Monday, October 30, 2006
Burr Presses for More
I’ve just got to say, this past few weeks have been just super. We are wrapping everything up now, but I hope if you liked this topic you will continue to study it. You can always contact us for more information. Anyway, let’s get back to some of the letters written between Burr and Hamilton. Okay… super.
I know Alistair already went over the actual duel, but let’s track back a little bit to the second letter sent by Burr to Hamilton. Right off the bat I notice something different from the first letter he sent. Do you notice anything? You can always scroll down to the first letter; it’s below in one of my posts. Okay, got it? That’s right, the letters are not written by the same person. The first one was transcribed, or copied out, by Van Ness while Burr writes this one. That’s super duper. The stakes were definitely raised. It is clear that Burr did not appreciate Hamilton’s letter, not at all.
Here is what this letter says:
N. York, 21 June, 1804.
Sir:
Your letter of the 20th inst. has been this day received. Having considered it attentively, I regret to find in it nothing of that sincerity and delicacy which you profess to value.
Political opposition can never absolve gentlemen from the necessity of a rigid adherence to the laws of honor and the rules of decorum. I neither claim such privilege nor indulge it in others.
The common sense of mankind affixes to the epithet adopted by Dr. Cooper the idea of dishonor. It has been publicly applied to me under the sanction of your name. The question is not whether he has understood the meaning of the word or has used it according to syntax and with grammatical accuracy, but whether you have authorized this application either directly or by uttering expression or opinion derogatory to my honor. The time “when” is in your own knowledge but no way material to me, as the calumny has now just been disclosed so as to become the subject of my notice and as the effect is present and palpable.
Your 1etter has furnished me with new reasons for requiring a definite reply.
I have the honor to be,
Your Obt. Servt.
A. BURR
General Hamilton
I wish to thank the New York State Historical Association for the letters we have used. They have been super. There are even more letters and a picture of the actual pistols at their website. Please visit them for more information. NYSHA Website.
