The Death of Alexander Hamilton

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A complete and authentic issue of The Connecticut Courant, July 18, 1804, 4pp., disbound, loose at spine else VG. From col 1, pg 3, we have the report.In part, “With emotions that we have not at hand to inscribe, have to announce the death of ALEXANDER HAMILTON. He was cut off in the 48th year of his age in full vigor of his facilities ...” Then in a 1-1/2 column following editorial by Benjamin Moore, we receive the death scene in considerable detail. In very small part, “Yesterday morning, immediately after he brought from Hoboken to the house of Mr. Bayard at greenwich, a message sent informing me of the sad event, accompained by a request from General Hamilton that I come to him for the purpose of administering the holy communion. .... I proceeded to converse with him on the subject of communion ... Do you sincerely repent of your sins ... Are disposed to live in love and charity with all men ... He lifted his hands and said, ‘With the utmost sincerity of heart I can answer those questions in the affirmative - I have no ill-will against Col. Burr. I met him with a fixt resolution to do him no harm - I forgive all that happened.’”On 11 July 1804, Moore was summoned to the deathbed of Alexander Hamilton, who had been fatally wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr; Hamilton asked to receive holy communion. Moore made two objections: that to participate in a duel was a mortal sin, and that Hamilton, although undoubtedly a sincere Christian in his later years, was not an Episcopalian. Moore withdrew, but was persuaded by the urgent pleas of Hamilton's friends to return. On receiving Hamilton's solemn assurance that he repented for his part in the duel, Moore gave him communion.

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