The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-29

represents alton, and en- danger the Union itself. bv
tension Of its line OF defence against fore. IN in
vasion. But the alternative was-Louisiana
ana tne % NOUNS OF me Mlsslssippi IN me pos
The loss of sectional influence. we hoped and
believed. would be more than compensated by
A fearful cause Of war with France was re.
moved. From a formidable and ambitious neigh.
steadily operating interests. into u natural ally.
should ever these "nticiip1tions fail. We ,consid.
desperate tnan any possible disease"
Mr.. Rufus King has been blamed for not O.
deavor.ng to prevent the duel hetween Burr and
Hamilton. The charge is refuted in the volume
before us. There is no doubt that King was q
warm and faithful friend of Hamilton's. the
friendship dating from before the days when
they sat together in the convention for the for
nation of the Constitution. Apart from per
sonal esteem and friendship. he too well knew
Ar prized Hamilton's abilities and public ser
vices TO leave untried any method OF averting
the calamity which he must have anticipated a.
the possible result OF a hostile meeting. The
'ditor OF this correspondence reproduces on
;age 1874 a paper in Rufus Kings handwriting.
and signed by him, which gives an account Of
his connection with the matter and shows how
shocked be WAS when the charge referred to
was first brought to his knowledge in 1915.
The paper. which is a letter from Mr.. King
10 his son Charles, runs as follows: ITO
my surprise and regret I have teen In
formed that Or. Mason, in a late CONVEX
sation at q dinner table. stated in refer
encC TO the duel between Gen. Hamilton and
Col. Burr. in which the former was MORALLY
wounded. that it was in my power to have pro
vented the duel. and that evidence OF this fact
could be produced; a statement which had the
effect OF creating the belief that / approved Of
and promoted the duel. l request that you will
take an early opportunity of calling on DR.. Ma.
son. and. in my behalf, assuring him that the
reverse Of the alleged fact is the truth. and that,
so far from approving and promoting the duel. I
disapproved OF it and endesvored TO prevail on
Gen. Hamilton not to meet Col. Burr. Ask DR..
Mason to furnish you with the evidence to which
he referred, and upon which he thought himself
justified in making the FOREGOING statemen mt
Say 10 him, moreover, on my part, that / willing
" believe. after receiving this communication.
that he will take greater pleasure in correct:1g
than he could have experienced in stating Q
charge that is wholly unfounded." The state
ment was corrected. as it should have been.
The last extract which we shall make from
this installmcnt of the correspondence is from
an account found among Mr.. Kings papers OF
his relations with Miranda in reference 10 the
F,' 80 " " AN
OF This account is printed
IN an appendix, Gen. Miranda arrived at New
day called on Mr.. King. whom he had know IN
London. and delivered TO him a letter from .
iso5. The Generals communications TO Mr..
King corresponded with the tenor Of tais
letter; ana he further stated that the prov.
ince OF, Caracas. his native country. was sui.
fering beneath the most oppressive tyranry:
that the inhabitants were generally disaffectei;
ish yoke and invited him 10 return and CO.
operate with them in asserting their liberty and
United States TO obtain the requisite succor~ 10
enable him TO effect. the revolution. MIR. King
ever might be their sentiments concerning the
enterprise in which he Miranda was engaged.
could not with safety afford him the assistance
with spain. and the laws prohibited the setting
on oUo1 ,oot OF an SNpsdit,cn OF this nature, and no
G~icvernmert. Gen. Miranda nfterwari m.
V,c" fe h Mt' c M,nG tsSf 10 N 81 pI 19 W Of his "a
10 lay his Intentions before the Government. le
asked Mr; King 10 give hin . letter OF n reiu.'
"'clined TO 10, but he transmitted 10 hc Srcre-
tnry, for The Presidents REFUSAL. the or.-.n4l
Letter Mhhh he had received from England,
disclosing Mir1nGa's views. Miranda Tier pro
eco . 10 MrshinS.on, and had q con ercnce
was an intimation on the Secrciary's part mar
ThateNer might be done shouid be Gistr'c''y
densi 6u, with the understanding on the pa:
would not sanction his cXpeditio,. il would
WINK a, II. After Miriam las + turn To NV
forE. he, stated to Mr.. King his aul r..
tensions that he should be embtrrassco fr,gn
King. through his friends. would cnic vu7
70 enect = loan for him. The request was -,
fused by Mr.. King, who explained wlS II would
ne improper for him 10 tRkc any active Uar' 10
me projected enterprise. He did not. however,
hlne rom Miriam ~ the coruial interest WI" /! No
Ahnerlca, nor did he conceal the hope w'|.4
arose out Of the posture OF. pIblic an'ur. .H4
system OF this country. He hclirvcd. h, -.".
ihat, as spain had given to the Tn t"' -..'t
JUS tause OF Wal, tn power ana rc-"H'f u
asunder the degrading chains which, for .u,,e
IN p lhrce CENTURIES, had bound the Ncw World
9the old. II is known that The Mirnnt eIpS
oitlon eventually took place, but failed, ana
ma Spanish, America had 10 wait many ye4Is
ior It's emancipation.