Burr Moral Analysis

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"Burr"ly Moral Unprincipled, bold, enterprising and intriguing are all words used by Alexander Hamilton to describe his political enemy Aaron Burr's moral character. As defined by Merriam-Webster, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong. This was not particularly Burr's strong suit. Born to a preacher and the daughter or Jonathan Edwards, he was destined to be a morally rich individual. However, his parents died within a year of each other leaving Burr an orphan at two to be raised by his wealthy uncle. So what was it that shaped this historical figure's so called immoral behavior that left him to be most remembered as the man that killed Alexander Hamilton? To begin with, the …show more content…
In 1804, he met up with his longtime friend General Wilkinson to plot out the expedition's plan of action. Hearing that the people in Louisiana were ready to be independent of the United States, he began his journey downriver rallying up allies to aid him in over throwing the Spanish and acquiring their land. This desire would create much chatter over the next few months regarding what Burr was up to. It was not until 1805, and after many conversations that Wilkinson began to suspect Burr's treasonous intentions. Wilkinson claimed that Burr proclaimed the stupidity of the government and that the people were ready for revolt. The final straw came in Pennsylvania when Burr made the unfortunate mistake of revealing his plans that shocked his host. This warranted a letter to the President to inform him of Burr's plans. General Wilkinson decided to bail out of the conspiracy after deciphering a letter sent by Burr and rushed troops in to be on alert for attack. President Jefferson urged government officials and military men to find all persons engaged in this act and bring them in for rightful punishment. He also sent out a confidential agent who uncovered important details of the plan. This brought Burr's Conspiracy to a grinding halt. All in all Aaron Burr was a good man trying to do good things for his country. However, the way he went about it could have been more thought out. Forethought in anything makes for a better outcome in everything. Aaron Burr had a rough start in life and this is what probably led to his treasonous ways. Had his parents been there to raise him by their standards rather than that of a family member who really had no vested interest in him his plan of attack to prosper his country might have been