Details
BURR, AARON, Vice-President. Autograph letter signed ("ABurr") as Vice-President, TO PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON, New York, 21 April 1801. 2 pages, 4to, 240 x 200mm. (9 1/2 x 8 in.), formerly tipped to another sheet, four small pieces cut from the letter to hide the identity of an individual mentioned (affecting seven words of text), DOCKETED AT TOP OF PAGE 2 BY THOMAS JEFFERSON: "Burr, Aaron. N.York, Apr. 21. 1801 recd. Apr. 24."
BURR TO JEFFERSON ON HAMILTON: "[HE] SEEMS TO BE LITERALLY MAD WITH SPLEEN AND ENVY AND DISAPPOINTMENT"
In this unusually lengthy and vaguely conspiratorial letter, written just a month after taking the office of Vice-President, Burr discusses the removal of Federalists from various goverment offices and the appointment of Jefferson supporters. He concludes with a striking comment on his arch-rival in New York politics, Alexander Hamilton. "I have written to Mr. [James] Madison [Secretary of State] respecting the Consul of Madeira, the Marshall of Mass[achuset]ts Bay and the Marshall of N[ew] Jersey...Upon my arrival in this City I found it noised about that [missing name] was destined for the office, either of Supervisor or Naval officer, and it is with regret that I declare that I have not been so fortunate as to meet the cold approbation of any one of our friends to either appointment -- We talk of placing him on the bench of our S[upreme] Court; but of this we can better determine a few weeks hence -- after the Election...Edwards, Kirby, A. Wolcott and Bishop have separately been with me since my return and we have talked over Connecticut. They all urge the necessity of a pretty speedy change in the offices...They unite however in recommending Samuel Bishop...this appointment will not only be unexceptionable; but, will appear to accord with the fashion of that country...Mr. Swan has written me from Paris...that he has settled his accounts with the french Gov[ernmen]t to their entire Satisfaction & proposing to remain in Paris, would be gratified by the appointment of Consul General: all which I promised to communicate to you...[Alexander] Hamilton seems to be literally mad with spleen and envy and disappointment -- as far as I can yet judge, his efforts are practically impotent..."
BURR TO JEFFERSON ON HAMILTON: "[HE] SEEMS TO BE LITERALLY MAD WITH SPLEEN AND ENVY AND DISAPPOINTMENT"
In this unusually lengthy and vaguely conspiratorial letter, written just a month after taking the office of Vice-President, Burr discusses the removal of Federalists from various goverment offices and the appointment of Jefferson supporters. He concludes with a striking comment on his arch-rival in New York politics, Alexander Hamilton. "I have written to Mr. [James] Madison [Secretary of State] respecting the Consul of Madeira, the Marshall of Mass[achuset]ts Bay and the Marshall of N[ew] Jersey...Upon my arrival in this City I found it noised about that [missing name] was destined for the office, either of Supervisor or Naval officer, and it is with regret that I declare that I have not been so fortunate as to meet the cold approbation of any one of our friends to either appointment -- We talk of placing him on the bench of our S[upreme] Court; but of this we can better determine a few weeks hence -- after the Election...Edwards, Kirby, A. Wolcott and Bishop have separately been with me since my return and we have talked over Connecticut. They all urge the necessity of a pretty speedy change in the offices...They unite however in recommending Samuel Bishop...this appointment will not only be unexceptionable; but, will appear to accord with the fashion of that country...Mr. Swan has written me from Paris...that he has settled his accounts with the french Gov[ernmen]t to their entire Satisfaction & proposing to remain in Paris, would be gratified by the appointment of Consul General: all which I promised to communicate to you...[Alexander] Hamilton seems to be literally mad with spleen and envy and disappointment -- as far as I can yet judge, his efforts are practically impotent..."