The Federalist: Aaron Burr - Founding Patriot

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Aaron Burr - Founding Patriot

Vice President Aaron Burr

"I have never known the prejudice in favor of birth, parentage and descent, more conspicuous than in the instance of Col. Burr. That gentleman was connected by blood with many respectable families in New England. . . . He had served in the army, and came out of it with the character of a knight without fear, and an able officer." - - - President John Adams

Book Review
Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr
by Nancy Isenberg (2007)
(Amazon.com)

By Gary;

I just re-read this excellect biography. We are moving into the holiday season. For anyone out there with an interest in the founding of the United States this book is a total must read. Make it a present to yourself.

The book reads easily. Dr. Isenberg does a wonderful job recreating a late 18th century society which was very different from the later Victorian era.

There are endless books about Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Hamilton but very little on Burr. But Burr was an important player in the early Republic: Lt. Colonel in the American Revolution serving with Benedict Arnold in the attack on Quebec through Valley Forge; New York State Assemblyman, New York Attorney General; U.S. Senator, our 3rd Vice President . . . . and then turned into a "traitor" in a Stalin Show Trial conducted by a vicious and vindictive asshole named Thomas Jefferson.

Gore Vidal on Aaron Burr

Author Interview: Nancy Isenberg

America's First Ward Heeler - Burr was perhaps the first political campaign manager in the new Republic. He out organized Alexander Hamilton and the New York Federalists by taking a social group called "Tammany Society" and turning it into what became the machine politics of Tammany Hall. Through door to door organizing Burr turned out every possible vote for the Democratic-Republican Party. The Federalists became a minority in the legislature and New York's electoral college vote went to Jefferson's campaign.

The book covers in excellent detail the tie between Jefferson and Burr for President and Vice President in the election of 1800.

Thomas Jefferson - Vindictive Political Hack - The Federalists portrayed Jefferson as a radical trying to undermine the Republic, and a potential dictator who was also screwing his slaves.

The funny thing about political attacks is they are often true!

Add in, that at the same time Jefferson lounged around the safe and secure Virginia legislature pretending to be a statesman, Colonel Aaron Burr was freezing his ass off at Valley Forge. That comparison was made by Jefferson's contemporaries many times.

President Jefferson was a strongman political hack out to crush his enemies. The author tells of a private meeting between Jefferson, Madison and a New York newspaper publisher. Within days of the publisher's return to New York his newspaper started to publish political hit pieces attacking Jefferson's own Vice President on issues of sex and character.

The Jefferson campaign to destroy his own Vice President was gearing up.

______________________________________________________________________

"Aaron Burr is as far from a fool as any man I have ever met, but he is more easily fooled than any man I have ever known."

- - - Andrew Jackson

(A younger Andrew Jackson served with Aaron Burr in the U.S. Senate.)

______________________________________________________________________

As the Federalists predicted Jefferson attacked the independent judiciary with the Judiciary Act of 1801 and impeaching Federalist Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase in a direct attack on an independent Supreme Court. As President of the Senate, Aaron Burr presided over the impeachment trial and insisted that it not become a Stalin Show Trial, but that it was done fairly. Chase was acquitted no doubt making Jefferson even more angry at Burr.

Jefferson's Stalin Show Trial of Burr for "treason" - Joseph Stalin had nothing on Thomas Jefferson. Vice President Aaron Burr was arrested by the military, not civilian authorities.

Burr was also arrested based on a "warrant" signed personally by Thomas Jefferson, not a warrant issued by any court. He was charged with the trumped up accounts of treason and trying to overthrow the government.

General William Eaton
Eaton was called to testify against Burr at the
treason trial. Right before giving testimony Eaton
was "reimbursed" with a $10,000 check from the
Jefferson Administration for "services rendered."

The punishment for this "treason" was execution. Jefferson was trying to kill his own Vice President.

Jefferson wondered how do you convict a hero of the Revolution and a Vice President of treason? Jefferson had the military transport Burr to stand trial in Jefferson's home state in Richmond, Virginia. There a New Yorker would face charges from Prosecutors hand picked by the President himself and tried before a jury of Virginians who would supposedly be loyal to Jefferson.

