The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1851-12-03
MHsoaNLANg1ws,
From Ililberth's History OF the United Slater.
DEATH OF HAMILTON.


iiIi,y, Barr became eager for vengeance. -
Ilumilia,ing was the contrast between him.
self and Hamilton, to whom. in his anger
no was ready TO nscribe. no, his political
defsa, merely, bat his blasted character al.
90. Tho fallen from his former station Of
commanding influence in the conduct Of Of.
fairs. Hsmilioa sllII enjoyed the unbounded
confidence Of party, ouinumbered Indeed,
bal too respectable to be despised; while.
Of his tiste'ssi cppcnen,s. noss, with any
prciensio0s 10 character or capdor, doubted
his honor or Questioned his integrity. Burr,
on the other hand, saw himself ds,rusied
ard suspected BY every body, and ja,t abou,
10 sink alike into political snnih,lsiion aad
peeuniary ruin. Two monlhs mediation
on this desperate state Of sfi,irs, wrought up
his cod implacablo spirit 10 the poin, OF risk.
Jog bis own life to take that of his rival
iIo nigh, have even entertained the insane
hope-ior, though cunning and dsxlcroas TO
remarkable degree he had no gres, intel.
ieei-,hal Hamilton killed OF d,sgrseed, aud
thus removed out CT the way, he r,ight yet
retrieve HE desperate fortunes.
Among other publleaiions made IN tho
course Of tho la,s eonies, we're two letters
by Dr.. Cooper, jealous partisan Of Lewis,
10 one Of xh;ch u was alleged that llamil.
ton had spoken of Burr as a " dangerous
man, who ought nc, to 10 trusted with The
reins Of government. In the other letter,
sfier repeating the sbove statement, Cooper
added: IL could deish to you a ,liIl more
desPcstIe opinion which Gen. Hamilton has
expressed Of Mr.. Burr"
Upoa this latter passage Burr seiE'd the
means offore.ng Hamilton INTO duel. For
his sgsnt sud sssis'sn, therein hs selected
Wm. y. Van Ness, young lawyer, one al
h. mos, attached psrtis,,., and not less dark.
Designing, coui and implaeabIe than himself,
Vsa Ne. VAS sent to Ham,lioa vi h a copy
Of CooPsI's printed letter, and a note from
Barr, insisting upon "a prompt and unqusli.
fed acknow led e msni OF denial OF The use o
ans expression. which would warren, Coop.
er's assertion.
Perfectly we'll acquainted with Burr and
Van Ness, and pereei,ing as well from Van
Ness. conversation az from Burr's note 4
sraled intention To fis . quarrel upon him
ilamilton declined any immediate answer
promising reply in ~tiilGg al his earlies
eou,eniraec. ln that tepiy hc called Barr
attention to the fact that tho word despI
esbie," however IN its general Specification
II nigh, Imply imnniaions upon persona
honor as TO which explanations might b
asked. yet, from its connection, % used i
De. Cooper's letter, i, apparently relate
merely 10 qualifications for political office,
subject, ss nothing was said about tho NOR
definite statement referred To in the sam
letter, As TO which il seemed to be sdntie
that 20 sxplaua,ion was demsndable. Sl
Hamilton expressed q perfect readiness To 4
vow or disavor any specific opinion whic
hc nigh, be charged with having uttered
but added that hc nevor would consent 10 b
iu,erogaled generally ss to whether he ha
ever ssid anything in tho course of iiiiee
years Of political competition, to Justify it
fersnces which others nigh, have draw
thus exposing his caudor and sincersl
TO Injurious impu,s,ions on tho part Of a
who nigh, have spprsbeudsd him. "Mo'
than this" 20 the letter concluded, " cam
FLY be expected from me especially i, CT
not be reasonably expected ihA, | shall emit
isio any explanations upon basis so vsg'
as that ysu have adopted. ! trust, on mo
reflection, GU will see the mailer in the sar
ligh. II not. ] can only regret the oieu'
stance, and must abide the coases dOnces. ="
Bari. curt, rude snd offensive reply
gan with intimaiing that Hamllton's Ieti
was greatly deficient IN that sincerely q
delcacy which be profsssej so much TO '
'us. Tho spithe, in question in the comm
understanding of il. implied disaonor.
haviog been affixed to Burf's nsmc "
Hamil,sns authority, ho was bound to
whether he had authorized il, either direc
or By u,.cring expressions or opinions der
atory TO Burr's honor.
twas apparent from this letter, On
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