Summary
Highlights
After his duel with Hamilton, Aaron Burr fled south but was never tried for the various charges against him. Returning to DC, he served out his vice presidential term. However, after a devastating loss in the 1804 New York gubernatorial election, Burr's political future seemed uncertain. He began to envision a new republic, potentially including parts of the Louisiana territory and Mexico, with himself at its head. Some accounts even suggest he aimed to conquer the US proper or establish a monarchy.
To realize his ambitious plans, Burr sought support from powerful figures. He attempted to secure financial and logistical assistance from both Spanish and British ministers, though with limited success. He did gain the support of General James Wilkinson, the senior officer of the US Army and governor of the Louisiana Territory, and Harman Blennerhassett, an Anglo-Irish politician who allowed Burr to use his island estate as a base for supplies. Burr also recruited others, including Mexican Creoles and Andrew Jackson, by tailoring his promises to their respective interests.
By 1806, Burr's activities drew suspicion, with the press publishing articles about his alleged plot. Federal District Attorney Joseph Hamilton Davis alerted President Jefferson, who initially dismissed the claims but later took action. The conspiracy truly began to unravel when General Wilkinson, Burr's trusted accomplice, betrayed him to President Jefferson, providing a deciphered letter as proof. After a State Department clerk confirmed the plot, Ohio's governor mobilized the militia, leading to Burr's men fleeing Blennerhassett's island and eventually Burr's capture.
Burr was charged with treason and high misdemeanor in Richmond, Virginia. President Jefferson was highly invested in proving Burr's guilt, even attempting to influence the court and offering pardons to potential witnesses. However, the prosecution faced significant challenges, including a manipulated letter from Wilkinson and the constitutional definition of treason. Article 3, Section 3 of the US Constitution required either an outright confession or the testimony of two witnesses to an overt act of levying war. Since Burr was not present on Blennerhassett Island during the alleged overt act, and his intentions remained ambiguous, Chief Justice John Marshall ruled insufficient evidence, leading to Burr's acquittal.
Despite his acquittal, Burr's reputation was ruined. He left the United States for Europe, living as an expatriate for several years. After returning to New York, he faced personal tragedy with the loss of his daughter at sea. He later married affluent widow Eliza Jumel, but the marriage ended quickly when she discovered he was using her fortune for unsuccessful ventures. Coincidentally, their divorce was finalized on the same day Burr passed away. Notably, Jumel's divorce lawyer was Alexander Hamilton Jr., the son of the man Burr killed years prior. The Burr Conspiracy remains a fascinating and complex chapter in early American history, highlighting the struggle between ambition, power, and justice.