Complete Works. Hamilton Alexander

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ A. Hamilton.

      On many occasions we find in letters that passed between his father-in-law and himself, as well as others, frequent references to the career of this promising boy, who, at the time of his death, was, evidently, dearer to Hamilton than any of his other children, and this feeling seems to have been shared by the family. Many years after the Meade letter Angelica Church wrote from London:

      "I have received with inexpressible pleasure your long letter, and thank my Eliza for the agreeable details respecting your children. Philip inherits his father's talents. What flattering prospects for a mother! You are, my dear sister, very happy with such a Husband and such promise in a son."

      Philip, like his father, had attended Columbia College, where he graduated with high honors in 1800, and was intended for the bar, but in a discussion with one George I. Eacker regarding a political matter, a challenge passed between them, and the young man, who was less than twenty, fell November 23, 1801, at the same place where Hamilton himself met his death three years later.1 It would appear that, like his father, he too was forced into an encounter which was in conflict with all his principles.

      Many accounts of the circumstances which led to the affair have been given, but none of these are capable of verification, although the most probable is the one which states that the quarrel grew out of a Fourth-of-July speech made by Eacker in praise of Burr, and in which he incidentally reflected upon Alexander Hamilton.

      In the duel, which was fought at three o'clock in the afternoon, Philip received a mortal wound, but lingered on until the morning of the next day.

      The event attracted a great deal of newspaper discussion, and as at that time the American Citizen and General Advertiser was bitterly inimical to Hamilton, it was its endeavor to show that his son was to blame. The Evening Post, however, took the ground that the affair was due to the intolerable provocation of Eacker. It appears from this description that Philip Hamilton and a young man named Price were at the theatre in a box adjoining that of Eacker, and that they indulged in satirical comments upon a Fourth-of-July oration. Eacker, overhearing them, invited the young men to step into the lobby, and called some one a d-d rascal. They adjourned to a public house, where an explanation was demanded, and when asked whom the offensive expression was meant for, he declared that it was intended for each. As they parted Eacker said, " I shall expect to hear from you," when they replied, "You shall." A challenge followed. Eacker met Price on the following Sunday, and four shots were exchanged without harm to any one. The seconds interfered, and the parties left the field. On the next day Hamilton met Eacker, and received a shot through the body at the first discharge, and fell without firing.

      Angelica Church wrote to her brother, who was in Albany: "His [Hamilton's] conduct was extraordinary during this trial. I cannot reach particulars now, my sister is a little composed, and the corpse will be removed from my house within an hour." About two weeks afterward General Schuyler wrote:

       Philip Schuyler to Elizabeth Hamilton

      Albany, Dec. 6, 1801.

      My dearly beloved and Amiable Child: I trust that resignation to the Divine Will has so far tranquillized your mind as to mitigate the severity of the anguish which has been inflicted on you and all of us. It ought my beloved child to afford us much consolation that our dear departed child afforded such decided evidence of his aversion to shedding of blood, that he pursued every measure which propriety and prudence could dictate to avoid it, that thus he has left this life without seeking or even wishing to take away that of his intemperate adversary, and that we have reason to trust that by the unbounded mercy of his Creator, his Spirit is in the realms of Eternal bliss.

      In a letter to my Dear Hamilton, I urged him to bring you with him to us, I must reiterate the request to you my Dear Child that I may have the consolation of embracing you, of mingling my tears with yours and with Hamilton, and then by comforting each to dry them.

      I suggested measures for this Journey since which have reflected if there should be no sledging that It would be better to send my strong horses to your Brother's at Rynbeck with my Coachman to relieve your horses, but If there should be sledging, I will send my covered Sled and horses to your Brothers and then your Coaches may be left there—but I ought to be advised in time of the day on which you will probably leave New York.

      Your Coach is sufficiently roomy to bring the nurse and the three younger children with you which vill add greatly to our satisfaction.

      Adieu my Dear Love—Your Mama and sister unite with all in love to you, your Hamilton and the dear Children and in prayers that every blessing of which mortality is susceptible of may be yours and theirs.

      I am my dearly beloved Child,

      Most tenderly & affectionately yours

      Ph. Schuyler.

      Hamilton never fully recovered from this loss, for the career of the young man had been his pride, and he had high hopes that he would, eventually, take up his own work. Letters from Talleyrand and many friends speak of this and all condoled with him later.

      But few of Philip Hamilton's letters to his father are preserved, and these show that a most affectionate sympathy existed between the two, for the father, despite his absorption in public affairs, and the demands upon his time which were constantly being made by others, conducted his boy's education, giving him frequent hints in regard to the selection of studies, and the manner in which he should live, and a set of rules for the guidance of the son after his graduation from Columbia, when he was preparing for his chosen profession. These were:

      RULES FOR MR. PHILIP HAMILTON

      From the first of April to the first of October he is to rise not later than six o'clock; the rest of the year not later than seven. If earlier, he will deserve commendation. Ten will be his hour of going to bed throughout the year.

      From the time he is dressed in the morning till nine o'clock (the time for breakfast excepted), he is to read law. At nine he goes to the office, and continues there till dinnertime. He will be occupied partly in writing and partly in reading law.

      After dinner he reads law at home till five o'clock. From this time till seven he disposes of his time as he pleases. From seven to ten he reads and studies whatever he pleases.

      From twelve on Saturday he is at liberty to amuse himself.

      On Sunday he will attend the morning church. The rest of the day may be applied to innocent recreations.

      He must not depart from any of these rules without my permission.

      Several years before he entered Columbia, when Philip was a small lad at school, the father wrote to him:

       Alexander Hamilton to his son Philips

      Philadelphia, Dec. 5, 1791.

      I received with great pleasure, my dear Philip, the letter which you wrote me last week. Your mama and myself were very happy to learn that you are pleased with your situation, and content to stay as long as shall be thought best for you. We hope and believe that nothing will happen to alter this disposition. Your teacher also informs me that you recited a lesson the first day you began very much to his satisfaction. I expect every letter from him will give me a fresh proof of your progress, for I know you can do a great deal if you please, and I am sure you have too much spirit not to exert yourself, that you may make us every day more and more proud of you. You remember that I engaged to send for you next Saturday, and I will do it, unless you request me to put it off, for a promise must never be broken, and СКАЧАТЬ