Was Aaron Burr a traitor?

Question: Was Aaron Burr a traitor!?

Didn't he plot against the U!.S!.!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Yes, he did plot against the US, though is co-conspirator, General wilkinson, seems to be less well-known!. In 'That's Not In My American History book' Thomas Ayres writes:

' In1804, Burr, then vice president of the United States, shot and mortally wounded political adversary Alexander Hamilton in a duel!. Although acquitted of any crime, Burr was discredited in Washington!. convinced he had been cheated out of the presidency by Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, he came up with a plan to seize New Orleans from the United States and use it as a base to invade Texas and create his own nation!.

Early in 1805, Burr went to St!.Louis to plot with his old friend, General Wilkinson, then commnader of all US forces in the Mississippi river valley!. They agreed that Burr would return east to raise money, secure arms, and put together an army!. He then would march south to join Wilkinson and their combined armies would occupy New Orleans!.

By the fall of 1806, burr had obtained sufficient funding from the British to put together a navy and raise a rebel army!. He informed Wilkinson in a coded message that he would be leaving Philadelphia on August 1, 1806, and proceed down the Ohio River Valley gathering men, supplies, and boats along the way!. He planned to join forces with Wilkinson at Natchez in December before marching to New Orleans!.

By that time rumours were circulating in Washington that burr was up to no good!. Wilkinson,, seeing the proverbial writing on the wall, decided to betray his co-conspirator!. On October 21, 1806, he sent a message to President Jefferson revealing the details of Burr's plan!. Instead of firing Wilkinson, Jefferson inexplicably ordered him to proceed to New Orleans to defend the city against Burr!.

Wilkinson went to New Orleans, but instead of defending the city, eh took it over!. He declared martial law and began firing city officials even as his troops looted homes and businessses!. On the pretence he was purging the city of Burr conspirators, he ordered the arrest of anyone who opposed him!.

As property was seized and innocent citizens were thrown in jail, a flurry of lawsuits were filed against Wilkinson and the US government!. The general reacted by jailing the plaintiffs along with the judges who dared accept their cases!.

Meanwhile, Burr's plan was exposed and he was having difficulty raising an army!. he was arrested before he could reach Natchez!.'

Burr was tried for treason in 1807, but acquitted!. He went to Europe for a few years, then returned to New York in 1812 and resumed his law practice, though he seems to have been generally ostracised by society!.

General Wilkinson, mysteriously, managed to retain his military command, and was promoted until, by 1812, he was the senior officer in the US army!. In 1814 he was finally relieved of his military command after his incompetence at Lacolle Mill!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

not exactly!. He was in of a divergent political view - and he got in a duel in 1804 with Alexander Hamilton and killed him!. Hamilton had friends, so Burr was kicked out of the Vice Presidency over it!. Well, Hamilton's friends pushed for his removal and Burr HAD killed someone, but dueling was consider acceptable and polite murder back then!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, He was!.Www@QuestionHome@Com