" /5<^Cr 4? n* *yJ A** W : ,#** : lliir : * v ^ v •j^SX^va ^ A ^> %: ^% -%ws /\ --UK" s Xslancl in 1701. The dark period of an hundred and sixty-one years from the days o! De .Soto till 1701, when the French settled Alabama, will be passed over in silence, because the author has been unable to find any book, or manuscript, which announces the fact that a solitary white man ever saw Alabama, proper, du- ring that period. But the coast of Florida during that time was often visited and settled, temporarily, by the Spanish and French. Resuming the history of Alabama at the period of 1701, the author will detail inter- esting facts from abundant material from* that period until 1703. In this period ot"? : sixty-two years, the French are found to be the owners and occu ners of Alabama ; arrested in Alabama in 1307. We request our colenlporarie.s to republish it, as desired by the author, and as a document which will afford their readers much enter- tainment and historical information. We understand that Col. Pickett finished the collection of the materia! for the History of Alabama in June last, and during the summer compiled, from an Immense mass g_£ information, collected by him, about three hundred pages of his History. He expects to complete the work in six months ready for the press. The. History] will commence with the narrative of De Soto's expedition through Alabama in the summer and fall of loiO. Two original journals of this romantic and jihe'qifaled march have been procured : one from Paris, published in 1731 by firarseilasso de La Veya, who wrote from notes male by three Spanish cavaliers, who were with De Soto ; the other was written by a '-Portugese Eye- Witness," who was also with De Solo. This book was pur. chased in London, and was translated into old Enodish and republished in 1912. Histori- j.ns rely more upon the hitter than the for- her, bul Col. Pickett, upon careful piaraiii: ttiou of the two journals, has found, vye fcderstand, but little difference in their most naterial statements. After completing the expedition of De Soto, the author will then conduct his re::- having forts and trading establishments at DalSjihine Island, Mobile, St. Stephens, Fort Tombeckbe, (now Jones' Bluff on the Tombigby river) at Fort Toulouse situate six miles above ihe'confiuence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa, now known as old Fort Jackson. and at For! Tensa where Stockton iow is. 1 i a truly interesting pe- riod of cm- history, the author has obtained, at groat trouble a:;.] ex pen i . -five : ies of Louisiana* inciudi va'uahlivnviiuiseripts. Alabama was then a par! »f Louisiana. "■ In so boo] ■ written by inti . . men from ly in the - ..! were pi tr the , • i • .i if . r author in ^■'■■- is, Madrid ersto the next period in the History „ , Alabama, commencing in 1698, when In ' trench Colony, under Iberville, settled bama will All hor forts v\ ere J( (fed in our territory and her troops with- drawn From them. The conquerors, the English, took possession of Mobile and South Alabama in 1763, and held dominion over until the 14th March, 1780, when Don Galves took the territory from them for the King of Spain. Col. Pickett has some inter- esting books, procured in London, upon the English portion of the History of Alabama —a period of seventeen years. The author, after proceeding with his readers through the English times, will commence with the Spanish period of thirty-three years from 1780 to 1813, when Wilkinson took Mobile from the Spaniards and hoisted the flag of the United States. Upon the Spanish peri- od of thirty-three years, the author has ob- tained from various parts of Europe many old, rare and valuable works upon the Flori das, within which Alabama was then em*- braced. The History of Alabama will continue on from 1813 to the end of Gov. Bibb's admin- stration in 1S20, embracing a most thrilling and interesting period of seven years. The author has procured by arduous labor, much travel and correspondence, an immense mass of facts taken down in the form of notes from the lips of living witnesses. It will be, decidedly, we are informed, the most inter- esting portion of the work. Upon the Indians of Alabama the author will be very full. He will be able to give a iete history of the Creeks. Choctaws, Chickasaws and Cherokees for two hundred years back, having also procured many works written by old Indian traders and travelers upon their manners and customs. The Political and Civil History of Alabama from 1820 to the present period will not be written by Col. Pickett for the present, and perhaps never, although he has all the cssary materials. The History will ontain about five hundred pages in one olutue, illustrated with engravings and iuap3. — Flag & Advertiser. A Chapter intended for thd History of Ala- bama, now in a state of preparation for the press by Albert J. Pickett, of Mont- gomery. Aaron Burr, his early life, his military achieve' ments, his political aspirations and disappoint- menls, his duel with Hamilton, his operations in the Western country in 1805-'6, the true par* ticulars of his arrest in the wilderness of Ala- bama, in February 1807, and lis journey to Richmond on horseback surrounded by a guard. Col. Aaron Burr was born in Newark, State of New Jersey in February, 17S6. He was de- scended of nob'.e German ancestry on the pater- nal side. His Father, the Rev. Aaron Burr, was educated at Yale College. When Gov.| Belcher established the College of Princeton,; that gentleman received the appointment of President and immediately found himseli'at the head of seventy Students. In the month of August 1757 he died, remembered for his learn-i ingreloquence and pwty. His Mother was thel daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, of Northampton, a man of the highest respectabili ty and likewise the President of a College.