The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-24

Hanlx Review.


This Is delightful book. and bccsuse Is 10 we
shall notice Hs Objectionable features arst, ana
speak OF its merits afterwards MT Hamilton has
been lacking in Judgment In his arrangement and
publication OF hts epstolary correspondence. Many
OF the letters given absolutely without interest;
nearly Gil OF the letters written by the author to
prominent characters as also the numerous lengthy
papcra suggesting various plans OF government
financial and otherwise-do not interest the general
reader IN the slightest degree ana should never have
appeared. Again In his zeal to defend his fathers
memory he makes what seems 70 US an I'M
1astinable assault upon Jenerson. As for his
calling Burr an assassin, Mr.. Hamilton should re-
nember that this epithet ls a very harsh one, and
should never be used except under the most aggra
waiting circumstances. We are no defenders OF or
apologsts for Burr. The duel with Alexander Ham
iltOn was a most shameful affair. But it Is undenia
bly, true that Hamilton not wholly blameless,
however culpabc his antagonist was. Al any rate
Hamilton had the choice OF declining TO fight. He
had not the moral courage TO decline the challenge,
ana by accepting he became party to whatever Of
sy-e.-.:J attaches Itself ~ dueng. Considering
shat sixty five years have passed since Burr fired the
1atal shot Mr. Hamilton might have discarded his
own private aniInosis.es land very natural they
are, we admil and spoken of the dead less harshly
Heaven knows Aaron BuTr's memory 10 sufficiently
covered with obloquy
Aside from these ObectioDaD features the book Is
one Of The most entertaining that nave read for
some time. Mr.. Hamilton was born In the city Of
New York, on the l4th Of APRIL 1888, aud IT, conse-
qnentiy IN the eightysecond year OF his age at the
present time. When his father died he was q mere
lad OF sixteen, student at Columbia College. Alter
graduating he studied law at the office Of Judge
Pendieton, and In May 1909, was admitted to the
bar. One month later he moved TO Waterford, in
Saratoga county, and aignaiized his first years
career by challenging Mir. John Cramer, a prominent
lawyer, and posting that gentleman a coward,
&c, for wisely refusing to accept In October, 1870
Mr.. Hamilton married, ana he informs us
that his pecuniary resources at the time
were 80 small that himself and wife during their
frst year Of married life "pOarded at four dollars
Per week each" His profession as lawyer brought
him INTO contact with the great political lights OF the
day, and among them Martin Van Buren,, with whom
he formed o lively friendship. Some very interest
ing "reminiscences are given OF Van Rensselaer,, Van
Ness Morris Clinton, John Jay, Rufus King anu
other prominent men. In 1914 Mr.. Hamilton moved
1rOui Hudson 10 New Ork, and soon alter entered
the volunteer service as quartermaster, serving
Hnti the war with Great Britain ended. Upon re-
turning to civi he he went into lucrative business
~ Master III Chancery. Several Years huruedy
passed over whlcn we regret as about this time the
great political game began which was so cleverIy
played, between the leaders OF the different factions
resulting IN the complete triumph OF Me democracy.
The Old federal party 1t VIII be remembered was
destroyed by Its unpatrlotlc conduct IN 1872. MIR.
and those are manly OF minor Importance During
tins year, however, began the pulling for the
election OF Jackson. me newspaper press or New
YORK city WAS not satisfactory 10 Van buren,. In q
letter addressed 10 afr. Hamilton be declares there
IL not the least doubt that everything Noah says
against Adams does him great good With country
republicans, who look upon Noah literally with abhOr.
renee is there not spirit enough In the democratic
party OF the great city Of New York TO establish |
press In when honest men can cOntde ~ Mr.. Van |
Buren, had not the least oonbt Of his election ito the
Time has come"
In 1927 Nj. Hamilton was one Of committee ap-
pointed by the Corporation OF the city or New York
ITO present TO his Exceilency the Governor OF the
State OF Louisiana copy OF Coldens memoir on
memora,e the completion Of the Erie Canal and in |
their behalf TO tender to MAJOR General Andrew |
sorlous anniversary Of the battle OF New oreans
A. the Hermitage Mr. Hamilton met the Old nero |
and was quite Delighted with him. A steamer was |
chartered LOT the party TO go from Nashville |
called for q rlfe aud threatened 70 shoot the
pilot OF another steamboat that had been most |
tauntngiy made to pass. then stop until boat IN
which the General was came up and passed. when |
other In triumph. Mr. Hamilton says quite limo.
