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Burr to Hamilton
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Hamilton to Burr
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Burr to Hamilton
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Hamilton to Burr
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Pendleton to Burr
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Van Ness to Pendleton
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Pendleton to Van Ness
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Vann Ness to Pendleton
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After this letter was written on June 22, there followed several days of verbal exchanges delivered by the seconds, Van Ness and Pendleton. Hamilton felt he could make an acceptable disavowal if Burr would retract his letter of June 21 and deal with specific instances only. Burr refused and the letter was delivered unchanged in the early afternoon of July 25.
Hamilton to Burr
June 22, 1804
Autograph Letter Signed
(For a transcription of this document, please see below)
New York, June 22d, 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 anything different admitting of greater latitude, it is requisite you should explain.
I
have the honor to be, Sir
Your Obedt. Servt.
A. HAMILTON
Aaron Burr, Esqr.
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