- She, too, soon followered her husband to the "rave. Thus was the boy Aaron, at the help- fess age of three years without Father or Moth- er. He had a sister, hut she was younger and more helplessthan himself. But they were not dependent upon the cold charities of this world. Blest with property and near relations, thej each lived to fill in their respectable spheres, a destiny high and honorable. In 1769 young Burr entered Princeton Col lege and graduated with honors at the age o sixteen. Having at this period received soith religious impressions, he wasfrequently advisee to studv divinity. In the Autumn ot 1773 hi visited "Joseph 'Bellamy, D. D., who receive( him with affection and threw open to him ai extensive Theological Library. Here Bur read for some time with great scrutiny and ap plication. But he abandoned the persuit an. become an inmate of the family of Judge Tap pan Reeve, who had married his sister. A this time the topic of taxation and the rights c the American people agitated the then Britis Colonies from one extreme to the other. Youn Burr examined the whole subject thoroughl and became a whig. In July 1775, he repaire to Cambridge and became a soldier in tieienc of American liberty at the age of twentj While in camp and on a bed of sickness he ove heard a conversation relative to the expeditio to Quebec about to be entrusted to Arnold.- Immediately impressed with the perils an boldness of the enterprise, so suitable to a gal lant disposition like his, Burr, contrary to th urgent solicitations of his guardian, threw hi knapsack on his back, shouldered his musket and marched for the place of embarkation. The expedition to Quebec was perhaps the most fa- tigueingand hazardous one eveunade by troops, and the suffering from wet, cold and hunger, is indiscribable. Vet the stripling Burr marched cheerfully through the forests and over moun- tain cliffs. When Arnold reached Chaudre- Potid, Burr was selected to convey to General Montgomery a verbal message, which difficult task he performed by disguising himself in the dress of a Catholic Priest. Conversing fluent- ly in Latin and French, the romantic youth went from one religious Convent to another un- suspected, until he arrived in the lines of Gen. Montgomery, to whom he delivered the message of Arnold, acquainting him with that officer's approach and future plans. The youth who possessed the address (o accomplish such a feat as this, was bom for a high and brilliant desti- ny ! Struck with the wonderful and ingenious resources of tlse young man, Gen. Montgomery at once made him his aid, with the rank of Captain, and in the celebrated battle in which that hero lost has life, Burr commanded one of the wings of the army. Before daylight on the 31st December. 1775, the American attack was made upon Qubec, amidst a heavy Winter storm. The American troo|>s, benumbed with cold and blinded with snow flakes, fell by hun- dreds before the British artillery, discolouring the snow-carpeted earth with the bravest blood! Capt. Burr was every where in the thickest ol the dreadful carnage, and being the only sur- viving officer near, leceived into his arms the lifeless body of Gen. Montgomery. On the 20th May, 177-6, Major Burr was invi- ted by General Washington to join his military family at Richmond Hill until he should receive a satisfactory appointment. Here shortly af- terwards he was appointed aid to Major Gener- al Putnam, then stationed at New York. When the British force 2€.,OG0strong,attacked Brooklyn Heights on the 27th August, 1776, Major Burr was actively engaged both night and day per- forming the most efficient services and display- ing the most daring intrepidity. As long as he was attached to the s'aif of Putnam, he enjoyed that brave old man's confidence and esteem. — A new army was formed in the Spring of 1777, when Burr became a Lieutenant Colonel in the regiment of Col. Malcolm, a respect/hie Mer- chant, but unfitted for military life. This regi- ment was stationed at Ramapo, in the county of Orange, State of New York. The extreme youthful appearance of Burr, at first inspired his commanding officer with great doubts of his ability and experience to discharge the duties of his post. But his astonishing energy of charac- ter and fine military talents soon made such an impression upon the mind of Malcolm, as to in- duce him to esnfide to Burr the sole command. Retiring twenty miles distant with liis family Col. Malcolm remarked, "You, Col. Burr, shall have the honor of training and fighting the re- giment, while I will be its Father." lie kept his word, for in the frequent engagements after- wards, Burr had the sole direction of the troops. His surprises, his attacks, and retreats re; bled those of the parti/.nn officers of the South, lie was the Marion of the North. Nearllack- ensack Burr surprised and captured a strong British guard, and was fast assembling a epi erable force to attack the main army of 2000 strong when the enemy made a rapid retreat. Whilehanging upon their rear and marking their track with blood, young Burr was not out of his saddle for two day's and nights. Constant- ly engaged for two years in harassing the Bri- tish, Col. Burr did not engage in any combined attack until the battle of Monmouth where his Brigade, composed of his own regiment, and some Germans, fought with the most obstinate, determined, and gallant bearing. It is not with- in our province to enumerate the brilliant mili- tary achievements of Col. Burr which would fill a volume. We forbear, by remarking that ill health, exhaustion from long exposure and ardu ous service, compelled him on the 10th March, 1779, to resign his post in the army. In the lan- guage of his Biographer, "He seemed as tin he was born a soldier. He was ambilioi fame in his profession. He had acquired a character for vigilance and intrepidity, unrivaled in the army. He was more than respected by his brother officers and idolized bv the troops." On the 17th April, 1782, Col. "Burr obtained licence to practice law, and at the age of twenty six he settled in Albany, to attend to his profes- sion, and on the 2nd of July following was mar- ried to Mrs. Theodosia Provost, the splendid widow of a British officer. The Autumn of 1783, found him removed to the city of New York, where he immediately rose to the