January 1807: Aaron Burr’s visit causes unrest

Aaron Burr (MDAH Collection)
Aaron Burr

Burr, a former vice president of the United States, was accused of conspiring to divide the southwest from the union. A Washington grand jury declined to indict him on treason and allowed him to leave. Burr was later arrested near Mobile and tried and acquitted in Richmond in a landmark verdict that set the precedent for treason trials.

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