Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-08-21

Duel With Hamilton and Other Character
istic Incidents in His Interesting Career
His Meeting With Blennerhassett - The
Friendship Of Andrew Jackson-The Pro-
ject for a Conquest Of Mexico-Charsed
With High Treason and Acquitted-his
Love for His Daughter Theodosia.
BY BYRON MILLETT.
We have before US, one of the most
characters of all history.
His biographer tell. us that he was
born on the wrong continent; had he
lived in France, his remarkable tai.
ents would have been discovered by
Napoleon, who with his keen percep-
ton OF human nature, would have
doubtlessly seen in Burr the right
stuff for a marshal. He was one year
the senior of Alexander Hamilton,
whom he slew in dual. Both were
college graduates before they became
of age. Each distinguished himself
in the war OF the revolution; both be-
came prominent members OF the bar
and shining lights in American his
tory. Burr was Vice President dur
ing the first administration OF Jeffer.
son. While he held that Office, the
duel with Hamilton was fought. Much
has been said and written about that
unfortunate affair; though it is pretty
generally agreed among historians. as
events subsequently shaped them
selves, that it would have been better
for Burr had he fallen instead OF his
antagonist. 1t has been contended by
Hamilton's friends, that he did not
wish to kill Burr and shot in the air,
which the latter strenuously denied
to the day of his death, in which de-
nial he was ardently supported by
many prominent men OF bis time.
Duelling was the custom of the day
for real and fancied wrongs among
public characters. Hamilton's eldest
son was killed in q duel. He, himself,
had acted ~ q second on one occasion.
Under the code as it then existed,
Burr had strong provocation, Hamil-
ton had scandalized him on numerous
occasions; refused to apologize, when
Burr and his friends offered him every
opportunity so to do. While all of
that was no justification for the kill.
ing of . human being, Burr believed
that there was no other way open to
him by which he might vindicate his
honor. So let US not judge him too
harsEly; and bear in mind the false
education OF the age in which he lived.
Burr WAS one OF the ablest lawyers
of his time, especially in jury cases.
II is said that he never lost q case
which he had undertaken, and to
which, he gave his personal attention.
1t WAS one of bis favorite mottos
" Never do to-day. what you can put
off till Tomorrow" meaning that by
delay, some new feature might arise in
the litigation. or in his undertakings,
of which no might take advantage; or
if otherwise, he might be prepared to
combat. In the matter of living his
habits were simple, costing about
seventy-five cents per week; still he
was . great spendthrift, found him
self oft-times stranded. had much diff.
Guilty in meeting his obligations;
though his practice was lucrative. He
was a man OF small stature, about five
feet six inches in height, with q re-
markable head, had nerve to spare,
could not be excited, or frustrated in
the presence OF danger, or while in the
pursuit OF his profession. While liv-
ing in Paris, on receiving a money
remittance, which had come to the
knowledge of his valet who tried to
rob him, holding q loaded pistol un-
comfortably near the head of Burr,
instead of getting excited, he coolly
remarked to the culprit: Haven't
1 told you. sir, that when you present
yourself to gentleman, you should
take off your hat?" As Mr.. Valet
reached for his head-gear, Burr seized
him about the body and called in the
police, and had him arrested. The
maligners OF Burr have evinced great
assiduity and ingenuity in making
prominent his intrigues with women.
He evidently was no saint, and never
claimed to be; yet he was no worse
than many public characters of his
time. He made it point never to
answer a calumny. He was a bril-
liant conversations alist, with his capti-
waiting dark eyes, was great favorite
among the fair sex. His picture
adorned many drawing rooms. When
ever he attended balls and public
entertainments all strove to do him
honor. He had, however, a larger
ambition than shining as a social
light. After the duel, he directed his
attention to the southwest. There is
much disagreement among historians
as to his real intentions; they have
never been unravelled TO this day, and
are involved in much obscurity.
Burr met Blennerhassett at his in.
land home, fired his ambition and
susceptible nature with conquests
galore. On that famous route with
his flotilla, floating down the Ohio