Aaron Burr was Vice President in Jefferson's first administration. Jefferson dropped Burr as his running mate during his second election to the Presidency (thank goodness!).
Consequently, Burr decided to run for Governor of New York. Alexander Hamilton used his influence to deny Burr the victory. Hamilton suspected Burr of being a traitor pushing a plan for New England (and New York as well) to secede from the United States. Hamilton declared Burr, "A dangerous man, and one who ought not be trusted with the reins of government." Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel and on July 11, 1804, Burr shot and killed Hamilton.
Hamilton's death disgraced Burr, but that did not stop him from contacting the British Ambassador to the United States, asking for financial support of a plot to have the Western Territories to secede from the Union making Burr the emperor of the new nation. The plot was discovered and Burr was charged with treason. He was acquitted of the charge and forced into exile to avoid prosecution for Hamilton's death. Eventually, he did return to the United States practicing law in New York City.
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