Page:The Burr-Hamilton duel with correspondence.djvu/21

 reparation expected, are so definitely expressed in Col. Burr's letter of the 21st instant that there is not perceived a necessity for further explanation on his part. The difficulty that would result from confining the enquiry to any particular times and occasions must be manifest. The denial of a specified conversation only, would leave strong implications that on other occasions improper language had been used. When and where injurious opinions and expressions have been uttered by General Hamilton must be best known to him, and of him only will Col. Burr enquire. No denial or declaration will be satisfactory, unless it be general; so as wholly to exclude the idea that rumours derogatory to Col. Burr's honor have originated with General Hamilton, or have been fairly inferred from anything he has said. A definite reply to a requisition of this nature was demanded by Col. Burr's letter of the 21st instant. This being refused invites the alternative alluded to in Gen. Hamilton's letter of the 20th.

It was required by the position in which the