FAN FAVORITE: The Insurrection of Aaron Burr | Gathering Forces | 2

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0:20Imagine it's late in the evening in March 1805 in Philadelphia. You're the British ambassador to the United States, and you're welcoming Aaron Burr into your study just days after he stepped down from the vice presidency. After a strange meeting with a friend of Burr's last year, you have a strong suspicion about why he wants to see you, and why he's come after dark. You gesture toward a worn leather chair in the corner. Please, Mr. Burr, take your seat. I read your farewell speech to the Senate. The newspapers were impressed. I must congratulate you. Well, thank you. And now that your time as Vice President has come to an end, I suppose you're planning your future.

1:01From what your friend told me last summer, I gather you've set your sights west. Burr nods as he leans back in the chair. Yes, indeed. And that's why I wanted to see you. It might interest you to know that the residents of Louisiana are determined to win their independence from the United States. But first, they need a promise of protection and assistance from a foreign power. And by foreign power, you are referring to His Majesty's government. Precisely. You don't beat around a bush, do you, sir. Burr shakes his head, his eyes flashing with excitement. Well, I'm sure you can imagine the benefits this would afford your country.

1:37What exactly are you planning, Mr. Burr? It would be too dangerous to disclose any details at the present moment, but in regard to military aid, two or three frigates would do nicely, as well as two or three additional vessels to be stationed at the mouth of the Mississippi, to prevent a blockade, of course. Two or three frigates. Yes, more than enough to match any naval force the United States could muster. Now, with respect to money, though, I believe a loan of about 100 ,000 pounds should be well enough to begin the enterprise. More may be needed at a later date. I see. You know the potential gain for Britain would more than offset this initial cost.

2:15You nod, but think about all the challenges your country is up against. It's been two years since Britain declared war on France. The balance of power in Europe is at stake. Yes, but we're in the fight of our lives against Napoleon at the moment. His fear of influence has grown dangerously large. And now you have a chance to expand the influence of His Majesty's government. The population of Louisiana is growing every day. Think of the trade opportunities. And you believe you can succeed in making Louisiana independent? Well, with enough guns and money, absolutely. But I urge you to write your superiors.

2:51See what they think as soon as possible. Before you can respond, you see Burr's eyes narrow. Because although I would prefer an ally in Britain, I am certain that France would eagerly support a movement for Western independence. Anything to regain easy access to trade on the Mississippi River. Burr folds his arms and sets his jaw in defiance. His message is clear. If Britain doesn't support him, he'll turn to your country's greatest enemy. Well, I will write London immediately. And as soon as I have a reply, I will be in touch. Burr rises and gives you a curtain on, then follows one of your servants out.

3:28You walk to your desk in search of paper, thoughts swirling through your mind. Burr's chance of success seems unlikely, but the American Revolution proved that secession is possible if the right people are in charge. And Burr still has connections and powerful friends. From what you've seen, he might also possess the sheer determination to pull off this daring scheme.

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4:45From Wondery, I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is American History Tellers. Our history, your story.

5:07In March 1805, Aaron Burr completed his term as vice president. Just days later, he traveled to Philadelphia to call on Anthony Mary, Britain's ambassador to the United States. Burr was seeking military and financial aid from Great Britain, for a plot to carve out a new country in the Louisiana Territory. It had been less than a year since Burr shot and killed his rival Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Since that time, Burr's reputation and finances were in shambles. But he refused to sink into obscurity. As his time in Washington came to a close, Burr hatched a conspiracy that he hoped would return him to power and his plan would hinge on America's new frontier in the West.

5:49But Burr knew he could not do it alone. He would have to make the journey west, across the Appalachian Mountains, to seek allies and funds. His ever-shifting plans were audacious, but Burr was certain he would find glory and greatness on the frontier, no matter the risk. This is Episode 2, Gathering Forces.

6:12In mid-August 1804, a month after killing Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr boarded a ship in Philadelphia bound for Georgia. Earlier in August, the state of New York had indicted Burr for Hamilton's murder. So he decided to head south, hoping to disappear from the public eye and the threat of arrest. Burr sailed down the Atlantic coast, reaching Georgia at the end of August. He intended to tour Spanish-held Florida, but torrential rains forced him to turn back. Burr instead went to visit his daughter and her young family in South Carolina. As he traveled, he was surprised by the warm reception he received.

