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Apr 17, 2008

Aaron Burr: America's First Political Scoundrel

Aaron Burr is an enigma in American political history. Though most know him only as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton, Burr was an extremely influential figure in early American politics, particularily in New York. Before serving as Vice President under Thomas Jefferson, Burr was elected as US Senator and State Assemblyman, where he helped establish the Tammany Society (which, of course, morphed into the infamous Tammany Hall).

A fierce politician, Burr's friction with Alexander Hamilton ($10) spurred from a political rivalry between Burr's Democratic-Republican party and Hamilton's Federalist faction. Burr was instrumental in denying the 1800 Federalist ticket into the US presidency, and Hamilton responded in kind by thwarting Burr's chances for the New York governorship in 1804.

The intense competition between the two spilled over into slander and defamation. The last straw was split in 1804, as Hamilton published seething defamations that rocked the core of Burr's character. The rest, as we all know, is history.

Knowledge of the duel between Burr and Hamilton is wide-spread, but recent discoveries have shed some light on Burr's life following the famous event.

With defamation and dueling rampant in the streets and basketball courts outside of schools, Burr's mother decided that he should move in with his distant Aunt and Uncle in the far west, known to the Spaniards as "Bel-Air". So, Burr whistled for a carriage and once it came about, Burr noticed the term "Capital!" branded on the horse's snout. If anything, Burr could see that the carriage had clout, so he proclaimed, "Fancy, that. Good sir, to Bel-Air!"

Burr. Pulled. Up to the manor at the stroke of eight and exclaimed to the driver "good riddance, petulant waif!" Tipping his top-hat, he was finally there, sitting on his throne as the prince of Bel-Air.