DEATH OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON – STEWART, William. Autograph letter signed ("Wm. Stewart") to Philip Church, New York, "8 o'clock evening", 11 July 1804.

Three pages, bifolium, 253 x 202mm (partial separation and mounting remnants at spinefold, loss from seal tear affects one word of text). Addressed on the integral leaf with a red 12 July New York postal cancellation.

"Your friend Alexander Hamilton has been this morning dangerously, and I fear, mortally wounded in a duel with Colonel Burr."

A same-day report on the Burr-Hamilton duel, written to Hamilton's nephew, Philip Church. Writing from New York only hours after the mortally-wounded Hamilton returned from Weehawken, New Jersey from his fateful encounter with Aaron Burr, Stewart writes, "with much reluctance … giving you a piece of information so truly distressing. It is at the request of your mother [Angeleca Schuyler Church, Elizabeth Schuyler's sister] who feels herself so agitated as to be unable to write to you at this moment. Your friend Alexander Hamilton has been this morning dangerously, and I fear, mortally wounded in a duel with Colonel Burr. The letter challenged the General on account (it is said) of some expressions made by him respecting Burr's political principles. They met this morning at five Oclock on the Jersey shore, when General Hamilton received a ball in his side, which is lodged near the back bone. I left Mr. William Bayard's about half an hour ago, where the General now is, and Doctor Hosack who attended him to the field, and has been constantly with him, assured me that he has met the least hope of his surviving many hours. The whole of your family are in the greatest distress particularly your father, and mother. Mrs. Hamilton was much shocked when she first heard of it, but has resumed her fortitude, and has not left the General's bed side for some hours. He retains his faculties, and is perfectly collected and aware of his situation." Stewart continues, describing the popular reaction to the tragedy in New York. "You cannot conceive the agitation which this deplorable circumstance has occasioned in this place. People of all classes and whatever politics, sincerely lament the fate of the first and best man in the United States, and the quarter part with most cordially that the event had been reversed."

[With:] HEARD, P. Autograph letter signed ("P. Heard") to G. D. Walk, New York, 14 July 1804.

Eight pages in two bifolia, 252 x 203 mm. (loss from seal tear affects several words of text). Integral transmittal leaf bearing a red 16 July New York postal cancellation.

A lengthy report on the Hamilton-Burr duel and its fatal consequences, written to a correspondent who appears not to have been a fan of Alexander Hamilton: "No, my dear friend, there is no hope. It was all extinguished at the date of your letter. The great Hamilton has left us ……… but hush; I dare not delineate what my heart conceives. One chilling sentence in your letter forbids it. I am induc'd to believe you had [not?] a personal knowledge of the man: [if y]out had, you would find it difficult to persuade yourself that he lacked respect for any one; and still more so, that he was envious of, or wanting in gratitude to, the 'venerable Adams.' The uniform tenor of Hamilton's life — his total want of ambition — his unaffected modesty and candour, forbids the indulgence of such a belief."

Heard then attempts to convey a "minute and copious … narrative," reviewing the circumstances that led to the fatal encounter. "It is believed that the words which fell from Gen. H. Last winter [in] Albany, relative to Mr. Burr’s [word missing] the chair of this state, though free from asperity or malignity, were the cause of this fatal duel. Charity forbids my attaching any other circumstance, to this latent cause, until further information; but you are not ignorant of their (then) relative situations. I understand the challenge was given by Burr, soon after the election – That Gen. H. exhausted the last drop in the cup of reconciliation, but that nothing would satisfy Burr save an interview. Hamilton seems to have had a presentiment that he should fall: he therefore took some time to arrange as affairs, and drew up account of the rise in progress of the ever-to-be lamented dispute. He also wrote an essay, or a pamphlet against dueling. The day and evening previous to the fatal morning, he paid short visits to all of his friends, and took leave of them without a hint of his approaching danger — a circumstance which sufficiently demonstrates the goodness of his heart, and the tranquility of his mind. In the morning, about four, he squeezed his servants hands, said “God bless you,” and departed from them. Hoboken was the place of meeting. Gen. H. Was assisted by Judge Pendleton, and Col. Burr by Wm. P Van Ness, his satellite and adjuster[?]. It is said they stood but a very few paces from each other, (I presume 5) and that, when the word was given, Hamilton raised his pistol in the air, but did not fire. Burr did his utmost; and his ball took the most complete effect, entering at or near his loins, and penetrating to the backbone. It is also said, but, for the horror of human nature, I hope not truly said, that Burr walked immediately up to the General, gave him a fiend like look, snuggled up his shoulders, said nothing, and withdrew to town. — It is certain, that at nine of the clock, on the same morning, he [Burr] sent for Mr. Prime, a celebrated broker, and transacted some business with him with all his former politeness and composure, so much so that Prime knew nothing of the affair till it was in everybody’s mouth. Who will not say that Burr is admirably calculated to be at the head of a daring ambitious party? —"

"General Hamilton exhibited no signs of life till he was halfway over the river. He was taken to the elegant place of Mr. Bayard, on its bank, the very House at which his son died, in a similar way, about two years ago. His friends wanted to see him. He appeared fine and tranquil to the last. Bishop Moore administered the sacrament to him, at his particular request; and then drew up a statement of his last moments, which he has published, and which I send you as a confirmation of my sentiments with respect to him. General Clarkson, and several of his most intimate friends, had an interview with him; but they were all well overcome. It is said he empowered the Rev. John M. Mason to publish His life and writings; and that though few can be found who are capable of exhibiting the masculine virtues of the great Hamilton, yet many believe the choice is happy. I send you the Commercial Advertiser, from which you may glean a slight idea of the grandeur of his funeral, which exceeded everything of the kind in this country, with the single exception of that of Washington’s. Every clergymen in the city, both Jew and Gentile, young and old, attended. Never was there such a general sensation from business, on a weekday; nor so much solemnity and general grief, with the before mentioned exception. The bells were muffled, and told, at intervals, for three days; and every circumstance on a proportional scale. The Democratic governor and lieutenant governor; the Democratic mayor and sheriff, and even Captain Cheatham followed the illustrious deceased. Several of the Burrites hold, military commissions, and attended in their respective places; except the elder Swartroot, who is a major in the artillery, and who was to have been Secretary of State under the Burr administration. He is an ignorant, pompous, fellow, and a dealer in paints. Hamilton was benevolence itself, as his clients can well testify. I would mention some anecdotes on this head, but have no room. — I am sorry we differ with respect to his conduct towards the ‘venerable Adams.’ I know that many persons think that a stain upon his character; but, for my part, I am not a that opinion. I think it the highest trait in his political character: and, before you say anything farther to me upon the subject, I beg you will give his pamphlet another careful perusal. If you have not a copy, I can send you one. It is a melancholy part that the ‘venerable Adams’ was willing to preserve his place by trimming to the opposite party, and by divers and other transactions equally heinous in the sight of integrity. These are extraordinary reports with respect to Burr. I do not know where he is."