Evening journal., 1905-08-09
DUEL BETWEEN BURR
AND HAMILTON RECALLED
The Reason Hamilton, Who
Was Killed, Wished to
Avoid 1t


one hundred and one years ago Alex
ander Hamilton was mortally wounded
IN a duel with Aaron Burr
What sensation that fight did make
in the young republicl History tells
us that Hamilton had no wish TO go
out with Bmr. but he was a fighting
man, and, moreover. ne was haunted
by the belief that democracy was go
ling TO culnNnate IN the horrors Of the
French Revolumoni that a strong man
.mouI be needed. and that society
would turn 10 him for salvation-a
work FOR which ile would be disquali-
fed by the popular prejudice If he de-
clinsd TO fight a duel" Many other
brilliant and useful men were made to
sacrifice their lives to this popular
tyranny until the duel was abolished.
Hamdltcn had repeatedly denounced
Bur as mpatriOtic, unsafe and am
mincirlod, but the immediate causs Of
Buir's challenge was a remark made
by Hamilton 70 DR.. Charles d. Cooper.
Cooper published a letter in which he
quoted Hamilton as having said that
he looked upon Mr.. Bum as a danger
Gus mnn, one who ought not to be
Iurusted with the reins of government" "
qualified acknowledgment or denial OF
you "a a.lM more despicable opinion
whioh General Hamilton expressed of
Mr.. Burr"
Burr was greatly inconsod and wrote
70 letter 10 Hamilton, which was de-
livered by his friend, Van Ness, and
Enclosing the letter of Cooper. After
stating that Van Ness would point out
the offensive language of the Cooper
letter ne added: you must preceive.
sir, the necessity Of a prompt and un-
qualified acknowledgement or denial OF
amy expression which would warrant the
assertion Of Or. Cooper"
Hamilton replied that it was evident
THAT the phrase i'm Cooper's letter.
"atin mere despicahle." admitted of
inhnite shades from very hght to very
daek. He could not give definite
answer to a phrase SO indefinite, but
added: Il stand ready to avow or
dislvow. promptly and explicitly, amy
precise or definite opinion which l may
be charged with having declared of
ANY genteman.'
Burr was not satisfied with HnmM-
TONS letter. and demanded a definite
lreply Hamilton answered; If by
avowal or disavowal required in your
FIRST letter. I have no other answer to
give than that whluh has already besn
given. If you mean anything different,
admitting OF greater Latitude, it Is
requisite you should explain"
This Terminated The correspondence
between the principals. The matter was
then taken up between w. p. Van Ness
.repi iesenting Burr, and Nathaniel PEN
dietcn. but they could not come to a
satisfactory settlement. and the duel
was arranged for July II.
1t is obvious i'm the correspondence
that Hamilton did all that he could
according TO the code of honor, to pre-
vent a hostile meeting. or, as he termed
it. an interview with Burr. Had
there been amy doubt on this score, 1t
would have been removed by the paper
which he prepared on the evening be-
fore the meeting.
Il was certainly desirous,' said he,
''cf avoiding th's interview for the
most ccgent reasons.
"Flrst-My reiigious and moral prin-
.ciplss are strongly opposed TO the
Practice OF dueling, and 1t would ever
give me pain to shed the blood Of a
fellcw-cIe cIeature i'm a private combat
forbidden by the laws.
"Second-My wife and children are
extremely dear to me, and my life is
of the utmost Importance to them in
various vlows.
"rtlrd-I feel a sense of obligation
toward my creditors. who. i'm case of
accident to me. by the forced sale Of
my property. may be In some degree
sunorers. 1 did not think myself at
liberty as a man of problty. lightly to
expose them 20 hazard.
"Fourth-I ann conscious Of no ILL
win to Colonel Burr distinct from
political opposition which as I trust.
has proceeded from pure and upright
motives.
Last. ! shall hazard much and can
possibly gain nothing, by the issue Of
the interview
Could anything be more pathetic?
And 10 make 1t more so, Hamilton
added and left Of record this statement.
81 have resolved, IL our interview is
conducted fn the usual manner. and
il please God TO give me the oppor-
turfty to reserve and throw away my
frst fire. I have thoughts of even re-
qsrx,ing my second fire and thus giving
a double opportunity to pause and re-
fleet"
But opportunity was not given to
him. Pumr's alm was sure. his first
shot went into the vitals of Hamilton.
.airi he fell with mortal wound.
Ra.riltcn. when struck. fell forward ON
his face. hts ftstol tolng discharged as
he sank to the ground, but without
beirr ahmed at Burr
There Is no more pathetic story in
American history, and 81 is strange that
the duel WAS able TO survive the
.as,aeeiy. Thank Heaven for the de-
liversnee!- Richmond Dispatch.