Jefferson's Vendetta : The Pursuit of Aaron Burr and the Judiciary

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Summary: Jefferson, Burr, and John Marshall--What a Line-up
Review: This is a very solid account of the Burr treason trial engineered by Jefferson and presided over by John Marshall. The trial established important precedents regarding executive privilege and the meaning of treason under the Constitution. It also allowed both Marshall and Burr to tweak Jefferson's nose and cause him no end of embarrassment. The book does a good workmanlike job in describing the purported "conspiracy," the conduct of the trial, and the political overtones of the episode. It is very effective in explaining some fundamental legal concepts in layperson's language. While there are many books on the trial, this volume is a fairly concise and well written introduction to this important episode in our legal history.

Rating:
Summary: Story of Burr, Jefferson, Marshall and a High Ranking Spy
Review: This is a highly readable book on Jefferson and his fascinating nemesis Aaron Burr. Also included, the establishment of John Marshall and the Supreme Court and the villainous double-dealing General of the Army and mystery figure General James Wilkinson. Burr is the Revolutionary hero, brilliant lawyer, lady's man and political genius who virtually gave the election to Jefferson by bringing in New York as a Republican state. But in the 1800 election, President and Vice President candidates were not on a single combined ballot and Jefferson and Burr, both on the republican ticket as President and vice Presidential candidates respectively, end up with the same number of votes. The legislature eventually breaks the tie after extraneous wheeling and dealing on Jefferson's part, which also starts Jefferson's determination to ruin Burr's political career. Burr, already savaged by Hamilton his former law partner and associate when both were Federalists, now is ruined by Jefferson allowing him little of the patronage due him as Vice President. Even after the election, both Jefferson and Hamilton undermine Burr's political career. Burr's killing of Hamilton in a justified duel seals the alienation of the once meteor like political career of Burr. Wheelan writes a fascinating account that is sympathetic toward Burr who now moves west in a historically confusing circumstance to either separate the western U.S. from the east or invade part of the Spanish held territories or he may have intended just to settle on his large property in Louisiana until an opportunity arose. With his fortunes dashed in the east, Burr associated with General of the Army James Wilkinson who was later to be revealed as a Spanish agent on Spain's payroll for decades. As the author points out, Burr had some grand scheme associated with Wilkinson perhaps to initiate a filibuster and take over Florida or Texas from the Spanish. Wilkinson is the key as the plan leaks out, he turns on Burr and his 30 associates and accuses him of treason along with Jefferson and Wilkinson may he have even tried to assassinate Burr to protect himself. The author tells details the trial as a very entertaining factual story as John Marshall the Supreme Court justice presides and the greatest lawyers of that time prosecute Burr and defend him. Supporters for Burr include Andrew Jackson while Jefferson personally supports the prosecutor. The trial reveals something of Wilkinson as a scoundrel and he is one of the most fascinating individuals detailed in the book and history. The author reveals evidence of Wilkinson's role as an agent for Spain through documentation obtained years after Jefferson's death but Jefferson strangely supports Wilkinson even though evidence of Wilkinson's complicity appears apparent. Burr comes across as a sympathetic character that may naively have gotten involved in the scheme that was not as dark as portrayed but even that extent is still confusing. A filibuster to take over foreign land was not too unusual at that time. George Rodgers Clark tried it earlier and was not banned a traitor. The Alien and Sedition Act, the rise of the Supreme Court under Marshall and Jefferson's challenge to the court are all critical and fascinating side stories. Had Jefferson not ruined Burr, it seems unlikely Burr would he had gone west in a desperate plan. The one clear hero is Marshall who follows the letter of the constitution making the Supreme Court an equal to the other two branches of government. Jefferson's desire to limit the Supreme Court, destroy Burr and to maintain his Virginia dynasty of Madison and Monroe does seem to indicate, "Power corrupts". A very interesting book encouraging the reader to read more on each personality.