Collection ID: Coll. No. 268

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
Extent:
0.5 cubic foot
Language:
English

Background

Scope and Content:

The Burr - Hamilton Duel Collection contains correspondence between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr and their seconds, Van Ness, and Pendleton, before the duel (June 18 - July 9, 1804); and correspondence and statements made after the duel, by Burr, Van Ness, and Pendleton including eye-witness accounts of the duel by Van Ness and Pendleton, the only living witnesses besides Burr himself (July 11, 1804 to Mar. 5, 1805). Also included are letters by Aaron Burr and documents pertaining to Burr (1793-1828). These items do not concern the duel.

Biographical / Historical:

A political rivalry developed between Aaron Burr (1756-1836), Vice President of the United States from 1801 to 1805, and Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804), Secretary of the Treasury from 1789 to 1795, when Hamilton repeatedly used his influence to oppose Burr's ambitions, often attacking his motives and character. A reference printed in the Albany Register of April 24, 1804, at the time of Burr's defeat for governor of New York, led to the fateful correspondence which culminated in the tragic "interview" (their euphemism for a duel) at Weehawken, N.J.

Between the dates of June 18 and July 9, 1804, an extensive correspondence took place between Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and their appointed seconds, Nathaniel Pendleton for Hamilton and William P. Van Ness for Burr, in an attempt to resolve the confrontation initiated by Burr's reaction to Hamilton's statement in the Register.

During the course of the correspondence, both men declined to resolve the dispute when opportunities arose. Burr's patience was finally exhausted by Hamilton's long practice of criticism and vilification and he demanded an apology for all the derogatory remarks Hamilton had ever made about him. Hamilton felt he would destroy his own reputation if he refuted a position he believed to be based on truth. Both men refused to make the statements which would have enabled them to defuse the confrontation.

On July 11, 1804, Burr, Hamilton, and their seconds crossed the Hudson River from New York in boats and held their now famous duel at a site near Weehawken. In the duel, Burr shot and killed Hamilton.

Acquisition information:

Gift; Samuel M. Shaw; 1939; CM-3.39.

Source unknown; 1939; CM-20.39.

Purchase; Frank Thomas; Albany, N.Y.;1956; NM-5.56.

Purchase; Robert G. McIntyre, New York, N.Y.; 1956; NM-28.56.

Gift; Wm. Calkins; 1957; NM-174.57.

Gift; Estate of Stephen C. Clark; 1961; NM-6.61 - NM-8.61.

Processing information:

Series 1. Correspondence and statements pertaining to the duel. June 18, 1804 - March 5, 1805. Folders 1-35.

Series 2. Documents by and about Aaron Burr which do not pertain to the duel. 1793 1828. Folders 36-37.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Coll. No. 268: Burr - Hamilton Duel Collection is open for research according to the regulations of Fenimore Art Museum Library.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of fair use, that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
5798 State Highway 80
Cooperstown, NY 13326, United States
CONTACT:
607-547-1400