Historical Research Library Discover the people, events, and key documents that shaped the Founding Era.
Newspaper Account of the Duel, August 2, 1804 An anti-dueling article in an Antifederalist newspaper three weeks after the Burr–Hamilton duel Supporting Document
Article II of the Constitution and the Twelfth Amendment The initial rules for electing the president and vice president and the constitutional amendment that resolved some issues arising in 1796 and 1800 Supporting Document
Burr’s Coded Letter about the Duel, 1804 A letter about the possibility of criminal charges against the vice president Supporting Document
Hamilton’s Farewell Letter to His Wife, July 4, 1804 A letter offering insight into Hamilton's views on marriage, honor, and masculinity a week before the fatal duel Supporting Document
Aaron Burr Challenges Alexander Hamilton, 1804 A condemnation of Hamilton’s refusal to retract his insulting statements Supporting Document
Angelica Church to Philip Schuyler about the Duel, 1804 An emotional and hurried letter breaking the news of the duel Supporting Document
“Notorious for—a Sally,” 1805 A satirical poem ridiculing Thomas Jefferson for fathering children with an enslaved woman, Sally Hemings Supporting Document
Mercy Otis Warren on Hamilton’s Economic Plan, 1805 An ardent revolutionary on Washington’s unquestioning acceptance of Hamilton’s financial plan Supporting Document
Peter Kiteredge’s Petition for Veteran’s Aid, 1806 A formerly enslaved disabled soldier requests aid to support his family Supporting Document
A Sermon on the Abolition of the Slave Trade, 1808 A commemoration of the abolition of the slave trade focusing on the forced separation of families Supporting Document
Theodosia Burr Alston, on Her Father’s Exile, to Dolley Madison, 1809 A letter from Burr's daughter emphasizing the past friendship between the exiled Burr and Madison Supporting Document
Hercules Mulligan Writes about Alexander Hamilton as a Soldier, ca. 1810 Impressions of Hamilton as a soldier written years after his death Supporting Document