JV . . .' . f f When you leave, please leave this book Because it has been said "Ever thing comes t' him who waits E: by no means disagreeable to him. In a day or two after our conversation with Mr. Clin- ton he left this city for Albany to take his seat in the Senate of this state. A very short time after, the late Mr. heetham, Silvanus Miller, a gentleman whose name it is not material to mention at present, for whom we have ever entertained the highest esteem, and our- selves, rode together a few miles out of town to look at some lands which were offered for sale. On our way Mr. Miller, who is always the first to get into a 8 scrape, and not very fiice about the means of getting out of one, introduced the subject of the return of Mr. burr's friends to the republican party, and ob- served that the event ought to be celebrated, as we might now be certain of carrying every thing before us in our contest with Gov. Lewis. Mr. M. spoke of our meditated dinner at Mr. Dyde's, and thought it adviseable to invite the leading friends of Mr. Burr in this city, to join with us, to the end that all differ- ences might thenceforth cease. Mr. Cheetham appear- ed anxious for it, and suggested that instead of a din- ner we should have a supper, and that it should take place the next evening. It was agreed that a supper was beet, and the remaining diiTiculty was who should give the necessary invitations. Mr. said he could not make it convenient to do it — Mr. Cheetham ob- served that his time w^as taken up during the day with his paper — Silvanus had so many weighty concerns to attend to that he could spare no time for it, and as we had no apology to make, the trouble devolved upon us, which, however, understanding the facts to be as we have already stated, was rather a pleasing one. — This aflair settled, the conversation immediately changed to something else. \\q wish the reader to bear in mind that this introduction of the union by Mr. Miller, and its proposed celebration follovved al- most directly upon the heels of what had passed be- tween his honour and us upon the same subject. We shall see in tlie sequel how dextrously Mr. M. effected his escape from the vengrance of the republican party. To proceed, (lie ne.\t day arrived iind we lost no time in calling upon Docl. Peter Irving, and stating to him what had passed the day before, observed, that un- derstanding all difficulties had been satisfactorily ad- justed, it would be a very agreeable thing if he and his friends would join us in the contemplated supper. Dr. Irving expressed himself pleased with the pro- posal, and volunteered his services to give on his part the necessary invitations, but thought it best to defer it until Messrs. Chnton and Swartwout's return, that one might act as President, and the other as Vice- President of the feast. He acquiesced, how^ever, upon our mentioning to him that there were difficulties in the w^ay of a postponement, as Mr. Dyde was getting every thing ready for the entertainment. During the day, he conferred with Mr. Pierre C. Van Wyck, as we were informed upon the subject of the supper. Dr. Irving having agreed to invite his friend:^, it IjG- came our duty to call upon ours, that the invitations might be as general as the shprt interval of time would admit ; some we saw in person, and some we invited by letter. In the evening sixty-five gentlemen of both parties met at Mr. Dyde's. A stranger who had wit- nessed the fraternal hugs and shaking of hands, would indeed have concluded it was a joyous and happy meeting. Every face wore a smile, and every eye was moistened by the recollection of old friendships. We viewed the Burr-Party as so many Prodigal Sons, who had returned to their Father's dwelling full of sorrow for their former follies ; and yet we cannot but allow that it appeared strange to us that so many men, some of whom were gentlemen of distinguished tulents, should so suddenly abandon Mr. Burr, and B 10 virtually acknowledge, by Iheir conduct, that they had been weak enough to have been made his dupes. At an early hour Mr. Dyde announced that supper "was upon the table, and a magnificent one it was. — The arrangements of President and Vice-President being made, the Union party sat down to table, and after the glass had gone briskly round. Col. Smith called upon Dr. Irving for a toast, who gave — Thomas Jefferson, the Preside/it of the United States. A similar call was soon after made, and his Excel- lency, George Clinton, w^as drank. A third foUow- lowed, and Dr. Irving gave — Aaron Burr, late Vice-President of the United States — dignified in the chair — prompt in the cabinet — GALLANT in thc field — may his country duly appre- ciate his talents and his services. Six cheers was moved for by some one present, but whom w^e do not recollect. The company arose, but the friends of Mr. Burr seemed to have all the sport to themselves, for excepting Silvanus Miller, and two or three more, the rest all stared at each other with the wildness of persons suddenly awakened out of a dream. Our friend, Mr. Naphtali Judah, who appear- ed to have the coolest head present, looked bla?ik^ and was off like a shot. He perceived that this was likely to turn out but a bad Lottery^ and got rid of his share of it in a trice This toast seemed very unlike the single condition that Mr. Clinton had spoken of, and which 11 influenced those v^hom we had invited to attend the supper. If it had been true as was represented by Mr. C. that we were simply to refrain from attacking Mr. Burr, it Wiis very strange that the company should be called upon by one of his most intimate friends so highly to eulogize him. These reflections occurred to us, but we were embarrassed at the moment and knew not what to do. After a little more ot Mr. Dyde's London Particular^ Dr. Irving gave the following toast : — De Witt Clinton, a firm and virtuous Republican. Which was drank with nine cheers. Let us state to our readers that the foregoing toasts were all read from a written paper, and were doubt- less prepared for the occasion during the day by the friends of Mr. Burr, who had a better knowledge of the nature of the alleged conciliation than most of us were permitted to know any thing about. Some of the friends of Mr Clintox being now called upon, Mr. Silvanus Miller, who it is probable knew the whole secret of the union, gave the following toast : A UNION in principle and a union of HONEST MEN. By this time we felt prepared to drink forgiveness to every thing human, whether Savage, Sage or Turk : and Col. Few, who had been as innocently led to the 12 Political bridal feasts as a lamb to the si aught er-home^ gave— Feace on Earthy and good will to all Mankind, Soon after this, each man left the room in the best manner possible, and it is related much to their credit, that not one among them, found their way to the " watch-house." The Republican party not feeling quite so much good will towards all mankind as Col. Few^ were the next day up in arms ; strict search w^as every where made for the conspirators, but for some time none could be found. Hearing that Silvanus had reiterated Aaron Burr's celebrated toast, they went in pursuit of him, but the " Sylvan Swain" was not to be seen ; where he had secreted himself, no one can tell, but doubtless the place of his retreat must have been extremely neat and cleanly, as this gentleman's predilection for purity both of person and mind is well known. At length he made his appearance, obliged we presume by *' hun- ger, and request of friends," that he w^ould endeavour to put a plausible face on the business and bring them oflfin some way or other; and when some of our ex- asperated jepal)licans found out this friend of honest 77U n, who is now a chief writer for the Columbian, and who ought to have been hanged ten years since /or his fad verses^ they pounced upon him like so many birds of prey. Silvanus vowed to Heaven that no Uwtb was ♦-ver more innocent than he ; that he should never had iim\Q to the '^ cursed" supper but for that " damn'd" 13 Kose, and would undertake to get '« twelve good and lawful men within his bailiwick" to swear to the same thing. This, together with the miserable appeanince of the poor culprit, moderated their anger in some de- gree, and they left the Sylvan mourner rather more composed than they had found him. A committee was appointed for the preparation of resolutions to be passed at a general meeting of the Republicans, then about to be called — as God vrould have it, Nathan Sanford was one of the committee, who being a man of mercy, was moved with compassion for our situa- tion ; and considering too that most of us had families, and that our wives and children could not well afford to lefe us die yet, did every thing ii^fcis power to mo- derate the fury of the party ; and through his humane efforts, God bless him for it, w^e were all permitted to escape with our lives. The resolutions being agreed upon, the following notice appeared in the American Citizen, on the morning of the 25th of February, 1806. '* REPUBLICANS ATTEND! gy' A General Meeting of the Kepublican Citizens is requested at Martling's THIS EVENING, the 25th instant, a 7 o'clock, on matters of great importance to their repution and interest." In the evening thousands assembled, boiling with indignation ; and when the resolutions which had been previou.