redoubled my gratitude to both for their kind attention." Mr. Reeve had come to see her at Sharon, in August. "Our dear Reeve flattered me with the prospect of a visit from my lovely sister. The family employ themselves numbering the days, and rejoicing every evening to be nearer that wished for period. . Adieu, my dear Sally, Hygiaea and peace attend Thee."

Whether she had told Colonel Burr so or not, there can be no doubt that at this date Theodosia Prevost had made up her mind.

5

And he was working very hard at Haverstraw, twenty hours a day sometimes, and in October he was ready for his examinations, and on his way to Albany with a letter of introduction to General Schuyler from General McDougal. "This will be handed to you by Lieutenant Colonel Burr, who goes to Albany to solicit licence in our courts. Being a stranger in that part of the country, I beg leave by this to introduce him to you. He is a soldier, an officer, and a worthy citizen, and commanded the advanced corps of the army in the Southernmost part of this State in the winter of 1779, during which he discharged his duty with uncommon vigilance. I am persuaded by my knowledge of him he will merit every attention you may think proper to show him."

But when he arrived at Albany, there was a rule. Candidates for examination must have spent at least three years in the study of the law; Burr could hardly muster six months. However, Judge Yates gave him reason to hope this rule "of unexpect

ed rigour, which, if strictly adhered to, must effectually exclude me from this bar," might be "enlarged." And so he wrote to the Chief Justice, stating his claim to such special consideration as might be permissible. "Before the Revolution," he reminded him, "and long before the existence of the present rule, I had served some time with an attorney of another state. At that period I could have availed myself of this service; and, surely, no rule could be intended to have such retrospect as to injure one whose only misfortune is having sacrificed his time, his constitution and his fortune to his country.

"It would give me sensible regret were my admission to establish a precedent which might give umbrage to the bar; but, should your opinion accord with my wishes, with respect to the indulgence due to my particular case, the expression of it, to any gentleman of the profession would doubtless remove the possibility of discontent. Perhaps I assume a freedom which personal acquaintance only would warrant. I beg, sir, you will ascribe it to the reliance I am taught to place on your goodness, and the confidence with which your character inspires even those who have no other title to your notice."

The letter was not calculated to offend the Chief Justice, certainly, but the gentlemen of the Bar must deliberate, and candidate Burr settled down to await their decision. An impatient, heartbreaking time for him, but Albany was very kind and hospitable; he was petted and entertained; the elderly and authoritative Miss De Peyster took him under her capable wing; Philip Van Rensselaer took him into the home of his two maiden aunts; and

when he had nothing else to do he wrote to Theodosia.

"I keep always a memorandum for you," he explained in December, "on which, when I think of anything at any time of day that I wish to write, I make a short note in a manner which no other person would understand I would recommend the same to you, unless you rather choose to write at the moment when you think of anything.

When you read my letters I wish you would make minutes at the time of such facts as require an answer; for, if you trust your memory till the time of writing, you will omit half you would otherwise say." He was already exhibiting the dictatorial spirit which was so noticeably to animate his subsequent domestic correspondence. And it was, he found, too great a drain upon his time. "I perceive this letter writing will not answer," he decided. "Though I write very little, it is still half my business; for, whenever I find myself at a loss what to do or anyhow discomposed or dull, I fly to these sheets, and even if I do not write, I ponder upon it, and in this way sacrifice many hours without reflecting that time passes away."

As for the rule, and Judge Yates with whom he was "mangling" law, "I really fear Yates is playing the fool with me. Still evasive, though plausibly so. Tomorrow I must and will come to a

positive enclarissement. My mind is so engrossed by new views and expectations, that I cannot disentangle it. I have not, these five days past, slept more than two hours a night, and yet feel refreshed and well." But Miss De Peyster was "one

warm friend and advocate" of his cause, and for his physical comfort he had "been busy in fixing a Franklin fireplace for myself. . . . I am resolved you shall have one or two of them. You have no idea of their convenience, and you can at any time remove them."

And finally they suspended the rule for him; he passed a brilliant examination, was admitted to the Bar as attorney on January 19, 1782, and as counsellor on April 17. The Legislature had recently passed a law forbidding Tory lawyers to appear in the courts. Whigs were consequently in great demand, Albany was more than friendly and promissory of a lucrative practice; he determined, therefore, to open an office in that city, which was soon reasonably busy with clients.

6

And the next thing to do was to be married.

"I do hereby certify that Aaron Burr of the State of N. York Esqr. and Theodosia Prevost of Bergen County, State of N. Jersey widow were by me joined in lawful wedlock on the second day of July instant. Given, under my hand and seal this sixth day of July, 1782. B'n Van Der Linde."

The original marriage certificate, signed by the Reverend Benjamin Van Der Linde, pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Paramus, does not, however, solve the much disputed problem concerning the locality in which the wedding took place; nor were any marriage records kept by the Paramus church. For Paramus and Albany both, the pleasurable distinction has frequently been claimed, with

VOL. 1-7

an energy scarcely compatible, perhaps, with the relative importance of the question. But the pretensions of Albany seem now to be set aside in favor of Paramus, according to the contents of an unpublished letter in the possession of the New Jersey Historical Society, written by Mrs. Burr to Sally Reeve shortly after the wedding; from which it would appear that the ceremony took place either at the Hermitage or at the home of Dr. Brown and his wife Catherine-the Caty of the letter-a half-sister of Mrs. Burr. At all events, the refreshments and some of the trousseau were provided by the Browns, and when the Burrs left they took a sloop for Albany.

"You had indeed, my dear Sally, reason to complain of my last scrawl," Theodosia wrote from Albany. "It was neither what you had a right to expect or what I wished. Caty's journey was not determined on till we were on board the sloop. Many of our friends had accompanied us and were waiting to see us under sail. It was with difficulty I stole a moment to give my sister a superficial account. Caty promised to be more particular, but I fear she was not punctual. You asked Carlos the particulars of our wedding. They may be related in a few words. It was attended with two singular circumstances. The first is that it cost us nothing. Brown and Catty provided abundantly and we improved the opportunity. The fates led Burr on in his old coat. It was proper my gown should be of suitable gauze. Ribbons, gloves, etc., were favors from Caty. The second circumstance was that the parson's fee took the only half joe Burr was master of. We partook of the good things as long as they lasted