the ambiguity of the charge made against him, and the obvious unfairness of holding himself responsible for the inferences which other persons may be disposed to draw from his conduct and language, was delivered to Mr. Burr on the 21st of June. The following reply was then sent by him to Mr. Hamilton: "Sir: Your letter of the 20th has been this day received. Having considered it attentively, I regret to find in it nothing of that sincerity and delicacy which you profess to value.

"Political opposition can never absolve gentlemen from the necessity of a rigid adherence to the laws of honor and the rules of decorum. I neither claim such privilege, nor indulge it in others.

"The common sense of mankind affixes to the epithet adopted by Dr. Cooper the idea of dishonor. It has been publicly applied to me under the sanction of your name. The question is not whether he has understood the meaning of the word, or has used it according to syntax, and with grammatical accuracy; but whether you have authorized this application, either directly or by uttering expressions or opinions derogatory to my honor. The time 'when' is in your own knowledge, but no way material to me, as the calumny has now first 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 honor to be your obedient servant, &c."

On reading this letter Mr. Hamilton remarked, that it was not such a one as he had hoped to have received. He observed that it contained several expressions which were offensive, and seemed to prevent any further reply. He contended to Mr. Van Ness, that Mr. Burr should have demanded more specifically what he had said in the hearing of the informant, Dr. Cooper, in order that he might make either an explanation, a denial, or an acknowledgment. He would have given such a response frankly as the truth in the case might have demanded. Mr. Hamilton then informed Mr. Van Ness, that for the purpose of giving further opportunity for the adjustment of the difficulty, he would consider the last letter of Colonel Burr as withdrawn; but if that proposal was not agreeable, Mr. Hamilton had no further reply to make, and Mr. Burr must pursue such a course as he deemed proper in the premises. Mr. Hamilton requested Mr. Van Ness to convey these sentiments to Mr. Burr, and offered to commit his refusal to answer in writing if Mr. Van Ness desired it; which offer that gentleman declined.

This reply was reported to Burr, who then re

sided at his country-house in the vicinity of New York, on the same day. Mr. Van Ness received an answer the next day to the letter of Mr. Hamilton, from his antagonist. That letter was not delivered in consequence of the absence of Mr. Hamilton at his summer residence at Richmond Hill, near New York; but Mr. Van Ness informed Mr. Hamilton by letter that he desired to wait upon him, and wished to know when he was at leisure to receive him. To this note Mr. Hamilton wrote the following reply: "Sir :-I was in town to-day till half-past one. I thank you for the delicacy which dictated your note to me. If it is indispensable the communication should be made before Monday morning, I must receive it here; but I should think this cannot be important.* On Monday, by nine o'clock, I shall be in town at my house in Cedar street, No. 52, where I should be glad to see you. An additional reason for preferring this is, that I am unwilling to occasion you trouble. With esteem I am your obedient servant, &c."

The next day, Saturday, June 22d, Mr. Hamilton called upon Mr. Pendleton, his personal friend, and communicated to him the incidents which had occurred. He informed him that he considered the

• Mr. Van Ness had abstained from conveying a challenge to Mr. Hamilton at his country residence, as his family were then residing there with him.

letters of Burr rude and offensive, and that he could not perceive how it was possible for him to return any other answer to them than he had done; that he had proposed that Mr. Burr should withdraw the second letter, which was the most offensive of the two, in order that he might substitute for it one which would admit of a conciliatory answer. Mr. Hamilton then gave Mr. Pendleton, who was to act as his second in the anticipated meeting, the following letter to be delivered to Mr. Van Ness. "NEW YORK, June 22, 1804.

"SIR: Your first letter, in a style too peremptory, made a demand, in my opinion, unprecedented and unwarrantable. My answer, pointing out the embarrassment, gave you an opportunity to take a less exceptionable course. You have not chosen to do it; but, by your last letter, received this day, containing expressions indecorous and improper, you have increased 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 has already been given. If you mean any thing different, admitting of greater latitude, it is requisite you should explain.

"I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, ALEX. HAMILTON."

29*

CHAPTER XVI.

BURR'S EXPLANATION OF HIS GRIEVANCES-MR. VAN NESS-JUDGE penDLETON HAMILTON'S HONORABLE CONCESSIONS-BURR CHALLENGES

HAMILTON-THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED-FURTHER ATTEMPTS OF JUDGE PENDLETON TO CONCILIATE AND AVOID A MEETING HIS FAILURE.

AT nine o'clock on Monday, June 25th, Mr. Van Ness called at the town residence of Mr. Hamilton, No. 52 Cedar street, for the purpose of receiving a reply from him, delivering an invitation to the field, and making some verbal statements from Mr. Burr, explanatory of his position and his feelings. Mr. Burr had instructed Mr. Van Ness to say, that he did not believe that a political rivalry should authorize any liberties, which were otherwise unwarranted, to be taken between the respective parties. He held that his own conduct toward his political opponents had always been to speak of them with respect, either to do justice to their merit, or else to be silent as to their defects; and that this had invariably been his course in reference to Jay, Adams, Hamilton, and his other political rivals. Mr. Burr believed that there had been no reciprocity of this generous feeling on the part of Mr. Hamilton; and that for several years he