FAN FAVORITE: The Insurrection of Aaron Burr | An Affair of Honor | 1

American History Tellers

Wondery

Society & Culture, Kids & Family, History, Education For Kids

4.7 • 18.3K Ratings

🗓️ 6 August 2025

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In July 1804, Aaron Burr faced political rival Alexander Hamilton on the cliffs of Weehawken, New Jersey, in a legendary duel that would change Burr’s life forever.

As a young man, Burr had distinguished himself as a patriot, lawyer and politician. But as his political star rose, he made many enemies. He challenged Thomas Jefferson, in the tumultuous Election of 1800, but his greatest rival was Jefferson’s Treasury Secretary, Hamilton.

After he shot and killed Hamilton, Burr’s career was in shambles. But soon, he would hatch an audacious conspiracy to return to power – by forging his own empire.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, history buffs, if you can't get enough of the captivating stories we uncover on American
0:04.7	history tellers, you'll love the exclusive experience of Wondry Plus. Dive even deeper into the
0:09.6	past with ad-free episodes, early access to new seasons, and bonus content that brings history
0:14.6	to life like never before. Join Wondry Plus in the Wondry app or on Apple Podcast and embark on
0:20.0	an unparalleled journey through
0:21.4	America's most pivotal moments. We're hard at work to bring you fascinating new seasons that include
0:27.4	criminals, gunfighters, and pilgrims. But in the meantime, we're revisiting a fan favorite,
0:32.3	our series on the insurrection of Aaron Burr. It was August 1807 when Aaron Burr stood trial for treason in Richmond, Virginia.
0:39.9	From the heights of power to the depths of conspiracy, here is the story of how a vice president
0:44.9	became a notorious traitor.
1:00.5	Imagine this just after dawn on July 11, 1804.
1:06.6	You're sitting across from your close friend, Vice President Aaron Burr, in a boat on the Hudson River.
1:15.5	Four oarsmen are rowing you from Manhattan to Weehawk in New Jersey, where Burr is scheduled to duel his bitter political rival, Alexander Hamilton.
1:23.8	You are serving as his second. And as you look over your shoulder, you follow his gaze to the imposing rock face of the palisades ahead.
1:29.2	You sure you want to go through with this? You can turn back. Burr lifts his chin. I've been insulting. I must defend my honor if I'm going to maintain people's respect. It's the only way I'll
1:34.5	have a chance of ever holding elected office again. But perhaps I could undertake some last-minute
1:39.6	negotiations. There's still time to resolve this before weapons are drawn. No.
1:46.2	You spent weeks trying to settle this matter.
1:48.4	The time for negotiations is over.
1:50.0	You're risking everything.
1:52.8	Over a few words spoken at a dinner party.
1:55.8	You know perfectly well that this is not about one insult.
	...

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