The New Jersey duel where a vice president murdered a founding father in 1804

The Burr-Hamilton Duel at Weehawken

Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton in the stomach at seven in the morning on July 11, 1804, because Hamilton had called him unworthy of trust one too many times.

Their political war began when Hamilton helped block Burr from the presidency in 1800, continued when Hamilton attacked Burr’s character during his failed 1804 governor’s race, and exploded when Hamilton’s dinner party insults reached Burr’s ears.

The sitting Vice President challenged the former Treasury Secretary to meet at Weehawken’s dueling grounds in New Jersey. Here’s the story of that deadly morning.

A Fifteen-Year Political Rivalry Comes to a Head

Aaron Burr first clashed with Alexander Hamilton in 1791 when Burr defeated Hamilton’s father-in-law Philip Schuyler for a Senate seat. This win sparked a long rivalry between the men.

Hamilton worked against Burr at every chance. During the 1800 presidential election tie between Jefferson and Burr, Hamilton convinced Federalists to support Jefferson instead of Burr.

By June 1804, Hamilton himself noted they had spent fifteen years as rivals. This long history of conflict built up to their final deadly meeting.

The Newspaper Comment That Triggered the Fatal Confrontation

The Albany Register printed a letter on April 24, 1804, that pushed the rivals to their breaking point. Dr. Charles Cooper wrote that Hamilton called Burr “a dangerous man” and held an even worse “despicable opinion” of him.

Burr had just lost the New York governor’s race. He blamed Hamilton’s attacks for his defeat. The published letter gave Burr solid proof of Hamilton’s ongoing efforts to ruin him.

Under the strict honor codes of the time, such public insults demanded a response.

The Exchange of Letters That Led to the Challenge

Burr wrote to Hamilton on June 18, 1804, demanding he explain the “despicable” comments. He wanted Hamilton to clearly deny or admit making these remarks.

Hamilton replied two days later but refused to give a simple yes or no answer. He claimed he couldn’t respond to vague accusations.

The men exchanged more letters through their friends, called “seconds.” Burr grew angry with Hamilton’s evasive answers. Finally, Burr formally challenged Hamilton to a duel, following the strict rules for such “affairs of honor.”

Hamilton’s Final Letter to His Wife

The night before the duel, Hamilton wrote a goodbye letter to his wife Elizabeth. He explained that while he opposed dueling based on his Christian beliefs, he felt he had to accept the challenge to protect his public standing.

Hamilton stated he planned to fire his shot in the air instead of aiming at Burr. This choice let him meet the social demands of honor while staying true to his moral views.

His letter showed a man torn between his beliefs and the harsh social rules of his time.

The Secluded Dueling Ground in Weehawken

The duel took place on a narrow ledge on the Hudson River’s western bank. This small spot measured just six feet wide and thirty feet long, with trees hiding it from view.

Dueling was against the law in both New York and New Jersey in 1804. The men chose Weehawken because New Jersey was less strict about punishing duelists. The isolated spot, reached only by boat, kept their illegal fight private.

Sadly, Hamilton’s son Philip had died at nearly the same place in a duel just three years earlier.

The Pistols Used in the Deadly Encounter

The dueling pistols belonged to Hamilton’s brother-in-law, John Barker Church. English gunsmith Robert Wogdon made the .54 caliber flintlock weapons specially for duels.

These heavy pistols had walnut handles, brass parts, and gold inlays. They needed steady hands to aim well. Each gun had a special setting that made the trigger easier to pull.

The same pistols had likely killed Hamilton’s son Philip in his 1801 duel. Church had used these guns in his own 1799 duel with Burr, which ended with no injuries.

How the Duel Was Conducted

Burr reached the dueling ground at 6:30 a.m. with his second, William Van Ness. Hamilton arrived at 7:00 a.m. with his second, Nathaniel Pendleton, and doctor, David Hosack.

Hamilton won the coin toss and picked his position facing New York City. The seconds measured ten paces between the men, following standard dueling rules.

They loaded the pistols out of sight to help everyone deny seeing the illegal duel. Dr. Hosack waited below, close enough to help but far enough to claim he saw nothing.

The Disputed Shots and Hamilton’s Fall

No one agrees on who fired first or if Hamilton missed on purpose. Pendleton claimed Hamilton fired into the air. Van Ness insisted Hamilton aimed at Burr but missed.

Burr’s bullet hit Hamilton in the right side above his hip. The impact spun Hamilton around before he fell to the ground.

The lead ball broke his rib, tore through his liver and diaphragm, and stuck in his spine. This severe damage instantly paralyzed Hamilton’s lower body.

Dr. Hosack’s Desperate Medical Efforts

Dr. Hosack ran to help after hearing shots and shouts. He found Hamilton lying in Pendleton’s arms, already aware of his fatal wound.

Hamilton told Hosack, “This is a mortal wound, Doctor.” Hosack used smelling salts to revive Hamilton from shock.

When Hamilton regained awareness, he noticed his unfired pistol nearby. He warned them to secure it, saying it was still loaded and cocked. He added that he “did not intend to fire at Colonel Burr.”

Hamilton’s Final Hours and Death

Hamilton endured a painful boat ride across the Hudson to his friend William Bayard’s home in Greenwich Village. Dr. Hosack watched his pulse weaken during the journey.

Elizabeth Hamilton and their seven children rushed from their home eight miles north to gather at his bedside. Hamilton received last rites from Bishop Benjamin Moore.

Visiting the Hamilton Memorial

You’ll find the Hamilton memorial at 24 Hamilton Avenue in Weehawken, New Jersey. The small park offers spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline across the Hudson River.

Take photos with the bronze bust of Hamilton and the historic boulder behind it. Walking paths wind through the memorial area, allowing you to explore the approximate site where the famous duel occurred.

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