The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-07-28
Domestic intelligence.
c~c%cIcr
FROM THE n. Y. MORNING CHRONICLE.
STAT MENT.

The gentleman (Mr. w. P. Van Nefs) who
accompanied Col. Burr to the field in the late
unfortunate CONTEXT, comes forward reluct-
antly with fatement OH the fubjef, at
moment when any publication of the kind may
expoie his principal TO judicial embarralment,
perhaps to very ferrous hazard.
In the following narrative he difclaims the
mott diitant idea OF iniuring the memory of the
deceafed, for whom, while living, he entertained
fentiments of high refpeet, and for whole melan-
chOly exit he, as alto his principal, feels part-
cular regret. The talk devolved on him by the
duties of his ftuation ihall be discharged with
fidelity, but with every oelicacy the cIrcumhan-
ces of the cafe can claim.
On the afternoon of the 18th June laf, re-
ceived note from Col. Burr, requefting me to
call on him the following morning. Upon my
arrival he obferved that It had of late been fire.
quenty ftated to him that Gen. Hamilton had
DIT different times and upon various occafions
ufed language and expreiled opinions highly in
furious to his reputation that he had for fome
time felt the neccfiity of calling on Gen. Hamil-
ton for fome explanation of his conduct, but that
the fatements which had been made to him
did not appear efficiently authentic to juftify
the meature--that Newspaper had, however,
been recently put into his hand, in which he per-
ceived letter iigned Oh. D. Cooper, contain
ing fomething which he thought demanded inn
mediate inveitigation. Urged by thefe circum-
itances, and fulfilled by the evident opinion of
his friends, he had determined to write to Gen.
Hamilton a note upon the fubje6t, which he re-
quoted me to deliver. IaHented to his requef,
and on my return to the city which was at IL
O'Clock the fame morning, delivered to Gen.
Hamilton the note which received from Col.
Burr for that purpofe, and of which the follow
ing is a copy.
Here folloqUJ No. I. Of The former publication.
General Hamilton read the note OF Mr. Burr,
and the printed letter of Mr.. Cooper, to which
it refers, and remarked that they required fome
confederation, and that in the courfe of the day
he would fend an anfwer TO my Office. at half
paf ten O'Clock, Gen. Hamilton called at my
houfe, and iaid that variety of engagements
would demand his attention during the whole
Of that day and the next, but that on Wednef-
day, the Goth inf. he would furniih me with
fuch anfwer to Col. Burr's letter, as he fhould
deem mott fiutable and compatible with his feel
ings.
In the evening of Wednefday the goth, while
was from home, the following letter addrelied
TO Col. Burr, was left at my houie, under cover
TO me.
Here foAlozV5 Nc. II.
On the morning OF Tueiday the Gift, deli
vered to Col. Burr the above letter, and in the
evening was furnifhed with the following letter
70 Gen. Hamilton, which delivered to him at
1 O'Clock on Friday, the 22d int.
Here No. III
Cen. Hamilton perufed it, and fad il was fuch
letter as be had hoped not to have received I;
that it contained feveral ofenfive expeditions,
and feemed to clofe the door to all further reply
that he lad hoped the anfwer he had returned
to Col. Burr's hrit letter would have given DIFF
ferent direction to the controverly-that lie
thought Mr.. Burr would have perceived that
there was a difficulty in his making more fpe-
cihc reply, and would have defired him to fate
what had fallen from him, that might have gi-
ven rife to the interference of DR.. Cooper. lie
would have done this frankly aud he believed
it would not have been found to exceed the Ii
mits juffsble among political oppCnents.--If
MIR. Burr ihculd be diipofed to give a different
complexion TO the diicuflion, he was willing to
confder the lait letter not delivered f; but ifthat
communication was not Withdrawn he could
make no reply, and Mr.. Burr muR plrfus iach
courfe as he ihoud deem mott proper.
At the requeA of Cen. Hamilton, replied
that would detail thefe ideas to Col. Burr: but
added that III his irit letter he had introduced
the idea Qf it vas a correct one) that he could
recolle6t the ufe of no term that would iunify
the aHettion made by DIR. Cooper, it would in
my opinion have opened door for accommo-
dation. Gen. Hamilton q 81 repeated the fame
objections 10 this meafure which were ftated in
fubaance in his FRI letter to Col. Burr.
When | was about leaving him, he obfergcd
that if ] preferrcdit, he would commit his refu-
fal to- writing, / replied that il he bad refolved
not 20 ahfwer Col. Burr's letter, that could
report that TO him verbally, without giving him
the trouble Of writingit. lie again repeated bic