2. My wife and children are extremely dear to me, and my life is of the utmost importance to them, in various views.

3. I feel a sense of obligation towards my creditors, who, in case of accident to me, by the forced sale of my property, may be in some degree sufferers. I did not think myself at liberty, as a man of probity, lightly to expose them to this hazard.

4. I am conscious of no ill will to Col. Burr, distinct from political opposition, which, as I trust, has proceeded from pure and upright motives.

Lastly, I shall hazard much, and can possibly gain nothing, by the issue of the interview.

But it was, as I conceive, impossible for me to avoid it. There were intrinsic difficulties in the thing, and artificial embarrassments, from the manner of proceeding on the part of Col. BURR.

Intrinsic, because it is not to be denied, that my animadversions on the political principles, character and views of Col. BURR, have been extremely severe; and on different occasions, I, in common with many others, have made very unfavorable criticisms on particular instances of the private conduct of this gentleman.

In proportion as these impressions were entertained with sincerity, and uttered with motives and for purposes which might appear to me com

mendable, would be the difficulty (until they could be removed by evidence of their being erroneous) of explanation or apology. The disavowal required of me by Col. BURR, in a general and indefinite form, was out of my power, if it had really been proper for me to submit to be so questioned; but I was sincerely of opinion that this could not be, and in this opinion I was confirmed by that of a very moderate and judicious friend whom I consulted. Besides that Col. BURR appeared to me to assume, in the first instance, a tone unnecessarily peremptory and menacing, and in the second, positively offensive. Yet i wished, as far as might be practicable, to leave a door open to accommodation." This, I think, will be inferied from the written communications made by me and by my direction, and would be confirmed by the conversations between Mr. Van Ness and myself, which arose out of the subject.

I am not sure, whether, under all the circumstances, I did not go further in the attempt to accommodate, than a punctilious delicacy will justify. If so, I hope the motives I have stated will

excuse me.

It is not my design, by what I have said, to affix any odium on the conduct of Col. BURR, in this case-He doubtless has heard of animadversions of mine which bore very hard upon him and it is probable that as usual they were accom

;

panied with some falsehoods. He may have supposed himself under the necessity of acting as he has done; I hope the grounds of his proceeding have been such as ought to satisfy his own con

science.

I trust, at the same time, that the world will do me the justice to believe, that I have not censured him on light grounds, nor from unworthy inducements. I certainly have had strong reasons for what I may have said, though it is possible that in some particulars, I may have been influ. enced by misconstruction or misinformation. is also my ardent wish that I may have been more mistaken than I think I have been, and that he, by his future conduct, may shew himself worthy of all confidence and esteem, and prove an ornament and blessing to the country.

It

As well because it is possible that I may have injured Col. BURR, however convinced myself that my opinions and declarations have been well founded, as from my general principles and temper in relation to similar affairs-I have resolved, if our interview is conducted in the usual manner, and it pleases God to give me the opportunity, to reserve and throw away my first fire, and I have thoughts even of reserving my second fire-and thus giving a double opportunity to Col. BURR, to pause and to reflect.

It is not, however, my intention to enter into any explanations on the ground-Apology, from

principle I hope, rather than pride, is out of the question.

To those, who, with me, abhoring the practice of duelling, may think that I ought on no account to have added to the number of bad examples---I answer, that my relative situation, as well in public as private, enforcing all the considerations which constitute what men of the world denominate honour, imposed on me (as I thought) a peculiar necessity not to decline the call. The ability to be in future useful, whether in resisting mischief or effecting good, in those crises of our public affairs, which seem likely to happen, would probably be inseparable from a conformity with public prejudice in this particular.

A. H.

40000000000*

WILL.

In the name of God, Amen. I, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, of the city of New-York, counsellor at law, do make this my last will and testament, as follows:

First. I appoint John B. Church, Nicholas Fish, and Nathaniel Pendleton, of the city aforesaid, Esquires, to be executors and trustees of this my will, and I devise to them, their heirs and assigns, as joint tenants and not as tenants in common, all my estate real and personal whatsoever, and wheresoever, upon trust, at their discretion, to sell and dispose of the same, at such

time and times, in such manner, and upon such terms, as they, the survivors and survivor shall think fit, and out of the proceeds, to pay all the debts which I shall owe at the time of owe at the time of my dein whole if the fund be sufficient; proportionably if it shall be insufficient; and the residue, if any there shall be, to pay and deliver to my excellent and dear wife Elizabeth Hamilton.

cease;

Though if it should please God to spare my life, I may look for a considerable surplus out of my present property, yet if he should speedily call me to the eternal world, a forced sale, as is usual, may possibly render it insufficient to satisfy my debts. I pray God that something may remain for the maintenance and education of my dear wife and children. But should it on the contrary happen that there is not enough for the payment of my debts, I entreat my dear children, if they, or any of them, should ever be able, to make up the deficiency. I without hesitation commit to their delicacy a wish which is dictated by my own. Though conscious that I have too far sacrificed the interests of my family to public avocations, and on this account have the less claim to burthen my children, yet I trust in their magnanimity to appreciate as they ought, this my request. In so unfavorable an event of things, the support of their dear mother, with the most respectful and tender attention, is a duty, all the sacredness of which they will feel. Probably her own patrimonial resources will preserve her from