to the commander a profound
sagacity which imposed reticence for causes beyond an ordinary man's
ken. His unsuspicious mind had been schooled by Burr to believe
implicitly in Wilkinson.

Swartwout was under engagement to join Burr at Nashville, and he
pressed for a letter which he might deliver to his chief. This request
Wilkinson evaded. Promising to return Burr a speedy answer, he
detained the envoy under various pretexts, bestowing upon him every
hospitable attention, and finally dismissed him with oral messages,
after having consumed ten days of his time.

Three days subsequent to the departure of Swartwout another messenger,
as secret and more swift, was dispatched from Natchitoches, bearing to
Washington City from the commander-in-chief, a full disclosure of the
plans of conspiracy, and fastening the charge of treason on Aaron
Burr. All the machinery of civil and military executive power was put
in motion in the districts over which Wilkinson's authority extended.

The information forwarded by Wilkinson's messenger reached Washington
City November 25, 1806. It was by no means the only evidence the
President had received, impeaching the loyalty of the eminent
politician. Daviess had written, and Morgan had written, and the
veiled witness in black had come in person with the facts reiterated
in Wilkinson's letter of exposure.

The President issued a proclamation, "warning and enjoining those who
had been led to participate in the unlawful enterprise, to withdraw
without delay, and requiring all officers, civil and military, of any
one of the States or Territories, to be vigilant, each within his
respective department, in searching out and bringing to punishment all
persons engaged or concerned in the undertaking."

XXIV. THE MIDNIGHT DEPARTURE.

The first snowstorm of early winter was whirling its flaky showers
over the frozen fields and through the naked woods of Bacchus Island.
The short day was nearing a dismal close. Harman Blennerhassett paced
uneasily to and fro within the narrow confines of his study. His face
was haggard, his general aspect that of a man harassed and hopeless.
Yet he seemed idle and without sense of responsibility for the future.
His air indicated irresolution, ennui, mild disgust of the world and
of himself. He took down Homer, brushed the dust from the covers, and
then replaced the volume on its shelf. He gave the glass cylinder of
his electrical machine a turn or two, and