Connecticut western news., 1874-07-31

had recently delivered at Hudson his great effort in defense of the liberty of the press, being counsel for Harry | Crosswell, who was prosecuted for libel on Thomas Jefferson. Burr previously had an office at the corner of Cedar and Nassau streets, but on his election to the Vice Presidency he abandoned the profession of the law. The directory records him thus "Aaron Burr, Vice. President of the United States, Rich mond Hill." His place was in the suburbs of the city, and had been oc- cupied by very distinguished men. General Washington used it as his headquarters in the summer of 1776, and after the establishment of the federal government Vice-President Adams lived there until the removal to Philadelphia. Burr was the third historical character who occupied the noted dwelling, and his name has clung to it longer than that of his predeces- sors. The building remained as late as 184O, and was at that time place of amusement, where the writer, who was then mere youth, attended dancing school.
 Having resolved on the duel, Burr sent Hamilton message demanding explanation of the remarks which the latter had made. This took place on the 18th of June. It is not proposed to give these we'll l-known factsin detail, but the writer may mention that four letters were exchanged between the principals, and nine days elapsed before challenge was sent. Hamilton had clear view of the determination of his correspondent. He saw that hostile message was inevitable, and being in obedience to what are falsely called the laws of honor, he accepted it as soon as offered. He was conscientiously opposed to the practice, with very good reason indeed, since his son Phillip had fallen in duel with Adam Hacker two years previously but he could not break the iron rule of military life. He would not send challenge, but he would not refuse one. He had twenty years previously served as second, and now he appeared as principal.
 On the Fourth of July, 1904, just week before the duel, both parties attended the dinner of the Society of the Cincinnati. Hamilton was in good spirits and sang "The Drum," which then was popular song. How little was it then dreamed that he had accepted challenge 1 Burr, on the other hand, conversed very little. It was said after the duel that Burr had been practic1ng with pistol, and also that he had discovered that silk was bullet-proof. Hence, as the report went, he had ordere7 suit of this ma- terial for the ve1vy occasion, and, according to the ridiculous notion, he stood fre-proof. However, there was no need of this or any other precaution, for Hamilton had determined to throw away his fire; which, as is well known, was done. Indeed, it was said that his second, MT. Pendleton, revisited the spot and found Hamilton's bullet lodged in tree. The paper which Hamilton left as a testimony against dueling shows that his conduct was in opposition to his conscience. He felt that he had no right to expose life which his family needed so deeply, and acting as he did in face of this conclu- sion, he was guilty of dreadful wrong.
 Hamilton's second was Nathan Pen- dleton Burr's second was William P. Van Ness. By special arrangement the meeting was postponed until after the Circuit Court, which wes held on the 9th, in which Hamilton had an impor Uant case. When this had been dis posed of, MT. Pendleton informed Van Ness that his principal was ready. Sun- day, the 9th, was passed by Hamilton in the bosom of his family. What a grievous wrong he was about to infict upon them On Monday he made his will, leaving everything to his wife and commenting her to his children. Tues day was spent in preliminaries to the meeting, which was to come off early the next day. A surgeon and boat man were to be engaged, and the form CT was found in Dr. Hosack, who was one of the leading practitioners of the age. On that day Burr wrote long letter to Theodosia, giving explicit di- rections as to the disposition of lis affairs, and also advice in reference to the education of her little boy. He also wrote careful and elaborate letter to her husband, in which other details are given, and he concludes with the brief explanation "I have called out Gen. eral Hamilton, and we meet tomorrow. Van Ness will give you the particulars. The preceding has been written in view of this. If it should be my lot to fall yet I shall live in you and your son." It may be observed as striking con- trast not only that Burr did not fall, but that he survived both his daughter and her husband, as we'll as their son, and died in miserable old age.
 It was arranged between the seconds that Burr should be on the ground first, and he must have left Richmond Hill before 6 o'clock. Pendleton says that at 7 in the morning the Hamilton party reached the spot (which was Weehaw- ken), and the ferryman was ordered to wait at the bank. Burr and Van Ness were busy clearing the ground so as to make an opening. The principals sa luted each other in that formal manner which the laws of honor demand. The distance (ten paces) was measured, and then Van Ness and Pendleton united in loading brace of pistols. They then drew for choice of position, which Ham, ilton won, and the combatants imme- diately took their places. By previous agreement, the following had been ar- ranged as the method of combat s'The parties having been placed in proper position, the second who gives the word shall ask them if they are ready, and being answered in the affirmative shall say present, and after this the parties shall present and fire when they please" The word was given by Pen dleton, and both parties presented and fired in succession. Pendleton says that Burr took deliberate aim. Hamil- ton fired after Burr, but the interven- ing time was matter of disagreement. It could not, however, have been more than two or three seconds, for he fell mortally wounded by the first fire. Burr imm ediately advanced towards the wounded man with an expression of regret, and then, without speaking, turned and left the field. The spot on which Hamilton fell was subsequently, indicated by monument placed there lx, tho Qt ADIroxpso Ooo;oEx # oI,