int for headquarters. Around this nucleus the
hitherto mobile elements of his design should crystallize into
definite shape.

What had Burr been doing in the three-quarters of a year which had
elapsed since he bade good-bye to the Blennerhassetts in October? He
had employed most of this time in Washington and Philadelphia, writing
hundreds of letters, sounding the President, tampering with civil and
military officials, intrigueing with the British Minister, in a word,
organizing a conspiracy, which he believed would eventually give him a
dictator's unlimited command over a magnificent realm. To Wilkinson he
had written in cipher many letters, one of which ran thus: "The
execution of our project is postponed until December; want of water in
the Ohio rendered movement impracticable; other reasons rendered delay
expedient. The association is enlarged and comprises all that
Wilkinson could wish. Confidence limited to few. Though this delay was
irksome, it will enable us to move with more certainty and dignity.
Burr will be through the United States this summer. Administration
damned, which Randolph aids. Nothing has been heard from the brigadier
since October. Address Burr at Washington."

The "brigadier" remained in St. Louis until late in August, when he
was ordered to collect his force at Fort Adams, now Vicksburg, and in
September he transferred the troops to Natchitoches on the Red River,
to defend the western frontier against threatened invasion by
Spaniards beyond the Sabine.

Arlington, ignorant of the treasonable designs of Burr, but zealous
against Spain and ambitious to share in the conquest of Mexico, had
volunteered to make a tour through Kentucky and Tennessee, to Natchez
and New Orleans, on business relating to the Wachita lands, which Burr
had purchased. The Virginian started on his long journey early in
autumn.

To Blennerhassett, Burr dilated in confidential privacy:

"All is planned and ready to be put into execution. The iron is red on
the anvil. At least five hundred men are pledged to me, and I have on
my memorandum books, the names of as many thousands who will join us
when wanted. Every man is to receive one hundred acres of the Bastrop
land, besides his regular pay. All are to present themselves armed and
equipped, when boats are provided for their transportation and the
signal is given. I have told none of the volunteers exactly what will
be expected of them, but all are devoted to us. Of pro