New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-30

and of NcrdCitN DClO tusctVu. LUZ h"h"V'' Wv
coinc idcnce, and the enthusiasm of these deposi'
tous Mace the essential truth of their statements
hevond reasonable doubt Burr, too, in his old age,
loved 10 talk over those bright years OF his youth,
and some of the incidents about to be related were
derived directly from friends Of the old soldier, to
whom nc used TO tell them. lie was proud OF ms
military career What he achieved IN law ana IN
poItics were as nothing in his eyes IN comparison
xx;,b bis deeds ms soldier of the Revolutionary
army." He sfteryard became member OF wash
ington's military family, but soon found that the
orderly habits and cautious temperament of the
wise chief were 30 repugnant to his taste as to I'LL
him with profound disgust. lie then conceived
prejudice against Washington, from which he never
recovered There was indeed natural antlpatny
between the natures of the two men. Washington
cosld not bat regard Burr with invincble dstrust,
whle the latter was constantly repealed by the
character Of his commander whom he looked upon
as bad general, and weak, though honest man.
At the close of the war; Burr commenced the
practice of law in the City Of New-York. Accord
ing to the acute analysis of his bographer, he had
no title to place among the greatest lawyers. he
had not weight of, metal enough for that. His
weapon was nots,< bfoadsword, but napier. As a
lawyer Of the second rank as skllfu practitioner
at the bar, it would not be easy to find hls equal.
In preparing his causes for trial. he was simply in
defat.able While there was an authority to be- ex-
amined while there was evidence to be procured,
while there was an expedient to be devised his efforts
were never relaxed. And he gave no rest to his ad-
versary pursuing him with notices, motions and ap.
meals impro, ing every advantage, and eXhsusting all
fle means Of annoyance; until, from very WEAKNESS
and despair sometimes the enemy has capitulated
Colonel Burr not only abored himself to the utenost
of the powers of man, but he had the art of exacting
from his assistants an equal diligence. There was no
resisting his requirements Assistant counsel would re-
Ceve notes from him at midnight when they were
asleep demanding instant replies, which Obliged the
drowsy Of Law to refer to authorities and examine
papers. On the day of trial. he had MS evidence ar
guments and authorities marshsled in mpenerable
arrsy. Every possibility had been provided for. No
man at the bar could boast of discovering flaw
In his preparation or of carrying point against him
by surprise
avail he had scruples TO employing legal rnse.
Indeed he delighted to surprise his adversary, to lay
an ambuscade for him. and carry case by an In
genious stroke before the other side could recover
Their selfpossession. 1t s related that in an eject
; ment suit TO recover valuable house in New-fork,
Abe opposing counsel had expended their whole
strength in proving the genuness Of WILL surprising,
Of course that that was the only point susceptible OF
dispute. What their surprise to find that Burrs
main attack against the authenticity of an ancient
deed one of the links in the title, which, having never
before been disputed had been provided with merely
formal proof The jury pronounced the deed a for.
Cery and Burrs client lived and died in possession OF
The property. Two courts have since pronounced the
deed authentic
No means were too trivial for him to employ, II ne
4boupht them likely promote his purpose. de used
s AZ SAY that he had once saved man from being
hanged by certain arrangement OF the candles IN
courtroom He referred to trial Tor murder In wnic9
both Hamilton and himself defended the prisoner and
(which excited intense interest at the time. AT first
the evidence against the prisoner seemed conclusive
and think, Burr himself Thought him guilty b put
H. n cd
Z principal witness Colonel Burr subjected HIM to
RELENTLESS xsmination and he became convinced
That fhe guilt lay between the witness and the prs
cpsr with the balance Of probability against the wit
The mans appearance and bearing were most I'M
pepossessing. Beside being rsmarkaoly as Win HS
The timidty of guilt Hamilton had addressed the jury
with his usual fluent eoquence continuing ms REMARKS
40 the vndicaton of the prisoner without aluuing 10
fhe probable guilt Of the witness. fhe prosecuting
attorney replied and il now Burrs province 10
say the last word for the prisoner. But the DAY had
&orn away and the Court took recess M eh NUT
HIGHT This was extremely annoying to Colonel Burr,
"a he medtaed enactng little scene, TO the success
of which strong light was Indispensable. lie was
mot to be os% hS@ he always had several revolving
sround him. he caused an extra NUMBER Oh cahues u
be brought into the Courtroom and to be SO arranged
s to throw strong hight upon certain pd wpes
had learned throughout the trial. The Court assem-
1led the man resumed his accustomed place, ana Col
Burr rose. With the clear eoncheness oi WHICH nv
yves master he set forth the facts which pore Against
1he man. and then, seizng two candelabras rom inc
table he held them up toward him. throwing glare
of light upon his face, and excaimed:
- Behold the murderer, gentlemen! .
Every eve WAS turned upon the wretchs ghds'iy
couptenance which, to the excited nuNtuoe' seemeu
20 wear the very expression OF convicted murderer
The rceled MS though ne hau peen 49,
shrupk AWAY behind the crowd and rushed from the
room The effect Of this incident was decisive. C0.
Rurr concluded his speech, the Judge charged, the
;ury gave verdict Of aequtal, and the prisoner was
free. - ,,.xo, Hamilton
Burr related TO legal friend VINO to,9 IL VIZ " bor
occurred early in his practice at the New iok oaa'
when he and Hamilton were IN the nrst nush vi -.
cess and neither disposed TO concede sePeii.G!
TO the other Both were engaged for the nrs' ulic,
on the side of important cause, ana u wue
question which Of the two should first address
The etauete of the bar assigns the closing speech 10
the leader Of cause but 1t was not clear IN ths case
who was the leader Hamilton, who was certainly
mo, an excessively modest man, limited, III rather u,
,Trac;ous manner as Burr thought, that his TREND
Cclonel Burr would open the argument WIN ,hat
imperturbabe poiteness that never orsook hil pun
assented 10 the arrangement without WORD Vi o2lev
4ion He was ncttled, however, and MT upon h.o
scheme Of harmless revenge. He knew well the char
scter Of Hsmiltons mind and from repeated CONVEX
sations with him the cause in which they weie Gu
gagged he knew every point which Hamilton w1eiu ne
likely to make in his speech. Burr prepared hnisen
with great care. When he came at ength 10 auu,es
the Jury, beside using his own arguments, nc an'tr
pated all of Hamtons He absolutely eAnaaS'ou no
case There WAS nothing left for Hamilton 10 advance;
The consequence that that gentleman appeereu
70 much less adv anage than usual and never AFTER
ward exhibited an undue desire 10 assume the place Oh
honor In suits which he conducted conformity with Co''
Burr.