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The Aaron Burr Conspiracy
Aaron Burr is most widely known today because of a popular television commercial advertising milk. ... However, most of “the disrepute surrounding the name of Aaron Burr. ... comes from the episode [most appropriately named] the Burr Conspiracy” (Lomask xiii). The Burr Conspiracy is an important and interesting part of American history even though some aspects of it are still not known today. Events, letters, statements, and trials all link Aaron Burr to an attempt to form a nation from part of the western United States and part of Mexico with James Wilkinson. With this, by analyzing the conspiracy and the events surrounding it, it can be concluded that is it more likely than not that Aaron Burr conspired to treason against the United States of America.
There are two important pieces of historical knowledge one must take into consideration when studying the conspiracy of Burr. The first piece of knowledge is the rocky relationship between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson, who was president at the time of the Burr conspiracy. At first Burr and Jefferson were friends. After Burr lost the presidential election to Jefferson over one vote, he became Jefferson’s worst enemy. After losing the election, Burr served as Jefferson’s vice-president because in the early 1800’s the runner-up in an election was granted the position. Burr served as vice president but held a grudge against Jefferson, who retaliated by holding a grudge of his own. Victor explains this relationship and situation further:
[Burr] became the confidante of Jefferson, and not only co-operated with him but directed for him those secret and open movements which were to end in their triumph. ... Burr thereupon assumed the Vice Presidency. ... Burr took the second position gracefully; served his office with ability and plotted for he Chief Magistracy quietly but confidently. ...
This explains why Jefferson took a great interest in wanting to prosecute Burr for treason and could also be one of the reasons why Burr may have wanted to establish a new nation.
Approximate Word count = 1586
Approximate Pages = 6.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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