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THERE need be no speculation as to the cause of the duel. What has been said in previous chapters shows the forces that were at work for a very long time, but in a more pronounced way for at least two years before the event. Even if he had not wished to do so, Hamilton was unwillingly obliged, in the practice of his profession, to expose Burr's corrupt practices and the manner in which he swindled his clients; he had no choice. In political antagonism the worst offence was given, for Hamilton's attacks had been unremitting and bitter, and though undertaken because he believed the welfare of the nation demanded the defeat of Burr, he could expect no other ending than that which followed.

While the correspondence directly connected with the sending of the challenge seemed forced and disingenuous upon Burr's part, and the issue was directly precipitated by the latter, he was undoubtedly goaded on by Hamilton's scathing denunciation, and it is surprising that he did not force the duel upon some much earlier occasion, as Hamilton was always free in his criticism, and wrote many letters and inspired many bitter newspaper attacks. What could be more provoking than the letter addressed to John Rutledge, and found afterward among the papers of Francis Hopkinson?

Alexander Hamilton to John Rutledge (Confidential)

NEW YORK, Jan. 4, 1801.

My DEAR SIR: My extreme anxiety about the ensuing election of President by the House of Representatives will excuse to you the liberty I take in addressing you concerning it without being consulted by you. Did you know Mr. Burr as well as I do, I should think it unnecessary. With your honest attachment to the Country and correctness of views, it would not then be possible for you to hesitate, if you now do, about the course to be taken. You would be clearly of opinion with me that Mr. Jefferson is to be preferred.

As long as the Federal party preserve their high ground of integrity and principle, I shall not despair of the public weal. But if they quit it and descend to be the willing instruments of the Elevation of the most unfit and most dangerous man of the community to the highest station in the Government -- I shall no longer see any anchor for the hopes of good men. I shall at once anticipate all the evils that a daring and unprincipled ambition wielding the lever of Jacobinism can bring upon an infatuated Country.

The enclosed paper exhibits a faithful sketch of Mr. Burr's character as I believe it to exist, with better opportunities than almost any other man of forming a true estimate.

The expectation, I know, is, that if Mr. Burr shall owe his elevation to the Fœderal party he will judge it his interest to adhere to that party. But it ought to be recollected, that he will owe it in the first instance to the Antifœderal party; that among these, though perhaps not in the House of Representatives, a numerous class prefers him to Mr. Jefferson as best adapted by the boldness and cunning of his temper to fulfil their mischievous views; and that it will be the interest of his Ambition to preserve and cultivate these friends.

Mr. Burr will doubtless be governed by his interest as he views it. But stable power and wealth being his objects -- and there being no prospect that the respectable and sober fœderalists will countenance the projects of an irregular Ambition or prodigal Cupidity, he will not long lean upon them -- but selecting from among them men suited to his purpose he will seek with the aid of these and of the most unprincipled of the opposite party to accomplish his ends. At least such ought to be our calculation -- From such a man as him, who practices all the maxims of a Catiline, who while despising, has played the whole game of, democracy, what better is to be looked for. T is not to a Chapter of Accidents, that we ought to trust the Government peace and happiness of our country -- T is enough for us to know that Mr. Burr is one of the most unprincipled men in the U States in order to determine us to decline being responsible for the precarious issues of his calculations of Interest.

Very different ought to be our plan. Under the uncertainty of the Event we ought to seek to obtain from Mr. Jefferson these assurances 1 That the present Fiscal System will be maintained 2 That the present neutral plan will be adhered to 3 That the Navy will be preserved and gradually increased 4 That Fcederalists now in office, not being heads of the great departments will be retained. As to the heads of Departments & other matters he ought to be free.

You cannot in my opinion render a greater service to your Country than by exerting your influence to counteract the impolitic and impure idea of raising Mr. Burr to the Chief Magistracy.

Adieu My Dear Sir Yrs with sincere

affecn & regard

A. Hamilton.

J. Rutledge Esqr

(The inclosure, also in Hamilton's Handwriting.)

(Confidential)

A Burr

1 -- He is in every sense a profligate; a voluptuary in the extreme, with uncommon habits of expense; in his profession extortionate to a proverb; suspected on strong grounds of having corruptly served the views of the Holland Company, in the capacity of a member of our legislature;1 and understood to have been guilty of several breaches of probity in his pecuniary transactions. His very friends do not insist upon his integrity.

2 He is without doubt insolvent for a large deficit. All his visible property is deeply mortgaged, and he is known to owe other large debts for which there is no specific security. Of the number of these is a Judgment in favour of Mr. Angerstien for a sum which with interest amounts to about 80,000 Dollars.2.

3 The fair emoluments of any station, under our government, will not equal his expenses in that station; still less will they suffice to extricate him from his embarrassments. He must therefore from the necessity of his station have recourse to unworthy expedients. These may be a bargain and sale with some foreign power, or combinations with public agents in projects of gain by means of the public moneys; perhaps and probably, to enlarge the sphere -- a war.

4 He has no pretensions to the Station from services. He acted in different capacities in the last war finally with the rank of LtCol in a Regiment, and gave indications of being a good officer; but without having had the opportunity of performing any distinguished action. At a critical period of the war, he resigned his commission, assigning for cause ill-health, and went to repose at Paramus in the State of New Jersey. If his health was bad he might without difficulty have obtained a furlough and was not obliged to resign. He was afterwards seen in his usual health. The circumstance excited much jealousy of his motives. In civil life, he has never projected nor aided in producing a single measure of important public utility.

5 He has constantly sided with the party hostile to fœderal measures before and since the present constitution of the U States -- In opposing the adoption of this constitution he was engaged covertly and insidiously; because, as he said at the time "it was too strong and too weak" and he has been uniformly the opposer of the Fœderal Administration.

6 No mortal can tell what his political principles are. He has talked all round the compass. At times he has dealt in all the jargon of Jacobinism; at other times he has proclaimed decidedly to total insufficiency of the Fœderal Government and the necessity of changes to one far more energetic. The truth seems to be that he has no plan but that of getting power by any means and keeping it by all means. It is probable that if he has any theory t is that of a simple despotism. He has intimated that he thinks the present French constitution not a bad one.

7 He is of a temper bold enough to think no enterprise too hazardous and sanguine enough to think none too difficult. He has censured the leaders of the Fœderal party as wanting in vigour and enterprise, for not having established a strong Government when they were in possession of the power and influence.

8 Discerning men of all parties agree in ascribing to him an irregular and inordinate ambition. Like Catiline, he is indefatigable in courting the young and the profligate. He knows well the weak sides of human nature, and takes care to play in with the passions of all with whom he has intercourse. By natural disposition, the haughtiest of men, he is at the same time the most creeping to answer his purposes. Cold and collected by nature and habit, he never loses sight of his object and scruples no means of accomplishing it. He is artful and intriguing to an inconceivable degree. In short all his conduct indicates that he has in view nothing less than the establishment of Supreme Power in his own person. Of this nothing can be a surer index than that having in fact high-toned notions of Government, he has nevertheless constantly opposed the fœderal and courted the popular party. As he never can effect his wish by the aid of good men, he will court and employ able and daring scoundrels of every party, and by availing himself of their assistance and of all the bad passions of the Society, he will in all likelihood attempt an usurpation.

8 [sic] Within the last three weeks at his own Table, he drank these toasts successively 1 The French Republic 2 The Commissioners who negotiated the Convention 3 Buonaparte 4 La Fayette: and he countenanced and seconded the positions openly advanced by one of his guests that it was the interest of this country to leave it free to the Belligerent Powers to sell their prizes in our ports and to build and equip ships for their respective uses; a doctrine which evidently aims at turning all the naval resources of the U States into the channel of France; and which by making these states the most pernicious enemy of G Britain would compel her to go to war with us.

9 Though possessing infinite art cunning and address -- he is yet to give proofs of great or solid abilities. It is certain that at the Bar he is more remarkable for ingenuity and dexterity, than for sound judgment or good logic. From the character of his understanding and heart it is likely that any innovation which he may effect will be such as to serve the turn of his own power, not such as will issue in establishments favourable to the permanent security and prosperity of the Nation -- founded upon the principles of a strong free and regular Government.

This letter, and those addressed to James A. Bayard, James Ross, and Theodore Sedgwick, as well as others, must have become public property, or at least have been known to reach Burr. Although the two men for a long time naturally hated each other, there does not appear to have been any very marked outward expression of this animosity. It is stated, that at a meeting of the Cincinnati, a few days before the duel, Hamilton entertained the company with a song, and that Burr, who was present, was observed to be silent and gloomy, gazing with marked and fixed earnestness at Hamilton during this song. It is not difficult to believe that this was one of those cases when one man breeds in the other a species of fascination and affection-distinct as it were from another self that becomes so hateful and insupportable, that destruction is the only relief. How the words of Brutus suggest themselves!

The first intimation of the duel was a letter written by Burr to Hamilton, June 18, 1804, and delivered to the latter by W. P. Van Ness, a legal friend of both. The attention of Hamilton was called to an alleged assertion made by a Dr. Cooper of Albany in effect that he ( Cooper), "could detail a still more despicable opinion which General Hamilton has expressed of Mr. Burr." In this communication Burr reminded Hamilton that "he must perceive the necessity of a prompt unqualified acknowledgment or denial" of the use of these expressions. In a letter written by Hamilton to Burr, June 20, 1804, the former says:

I have maturely reflected on the subject of your letter of the 18th inst., and the more I have reflected the more I have become convinced that I could not without manifest impropriety make the avowal or disavowal which you seem to think necessary. The clause pointed out by Mr. Van Ness is in these terms, "I could detail to you a still more despicable opinion which Hamilton has expressed of Mr. Burr." To endeavour to discover the meaning of this declaration, I was obliged to seek in the antecedent part of this letter for the opinion to which it referred, as having been already disclosed: I found it in these words, "GeneralHamilton and Judge Kent have declared in substance, that they looked upon Mr. Burr to be a dangerous man, and one who ought not to be trusted with the reins of government."

The language of Dr. Cooper plainly implies, that he considered this opinion of you, which he attributes to me, as a despicable one, but he affirms that I have expressed some other, still more despicable; without, however, mentioning to whom, when, or where. 'Tis evident that the phrase "still

more despicable" admits of infinite shades from very light to very dark. How am I to judge of the degree intended? or how shall I annex any precise idea to language so indefinite?

Between Gentlemen, despicable and more despicable are not worth the pains of a distinction: when, therefore, you do not interrogate me, as to the opinion which is specifically ascribed to me, I must conclude that you view it as within the limits to which the animadversions of political opponents upon each other may justifiably extend, and consequently as not warranting the idea of it which Doctor Cooper appears to entertain.

Repeating that I cannot reconcile it with propriety to make the acknowledgment or denial you desire, I will add that I deem it inadmissible on principle, to consent to be interrogated as to the justice of the inferences which may be drawn by others from whatever I may have said of a political opponent in the course of a fifteen years' competition. . . . I stand ready to avow or disavow promptly and explicitly any precise or definite opinion which I may be charged with having declared of any Gentleman. More than this cannot fitly be expected from me; and especially it cannot be reasonably expected that I shall enter into an explanation upon a basis so vague as that which you have adopted. I trust on more reflection you will see the matter in the same light with me. If not, I can only regret the circumstance and must abide the consequences.

The publication of Doctor Cooper was never seen by me 'till after the receipt of your letter.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

A. Hamilton.

Col. Burr.

In reply to this letter, on June 21, Burr said:

Your letter of the 20th instant 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. . . .

Your letter has furnished me with new reasons for requiring a definite reply.

The New York Evening Post, in the issue of July 12, says: "On Saturday, the 22d of June, Gen. Hamilton, for the first time, called on Mr. P. [ Pendletonn] and communicated to him the preceding correspondence. He informed him that in a conversation with Mr. V. N. [ Van Ness] at the time of receiving the last letter, he told Mr. V. N. that he considered that letter as rude and offensive, and that it was not possible for him to give it any other answer than that Mr. Burr must take such steps as he might think proper. He said further, that Mr. V. N. requested him to take time to deliberate, and then return an answer, when he might possibly entertain a different opinion, and that he would call on him to receive it. That his reply to Mr. V. N. was, that he did not perceive it possible for him to give any other answer than that he had mentioned unless Mr. Burr would take back his last letter and write one which would admit of a different reply. He then gave Mr. P. the letter hereafter mentioned of the 22d of June, to be delivered to Mr. V. N. when he should call on Mr. P. for an answer, and went to his country house."

The correspondence was continued at length, being chiefly between W. P. Van Ness and Nathaniel Pendleton, who also had several conversations together, as representatives of their principals in the difficulty. The final letter, from Mr. Van Ness, dated June 27, concluded as follows: "The length to which this correspondence has extended, only proving that the redress, earnestly desired, cannot be obtained, he [Col. Burr] deems it useless to offer any proposition except the simple message which I shall now have the honor to deliver."

It is added, by the Evening Post, that, "with this letter a message was received, such as was to be expected, containing an invitation which was accepted, and Mr. P. informed Mr. V. N. he should hear from him the next day as to further particulars."

There was a delay caused by General Hamilton's professional engagements in the Circuit Court, but "on Friday, the 6th of July, the Circuit being closed, Mr. P. gave this information, and that Gen. Hamilton would be ready, at any time after the Sunday following. On Monday the particulars were arranged."

The attitude of Hamilton toward his family must have, for many days, been extremely embarrassing, for the meeting with Burr appears to have been postponed from time to time. Meanwhile he lived with his wife and children at the Grange, and, apparently, attended to his affairs in the city with his accustomed regularity. He wrote his wife two farewell letters, one on July 4, and another on July 10, at 10 P.M., but how these letters reached her, or by whom they were delivered, is not known. They were preserved by her and were probably carried about and reread many times, judging by their tattered appearance, and to-day one of them is scarcely legible. The first letter was possibly written after he had attended the meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati -- perhaps after he had rendered the jovial song the night before the duel, at some place in the city itself.

Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton

This letter, my very dear Eliza, will not be delivered to you unless I shall first have terminated my earthly career, to begin, as I humbly hope, from redeeming grace and divine mercy, a happy immortality.

If it had been possible for me to have avoided the interview, my love for you and my precious children would have been alone a decisive motive. But it was not possible, without sacrifices which would have rendered me unworthy of your esteem. I need not tell you of the pangs I feel from the idea of quitting you, and exposing you to the anguish which I know you would feel. Nor could I dwell on the topic lest it should unman me.

The consolations of Religion, my beloved, can alone support you; and these you have a right to enjoy. Fly to the bosom of your God and be comforted.

With my last idea I shall cherish the sweet hope of meeting you in a better world.

Adieu best of wives -- best of women.

Embrace all my darling children for me.

Ever yours A. H.

July 4, 1804.

Mrs. Hamilton.

Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton

MY BELOVED ELIZA: Mrs. Mitchel is the person in the world to whom as a friend I am under the greatest obligations. I have not hitherto done my duty to her. But resolved to repair my omission to her as much as possible, I have encouraged her to come to this country, and intend, if it shall be in my power, to render the evening of her days comfortable.

But if it shall please God to put this out of my power, and to enable you hereafter to be of service to her, I entreat you to do it, and to treat her with the tenderness of a sister.

This is my second letter.

The scruples of a Christian have determined me to expose my own life to any extent rather than subject myself to the guilt of taking the life of another. This much increases my hazards, and redoubles my pangs for you.

But you had rather I should die innocent than live guilty.

FAC-SIMILE LETTER FROM ALEXANDER HAMILTON TO MRS. HAMILTON

[This page intentionally left blank.]

Heaven can preserve me, and I humbly hope will; but in the contrary event I charge you to remember that you are a Christian. God's will be done!

The will of a merciful God must be good. Once more,

Adieu, my darling, darling wife.

A. H.

Tuesday Evening, 10 o'Cl.

Mrs. Hamilton.

Early the next morning he was shot.

The story of the meeting has been so often repeated that it seems unnecessary to again publish the familiar details, yet even to-day there is much misconception. I shall, however, present the well-attested facts, to which I purpose to add others in my possession. The available and established data concerning the duel seem to be those which follow.

