Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-01-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
Death ofEIalnilton.


as he believed by Hamiltoa's instrumsn.
+ralisy, Burr became eager for vengeance.
Illuminating was the contrast between
himself and Hamilton, TO whom, in his
anger, he was ready to ascrihe, not his po-
litical defeat merely, but his blasted char
acter also. Though fallen from his for
mer stuiion of commanding influence in
the conduct of affairs. Hamilton still enjoyed
the unbounded confidence Of party, out
numbered, indeed, Lut too respectable 10
be despised; while, of his hiuerest oppo-
nents, none, with any pFetensions 10 chnr-
actcr or candor, doubted lis honer or
questioned lis integrity. Burr. on tile
other hand, saw himself distrustcd and
despised by every body. and just about
sink into political annihi'ation aud pecuna-
ry ruin. Two months meditation on this
desperate state Of affairs, wrought up lis
cold, implacablo spirit to the point OF iisS
ing his own life TO take that OF lis riea.-
He might even have cxtcrminated the IN
sane hope-for though cunning and dcx-
ferrous 10 a remarkable degree he had no
great intcleci-lhat Hamilton Killed or
disgraccd, and thus removed out Of The
way, he might yet retrieve his desperate
fortunes
Among other publications made in the
course Of the late contest were two letters
by DR.. Cooper, Jealous pariizan ofLcw
is. in one Of which it was alleged that
Hamilton had spoken of Burr as "dange-
rous man W ho ought no. to be trusted with
the reins Of government" In the other
letter, after repeating the above statement,
Cooper added, Il could detail you still
more despieablc opinion which General
Hamilton has expressed ofMr. Burr"
tupon this latter passage Burr seized
as the means Of forcing Hamilton into
duel. For his agen, and assistant; therein
lie selected William p. Van Ness, n young
lawyer, one of his most attached pariisans,
and not less dark, designing, cool, and i'm.
pacahle than himself Van Ness was
sent 10 Hamilton with copy Of Coopcr's
printed letter and note from Burr, insist
ing upon "a prompt and unqualified ac-
acknowledgement or denial Of the ssc ogany
expression which would warran, Coopcr's
assertions"
Perfectly acquainted with Durr and
Van Ness, and pcrcciving as well from Van
Ncss's con, ersatlon as from Burr's note a
settled intention 10 fix quarrel upon him.
Hamilton declined any immediate answer,
promisnga reply in wiring at bis earliest
convenience. II rhot reply lie called
Bnrr's attention 10 the fact that the word
"dcspicable." however in lis general sig
nifeaiion it might imply imputaIions upon
personal honor as 10 which explanations
might be asked, YET from its connection, as
used in DIR. Cooper's letter, It apparently
related merely 10 qualifications Cor polti-
cal Office. a subject, as nothing was said
about the more definite staiencn, referred
TO in the same letter, as to which it seemed
to be admiilejthat no explanation was de-
mandablc. SILL Hamilton expressed
perfect readiness to avow or disavow any
specific opinion which he might be char
gcd with having uttered; but added that
he never would bc inierrogaicd generally
as 10 whether lie had ever said anything
in the course Of fifteen years Of political
| compeiiIon, 10 Justify the inference which
others might have drawn, thus exposing
bis candor and serenity 10 injurious impu-
talious on the part of all who might have
misapprehended him. "More than this
so the letter concluded, "cannot GtIy be
expected from me; especially, it cannot be
reasonably expected that shall enter into
any explanation upon basis SO vague as
that you have adopted. trust. on more
reflection. Sou will see the matter in the
same light IF not, can only regret the
circumstance, and must abide the consc-
quences.
Burr's curt and offensive reply begins
with minimizing that HamiIton's letter " as
generally deficient in that sincerity aud
delicacy which he proiesscd SO much to
value. The cpithct in question, in the
common understanding it., implied dis
honor. 1t having been affixed TO Burr's
name upon Hamilton's authority, he was
bound TO say whether he had authorized
it, eithcrdirectly or by uttcring expressions
or opinions derogaIory TO Burrs honor
II was apparent from the letter, and it
was subsequently distinctly stated by Van
Ness, that what Burr required was, a gen
eral dlsavowal on the part Of Hamilton Of
nny.inienton, IN any conversation he might
ever have held, to convey impressions
derogatory to the honor Of Burr
Granting Burr's right to ask this extra.
ordinary inquisition into Hamilton's conf
| dential conversation and correspondence,
il twould have been quite out ofthc question
for Hamilton to make any such disavowal.
His practice as lawyer had given him full
insight into Burr's swindling pccuniarv
transactions, and he lad long regarded
him, in his private as well as lis political
character, as consummatc william, as
reckless and unprincipled as he was cool.
andaelous, and cntcrprising-an opinion
which he had found frequent occasion to
express more OF less distinctly while warn
| ing lis federal friends against the arts OF
Burr.
DESTROYS, however, TO deprive Burr Of
any possible excuse for persisting in his
murdcrous intentions. Hamilton caused a
paper TO be Transmitted TO him, through
Pendleton. brother lawyer, who acted as
bis friend in this matter, to the effect that.
If properly adIrcssed-ior Burr's second
lesfcr was considered too insulting to admit
of rcply-hc should be willing to state
that the conversation alluded 10 by Dr..
Cooper so IA as he could recall it, was
wholly in relation to politics, and did not
touch upon Burr's private character; nor
should he hesitate to make an equally
prompt avowal or di<avowal as to any
other particular and specific conversation
as to which he might be questioned.
But as Burr's only Object was to find a
pretext for a challenge, since he never
could have expected the general disavow-
al hich he demanded, this offer was pro
nounccd unsatisfactory aod mere eva
sion; and again second lime disavowing