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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Burr, Aaron (1756-1836) to Joseph Alston

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01523 Author/Creator: Burr, Aaron (1756-1836) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: circa 13-21 July 1804 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 23.5 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Writes in partial cypher to his son-in-law after his duel with Alexander Hamilton. In the text that is not in cypher, Burr states that the jury has adjourned until Monday, 23 July, and that the results will determine whether or not he flees. He indicates that there is sentiment against him by Governor DeWitt Clinton and his allies. Thanks him for an earlier letter of support. At the end of the text is "Enclose to Ch. Biddle, Phila." Charles Biddle was a friend of Burr's. The second and third pages are in cypher. Date is from docket. The letter was written no earlier than 13 July 1804 and probably not later than 21 July 1804.

At 10 AM on 21 July Burr left his home at Richmond Hill and traveled to Perth Amboy, finding his way eventually to St. Simon's Island, Georgia. The cypher has not yet been decoded. See the collateral file for a background description of this letter.

[excerpt]
Immediately on the receipt of your letter on finance, I put the thing in a train of inquiry - The person employed has not yet met with success - your name is not used -
The jury Mentioned in my last have adjourned over to Monday Eveg (23d.) - The result will determine my Movements - You perceive that a certain description of federalists and the virulent Clintses. are in perfect harmony - In the estimation of the former, Cheetham is a gentleman and a soldier and Dewitt will probably soon attain similar dignities.
Your letter of the 20 June was particularly grateful ~ The discernment, the frankness and the attachment which it manifests, flatter my pride and affect my heart - I concur fully with your opinions.

~ A S Y O U A R E N O T made of more
~ 5 VIII (-) IV X 5 VII 1 III IV IX made of more

P L E A N T M A T E R I A L S T H A N M Y
V 10 1 5 III IX II 5 IX 1 VII 8 5 10 VIII IX 7 5 III II (-)

S E L F. The advice comes with double force ~
VIII 1 10 0. The advice comes with double force ~

The L I T T L E B A N D - being about 20,000 I N The 10 8 IX IX 10 1 4 5 III 2 - being about 20,000 8 III
T H I S S T A T E [strikeout] S T A N D F I R M ~
IX 7 8 VIII VIII IX 5 IX 1 VIII IX 5 III 2 0 8 VII II ~

I F T H E I N Q U E S T B E F O U N D,
8 0 IX 7 1 8 III VI X 1 VIII IX 4 1 0 IV X III 2, ?

W H A T W O U L D Y O U A D V I S E ~ To
? 7 5 IX ? IV X 10 2 (-) IV X 5 2 Y 8 VIII 1 ~ To

S T A N D - To G O T O E U R O P E O R
VIII IX 5 III 2 - To 6 IV IX IV 1, X VII IV V 1 IV VII,

W H A T? ~
? 7 5 IX? ~

Enclose to Chs. Biddle, Phila -

J. Alston Esqr

[docket]
A.B. Augt 1804 20th July
Joseph Alston Esqr-

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
Alston, Joseph, 1778-1816
Biddle, Charles, 1745-1821
Clinton, DeWitt, 1769-1828

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