Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-14
BURR AND HAMILTON.

In MONDAYS Gazette we noticed the publica-
ton of new work, in Boston, entitled " Fami-
liar Letters on Public Characters and Public
Events from the Peace of 1888 to the Peace OF
1915" and stated that it would probably attract
great attention 1t is said to be from the pen OF
VIM. Sullivan, Esq.
We extract from its pages the following ac-
count of the causes and termination of the me-
morable duel between Alexander Hamilton and
Aaron Burr. together with sketch of the per-
sonal appearance Of these two distinguished
men:
In 1895, Alexander Hamilton, at the age of
thirty-eight, resumed the practice of the law
in the CITY of New York, and there continued
until the close of his life. In December of that
wear, his personal appearance was this: lie
was under middle size, thin in person, but re-
markedly erect and dignhed in his department.
His bust. seen in so many houses and the pic
lures and prints OF him, make known, 100 ge-
nerallv. the figure of his face to make an at
temnt at description expedent. His hair was
turned hack from his forehead powdered, and
collected in a club behind His complexion
was exceedingly fair, and varying from this on
" by the almost feminine roSlness OF his cheeks.
His might be considered, as to figure and color,
an uncommony handsome face. When at rest,
l. IL
sion; but when engaged in conversation, it ca
SLY assumed an attractive smile. He was ex-
pected. one day in December, 1895, at dinner,
and was the last who came. When he entered
the room, it was apparent, from the respectful
attention of the company, that he was dlstin-
guished individual. He was dressed IN blue
coat. with bright buttons; the skirts of his coat
were unusually long. He wore white waist
coat. black silk small clothes, white silk stock
inqs The gentleman who received him as
guest introduced him to such OF the company
as were strangers to him; to each he made
formal bow bending very low the ceremony
of shaking hands not being observed. The
fame of Hamilton had reached every one, who
knew any thing of public men. His appear
ance and department accorded with the digni
fed distinction to which he had attained in pub
lie opinion. At dinner, whenever he engaged
in the conversation, every one listened atten-
lively His mode of speaking was deliberate
and serious, and his voice engagingly pleasant
In the evening Of the same day, he was in q
mixed assembly Of both sexes and the tranquil
reserve. noticed at the dinner table, had given
place to a social and playful manner as though
in this he was alone ambitious to excel.
The etoouence of Hamilton was said to be
persuasive and commanding; the more likely
TO be so. as he had no guide but the impulse of
a great and rich mind, he having had little OPP
portnnity to be trained at the bar, or in popular
assemblies. Those who could speak OF his
manner from the best opportunities to observe
him. in public and private, concurred In pro-
nouncing him to be frank, amiable, high-mind-
ed open-hearted, gentleman. He was capable
of inspiring the most affectonate attachment;
but he could make those whom he opposed, fear
and hate him cordially. He was capable ofin-
tense and effectual application, as is abundant
ly proved by his public labors. But he had a
rapidity and clearness of perception. in which
he may not have been equaled One who knew
his habits of study, said of him, that when he
had serious object to accomplish, his practice
was to reflect on It previously; and when he