FAN FAVORITE: The Insurrection of Aaron Burr | Gathering Forces | 2

Aaron Burr's ambitious plans involved carving out an empire in the West by fracturing the United States. His strategy leaned heavily on gaining foreign support from both Britain and Spain, but these overtures were ultimately unsuccessful.

Burr Conspired to Split the Us and Form a Western Empire, Seeking Support From Britain and Spain

Burr Sought British Aid in 1805 to Carve a New Country in the Louisiana Territory

After his tenure as Vice President, Aaron Burr embarked on a secret mission to establish a new country in the Louisiana Territory. To this end, Burr sought military and financial aid from Great Britain. He approached British Ambassador Anthony Merry, indicating that Louisiana residents yearned for independence from the United States and required the guarantee of protection and assistance from a foreign power, ideally Britain. Burr requested military aid in the form of frigates and a loan of £100,000 to begin his enterprise, citing potential trade benefits for Britain following Louisiana's independence. He assured the possibility of success with adequate guns and money and urged swift communication with British authorities. Ambassador Merry expressed interest and relayed Burr's proposal to London officials.

Burr's Overtures to Spain: Dayton Meets Ambassador Yrujo On Independent Western Nation Plan

Meanwhile, Burr had Jonathan Dayton meet with Spanish Ambassador Carlos Martinez Yrujo. During this conversation, Dayton intimated that Burr had forgone the invasion of Mexico, focusing rather on a New Orleans-based rebellion. He suggested the formation of an independent nation in the western frontier, potentially serving as a buffer between Mexico and the United States. Dayton falsely claimed Britain had pledged support for the plan.

Burr also reached out to Spanish Ambassador Irujo, desiring Spain's alliance for his secessionist ambitions. However, Dayton later confess ...

As Aaron Burr set out on a 1805 tour through the western states of the growing United States, his ostensible purpose hid a far more ambitious agenda, and his maneuvers would soon be characterized by alliances and machinations that challenged the young nation's stability.

Burr's 1805 Western States Tour For Secession and Expansion Plans

Burr Allied With General James Wilkinson, the U.S. Army's Commander-In-chief and Covert Spanish Agent

Aaron Burr allied himself with General James Wilkinson, a figure wielding considerable military influence as the U.S. Army’s commander-in-chief and, unbeknownst to many, a covert agent for Spain. Burr's clandestine meetings with Wilkinson were strategic moves that allowed the two to conspire over American’s vast new western territories. Wilkinson, when appointed governor of the Louisiana Territory, further involved himself in these plans, advising Creole delegates from New Orleans to express their support or lack thereof for the American Union and their thoughts on Mexico's potential as a target for expansion.

Burr Gained Support in New Orleans, Cincinnati, and Nashville for an Independent Western Nation

Throughout his travels, which included stops in significant cities such as New Orleans, Cincinnati, and Nashville, Burr engaged with influential locals to gauge and recruit support for his secessionist and expansion ambitions. He encountered broad interest, particularly in New Orleans, where resentment towards the U.S. government and desires for Spanish territory seemed to align with Burr's objectives. His visits served both to assess public opinion and to secure supporters for his ventures, including a possible invasion of Mexico.

Burr Recruited Soldiers and Secured Blennerhasset Island on the Ohio River as a Base

A key element in Burr’s plan was his recruitment of soldiers and securing material support. In Cincinnati, he reunited with Jonathan Dayton, an old ally and former New Jersey senator, who would later be tasked with assisting with supplies. Furthermore, his journey down the Ohio River was not only metaphorically significant for his plans but also quite literal: on May 5, he identified Blennerhasset Island as a practical base, which would become significant for his conspiracy. Burr’s dialo ...

The early 19th century saw President Thomas Jefferson grappling with news of a potential conspiracy led by Aaron Burr and the complex reactions within the government to these allegations.

Warnings About Burr's Plot Reached Jefferson, Sparking Disagreement Over the Allegations' Seriousness

In December 1805, Jefferson began receiving anonymous letters warning of Aaron Burr's conspiracies that entailed plans to overthrow the government and harm the Atlantic States. William Eaton shared startling details about Burr's schemes, including plans to overthrow Congress, assassinate the President, and declare himself the leader of a new Western empire. Additionally, Joseph Hamilton Davis alerted Jefferson about a plot to separate western territory from the Union, implicating General James Wilkinson.

Eaton's Warning to Jefferson and Congress About Burr's Government Overthrow Plans Dismissed

Eaton's revelations occurred during his efforts to seek reimbursement for expenses incurred during the Barbary Wars. He informed a congressman of Burr's hidden expedition and revolutionary intentions, also mentioning a new Western nation and the intention to murder the President. However, the congressman dismissed Eaton's claims as absurd, accusing him of being a drunken detractor of the administration. Eaton, struggling to be taken seriously and willing to provide evidence in exchange for debt payment, contemplated taking his knowledge directly to Jefferson after being rebuked and labeled self-serving by the congressman.

Skeptical Jefferson Took No Initial Action Against Burr Despite Evidence Concerns

Despite Eaton's persistence, President Jefferson remained skeptical of the claims and opted for inaction, hoping Burr's plans would dissipate from a lack of support. Jefferson's skepticism towards Eaton may have been influenced by Eaton's known frustrations with the administration and his reputation for drinking. Burr, confident in his enterprise, minimally regarded Jefferson's potential reaction to his ambitions for Mexico o ...