1William 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...
2William 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...
3William 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...
4William 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...
5William 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...
6To 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.
7William 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...
8To 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...
9William 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...
10William 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...