Gently that "as such an outrage tshootnv the plot
jackson, VINO sent for husband anu kept him IN
sne cabin with her. She was by the way, IAN I'M |
writer "ever saw smoke q cigar.n Not singular, by
any means Mrs. Zachary Taylor Ii said to have |
Nearly ali OF the interesting letters are from MAR
Sn Van buren, and the style and iangn age ls CHAR
octer1suC Oh tnat FAMOUS leader. On August U.s.
lS2S, he writes hopefully OF the political situation
he thinks the anti-MasOnc affair 1.-The only thing
that requires looking to" and desires that Moan
and Coleman be asked to treat the matter
tiously He is however, quite confident Of success
and writes Of The opposition, "wnl not the result
OF the Kentucky election induce them 10 betf |
Between US and the post make this bet for |
me- on our joint aceount"-and he directs |
the laying Of wagers involving $1,000. A lew |
days later he writes again, and TINS time wishes to
'bet on Kentucky, Indiana and llilnois-jointly If |
you can or any TWO or tnenl' Al TIE same time he
requests Mr. Hamilton 10 write letter 10 reply 10 |
one he sends him, seeking Information regarding |
General Jaeksons character. me request is com !
pled with but there are two slall errors winch lie
desires corrected ana so he returns the document
win an explanatory note at the bottom OF which |
postscript which says, Ia reference 10 General
Jackson "Does tue old gentleman nave prayers 10
ns Own house. ,n WI 80, mention , Il moaesns SHY
Hamilton the position oi aid wltn the rams OF colo
mel. The offer Is declined, and son OF Brockholst
Livingston proposed because The selection would
crafty the LivIngstons the Ludlows tue CAROLS,
bogerts several Easion families, Inc McvIcKers,
Jays and COnstabies win very many young menu
Van Buren, replies There IL great deal Ia your
suggestion as TO the persons VINO would he grai6ed
by the appointment OF Mr. Livingston. But kDow
those folks well. They sort OF friends Of which
you may have any quantity when you DOM want
them but apt to be very scarce under diincult CIR
We can form some idea OF the wire pulling for
Cabinet ministers after Jacks0n's election by the
correspondence here pubshed. Van Buren,, how
ever, was safe for the Office OF secretary OF State.
New York before the meeting Of the STATE Leaisla.
tnre he could not enter upon the discharge OF his
duties st once Mr.. Hamilton was therefore ap
pointed to the position pro te., and seems TO have
worked most energetically. Not until May, 1922
was he able to leave Washington to I'LL the Office Of
District Attorney, 10 which he had been appointed.
For four years and a half he held this responsible
position, and then resigned. Has career as District
Attorney is very entertaningiy told During the
entire time he was constantly employed In work for
President Jackson who depended greatly upon him
for AID In writing his messages ana letters; indeed
we cannot help thinking that without intend
ing IT, Mr.. Hamilton has drawn President Jack
son IN the most uniavoraO e. hight that we have
aeen MIN placed Tue Eaton scandal Is merely re-
1erred TO In letter from Mr. Van Buren,, although
Ill things considered expected quite history
0I the aifalr The Rhlnd squabbe over four Ara
biAn horses and the famous diamond robbery as
we'll as the trial and conviction OF the pirate (;ibDs
I0rm most interesting "reminiscences. We cannot
Hollow Mr.. Hamilton over the Whole If his CORE
spo1dence. We have already said that there h en-
ufey TOO much OF IL IN the book; and must also
That much OF what Il L.