The Newtown bee., 1899-05-26

member Of his military family. But b
did not continue long In this capacity q
he disagreed with Washington, and th
latter did not have faith in Burr's hon
esty.
Hamilton shortly after was invited t.
become member OF Washington's staff
and much of the time acted as his mill
tary secretary. He continued in thi
capacity for four years or SO and wa
said to be almost Indispensable to Wash
ington. Toward the close of the war b.
had disagreement with his chief, ant
although Washington went out of his way
to apologize to his young aid, Hamilton
left. He, however, continued his military
activity and took part in the attack OF
Yorktown. Toward the close of the wal
he married daughter of Gen Schuyler
Of New York, powerful family in the
political life of that state.
| At the close of the Revolution Hamil.
ton and Burr began the practice of law
IN New York. Hamilton was without
doubt the ablest lawyer of his time, the
most gifted advocate. He referred to
Hamilton's important work in the early
days of the republic, and said that we TO-
day are enjoying many of the privileges
we have as the result of his wisdom
The speaker then told how the feud be-
tween the two men started. Hamilton,
who was made secretary Of the treasury,
caused, through his political influence,
to have his father-in-law elected senator
from New York. This offended the Liv
ingston family, then prominent in poll
tics In that state, and two years later,
Schuyler was defeated and Burr elected
senator for six years. In the year 1894,
Hamilton desired to be sent minister to
England, but Burr dominated the Senate
and Hamilton could rot be appointed.
In the year 1898 war was threatened
with France. Washington was placed
in command OF the army and Hamilton
second in command. Through the lat
ter's influence Burr was prevented from
securing a generalship, which angered
him. In 1898 Burr fought duel with
one Church, an intimate friend of Ham
ilton and afterward executor Of the lat
ter's will. Hamilton set out to defeat
BuFr's ambition to be elected president,
In his correspondence he took pains to
decry Burr and speak Of him as a man
without character.
In 1904 Burr thought he could be elect
ed governor of New York and accepted
an independent nomination. He was de-
feated by over 1000 votes. In the cam
paign letter of Ramilton's appeared in
which he expressed a despicable opinion
of Burr.
One of Hamilton's sons was killed by
q friend of Burr's In duel on the verv
spot in which the father afterwards fell. |
The letter before referred to led up to
the duel and Burr sent his political rival
4 challenge. The day was set for July
IL, 1904. Hamilton spent the night be.
fore in the composition Of a letter In |
which he gave his reasons for fighting. |
The place selected for the duel was on |
The Jersey side Of the Hudson river, on a |
shelf of rock close by the rivers bank.
The hour set was a. N. Burr arrived |
about 6, attended by his second, William |
Van Ness. Hamilton came shortly after. |
The choice Of positions fell to Hamilton,
md by some mistake, Hamilton's second |
chose the position, SO that his chief had
;he sun in his eyes. Hamilton had re-
solved not to fire. When the word was |
given Burr took deliberate aim, fired and |
Hamilton fell. AS the latter fell his
pistol was accidentally discharged.
After the shooting Burr fastened to hip
home, and when friend called at 8
o'clock he found him calmly reading
n his library.
Hamilton was taken to New York,
'evived and fingered till the following
lay. The scenes about his death bed
we're most pathetic. The speaker spoke
If the intense feeling caused by Hamil-
'on's death, and of the great funeral Civ
IN him in New York, when Morris de-
ivered that superb eulogy over his friend.
Burr was indicted for murder in New
Jersey and in New York for sending |
/ challenge to fight duel.
The duel was as fatal to Burr as to |
Hamilton. On his retirement from the |
vice presidency he became an outcast |
socially and politically. He went to
England and afterward to France, but |
hey would have nothing to do with him. |
BE returned to this country in disguise
and died in 1886.
In describing their appearance he said |
Hamilton was little fellow, thin, of fair |
had attractive eyes and |
about his face that command |
ed attention. Burr was also little fel. |
low, with an attractive personality.