human
Governor, I am delighted to see you, back safe and sound from your journey. My congratulations, sir!
gpt
I have few friends now, said Aaron Burr.
human
You have many. You are on the flood tide--it ebbs for me. When one loses, what mercy is shown to him? That scoundrel Merry--he promised everything and gave nothing! Yrujo--he is worse yet in his treachery. Even the French minister, Turreau--who surely might listen to the wishes of the great French population of the Mississippi Valley--pays no attention to their petitions whatever, and none to mine. These were my former friends! I promised them a country.
gpt
You promised them a country, Colonel Burr--from what?
human
From that great ownerless land yonder, the West. But they waited and waited, until your success was sure. Why, that scoundrel Merry is here this very day--the effrontery of him! He wants nothing more to do with me. No, he is here to undertake to recoup himself in his own losses by reasons of moneys he advanced to me some time ago. He is importuning my son-in-law, Mr. Alston, to pay him back those funds--which once he was so ready to furnish to us. But Mr. Alston is ruined--I am ruined--we are all ruined. No, they waited too long!
gpt
They waited until it was too late, yes, Lewis returned.
human
That country is American now, not British or Spanish or French. Our men are passing across the river in thousands. They will never loose their hold on the West. It was treason to the future that you planned--but it was hopeless from the first!
gpt
It would seem, sir, said Aaron Burr, a cynical smile twisting his thin lip,
human
That is a hard speech, Colonel Burr. I was your friend.
gpt
More than your chief ever was! I fancy Mr. Jefferson would like to see me pilloried, drawn and quartered, after the old way.
human
You are unjust to him. You struck at the greatest ambition of his life--struck at his heart and the heart of his country--when you undertook to separate the West from this republic.
gpt
I am a plain man, and a busy man, said Aaron Burr coldly.
human
I must employ my time now to the betterment of my situation. I have failed, and you have won. But let me throw the cloak aside, since I know you can be of no service to me. I care not what punishment you may have--what suffering--because I recognize in you the one great cause of my failure. It was _you_, sir, with your cursed expedition, that defeated Aaron Burr!