On Friday, July 6, 1804, Mr. Pendleton informed Mr. Van Ness that General Hamilton would be ready at any time after the eighth. On Monday the particulars were arranged; on Wednesday the parties met on the Jersey shore at seven o'clock in the morning.

The details of the actual meeting were printed by the New York Evening Post of July 12,1 and the account is that furnished by the seconds. It may be stated in this connection that the conclusions of these gentlemen were not harmonious, as may be seen by a comparison of the newspaper account with Mr. Pendleton's notes, which are now for the first time published. The language of the published statement essentially agrees with that in "Paper 2" in the Pendleton memoranda; but there is an abrupt hiatus after the words "The fire of Colonel --." It would appear as if Van Ness, after agreeing to the statement, had changed his mind the day after the duel.

Col. Burr arrived first on the ground, as had been previously agreed: When Gen. Hamilton arrived the parties exchanged salutations, and the seconds proceeded to make their arrangements. They measured the distance, ten full paces, and cast lots for the choice of position, as also to determine by whom the word should be given; both of which fell to the second of Gen. Hamilton. They then proceeded to load the pistols in each other's presence, after which the parties took their stations.1 The gentleman who was to give the word then explained to the parties the rules which were to govern them in firing, which were as follows:

The parties being placed at their stations the second who gives the word shall ask them whether they are ready; being answered in the affirmative, he shall say 'Present!' after which the parties shall present and fire when they please. . . . If one fires before the other, the opposite second shall say one, two, three, fire. . . and he shall then fire or lose his fire." He then asked if they were prepared; being answered in the affirmative, he gave the word present, as had been agreed upon, and both parties presented and fired in succession -- the intervening time is not expressed, as the seconds do not precisely agree on that point.

The fire of Colonel Burr took effect, and General Hamilton almost instantly fell. Col. Burr then advanced toward General Hamilton, with a manner and gesture that appeared to General Hamilton's friend to be expressive of regret, but without speaking, turned about and withdrew, being urged from the field by his friend, as has been subsequently stated, with a view to prevent his being recognized by the surgeon and bargemen, who were then approaching. No further communication took place between the principals, and the barge that carried Col. Burr immediately returned to the city. We conceive it proper to add that the conduct of the parties in this interview was perfectly proper as suited the occasion.

William Coleman, of the Evening Post, gives his version as follows:

It was nearly seven in the morning when the boat which carried General Hamilton, his friend Mr. Pendleton, and the Surgeon mutually agreed on, Doctor Hosack, reached that part of the Jersey shore called the Weahawk. There they found Mr. Burr and his friend Mr. Van Ness, who, as I am told, had been employed since their arrival, with coats off, in clearing away the bushes, limbs of trees, etc., so as to make a fair opening. The parties in a few moments were at their allotted situations. When Mr. Pendleton gave the word, Mr. Burr raised his arm slowly, deliberately took his aim, and fired. His ball entered General Hamilton's right side. As soon as the bullet struck him, he raised himself involuntarily on his toes, turned a little to the left (at which moment his pistol went off), and fell upon his face. Mr. Pendleton immediately called out for Dr. Hosack, who, in running to the spot, had to pass Mr. Van Ness and Col. Burr; but Van Ness had the cool precaution to cover his principal with an umbrella, so that Dr. Hosack should not be able to swear that he saw him on the field.

What passed after this the reader will have in the following letter from Dr. Hosack himself:

Dr. David Hosack to William Coleman

August 17th, 1804.

DEAR SIR: To comply with your request is a painful task; but I will repress my feelings while I endeavor to furnish you with an enumeration of such particulars relative to the melancholy end of our beloved friend Hamilton, as dwell most forcibly on my recollection.

When called to him, upon his receiving the fatal wound, I found him half sitting on the ground, supported in the arms of Mr. Pendleton. His countenance of death I shall never forget. He had at that instant just strength to say, "This is a mortal wound, Doctor;" when he sunk away, and became to all appearance lifeless. I immediately stripped up his clothes, and soon, alas! ascertained that the direction of the ball must have been through some vital part.

His pulse was not to be felt; his respiration was entirely suspended; and upon laying my hand on his heart, and perceiving no motion there, I considered him as irrecoverably gone. I, however, observed to Mr. Pendleton, that the only chance for his reviving was immediately to get him upon the water. He therefore lifted him up, and carried him out of the wood, to the margin of the bank, where the bargemen aided us in conveying him into the boat, which immediately put off. During all this time I could not discover the least symptom of returning life. I now rubbed his face, lips and temples, with spirits of hartshorne, applied it to his neck and breast, and to the wrists and palms of his hands, and endeavored to pour some into his mouth. When we had got, as I should judge, about 50 yards from the shore, some imperfect efforts to breathe were for the first time manifest; in a few minutes he sighed and became sensible to the impression of the hartshorne, or the fresh air of the water: He breathed; his eyes, hardly opened, wandered, without fixing on any objects; to our great joy he at length spoke: "My vision is indistinct," were his first words.

His pulse became more perceptible; his respiration more regular; his sight returned.

I then examined the wound to know if there was any dangerous discharge of blood; upon slightly pressing his side it gave him pain; on which I desisted. Soon after recovering his sight, he happened to cast his eye upon the case of pistols, and observing the one that he had had in his hand lying on the outside, he said, "Take care of that pistol; it is undischarged, and still cocked; it may go off and do harm; Pendleton knows, (attempting to turn his head towards him) that I did not intend to fire at him." "Yes," said Mr. Pendleton, understanding his wish, "I have already made Dr. Hosack acquainted with your determination as to that." He then closed his eyes and remained calm, without any disposition to speak; nor did he say much afterwards, excepting in reply to my questions as to his feelings. He asked me once or twice, how I found his pulse; and he informed me that his lower extremities had lost all feeling; manifesting to me that he entertained no hopes that he should long survive. I changed the posture of his limbs, but to no purpose; they had totally lost their sensibility. Perceiving that we approached the shore, he said, "Let Mrs. Hamilton be immediately sent for -- let the event be gradually broken to her; but give her hopes." Looking up we saw his friend Mr. Bayard standing on the wharf in great agitation. He had been told by his servant that Gen. Hamilton, Mr. Pendleton and myself had crossed the river in a boat together, and too well he conjectured the fatal errand, and foreboded the dreadful result. Perceiving, as we came nearer, that Mr. Pendleton & Myself only sat up in the stern sheets, he clasped his hands together in the most violent apprehensions; but when I called to him to have a cot prepared, and he at the same moment saw his poor friend lying in the bottom of the boat, he threw up his eyes and burst into a flood of tears and lamentation. Hamilton alone appeared tranquil and composed. He then conveyed him as tenderly as possible up to the house. The distresses of this amiable family were such that till the first shock was abated, they were scarcely able to summon fortitude enough to yield sufficient assistance to their dying friend.

Upon our reaching the house he became more languid, occasioned probably by the agitation of his removal from the boat. I gave him a little weak wine and water. When he recovered his feelings, he complained of pain in his back; we immediately undressed him, laid him in bed, and darkened the room. I then gave him a large anodyne, which I frequently repeated. During the first day he took upwards of an ounce of laudanum; and tepid anodyne fomentations were also applied to those parts nearest the seat of his pain. Yet were his sufferings, during the whole of the day, almost intolerable. I had not the shadow of a hope of his recovery, and Dr. Post, whom I requested might be sent for immediately on our reaching Mr. Bayard's house, united with me in this opinion. General Rey, the French Consul, also had the goodness to invite the surgeons of the French frigates in our harbour, as they had had much experience in gunshot wounds, to render their assistance. They immediately came; but to prevent his being disturbed, I stated to them his situation, described the nature of his wound and the direction of the ball, with all the symptoms that could enable them to form an opinion as to the event. One of the gentlemen then accompanied me to the bedside. The result was a confirmation of the opinion that had already been expressed by Dr. Post and myself.

