Today in History

Today in History: July 11

A Tragic Duel

Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton,
Photograph of a Fresco in the U.S. Capitol,
Theodor Horydczak, photographer,
circa 1920-1950.


Both men were political leaders in New York: Burr, a prominent Republican, and Hamilton, leader of the opposing Federalist Party. Burr had found himself the brunt of Hamilton's political maneuvering on several occasions, including the unusual presidential election of 1800, in which vice-presidential candidate Burr almost defeated his running mate, presidential candidate Thomas Jefferson. In 1804, Hamilton opposed Burr's closely fought bid for governor of New York. On the heels of this narrow defeat, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel on the grounds that Hamilton had publicly maligned his character.

Old Dueling Grounds
Avenue under the oaks,
Old Duelling Grounds,
New Orleans, Louisiana,
circa 1910.

Once sanctioned by law and custom, dueling declined in the Northern states after the American Revolution, though it flourished longer in the American South. By 1804, it had been outlawed in New York, forcing Burr in the aftermath of his encounter with Hamilton to give up his political ambitions and flee the state to avoid a warrant for his arrest.

Discredited by the duel with Hamilton, Burr sought to regain political power by a filibustering adventure, which led instead to his indictment for treason. He was accused of leading an expedition to create an independent nation along the Mississippi River by separating territories from the United States and Spain. With Chief Justice John Marshall sitting as circuit judge, Burr was tried for treason in federal court in Richmond, Virginia, in 1807, although he was eventually acquitted. The Words and Deeds in American History: Selected Documents Celebrating the Manuscript Division's First 100 Years collection contains the June 13, 1807, subpoena served on Thomas Jefferson to testify at Burr’s treason trial.

Learn more about Burr and Hamilton in American Memory: