1Aaron Burr’s Instructions to William P. Van Ness, [22–23 June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
⟨–⟩ of withdrawing the Letter. Impossible unless in lieu of it I should send a Challenge vid. the Hypothesis the defiance a. b. so uncommunicative that p. s. did not till now know his impressions of a H. letter, except by Conjecture. No 7 a. b. far from conceiving that rivalship authorises a latitude not otherwise justifiable, always feels greater delicacy in such cases & would think it...
2Aaron Burr to William P. Van Ness, [25 June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I am disappointed of my ride. If xxx should propose to charge you with any verbal message, you may reply, that being authorised for a particular purpose, you cannot so far exceed your power and assume upon your self as to present to your principal an overture for negociation on a new basis—that you consider the negociation in which you engaged, as concluded and that it would be highly improper...
3Aaron Burr to William P. Van Ness, [26 June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
The last propn. of gen H. is a worse libel than even the letter of Dr C & throughout manifests a disposition to evade. A “letter properly adapted”—Who is to judge of this—Mr B. will judge for himself & thinks his two letters very properly adapted & having expressed himself definitively on that point he is surprized to find it again brought in question. “any particular instance of dishonorable...
4Aaron Burr to William P. Van Ness, [9 July 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I should with regret pass over another Day. It is left however to your discretion. If the Fort is agreed on, it will [be] impossible to make an early business without fatigue. What you shall do will be satisfactory to me—except an early Morning hour. I have no predilection for time. From 7 to 12 is the least pleasant—but anything so we but get on. If you go out, leave a line for me with your...