Burr Conspiracy (6 авг 1804 г. – 1 сент 1807 г.)

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The Burr Conspiracy is a military expedition in which the then former vice president, Aaron Burr, along with the United States General of the army stationed at New Orleans and Louisiana Territory Governor James Wilkinson attempt to establish an independent republic on the Southwestern American frontier or by seizing Spanish-American territory.

In 1804 while still serving as Vice President of the U.S. Aaron Burr meets and befriends British Minister to the United States Anthony Merry, and begins conspiring with Merry regarding a military expedition to either liberate a portion of the southwestern American frontier and/or seize Spanish-American territory. Minister Merry reports back to British Prime Minister William Pitt regarding the conspiracy who, historians now believe, might have entertained the idea of providing more than just financial aid to Burr's conspiracy. However, as negotiations between Burr and Merry are dragged out due to the disinterest and skepticism of the British government, Prime Minister Pitt dies on January 23rd, 1806, and is succeeded by Charles James Fox. Fox is a life-long friend to the United States, and upon hearing of the Burr Conspiracy Fox condemns Minister Merry for negotiating with Burr and recalls Merry back to London on June 1st, 1806, thus ending British involvement in the conspiracy.

Following his duel with Hamilton, Burr realizes the inevitable end of his political career and turns his attention to his military expedition. From 1804-1805, Burr begins a correspondence with U.S. General of the army stationed at New Orleans and Louisiana Territory Governor, James Wilkinson who garners moral, financial, and military support for the expedition.

After Minister Merry is recalled back to London in June 1806, Burr procures a boat and sets off down the Ohio River to garner more support for the expedition. Burr's ambition to conquer and take possession of Spanish territory is well received by many frontiersmen and adventurers, and especially by an Irish lawyer and politician by the name of Harman Blennerhessett. Blennerhessett holds a critical role in the conspiracy as he provides Burr with both financial and military aid, even allowing Burr's expedition to use his island (now known as Blennerhessett Island) to stockpile supplies and train its forces.

In the fall of 1806, Burr commences the campaign and sets out to New Orleans from Blennerssett Island to meet up with Wilkinson's forces. By 1806 rumors of Burr's plan reaches Washington; however,T.J. dismisses them as mere political attacks. However, in October, realizing the probable failure of the expedition, James Wilkinson betrays Burr and in an attempt to save himself from being charged with the crime of treason sends the Jefferson administration a deciphered correspondence from Burr. After receiving the correspondence from Wilkinson in November, T.J. dispatches federal warrants for the arrest of Burr. On January 10th, 1807, Burr arrives in Mississippi and after learning of Wilkinson's betrayal and Jefferson's warrant turns himself in to Mississippi authorities. Following his arrest, Burr is released and escapes into the wilderness, but is arrested again on February 19th just before he escapes into Spanish territory and taken back to Virginia to stand trial on charges of treason. On September 1st, 1807, Burr is acquitted of the charge of treason on the grounds that Burr had not engaged in any "overt act".

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