1William P. Van Ness’s Amendments to the Joint Statement Made by Nathaniel Pendleton and Him on the Duel between … (Hamilton Papers)
The second of G H having considered it proper to subjoin an explanatory note to the statement mutually furnished, it becomes proper for the gentleman who attended Col Burr to state also his impressions with respect to those points on which their exists a variance of opinion. In doing this he pointedly disclaims any idea disrespectful to the memory of G H, or an intention to ascribe any conduct...
2Joint Statement by William P. Van Ness and Nathaniel Pendleton on the Duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr … (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Burr arrived first on the ground as had been previously agreed. When Genl Hamilton arrived the parties exchanged salutations and the Seconds proceeded to make their arrangments. They measured the distance, ten full paces, and cast lots for the choice of positions as also to determine by whom the word should be given, both of which fell to the Second of Genl Hamilton. They then proceeded...
3William P. Van Ness to Nathaniel Pendleton, 16 July 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I went to the City yesterday for the express purpose of conferring with [you] on the subject of the contemplated publication. One of my children was extremely unwell when I left home and a short time after my arrival in town, a Servant was sent to inform me that she was in extreme danger. To this unfortunate situation of my family I beg you to ascribe my apparent inattention to the appointment...
4William P. Van Ness to Nathaniel Pendleton, [11 July 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
If your attention to your friend will not be interrupted by it, I will be greatly obliged to you, to inform me of the situation of General Hamilton. I sincerely hope that his wound is not, as has been stated to me, pronounced mortal. The melancholy termination of this days contest renders it expedient I think, that we should have an interview as soon as your situation & feeling will justify...
5William P. Van Ness’s Regulations for the Duel, [9 July 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
1. The parties to leave the City at 5 O Clock A. M Wednesday morning 11th Instant. 2. The distance between the parties to be 10 yards & the Pistols not to exceed 11 Inches in the barrel. The Seconds to determine by lot the choice of Positions and the Giving of the word. 3. The parties being placed at their Stations—The Second who gives the words shall ask them whether they are ready. Being...
6William P. Van Ness to Nathaniel Pendleton, [4 July 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I have engaged two gentlemen to dine with me tomorrow. If it be perfectly immaterial to you, I should prefer taking our ride on some subsequent day. I have the honor to be Your most obt & very hum Sert ALS , New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, New York.
7William P. Van Ness to Nathaniel Pendleton, [27 June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
The letter which I had the honor to receive from you under date of yesterday, states among other things, that in Genl Hamilton’s opinion, Col: Burr has taken a very indefinite ground, in which he evinces nothing short of predetermined hostility; and that Genl Hamilton thinks it inadmissable that the enquiry should extend to his confidential as well as other conversations. To this Col. Burr can...
8William P. Van Ness to Nathaniel Pendleton, [26 June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
The letter which you yesterday delivered me and your subsequent communications, in Col Burrs opinion evince no disposition on the part of Genl Hamilton to come to a satisfactory accomodation. The injury complained of and the reparation expected are so definitely expressed in Col: Burr’s letter of the 21st Instant, that there is not perceived a necessity for further explanation on his part. The...
9Disclaimer for Alexander Hamilton Prepared by William P. Van Ness, [25 June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
Being apprised that expressions are ascribed to me impeaching the honor and affecting the private reputation of Col. Burr, and perceiving that reports to this effect have been widely disseminated, I feel it due to my own honor, as also to that of a gentleman thus traduced under the sanction of my name, to remove such injurious impressions. I therefore frankly and explicitly disclaim and...
10To Alexander Hamilton from William P. Van Ness, 23 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 23, 1804. In describing the events of this day in his narrative, Van Ness wrote: “I sent a Note to Genl Hamilton’s Office and also to his house.” Notes not found. ] “Van Ness’s Narrative,” AD , New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, New York; ADf , New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, New York.
