lowed on horseback in a neat showy dress, | fluence of that false pride so often seen and had to apply both whip and spur to to attend the high-born and wealthy. She keep in sight of his mistress. She some- was a very early riser, and when not pretimes came to Marietta by water, in a vented by indisposition, visited the kitchen light canoe, (the roads not being yet open- by early dawn, and often manipulated the ed for wheel carriages,) navigated by Mo- pastry and cakes to be served up on the ses, another of the colored servants, who table for the day. When this service was was the principal waterman, and had completed, she laid aside her working charge of the boats for the transport of dress, and attired herself in the habilipassengers from the island to the main. ments of the lady of the mansion. At Her "shopping visits" were made in this table she presided with grace and dignity; way, as she directed the purchase of and by her cheerful conversation, and groceries, &c., for the family use, as well pleasant address, set every one at ease as for the clothing. She possessed great about her, however rustic their manners, personal activity, sometimes, in fine weath- or unaccustomed they might be to gener, choosing to walk that distance, instead teel society. Her mind was as highly of riding. In addition to her feats in cultivated as her person. She was an riding and walking, she could vault with accomplished Italian and French scholar, the ease of a young fawn over a five-rail and one of the finest readers imaginable; fence, with the mere aid of one hand especially excelling in the plays of Shakplaced on the top rail, and was often seen speare, which she rehearsed with all the to do so, when walking over the farm, taste and spirit of a first rate actor. In and a fence came in the way of her pro- history and the English classics, she was gress. It was performed with such grace- equally well read, and was often called ful movement, and so little effort, as to upon to decide a disputed point in literacall forth the wonder and admiration of ture, under discussion by her husband and the beholder. She was passionately fond of dancing, and greatly excelled in this healthful and charming exercise, moving through the mazes and intricacies of the various figures with the grace and lightness of the "queen of the fairies." Her tastes, in this respect, were often gratified in the numerous balls and assemblies given, at that day, in Marietta and Belprie, as well as at her own house, where the lofty hall frequently resounded to the cheerful music and lively steps of the dancers. With all this relish for social amusements, Mrs. Blennerhassett was very domestic in her habits. She was not only accomplished in all the arts of housewifery, but was also an excellent seamstress; cutting out and making up with her own hands, much of the clothing of her husband, as well as preparing that for the servants, which was then made by a olored female. At that period, when ailors and mantua-makers were rare in the western wilderness, this was an accomplishment of real value. That she was willing to practice these servile arts, when surrounded by all the wealth she could desire, is one of the finest and most remarkable traits in her character, indicat-people from Marietta, Belprie, and Wood ng a noble mind, elevated above the in-county, with occasional visitors from more

some learned guest. Her decisions were generally satisfactory to both parties, because founded on correct reasoning, and delivered in so gracious a manner. Few women have ever lived, who combined so many accomplishments and personal attractions. They strongly impressed not only intellectual and cultivated minds, who could appreciate her merits, but also the uneducated and lower classes. One of the young men, a farmer's son of Belprie, rented and cultivated a field of corn on the island, near the avenue leading from the house to the river, for the sole purpose of stealing a look at her beautiful person, as she passed by on her way to ride or walk, as she was wont to do every pleasant day. Wirt's celebrated panegyric on this lady, was in no way unde served, although, in appearance, so much like romance.

Eight years had passed rapidly and happily away, since they took possession of their island home. Two children, Herman and Dominic, had been added to their domestic blessings, whose lively prattle and cheerful smiles seemed to make life still more desirable. Parties of the young

In an evil hour this peaceful and hir residence was entered by Aaron Burr, w like Satan in the Eden of old, visited earthly paradise, only to deceive and . stroy. "Like some lost malignant s he went to and fro upon the earth, to ass and sneer at poor humanity. He always so courteous, so polite and 2 corous; so interesting, nay, fascinat when he strove to engage the ala tion, that it was impossible to resist influence. It was the atmosphere of presence, that poisoned all who came wa in its reach." In the spring of the 1805, this intriguing and artful mar visited the valley of the Ohio-his restless and uneasy, a disappointed, vez. man, whose hands were still red with 2 blood of the great and noble-minded lez

