The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-01-31
AaRoy DURR-uIs DElrn.BED.

our thanks In person, and invite you to the
hospitalitics Of our home"
AIRON BURR-IIIS DEITLi-BED.
There has long heen an impression thnt
Aaron l,urr refused to converse upon the
subject Of religion during his last illness.
But this il an error. The writer has 10
ceiycd from the daughter ofthe late vener
able Doctor Van Pelt the following account
Of ,urr's death, related by her farther, who
visited him when dying.
Colonel burr died at The present Port
Richmond Hotel. Staten leland, where DIR.
Van Pelt frequently visited him during his
protructe,l illness. The timc spent with
him was chiefly employed in religious coli.
versation, concluding with prayer. Asked
as to his views Of the holy scriptures, Col
Burr replied: "Tl,ey wero the most perfect
system of truth tho world had ever seen"
Two hours before his death, DIR. Van Pclt
informed him that he could not survive
much longer, when he replied, "l am aware
OF it," DIR. Van Pelt thus described his
last moments: "Vith his usual conlial
concurrence and manifest desire, we knocled
in prnyer before tho throne of heavenly
Grace imploring Gods mercy and blessing.
lie turned in his bed and put himself in
humble, devotional posture. and seemed
deeply engaged in the religious service,
thanking Inc rs usual TOR tho prayer made
for him. Calm and composed, rccom-
mended him to the mercy of God aud TO
the worl ofhis grace, with last farewell.
AZ about two o'clock p. NJ, without q
gran or struggle, no brcathed his last.
His deatl, was easy and gentle as taper
in It's socket, or u summers wave that dies
upon the shore. Thus died Colonel Aaron
Burr
His last years wcrc spent In comparative
obscuriiy, n few old friends, never desert.
ing him, followed his body to its final rest
ing place, in the cemetery at Princeton. N.
j., where they deposited him alongside, or
ut tho feet Of his reverend fathers remains.
For years, not stone marked the silent
spot, but o ploin white marble monument
has been placed there by the same kind
hands who ninislered to his wants when
in retirement, sick an,l dying.
What strange history was Aaron Burr's?
Al one time carted along OF the, wave Of
popular favor, the chief magistracy Of the
great Republic seemed within his very
grasp, but, not securing II, he became the
second officer Of the Government, the Vice
President of the United Stnte.. How rapid
and lofty his rise. and his fall how sudden
and entire! Aner tho fatal duet with Gen.
Hamilton he was indicted for murder by
the grand jury Of New Jersey; by flight
sought refuge IN the South, living in oh.
sclirity there until the meeting Of Congress.
when he again appears as President Of the
United States Senate. His term Of office
expired, he goes West md becomes the
ma.ter spirit of an ambitious scheme to in.
yade Mexico. But he Is brought back n
prisoner of State to Richmond, charged
with high treason, was tried and acquitted.
This huppened in the year 1908; and only
fifty two years old, his locks were quite sil
vcrcd but his form still erect his eyo
sparkled with undiminished rndience. Ills
trial was one or the most remarkable IN our
nations history. John Randolph, Of Roa-
noke, the illustrious orator, wns the torc-
man ofihe grand jury,and the eminent John
Marshall the presiding Judge Not less
than five lawyers, with the prisoner him.
self, nppcured IN the defence. The fly
witnesses were sworn, and their tedious
cross.exaInination disclosed depths Of per-
Jury. Still the Government, after every at
tempt, failed to obtain cOnvictiun. Aaron
Burr. man Of plots and conspiracics, was
acquitted, but ruined. From the public in-
dgnaiion, however, he was compelled 10
leave his native land. Looked upon with
suspicion in England, he retired to France,
there living in reduced circumstances, AMI
ut times not able to procure meal.
Thus an nlicn for several years, no oh
taincd from Jeremy Bcnthnm the means to
return home, and landing ut Boston, with
out u cent, he found himself still an object
of di,lrust to all. Since his departure to
Europe he had received no tidings of his
beauiiiul. accomplished, aud devoted
daughter Theodosia. She had married, IN
1900, Gov. Allston, of South Carolina, and
the first news he now heard was that his
grnndchild, her only sen, in whom his soul
delighted. had died, while he was an out
cast She had been married young, when
her father had reached the zenith fhis
fame. She was not only lady Of rare Ell.
downents, but Of the most refined feel.
ings, an elegant writer. devoted as wife
aud mother, and most dntiiul AMI afiec-
,ionate daughter. As the clouds Of sorrow
and advcrsity gathered around him, and
he was deserted by friends he had formerly
cherished, she clung with re,lou'led aflec-
lion to her fathers terrible fortunes, while
the dark clouds Of sorrow and advcrsity
gathered around him.
Upon his arrival Col. burr Immediately
informed Mrs Allaon Of Il. when shc
promised to meet him at New York in n
lew weeks. She had now become his nll
on ear,h-wii6, grand child and friends
were all gone, and this precious daughter
alone remained to welcome him from his
exile and chenr the evening Of his check.
cred aud sorrowiul life. Days and months
passed away without my intelligence from
his daughter, when he grew more and more
impatient, almost doubling the sincerity Of
her affection. At last, however, he 10.
ceived letter from Gov. Allston, stating
that she had sailed some weeks before for
New Yoik ia vessel chartered by him for
the purpose.
But iliis vessel never arrived, and un.
loubaedly all on hoard perished at sea. ss
no tidings have ever since been hcarl Of
her fate. Now Bur's last link Of life was
broken, and his cup Of sorrow full! The
mysterious uncertainty fher death greatly
Increased the poiguancy Of bis accumulated
yriefs; and hope. the las, refuge ofthe nf
flicted and bercaved, became extinct iss
years rolled on. r ~
The last years Of Col. Bur's evcgtfal
life were lived in comparative obscuyity
Some few old friends, never deserving him
became his only companions. and foremos
the late excellent Judge Ogden, sn1 I'd
Hsris of Staten lsland. To that bosk kutifl