To Thomas Jefferson from Aaron Burr, 4 June 1801
From Aaron Burr
N; York 4 June 1801
Dear Sir
The information contained in Mr Kirby’s letter, appearing to appertain more to you than to me, I take the liberty to enclose it for your perusal—
With great respect & attachment
A; Burr
RC (PPAmP: Feinstone Collection); at foot of text: “Th. Jefferson President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL as received 6 June. Enclosure: Ephraim Kirby to Burr, Hartford, 24 May 1801, reporting on the session of the Connecticut legislature, which met from 14 May to 5 June, noting that instead of manifesting “a spirit of moderation and reconciliation” as expected, the Federalists were determined “that no official influence” should interfere with their state appointments, even though Republicans were more qualified, as was the case with Daniel Tilden, who was passed over as brigadier general in the Connecticut militia because of his ties with the Jefferson administration, and their support for the reelection of Federalist Uriah Tracy to the U.S. Senate, although he “could not have obtained an election by the people” and was “generally believed to be a corrupt and unprincipled man,” all of which indicated that Republicans could not achieve influence in Connecticut by using a “gentle and soothing means” because the “Obstinate and determined spirit” of the Federalist leaders would “yield to nothing but necessity” (RC in DLC, at foot of text: “His Excy, A. Burr”; , 1:585–7).
Kirby’s letter: on 8 June, Burr informed Ephraim Kirby that he had transmitted his letter of 24 May to the president ( , 1:586n).