distant regions, whom the far-famed beauty of this western Eden had called to see and admire, often assembled at their hospitable mansion. Social parties of the older and more sedate portion of the community, were invited to visit them, and spend several days and nights on the island, especially females of the families where they visited themselves; so that they were as abundantly provided with social intercourse, as if living on the main land. A large portion of their visitors came by water, in row-boats or canoes; as the country was so new, and destitute of bridges across the numerous creeks, that carriages were but little used. If travellers came by land, it was on horseback. A gentleman of taste, who visited the island in 1806, described it as "a scene of enchantment; a western para-ilton. No ordinary occupation could dise; where beauty, wealth, and happiness had found a home." The wild condition of the surrounding wilderness, and the rude log cabins in which the inhabitants generally lived, by their striking contrast, added greatly to the marvellous beauty of the improvements on this remote island. Steamboats were then unknown, and travelling on the western rivers was slow and painful. Each man, or family, provided their own vessel, usually fitted for their temporary voyage in the rudest manner. A journey of one hundred miles was a long one, more formidable than five hundred or a thousand at this day. The settlement of Belprie was the only one from Marietta to Cincinnati, that showed marks of civilization, in its well-built houses, nicely cultivated farms, and blooming orchards; indicating an intelligent and refined population, who could appreciate the worth of their accomplished neighbors. A gentleman, who once lived in Marietta, and was a great favorite in the family, from his many personal and mental attractions, says: "I was but a boy when they left the island, but I had been a favorite in the family for years, and had passed many of my happiest days in their society. My intimacy in the family of Blennerhassett is like an oasis in the desert of life. It is one of those 'green spots in the memory's waste,' which death alone can obliterate; but the verdure of the recollection is destroyed by the knowledge of their ruin and misfortunes."

isfy the mind of such a being; but sa vast, difficult and grand scheme of an tion must be sought out, on which a could employ his exuberant facul Filled with his future project of four... a vast empire in the province of Mex with a portion of the valley of the Mis sippi, then, as he had ascertained, ripe revolution-but the plan chiefly confir at that time, under a cloud of myst 27 purporting to be a settlement of the land he had bargained for on the Was river" he descended the Ohio in a b landing as a passing traveller, merely see and admire the far-famed impr ments of the island. Mr. Blennerháss=" hearing that a stranger was on his hea sent a servant to invite him to the house The wily serpent sent his card with a apology; but Mr. B., with his usual b pitality, walked out and insisted on la remaining a day or two."

He, however, made a visit of only a fe hours; long enough to introduce the ject of a splendid land speculation on Red river, and to allude to the prospec a war of the United States with Spain the ease with which the Mexicans with a little aid, throw off the for yoke which had so long oppressed te He then proceeded on his way. A lan portion of the following winter was spe by Mr. Blennerhassett and his lady in P adelphia and New York, on a visit to old friend Emmett; where, it is proba he saw Burr again, and matured the

this article were prepared, some of which was raised on the island, and parched in a kiln built for that purpose.

for a participation in the purchase of Baron was kiln-dried or parched corn, ground Bastrop's land on the Washita, as he had into meal, which is another evidence that addressed a letter to him on that subject the men engaged in the expedition were before leaving home in December, wishing to march a long distance by land, and to become a partner in any purchase he carry their parched meal on their backs; might make of western lands; also offer- of which a pint, mixed with a little water, ing to aid in the Mexican enterprise, as was is a day's ration, as practiced by the Westafterward ascertained in the trial at Rich-ern Indians. Several hundred barrels of mond. The next August we find Aaron Burr at Pittsburgh, in company with his accomplished daughter, Mrs. Theodosia Alston, on his way down the Ohio river. He again visited the island, with his daughter, where she spent several days: he in the mean time taking up his abode at Marietta, where several of the inhabitants received him with marked attention, while others looked upon him with contempt and abhorrence, as the murderer of Col. Hamilton, especially the old officers, friends and associates of that excellent man. It was in September, at the period of the annual militia muster; the regiment was assembled on the commons, and Col. Burr was invited by the commander to exercise the men, which he did, putting them through several evolutions. In the evening there was a splendid ball, at which he attended, which was long after known as the"" Burr ball." Early in this month the ontract was made for boats to be built on the Muskingum river, six miles above the nouth, for the purpose, as was said, of onveying the provisions and adventurers o the settlement in the new purchase.

There were fifteen large batteaux, ten of them forty feet long, ten feet wide, and wo and a half feet deep; five others were ifty feet long, pointed at each end, to ush or row up stream as well as down. One of these was considerably larger, and itted up with convenient rooms, a firelace and glass windows, intended for the se of Mr. Blennerhassett and family, as e proposed taking them with him to the ew settlement; which is an evidence he id not then think of any hostile act against he United States. To these was added a keel-boat," sixty-six feet long, for the "ansport of provisions. A contract for acon, pork, flour, whisky, &c., was made > the amount of $2000, and a bill drawn a Mr. Ogden, of New York, for the paylent. The boats cost about the same im, for which Mr. Blennerhassett was sponsible. One main article of the stores

