeared upon
Blennerhassett island and was the re-
cipient Of distinguished attentions at
the hands of its hospitable owners. 1t
is not my purpose to follow in detail
the intrigues and intricacies of the
dealings between Burr and Blennerhas-
sett. Suffice it to say that both host
and hostess were charmed. He was as
artless as a child. Familiar with the
secrets of state, he spoke of the prospect
of war with Spain and of the ease with
which the Mexicans. with little help.
might throw off the Spanish yoke and
establish an Independent government.
With great frankness, he explained to
them an enticing land speculation
within the Spanish territory, on the
Red river, in which he was engaged, and
showed them how very profitable it was
to be.
Having taken the first step, he went
on his way The next autumn, however,
Burr and his beautiful daughter, Theo-
dosia, made short visit TO the island,
and in the following winter, Mr.. and
Mrs. Blennerhassett were lured east for
the purpose of further interviews, and
il is presumed that they entered into IL
sort of partnership for land speculation.
Blennerhassett was incapable Of trca-
son, and it cannot be doubted, as 1t APP
peared afterward at the trial, that Burr
adroitly yelled his real purpose FROM
him by the projected land speculation.
In the summer of 1906, Burr came
west, and active measures were taken
to organize an expedition. The in
triguer had such influence with Blen-
nerhassett's wife that she readily per-
suaded her husband to pledge himself
for the payment of expenses. cateauv
sufficient to carry 500 men were built
and provisioned at Marietta, and Col.
Burr visited many settlements in Ohio
and Virginia to engage enterprising
and hardy young men as recruits, and
he speedily secured the required num-
Der. Each emigrant was required to
bring a rifle and a blanket. The little
colony was organized with military pre-
cision,' for its leader WIS an accom-
plished soldier. Every one was to re.
ceive the gift of 100 acres of land. Burr
told them that President jefferson, who
was very popular in the west, approved
of the expedition. Confidently, he as
sured them that, while their expedition
was a peaceful one and its object the
settlement of vast tract of land pur'
chased of Baron Bastrop, still
there was the certainty of war between
the United States and Spain, in which
event Mexico would free herself. and his
colony would have the molding of {
grand empire on the foundations ol
democratic equality. and they might en-
rich themselves beyond the drains O
romance.
Meanwhile news of Burr's doirgs hat
reached the east. and President Jeffer
son became alarmed. He knew Aaror
Burr thoroughly, and wa, well aware o.
his ambition and his powers of it trigae
The governors Of Ohio and Virgins
were called upon to suppress the eXpe
dition. The militia was called out, am
the boats and stores were seized. A de
tachment of militia from Wood county
Va. landed upon the island, became
drunk from the liquors in the cellar
and pilagd and burned the house ant
out-buildings. Burr and Blenrerhae
sett were both arrested for treason, AN.
were tried and acquitted.
In the next two years Blennerhasset
lost his island home, and he found him
self with family upon his hands, bu
with his riches all gone, and in thci
, rlace mountain of debts. However
he learned enough to write book, il
which he involved not only Burr in trca
sonable acts, but also Gov. Aston, o
South Carolina, Burr's son-in-law. Al
ston paid $4,000 rather than have tn
book published Blennerhassett the
undertook cotton plantation nca
Natchez, but the war of 1912 RUNE,
commerce, and he removed to Canad;
;, Here he became bankrupt and wa
forced to subsist until his death upo1
the bounty of a sister, Mrs. EIenner
hassett, thrown upon her own resources
returned to America to prosecute he
claim for the destruction of her HON
on the Ohio island by the militia, sui
sisting meanwhile upon the income o
few shares Of bank stock and tn
charity of her friends. She died, how
. ever, in 1912, just as she had her PIT
tition properly before congress.
Blennerhassett is now used as pie
:, mic ground in the summer time and
! lept planted in the ordinary crops
! There is little left to mark the site q
the old mansion. The well, which
. | about six feet in diameter was so we