head of hi* profession. Col. Burr was several years a member of the New York Legislature, and on the 25th September 1789, Gov. Clinton conferred upon him the appointment of Attorney General. Congress convened at Philadelphia in the lall of 1791, when Col. Burr took his seat in tl e Senate of the United States, from the State of New York, at the age of thirty-five. How ra- pidly did his great mind hurry him on to promo- tion and fame! On the 2nd October, 1792, the office of judge of the Supreme Court was ten- dered him by Gov. Clinton, which he thought proper to decline. He was a member of tin Senate from the 4th March, 1791, to the March, 1797. During ail Ibis period hen; ded closely to his profession and ranked high a t the bar with Hamilton, Harrison and Li ston. Indeed he was regarded by many as a man of superior legal acijrnen to any bffon tribunals of the country of that day. His speeches at the bar wire remailwlu for con- densation, clearness., great pith and roil t. 1 is manner was calm and persuasive. In April, 1798, Col. Burr was elected a member of the New York Legislature by the Demrcrat'c par- ty. In 1800 lie was placed on the saitietickel with Jefferson, ibr President and Vice President.: As the -constitution was originally adopted, the person who had the greatest number of Votes, provided they were a majority of the whole number given, was declared President, and the person having the next highest number, with the like provison, was depmed to be the Vice President. The termination of the election es- tablished the remarkable fact that Mr. Jefferson and Col. Burr had an equal number of votes: Burr obtained 73, Jefferson 73, John Adams 65, C. C. Piuckney G4. It devolved upon the House to choose between them, and now ensued one of the most exciting and bitter contests known to this Republic. The House resolved to attend to no other business until the election was decided. The balloting commenced on the 11th of February, 1801, and continued until the 17th. There were thirty six ballotings! Dur- ing the seven days the presence of everv mem- ber was indispensable. The sick were accom- modated with beds and conches, and one mem- ber was even attended by his wife. Mr. John Adams was at that time the President and Thomas Jefferson- Vice President, and were both about the scene of action. Col. Burr dur- ing the balloting remained in New York, con- ducting himself in a dignified manner. The subsequent attacks upon Col. Burr for intrigue and corruption during these seven days, came with a bad grace from some ot his assailants who were themselves engaged in intrigue. — The contest finally resulted in the elevation of Mr. Jefferson to the highest seat hi the git't ol the country, Coh Burr became the presiding officer of the Senate, as the Vice President of the United States. He was cue oftb* ablest and most dignified Vice Pres-i'dem* that ever ap- pear* d in die Ame'iican Ci ion'. Col. Burr was nomii ; ti (3 fi r Goverhof of the State ci New York in February, 1-8W4. Among his most unfriendly and formidable assailants, was found to be-Gen. Alexander Hamilton; a distinguished jurist, a gallant offi'eei. a pure pa- triot, and the bosom friend and companion oJ Washington. I ie took an active, in fact a bitter part against Burr. On several occasions he employed language in reference -to -Cot. Burr, which-that gentleman de*enaed highly injurious to hischaracter as a gentleman arid a i rati smaii. Col. Burr demanded a retractioil of the- off eh- five epithets, a in after variaws communicat . hrd j a si i d bi U\ i i n tin parties. Hamilton re- fused tor. rede. Biiri h tn'i rtal .combat, and on the 31th Juiy, 180 i. " VVi - hawk, on the Jersey sh.- n . tin y exchanged i',r< s, when II iniijtoM fi II and the next day died. •" All party dis-lir.btii n w as fi ■ I in the ; i-eiitiment < xi.r- ; .-eu fl/r the. illustrious d( d. ' It was at once a fatal blow to all of Col. Burr*fi future ambitious views. Hamilton Was a me "t man. His, standing was most pxalted. Hu was dean'. He was killed. HiVpulngv was pronounced in everv city to weepingthi u^ands. Burr althn eminent every way. could not stand the torrent ofpublic opinion. It swept him into temporary exile. Upon the sea coasts el Coor? gia and South Carolina, he wandered about in the Summer ol 1804 among hospitable friends, to qui"l public sentiment and to evad.e prose- cutions. Had be have killed a man less la- mented, his persecutions would not have sub- jected him to such an ordeal. When Congress convened in the Fall, Col. Burr left his hospitable souther" friends, repair? ed to Washington and presided over the Seri- ate. The last public duty of importance per- formed by this distinguished but unfortunate man, was to preside in the case of .Tud^e Sam- uel Chase] who was impeached before the Sen- ate, for high crimes and misdemeanors. The trial commenced on the 4th of February 1805, and ended the 1st March. Col. Burr acquitted himself on this occasion in a manner commen- surate with the force, address, the great digni- ty and the lofty mind with which his Crd had so eminently endowed him. Opponents as well as friends admired his energy, dlgnhv and impartiality, qualities which won for him their profoundest respect. Judge Chase was ac- quitted. When the lion is driven from field to field, and worried by combinations .61 men and arms, engaged in frequent hunts against him. he at length retreats to denser and mere distant forests. So did Aaron Burr; but also like the king 61 beasts, he appeared in the Yv'estrru wilds, still a lion, driven; but not «vi bearing himself aloft with dignity and great- ness, his head full of new schemes, of a bold and brilliant character. In 1805, Col. Liurr was actively engaged in traveling in Tens: ssee and Kentucky. He was or n a I • house of Gen. Jackson, whom he described as "'a man of intelligence" — "a promp't, frank and ardent soul." From January tYritli August of the lb|- lowing year, his hours were spent in the elites of Washington and Philadelphia. His mighfy mind was constantly employed in endeavors to elevate himself above his fallen state. He deemed tins period a favorable one for that pur- pose. For a long time the difficulties' had been great in rela'ion to the right of navigating the Mississippi river, between the Spanish pes- ;ions and the Western people. For years the Americans upon the Cumberland and Ohio had been anxious to expel the Spaniards from till dominion over the Western waters-.