Shout treason : $b the trial of Aaron BurrBeirne, Francis F.
History
Shout treason : $b the trial of Aaron Burr
Beirne, Francis F.
Burr Conspiracy, 1805-1807; Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Treason) -- United States
Burr was still under indictment in New Jersey and New York despite the
fact that the death of Hamilton had occurred three years before. He
did not therefore dare to show his face in public, but lived in New
York City as a fugitive, cared for by devoted friends, until six months
later he took passage for Europe under an assumed name.
He arrived in London in the middle of July and, because of his former
distinction as well as his personal attractions, he was welcomed by
such accomplished persons as Charles Lamb, William Godwin, and Jeremy
Bentham. Burr was still obsessed with the idea of playing a vital part
in the achievement of independence by the Spanish colonies in America.
He gained an interview with the British statesmen Castlereagh and
Canning and revealed a plan of action, but without obtaining either
their interest or support. On the contrary, for whatever reason,
the official attitude stiffened. His apartment was searched and his
property seized. The property was returned but with it came an order to
leave England. Some people saw in this the avenging hand of Jefferson.
Once more an exile, Burr wandered through Sweden, Denmark, and Germany,
always out of funds, depending on the charity of friends, but still
with enough of the old unconquerable spirit to set down in his diary a
lively record of his various amours.
The Colonel at last reached Paris where he sought an interview with
Napoleon in the hope once more of pushing his plans for exploiting
the Spanish colonies. But the Emperor was too busy with his immediate
problems in Europe to give ear to those of Burr. The latter’s situation
was more desperate than ever. The only recourse left to the outcast was
to return home. The American representatives in Paris, on orders from
Washington, refused him a passport. By one of those odd coincidences
so often encountered in life, one of the American representatives was
Alexander MacRae who so short a time before had sought his conviction
in Richmond.
In these trying days the Colonel, if he ever needed consolation, could
still count on Theodosia. In fact the harder he was treated by the
world the greater was her adulation. It reached its climax in a letter
which she addressed to him in Europe:
“I witness your extraordinary fortitude with new wonder at every new
misfortune. Often, after reflecting on this subject, you appear to me
so superior, so elevated above all other men, I contemplate you with
such a strange mixture of humility, admiration, reverence, love and
pride, that very little superstition would be necessary to make me
worship you as a superior being, such enthusiasm does your character
excite in me.
“When I afterwards revert to myself, how insignificant do my best
qualities appear. My vanity would be greater if I had not been placed
so near you; and yet my pride is our relationship. I had rather not
live than not be the daughter of such a man.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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