United States v. Aaron Burr

The above video was produced by PBS under contract from the United States Judicial Conference in 1976 as part of the bicentennial celebrations.

Aaron Burr’s trial for treason started on May 1807 and lasted for six months.  Burr’s machinations in the West are still mysterious, but the evidence certainly was lacking that he had engaged in treason.  Treason, a charge that had been used against the Founding Fathers by the British, was set forth with precision in the Constitution:

Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

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