The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-25

1 He had no doubt of his ability to enlist beyond the Alleghanies enough rif1emen to make up an army sufficiently strong | to overcome the small force Spain had in the territory he meant to invade. Of his own ability. of his genius as sol dier he had no qualms. Calmly, quietly and with as much secrecy as possible he went about his work. First he made a 1 trip to the west. From Pittsburg he | sailed down the Ohio. In Kentucky and Tennessee he got assurances of hearty support. Spain had aroused the enmity of all the west by its arbitrary efforts to control the Mississippi and close that mighty stream to American commerce. At Blennerhasset island he enlisted liar man Blennerhasset in his project. Blen- nerhasset had fled from Europe to escape imprisonment and on an island in the Ohio had established home and plan tation that were considered magnificent at that time.
 From the Ohio Burr proceeded to the Mississippi and down that stream to New 1 Orleans. Small of sature-being less i, than five feet six-and slender of frame weighing only 125 or 13O pounds-he never theless impressed all grades of men. He was born leader, Exquisite in dress and soft of voice, he looked more like dandy than an empire maker but there was something about his eyes that was won derful. They were very dark and bril- liant Men never considered him small once they looked into those eyes.
 General Wilkinson, who had served with Burr in the war of the revolution, was in command of the United States forces in the southwest. There Is little doubt that he came under the influence of Burr and promised to render every possible aid in the furtherance of Burr's s plans.
 With recruits ready in the west and with the general in command of the | United States troops in the southwest not only complacent but willing to join the expedition, the time seemed ripe for Burr | to act Back to the east he hurried to gather his supplies and strengthen his | financial relations, and then he would | be ready. In New York some of the richest of citizens-among them the Og- dens, DuFuysters and Willets-were sub | two United States senators lent their financial and moral support to Burr Seven months Burr spent in Philadel- phia perfecting his arrangements and then, in August. 1s06. he started west again. But, alas for his dreams of em- pirel Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, hated Burr as he hated few men. Rumors of Burrs plans had reached him, but they were so vague and indefinite that he could take no action. Soon after Burr started on this second from Wilkinson enough information to warrant the President to act
 Copies of cipher letters from Burr to Wilkinson and Wilkinson to Burr exposed the whole conspiracy. At Frankfort, Ky, Burr was arrested. There was trial and Burr was acquitted. Clever law yer that he was, he had no difficulty in making the trial farce. Then, with less than 100 men. he proceeded down the Ohio and entered the Mississippi. At Natchez he was rearrested, but was re- leased by the grand jury His men, how eyer, alarmed at the intervention of the federal authorities, began to desert Burr. seeing no hope of putting his project through and fearful of again being ar rested started to flee across Mississippi Tn Alabama he was taken into custody by Captain (afterward Major GeneraD Gaines and sent north.
 In June, 1SO7 he was tried at Richmond for treason. Chief Justice Marshall pre- sided and some of the greatest lawyers in America were engaged in the case. Burr took personal charge of the defense and Twas acquitted.
 His great scheme failure his fortune gone and many ofshis friends bankrupt through him, he did not give up hope There was no career open to him in the United States. He could not return to New York, for the murder indictment still hung over him. Nine men out of 10 looked upon him with scorn and con tempt. The brand of Cain was upon him. but still he was undaunted.
 Assuming the name of Edwards. the maiden name of his mother, who was a daughter of the renowned Jonathan Ed wards. he sailed secretly for England, be- iieving that the British government would lend willing ear to the Mexican project It was in July, 1898, he arrived in London Although an outcast in America, he was