The L*te 2>aeL O^rweed (latin AH* fc&zruen torrtt tub UJ/ll Gr£sJ tjqn it-Tori Ate*/ Yo(tK iEx ICtbrts SEYMOUR DURST When you leave, please leave this book Because it has been said "Ever thing comes t' him who waits Except a loaned book." Avery Architectural and Fink Ar rs Library (hi i oi Si ymoi r B. l)i km Old York Library PARTICULARS OF THE LATE DUEL, FOUGHT AT HOBOKEN, JULY 11, BETWEEN AARON BURR AND ALEXANDER HAMILTON, Esqrs. . IN WHICH THE LATTER UNFORTUNATELY FELL. CONTAINING ALL THE PAPERS RELATING TO THAT EVENT, TOGETHER WITH THE WILL OF GEN. HAMILTON, AND THE LETTERS OF BISHOP MOORE, AND THE REV. J. M. MASON. Thus sinks his Country's glory in the tomb. NEW-YORK: PRINTED BY A. FORMAN, 9 l,Beekman -street. 1804. Co fye jpubltc. The shocking catastrophe which has recently oc- curred, terminating the life of Alexander Hamil- ton, and which has spread a gloom over our City that will not be speedily dissipated, demands that the circumstances which led to it, or were intimately connected with it, should not be concealed from the world. When they shall be truly and fairly dis- closed, however some may question the soundness of his judgment on this occasion, all must be ready to do justice to the purity of his views, and the no- bleness of his nature. The following is the correspondence that passed between General Hamilton and Colonel Burr, to- gether with an explanation of the conduct, motives and views of General Hamilton, written with his own hand, the evening before the meeting took place, and only to have been seen in the deplorable event that followed. [Ev. Post, NO. l. Nezv-York, June 18, 1804. SIR, I send for your perusal a letter signed Charles D. Cooper/ which, though apparently-published some time ago, has but very recently come to my know- ledge. Mr. Van Ness, who does me the favour to * C. D. Cooper wrote a letter, dated Albany, 12th April, 1804, to A. Brown, Esq. Bern, in which he states that Gen. Hamilton and Judge Kent were decidedly opposed to the elec- tion of Mr. Burr as Governor. Gen. Schuyler having seen the letter, wrote to S. Stringer, Chairman of the Albany Federal Republican Committee, contradicting the assertions of Mr. Cooper. This drew from Mr. Cooper a letter, dated April 23d, and addressed to Gen. Schuyler, containing the expressions quoted in Gen. Hamilton's first letter. 4 deliver this, will point out to you that clause to which I particularly request your attention. You must perceive, Sir, the necessity of a prompt and unqualified acknowledgment or denial of the use of any expression which would warrant the as- sertions of Dr. Cooper. I have the honour to be, Your obedient ser't. A. BURR. General Hamilton, NO. 2. New-York, June 20th, 1804. SIR, I have maturely reflected on the subject of your letter of the 18th inst. and the more I 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 stillmore despicable opinion which Hamilton has expressed of Mr . Burr." To endeavour to discover the meaning of this de- claration, I was obliged to seek in the antecedent part of this letter for the opinion to which it refer- red, as having been already disclosed: I found it in these words, " General Hamilton, 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 attri- butes to me, as a despicable one, but he affirms that I expressed some other, still more despicable.... with- out, however, mentioning to whom, when, or where. 'Tis evident that the phrase " still more despicable" admits of infinite shades, from very light to very 5 dark. Mow 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 despica- ble, are not worth the pains of distinction: when, therefore, you do not interrogate me as to the opin- ion which is specifically ascribed to me, I must con- clude, 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. If so, what precise inference could you draw, as a guide for your conduct, were I to acknowledge that I had expressed an opinion of you more despicable than the one which is par- ticularized? How could you be sure that even this "opinion had exceeded the bounds which you would yourself deem admissible between political oppo- nents? But I forbear further comment on the embarrass- ment, to which the requisition you have made na- turally leads. The occasion forbids a more ample illustration, though nothing would be more easy than to pursue it. Repeating that I cannot reconcile it with pro- priety 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 justness 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 competi- tion. Jf there were no other objection to it, this is i sufficient, that it would tend to expose my since- rity and delicacy to injurious imputations from ev- ery person who may at any time have conceived the import of my expressions, differently from what I may then have intended or may afterw ards recollect. I stand ready to avow or disavow promptly and 0' explicitly any precise or definite opinion which I may be charged with having declared of any gentle- man. More than this cannot fitly be expected from me; and especially it cannot be reasonably expect- ed 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 consequen- ces. The publication of Doctor Cooper was never seen by me till after the receipt of your letter. I have the honour to be, &c. Col. Burr. A. HAMILTON. NO. 3. New-York, 2\st 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 honour, and the rules of decorum. I neither claim such privilege nor indulge it in others. The common sense of mankind affixes to the epi- thet adopted by Dr. Cooper, the idea of dishonour. It has been publicly applied to me under the sanc- tion 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 expres- sions or opinions derogatory to my honour. The time "when" is in your own knowledge, but no way material to me, as the calumny has now first 7 been disclosed, so as to become the subject of my notice, and as the effect is present and palpable. Your letter has furnished me with new reasons for requiring a definite reply. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient, A. BURR. General Hamilton. On Saturday the 22d of June, General Hamilton, for the first time, called on Mr. P. and communi- cated to him the preceding correspondence. He informed him that in a conversation with Mr. V.N. at the time of receiving the last letter, he told Mr. V. N. that he considered that letter as rude and of- fensive, 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 far- ther, 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 whiclj. would admit of a different reply. He then gave Mr. P. the letter hereafter mentioned of the 22d of June, to be de- livered to Mr. V. N. when he should call on Mr. P. for an answer, and went to his country house. The next day General Hamilton received, while there, the following letter : NO. 4. June 23, 1804. sm, In the afternoon of yesterday, I reported to Col. Burr the result of my last interview with you, and 8 appointed the evening to receive his further instruc- tions. Some private engagements, however, pre- vented me from calling on him till this morning. — ■ On my return to the city, I found, upon enquiry, both at your office and house, that you had return- ed to your residence in the country. Lest an inter- view there might be less agreeable to you than else- where, I have taken the liberty of addressing you this note, to enquire when and where it will be most convenient to you to receive a communication. Your most obt. and very humble serv't. W. P. VAN NESS. General Hamilton. Air. P. understood from General Hamilton that he immediately answered, that if the communica- tion was pressing, he would receive it at his country house that day, if not, he would be at his house in town the next morning at 9 o'clock. But he did not give Mr. P. any copy of this note. NO. 5. New-York, June 22, 1804. SIR, Your first letter, in a style too peremptory, made a demand, in my opinion, unprecedented and un- warrantable. My answer, pointing out the embar- rassment, gave you an opportunity to take a less ex- ceptionable course. You have not chosen to do it ; but by your last letter received this day, containing expressions indecorous and improper, you have in- creased the difficulties to explanation intrinsically incident to the nature of your application. If by a " definite reply," you mean the direct avowal or disavowal required in your first letter, I have no other answer to^give than that which hasal- 9 ready been given. If you mean any thing different, admitting of greater latitude, it is requisite you should explain. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, ALEX. HAMILTON. Aaron Burr, Esq. This letter, although dated on the 22cl June, re- mained in Air. P/s possession until the 25th, within which period he had several conversations with Air. V. N. In these conversations Air. P. endeavoured to illustrate and enforce the propriety of the ground General Hamilton had taken. Air. P. mentioned to Mr. V. N. as the result, that if Col. Burr would write a letter, requesting to know in substance whe- ther in the conversation to which Dr. Cooper allu- ded, any particular instance of dishonourable con- duct was imputed to Col. Burr, or whether there was any impeachment of his private character, Gen. Hamilton would declare, to the best of his recol- lection, what passed in that conversation : and Air. P. read to Air. V. N. a paper containing the sub- stance of what Gen. Hamilton would say on this subject, which is as follows : NO. 6. " Gen. Hamilton says he cannot imagine to what Dr. Cooper may have alluded, unless it were to a conversation atMr.Taylor's,in Albany, last win- ter (at which Air. Taylor, he, and Gen. Hamilton were present.) Gen. Hamilton cannot recollect, distinctly, the particulars of that conversation, so as to^ undertake to repeat them, without running the risk of varying, or omitting what might be deemed important circumstances. The expressions are entirely forgotten, and the specific ideas imper- fectly remembered ; but to the best of his recolleo 10 tion it consisted of comments on the political prin- ciples and views of Col. Burr, and the results that might be expected from them, in the event of his election as Governor, without reference to any par- ticular instance of past conduct, or to private cha- racter." After the delivery of the letter of the 22d, as above mentioned, in another interview with Mr. V. N. he desired Mr. P. to give him, in writing, the substance of what he had proposed on the part of Gen. Hamilton 3 which Mr. P. did in the words fol- lowing : NO. 7. " In answer to a letter properly adapted to ob- tain from Gen. Hamilton a declaration, whether he had charged Col. Burr with any particular instance of dishonourable conduct, or had impeached