^ly prepared by the committee were read, it was scarcely possible to restrain the anger of the popu- lace upon finding them as they imagined so much too 14 mild for the occasion : finally, however, they were adopted, and that our readers may have an entire view of the subject, we republish the following proceedings of the evening : ^* At a general meeting of the Republican Citizens un- usually numerous, convened at Murtling's Long Koom, on Tuesday eveniiig, Feb. 25th, 1806, in consequence of various reports and publications, tending to induce a belief, that a coalition or re- union had been formed between the Republican party in this state and the Burritcs^ derogatory to the honor and interest of the Republicans. Thomas Far mar, in the chair. IcHABOD Pral ., Secretary. Resolved^ That it is inconsistent with the honor and dignity of the Republican party in this state, to enter into any bargain, treaty, or aUiance with any other party whatever. Resolved^ That it would not only be degrading to us, but injurious to the Republican interest, silently to submit to what any person or persons^ may attempt to do unauthorized by the great body of Republicans. Resolved^ That this meeting do not acknowledge the proceedings of a meeting of certain persons at Dyde's Hotel on the 1 8th inst. as the act of the Republican party, but expressly disavow and disapprove of the same. 15 Resolved, Tliat Aaron Burr does not, and ought not to possess the confidence of the Republican party. Resolved, Tliat the Republicans of this state are wil- ling at all times to receive as friends, such of their po- litical opponents, as may show by their conduct, that they have adopted Republican principles. Thomas Farmar, Chairman. IcHABOD Prall, SecVy.'' We will venture to say, that if the meeting had then known, what Marcl's has since disclosed respecting the nature of the Uniox, Mr. De Witt riinton might have exclaimed with Shakspeare's Moor, " Othello's occupation's gone." The proceedings at Martling's being so w^ell over, our situation became a little more comfortable ; for the fact being so well known of our giving the invitations, and being accused by so many innocent and virtuous l^oung men of being the author of the plot, when ia fact, we were nothing but the " marplot^''* we must own, that for a whole week we trembled like an aspen leaf, expecting every moment to be carried to the Gulloiinc, Immediately after the toasts, which we drank at the supper, appeared in the Citizen, the paper containing them was sent, by mail, to Mr. Clinton, in Albany, Mr. Cheetham had at first refused to publish them, but upon advising with his friends, who suspected that there had been foul play somewhere, he concluded it would be best to let them appear, knowing that the Republican party would immediately rise in rel^ellion 16 ttgahist them. This %vas to be inferred, considering how much its honour had been sullied, by eulogizing the man, who had so lately, through their particular exertion?, aided by his ambitious and anti-republican conduct, lost all his political consequence ; Qesar said Brutus " was ambitious and therefore I slew him/' Bl'rr was ambitious, and the Republican party had abandoned him. — When the paper containing the ac- count of the supper reached Albany, it is said, that much apprehension was visible in the countenance of a certain ambitious Senator, lest the exploits of *' the evening" should not be generally approved of by his friends. In order, however, to reconcile tliem to it, the article which we subjoin, appeared in Holt's Bke, a little paper about the size of that insect, which has always been a kind of conveniency to the lordly tribe, and it requires no witch to inform us who wrote it. We beg the reader to peruse it with the attention of a man in close pursuit of truth. He will perceive that its every sentence speaks too plainly to be misunder- stood — it throws more light on a formerly dark and mysterious subject than has yet pierced through the gloom which has enveloped it. Without tlie '* Dyde supper*' vve might have continued in ignorance to this day. It is well known that our modern Ciesar " can bear no rival near his throne;'' he would rather be '• the first man in a village, than the second in Rome." The Livingston family, powerful by wealth and talents, stood in his way. 'I his family was too much of an eye sore to remain unattacked, and to prostrate Ihem it was necessary to begin with Gov. Lewis, whose son in- law is a Livingston. There a]>peared, however, insur- 17 mountable difficulties in the way, unless the friends of Mr. Burr could be brought in opposition. This may perhaps furnish a clew to certain " unauthorised trans- actions," but fortunately for our Senator, the alTair of the Merchants' Bank furnished a fruitful source of declamation against his excellency, which was dex- terously improved, and his rival succeeded withjut tho aid of the Burrites. The article towards which we wish to call the reader's attention, is the following — From the IIudso7i Bee, Mr. Holt, I have read the address of Phocion in your lasC paper with some attention. Independent of party at- tachment, I perceive the fidelity of his narration, and acknowledge the justness of his deductions. He speaks the language of manly feeling and correct sen- timent. An unbiassed spectator in the theatre of politics, I have of late considered the situation of the adherents of Col. Burr with a degree of interest.— They have recognized the dehcacy of their relative standing in the state, and by the discretion and good policy of their demeanour have removed prejudices and extorted respect. Their return into the bosom of the republican party, from which they have been con- sidered as alienated, appears now to be a matter of course and natural con-equence. For my part, what- ever charges and recriminaiions were interchanged by C 18 those gentletcen and their adversaries, in the bicker- ings of an electioneering struggle, I never understood them to have pointedly abandoned the great standard of republicanism in their disagreement with " brethren of the same principle" on the merits of two candi- dates, w^ho had both stood high in the general confi- dence. They supported Col. Burr on the ground of his republicanism, and opposed his rival on account of his aristocratical connexions and propensities. And their co-operation with the federalists in the election, I view as arising more from personal irritation excited between the Lewisites and Burrites (so called) than from any desire in the latter to re-establish the reign of federalism. It is true, much local injury will be sus- tained, and much personal acrimony and altiercation remain to be forgiven, in the result of every contested election, from the manner in which they are conduct- ed in this country. But when the causes of these dis. sentions are removed, every good citizen must wish and promote the return of harmofiy and concord. In regard to Col. Burr, it is not very probable he will soon if ever again become the object or leader of a party in this state. This point, I conceive require^ no elucidation. The other point of difference between his friends and tlie Lewisites, however, the support of the ari>?tocratical pretensions of the governor's family, remains to be settled. To this family, and their influ- ence, the great body of the Burrites appears to remain 19 inflexibly opposed. And this opposition must be re- conciled to the Repubhcan interest of the state, beforG the Burrites can be restored to their originul standing with ihe Repubhcan party. Here, fortunately, per- haps for both parties, circumstanct's have transformed the collision of their interest into an union oi sentiir.ent and action. The departure of C'overnor Lewis uovx the views and affections from the mass of his support- ers, and his confirming the suggestions of the Burrites in ihi^ ag^randizemeiit of his connexions, leaves no room for a contrariety of sentiment on the subjec^ The late adherents of Col. Burr, with the friends of tho Clinton party, or Clintonians, (to continue the use of the vulgar distinctions) must with equal sincerity and zeal unite in this point of their former contention. It is not a little singular that the candidates of both par- ties should be deserted by their electors. I will not gay they have both deceived their friends ; this is best known to the parties themselves. But that they are both deserted by those who contend for their elevation to the executive chair, as future candidates for that important office, cannot at this day be denied. What, then, can remain as an obstacle to the re- union an d co-operation of the two parties ? What se- parate or clashing designs or interests can subsist be- tween them ? I know of none. Indeed, as I cannot pretend that I ever wished or obtained admission to the particular arcana of either party, it 13 obvious that my 20 remarks are founded on general aad impartial views. I ^peak as a friend to political //(7/7/w;iy, desirous of ob- literating tiie injudicious and unprofitable exacerba- tions of the past and avoiding unnecessary misunder- standing and miogaided predilections, in the present and lUiure. Supremely gratified should I be, could I extend my ideas to an union of the Federalists and the Governor's family svith the Republican party But I too well know the impossioility of reconciling inve- terate and deep rooted principles, and prejudices eman- ating from self-love, with a system of politics opposite in its nature, and a determination to maintain that system at the expense of all favoritism and family in- fluence. I shall therefore confine myself to atteujpt- ing the repair of breaches capable of reconciliation, and the restoration of harmony where it may be efiect- ed. In %^he relative conditions of the two parties I have been considering, (though I am so little interested that I voted neither for Col Burr nor Col Lewis) I could net but perceive the facility with which the prosperity of both might be advanced, without injury fo the feel- ings of eitlier, by a mutual understanding, and dispo- sition 10 forget prior differences in subsequent advan- tages. And indeed I should be little mistaken if com- mon i-efxection and common benefits had already pro- duced the result I have contemplated. ARISTIDES. 