To say that the shit hit the fan was an understatement. The entire nation was in an uproar of partisan Federalist / Democrat fighting. There was no disguising that this was a show trial to beat down and make fearful any opponents of Jefferson.

Some 140 were to be called to testify against Burr. To make sure of a conviction Jefferson gave Prosecutor George Hay a stack of pre-signed, blank Presidential Pardons. Anyone who would testify against Burr would get a pardon . . . those who refused to testify would be open to Federal prosecution by Jefferson.

Federalist Chief Justice John Marshall himself served as judge for this political show trial. Marshall issued rulings in favor of Burr's defense no doubt as payback to Jefferson's attack on the independent judiciary.

Joining Burr's defense team were George Washington's first and third Attorneys General Edmund Randolph and Charles Lee.

Andrew Jackson attended the trial and threatened to fight any man who insulted Burr.

The main witness for the prosecution was General James Wilkinson who was also a spy on the payroll of the Kingdom of Spain. Also testifying was Ambassador William Eaton hero of the Barbary War. Jefferson arranged to "reimburse" Eaton $10,000 to appear in court for the prosecution.

Chief Justice Marshall issued a subpoena to Jefferson ordering him to turn over government documents relating to the charges to the defense. Jefferson refused to comply.

After a trial lasting over three months the jury declared Burr not guilty.

The duel with Hamilton.

Burr, despite his acquittal, stood disgraced. Although he would live another twenty-nine years, he would never again be a significant player in American public life. In 1808, he sailed for Europe, where he would remain for four years. The death of his beloved daughter Theodosia, lost at sea while sailing to meet her father in New York upon his return, seemed to end whatever spark remained within him.

Years later, when he heard news of the Texas Revolution, Burr exclaimed to a friend with satisfaction: "There! You see? I was right! I was only thirty years too soon. What was treason in me thirty years ago, is patriotism now."

The Founding Fathers

In the 1830s America started to create for itself the "Great Myth" of the Revolution and the worship of the Demi-Gods Americans called the Founding Fathers.

It was at this time that former Vice President Aaron Burr started telling people that he was going to write a book in order to tell the real truth about the Revolution and the Founders. But with advanced old age he gave up the project saying:

"What is the point? Everyone is dead. I am the last one, and no one would believe me anyway." - - - Aaron Burr

A young Aaron Burr.

Found in

the memoirs of General John Lamb, who accompanied Montgomery on his expedition to Quebec and fought with Arnold's column during the Dec 31 assault on the city, record his first meeting with Burr:

"On this occasion, the General [Montgomery] was accompanied by Aaron Burr, whom he had appointed his aid. This was the first time that lamb had ever seen him; and as his appearance was juvenile in the extreme, he wondered that the General should encumber his family, with the addition of one, who seemed a mere boy.

But upon a more thorough scrutiny of his countenance, the fire in his eye, and his perfect coolness and immobility, under such dangerous fire, convinced him that the young volunteer was no ordinary man; and not out of place in the most important position."

Official bust of Vice President Aaron Burr in the capitol.

No comments:

Thomas Pinckney, Federalist

Commissioned as captain in the 1st South Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army. After seeing much action, he became an aide-de-camp to General Horatio Gates. He was captured by the British at the disastrous Battle of Camden in 1780. After recovering from his wounds, he was released in a prisoner exchange. In 1781 he fought under Lafayette in Virginia. Appointed by President George Washington to be the U.S. minister to Great Britain served as Envoy Extraordinary to Spain. The Federalist Party made him a candidate in the 1796 presidential election as the intended running-mate of John Adams. Served as Congressman and Governor of South Carolina. Served as a major general in the Army during the War of 1812.

Henry Lee III, Federalist

Major General "Light-Horse Harry" Lee fought at the battles of Paulus Hook, Guilford Court House, Eutaw Springs, Yorktown and the Whiskey Rebellion. Federalist Congressman from Virginia, Governor of Virginia. Father of Robert E. Lee. In 1812 Lee was attacked by a Jeffersonian mob of Democratic-Republicans while defending a Federalist newspaper from attack. Lee and the other Federalists were beaten and tortured by the mob over the next three hours. Lee was left partially blinded after hot wax was poured into his eyes. The men were left for dead. All were severely injured, and one Federalist, General James Lingan, died.

