sheet from the Burr trial

Trial Aftermath

President Jefferson fumed over Marshall's ruling. He said "It now appears we have no law but the will of the judge." He contemplated responses ranging from proposing a constitutional amendment limiting the power of the judiciary to asking Congress to impeach the Chief Justice. In a letter to General Wilkinson, Jefferson wrote:

The scenes which have been acted at Richmond are such as have never been exhibited in any country, where all regard to public character has not yet been thrown off. They are equivalent to a proclamation of impunity to every traitorous combination which may be formed to destroy the Union."

Burr, despite his acquittal, stood disgraced. Although he would live another twenty-nine years, he would never again be a significant player in Americanpublic life. In 1808, he sailed for Europe, where he would remain for four years. The death of his beloved daughter Theodosia, lost at sea while sailing to meet her father in New York upon his return, seemed to end whatever spark remained within him. Years later, when he heard news of the Texas Revolution, Burr exclaimed to a friend with satisfaction: "There! You see? I was right! I was only thirty years too soon. What was treason in me thirty years ago, is patriotism now."