his private character, either in the conversation alluded to by Dr. Cooper, or in any other particular instance to be specified : He would be able to answer, consistently with his honour, and the truth, in substance, that the con- versation to which Dr. Cooper alluded, turned wholly upon political topics, and did not attribute to Col. Burr any instance of dishonourable conduct, nor relate to his private character.. ..and in relation to any other language or conversation of Gen. Ham- ilton which Col. Burr will specify, a prompt and frank avowal or denial will be given." On the 26th June, Mr. P. received the following letter. NO. 8. SIR, The letter which you yesterday delivered me, and your subsequent communication, in Col. Burr's opinion, evince no disposition on the part of Gen* 11 Hamilton to come to a satisfactory explanation. — The injury complained of, and the reparation ex- pected, are so definitely expressed in Col. Burr's letter of the 21st. instant, that there is not perceiv- ed a necessity for further explanation on his part. — The difficulty that would result from confining the enquiry to any particular times and occasions, must be manifest. The denial of a specified conversa- tion only, would leave strong implications that on other occasions improper language had been used. When and where injurious opinions and expressions have been uttered by Gen. Hamilton, must be best known to him, and of him only will Col Burr en- quire. No denial or declaration will be satisfac- tory, unless it be general, so as wholly to exclude the idea that rumours derogatory to Col. Burr's ho- nour have originated with Gen. Hamilton, or have been fairly inferred from any thing he has said. A definite reply to a requisition of this nature was de- manded by Col. Burr's letter of the 21st. instant. — This being refused, invites the alternative alluded to in Gen. Hamilton's letter of the 20th. It was required by the position in which the con- troversy was placed by Gen. Hamilton, on Friday last, and I was immediately furnished with a com- munication demanding a personal interview. The necessity of this measure has not, in the opinion of Col. Burr, been diminished by "the General's last letter, or any communication which has since been received. I am consequently again instructed to deliver you a message as soon as it may be conve- nient for you to receive it. I beg, therefore, you will be so good as to inform me at what hour I can have the pleasure of seeing you. Your most obedient and very humble servant, W. P. VAN NESS. N. Pendleton, Esq. June 26th. 12 NO. 9. 26th June, 1804. SIR, I have communicated the letter which you did me the honour to write to me of this date to Gen. Hamilton. The expectations now disclosed on the part of Col. Burr, appear to him to have greatly extended the original ground of enquiry; and, in- stead of presenting a particular and definite case for explanation, seem to aim at nothing less than an in- quisition into his most confidential conversations, as well as others, through the whole period of his acquaintance with Col. Burr. While he was prepared to meet the particular case fairly and fully, he thinks it inadmissible that he should be expected to answer at large as to every thing that he may possibly have said, in relation to the character of Col. Burr, at any time or upon any occasion. Though he is not conscious that any charges which are in circulation to the prejudice of Col. Burr have originated with him, except one which may have been so considered, and which has long since been fully explained between Col. Burr and himself — yet he cannot consent to be questioned, generally, as to any rumours which may be afloat derogatory to the character of Col. Burr, without specification to the several rumours, many of them probably unknown to him. He does not, however, mean to authorize any conclusion as to the real na- ture of his conduct in relation to Col. Burr, by his declining so loose and vague a basis of explanation, and he disavows an unwillingness to come to a satis- factory, provided it bean honourable, accommoda- tion. His objection is, the very indefinite ground whiqh Co!. Burr has assumed, in which he is very sorry to be able to discern nothing short of predeter- mined hostility. Presuming, therefore, that it will be 13 adhered to, he has instructed me to receive the mes- sage which you have it in charge to deliver. For this purpose I shall be at home, and at your command, to-morrow morning from eight to ten o'clock. I have the honour to be respectfully Your obedient servant, NATHANIEL PENDLETON. William P. Van Ness, Esq. NO. 10. SIR, The letter which I had the honour to receive from you, under date of yesterday, states, among other things, that in Gen. Hamilton's opinion, Col. Burr has taken a very indefinite ground, in which he evinces nothing short of predetermined hostility, and that Gen. Hamilton thinks it inadmissible that the en- quiry should extend to his confidential as well as other conversations. To this Col. Burr can only re- ply, that secret whispers, traducing his fame, and impeaching his honour, are at least, equally inju- rious with slanders publicly uttered : that Gen. H. had, at no time, and in no place, a right to use any such injurious expressions ; and that the particular negative he is disposed to give, with the reserva- tions he wishes to make, are