During the night, he had some imperfect sleep; but the succeeding morning his symptoms were aggravated, attended however with a diminution of pain. His mind retained all its usual strength and composure. The great source of his anxiety seemed to be in his sympathy with his half distracted wife and children. He spoke to her frequently of them. "My beloved wife and children" were always his expressions. But his fortitude triumphed over his situation, dreadful as it was; once, indeed, at the sight of his children brought to the bedside together, seven in number, his utterance forsook him, he opened his eyes, gave them one look, and closed them again, till they were taken away. As a proof of his extraordinary composure of mind, let me add, that he alone could calm the frantic grief of their mother, "Remember, my Eliza, you are a Christian," were the expressions with which he frequently, with a firm voice, but in a pathetic and impressive manner, addressed her. His words, and the tone in which they were uttered, will never be effaced from my memory. At about two o'clock, as the public well know, he expired.

Incorrupta fides -- nudaque veritas

Quando ullum invenient parem?

Multis ille quidem flebilis occidit.

I am, Sir,

Your friend & humble serv't

DAVID HOSACK.

Wm. Coleman, Esq.

The house where Hamilton died belonged, at the time, to his friend William Bayard, and was situated at 80-82 Jane Street, but has long since disappeared, having gone the way of all the old buildings of New York; when last described it was a squalid tenement. It stood near the corner of Greenwich Street, and the garden is said to have extended to the North River. Hamilton died in a large, square room on the second floor of the building. Burr was landed at the foot of Canal Street, and hurried to his home at Richmond Hill, which was at the present crossing of Varick and Charlton Streets. A courier was immediately despatched for Mrs. Hamilton, who was at the Grange, quite oblivious of all that had occurred, and she was able to get to her husband's bedside at noon. Before Mr. Hamilton died she was joined by her children, my father being a baby of two years, who was kissed by his father, who recognized them all. With Mrs. Hamilton was her sister Angelica, who wrote to her brother Philip at once as follows:

AT MR. BAYARD'S, GREENWICH.

Wednesday Morning.

MY DEAR BROTHER: I have the painful task to inform you that Gen. Hamilton was this morning wounded by that wretch Burr, but we have every reason to hope that he will recover. May I advise that you repair immediately to my father, as perhaps he may wish to come down.

My dear sister bears with saintlike fortitude this affliction. The town is in consternation, and there exists only the expression of grief and indignation.

Adieu, my dear brother

Ever yours,

A. CHURCH

Oliver Wolcott, one of Hamilton's closest friends, who afterward did much to straighten out his affairs, wrote to his wife, both on the 11th and 13th of July, leaving the bedside of his dying friend for the purpose.

Oliver Wolcott to Mrs. Wolcott

I had prepared to set out to see you tomorrow morning, but an afflicting event has just occurred which renders it proper for me to postpone my journey a few days. This morning my friend Hamilton was wounded, and as is supposed mortally in a duel with Colo. Burr. The cause the old disagreement about Politicks.

I have just returned from Mr. Wm. Bayards -- where Hamilton is -- I did not see him -- he suffers great pain -- which he endures like a Hero -- Mrs. Hamilton is with him, but she is ignorant of the cause of his Illness, which she supposes to be spasms -- no one dare tell her the truth -- it is feared she would become frantic.

Gen' Hamilton has left his opinion, in writing, against Duelling, which he condemns as much as any man living -- he determined not to return the fire of his adversary -- and reasoned himself into a belief, that though the custom was in the highest degree criminal, yet there were peculiar reasons which rendered it proper for him, to expose himself to Col. Burr in particular. This instance of the derangement of intellect of a great mind, on a single point, has often been noticed as one of the most common yet unaccountable frailties of human nature.

Gen Hamilton has of late years expressed his conviction of the truths of the Christian Religion, and has desired to receive the Sacrament -- but no one of the Clergy who have yet been consulted will administer it.

Whilst there is life there is Hope, but that is all which can be said. Thus has perished one of the greatest men of this or any age. I am as well as could be expected, considering how my mind is agitated by this event & I will come to you as soon as the issue is decided.

Kiss the children and believe me

Affectionately yours,

OLIV. WOLCOTT.

P. S. Hamilton spent the afternoon & evening of Monday with our friends at my House in Company with Mr. Hopkinson of Phila. He was uncommonly cheerful and gay. The duel had been determined on for ten days. Monday was first proposed -- it was then postponed till Tuesday -- & took effect this Morning. Judge Pendleton was his second.

If Mr. King is at Litchfield tell him I have written to him at Hartford.

Mrs. Elizabeth Wolcott

Litchfield,

Connecticut.

And again:

Oliver Folcott to Mrs. Wolcott

Yesterday Gen1 Hamilton expired in the midst of his family, who are agonized beyond description. No person who witnessed their distress will ever be induced to fight a duel -- unless he is a person wholly insensible to every sentiment of humanity.

Nothing can present a more humiliating idea of the imperfection of human nature, than the scene we have witnessed. A man of the first endowments of mind, the most strict probity, the greatest sincerity, and the most tender attachments, has for a considerable time been deliberately settling his affairs, in contemplation of the event which has happened, as one highly probable -- he has left his family in perfect health, as if proceeding on ordinary business & with the same deliberation has recd a mortal wound -- thus proving his respect for justice in comparatively small matters, & at the same time disregarding its obligations on points of the first importance. This inconsistency has moreover happened in compliance with a custom, which he deemed wholly immoral & indefensible, by which he had lost a darling son, in the prime of life, and with which he had resolved never to comply, except in respect to the disposal of his own existence. The defence of all this conduct, is, that there was a chance for an Escape, & that it would be wrong to torture his family with unnecessary anxiety. This excuse is weak & unsatisfactory, & it proves, that on certain points, the most enlightened men are governed by the most unsound reasons.

Tomorrow the funeral will be attended, & I have supposed, that you would think it my duty to be present.

I feel the most sincere regret at the delay & more so, as I am concerned to hear that you are unwell. I will come the next stage at all events. Give my love to Mary, the Children & my Brothers family, & be assured of the attachment of yrs

OLIV. WOLCOTT.

his respect for justice in comparatively small matters, & at the same time disregarding its obligations on points of the first importance. This inconsistency has moreover happened in compliance with a custom, which he deemed wholly immoral & indefensible, by which he had lost a darling son, in the prime of life, and with which he had resolved never to comply, except in respect to the disposal of his own existence. The defence of all this conduct, is, that there was a chance for an Escape, & that it would be wrong to torture his family with unnecessary anxiety. This excuse is weak & unsatisfactory, & it proves, that on certain points, the most enlightened men are governed by the most unsound reasons.

Tomorrow the funeral will be attended, & I have supposed, that you would think it my duty to be present.

I feel the most sincere regret at the delay & more so, as I am concerned to hear that you are unwell. I will come the next stage at all events. Give my love to Mary, the Children & my Brothers family, & be assured of the attachment of yrs

OLIV. WOLCOTT.

The pistols which were used figured in more than one affair of honor. With them John Barker Church, it is said, met Aaron Burr, the challenge following some scandal arising from a report that the Holland Land Company had cancelled a note held by the latter in consideration of legislative services rendered by him. Little is known of this duel, which is said to have been also fought at Weehawken Sept. 2, 1799, but it is only a tradition in the Church family. They are also said to have been used by young Philip Hamilton in his encounter with Eacker, his cousin Philip Church, a son of John Barker Church, being his second. It is also stated that they were used in a duel between James Wadsworth of Geneseo and a Colonel Kane of Philadelphia when Philip Church was Wadsworth's second, but I am unable to confirm this.

THE PISTOLS USED BY HAMILTON AND BURR

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The pistols were restored to their owner, John Barker Church, by Mr. Pendleton after the duel, and were inherited by his grandson, Richard Church, Esq., to whom they now belong. They are of English make, and bear the name WOGDEN. The barrels are nine inches long and of admirable workmanship. They were purchased by Mr. Church in London, in 1795 or 1796, and used by him in an English duel.1.

