In July 1807, Harman Blennerhassett was arrested in Lexington after several complaints by merchants, who contended he was responsible for Aaron Burr’s debts. He was a financial backer of Burr’s conspiracy to separate western portions of the United States from the union. While incarcerated, he was charged with treason for his involvement. He was defended at his examining trial in Lexington by Henry Clay. Clay was then a young Senator. He was transferred to Richmond for trial, with Burr. He was later found not guilty.[i]
[i] Ranck, George W., Guide to Lexington, Kentucky, Transylvania Printing Company, Lexington, 1883, page 18 and Remini, Robert V., Henry Clay Statesman for the Union, W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 1991, pages 41, 45, 51 and 53.
