The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-10-06
BOOKS AND BOOk-AlAkEPS

Charles FSf1C1 E21Esr IHz EEfhoE OF
Quincy Adams Saver Il Is the
latest ard II some respects the abiest
Biennerhs Is tale EnTosving
I the lives 81 Aaron Barr third Vice
President Of the United States. and
( his daughter Theodosiz lives 50 bril-
liant. 50 sad and so tragic. ard il the
case OF the father 50 subtle and steep
ed in intrigue that the pen OF the
rOma1cer IS not required 10 lend its
charm The plain recital OF the court
proceedings at Richmond. where Burr
was tried for treason. before Chief
Justice Marshall. the father Of Ameri-
can Jurisprudence. reads more like q
romance OF the middle ages than the
performances Of one. whom men still
living met and talked 10. Il was the
famous speech on that trial by VIII
liam Writ, upon whom the mantle OF
Patrick Henry had fallen. beginning
| Who was Bleunerhassets and with
out which no collection OF American
oTat0ry has ever been considered com
/ plete. that no doubt suggested the title
OF the work TO Mr. Pidgiu. In fact
he has interpolated many of its bril-
liant passages and ski1lfuIly used
much of the record
The fntrigues OF Hamilton against
Burr when both were members of
Washington's staff. causing the great
commander to look with disfavor on
Burr. is brought out This steaithy
procedure on the part OF Hamilton is
shown to have continued for more
than quarter of century. long after
they had ceased to be rivals in love
and war. and were striving for politi-
cal leadership in New York. then, as
now. the metropolis OF the nation.
Burr had at that time almost reached
the limit to which his cOuntrymen
could honor him. He had tied with
Thomas Jefferson. the author of the
Declaration of independence, for the
Presidency. and the contest had to be
submitted TO Congress.
Burr's prospects for being elected
Governor were brilliant. and he was
already being congratulated on the re-
suit when Hamilton from his law Office
insidiously issued a statement that
forever damned his chances. There
was neither railroad nor telegraph at
that period. and when a circular ap-
Deared simultaneously in every part
ton. charging Burr with being a de-
spoiler OF the home. there was no way
to contradict it. The roorback, al
/. though that term in American politics
had not yet been devised. fulfilled its
purpose. just as recently it was used
with equal effect to encompass the de-
feat of Blaine The remedies open to
the injured man at the beginning of
the last century, however. were pre-
scribed by a different code, and the
| author uses all the sublety of his pen
in recounting the troublous times
leading up to the duel on the Heights
of Weehaukin.
The author, with consummate skill
in pleading the case of his hero, shows
that Jefferson, fearful that Burr might
recoup and threaten his chances for
reelection fired the ambition of his
rival by unfolding the plan OF a new
empire in the Southwest before his
heated vision. Spain at that time still
owned all of be American territory
west of the Mississippi and EIori5e-
She thus controlled the mouth of the
Mississippi which Andrew Jackson
and most of the sturdy pioneers of the
West were anxious to wrest from her.
Mr.. Pijgin therefore assumes that
Burr committed no great wrong when
he organized an expedition to capture
this country. especially as he was
urged on by General James Wilkinson
who had succeeded in turn as com
mander-in-chief of the American army
Washington, Wayne and Knox. all of
whom had rendered distinguished SER
vice in the Revolution
All through the narrative we are
highly entertained by the story OF
thrilling dramatice incidents which
connect such mile posts in the life of
Burr as his voyage down the Ohio to
carry out his Southwestern PROPOSE
l ton, which was to seat himself on the
| throne of Monteznma and create a
new empire in the West. as Napoleon
had just succeeded in doing in Eu-
rope The trip to Blennerhasset Isl
and. where the plot was unfoIded and
| the expedition organized. is told in
thrilling lar guage-his fight, his ar
rest. acquittal. his journey to Europe
aud interviews with Napoleon, the re-
/ turn to his native land full of new
hopes, and his last DAYS living in the
humblest circumstances in New
York. where he had once been one of
the greatest men of his country.
The fate of Thecdosia. so long en-
veloped in mystery is unveiled sin the
| last chapter of the book In most
thrilling recital of piratical doings on
the high seas.
The romance is most likely to prove
captivating one. so full is it of in
teresting characters dramatic sur
prises and thrilling incident. with a
/ most absorbing and unique love story
running through the entire narrative
that it would be highly acceptable
without the very attractive quality OF
brilliant figures in American history
for the leading actors
Published bv C. NJ Clark Co. Bos.
ton: price $50 For sale by Wall
Nichols Co. Honolulu
a Tvnjcal South African Store. Z