Aaron Burr Papers

Collection

Identifier: A0210

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Many of the documents in the Aaron Burr Papers are neither signed nor dated. The Legal Papers Series (1787-1825) consists primarily of documents relating to Burr’s legal practice in New York following his return from Europe. Many of these documents are likely contemporary copies. Addressees include John Greenwood, Thomas H. Flandrau, and Gurdon W. Lathrop, all of whom were clerks in Burr’s law practice. The Personal Correspondence Series (1776-1825) contains many items which touch on military and business matters. Included are unsigned letters, some written in code, to Burr’s sister Sally Reeve, and several letters of Captain Skinner to James Monroe. The Burr-Hamilton Duel Series contains the indictments of Nathaniel Pendleton, Alexander Hamilton’s second in his duel with Aaron Burr, and William P. VanNess, Burr’s second. The Conspiracy Series contains legal documents for Aaron Burr, Harman Blennerhassett, and Davis Floyd. The series also includes extensive correspondence between Senator John Smith of Ohio and Governor Robert Williams of the Mississippi Territory, and a letter of William Clark to Secretary of State James Madison. The Miscellaneous Series contains three additional items.

Dates

1776-1825

Creator

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836 (Author, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Aaron Burr was born on February 6, 1756, in Newark, New Jersey. His father was the first president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where Burr studied law and theology. In 1775, Burr volunteered for the Québec expedition, resigned from the army due to illness in 1779, and in 1782 began to practice law in New York. He became vice president under Thomas Jefferson in 1800. However, differences with Jefferson hurt his political future, as did his duel with Alexander Hamilton on July 11, 1804. In the summer of 1806, Burr led an expedition down the Mississippi River. Harman Blennerhassett and General James Wilkinson, Governor of the Louisiana Territory, were part of an alleged conspiracy with Burr to create a new nation out of the former Spanish colonies. Wilkinson turned in his co-conspirators, and Burr was indicted for treason in 1807. After his acquittal, Burr lived in Europe from 1808 until 1812. In May 1812, he returned to the United States and resurrected his law practice in New York. He died on September 14, 1836.

Extent

0.8 Cubic Feet ( (2 boxes; 1 oversize folder))

Language of Materials

English

French

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into five series: Legal Papers, Personal Correspondence, The Burr-Hamilton Duel, The Conspiracy, and Miscellaneous. The papers are arranged chronologically within each series.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated by William K. Bixby.

Sources Consulted During Processing

Researchers may also want to consult the following publication: Mary-Jo Kline, editor. The Guide and Index to the Microfilm Edition of the Papers of Aaron Burr, 1756-1836 (Glen Rock, N. J.: Published for The New York Historical Society by Microfilming Corporation of America, 1978.). This publication and the corresponding microfilm are available at the St. Louis University Law Library.