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DUEL OF HAMILTON & BURR

THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE

Now, of wily A. Burr and of A. Hamilton,

Bad blood did undo these ambitious sharp men.

Whose paths were star-crossed and whose tempers did clash,

And in 1804 led to actions most rash.

When these men of New York, with that prickly sharp pride,

Had their bile stirred up --- and saw it fail to subside.

Insults were hurled, and on their honor emphatic,

Pistols were drawn in a duel most dramatic.

As the cold morning mist and the fly of cold lead

Left Burr an outlaw and Hamilton dead.

While the smoke of gunpowder that hung in the air

Held the scent of a future that would not come to bear.

For they say the saddest of words of tongue and pen

Are those in the question: what might have been?

-- Now, duels have since died, and we may hope not again

That the sting of hard words shall bring the ruin of men.

But with Hamilton gone and Jefferson rising,

It soon came to pass, and hardly surprising,

The Federalists faded --- though this remains stark:

On the shape of this land, they sure left their mark.

As even Tom Jefferson, so suspicious of power,

Put his high office to use at a critical hours.

Faced as he was with the most awkward of scenes,

Having to beg of the French to lease New Orleans.

And with dealing afoot in this solicitous manner,

France shockingly offered the whole Louisiana!

As Emperor Napoleon was in need of cash fast

And was willing to part with this parcel so vast.

-- And yet Jefferson fretted, as nowhere was it said:

A president has permit to add to our stead.

But all soon agreed that this purchase was wise,

For a few million dollars, the U.S. doubled its size!