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

From Hildreths History of the United States.
Disappointed, and all his hopes blighted, as he
believed, by Hamiton's instrumentality, Burr
became eager for vengeance Humiliating was
the contrast between himself and Hamilton, to
whom, in his anger, he was ready to nscribe,
not his political defeat merely, but his blasted
character also. Though fallen from his former
station of commanding influence in the conduct
of affairs. Hamilton still enjoyed the unbound
ed confidence Of party, outnumbered, indeed,
but too respectable to be despised; while, of his
bitterest opponents, none, with any pretenslons
to character or candor, doubted his honor or
questioned his integrity. Burr, on the other
hand, saw himself distrusted and suspected by
every body, and just about to sink into political
annihilation and pecunary ruin.
Two months meditation on this desperate
state of affairs wrought up his cold, impIacablo
spirit to the point of risking his own life to take
that of his rival. He might even have entertain
ed the insane hope--for though cunning and deX-
tereous to remarkable degree, he had no great
intelect-that Hamilton killed or disgraced, and
thus removed ont Of the way, he might yet re-
trieve his desperate fortunes.
Among other publications made nthe course
of the late contest were two letters by DIR. Coop
er, Jealous partizan Of Lewis, in one of which
it was alleged that Hamilton had spoken of Burr
as dangerous man, who ought not to be
trusted with the reins Of government" In the
other letter, after repeating the above statement,
Cooper added, 81 could detail to you still
more despicabe opinion which Gen. Hamilton
has expressed of Mr.. Burr.
Upon this latter passage Burr seized as the
means of forcing Hamilton into duel For his
agent and assistant therein he selected VIM. +.
Van Ness, young lawyer, one of his most at
tached partisans, and not less dark, designing,
cool, and implacable than himself. Van Ness
was sent to Hamilton with a copy Of Cooper's
printed letter and note from Mr.. Burr, insist
ing upon ga prompt and unqualified acknowl-
edgement or denial ofthe use of any expression
which wonld warran: Cooper's assertions.
Perfectly acquainted with Burr and Van Ness
and perceiving as we'll from Van Ness CONVEX
sation as from Burr's note, settled intention
to fix quarrel upon him, Hamilton declined
any immediate answer, promising q reply in wri-
ting at his earliest convenience. In that reply
he called Burr's attention to the fact that the
word "despicabe," however in its general sig
MITIGATION it might imply mputations upon per-
sonal honor as to which explanations might be
asked, yet from its connection as used in DIR.
Coopers letter, is apparently related merely to
qualifications for political office, a subject, as
nothing was said about the more definite state
ment referred to in the same letter, as to which
it seemed to be admitted that no explanation
was demandable. -
Still Hamilton expressed perfect readiness
to avow or disavow any specific opinion which
he might be charged with having uttered; but
added that he never would be interrogated gen.
orally as to whether he had ever said anything
in the course of fifteen years of political compe-
tition, to justify the inferences which others
might have drawn, thus exposing his candor and
sincerity to injurious imputations on the part of
all who might have Inexperienced him.
d" More than this" SO the letter concluded scan
not be reasonably expected that shall enter in
to any explanation upon basis so vague as that
you have adopted. trust, on more reflection,
you will see the matter in the same light. If
not, can only regret the circumstances, and
must abide the consequences"
Burr's curt, rude and offensive reply began
with intimating that Hamilton's letter was great
ly deficient in that sincerity and delicacy which
he professed so much TO value. The epithet in
question in the common understanding Of it, i'm
piled dishonor. 1t having been affixed to Burrs
name upon Hamilton's authority, he was bound
to say whether he had authorized it, either di-
rectly or by utterng expressions or opinions de-
rogatory to Burr's honor.
1t was apparent from the letter, and it was
distinctly stated by Van Ness, that
what Burr required, was general disavowal on
the part of Hamilton of any intention, in any
he might ever have held, to convey
impressions derogatory to the honor of Burr.
Granting Burrs right to make this extraordi-
nary nquisition into Hamilton's confidential
and correspondence, it would have
been quite out of the question for Hamilton to
make any such disavowal His practice as a
lawyer had given him full insight into Burrs
swindling pecuniary transactions, and he had
long regarded him, in his private as well as bis
political character, as consummate villain, as
reckless and unprincipled as he was cool, auda-
cious, and enterprising--an opinion which he
had found frequent occasion to express more or
less distinctly while warning his federal friends
against the acts Of Burr
DESTROYS however, to deprive Burr of any pos
sble excuse for persisting in his murderous in
tentons, Hamilton caused paper to be trans
mitted to him, through Pendleton, a brother law
yer, who acted as his friend in this matter, to
the effect that, properly addressed-for Burr's
second letter was considered too insulting to
sdmit of repfy--hc should be willing to state
that the conversation alluded to by DR.. Cooper,