The native American., 1838-03-24
From The Mercantile Journal.

From the Mercantile Journal.
After the death of Hamilton, among his papers
was found statement, drawn up by himself,
with remarks explanatory of his conduct, motives
and views, in meeting Aaron Burr; in which he
|says:
81 was desirous of avoiding this interview,
for the most cogent reasons.
l. My religious and moral principles are
strongly opposed to the practice of duelling, and
it would ever give me pain to be obliged to shed
the blood of fellow creature, in private COM
bat, forbidden by the law.
Q. My wife and children are extremely dear
to me, and my life is of the utmost importance
to them in various views.
3. | feel sense of obligation towards my
creditors; who, in a case of accident to me, by
the forced state Of my property, may be, in some
degree, sufferers | did not think myself at
liberty, as a man Of probity, lightly to expose
them to hazard.
4. am conscious Of no III aoH to Colonel
Burr, distinct from political opposition, which,
as trust, has proceeded from pure and upright
motives.
Lastly, shall hazard much, and can possibly
gain nothing by the issue of the interview.
But it was, as | conceive, impossible for me
to avoid it. There were intrinsic difficulties
in the thing, and artificial embarrassments, from
the manner Of proceeding, the part of Col.
Burr"
Ii will be seen from this, that Hamilton was
fully aware of the folly and criminality Of the
action which he contemplated He knew it was
wrong to fight a duel and he knew that his
physical coarage could not be doubted; but he
lacked the MORAL COURAGE, which would prompt
him to say aloud to the world-I dare refuse
a challenge Had Hamilton taken this stand,
when challenged by Burr-had he, by his ex-
ample, borne testimony to the folly of this Gus
tom among men of honor, and its wickedness
among Christians, he would have added hum
dred fold to the many important services which
he rendered to his adopted country.
It was only about three years before Ham
iton fell in this duel, that he followed to the
grave his eldest son, promising youth, hardly
out of his teens, who was also killed while
sacrificing at this shrine Of false honor. He
therefore must have felt all the wckedness, evils,
and misery, attendant upon duelling, in its full
est force. Notwithstanding which, he met Burr
on the battle ground at Hoboken, and there re-
ceived his mortal wound. Surely, there cannot
be more striking Illustration Of the inconsistent
cy of human nature.
which young Hamilton fell, which we extract
from one of the papers OF the day:
"Died, this morning, in the goth year of his
age, Philip Hamilton, eldest son of General
Hamilton-murdercd in duel.
! GAS the public will be anxious to know the
leading particulars of this deplorabe event, we
have collected the following, which may be relied
upon correct:
"On Friday evening last, young Hamilton and
young Price, sitting in the same box with Mr..
George l. Eacker, began, in levity,>a conversa-
ton respecting an Grafton delivered by the latter
in July; and made use of some expressions re-
specting it, which were overheard by Eacker,
who asked Hamilton to step into the lobby
Price followed. Here the expression, damned
rascal, was used by Eacker to one of them, and
little scuffle ensued; but they soon adjourned to
a public house. An explanation was then de-
manded, which Of them the offensive expression
was meant for; after little hesitation, it was
declared to be intended for each. Eacker then
Said, as they parted, erpect to hear from you
they replied, you shall; and challenges followed
A meeting took place between Eacker and Price
on Sunday morning. which, after exchanging foul
shots each, was finished by the interference O.
the seconds.
! Yesterday. afternoon the fatal duel was fought
between young Hamilton and Eacker Hamilton
received shot through the BODY the first dis
charge, and fell without firing. He was brough
across the ferry to his fathers house, where he
langushed of the wound till this morning, when
he expired.
He was young man Of an amable disposi.
| ton and cultivated mind; much esteemed and .af.
fectonately beloved by all who had the pleasure
| Of his acquaintance"