One-page A.L.s. to Vice-President Aaron Burr

Alexandria, (Va.): February 6, 1802. Folio, 28 lines, approx. 180 words; previous folds, lightly toned; very good. Enclosed in a gray half morocco clamshell box. Addressed to "Honble. Col Burr / V P U S," the letter concerns Truxtun's claim for damages from the British government. "You are acquainted with Mr. Erwing our Consul at London and agent in the cases of Spoliations. You will see that the British have decreed me by the enclosed letter [not present] £1156.4.2 Sterling for injury done me by the detention and plunder of a vessel of mine taken into Bermuda by one of their sea robbers. And as Mr. Williams who was the predecessor of Mr. Erwing is no longer agent and gone from London God knows where, I have taken the liberty of enclosing you the letter of the Perots of Bermuda, and to ask the favour of you to write to Mr. Erwing on the subject of my claim, and prevail on him to use all the means in his power to effect the payment from the British government of the amount decreed with interest in the shortest time possible." Truxtun closes with a not-so-subtle wish that Burr will become president in the next election: "With the greatest possible attachment and my sincere wishes that you may soon & very soon mount the other step." Truxtun's wish did not come true. In the last year of his Vice-Presidency, Burr shot Alexander Hamilton in their famous duel. If that didn't end Burr's political career, Jefferson effectively did by supporting James Madison. In 1807, when Burr was being tried for treason, Truxtun was implicated and testified at the trial as a state witness. Truxtun (1755-1822) was one of the first six commanders appointed to the new US Navy by President Washington.