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.

Summary of Content: 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.

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

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Full Transcript: [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-

Keywords/Subjects: Codes & Signals, Duel, Judiciary, Law, Politics, Criminals and Outlaws, Vice President

Sub Era: The Age of Jefferson & Madison

Background: 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.

LOC Search Terms: Burr-Hamilton Duel, Weehawken, N.J., 1804., Letters (Correspondence)--New York (State)--New York--19th century., Cryptography--United States--History.

Resource: Aaron Burr, fugitive and traitor, 1804