Governor there took great notice of him. On his return, he took occasion
to mention to me that he was authorized by the Governor of Canada
to give from three to five thousand guineas each to himself and some
others, to induce them not to do any thing to the injury of their
country, but to befriend a good connection between England and it.
Hitchburn said he would think of it, and asked Hale to come and dine
with him to-morrow. After dinner he drew Hale fully out. He told him he
had his doubts, but particularly, that he should not like to be alone in
such a business. On that, Hale named to him four others who were to
be engaged, two of whom, said Hitchburn, are now dead, and two living.
Hitchburn, when he had got all he wanted out of Hale, declined in a
friendly way. But he observed those, four men, from that moment, to
espouse the interests of England in every point and on every occasion.
Though he did not name the men to me, yet as the speaking of Lowell was
what brought into his Read to tell me this anecdote, I concluded he was
one. From other circumstances respecting Stephen Higginson, of whom he
spoke, I conjectured him to be the other living one.

December the 26th. In another conversation, I mentioned to Colonel
Hitchburn, that though he had not named names, I had strongly suspected
Higginson to be one of Hale's men. He smiled and said, if I had strongly
suspected any man wrongfully from his information, he would undeceive
me: that there were no persons he thought more strongly to be suspected
himself, than Higginson and Lowell. I considered this as saying they
were the men. Higginson is employed in an important business about our
navy.

February the 12th, 1801. Edward Livingston tells me, that Bayard applied
to-day or last night to General Samuel Smith, and represented to him
the expediency of his coming over to the States who vote for Burr, that
there was nothing in the way of appointment which he might not command,
and particularly mentioned the Secretaryship of the Navy. Smith asked
him if he was authorized to make the offer. He said he was authorized.
Smith told this to Livingston, and to W. C. Nicholas, who confirms it
to me. Bayard in like manner tempted Livingston, not by offering
any particular office, but by representing to him his (Livingston's)
intimacy and connection with Burr; that from him he had every thing to
expect, if he would come over to him. To Doctor Linn of New Jersey, they
have offer