p and sacred confidence here,
gentlemen. So I say to you, ask no questions of me, and let me ask
none of her. Let me only say to her: 'My daughter, your father's
success, his life, his fortune--the life and fortune and success of
your husband as well--depend upon one event, depend upon you and your
ability to stop yonder expedition of Captain Meriwether Lewis into the
Missouri country!'"

[Footnote 2: It is generally conceded that Theodosia Burr Alston must
have been acquainted with her father's most intimate ambitions, and
with at least part of the questionable plans by which he purposed to
further them. Her blind and unswerving loyalty to him, passing all
ordinary filial affection, was a predominant trait of her singular and
by no means weak or hesitant character, in which masculine resolution
blended so strangely with womanly reserve and sweetness.]

"When could we learn?" demanded the British minister.

"I cannot say how long a time it may take," Burr replied. "I promise
you that my daughter shall have a personal interview with Captain
Lewis before he starts for the West."

"But he starts at dawn!" smiled Minister Merry.

"Were it an hour earlier than that, I would promise it. But now,
gentlemen, let us come to the main point. If we succeed, what then?"

The British minister was businesslike and definite.

"Fifty thousand dollars at once, out of a special fund in my control.
Meantime I would write at once to my government and lay the matter
before them.[3] We shall need a fleet at the south of the Mississippi
River. That will cost money--it will require at least half a million
dollars to assure any sort of success in plans so large as yours, Mr.
Burr. But on the contingency that she stops him, I promise you that
amount. Fifty thousand down--a half-million more when needed."

[Footnote 3: Mr. Merry did so and reported the entire proposal made by
Burr. The proposition was that the latter should "lend his assistance
to his majesty's government in any manner in which they may think fit
to employ him, particularly in endeavoring to effect a separation of
the Western part of the United States from that which lies between the
mountains in its whole extent."

But though deeply interested in the conspiracy to separate the Western
country, Mr. Merry was not too confiding, for in his message to Mr.
Pitt he added the following confidence, showing his own estimate of
Burr:

"I have only to add that if strict confiden