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monarchy there, of which he was to longer the consideration he now enbe the sovereign; New Orleans to joyed, and was consequently prebe his capital : organizing a force on pared to secure to himself a permathe waters of the Mississippi, and, nency. extending conquest to Mexico. I “ I asked Mr. Burr, if he knew suggested a number of impediments general Wilkinson ?" He answered, to his scheme-such as the republi- yes : and echoed the question. I can habits of the citizens of that said, I knew him well. “ What do country, and their affection towards you know of him?" said Mr. Burr. our present administration of govern- -I know, I replied, that general ment; the want of funds; the resis- Wilkinson will act as lieutenant to tance he would meet with from the no man in existence. “ You are in regular army of the United States an error,” said Mr. Burr-" Wilkinthose frontiers; and the oppositioir son will act as lieutenant to me.” of Miranda in case he should succeed From the tenor of repeated conversato republicanize the Mexicans. tions with Mr. Burr, I was induced

“Mr. Burr-found no difficulty in to believe the plan of separating the removing these obstacles :-he said union, which he had contemplated, he had, the preceding season, made had been communicated to and a tour through that country, and approved of by general Wilkinson had secured the attachment of the (though I now suspect it an artful principal citizens of Kentucky, Ten- argument of seduction); and he of nessee, and Louisiana, to his person ten expressed a full confidence that and his measures-declared he had the general's influence-the offer of inexbaustible resources to funds: as- double pay and double rations—the . sured me the regular army would prospect of plunder, and the.ambiact with him, and would be re-in- tion of achievement, would draw forced by 10 or 12,000 men from the army into his measures. Mr. the above-mentioned states and ter- Burr talked of the establishment of ritories, and from other parts of the an independent government west of union : said he had powerful agents the Alleghany as a matter of inherent

a in the Spanish territory-and, as for constitutional right of the people; a Miranda, said Mr. Burr, we must change which would eventually take hang Miranda. He now proposed place,' and for the operations of to give me the second command in which the present crisis was peculiar his army; I asked him who should favourable. There was, said hes have the chief command ? He said no energy in the government to be general Wilkinson. I observed that it dreaded, and the divisions of politiwas singular he should count on ge- cal opinions throughout the union neral Wilkinson : the elevated rank was a circumstance of which and high trust lie now held as coin- should profit. There were very many mander in chief of our army, and enterprising men among us who asgovernor of a province, he would pired to something beyond the dull hardly put at hazard for any pre- ' pursuits of civil life, and who would carious prospects of aggrandizement. volunteer in this enterprise; and the Mr. Burr said, that general Wilkinson vast territory belonging to the United balanced in the confidence of govern- States which offered to adventurers, pent, was doubtful of retaining niuch and the nines of Mexico, would

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bring strength to his squadron from swered usurper! He smiled at ny all quarters.--I listened to the expo- hesitation, and quoted some great sition of colonel Burr's views with examples in his favour. 1 observed seeming acquiescence. Every inter- to him, that I had lately travelled view convinced me more and more from one extreme of the union to that he had organized a deep laid the other; and though I found a plot of treason in the west, in the diversity of political opinion among accomplishment of which he felt the people, they appeared united at fully confident. Till at length I dis- the most distant aspect of national covered that his ambition was not danger. That, for the section of bounded by the waters of the Missi- the union to which I belonged, I ssippi and Mexico, but that he me- would vouch, should he succeed in ditated overthrowing the present go- the first instance here, he would vernment of our country. He said, within six weeks afterwards have his if he could gain over the marine throat cut by Yankee militia. corps, and secure the naval com- “ Though wild and extravagant manders, Truxton, Preble, Decatur, Mr. Burr's last project, and though and others, he would turn Congress fraught with premeditated slaughter, neek and heels out of doors; assas- I felt very uneasy on the subjeet, sinate the president; seize on the because its defeat he had deposited treasury and the navy, and declare in my own hands. I did not feel himself the protector of an energetic so secure concerning that of disgovernment.

