More Proof Aaron Burr Was Framed

Benedict Arnold was a traitor. Proof positive. He didn't get the money he bargained for, nor the promotion he was seeking in the British army. He died in England a sad and lonely man. No one disputes this.  But Aaron Burr ?  Absolutely not a traitor. He is an American Hero. So why the cloud?  He was found NOT GUILTY of treason. Why relevant ?  The truth has a funny way of rising to the surface, even hundreds of years later. It is time we teach our children in their history class and set the record straight.

I first became interested in Aaron Burr when on my quest of reading books on Founding Fathers, I read his biography by Nancy Isenberg. I was awestruck.  Here was a badass lawyer, a classy guy by all definitions, well read and philosophical. He was a brave and daring military officer (saving Alexander Hamilton ironically enough when his brigade was destined for capture and the other officers abandoned it as a lost cause). He was a hard worker, extremely prodigious whether it was sleeping in the same clothes half awake for weeks at a time at White Plains (to prevent capture) or organizing a grassroots political campaign that shockingly changed New York Federalist votes to Republican (thereby electing Thomas Jefferson over John Adams).  He was good hearted- in his later years funding the education of young poor women.  Most of all, I liked his character.  While Thomas Jefferson was paying yellow journalists to smear his political enemies and Alexander Hamilton under pen names doing the same, Burr never responded to false accusations in such a manner (& when he did, he meant business- the Hamilton duel). He thought it beneath his character. He made a lifelong practice of refraining from political mudslinging and backbiting. We now know for a fact through a comprehensive study of the Founders through their personal letters and writings of the unsavory parts of politics- jealousy, mistrust and insecurities that are well known facts of the likes of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Aaron Burr was so full of integrity he even bowed out of the Presidency of 1800 (even though he had the votes in the contested elections of 1800 had he simply made a few moves that were encouraged among the voting delegates) because he  had already professed commitment to getting Jefferson elected. He was a man of his word. Everyone knew it.  That is why  his treason charge went nowhere. This false charge was the mastermind child of Jefferson dreamt up after years of petty jealousy he could no longer stand. Jefferson  used James Wilkinson a military leader appointed Governor of New Orleans to hype up the charges. It has since come to light that James Wilkinson, whose painting still adorns a historical New Orleans museum, was a paid spy of the Spanish government (see Wikipedia). I recently came across fresh proof of Wilkinson's duplicity while reading Washington's Generals (edited by George Billias and published in 1964).  It appears that Wilkinson also made false allegations of the beloved Washington General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. To quote a passage from the book "Wayne's popularity was so great that he was able to dismiss such carping (by Wilkinson) as 'the idle Phantom of a disturbed imagination.' Indeed, in view of Wilkinson's subsequent duplicity in selling out to the Spanish for gold, his description of Wayne might easily have been applied to himself."   So, there you go. Jefferson's charge of Burr's treason folded like a house of cards. Lies are like sand castles, they cannot withstand the waves of truth.  More proof.

Why relevant ? I think Aaron Burr is a good example of where good character will get you. We all face moments of challenge. Some of us even false allegations (ask any President or Hollywood celebrity, power attracts attacks bar none). For me , not only do I make a living of fighting false accusations (citizens accused of DWI, not all of which are guilty) but like Burr- because I am good at what I do I sometimes face false accusations by DAs who twist the truth as well as mischaracterize happenings in court when things don't go their way.  How do I handle it ? Much like Burr- my character is of such that I don't find it worth my time or integrity to address base allegations.  My work and character speak for themselves. Much like Wilkinson, those who make false accusations normally don't just accuse one. In the end, much like Wilkinson the proof of their bad character will one day come to light.  Power attracts the worst of characters.  May we all follow Burr's example and let good character and good works speak for themselves. Have to admit, I think the repopularity of Aaron Burr in the milk commercials is kind of cute ;)