hope, that what has been already done will prevent a repetition of such murderous folly, for I have no wish for an occasion to express my displeasure against military men; but my resolution is fixed. They must forbear, or be dismissed.

This

O. Decision in this particular will, I think, make a powerful impression; and it is a fortunate circumstance, that the Prince Regent of Great Britain has adopted a similar course. places the military officers under both governments on the same ground; and the cooperation of different governments for the same benevolent object, will render the efforts doubly effica

cious.

P. You remember the impression which was made on the public mind, by the fatal duel between General Hmilton and Colonel Burr. I think a very great portion of tlemen at that time would have been really glad to see the custom fairly set aside. Many, I am persuaded, feel as Hamilton did, as to the propriety and morality of the custom; and would never comply with it, if any thing could be done, which, in their view, would free them from odium in a refusal. Now, as the custom wholly depends on a delusive opinion, like that which formerly prevailed of burning heretics, any measures which may be adopted to change the opinions of those who favor the custom, will tend to its abolition. Would it not then be wise to form societies, in which the subject should be fully discussed, and whose object should be to effect a revolution in the opinions of that class of people who regard the custom as honorable ?

O. Such a plan, I think, would have a happy tendency. I know of a number, whosincerely regret that the custom was ever adopted; and who, I think, would cheerfully associate for the purpose you propose, could they only be headed by some powerful character. The project would be greatly favored by this circumstance, that the sentiments of serious people in general, and indeed of a vast portion of community, are already so decidedly opposed to the custom, that they would rejoice it any effort to bring it into universal disrepute. In New England the custom is generally regarded with abhorrence, as a privileged mode of murder, assumed by gentlemen, in violation

of the laws of justice and reason, as well as the laws of the land. Thousands, in perhaps every state, view the matter in the same light, and the more it is examined, the more it will be abhorred. Could we only obtain the concurrence of twenty persons, such as I could name, to unite with the mass of people already prepared for the enterprize, I think it would be possible in twenty years, to render the custom of duelling as perfectly odious, as that of horse stealing,

P. "The power of reasoning," says Dr. Reid," in those who have it, may be abused in morals, as in other matters. To a man who uses it with an upright heart, and a single eye to find what is his duty, it will be of great use; but when it is used to justify what a man has a strong inclination to do, it will only serve to deceive himself and others, When a man can reason, his passions will reason, and they are the most cunning sophists we meet with." It is by the reasoning of "the passions," these "cunning sophists," that gentlemen persuade themselves that they may be justified in exposing their own lives, and the lives of others, in the custom of duelling. If they would lay aside their passions, and reason impartially, they would easily see, that it would be as justifiable in any other class of citizens, even in women and children, to adopt a murderous mode of settling controversies, as it is in them. Yet they would now use their influence to have other people hanged for imitating their own example. It is indeed amazing that men of sense can be thus bewildered by the influence of their passions, and the popularity of a barbarous custom, which had its origin in an age of savage manners. What security would be given to the lives of gentlemen, and from what anxiety would their families be relieved, if this custom should become disreputable among that class of men! The fate of Hamilton and Burr is a solemn lesson to all men of reputation, who favor the custom. Burr succeeded in killing the object of his envy, but what has been his own fate? What advantage has he gained? Before the duel he sustained a high rank in society, but since, like his predecessor Cain, he has been a yagabond in the earth.

0. The public have no occasion to thank Colonel Burr; yet I am of opinion that his duel has had a favorable influence against the practice. Indeed I have believed that my dismissal was occasioned by the influence which that event had on your mind, and the minds of others. But still I rejoice in the issue. It has been useful to me, and I hope it will be so to others. Various circumstances concurred to make the duel of those men serviceable in the way I have mentioned. Hamilton was unquestionably one of the most eminent men in the nation, in the view of both political parties. His fall occasioned a shock like that of an earthquake, and prepared the minds of the multitude to listen to whatever was said against the custom. The clergy availed themselves of this opportunity, to express their abhorrence of the practice, and to exhibit it in the most odious colors; and what they said was listened to with seriousness and gratification. The trivial nature, also, of the offence, which Burr made the ground of the challenge, was calculated to lead people to regard his conduct with detestation.

