986. BURR'S (A.) TREASON, Counteracted.—
During the last session of Congress,
Colonel Burr who was here [Washington], finding
no hope of being employed in any department
of the government, opened himself confidentially
to some persons on whom he thought
he could rely, on a scheme of separating the
Western from the Atlantic States, and erecting
the former into an independent confederacy.
He had before made a tour of those States
which had excited suspicions, as every nation
does of such a Catalinian character. * * *
We [the cabinet] are of opinion unanimously,
that confidential letters be written to the
Governors of Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi and
Orleans * * * to have him strictly watched
and on his committing any overt act unequivocally,
to have him arrested and tried for treason,
misdemeanor, or whatever other offence the act
may amount to. And in like manner to arrest
and try any of his followers committing acts
against the laws.—
The Anas.
Ford ed., i, 318.
(July. 1806)
