ountains, who could be useful, with a note delineating their
character. By your messenger send me four or five of the commissions
of your officers, which you can borrow under any pretence you please.
They shall be returned faithfully. Already are orders given to the
contractor to forward six months' provisions to points Wilkinson may
name; this shall not be used until the last moment, and then under
proper injunctions. Our project, my dear friend, is brought to a point
so long desired. Burr guarantees the result with his life and honor,
with the lives and honor and the fortunes of hundreds, the best blood
of our country. Burr's plan of operation is to move down rapidly, from
the falls, on the 15th of November, with the first five hundred or
thousand men, in light boats now constructing for that purpose, to be
at Natchez between the 5th and 15th of December, there to meet you,
there to determine whether it will be expedient in the first instance
to seize on, or pass by, Baton Rouge ... on receipt of this send Burr
an answer ... draw on Burr for all expenses, etc. The people of the
country to which we are going are prepared to receive us; their
agents, now with Burr, say that if we will protect their religion and
will not subject them to a foreign power, that in three weeks all will
be settled. The gods invite us to glory and fortune; it remains to be
seen whether we deserve the boon. The bearer of this goes express to
you; he will hand a formal letter of introduction to you, from Burr;
he is a man of inviolable honor and perfect discretion, formed to
execute rather than project, capable of relating facts with fidelity,
and incapable of relating them otherwise. He is thoroughly informed of
the plans and intentions of ----, and will disclose to you, as far
as you inquire, and no further; he has imbibed a reverence for your
character, and may be embarrassed in your presence; put him at ease,
and he will satisfy you."

The eastern sky was flushed faintly with morning red before the
general finished deciphering this long message. Wilkinson saw that he
could no longer maintain an equivocal attitude, but must either yield
positively to Burr's proposals or denounce them. Early in the day he
summoned the messenger to his tent for a private interview.

"My dear sir," said the general, "you should be proud to be
recommended by such a man, in such language. Burr has absolute
confidence in your honor, fidelity, veracity and courage.