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Hoping that a victory on the dueling ground could revive his flagging political career, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton wanted to avoid the duel, but politics left him no choice. If he admitted to Burr’s charge, which was substantially true, he would lose his honor.
Mental Floss reports that his post-dueling plans included a large breakfast and dining with a friend. His actions post-duel suggest there may have been some regret from the sitting vice president, though it was not abundantly clear if he felt any remorse for killing Hamilton.
Had Hamilton apologized for his “more despicable opinion of Mr. Burr”, all would have been forgotten. However, neither principal could avoid the confrontation honorably, and thus each was forced into the duel for the sake of personal honor.
What was the reason for the duel between Hamilton and Burr? The two men had long been political rivals, but the immediate cause of the duel was disparaging remarks Hamilton had allegedly made about Burr at a dinner. Alexander Hamilton (right) being fatally shot by Aaron Burr during their duel, 1804.
Hamilton regarded Burr as far more dangerous than Jefferson and used all his influence to ensure Jefferson’s election. On the 36th ballot, the House of Representatives gave Jefferson the presidency, with Burr becoming vice president.
Joanne Freeman speculates that Hamilton intended to accept the duel and throw away his shot in order to satisfy his moral and political codes.
Hamilton’s animosity toward Burr was severe and well-documented in personal letters to his friend and compatriot James McHenry. The following quotation from one of these letters on January 4, 1801, exemplifies his bitterness: