The New York Herald Newspaper, March 9, 1861, Page 2

webearee the history of the various shooks—if such they many bo termed—which the bas been com- pebed to experience in arriving at its present stage of prooperity. Such is the object of the fullowing article, ‘The firs) was— caer THE ARMY PLOT, ‘This was « conspiracy that ocourred iu the year 1783. ‘The War of Independence, which for seven long years had erushed tocarth with meroiiess tread the energy and in- dustry of the American people, had terminated, peace was about being declared, aud the three cities occupied by British troops were evacuated—Savannah iz July, New York ia November ani Oharlestern in December of the same year. Although the struggle bad thus been brought toa triumphent iseue by the Unied States, yet the coun- try was impoverished to'the iast degree, The govera” ment had incurred @ debt of forty millions of dollars, besides twenty millions incurred by the iedividual States. ‘Faxation could not yield » tithe of the amount demanded Ahrough it, and in 1782, of eight millions of dollars called for by the goverament, only four hogdred and twenty thousand dollars were obtained. Much ef the Serritory had weer laid waste, commerce was nearly famnibilated, and the circulating medium bad ecome ge utterly worthless that, by a deeree of Congress, its Sanctions were terminated. Added to this, an army of ‘ten thousand men were large creditors to Congress, their pay deing greatly in arrears. They had been promised prompt liquidation at the close ef the war; but se crip- pled was the government in its peouniary affairs that jus- tiee to the brave soldiers in this particular was out of the question. Many feared an open insurrection, and per- Rape a civil war, when orders should be given for dis- banding the army; for starviag men, with arms in their hhande, were quite likely to help themselves. Events which immediately preceded the act of disbanding Shreatened to realize these fears. ‘ta October, 1780, Congress had passed an act granting half pay for life after the close of the war; but nine States had omitted to ratify this grant, and it was in danger of becoming a dead letter. The officers, many of whom had exhausted their private fortunes in the service of the eountry, petitioned that the half pay for life should be changed to full pay for five years, and that the arrearages should be paid. This reasonable Fequest was uot immediately complied with by Oongress, and indications were apparent in the amp at Newburg of the approaching evil. hero were some among the officers who sacribed the imefficiency of the government to ite republican form. In fhe midst of these gloomy forebodings Washington re- eeived a Jeter from Lewis Nicols, an old and highly re- wpectable colonel of the Penagyvania line, but a foreigaer by birth, proposing the estabMehment of an independent monarchy, and intimating the desire of the army to make the Commander.in-Chief King. How many officers were concerned in this intyigue is not known, but it werves to show that the then popular dread of a stand- img army was not without foundation. To this letter Warhington made quick reply, steraly rebuking the writer. He declared that no event during the war had given him so much pain; that he was at a logs to con- eetve what part of his conduct had given encouragement ‘to such an address; avowed his earnest desire to havo done the army, and his firm adherence to repub- principles, and concluded:—Let me conjure you, ‘then, if you have any regard for your country, concern fer yourself or ity, or respect for me, to banish those thoughts four mind, and never communi- este, as from ef the like nature.” the patriotism of that chief, who, at the head veted army and at the general seer ould thus repel a crown, and so indignantly pebuke the man who held it up to view. This of Congress to provide for their wants pro- among the throt jioned y was circulated in the camp at Newburg, accom- with a very energetically written letter or address their hardships, and asserting that ‘of relieving them, ‘trampled upon their cries and insulted their dia- pan eompiaining of . their Fighta, disdained ‘reases.”’ Fortunately, Washington was in the camp, and with hig usu! promptness and wisdom called a general meet- ‘ing of al! the ‘sin place of the irregular one. He made a short speech, in which he appealed to the pairict. ism and good sense of the officers, entreating 1 to rely on the justice of Congress, and stigmatizing the famonymous addresses as probably the work of some Britiah emissary whose object was disgrace to the army ‘end ruin tothe country. He then rotired, and left the meeting to its own deliberations. No one arose to coun Seract the effect of this speech. 7 4 committee appointed for that purpose, of whieh ‘Manon, one of Washington’s lirmest adberents, was chair mean, reported a series of resolutions oxpressing “un shaken confidence in the justice of Congress,’ and ‘ab. Rorrence and disdain” of the infamous proposal of the late mponymous addresses. The malcontents were totaily @iwooncerted, and these resolutions were unanimously fashington wrote immediately to Congress with great urgency and feeling upon the subject. and that body ti to commute che nalf pay for life into KecyeaeKurpay in one grote sum, cortifizates to be ‘waned for the amount to bear interest at six per cont. ‘This measure, hardly more popular than the half pay Maelf, was loudly condemned by the Legislature of Mas gachusetis. Thereforevsiled, indeed, throughout New England, a astrong feoling against the whole scheme of extra pay. Saeanwiile, the preliminary treaty arrived in Ameri:a. ‘Aa the army could not be safely disbanded ao long as the ‘ork, pronounced whe engage! war to be binding till the treaty of peace was dednitely ratified. , however, were issued for granting far! or @iecharges at the discretion of the Commander-in Chief, end the lines of fr seme and Pennsylvania were or- to march to their respective States. Three months’ was to be furnished to the furloughed soldiers; and were also to keep their armsand accoutrements as an ‘entra allowance. ine amount, however, was not forth. ‘coming, owing to the continued depression in nADCes the snes ty ‘and at these preparations for disbandt army white Aheir aves, stil remained unsettled, symptoms of uneasiness again made ‘appearance ‘wmeng the officers in the on at Newburg. Some delay which cocurred in preparing the notes for the three months’ pay led to a bumiliating insult to Congress. A ‘Pennsylvania soldiery—some three jn vumber—lately arrived from the Southern ent, bad already given signs of insub- by sending an insolent letter to Con- Soon after a part ee een took up their line of march for Philadelphia, arriving there, beseiged for three hours the doors of the Btate House, in which Congress was in session, send- tng in demands for immediate payment. Congress sent ‘werd to Washin, of the revolt, and, disgusted at the wenduct of the Pennsylvania Council in not calling out the militia of the State to ey al it, Ln hg to Princeton Promptly sent and the revolt was 9 mutineers being tried ‘by court martial and sentenced to be shot. Ail, how- ever, were presently pardoned, and, the government settling their arrearages, no further difficulty was experi- ewced. Thus ended the Gret conspiracy against the au thority of the land. SHAYS’ REBELLION—1786-7. ‘Fhis recond outbreak occurred in Massachusetts in 1786-7. The General Court had voted customs and emmise @auties for producing a revenue sufficient to mect the in- terest on the State debt; but it was also necessary to smaeet the instalments of the principal, and to make some Fesponse to the repeated requisitions of Congress. The ‘empual State tax amounted to nearly a million of dollars, ‘and many of the farmers bad fallen bebind,in their pay- ments. They were encumbered berides with private edie, to which law costs were added. County conven, tiene called to complain of the grievances had been fol- fowed in Worcester and the countier west of it by armod mobs, which prevented the sitting of the courts. The real difficulty, however, was the poverty and ox- hhavetion of the country consequent upon the war, the ‘want of a certain and remunerative market for the pro- @ece of the farmer, and the depression of domestic manu- G@actures by competition from abroad. But, asoften hap- pens in such cases, the popular mind glanced only at the surface. The grievances privcipally dwelt upon were ‘thefextortions of theflawyers, the aristocratic character @f the Senate, the high salary of the Governor, the sessions of the General Court in Boston, the refusal to issue paper money, and especially the recent grant of ‘ supplo- mentary funds,’’ in the shape of specific taxes conceded to Wongrees,| in addition to the proposed federal impost, ‘ha means of paying the interest on the federal debt. tie emergoucy certain artfal, restiess individuals, such t always step forth on such occasions for the sake @f 2 litte notoriety, came forward to inflame public dis- Sontent at to flatter popular delwsions, The example of ‘Whe Revolutan so lately accomplished maturally enough Suageeted an arms and the overthrow of the existing State ‘mment a8 an appropriate means for the remedy of #0¢4) cy iin, lid t i fu 3 per Meney—a project which the had referred to th Legielatye } rote ta eon taken. The Srargsiie yi remmpiivte or Governor Sullivan, however, succeeted in importing this Of affairs is Massachusotte, special sension of the General to ratinfy the malcontent demande. 