The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
DEAR SIR,--Your favor of the 31st instant has been received, and I think
it will be fortunate if any circumstance should produce a discharge of
the present scanty grand jury, and a future summons of a fuller; though
the same views of protecting the offender may again reduce the number
to sixteen, in order to lessen the chance of getting twelve to concur.
It is understood, that wherever Burr met with subjects who did not
choose to embark in his projects, unless approved by their government,
he asserted that he had that approbation. Most of them took his word
for it, but it is said that with those who would not, the following
stratagem was practised. A forged letter, purporting to be from General
Dearborne, was made to express his approbation, and to say that I was
absent at Monticello, but that there was no doubt that, on my return, my
approbation of his enterprises would be given. This letter was spread open
on his table, so as to invite the eye of whoever entered his room, and he
contrived occasions of sending up into his room those whom he wished to
become witnesses of his acting under sanction. By this means he avoided
committing himself to any liability to prosecution for forgery, and gave
another proof of being a great man in little things, while he is really
small in great ones. I must add General Dearborne's declaration, that he
never wrote a letter to Burr in his life, except that when here, once in
a winter, he usually wrote him a billet of invitation to dine. The only
object of sending you the enclosed letters is to possess you of the fact,
that you may know how to pursue it, if any of your witnesses should know
anything of it. My intention in writing to you several times, has been
to convey facts or observations occurring in the absence of the Attorney
General, and not to make to the dreadful drudgery you are going through
the unnecessary addition of writing me letters in answer, which I beg
you to relieve yourself from, except when some necessity calls for it. I
salute you with friendship and respect.
TO MR. WEAVER.
WASHINGTON, June 7, 1807.
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