by a cold and sore throat to answer it (as other wise I might have done) by the New Orleans post-rider. It is, at all times, grateful to me to hear from my friends, and particularly from a good neighbor, "whose heart knoweth no guile," and who I feel confident puts the most charitable construction upon my poor attempts to be useful to our common country. You will perceive, by the evidence taken on the impeachment of Judge Sebastian, that Spain has carried on deep intrigues to sever the western country from the American Union, ever since the peace of 1783: — that notwithstanding her solemn treaty with us in 1795, to deliver the Natchez and ports on the Mobile, and to permit us freely to navigate the Mississippi, she refused to execute the stipulations of that convention in the hope thereby * of detaching Kentucky, etc. from the Atlantic States. The suspension of the right of deposit at New Orleans, four years ago, was no doubt effected under the influence of similar views; and it is next to certain, that the disorganizing projects carried on lately, and indeed now on foot, to the westward are taken in concert with her ministry and the expense de frayed with her money. Of these I can give you no account, further than what you have seen in the public prints; no information whatever hav ing been laid before Congress, on the subject. This is deemed, by many, to be somewhat ex traordinary; since, if a dangerous conspiracy exists in the bosom of the country (of which government seems to have no doubt) the most prompt and efficacious measures should be taken to crush it. It is now conceded, on all hands, that if the proposition of the secret committee of the House of Representatives had been (last year) adopted, to raise a respectable force, Mr. Burr's projects would have been stifled in the birth — added to which we should have saved the expense of the late cam paign on the Sabine, and of the hasty, and there fore costly, measures which Gen. Wilkinson has found himself obliged to take for the protection of New Orleans. This cannot now be calcu lated : — but under his superintendence it is not a rash inference that it will at least equal, if not exceed, the cost of raising and maintaining such a body of men as should have overawed the
- See Proposals of Power to certain influential charac
ters in Kentucky, in 1797.
Spaniards, and intimidated Mr. Burr at the same time, from any design hostile to our peace and safety. I sincerely wish Mr. Woodson the success which I think he merits. At the same time I hope he will remember the sound old maxim " Ne tentes aut perfice," — "either not to attempt or to ac complish his purpose." Mr. Hatcher's election I suppose (and hope) is secure. I know it has been the fashion with some to decry him, but I have always believed him to be a truly honest, well-meaning man, and that atones (in my opinion) for many deficiencies. In answer to your inquiry (which I deem not at all impertinent but friendly), I have written not a line to any one but yourself, in the district. In these days of mutability we hardly know who to select as friends, or who to set down as enemies. Yours truly, John Randolph. Knowing that you like to learn what is going on in the commercial world (an old coachman, you know, loves the smack of the whip) I enclose you the " Mercantile Advertiser." Edward Dillon, Esq. February 21, almost dead with fatigue.
Dear Sir: Bollman and Swartwout are dis charged by the Supreme Court. Adair was set at liberty by my friend Judge Nocholson, at Bal timore, no testimony being adduced against him. The officers had written orders from General W to disregard any writ of habeas corpus and not to deliver up their prisoners except to the Secretary of War, which they wisely disobeyed. Adair states that he has a letter at his home from W (written in September last) inviting him to join in a military expedition against Mexico, which Adair refused to do. Burr declares that W has for ten years re ceived three thousand dollars, annually, as a Span ish officer, that he (W ) drew ten thousand dollars out of the Treasury of Spain when he took possession of New Orleans for the United States, and that, in case Burr should be taken off, evidence will be found in his (Burr's) port folio, in possession of his daughter (Mrs. Alston of South Carolina), sufficient to damn W for ever. I must conclude from sheer exhaustion but am truly Yours,
J. R-
