The slight manner in which my information is mentioned by general Wilkinson, in his answer, is a complete refutation to any charge, of which he now endeavours to make the proof. If my letter is any evidence of guilt, why is the whole treated so lightly? The answer is plain; the general saw in it complete evidence that I was not engaged in HIS and Burr's plans, and he treats it thus lightly, that I might no longer pursue the enquiry, and perhaps develope his participation therein.

Soon after my return from my second voyage to La Vera Cruz, I found the rumours of col. Burr's project much more prevalent and alarming. A variety of circumstances induced me to give credit to them, and col. Bellechasse, then commanding the militia of the territory, had informed me of his having been solicited to join an association to undertake some enterprize against Mexico. I was then a Delegate to represent the territory in Congress. I was the owner of a very large real estate, and connected, very extensively, in commerce. A great proportion of my capital was, as I have shewn, and for a long time had been, in the Spanish dominions. Is there the slightest reason to believe that a man thus circumstanced would have risked an acknowledged fortune, an extensive commerce, have sacrificed friends, character and office, for a scheme, of which we can scarcely comprehend the madness and absurdity. Fortunately, however, I am not left to probabilities for support. My conduct was open, was known to numbers, and is proved by the depositions, (NO. 65, 66, 67,

I

68, and 69.) I was then about to depart the territory. I had reason to fear that several of my friends would suffer their ill opinion of the governor, and the idea we had all formed of his want of capacity, to prevent their giving that support to the government which the times might demand. therefore assembled several of the most influential among them—the commandant of the militia, several members of the legislature, the clerk of the legislative council, and the captain of the port.I entreated them to forget their prejudices, and sacrifice their personal feelings towards the governor, and to render government every support in their power for its defence. All these gentlemen have attested these facts, with others of a like nature, and I beg the reader to refer to their depositions.

It seems to have been a part of col. Burr's policy, now universally acknowledged, to mention or insinuate that persons, who were supposed to have influence, were concerned in his plans, for the purpose of impressing his hearers with an high idea of his resources. With this view, it appears 'that he spoke in Kentucky of drawing upon me for large sums of money. My credit there, he knew, stood high, and that nothing would impress the public with a better idea of his fiscal operations, than a persuasion that I was his banker. This report reached the ears of Mr. Graham, who was employed to collect all the information on this subject, and transmit it to the executive, and he faithfully detailed it, with the suspicions it excited. Finding, however, that they were without the

least foundation, he readily, and without the slightest intimation on my part, voluntarily retracted them, and endeavoured to counteract the effect his former communication was calculated to produce. This appears by the following letter, addressed to me, when Mr. Graham was about to leave the territoy.

DEAR SIR,

New Orleans, 13th May, 1807.

I REGRET exceedingly that I have not had an opportunity of explaining to you in person what I am now about to put on paper. You will no doubt have heard that I was directed by government to transmit them from the western country any information I might be able to collect there, relative to the plans, resources, &c. of col. Burr. When in Lexington I was told by Mr. Alexander Parker and others of that place, that col. Burr had stated that he was authorised to draw to the amount of $200,000. In consequence I wrote to Mr. Madison, from Lexington, as follows:-"It is stated, "with what truth I know not, that col. Burr was "authorised to draw on Mr. Daniel Clark, of New "Orleans, for $200,000. I believe it is certain "that he proposed to draw on that gentleman, and finding that bills on Orleans could not be nego"ciated, said he would order his funds round to "New York, and wrote accordingly to the house " of Chew & Relf, who are the agents and partners " of Mr. Clark." I took the earliest occasion after my arrival here to mention this subject to Mr.

66

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Relf, and in consequence of the conversation I had with him, I wrote to Mr. Madison as follows:"Since my arrival here Mr. Relf (my friend Mr. "Chew being absent) gives me the most positive "and satisfactory assurances, that they never had 66. any funds in their hands liable to the order of "col. Burr. He urged me to look at Mr. Clark's

account on their books, which I did, and I now "take the earliest occasion to say that I saw no "item in that account, which induced me to be"lieve that Mr. Clark has advanced any money to "col. Burr. Mr. Alexander Parker, of Lexing66 ton, told me that Burr had offered to draw on "Mr. Clark; and col. Lynch mentioned, as I was "told by Mr. Jordan and Mr. Hunt, that he had "forwarded the letter to Chew & Relf from col.

Burr, ordering his funds round to New York. "The probability I think is, that this supposed "letter was nothing more than a cover for Burr's "communications for Bollman, which were direct"ed to the house of Chew & Relf, and delivered by "them to gen. Wilkinson." I trust you will see, sir, from these extracts of my letters to Mr. Madison, that I have endeavoured faithfully to perform my duty, both to the government and to yourself. Should you consider any farther explanation necessary or desirable, a letter addressed to me, at the city of Washington, to the care of Daniel Brent, will probably reach me. I shall probably have the pleasure of seeing you next winter at the city; if not, I know not when we shall

meet, for I leave this country without the expec

tation of returning.

With sentiments of great regard,

I have the honour to be,

(Signed)

Your most obedient servant,

JOHN GRAHAM.

The Hon. DANIEL CLARK.

It is extraordinary that the affidavit of the writer of this letter, relative to facts before its date, should be resorted to as evidence to confirm suspicions which he there so explicitly disavows. This affidavit has been relied on, and I therefore break the thread of my narrative to insert it, that it may be compared with the letter, and that the reader may perceive on what correct inferences the suspicions against me are endeavoured to be hung.

MR. GRAHAM'S EVIDENCE.

[Interrogated by general Wilkinson. ]

Quest. DID Daniel Clark, of New Orleans, ever acknowledge, as a communication from himself, the paper now produced by you from the Department of State, endorsed "History of the "trade of Louisiana," an extract of which was published in the President's Message of the January, 1808 ?

day of

Answ. Mr. Clark once asked for that paper; he had it in his hands, and spoke of it as one transmitted by himself; he mentioned that it was in the hand-writing of Mr. Chew, his clerk.