Aaron Burr emerges as the first key figure in Alexander Hamilton’s journey. In the musical, their encounter not only represents the real-life rivalry between the two, but also highlights the stark contrast in their personalities: while Burr prioritizes caution and strategy, Hamilton is driven by urgency and ambition. It is in this clash of visions that Lin-Manuel Miranda introduces certain creative liberties for the sake of smooth storytelling.
Table of Contents
History
Alexander Hamilton arrived in the American colonies sometime between 1773 and 1774, coming from the Caribbean islands. His initial goal was to enroll at the College of New Jersey (Princeton), but his proposal to complete the program more quickly was rejected by the institution’s president, John Witherspoon. As a result, he decided to study at King’s College (now Columbia University), where he would finish his degree in 1776.
By then, Hamilton already knew Aaron Burr. Burr, whose father was one of Princeton’s founders, was admitted at age 13—after being turned away at 11 for being too young. It’s unclear exactly when the two first crossed paths, but the academic debates and intellectual circles in New York and New Jersey certainly facilitated their meeting.
Another significant figure in Hamilton’s life was Hercules Mulligan, an Irish immigrant who hosted Hamilton in New York and introduced him to revolutionary ideas. This friendship played a major role in Hamilton’s decision to back the independence movement, further involving him in discussions about the colonies’ future.
In 1776, the political atmosphere was boiling over. The signing of the Declaration of Independence formalized the break with the British Crown and marked the official start of the “American experiment.” Though he had yet to join the armed conflict, Hamilton was already active in debates and in writing texts in support of the colonists, solidifying his reputation as a promising new voice.
The following year, he met John Laurens when both became aides to George Washington. Laurens came from a wealthy family, was a staunch opponent of slavery, and would become one of Hamilton’s closest friends. Their bond deepened during the battles they fought together throughout the war, always at Washington’s side.
It was also in 1777 that the 19-year-old Marquis de Lafayette joined the American revolutionary cause, bringing direct support from France to the insurgents. That same year, he met Alexander Hamilton while serving on Washington’s staff, forging a strong political and personal alliance that would bolster the fight for independence.
Music
In this song, Lin-Manuel Miranda condenses the timeline to bring Aaron Burr, John Laurens, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Hercules Mulligan together in 1776—even though, in reality, they met at different points in time.
Rhymes
“I’m thinking: ‘bur-sar.’ And if there’s one thing that I learned working with Lin, Lin has a love of puns.”
Ron Chernow, in a conversation at the National Archives Foundation.
Lin-Manuel plays with the similarity between “Burr, sir” and “bursar”. Seizing this opportunity, Lin-Manuel Miranda steered the beginning of the song toward that joke. While writing the musical, he made a list of words that rhymed with “Burr” and tried to use as many as possible throughout the show. Even though Hamilton never actually punched a treasurer in real life, Miranda didn’t want to miss the chance to make that rhyme—one that even made Stephen Sondheim burst out laughing.
“I will never forget one of our very early previews when that line got delivered and I heard this honking laugh from the back, and I was like, oh Stephen Sondheim likes my ‘bursar’ line. It’s not going anywhere.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda, in a conversation at the National Archives Foundation.
Encounters, Contrasts, and the New York Setting
The scene emphasizes that Burr graduated from Princeton at a very young age, but it doesn’t mention that his father served as the university’s president. As a result, Hamilton believes Burr simply sped through his studies and wants to do the same, since he has no money and is racing against time.
In Burr’s lines, his advice to “talk less, smile more” highlights the contrast between his cautious demeanor and Hamilton’s boundless energy. The show’s creator even compares this moment to Harry Potter’s first encounter with Draco Malfoy, right before Harry meets his real friends.
Focusing on New York helps build the musical’s atmosphere. Fraunces Tavern (image), mentioned in the libretto, still stands to this day and contributes to the show’s New York identity. Though many events took place elsewhere, New York is the central stage, bringing the musical closer to its Broadway audience.
A Rap Cipher
It’s interesting to notice the different rap styles Lin-Manuel Miranda chose for each character. Laurens brings an old-school vibe, reminiscent of 1980s hip-hop. Lafayette plays with French lines, emphasizing his foreign background. Meanwhile, Mulligan has plenty of lighthearted moments, thanks to his name lending itself to playful wordplay.
On May 2, 2013, Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted the following:
One standout element of this scene is the use of beatbox and improvised effects. Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan create beats by beatboxing and tapping on the table to simulate percussion as they interact. Interestingly, these tapping sounds were almost cut from the official recording. It was producer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson who made sure they remained, recreating the effect by drumming on his own desk—both his contribution and the desk itself ended up being credited in the album notes.
While listening to the instrumental version of this song, I noticed you can hear the actors’ voices faintly in the background, likely coming through Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s headphones.
“Aaron Burr, Sir” is, therefore, a starting point that balances historical facts with creative freedom. Along with modern touches such as references to New York breakdancers, the scene shows Hamilton raising a toast, despite his real-life reputation for not being much of a drinker. The goal is simple: to quickly introduce these characters, set the musical’s tone, and make it clear that the rivalry between Hamilton and Burr will drive much of the story’s momentum.
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