4 ravks a cry of “murder” arose from Shay: then broke and fled im confusion, leaving three aie ‘Lin isis pproach d Upon Linceln’s a) % [ane retreated towards wed, but made good where they took post on inaccersible by reason of the snow. very severe, and Lincoln turned aside at Hadley to put his“ troops under cover. Negotiations ensued. The surgents offered to disperse on condition of a general par- don; but Lincoln had no authority to make such a pro- mise. While this negotiation was still pending the in- surgents, hard preased for provisions, broke up their camp and retreated to Petersham, on the borders of Worcester county. As soon as Lincoln was informed of this movement, at six o'clock the same evening, he started in pursuit. Pushing on all night through a driv- ing northeast snow storm, he accomplished a march of forty miles, one of the most rer record, and entered Peteraham the next morning, to the utter astonishment of the insurgents, of whom one hun- dred and fifty were made prisoners. The rest, having had a few minutes’ warning, fled hastily by the northern Most of. the leaders into New Hamp- ecticut being thus dispersed, ‘kahire, the extremo western county, where the malcontents were still more the insur the next day, mherst. ‘They’ were fol- > numerous. Meanwhile the General Court had been called together ; & declaration of rebellion was put forth,and the neigh: boring States were called upon to assist in arresting and dispersing the insurgents who lurked in their borders, whence they made plundering incursions into Massachusetts, proceeding even so far as to kidnap some of their most obnoxious ts. About eighty of these plunderers from New York, after an attack on Btockbi , Were intercepted by as many militia on the road, and an action énsued, in which two were killed and thirty wounded. New Hampehire, Connecticut and New York responded promptly to the request of “Massachu- setts, but Vermont and Rhode Island were more backward. Seme of the leaders fled to Canada, ‘The trouble was finally setttied in this manner:—A free ston laying down their arms and taking the oath of was offered to all who had gorved among the insurgents as privates merely or as Don-commissioned officers, with deprivation, however, for three yen of the right to vote, to serve as jurymen, or to be empleyed ag schoolmasters, inn- keepers or retailera of ardent spirits. The active leadors taken were subject to the decision of a commission ap. pointed for their oo Of those taken and tried, four- teen wore found gullty of treason and sentenced to death. Many others were convicted of sedition. None, how- ever, were executed. Indeed, the punishments inflicted and the terms imposed by the commission above men- tioned, of whom seven hundred and ninety persons took the benefit, were in general very moderate. Harsh meas- ures would not have been safe. Atleast a third of the popu- lation were thought to pages more or less with the ineurgents, and even the slight penalties i were not inflicted without serious opposition. At ensuing general election the prevalence of these sentiments be- came very apparent. The energetic Bowdoin was and Hancock reinstated as Governor, while many of had been most zealous against the 8 their places in the General Court. Thus was ily ter- minated difficulties which at one time wore the moat ing aspect, seemed about to result in the overthrow of one of the sovereignties which it had cost #80 much blood and treasure to establish. THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION—1791-2-3-4. According to the calculations, in 1790, of Alexander Hamilton, then the Secretary of the Treasury, there was required, to meet the charges growing out of the assump. tion of the State debts, an additional annua) revenue of $826,000. This sum he proposed to raise by an increase of the dation on imported spirits, and a tax by way of excise on those produced at home. Accordingly, in 1791, Congrees enacted laws imposing upon all imported spirits a duty varying from twenty to forty cente a gal- lon. The excise to be collected on domestic spirits varied, with their strength, from nine to twenty-five cents per gallon on those distilled from grain, and from eleven to thirty cents when the material was molasses or Mer imported product, thus allowing a considerable q@m:rimipation in favor of the exclusively bome pro. duct, . For the collection of these duties each State was made an inspection district, with its supervisor, and each dis- trict was subdivided into surveys af inspection, each with its inspector. All distillers were required to enter their distilleries at the nearest office of inspection, with & complete description of all the buildings, which build- ings were te be subject to the constant examination of an inspector appointed for that purpose, who was to guage and brand the casks, the duties to be paid before the re- moval of the spirits from the distillery. But to save the expense and trouble to both parties of this constant over- sight, the email! country stills not situated in any town or village were to pay an annual rate of sixty cents per gal- Jon on the capacity of the still. All casks contatuing epirits not properly branded and certified were liable to forfeiture. From the very commencement of the operation of these laws combinations were formod in the four western counties of ‘Ivania to defeat them, and violent acts were re ly committed. The insurgents followed, ns they su , the example of the American Revolution in an excise law. Dis. a reputable bus'nees, an 1 it is ivania alone the number of private Stills was not less five thousand. Rye, their princi- pal crop, was too bulky to transport across the moun- tains, and, having no market for it, they were obliged to convert it into the more ‘ted article of whiskey, which was their priaci item to Pry, enitis beir lands and iron. They at the i of their lives, with ttle or no protection the federal government, and last they were ensbied to raise a little surplus See es ses of living, they were encoun- with a law which forbade them doing as they pleased with the fruits of their labors. In rot it was as bad as ment tax on wheat would be at the pre- sent day Western farmer. ‘The {Bdignation of the ‘was consequently wniver- sal. Public meetings were |, composed of the most infivential , denouncing the law, and resolutions recos ‘ing the public to treat all persons hold- the office cf collector of the tax with contempt. They were tly subjected to all sorts of indignities, Collector for Al- |, hie bair cut off, and he was tarred and feathered. ‘next month aman named Wileon was taken from his bed by in diaguise, carried several miles to « biseksmith’s shop, strij naked, burned with a red-hot trom, and covered a coat of tar and feathers, Others met with similar treat- meat. Tn May, 1792, Congress parsed material modifications to the law, but all to no purpose. The excitement inereased, and 7 ‘were oollectors visited with violence, but also those distillers In sey, 1784, steps taken by the jul were a orument V8 catorte te solisstie of the caniee’ rs ty warrants wore issued agniost distillers, which the to serve. He eusceed- jarebal of the district undertook : ‘ ed with twenty-nine of them, but as he was going, in company with Gen. Neville, the of the district, to nerve the thirtieth by @ party of ed them repulsed with wounded , one of . ble, | a3 the] eleven men garrison ‘of Fort Pitt to himself aod Le Bendted’ strone Pivbo, dade name been deep; oe Seek core officer’ who attempted et pq “iis bio kee, man, Major , lation expedient. The of Neville wen Sownoded ‘and, on information that he was june, tbe admlasion of” ion the house for ny to leave the house, anna ilante wounded, but ‘tees of whom had surrender. The men cat cy seg at where the inapector and mareial hod : itty ti i : 3 i | i £ { & 2 E ‘was fully discussed, fae without arriving at any conclusion, and the Commussioners, aftor iMate ast ey "panle Wai ', Septem! J - for the advance of the ps. soon produced the desired result. or thoughts ensued, and a Convention was held at Parkin- son’s Ferry, in which resolutions of submission to the for the first time adopted. Some blood was di 4 Lee, of Virginia, having issued amnesty to all ‘host entitled to fy the mad Dut on Pawan yer y y of were made, only two wore galt; “of argon and the ether of robbing stances. ‘ultimately ‘pardoned D} a ; coon § |, Were 6 A body of twenty-five hundred men under General Mor- gan remained through the winter encamped in the district; but, order having been restored, these were dis- charged. and returned to homes in the spring. THE ALIEN AND BEDITION LAWS—1798. ‘The next great excitement which pervaded the United States was during the administration of John Adams, and grew out of the passage of the famous Alien and Sedition laws. The French Revolution had jyst reached its high- est point cf delirium, and the people of this country were divided in the sentiments they entertained for the course pursued by France. Mr. Adams wished to preserve aneutrality, but found this impossible, The American Mi- nister had been expelled from the republic, and new orders had been igsued for depredations upon American com- merce. An army was raised, and though there was no ac. tual declaration of war, hostilities commenced on the ocean between the two nations. Several French frigates were taken, with