Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-02-10
Aaro,, Burr.

Origin Of the difficulty and caase of the duel
'ciM Hereunder Hamikon--.fuR and thrilling
account Of Hamilton after the duel.---On the
appearance of the first volume of the life of
Aaron Burr, by NJ. L. Davis, we presented our
readers an abridged account of his exlraordi-
nary career as far as that volume took us. -
1t is well known to those at all acquainted
with the history Of political affairs, that previ-
GUS to 1900, General Hamilton had been re-.
garded in New York as prominent man in
the federal party. The contests in which the
republican party was opposed by the federal.
lists, often brought out that gentleman as a
public speaker in opposition to Col. Burr. In
the election In The city Immediately preceding
the Presidential contest, and which was re-
garded as all important in its bearing upon
that event, Colonel Burr was personally at the
polls, urging on the republicans, while Gen.
Hamilton urged on with equal per,inaci,y, the
federal compeers. In the summer Of 1900,
Hamilton prepared his celebrated pamphlet
concerning the Presidency of John Adams;
and Burr procured an elrly copy from the press,
caused extracts 10 be given to the public in ad-
vance, which, it was believed, essentially con-
trbu,ed to defeat the federal party. lift did not
aid directly the election of Mr.. Jefferson TO the
Presidency.
In 1904, Col. Burr was nominated by
portion OF the democratic party as candidate
for Governor Of New York. He was opposed
with great violence by the opposition. and es.
pccially SO, by Gen. Hamilton and his friends.
The incident which produced the unfortunate
duel and terminated in the death of Alexander
Hamilton, occurred in this contest. DR.. Chas.
d. Cooper had published letter, in which he
said:
general Hamilton and Judge Kent
have declared in substance, that they looked
upon Mr.. Burr to be dangerous man, and
one who ought not 10 be trusted with the reins
of government"
Through Judge Van Ness, Burr mmedi-
atcly addressed a letter to General Hamilton,
in which he said:
"You must perceive, sir, the necessity of a
prompt and unqualified acknowledgment or
denial of the use Of any expression Of Doctor
Cooper"
The reply Of Gen. Hamilton was his-.-
IL could not, without manifest improperly,
make the avowal or disavowal whi.h you
seem 10 think necessary.
The correspondence was continued through
several letters, but widening the difficulty in-
stead Of healing it, until Judge Van Ness de-
clired 10 receive from Mr.. Prndeton, as the
second OF General Hamilton any further COM
muniea,ions unless that gentleman would a.
VOW it was eiihera distinct denial or avowal
Of the obnoxious words. The tine and place
Of meeting were then arranged.
Colonel Burr arrived first on the ground, as
had been previously agreed. When Hamil-
ton arrived. the parties exchanged salna'ions.
and the seconds proceeded 10 make their ar
raGgeman,s. They measured the distance,
ten full PAGES, and cast lots for The choice Of
position, rs also 10 determine by whom the
word should be given, both Of which fell 10
the second of General Hamilton. They then
proceeded to load tie pistols in each others
presence, after which the parties took their
stations. The gentleman who was to give the
word then explained TO the parties the rules
which were to govern them in firing, which
as follows:
.'The parties being placed at their stations,
the second who gives the word shall ask them
whether they are ready; being answered in
the affirmative, he shall say-.-present! After
this the parties shall present and FIRE when
they please. If one fires before the other, the
opposite second shall say one, two, three, fire.
and he shall then fire or lose his fire. He then
asked if they were prepared; being answered
in the affirmative, he gave the word present,
as had been agreed on, and both parties presen-
ted and fred in succession. The intervening
time, is not expressed, as the seconds do not
precisely agree on that point. The fire Of Col.
Burr took effect, and General Hamilton almost
instantly fell.---Col. Burr advanced towards
General Hamilton with manner and gesture
that appeared TO General HamiIlon's friend TO
be expressive Of regret; but, without speaking.
turned about and withdrew, being urged from
the field by his friend, as had been subscqucnt-
ly stated, with view TO prevent his being re-
cognized by the surgeon and bargemen who
were then approaching. No further commu-
nica,ion took place between the principals, and
the barge that carried Col. Burr Immediately
returned 10 the city.
DIR. DAVID H0sAcK TO WILLIAM COLEMAN.
August II, 1904.
DEAR SlR---To comply with your request
is painful one; but will repress my feelings
while endeavor to furnish you with an emu.
meration of such particulars relative to the
melancholy end OF our beloved friend HamIl-
ton, asdwell most forclbly on my recollection.
When called TO him upon his receiving the
fatal wound, found him half sitting on the
ground. supported in the arms of Mr.. Pend'c-
ton. His countenance of death l shall never
forget. He had at that instant just strength to
say, ssthis is mortal wound, doc;or,'' when
he SINK away, and became to all appearance
lifcless. Immediately stripped up his clothes
and soon, alas! ascertained that the direction
Of the ball must have been through some vital
part.* His pulses were not to be felt, his res
piIation was entirely suspended, and upon lay
ing my hand on his heart and pcrceiving no
*For the satisfaction Of some Of General Hamll-
tons friends. examined his body after death, ~
presence of DR.. Post and two other gentlemen.
discovered that the ball struck the second Or third
falls. rb and fractured il about in The middle: u
then passed through the liver and diaphragm, ana,
as far as we could ASCERTAIN without minute ex-