Vice President Burr was really not that bad. I was fortunate enough to be assigned to write a report on him, of which the background research included reading through the entire transcripts of his trial.
He was the first example of bipartisanship Democrat style - Jefferson was of a different party and they tied in the electoral college. After the vote in the House of Reps, Jefferson was declared the winner and President and Burr the Vice President. Burr played along. Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase was as wildly unconstitutional as anything Obama is doing. The plot to annex northern Mexico (which also involved Zebulon Pike, Pike's Peak was named on a reconaisance mission) was really not all that sinister. I think the fall out was due to the infamous Hamilton/Burr duel, which was legal at the time. The trial for treason mainly focused on northern Mexico which was almost certainly done under Jefferson's direction.
When a scapegoat was needed, the bipartisan Vice President Burr was served up as the main course. McCain, take heed.
Your view of Burr may be more accurate. Of course in my day the very reason for the duel — a woman — and the fact that the more famous Hamilton died was enough to tarnish Burr forever. The facts were lost in the sanitized re-telling.
Then again — didn’t the odious Gore Vidal write a bio of Burr? That would be enough to seal him (Burr) as a suspicious character forever!
Sorry. I’m punchy from reading this thread for 5 days. BTW, I appreaciate your thoughtful contributions to it. Thanks.