Page:The Burr-Hamilton duel with correspondence.djvu/19

 undertake to repeat them, without running the risk of varying, or omitting what might be deemed important circumstances. The expressions are entirely forgotten, and the specific ideas imperfectly remembered; but to the best of his recollection it consisted of comments on the political principles and views of Col. Burr and the results that might be expected from them in the event of his election as Governor, without reference to any particular instance of past conduct, or to private character."

After the delivery of the letter of the 22d, as above mentioned, in another interview with Mr. Van Ness, he (Van Ness) desired Mr. Pendleton to give him in writing the substance of what he had proposed on the part of General Hamilton, which Mr. Pendleton did in the words following:

"In answer to a letter properly adapted to obtain from General Hamilton a declaration whether he had charged Col. Burr with any particular instance of dishonorable conduct, or had impeached his private character,