great loss, and it is estimated that not less than three hundred private American vessels wore armed for self-defence and the purpose of privateering. The French government and people were surprised at these hostile demonstrations of the United States, and Napo- leon having come into power, a disposition was mani- fested to recede from the offensive position which had been assumed. Commissioners were again appointed cn behalf of the two governments, and the difficulties were finally adjusted. During this period, however, the people of the United States were convulsed with excitement. ‘The greater part of the immigrants to this country since the adoption of the federal constitution had been either Frenchmen driven thither by their political opi- nions, or Englishmen, Scotchmen and Irishmen who had expreesed ultra republican doctrines, and brought to America a furious hatred of their own government and institutions and hearty good wishes for republican France. A large number of these were desperate and violent men, whoee chief idea of freedom seemed to be the unrestrain- ed indulgence of their own fierce passions and hatreds. These strongly sympathized with the ultra democratic party, and having obtained by naturalization the rights of citizenship, they led off among the most vindictive opponents of the national administration. Some of them Decame candidates, and this raised the question whether the government of the country ought not to be in the hands of native citizens. ‘Many propositions were made with this view, it being thought necessary, as a partof thesystem of defence then under consideration, to vest a power somewhere to send out of the country such foreign residents as might be suspected of co-operating with external enemies. To provide against this contingency three bills were . The first was an ment to tho naturaliza- tion act, extendiog the prev: residence to fourteen years, and requiring five years previous declaration of in- tention to become a citizen. A register was also kept of all aliens resident in the country. A eecond act, limited to two years, gave the President authority to order out of the country all such aliens as he might deem dangerous tothe peace and safety of ths United States. By a third act, in case of declaration of war al! natives or citizens of the hostile nation were liable to be appre: bended or removed. The second of these, which became familiarly known as the ‘‘Alien act,” was vigorously 1; and, though helther of the three wes ever carried into offecty two or three ehiploads of Frenchmen took the hint and left the coun! try. Meanwhile the warlike messures growing out of the fears of a rupture with France—to which we have refer. red—were vigorous! ot forward. Pendi their ess, OD 261 June, 1798, Mr. Lloyd, of Mary- , introduced in the Senate a bili to define more pre- cieely the crime of treason, and to define and pnnigh the crime of sedition. As ori ly introduced the first sec- tion of the bill declared the people of France to be the enemies of the United States, and adherence to them as treason, punishable with death The fourth section provided for punishing by fine and impriconment any person who, by writing, printing or speaking, should attempt to justify the hostile govern. ment of the French or to defame laws of the United States, by any seditious or inflammatory declarations tending to induce a belief that the nent or any of ite officers were influenced by motives hostile to the con- stitution or to the liberties of the people. In passin passi through the Senate and House, however, the bill expari- enced several im] modifications,’ and, ae finally a ae = |. erent J that it ie a high mi iP ble by fine, not exceed- liars, five thousand for persons to con- e against the ment of the United States to impede the operation of the law, or to commit, advise or attempt to prooure any insurrection, riet, unigwful as. The second section sul a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars of any false, scandalous or malicious ee, the government of the United States, or either house of Con- ress, or the President, with intent to defame them or ‘ing them in disrepute, or to excite agamst them the hatred of the people of the United States, or to stir up sedition, or to excite any unlawful combinatioa for op- po Dl! the United States, or to ae tiie designs of any foreign nation against the United States. The act was to continue in force until March, 1801. ‘There were @ this two hundred newspapers published in the States. Ope hundred and seven- yor ye Ag in favor of the federal administration, while of Ddalance, opposed to most of tho leading , * greater portion were ander the exercised an individual influence 5 ‘measures then