proofs that he has done the injury specified. Col. Burr's request was, in the first instance, pro- posed in a form the most simple, in order that Gen. Hamilton might give to the affair that course to which he might be induced by his temper and know- ledge of facts. Col. Burr trusted with confidence, that from the frankness of a soldier, and the can- dour of a gentleman, he might expect an ingenuous declaration. That if, as he had reason to believe, Gen. H. had used expressions derogatory to his ho- nour, he would have had the magnanimity to retract them; and that if, from his language, injurious in- 14 Terences had been improperly drawn, he would have perceived the propriety of correcting errors, which might thus have been widely diffused. With these impressions, Col. Burr was greatly surprized at re- ceiving a letter which he considered as evasive, and which in a manner he deemed not altogether deco- rous. In one expectation, however, he was not wholly deceived ; for the close of Gen. Hamilton's Jetter contained an intimation that if Col. Burr should dislike his refusal to acknowledge or deny, he was ready to meet the consequences. This Col. Burr deemed a sort of defiance, and would have felt jus- tified in making it the basis of an immediate mes- sage. But as the communication contained some- thing concerning the indefiniteness of the request; as he believed it rather the offspring of false pride than of reflection, and as he felt the utmost reluc- tance to proceed to extremities while any other hope remained, his request was repeated in terms more explicit. The replies and propositions on the part of Gen. Hamilton have, in Col. Burr's opinion, been constantly in substance the same. Col. Burr disavows all motives of predetermined hostility, a charge by which he thinks insult added to injury. He feels as a gentleman should feel when his honour is impeached or assailed, and without sensations of hostility or wishes of revenge, he is determined to vindicate that honour at such hazard as the nature of the case demands. The length to which this correspondence has ex- tended, only tending to prove that the satisfactory redress, earnestly desired, cannot be obtained, he deems it useless to offer any proposition except the simple message which I shall now have the honour to deliver. I have the honour to be, with great respect, Your obedient and very humble servant, W. P. VAN NESS. Wednesday Morning, June 21th, 1804. 15 With this letter a message was received, such as was to be expected, containing an invitation, which was accepted, and Mr. P* informed Air. V, N. he should hear from him the next day as to farther par- ticulars. This letter was delivered to Gen. Hamilton on the same evening, and a very short conversation en- sued between him and Mr. P. who was to call on him early the next morning for a further conference. When he did so, Gen. Hamilton said he had not understood whether the message and answer were definitively concluded, or whether another meeting was to take place for that purpose between Mr. P. and Mr. V. N. Under the latter impression, and as the last letter contained matter that naturally led to animadversion, he gave Mr. P. a paper of re- marks in his own hand writing, to be communicated to Mr. V. N. if the state of the affair rendered it proper. In the farther interview with Mr. V. N. that day, after explaining the causes which had induced Gen. Hamilton to suppose that the state of the affair did not render it improper, he offered this paper to Mr. V. N. but he declined receiving it, alledging, that he considered the correspondence as closed by the acceptance of the message he had delivered. Mr. P. informed Mr. V.N. of^the inducements mentioned by Gen. Hamilton in those remarks, for the postponing the meeting until the close of the Circuit ; and as this was uncertain, Mr. P. was to let him know when it would be convenient. 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 Sun- day following. On Monday the particulars were arranged, and the public are but too well acquaint- ed with the sad result. The paper above alluded to is as follows : 16 NO. 11. Remarks on the letter of June 27, 1804. Whether the observations on this letter are de- signed merely to justify the result which is indicated in the close of the letter, or may be intended to give an opening for rendering any thing explicit which may have been deemed vague heretofore, can only be judged of by the sequel. At any rate, it ap- pears to me necessary not to be misunderstood. Mr. Pendleton is therefore authorized to say, that, in the course of the present discussion, written or verbal, there has been no intention to evade, defy, or insult ; but a sincere disposition to avoid extremities, if it could be done with propriety. With this view Gen. Hamilton has been ready to enter into a frank and free explanation on any and every object of a speci- fic nature ; but not to answer a general abstract en- quiry, embracing a period too long for any accurate recollection, and exposing him to unpleasant criti- cisms from, or unpleasant discussions with, any and every person, who may have understood him in an unfavourable sense. This (admitting that he could answer in a manner the most satisfactory to Col. Burr) he should deem inadmissible, in principle and precedent, and humiliating in practice. To this, therefore, he can never