, in my first letter to Colonel Burr, after the
issue was known, I had mentioned to him that a chasm in my arrangements
had been produced by this event. I was thus particular in rectifying the
date of this letter, because it gave me an opportunity of explaining the
grounds on which it was written, which were, indirectly, an answer to
his present hints. He left the matter with me for consideration, and the
conversation was turned to indifferent subjects. I should here notice,
that Colonel Burr must have thought I could swallow strong things in
my own favor, when he founded his acquiescence to the nomination as
Vice-President, to his desire of promoting my honor, the being with me,
whose company and conversation had always been fascinating with him, &c.
I had never seen Colonel Burr till he came as a member of Senate. His
conduct very soon inspired me with distrust. I habitually cautioned
Mr. Madison against trusting him too much. I saw afterwards, that under
General Washington's and Mr. Adams's administrations, whenever a great
military appointment or a diplomatic one was to be made, he came post to
Philadelphia to show himself, and in fact that he was always at market,
if they had wanted him. He was indeed told by Dayton in 1800, he
might be Secretary at War; but this bid was too late! His election as
Vice-President was then foreseen. With these impressions of Colonel
Burr, there never had been an intimacy between us, and but little
association. When I destined him for a high appointment, it was out of
respect for the favor he had obtained with the republican party, by his
extraordinary exertions and success in the New York election in 1800.

April the 15th, 1806. About a month ago, Colonel Burr called on me, and
entered into a conversation, in which he mentioned, that a little before
my coming into office, I had written to him a letter intimating that I
had destined him for a high employ, had he not been placed by the people
in a different one; that he had signified his willingness to resign as
Vice-President, to give aid to the administration in any other place;
that he had never asked an office, however; he asked aid of nobody, but
could walk on his own legs and take care of himself; that I had always
used him with politeness, but nothing more; that he aided in bringing on
the present order of things; that he had supported the administration;
and that he could do me much harm: he wished, however, to be
on different