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'''Aaron Burr, Jr.''' (February 6, 1756 – September 14, 1836) was a leader of the [[Republicans (Jeffersonian)|Jeffersonian Republicans]] in New York, and its vice presidential candidate in 1796 and 1800. He was elected in 1800, but ruined his reputation by killing [[Alexander Hamilton]] in a duel. Burr then plotted an elaborate scheme to create a new country around New Orleans (and breaking off the region from the U.S.). Tried for treason, he was acquitted on a technicality.

'''Aaron Burr, Jr.''' (February 6, 1756 – September 14, 1836) was a leader of the left-leaning [[Republicans (Jeffersonian)|Jeffersonian Republicans]] in New York, and its vice presidential candidate in 1796 and 1800. He was elected in 1800, but ruined his reputation by killing [[Alexander Hamilton]] in a duel. Burr then plotted an elaborate scheme to create a new country around New Orleans (and breaking off the region from the U.S.). Tried for treason, he was acquitted on a technicality.

==Early life==

==Early life==

The line ''a still more despicable opinion'' was cause for the duel. Burr demanded an "explanation" from Hamilton, who refused; Burr demanded that Hamilton admit or deny, "Whether you have authorized their application either directly or by uttering expressions or opinions derogatory to my honor." Hamilton refused to answer and Burr challenged him to a duel.

The line ''a still more despicable opinion'' was cause for the duel. Burr demanded an "explanation" from Hamilton, who refused; Burr demanded that Hamilton admit or deny, "Whether you have authorized their application either directly or by uttering expressions or opinions derogatory to my honor." Hamilton refused to answer and Burr challenged him to a duel.

Political duels in the early republic were part of the political game--[[Andrew Jackson]] killed men in duels and [[Abraham Lincoln]] barely escaped fighting one. After bitter elections, losing politicians sometimes provoked duels with the victors to redeem their failing status; that is, political duelists staged aristocratic contests of honor to refute the outcome of democratic contests of reputation. These duels followed a distinctive and detailed logic that likewise governed the Burr-Hamilton duel.<ref>Freeman (1996)</ref>

Political duels in the early republic were part of the political game—[[Andrew Jackson]] killed men in duels and [[Abraham Lincoln]] barely escaped fighting one. After bitter elections, losing politicians sometimes provoked duels with the victors to redeem their failing status; that is, political duelists staged aristocratic contests of honor to refute the outcome of democratic contests of reputation. These duels followed a distinctive and detailed logic that likewise governed the Burr–Hamilton duel.<ref>Freeman (1996)</ref>

   

   

Dueling had been outlawed in the states of New York and New Jersey, but Hamilton and Burr were not citizens of New Jersey, so on July 11, 1804, the enemies met outside of Weehawken, New Jersey, with pistols at ten paces. Burr shot and killed Hamilton.<ref>Hamilton either did not shoot at all, or shot to miss Burr deliberately, by aiming over his head.  Hamilton believed that a Christian gentlemen should fire over his target so that honor is served, but no one is hurt. He taught this to his son, who had died in a duel not long before when his opponent did not feel the same. Burr had already engaged in two duels in which no one was seriously hurt.</ref>   

Dueling had been outlawed in the states of New York and New Jersey, but Hamilton and Burr were not citizens of New Jersey, so on July 11, 1804, the enemies met outside of Weehawken, New Jersey, with pistols at ten paces. Burr shot and killed Hamilton.<ref>Hamilton either did not shoot at all, or shot to miss Burr deliberately, by aiming over his head.  Hamilton believed that a Christian gentlemen should fire over his target so that honor is served, but no one is hurt. He taught this to his son, who had died in a duel not long before when his opponent did not feel the same. Burr had already engaged in two duels in which no one was seriously hurt.</ref>   

==Western Conspiracy==

==Western Conspiracy==

:{{See also|Insurrection Act}}

:{{See also|Insurrection Act}}

In 1804-5 Burr began the conspiracy for which he is most widely known. In company with Army General [[James Wilkinson]], an old-time friend and the commander of U.S. forces in the Southwest and governor of the Louisiana Territory, Burr envisioned the separation of the western part of the United States, the seizure of the Spanish territory in Texas, California, and Mexico, and the uniting of these areas into a new nation with Burr as its head. The plot depended for its success on disaffected elements in the West and particularly in New Orleans. where the French were thought to be discontent with the Jefferson administration. Burr sought—but failed to receive—the cooperation of Britain through her ambassador, and of Spanish officials—although he was counting upon the outbreak of war between the United States and Spain to create a situation in which his plans could operate.

