The Real Hamilton: Downfall, Duel & Death

American History Hit

History Hit

America, History

4.3 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 13 May 2024

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

When Alexander Hamilton took a bullet to the abdomen on the morning of the 11th July 1804, he joined a long list of people who had fallen foul of this very strange practice. So where did duelling come from? And how did these two revolutionary American politicians find themselves with pistols in their hands?

Don is joined for this third episode of our Real Hamilton series by Mike Loades, British author and presenter of History Hit's new series of documentaries about the tradition of duelling, first with swords, then with pistols.

Find 'Duelling, with Mike Loades' on History Hit TV.

Produced and edited by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The famous five are away on a splendid weekend adventure.
0:03.5	Do we have to go home today?
0:05.5	sighed Anne.
0:06.5	I agree said Dick.
0:08.0	Even Timmy looks sad.
0:09.5	Cheer up everyone.
0:11.5	Beams Julian, I booked long weekend tickets we can return anytime on Monday
0:17.0	Oh you are clever Julian said Anne save over 50% with the long weekend a ticket from Great Western Railway.
0:24.5	Adventures start here.
0:26.0	Selected routes turn supply.
0:27.6	Saving in comparison to an anytime return fare. This letter, my very dear Eliza, will not be delivered to you unless I shall first have
0:41.8	terminated my earthly career, to begin as I humbly hope from redeeming
0:46.9	grace and divine mercy a happy immortality.
0:52.0	So begins a letter from Alexander Hamilton to his beloved wife, Eliza, full of apprehension
0:58.0	and remorse, its words express reason laced with ambiguity as Hamilton attempts to justify a shooting
1:05.5	duel against his rival, someone he loaths, but does not wish to kill.
1:12.5	If it had been possible for me to have avoided this interview, my love for you and my precious
1:17.2	children would have been alone a decisive motive.
1:21.4	But it was not possible, without sacrifices which would have rendered me unworthy of
1:26.3	your esteem.
1:28.3	I need not tell you of the pangs I feel, from the idea of quitting you and exposing you to the anguish which I know you would feel.
1:35.0	Nor could I dwell on the topic lest it should unman me.
	...

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