robbed of conversation with his second Van Ness breathessly rowing their boat across the Hudson River, Colonel Aaron Burr sought distraction in his favourite novel only to be struck by the significance of an allegorical scene from "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman":

My uncle Toby had scarce a heart to retaliate upon a fly which had buzzed about his nose, and tormented him cruelly all dinner-time. He had caught at last, rising from his chair, and going across the room, with the fly in his hand Please click the icon to follow us on Facebook.to lift up the sash to let it escape. "Go, poor devil, get thee gone, why should I hurt thee? This world surely is wide enough to hold both thee and me".

Upon reflection it occured to Burr that nothing was to be gained by killing Hamilton. And Van Ness looked up to see Burr close the book and merrily whistle away the remainder of the voyage to New Jersey.

After assembling with the Hamilton Party at the Heights of Weehawken, the duellist's seconds opened the interview by exploring the possibility of a mediated settlement. Judge Nathaniel Pendleton was surprised to hear Van Ness allow that the Colonel's discredited reputation would be destroyed should he become the scounderel that senselessly murdered Hamilton. Van Ness in turn was surprised to hear Pendleton admit that Hamilton might be persuaded to privately apologize for his "despicable opinion of Mr. Burr".

The matter settled, and honour restored, both parties returned to New York. Burr was furnished with the apology he sought, whilst Hamilton received a rather odd note expressing the gentlemanly sentiment that "This world surely is wide enough to hold both thee and me".