6:48Most Southerners had disliked Hamilton, believing his financial plans were a threat to their agrarian economy, so his death weighed less on their minds. Burr's travels gave him hope that he could still have a future in politics. But Burr still had problems, including his large amount of debt accumulated after years of living beyond his means. He arranged for the sale of his house and furniture to pay his bills, but he still owed several thousand dollars. Compounding this debt as he returned north, he learned that a grand jury in New Jersey had also indicted him for murder. Now he was a wanted man in two states.

7:24Despite his fugitive status, Burr was still the sitting vice president. And fortunately for him, federal law did not yet provide a way to extradite criminals from the District of Columbia to other states. So Burr believed he could safely return to the nation's capital to fulfill his sole vice presidential duty, presiding over the new Senate session. On November 4, 1804, Burr called the Senate to order. The most pressing business was the impending impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase. President Jefferson and his fellow Republicans were hoping to oust the staunchly Federalist Chase on the grounds that he was letting his partisan leanings impact his decisions in court.

8:05The House had already impeached Chase, and soon the Senate would conduct a trial and decide whether to acquit or convict. As vice president, it was Burr's job to preside over the trial and maintain order and decorum. Alexander Hamilton had, of course, been a leading voice of the Federalists, and many of them were disgusted to see his killer in the Senate chamber instead of a jail cell. But Republicans were determined to impeach and remove Chase, and they treated Burr warmly in hopes of influencing his conduct during the trial. Burr joined James Madison for rides in his carriage, and the new Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin often visited Burr at his boarding house.

8:43Republicans even tried to help Burr with his legal troubles. A Virginia senator circulated a petition urging the New Jersey governor to stop prosecuting Burr, and 11 Republican senators signed on. One Federalist accused the Republicans of caressing Hamilton's murder, calling Burr an exception to all rules.

9:04But while Burr enjoyed his improved standings in the Capitol for his past behavior, behind the scenes he was still focused on his future. He had four months left as vice president, and he was determined to use them to his advantage. That fall, General James Wilkinson took lodgings near Burr's boarding house. Wilkinson was the U.S. Army's general-in-chief, but secretly he was also a paid agent for the Spanish crown. And six months earlier, he and Burr had met clandestinely for several days, huddling over maps of the western frontier. Now, in the final months of Burr's vice presidency, the pair continued their private conversations, meeting frequently at odd hours.

9:44Burr's landlord took notice. He later described their meetings, declaring that the pair kept a number of maps and charts of East and West Florida, of Orleans, of Louisiana, and of adjoining country. Wilkinson and Burr were secretly making plans to change the fate of America's new lands in the West. After the Louisiana Purchase was finalized in 1803, Congress divided the new territory at the 33rd parallel, located at the current north border of the state of Louisiana. Above this parallel was the Louisiana Territory. Below was the far more populated Orleans Territory. Cotton and sugar plantations blanketed the rich soil of the Orleans Territory and crops moved through the bustling port of New Orleans.

10:28But the territory's eastern and western borders were in dispute. Both the United States and Spain claimed ownership over parts of Texas and West Florida. Some Americans feared the competing claims would spark war between the two nations, and a number of western settlers coveted Spanish lands for themselves. Many of these had only a super-official attachment to the United States. In 1804, America still did not have a strong national identity. The Constitution was just 15 years old, and the federal government's reach was limited. West of the Appalachians, American settlers faced a harsh and unpredictable existence.

11:06Their communities were remote and therefore largely ungoverned. Violence frequently erupted, and disease was a constant threat. The ruggedness of frontier life fostered a fierce sense of independence, and as a result, secession movements sprang up throughout the West. Loyalty to the Union was especially weak in New Orleans. The city was populated by French-speaking Creoles, who resented falling under American control. With a stroke of a pen, the Louisiana Purchase had imposed America's language, laws, and taxes on them. In this volatile landscape, Burr saw opportunity. And he took comfort knowing that whatever form his plans ultimately took, he could rely on General Wilkinson for manpower to execute them.

11:49As the senior commander of U.S. forces in the West, Wilkinson could move troops without arousing suspicion. And during that winter in Washington, he was already proving himself to be a trustworthy ally.