cal agent in the hands of the statesmen a an important part in the affairs of the young mblic. Pin examining the character and ‘act, it must be taken into consideration it wag mere- at a moment of tarésmened ly a tem one, U han ‘tee governinest was assallt eons marae ee with a malice scarcely paralleled 2 custeg So the 2 cations princi epirit was at time fast ri war, and to the excited minds of duet of the ‘ition began to bensible than of the tories of I ney Sen jon laws in Fs | ! | [ i : E separate existence." Jrferson letter bad been shown, 8; ya to Taylor why this idea should not “TR ie wrote, ‘‘that we are completely under the eaddie gach and Conneotiont, that , croelig, insulting our feelings, ae hausting our strength and subsistence, pat frienda—the Join them from a sort of fami i j ferry itl astitisite bors will ever be the minority, and they are the Jews, with such a ity of stitute from that circumstance the: partion. A listle patience, and we witches: Ars over, their spelis dissolved vermg ot thelr true might and restoring 1o ite true principles.”” Hl oe it i i 5 i ii to Jooge for iieelf, a8 well of ‘nfractions as of the mode | and mensure of redress, Then followed five resolotions, ——q * . He lie BE eet i i F Hl i | t PEE LEE I H I Hi if 2 EE i 2 Eb 3 i i : i § 3 ie F i E 3 z r Zi g j i i : i i i i E it i i ifs Ht H E ef i i ESEE as & 5 i F; I f E i . 5 HM i Bitte sual HE ital Skee i Hiscty rid i pe : Fina eee 4 ey i ui es F F i ge s Fi in) tl c= of the Tederal administration in the party ‘on 2 a8 republicans, anti-federalists or democrats. BURR’S CONSPIRACY—1806-7, Bofore, as well as after his elevation to the position of Vice President, Burr never had the full confidence of the country. His political strength was confined chiefly to New York, and even here he was denounced as a traitor by the more influential republican leaders and presses. By others he was regarded as a man whose energy, en- terprise and audacity would never allow him to rest content with a suberdinate position. Four years had passed by. Jefferson became a candidate for re-election, and a caucus of the administration members was held to select a candidate for the Vice Presiden- cy in the place of the first incumbent. They accord- ingly displaced Burr and nominated George Clinton. Burr was then brought forward by his friends as an in- dependent candidate; but owing to the efforts of Alexan- der Hamilton, whose opinions about him had been frankly expressed three or four years before, he found bimeelf disappointed, distrusted and about to sink alike into political annihilation and pecuniary ruin. He there- fore seized upon a pretext to force Hamilton into a duel, and, as is well known, was successful. The meeting took place July 11, 1804, on the grounds of Weehawken, on the Jersey shore, opposite New York, and Hamilton fell, The outburst of public indignation which fol- lowed this event was tremendous. An indictment for murder found a, Burr, and, after a concealment of a few days in Philadelphia, Burr fied to Georgiato 71806 ho made bis in the West, one of thi iD made his appearance in one of the nominal objects of his journey being a speculation for a canal around the Falls of the Ohio, on the Indiana side. in ulation to General TN Eee Begzestesse ff &, i | it Fe fe z i y' his own oy monn weak ree and reputation, rol in purse re) found himeelf cast hopolessly upon the world, without health or energy, an noe to Lord Anglesy. The latter, however, coldly repelled the solicitations ‘of his ela, sobootmante’ all frustrated, he removed to the island of Guernsey, where, in 1831, wearied with the turmoil of life, he sank’ to rest, His wife returned to ject, erty in a humble abode in thecity of New York. hi hours she was surrounded by strangers and the recipient of their charity, and ber remains were = to their final resting place by some humble Irish THE HARTFORD CONVENTION—1814. From the peculiar analogy which exists between the events of 1814 and those of the present time—the princi- pal difference being that the New England States were leagued together in an attempt at secession then, while the Southern States are now—a history of that period will be especially interesting to the general reader. Bn 9 ae ok todd et oped ‘As early as 1800 wusetts was the locality of an was requir , a8 8 candidate intense excitement growing out of the passage by Con- 2 :. nt Baie grees of what was then known as ‘the Embargo act,’ eieta enbark oun him at Pit whereby certain restrictions wore laid upon the com- The merce of the country as a retaliatory measure against Great Britain for the offensive policy pursued by her in refusing to tolerate a neutral trade. and which floated down with the Meetings were called in Boston, at which resolutions Burr’s boat being the first ready, he declined to wait | were passed declaring the act unconstitutional and arbi- ee nn, trary, and that all who assisted in carrying it into execu- nerbasset’s js penely cpueeiie ‘Mar! . se dane ae enthusiastic tion should be regarded as enemies of the State of Massa- Person of ite owner. was, Hi chusetts and hostile to the liberties of the people, an Irie poeseesing by inheritance a considerab! fortune; & man of education and refinement, Upon the floor of Congress New England was ropre- sented as “ distracted with divisions, prepared for oppo- sition to the authority of the law, and ripening for a se- cession from the Union.’