United States v. Burr
U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Virginia
[At law. The questions herein arose upon the proposition of the attorney for the United States to send before the grand jury, then in session considering the charges against Aaron Burr, a certain letter in cipher. addressed to Dr. Bollman under a fictitious name, and alleged to be in the handwriting of Mr. Willie, Burr’s secretary.
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[At law. The questions herein arose upon the proposition of the attorney for the United States to send before the grand jury, then in session considering the charges against Aaron Burr, a certain letter in cipher. addressed to Dr. Bollman under a fictitious name, and alleged to be in the handwriting of Mr. Willie, Burr’s secretary. Mr. Willie was called to the stand to prove the authenticity and materiality of the letter.] Mr. Williams, his counsel, hoped that no question would be put the answer to which might tend to criminate himself. Mr. MacRae.—Did you copy this paper? Mr. Williams,…
1Opinion of the Court
MARSHALL, Chief Justice.
In point of law, the question now before the court relates to the witness himself. The attorney for the United States offers a paper in cipher, which he supposes to have proceeded from a person against whom he has preferred an indictment for high treason, and another for a misdemeanor, both of which are now before the grand jury, and produces a person said to be the secretary or clerk of the accused, who is supposed either to have copied this paper by his direction, or to be able to prove, in some other manner, that it has proceeded from his authority. To a question…
2Cited by74 opinions
- Hoffa v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1966
- Marchetti v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1968
- United States v. MandujanoSupreme Court of the United States · 1976
- Quinn v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1955
- Emspak v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1955
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