Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-12-03

ton to politics, and did not touch on Burrs pri-
vate character; nor should he hesitate to make
an equally prompt avowal or disavowal, as to
any other particular and specific conversation as
to which he might be questioned.
But rs Burr's only object was to find pretext
for a challenge, since he never could have ex-
pected the general disavowal which he demand
ed, this offer was pronounced unsatisfactory and
n mere evasion; and again the second time dis
avowing in the same breath the charge made
against him of predetermined hostility, Burr re-
quested Van Ness to deliver challenge. Even
after its delivery, Hamilton made further at
tempt to specific arrangement in 4 second paper,
denying attempt to evade or intention to defy
or insult, as has been insinuated, with partcu-
lar reference to the closing paragraph Of Ham,
ilton's first letter, in Burrs observations, thro
Van Ness, on Hamilton's first paper. But this
second paper Van Ness refused to receive, on
the ground that the challenge had been given
and accepted. 1t was insisted, however, on
Hamilton's part, as the Federal Circuit Court
was in session, in which he had many important
cases. that the meeting should be postponed till
the court was over, since he was not willing, by
any act Of his, to expose his clients to embar-
rassment, loss or delay.
1t was not at all in the spirit of professed
duelist, it was not on any paltry point of honor
that Hamilton had accepted this extraordinary
challenge, by which it was attempted to hold
him, answerable for the numerous imputations
of Burr's character banded about in conversa-
ton, and the newspapers for two or three years
past. The practice of duelling he utterly con-
demened indeed he had himself already been a
victim to it in the loss of his eldest son, boy
of 20, in political duel some two years previ-
ously. AS a private citizen, as q man under the
influence of moral, and religious sentiments, as
a huband loving and loved, and the father of
numerous and dependent family, as a debtor,
honorably disposed, whose creditors might suf-
fer by his death, he had every motive for avoid
ing the meeting. SO he stated in n paper which,
under premonition of his fate, he took care to
leave behind him. 1t was in his character of
public man; it was in that lofty spirit of patri-
otism, of which examples are so rare, rising high
above all personal and private considerations
spirit magnanimons and self-sacrifcing to the
last, however in this instance uncalled for and
mistaken-that he accepted the fatal challenge.
"The ability to be in future, useful" such was
his own statement of his motives, "whether in
resisting michief or effecting good in those cri-
ses of our public affairs which seem likely to
happen, would probably be inseparable from
conformity with prejudice in this particular"
With that candor toward his opponent by
which Hamilton was ever so nobly distinguish
ed, but of which so very seldom, indeed, did he
ever experience any return, he disavowed in
this paper, the last he ever wrote, any disposi-
ton to afiX odium to Burr's conduct in this par
ticular case. He denied feeling toward Burr any
personal ill will, while he admitted that Burr
might naturally be influenced against him by
hearing of strong animadversions in which he
had INDUCED, and which rs usually happens,
might probably have been aggravated in the re-
port. Those animadversiOns, in some cases,
might have been occasioned by misconstruction
or misinformation, yet his censures had not pro-
ceeded on light grounds nor from unworthy mo-
tives. From the possibility, however, that he
might have injured Burr, as well rs from his
general principles and temper in relation to such
affairs, had he come to the resolution which he
left on record, and communicated also to his Sec
ond, to withhold and throw away his first fire,
and perhaps even his second thus giving to
Burr double opportunity to pause and reflect.
The grounds of Wechawk, on the Jersey
shore, opposite New York, were at that time the
usual field for these single combats, then, chief
ly by reason of the inhamed state of political
feeling of frequent occurrence, and very seldom
ending without bloodshed. The day having
been fixed, and the hour appointed at o'clock
in the morning, the parties met, accompanied
only by their seconds. The barge men, accom-
panied by Dr. Hosack, the surgeon mutually
agreed upon, remained, as usual, at distance,
in order, if any fatal result should occur, not to
be witnesses. The parties, having exchanged
salutatons, the seconds measured the distance
of ten PAGES, loaded the pistols, made the other
preliminary arrangements, and placed the COM
batants. AT the appointed signal, Burr took de-
berate aim, and fired. The ball entered Ham,
iton's side, and as he fell his pistol, too, was
unconscously discharged. Burr approached
him, apparently somewhat moved, but on the
suggestion of his second, the surgeon and barge
men already approaching, he turned and hasten
ed away. Van Ness coolly covering him from
their sight, by opening an umbrella The sur
geon found Hamilton half lying, half sitting on
the ground, supported in the arms of his second.
The pallor of death was on his face. "Doctor,"
he said, "this is a mortal wound" and as if
overcome by the effort of speaking, he swooned
quite away. As he was carried across the river,
the fresh breeze revived him. His own house
being in the country, he was conveyed at once
to the house of friend, were he fingered for
twenty-four hours in great agony, but preserv-
ing his composure and self-command to the last.
The news of his death, diffused through the
city, produced the greatest excitement Even
flxoN L Ii H..