submit. Frequent allusion has been made to slanders said to be in circulation. Whether they are openly or in whispers they have a form and shape, and might be specified. If the alternative alluded to in the close of the letter is definitively tendered, it must be accepted ; the time, place and manner to be afterwards regu- lated. I should not think it right in the midst of a Circuit Court to withdraw my services from those who may have confided important interests to me, and expose them to the embarrassment of seeking other counsel, who may not have time to be in- structed in their cause. I shall also want a little 17 time to make some arrangements respecting my own affairs. The following paper, in the hand-writing of Gen. Hamilton, was inclosed, with his will and some other papers, in a packet addressed to one of his executors, which was of course not to have been delivered but in case of the melancholy event that has happened. As it contains his motives and re- flections on the causes that have led to this fatal ca- tastrophe, it is deemed proper to communicate it to the public. NO. 12. On my expected interview with Col. Burr, I think it proper to make some remarks explanatory of my conduct, motives, and views. I was certainly desirous of avoiding this inter- view, for the most cogent reasons. 1. My religious and moral principles are strongly opposed to the practice of duelling, and it would ever give me pain to be obliged to shed the blood of a fellow-creature in a private combat forbidden by the laws. 2. My wife and children are extremely dear to me, and my life of the utmost importance to them, in various views. 3. I feel a sense of obligation towards my credit- ors; w 7 ho, in case of accident to me, by the forced sale of my property, may be in some degree suffer- ers. I did not think myself at liberty, as a man of probity, lightly to expose them to this hazard. 4. I am conscious of no ill-zvill to Col. Burr, dis- tinct from political opposition, which, as I trust, has proceeded from pure and upright motives. Lastly, I shall hazard much, and can possibly gain nothing by the issue of the interview. But it was, as I conceive, impossible for me to avoid it. There were intrinsic difficulties in the c 18 thing, and artificial embarrassments, from the man- ner of proceeding, on the part of Col. Burr. Intrinsic, because it is not to be denied, that my animadversions on the political principles, charac- ter, and views of Col. Burr, have been extremely severe, and, on different occasions, I, in common with many others, have made very unfavourable criticisms on particular instances of the private con- duct of this gentleman. In proportion as these impressions were entertain- ed with sincerity, and uttered with motives, and for purposes, which might appear to me commend- able, would be the difficulty (until they could be re- moved by evidence of their being erroneous) of ex- planation or apology. The disavowal required of me by Col. Burr, in a general and indefinite form, was out of my power, if it had really been proper for me to submit to be so questioned ; but I was sincerely of opinion, that this could not be, and in this opinion I was confirmed by that of a very moderate and judicious friend whom I consulted. Besides that Col. Burr appeared to me to assume, in the first instance, a tone unnecessarily peremp- tory and menacing, and in the second, positively offensive. Yet I wished, as far as might be practi- cable, to leave a door open to accommodation. — This, 1 think, will be inferred, from the written communications made by me and by my direction, and would be confirmed by the conversations be- tween Mr. Van Ness and myself, which arose out of the subject. I am not sure, whether, under all the circum- stances, I did not go further in the attempt to ac- commodate, than a punctilious delicacy will justify, if so, I hope the motives I have stated will excuse me. It is not my design, by wkat I have said, to affix any odium on Col. Burr in this case. He doubt- less has heard of animadversions of mine, which bore 19 very hard upon him ; and it is probable that as usual they were accompanied with some falsehoods. He may have supposed himself under a necessity of act- ing as he has done. I hope the grounds of his pro- ceeding have been such as ought to satisfy his own conscience. I trust, at the same time, that the world will do me the justice to believe, that I have not censured him on light grounds, nor from unworthy induce- ments. I certainly have had strong reasons for what I may have said, though it is possible that in some particulars I may have been influenced by miscon- struction or misinformation. It is also my ardent wish that I may have been more mistaken than I think I have been, and that he, by his future con- duct, may shew himself worthy of all confidence and esteem, and prove an ornament and blessing to the country. As well because it is possible that I may have in- jured Col. Burr, however convinced myself that my opinions and declarations have been well founded, as from my general principles and temper in rela- tion to similar affairs, I have resolved, if our inter- view is conducted in the usual manner, and it pleases God to give me the opportunity, to reserve and throw azvay my first fire, and I have thoughts even of re- serving my second fire ; and thus giving a double opportunity