The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-04-27
From The Sdpannah Courier.
Duel between HAMILTON and Burr.

had indeed been cast upon 1t Il was to wipe
them away that he singled cut his victim
but |, yet atood before the nation In original
brightness. but from the moment he sho,
Hami'ton,he became In the estimation Of the
world, what his antagonist had declared HIM
to be dangerous man. Whether Just OF
not, this judgment was natural. Hamilton
had been brave soldier and trusty counsel.
lor In the Revolution he had been of the
Executive Council of the first and pures!
Administration; he was beloved BY the peo-
pie, the fayorite Of his party; he was bound
by social ties to the first families of the Re.
public. Naturally, the indignation of the
world fell upon his murderer. 1t would
doubtless have been the same had Burr beer
the victim. He too had been successful
aoldier, trusty counsellor, a tried advocate
His blood split on the Jersey shore wouls
have called as loud for vengeance Thu.
does the world fail to discriminate botweer
acts and motives.
Weighing the matter BY the Code of hon
or, 1t Is exceedingly difficult to attach blam,
to Col. Burr. He was at this time candi
date for the Office Of Governor. Hamilton
had made severe reflections upon his public
and private character, for which, according
TO acknowledged laws, he might be held
responsible. Indeed, if that had been the
only way in which to repel unfounded in
sinustions, Burr would have been less than a
m:n not to have called him out Honor is
surely worth more than life.
Much hasbeen said of Burr's settled and
deliberate determination to remove Ilam,l.
ton out of the way. None, however, will
deny that the affair would have been speedi.
ly settled, had Hamilton frankly made the
declaration that he had never cast reflections
upon Burr's character. IF he could not make
this declaration, he was surely responsible
for the truth or f,sity of his statements
whatever they may have been. The former
he did not pretend to maintain; the latter he
was not willing to allow. Sometimes in
the preliminary correspondence, he seemed
TO think that he ought not to be called to ac-
count for what was said, during an excited
political campaign, as though any circum-
stances could ever justify imputations upon
the honor Of another At other times he
thought if he complied with Burr's demand,
he would be put TO serious Inconvenience
and be exposed to unpleasant criticisms
from, or unpleasant discussions with, any
and every person who may have understood
him in an unfavorable sense" as though
mans convenience should ever stand in the
way of justice, or rs though one should not
hasten to seize the first opportunity to ex-
plain, If his expressio - have been so mys-
terious and indefinite as to convey a mean
ing different from that intended. Hamilton
did not certainly act with his accustomed
frankness. He seemed desirious of reaping
the rewand of statements concerning Col.
Burrs conduct, which traduccd his fame and
his honor, without assuming the very grave
responsibilities.
Much has also been said about Hamilton's
undischarged pistol and his conscientious
scruples against duelling. There ale two
stories about the pistol; it is immaterial
which is true He was willing, at all events
to stand up and be shot at, if he were not
willing to be a murderer himself. He was
thereby certainly accessory to the deed.
In regard to conscientious scruple, they
would have had greater appearance of sim
cerity had he never appeared on the fatal
ground. He certainly had it in his power
to decline the challenge. He thought, how
ever, it would impair his future influence and
standing with his party, as though aught
could take precedence Of conscientious scru.
pies.
The parties met the llth Of July, 1904,
at o'clock in the morning, at Weehawk,
on the Jersey shore. Nathaniel Pendleton
was the second of Hamilton; William p
Van Ness Of Burr. They were both init.
mate friends Of their principals and had man.
aged the previous correspondence. The
meeting would have taken place earlier, but
Tor Hamilton's desire to finish some causes
which he had at Court, then in session. He
also wished to settle his private affairs
'barges rowed the combatants across the riv-
..er; DaSid Hosack, an eminent physician, was
in attendance.
Burr arrived first upon the ground. Ham
ilton soon appeared. They exchanged salu
tations; the seconds proceeded to measure
off the ground and make preliminary arrange
ments. Ten paces was the distance, pistols
the weapons; they were TO east lot for posi-
ton and for the word. 'The parties being
placed at their stations, the second who gives
the word shall ask them whether they are
ready; being answered in the affirmative, he
shall say, present. After this the parties
shall present and fire when they please. If
one tircs before the other, the opposite sec-
non shall say one, too, three, fire, and he shall
then fire, or lose his fire." Such were the
arrangements. The word and choice of po-
'itien both fell to the second ofHamilton. The
f."S'p''s Ooh uieir piaceS, the Wofu was
given, both presented and fred. Hamilton
fell. Burr advanced towards his antagonist
with expressions Of regret, uttered not
word, but Immediately withdrew to avoid
being recognized by the physician and barge
men. DIR. Hossek was quickly on the
ground. Hamilton exclaimed: "This ia a
mortll wo nd, Doctor" and swooned. he
was Immediately placed in boat his body
was bathed in spirits; he recovered and
spoke. lie was conveyed to bis house,
where, from his distracted family and friends
ks received every attention which affection
and skill could afford. He expired the next
morning. in the full possession of his mind.
lie Was buried wi h military honors, smid
the general lamentItion Of the people. All
party feelings subsidized in respect for the
illustrious dead.
AS for Burr, he soon left the city. The
excitement was great. Led on by the Fed
eralists, Tories and Clintonians. friend and
foe declared against him. The coroner's
inquest found verdict Of wilful murder
be Went TO Philadelphia, where he engaged
10 hrtatton thence TO st. Simon's, where