Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Burr, Aaron (1756-1836) to Robert Williams

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01524 Author/Creator: Burr, Aaron (1756-1836) Place Written: Bayou Pierre, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: [ 07 February - 18 February ] 1807 circa Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22.5 x 19 cm Order a Copy

Writes about his trial for conspiracy against the United States. States that the vindictive temper and conduct of Judge Thomas Rodney have induced him to withdraw from public view. Remarks that he will continue to submit to civil authority as long as he is assured he will be treated with the same rights as other citizens. Wants to be informed of the arrest charges and bail. Requests assurance that he will not be sent out of the territory or subjected to any military authority. Note on address leaf signed by Caesar A. Rodney and dated 9 June 1811 reads, "a base calumny by a traitor to his country. A villian's censure is untasted poison." Date and place writ inferred from content.

Williams was the governor of the Mississippi territory. Burr's major objective since 1804 was the separation of the Western states from the Union though there were other issues involved with the charges. Thomas Rodney was the presiding judge over the trial and Caesar A. Rodney was his son and the Attorney General under Jefferson. The jury acquitted Burr and his associates of treason in September 1807.

Sir
The Vindictive temper and unprincipled Conduct of Judge Rodney have induced me to withdraw for the present from public View - I nevertheless continue in the disposition, which has been uniformly Manifested of Submitting to civil authority so long as I can be assured that it will be exercised toward me within the limits prescribed for other citizens -
It is proper however before again Surrendering that I be informed of the Cause or charge, if any, for which it is proposed to arrest me - whether Bail will be received - The tenor of the Recognizance and the Term in which Security will be required - I ask further, your assurance that no attempt to send me out of the Ter[2]ritory shall be countenanced or permitted and that my person shall not be subjected to any Military Authority

I have the honor to be
Your ObtSt
ABurr

His Exy GovWilliams

[address leaf]

His Excy Gov. Williams
Washington

[docket]

A Burr
to } letter
the Governor no date

//A base calumny
by a traitor to No 5 [handwritten overnote]
his country
a villians' censure
is untasted poison
june 9 1811
C A Rodney

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
Williams, Robert, 1773-1836
Rodney, C. A. (Caesar Augustus), 1772-1824
Rodney, Thomas, 1744-1811

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