Aaron Burr: His Personal and Political Relations with Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton

Front matter

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Preface

This is not a biography of Burr; it simply deals with those personal and political antagonisms which assailed him and which left him with a rained reputation. It is the purpose of this work to inquire into the causes which led to these, the motives which prompted, and the results which followed them. For nearly a hundred years the name of Aaron Burr has been under ban ; three generations have been taught to believe he was the incarnation of wickedness. If this reputation be undeserved, if it be founded in prejudice and not in truth, it would seem that the fact ought to be made known. It is the purpose of this work to give the facts about Burr and his assailants, and leave a fair-minded people to pass their own judgment upon them.

In presenting Burr's case it is necessary to speak of others — the men who persecuted and ruined him. But it is not necessary, nor is it the intention, to assail their general character; they were men of distinction, greatly and justly respected while living, and deservedly honored in memory. But they would have been more than mortal if they had been infallible. They had great virtues, but they had great

IT PRBFAOB.

faalts, and we feel it to be unfortunate that, in this connection, we are compelled to deal only with their worst traits of character. If in the vindication of Aaron Burr it becomes necessary to arraign the conduct of these men, it is only because their persistent persecution has created the necessity. If the facts condemn them, it must be remembered, they were of their own creation.

Aaron Burr has the saddest of all histories — the victim of revengeful power, and of studied and persistent duplicity. A man whose public life was without a stain, who never betrayed a friend, or spoke ill even of an enemy; a man of the highest ambition, but who put aside the presidency of the United States, rather than do a wrong to his party chief or disappoint the wishes of the people — has been for a whole century denounced as a man without integrity or sound principle. A man who gave four years of his early manhood in fighting for the maintenance of the republic — has, upon mere clamor and prejudice, for three generations, been stigmatized as a traitor. If these be facts, is it not time they were known? It is to give these facts that this volume has been written.

BiOHMOND, Ind., February, 1902.

CHAPTER 1. Jeffebson-Bubb-Hamilton

Jefferson— His Early Life — His Political Creed — His Enthnsiasm — His Credulity— His Inconsistency — Aaron Burr — His Ancestry— Expedition to Quebec— Rescues Montgomery's Bemains— Joins Putnam—Commands a Brigade— At West Point — On the Lines - Marriage — Domestic Life — Hamilton — Captain of Artillery— Washington's Military Secretary — Burr and Hamilton as Lawyers 9

CHAPTER II. Jefferson and Hamilton

Burr's Election to the Senate — His Popularity with his Party -In Washington's Cabinet— A Mistake— Constant Contention — The President's Distress — His Difficulty in Reorganizing the Cabinet — Jefferson's Programme — Assails the Administration — Hamilton — Some of his Characteristics — Cause of his Mistakes 33

CHAPTER III. Burr and Hamilton

The New York Election — Burr's Careful Preparation — Burr's Success — Chagrin of Hamilton — His Dishonest Proposal to Oov. Jay, who Rejects the Proposition — Jefferson and Burr have Equal Vote — Election Referred to Congress — Burr's Refusal to Treat with Federalists — Jefferson Elected President — Burr Vice-President 56

CHAPTER IV. Hamilton and Jefferson

Secret Detraction of Burr— Hamilton's Method — Judge Marshall's Reply — Hamilton's Duplicity- Hamilton's Attack on Adams — Intrigue Against Adams — The Three Ministers — Disastrous Results.— Loss of Popularity — The Virginia Junto— Conspiracy Against Burr — Clinton and Hamilton join Jefferson- Correspondence — Burr and the Cabinet — Jefferson's Friendliness — Compliments Burr 77

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CHAPTER V. BURBtJEFFEBSON-HAMILTON

Charges Against Burr— The Election Intrigue, 1801 — Burr's Refusal to Treat With Federalists— Jefferson Buys His Election — Depositions of Bayaid and Smith— A Scheme to Elect Burr — He Rejects It — Bayard's Displeasure— Jefferson's Trouble in Making Payment— Revolt of His Friends in Philadelphia— Importing a Post-master to New York 99

