Who was....?

Who was the highest-ranking former member of the government to ever be indicted and tried for treason in US history?

 

Come on, not a single guess? It was a significant case in American history.

 

Are you counting Thomas Dorr since he was "elected" governor of Rhode Island

 

No, there was someone higher up - but good catch on the whole Rhode Island 'Rebellion.'

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AEM @ Jan 15 2008, 08:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Who was the highest-ranking former member of the government to ever be indicted and tried for treason in US history?</div>

Jefferson Davis?

 

Not him either. Got to go pretty far back to find him.

 

Oh, you are talking about Aaron Burr and his desire to make a new country out of the then west.

I should have read closer that you were only looking for tried, not convicted.

 

Bingo! I tried to throw people off by saying indicted and tried - leaving out convicted.

 

Chief Justice Burger described the events pretty well in his very readable <u>It is So Ordered</u>.