The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-07-25

view for the mott cogent reafons.
l. My religious and moral principles are
ftrongly oppoied to the practice of duelling, and
it would ever give me pain 70 be obliged to flied
the blood of a fellow creature in private COM
bat forbidden by the laws.
9. My wife and children are extremely dear
TO me, and my life is ofthe utmoit importance to
them, in various views.
8. feel fenfe of obligation towards my Gre
ditors; who in cafe of accident to me, by the
forced iale Ut my property, may be in fome de-
gree iusferers. did not think myielf ut liberty
as a man of probity, lightly to expole them to
this hazard.
T. am CONTIGUOUS of no III eviN to Col. Burr,
diitinet from political oppofition, which as
trutt, has proceeded from pure and upright mo-
tives.
LaHly, i fhall hazard much, and can politely
Sain nothing by the iiiue of the interview.
But it was, as l conceive, impoiiible for me to
avoid 1t. There were intrigFc difficulties in
the thing, and artificial embarrlnnents, from
the manner of proceeding on the part of Col.
Burr.
IatrinGck, becaufe it is not to be denied, that
my animadver!ions on the political principles,
character and views of Col. Burr, have been ex-
tremely fevere, and on different occaiions, I, in
common with many others, have made very I'M
favourable criticiflns On particular infances of
In proportion as thefe impreilions were enter
tanned with iincerity and uttered with motives
and for purpofes, which might appear TO me
commendabe would be the difficulty (until they
could be removed by evidence of their being en-
roneous) of explanation or apology. The diff
avowal required of me by Col. Burr, in gene
raj and indefinite form, was out of my power,
If 1T had really been proper for me to ipbmit to
be 70 queGioued but l was hncerely of opini-
49,. y FL.
was confirmed by that Of a very moderate and
iudicious friend whom l confulted Bcidcs
that Col. Burr appeared 10 me TO afiume, in the
tirft inftance, tone unnecefiarily peremptory
and menacing, and in the fecond, pofitively Of
feniive. Yet wi!hed, as far rs might be prac-
ticabie, to leave door open to accommodation.
This, think, will be inferred from the written
communications made by me and by my drec-
ton, and would be confirmed by the converfat-
ons between Mr.. Van NefS and mytelf, which a.
rofc out of the fubie6t.
i am not ftIre, whether, under all the ciycum-
fances, did not go further in the attempt to ac-
co'nmodate, than punctiiious dclicacy will
juitify. IF 70, hope the motives l have ftated
will execute me.
It is not my deiign, by what have faid to af-
fix any odum on the conduct of Col. Burr, in
this caft-He doubtieis has heard of animadver-
hons of mine which bore very hard upon him
and it is probable that as ufuai they were accom-
panied with fome falihood. He may have fup-
pOfed himfelf under necel!ity of acting as he
has done. / hope the grounds of his proceeding
have been fuch as ought 10 iatisfy his own con-
fcierce.
I truit, at the fame time, that the world will
do me the jutice to believe, tiat have not CEN
fured him on light grounds. nor from unworthy
inducements. / certainly have had ftrong rea-
tons for what may have f;lid, though it is poC-
iibe that in !onle particulars, l may have been
Influenced by mfcon0ruGtion or miiinformation.
1t is alto my ardent with that I may have been
more mifaken than think have been, and that
he, by his future conduit, may flew himlelf
worthy of all confidence snd efeem, and prove
an ornament and befiing TO the country.
AS well becauie it is poiiible that may have
injured Col. Burr, however convinced myfelf
that my opinions and declarations have been well
founded, as from my general principles and tenn
per LII relation to liinilar affdisI have reioyed,
if our interview is conducted in the ufual man
ner, and it pleafes God to give me the opportu-
nifty, to rejerye and tbrozv azvny my hrf fire,
and haze thoughts even of reIerUing my fccond
iire-and thus giving double opportunity to
Col. Burr to pauie and TO reflect.
1t Is not, however, my intention to enter into
any explanations on the ground-Apoogy, from
principle nope, rather than pride, is out of the
queiton.
TO thoie, who, with me, abhorring the brac-
tice of duelling may think that ought on no ac-
count to have added to the number of bad exam
pies, | anfwer that my reiatiOe ituation, as well
in public as private, enforcing all the conGdera-
tions which conititute what men of the world
denominate honour, impofed on me las /
thousht) peculiar Teceiity not to decline the
call. The ability to be in future ufeful, whether
in refiting mitchell or effe6ting good, in thoie
CRIES of our public affairs, which feem likely to
happen, would probably be infeparable from
conformity with public prejudice in this parti-
ctllar.
A. II.
On the foregoing letters and papers, the Edi-
tor will make no commcHt.-Ie fubrnits them
to the heart and understanding OF every read
CT.
WILL.
In the name of Cod, Amen, !, ALEXAN-
DER HhmiL i ON, of the CITY of New-York,
Councillor at Law, do make this my LAT Will
and Teltament as follows:
Firf. appoint John B. Church, Nicholas
Fiji, and Nathaniel Pendleton, of the city afore-
tdd, EfIuires, to be Executors and Trufees of
this my will, and devife to them, their heirs
and afhgns, as joint tenants and not as tenants
IN common, all my eftate real and perfona what
ioever, and wherefoever, upon truft at their
IL