human
Captain, inquired Chouteau at length,
gpt
That is all I have left, said he.
human
But the mail for the East--the mail, M. Chouteau--we must get word to the President!
gpt
The President has long ago been advised of your death, said Chouteau, laughing.
human
All the world has said good-by to you. No doubt you can read your own obituaries.
gpt
We bring them better news than that. What news for us?
human
News! The voluble Frenchman threw up his hands.
gpt
Nothing but news! The entire world is changed since you left. I could not tell you in a month. The Burr duel----
human
Yes, we did not know of it for two years, said William Clark.
gpt
We have just heard about it, up river.
human
The killing of Mr. Hamilton ended the career of Colonel Burr, said Chouteau.
gpt
But for that we might have different times here in Mississippi. He had many friends. But you have heard the last news regarding him?
human
No? Well, he came out here through this country once more. He was arrested last summer, on the Natchez Trace, and carried off to Washington. The charge is treason against his government. The country is full of it--his trial is to be at Richmond. Even now it may be going on.
gpt
And all the world is swimming in blood across the sea, went on their garrulous informant.
human
Napoleon and Great Britain are at war again. Were it not so, one or the other of them would be at the gates of New Orleans, that is sure. This country is still discontented. There was much in the plan of Colonel Burr to separate this valley into a country of its own, independent--to force a secession from the republic, even though by war on the flag. Indeed, he was prepared for that; but now his conspiracy is done. Perhaps, however, you do not hold with the theory of Colonel Burr?
gpt
Hold with the theory of Colonel Burr, sir? exclaimed the deep voice of Meriwether Lewis.
human
Hold with it? This is the first time I have known what it was. It was treason! If he had any join him, that was in treason! He sought to disrupt this country? Agree with him? What is this you tell me? I had never dreamed such a thing as possible of him!
gpt
He had many friends, went on Chouteau;
human
But, M. Chouteau, rejoined Lewis,
gpt
I do not understand--I cannot! What Colonel Burr attempted was an actual treason to this republic. I find it difficult to believe that!
human
There may be two names for it,
gpt
And every one asked to join the cause was asked to join in treason to his country. Is it not so?
human
There may be two names for it,
gpt
He was my friend, said Meriwether Lewis.
human
I trusted him!
gpt
Always, I repeat, there are two names for treason. But what puzzles me is this, Chouteau continued.
human
What halted the cause of Colonel Burr here in the West? He seemed to be upon the point of success. His organization was complete--his men were in New Orleans--he had great lands purchased as a rendezvous below. He had understandings with foreign powers, that is sure. Well, then, here is Colonel Burr at St. Louis, all his plans arranged. He is ready to march, to commence his campaign, to form this valley into a great kingdom, with Mexico as part of it. He was a man able to make plans, believe me. But of all this there comes--nothing! Why? At the last point something failed--no one knew what. He waited for something--no one knew what. Something lacked--no one can tell what. And all the time--this is most curious to me--I learned it through others--Colonel Burr was eager to hear something of the expedition of Lewis and Clark into the West. Why? No one knows! _Does_ no one know?
gpt
Why did Colonel Burr hesitate, why did he give up his plans here--why, indeed, did he fail? You ask me why these things were? I say, it was because of you--_messieurs_, you two young men, with your Lewis and Clark Expedition! It was _you_ who broke the Burr Conspiracy--for so they call it in these days. _Messieurs_, that is your news!
human
Attention, men!