Aaron Burr
A. a "new" Republican
- prodigy from an illustrious family; Richmond Hill
- joined Clinton-Livingston to defeat Schuyler
- Senator 1891-7 from New York
- financed art education in France of John Vanderlyn
- read Wollstonecraft to daughter Theodosia
- speculated in Canada lands - 1797 plot with French money
- New York Assemblyman 1797-9
- Manhattan Co. 1799 vs. Hamilton's Bank of NY
- fought duel with John Church, Hamilton's brother-in-law 1799
B. Vice-President
- voted against Jefferson's 1802 repeal of Judiciary Act
- Republicans opposed growth of judiciary, from 1789 Act that created 6-man Supreme Court and 13 district courts and 3 circuit courts, to 1801 Act that allowed Adams to appoint more court officials
- Jefferson blocked "midnight judges" but Marbury sued Madison 1801; Supreme Court ordered Madison to appoint Marbury; Marshall ruled 1803 that Supreme Court did not have this power
- Jefferson chose Clinton for 1804 election
- Burr accepted Federalist aid to run for NY Governor against John M. Lewis
C. Duel
- most famous duel in American history
- Hamilton believed Burr had joined "Northern Confederation" of Timothy Pickering and High Federalists to secede
- Hamilton letter attacking Burr as unfit for public office published Apr. 24, 1804
- Burr challenged Hamilton June 27; Hamilton chose place and pistols at 10 paces
- duel fought July 11 at Weehawken, NJ, and Hamilton died July 12
- Burr fled to St. Louis and James Wilkinson (both had served in Revolution under Benedict Arnold) and hatched plot to seize Spanish West and restore his power
- Burr hoped to take advantage of growing East-West Republican division
- Jefferson approved Yazoo compromise that gave 5 million acres to New England speculators
D. Chase Trial
- Burr returned to D.C. for impeachment trial of judge Samuel Chase
- Senate trial began Jan. 2, 1805, led by John Randolph, but no 2/3 vote and Chase acquitted March 1
- Burr departed March 2 for Ohio
E. Western Adventure
- Burr built 28 boats at Blennerhassett Island in Ohio River near Marietta
- Burr and NJ Sen. Jonathan Dayton got agreement from Brit. minister Anthony Merry for Brit. fleet to defend Miss. River from U.S. fleet
- Burr purchased 400,000 acres Washita land July 1806
- Wilkinson's "neutral ground" agreement with Spain at Sabine River
- Wilkinson told Jefferson of Burr's "deep, dark, and widespread conspiracy"
- Burr captured near Natchez Feb. 1807
F. Trial
- Marshall ruled treason only if 2 witnesses to overt act
- no evidence; cipher letter of July 29, 1806 written by Dayton; 30 men captured but no gun fired
- Burr acquitted, went to Europe, returned to NY, then to Texas
G. Significance
- Land greed leads to war with Tecumseh, Creeks
- Jefferson lost leadership of moderate Republican coalition
- John Randolph forms a 3rd party movement, the "quids"
- "new" Republicans such as Burr and Henry Clay represent a shift in leadership that emerges in the War of 1812.
revised 8/15/05 | Class | Republican Era