This Blennerhassett steadfastly refused to do. And that was strange since he was himself convinced that, as Duane charged, he had been made a scapegoat. Less than a week after Duane’s visit he posted in his diary: “You were right, therefore, honest Hay, on observing the other day to Woodbridge while expressing your concern for my situation ‘that I must now think Burr has duped me,’ but you were wrong in supposing I am indebted to you for that discovery; I am possessed of it these nine months.” Burr, who had his informants everywhere, was immediately apprised of Duane’s visit and lost no time getting word to Blennerhassett to be on his guard against spies who came to him under the mask of friendship. This precaution was unnecessary. Whatever Blennerhassett may have confided in his diary he was always completely disarmed when he came into the presence of Burr, and even when they were apart he seemed still to feel Burr’s influence. Blennerhassett’s determination not to turn state’s evidence against the man who had duped him after pretending to be his friend has been attributed to the mildness of his temper or lack of courage. Perhaps each was a factor. However, Blennerhassett was not a bright man. His romance with his niece is evidence of an impetuosity that led him to act without counting the cost. From the time of their first meeting Burr had courted him assiduously, protesting that his vegetating on the island was a fraud on society and holding out brilliant prospects. Blennerhassett would have been easy prey for an even less skillful flatterer. What chance did he have with a man who had duped some of the best minds in the country and once through oratory alone had provoked the Senate of the United States to adoration and tears? When Court convened on Monday morning MacRae opened for the prosecution and proceeded to live up to his reputation for wielding a meat axe. He was not the least restrained by the consciousness that his remarks were being made in the presence of, and only a few feet away from, Aaron Burr. The prisoner, he charged, had with unexampled dexterity contrived from the very beginning to quit his situation as the accused. Instead of Aaron Burr defending himself he was found taking the high ground of public accuser and assailing others. Mr. MacRae charged that Wilkinson, whom he called “the savior of his country,” and who had prevented the execution of this detestable plot, had incurred the hatred and resentment of the prisoner and his associates in proportion as he deserved well of his fellow citizens. Let others question General Wilkinson’s integrity. Mr. MacRae would not do so, at least not in open court. In MacRae’s language Wilkinson was “the patriotic and meritorious officer (like those who opposed and overthrew Cataline, the Roman conspirator) who defeated this daring scheme against American liberty.” He would not be forgiven by the conspirators.