A True Badass: Aaron Burr

Just finished reading the second volume of Aaron Burr's memoirs by M.L. Davis. It is Christmas Day 2012, and I really feel like one of the best and most sincere historical gifts I can give to the world is set the record straight on one of our country's most impressive, dedicated, and talented stateman.  Unfortunately we live in a fast food, communicate by the second, text message society where the art of research is a lost art unless you are publishing at the university level for scholarly purposes or high level peer reviewed research in a field.  I frequently come across (as a huge Founding Father buff) references to Aaron Burr's character as questionable. Even some school history textbooks (obviously scholars aren't writing primary school textbooks) cast dubious light on Burr as a someone who was found Not Guilty "technically" of treason, and the killer of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton in a duel.  Here are the facts of these 2 points in his life:  he indeed challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel after putting up with Hamilton's attempts at unfairly attacking his character for years. It all boiled down to Hamilton claiming that Burr was not fit to hold office due to his personal lack of integrity (this could not be farther from the truth) that was printed in a letter by Dr. Cooper that ultimately cost Burr the election to New York's governship.  Burr gave Hamilton several chances to either directly avow or disavow the statement.  Hamilton chose to do neither.  Hamilton chose to duel it out as many gentlemen did back in that day over serious slights.  Hamilton lost, fair and square. Hamilton had a reputation for always attacking Burr in a day and time where the best characters of government held themselves above such petty action.  Burr never corrected a rumor or attack in the paper, neither did he attack others. This was not the character of a gentleman.  As for the treason charge, it is made clear by many public documents (the best as letters written and recorded by characters and government leaders in the know included in his memoirs) that to claim Aaron Burr wished to battle the western states against Spain and then secede from the Union is ludicrous.  History remembers Thomas Jefferson as a hero but patron saint he was not.  Much like Hamilton, his political jealousies of Burr rose to the level of the deepest calumny.  Even in the treason trial in the Senate (the State of Virginia rejected such ridiculous evidence as none existed, they could not get a grand jury to indict so Jefferson called up his political buddies in the House and had Burr charged) it was proved that Major Wilkinson (Jefferson's friend) forged a letter of Burr's to make it appear Burr wanted the new western states to secede when it was the exact opposite. Jefferson even had the DA Hay threaten one of the main witnesses (Dr. Bollman) with a pardon which he refused and testified anyway not appreciating the veiled threat of prosecution when all he did was testify to the truth (Burr wanted to help the US by getting the US ready for an inevitable war which was thought at the time with Spain so the Floridas could joing the US).  Neither Hamilton nor Jefferson had Burr's heroic military accomplishments (Jefferson was the Governor of Virginia when the British burned it and he retreated via horseback in fear he was so unmilitary-like).  Jefferson directed that Burr be prosecuted for a crime  he did not commit and used false evidence and threats in an attempt to achieve this. All the while, Burr never lost site of the country's best interest.  When he gave his closing speech as President of the Senate, many Senators cried and viewed it as one of the best speeches ever given at the Capitol.  The speech was Burr explaining all his actions as President of the Senate was for the best of the country. He held nothing against any of them for differing with him politically or on any decision.  He encouraged the future VPs as President of the Senate keep the same traditions and values that he worked hard to achieve.  Burr was not only a dignified statemen, he was a great father. He pushed his daughter Theodosia very hard in all manners of educational and cultural pursuits. Not only did early in his career he attempt to pass legislation to free the slaves he also made attempts at giving women the right to vote.  He believed in the power of women at a time when politically this was not acceptable.  He even had a painting of Mary Wollstonecraft, the leading women's rights philosopher at the time on his fireplace mantel.  He cared so much for women, that when his daughter died he took on the education and direction thereof personally of two young women solely to help them.  He graduated Princeton an abnormally bright scholar and at a very young age. His lawyer skills were unparalled.  His political organization skills unparalled.  He could have been elected President in the controversial 1800 election had he lobbied for himself which he refused to do (although the majority in the House wanted him but settled on Jefferson).  He started one of the first national banks, which still exists today (Chase Bank).  He was cultured beyond description.  He was very well read and took on productive tasks, one of which was to ask his daughter to translate the Constitution into French.  He lived in Europe for four years trying to advance the US interest in expanding the west into the Union.  He was always generous in hosting others including foreigners in his home. He was funny (his letters to his daughter evidence a wicked sense of humor at unexpected times).  He was generous.  History records that at a time when he did not have much money he sold personal items to care and provide food for some children (their mother's written account still exists).  He lived to be 81.  He had a strong temperment.  He never lost faith or became bitter through his two trials in life (the Hamilton duel where he was threatened with criminal action and the treason trial).  He lost his beloved daughter and his only grandchild (Aaron Burr Alston, who died when he was a child of ten) in the same year and his son in law shortly thereafter but he never became bitter about life.  He found new people to help.  Aaron Burr was one of our country's greatest Founding Fathers.  It is my true desire that one day sentiments such as mine will be the pervading sentiments and that we might erect a memorial in his honor.  I submit the following as a possible memorial:  "Here we honor Aaron Burr, third Vice President of the United States.  A man who could have been President in 1800 but chose gentlemanly honors first in the conduct of elections.  Let it be known that he established the proper and respectable rules of Senate conduct during his tenure as President of the Sentate in a way forever to be remembered, emulated, and encouraged.  He was a daring military hero who saved a platoon from capture in New York sent in by Washington himself due to his bravery and skill while others advised retreat.  He lived his life encouraging the abolition of slavery and the promulgation of female talents equal to their male counterparts.  Here lies a rare gentleman the country was lucky to have at its time of need."