The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-20
CLOUDS GATHER.

AT the time. Aaron Burr made his first
visit to the South there existed no good
feeling between the American western
frontiersmen and their Spanish nCI2hOors.
This antipathy was kindled to fury by
what is known as the 'Kemper difficulty"
Baton Rouge, though chiefly inhabited by
Americans, was still held and garrisoned
by Spaniards The Americans, IN the
course of the Summer, had formed plot
10 shake off the Spanish yoke ard an
mex themselves to their cOuntrymen on the
other side of the Mississippi For want CT
n 4competent leader the plot failed, and The
Spaniards, with their usual stupidity,
were eager not to reconcile, but to punish
the rebels" The three kemper brothers,
who had been the leading spirits OF the
rebellion, fed to the American SIDE, where
they established themselves. In taClr
houses at midnight, they were seiZed by
a party of Spanish troops, ana conNeyeh
across the line. They We're soon recap.
tured; but this impudent violation of
American soil touched the pride of the
border States keenly, and it was while
every man was breathing threats against
the insolent Dons that Burr traTerSlhg
those States. felt of the people. If he had
done then what he next year attempted,
the issue might have been different, and
the map of North America considerably
changed from what it is to-day.
Meanwhile, there rose vague, mys-
FERROUS impression in the minds of almost
everyone that Burrs presence in the West
had something to do with these Spanish
troubles, and a rumor to that effect soon
found its way to the Spanish authorities,
who still had prisoners on American soil.
The rumors, no doubt, originated from Inc
strange conduct and words of Aaron Burr
himself, but were chiefly augmented by
mysterious old woman, strage, wlefd
witch-like creature, who seemed to read
the thoughts of men. Many of the more
superstitious of the Western people be
Iieyed her a witch, and in league with
Satan. Exactly how the idea got started
that Aaron Burr intended to invade Span
ish soil the most profound historian of to-
day is not bold enough to say, but that re-
port did get abroad.
On the 7thJ of September Daniel Clark
wrote Gen. Wilkinson letter which has
been thought masterpiece of assembling.
Mr.. Clark wrote:
Many absurd and wild reports are in
circulation here, and have reached the ears
of the officers of the late Spanish Govern
ment, respecting our ex-Eice President
You are spoken of as his right-hand man,
and even | am now supposed to be of con-
sequence enough to combine with Generals
and Vice Presidents. AT any other time
but the present | should amuse myself
vastly at the folly and fears of those who
dIt Win lutst IAIt Jul Nv
ing on the point of setting off for Vera
Cruz, on large mercantile speculation,
feel cursedly hurt at the rumors and might
in consequence of Spanish Jealousy get
into hObble / could not easily get out Of.
Entire nous believe that Minor, Of Nat
chez, has great part in this business, to
make OF himself importance. He is in the
pay of Spain and wishes to convince them
he is much their friend. This, however,
is matter of suspicion on my part, but
the channel through which the information
reached me makes me suppose il. Power.
whose head is always stuffed with plots.
projects, conspiracies, etc, etc, and who
sees objects through n milestone. is going
to Natchcz next week TO unravcl the whole
extraordinary business, and God have
mercy ON the culprits, for Spanish fire
and Indignation will be ieyeled at them.
What in the name of Heaven could lave
given rise to these extrayaganccSI
Were ] sufficiently intimate with Mr..
Burr, and knew where to direct a line to
him, should take the liberty of writing
TO him. Perhaps, finding Minor in his
way, he was eHdeayOring tOsextract some
thing from him. He has amused himself
at the blockhead's expense, and then
Minor has retailed the news to his en-
ployers. Inquire of Mr.. Burr about this,
and let me know Mt my return. which will
be in three or six months. The tale is q
horrid one if well told. Kentucky. Tennes-
see, the State of Ohio, and part of Georgia
and Carolina are to be bribed with the
plumber of the Spanish countries west of
lis, to separate from the Union. This is
but part of the business. Heaven, what
wonderful things there will be in those
days. But how the devil / have been
dragged into this conspiracy, or what as
sistance | can be TO it, is to me incom-
prehensible. NOus. qui savez tout, can
best explain this riddle. Amuse Mr. Burr
with an account of 1t, but let not these
great and important objects, these almost
imperial doings, prevent you from attend
ing to my land business. Recollect that
you, If you intend TO become kings and en-
Derors, must have a little more coEsidera-
ton for yassals; and If we have nothing
10 clothe ourselves with, for we can be
clothed by the produce Of our lands only;
and il Congress take the land for want of
formalites, we shall then have no pro-
duce, and shall make n very shabby figure
at your courts Think of this, and prac-
tice those formalities that are necessary,
that l may have from my Illinois lands
wherewith to buy a decent court dress,
when presented at your levee. hope you
will not have Kentucky men for your mas
ters OF ceremonies"
To this letter Gen. Wilkinson made a
brief answer, calculated TO ridicule the
wild notions set afloat. Wilkinson went TO
St Louis, and about the middle of Sep
TENDER Burr came there also. The Gen
eral and Burr held several conferences.
and Wilkinson did not give the conspira-
Tor any occasion TO fear him. He tried.
on the other hand, TO induce him to speak
freely. that he might fully understand the
conspiracy.
But Burr was n lawyer, and whatever
he said he took care not TO eliminate him
self. He made many broad hints which
meant much, but he kept himself shielded
by technicalities. Burr seemed evolving
some great project, the nature of which
he DID not disclose. He was very bitter
II his denunciation Of the United States
Government.
THE imbecility of the Government is so
apparent that the most stupid must see
that IL 9Yill moldsr to pieces and die a