Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-09-11

never found IN harmony, and indeed
they ceased TO beeveu on speaking terms,
they we're autagonistic leaders of politi-
cal opinion, and the division of parties
was then often accompanied by the most
bitter personal hostility. Burr bad four
years previously been defeated in the
p, esidential canvass, and though this de-
feat grew out of division in the repub
lican party, yet the federalists, among
whom Hamilton was 80 influential, bore
part in it. Burr no doubt ascribed his
ill-success to Hamilt MS unconcealed OPP
position, and was determined to infiict
the highest punishment in his power
death by the pistol-even if he perished
in the attempt At the time the duel
took place Burr was a widower, and his
only child, Theodosia, had been for some
years married to Joseph Aston, Cover
nor of South Carolina. Hence he stood
almost alone in the world. On the 9TH
er hand, Hamilton was at the head of a
large family which depended solely on
his earnings. Both men were in embar-
assed circumstances, and though holding
large amounts of real estate, they were
deeply in debt. Hamilton had coun-
try seat called "The Grange" but his
family lived in the city in the winter.
He was in the fullness of his powers, and
had recently delivered at Hudson his
great effort in defense Of the liberty of
the press, being counsel for Harry Cross
well, who prosecuted for libel on Thopas
Jefferson. Burr previously had an office
at the corner of Cedar and Nassau sts.,
but on his election to the Vice Presiden-
cy he abandoned the profession of the
law. The directory records him thus ::
" Aaron Burr, Vice President of the
United States, Richmond Hill" His
place was in the suburbs of the city, and
had been occupied by very distinguished
men, General Washington used it as his
headquarters in the summer of 1875,
and after the establishment of the feder-
al government, Vice President Adams
lived there till the removal to Philadel-
phia. Burr was the third historical
character who occupied the noted dwell
ing, and his name has clung to it longer
than that OF his predecessors. The
building remained as late as 1910, 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 an
explanation of the remarks which the
latter had made. This took place on the
18Th of June. 1t is not proposed to give
these well known facts in detail, but the
writer may mention that four letters were
exchanged between the principals, and
nine days elapsed before the challenge
was sent. Hamilton had clear view OF
the determination of his correspondent.
He saw that hostile message was inev-
liable, and being in obedience to what
are falsely called the laws of honor, he
accepted it as soon as offered. He was
coDscientiously opposed to the practice,
with very good reason indeed, since his
son Phillip had fallen in a duel with
Adam Eaker two years previously; but
he could not break the iron rule of mil
itary life. He would not send a chal-
lenge, but he would not refuse one. He
had twenty years previously served as a
second, and now he appeared as a prin
cipal.
On the Fourth of July, 1904, just a
week before the duel, both parties at
tended the dinner of the Society of Gin
cinnati. Hamilton was in good spirits
and sang The Drum, which was then
a popular song. How little was it then
dreamed that he had accepted chal-
lengel Burr, on the other hand, con-
velsed very little. 1t was said after the
duel that Burr had been prscticing with
pistol, and also that he had discovered
that silk was bullet proof Hence, the
report went that he had ordered suit
of this material for 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, Mr.. Pendleton, revisited the spot
and found Hamilton's bullet lodged in a
tree. The paper that Hamilton lett as
testimony against dueliDg shows that
his conduct was in opposition to his con.
science. He felt that be had no right to
expose life which his family needed SO
deeply, and acting as he did in the face
of this conclusion, he was guilty of a
dreadful wrong against them.
Hamilton's second was Nathan Pen
dleton Burr's second was William Van
Ness. By special arrangement the meet
ing was postponed until after the Circuit