A Deadly Duel in the Name of Preserving Burr and Hamilton Honour - Research Paper Example

The Burr-Hamilton Duel Sources Freeman, Joanne. “Dueling as Politics: The Burr-Hamilton Duel.” The New York Journal of American History. (2001): 40-47. Print. In this journal, Freeman gives the political and social background to the famous tragic duel between Burr and Hamilton. It also contains direct quotations from various individuals who witnessed the duel at the time. 2. Ravitch, Diane, ed. The American Reader: Words that Moved a Nation. New York: HarperCollins, 2000. Print. This text gives an eye-witness account to the duel that ended Hamilton’s life and Burr’s political career. Death in a Duel Dueling was a common feature of the American history, but none had ever captured the imagination of the entire American fraternity like the Burr-Hamilton deadly spat that took place on July 11, 1804. This could be attributed to the fact it was a high profile duel. The principles were none other than Aaron Burr, a colonel and former vice president of the United States, and Alexander Hamilton, a general and former Secretary of the Treasury and a pioneer of the US constitution. The two very powerful and influential men faced each other in a clearing in Weehawken, New Jersey, loaded their weapons and fired. Instantly, their lives, and that of the nation, changed completely. Hamilton lost his life while Burr’s political ambition and clout went down the drain. Why did the two prominent men in the history of America duel? Although dueling was common in 18th century America, it was not clear why Burr and Hamilton agreed to a duel with deadly consequences on the chilly morning of July 11, 1804. Nevertheless, it was apparent that the duel had been long overdue. This paper will revolve around the thesis that bitter political, military and personal rivalry between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton were the reasons that necessitated the duel that resulted into the death of one and the political demise of the other. Two sources will be analyzed to prove the thesis. The first primary source contains a graphic account of what transpired on the morning of July 11, 1804. The author, Matthew L. Davies, describes the fatal clash of the titans, Burr and Hamilton “…asked if they were prepared; being answered in the affirmative, he gave the word present as had been agreed on, and both parties presented and fired in succession… and General Hamilton almost instantly fell.” (p144). This was the end of an era for both of them, instantly to Hamilton, and gradually for Burr. The author intended this document for historians and the entire public since the duel was shrouded in mystery. Even to date, historians are never too sure as to why the two men dueled. Therefore, through this document, the author attempts to solve the mystery for historians and other concerned parties. The document makes it clear that the duel was long overdue. This is because Burr and Hamilton had a long standing political, military and personal rivalry. The only way to solve the rivalry was to eliminate either of them. The author of the document seems to be striving for credibility and authenticity in presenting his ideas. He says: “Matthews L. Davis, Burr’s close friend, gives an eye-witness account of the encounter, in which Hamilton was mortally wounded.” (p143). The author, therefore, wished to draw confidence from the readers so as to help them solve the Burr-Hamilton puzzle once and for all. The author does so, considering the shock waves that the duel sent across America’s political and social landscape. Moreover, it is possible that having been a close ally to Burr, Davis may have wanted to set the record straight to avoid suspicion for foul play in the debacle. He may, therefore be out to clear his conscience. The second primary source, Duel as Politics by Freeman corroborates the evidence in the first document. It states: “ ‘General Hamilton was shot by Colonel Burr in a duel this morning. The General is said to be mortally wounded.’” (Freeman 47). This quotation appeared in a bulletin in 1804, reporting the death of Hamilton in the fatal duel. The grim reality of this report dawned on the people when on the afternoon of the following day, Hamilton succumbed to the injury and passed on. He had paid with his life for agreeing to the battle of honor by his long time foe, Aaron Burr. The context surrounding the duel was just as baffling as the duel itself. The two men had been locked in a bitter rivalry for years. The author of the first document says: “In his political activities, Burr had incurred the enmity of Hamilton, though outwardly the two men were friends.” (p143). Colonel Burr had a sharp mind which he combined with his charm to win votes. In the presidential election of 1800, Burr would have ascended to the US presidency were it not for the machinations of his long time foe, General Hamilton. Four years later, Hamilton again dealt a humiliating blow to Burr’s gubernatorial campaign by casting aspersions to his moral character. Consequently, Burr lost the election and became bitter towards Hamilton. Unable to bear the humiliation, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel popularly known as the battle of honor in those days. Battles of honor had taken root in 18th century America especially after elections. It afforded bitter losers the opportunity to reclaim their reputation and standing after losing in the elections. Thus, as Hamilton worked hard to ruin the political career of his nemesis, he must have known he would be challenged to a battle of honor. This is quite evident in his speech on his death-bed: “I have found, for some time past, that my life must be exposed to that man.” (Freeman 47-48). This implies that Hamilton became vulnerable to Burr as he continued to oppose him. From the two documents, it is clear that political and personal rivalry caused Burr and Hamilton to resort to a deadly duel in the name of preserving their honor. Hamilton had worked hard to ensure that Burr does not hold an elective office by making the public believe he was unfit to do so. He did this by making serious attacks on Burr’s moral standing. Consequently, Burr lost both the presidency and governorship. He became bitter and decided to challenge Hamilton to a duel. On the morning of July 11, 1804, the two men confronted each other and two shots ended the bitter rivalry for good. However, Burr did not succeed to reclaim the honor he desperately sought as the duel effectively ended his political career. Works cited Freeman, Joanne. “Dueling as Politics: The Burr-Hamilton Duel.” The New York Journal of American History. (2001): 40-47. Print. Ravitch, Diane, ed. The American Reader: Words that Moved a Nation. New York: HarperCollins, 2000. Print. Read More