990. BURR'S (A.) TREASON, Designs of.—[continued].
Burr's object is to take
possession of New Orleans, as a station whence
to make an expedition against Vera Cruz and
Mexico. His party began their formation at
the mouth of the Beaver, whence they started
the 1st or 2d of his month, and would collect
all the way down the Ohio. We trust that the
opposition we have provided at Marietta, Cincinnati,
Louisville, and Massac will be sufficient
to stop him; but we are not certain because we
do not know his strength. It is, therefore, possible
he may escape, and then his great rendezvous
is to be at Natchez. * * * We
expect you will collect all your force of militia,
act in conjunction with Colonel Freeman, and
take such a stand as shall be concluded best.—
To Governor Claiborne.
Ford ed., viii, 501.
(W.
Dec. 1806)
