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Hamilton Duel " General Hamilton did not fire first...he did not fire at all at Col. Burr"
Hamilton Duel " General Hamilton did not fire first...he did not fire at all at Col. Burr"
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Description:

Hamilton Duel " General Hamilton did not fire first...he did not fire at all at Col. Burr"

An issue of the "Boston Gazette" published just two weeks following the death of Alexander Hamilton, with numerous tributes and articles for the late Founding Father. 4pp, measuring 12.75" x 19.75", Boston, dated July 26, 1804. Issue No. 43, Volume 15, Whole No. 811. The newspaper contains multiple funeral orations and tributes, along with a poem entitled "The Grave of Hamilton". There is even an ad for Italian black crape to be sold for the observation of Hamilton's death. With flattened folds, light toning, and light staining and soiling throughout. Chipped and rough edges. A possible previous owner's signature is visible at the top of the front page. Overall very good.

Highlights from the issue include:
p.1: "Brethren of the Cincinnati - There lies our chief! Let him still be our model. Like him, after long and faithful public services, let us cheerfully perform the social duties of private life. Oh! he was mild and gentle. In him there was no offence; no guile. His generous hand and heart were open to all. Gentlemen of the Bar - You have lost your brightest ornament. Cherish and imitate his example…Fellow Citizens - You have long witnessed his professional conduct, and felt his unrivaled eloquence…I charge you to protect his fame - it is all he has left -- all that these poor orphan children will inherit from their father. But, my countrymen, that Fame may be a rich treasure to you also. Let it be the test by which to examine those who solicit your favor. Disregarding possessions, view their conduct, and on a doubtful occasion, ask, Would HAMILTON have done this thing?..."

p.2: "Mr. P[endleton] expressed a confident opinion that General Hamilton did not fire first - and that he did not fire at all at Col. Burr. Mr. V. N. [Van Ness] seemed equally confident that General H. did fire first - and of course that it must have been at his antagonist…General Hamilton informed Mr. P. at least ten days previous to the affair, that he had doubts whether he would not receive and not return Mr. Burr's first fire…His last words before he was wounded afforded a proof that this purpose had not changed. When he received his pistol, after having taken his position, he was asked if he would have the hair sprint set? - His answer was, 'Not this time.' After he was wounded and laid in the boat, the first words he uttered after receiving the power of speech, were, (addressing himself to a gentleman present, who perfectly remembers it) 'Pendleton knows I did not mean to fire at Col. Burr the first time.'…"

"The Rev. J. M. Mason…has published under his signature, a detailed account of the conversation he had with General Hamilton the day previous to his decease…declared his abhorrence of the whole transaction -'It was always,' added he, 'against my principles. I used every expedient to avoid the interview; but I have found, for some time past that my life must be exposed to that man. I went to the field determined not to take his life.' - He repeated his disavowal of all intentions to hurt Mr. Burr: the anguish of his mind in recollecting what had passed; and his humble hope of forgiveness from his God…"

p.3: "Appropriate Mourning…In consequence of the late afflicting event of the death of the much lamented General Hamilton - TUCKER & THAYER will sell their black ITALIAN CRAPE, at the reduced price of one dollar per yard…"

Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr had been rivals in law and politics for twenty years. Despite having previously worked closely together, their feud started to gather steam when Hamilton endorsed Thomas Jefferson over Burr during the electoral college tie of 1800-1801. Tensions reached a boiling point when Burr, while still a sitting vice president, sought to win election as governor of New York in 1804. Even though Burr had broken from his own party and was supported by many New York Federalists, Hamilton used his strong political influence against Burr, which was a factor in the eventual victory of Republican Morgan Lewis. Soon after, a private letter written by Charles Cooper was leaked describing a "still more despicable opinion which Hamilton has expressed of Mr. Burr." It was this mysterious allusion that both deeply offended Burr and gave Hamilton little room to apologize or retract his statement with honor. An exchange of letters occurred through their soon-to-be seconds, Philip Van Ness and Nathaniel Pendleton, and a date for the duel was decided. Hamilton, according to biographer Ronald Chernow, knew that Burr might shoot to kill, but was not suicidal. In fact, he had set appointments for the day of the duel, with the expectation that he would conduct a normal day of business after the interview. Hamilton had also resolved not to fire at Burr (at least on the first round), because he had become convinced by religious arguments that dueling was immoral and he had also lost his eldest son, Philip, in a duel at Weehawken two years earlier. At their duel, Hamilton's shot hit a branch above Burr, while Burr's hit Hamilton's torso, striking his liver and lodging in his spine. The mortally wounded Hamilton was taken to the home of William Bayard Jr., where he died the next day.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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