— In addition to this, Col. Burr had all his [Jib !n en an ambitions man and a bold speculator, tVeouently i mbarking in the purchase of large tracts of land, while his imagination was haunt- ;1 (!:):••/.:. il i:i i ' t m'e , li, • re f ion i I . ; lef*, :':-• S| - ' ■ : !i ;",,!; !'• ITO'p 1. -''".- tlii ! , nd for urn i v. i; ,.,i bi i n conveyed to a L\ uch. As t!i lime v ithin which two In il ,'•;;. i : ; s were to be colpnizi (i u;» n . was fast drawing to a cl ;■:•. F.yiiuri cvi J ' .001), Oii •' hnlf pf h'ifi interest <'"!. Burr. Burr's pmvh ;se lay between the -. and il.; advanci <3 •"•'• in cash, n.< was afterwards proved upon trial at Richmond! Besides the coin u'z: - i of this tract, the great object of Burr was of M.e'xico. lie had for years i f if. Ills ii mgli.ter, Theodosia, at an ly pi iii il. rfa'd h'eeti In'i tructed in riding, and the sword, exercise and taught of war, of Ri publics and Monr i,.l was often told by him that she IbeQueen of Mexico! He. was at 1 (]30(!,) impressed with the idta, Iterah ..that a war would ensue ••'< n Spain and the' ' Stater, and that united States' forces, under Geu. Wilkih- tfmo anting to about six hundred men, !il he a nucleus, araflnd which the troops •ii he intended to raise hirnspli would form, lOgeYher constitute an army of invasion i. st the SparuVh possessions in North Am- •n. James Wilkinson has bei h accused by "s fre lids u ilh I i d in these nil. •.-■■. ami of hai ing.pl inself to as- Btirr with the Ui i ps. It is to the memory 6f Wilkinson to sa\ that ways i!< tiied these charges. But the wri- f this narrative is impressed with the In - derived Iro.m a minute examination of va- - authorities and pub'ic documents, that . Witkii -i-n. like many other distinguished in the Western country, did at first enter the sctii ii:i- i i An n Burr, but for Some on abandon' d him When Burr became an suspicion to.' the Government. But | Ibis' as it,m/<)\ Aaron Burr only intended m of his Bastrop claim and the rjuest oi' Mexico, and tho.se concerned with were only guilty' oi attempts to take pos- oti Of a cblony of Spain, a power scarcely consid t d at peace vv'ith the United States. an does riOt usually main.' false statements i his deatfi-b d, w.hi n he has no motive to ct). Aaron Burr di< d afti r a long life full of v t. He left bat little character and no de- pidants to be affected by it. In his last hours, e as asked by Dr. Hosack, an eminent and oirab'e Physician, if he had ever, at any n, contemplate a dissolution of the Union. ]\- indignantly replied: "No, I would as ni, have thought of taking possession, of the il i ant! dividing it out among my friends." Aitho* Louisiana iva? now (1701 the ! tes, ilic W ' in : ci asi -!•;!• \\ :■ Mil desirous to 1 I upon them fa I their nine, .•■■:■■,■: |]|'dt) \Vi coi imi rce. Tin S| mi .' v re still in T and upon the waf oi the Mo- bile. As Burr h I . n e a mined man in the A [antic i never there hope to rise t. to favor, if was natural that ho i hou - prejudices of men in II V" ;. and to avail himself of their discontent. ! le. doul to m my pi rso is hi Id out different \ ievi . i b i suiti d his designs and their own feel i i . It is perfecily natural that a man of his ingi un- ity should avail himtelf of all expedients to raise arms, mom y ai d men sufficient to c u- duet a magnificent conquest; the last hope left to gratify an inordinate ambition when the same scheme made him restless and fe- verish even in his days ol lienor and pros- perity. A f'pirit like his could not be sub- dued by misfortunes or the common hatred Of mankind. (Success was ever u] pernios! m his mind. He knew that a failure would re- dound to his eternal disgrace. Hence every effort was made to enlist in the cause ihe w saltri- iest and inert daring spirits of the West : and he did pngra&e many such who aferwards abandoned him. It cannot be believed at this day that Aaron Burr would have attempted the -'.; edition he did. no matter v. hi th'er it was to invade Mexico, break until- Spanish posses- sions upon the Mobile river, Tpxas arid the Ploridas; or to dismember the Union and foim a separate cofifi di racy, without abundant as- surances of support from many wealthy and influential persons in the West. Aaron Burr, unfortunately for himself, lived at too early a period. The enterprise failed by i:m premature alarm of his associates, and he was forever a doomed man in public estima- tion. In 183fi, the citizens of this very West- ern country poured in hundreds Open the plains of Texas, ami took a large portion of this Mexican territory. The altii s of Texas were citizens of the United States. They marched through Mobile and NewOrleans arm- ed and equipped, and were not arrested by the civil authorities of this Government. Was it thus with Col. Burr? Twice was he arrested and arraigned before the tribunals of Kentucky upon suspicion, and after that, when pursuing his way down the Missisippi, had hi.