New York Political Parties-Their Origin and History- The Whigs and Tories-General Schuyler-George Clin- ton-Aaron Burr-His Political Career-Burr's Efforts in 1800 to Secure the Triumph of the Anti-federal Party in New York-Hamilton's Energetic Efforts to Defeat them-Burr Elected Vice-President of the United States Growing Hostility between Burr and Hamilton-Their Re- spective Qualities and Dissimilarity of Character-Burr becomes a Candidate for the office of Governor of New York-He is Defeated by the Efforts of Hamilton-Commu- nication of Dr. Cooper-First Letter of Burr to Hamilton Burr's Explanation of his Grievances-Mr. Van Ness-Judge Pendleton Hamilton's Honorable Concessions - Burr Challenges Hamilton-The Challenge Accepted-Further Hamilton Prepares for the Meeting-His Will-His Written Testimony against Duelling-Time and Place for the In- The Effects of Hamilton's Death-His Peculiar Intellectual Qualities-His Logical Powers-His Fertile Imagination -His Profound Learning-His Untiring Industry-His Abilities as a Writer-His Eloquence as a Speaker-His Moral Qualities-His Integrity-His Sincerity-His For- titude as a Soldier-His Unequaled Abilities as a States- man and Patriot-His Failings-His Duel with Burr-- His Personal Appearance-Subsequent History of Mrs. ALEXANDER HAMILTON. INTRODUCTION. MISSION OF AMERICAN STATESMEN-FIRST COLONY FOUNDED IN AMERICA -SUCCESSIVE ESTABLISHMENT OF ALL THE AMERICAN COLONIES THEIR GROWTH-THE "OLD FRENCH WAR"-SUBSEQUENT HISTORY OF THE COLONIES-THE STAMP ACT-CONDUCT OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT-OUTBREAK OF THE REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE-FIRST MEETING OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS-DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE-THE GRAND DRAMA BEGINS. THE genius and enterprise of Columbus discovered an unknown world; but it fell to the lot of other men to perform the noble task of adorning that world with the triumphs of civilization, with the trophies of art and science, with fair, stately, and enduring structures of civil and religious liberty. In the accomplishment of this mission, some of the most remarkable personages who ever lived were called into prominence and activity; and in the fulfillment of the destiny designated for them by Providence, they won for themselves undying names, and erected monumenta ære perenniora, which will engage and retain the admiration of men in all coming time. One of the most distinguished of these was Alexander Hamilton. As the life and abilities of this great man were devoted to the establishment of the government, and the attainment of the liberties of the American confederacy, it may not be inappropriate to preface the history of his remarkable career, by a brief survey of those events which immediately preceded his appearance on the scene of action, and which directly prepared the way for his own subsequent achievements. The first attempt to found a colony in the new world was made by Sir Walter Raleigh, in the year 1585. It failed; but the enterprise was more successfully renewed by Captain John Smith, in Virginia, in 1607. That colony located at Jamestown was destined to live, though brought on several critical occasions to the verge of ruin. In the same year a small colony was also attempted on the Kennebec River, but it did not succeed. Yet the reports which were conveyed to England, in reference to the new continent, were the cause of the emigration of the Puritans, who, in 1620, founded the Plymouth colony in the province of Massachusetts. In 1636 the colony of Rhode Island was commenced by Roger Williams; and in the same year that of Connecticut was established by a clergyman named Hooker, who, like Williams, was an emigrant and an exile from Massachusetts. In 1623 New Hampshire was first settled, Maine in 1635, Maryland in 1633, South Carolina in 1650, New York about 1600, New Jersey in 1664, and Pennsylvania in 1682. The other colonies were afterward founded and established at successive periods; sometimes by emigration from the older communities already named, and sometimes by direct emigration from the countries of Europe. Georgia was the last of the thirteen original colonies which was established, having been founded by General Oglethorp, in 1732. During the progress of a century this family of incipient empires flourished together in harmony; gradually increasing their strength, numbers, and resources. The only foe with whom they had to contend were the fierce savages of the primitive wilds, whose ancient and untilled heritage they had rudely appropriated to themselves. Many dark and bloody scenes were enacted between the belligerent races, some of the thrilling details of which have now descended to oblivion; but stout hearts were often requisite in those primeval times, to resist undismayed the vengeance of the despoiled and enraged children of the forest. In 1754 the first conflict with an external and |