the rogue founding father
Aaron Burr.
While Aaron Burr is probably best known for his duel with Alexander Hamilton, that was hardly his most notorious act. 197 years ago this month, Burr - a former Senator and Vice President of the United States - was arrested for treason.
Whether Burr intended to kill Hamilton in their July 11th, 1804 duel is unknown. As a practice, the duel (or as it was known at the time - "the interview") allowed participants to defend their honor but it did not require that anyone die to do so. In fact, quite opposite the popular view of dueling today, actually killing one's adversary was often viewed as less a defense of one's character and more a bloodthirsty attack. Hamilton, who was opposed to the practice on religious grounds and had argued his way of out several duels previously, took the first shot and aimed away from Burr. Burr returned fire, mortally wounding Hamilton. Public opinion quickly turned on Burr, and he was forced to flee New York State.
The motivations of what Burr did next remain in question. Over the course of the next 12 months, he corresponded with military colleagues including General James Wilkinson, governor of the Louisiana Territory, in an effort to assemble a private army. What he intended to do with such an army is unclear. After his arrest, Thomas Jefferson described his former vice president's plan as the seizure of New Orleans, followed by an invasion of Mexico and the American West. Later, according to Jefferson, Burr abandoned the American West in favor of Mexico alone. None of this came to pass as the boats intended to carry Burr's expeditionary force were seized and Burr arrested.
In the end, Burr was acquitted due to lack of evidence, primarily as a result of Chief Justice John Marshall's strict interpretation of the evidence presented. Burr lived the rest of his life disgraced in spite of being found not guilty. In a fashion, though, Burr was ahead of his time. Thirty years after his trial, American settlers in Texas revolted against Mexico and established a republic. Prominent among their financial supporters was Samuel Swartwout, one of Burr's lieutenants. Burr, in the final months of his life, believed the Texas Revolution a vindication of his "projects" three decades before.
14.02.2004 © ljr