Then, under the direction of Mr. Hay and with the consent of the Court, Woodbridge proceeded to recount the circumstances leading up to the assembly on the island. Late in August or early in September, he said, Blennerhassett mentioned to him that he had embarked on an enterprise with Colonel Burr; that General Eaton and others were engaged in it and that the prospects were flattering. From Blennerhassett’s statements Woodbridge inferred that the object was Mexico, though he admitted that that was not positively stated. Blennerhassett, said Woodbridge, asked him if he had a disposition to join but he replied that he preferred his present situation to the uncertainties of such an expedition. “You know Mr. Blennerhassett well,” remarked Colonel Burr in commencing the cross-examination. “Was it not ridiculous for him to be engaged in a military enterprise? How far can he distinguish a man from a horse? Ten steps?” “He is very nearsighted,” agreed Woodbridge, “and cannot know you from any of us at the distance you are now from one another. He knows nothing of military affairs. I never understood that he was a military man.” “Is he esteemed a man of vigorous talent?” interposed Mr. Wirt. “He is,” replied Woodbridge, “and a man of literature.” Then he delivered his estimate of his partner’s limitations: “But it was mentioned among the people in the country that he had every kind of sense but common sense; at least he had a reputation of having more of other than of common sense.” To the question: “What were his favorite pursuits?” Woodbridge mentioned “chemistry and music.” Here Court adjourned for the day. When it convened on the following morning three more eye-witnesses of the events on Blennerhassett Island were heard. Simeon Poole, who was not on the island itself but on the mainland opposite it, saw what looked to him like sentinels and heard what sounded like a watchword. Maurice P. Belknap was on the island and saw men cleaning rifles. He contradicted Poole’s testimony by stating that though he was a stranger he had been admitted to the island without being challenged and having to give a watchword. Edmund P. Dane, too, was permitted on the island to wander at will about the Blennerhassett mansion. Though he was a total stranger he said nobody appeared to be greatly alarmed. The sum total of the evidence suggested that if this were levying war against the United States it was a very tepid manifestation of it. Meanwhile Colonel Burr and his counsel were chafing over the direction the testimony was taking. At last they could restrain themselves no longer. The evidence that was being heard they protested was collateral evidence. They insisted that the prosecution be made without further delay to produce all the testimony they had relating to overt acts.