Smyrna times., 1858-01-28
Burr's Correspondence.

A new life OF Aaron Burr has recently made
its appearance, in which the author has uRder-
t. ken the difficult task of yipdicating Burr'f
private character, and attempts to throw the
blame of misrep presenting that on his literary
executor, Matthew L. Davis. The editor Of
the Albany Evening Journal comes forward in
defence of Davis, and says that be was permit
ted by that gentleman TO see Borr's papers
while he was constructing bis biography, and
that from what he saw and read, he is satisfied
that Burr was relieved, by the course which
Davis pursued, from deep and general execra-
| ton. He says: ......,,.,. ..., ...... .......
"Col. Burr not only preserved, but with
scrupulons care filed the letters he received
HIS correspondence, especially with the female
sex, was extensive. Much Of thiswas evident
! ly with the educa led and refined-m1ch of it
showing his association with the gifted and the
pure of mind-much more with those whom
his d" wilcs" had undermined and poisoned
These we're, however, found in common with
letters from an exceptionable class and of an
offensive Character All were carefully en-
dorsed with the places, dates and names of the
writers, Where letters were signed with ini-
tlals or were anonymous, the full name appear
ed in Col. Burr's handwriting. With many of
these letters were copies of Col. BIS replies-
Werelhember most interesting series between
Col. Burr and West Indian lady of high cul-
ture, taste and purity, who for long time COM
batted and resisted the false and fatal teach
ngs of the tempter, only in the end to exem-
plty the experience of those who first endure
and then embrace error q
" The night before Col. Burr met Gen HAM
lton, Ire wrote a letter to his daughter Theo-
dosa (Alrs. Alslon). in which he bequeathed
his correspondence, contained. as he says, sin
SIX blue boxes to her, with the request that
those which would sinjare the writers, should
be burned. In his WILL referring to these blue
boxes again as containing his Confidential Fe-
male Correspondence he says to his daughter,
: You will find in them something to amuse,
much 10 instruct, and more to forgive -.
Bot as Gen. Hamilton, instead of Col. Burr,
fell, these blue boxes renamed in the pos
session of Col Burr, and came, after his death,
into the hands of his literary executor
Like Thomas Moore, who suppressed the
personal memoirs Of Lord Byron, Mr.. Davis,
governed by Kindred sense Of what was due
to society, is entitled to .commendation, ral her
th1n reproaeh. Nor was the sacrifice an nex.
pehsiVe one. Mr.. Davis was tempted, by large
PecuniGry offers to give this correspondence 10
the public. The late NJ. NJ. Noah, we remem
Der as among those who offered Mr. Davis
handsome sum tor the letters But he always,
and with great emphasis, declared that they
should never appear, either TO blast Col. Burr,
or wound the feelings of persons whom they
compromised 8ss BttGG>l-f.r
"Some of these letters were returned by
Mr.. Davis in carefully sealed packages, to per-
sons remotely connected with the writer's. A
= = r. = -
TO his Literary Executor asking that if let.
teEs concerning his family should be found
among his papers, they might be delivered toa
distinguished Virginian then in New York,
which request was complied with. Mr.. Davis
himself delivered a package of'letters to the
lady by whom they were written; and he re-
quested, the writer cf this article to make SINH
lar restitution OF another PACKAGE Bu:j that
too delicate commission was declined.