- boats and men captured and he again held a prison, r. Col. Burr has been treated by posterity With much injustice. His memory is still the 'theme Of reproach. Early impressions are hard to eradicate. The beautiful spi eeh of William Wirt, intended for the ears of the Jury alone, has been published, circulated extensively, in- corporated, in School Books, and memorised by 6 American youth. Tt was unfortunate for P li iir of tfie night. The little cabin stood iinmediati ly on ll highway and two travellers rode near the door, who enquired if the village contained a tavern; answered in the affirmative, one oi them asked if < !ol. Hinson lived in the neighborhood. II. ■ was informed that it was seven miles distant to his house, (he road obscure and a difficult Creek lay in the route. Nothing daunted, the rider eagerly sought information as to the forks and how to wo^:- the Creek. By this time the fire, replenished with light-wood, threw a blaze in the face of the traveller nearest the door. His countenance was highly interesting. tiis ores sparkled like diamonds. lie rode a splendid horse with fine saddle and holsters. — His dress was that of a very plain countryman, but beneath Ids coarse pantaloons protruded a pair of fashotrable boots. His Sti iking counte- nance, together with the strange mixture of his apparel and pquipage produced in the mind of Perkins vivid and permanent susj Lions, and a* they rode off he remarked to Malone, "That is Aaron Burr." "How do you know 7" "I have read a discription of him in the proclamations, audi am certain 'tis he. He most be appre- hended. Let us follow him to Hinson's and take measures for his arrest." Malone remon- strated upon the folly of such an expedition at so late an hour of the night, and declined to ac- company htm. The impulsive Perkins now waked upTbtodore Brightwell, the Sheriff, then asleep in an adjoining house. Both mounting their horses, they took the road to Co!. Hinson's. The night was bitter cold aud the pine forest moaned and moaned again, the most lonesome and melancholly sighs ! The two strangers reached Col. Hinson's in safety about eleven o'clock at night, ar.d hailed at the gate. The moon was now up and Mrs. Hinson rising from her bed, saw through the window their saddle bags and tin cups and knew they were travellers. She made no an- swer, because her husband was not at home. — The strangers went into the kitchen where a large fire was still blazing. Perkins and Bright- well shortly hove in sight of the dwelling. — The former recollecting that the travel- lers had seen him at the cabin declined to go in the House, but sent Brightwell, whom he requested to return to him at a certain place in the woods, after he had ascertained whether the person was Burr, or not. Mrs. Hinson recogni- zing the voice of the Sheriff, who was her rela- tion, rose and opened the door, saying how glad she was to see him, as two strangers had stop- ped at the house and her husband being absent she felt alarmed. Brightwell repaired to the kitchen, found the mysterious traveller sitting by the fire with his head down and a handker- chief partly concealing his face. His compan- ion had gone to attend to the horses. A hasty Kuntvr was prepared hi the' rrfa'in building, ivhich was.a JjubiH log h i ur-?t;, and the strangers, sat down to it. '1 'he elder gentleman thanked the lady in the most courteous terms for her kindness and apologised for the trouble they imposed on her. His conversation was most agreeable, and Mrs. Hinson soon discover- ed that the gentl< a; in and his attire did not cor- respond. His attention was often directed to Brightw.el'l, who stood before the Ike and at whom he cast the k enest glances evidently en- deavor Fug to read his thoughts. A momentary Feparatgon taking place between the strangers after supper',- Mrs. Hinson asked the younger one, "Do I not sir have honor* of entertaining in my house, the celebrat d Col. Burr? " Contu- sed and mortified he gave her no satisfactory answer, but left the room. This question was ted by Brigluweil, who had previously c'ommuni afi d his suspicions to her. Early in the in truing the mysterious person* a: ■■', seeking a .] inl rvis w, disclosed his name T : Mrs. IliesMH, regr< tted the absence of her husband whom he. had seen at Natchez, said he was discovered and woufd prosecute lis j inrney, but had intended passing a week with Col. Hinson. After enquiring the route to Ifensaeola, and M ^Carson's ferry onthnTom- bigbyyhe vailed for writing materials and indi- ted several Liters. His companion was des- patched on the back route for some purpose.— He returned about ') o'clock in the morning and lite travellers set out for the Cut-ulf not far dis- tant. Ij"t as now return to Col. Perkins whom we left last night in the woods, highly excited and shivering in the cold. Why did not Brightwell keep his promise ? No one knows — it is a mys- tery to '.his day. Perkins remained at his post until his patience was exhausted and supposing that Brightweli, probably on account the facina- tions of Burr, or the pity which had seized him iu bis behalf, had betrayed their plans, now mounted his horse and rode rapidly to the house ot Mr. Joseph Bates, sr., at Nannahubba Bluff, to avoid the Creeks in the main route to Fort Stoddart. He procured from that gentleman a canoe and negro, dropped! down the Tombigby and arrived ai Fort Stoddart just after day break. The. commandant was Edmund P. Gaines, then a young Lieutenant, now a distinguished Major General. Col. Perkins briefly acquainted that officer with the particulars of his last night's ad- venture and of hif; suspicions, which altho' ni slight foundation, had nevertheless impressed him with solemn convictions of their truth. — Placing himself at the head of a file of mounted soldiers, the Lieutenant immediately rode off with Perkins. On the riseofa hill, South of a branch and near a wolf-pen, two miles below Col. Hinsons, the Lieutenant suddenly encoun- tered the person he was pursuing, riding in com- pany with his travelling companion, and th« Sheriff Bright '.veil, when the fjj'ipwing conversa- tion took place. G tines. T prosum? I hare the Inn >r of ad- dressing Col. Burr? Burr. I am a traveller atari a stranger in the laud,- and I do not recognize your right to ask such a question. Gaines. J arrest you at the instance of the United' Slates. Burr. By what authority do you arrest me, a traveller and stranger in the highway, on my own private business.? Gaines. I ani an ofncu' of ih" United States iri'.iv- I hold in my hand the Proclamation ot the Pre.