, 1859-11-18
The Hamilton and Burr Duel.

has now entirely changed as to the propriety Of
such barbarous custom, It Is probable that but
few are aware Of the particulars Of the event, or
Of the excitement It created all over the Union.
No duel, In any time or country, caused 80 In.
tense sensation as this one. Its fatal result
spread like the winds through every hamlet and
village Of the United States. MAledictions and
curses followed Burr until he fed his native
-selfbanished, Il Is true; but the mark oI
ostracism was upon him: and from the moment
Of Hamilton's death, his career Of political great.
ness was closed forever. ar N =
Both antagonists, in early youth, bad entered
the armies Of the republic under Washington
both had served their country faithfully In the
tented field, and both had risen TO high rank In
the civil honors Of the Union Divided in polit-
ical opinions and feelings, they were never init
mate, although both were frequently engaged on
the same side In legal cases ct the bar. ~.
II Ghe spring Of 1904, while Burr was Vice
President Of the United States, he was nomina-
ted for the governorship Of New York by his
friends, and Morgan Lewis was nominated BY
another portion Of the democratic party. The
federalists, as the opposite party was called-and
among whom Gen. Hamilton was the most con-
spicuous-made no nomination In this election
Lewis beat Burr BY . very heavy majority.
Chagrined and mortified to be thus put down
by the iederalists, or that party had taken sides
with Lewis against Burr) though Burr could
command the largest number Of pure democltie
votes, he wrote letter 10 Hamilton, complaining
Of certain words alleged 10 have been uttered
by him during the contest the utterinEo Of which
was mentioned In certain letter from Mr.. o. d.
Cooper, Of Albany, to Mr.. A. Brown, ,lof DeEne,
in the same county. This letter, afeT spanking
Of the election. says: "Gen. Hamilton, - n
1.oo,i, L. L. Il I, aasI h.a an,,,. n,a
cidedly against Burr; indeed when he was hen,
be spoke Of him as Q dangerous man, who ouglA
not to be trusted" Another letter was also a.
luded to by Burr, which was written BY Cooper
to Phillip Schuyler, ESQ, reiterating the above,
and saying still furiherl"I could detail to you
a still more despicable opinion which Gen. HAM
ilton expressed Of Mr.. Burr" Il appears Burr
rot possession Of these letters, or one Of them,
and he then enclosed It to Gen. Hamilton, In the
following note: aHst.ls olt
NEW YoRK, June 1e, 1904.
SIN: Isend for your perusai letter signed
Charles d. Cooper, which, though apparently
published some time ago, has very recently come
70 NV knowledge. Nj. Van Ness, who does me
the favor 10 deliver this. will point out TO YOU that
clause Of the letter to which particnIarly 70
Yon must perceive. mir. the necessity Of 4
prompt ana onquanned ackn1xleog ogmen. % y oenlAi .
OF tne e1precslon cn"Ou'u "arEa"' 'ne assss-
have the honor 10 be
Your obedient servant.
saJ-al q. IY. A. Bum.
Gen. Hamilton wrote long reply to the opis-
tie, wherein he virtually declined either the &C.
knowledgment or denial Of the offensive express
sions complained Of saying that II Burr still in
sisted on an explanation upon basis % vague,
he (Gen. H. could say no more, but must abide
the consequences.
Burr then wrote second note, declaring that
Gen Hamilton's letter furnished him now reasons
for demanding definite reply a. 10 whether or
not be bad uttered the offensive expressions com
planned Of; and that bis friend, Mr.. Van Ness,
would await such reply, or his refusal to give