Part 9 (1/2)
The Spanish minister made similar excuse to his oife Thus Theodosia Alston left Meriwether Lewis for the second time that day
It was a late conference, the one held that night at the home of the Vice-President of the United States Burr, cool, calculating, always in hand, sat and weighed many matters well before he committed himself beyond repair His keen e for which he waited
”You say right, gentle forward ”I would not blaain”
”Should I ever do so again,” blazed the Spanish minister, ”I will take my oife in to dinner on my own ars! It was an insult to n that we received today”
”As much myself, sir!” said Mr Merry, his brows contracted, his face flushed still with anger ”I shall kno to answer the next invitation which comes from Mr Jefferson[1] I shall ask him whether or not there is to be any repetition of this sort of thing”
[Footnote 1: During the follointer Mr Merry had opportunity to fulfill his threat In February, 1804, the President again invited hi words:
”Thomas Jefferson asks the favor of Mr Merry to dine with a small party of friends on Monday, the 13th, at half past three”
Mr Merry, still snity and addressed his reply to the Secretary of State
Reviewing at soth what seemed to him important events, he added:
”If Mr Merry should beof Mr Jefferson's note, and it should prove that the invitation is designed for him in a public capacity, he trusts that Mr Jefferson will feel equally that itpreviously, through the channel of the Secretary of State, the necessary formal assurance of the President's determination to observe toward him those niceties of distinction which have heretofore been shown by the executive government of the United States to the persons who have been accredited as our Majesty's ministers
”Mr Merry has the honor to request of Mr Madison to lay this explanation before the President, and to accohest respect and consideration”
The Secretary of State, who see as social secretary to Mr Jefferson, without hesitation replied as follows:
”Mr Madison presents his compliments to Mr Merry He has co, and has the honor to re in the style used by him in like cases, had no reference to the points of form which will deprive him of the pleasure of Mr Merry's company at dinner on Monday next
”Mr Madison tenders to Mr Merry his distinguished consideration”
The friction arising out of this and interlocking incidents was part of the unfortunate train of events which later led up to the war of 1812]
”So much for the rule of the plain people!” said Burr, as he laid the tips of his fingers together contemplatively
”Yet, Colonel Burr, you are Vice-President under this adencies and opportunities as they offer My dear sir, perhaps you do not fully know me I took this election only in order to be close to the seat of affairs I am no such rabid adherent to democracy as soard this republic as no e continent Take all that Western country--Louisiana--it ought not to be called attached to the United States At this very ainst its constituted authorities More than once it has been ready to take arainst New Orleans, and to set up a new country of its own It is geography which fights for ainst democracy, on this continent--in spite of what all these people say”
”Sir,” said the British minister, ”you have been a student of affairs”
”And why not? I claiood education, association with ht My reason tells me that conquest is in the blood of those men who settled in the Mississippi Valley They went into Kentucky and Tennessee for the sake of conquest They are restless, unattached, dissatisfied--ready for any great reat or too daring for them Now let me confess somewhat to you--for I know that you will respect one tonight I have bought large acreages of land in the lower Louisiana country, ostensibly for colonization purposes I do purpose colonization there--_but not under the flag of this republic!_”
Silence greeted his re at hi only that he was Jefferson's colleague, Vice-President of the United States
”You cannot force geography,” resumed Burr, in tones as even as if he had but spoken of bartering for a house and lot ”Lower Louisiana and Mexico together--yes, perhaps Florida, with us--yes, perhaps Indeed, territories larger perhaps than any of us dare drea is raised All that I purpose is to do what has been discussed a thousand times before--to unite in a natural alliance of self-interest those men who are sundered in every way of interest and alliance frohanies Would you call that treason--conspiracy? I dislike the words I call it rather a plan based upon sound reason and common sense; and I hold that its success is virtually assured”