34 The Winning of the West 



son, in language of violent alarm, about Burr's 

 plans, he prepared to prevent their execution. He 

 first made a truce with Herrera in accordance with 

 which each was to retire to his former position, and 

 then he started for the Mississippi. 



When Burr found that he could do nothing in 

 Kentucky and Tennessee, he prepared to go to New 

 Orleans. The few boats that Blennerhassett had 

 been able to gather were sent hurriedly down stream 

 lest they should be interfered with by the Ohio 

 authorities. Burr had made another visit to Nash- 

 ville. Slipping down the Cumberland, he joined his 

 little flotilla, passed Fort Massac, and began the 

 descent of the Mississippi. 



The plot was probably most dangerous at New 

 Orleans, if it could be said to be dangerous any- 

 where. Claiborne grew very much alarmed about 

 it, chiefly because of the elusive mystery in which it 

 was shrouded. But when the pinch came it proved 

 as unsubstantial there as elsewhere. The leaders 

 who had talked most loosely about revolutionary 

 proceedings grew alarmed, as the crisis approached, 

 lest they might be called on to make good their 

 words; and they hastened to repudiate all connec- 

 tion with Burr, and to avow themselves loyal to the 

 Union. Even the Creole militia, a body which 

 Claiborne regarded with just suspicion, volun- 

 teered to come to the defence of the Government 

 when it was thought that Burr might actually at- 

 tack the city." 



But Burr's career was already ruined. Jefferson, 



