Details
[BURR, AARON]. EATON, William (1764-1811), Army Officer, diplomat. Autograph letter signed ("William Eaton") to Dwight Foster, Brimfield, [MA.], 22 August 1806. 1½ pages, folio, integral address leaf, in fine condition.
PRESIDENT JEFFERSON LEARNS OF BURR'S WESTERN CONSPIRACY
Eaton, who served as consul in Tunis in 1801, had led a bold expedition against Tripoli in 1804 which won him considerable public acclaim as "the hero of Derne," in spite of his reputation for contentious and rancorous behavior. After his return to the U.S. he was apparently contacted by former Vice-President Aaron Burr, who was recruiting a band of adventurers. Under indictment for murder in the aftermath of his celebrated duel with Hamilton, Burr had gone to the western frontier and, in one of the most mysterious episodes in American history, launched a scheme to instigate war with Spain, seize frontier lands and separate the western states from the Union. Eaton was offered the post of second in command, under General Wilkinson. Eaton, though, as he recounts here, disclosed the scheme to the President in the spring of 1806.
Eaton confirms the newspaper accounts: "We perceive by northern and western papers that the germ of a revolution is discovered on the waters of the Mississippi which contemplates the dismemberment of the union. The facts exist in truth, and the suspicion is correctly fixed on its leaders...I intimated apprehensions of this event to the President of the US early in the last session of Congress. He answered 'There is too much knowledge and integrity among the people to give room to any apprehension of the kind.'" Eaton offers his testimony against Burr: "I desire this statement of mine may be held confidentially until I have the honor of an interview, of which I am solicitous on this subject and which I request you will direct most conveniently to yourself. I will develope [sic] as much of the project as I have grounds to substantiate."
Ultimately, a depostition furnished by Eaton at Jefferson's request was introduced as evidence in Burr's highly publicized treason trial. Among other particulars, it alledged that Burr and his band wished to march on Washington and throw the President (Jefferson) into the Potomac.
PRESIDENT JEFFERSON LEARNS OF BURR'S WESTERN CONSPIRACY
Eaton, who served as consul in Tunis in 1801, had led a bold expedition against Tripoli in 1804 which won him considerable public acclaim as "the hero of Derne," in spite of his reputation for contentious and rancorous behavior. After his return to the U.S. he was apparently contacted by former Vice-President Aaron Burr, who was recruiting a band of adventurers. Under indictment for murder in the aftermath of his celebrated duel with Hamilton, Burr had gone to the western frontier and, in one of the most mysterious episodes in American history, launched a scheme to instigate war with Spain, seize frontier lands and separate the western states from the Union. Eaton was offered the post of second in command, under General Wilkinson. Eaton, though, as he recounts here, disclosed the scheme to the President in the spring of 1806.
Eaton confirms the newspaper accounts: "We perceive by northern and western papers that the germ of a revolution is discovered on the waters of the Mississippi which contemplates the dismemberment of the union. The facts exist in truth, and the suspicion is correctly fixed on its leaders...I intimated apprehensions of this event to the President of the US early in the last session of Congress. He answered 'There is too much knowledge and integrity among the people to give room to any apprehension of the kind.'" Eaton offers his testimony against Burr: "I desire this statement of mine may be held confidentially until I have the honor of an interview, of which I am solicitous on this subject and which I request you will direct most conveniently to yourself. I will develope [sic] as much of the project as I have grounds to substantiate."
Ultimately, a depostition furnished by Eaton at Jefferson's request was introduced as evidence in Burr's highly publicized treason trial. Among other particulars, it alledged that Burr and his band wished to march on Washington and throw the President (Jefferson) into the Potomac.
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