31 P. S. In counting on the justice, the magnanimity and the good iaith of the two parties, I trust I calcu- late on a basis which n^ay be relied on without fear. Indeed, when the professions and interests of mankind are in strict unison, it would be absurd to apprehend their opposition and defeat from the passions. The jealousy of the most suspicious may therefore safely be trusted with the experiment. And the result, if auspi- cious, would secure to the strong 2i permanent and pa- ramoufit ascendency, and to the weak a participation in influence and consideration of which they have now no possession, and to which in their present state thoy can make no forcible claim. The latter would also rise from the condition of agents and instruments, in which they have been hitherto considered by those who made use of them on former occasions, to the rank of prinapah and partners in the labors and ho- nors of the political warftire. Thus every motive calLs on them to re-embrace their " first love," and accord the hand of fellowship with their old friends and asso- ciates. A. We presume no comments on the above are neces- sary, we leave every one to form his own conclusions. Notwithstanding Mr. Clinton's attempt to harmo- nize brethren of the same principle^ the Republican party, \o vindicate its sullied honour, lost no time in acquitting itself from the reproach which had been 22 heaped upon it. Their measures were effectual, and the accommodation was for some time believed by the public to have been a thing entirely unauthorized. The reproach fell upon us, as having inveigled so m^ivji/mocent and unsuspecting men, and drawn them into a scrape where their honour and political conse- quence was to be lost : and ns^e being unable, at that time, to explain the affair, submitted in silence. The opposstion to Gov. Lewis was now rapidly ma- turing. The friends of Col. Burr, finding themselves overlooked by the Republican party, incensed at the perfidious conduct of Mr. Clinton, and also feeling satisfied, that however honest the mass of Repub- licans might be in their opposition, there was more of ambition than honesty in his views — that the people might have a better knowledge of his character, deem- ed it proper to publish some account of the power he assumed in bargaining for a union of the Burrites with the Republican party. Accordingly, a short time after Dyde Supper, and before the election of Gover- nor came on, a writer under the signature of MAR- CUS, published a series of letters addressed to Mr. Clinton, which appeared in the Poughkeepsie Barom. eter. It is unimportant to the community to inquire who the writer of MARCUS is. The only material question for discussion is, are the facts mentioned by him true — if true, does not the conclusion irresistibly follow that Mr. Clinton ought not to possess the confi- dence of any one, sincerely attached to that liberty 25 secured to us by our Republican institutions. The nariiitive contained in these letters, will be found in- teresting. It commences as follows. "About the 24th of December, 1805, Mr. Levi M*Keen, of Poughkeepsie, arrived in the city of New- York, and iiliortly after called on different gentlemen among his political friends, stating to them that over- tures had been made by the CUntoniam^ to form an union with the Bunites, and his opinion that the plan was feasible. He added that he had conversed with Gen. Bailey on the subject, and was desirous thaJ Col. Swartwout should consent to an interview for the same purpose. Mr M'Keen was informed that there were numerous and almost insurmountable obstacles to such a measure, inasmuch as the friends of Col. Burr could never place conlidence in the engagements of De Witt Clinton, until he should have done soine act^ in- dicative of his sincerity. " It was then suggested, that as Mr. Chnton had not the power of giving offices at that moment, and thus pubicly committing himself, he should give to the friends of Col. Burr, pecuniary aid through the medi- um of the Manhattan Bank, of which he was a direc tor : and from which Bank they were almost totally secluded, by a system of intolerance and persecution. This point, after two or three days' discussion, was conceded as reasonable and proper. Hitherto Mr, M'Keen and General Bailey were the only agents ; but the affair assuming a more important aspect, it be- came necessary that some persons residing in the City of New-1: ork, known to be friendly to Col. Burr, should undertake the arrangement: and Col. John Swartwout was selected. It was, however, determin- ed, that no movement should be made, on the part of the Burrites, but by solicitation. On the 5th of January, M'Kcen left the City of New- York, and on the 7th Mr. Swartwout received from Gen. Baiiey a written note, inviting him to spend an hour with him that evening, which invitation was accepted. After some desultory conversation, the plan of terminating the division between the Burrites and the Clintonians was introduced by Gen. Bailey. Mr. Swartwout immediately inquired whether he was authorised by the Mayor, or merely spoke as Gen. Bailey in his private capacity. The General replied, that he was authorized by Mr. Clinton. They then proceeded to the discussion of the subject ; and their interview lasted about four hours. Mr Swartwout re- marked, however, as a preliminary to the discussion, that the friends of Col. Burr retained their respect and esteem for that gentleman ; that his friends were their friends, and his enemies their enemies. From this day until the 1 ;th of January, the inter- views between Gen. Bailey and Col. Swartwout were ^5 almost daily. At some of their meetings R. Rikei was present ; at others j Pierre C. Van Wyck. Dur- ing the whole negociation, however, Mr. Glinton ne- ver consulted any person or persons, it is believed, bus those above named. The character of Richard Riker is w^ell known. — His instability as a politician is notorious. Ii: 1798, he was conspicuous as a federalist, and in the public market triumphed at the success of the federal ticket in the city of New^-York. To De Witt Clinton, since his appointment to office, he is as the pilot-fish to the sharks P. C. Van Wyclw is a young man, unacquainted with the political concerns of the state, and conse- quently a very incompetent judge of measures of policy. On the llth of January the terms of an union of Burrism and Clintonianism, was concluded, and they were as follows : Firstly — That Col. Burr should be recognized by the union party, as a republican. Secondly— Th2it theEditor of the American Citizen should desist from all attacks upon him or his friends ; that he should advocate the union, if it became ne- cessary, in his paper ; and that he should not defend the Burrltes as rcturmng to republican principles, they persisting that they never had abandoned them. 1) 26 Thirdly — That the friends of Col. Burr, as it res- pected appointments to offices of honor or profit, throughout the state, sliould be placed on the same footing as the most favoured Clintonians ; and that their Burrism should never be urged as an objection to their filling those offices. Fourth! y—Th^ii at the approaching election in April, the Burrites should have a portion of at least one third of the Representatives of the City and County of New- York in the State Legislature. jP//?