Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-04-03
In the Editorial Table Of the Knickerbocke
Tor March, we find the following anecdote:
GEN. HAMILTON AND COL. RURR

ZEN. HAMILTON AND COL. BURR.
Our thanks are due, and cordially rendered TO
me correspondent from whom we derive the sub
joined interesting communication Il send Won.
he writes, IAN original anecdote of Gen. Hamil-
ton and Col. Burr, which you may RELY upon as
authentic. 1t was related to a pariy of GENTLE
men, OF whom was one, by the late Judge Row.
an OF kentucky, in his life at different periods a
distinguished member of both houses of Congress-.
from That State: and celebrated in the western
country as the first criminal lawyer of his day-
not even excepting MIR. Clay himself. At the
time OF Inc relation, in the winter of 1910, he had
passed his eightieth year, but he had retained his
eminent colloquial faculties unimpaired and
lie ioid the story with an emphasis and manner
peculiarly his own. He remarked, that he had
retained In his memory the exact words of the
parties, and that he was the only living recipient
OF men, but four persons up to that moment,
mad ever had cogniZance of the circumstances
these were, Gen. Hamilton, Col. Burr, their mu-
tual friend, Gen ID. ~ and himself He
had his information from Gen. ID.
and he was pledged to secrecy during his life.
time. The Injunction Of secrecy was now re-
moved, by the recent death of his friend, and he
feli at liberty 10 speak. He had been silent for
forty years; he was young man when he heard
the anecdote he was an old man now, when
proposing to relate it for the first time. Seen.
tiemen, SAID he, This one circumstance filled up,
In my mind, the outlines of the character of
these two celebrated men want no other his
Tory Oh mem. You may write ponderous tones,
eu'oe.Suc o; the one and denunciatory of the
other' Dut l have feet in my head, and it is
tee centre OF my opinion. Col. Burr, when ar
raigned ior his trial, did me the honor 10 invite
me 10 become his counsel and advocate, but re-
membered the fact and refused
III was at that period in our history when the
confederation, having cast Off the iron hoop of
war, seemed 10 have no other bond of STRENGTH.
Men 5 minds lpd- fbnr
Vitailon OF prlnciple-no unity Of purpose-no
centre oil motion. Patriotism had expended its
enthusi2sm-liberty had lost its vitality-and
ioTbearance Its subordnaton. Burr believed that
Inc staggering elements would fall i'm confusion
writhe Tor season m anarchy, and emerge in
monarchy. lie believed that the fermentation if
allowed to take its course, would froth and elfer-
Vesce, and rectlty by crystalizing the desire 10
put w ashIngton on the throDe.-Hs thought,
however, that there was shorter stability by
intrigue; by the conjuration Of adverse influ-
ehces away less slnuous TO his own advance
meht. lie believed that there was no man with
out his price, while his acute discernment told
him liamilton's was character which even his
own parlizans would turn to in despair, and prefer
u 10 his, In testing an experiment or trying
theory.
lie had a proposition to make to General Ham
ilton 1t was patriotic it was traitorous il
was full OF meaning, overreaching the words,
'"S wy ""oiSuity nlCCIy, OUT searching
enough TO find the weakness, had it existed. He
knew he would he understood without being com
miited answered, without being betrayed
There was treason in it; but il was in the occa-
sion, the manner, The words, if you please and
yet 1t was no where, if he chose to disclaim it
tie mao proposition 10 make, but he would no,
write 1t down! Mark the man; he could not be
prevailed on to put it upon paper. He gave his
friend the words, and the emphasis, and made
him repeat both, until they told right to his own
ear. These were the exact terms
"Coionei Burr presents his compliments to
General Hamilton: Will General II. seize the
present opportunity to give stoble government
to his country, and provide for his friends 90
"Geheral Hamilton did rot hesitate moment
this was his answer:
"General Hamilton presents, in return his
compliments to Colonel Burr: Colonel B. thinks
General III ambitious ne is right; General II. !
is one OF the most ambitious of men ; but his
chole ambition is TO deserve well of his country.
"ltere rs an answer continued the narrator,
which would have deifed Roman; there is the
i'rS OF The offences which he expiated at Wee.
hawken."