Weehawken: The Hamilton–Burr Duel (1804)

Weehawken, New Jersey

In Hamilton's day

After a long political feud, Vice President Aaron Burr challenged Hamilton over remarks reported in an Albany newspaper. They were rowed across the Hudson at dawn to a ledge below the Palisades, the same ground where Philip had fallen.

In a statement written beforehand, Hamilton said he intended to withhold his first fire. Burr's shot struck him above the right hip.

Dueling was illegal in New York. New Jersey had also banned it but enforced the law less strictly, and the ledge below the Palisades was hidden from view and reachable only by boat. Burr was later indicted for murder in both states but never tried.

“My religious and moral principles are strongly opposed to the practice of Duelling.”

Statement on the impending duel, July 1804

Visiting today

Hamilton Park in Weehawken has a bust and a marker on the bluff above the original ledge, which was later destroyed for a railroad. Reachable by NY Waterway ferry from Midtown.