The Burr Conspiracy : Uncovering the Story of an Early American Crisis

**A multifaceted portrait of the early American republic as seen through the lens of the Burr Conspiracy** In 1805 and 1806, Aaron Burr, former vice president of the newly formed American republic, traveled through the Trans-Appalachian West gathering support for a mysterious enterprise, for which he was arrested and tried for treason in 1807. This book explores the political and cultural forces that shaped how Americans made sense of the uncertain rumors and reports about Burr’s intentions and movements, and examines what the resulting crisis reveals about their anxieties concerning the new nation’s fragile union and uncertain republic. Burr was said to have enticed some people with plans to liberate Spanish Mexico, others with promises of land in the Orleans Territory, still others with talk of building a new empire beyond the Appalachian Mountains. The Burr Conspiracy was a cause célèbre of the early republic—with Burr cast as the chief villain of the Founding Fathers—even as the evidence against him was vague and conflicting. Rather than trying to discover the real intentions of Burr or his accusers—Thomas Jefferson foremost among them—James E. Lewis Jr. looks at how differing understandings of the Burr Conspiracy were shaped by everything from partisan politics and biased newspapers to notions of honor and gentility. He also traces the enduring legacy of the stories that were told and accepted during this moment of uncertainty. __The Burr Conspiracy__ offers a panoramic and multifaceted portrait of the United States at a time when it was far from clear to its people how long it would last. "In 1805 and 1806, Aaron Burr, former vice president of the newly formed American republic, traveled through the Trans-Appalachian West gathering support for a mysterious enterprise, for which he was arrested and tried for treason in 1807. This book explores the political and cultural forces that shaped how Americans made sense of the uncertain rumors and reports about Burr's intentions and movements, and examines what the resulting crisis reveals about their anxieties concerning the new nation's fragile union and uncertain republic. Burr was said to have enticed some people with plans to liberate Spanish Mexico, others with promises of land in the Orleans Territory, still others with talk of building a new empire beyond the Appalachian Mountains. The Burr Conspiracy was a cause célèbre of the early republic--with Burr cast as the chief villain of the Founding Fathers--even as the evidence against him was vague and conflicting. Rather than trying to discover the real intentions of Burr or his accusers--Thomas Jefferson foremost among them--James E. Lewis Jr. looks at how differing understandings of the Burr Conspiracy were shaped by everything from partisan politics and biased newspapers to notions of honor and gentility. He also traces the enduring legacy of the stories that were told and accepted during this moment of uncertainty. [This book] offers a panoramic and multifaceted portrait of the United States at a time when it was far from clear to its people how long it would last."--Jacket A Panoramic Look At The Early American Republic Through The Lens Of The Burr Conspiracy In 1805 And 1806, Aaron Burr Traveled Through The Trans-appalachian West Gathering Support For A Mysterious Enterprise, For Which He Was Arrested And Tried For Treason In 1807. This Book Explores The Political And Cultural Forces That Shaped How Americans Made Sense Of The Rumors And Reports About Burr’s Intentions And Movements, And Examines What The Resulting Crisis Reveals About Americans’ Anxieties Concerning The New Nation’s Fragile Union. The Burr Conspiracy Was A Cause Célèbre Of The Early Republic—with Burr Cast As The Chief Villain Of The Founding Fathers. He Was Said To Have Enticed Some People With Plans To Liberate Spanish Mexico, Others With Promises Of Land In The Orleans Territory, Still Others With Talk Of Building A New Empire Beyond The Appalachians. James E. Lewis Jr. Looks At How Differing Understandings Of The Conspiracy Were Influenced By Everything From Biased Newspapers To Notions Of Honor And Gentility, Providing A Multifaceted Portrait Of The Republic At A Time When It Was Far From Clear How Long It Would Last. Contents Introduction So Many Stories: The Circulation of Information in the Early Republic First Interlude. A Crisis in the Cabinet Lexington and Frankfort, Kentucky: July through December 1806 Guilt beyond Question: The Narrative of Thomas Jefferson The Threat to the Union Second Interlude. The Crime on Blennerhassett Island The Enterprise Commenced: The Cipher Letter as a Narrative New Orleans, Orleans Territory: November 1806 through May 1807 The Threat to the Republic Third Interlude. The Arrest of Aaron Burr Richmond, Virginia: March through October 1807 “Who is Blennerhassett?” The Narrative of William Wirt The Conflict over Burr’s Followers Fourth Interlude. A “Rising” in Baltimore Final Accounts of the Burr Conspiracy Conclusion Acknowledgments Abbreviations Notes Primary Source Bibliography Secondary Source Bibliography Illustration Credits Index A multifaceted portrait of the early American republic as examined through the lens of the Burr Conspiracy explores the political and cultural forces that influenced public perception and how in spite of vague and conflicting evidence, the former Vice President was arrested and tried for treason. --Publisher