The National tribune., 1900-12-13

robustness of his remark. The General
why, Colonel, your dreams Of glory
| and grandeur are so great that L must
confess myself confused and charmed by
them"
General, dreams sometimes become
realizations. Look across the ocean and
draw your inspiration from the man on
whom the gaze of the civilized world is
| fixed in wonder and admiration. Perhaps
he once only dreamed of liberating mis-
native Corsica; from that his dream ex-
banded TO France. From an obscure birth,
| from an unknown station, he has mounted
to the highest pinnacle of glory, and
| founded an empire OF which Alexander
might be enyious. Does not his life and
character stimulate all the latent ambition
of your soul?'
The General answered:
81 must confess, Colonel, that / can
hardly comprehend you"
Il am arguing, only arguing, General,
just as one friend debates an abstruse
point with another for his amusement.
| Napoleon Bonaparte started from an Off
Ger of artillery to build an empire; how
much easier it would be for you, who are
ut the head of an army, to do So"
| Then for arguments sake, Colonel,
suppose / wished TO build an empire,
where would / build it?'
Here in the West; spot that is far
more available than any in Europe. Were
| Napoleon in your place he would see the
chances that are offered, strike the blow,
and hurl the Spanish rulers from the land,
seize the country and build a vast empire
with the seat at New Orleans. Louisiana
hangs to the Union only by a thread
| Who wants a Government with the Cap
ital three months journey away? Let
the word be whispered that we are going
to establish an empire, and Louisiana
would beg for place in it. But this is all
argument for your edification," added the
Colonel, on noticing the look of astonish
ment that was increasing on the Generals
face. Il merely allude to these POSSIBLE
ties. / have for the present no higher am
bition than the founding Of vast colony
on the Washita, and want your co-opera
ton, assuring you the appointment OF
General-in-Chief of my army" concluded
the Colonel, with a laugh. The General
assured him that he should have his as
sistance.
Where are you going from here
Colonel?' he asked.
''To New Orleans. Will you do me q
Certainly"
Give me letter to Daniel Clark, OF
that city, in which you mention by in
uendO our land scheme without explaining
in full, for you know good soldier keeps
his plans concealed"
Certainly"
Then the General wrote to his friend
Daniel Clark, at New Orleans, as follows
"My Dear Sir-This will be delivered t.
! you by Colonel Burr, whose worth yor
well know how TO estimate. IL the perse
cutions of great and honorable man car
give title to generous attentions, he ha:
claims to all your ciyilties and all you
services. You cannot oblige me NOR,
than by such conduct, and pledge my lft
TO you 1t will not be misapplied. To hin
! refer you for many things improper Il
letter, and which he will not say to any
other. 1 shall be in st. Louis in two
weeks, and il you were there, we would
, open q mine, a commercial one at least
Let me hear from you. Farewell, do well
and believe me always your friend,
JAMES WILKINSON"
: When he penned the above epistle littls
did Gen. Wilkinson dream that it woult
: be used to such a purpose, and in aftel
years turned to blight his own name
From Fort Massac Burr went to Nat
5 chez, where be remained short time, lay
ing plans and winning recruits. From
leans. where the letter of Gen. Wilkinson
produced the desired effect. Burr becam,
intimate with Clark. as with all the i'm
tportant persons of the place. He was re
ceived everywhere as the great man! Gov
Claiborne Governor OF Orleans Terri
! tory). gave him a dinner, which was ct
tended by as distinguished q company a.
New Orleans could assemble. Banuqe,
followed banquet; fete succeeded fete; bal
followed ball. The French air that sur
rounded everything. the French manner
and tone Of society wers pleasing as they
were novel to the stranger. Burr almost
!; felt himself al Emperor already, and bi.