Frederick Frelinghuysen, Federalist

In the War of Independence he served in the New Jersey militia as an artillery captain, seeing action at Trenton and Monmouth. Attained the rank of colonel. Member of the Continental Congress. Served in the New Jersey General Assembly. Member of the New Jersey convention that ratified the United States Constitution in 1787. President George Washington appointed him as brigadier general in the United States Army for the 1790 campaign against the western Indians. Commissioned major general in the New Jersey militia in 1794, during the Whiskey Rebellion. Elected to the United States Senate.

Stephen Van Rensselaer, Federalist

Van Rensselaer served in the New York Assembly and Senate. He served as the Federalist Lt. Governor under John Jay. In 1786, Van Rensselaer was made a major of the militia. As a Major General in the War of 1812 he led an army in an invasion of Canada and fought at the Battle of Queenston Heights. In 1813 Van Rensselaer was the Federalist candidate for Governor of New York earning 48% of the vote. A shift of only 1,800 votes would have made him Governor. In 1822 he was elected to Congress as a Federalist serving until 1829.

WILLIAM PATERSON, Federalist

James Hillhouse, Federalist

Hillhouse served as captain in Governor's Foot Guards in the Revolutionary War. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, Congressman from Connecticut at-large, 1791–96, and a Federalist Party U. S. Senator from Connecticut, 1796–1810. He was the anti-slavery leader of the Congress in the early days of the Republic. After the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, Hillhouse fought to bar the importation of slaves into the Louisiana Territory. "I consider slavery as a serious evil," he proclaimed, "and wish to check it wherever I have authority." Two of Hillhouse's amendments restricting slavery passed the Congress and were signed into law.

Oliver Ellsworth, Federalist

In 1777 he was chosen as one of Connecticut's representatives in the Continental Congress. Served at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia as a delegate from Connecticut. On June 20, 1787 he proposed the use of the name the United States to identify the nation under the authority of the Constitution. United States Senator from Connecticut. Ellsworth was the principal exponent in the Senate of Alexander Hamilton's economic program. In 1796 Ellsworth was appointed by President George Washington to be Chief Justice of the United States. Served as United States Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of France. Ellsworth was a candidate in the 1796 United States Presidential election, receiving eleven votes in the electoral college.

Robert Goodloe Harper, Federalist

At the age of fifteen, Harper joined a volunteer corps of Cavalry and served in the American Revolutionary Army. Harper was elected as a Federalist Congressman from South Carolina (1795 - 1801). In 1798 at a dinner in Philadelphia honoring John Marshall, a group of U.S. Congressmen were discussing a recent demand made by the government of France. French vessels had been plundering US ships in a piratical manner. French foreign minister Talleyrand said the attacks would be stopped if the US paid him $250,000 and gave France 50,000 pounds sterling and a $100 million loan. As toasts were made, Harper sent his own defiant reply to the French with this toast: “Millions for defense but not one cent for tribute.” Harper served in the War of 1812, attaining the rank of major general. He moved to Maryland and was elected as a Federalist to the US Senate. He was an unsuccessful Federalist candidate for Vice President in the 1816 election. He also received one electoral vote for Vice President in the 1820 election.

Jacob Read, Federalist

Alexander Contee Hanson, Federalist

Member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Editor of the "Federal Republican", a Federalist Party newspaper in Baltimore. Four days after the beginning of the War of 1812 a mob of pro-war Democrat-Republicans destroyed his newspaper office. The paper moved to another building where Hanson was joined by a group of armed allies. When that building was besieged by another mob, Hanson and his group fired, killing two. Hanson and his group surrendered to the militia and were escorted to jail. That evening yet another mob stormed the jail. Hanson was beaten and left for dead. Hanson was elected as a Federalist to Congress in 1812 and 1814. In 1816 he was elected as a Federalist to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate until his death in 1819 at the age of 33.

William Bingham, Federalist

As a merchant he brought full loads of munitions & guns for the war. Served as a diplomat for Congress to France. Bingham marshaled the Second Troop of Philadelphia Light Horse. He served in the Continental Congress, 1st Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, State Senator, and US Senator. Federalists agreed to hold preliminary votings at the Bingham Estate before propositions were brought before Congress publicly, thus creating unanimity among party lines. Alexander Hamilton sought Bingham as his mentor in managing taxes, tariffs, and in constructing a national bank.

