wn by
the name of Blennerhassett's Island, in the county of Wood and District
of Virginia aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction of this court, with
force and arms, unlawfully, falsely, maliciously, and traitorously did
compass, imagine, and intend to raise and levy war, insurrection, and
rebellion against the said United States_--"

And so on through much thunderous repetition to the final,--

"_And the said Aaron Burr with the said persons as aforesaid
traitorously assembled and armed and arranged in manner aforesaid, most
wickedly, maliciously, and traitorously did ordain, prepare, and levy
war against the said United States, and further to fulfil and carry into
effect the said traitorous compassings, imaginings, and intentions of
him the said Aaron Burr, and to carry on the war thus levied as
aforesaid against the United States, the said Aaron Burr with the
multitude last mentioned, at the island aforesaid, in the said county of
Wood within the Virginia District aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction
of this court, did array themselves in a warlike manner, with guns and
other weapons, offensive and defensive, and did proceed from the said
island down the river Ohio in the county aforesaid, within the Virginia
District, and within the jurisdiction of this court, on the said
eleventh day of December, in the year one thousand, eight hundred and
six aforesaid, with the wicked and traitorous intention to descend the
said river and the river Mississippi, and by force and arms traitorously
to take possession of the city commonly called New Orleans, in the
territory of Orleans, belonging to the United States, contrary to the
duty of their said allegiance and fidelity, against the Constitution,
peace, and dignity of the United States and against the form of the Act
of Congress of the United States in such case made and provided_."

The clerk ceased to read. When the last sonorous word had died upon the
air, the audience yet sat or stood in silence, bent a little forward, in
the attitude of listeners. This lasted an appreciable moment, then the
tension snapped. Marshall moved slightly in his great chair, Judge
Griffin coughed, a rustling sound and a deep breath ran through the
Hall. The prisoner, who had faced with the most perfect composure the
indictment's long thunder, now slightly inclined his head to the Judges
and took his seat. His counsel, ostentatiously easy and smiling,
gathered about him, and the District Attorne