? About this time there also ap- peared upon the stage one John Henry, a subject of Great Britain, who had been employed—in the language of a special message of President Madison—‘‘as a secret egent of the British government in the New Epgland States in intrigues with the disaffected, for the purpose of bringing about resistance to the laws, and eventially, Su concent with ® British force, of de- stroying the Union and forming the eastern par! into @ political connection with Great Bri ag the island, which soon became own by his name, erected a beautiful mansion, sur- rounded by gardens ana conservatories, and furnished it ina — yet unknown beyon¢ the mountains. Blenner- barset’s wife was no less enthusiastic than himself, and she even more, if poesible, than her husband, became captivated by the arts of Burr, whose success with the fair sex is a matter of general history. Botb these excitable imaginations were thus at once eet on fire, and Blepnerbasset, prom; own ambition than by the prospect of princely returns, was ae | to risk at once upon the enterprise al he pos- versed. after Burr resumed his voyage and pro- ceeded to New Orleans. His real plans appear to have been threefol First. To aecortain the sentiments of the people of the West upon the subject of a separation from the Atlantic States, and, if favorable, to have attempted to erect a septrate republic in the West, of which he was to be the bead and New Orleans the capital. o Secondly. To raise a force and make ition against Mexico and the Spanish pro- 6 event of a war between the United States and Spain, which at that time seemed inevitable. Thirdly. In the event of the failure of both these measures, to purchase a tract of land of Baron Bastrop on the Washita river in Louisiana, upon which he contem- ey remarkable for its i oe er, @ unsettled relations witl in a cane. cesk to hin emnarprice te’ that bog 5 527 | i ‘| if it f : z 4 E | f i Hi 1} z - g : ge bet ft ss f Lawrence, ‘vote i of thanks for bis capture ing, in, the language of ‘the pent ed! f) conquest and becoming a eh Ege i H ste 7 H 5 i began ou ring the summer of 1806 the public mind in the | militia were withdrawn from the ,andon a I Went becante Tumors ‘of secret expeditions | tion beleg made in Ooagress to. prossoute the Governor and conspiracies in wi Burr and others were impli- | for this act, Harrison Gray Otis laid on the table of the cated, and in November he was seized at | Massachusetts Senate a resolution expressive of the duty Lexington, Ky., and before the United States | of his State to aid with her whole power the Governor of Court to atswer to a charge of high miedemeanor in or: | Vermont in of her constitutional rights, by whom- Coles» Biay Sarees SEae © Tower with eoever infr fended by Henry Clay, then PF Fs Lash snemaeed to enh 'bne two ft Lag a young lawyer, jon, tea Ww: 70 being arsured upon his honor that he was engaged in no | but was prevented toy fos watcntunen of toe cxomy? design contrary to the laws.and peace of the land. an of the extraordinary move- Owing to the absence of an important witness he was | meste on the of British, it was discovered, and acquitted; and yot at that very time, an armed force in to the ‘Na Department, that his service occupied Blennerhasset’s island, and a large number of boate were at Marietta laden with provisions and military stores. Ie ETc are nin neve remeved, wat On the 26h of November Jefferson loweed @. prosia- mation denouncing the enterprise, and soon after manaion of Blennerhasset occupied militia, the owner making hie escape down the Ohio. ling the em- Burr meanwhile proceeded down the Mississippi in ‘t of their jails by the United States for the con- & flotilla of eleven boats. His adherents at this time ent of prisoners committed by any other than had dwindled to » comparatively small number. The | judicial authority, and directing the jailors at the end of eWest now became aroused to the true nature | thirty days to all British officers prisoners of of the conspiracy, and from to the Gulf