The process was known as deloping ("throwing away"),[0] and normally involved firing a round into the ground. Hamilton's second claimed he deliberately fired in

The process was known as deloping ("throwing away"),[0] and normally involved firing a round into the ground. Hamilton's second claimed he deliberately fired into the air, while Burr's second claimed Hamilton fired at Burr and missed.[1] There's really no clear answer, unfortunately, and Hamilton's use of pistols with hair triggers could have played a role as well. Hamilton did write in a statement prior to the duel that he'd delope if possible: > ... I have resolved, if our interview is conducted in the usual manner, and it pleases God to give me the opportunity, to reserve and throw away my first fire, and I have thoughts even of reserving my second fire—and thus giving a double opportunity to Col Burr to pause and to reflect.[2] Firing into the air rather than the ground would involve moving your pistol in a manner that would clearly appear as if you intending to fire on your opponent. On the other hand, his death at Burr's hands certainly gave Hamilton the "brilliant exit" he'd admired for years.[2] Plus, if Hamilton wanted to ensure Burr's destruction after his death, his statement couldn't have been better written. Society would have shunned Burr regardless, but the statement all but guaranteed it would view him with the deepest of contempt. 0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deloping https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deloping 1. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/burr-slays-hamilton-in-duel https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/burr-slays-hamil... 1. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-26-02-0001-0241 https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-26-02-00... 2. http://www.historynet.com/hamilton-burr-duel.htm http://www.historynet.com/hamilton-burr-duel.htm