Ezekiel Whitman, Federalist

Whitman practiced law in New Gloucester, Maine and in Portland, Maine (both communities a district of Massachusetts until 1820). In 1808 Whitman was elected as a Federalist Congressman from Massachusetts and served one term. In 1816 he was again elected as a Federalist to the US House serving from 1817 to 1821. In 1819 he was a delegate to the convention that prepared the constitution which led to Maine's statehood. In 1820 he was elected as a Federalist Congressman from the new state of Maine serving until 1822. Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Court from 1841 to 1848.

David Cobb, Federalist

Cobb studied medicine in Boston and practiced in Taunton, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in 1775; lieutenant colonel of Jackson’s regiment in 1777 and 1778, serving in Rhode Island and New Jersey; was aide-de-camp on the staff of General George Washington; appointed major general of militia in 1786. Fought in the New York and New Jersey Campaign, the Battles of Springfield, Monmouth, Rhode Island and Shay's Rebellion. He served the Federalist Party as Lt. Governor of Massachusetts, President of the State Senate and Congressman.

Josiah Parker, Federalist

In 1775 Parker enlisted in the Continental Army. He was commissioned a major in the 5th Virginia Regiment in 1776 and became its colonel in 1778. His regiment served in Virginia under General Charles Lee and was transferred to George Washington. The regiment thereafter saw action at the Battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. During Cornwallis's Virginia campaign in 1781, the notorious Colonel Tarleton ransacked his home. He was elected to the First US Congress from Virginia serving for twelve years.

William Stephens Smith, Federalist

Smith married Abigail "Nabby" Adams, the daughter of President John Adams, and so was a brother-in-law of President John Quincy Adams, and an uncle of Charles Francis Adams. Served in the Revolutionary Army as aide-de-camp to General John Sullivan. Fought in the Battle of Long Island, was wounded at Harlem Heights, Battle of White Plains, was promoted to lieutenant colonel at the Battle of Trenton, fought at the Battle of Monmouth and Newport. He was on the staff of General Lafayette, became an adjutant in the Corps of Light Infantry, then transferred to the staff of George Washington. Elected as a Federalist Congressman from New York.

Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Federalist

John Rutledge, Jr., Federalist

Rutledge served as Congressman from South Carolina. A passionate Federalist, he supported Aaron Burr against Jefferson, founding the Charleston Courier (predecessor of the Post and Courier) to support his causes. Joining the South Carolina Militia in 1799, Rutledge served as commander of the Twenty-eighth Regiment in the War of 1812. He subsequently commanded the Seventh Brigade from 1816 until his death. Rutledge's life was fraught with controversy. Catching his wife (mother to his nine children) in a "clandestine visit" with Dr. Horace Senter, Rutledge challenged him to a duel, fatally wounding the doctor.

John Sergeant, Federalist

Member of the Pennsylvania state house of representatives 1808-1810; elected as a Federalist to Congress and served from 1815, to 1823. Sergeant was a strong backer of Henry Clay's American System and the Second Bank of the United States, and even traveled to Europe to negotiate loans to the Bank. He was a strong opponent of slavery who voted against the Missouri Compromise. In 1826 he was an envoy to the Panama Congress. Elected to Congress as an Adams candidate 1827 to 1829. Failing re-election he became legal counsel to the Bank of the United States. Sergeant was the Vice Presidential running mate in Henry Clay's campaign on the National Republican ticket in 1832. Elected as a Whig to Congress serving from 1837 to 1841.

John Laurance, Federalist

Philip Barton Key, Federalist

Key had been a Loyalist in the American Revolution. He served in the Maryland Loyalists Battalion as a captain. Key fought with the British Army from 1777 to 1781, until he was captured by the Spanish in Pensacola, Florida with the rest of his battalion. After the war he served as Mayor of Annapolis & member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Appointed a Federal Judge by John Adams. He was a Counsel to Justice Samuel Chase during Chase's Jefferson ordered impeachment show-trial in 1805. Elected as a Federalist to Congress from Maryland (1807 - 1813). Francis Scott Key was his nephew.