AN EXAMINATION OF THE VARIOUS CHARGES EXHIBITED AGAINST AARON BURR, ESQ. VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; AND A DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHARACTERS AND VIEWS OF HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS. BY ARISTIDES

Philadelphia: Printed for the Author, 1803. 77, [1 blank] pp. Disbound, lightly foxed, Good+.

This and a New York edition were printed in 1803. There are two states of the Philadelphia 1803: this one begins page 4 with 'terest'; the other begins, 'Ready.' Other printings followed in 1804.
Van Ness attempts to rebut the charges, which were doubtless true, that President Jefferson had repudiated Vice President Burr "and denounced him." Van Ness argues that Burr is best able to end the notorious factionalism of New York politics by defeating the Livingston and Clinton influence. The attacks of the Clinton faction of New York's Republican (truncated) Party resulted in a bitter contest for Governor that led to Burr's challenge to Hamilton, and their fatal duel.
"Till near the close of 1803 the Vice-President held his peace. The first sign that he meant energetic retaliation was given by an anonymous pamphlet, which won the rare double triumph of political and literary success, in which ability and ill temper seemed to have equal shares. The unexpected appearance of 'Aristides' startled New York...his defence of Burr was strong. That it came directly from the Vice-President was clear; but the pamphlet showed more literary ability than Burr claimed, and the world was at a loss to discover who could be held responsible for its severities" [Adams, History of the United States 416-417].
Later it was discovered that the author was Van Ness, Burr's second in the duel with Hamilton.
Howes V37. Gaines 03-13. Tompkins, Burr 103. 168 Eberstadt 109. American Imprints records only the other Philadelphia issue. (Inventory #: 40511)