any explanation on the ground. Apology, from principle I hope rather than pride, is out of the question.

"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 in private, enforcing all the considerations which constitute what men of the world denominate honor, imposed on me, as I thought, a peculiar necessity not to decline the call. The ability to be in future useful, whether in resisting mischief or effecting good in those crises of our public affairs which seem likely to happen, would probably be inseparable from a conformity with public prejudice in this particular."

On Friday, July 6th, the circuit having terminated, Mr. Pendleton informed Mr. Van Ness that Mr. Hamilton would be prepared to meet Mr. Burr at any time after the succeeding Sunday. On the following Monday the particulars of the duel were arranged. On Wednesday the 11th of July, 1804, the parties met at seven o'clock in the morning at Weahawken, three miles above Hoboken, on the Jersey shore, opposite to New York.

Eager for the conflict and the slaughter, Colonel Burr arrived first upon the ground. When his an

tagonist appeared they formally exchanged salutations. The seconds then proceeded to make the necessary arrangements. They measured the distance, which was ten paces. They cast lots for the choice of position and for the right to give the word to fire. Both of these fell to the second of General Hamilton. The pistols were then loaded in each other's presence. The parties then took their respective stations. Mr. Pendleton explained the rules which were to govern the combatants in firing. These were as follows: The parties being placed at their positions, the second who gives the word shall ask them whether they are ready. Being answered affirmatively, he shall say: Present! After this order, 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 shot. Mr. Pendleton having inquired whether the parties were ready, and being answered affirmatively, gave the word present. Mr. Burr fired instantly. Mr. Pendleton always maintained that Mr. Hamilton did not fire first, and that he did not fire at all, at his opponent. Mr. Van Ness always insisted that Mr. Hamilton did fire first, and at his antagonist. The declaration of Mr. Hamilton himself, as contained in the document which he prepared before the conflict, would clearly

indicate that it was not his intention to fire at Mr. Burr; and a declaration of purpose from a man of such unimpeachable veracity and integrity as Mr. Hamilton is as conclusive as any extrinsic and competent testimony. What ever the real fact may have been, Mr. Burr was uninjured; and Mr. Hamilton instantly fell. It is said that at the first moment, Burr seeing Hamilton fall advanced toward him a few steps rapidly, with a manner and gesture which seemed indicative of regret. But this incident, if it actually occurred, was doubtless a hypocritical part of the drama which, on this remarkable occasion, he had determined to play. No further communication took place between the principals, and Colonel Burr without speaking a word turned away and left the field. He returned immediately to New York, in the barge which had conveyed him to the scene of conflict. And thus,

"A falcon towering in his pride of place,
Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd."

31*

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE NATURE OF HAMILTON'S WOUND-HE IS REMOVED TO THE HOUSE OF MR. BAYARD-HIS INTERVIEW WITH DR. MASON-HIS INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP MOORE-HE RECEIVES THE LORD'S SUPPER-HIS RELIGIOUS OPINIONS HIS LAST INTERVIEW WITH HIS FAMILY-HIS DEATH-HIS FUNERAL-ORATION OF GOUVERNEUR MORRIS-UNIVERSAL SORROW AT HIS DEATH-REMARKS OF BURR ON HAMILTON'S DEATH.

THE instant General Hamilton was struck, he raised himself involuntarily on his toes, turned a little to the left, at which moment Mr. Pendleton maintained his pistol went off,-and fell heavily on his face. The ball had struck the second or third false rib, and fractured it about the middle. It then passed through the liver and the diaphragm, and as far as was subsequently ascertained, lodged in the first or second lumbar vertebra. The vertebra in which it was lodged, was considerably splintered, so that the spicula were perceptible to the touch of the finger. The moment Hamilton fell his attendant surgeon, Dr. Hosack, ran to his assistance. He found him supported in the arms of Mr. Pendleton. Perceiving the physician, Hamilton said feebly: "This is a mortal wound, doctor." He then sank

away and appeared to be lifeless. His pulses were not perceptible; his respiration was entirely suspended; and the motion of his heart had ceased. He was then supposed to be already dead.

As soon as Hamilton was conveyed to the barge, and felt the cool breezes from the river, he began to revive. Some imperfect efforts to breathe were for the first time perceptible. In a few minutes he heaved a labored sigh, and became sensible to the effects of hartshorne. His eyes opened slightly, and wandered to and fro. At length he said: "My vision is indistinct." His pulse then became perceptible, his respiration was more regular, and his sight returned. In a few minutes turning to the case of pistols which was lying in the boat, he said: "Pendleton knows that I did not intend to fire at him." Mr. Pendleton had already informed Dr. Hosack to that effect. By this time his lower extremities had lost all feeling, and Hamilton plainly expressed the opinion that he entertained no hopes that he should long survive. The posture of his limbs was changed, but to no purpose. On approaching the shore he said: "Let Mrs. Hamilton be immediately sent for let the event be gradually broken to her; but give her hopes." On arriving at the shore a cot was instantly prepared, upon which he was conveyed from the wharf to Mr.