In 1804–05 Burr began the conspiracy for which he is most widely known. In company with Army General [[James Wilkinson]], an old-time friend and the commander of U.S. forces in the Southwest and governor of the Louisiana Territory, Burr envisioned the separation of the western part of the United States, the seizure of the Spanish territory in Texas, California, and Mexico, and the uniting of these areas into a new nation with Burr as its head. The plot depended for its success on disaffected elements in the West and particularly in New Orleans. where the French were thought to be discontent with the Jefferson administration. Burr sought—but failed to receive—the cooperation of Britain through her ambassador, and of Spanish officials—although he was counting upon the outbreak of war between the United States and Spain to create a situation in which his plans could operate.

Burr's scheme was far too elaborate and underfunded. Burr told too many different versions of his plan to too many people; hence the plot was never fully organized and rumors spread. In August 1806, Burr set out for the Kentucky frontier where a band of 60 men had gathered to sail down the Mississippi River and stir the French Creoles to revolt, the first step in the plan. Wilkinson, in charge of the government at New Orleans, realized that the venture was hopeless. Hence, he turned on Burr in order to keep his own involvement a secret, and reported the plot to Washington. In January 1807 Burr was arrested by Wilkinson, and in May he was put on trial for treason before Chief Justice [[John Marshall]] in the U.S. Circuit Court sitting at Richmond, Virginia. Jefferson was determined to hang Burr, but he was found not guilty on the grounds that he had by no overt act levied war upon the United States.<ref>Isenberg (2007), however, bluntly concludes that Burr never even considered a division of the union or any other form of treason.</ref>

Burr's scheme was far too elaborate and underfunded. Burr told too many different versions of his plan to too many people; hence the plot was never fully organized and rumors spread. In August 1806, Burr set out for the Kentucky frontier where a band of 60 men had gathered to sail down the Mississippi River and stir the French Creoles to revolt, the first step in the plan. Wilkinson, in charge of the government at New Orleans, realized that the venture was hopeless. Hence, he turned on Burr in order to keep his own involvement a secret, and reported the plot to Washington. In January 1807 Burr was arrested by Wilkinson, and in May he was put on trial for treason before Chief Justice [[John Marshall]] in the U.S. Circuit Court sitting at Richmond, Virginia. Jefferson was determined to hang Burr, but he was found not guilty on the grounds that he had by no overt act levied war upon the United States.<ref>Isenberg (2007), however, bluntly concludes that Burr never even considered a division of the union or any other form of treason.</ref>

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 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 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 (however, the couple had been engaged in an extra-marital affair for a long time prior to her first husband's death). 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 was also known for many other adulterous relationships and may have fathered other children as a result.

Burr in 1782 married Theodosia Bartow Prevost, the widow of a former British officer (however, the couple had been engaged in an extramarital affair for a long time prior to her first husband's death). 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 was also known for many other adulterous relationships and may have fathered other children as a result.

==Values==

==Values==

2. "Secretive corresondence."  Many of the Founding Fathers constantly wrote coded letters, including Jefferson and Hamilton. Burr did the same. Mail was constantly being opened and read by others. Code was used as a precaution.

2. "Secretive corresondence."  Many of the Founding Fathers constantly wrote coded letters, including Jefferson and Hamilton. Burr did the same. Mail was constantly being opened and read by others. Code was used as a precaution.

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>

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>

   

   

NOTE: There are no records of Burr "...threatening republican ideals.." To the contrary, according to most contemporary accounts Burr's behavior in his several elected and appointed offices were honorable.  Even his political rivals begrudged him that.  As to "republican ideals," as a U.S. Senator Burr moved for an amendment for complete abolition of slavery. He condemned an amendment in the N.Y. legislature that would bar recent immigrants from joining craft unions-a dangerous move for him in New York at the time. His record as NY Attorney General was progressive and untainted by corruption. And he committed allegiance to the Jeffersonian Republicans when he ran for vice-president. Read the reports of his behavior as President Pro-Tem of the U.S. Senate. According to some of Burr's writing he enjoyed politics, but his family, friends and career (he ws always in debt) came first. The period mentioned above was long before the Conspiracy chapter of his life. Politics alone, if you read contemporary accounts by Jefferson and Hamilton, were the bases of their animosity.  Both Jefferson and Hamilton published attacks on Burr under pseudonyms, both in letters and newspapers.  He never attacked them in this manner.  He was writing a history of the Revolution, but it was lost at sea with his daughter.  