-ident, and the Governor pi' the Missis- sippi Territory, directing your arrest. Burr. You area young man and may not be aware of the responsibility of arresting a- trav- eller ? Gainer*. I am aware of my responsibility — I know my duty. Col Burr now i ntered into a brief argument to she'w that these proclamations shouid never have been issued, a nd that in following their dictates the Lieutenant would be subjecting hitn-elf to much damage, and blame. His manner was'4'irm, his air majestic, and his lan- guage impressive; but the firm young officer told him his mind was made up — he must ac- company him to his quarters where he would be treated with all the respect due the ex-Yice President of the United Slates, so long as he made no attempt to escape. Without further remonstrance, Col. Burr became a prisonei, and separated from the two gentlemen riding with him. The party reached Fort Stoddart in the evening, and the prisoner was shewn his apart- ment where he took his dinner alone. ■ Late in the night, Col. Burr heard a groan in an ad- joining room. He rose, opened the door, and approached the bed-side of Mr. George S. Gaines, who was suffering from sickness. — Burr's manner was kind to him, he felt his pulse, efferred his services, said he had traveled much and knew something of medicine. They entered into a sprightly conver- sation. Burr asked questions about the coun- try and the Choctaw Indians, among whom Mr. Gaines lived as United States factor. The ne.xt day Burr being introduced to the wife of the commandant, a daughter of the late Judge tiarrv Toulman, dined wiiii the family, and en- livened the whole party with his wit, spr.ightli- ne'ss and elegant discourse. In the evening, he played chess with Mrs. Gaines, with whom he was often a frequent competitor in that in- teresting game. Of nights he SQUghj ll a com- pany of the invalid, who became exceedingly at- tached to Col. Burr. During their mid-night conversations, often and often would the gcod heart of George S. Gaines grieve over the n - fortunes of this great man. During the time they were together. Col. Burr never once alltt- ded to his arrest, his troubles or his future plans. From early youth it had been his custom to conceal tilings in relation to himself, and he al- ways endeavored to throw an air oi mystery over his acts. After Col. Burr had been safely conducted to Fort Stoddart, the indefatigable Perkins de- parted for Wakelie'd, and caused the arrest of Burr's traveling companion, who was a Maj. Ashly. Justices William H. Hargrave and John Caller placed him under a guard, from whom he fled in the night, and made his way rapidly to Tennessee, where he became engaged in ta- king testimony for Burr's trial at Richmond. — The distinguished prisoner had been confined at the Fort tor three weeks before Lieuten- ant Gaines completed his arrangements to convey him to Washington city. The dif- ficulties were great. There were no roads, no carriages, no ferries, and few men could be found in the then sparsely settled country who would undertake a journey so long and peril- ous over savage lands. Finally, Col. Burr left the fort under guard, and proceeded in a gov- ernment boat up the Alabama river and into the Tensaw lake, with Lieutenant Gaines, and stopped at the house of Mr. John Mills. Here some ladies wept upon seeing the low estate to which this great man was reduced, and one of them, Mrs. Jack Johnson, named her son Aaron Burr. He is still alive, and he was not the only boy named Aaron Burr in the Missis- sippi Territory. The ladies every where es- poused his cause in this South Western new world. It is a prominent and noble trait in the female character, to admire a man of daring and generous impulses, and to pity and defend him in his adversities. At the boat yard in the present county of Baldwin, State of Alabama, the crew disem- barked, and here lived William and John Pierce, natives of New England, who had sev- eral years before established one of the first cotton gins in Alabama, and a trading establish- ment. Gaines gave the command of the guard intended to convey Burr to Washington City, to Colonel Nicholas Perkins, a lawyer, late from Tennessee. His men were Thomas Malone, formerly a clerk in the land office at Raleigh, N. C, and then the clerk of Washington coun- ty. Alabama. John Henry, of Tennessee, John Mills, a native of Alabama, Henry B. Slade of North Carolina, and two brothers, M'Cormacks, from Kentucky — added to these were two Uni- ted States soldiers. They were all men whom Perkins selected, and whom he could rely upon under all circumstances. He took these men aside and obtained from them the most solemn pledges, that upon the whole route to Wash- ington city, they would not converse with Burr, or li t him escape alive. Perkins knew how fascinating Burr was and he feared his familiar- ity with hia men — indeed, he feared the same influence upon himself. Hia character for ma- king strong impression upon the human mind and attaching men to him by association,'was well known to the world. When Col. Burr fled from the Natchez settlement, he procured a disguised dress and was still attired in it. — His pantaloons were of corse, coaperas cloth with a roundabout of inierior drab. His hat a flaping, wide-brimed beaver, had in times been white but now gave evidences of having en- countered much rough weather. Placed upon his fine horse, he bestrode him most elegantly and flashed his large dark eyes as though he were at the head of his New York regiment. — To use a common expression of the old set- tlers who saw him in Alabama, "his eyes were peculiar, they looked like stars." Each man of the expedition carried provisions for himself and some for Col. Burr. They were all well mounted, with no arms except pistols in hol- sters, and two muskets, borne by the two sol- diers. The party set out from the boat yard in the latter part of February, 1807. In a quarter of a mile of this place the dreadful mas- sacre of Fort Mims occurred six years after- wards. Pursuing the Indian path which led from the "Bigby settlement" to Fort Wilkinson on the distant Oconee, the guard traveled the first day about 30 miles. At night the only tent in company was pitched for the prisoner, who reposed himself upon his blankets. The low- er part of Monroe county, abounded with im- mense pine forests. Here the Ex- Vice Presi- dent