%— That De Witt Clinton should see that they (the Burrites) were accommodated to any reasonable amount they might require in the Manhattan Bank, and that he should actually procure for an individual, in the course of the next week, an accommodation, in said Bank, of at least SI 8,000 ! ! Such were the conditions of the union, as conclud- ed on the morning of the 11 th of January. Mr. Swartwout having reported the result of his negocia- tions, it was their opinion that Gen. Bailey ought to repeat them to some other friend of Col. Burr. The General was noticed of this circumstance, and cheer- fully assented. Accordingly, on the same day, about one o'clock, Mr. Mat. L. Davis accompanied Mr. Swart- wout, by appointment, to the house of Gen. Bailey, whL're, in the presence of those two gentlemen, he repeated the above terms as the basis of a reconcilia- tioD. 27 On Monday, the 13th January, the Manhattan Bank, in pursuance of the above arrangement, dis- counted, for the accommodation of a distinguished Burrite, a note of Nine Thousand Dollars : and on Thursday, the 16th, another note of Nine Thoinand Dollars^ for the accommodation of the same person, making the Eighteen Thousand Dollars^ stipulated for in the 5th article. Other friends of Col. Burr were accommodated with smaller, but very considerable sums, who could not previously obtain one cent from the coffers of that in- stitution. Mr. Clinton having thus giveti a pledge of his sin- cerity ; it was agreed, that an interview should take place between him and Col. Swartwout. Thursday evening, the 16th, at 6 o'clock, at the house of Gen. Bailey, by arrangement, they met. About 7 o'clock, Mr. Clinton's counsellors and advisers, Riker and Van Wyck, came into the room to express their heartfelt satisfaction at this union of hokest men. They re- mained about an hour and then retired. It had been previously determined that the leaders of the Clinton party should manage their own men in their own way, and that no communication should be made by the Burrites, to the followers of Mr. Clinton. On the 1 1th, the union was concluded ; on Ww 13th a part of the conditions were carried into operation ; on the 16tb, Mr. Clinton and Mr. Swartwout had their 26 Thirdly — That the friends of Col. Burr, as U res- pected appointments to offices of honor or profit, throughout the state, sliould be placed on the same footing as the most favoured Clintonians ; and that their Burrism should never be urged as an objection to their filling those offices. jPo/zr?/;/?/— That at the approaching election in April, the Burrites should have a portion of at least one third of the Representatives of the City and County of New- York in the State Legislature. jP///%~That De Witt Clinton should see that they (the Burrites) were accommodated to any reasonable amount they might require in the Manhattan Bank, and that he should actually procure for an individual, in the course of the next week, an accommodation, in said Bank, of at least 818,000 ! ! Such were the conditions of the union, as conclud- ed on the morning of the llth of January. Mr. Swartwout having reported the result of his negocia- tions, it was their opinion that Gen. Bailey ought to repeat them to some other friend of Col. Burr. The General was noticed of this circumstance, and cheer- fully assented. Accordingly, on the same day, about one o'clock, Mr. Mat. L. Davis accompanied Mr. Swart- wout, by appointment, to the house of Gen. Bailey, where, in the presence of those two gentlemen, he repeated the above terms as the basis of a reconcilia- tion. 27 On Monday, the 13th January, the Manhattan Bank, in pursuance of the above arrangement, dis- counted, for the accommodation of a distinguished Burrite, a note of Nine Thousand Dollars : and on Thursday, the 16th, another note of Nine Thousand Dollars, for the accommodation of the same person, making the Eighteen Thousand Dollars^ stipulated for in the 5th article. Other friends of Col. Burr were accommodated with smaller, but very considerable sums, who could not previou?Iy obtain one cent from the coffers of that in- stitution. Mr. Clinton having thus given a. pledge of his sin- cerity ; it was agreed, that an interview should take place between him and Col. Swartwout. Thursday evening, the 16th, at 6 o'clock, at the house of Gen. Bailey, by arrangement, they met. About 7 o'clock, Mr. Clinton's counsellors and advisers, Riker and Van Wyck, came into the room to express their heartfelt satisfaction at this union of hokest men. They re- mained about an hour and then retired. It had been previously determined that the leaders of the Chnton party should manage their own men in their own way, and that no communication should be made by the Burrites, to the followers of Mr. Clinton. On the 1 1 th, the union was concluded ; on i\w 1 3th a part of the conditions were carried into operation ; on the 16tb, Mr. Clinton and Mr. Swartwout had their 28 interview; and yet, on the 17th, there was not an in- dividual member of the Legislature, Riker excepted, •vho had the most distant suspicion of such an event having taken place; because on that day, the 17th, and the next, both James Warner and Francis Coop- er, w^ere busily employed with Riker, in endeavouring to bring about this desirable reconciliation. These men were honest and sincere ; but they will perceive, while communicating and planning with Riker as to the best means to accomplish the object, he was laugh- ing in his sleeve at their credulity ; and triumphing with Van Wyck and Clinton, at the facility with which the wellborn and the great too frequently impose upon the weak and ignorant. Such must ever be the de- graded state of men, who implicitly follow dema- On or about the 1 8th, seven days afie-r the union had been concluded, a dinner was given by Mr. Clinton, at which the members of the Legislature, with other leadi7ig republicans were present. At this dinner the subject of the union w as the topic of conversation. Here it was that De Witt played his part with great adroitness. He could scarcely hazard an opinion, as to the policy of the measure. He was willing to sa- 4.rijfice his resentments and his feelings for the public good ; and was determined to be governed by his friends. Consummate duplicity ! The prevailing sen- timent was, that the measure would be, in a political view,*highly advantageous. No man appeared more gratilied with the prospect of success, than William W. Gilbert ; and all who spoke of it, were willing to i 29 make an effort to accomplish it. The company re- tired with these impressions, each doubtless coui])li- menting tiieir great chief on his liberality of senti- ment and disinterested patriotism ! • Where is the high and towering spirit which once glowed in the bosom of many of our old and respect- able republicans ? In short, where is the man in the party who does not feel a degree of mortification and chagrin, at being excluded from the confidence of his leader, while such men as Mr. Riker and Mr. Van Wyck are selected to decide on its most important ar- rangement .? The statement which has been given will account for the appointment of Mr. Van Wyck, Recorder of the city of New- York, and the unexampled efforts which were used to procure for him that situation. From the 18th until the 25th of January, nothing material, relative to the Z7/?/o/?, transpired. On the evening of the latter day it was agreed that Mr. Clin- ton should again meet, at the house of Gen. Bailey, gome of Col. Burr's friends. At the appointed hour Col. Swartwout, Mr. M. L. Davis, and Peter Irving, at- tended. Shortly after they were seated, Mr, Chnton's name w^as announced. He entered the room> to the astonishment of the congregated Burrites, accompani- ed by Ezekiel Roijins. This gentleman was conspicu- ous as an advocate of Col. Burr ; but he liad not been apprised by his friends of the reconciliation; they were, however, embarrassed. After a few minutes pause 30 Mr. Clinton explained. He stated that he had consi- dered it his duty to call on Mr. Robins, and to inform him of the happy termination of the contest between " two sections of the Republican party y" that at his re- quest, Mr. Robins had accompanied him home, from whence he had conveyed him in his (Mr. Chnton's) carriage, to the house of Gen. Bailey, At this meeting his deportment was frank and open; and if I am not much deceived, he made an impres- sion on the friends of Col Burr, then present, that he was sincere, and that his future conduct would be cor* rect and honorable. He ardently expressed his wishes for a perfect amalgamation of the parties ; and mpro'- mises he was lavish. Bnrrites, he said mi^st be sent, at the next spring election, from the city and county of New- York, to the State Legislature. Mr. Peter Town- send m!