to Col. Burr to paifse and to reflect. It is not, however, my intention to enter into any explanations on the ground. Apology, from prin- ciple I hope, rather than pride, is out of the ques- tion. To those, who, with me, abhorring the practice of duelling, may think that I ought, on no account, to have added to the number of bad examples, I answer that my relative situation, as well in public as private, enforcing all the considerations which constitute what men of the world denominate ho- 20 nour, imposed on me (as I thought) a peculiar ne- cessity not to decline the call. The ability to be in future useful, whether in resisting mischief or ef- fecting good, in those crises of our public affairs, which seem likely to happen, would probably be inseparable from a conformity to public prejudice in this particular. A. H. NO. 13. 3fnterbteto, Col. Burr arrived first on the ground, as had been previously agreed; when General 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 deter- mine by whom the word should be given ; both of which fell to the second of General Hamilton.- — They then proceeded to load the pistols in each others presence, after which the parties took their stations. 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 fol- lows: "The parties being placed at their stations, the second who gives the word shall ask them whe- ther they are ready; being answered in the affirma- tive, he shall say "present" after this the parties shall present and fire when the) please. If one fires before the other, the opposite second shall say one, two, three, fire. ...and he shall then fire or lose his flre. ,, He then asked if they were prepared ; being answered in the affirmative, he gave the word pre- \6vz/,ashad been agreed on, and both par ties took aim, and fired in succession; the intervening time is not expressed, as the seconds do not precisely agree on thai point. The fire of Col. Burr took effect, and Gen. Hamilton almost instantly fell. Col. Burr then advanced toward Gen. Hamilton, with a man^ 21 ner and gesture that appeared to Gen. Hamilton's friend to be expressive of regret, but without speak- ing turned about and withdrew, being urged from the field by his friend, as has been frequently 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, w T as perfectly proper as suited the oc- casion. It has been agreed by the seconds, that the above should be corrected thus: " both parties, agreeably to the word of command, presented, instead of took aim." It appears that the following document, No. 7, was brought forward by Col. Burr's second, and published after the correspondence. At nine o'clock, on Monday, the 25th. inst. I called on Gen. Hamilton at his house in Cedar- street, to present the letter No. 4, already alluded to, and with instructions for a verbal communica- tion, of which the following notes, No. 7, handed me by Mr Burr, were to be the basis. The sub- stance of which, though in terms as much softened as my instructions would permit, was accordingly communicated to General Hamilton. NO. 7. A.B. far from conceiving that rivalship authorizes a latitude not otherwise justifiable, always feels greater delicacy in such cases, and would think it meanness to speak of a rival but in terms of respect ; to do justice to his merits; to be silent of his foibles. Such has invariably been his conduct towards Jay, Adams, and Hamilton ; the only three who can be supposed to have stood in that relation to him. 22 That he has too much reason to believe that in re- gard of Mr. Hamilton, there has been no recipro- city; for several years his name has been lent to the support of base slanders, he has never had the ge- nerosity, the magnanimity, or the candour to con- tradict or disavow. B. forbears to particularize, as it could only tend to produce new irritations; but, having made great sacrifices for the sake of harmo- ny, having exercised forbearance till it approached to humiliation, he has seen no effect produced by such conduct, but a repetition of injury. He is obliged to conclude that there is, on the part of Mr. Hamilton, a settled and implacable malevolence; that he will never cease in his conduct toward Mr. B. to violate those courtesies of life, and that hence he has no alternative but to announce these things to the world, which, consistently with Mr. B's ideas of propriety, can be done in no way but that which he has adopted. He is incapable of revenge, still less is he capable of imitating the conduct of Mr. Hamilton, by committing secret depredations on his fame and character; but these things must have an end. The Editor of the E. Post makes the following re- mark upon the last paper. No. 7. "This foisting a secret and till now an unheard- of paper into the genuine correspondence, shews, in. no equivocal manner, that the writer was conscious that the correspondence which really took place, presents a case no way favourable to his principal." mm. In the name of God, Amen. I, Alexander Ham- ilton, of the City 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, Es- 23 quires, to be Executors and Trustees of this my Will, and I devise to them, their heirs, and assigns, as joint tenants, and not as tenants in common, all my estate real and personal, whatsoever and where- soever, 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 Survi- vors 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 ; proportionably, 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 shall please God to spare my life, I may look for a considerable surplus out of my pre- sent 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 lor the mainte- nance 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 en- treat my dear children, if they or any of them shall ever be able, to make up the deficiency. I with- out 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 Jess claim to burthen my children, yet, I trust in their magnanimity to appreciate as they ought, this my request. In so unfavourable an event of things, the support of their dear mother, with the most re- spectful and tender attention, is a duty all the sa- credness of which they will feel. Probably her pat- rimonial 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. 24 In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my hand, the ninth day ofJidy y in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four. ALEXANDER HAMILTON. Signed, sealed, published, and declared as and for his last will and testament, in our pre- sence, who have subscribed the same in his presence, the words ec John B. Church" being above interlined. DOMINICK F. BLAKE, GRAHAM BURRILL, THEO. B. VALLEAU. New-York, Surrogate's'} Office, July 6th, 1804. y SS * I do hereby certify the preceding to be a true copy of the original Will of Alexander Hamilton, de- ceased, now on file in my office. SILVANUS MILLER, Surrogate. Bishop Moore's Letter to the Editor of the Even. Post. Thursday Evening, Jidy 12, 1804. MR. COLEMAN, The public mind being extremely agitated by the melancholy fate of that great man, Alexander Hamilton, I have thought it would be grateful to my fellow-citizens, w T ould provide against misrepre- sentation, and, perhaps, be conducive to the ad- vancement of the cause of religion, were I to give a narrative of some facts which have fallen under my own observation, during the time which elapsed between the fatal duel and his departure out of this world. Yesterday morning, immediately after he was brought from Hoboken to the house of Mr. Bayard, at Greenwich, a message was sent informing me of the sad event, accompanied by a request from Gen. Hamilton, that I would come to him for the pur- 25 pose of administering the holy communion. I went ; but being desirous to afford time for serious reflec- tion, and conceiving that under existing circum- stances, it would be right and proper to avoid every appearance of precipitancy in performing one of the most solemn offices of our religion, I did not then comply with his desire. At one o'clock I was again called on to visit him. Upon my entering the room, and approaching his bed, with the utmost calmness and composure, he said, " My dear Sir, you perceive my unfortunate situation, and no doubt have been made acquainted with the circumstances which led to it. It is my desire to receive the communion at your hands. I hope you will not conceive there is any impropriety in my request. " He added, "It has for some time past been the wish of my heart, and it was my intention to take an early opportuni- ty of uniting myself to the church, by the recep- tion of that holy ordinance. " I observed to him, that he must be very sensible of the delicate and trying situation in which I was then placed : that however desirous I might be to afford consolation to a fellow mortal in distress ; still, it was my duty, as a minister of the gospel, to hold up the law of God as paramount to all other law ; and that, there- fore, under the influence of such sentiments, I must unequivocally condemn the practice which had brought him to this unhappy condition. He ac- knowledged the propriety of these sentiments, and declared that he viewed the late transaction with sorrow and contrition. I then asked him, " Should it please God to restore you to health, Sir, will you never be again engaged in a similar transaction? and will you employ all your influence in society to discountenance this barbarous custom ?" His an- swer was, " That, Sir, is my deliberate intention." St 26 I proceeded to converse with him on the subject of his receiving the communion ; and told him that with respect to the qualifications of those who wish- ed to become partakers of that holy ordinance, en- quiries could not be made in language more ex- pressive than that which was used by our Church. " Do you sincerely repent of your past sins ? Have you a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of the death of Christ ? And are you disposed to live in love and charity with all men ?" He lifted up his hands and said, " With the utmost sincerity of heart I can answer those ques- tions in the affirmative. ..I have mo ill will against Col. Burr. I met him with a fixed resolution to do him no harm. ...I forgive all that happened.'' I then observ- ed to him, that the terrors of the divine law were to be announced to the obdurate and impenitent ; but that the consolations of the Gospel were to be offered to the humble and contrite heart ; that I had no reason to doubt his sincerity, and would proceed immediately to gratify his wishes. The Communion was then administered, which he received with great devotion, and his heart afterwards appeared to be perfectly at rest. I saw him again this morning, when, with his last faultering words, he expressed a