Details
BURR, AARON. Autograph letter signed ("A. Burr") to Jonathan Rhea of Trenton, New Jersey; Richmond, 25 July 1807. 2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf detached, browned.
BURR PLANS THE DEFENSE IN HIS TREASON TRIAL
Burr, under indictment for treason for his failed scheme to seize the Spanish territories in the west by military force, seeks to discredit several important witnesses against him, Col. Morgan and his two sons, who claim to have been party to Burr's plans. "...George Morgan late of Princeton: his sons John & Thomas... have been swearing before the grand jury and will doubtless swear again before the Petit Jury to conversation with me of an extraordinary nature; such as never took place and by no probability could ever have taken place. I am told that the characters of George and John, whilst Inhabitants of your State, were rather light and to say the least, equivocal in point of credit. It is interesting to me to establish this fact...." Burr gives the names of the witnesses who might testify against the Morgans on Burr's behalf, but wishes "some men of higher grade could be had...but better any reputable man than none," and he asks Rhea to "procure the enclosed subpoenae to be served on such persons as you may know or suppose, to be willing to dispose," of the charges against him. In a postscript, Burr asks "what has become of my Indictment in your State? Mr. Reckless wrote me that it was disposed of...."
BURR PLANS THE DEFENSE IN HIS TREASON TRIAL
Burr, under indictment for treason for his failed scheme to seize the Spanish territories in the west by military force, seeks to discredit several important witnesses against him, Col. Morgan and his two sons, who claim to have been party to Burr's plans. "...George Morgan late of Princeton: his sons John & Thomas... have been swearing before the grand jury and will doubtless swear again before the Petit Jury to conversation with me of an extraordinary nature; such as never took place and by no probability could ever have taken place. I am told that the characters of George and John, whilst Inhabitants of your State, were rather light and to say the least, equivocal in point of credit. It is interesting to me to establish this fact...." Burr gives the names of the witnesses who might testify against the Morgans on Burr's behalf, but wishes "some men of higher grade could be had...but better any reputable man than none," and he asks Rhea to "procure the enclosed subpoenae to be served on such persons as you may know or suppose, to be willing to dispose," of the charges against him. In a postscript, Burr asks "what has become of my Indictment in your State? Mr. Reckless wrote me that it was disposed of...."