ence, good education, association with
men of thought. 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 move. No move can be
made which will seem too great or too daring for them. Now let me
confess somewhat to you--for I know that you will respect my
confidence, if you go no further with me than you have gone 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 remark. The others sat for a moment, merely
gazing at him, half stunned, remembering 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 dream at present, once
our new flag 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 from the government on this side of the Alleghanies. 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."

"You will explain more fully, Colonel Burr?" Mr. Merry was intent now
on all that he heard.

"I march only with destiny, yonder--do you not see, gentlemen?" Burr
resumed. "Those who march with me are in alliance with natural events.
This republic is split now, at this very moment. It must follow its
own fate. If the flag of Spain were west of it on the south, and the
flag of Britain west of it on the north, why, then we should have the
natural end of the republic's expansion. With those great powers in
alliance at its back, with the fleets of England on the seas, at the
mouth of the great river--owning the lands in Canada on the north--it
would be a simple thing, I say, to crush this republic against the
wall of the Appalachians, or to drive it once more into the sea."

They were silent alike before the enormousness and the enormity of
this. Readi