The great lawyer rose to his feet with difficulty. Like many noted legal luminaries and celebrated statesmen who have flourished before and since his time, Luther Martin never spoke so well as when under the influence of stimulants.

"It was a murder case," he began, "and Burr formed the opinion that the principal witness for the prosecution was the real murderer, and not the person who had been accused. The trial took place on a stormy day in winter and the court room became quite dark. The judge did not wish to adjourn the court until certain evidence had been given and so candles. were ordered to be brought in. They were placed in what was considered the most advantageous positions, but cast, of course, only a glimmering light through the large court room. It so happened that by the arrangement, the face of the principal witness for the prosecution was in the shade. He was being crossexamined by Colonel Burr, who was not satisfied because he could not see the face of the witness. He then determined upon a great coup which required as much nerve to perform in a crowded court room as would have been demanded to lead a charge of Continental militia against a regiment of British regulars. But Burr thought nothing of this, and he also thought he knew his man. He took two candles from the table at which he had been sitting, and going across the room, faced the witness, holding the candles high in the air so that the light from them fell directly upon his face. He cried in tones which rang through the

court room:

"What you have said is untrue, sir, from first to last, and you know it! I will ask you one more question, but before doing so, I declare in the face of this assemblage and before the judge and jury here sitting, that it is my honest belief that you are the real murderer!'

66

Fixing his piercing eyes upon the witness in the dock, he cried, ' Have I spoken the truth?'

The man thus confronted, and thus boldly accused, lost his self-possession; his nerve gave way, and he fell in a state of collapse in the witness-stand. When he revived, his protestations and exclamations were so confused and contradictory, and in themselves such evidence of his guilt, that he was remanded into custody by the judge and at a later day was proven guilty of the murder and suffered the fate he deserved."

CHAPTER XXIV

T

THE MEANEST MAN IN AMERICA

HE morning after the complimentary dinner given by Aaron Burr to his counsel, quite a large number of officers connected with the United States army was gathered at one of the leading taverns in the city of Richmond.

The trial of Burr had awakened great interest in military circles. He had both friends and foes in the army, and each class was much interested in the trial and its outcome, and many had obtained furloughs in order that they might visit Richmond. Besides these, there were many old army friends of Burr who had known him during the Revolutionary War, and who were enough interested in him to make the trip.

Among those gathered at the tavern in question was General Andrew Jackson of Tennessee. He had been Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of his State and had visited Richmond more from a legal than from a military point of view. He was acquainted with Chief Justice Marshall and wished to witness his conduct of this celebrated case.

The fiery old Tennesseean was seated in the big room of the tavern. Near him sat Zachary Taylor and young Winfield Scott, who, although not yet in the regular army, contemplated a military career. There was also present Colonel Claiborne who, it will be remembered, was attached to that portion of the army under command of General James Wilkinson. It will be noticed by the change in his title that the former Captain Clai

borne had profited by his military connection with General Wilkinson. He knew himself that he had also profited financially to a great extent. This latter fact was known to many others but, from motives of selfinterest or expediency, they kept their knowledge to themselves.

Colonel Claiborne had come to Richmond, in company with General Wilkinson, expecting to be called as a witness to give corroboration to the General's testimony; but, it having come to the ears of the prosecution that if Claiborne were put upon the stand he would be subjected to a very severe cross-examination which might disclose certain facts that would disparage the testimony of their principal witness, Claiborne had been advised to leave the city quietly, which he had done. His appearance at the tavern was the first that had been seen of him since the day before General Wilkinson stepped upon the witness-stand.

As is well known, General Jackson was a strong partisan. He had believed in Burr's plan for driving the hated Spaniard from what seemed destined to become American soil. Besides, he was well acquainted with General Wilkinson's past career and did not believe that the leopard had changed his spots.

Colonel Claiborne had been introduced to General Jackson on his arrival in Richmond, and thought it proper to approach him and utter the usual complimentary remarks which the General prized so much. "You have been out of town," said General Jackson. Yes," replied Colonel Claiborne, "I have been to Washington.

66

"Did you notice while there," asked Jackson, “that the hitching-post which President Jefferson used on the day he was inaugurated had been cut down and carried away for keepsakes?"

The fact was that Colonel Claiborne had not been in Washington, but had been hiding in a Virginia town

about twenty miles from Richmond. Not suspecting the General's purpose, he replied:

'Yes, I was told so one day when I was at the Capitol."

The General nodded and a few minutes later Colonel Claiborne was talking to some military friends in another part of the room. Turning to Zachary Taylor, who stood near him, Jackson said, in an under

tone:

"What an infernal liar! I was in Washington just before I came to Richmond and the post stood there just the same as ever."

As was common among military men when off duty, stimulants were in active demand, and the conversation waxed louder and louder. A large party was gathered about the chair in which General Jackson sat, listening with interest to his comments upon men and things. One of the party asked Jackson what he thought of General Wilkinson's testimony.

"If I did not know the man," was his reply, “I might have been led to think he was telling the truth, but considering what I know about him, I don't believe he could tell it if he tried."

"I do not think you ought to make such a statement as that, General," said Captain McVea, a North Carolinian, "unless you have strong evidence upon which to base such an opinion.'

"You don't, eh?" said the choleric old gentleman, "well, supposing I have the best of evidence upon which to base my opinion, what would you say to that?"

"I should say," replied the Captain, very politely, "that I should like to hear the evidence before accepting the opinion."

"You are a very cautious young man," remarked General Jackson.

"General Wilkinson came of good family," answered