The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-05-02

have occurred to him that for some
thing like twelve years past he had
been expressing both "despicable" and
more despicable opinions of his
rival.
Two days later, on June 20, Hamil-
ton replied to Burr in a long and in
genious letter in which he sought to
show that without a more distinct
statement Of the particular opinion
ascribed to him he could not make the
avoWel or disavowel demanded. Il
deem it inadmissible on principle" he
said, Ito consent to be Intercepted as
to the business of differences which
may be drawn by others from what
ever I may have said Of political OPP
ponent in the course Of fifteen years
competition" And added II stand
ready to avow or disavoW promptly
and explicitly any precise Oh definite
opinion which may be charged with
having declared of any gentleman.
More than this cannot be fifty expect
ed from me; and especially it cannot
be reasonably expected that I shall
enter into an explanation upon a basis
SO vague as that which yon have
adopted I trust, on more reflection.
you WALL oCC IAC AhCCCl Ill CAC SdA4C
light with me. If not, I can only re-
greet the circumstances, and must
abide the consequences
Burr Tolerates No Evasion.
Burr's reply came as direct as q pis-
tol shot.
political opposition can never alb
solve gentlemen from the necessity of
a rigid adherence to the laws Of honor
and the rules of decorum. neither
claim such privileges nor indulge it in
others. The common sense of mankind
affixes to the epithct adopted by DR..
Cooper the idea Of dishonor. 1t has
been publicly applied to me under the
sanction of your name. The question
is not whether he understood the
meaning of the word, or has used it
according to syntaX and with gram
NAUTICAL accuracy, but whether yAl
have authorized the application, either
directly or by uttering expressions or
opinions derogat0ry to my honor"
After THIS letter, accommodation was
out of the question, though some eff
fort was made by the seconds to bring
the subject within the realms of adj
justment But in the nature of things
this was impossible, for Hamilton's
criticisms Of Burr had covered too
long a period. Other correspondence
followed, and statements were made
by the principals, but all to no pur-
pose, and on June 81 Burr's challenge
was delivered and accepted. Maj. Ma
thaniel Pendleton, the grandfather of
George II. Pendleton, was Hamilton's
second, MI. Van Ness acting for Burr.
Owing to engagements in court the
meeting was arranged for July II, two
weeks later, and the designated place
Weehauken on the Jersey shore. On
this same spot, a favorite duelling
ground in those days, Hamilton's old
est son, Philip, had fallen in duel
the preceding year.
Hamilto.,'s Pathetic Letter.
Hamilton's last letter, written the
night before the duel, is pathetic
justification for his course, and con-
tains the admission that his criticisms
of Burr had been of that character to
lead to just such a result.
The story is familiar, how, on July
the Order Of the Cincinnati, Of which
Hamilton was president general, held
their annual banquet, and both Burr
and Hamilton were present, Hamilton
singing, at request, his favorite bal
lad, 1.-THE Drum"
In the early morning of July II the
parties stood facing each other, pis-
tolls in hand, at the appointed place.
The word was given and the ball from
Burr's pistol pierced Hamilton's body,
int1icting a mortal wound. Hamilton's
pistol went OFT, presumably not inten-
tionally, for he had resolved to with
hold his fire. The ball from it cut the
twigs from the branches Of a tree over
Burr's head and four feet wide of
him.
Such was the historic duel and the
circumstances that led up to it. The
popular Indignation against Burr was
so great that he was obliged to leave
New York secretly. He visited his
daughter in South Carolina. and as
winter approached returned to Wash
ington to preside for the last time as
president Of the senate of the United
States. The notable event Of his last
session was the Impeachment trial OF
Judge Chase, at which Burr presided
With grace, dignity and impartiality.