Coleman's "Collection," and the newspapers of the day, were full of accounts of the funeral, which attracted much attention. The procession started from Mr. Church's house in Robinson Street, at eleven o'clock in the morning, and was composed of the Society of the Cincinnati, the Sixth Regiment of militia, the gentlemen of the bar, the Lieutenant-Governor of the State, the corporation of the city of New York, the foreign consular agents, army and navy officers of the United States, as well as of the foreign services who were in New York, the Chamber of Commerce and officers of the various banks, the port wardens and masters of vessels in the harbor, the president, professors, and students of Columbia College in mourning gowns, the St. Andrews, Tammany, Mechanics, and Marine societies, and a large number of people who followed the coffin through Beekman, Pearl, and Whitehall Streets, up Broadway to Trinity Church.

On top of the coffin was General Hamilton's hat and sword, and his boots and spurs were reversed across the horse, which was a gray one. It was dressed in mourning, and led by two negro servants in white, with white turbans trimmed with black.

During the procession there was a regular discharge of minute guns from the Battery, by a detachment from the regiment of artillery, and the different merchant vessels in the harbor wore their colors half-mast.

The British ship of war Boston, Captain Douglass, at anchor within the Hook, appeared in mourning during the morning, and at ten o'clock commenced firing minute guns, which were continued for nearly an hour. The British packet, Lord Charles Spencer, Captain Cotesworth, also was in mourning, and fired an equal number of guns. The French frigates Cybelle and Didon were also in full mourning, with yards peaked, and fired minute guns during the procession.

The family at Albany were naturally thrown into a condition of great distress and anxiety, and General Schuyler wrote at once to his daughter:

Philip Schuyler to Elizabeth Hamilton

Monday Morning, 13 July, 1804.

MY DEAR DEARLY BELOVED AND AFFECTIONATE CHILD: This morning Mr. Church's letter has announced to me the severe affliction which it has pleased the Supreme being to inflict on you on me and on all dear to us. If aught under heaven could aggravate the affliction I experience, it is that incapable of moving or being removed I cannot fly to you to pour the balm of comfort into your afflicted bosom, to water it with my tears, to solace yours and mine in this depressing situation. Under the pressure of this most severe calamity let us seek consolation from that source where it can only be truly found, in humble resignation to the will of heaven. Oh my Dearly Beloved Child let us unanimously entreat the Supreme being to give you fortitude to support the affliction, to preserve you to me, to your dear children and relations. Should it please God so far to restore my strength as to enable me to go to you, I shall embrace the first moment to do it, but should it be otherwise, I entreat you my beloved Child to come home as soon as you possibly can.

GENERAL PHILIP SCHUYLER From the painting by John Trumbull, 1792

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with my dear Grandchildren. Your sisters will accompany you. May Almighty God bless and protect you and pour the balm of consolation into your distressed soul is and will always be the prayer of

Your affectionate and distressed parent.

PH. SCHUYLER.

Mrs. Hamilton.

And again, on Tuesday, 17th July, 1804, to Mrs. Church, who was with her sister:

The dreadful calamity my Dearly Beloved Child which we have all sustained affected me so deeply as to threaten serious results, but when I received the account of his Christian resignation my afflicted soul was much tranquillized. Oh may heaven indulgently extend fortitude to my afflicted, my distressed, my beloved Eliza. I trust that the Supreme being will prolong my life that I may discharge the duties of a father to my dear child and her dear children. My wounds bear a favorable aspect, and the paroxisms of the gout have not been severe for the past two days, and yesterday I was able to sit up all day. God grant that my recovery may be accelerated, to enable me to go to New York and embrace my distressed children. Should however my restoration be retarded, I wish to see you all here. The change of scene may perhaps tend to soothe my distressed Eliza and her children. She knows how tenderly I loved My Dear Hamilton, how tenderly I love her and her children. Much I feel all the duties which are devolved on me. The evening of my days will be passed in the pleasing occupation of administering comfort and relief to a Child and Grand-Children so highly entitled to my best exertions.

My Kitty is most deeply affected. Her tears have flowed incessantly. She begins to be more composed, and unites with me in love to your distressed Sister and all so dear to us.

I do not write to day to my Eliza lest it should create a fresh paroxism of grief. May she become calm. Her piety will I trust sustain her and her life be preserved that her parent, her children and relations may not sustain an additional calamity.

Your Brother Philip was on his way home and missed my letter. He is now here and sets out immediately for New York.

Excuse me to Mr. Church for not writing him today. Adieu my Dearly beloved Child. May God bless and preserve you all is the constant prayer of your

Afflicted parent

PH. SCHUYLIER.

Mrs. Church.

Fail not my Beloved to let me daily know the state of your afflicted sister. My anxiety on her account rends my heart.

In the following November her father again wrote:

"What your afflictions my dear dearly beloved child have added to mine, was the natural result of a parent's tenderness for a dutiful and affectionate child, as he invariably experienced from you." This was the last letter he wrote the bereaved widow, for he died a short time after.

The public excitement was great indeed, and all classes turned out to do Hamilton honor; even the most rabid political enemies were silent for a time, and some of them grudgingly admitted his worth. Coleman, who had preserved and published all the comments of the press of the day, also reproduced the funeral and other orations. Gouverneur Morris, Eliphalet Nott, and Harrison G. Otis delivered eulogies, and the sermon of Nott is one of the most eloquent and forceful examples of rhetoric. Even the vituperative American Citizen, that had bitterly assailed Hamilton during his life, now praised him, and the editor said: "Death has swallowed up in victory, cruel and fatal victory, the narrow isthmus that separated from this great luminary, those with whom I act."

In fact, all newspapers of both parties united in honoring his memory. Poets of both sexes contributed verse to the daily press, some of considerable excellence, but not a little of the turgid kind of the period; all however were sincere.

His will was made two days before he died, and is as follows:

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON

In the name of God, Amen!

I, Alexander Hamilton, of the State of New York, counsellor at law, do make this my last will and testament, as follows:

First: I appoint John B. Church, Nicholas Fish, and Nathaniel Pendleton, of the city aforesaid, esquires, to be executors and trustees of this my will, and I devise to them, their heirs and assigns, as joint tenants, and not tenants in common, all my estate, real and personal, whatsoever and wheresoever upon trust, at their discretion to sell and dispose of the same at such time and times, in such manner, and upon such terms, as they the survivors and survivor shall think fit, and out of the proceeds to pay all the debts which I shall owe at the time of my decease, in whole, if the fund shall be sufficient, proportionally, if it shall be insufficient, and the residue, if any there shall be, to pay and deliver to my excellent and dear wife, Elizabeth Hamilton.

Though, if it please God to spare my life, I may look for a considerable surplus out of my present property; yet if he should speedily call me to the eternal world, a forced sale, as is usual, may possibly render it insufficient to satisfy my debts. I pray God that something may remain for the maintenance and education of my dear wife and children. But should it on the contrary happen that there is not enough for the payment of my debts, I entreat my dear children, if they or any of them shall ever be able, to make up the deficiency. I without hesitation commit to their delicacy a wish which is dictated by my own. Though conscious that I have too far sacrificed the interest of my family to public avocations, and on this account have the less claim to burthen my children, yet I trust in their magnanimity to appreciate, as they ought, this my request. In so unfavorable an event of things, the support of their dear mother, with the most respectful and tender attention, is a duty all the sacredness of which they will feel. Probably her own patrimonial resources will preserve her from indigence. But in all situations they are charged to bear in mind that she has been to them the

most devoted and best of mothers. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my hand, the ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON.

Signed, sealed, published, and as and for his last will and testament in our presence, who have subscribed our names in his presence.

DOMINICK T. BLAKE

GRAHAM NEWELL

INEZ B. VALLEAU.

Though Hamilton at the time of his death had a large legal practice his old obligations and the demands upon his purse were very great. The Grange, which he had just built, was an expensive place, and the outlay for its completion was considerable. From his account books, which were kept to July 11, 1804, the day before his death, it appears that his expenditure for the preceding six months was $11,840.27. The outstanding indebtedness of his clients was only $2,510,1 and the list of debts assigned to J. B. Church by the deed of July 9, 1804, was $1,940. This deed, which has never been published, is an indication of his business precision and system, and was executed but two days before he was killed. Not many men, under these circumstances, would even remember their laundress.

NEW YORK, July 9, 1804.

Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Alexander Hamilton, of the City of New York, Counsellor at law, in consideration of one Dollar to me in hand paid by John B. Church, Esquire, (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) have bargained, sold, assigned and conveyed, and hereby do bargain, sell, assign and convey to the said John B. Church all and singular the debts due owing and payable to me; which are specified in the schedule hereunto annexed to be by him collected and the proceeds applied first toward the payment of all and every the debt and debts which I owe to my household and other servants and labourers and to the woman who washes

FAC-SIMILE OF POWER OF ATTORNEY

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for Mrs. Hamilton, and secondly towards the satisfaction and discharge of certain accommodation notes made by me and endorsed by him and which have been or shall be discounted in and by the Manhattan Bank and the Office of Discount and Deposit of the Bank of the United States in the City of New York. And for this purpose I do hereby constitute and appoint him by Attorney to ask, demand, sue for recover and receive the said debts and every of them and upon receipt thereof or any part thereof to make and give acquittances. In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed and set my hand and seal the ninth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and four.

A. HAMILTON.

Dated and delivered in presence

of

Nath. Pendleton.

Dominick T. Blake, Esqre is authorized to collect the amount of different Debts due to the deceased General Hamilton assigned to me by him by a Deed dated the 9th Instant.

J. B. CHURCH.

The wretched condition of Hamilton's affairs now became a matter of solicitude to his friends, and on July 16, 1804, just three days after his death, Wolcott wrote to James McHenry:

Oliver Wolcott to James McHenry

MY DEAR SIR: I have reed. your favor of the 14th; The afflicting event you anticipated has occurred: Hamilton is no more: I will not attempt to describe my feelings: you will learn all the circumstances & the last acts of his life will elevate the character of our late Friend, though they must produce conflict of emotions, to which your bosom has been a stranger.

Genl. Hamilton left a will in which all his property real and personal is vested in Trustees for the payment of his Debts: This property consists almost entirely of real estates, chiefly new Lands, and a valuable Country Establishment nine Miles from this City: This property cost about 80,000 Dollars & owed about 55,000 Dollars -- the Lands are rising in value but wholly unproductive of Revenue; he was apprehensive & I believe justly, that a forced Sale, would leave nothing for his family & perhaps not even produce enough to pay his debts: A number of Gentlemen here have resolved to raise a Fund among the Friends of the decd. for the payment of these debts & to provide for the Children. The design is, that number of Gentlemen of easy Fortunes, shall, without much eclat & publicity, subscribe what may be sufficient. I have been desired to make this intention known, to a select number of Friends and before I recd. your Letter had determined to address you & Mr. Gilmore, leaving it to your judgment to whom the communication ought to be made in Baltimore & not doubting your disposition to cooperate.

I am Dr Sir, with high Esteem & sincere affection, yr. friend

OLIV. WOLCOTT.

From New York on August 2, 1904, Wolcott again wrote:

Oliver Wolcott to James McHenry My DEAR SIR: I addressed you a hasty Letter the 16th. ultimo, at the request of several Gentlemen of this City, who have proposed to raise by contribution, a pecuniary Aid for the family of our departed Friend Genl. Hamilton. Understanding that doubts have existed in Philadelphia, whether this proposal did not originate without the knowledge of the Connections of the Family and might, therefore, offend the sensibility of those it was intended to benefit, I have found it necessary to make certain explanations known there, which I presume will be fully satisfactory. It being possible that

similar impressions have been entertained at Baltimore, I must take the liberty to address you again on this Subject.

The property left by Genl. Hamilton, consists almost entirely of new Lands and a Country Seat Nine Miles from this City. The whole valued by himself at about 80,000 Dollars. The debts are chiefly Notes discounted at the Banks & Monies borrowed on Mortgage amounting to about 55,000 Dollars. The difference is £10,000 Newn York Currency.

This brief Statement will enable you fully to understand the enclosed Paper, which is a copy of one left by Genl. Hamilton & which is now entrusted to you, on the condition expressed in Mr. Pendelton's Letter to me. There is no doubt, that the anticipations of our Friend, respecting the consequences of forced Sales to raise Money to discharge $55,000 in debts, would be verified. All the property would be sacrificed & his Children deprived of every Memorial of the labour of their illustrious Parent, except his reputation.

Mr. Govr. Morris, Genl. Clarkson, Mr. Gracie, Mr. Bayard &c &c have consulted on this Subject & their joint opinion is, that it is in every Respect, fit, proper, & necessary, that a number of Gentlemen of Fortune, should come forward & pay these debts & provide handsomely for the family. A sum of 100,000 Dollars is the amount proposed.

It would be an Error to consider Genl. Hamilton's Family, as objects of public Charity, but though this is not their Situation, it is certain that they might reasonably expect advancement in Life, from the exertions of our departed Friend. These hopes must, however, be totally disappointed, unless the proposed aid is obtained. It is true that the provision ought in justice to be made by Congress, or by the State of New York, but no person acquainted with the present State of public affairs, will place the least reliance on this resource. Instances of similar benefactions in ancient & modern times must be familiar to your mind & it is certain that they have always been considered equally honourable to the Receivers & Givers. The suggestion that the Family would be offended by such proof of the Gratitude & Attachment of the respectable part of the Community, is here well understood to be unfounded.

The mode of giving Effect to the proposed design has been considered & it is supposed that a medium course between the ostentation of a public indiscriminate subscription, & the secrecy of private donation would render the provision most munificent & of course most honourable for all Parties concerned. All that is proposed may be easily affected without any sensible burthen & when the enclosed document is perused & it is considered how greatly the men of Property are indebted to the labours of General Hamilton they must doubtless be affected by his declaration, that those "labours have amounted to absolute sacrifice of the Interests of his Family."

Not doubting your disposition to exert your influence in giving effect to the benevolent object of this letter, I remain,

Dr Sir, with sincere Esteem

& true Attachment

yrs

OLIV. WOLCOTT.

Hamilton's interest in the Ohio Company was not, really, very valuable, as it turned out, and consisted of five shares conveyed by Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green, directors of the Ohio Company, May 14, 1792. As the result of Wolcott's efforts, an indenture entered into April 25, 1806, between Gouverneur Morris, Rufus King, Egbert Benson, Oliver Wolcott, and Charles Wilkes, conveys this land to William Dean and John Lovett for the sum of one dollar, and it is evident difficulty was found in selling it.

Hamilton himself calculated, some time before his death, that his property stood him in about ten thousand pounds, and the surplus beyond his debts was double that sum if all of it could be sold to advantage. Yet he doubted if a forced sale were made if it would be sufficient to meet them. He thought that his holdings should bring him an annual income of at least twelve thousand dollars.

My expenses while the first improvements of my country establishment were going on have been great, but they would this summer and fall reach the point at which it is my intention they should stop, at least till I should be better able than at present to add to them; and after a fair examination founded upon an actual account of my expenditures, I am persuaded that a plan I have contemplated for the next and succeeding years would bring my expenses of every kind within the compass of four thousand dollars yearly, exclusive of the interest of my country establishment. To this limit I have been resolved to reduce them, even though it should be necessary to lease that establishment for a few years. In the meantime, my lands now in a course of sale and settlement would accelerate the extinguishment of my debts, and in the end leave me a handsome clear property. It was also allowable for me to take into view collaterally the expectations of my wife; which have been of late partly realized. She is now entitled to a property of between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds (as I compute), by descent from her mother, and her father is understood to possess a large estate. I feel all the delicacy of this allusion, but the occasion, I trust will plead my excuses, and that venerable father, I am sure, will pardon. He knows well all the nicety of my past conduct.

Viewing the matter in these different aspects, I trust the opinion of candid men will be that there has been no impropriety in my conduct, especially when it is taken into the calculation, that my country establishment, though costly, promises, by the progressive rise of property on this island the felicity of its situation, to become more and more valuable. My chief apology is to those friends who have from mere kindness endorsed my paper discounted at the banks. On mature reflection I have thought it justifiable to secure them in preference to other creditors, lest perchance there should be a deficit. Yet, while this may save them from eventual loss, it will not exempt from present inconvenience. As to this I can only throw myself upon their kindness and entreat the indulgence of the banks for them. Perhaps the request may be supposed entitled to some regard. In the event which would bring this paper to the public eye, one thing at least would be put beyond doubt. This is that my public labors have amounted to an absolute sacrifice of the interests of my family, and that in all pecuniary concerns the delicacy no less than the probity of conduct in public stations has been such as to defy even the shadow of a question.

