The Nevada Democrat., 1858-03-03
Aaron Burr's Female Correspondence.

Fer the "vindiCation," net less Of the "fans"
Of Colonel Burr's "literary executor" than Of
the truth Of history, We feel ii q duty TO state
facts, within eur knowledge, which, bat fer
provecatieA that will be deemed an "acquaint-
ance," we should never have publicly revealed
Colonel Burr not only preserved, but with
scrupuleus care, fled the letters he received.
His correspondence, especially with the female
sex was extensive. Much Of this was evidently
with the educated and refined much Of 1t shew-
ing his association with the gifted and pure Of
mind much mere with those whom his "wiles'
had undermined and poisoned. These were,
however, found in common with letters from
an sxceptionable class and Of effensive eharac-
ter. All were carefully indorsed, with the pla-
ces, dates and names of writer's. Where letters
we're signed with initials, or were Anonymous,
the full namo appeared in Colonel Burr's hand
writing. With many these letters were copies
of Colonel BIS replies. We remember series
from lady Of high culture. taste and pu-
rity, who, for long time combattsd and resist
cd the false and fatal teachings Of the tempter,
only in the end to exemplify the experience Of
these who "first endure and then embrace er-
rer.o
The night before Colonel Burr met General
Hamilton, he wrote letter to his daughter,
Theodosio MRS. AlstOnO in which he bequoath-
ed his correspondence, contained, ~ he says, In
''six blue boxes" to her, with the request that
those which would "injure," the writers should
be burned. In his will, referring to those blue
boxes, as containing his Confidential Female
correspondence" be says to his daughter
"You will find in them something 10 amuss
much to instruct, and more to forgive"
Bat, as General Hamilton instead Of Cslensl
Burr fell, these ''blue bOxsS remained In the
possession Of Colonel Burr, and came, after hi,
death into the hands Of his Literary Executor
During our long and clsss Intimacy with the
late Matthew L. Davis, and particularly when
he was engaged in writing his life Of Barr, We
enjoyed confdensially, the privilege at his house
in Cherry street, of-perusing the materials out
Of which that history was woven. The 'Ccni-
Dental Female Correspondence" was before as,
with all It's strange and startling revelations.
We thought and felt then, as We think and feel
now, that only devil inearnate-somo fend
in human shape let loose upon earth to so0urge
such evidence Of his own perGdy--for many Of
these letters were written in bitter anguish
and contained scathing imprscations- Of
the frsilty Of others.
Instead, thereof, Of doing "gross wrong" TO
Colonel Burr In this respect, Davis by suppress
ing that correspondence, relieved the character
Of Burr from deep and general exscratien.-
Like Thomas Moore, who suppressed the per-
sonal Memoirs of Lord Byron, Davis, governed
10 entitled to commendation rather that re-
preach. Nor was the sacrifice an inexpensive
one. Davis was tempted by large pecuniary
offers, to give this correspondence to the public.
The late N. M. Noah, we remember as amenR
those who offered Davis handsome sum for the
letters. But he always, and with great empha-
sis, declared that they should never appear,
either to blast Burr, or wound the feelings Of
those whom they compromised.
Some OF these letters were returned BY Davis
In carefully sealed packages, 10 persons remote
ly connected with the writer. A person In Vir-
ginia, after Colonel Burr's death, wrote 10 his
"Literary Executor" asking that IL letters con-
csrning his family should be found among his
papers. they might be delivered to distinguish
ed Virginian then in New York, which request
was complied with. Davis himself delivered
package OF letters to the lady BY whom they
were written and he requested the writer Of
the article to make similar restitution Of anoth-
sr package. But that too delicate commission
was declined.-Albany Journal.