1835, Chapter Five Summary

Memoirs of Aaron Burr - Twenty

Burr surrenders to the governor of the Mississippi Territory January 17, 1807 knowing his life expectancy would be short indeed in Wilkinson's hands. Burr's "army" consists of fewer than fifty men with only hunting rifles, hardly the warmonger Jefferson had warned was coming. Cleared of charges at his first trial, Burr goes into hiding in the forests of Mississippi to avoid being killed by Wilkinson's men. He is captured on February 19, 1807, and taken to Fort Stoddert. Most of Burr's guards see him as a hero; they hate the Spanish Dons and hate Wilkinson even more for being a spy. Burr is very well treated while in custody. Richmond, Virginia is where Burr is tried for treason. Jefferson never was a Constitutional scholar, and he repeatedly sets aside the law of the land to ensure Burr's conviction. Luther...