About the Program
David Stewart recounts the political life of Aaron Burr (1756-1836), Vice President of the United States from 1801-1805, who gained notoriety for his duel with Alexander Hamilton in 1804. Mr. Stewart reports that following Burr's tenure as Vice President he planned to create an empire on the Gulf of Mexico comprised of America's western territories. Aaron Burr was joined in his secession plan by James Wilkinson, General-in-Chief of the Army, who betrayed Burr's plot and led to the former Vice President's arrest and trial for treason in 1807. Aaron Burr was tried in federal court in front of Chief Justice John Marshall and despite the best efforts of President Thomas Jefferson, was cleared of all charges against him. David Stewart speaks at the Kansas City Public Library in Kansas City, Missouri.