any comments that may have been written. Quite a few more correspondences passed between the two men. Burr persisted in demanding that Hamilton either recognize or rebuff the remarks. Hamilton, not wanting conflict, gave not answer. At last, on June 27, 1804, Burr insisted that Hamilton handle the penalty of his slur. He officially confronted Hamilton to a duel to resolve their problem. To Burrs contentment, Hamilton received the challenge. Burr went as far as preparing for the duel by practicing his marksmanship every evening after dinner. Hamilton, on the other hand, notified others that he felt no resentment towards Burr, and would therefore refuse to shoot his own firearm. About a week later, Hamilton and Burr met at the shore of the Hudson River to go through with the duel that Burr had demanded for so long. Hamiltons witness saw Burr fire first, and then heard Hamiltons gun go off. As proof to this, later, a tree branch was retrieved which Hamiltons bullet had been lodged into. Hamilton himself told the minister, I have no ill-will against Col. Burr. I met him with a fixed resolution to do him no harm. I forgive all that happened.It is evident, that Hamilton was backed into a duel that he did not want to fight. He did so only after copious demands made by Burr, but not with the intent of ever harming Burr. It was a reluctant move on his part, which in due course led to his untimely demise. To his last hour Hamilton was indeed a man of honor, and nothing short of a gentleman.Aaron Burr felt that he had many good reasons to hate Alexander Hamilton. Burr situated blame on Hamilton for many of the misfortunes of his life, when in fact, he alone was to at fault. The demise of his reputation began in 1776. Burr was severely reprimanded by Washington when he was caught in the act of casually reading the Commander-in-chiefs private correspondence. After this incident, Washington mistrusted Burr and maintained a cold, formal ...