lay, the first night, by rousing fires, which threw a glare over the dismal woods, while his ears were saluted with the howl of hungry wolves ! In the wilds of Alabama in a small tent, reposed this august personage ; having no one to converse with; surrounded by a guard ; a prisoner of the United States, for whose lib- erties he had fought ; whose government he had helped to form ; exiled from New York whose statutes and institutions bore the im- press of his great mind ; deprived by death of his splendid wife; his only child then on the distant coast of Carolina; his professional per- suits abandoned and his fortune swept from him; the magnificent scheme of the conquest of Mexico uprooted and the fragments dispersed; slandered and hunted down from one end of the Union to the other — all these things were sufficient to weigh down an ordinary being and sink him to an untimely grave. Col. Burr, however, was no common man. In the morning he rose cheerfully and pursued his journey. Although guarded with vigilance, his few wants were gratified as far as they could be, and he was treated with re- spect and kindness. The trail being narrow, as are all Indian highways, Burr rode in the middle, having a part of the guard in front and the others behind him, all in single file. The route lay about eight miles south of the present 10 city of Montgomery,then an Indian town call- ed Econcharte, meaning Red Ground In 181 i General Wade Hampton cut out the "Federal road" along this trail, which was well known to early settlers as the only highway in South Alabama. The guard passed by the site of the present Mount Meigs and stopped at the house of "old Milley," the former wife of a British sol- dier who, witli her husband, in 1770, left the barracks at Savannah & come to the creek na- tion. She had long been a resident of ihese wild woods, now lying in the county of Mont- gomery. Her husband at this time, a colored man named Evans, was employed by Perkins to pilot the party across the dangerous creeks, Line, Cubahatchee and Calebee, all of which they had to swim. It was a perilous and fa- tiguing march, and for days the rain decended in chilling torrents upon these unsheltered horsemen, collecting in rivulets and svviming them at every point. Hundreds of Indians thronged the trail and in a moment the party could have been shot down; but the fearless Perkins bore on his distinguished prisoner a- mid angry elements and human foes. In their journey through^Alabama, they always slept in the woods, near swamps of reed, upon which the belled and hobbled horses fed during the night. After a hastily prepared breakfast, it was their custom, again, to remount and march on in gloomy silencr, which was sometimes bro- ken by a remark about the weather; the creeks, or the horses. Col. Burr was a splendid ri- der, sitting firmly in the saddle, and always on the alert. He was also a hardy traveler. Altho' wet for hours with a cold and clammy ram, riding forty miles a day, and at night stretch- ed upon the bare ground upon a thin pallet, yet in the whole distance to Richmond, the impen- etrable Aaron Burr was never heard to com- plain that he was sick, or even fatigued. At the Chattahoochie was a crossing place, owned by an Indian named Marshal. The effects of the expedition were carried over the river in canoes, and the horses swam along side. In this man- ner they crossed the Flint and Ocmulgee. Ar- riving at Fort Wilkinson, on the Oconee, they entered the first ferry boat they had seen on the whole route. A lew miles further on they were sheltered by the first civilized roof— a house of entertainment kept by one, Bevin. While breakfast was preparing, and while. the guard were seated around a large fire, the host, like all publicans on the highway, enquired from whence they came. As they were from the "Bigbee settlements," he immediately fell upon the fruitful theme of the traitor, Aaron Burr. He asked if he had been taken, was he not a very bad man, and wan't every body afraid oi him? Perkins and his party were very much annoyed and embarrassed, and made no reply. Burr was sitting in a sorner by the fire with his head down > he"now raised it, a».d planting his fiery eyes upon Bevin. said: "I am Aaron Burr, what is it you want with me?" Bevin, struck with his" appearance, the keenness ot' his look, the solemnity and dignity of his man- ner, stood aghast and trembled like a leaf. He uttered not another word while the guard re- mained at his house. When Perkins reached the confines of South Carolina, he watched Burr more closely than ever. In this State lived Burr's son-in-law, Col. Joseph Alston, a man of talents, wealth and influence, and afterwards the Governor of the State. Perkins, upon reaching the frontier of Georgia, endeavored to convey the prisoner in bye-roads, and to avoid the towns, lest he should be rescued. The plan was attended with difficulty — they were lost often, the march impeded and the liighway was again resumed. Just betore entering the town of Chester Court House, in South Carolina, the party halted. Two men were placed before Burr, two on eith- er side, and two behind, and in this manner they passed near a tavern in the street, where many persons were standing, while music and dancing was heard in the house. Seeing the assembly of men so near him, Col. Burr sud- denly dismounted, and exclaimed in a loud voice, ci I am Aaron Burr, under military ARREST, AND CLAIM THE PROTECTION OF THE civil authorities !" Perkins immediately dis- mounted with several of the guard, and order- ed him to remount. Burr said, " I will not." Not wishing to shoot him, Perkins threw down his pistols, and being a man of prodigious strength, and the prisoner a small man, seized him round the waist and placed him in his sad- dle as though he were a child. Thomas Ma- lone seized the reins of the horse, slipped them over his head and led Burr rapidly on. The astonished citizens of Chester Court House had seen a party enter with a prisoner, had heard him appeal to them for protection, had seen him forced on his horse again, and the party