Complete Works. Hamilton Alexander

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СКАЧАТЬ too shortlived with young men, and that similarities of taste, friendship and confidence are the true foundations of happiness.

      Such being the case, I have thirty—perhaps forty years in which to try to contribute to hers, and you know whether I desire it. You may remember that when I left you you told me that time might bring happy changes; I replied that I should have the perseverance and courage that sooner or later overcome fate. I shall have them to the end, and I assure you that before long I shall be able in uniting the little she has by right to what I shall have—to offer her, if not so brilliant a lot as I could wish, at least one that need give her no anxiety for the future.

      I have neither time nor inclination to reproach you for your silence. Mme. Ch. who so kindly led me to hope for news of her, has also completely forgotten me. Some one must have played me a very nasty, dirty trick to blacken me in her eyes; it is a fine game to speak evil of the absent. Assure her that that is not what we do here when I am with the Princesse de Craon and Bonné, a young woman who is with her, and who is very fond of Mdlle Kitty; she has begged me to send her two books of music, one of which is of her own composition. I am entrusting to some one who is going to Philadelphia, I send it to you as well-meaning people will not fail to think that this packet encloses something else. You can reassure them, and may open the Scroll before the whole assembled family. Adieu, man général, now that you have an army do not take advantage of your superiority to ingloriously fight a Soldier who has nothing but love on his Side, and who has everything to struggle against. With every respect and assurance of my unchanging attachment,

      Le Chev. de C.

      Hamilton's ultimate resignation from, the Treasuryship caused a great deal of commotion in the family, and much discussion on the part of General Schuyler, Mrs. Church, and his friends at large. As has been stated, he left public office impoverished, and when he was thirty-seven, and but ten years before his death. It is apparent from his letters that this step was a hard one to take, as his entire life and interests had been merged in the public trust he did so much to organize, and which has altered so little in more than one hundred years. The following letters that passed between himself and his sister-in-law, to whom he often turned, graphically convey his motives and feelings:

       Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church

      Philadelphia, December 8, 1794.

      You say I am a politician, and good for nothing. What will you say when you learn that after January next, I shall cease to be a politician at all? So is the fact. I have formally and definitely announced my intention to resign at that period, and have ordered a house to be taken for me at New York. My dear Eliza has been lately very ill. Thank God, she is now quite recovered, except that she continues somewhat weak.

      My absence on a certain expedition was the cause.

      You will see, notwithstanding your disparagement of me, I am still of consequence to her. Liancourt has arrived, and has delivered your letter. I pay him the attention due to his misfortunes and his merits. I wish I was a Croesus; I might then afford solid consolations to these children of adversity, and how delightful it would be to do so. But now sympathy, kind words, and occasionally a dinner, are all I can Contribute. Don't let Mr. Church be alarmed at my retreat. [All is well with the public. Our insurrection is most happily terminated. Government has gained by it reputation and strength, and our finances are in a most flourishing condition. Having contributed to place those of the Nation on a good footings 1 go to take a little care of my own; which need my care not a little.

      Love to Mr. Church. Betsey will add a line or two. Adieu.

      And again later, after the actual resignation:

      Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church

      Albany, March 6, 1795.

      To indulge in my domestic happiness the more freely, was with me a principal motive for relinquishing an office in which 'tis said I have gained some glory, and the difficulties of which had just been subdued. Eliza and our children are with me here at your father's house, who is himself at New York attending the Legislature. We remain here till June, when we become stationary at New York, where I resume the practice of the law. For, my dear sister, I tell you without regret what I hope you anticipate, that I am poorer than when I went into office. I allot myself full four or six years of more work than will be pleasant, though much less than I have had for the last five years.

      Angelica Church to Elizabeth Hamilton

      London, Feb. 24, 95.

      I sincerely congratulate you my dear Eliza on the resignation of our dear Hamilton & on your return to New York where I hope to pass with you the remainder of my days, that is if you will be so obliging as to permit my Brother to give me his society, for you know how much I love & admire him.

      I do not by this Ship write to my amiable, but you will thank him for his letters. I was very proud to have the American Ministers intreating me for information from America. I did boast of very long letters & give myself some airs of importance. Mr Jay is very desirous of getting to his fireside, & Mrs. Pinckney preparing for Spain.

      The Churches eventually arrived in New York Hamilton secured a house and expended upon it large sums to fix it for the occupancy of his rather exacting sister-in-law, and these we find entered in his books—as well as records of how the family lived, and what they did for a number of years. Among other items charged to Mrs. Church, it appears that he paid "Cash for passages of yourself and servants on Dolls. 370.66," and at an earlier date he "paid acct. of your last landlady for rooms, & some damage done by your servants in removing, £23.9.3."

      His own accounts are all neatly and carefully kept up to 1799, but show, after that time, some carelessness and brevity which is in contrast with earlier years. This was probably owing to his multifarious occupations, and possibly to his anxiety about the affairs of his own political party, which then was in the midst of its troubles. A list of excerpts is, I think, worthy of reproduction.

	G. Washington expense to Mess, to Morton	$16.
1796.	Nov. 11. Contribution for erecting R. C. Church at Albany	5.
	July 11. For this sum paid to W. McDonald towards Presbyterian Church at Albany	15.
1795.	Oct. 25. Household expenses for this sum paid Henry Seaman for Mourning for Mrs. Hamilton.	43.25
	Philip Schuyler paid for Mrs. Schuyler	22.42
		--------
		65.67
	Dec. 6. Account of Expenses, for this sum paid tax on carriage	10.
	for this sum paid Mr. Beekman for half a years rent of stable	50.
	Dec. 21. George Washington, President for this sum paid for an express to Messrs. Troffer & Matin	16.
	May 6. For this sum paid in full for Tuition of my Children in the French language say dollars Eighteen five shillings & 4d ( L. Maillet)	£18.6.5 СКАЧАТЬ В начало < 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 > В конец