National Classics Week Packet National Classics Week Packet | Page 6

History

“ He is truly the Cataline [ sic ] of America ,” founding father Alexander Hamilton wrote of Aaron Burr . In the young nation ' s most turbulent election to that point , it was no small accusation .

No love was lost between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr . In a letter to an acquaintance , Hamilton compared the politicking during the election of 1800 between Jefferson and Burr to Cicero and Catiline . With the House of Representatives in a deadlock , Hamilton and the Federalist party had to decide whether to cast their weight behind Jefferson or Burr . Although Burr had been Jefferson ’ s running mate , either could become president due to the novelty of the system — a quirk that would be removed in the Twelfth Amendment . Burr ’ s “ private character is not defended by his most partial friends ,” Hamilton alleged , a claim that would have been at home in Cicero ’ s Catilinarians . Hamilton ' s attacks on Burr ' s company are certainly reminiscent of Sallust ' s claim that that Catiline “ gathered around himself throngs of all depraved and criminal sorts ."