militia | war committed to The President, however, ap- ‘were beld in readiness by the State authorities, and the | plied to other States of the the se of ‘most Tight measures were adopted to check the further Shetr prisons, ‘and thus the difficulty was in a measure Gen. Wilkinson, who commanded the United States forces tn the West, was Burr's confidante in his schemes, and with that officer tained, in cypher, & constant communication. The latter, however, in- ee ee oe cee ts of the <r ‘Marsachu- finally became the most active , ference, om their arrest. — ¢ the “cit wan expedient to lay the foundation ', 1807, the flotilla of Burr arrived at Bayou | of # radical reform in the national and devise Pierre, om ‘Lower Mi He was there seized tome mode of defence sustable to thove Gates, the ‘affini- the Governor of Missi but managed shortly | ty of whose interests are closest and whose habits of in- to effect his reward of two thousand | tercourse are most frequent.’ This was the germ of the dollars was offered for ion, and many arrests | celebrated Hartford Convention. The democrata insisted were made of his accomplices. that, however dieguised, the obvious tendency, if not aa Nasame ofa ton of Fobruary, late at night,a | the ral ore ty eee ee ar man boatman, with @ single ay & separation inion. arrived at the door of a | Ree of formal packwoods of Alabame. Colonel Ni committee oe ree, Cuaaved by the light both houses countenance of uburtel fnteligenos spark fegasen from the in ‘and an eye of Drilfancy. The tidy boot, 7 wore also surrender with his other articles of Rhode Inland. attracted Perkins’ attention, and led jwo and Vermont hie quarters, where he would be treated with all the re- due the ex Vice President of the United States. in about three weeke Burr was sent to Richmond, Va., under aepecial guard elected by Colonel Perk'ns, up yn whom he could depend in any emergency. Perkine knew the tarcinatione ef Berr, apd fearing hia familiarity every dept apread corruption through every region of the Btate; when theroare vlothed wi bh he ' i ate ee Se fertesit gE He fi i Nonaturalized citizen4o be eligible to any_civil« ‘under the United States. No President to be elected twice, or for twote nor to be chosen from the same State twice in su VERMONT. William Hall, Jr. es Rote worthy fact that enka, Bf iasne owes ix were ers. indignat 4 tion of the citizens of at thes. bling Jn thelr midst of through the streets. Upon the who'e we aro fully Sed shat the people expent nothing good from th. ‘The sessions of the Convention were secret, and all Journals of the country, a few of federal following article in the Mercury of November 1614, contains some facts that are not so well knows they might be. It is entitled amounts to above 700( }, 80 none is made ved by faction, whin winces, and curses the: , and murmurs, ‘Dot it, alt every porsi! * ministration for long suffering. and and thee comon Ii contast with the character this country. curses the government, nor rises in ber stren, th, she girda on her sons frem thelr , and the bench and the bar, from the Senate House Chamber; and with a very email ein tho grist, ake var quished ), ae var ‘8 false reliance on British aid had tempt oes en " teiy vanquie! the yoke. 4 i The ius of the mation hides her face with It ie hardly possible to find a stronger contrasi more dvgractt on the ove side, one more herorabir Another article from Niles’ Register about the time further illustrates the ‘eatgonnaee with whic.» Convention wes regarded. It saysi—— ¥ “It diegraced us ail infmitely more than speed. bave obliterated duty, of honor ‘ople. nothing before the fa im iy ast * it, and they might safely be left to the misery of thei 9 own thoughts, if, like deaporadoes, they iid not adtemp to screen past crimes by present Several of the Legislatur tens wore gabmitied au thereon, and resolved, many language that it was inexpedient to concur amend peo mees ving been declared in th meeting of the Hartford Convention was held eet the only result which grow ont of {t was to ign to ax infamous oblivion every indfvidual who was an active Farreibant in ite proceedings. ‘Thus waa raised for the ret time in the history of the country the question o! poopeny ay od the first time presented tn @ reaily dan ye emer of the States and horde mad THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE 1820. Another era of excitement wan that embraced betwe the years 1818 and 1821, which resulted in what in faw Marly known a8 the Missouri Compromise, It has be #0 frequently adverted to within the last fow Years that brief ttatement of the facta is all that in required. A petition from the Legisiavure of Mierourt wae ' rented to Congrem on the Ie be! Eeun ber ist, 9?