An American Patrician, or The Story of Aaron Burr: IllustratedLewis, Alfred Henry
History
An American Patrician, or The Story of Aaron Burr: Illustrated
Lewis, Alfred Henry
Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
“We intend to show that these orders were contrary to the Constitution
and the laws. We intend to show that by these orders Colonel Burr’s
property and person were to be destroyed; yes, by these tyrannical
orders the life and property of an innocent man were to be exposed to
destruction. This is a peculiar case, sirs. President Jefferson has
undertaken to prejudge my client by declaring that ‘of his guilt there
can be no doubt!’ He has assumed to himself the knowledge of the Supreme
Being, and pretended to search the heart of my client. He has proclaimed
him a traitor in the face of the country. He has let slip the dogs of
war, the hell-hounds of persecution, to hunt down my client. And now,
would the President of the United States, who has himself raised all
this clamor, pretend to keep back the papers wanted for a trial where
life itself is at stake? It is a sacred principle that the accused has a
right to the evidence needed for his defense, and whosoever--whether
he be a president or some lesser man--withholds such evidence is
substantially a murderer, and will, be so recorded in the register of
heaven.”
Argument ended, Marshall, chief justice, sustains the motion. He holds
that the _subpoena duces tecum_ may issue, and goes so far as to say
that, if it be necessary to the ends of justice, the personal attendance
of Jefferson himself shall be compelled.
The charge is treason, and no bail can be taken; Aaron must be locked
up. The Governor of Virginia offers as a place of detention a superb
suite of rooms, meant for official occupation, on the third floor of the
penitentiary building. Marshall, chief justice, accepting such proffer,
orders Aaron’s confinement in the superb official suite. Aaron takes
possession, stocks the larder, loads the sideboards, and, with a cloud
of servitors, gives a dinner party to twenty friends.
The lustrous Theo arrives, and makes her residence with Aaron in
the official suite, as lady of the establishment. Each day a hundred
visitors call, among them the aristocracy of the town. Also dinner
follows dinner; the official suite assumes a gala, not to say a gallant
look, and no one would think it a prison, or dream for one urbane
moment that Aaron--that follower of the gospel according to Lord
Chesterfield--is fighting for his life.
Following the order for the _subpoena duces tecum_, and Aaron’s
dinner-giving incarceration in the official suite, Marshall, chief
justice, directs that court be adjourned until August--a month away.
Wirt, during the vacation, goes over to Washington. He finds Jefferson
in a mood of double anger.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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