Indeed, I have not enjoyed the ordinary advantages incident to my military services. Being a member of Congress while the question of the commutation of the half pay of the army for a sum in gross was in debate, delicacy and a desire to be useful to the army by removing the idea of my having an interest in the question, induced me to write to the Secretary of War and relinquish my claim to half pay, which or the equivalent I have never received. Neither have I even applied for the lands allowed by the United States to officers of my rank. Nor did I ever obtain from this State the allowance of lands made to officers of similar rank. It is true that having served through the latter periods of the war on the general staff of the United States and not in the line of this State I could not claim the allowance as a matter of course; but having before the war resided in this State, and having entered the military career at the head of a company of artillery raised for the particular defense of this State, I had better pretensions to the allowance than others to whom it was actually made, yet it has not been extended to me.

A. H.

After Hamilton's death a law was passed by Congress, in 1816, giving his widow back pay and she received about ten thousand dollars.1 Among his papers was found a small land allotment of a quarter section for which he had never applied. It is a matter of fact that many of his expenses incurred in the equipment of his company of artillery, and his visits to Annapolis to attend the meetings of the Constitutional Conventions, and other places, were unpaid by the government.

In 1810 Mrs. Hamilton heard from her sister, Mrs. Church, who said, "we had the pleasure to hear that you were safe arrived at Philadelphia, and your letter of yesterday from Washington removed all apprehensions; if anything is to be done, your presence is better than twenty agents and I sincerely hope that for your case and for the honor of my native country," a liberal allowance will be made." The sum allowed enabled her to provide in measure for the support and education of her growing family, the property left by her father having been greatly depleted.

Burr's indifference regarding the duel seems to have impressed so biassed a biographer as Parton, who ventures the opinion that he did not know what he had done.1 As has been stated, when Burr landed in New York on the morning of July 11, he proceeded to his home, and was there found by one of his young relations who had just come from Connecticut to visit him. When shown into the library he found Burr. The latter was engaged in his "usual avocations," and showed no indication of what had occurred an hour or two previously. He was, in every respect, as usual, and did not manifest in his "manner or conversation any concern." The guest was surprised, when he left the house and went to another part of the city, to find all the existing excitement and to learn, for the first time, that Hamilton had been killed by his imperturbable cousin.

Burr himself was hardly prepared for the attitude of the public, for, secure in his office as Vice-President, which he had gained after discomfiting the very man he had shot, he felt he was more popular than the departed Hamilton, who, after all, in his opinion, was only a dead Federalist.

Even Burr's own friends were shocked and horrified, and John Adams is reported to have said, "No one wished to get rid of Hamilton in that way." Two days afterward Burr wrote to Alston, his son-in-law: "General Hamilton died yesterday. The malignant Federalists or Tories, and the embittered Clintonians, unite in endeavoring to excite public sympathy in his favor, and indignation against his antagonist. . . . I propose leaving town for a few days, and meditate also a journey of some weeks, but whither is not resolved. . . . Our most unprincipled Jacobins are the loudest in their lamentations for the death of General Hamilton, whom, for many years, they have uniformly represented as the most detestable and unprincipled of men -- the motives are obvious. Every sort of persecution is to be exercised against me. A Coroner's jury will sit this evening, being the fourth time. The object of this unexampled measure is to obtain an inquest of murder. Upon this a warrant will be issued to apprehend me, and if I should be taken, no bail would probably be allowed. You know enough of the temper and principle of the generality of the officers of our State Government to form a judgment of my position." He also complained that the statement of his second, Van Ness, had not been shown him, and intimated that the publication in the Morning Chronicle was garbled, and "several circumstances not very favorable to the deceased are suppressed -- I presume for holy reverence for the dead."

So bitter and excited were the feelings of every one that he did not leave Richmond Hill for eleven days. Meanwhile it was suggested that Bishop Moore and Dr. Mason or Dr. Hosack should give the needed testimony, and the coroner's jury brought in a true bill.

CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK ss. :

An Inquisition indented, taken for the People of the State of New York at the Third Ward of the City of New York, the thirteenth day of July, in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and four, and contained by adjournment until the second day of August in the year aforesaid, before me, JOHN BURGER, Coroner for the said City and County of New York, on view of the body of Alexander Hamilton, then and there to wit, on the said thirteenth day of July, in the year last aforesaid, at the Ward, City and County aforesaid, lying dead. Upon the oath of Alexander Anderson, George Minuse, John A. Hardenbrook, Peter Bonnett, Elam Williams, John Coffin, John Mildeberger, David A. Brown, David Lydig, Abraham Bloodgood, Samuel Cummings, Amos Curtis, Isaac Burr, Benjamin Strong and John D. Miller, good and lawful men of the said City and County of New York, duly chosen, and who being then and there duly sworn and charged to inquire for the People of the State of New York, when, where and by what means the said Alexander Hamilton came to his death, do, upon their oath, say that Aaron Burr, late of the Eighth Ward of the said City, in the said County, Esquire, and Vice- President of the United States, not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, on the eleventh day of July, in the year last aforesaid, with force and arms, in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, in and upon the said Alexander Hamilton, in the peace of God and of the People of the said State of New Jersey, then and there being feloniously, wilfully and of his malice aforethought, did make an assault and that the said Aaron Burr a certain pistol of the value of One Dollar charged and loaded with gun-powder and a leaden bullet which he, the said Aaron Burr, then and there had held in his right hand, to, at and against the right side of the belly of the said Alexander Hamilton, did then and there shoot off and discharge, by means whereof he, the said Aaron Burr, feloniously wilfully and of malice aforethought did then and there give unto him, the said Alexander Hamilton, with the leaden bullet aforesaid, so as aforesaid, shot off and discharged out of the pistol aforesaid by the force of the gunpowder aforesaid, upon the right side of the belly of him, the said Alexander Hamilton, a little above the hip, one mortal wound penetrating the belly of him, the said Alexander Hamilton, of which said mortal wound he, the said Alexander Hamilton, from the said eleventh day of July, in the year aforesaid, until the twelfth day of July in the same year, as well in the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey aforesaid, as also at the Eighth Ward of the City of New York, in the County of New York aforesaid, did languish and languishing did live, on which twelfth day of July in the said year the said Alexander Hamilton, at the said Eighth Ward of the said City in the said County of New York, of the mortal wound aforesaid died, and the Jurors aforesaid, on their oath aforesaid, do further say that William P. Van Ness, late of the First Ward of the City of New York, in the County of New York aforesaid, attorney at law, and Nathaniel Pendleton, late of the same place, counsellor at law at the time of committing the felony and murder aforesaid, feloniously, wilfully and of their malice aforethought were present, abetting, aiding, assisting, comforting and maintaining the said Aaron Burr to kill and murder the said Alexander Hamilton in manner aforesaid. And so the Jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid, do say the said Aaron Burr, and the said William P. Van Ness and Nathaniel Pendleton, him, the said Alexander Hamilton, in manner and by the means aforesaid, feloniously, wilfully and of their malice aforethought, did kill and murder against the peace of the People of the State of New York and their dignity.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, as well the aforesaid Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid, have to this Inquisition put their seals on the second day of August, and in the year One thousand eight hundred and four and at the place aforesaid.

JOHN BURGER, Coroner. L.S.
	ALEXR. ANDERSON.	L.S.
	GEO. MINUSE.	L.S.
	JOHN A. HARDENBROOK.	L.S.
	PETER BONNETT.	L.S.
	ELAM WILLIAMS.	L.S.
	JOHN COFFIN.	L.S.
	JOHN MILDEBERGER.	L.S.
	DAVID BROWN.	L.S.
	DAVID LYDIG.	L.S.
	ABM. BLOODGOOD.	L.S.
	SAMUEL CUMMINGS.	L.S.
	AMOS CURTIS.	L.S.
	ISAAC BURR.	L.S.
	B. M. STRONG.	L.S.
	J. D. MILLER.	L.S.