12:04Imagine it's early December 1804 in Washington, D.C. You're a cotton planter from New Orleans, and you've traveled more than 1 ,000 miles on behalf of your fellow Creoles. You're here to present a petition to Congress listing your grievances against the United States government. After a long day of meetings, you're sitting in the corner of a tavern near the Capitol. You look up from your wine glass as a man with a generous build and a gold-button uniform walks toward you with a smile. Well, look who it is. Bonjour, monsieur. Hello, General. You recognize the man as General James Wilkinson. You met him a year ago, when he led troops into New Orleans to finalize the French handover to the United States.

12:45The very action that's ultimately brought you here to D.C. Is this seat taken? Oh, no. Be my guest. Wilkinson drops into the seat across from you, spilling ale from his pewter tankard. How fortunate to find you here. Any luck in Congress? Oh, so you know my business, Darren. No, not yet. We're holding another meeting tomorrow. Well, best of luck to you then, too. You know, you have my sympathies. Well, thank you, General. Did you know Congress has banned us from acquiring new foreign slaves? They don't understand how high our mortality rates are. We need more slaves or our plantations will be ruined.

13:21Wilkinson nods fiercely. Quite right. Imposed a horrible burden on you. This nation was founded upon cries of taxation without representation. But we, we lack any semblance of democratic self-government. Are we not now U.S. citizens? Or are we colonial subjects? It is an outrage, and I completely agree. Wilkinson leans forward, his eyes darting across the room, making sure no one is listening. And you know, you should share your concerns with Aaron Burr. The vice president, what does he have to do with this? He's a brilliant politician. And he won't be vice president for much longer. I'm afraid I don't follow.

13:58If he's no longer the vice president, what use is he? Well, as soon as his term ends, Burr plans to travel through the Louisiana Territory. He has certain projects in mind there. Huh. And what kind of projects? Wilkinson takes a swig of ale and gives you a conspiratorial grin. Oh, you know, Burr is the type of man who succeeds in everything he tries. You would do well to give him all the information you can about your lands and how you would like them to be governed. Wilkinson's slam has tankered down on the table and rises from his seat. With a wink, he turns around and walks back toward the bar.

14:35You stare after him in confusion. If you're not mistaken, it seems that the general who helped secure possession of the Louisiana Territory is now plotting against his own government. But if Aaron Burr is truly willing to help fight for the interests of New Orleans, it may be worth your while to listen.

14:56In December 1804, Creole delegates from New Orleans arrived in Washington with a petition of grievances. General Wilkinson urged them to speak with Aaron Burr. He noted that Burr was especially interested in local opinion about Mexico and how much popular support residents had for the Union. The Creole delegates followed Wilkinson's advice and befriended Burr, who looked forward to visiting New Orleans for himself. But while Burr was making his plans for a journey west, he still had a job to do in the East. In January 1805, the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase began in the Senate.

15:32As vice president and head of the Senate, Burr took lead over the proceedings, interrogating witnesses. He worked hard to be impartial, despite pressure from Jefferson and the Republicans to sway the outcome. His even-handed conduct won him respect, even from politicians and reporters who disliked him. A Massachusetts congressman declared, I could almost forgive Burr for any less crime than the blood of Hamilton, for the decision, dignity, firmness, and impartiality with which he presides in this trial. On March 1, 1805, the Senate acquitted Justice Chase. The next day, Burr delivered a farewell address to the Senate that left some members in tears.

16:11He spoke about the rule of law and the Senate's duty to fight what he called the sacrilegious hands of the demagogue or the usurper. Burr left the office of vice president on March 4th. A few days later, Jefferson unknowingly gave Burr a parting gift when he appointed Wilkinson as governor of the Louisiana Territory. Jefferson had no idea about his scheming with Burr, but soon Wilkinson would move to St. Louis and take up his new role. Shortly after, on March 13, Burr left Washington for Philadelphia. His career in government was over, but he could not return to his home in New York without facing arrest.

16:48He had debts hanging over him, too, and because of his legal troubles, he could no longer earn an income by practicing law. Writing to his son-in-law, he declared, In New York, I am to be disenfranchised, and in New Jersey, hanged. Having substantial objections to both, I shall not for the present hazard either, but shall seek another country. Burr planned an expedition to the Orleans Territory. From Philadelphia, he would go to Pittsburgh, then down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers before finally reaching New Orleans. He hoped to meet wealthy and influential Westerners along the route and wanted to gauge their sentiment toward the Union.

