The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-05-30
Mtstellaneous.
BMrr mud HaIniIton,s nnaI.

Burr and HaIniItOn's Duel.
II was not at all in the spirit Of pro-
fessed duelist, it was not upon any paltry
point of honor, that Hamilton had except.
ed this extraordinary challenge, by which
it was attempted to hold him answerable
for the numerous imputations on Burr's
character banded about in conversation and
the newspapers for two or three years past.
The practice of those dueling he utterly
condemned; indeed, he had himself been a
victim to 1t in the loss of his eldest son, a
boy oftwenty, in political duel some years
previously. As private citizen, as G man
under the influence of moral and religious
sentiments, as husband loving, and loved
and the father of numerous and depend.
ent family, as debtor honorably disposed
whose creditors might suffer by his DEATH
he had every reason to avoid the meeting.
So ne stated in paper which under pre-.
monition of his fate, he took care to leave
behind him. 1t was in the character of a
public nan. 1t was in that lofty spirit OF
patriotism, of which examples are SO rare,
rising high above all personal and private
considerations-a spirit magnanimous and
self-sacriciDg 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 re-
sisting mischief or effecting good in those
crises of our public affairs which seem like
ly to happen, would probably be insepara-
BILE from conformity with prejudice in this
particular" ..-....
With that candor towards his opponen,
by which Hamilton was ever so nobly dis.
tinguished, but which so very seldom, in.
deed, did he ever experience any return, he
disavowed in this paper, the last he ever
wrote, any disposition to afix odium to
Burr's conduct in this particular case. He
denied feeling towards Burr any personal
ill-will, while he admitted that Burr might
naturally be influenced against him by
hearing of strong animadversons in which
he had INDUCED, and which, as usually hap
pens, might probably bav. been aggravated
in the report. Those animadversions, in some
cases, might have been ocoasioned by mis-.
construction or misinformation; yet his GEN.
sures had not proceeded OH light grounds
nor from unworthy motives. From the
possibility, however, that he might have in.
jured Burr, as we'll as from his general
principles and temper in relation TO such
affairs. he had come to the resolution which
| he left on record, and communicated to hi.
second, to withhold and throw away hi,
first fire, and perhaps his second, in orde
to give Burr double opportunity to pause
and reflect. ....-.- -.-..- .-.
The grounds of Wehawk, on the Jerse,
shore, opposite New York, were at tha
time the usual field of these single com
bats, then, chiefly by reason of the inAam
ed state of political feeling, of frequent oc
currence, and very seldom ending withou
bloodshed. The day having been fixed, ant
the hour appointed at seven o'clock in tn,
morning, the parties met, accompanied on
ly by their seconds. The barge men, al
we'll as DR.. Hosack, the surgeon, mutually
agreed upon, remained, as usual, at dis
tance, in order, If any fatal result shoult
occur, not to be witnesses.
The parties having exchanged saluta
tions, the seconds measured the distance Q
ten PAGES; loaded the pistols, made the 9th
er preliminary arrangements, and place,
the combatants. At the appointed signal
Burr took deliberate aim, and fired. Th
ball entered Hamilton's side and as he fel
his pistol too was unconsciously discharg
ed. Burr approached him apparently some
what moved; but on the suggestion of hi
second, the surgeon and barge-men alread,
approaching, he turned and fastened away
Van Ness coolly covering him from thei
sight by opening an umbrella.
The surgeon found Hamilton half lying
half sitting on the ground, supported in tn
arms of his second. The pallor of dealt
was on his face. Doctor" he said "thi
is mortal wounG;" and as if overcome b.
the effort of speaking, he Immediately fain
ted. AS he was carried across the rive
the fresh breeze revived him. His ow
house being in the country, he was con
veyed at once to the house of frient
where he fingered for twenty.four hours i
great agony. but preserving his composm
: and sel(.command to the last.--Hildreth