New York, 16th January, 1801.
Dear Sir,—I am heartily glad of your arrival at your post. You were never more wanted, for it was absolutely vacant.
Livingston will tell you my sentiments on the proposed usurpation, and indeed of all the other occurrences and projects of the day.
The short letter of business which I wrote you may be answered to Dallas; anything you may wish to communicate to me may be addressed this city. Our postmaster and that at Albany are “honorable men.”
Yours, A. B.
The next is written from Albany, in reply to a letter from Mr. Gallatin, which has not been preserved:
AARON BURR TO GALLATIN.
Albany, 12th February, 1801.
Dear Sir,—My letters for ten days past had assured me that all was settled and that no doubt remained but that J. would have 10 or 11 votes on the first trial; I am, therefore, utterly surprised by the contents of yours of the 3d. In case of usurpation, by law, by President of Senate pro tem., or in any other way, my opinion is definitively made up, and it is known to S. S. and E. L. On that opinion I shall act in defiance of all timid, temporizing projects.
On the 21st I shall be in New York, and in Washington the 3d March at the utmost; sooner if the intelligence which I may receive at New York shall be such as to require my earlier presence.