Wilkinson had vowed to supply troops at …

Years: 1806 - 1806
December
Wilkinson had vowed to supply troops at New Orleans, but, after a near-incident with Spanish forces at Natchitoches, he has concluded that the conspiracy is bound to fail and, rather than providing troops, Wilkinson decides he can best serve his conflicting interests by revealing Burr’s plan to President Jefferson and to his Spanish paymasters.

Jefferson and his cabinet had by mid-1806 begun to take more notice of reports of political instability in the West.

Their suspicions are confirmed when Wilkinson sends the president correspondence which he had received from Burr.

In an attempt to preserve his innocence and career, Wilkinson has edited the letters.

They had been sent to him in cypher, and he has altered the letter to prove both his "innocence" and Burr's guilt.

He warns Jefferson that Burr is “meditating the overthrow of [his] administration” and “conspiring against the State.”

Jefferson alerts Congress of the plan, and orders the arrest of anyone who conspires to attack Spanish territory.

He warns authorities in the West to be aware of suspicious activities.

Jefferson, a political opponent of Burr, issues an order in December for Burr's arrest, declaring that a treasonous plot is underway in the West and calling for the arrest of the perpetrators.

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