Burr Aaron




Aaron Burr, as VP, Writes New York Veteran about Spanish Horses

AARON BURR, Letter Press Copy of Manuscript Letter Signed, to John Robert, March 10, 1803, Washington, D.C. 1 p., 8.5" x 10.5". Thin paper has wrinkles and some tears on folds; a few holes from ink.

Known for his expensive tastes, Vice President Aaron Burr discusses the purchase of Spanish horses with a Revolutionary War veteran in Yonkers, New York. He may have been riding one of these fine horses when he was arrested in southern Alabama in February 1807.

Complete Transcript:

Washington 10 March 1803


Dear sir


I am this day setting out for Charleston but hope to see you in Nyork early in June till that time of course I shall not want the Spanish horses; but I beg that they may be kept fat and never suffered to go more than a few miles. It is probable I shall put them to use immediately on my Return. I shall write to you as soon as I arrive in Nyork.


Your affectionate friend &/c


A. Burr


Col. John Robert / Yonkers

Aaron Burr Jr. (1756-1836) was the third Vice President of the United States, serving during Jefferson's first term, through March 4, 1805. He graduated from Princeton University in 1772, at age 16. His first public service was as a Continental Army officer, where he distinguished himself at the Battles of Quebec, New York, and Monmouth. He served as Attorney General of New York from 1789 to 1791, and represented New York in the U.S. Senate from 1791 to 1797. While Vice President, on July 11, 1804, Burr fatally wounded Alexander Hamilton in a duel. With his political fortunes in decline, Burr is reputed to have formed a conspiracy to establish a private army and set up an empire from portions of Mexico (then belonging to Spain) and/or Louisiana (a U.S. territory). Burr was brought to trial on August 3, 1807, with Chief Justice John Marshall presiding, and acquitted on September 1. Following the trial, he lived in Europe in self-imposed exile for four years, then returned to New York to practice law.

Colonel John Robert (1756-1811) served in the Revolutionary War at Monmouth and was taken prisoner. After the war, he was a farmer at Yonkers in Westchester County, New York.

A letterpress is the author's own ink and exact writing pressed onto another sheet. Outside of institutions these are very rare.

The "copying press" was a timely invention by James Watt, a Scottish engineer better known for his development of the steam engine.

The press was eventually integrated into none other than George Washington's management of records. Soon other busy government officials followed in Washington's footsteps. Scottish engineer James Watt and English engineer Matthew Boulton had formed a partnership headquartered in Birmingham, England to manufacture steam engines. In the course of his work, Watt found the hand copying of business letters, drawings, and design specifications had become increasingly burdensome. In 1780 Watt patented an invention that copied all of his business papers. Washington received his machine just two years later in the latter half of 1782.

Watt discovered a method of applying plain moistened paper with pressure to a freshly written letter so the ink from the original would be offset onto the copy paper. Watt patented two models, a rolling press and a screw press. The rolling press consisted of two superimposed parallel rollers mounted on a frame that was clamped to a table. Springs within the frame helped control the pressure of the rollers when they were turned by a lever. The letter to be copied was placed on a board, covered by a thin piece of dampened copying paper and then by a felt-like cloth. The board was passed through the rollers slowly one way and then rolled back through again. The screw press was based on the same principle but involved screwing two blocks of wood or metal together, rather than using rollers.

Through the years, improvements in unsized copying paper produced sheets that were tissue thin so the reverse image could be seen through the paper and be read in a normal fashion. The copy machine was accompanied by dampening and wetting boxes, vials for measuring spring water, and dampening brushes, all to moisten the copy paper. Watt also developed special inks that produced durable, clear originals. Sponge paper was used to dry the original letter after the copy was made, and oiled papers could be placed on the letter board in order to increase the pressure of the rollers if needed.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.