CHAPTER XXIII.

BURR'S TRIAL-HE ALARMS EUROPE-HIS CALAMITIES_

SAM

DEATH.

AMUEL SWARTWOUT, Burr's confidential agent to Wilkinson, finally made his way to Natchitoches, where Wilkinson was encamped in view of the Spaniards, whom he expected soon to attack, and there he delivered the letters from Burr. These letters certainly show on their face that General Wilkinson was acquainted with Burr's plans, and that he had not only favored them, but had also pledged himself to begin the war with Spain, and thus furnish Burr the necessary opportunity to inaugurate his scheme of invasion and conquest. Burr's actions were evidently based upon his belief that Wilkinson would join him with the United States army then under his command. It may be doubted whether Wilkinson knew that a part of Burr's scheme was to bring about the secession of the Western States and Territories of the Union to join in the fortunes of his empire. nied that he had such thing in view. against him, although the opinion has always been prevalent that he intended to bring about a separation of the Western States with the establishment of his capital at New Orleans. But Wilkinson was prominent and busy enough to suit his purpose, being general of the army and governor of the Territory of

Burr himself deNor was it proven

Louisiana, and did not need to join Burr in his speculation. Then, too, when the decisive moment came he was afraid to take the step required of him, or the revelation of Burr's full purposes startled him. At all events he communicated the whole scheme to the Administration.

The President at once issued a proclamation warning the people of a supposed conspiracy against the United States. The Governor of Ohio called out the militia; the boats at Marietta were seized; and Blennerhassett's Island despoiled by the State troops, made insane by the liquor found in the wonderfully constructed mansion of its owner. Blennerhassett and a

few men slipped down the river and succeeded in joining Burr with a few followers at the mouth of the Cumberland. They continued their way, and not until they reached Bayou Pierre, above Natchez, did Burr learn that Wilkinson had become a traitor to him, and that the country below was in the greatest excitement from his movements. He was here arrested, and underwent a trial, in which nothing was found against him; but being aware that he could be of no service to his followers, and that he could not hope to avoid the military, he escaped in the night with a view of making his way through the vast extent of gloomy country to Pensacola, designing to seek the protection of a British war vessel.

At Wakefield, Alabama, he was first identified, and shortly afterwards was captured near Fort Stoddart, on the Tombigbee River, and conveyed, mainly on horseback, to Richmond, Virginia. On this long, silent, and remarkable trip he uttered no complaint, traveling in the rain often, and sleeping on the ground. At

Chester, South Carolina, when this strange cavalcade was passing a group of men in the main street, Burr suddenly threw himself from his horse, crying that he was Aaron Burr, and demanding the interference of the civil authorities. But Perkins was at his side in a moment, in a twinkle threw Burr on his horse, and before the astonished citizens could recover their senses, the little company had gallopped out of town. Perkins, who had been commissioned by Captain Gaines, of Fort Stoddart, to conduct the prisoner to Washington, was the young Wakefield lawyer who had first identified Burr, and pursued him until he had secured his arrest. It is said that, on the failure of this little maneuver at Chester, Burr wept bitterly, the only time he was ever known to yield to his feelings or misfortunes.

The Administration ordered him to be stopped at Richmond, where he was soon after admitted to bail, and discharged from custody. In the meantime Theodosia and her husband had returned to South Carolina, and Burr's other followers disposed of themselves as best they could. Blennerhassett and some others were also arrested for treason, and carried to Richmond. But they were finally acquitted; and Blennerhassett, leaving his desolated island, removed to Mississippi, where he bought a large cotton plantation; but he was finally completely broken up, as much from his own bad conduct and management as from his connection with Burr's Quixotic adventure. Governor Alston, Burr's son-in-law, paid Blennerhassett a very considerable sum, which he, at the time, acknowledged as settlement in justice for his losses in the extraordinary enterprise. But meanly enough, afterwards attempted

to wring more money out of Burr and Alston by a threat of publishing the true secrets of the expedition, which he had written and ready for that purpose. He accomplished nothing, however, in this, and his papers were found to contain little that had not been brought out.

On the 22d of June, 1807, Burr's trial began at Richmond, and in it were engaged some of the leading lawyers of the country. On the side of the Government were William Wirt, just rising to distinction; Alexander McRae, then Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia; and George Hay, the leading prosecutor, a man of first ability and great uprightness of character. To this modest array of legal ability for the prosecution, may be added the President, whose numerous letters to Mr. Hay furnished much of the substance and animus for the prosecution. But the great preponderance of talent and ability was undoubtedly on the side of the defense. Luther Martin, of Baltimore, a Federalist, and one of the most able lawyers in the United States at that time, stood first among Burr's defenders; and Edmund Randolph, Washington's first AttorneyGeneral, John Wickham, and Benjamin Botts were others, for the defense. But at the head of this fine group was Burr himself, and not a step was taken in the case without his sanction. At the head of the jury, impaneled after great exertion, stood John Randolph of Roanoke.

Two indictments were finally brought in, one for high treason, and one for misdemeanor, and Burr was thrown into jail, for a time in town, then into the State penitentiary, and was subsequently provided comfortable quarters near the court in town. No case

ever came before the courts of this country, which created more general interest, probably, or had so many elements starting public curiosity connected with it. Burr was maintained "like a prince" in his quarters at Richmond. He still played the great man, and commanded his jailer. So obsequious and tractable was this person that he was in the habit of asking Burr's pardon for locking the door in compliance with the custom of the institution, at a certain hour of the night; an arrangement to which Burr graciously submitted, remarking to the embarrassed keeper that locking the door served the purpose of keeping out intruders. But the custom of putting out the lights at nine o'clock he could not tolerate, as it was his habit to read until midnight. In the vast number of people who gathered to witness the trial of this remarkable man were found all shades of opinion. And while it was impossible to obtain a jury without prejudice to the accused, it is true that the great mass of the visitors and people considered Burr a persecuted man, and sympathized with him.

Among his strong sympathizers were the women. They not only supplied him with every comfort and delicacy, but literally strewed his way with flowers. The fallen Princess of Mexico, Theodosia, who came from South Carolina, and nobly took her place by his side, being his housekeeper in prison and his most unyielding, adoring subject everywhere, was treated with. the most delicate and unremitting attention by the women of Richmond. The history of this case supplies another evidence of the universal character of woman's support and sympathy. Bad causes and bad men are not necessarily exceptions. While it is doubt