At the end of eleven days Burr was spirited away by his intimate and faithful friend, John Swartout, and embarked Saturday night, July 21, in a barge. After an all-nighes row they reached the house of Commodore Truxton at Perth Amboy. Here he stayed until the following Monday, when he again pushed southward, reaching Philadelphia, finding refuge at the house of A. J. Dallas, another old friend who, it will be remembered, was so prominent in welcoming Genet.

When he heard of the finding of the coroner's jury, it was on August 2, and he knew that warrants had been issued for his arrest and that of Pendleton and Van Ness.

Fearing extradition he left Philadelphia and, accompanied by Samuel Swartout and a faithful slave, he fled to St. Simon's Island on the Georgia coast, where Major Pierce Butler had an estate. His stay at Philadelphia, it is reported, was enlivened by a pleasant renewal of a flirtation with one Céleste, who was an old flame, and it was only because fearful of apprehension that he reluctantly sought a more secure hiding-place. After a visit paid to his daughter Theodosia, in South Carolina, which was undertaken after great exposure and hardship, he having travelled four hundred miles in an open boat, and feeling sure that the excitement had blown over, he proceeded to Washington to preside over the Senate, but stopped en route at Petersburg, Va., where he received an "ovation," a public dinner being tendered him by the "Republicans." Burr was cheered and toasted, and made much of. When he reached Washington he found that both New York and New Jersey had issued indictments against him, but he was not prosecuted, as political and personal influence was brought to bear. About this time the case of a certain Judge Chace, who was to be tried by the Senate for malfeasance in office, came up for trial. Burr, as the Vice-President, took charge of the proceedings, and his attitude was such as to cause a certain newspaper to say that "he directed the trial with the dignity and impartiality of an angel and the vigor of a devil." The issue of the duel was forgotten, and there was a reaction in his favor, but he could never regain his position. It was shortly after this that he resigned public office, first delivering an emotional and fetching speech, which caused his hearers to melt into tears. Probably at no time in his career was he so eloquent. Ruin succeeded his extravagant and blasted life. Richmond Hill was pressed for sale, and brought twenty-five thousand dollars, which was insufficient to pay his debts, and as he was liable to arrest at any time, and as his practice had gone and he was without earning power he was obliged to flee. It was then that he sought Louisiana, soon becoming involved in new trouble. The history of his subsequent life both in America and abroad need not be dwelt upon. He always spoke lightly of the duel, and seemed to be without concern or remorse. He was bitter, and keenly felt the censure of others, and in his diary1 on October 24, 1808, when in Hamburg said:

"I find that among the great number of Americans here and there, all are hostile to A. B. -- all -- what a lot of rascals they must be to make war on one whom they do not know; on one who never did harm or wished harm to a human being. Yet they, perhaps ought not to be blamed, for they are influenced by what they hear. I learn further that A. B. is announced in the Paris papers in a manner in no way auspicious."

Many anecdotes are told of him, illustrating not only his casual feeling in regard to serious things, but what I have just mentioned. It is said that in a letter written when yellow fever was rife in New York, he cynically observed: "We die reasonably fast. Mrs. Jones died last night; but then Mrs. Smith had twins this morning; so the account is even."

Upon one occasion he referred to "my friend Hamilton, whom I shot." Upon another, a foreigner asked, in Burr's hearing, if Hamilton was a gentleman. Burr resented the question and replied with hauteur, Sir, I met him." Upon another he is said to have visited the duelling ground with a friend, and in the words of the latter, "He justified all he had done; nay, applauded it."

This and other statements of the kind are, possibly, exaggerations, or even lies, for vituperation and misrepresentation were active at the time. For over one hundred years few historians have been found who were willing to accord to Burr a single virtue; yet, in spite of certain grave defects of character, there is, after all, much that appeals to the just and fair-minded critic. No one who is conversant with the history of his middle and old age, can help admiring those traits of generosity and a certain tenderness that are shown, especially in his letters to his daughter Theodosia and some others. Doubtless, in a way, he greatly liked Hamilton, so long as the latter did not cross his political path, for in early years they were much together, and Burr was a frequent visitor at Hamilton's house, and upon more than one occasion was the messenger between husband and wife. They had a great deal in sympathy, the same sense of humor, and capacity for witty retort; and the ability to appreciate the amiable weaknesses of others. If such existed, it is a pity that none of their correspondence has been preserved, for it would be the best index of the feeling underneath that might have existed at some time.

While these good traits did not compensate for a great deal that was absolutely vicious, it it not right to invariably speak of Burr as a monster -- even if his moral sense was in many ways defective or even deficient. There is something in the misery of the man during his exile that is very touching, and his life abroad, where he was an Ishmaelite, was filled with bitterness which he endured, meanwhile showing a stubborn courage. His diary is a strange mixture of accounts of dissipation and references to his daughter which betray that, at heart, there was one tender point in his nature. The pages devoted to the account of his wretched and uncomfortable trip to Boston in a slow and dreary packet, after pawning the little gifts for Theodosia and escaping the land sharks with just enough to reach America, throw light upon the character of a man who, no matter what he had done, was proud and self-reliant in his adversity. Oliver1 is most charitable, and in speaking of Burr says: "Two things about him passed the bounds of acting -- his generosity and his affection. He had at all times many creditors, and it cannot be said of him that he was depressed by the weight of his obligations. Strictly he was an immoral citizen, because he flouted the sanctity of contract and gave away upon an impulse what was already hypothecated to others. But at least he did not spend upon himself. . . . He gave because he could not resist appeals, because he could not help giving. . . . His charity was of the heart, spontaneous, promiscuous, and usually misdirected. . . . In his old age the habit amounted to a mania. He fancied himself rich, and gave still more recklessly -- a more amiable and a less common trait in septuagenarians than to fancy themselves poor and hoard. . . . Lovers of Hamilton and of a settled order -- Federalist partisans and outraged Democrats -- have drawn the picture of Burr which is accepted in history books. It is only natural that the shadows have been overblackened."

Burr died in 1836, and his body lies near that of his father and grandfather at Princeton. Hamilton was buried in the churchyard of old Trinity, within a few hundred yards of the site of the first house he occupied when he came to New York, and of Federal Hall, while the graves of Elizabeth Hamilton and himself are really located in the very commercial centre of the United States. Every one who hurries up the great street that extends from the venerable church to the East River can, if he chooses, always see the humble monument which covers all that is left of the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.

After the growth of more than a century, our country, with all its present greatness, calmly weighs the part played by those early patriots who brought it into life. The individual influence of the "Makers of America" is every day showing itself, and as our institutions become more and more firmly established we constantly and steadily thrive as a nation. It is hardly necessary to say that those principles that are most firmly dependent upon an adherence to the precepts of the Constitution have been the best. This has been tested and proved over and over again. That great "system of fundamental principles" has ever served and saved us in times of national peril, and when its provisions have been ignored, or it has been disregarded, we have, at times, been perilously near demoralization, for then the rights of all the people for which Hamilton really fought have been jeopardized, but not for long. Happily these instances have been rare, and those men who have tampered with it have usually been wrong-headed meddlers or demagogues.

After the many years that have elapsed since the creation of the Constitution of the United States, it is not saying too much to assert that to Hamilton belongs most of the credit for its preparation and adoption, and that it is to-day the best monument of his greatness.

The rancor of personal abuse, so prevalent during the early part of the last century, does not now concern or interest a great people, and whatever were his faults -- which, by the way, were only those of an impetuous nature -- the persistent and prophetic work of his short life is now making itself felt, and its results are admitted, by those more competent and worthy than myself, to be beyond improvement. Jefferson, Callender and Cheatham are gone. Freneau's scurrilous diatribes are forgotten, and, to-day, able and impartial historians, both here and abroad, are according him the tardy acknowledgment of what he has done for the United States and for the World.

Perhaps his most impartial and grateful critics and admirers are the millions who, denied liberty elsewhere, have availed themselves of the complete protection embodied in an instrument with which his name is so intimately identified.

The Grave of Alexander Hamilton