rs. Alston would be queen when Colonel Burr died. Who
could resist the charms of this young princess? Blennerhassett and his
wife were impatient to exchange their little isle for marble halls in
far away Mexico.

But all was not going well with the future Emperor of Mexico. Ugly
rumors were afloat. The active preparations at Blennerhassett's Island,
the building of boats at various points along the river, the enlistment
of recruits, coupled with hints of secession, disturbed such loyal
citizens as the District-Attorney at Frankfort, Kentucky. He took it
upon himself to warn the President, and then, in open court, charged
Burr with violating the laws of the United States by setting on foot
a military expedition against Mexico and with inciting citizens to
rebellion in the Western States. But at the meeting of the grand jury
Burr appeared surrounded by his friends and with young Henry Clay for
counsel. The grand jury refused to indict him and he left the court in
triumph. Some weeks later the District-Attorney renewed his motion;
but again Burr was discharged by the grand jury, amid popular applause.
Enthusiastic admirers in Frankfort even gave a ball in his honor.

Notwithstanding these warnings of conspiracy, President Jefferson
exhibited a singular indifference and composure. To all alarmists he
made the same reply. The people of the West were loyal and could be
trusted. It was not until disquieting and ambiguous messages from
Wilkinson reached Washington-disquieting because ambiguous--that the
President was persuaded to act. On the 27th of November, he issued
a proclamation warning all good citizens that sundry persons were
conspiring against Spain and enjoining all Federal officers to apprehend
those engaged in the unlawful enterprise. The appearance of this
proclamation at Nashville should have led to Burr's arrest, for he was
still detained there; but mysterious influences seemed to paralyze the
arm of the Government. On the 22d of December, Burr set off, with two
boats which Jackson had built and some supplies, down the Cumberland.
At the mouth of the river, he joined forces with Blennerhassett, who had
left his island in haste just as the Ohio militia was about to descend
upon him. The combined strength of the flotilla was nine bateaux
carrying less than sixty men. There was still time to intercept the
expedition at Fort Massac, but again delays that have never been
explained prevented the President's proclamati