Page:The Burr-Hamilton duel with correspondence.djvu/27

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23

while any other hope remained, his request was repeated in terms more explicit. The replies and propositions on the part of Gen. Hamilton have in Col. Burr's opinion been constantly in substance the same.

Col. Burr disavows all motives of predetermined hostility, a charge by which he thinks insult added to injury. He feels as a gentleman should feel when his honor is impeached or assailed, and without sensations of hostility or wishes of revenge he is determined to vindicate that honor at such hazard as the nature of the case demands.

The length to which this correspondence has extended, only tending to prove that the satisfactory redress, earnestly desired cannot be obtained, he deems it useless to offer any proposition except the simple message which I shall now have the honor to deliver.

I have the honor to be, with great respect,

Your obedient and very humble servant,
W. P. Van Ness.

Wednesday Morning, June 27th, 1804.