character and deportment may be considered hostile to the interests of the United States, or dangerous to this feeble frontier, under the menacing aspect of things from above, will, if my influence can prevail, be seized on and sent by sea to the United States, subject to the disposition of government, and accompanied by such information as may justify their confinement, and furnish a clue to the developement of the grounds, progress, and projectors of the treasonable enterprize in which they are engaged.

"This letter will accompany Doctor Bollman, who is to be this day embarked in a vessel bound for Charleston, under the charge of Lt. Wilson of the artillery, who has orders to land with his prisoner at Fort Johnson or Fort Moultrie, to forward this dispatch by mail, and to wait the orders of the executive. Mr. Swartwout will be sent to Baltimore by a vessel which will sail some time the ensuing week, in custody of another subaltern, who will be the bearer of strong testimony against him and also Col. Burr, and the others will follow under due precautions, by the earliest opportunities which may present.

"I deem it essential to keep these prisoners apart, to prevent the adjustment of correspondent answers or confessions to any examination which may ensue, and I hope the measures of the executive may be so prompt and efficient, as to relieve the officers in charge of them from their trust, before the interposition of the friends of the prisoners may effect their liberation.

"By this proceedure we may intimidate the confederates, who are unquestionably numerous in this as well as the adjacent territory, disconcert their arrangements, and possibly destroy their intrigues; and I hope the zeal which directs the measure may be justified and approved; for whilst the glow of patriotism actuates my conduct, and I am willing to offer myself a martyr to the constitution of my country, I should indeed be most grievously disappointed did I incur its censure.

“Here, sir, we find the key to the western states, and here we must form one grand depositary and place of arms-combine to this disposition a river fleet competent to its occlusion, and post it thirty or forty leagues above the Yazou river, and we may repose in security; for the discontent and sufferings of our insurgent citizens, which must immediately ensue, will soon open their eyes to the wickedness of their leaders, and work a radical reformation without bloodshed. This is my plan for resisting an internal attack; for external defence, gun-boats, and bomb-ketches, with floating batteries at the mouths of the Missisippi and the passes from Lake Ponchartrain will be necessary."

Extract of a letter from Gen. James Wilkinson, dated New-Orleans, December 18, 1806.

SIR-Since my last of the 14th inst. writs of habeas corpus have been issued for the bodies of Bollman, Swartwout, and Ogden, the two latter by Judge Workman, who is strongly suspected for being concerned with Burr in his conspiracy, as I have proof this man declared some time since, that "the republican, who possessed power, and did not employ it to establish a despotism, was a fool." His writ for Ogden was served on Capt. Shaw of the navy, who had him in charge at my request, on board the Etna bomb ketch, and delivered him up, and Mr. Workman discharged him without giving me a word of information, although he knew he was confined by my order for a treasonable combination with Burr, and Mr. Ogden now struts at large. Swartwout I have sent off, and shall so report, holding myself ready for consequences. Bollman was required by the superiour court, but I have got rid of that affair also, under the usual liability for damages, in which case I shall look to our country for protection."

To the Senate and

SECOND MESSAGE.

House of Representatives of the United States.

I RECEIVED from General Wilkinson, on the twenty third instant his affidavit, charging Samuel Swartwout, Peter V. Ogden and James Alexander, with the crimes described in the affidavit, a copy of which is now communicated to both Houses of Congress.

It was announced to me at the same time, that Swartwout and Bollman, two of the persons apprehended by him, were arrived in this city, in custody each of a military officer. I immediately delivered to the attorney of the United States, in this district, the evidence received against them, with instructions to lay the same before the judges, and apply for their process to bring the accused to justice, and I put into his hands orders to the officers having them in custody, to deliver them to the marshal on his application. TH: JEFFERSON.

January 26, 1807.

I, James Wilkinson, brigadier-general and commander in chief of the army of the United States, to warrant the arrest of Dr. Erick Bollman on a charge of treason, misprision of treason, or such other offence against the government and laws of the U.States, as the following facts may legally charge him with-on my honour as a soldier, and on the holy evangelists of Almighty God, do declare and swear, that on the 6th day of November last, when in command at Natchitoches, I received by the hands of a Frenchman, a stranger to me, a letter from Dr. Erick Bollman, of which the following is a correct copy.

"New-Orleans, September 27, 1806.

"SIR-I have the honour to forward to your excellency the enclosed letters, which I was charged to deliver to you by our mutual friend. I shall remain for some time at this place, and should be glad to learn where and when I may have the pleasure of an interview with you. Have the goodness to inform me of it, and please to direct your letter to me, care of or enclose it under cover to them. I have the honour with great respect, sir, your excellency's most obedient servant,

"General Wilkinson.

(Signed)

ERICK BOLLMAN."