P. Another thing may be mentioned, which had great effect the deliberate testimony which Hamilton gave in writing against the custom, as immoral and murderous. This testimony was evidently written with a kind of presentiment that the duel would cost him his life. That a man of his giant mind should be seduced by popular opinion, to comply with a custom, which he conscientiously believed to be wicked, was truly extraordinary. Judicious and reflecting persons could easily perceive by the writing which he left, that the convictions of his own mind were decidedly against the custom, as of a barbarous and immoral character; and that his compliance was the effect of what he believed to be the popular opinion among gentlemen of honor. He evidently sacrificed his own life to an opinion which he believed to be erroneous, and to a custom which he regarded as abominable.

The offence, on which the challenge was given, was indeed of a trivial nature, compared with the mode of obtaining redress. At a time when party spirit is prevalent in a community, as it then was and is now, if such things as Burr made

the ground of the challenge, may be regarded as sufficient to justify a duel, fifty thousand may be fought in this country every year. And if every class of people may follow such examples, as surely they may if commendable, the custom would sweep the land of its inhabitants like a general plague. No person would be secure from falling a victim to the prejudices and passions of some political opponent. Men of rank should certainly consider what would be the consequences, if all other classes of community should follow their example, in making thus light of human life. Indeed the of fences in general, on the ground of which duels are fought, are hardly worthy of the notice of a man of a noble and magnanimous mind. They are generally the ebullitions of passion and prejudice, to which all men are liable, and none more so than duellists. The custom is so far from being honorable or a compliance with it an indication of a generous mind, that it is an indication of petulance and malignity unbecoming any man of honor. By a conformity to this custom, men do not even rise above the most petulant and ferocious of the brute creation. They fall far below the magnanimity of the mastiff, who can hear the barking of twenty snappish curs, without breaking his trot, or being moved so much as to turn his head to notice them.

The custom of duelling cherishes and gives scope to the vilest passions of the human heart, renders men bloody and ferocious on principle, and tends to exterminate the kind af-· fections, which are most essential to social happiness.

To see men of rank thus trifle with human life, must naturally have considerable effect on the other classes of society. It must excite abhorrence, or inspire them with similar feelings and sentiments. The more, therefore, this custom prevails, the greater must be the insecurity of human life, the greater the corruption of morals in society, and the more a blood thirsty disposition will prevail through the land.

O. Your excellency will excuse my weakness

P. You seem, sir, to be oppressed with grief, or some other emotion, for which I cannot account.

0. Regret, shame, admiration, and astonishment, have all combined, and overcome me. I regret that I ever gave the least countenance to a custom so sanguinary. I am ashamed that I so long remained blind to the obvious dictates of reason and religion, and that I suffered my mind to be seduced by the sophistical reasoning of the passions, I was struck with admiration at your manner of expressing the real sentiments of my own heart. I may truly say, as honest and illiterate individuals often say on hearing an eloquent, intelligent man, "you have expressed my views of the subject better than I could have expressed them myself," But I was also astonished.

P. What excited your astonishment?

O. I was astonished, that while you see so clearly the immoral nature, and the demoralizing and fatal tendency of du elling, you have not seemed aware how easily your remarks might be applied to another custom, which has been still more popular, and more destructive.

P. You mean probably the ancient custom of killing men for their religious opinions, when they happened to dissent from the creed of the majority.

O. No, sir; that is not the custom I had in view, but one as unreasonable, and more destructive to the lives of men, Perhaps at an earlier moment of our interview I should have disclosed more fully the result of those reflections, to which I was led by being removed from office. But I have felt a delicacy in the affair, and some fears lest I should say something which would not be so acceptable to your excellency, as what I have said on a custom which we mutually abhor.

F. The ingenuous and amiable spirit you have displayed, in regard to your removal from office, has gained my confi dence and esteem. You may speak without reserve. I think I shall hear with patience, and I hope with impartiality.

0. To be frank, sir, when I had reflected on the moral nature of duelling, and become fully convinced of its injustice and enormity, I was then led to compare this custom with that of war, for which also I had been an advocate.

The