1835, Chapter Two Summary

Memoirs of Aaron Burr - Nineteen

First week of August in 1806, Burr sets out for the west, his future. Wilkinson's promise to start a war with Spain as soon as Burr sent word is why Burr's letter was in evidence at his trial. Wilkinson tries to erase the sentence that proves Wilkinson's complicity, but it is still legible. This helps Burr's case. Wilkinson's orders from both Burr and Jefferson are exactly the same, to create a commotion with the Spanish on the Sabine River. This was a ready-made situation for Wilkinson because in February of 1806, the Spanish had crossed the Sabine and occupied two American outposts. Wilkinson was to have removed them on orders of the Secretary of War, but he did not. Not realizing how badly events are unraveling, Burr makes the mistake of speaking ill of Jefferson and the...