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

e;uht hours and the product OF MS RAPID pen Ic-
n,lired little corrections for the press he was
W. a,ong the few. alike excellent, whether in
snaaking or in writing In private and friendly
;ntercourse he is said to have been exceedingly
amiable, and to have been aftectlonateIy De
loved.
Aaron Burr was at this time, December,
1852 probably about Hamilton's age, lie had
attained to celebrity as a lawyer at the same
bar He was of about the same stature as ia
milton, and thin man, but differently formed
His motions in walking were not IKE Hamll-
toms. erect. but little STOPPING, and Tar from
graceful. His face was short and broad; ms
black eyes uncommonly piercing. his manner
gentle and seductive. But he had also CAIN
ness and sedateness when these suited his pur-
nose and an eminent authority of manner,
when the occasion called for this. He was said
TO have presided with great dignity in the Sc
nate and especially at the trial OF Judge chase.
Though eminent as lawyer, he was not sala
TO be a man of distinguished eloquence, nor OF
luxurant mind. His speeches were short, ana
to the purpose.
Hamilton considered him, both as man and
as politician, much as he proved to be in after
life: and was not careful to conceal his opl-
Mons In short, he held Burr to be an amDl
tious and dangerous man; and was lhulscleet
enough TO have expressed his opinions In sucn
manner as to enable burr 10 take oilehoe, anu
to call him to account
II seems. that certain Dr. Charles d. Coo
per had written letter to some one, in which
! he said, General Hamilton and" (another per-
] son who need not be namely have declared,
in substance, that they looked upon Mr.. Burr as
dangerous man, and one who ought not TO pe
| trusted with the reins of government
| could detail to you still more despicable OPT
MON which Cen Hamilton has expressed OF Mr.
Burr.n On the 18th Of june 1904, this letter
had, some time after its publication, come to
Burr's knowledge, and on that day he sent
| copy of it to Hamilton, by Mr.. Van Ness, in
which he demanded "a prompt and unquallhed
acknowledgment or denial Of the use OF any eX-
preston which would warrant the assertions OF
! DR.. Cooper
! On the 20th General Hamilton made reply
of some length, commenting on the demand
made on him, and on the expressions imputed
to him, and concluded by saying, stand rea-
dy to avow, or disavow, promptly and explicit
! ~, any precise or definite opinion which may
/ be charged with having declared ofany gentle
man, e 1t cannot be expected that shall en-
/ ter into an explanation, upon basis so vague
! as that which you have adopted | trust, on
more reflection, you will see the matter in the
same light with me. IF not, can only regret
the circumstance, and abide the consequences.
On the 21st, Burr answered. and among other
things sad g Political opposition canneyer alb
solve gentlemen from the necessity of rigid adj
herence to the laws of honor, and the rules OF
decorum neither claim such privilege, nor
indulge it in others. The common sense OF
mankind affixes to the epithet adopted by Dr.
Cooper the idea of dishonor 1t has been puo-
licly applied to me under the sanction of your
name Your letter has furnished me with new
reasons for requiring definite reply"
i On the 22d, General Hamilton consulted with
a friend, (Mr Pendleton) and showed to him
: an intended answer Of that date, in which he
said, after some Introductory remarks, If by
a definite rely, you mean the direct avowal or
loft l haU no
other answer to give than that which has alrea-
DIV been given If you mean any thing differ
ent, admitting of greater latitude, it is requisite
you should explain"
! Conversations and correspondence ensued
between Mr.. Pendleton and Mr.. Van Ness, in
which it was made known to the latter, thar
/ General Hamilton could truly say, that he re-
collected only one conversation in which DR..
! Cooper was present; and that it turned wholly
on political TOPICS and did not attribute to Burr
/ any Instance of dishonorable conduct; nor re-
late to his private character; and that in rela-
ton to- any other language or conversation,
which Burr would specify, prompt or frank
avowal or denial would be given.
This intercourse resulted in the express dec
laration of Mr. Burr's friend, Van Ness, " That
no denial or declaration will be satisfactory,
unless it be general. so as wholly to exclude the
idea that rumors derogatory to Colonel BuTrs
honor have originated with General Hamilton;
OF nave UecH ldllly IliICIiCu any tillilS
has said. definite reply to a requisiton of
this nature was demanded by Colonel Burr's
letter of the S1st instant. This being refused,
invites the alternative alluded to in Gen. Hamil-
! tons letter of the 20th."
Mr. Pendleton made a very becoming an
swer, showing the extended requsition which
this last letter contained and perceiving the
intention of both Burr and Van Ness to have
the matter settled in one way, and none other,
| appointed a time to receive the communication.
On the receipt of "the Message" General
Hamilton made calm, deliberate commentary
on the transaction, as far as it had gone, and
put it into the hands of Mr.. Pendleton, who Of
| lerred it to Mr. Van Ness, but he declined re-
ceiving it; alleging that he considered the cor
respondence closed. In this commentary Gen.
eral Hamilton remarks, that if the alternative
alluded to is definitely rendered, it must be &C
cepted; but that as the circuit court of the Uni
ted States was then sitting he could not sud-
denly withdraw from his duties there; and that
the time of meeting must be subsequently ar
ranged. General Hamilton seemed to have had
foreboding of his fate. On Friday, July 9th,
the circuit court closed, and Mr.. Pendleton in.
| formed MIR Van Ness that General Hamilton