Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2008

John Smith

Years in Senate: 1803-08
Party: Republican
State: Ohio

One of Ohio's first two Senators, he was approached by Aaron Burr to help with a military expedition against Spanish Florida. Smith agreed to provide supplies but withdrew his support when he learned that Burr's intentions were to take over parts of Mexico and the western United States. Nevertheless, he was still indicted in Virginia as a conspirator. The charges were dropped after Burr was acquitted on a technicality, but his implication in the Burr treason ruined his political career, and he resigned in 1808.

James Downie and Baird Kellogg