jointing the union. But the very “ The honourable trust of cor- interesting and embarrassing situarupting the marine corps, and of tion in which his communications sounding commodore Preble and placed me, left me, I confess, at a captain Decatur, colonel Burr pro- stand to know how to conduct myposed confiding to me. Shocked self with propriety. He had comat this proposition, I dropped the mitted no overt act of aggression mask, and exclaimed against his against law. I could draw nothing views. He talked of the degraded from him in writing; nor could I situation of our country, and the learn that he had exposed his plans necessity of a blow by which its to any person near me by wliom energy and its dignity should be my testimony could be supported. restored--said, if that blow could be He had mentioned to me no persons struck bere at this time, he was con- who were principally and decidedly fident of the best blood of America. engaged with bim, except general I told colonel Burr he deceived him. Wilkinson- -a Mr. Alston, who I self in presuming that he, or any found. was, his son-in-law-and a other man, could excite a party in Mr. Ephraim Kirby, late a captain this country who would countenance of rangers in general Wynne's army, him in such a plot of desperation, Satisfied that Mr. Burr was resolute murder, and treason. He replied, in pushing his object of rebellion in

. that he, perhaps, knew better the the west of the Alleghany, and apdispositions of the influential citizens prehensive that it was too well and of this country than I did. I told too extensively organized to be easily him one solitary word would destroy suppressed; though I dreaded the him. He asked what word? I an weight of his character when laid in

the

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me.

for reason,

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the balance against my solitary as- alarm, I thought silence on the subsertion, I brought myself to the ject, at that time and place, became resolution to endeavour to defeat it by getting him removed from among “ But I detailed, about the same us, or to expose myself to all con- time, the whole projects of Mr. Burr, sequences by a disclosure of his in- to certain menibers of congress. tentions.

They believed colonel Burr capable Accordingly, I waited on the of any thing--and agreed that the president of the Uuited States, and fellow ought to be hanged; but after some desultory conversation, thought his projects too chimerical, in which I aimed to draw his view and bis circumstances too desperate, to the westward, I used the freedom to give the subject the merit of seto say to the president, I thought rious consideration.—The total secuMr. Burr should be sent out of this rity of feeling in those to whom I country, and gave

that I had rung the tocsin, induced me to believed him dangerous in it. The suspect my own apprehensions unpresident asked where he should be seasonable, or at least too deeply sent? I mentioned London and admitted ; and of course, I grew inCadiz. The president thought the different about the subject. trust too important, and seemed to “ Mr. Burr's visits to me becanie entertajn a doubt of Mr. Burr's in- less frequent, and his conversation tegrity. I intimated that no less familiar. He appeared to have perhaps, had stronger grounds to abandoned the idea of a general remistrust Mr. Burr's moral integrity volution; but seemed determined on than myself; yet I believed, ambi- that of the Mississippi; and, altion so much predominated over though I could perceive symptoms him, than when placed on an emi- of distrust in him to:vards me, he nence, and put on his honour, re- manifested great solicitude to engage spect to himself would ensure his me with him in the enterprise. fidelity: his talents were unquestion. Weary of his importunity, and at able. I perceived the subject was once to convince hiin of my serious disagreeable to the president; and attachments, I gave the following to give it the shortest course to the toast in public:point, declared my concern that if “ THE UNITED STATES.--Palsy Mr. Burr were not in some way dis- to the brain that should plot to disposed of, we should, withiu eighteen member, and leprosy to the hand months, have an insurrectiou, if not that will not draw to defend our a revolution, on the waters of the union,” Mississippi. The president answer- " I doubt whether the sentiment ed, that he had too much confidence was better understood by any of in the information, the integrity, and my acquaintance than colonel Burr.. the attachment of the union of the Our intercourse ended here. We citizens of that country, to admit an met but seldom afterwards. apprehension of that kind: I am turned to my farm in Massachusetts, happy that events prove the con- and thought no inore of Mr. Burr fidence well placed. As no interro- and his empire, till some time late in gatories followed my expression of September, or beginuing of October, when a letter from Morris Belknap, mediate calling out of the conscripof Marletto, to Timothy E. Daniel- tion for 1808. son, fell into my hands at Brimfield, “ The report which our minister which satisfied me that Mr. Burr of war has transmitted to us will achad actually commenced his prepa- . quaint you with the various advanratory operations on the Obio. I tages which must be the result of now spoke publicly of the fact, and this measure. transmitted a copy of the letter from “ All the nations round us are Belknap to the department of state; arming; England has again set on and about the same time forwarded, foot an extraordinary levy of 200,000 through the hands of the post-mas- men. Other powers, as well as ter-general, to the president of the England, are adopting the measure United States, a statement in sub- of extraordinary levies, as their last stau ce of what is here above detailed, resource. However strong and nuconcezoing the Mississippi conspiracy merous our arınies may be, we are of colonel A. Burs—which is said by no means convinced that the reto have been the first formal intelli- gulations of the senatus consultum gence received by the executive on will be the less necessary and advanthe subject of the conspirator being tageous. At any rate, the sight of in motion.