11To Alexander Hamilton from William P. Van Ness, 23 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
In the afternoon of yesterday I reported to Col. Burr the result of my last interveiw with you, and appointed the evening to receive his further instructions. Some private engagements however prevented me from calling on him ’till this morning. On my return to the City I found upon enquiry both at your office and house, that you had returned to your residence in the Country. Least an interveiw...
12William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of June 18, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
On the afternoon of the 17th June last I received a Note from Col: Burr requesting me to call on him the following morning which I did. Upon my arrival he observed that it had of late been frequently stated to him that Genl Hamilton had at different times and upon various occasions used language and expressed opinions highly injurious to his reputation—that he had for some time felt the...
13William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of June 18–21, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Genl Hamilton read the Note of Mr Burr and the printed letter of Mr Cooper to which it refers, and remarked that they required some consideration, and that in the course of the day he would send a answer to my office. At ½ past 1 O clock Genl Hamilton called at my house and said that a variety of engagements would demand his attention during the whole of that day and the next—but that on...
14William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of June 21–22, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
On the morning of Thursday the 21st I delivered to Col: Burr the above letter and in the evening was furnished with the following letter for Genl Hamilton which I delivered to him at 12 o clock on friday the 22d Inst, (Mr B’s letter 21 June) of which No. 3 is a copy. “Van Ness’s Narrative,” AD , New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, New York. H to Aaron Burr, June 20, 1804 . Burr...
15William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of June 22, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
General Hamilton perused it, & said it was such a letter as he had hoped not to have received—that it contained several offensive expressions & seemed to close the door to all further reply—that he had hoped the answer he had returned to Col Burr’s first letter would have given a different direction to the controversy—that he thought Mr Burr would have perceived that there was a difficulty in...
16William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of June 22–23, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
In the afternoon of this day I reported to Col: Burr at his house out of town the above answer and determination of General Hamilton and promised to call on him again in the evening to learn his further wishes. I was detained in Town however this evening by some private business and did not call on Col: Burr untill the following morning Saturday the 23d Inst; I then received from him a letter...
17William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of June 23, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
When I returned with this letter to the City which was about 2 o clock in the afternoon of the same day, I sent a Note to Genl Hamilton’s Office and also to his house desiring to know when it would be convenient for him to receive a communication. The Servant as he informed me received for answer at both places that Genl Hamilton had left the City and was gone to his Country residence. I then...
18William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of June 25, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
At nine O clock on Monday the 25th Inst: I called on Genl Hamilton at his house in Cedar Street to present the letter No 4 already alluded to, and with instructions for a verbal communication of which the following Notes No 7 handed me by Mr Burr were to be the basis. The substance of which though in terms as much softened as my instructions would permit, was accordingly communicated to Genl...
19William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of Later Events of June 25, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
In about an hour he called at my house. I informed him, that I had shewn to Col Burr the letter he had given me from Genl Hamilton that in his opinion it amounted to nothing more than the verbal reply I had already reported—that it left the business precisely w[h]ere it then was—that Mr Burr had very explicitly stated the injuries he had received, and the reparation he demanded, and that he...
20William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of June 26, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
The following day (tuesday 26. June) as early as was convenient I had an interview with Col: Burr, who informed me that he considered Genl Hamiltons proposition a mere evasion, which evinced a desire to leave the injurious impressions which had arisen from the conversations of Genl Hamilton in full force. That when he had undertaken to investigate an injury his honor had sustained it would be...
21William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of June, 27–28, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I handed this to him at 12 Oclock on Wednesday the 27th Instant. After he had perused it agreeable to my instructions I delivered the Message which it is unnecessary to repeat. The request it contained, was acceeded to—after which Mr xxx remarked that a Court was then sitting in which Genl Hamilton had much business to transact, and had also some private arrangements to make which would render...
22William P. Van Ness’s Narrative of the Events of July 3, 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Tuesday July 3d I again saw Mr Pendleton, and after a few subsequent interviews the time when the parties were to meet was ultimately fixed on for the morning of the 11th July Inst. “Van Ness’s Narrative,” AD , New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, New York; ADf , New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, New York. In the draft of his narrative Van Ness wrote: “Tuesday...