/st represent Orange county. Mr. Joseph Annin, of the Senate, mi/st be chosen a member of the Coun- cil of Appointment, if sutticient interest could be made for him — Levi M'Keen, of Poughkeepsie should be ap- pointed clerk, in the room of Gilbert Livingston, whom he would remove from office. To detail all his friendly assurances at this meeting, would be tedious to me, mortifying to him and not interesting to the public. Certain it is, that his ingenuity and talents were called into operation to impress the Burrites with the opinion that he was ardent, sincere, and determined on a sys- tem of policy that should prove gratifying to them, and flattering to Col. Burr." 31 It will be said, to repeat the language of the Author, Marcus is an anonymous writer, unknown to the pub- lic, perhaps influenced by a spirit of revenge, and re- gardless of truth : and it will be added, Mr. Clinton is the leader of a party, high in their confidence, and possessing their esteem. These, with many other ar- guments, will be urged by his adherents. They are reasonable, and deserve the most mature and delibe- rate consideration of the people. But they deserve it in a pre-eminent degree, at this crisis, when the press is unblushingly prostituted to the vilest purposes ; when the most spotless characters in society, are unfeelingly torn and lacerated to accomplish party views ; and when public taste seems so corrupted and vitiated, that nothing but the lowest slanders are palatable. He asks only a dispassionate and calm decision. If the facts which have been stated cannot be well establish- ed ; if a doubt should remain on the mind of any man — then would Marcus himself, who knows his guilt, plead w^ith that man for his acquittal. The terms of the contract entered into between the leaders of the Burr and Clinton parties becoming pub- lic, it appeared by one of them that Mr. Clinton had undertaken for the editor of the American Citizen, that ije " should desist from all attacks upon Mr. Burr and his friends — that he should advocate the Union in his paper if it became necessary, and that he should not defend the Burrites as returniti^ to Republican princi- ples ; they persisting they had never abandoned them." The indignation excited by this in the bosom of Mr. Cheetham, can scarcely be described. He wrote with- 32 out delay to Albany in terras of tlie utmost asperity, demanding to know how Mr. Clinton, or any other person, dared to pledge his press in the support of a measure pregnant wit^i so much dishonor both to him and to the party. In a day or two he was deluged with letters, overflowing with assurances that no such pledge had been given, nor even thought of— that Mr. Clinton ■was determined to submit his injuries to a jury of his fellow citizens, and prove before them his entire inno- cence. These assurances, together with the subsequent conduct of Mr. Clinton, paciiied Mr. Cheetham, though it was evident to those who conversed with him upon the subject, that he still cherished a lurking suspicion of some freedom having been taken irreconcilable with his independence as the conductor of a public Journal. He betrayed upon many private occasions, symptoms of a mortified yet indignant spirit ; and those who knew him intimately, always dated the declension of his confidence in Mr. Clinton from the period of the disclosure above mentioned. The letters of Marcus opened the eyes of thousands, who till that time had been blind to Mr. Clinton's ambition. Many who had believed him a patriot of \\\e first water ^ began to ques- tion the purity of this Diamond of Democracy. The Republicans of the Northern District, in particular, be- gan to think too audibly for the tranquillity of Mr. Clinton. The election for Governor had nearly arriv- ed, and our independent yeomanry suspecting tliat personal ambition was in reality the ground w^ork of the opix)3ition to Mr. Lewis, seemed no longer to dis- play the same zeal which had been kindled against him with so much pains by the partisans of his political o|> 33 ponent. Their ardour appeared to be cooling down with a rapidity alarming to the fears and hopes of Mr. CUnton — they saw some think in the Burr contract be- speaking a design on his part to accumulate power ia his own hands, which they knew must inevitably be the consequence of the prostration of Governor Lewis, and which power would the better enable him to retain a very important office to himself, and distribute others among his obsequious dependants. 1 hese reflections made them slow to act against Gov Lewis, and Mr. Clinton, apprized of this state of the public mind, and feeling his consequence rapidly diminishing, found it necessary to come out under his own proper signa- ture. The following was deemed so important, and it certainly was of great importance in the peculiar exi- gency of his affairs, that an extra Albany Register was issued for the purpose of giving it notoriety, particu- larly in the northern parts of the state. From the Albany Register Hxtr aor dinar y. A nefarioin libel ^ under the signature of Marcus, having been recently printed at Poughkkepsie, and in- dustriously circulated in the northern parts of the state, with the view of wounding my feelings, and ex- citing unjust prejudices against me; I have directed prosecutions to be immediately instituted against the AU'iHOR and publishers, and I PLEDGE myself to my friends, that a judicial investigation will demonstrate 34 the folly, the falsehood and the malice of the charges ex- hibited against me. DE WITT CLINTON. ^Ibanif', 26tkJan. 1807. The PUBLIC will soon see in what manner Mr. Clin- ton has performed his pledge — a pledge so solemnly made in the face of the PEOPLE, and so highly ma- terial to his reputation, both as a man and a politicianr Mr. Clinton, in part performance of his sacred pledge, with a promptness which appeared to do him honor, immediately wrote to Mr. Talmadge to prose- cute the Editor of the Barometer for publishing the letters of Marcus, and likewise to Mr. Cowdrey, a pro- fessional gentleman of this city, to prosecute Mr. Mat- thew L. Davis, as the authbr, taking care before these letters were dispatched, to shew them to his Republican legislative friends, that they might certify their con- stituents of his intention to vindicate his injured repu- tation, and bring the culprits to justice. ^J'he early and apparently serious efibrt for redress, produced the eflect which Mr. Clinton desired and no doubt fore- saw. Public opinion again took a turn in his favor, and Governor Lewis was prostrated. No one ventur- ed to distrust Mr. Clinton's sincerity, but all gave him in advance a credit which it had been well both for himself and the Republican cause he had done nothing to forfeit — they even imagined him already acquitted, and the slaiKlerers of his fame punished. It would 35 have amounted almost to the crime of blasphemy if any one had ventured to assert that this part of his conduct was nothing but the trick of an adroit politi- cian. The election succeeded to the utmost of our statesman's wishes, and the former Governor sustain- ed a defeat as fatal to his hopes as the battle of Ma- rengo was humiliating to the pride of Austria, Mr. Clinton was hailed as the conqueror who had achieved the victory, and has since enjoyed without a rival, all the honors which attend successful ambition. The se- quel, however, must test to Mr. Clinton's sincerity in commencing his prosecutions as a remedy for his wounded reputation. A supreme court writ againet r\Ir. Davis, was -returned served, in February term, 1807. Mr. Davis waited for Mr. Chnton's declaration against him until the 27th day of October following (a period of eight months) and not finding him inclint^d to make any farther progress in the suit, he resorted to coercion and ruled him to proceed before the end of the then ensuing term. No notice being taken of this, a judgment of Non Pross was entered against him, and the cause was at an end. It appears, how- ever, by the rule book, that a declaration was filed on the 1 0th day of December following. This must have been owing to the courtesy of Mr. Davis, as it does not appear that any steps had been taken to set the Non Pross aside. Mr. Davis must have waved the judgment to allow Mr Clinton all possible opportunity of doing himself justice, if desirous to obtain it. The following is a part of the declaration, we think it unnecessary to publish the w hole of it, as the rest re- 36 lates to the alleged union contract, of which the pub- lic are already informed. SUPREME COURT. Of Saturday the fourteenth day of February, of February term, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven. ity and County of New-York ^ ss. De Witt Clinton complains of Matthew L. Davis^ in custody, kc. for that whereas, the said De Witt Clinton, now is a good and worthy citizen of the United States, and as such hath always behaved, gov- erned and conducted himself, and until the time of devising, speaking, telling, writing, uttering, prin- ting and publishing of the false, scandalous, infamous, malicious and defamatory libel herein after mention, ed, was always esteemed and reputed to be a man of good name, fame, credit and reputation, ana wa,s never suspected of falsehood, duplicity perfidy, or any other such hurtful crime ; by means whereof the said De Witt Clinton before the printing and publishing of the said false, scandalous, infamous, malicious and defamatory libel iierein after mentioned, had deserv- edly gained the good opinion and confidence of div.