17:26But before he left Philadelphia, Burr had some other important business to attend to. First, he joined a plan to dig a canal in Indiana at the falls of the Ohio River. The canal project would be the official reason for Burr's journey west. Next, he arranged to meet with British Ambassador Anthony Mary. The previous August, through a friend, Burr had offered his services to Mary to effect a separation of the western part of the United States. But this time, Burr told Mary himself that the residents of Louisiana might be persuaded to secede from the United States if they could secure an assurance of protection and assistance from some foreign power.

18:06Mary reported the meeting to officials in Britain, declaring Mr. Burr intends to be the instrument of effecting such a connection. But Burr needed Britain to provide guns, ships, and money. He asked Mary for two or three frigates and a loan of about 100 ,000 pounds. Mary was impressed by Burr's confidence, and he encouraged London officials to support the scheme. Meanwhile, Burr finalized preparations for his trip. Newspapers reported that Burr was journeying west for business related to his Ohio River Canal project. But Burr had other plans in mind. Just days after stepping down from the Vice Presidency of the United States, Burr was conspiring to divide that very nation in two.

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19:57In April 1805, Aaron Burr boarded a 60-foot houseboat in Pittsburgh and set off down the Ohio River. For his plans to succeed, he would need to move men and supplies from population centers in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee down to New Orleans in the southwest. And for that, he would need a base on the Ohio River, which flowed into the Mississippi. On May 5, 12 miles downriver from the town of Marietta, Ohio, Burr found such a base. Blennerhasset Island was a narrow 300-acre strip of land in the middle of the Ohio River. It was owned by a wealthy and eccentric Irish immigrant named Harman Blennerhasset.

20:35Back in Ireland, Blennerhasset had caused a scandal by marrying his own niece, Margaret. To escape, the couple fled Europe for the remote American frontier. Burr had never met the Blennerhassetts, but he carried a letter of introduction from a mutual friend. The couple invited Burr to dine with them in their mansion. And while there is no record of their conversation, Burr likely described his plans for a lucrative invasion of Mexico, something that would have appealed to Blennerhassett, whose fortunes were declining. Whatever was discussed, the dinner would prove fateful. As Burr continued developing his plot, Blennerhasset Island would form a key part of his plans.

21:15Burr used the next leg of his journey to reconnect with friends and form powerful new acquaintances, from politicians and militia officers to wealthy businessmen. In Cincinnati, he called on Jonathan Dayton, an old friend from his days at Princeton University. Dayton was a signer of the Constitution and a former New Jersey senator. Now he would become one of Burr's closest confidants. During his travels, Burr was careful to tailor his appeals to the interests of each individual listener. Sometimes he emphasized the many ways the eastern U.S. was taking advantage of the West, or the many perceived failings of the Jefferson administration.

21:52Other times he talked up the prospect of leading troops against Spanish forces in Mexico and the vast land holdings and natural resources that lay waiting there. But he never revealed the full extent of his plans. Burr soon left Cincinnati for Louisville, where he abandoned his houseboat. He continued on horseback through Kentucky and Tennessee. As a former vice president, he was one of the most prominent Americans to ever cross the Appalachians, and everywhere he went, he was met with parades and formal dinners. On May 30th, Nashville welcomed him with a cannon salute. There he stayed with General Andrew Jackson, a former congressman and future president.

22:32Burr was especially interested in the 2 ,000 Tennessee militiamen under Jackson's command. The pair bonded over their mutual frustrations with the Spanish, and Jackson threw a ball in Burr's honor. After a few days, Jackson provided Burr another boat to travel down the Cumberland River, which flowed back into the Ohio. Then, in early June, Burr met up with General Wilkinson at Fort Massac, an outpost on the Ohio River about 35 miles east of where it met with the Mississippi. Wilkinson outfitted Burr with an army barge and gave him letters of introductions to friends in New Orleans. And later that month, on June 25th, Burr finally reached New Orleans, where he planned to gauge public opinion about the possible invasion of Mexico and find potential supporters.

23:17Like Burr, many New Orleans residents resented the United States government and hungered for Spanish land. So Burr knew that this city would be central to his plans for the West, and he was determined to win favor with its residents.