Burr conspiracy Presidency of Thomas Jefferson

aaron burr mortally wounded alexander hamilton on july 11, 1804.

on july 11, 1804, vice president aaron burr mortally wounded federalist party leader alexander hamilton, george washington s former secretary of treasury, in duel @ weehawken, new jersey. hamilton had been key factor in burr s defeat in running in 1804 new york gubernatorial election. hamilton had made callous remarks regarding burr. believing honor had been offended, burr had challenged hamilton duel in hamilton mortally wounded. burr indicted hamilton s murder in new york , new jersey causing him flee georgia, although remained president of senate during supreme court justice samuel chase s impeachment trial. 2 burr indictments quietly allowed die . president jefferson casually acknowledged hamilton in letter daughter 3 days after hamilton s funeral. hamilton had been jefferson s primary political enemy fourteen years.

after aaron burr disgraced in duel of 1804 , own presidential ambitions ended, reported british ambassador wanting effect separation of western part of united states [at appalachian mountains] . jefferson believed november 1806, because burr had been rumored variously plotting western states secede independent empire, or raise filibuster conquer mexico. @ least, there reports of burr s recruiting men, stocking arms, , building boats. new orleans seemed vulnerable, @ point, american general there, james wilkinson, double agent spanish, decided turn on burr. jefferson issued proclamation warning there u.s. citizens illegally plotting take on spanish holdings. though burr nationally discredited, jefferson feared union. in report congress january 1807, jefferson declared burr s guilt placed beyond question . march 1807, burr arrested in new orleans , placed on trial treason in richmond, virginia, chief justice john marshall presiding. on june 13, jefferson subpoenaed burr release documents favored burr s defense. jefferson stated had no loyalty burr , released few documents burr had requested having invoked executive privilege. jefferson refused appear @ burr s trial. weak government case led burr s acquittal, reputation ruined never able mount adventure.