Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-10-16


most violent apprehension but when called To
him to have cot prepared and he at the Same
moment saw his poor friend lying in the bottom
of the boat he threw up his eyes and burst into
flood of tears and lam 'ntaton. Hamilton alone
appeared tranquil and composed. We then con-
vevcd him as tcndcrlyas possible up TO the house.
The as'resscs of this amablc family were such
that till the first shock was abatcd, they were
scarcely able to summon forttude enough TO yield
sufficient assistance to their dying friend.
"Upon our reaching the house he became more
langnid. occasoned probably by the agitation of
his removal from the boat. ! gave him a little
weak wine and water. When he recovered his
feelings he complained of pain in his back, we
Immediately hndrcssed him. laid him in bed and
darkcned the room. then gave him large an
odync. which Ihad frequently repeated. During
the first day he took upwards If an ounce of laud
anum, and tcpid anodync lamentations were
also applied to those parts nearest the scat of his
pain---yct were his sufarings during the whole
of the dnv almost intolcrable.
had not n shadow Of hope of his recovery.
and DR.. Post. whom requested might be sent
for INN 'tlately on our reaching Mr. Bavard's
house. united with me in this opinion. General
Rey. the French consul. had the goodness to in
vite the surgeons of the French trigatcs in our
harbor. as thy had mu0h experience in gun shot
wounds. to render their assistance. They i'm
mcdiatcly came; but to prevent his being dis
turhcd stated to them his situation. described
the nature of his wound and the direction of the
ball with all the symptoms that could enable
them to form an opinion rs to the event. One of
the gentlemen then accompanied me TO the bed
side. The result was confirmation Ofthc opn-
ion that had already been expressed by Dr. Post
and myself
Daring the night he had some imperfect sleep
tho succeeding morning his symptoms were ag
gravatcd. attended however with dmnution of
pain. His mind retained all its usual strength
and composure. The great source ofhis ankle
ty seemed to be in his sympathy with his halrdi>-
trictcd wife and children. He spoke to me fire.
qunntly ofthcm--"My beloved wife and children
were always his expressions. But his fortitude
triumrhcd over his situation. dreadful as it was:
once. indeed. at the sight of his children brought
to the bed side together, seven in number. his ut
t"rancc forSook him he opened his eyes. gave
them one look and closed them again till they
were taken awav At about two o'clock, as the
public well knows. he expired.
"ncorrupn filcs---Nulaquc vcri,as
Quando ulum invencnt parcm
Muts lille qiidcm ilcbis occdit'
After the death of Gen. Hamilton. a note
which had been written the evening before the
interview. was found addressed to the gentlemen
who accompanied him to the field thanking him
with tenderness for bis friendship to him. and in
forming him where would be found the certain
key to drawers in his desk in which he had de-
posted such papers he had thought proper to
leave behind him. together with his last VIII.
The following parcr as containing his motives
for accepting the challenge his reflections ON
his situation: and some remarks on the conduct
of the man who was to be the cause of his death.
is presented as highly interesting document
son my expected interview with Col Burr
think il pronpr In mako Sornp r,,nork,
tory of my conduct. motives and views.
was certainly dcsrious ofavoiding this inter-
view for the cogcnt reasons.
/. My religious and moral principles are strong
ly opposed to the practice of duellinc. and it
would ever give me pain to be obliged to shed the
blood ola fellow creature in private combat
forbidden by the laws.
2. My wife and children are extremely dear to
me- and my life is of tie utmost importance to
them, in various views
g. feel son of obligation towards nv
creditors; who in case accident to me. by the
forced sale of my property. may be in some de-
gree snfnrnrs did not ll.iuk nrSelG at liharttr
ms man Of probity lightly to expose them to
this hazard.
4. am conscious Of no IN wiH to Col. Burr
distinct from political opposition, which, as thrust,
has proceeded from pure and upright motives.
Lastly, shall hazard much. and can os ,ibly
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 drIfrM cmbarrassments from the
manner otprocccdng on the part of Col. Burr
Intrinsic, because it is not TO be deucd. that
my animadversions on the political principles
character. and views of Col. Burr, have been
extremely severe and on different occasions |,
in common with many others, have made very
unflvorab!e criticisms on particular instances of
the private conduct of this gentleman
In proportion as these impressions were enter
tanned with sincerity, and uttered with motives.
and tor purposes which might appear to me com
mendabe, would be the difficulty (until they
could be removed by evidence of their being cr-
roncous.) of explanation or apology. The dis
avowal required of me by Col, Burr in general
and indefinite form, was out Of my power. if it
had really been proper for me to submit to be so
questioned: bnt was sincerely of opinion that
this could MOI be, and in this opinion, I was con-
trmed by that of very moderate and udcious
friend whom consulted. Pesidcs that Col Burr
appeared 10 me Ia assume. in the first instance a
tone unneces ary peremptory and mcnacing and
in the second, positively offensive. Yet wish
ed, as far as might be practicable to leave door
Orn to accommodation. This | think, will be
inferred from the written communications nude.
by me and by my direction, and would he COM
firmed by the conversations between Mr.. Van
Ness and myself, which arose ont of the subject
am not sure whether, under all the circum-
stances did not 90 further in the attempt to ac-
commodatc than pnnctilious dclcacv will JUS
tify. II so, hope lhc motives have stated will
excuse me.
1t is not my design, by what have said, to
affiX any odium on the conduct Of Col Burr. in
this case. He doubtless has heard of anilnad-
versions ofmine which bore very hard upon him:
and il is probable that as usual they were accom-
panied with some fllsehoods. lie NAV have sup.
posed himself under necessity of acting as he
has done. ] hope the ground Of his proceedings
have been such rs ought to satisfy his own con-
science
trust at the same time that the world vii dc
me the justice to bel We, that have not censllr-
ed him on light grounds, NOR from unworthy in
ducements. certainly have had strong reas ons
for what have said, though it is possible that in
some particulars, may have been influenced by
MISREPRESENTATION or misnformation. 1t is only
my ardent wish that may have been more mis-;
taken than think have been, and that he, By
his future conduct may show himself worthy 81
all confidence and esteem and prove an arm,
mem and blessing to the country
As well because it is possible that I NAV bov,
injured Col. Burr. however CONVINCED invscI
that my opinion and declarations have been wei
founded, as for my general principles and tenn
per in relation To similar affairs, have resolve,
if our interview is conducted in the usual m, n