strong confidence in the mercy of God through the intercession of the Redeemer. I remained with him until 2 o'clock this afternoon, when death closed the awful scene. ...he expired without a struggle, and almost without a groan. By reflecting on this melancholy event, let the humble believer be encouraged ever to hold fast that precious faith which is the only source of true con- solation in the last extremity of nature. Let the In- fidel be persuaded to abandon his opposition to that Gospel which the strong, inquisitive, and compre- hensive mind of a Hamilton embraced, in his last 27 moments, as the truth from Heaven. Let those who are disposed to justify the practice of duelling, be induced, by this simple narrative, to view with ab- horrence that custom which has occasioned an irre- parable loss to a worthy and most afflicted family ; which has deprived his friends of a beloved com- panion, his profession of one of its brightest orna- ments, and his country of a great statesman and a real patriot. With great respect, I remain your friend and servant, BENJAMIN MOORE. Letter of the Rev. J. M. Mason, to the Editor of the Commercial Advertiser. New-York, July ISih, 1804. SIR, On the morning of the 11th inst. shortly after the rumour of General Hamilton's injury had created an alarm in the City, a note from Dr. Post informed me that " he w T as extremely ill at Mr. Wm. Bayard's, and expressed a particular desire to see me as soon as possible. " I went immediately. — - The exchange of melancholy salutations, on enter- ing the General's apartment, was succeeded by a silence which he broke by saying that he " had been anxious to see me, and have the^sacrament admin- istered to him ; and that this was still his wish." I replied, that M it gave me unutterable pain to re- ceive from him any request to which I could not ac- cede: that, in the present instance, a compliance was incompatible with all my obligations; as it was a principle in our churches never to administer the Lord's Supper privately to any person under any circumstances." He urged me no further. I then remarked to him, that " the holy communion is an exhibition and pledge of the mercies w 7 hich the Son 28 of God has purchased ; that the absence of the sign does not exclude from the mercies signified; which were accessible to him by faith in their gracious au- thor." " I am aware," said he, " of that. It is only as a sign that 1 wanted it." A short pause en- sued. I resumed the discourse, by observing that " I had nothing to address to him in his affliction, but that same gospel of the grace of God, which it is my office to preach to the most obscure and illiterate; that in the sight of God all men are on a level, as all have sinned, and come short of his glory ; and that they must apply to him for pardon and life, as sin- iiers, whose only refuge is in his grace, reigning by righteousness through our Lord Jesus Christ " " I perceive it to be so," said he, "I am a sinner: I look to his mercy." I then adverted to " the infi- nite merit of the Redeemer, as the propitiation for sin, the sole ground of our acceptance with God ; the sole channel of his favour to us; and cited the following passages of scripture: — tc There is no other name given under heaven among men, w 7 hereby we must be saved, but the name of Jesus. He is able to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." This Idst passage introduced the affair o the duel, on which I reminded the General, that he was not to be instructed as to its moral aspect, that the precious blood of Christ was as effectual and as necessary to wash away the transgression which had involved him in suffering, as any other trans- gression; and that he must there, and there alone, seek peace tor his conscience, and a hope that should not make him ashamed. He assented, with strong emotion, to these representations, and declared his abhorrence of the whole transaction. "It was al- ways," added he, " against my principles. I used every expedient to avoid the interview ; but I have 29 found, for some time past, that my life must be ex- posed to that man. I went to the field determined not to take his life." He repeated his disavowal of all intention to hurt Mr. Burr ; the anguish of his mind in recollecting what had passed ; and his hum- ble hope of forgiveness from his God. I recurred to the topic of the divine compassion the freedom of pardon in the Redeemer Jesus to perishing sinners. "That grace, my dear Genera], which brings sal- vation, is rich, rich." "Yes," interrupted he, "it is rich grace." " And on that grace," continued I, " a sinner has the highest encouragement to repose his confidence, because it is tendered to him upon the surest foundation; the scripture testifying that we have redemption through the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace." Here the General, letting go my hand, which he had held from the moment I sat down at his bed-side, clasped his hands together, and, look- ing up towards heaven, said, with emphasis, "I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ." He replaced his hand in mine, and appearing somewhat spent, closed his eyes. A little after, he fastened them on me, and I proceeded. " The simple truths of the gospel, my dear Sir, which require no ab- struse investigation, but faith in the veracity of God, who cannot lie, are best suited t