^rs good and worthy citizens of the United States, to '.vit, at the city of New-York, at the first ward of the :iiid city, and within the county of New- York. '• :id whereas the jail De Witt Clinton before and at rlietlmeof deviling, uttering, printing and pulii;hm§ 37 of the said false, scandalous, infamous, malicious and defamatory libel herein after mentioned, was Mayor of the said city of New- York, and had, during all the time of his so being Mayor of the said city as aforesaid, discharged the duties of his situation with great care, attention and fidelity, and to the comfort, benefit, profit and advantage of good citizens and in- habitants of the said city, to wit, at the city, ward and within the county aforesaid. And whereas, also the said De Witt Clinton, before and at the time of the devising, uttering, printing and publibhing of the said false, scandalous, infamous, malicious and defamatory libel herein after mentioned, was one of the senators in the senate of the state of New- York, and before the devising, uttering, printing and pub- lishing of the said libel, had as such senator aforesaid? been nominated and appointed in virtue and pursuance of the constitution of the said state,, oiie of the coun- cil for the appointment of certain officers, designated in and by the said constitution, to wit, at the city? ward and within the county aforesaid. Yet the said Matthew L. Davis well knowing all and singular the premises aforesaid, but contriving and maliciously intending wrongfully and unjustly to injure, defame and slander the said De Witt Clinton in his aforesaid good name» fame, credit and reputation, and to bring him into public scandal, contempt, ignominy and di -grace, and to cause it to be credited and believed Uiat the honourable reputation in which the said De 38 Witt Clinton had been loDg held by his fellow citizens had been undeserved on his part, that the public wel- fare, and the VOICE of the PEOPLE imperiously de- mandcd that he, the said De Witt Clinton, should be deprived of the honours and emoluments of the offices which he held as aforesaid, that the said De Witt Clinton had exercised the powers of dispensing the public favours in such a manner as to excite the dis- gust and contempt of all moderate and disinterested men, and that the said De Witt Clinton had been guilty oi falsehood^ duplicity and perfidy^ on the twen- tieth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, to wit, at the city, ward and within the county aforesaid, did falsely and maliciously, wickedly and designedly, print and pub- lish, and falsely and maliciously, wickedly and de- signedly cause to be printed and published, a certain false, scandalous, infamous and malicious libel, of and concerning the said De Witt Clinton, containing there- in the false, scandalous, infamous and malicious mat- ter, following of and concerning' the said De Witt Clinton, that is to. say. The Plot Discovered, by Marcus, No. 1. TO DE WITT CUNTON, ESQ. Sir, Unaccustomed to the language of panegyric, I offer no apology for the abruptness of this address. A 39 Republican from education, from habit, and from prin- ciple, I disdam the courtier. The period, sh', is rapidly approaching, when the influence of truth will divest you of the ill-born hon- ours which have enshrouded your brow. The reign of proscription will soon subside, and, it is to be hoped, w^ill be succeeded by tolerance and forbearance. It is, however, both necessary and proper that you and your immediate satellites should be stripped of the emolu- ments of office. The public welfare and the voice of the people imperiously demand it. The evil fore- bodings of a guilty mind must long since have sug- gested it to you. Nor will you, in the calm and dis- passionate moments of reflection, condemn this sen- v tence as harsh. You will acknow ledge its justice, and in the language of the sacred volume exclaim, ** The arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit; the terrors of God do sot themselves in array against me." You have had the powder of dispensing favours, al- most without limitation ; and you have executed that trust in such a manner as to excite the disgust and con- tempt of all moderate and disinterested men. The venerable patriot, and the war-worn soldier of our country, have been impiously thrust from petty posts, to satisfy the cravings of idle and fawning sycophants^ You are encircled by a mercenary bauil, who, while 40 they offer adulation to your system of termor, are ready, at the iirst favourabie moment, to betray and desert you. A portion of them are needy young men, w!i3, without maturely investigating the conse- quences, have sacrificed principle to self aggrandize- ment. Others are mere parasites, that well know the tenure on which they hold their ofTices, and will ever pay implicit obedience to those who administer to their \vanis. Many of your followers are among the most prof/igate of the community. They are the bano of social and domestic happiness. Ser- vile and dependant panders, no means, however wicked, have been neglected by them to accomj.lish their purposes, and to carry into execution your man- dates. Numerous are the charges which have been exhi- bited against you. Some of them have doubtless been exaggerated, and others have no foundation in truth. Sufficient have, however, been established to bring upon you the odium of your fellow citizens. It is not my design to repeat tliose charges, nor to load you with vulgar and unmeaning epithets. To triumph over a fallen enemy is cruel in the extreme. But there is one part of your conduct which has excited much con- versation, and is but very imperfectly understood. It betrays, however, a species of perfidy and falsehood repugnant to the feelings of a man of honor, and too undignified for the most grovelling wretch that receives 41 the patronage, or boasts the confidence, even of De Witt Chnton. The subject to which I allude, is the iinion^ as it has been facetiously termed. And although I shall be brief, yet I shall convince you and your associates thaj. I am no stranger to the details connected with that transaction. How I came to the possession of them, s not material to you, and is unimportant to the pub- lic. The tale shall be a plain unvarnished one, curry^ ing on the face of it proofs of its accuracy. My next number shall be devoted to this subject, and in the pre- sence of God and my country, I pledge myself to es- tablish yoUiT DUPLICITY and your perfidy. MARCUS. The declaration concludes in the following words : By means of the printing and publishing of which said false, scandalous, infamous and malicious libel, and libellous matter of and concerning the said De Witt Clinton in manner aforesaid, the said De Witt Clinton is greatly hurt and injured in hi« good name and reputation, to wit, at the city, ward and within the county aforesaid. Wherefore the said De Vv'^itt Clinton saith that he is injured and hath sustained da- mage to Five ThjusanJ Dollars, and thereof he brings suit, &c. Cowdrcy^ Plaintiff^ s Attorney. F 42 To the declaration of Mr. Clinton, Mr. Davis filed the following plea and served a copy of it upon Mr- Covvdrey. Every one who has attended to the Nar- rative of the celebrated Union Supper (and if we al- low ourselves to judge from the unprecedented demand for our papers, the public sensibility must be much alive to the subject) will read with increased interest, this reply of the defendant : SUPREME COURT. Matthew L, Davis^ ads. De Witt Clinton. And the said Matthew, by Cadwallader D. Colden and Anthony Dey, his attornies, comes and defends the wrong and injury, when, &c. and says that he is not guilty in manner and form, as the said De Witt above complains against him, and of this he puts him- self upon the country, and the said De Witt likewise, &c. COLDEN and DEY. City and County of New-York^ ss, Matthew L. Davis puts in his place, Cadwallader D. Colden and Anthony Dey, his attornies at the suit of De Witt Clinton, in the plea aforesaid. Sir, Please to take notice that the defendant will upon the trial of this cause, give in evidence under the plea 43 by him above pleaded, according to the form of the statute, in such case made and provided — that at the times' of printing and the publishing of several words and matters charged in the plaintiff's declaration as a hbel, to wit, the thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, and long before, and until that time and since, and at the several days and times herein after mentioned ; there have been and existed in the state of New- York, and yet are, two political sects or parties, one whereof, has dur- ing all the time aforesaid, and at the several times afore- said, been called and known by the name of Clintonian party, and the other whereof, has during all the time and at the several times aforesaid, been called and known by the name of Burr party, and that divers citi- zens of the said state of New- York, have during all the time aforesaid, and at the several times aforesaid, be- longed or been of or attached to the said C .'lintonian par- ty, and that divers other citizens of the said state, have belonged or been of or attached to the said Burr party, and that the said citizens of the said state, who belonged to or were of or attached to the said Clintonian party, held political sentiments and opinions of men and mea- sures, different and adverse to the said citizens who belonged to or were of or attached to the said Burr party, and that the said citizens who belonged to or were of or attached to the said Burr party, held politi- cal sentiments and opinions of men and measures, dif- ferent and adverse to the said citizens who were of or 44 belonged or were attached to the said Clintonian par- ty, and Limt during all the time and at the several times aforesaid, the said plaintiff was one of or belonged to or was attached to the said Clintonian party, and hath always been considered as one of the chiefs or leaders of the said Clintonian party. That the said plaintiff had during all the time aforesaid and at the several times herein mentioned, great infiutnce with the said citizens who