vanish before they had time to recover from their confusion: for when Burr got down from his horse, the guard generally cocked their pistols and the people ran in the piazza to get out of danger. This feat proves that Per- kins was well fitted for the difficult task Lieu- tenant Gaines had assigned him. Burr was still, to some extent, popular in South Carolina, and any wavering or timidity on the part of Perkins would have lost him his prisoner ; but the celerity of his movements gave no time for the people to reflect, before he was far ofT in the outskirts of the village. — He.e the guard halted ; Col. Burr was in a high state of excitement — he was in tears! The kind-hearted Malone also wept at seeing the low condition to which this great man was brought. It was the first time any one had ever seen Aaron Burr unmanned. The bold attempt to escape, its failure, and the treatment 11 he received, produced these sudden emotions. ■ The guard were very much alarmed tor fear Burr would bo rescued in South Carolina. — Malone and Henry advised the purchase of a carriage. The former took charge of the guard and proceeded on. while Perkins returned to the village and purchased a gig. The next day Burr was placed in this vehicle and was driven without further incident to Fredericksburg, Va. Here dispatches from President Jefferson re- quired Perkins to convey the prisoner to Rich- mond. The guard took the stage and soon reached that place. The ladies of Richmond vied with each other in contributing to the corn- torts of Col. Burr. Some sent him fruit, some ■clothes, some wine, some one thing and some another. Perkins and his men went to Wash- ington, were paid for their services and return- ed to Alabama by way of Tennessee. Col. Burr arrived at Richmond, on the 26th March, 1807. For the want of testimony he was net placed on trial for "treason" until the 27th August. On the 1st September the jury l-eturned a verdict of "not guilty." While at Richmond he was entertained in good style, at the Hotel a portion of the time. On the 30th •June, however, he was committed to thePene- tentiary, where he was furnished with three good rooms in the third story, making an ex- tent of one hundred feet. Here many dstin- guished friends paid him their respects, at, d his daughter, Mrs. Alston, and her son, lived with him. Thus were the only members remaining, -of this eventful family, in prison together. On the 9th September a jury was empanelled to try Col. Burr, far "misdemeanor," and on the 15th Mr. Hay. the District Attorney, not being able to make out the case for the United States, moved that the Jury be discharged. The prisoner ob- jecting, and insisting on a verdict, the Court re- fused to discharge the Jury, and after a short absence, they returned with a verdict of acquit- tal. Thus ended the most expensive and ex- traordinary trial known to the country. The feeling against Col. Burr, on account of the killing of Hamilton, rendered his home an unsuitable place to reside, and he determined to travel in Europe, until time should allay the pre- judices of men. On the 17th June, 1808, Col. Burr sailed for England, where he spent much t:me, being treated with great distinction. The winter of 1809, found him in Edinburg. He resided some time in Sweden and Germany and went from the latter country to Paris, the 16th Febiuary, 1810. Bonaparte, influenced no doubt by letters from America, conceived an immoveable prejudice against Col. Burr, and for along time, refused to grant him passports to leave the country. At length in June, 1811, the Duke de Bassano, influenced Napoleon to per- mit him to leave the Continent, and he arrived in New York the 8th June, 1812. Here he be- came engaged in his profession, living in digni- fied obscurity, if such a position could be assign- ed to a man of his notoriety. Having lost his wife, his grand son, Aaron Burr Alston, and lastly his accomplished daughter, Theodosia, who perished upon the Ocean, and over whose melancholy fate hangs mystery to this day, Col. Burr was, in addition to his persecutions, the most bereaved man in the world ! He had nothing to live for, yet he lived to the advanced age of eighty! On the 11th September, 1836, he died without a struggle, on Staten Island, New York, whither he had gone for pure air. His body, attended by relations and friends, was placed on board of a steam-boat, taken to Am- boy and from thence to Princeton, where it was entombed with military honors, among the graves of his ancestors ! Note— No one knows where Col. Burr was going when arrested by Lieutenant Gaines, but from his enquiries of Mrs. Hinsonand the course he was pursuing, the strong presumption is that he was endeavoring to reach Pensacola, and from thence to sail for a foreign country. The foregoing historical sketch has been com- piled from the best authorities — from Monette's History of the Mississippi Valley — Memoirs of Aaron Burr, by M. L. Davis — Clarke's proofs of the corruption of Wilkinson — Memoirs of Wilkinson, by himself — Familiar Letters on Public characters, and the various American State papers. The facts which relate more immediately to Alabama, I have derived from the lips of Mr. George S. Gaines, of Mobile, one of the purest and best men in the State, from Mr. Thomas Malone, a venerable and highly respectable cit- izen of Mobile county, who was one of Burr's guards, as related. I also made notes from con- versations with Mrs.^Sturdevant, formally Mrs. Hinson, at whose house Burr stopped all night, and from Mrs. Houze, both ladies of great res- pectability, now residing in Mobile. I have en- deavoured to present Aaron Burr to the coun- try as he was at that day, free from prejudice on my part. I believe the sketch to be a correct one ill all respects, A. J. PICKETT. H 257 79 . i 'oK ^o 1 v»o* "by ^ *. r ^ ^ *o, -» . > * A <* *^7vT 4 g* ^> ^o< o V ^o^ "oV c A v / *°^. V *~ *■ '•♦ "*b. > ^ ^0* ^o* .am©*- "ov* F . t • o . y c° yj^ 'bK ^o* * ^ "-' >* ^CT ^ c >- ^0 .v^ " o V ip^. JULY 79 N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 4fiQfi? »°V A l v . ' • *v fc *