Narrator: It is two and a half years after Philip's death. Word reaches Hamilton that Aaron Burr is running for the office of governor of New York. Once again, Hamilton has a cause -- he launches into a campaign against Burr.
Robert Bartlett (as portrayed by actor): At a meeting of Federalists, General Hamilton makes a speech declaring that he looks on Mr. Burr as a dangerous man, not to be trusted with the reigns of government.
Narrator: Hamilton attacks Burr in writing, and at political gatherings around the state.
Burr has many political enemies, but he focuses on Hamilton.
Aaron Burr (as portrayed by actor): For years, he's lent his name to base slanders which I have passed over. The only result of my forbearance has been a repetition of injury. I can only conclude that Hamilton has a settled and implacable malevolence towards me. Well, these things must have an end.
Narrator: Burr demands that Hamilton retract his latest insults or face him on the field of honor.
Karl F. Walling, Historian: There's a delicate dance that's played around duels -- you do the dance, you find a way to make apologies without sounding like you made an apology. Everyone's honor is satisfied and it ends.
Aaron Burr (as portrayed by actor): You may perceive, Sir, the necessity of a prompt and unqualified acknowledgement or denial...
Alexander Hamilton (as portrayed by actor): I cannot, without impropriety, make the avowal or disavowal which you seem to think necessary.
Karl F. Walling, Historian: Hamilton tries to dance with Burr. He comes as close to a full retraction as he could under the circumstances. Burr won't accept it. This indicates to me that Burr really wanted to fight.
Alexander Hamilton (as portrayed by actor): I have known for a long time that my life must inevitably be exposed to that man. The duel cannot be avoided. My ability to be useful in public affairs depends on how men of character regard me. All consideration of what men of the world call honor impresses on me a necessity to answer this challenge.
Ron Chernow, Biographer: This honor became such an obsession with him that even though he had done such extraordinary things in the world, and had tried so hard to escape from that world of his boyhood -- on some level, he never did, and was still fighting that battle. You know, I think that he doesn't realize that the war is over. You know, and that he won and that he established this life. I think on some level he still is trapped back in the darkness of his own past.
Narrator: Early morning, July 11, 1804. The duel will take place across the Hudson River, in Weehawken, New Jersey.
Alexander Hamilton (as portrayed by actor): This letter, my very dear Eliza, will be delivered to you only after my death. If it had been possible for me to have avoided the interview, my love for you and my precious children would have been motive enough. I needn't tell you my pain, not only at leaving you, but in exposing you to the anguish I know you will feel. I cannot dwell on this topic or it will unman me. Fly to the bosom of your God and be comforted. I shall cherish the hope of meeting you in a better world. Adieu, best of wives and best of women. Embrace all my darling children for me.
Nathaniel Pendleton (as portrayed by actor): We marked out the ten paces. I read the final instructions. Burr and the General took their positions and we handed them the pistols. The General raised and lowered his gun a few times and then said to Burr, "I beg your pardon, Sir, for delaying you." And then he put on his spectacles. He had previously told me that he intended to satisfy both his religious principles and his honor by not firing. But there was no way for Colonel Burr to know that.
David Hosack (as portrayed by actor): I was called to him half sitting on the ground, supported in the arms of Mr. Pendleton. The bargemen aided us in conveying him into the boat. He knew right away. "This is a mortal wound, Doctor," he said, and then he fainted. The ball had passed through the liver and the diaphragm.
Narrator: Hamilton survives for thirty-one agonizing hours. He dies on July 12, 1804. He is forty-nine years old.
New York City prepares for the largest funeral in its history.
Ron Chernow, Biographer: There was a tremendous outpouring of grief and emotion. The funeral cortege went on for hours. I think literally every person in the city was lining the streets, looking out of windows, standing on roofs. It was said that every woman in particular was crying at the time of Hamilton's death.
Federalist Newspaper Man (as portrayed by actor): Gouverneur Morris, with four of General Hamilton's sons at his side, rose to speak.
Gouverneur Morris (as portrayed by actor): I struggle with a bursting heart to portray that heroic spirit which has now departed.
Fellow citizens. You know how well he performed his duties. How he never sacrificed his principles to court your favor or gain your adulation. You have seen him contending against you and protecting your dearest interests, in spite of yourselves. Because of this, you now enjoy the benefits resulting from the firm energy of his work.
Remember this testimony to the memory of my departed friend. I charge you to protect his good name. It is all he has left. It is all these poor children will inherit from their father.