Covering a communication in cypher from Col. Aaron Burr, of which the following is substantially as fair an interpretation as I have heretofore been able to make, the original of which I still hold in my possession-I (Aaron Burr) have obtained funds and have actually commenced the enterprize-detachments from different points and under different pretences will rendezvous on the Ohio 1st November-every thing internal and external favours views -Protection of England is secured- T is gone to Jamaica to arrange

* Truxton.

with the admiral on that station, and will meet at the Missisippi-England —Navy of the United States are ready to join and final orders are given to my friends and followers-it will be an host of choice spirits-Wilkinson shall be second to Burr only-Wilkinson shall dictate the rank and promotion of his officers-Burr will proceed Westward 1st August-never to return with him go his daughter-the husband will follow in October with a corps of worthies-send forth-with an intelligent and confidential friend with whom Burr may confer.-He shall return immediately with further interesting details-this is essential to concert and harmony of movement. Send a list of all persons known to Wilkinson west of the mountains, who could be useful, with a note delineating the characters. By your messenger send me four or five of the commissions of your officers, which you can borrow under any pretence you please-They shall be returned faithfully-Already are orders to the contractor given to forward six months provisions to points Wilkinson may name-this shall not be used until the last moment, and then under proper injunctions-the project is brought to the point so long desired-Burr guarantees the result with his life and honour-the lives, the honour and fortunes of hundreds, the best blood of our country-Burr's plan of operations is to move down rapidly from the falls on the 15th of November with the first 500 or 1000 men in light boats now constructing for that purpose-to be at Natchez between the 5th and 15th of December-then to meet Wilkinson-then to determine whether it will be expedient in the first instance to seize on or pass by Baton Rouge-on receipt of this send Burr an answer-draw on Burr for all expenses, &c. The people of the country to which we are going are prepared to receive us-their agents now with Burr say that if he will protect their religion and will not subject them to a foreign power, that in three weeks all will be settled. The Gods invite to glory and fortune-it remains to be seen whether we deserve the boon.The bearer of this goes express to you-he will hand a formed letter of introduction to you from Burr, a copy of which is hereunto subjoined-he is a man of inviolable honour and perfect discretion-formed to execute rather than project-capable of relating facts with fidelity and incapable of relating them otherwise. He is thoroughly informed of the plans and intentions of -, and will disclose to you as far as you enquire and no fartherhe has imbibed a reverence for your character and may be embarrassed in your presence-put him at ease and he will satisfy you.-Doctor Bollman equally confidential, better informed on the subject and more intelligent will hand you this duplicate—” 29th July."

The day after my arrival at this city, the 26th of November last, I received another letter from the Doctor, of which the following is a correct copy. New-Orleans, 25th Nov. 1806.

"SIR-Your letter of the 5th inst. has been duly received. Supposing "that you will be much engaged this morning I defer waiting on your ex"cellency till you will be pleased to inform me of the time when it will be "convenient to you to see me. I remain with great respect,

"Your Excellency's most obedient servant,

(Signed)

His Excellency Gen. Wilkinson, Fauxbourg.

ERICK BOLLMAN."

Marigny, the house between Madame Trevinge and M. Macarty.

On the 30th of the same month I waited in person on Dr. E. Bollman, when he informed me that he had not heard from Col. Burr since his arrival here that he (said Dr. E. Bollman) had sent dispatches to Col. Burr by a lieutenant Spence of the navy, and that he had been advised of Spence's arrival at Nashville, in the state of Tennessee-And observed that Col. Burr

had proceeded too far to retreat that he (Col. Burr) had numerous and powerful friends in the United States, who stood pledged to support him with their fortunes, and that he must succeed. That he, the said Dr. E. Bollman, had written to Col. Burr on the subject of provisions, and that he expected a supply would be sent from New-York, and also from Norfolk, where Col. Burr had strong connexions. I did not see or hear from the Doctor again until the 5th inst. when I called on him the second time. The mail being arrived the day before, I asked him whether he had received any intelligence from Col. Burr. He informed me that he had seen a letter from Col. Burr of the 30th of October, in which he (Col. Burr) gave assurances that he should be at Natches with 2000 men on the 20th of December inst. where he should wait until he heard from this place. That he would be followed by 4000 more, and that he (Col. Burr) if he had chosen, could have raised or got 12,000 as easy as 6,000, but that he did not think that number necessary.-Confiding fully in this information I became indifferent about further disguise. I then told the Doctor that I should most certainly oppose Col. Burr if he came this way. He replied, they must come here for equipments and shipping, and observed that he did not know what had passed between Col. Burr and myself, obliqued at a sham defence, and waved the subject.

From the documents in my possession, and the several communications, verbal as well as written, from the said Doctor Erick Bollman on this subject, I feel no hesitation in declaring under the solemn obligation of an oath, that he has committed misprision of treason against the government of the United States.

(Signed)

JAS. WILKINSON. Signed and sworn to this 14th day of December, 1806, before me, one of the justices of the peace of this county.

Dear Sir,

(Signed)

J. CARRICK.

Philadelphia, 25 July, 1806.

Mr. Swartwout, the brother of Col. S. of New-York, being on his way down the Mississippi, and presuming he may pass you at some post on the river, has requested of me a letter of introduction, which I give with pleasure, as he is a most amiable young man, and highly respectable from his character and connexions. I pray you to afford him friendly offices, which his situation may require, and beg you to pardon the trouble which this may give you. With entire respect,

Your friend and obedient servant,

His Excellency Gen. Wilkinson.

A. BURR.

I instantly resolved to avail myself of the reference made to the bearer, and in the course of some days drew from him (the said Swartwout) the following disclosure." That he had been dispatched by Col. Burr from Philadelphia, had passed through the states of Ohio and Kentucky, and proceeded from Louisville for St. Louis, where he expected to find me, but discovering at Kaskaskias that I had descended the river, he procured a skiff, hired hands and followed me down the Mississippi to Fort Adams, and from thence set out for Natchitoches, in company with captains Sparks and Hooke, under the pretence of a disposition to take part in the campaign against the Spaniards, then depending. That Col. Burr, with the support of a powerful association, extending from New-York to New-Orleans, was levying an armed body of 7000 men from the state of New-York and the western states and territories, with a view to cary an expedition against the Mexican provinces, and that

INTELLIGENCE.