17,394
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 44:
Line 44: − + + + + + + +
→Later life: add
His position in America ruined but his ambitions still ablaze, Burr in 1808 went to Europe. He still dreamed of a new nation in the Southwest, however, and in Britain , and later in Napoleonic France, he pushed his project. The two nations were at war and neither would deal with with this powerless failure. The French foreign office realized that "he could not be employed without giving great offense to the United States." In May 1812 he returned to New York and slowly rebuilt his law practice.
His position in America ruined but his ambitions still ablaze, Burr in 1808 went to Europe. He still dreamed of a new nation in the Southwest, however, and in Britain , and later in Napoleonic France, he pushed his project. The two nations were at war and neither would deal with with this powerless failure. The French foreign office realized that "he could not be employed without giving great offense to the United States." In May 1812 he returned to New York and slowly rebuilt his law practice.
Burr in 1782 married Theodosia Bartow Prevost, the widow of a former British officer. She died in 1794, and the one child of this union, Theodosia, was Burr's closest companion up to her death at sea in December 1812. Until July 1833, Burr lived alone. Then, at age 77, he remarried, but she sued for divorce a year later.
Burr in 1782 married Theodosia Bartow Prevost, the widow of a former British officer. She died in 1794, and the one child of this union, Theodosia, was Burr's closest companion up to her death at sea in December 1812. Until July 1833, Burr lived alone. Then, at age 77, he remarried, but she sued for divorce a year later.
==Values==
Burr was an opportunity and gambler. In terms of the duel Hamilton
believed he was performing a public service by accepting Burr's challenge. Burr thought the duel would make amends for the humiliation of his defeat in the New York gubernatorial race of 1804. Both men, having faced charges involving personal
character, felt the need to prove themselves as
men of honor.<ref> Freeman (1996)</ref> But Burr had a deeper problem.
Burr's private letters differs markedly from that of other leaders of the American Revolution and reflect Burr's different worldview. Unlike fellow Revolutionary statesmen who endorsed [[republicanism]] and celebrated virtue and enlightened values as their claim to natural aristocracy, Burr esteemed traditional aristocratic values and believed it only proper to use his public office to maintain his position in society and to make money. His correspondence is secretive, and deals primarily with schemes to promote his friends and his business interests. He never wrote about constitutionalism or government policy like his contemporaries. After the Revolution, rival politicians such as Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson united against Burr because his behavior threatened republican ideals and made him a traitor to the new American elite.<ref> Gordon S. Wood, "The Real Treason of Aaron Burr". ''Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society'' 1999 143(2): 280-295. 0003-049X </ref>
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==