Colonel Burr now made clear his intention to act as his own counsel in the trial. Addressing the court he ventured the opinion that there was no cause for all this concern. He charged that Wilkinson had alarmed the President and that the President had alarmed the people. When he, Burr, heard that charges were being preferred against him while he was in the West, had he not voluntarily hastened to meet investigation both in Kentucky and Tennessee? Yes, he had fled later, but only after he had learned that military orders had been issued to seize his person and his property. He protested that there was no proof of his guilt other than the affidavits of Wilkinson and Eaton. As for these they were “abounding in crudities and absurdities.” Attorney General Rodney next addressed the court. He had, he said, looked upon Colonel Burr as his friend and, in fact, had received him in his house. But now the chain of circumstances showed without doubt that he was guilty. He thought that the evidence presented was sufficient for commitment. It was his contention that for a mere commitment no such complete testimony was needed as in an actual trial. This brief comment from the Attorney General proved to be the last words he was to utter in the case. In a day’s time illness in his family--or such was the excuse given--took him from Richmond and the trial and he did not return. Whatever part he played in it was performed in Washington. Thereafter the burden of the prosecution fell on the conscientious and hard-working Hay. The District Attorney, too, had had family sorrow. A week before Burr’s arrival in Richmond he lost his wife, Rebecca, a young woman of 25 years. But the bereaved husband had little time for mourning. Nor did he allow his grief to interfere with the performance of his official task with all the effectiveness his limited talents could command. When the arguments were over Judge Marshall introduced a procedure he was to follow steadfastly throughout the trial. He adjourned court and promised that he would deliver his opinion the following day. He was as good as his word. The opinion was in writing. He had had the evening before in which to review the arguments and from them arrive at his own conclusions. Like all his opinions, this one was closely reasoned and carefully drawn. Nobody was going to be given grounds for charging him with such arbitrary and high-handed behavior on the bench as had brought about the impeachment of Justice Chase. Again a numerous audience was on hand to hear what the Chief Justice had to say.