Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1878 — Revenging a Slight. [ARTICLE]

Revenging a Slight.

Aaron Burr always resented any assumption of superiority on the part of legal or political associates. When he and Alexander Hamilton were contending for the first rank at the New York bar, it happened that they were engaged on the same side of an important suit. The etiquette of the bar assigned the honor of the opening plea to the leading counsel, and Hamilton, with a little arrogance, perhaps, hinted that Col. Burr would make the opening argument. Burr made no objection, but determined to punish his rival for what he (Burr) thought an arrogant assumption. He opened the case, and, knowing from consultations what points Hamilton intended to make, he made them all himself. His exhaustive plea left his colleague little to say. Hamilton never appeared to so little advantage, and Burr enjoyed his mortification. It was a mean thing to do, which an honorable man would despise, but Burr had no principles which would hinder hi& indulgence f>f the spirit of u^venge.