were of or attached to or who composed the said Clintonian party, and that the said citizens who were of or attached to or composed the said ' Tin. tonian party during all the time, and at the said seve- ral times have been much governed, inhuenccd and directed by the orders, directions, advice or counsel of the said plaintiff. And the said defendant will give in evidence as aforesaid, that during all the time aforesaid, ;^n(i at the several times aforesaid, one Aaron Euir was one of or belonged or was attached to the said Burr party, and has always been and considered as one ot^ the chief or leaders of the said Burr party, and ihdt tlie «aid citizens who were of or composed or were ur- ach- ed to the said Burr party were much attached lo the sriid Aaron Burr, and always had great confidence in him and in his counsel and advice. And the said defendant will further give in evidence «s aforesaid, that on or about the eleventh day of J: n, nary, in the year of our Lord one thousand eigiit I 45 hundred and six, there was a certain agreement or union or coahtion, or alliance made between some of the said citizens who were of or bWonged to or ccmposed the said Ciintonian parij, and some of the said citizens who were of or belonged to or composed ol* were attached to the said Burr party, and that the said, agreement, or union, or coalition, or alliance, was suggested, in- stigated and advised by the said plaintiff, and brought about and effected by and thrciigli h\s means and pro- curement, and that the said agreement, union, coa- lition or alliance, was suggested by the said plaintiff and brought about by him and by his means and pro- curement with the design and intent to strengtben his said political party and thereby to maintain himself and his partizans in office. And the defendant will fur- ther give in evidence as aforesaid that one Thcodorus Bailey^ at the several times herein mentioned, was one of the said citizens composing or belonging or at- tached to the said Ciintonian ]>arry, and that at the said several times the said Theodorus Baily was the agent of the said plaintiff, and acted by the advioe and procurement of the said plaintiff, in endeavour- ing to bring about, and in bringing about and effecting an agreement, couhLion, alliance or union of the said poiiticcil parties, and of the said citizens who respect- ively composed or belonged or were attached to the same as aforesaid. And that the said Theodorus Bailey acknowledged himself and was acknowledged by :he plainuff, to be the authorized agent of the said pluiiiLiff for rhe purpose aforesaid. And the defendant will further give in evidence, that one John S vvartwout 46 was at the said several times, also one of the citizens who were of or belonged, or were attached to the said Burr party and one of the said citizens composing the said liurr party, and at divers days and times between the 24th day of December, in the year 1805, and the 1 Uh day of Jannary, in the year 1 806, the said Theo- doras Bailey, as such agent of the said plaintiff, had divers meetings and conversations with the said John Swartwout, and at each and of every of the said meet- ings, the said I'heodorus Bailey as such agent of the plaintiff as aforesaid, did converse with the said John Swartwout respecting an agreement, union, alliance, or coalition of the said parties, and that on the said eleventli day of January, in the year last aforesaid, as such agt-nt as aforesaid, of the plain- tiff, in behalf of himself and the said plaintiff, and of other citizens of the said state, who belonged or were attached to the said Clintonian party, did agree with the said John Swartwout and others in behalf of himself and themselves and others of the said Burr party to the terms of an agreement, coalition, alhance or union between the said Burr party and the said Clintonian party, which terms were as follows : Firstly, that Col, Burr should be recognized by the union as a republican. Secondly, that the editor of the Ameican Citizen should desist from all attacks upon him or \i\^ friends^ that he should advocate the union^ if it became necessary in his paper, and that he should Jiot defend the Burrites as returning to repub- lican principles, they persisting they never had ahan- \ \ 47 '^ ^ doned them. Thirdly, that the friends of Col. Burr, as it respected appointments to officts of honour qx pro jit throughout the state, should be placed on the same foot- ing as the ^7205^ favoured Clintonians^ and that their Burrism should never be urged as an objection to their filling those offices. Fourthly, that at the approaching election in April, the Burrites should have a portion of at least one third of the representatives of the city and county of New-York^ in the state legislature. Fifthly, that De Witt Clinton should see that they (the Burrites) were accommodated to any reasonable amount they might require, in the Manhattan Bank^ and that he should actually procure for an individual in the course of the next week an accommodation in said bank of at least eighteen thousand dollars. And the defendant will further give in evidence, as aforesaid, that on the thirteenth day of Januai*y, one thousand eight hundred and six, the Manhattan Bank^ in pursua?ice of the fifth article above specified, loaned for the accommodation of the said John Swartwout<, a large sum of money, to wit, the sum of nine thousand dollars^ on the sixtee7ith day of the same month, last aforesaid, the same bank loaned for the accommoda- tion of the said John Swariwoiit^ another large sum of xnoney, to wit, the sum of nine thousand dollars ; and that in pursuance of the same fifth article above speci- fied, ot/ter considerable sums of money were loaned by the said bank for the accommodation of other citizens belonging to, who were of, or were attached to the said Burr party. And that before the said loans were 48 SO made as last aforesaid, the said citizens for whose use, accomiiiodation and beneii': they were made, could 7iot procure romises to the citizens who belonged or were at- tached to, or Avere of the said Burr party, who were present. And that the said plaintiff at the said meet- ing expressed himself in \Yords to the following ef- fect : — *^ That Burrites must be sent the then next spring election from the city and county of New- York to the state legislature. That Mr. Peter Town- send ?7i:/st re])resent Orange county, Mr. Joseph Annin of the Senate ??y/st be chosen member of the Council of Appointment, if sufficient interest could be made for him. That Levi M'Keen should be appointed Clerk in the room of Gilbert Livingston, who he (the said plaintiff) would REMOVE FROM OFFICE.'' And the defendant will further give in evidence, that at the said meeting, last aforesaid, the said plain- 51 tiff solicited one of the persons there present, viz. the said defendant, to set off immediately for Or.aige county to visit the aforesaid Peter Tovvnsend, and to communicate to him the terms and conditions of the said union, reconcihation or compromise, and to ascer- tain with certainty, whether the aforesaid Peter would agree to the aforesaid arrangement, and act accord- ingly — and that the said defendant, in pursuance of such solicitations and requests, did leave the city of New- York on the 2 5th of January last aforesaid, on a visit to the said Peter, and having received his ass -Uit, wrote to the said plaintiff on the morning of the -ioih, from Chester in Orange county, informing hmi of the circumstance. And the said defendant will further give in evi- dence, that at the said meeting lase aforesaid, the said plaintiff was told by one of the citizens who were pre- sent at the said meeting, to wit, by the said defendant, that the citizens who were, or who belonged or were attached to the said Burr party, had been in the habit of communicating and consulting freely with each other, that they believed that system of policy most correct, and the said plaintiff was then and tliere ask- ed with whom of his party they should confer during his absence, if events should require conference ; to which the said plaintiff replied, General Bailey and Pierre C. Vaa Wyck. And the defendant will further give in evidence as aforesaid, that on the 20th of February, in the year 52 last aforesaid, certain citizens who were of, or attach- ^d, or who belonged to the said Burr party, and cer- tain citizt ns, who were of, or attached, or belonged to ^he said Clintonian party, met at a certain house in the city of ISew-York, called Dyde's Hotel; and then and theie partook of a supper prepared for the occasion, which has since been called and known by the name of the ii?iio7i supper^ at which supper a number of toai^ts were drank complimentary to the said Aaron Jiurr, and to the citizens of the said Burr party ; and that afterwards, to wit, on the 24th day of the same month of February, in the same year last aforesaid, a meeting of certain citizens of the said state of New- York, was held at a certain house situate in the said city of New- York, called Martling's tavern, and that the said last mentioned citizens, so met as aforesaid, then and there passed certain resolutions against the ^aid union, alliance, agreement or coalition between \\\Q said Clintonian party and the said Burr party, or between certain citizens belonging to the said Clintonian party and certain citizens belonging to the said Burr party ; and that afterwards/, to wit, on the third day of March, in the same year last aforesaid, the said ijlaintiff wrote a certain letter to the said 1 heodorus Bai- ley, bearing date op the same day and year last afore- i-aici, which said lettc r w-as received by the saidTheodo- rus Bailey; in which letter, auiong other things, the said ) laintill says in subsfance, " that he the said pwinuff hoped the inipriidcjice of his friends at Dyde's will be .overlooked ; that to receive \\\QBi4rriUsis hnivrrsaVy ('■ jccable^ but that if this rccejHion should be tai/2tt4 with promises of office^ it would be ruin to your cause ; that it was reported a treaty had been formed consist- ing Qi five articles, one of which was that William P. Van Ness should be Secretary of state, and another that Col. Burr [the said Aaron Burr meaning] should be Governor; and that this treaty had been shown to Mr. Eppes, the President's son-in law — that prompt and efficient measures should be taken to contradict these infamous falsehood S'-^Qth2i\)S the most proper mode would be to require frank and explicit declarations from gentlemen of the Burr party." And the defendant will further give in evidence, that before the plaintiff wrote the said last mentioned letter, to wit, at the said meeting on the twenty-fourth of January in the year last aforesaid, as well as on other days and times, the said plaintiff had made many promises of offices to citizens who belonged or were attached to the said Burr party, and that these promises were made upon the '* express condition and consideration of the said union of the said Clintonian and iJurr parties, and in pursuance of the terms or ar- ticles of agreement aforesaid.'* And the said defendant will further give in evi- dence as aforesaid, that at the time, the said plaintiff wrote the last mentioned letter he well knew that there \vas no treaty containing such articles as stated in the 54 said letter, but that the said letter of the plaintiff was an artful device of the plaintiff. And the said defendant Avili farther give in evi- dence, as aforesaid, that on the I2th day of March, in the same year last aforesaid, the said John Swartwout, the defendant, and Peter Irving wrote, and sent to tlie said plaintiff, a letter, bearing date the same day and year last aforesaid, which is as follows : New- York, March 12th, 1806. SIR, General Bailey has communicated to us your letter of the 3d inst. noticing the following reports — 1st. Tha O. Phelps had told some gentlemen at Albany that he had been shown a treaty, the articles dictated by Mr. Burr, one of which was that Wm. P. Van Ness should be appointed secretary of state. 2d, That a paper, purporting to be a treaty of five articles, one of which was, that Mr. Burr, should be governor, had been transmitted to Mr. Eppes, the President's son-in-law. Your letter suggests that frank and explicit decla- rations should be required from gentlemen of the Burr party. 55 We freely declare that we understand the con- ditions of the reconcihation to be a mutual oblivion of those animosities which have divided the republicans of this state into hostile parties, commonly called Bur- rite and Clintonian, and a re-union of those parties on terms of perfect equality. Mr. O. Phelps disavows having received any infor- mation or advanced any assertion of the kind ascribed to him ; he presumes the report to have originated in conversation with Mr. Nicholas at Albany, in which he may have repeated rumours he had heard. The paper, if any shewn to Mr. Eppes, has doubt- less been transmitted to Washington, by some enemy of the coALHiox. The non-existence of any such trea- ty, is within your own knowledge. We are confident that no friend to Mr. Burr would circulate a fabrication on the subject. Having thus made the declarations required, we take the liberty of requesting some in return^ equally frank and explicit. Our frieiKis have been assured that the meeting at Martling's, was the act of violent and misguided indi- viduals ; they have also been induced to look to Alba- ny, where at present the different parties of the state are represented, and to expect that public and decisive 56 measures would be there taken, recognizing the union in terms satisiactory and honorable to both parties. They have therefore overlooked the gross insult cast on iMr. Burr, and on themselves, in the resolutions there passed. We now understand that those proceed- ings and resolutions are sanctioned by yourself and your friends at Albany. It is understood that you and they countenance a report that the exclusion of Mr. Burr is a condition of the reconciliation. We have on the contrary main, tained that no such suggestion was made, no sentiment but of respect for Mr. Burr expressed by the gentlemen who acted in behalf of your party ; and that in the early stages of the adjustment, the friends of Mr. Burr pointedly disclaimed any idea of the kind. It is said that Col. Rutgers and other influential in- dividuals of your party have declared themselves p/fo^- ed with meetings at Byde*s and Martling's, because they would help to keep the Burrites down : and it is added, that letters to that effect have been recently written to you. Our friends have relied on the sincerity and good faith of yourself and party. Aware that efforts would be made to excite jealousies and embarrassments, they have disregarded rumours, overlooked the expn^ssions of individuals, and suppressed their indignation at the &1 J)f0ceedings of a public meeting. We are, howeVefj perfectly willing to exchange fnmk and explicit decla- rations for the satisfaction of our respective friends. They appear requisite to remove existing disgusts and produce that cordiality of feeling, which can alone ce- ment and confirm the REUNION. It is proper to apprise you that we wish to commu- nicate your reply to several of our friends, with a view t^o obviate erron'jous impressions. We are, Sir, Your most obedient servants^ J, SWARTWOUT, P. IRVING, M. L. D. And the said defendant will further give in evldcnco as aforesaid, that the said plaintiff, afterwards, to wit, on the 20th day of the same month of March, receiv- ed the said letter, and that the said plaintiff never re- turned any answer to the said letter, to the persons who had addressed the same to the said plaintiff, or to any or either of thum And the defendant v/ill further give in evidence, that in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred and one, the plainiiH* was a mem- ber of the Council of Appointment of the state of New- York, and that the said plaintiff while he was a mem- ber of the said council as aforesaid, did vote for turn- ing out of office persons who were venerable patriots and war-worn soldiers, though the said persons had always faithfully and competently discharged the du« ties of their respective offices. And that the said plain- tiff vo^ted for the turning out of the said persons for no H 60 \7a3 it for principle the party assembled in full meeting at Mr. Murtling's, and unanimously parsed the folio wing resolutions. " Resolved^ That it is inconsistent with the honour and dignity of the Republican party in this state, to enter into any bargain, treaty, or alliance with any other party whatever. " Resolved^ That it would not only be degrading to us, but injurious to the Republican interest, silently to submit to what any person, or persons, may at- tempt to {\o unauthorized by the great body of Repub- licans." Is it from principle that the same party after patient- ly waiting nearly four years for the fuUilment of a solemn pledge^ still permit the man w^ho had entered, in their name, into a " coalition or reunion with the Burrites, derogatory to the honour and interest of the Republicans" to escape with impunity ? Is it itompri7Lciple^ that in derision of their own so- jemn proceedings, and in contempr of all moral and political virtue, they still acknowledge the " unaurho- jited contractor," as the leader of their party^ and the rallying point of all that is orthodox in Demo- cracy ? Is it from principle^ that they refuse to make any ef- fort whatever, to prevent De Wrrr Clinion from again becoming the CHIEF MAGISTRATE of this great 61 city ; although his appointment to such a station would outrage all decency y public shame and decorum ? Is it from principle^ that they still countenance a man, who, to promote his own ambitious designs, dar- ed to pledge the funds of the MaTihattan Bank^ for the accommodation of a single individual, to the amount of Eighteen Thousand Dollars^ and who, possessing the influence allowed him by the Republicans, together with his situation of Director, miglit by these means accumulate power in his own hands, sufficient in time, to subvert the very nature of our government, and de- stroy that liberty which every American should so highly prize ? If such be the PRINCIPLES, which now govern men, professing to be Republicans, it is important that the PEOPLE should become acquainted with them, that when hereafter called upon for their suffrages, they may know where to bestow them. TEMPORA! O MORES!