430
SPECIAL PUBLIC EVILS.
[Part VI.
following brief but careful analysis and observations on this trans-action are submitted without amplification.
1. General Hamilton unequivocally condemns, nay, “ abhors
nel Barr, in a general and indefinite form, was out of my power, if it had beenreally proper for me to submit to be questioned ; but I was sincerely of opinion,that this could not be ; and in this opinion I was confirmed by a very moderateand judicious friend, whom I consulted. Besides that Colonel Burr appearedto me to assume, in the first instance, a tone unnecessarily peremptory andmenacing; and in the second, positively offensive. Yet I wished, as far asmight be practicable, to leave a door open for accommodation. This, I think,will be inferred from the written communications made by me and by my di-rection ; and would be confirmed by the conversation between Mr. Van Nessand myself, which arose out of the subject. I am not sure whether, under allthe circumstances, I did not go further in the attempt to accommodate, than apunctilious delicacy will justify. If so, I hope the motives I have stated willexcuse me.
“ It is not my design, in what I have said, to affix any odium on the conductof Colonel Burr, in this case. He doubtless has heard of animadversions ofmine, which bore very hard upon him; and it is probable, that, as usual, theywere accompanied by some falsehoods. He may have supposed himself undera necessity of acting as he has done. I hope the grounds of his proceedinghave been such as ought to satisfy his own conscience.
(( 1 trust, at the same time, that the world will do me the justice to believe,that I have not censured him on light grounds, nor from unworthy induce-ments. I certainly have had strong reasons for what I may have said; thoughit is possible, that, in some particulars, I may have been influenced by miscon-struction or misinformation. It is also my ardent wish, that I may have beenmore mistaken than I think I have been; and that he, by his future conduct,may show himself worthy of all confidence and esteem, and prove an ornamentand blessing to the country.
“ As well because it is possible, that I may have injured Colonel Burr, how-ever convinced myself, that my opinions and declarations have been well found-ed, as from my general principles and temper in relation to such affairs, 1 haveresolved, if our interview is conducted in the usual manner, and it pleases Godto give me the opportunity, to reserve and throw away my first fire; and I havethoughts even of reserving my second fire, and thus giving a double opportunityto Colonel Burr to pause and reflect. It is not, however, my intention to enterinto any explanation on the ground. Apology (from principle, I hope, ratherthan 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 an-swer,-that my relative situation, as well in public as private, enforcing all theconsiderations which constitute what men of the world denominate honor , im-posed on me (as I thought) a peculiar necessity not to decline the call. Theability 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, proba-bly, be inseparable from a conformity to public prejudice in this particular.
“ A. H.”