The boats were to be ready by the 9th of December, rather a late period on account of ice, which usually forms in this month; but they were tardy in making the contract. Col. Burr remained in the vicinity three or four weeks, making a journey to Chillicothe. His son-in-law (Alston) came out and joined his wife at the island, and with her and Mr. Blennerhassett, who accompanied them, proceeded on to Lexington, Kentucky, early in October. Many young men in the vicinity of Marietta, Belprie, and various other points on the river, were engaged to join in the expedition, of which Col. Burr was the leader. They were told that no injury was intended to the United States; that the President was aware of the expedition and approved of it, which was to make a settlement on the tract of land purchased by the leaders in the Baron Bastrop grant; and in the event of war breaking out between this country and Spain, which had for some time been expected, they were to join with the troops under General Wilkinson, and march into the Mexican provinces, whose inhabitants had long been ready for revolt, and prepared to unite with them. This was no doubt the truth, as believed by Mr. Blennerhassett and those engaged under him, whatever may have been the ulterior views of Burr. Not one of all the number enlisted on the Ohio would have hearkened for a moment to a separation of the Western from the Eastern States; and when the act of the Ohio Legislature was passed to suppress all armed assemblages, and take possession of boats with arms and provisions, followed by the proclamation of the President, they almost to a man refused to proceed further in the enterprise.

The batteaux were calculated to carry about 500 men, and probably a large por tion of that number had been eng

expecting to receive one hundred acres of land for each private, and more for officers. As to their being required to furnish themselves with a good rifle and blanket, it was of itself no evidence of hostility; as it is customary in making all new settlements, for the men to be armed, as was the case with the forty-eight pioneers of the Ohio Company settlers in 1788.

ing her husband immediately to return, where he had gone on a visit with Mr. Alston. The history of this journey, as related by Peter, in his evidence on the trial, is an amusing sketch of simplicity and truth. He was the gardener on the island for several years, and was a singlehearted, honest Englishman; who, after his employer's ruin, purchased a farm at In the mean time a rumor had gone Waterford, in Washington county, Ohio, abroad that Col. Burr and his associates where he lived many years, much respectwere plotting treason on the Western ed for his industry and integrity. During waters, and assembling an army to take the month of September and fore part of possession of New Orleans, rob the banks, October, there appeared a series of artiseize the artillery, and set up a separate cles, four or five in number, published in government, west of the Alleghany moun- the Marietta Gazette, over the signature tains, of which he was to be the chief. of " Querist," in which the writer adFrom the evidence on the trial at Rich-vocated a separation of the Western from mond, and other sources, it appears that the Eastern States; setting forth the reaMr. Jefferson was acquainted with the plan sons for, and the advantages of such a of invading Mexico, in the event of a war division. These were answered in a series with Spain, and approved it, so that Burr of numbers, condemning the project, over had some ground for saying that the gov- the signature of "Regulus." They were ernment favored the project. But when well written, spirited articles, and both are now understood to have been furnished by Mr. Blennerhassett, to ascertain the public mind on this subject in the West. As one of these neutralized the other, no direct proof can be adduced from them of his designing such a measure. The result, however, was unfavorable to his project, and roused the public mind in opposition, both to the man and the cause he had espoused. Some of the articles by "Regulus" were much applauded by the editor of the Aurora, a leading

war took place, and the parties had become deeply involved in building boats, collecting provisions, and levying men, to which the baseness and treachery of Wilkinson directly contributed, it was thought a fitting time to punish the archenemy of the President, who, by his chicanery, had well nigh ousted him from the Chair of State, and had since taken all opportunities to vilify and abuse him.

Another evidence that the government was supposed to favor the enterprise, is the fact, that nearly all its abettors and sup-government paper of that day, who conporters in the West, until the Proclamation appeared, were of the party called Republicans, or friends of Mr. Jefferson, who hated and despised Burr and all in which he was engaged, as from the character of the man, they thought it boded nothing good.

sidered the writer a very able and patriotic man. The last of November, Mr. Jefferson sent out John Graham, a clerk in one of the public offices, as a spy or agent to watch the motions of the conspirators in the vicinity of the island, and to ask the aid of the Governor of Ohio in By the last of October, rumor with her suppressing the insurrection, by seizing on thousand tongues, aided by hundreds of the boats and preparations making on the newspapers, had filled the minds of the Muskingum. While at Marietta, Mr. people with strange alarms of coming Blennerhassett called on the agent once or danger, to which the mystery that over- twice; talked freely with him on the object shadowed the actual object of these prep- of the expedition, and showed him a letter arations greatly added; and many threats which he had recently received from Col. were thrown out of personal violence to Burr, in relation to the settlement on the Mr. Blennerhassett and Colonel Burr. Washita, in which he says that the proAlarmed at these rumors of coming dan- ject of invading Mexico was abandoned. ger, Mrs. Blennerhassett dispatched Peter as the difficulties between the United Taylor to Kentucky, with a letter, request-States and Spain were adjusted. He also