>>4850170 (pb)

Burr was practicing evenings after dining for at least a forenight before the duel. News of this so concerned Hamilton that he had word sent to Burr that he would “throw away his fire”. Burr continued to practice. “Throwing away one’s fire” usually involved raising your pistol up and firing straight up. However, it was said by a witness that Hamilton fired first and perhaps more quickly than a gentleman was expected. His pistol was not aimed overhead but, instead, directly at Burr. Burr’s “second” reported seeing a small branch behind Burr fall from a tree. Burr aimed at Hamilton’s heart and fired never intending to “throw away his fire “. Hamilton had continued to slander Burr throughout the year before the duel but finally took a step too far. He spread talk that Burr had had “unnatural” relations with his own beloved Daughter on their recent voyage to Paris