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the triple barrier of camps, which “ I kuow not whether my country encircle our territory must have the will allow me the herit of correct- same effect upon our enemy as the ness of conduct in this affair. The triple line of fortresses which defend novelty of the duty might, perhaps, our advanced frontier. This will have embarrassed stronger minds leave them without the least hope of than mine. The uprightness of my gaining any advantage over us, will intention, I hope, will not be quese assuage their fury, and finally, in tioned.

consequence of their total incapa“ The interviews between colonel city to do us any injury, will bring Burr and wyself, from which the them back to a sense of reason and foregoing statement has resulted, justice. were chi fly in this city, in the months “ The zeal with which our people of February and March, last year, have executed the senatus consultum

" WM. EATON. of September 24, 1805, and that of “ Washington City, Jan. 26. December 4, 1806, has made a sen“ Sworn to in open court, this sible impression upon our gratitude, 26th day of Jan. 1807. Every Frenchman will probably shew “ WM. BRENT, Clerk.” himself worthy of so honourable a

name.

“ We have nominated senators to Message of Bonaparte to the French the command and direction of these Senate.

interesting young men-senators who

have already distinguished themselves “ Senators,

in the career of glory. We flatter “We have given orders for a pro- Ourselves, that in consequence of this jet of the senatus consultum to be determination, you will justify the laid before you, in order for the in- tuliuuited confidence reposed in you.

The

The senators will teach the young The principal envoy which England men that discipline and patience employed in these negociations has which are necessary to support the made the most public declarations, toils and fatigues of war: you will and in the most unequivocal terms, convince them that these are the that the peace would have been both principal guarantees of victory: you honourable and advantageous to Enge will teach them to make every sacri- land: thus he has made the justice fice for the glory of the throne, and of our cause appear evident.

We the good of the country.

are ready to conclude a peace with “We have triumphed over all our Russia, upon the same conditions as enemies. In the course of six were signed by her negociator, but months we have passed the Main, which were rejected in consequence the Saal, the Elbe, the Oder, and' of the arts and intrigues of the Engthe Vistula: we have made ourselves lish. We are ready to restore to the masters of the strongest places in eight millions of the inhabitants Europe-Magdeburg, Hameln, Span- whom we have conquered their trandau, Stettin, Custrin, Glogau, Bres- quillity, and to restore to the king lau, Schweidnitz, and Brieg. Our of Prussia his capital. soldiers have proved victorious in “ But though so many traits of several battles; they have taken up- moderation, already so often renewwards of 800 pieces of cannon upon ed, have not been able to prevail the field of battle; they have sent over the deceptions to which England, 4000 pieces of heavy artillery to enflamed as it is by its passions, has France, 400 Russian and Prussian had recourse, that power cannot see standards, and made upwards of the possibility of peace but in our 200,000 prisoners of war.

annihilation, nothing, therefore, re“ Neither the sands of Prussia, inains for us but to bear the calathe deserts of Poland, nor the storms mities of war, and to throw the of winter in fact, nothing has shame and odium of it apon that been able to damp or extinguish nation, which continues to purchase their ardour for obtaining peace by its monopoly with the blood of the their conquests, and, by means of continent. We shall, in the resources their triumphs, to return to their of our own mind, in the courage, native country. Still our armies in devotion, and power of our people, Italy, in Dalmatia, and Naples, re- find certain means to render all the main undiminished ; our camps at efforts of that coalition, forined of Boulogne, in Brittany, in Normandy, hatred and injustice, null and void, and on the Rhine, remain entire. and to turn them to the disgrace

“Though at present we ask for new of their authors. Frenchmen, we sacrifices from our people, in order brave all dangers for the glory and that we may obtain a greater extent tranquillity of our children. of force, it is not that we should “Given at our Imperial Head abuse this power for the purpose of Quarters, at Osterode, March 20, prolonging the war. Our policy is 1807. invariable. We offered peace to "Signed by order of the eme England before the fourth coalition peror, had shewn itself: THE SAME PEACE

“ H. B. MARET." WE OFFER TO ENGLAND STILL.

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