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CHAPTER VII.

SECOND TERM AS PRESIDENT-BURR'S CONSPIRACY.

ANY important measures were carried into effect during the first year of Mr. Jefferson's second administration which it is not possible in this connection even to mention. Suffice it to say that the war with Tripoli and Algiers was brought to a successful issue, not, however, without the loss of many brave men. Friendly relations were established with France, and England began to show signs of hostility, which, however, did not culminate until the declaration of war in 1812. By his refusal to appoint John Randolph, of Roanoke, minister to England, an office for which that gentleman's ungovernable temper and lack of self-control particularly unfitted him, Jefferson incurred Randolph's future opposition and undying hatred. The President's recommendation to Congress that two million dollars be appropriated for the purpose, if practicable, of purchasing from Spain the territory of Florida, received its concurrence, and that sum was voted. Miranda, who had schemed in England and France with the intent to invade the Spanish possessions in South America, had failed in his object but with no interference from the government had enlisted the sympathies of two gentlemen of New York, William J. Smith and Samuel J. Ogden, who fitted out a vessel for the purpose of such expedition, which not proving a success Miranda made another attempt in 1812, was captured and carried to Spain, where he died some four years later. Measures were instituted for the trial of Ogden and Smith for violation of the neutrality laws, but it appearing they had been given the tacit countenance of leading men in the government, the matter was dropped.

In the autumn of 1805 was developed the conspiracy of Aaron Burr to take forcible possession of the territory of Louisiana, and found a western empire. He had lost the confidence of his party, was under indictment in the states of New York and New Jersey for murder in the killing of Alexander Hamilton in a duel, and was rendered desperate by failure in the

gratification of his ambition and by the loss of his fortune. He attempted to enlist Generals Wilkinson and Eaton, Commodore Truxton, and all persons he thought had grievances against the administration, in the enterprise. Burr continued his preparations with all secrecy possible during 1806, and in January, 1807, proceeded to Mississippi and encamped with about one hundred men a few miles above Natchez. The governor of the territory made preparations for his arrest, but he was allowed his freedom upon giving recognizance to appear before the territorial court. The grand jury called to examine the case found no evidence of any overt act being committed, and he was allowed to go free. In February he was arrested by officers of General Wilkinson's command, while attempting to escape through Ala bama. He was taken to Richmond, where he arrived March 26th; was handed over to the civil authorities, and after examination before Judge Marshall, was charged with misdemeanor; the charge of high treason not being sustained. Burr was admitted to bail in the sum of ten thousand dollars. On trial he was declared not guilty as against the state of Virginia, but was ordered committed on the same charge preferred by the state of Ohio. Bail was fixed at three thousand dollars. This being secured he was released, but forfeited his recognizance and fled to England. He was finally ordered to leave that country, and afterwards spent some time in Sweden, Germany and France, at times on the verge of starvation. Not until 1811 was he allowed to leave France: Finally he embarked for America, but the vessel was captured and he was taken to England, where he remained, reduced to sore straits, until March, 1812; he was then able to raise money to pay his passage to Boston, where he arrived in disguise. Finding the government ignored him, he opened a law office in New York, making a bare subsistence. The last two years of his life he was helpless from paralysis, and subsisted on the bounty of friends until his death, on the 14th of September, 1836.

On the 22d of June, 1807, occurred an act of British insolence that roused the nation to the point of war. In the morning of that day the frigate Chesapeake left her moorings at Hampton Roads, bound on a cruise to the Mediterranean. The British frigate Leopard lifted her anchor at the same time and stood out ahead of the Chesapeake. In the afternoon the Leopard signaled her wish to communicate with the Chesapeake. She claimed the right, under orders of the vice-admiral, to search the American frigate for deserters. This was promptly refused, although the Chesapeake was not prepared for action, her decks being encumbered and her munitions unprepared. The Leopard opened fire and soon disabled the frigate, which struck her colors, firing one gun as the flag touched the taf frail. Four sailors were taken from the crew, one of whom was afterwards hanged and the remainder pressed into British service. When information of this outrage was received, resolutions were passed in many seaports to hold

no further intercourse with British vessels until some action should be taken

by the government. Public indignation was aroused from end to end of the country, and demand made for an immediate declaration of war. President Jefferson dispatched to England a vessel, bearing instructions to our minister to demand reparation for the insult we had received. On the 2d of July he issued a proclamation forbidding British vessels entrance to any harbor of the United States unless in distress or bearing dispatches. Preparations for defense were made at New York, Charleston, and New Orleans. British ships in the Chesapeake were cut off from all communication with the shore. Commodore Decatur was ordered to attack the British fleet, should they attempt to enter the Elizabeth river, and Commodore Rodgers received similar orders at New York. In the late autumn an embargo act

was passed in the Senate, prohibiting the sailing of any vessel from any port of the United States, for any foreign port, except such vessels as were already laden; and that coasting vessels be required to give bond that they would trade only with ports in the United States. This measure met with determined opposition from the federalists, who claimed it was done in the interest of France in her war with England. On the 13th of January, 1808,

Mr. Rose, a special minister from the British government, to adjust the difficulties arising from the Chesapeake and Leopard affair, arrived in Washington. His proposals were such as could not be entertained by this country, and he returned during the latter part of March. The legislatures of eleven states and territories endorsed the embargo act, as did many political organizations and religious bodies. The act remained in force until the 1st of March, 1809, when it was repealed. General measures were taken for defense, provision was made for raising an army, and the naval forces were strengthened. The war feeling gradually increased, until it was finally gratified by the beginning of hostilities in the war of 1812.

Much difficulty being experienced in the northern part of the country in enforcing the embargo act, particularly in intercourse with Canada, an enforcement act was passed December 22, 1807. Mr. Quincy, of Massachusetts, a prominent federalist, called in question certain acts of the President in continuing in office persons who had resigned or declined to serve in the enforcement of the embargo. In a note in his Life of Thomas Jefferson, Mr. Randolph gives full particulars of Mr. Quincy's efforts to impeach the President. He says: "On the 26th of January, Mr. Quincy had risen 'to perform a great duty.' It was a 'painful' duty, but the occasion called for it!' Every member who had reason to believe a high crime or misdemeanor had been committed, was bound to state that opinion to the House, and move such an inquiry as the nature of the supposed offense demanded.' He then stated that 'Benjamin Lincoln, Esq.,' collector of the port of Boston, offered his resignation to the President at the end of 1806, and again in 1807; assigning at both times his utter inabil

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