such uneasiness that the prominent Kentuckians made haste to clear themselves of all possible connection with any treasonable scheme.  Henry Clay demanded and received from Burr a formal pledge that his plans were in no wise hostile to the Union; and the other people upon whom Burr counted most, both in Ohio and Kentucky, hastily followed this example.  This immediate defection showed how hopeless Burr’s plans were.  The moment he attempted to put them into execution, their utter futility was certain to be exposed.

    Friction with the Spaniards.

Meanwhile Jefferson’s policy with the Spaniards, which neither secured peace nor made ready for war, kept up constant irritation on the border.  Both the Spanish Governor Folch, in West Florida, and the Spanish General Herrera, in Texas, menaced the Americans. [Footnote:  Gayarre, IV., 137, 151, etc.] Wilkinson hurried with his little army towards Herrera, until the two stood face to face, each asserting that the other was on ground that belonged to his own nation.  Just at this time Burr’s envoys, containing his final propositions, reached Wilkinson.  But Wilkinson now saw as cleanly as any one that Burr’s scheme was foredoomed to fail; and he at once determined to make use of the only weapon in which he was skilled,—­treachery.  At this very time he, the commander of the United States Army, was in the pay of Spain, and was in secret negotiation with the Spanish officials against whom he was supposed to be acting; he had striven to corrupt his own army and had failed; he had found out that the people of the West were not disloyal.  He saw that there was no hope of success for the conspirators; and he resolved to play the part of defender of the nation, and to act with vigor against Burr.  Having warned Jefferson, 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.

    Burr Flees Down 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 Nashville.  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 anywhere.  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 connection with Burr, and to avow themselves loyal to the Union.  Even the Creole militia,—­a body which Claiborne regarded with just suspicion,—­volunteered to come to the defence of the Government when it was thought that Burr might actually attack the city.