CHAPTER VI. The Duel

The Election in New York -^ An Unequal Contest — The Conspiracy Prevails— Hamilton's Selfish Action — Correspondence Between Burr and Hamilton — The Challenge — The Combat — Hamilton Fatally Hurt — Ruf us King's Explanation — Did Not Advise Hamilton to Accept the Challenge — Burr Justified 126

CHAPTER VII. BuRB Retires from Pubug Life

Kind Words to Family and Friends — Mementos for All — Returns to the Senate — Presides at the Chace Impeachment Trial — Bids Farewell to the Senate — His Address to the Senators — Its Thrilling Effect— Tears from the Members — His Visit to the Western Country—His Enthusiastic Welcome— The First Blow from the Man in Power 165

CHAPTER VIII. Hunting a Conspiracy

The Message Arraigning Burr— The Investigation by Jackson — Bissell's Report — Message to Congress — Burr's Arrest — Defended by Clay — Acquitted — Clay's Letter — The Proclamation — Burr Starts Down the River — Sixty Unarmed Men with Him — Efforts to Create Clamor and Prejudice Against Burr— Si>ecial Secret Agent Sent to Kentucky and Ohio 173

CHAPTER IX. * Terrorizing the People

Wilkinson's Work at New Orleans — Creating Excitement and Glamor- Trampling upon the Constitution and the Law — Defying the Courts— Making Military Arrests — Arresting and Deporting Innocent Men — Suspension of Habeas Corpus by the Senate— A Stipendiary of Spain — Randolph Denounces Wilkinson— Jefferson Deceives Bollman — Clark's Statement 194

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CHAPTER X. BuBB'8 Real Intention

The Navy Department's Order — The Expedition Arrested — Grand Jury Refuses an Indictment — The Reason Why — The Scheme to Liberate South America — Burr's Project — Letter to Smith — Jackson and Adair— Jefferson on Newspapers 218

CHAPTER XI. Thb Indictmknt

The Examination — Committed for Trial — Bail Required and Given — Burr's Speech— Case Called for Trial — The Counsel Engaged — The Indictment — Burr's Danger— Charged with Treason — Condemned by Clamor— Court Takes Recess — Burr in Penitentiary — Great Numbers Visit Him — Washington Irving — His Letters 260

CHAPTER XII. Thb Tbial and Verdict

A Jury of Enemies— Subpoena for Jefferson — The President Interferes — Public Money Used — The Trial Begun — Instruction of Judge Marshall — Jury Returns Verdict — Not Guilty — Misdemeanor Trial — Acquittal — Jefferson Angry — Denounces the Judge — Pursues Burr into Exile 278

CHAPTER XIII. The Evidence

Truxtun — Vindication of Burr — Expedition Dependent on War — No War, No Conquest — No Talk of Disunion — The Cipher Letter Altered — Wilkinson's Perjury — Randolph's Exposure — The President's Indorsement — " On the Honor of a Soldier " — Wilkinson Confesses His Guilt— His Defense of Mexico — Claims Enormous Reward — Claim Rejected 297

Chapter XIV. Blbn Nebh Assett

An Irishman — Of Wealth and Good Position— Settles on an Island — Seeks Burr's Acquaintance — Offers His Services— In Any Enterprise Proposed — Engages in Burr's Land Settlement — Is Indicted for Treason — Not Prosecuted — Failure in Business — Dies in Poverty — Mrs. Blennerhassett — Her Death 820

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CHAPTER XV. Bdrb'8 Later Lifb

Returns to His Profession — Does a Large General Business — His Daughter's Death ^ His Qreat Grief — Has Many Friends, but Avoids General Society— His Religious Views — His Moials — His Correspondence — His Illness — His Death and Burial 843

Chapter XVI. A Summaby

The Conspiracy Against Burr— Burr's Political Life— His Popularity— Refuses to Compete with Jefferson — His Letter to Greneral Smith

— Hamilton Proposes to Corrupt Jefferson — His Opposition to Burr

— The Agreement Between Bayard and Jefferson — Burr's Integrity- Jefferson's Revenge — Wilkinson's Treachery — Burr's Fatal Pride

— His Friends 867