NOTE: There are no records of Burr "...threatening republican ideals.." To the contrary, according to most contemporary accounts Burr's behavior in his several elected and appointed offices were honorable.  Even his political rivals begrudged him that.  As to "republican ideals," as a U.S. Senator Burr moved for an amendment for complete abolition of slavery. He condemned an amendment in the N.Y. legislature that would bar recent immigrants from joining craft unions—a dangerous move for him in New York at the time. His record as NY Attorney General was progressive and untainted by corruption. And he committed allegiance to the Jeffersonian Republicans when he ran for vice president. Read the reports of his behavior as President Pro-Tempore of the U.S. Senate. According to some of Burr's writing he enjoyed politics, but his family, friends and career (he ws always in debt) came first. The period mentioned above was long before the Conspiracy chapter of his life. Politics alone, if you read contemporary accounts by Jefferson and Hamilton, were the bases of their animosity.  Both Jefferson and Hamilton published attacks on Burr under pseudonyms, both in letters and newspapers.  He never attacked them in this manner.  He was writing a history of the Revolution, but it was lost at sea with his daughter.  

Undoubtly there are many unanswered questions about the conspiracy, but recently uncovered records have caused many historians to take a newer, unprejudiced investigation of all the claims. No doubt the filibustering might have taken place eventually, but it didn't.  Time was against Burr.  When, in 1836, the U.S. took Texas from Mexico, Burr stated, "thirty years ago I was called a traitor - today I would be a hero." Dav123 21 May 2010

Undoubtly there are many unanswered questions about the conspiracy, but recently uncovered records have caused many historians to take a newer, unprejudiced investigation of all the claims. No doubt the filibustering might have taken place eventually, but it didn't.  Time was against Burr.  When, in 1836, the U.S. took Texas from Mexico, Burr stated, "thirty years ago I was called a traitor—today I would be a hero." Dav123 21 May 2010

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==

* Parmet, Herbert S. and Marie B. Hecht. ''Aaron Burr: Portrait of an Ambitious Man'' (1967) 399pp [http://www.questia-online-library.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=89000748 online edition]

* Parmet, Herbert S. and Marie B. Hecht. ''Aaron Burr: Portrait of an Ambitious Man'' (1967) 399pp [http://www.questia-online-library.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=89000748 online edition]

* Rorabaugh, W. J. "The Political Duel in the Early Republic: Burr v. Hamilton." ''Journal of the Early Republic'' 1995 15(1): 1-23. 0275-1275  

* Rorabaugh, W. J. "The Political Duel in the Early Republic: Burr v. Hamilton." ''Journal of the Early Republic'' 1995 15(1): 1-23. 0275-1275  

* Stagg, J. C. A. "The Enigma of Aaron Burr." ''Reviews In American History'' 1984 12(3): 378–382. 0048-7511  

* Stagg, J. C. A. "The Enigma of Aaron Burr." ''Reviews In American History'' 1984 12(3): 378–382. 0048-7511

 

===Primary sources===

===Primary sources===

* Burr, Aaron. ''Political Correspondence and Public Papers of Aaron Burr.'' ed. by Mary-Jo Kline, 2 vol. (1983). 1311 pp.

* Burr, Aaron. ''Political Correspondence and Public Papers of Aaron Burr.'' ed. by Mary-Jo Kline, 2 vol. (1983). 1311 pp.

==Notes==

==Notes==

 

{{USVicePresidents}}

{{USVicePresidents}}

[[Category:Children of Clergy]]

[[Category:Children of Clergy]]

[[Category:United States Political Scandals]]

[[Category:United States Political Scandals]]

[[Category:Early National U.S.]]

[[Category:Early National U.S.]]

[[Category:Democratic Party]]

[[Category:Democratic Party]]