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Further Reading  Joanne Freeman on Hamilton's response  Joanne
Freeman Q: How does Burr react to Hamilton's response?  A:
Hamilton's letter is essentially lecturing Burr. Number one,
this is not how you start and affair of honor. Number two, let's
talk about the meaning of the word despicable. So, it sort of
seems to equivocate. And then, because Hamilton doesn't want to
fight, but he doesn't want to seem cowardly, he ends with this
sort of a blustering statement that if things don't work out,
he's ready to face the consequences. So, he's already said well,
if you want a duel, I'm there. So, it's the worst possible
letter that he could have written. And Burr is rightfully
offended by that letter. And writes back, a more offensive
letter to Hamilton, in which he says Hamilton's not delicate,
he's not acting like a gentleman, which in itself is a really
serious insult. So now Hamilton can