- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
Duel Challenge: James Monroe vs. Alexander Hamilton
Date: July 1797
Location: Philadelphia
Weapons: None used — duel arranged but prevented
Cause of the Challenge
The conflict erupted during the fallout from the Reynolds Affair, in which Alexander Hamilton had been accused of financial misconduct while Secretary of the Treasury.
Years earlier, James Monroe (along with Frederick Muhlenberg and Abraham Venable) had investigated the charges and secured Hamilton’s written confession that the matter involved personal adultery, not public funds.
In 1797, when pamphleteer James Callender published details of the affair, Hamilton believed Monroe had leaked the documents.
Hamilton accused Monroe of betrayal and dishonorable behavior.
Monroe denied leaking anything and took offense at Hamilton’s escalating insults. The correspondence quickly turned personal and hostile, with both men accusing the other of lying.
The dispute crossed into a matter of honor, leading Hamilton to challenge Monroe.
Quotes from the Combatants
Alexander Hamilton to Monroe
“You have assumed a tone unbecoming, as you know what belongs to a gentleman. I must tell you, sir, I will meet you like a gentleman.”
This line is widely understood as Hamilton’s formal invitation to a duel.
James Monroe’s reply
“I am ready. Get your pistols.”
This is the most famous quote of the exchange — a blunt and unambiguous acceptance of Hamilton’s challenge.
Monroe’s additional remark (in their correspondence)
“I will always call upon you for satisfaction when you shall do me injury.”
Outcome
A duel was set in motion, with both men preparing to select seconds.
However, Aaron Burr intervened as a mutual acquaintance, met with each man separately, and successfully de-escalated the dispute before they reached the field of honor.
No shots were fired.
The two men remained politically hostile for the rest of their lives.
Witnesses / Seconds
No formal seconds were appointed because Burr de-escalated the conflict before arrangements were finalized.
However:
- Aaron Burr acted as intermediary, negotiating the end of the affair.
- Frederick Muhlenberg and Abraham Venable were referenced throughout the dispute because they had originally examined the Reynolds documents with Monroe, but they were not duel seconds.
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