Virginia Argus

The following letters appear in the late Mississippi papers as having passed between Col. Burr and Governor Williams.

(No date.)

SIR,

The vindictive temper and unprincipled conduct of Judge Rodney, have induced me to withdraw for the present from public view. I nevertheless continue in the disposition which has been uniformly manifested, of submitting to civil authority, so long as I can be assured, that it will be exercised towards me within the limits prescribed for other citizens.

It is proper, however before again surrendering, that I be informed of the cause or charge, if any, for which it is purposed to arrest me: whether bail will be received—the tenor or recognizance, and the sum in which security will be required: I ask further, your assurance, that no attempt to send me out of the territory will be countenanced or permitted, and that my person shall not be subjected to any military arrest.

I have the honor to be, &c.

A. BURR.

His Excellency Gov. Williams.

12th February, 1807.

SIR,

I have seen your proclamation: It was unworthy of you to lend your sanction to a falsehood. —The recognizance on which I was bound, was on condition that I should appear in case an indictment should be found against me, and not otherwise. This special form was agreed on by Judge Rodney, after nearly half an hour's discussion between him, Mr. Harding and myself; drawn up at his request by Mr. Harding, and signed by the Judge in our presence, and in that of Col. Osborn, and will be found in the handwriting of Mr. Harding. so signed, unless, for fraudulent purposes, the judge shall have destroyed it—If he shall deny these facts, he must be as lost to shame as to principle—If he shall admit them, or they shall be otherwise established to your satisfaction, it is hoped that you will feel it to be your duty by a public manifesto, to cancel your proclamation, and to acknowledge the error on which it has been founded.

A. BURR.

His Excellency Gov. Williams.

Washington, Feb. 13th, 1807.

SIR,

Your two notes, the one without date, the other under that of yesterday. I have this moment received—Without animadverting on the unusual style which you have permitted to yourself, I can only say, that from the judicial proceedings in this territory, you cannot be considered in any other light than as a fugitive from the laws of your country: with these, you are too well acquainted not to know. that it belongs to a department different from mine to determine as to the nature of your offence, and to decide as to the manner in which you are to be treated.—

Hence you must see. it would be as improper as it would be undignified in me to enter into any stipulations as to your surrender: In justice to myself, however, I will observe, that so long as I have the honor to preside in this territory, I shall never use the military except in aid of the civil authority, and that, if you submit yourself to this, you may be assured, that it shall be exercised towards you within the limits prescribed for other citizens, similarly situated.

I have the honor to be. &c.

ROBT. WILLIAMS.

Col. Aaron Burr.