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English 1102: Hamilton and Writing

Letters from Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler

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Letters from Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler

By Ye Jun Kim

[Camp near Dobbs Ferry, New York, July 10, 1781]

The day before yesterday, my angel, I arrived here, but for the want of an opportunity could not write you sooner[1]. Indeed, I know of none now, but shall send this to the Quarter Master General to be forwarded by the first conveyance to the care of Col. Hughes[2]. Finding when I came here that nothing was said on the subject of a command, I wrote the General a letter and enclosed him my commission[3]. This morning Tilghman came to me in his name, pressed me to retain my commission, with an assurance that he would endeavor by all means to give me a command nearly such as I could have desired in the present circumstances of the army[4]. Though I know my Betsy would be happy to hear I had rejected this proposal, it is a pleasure my reputation would not permit me to afford her[5]. I consented to retain my commission and accept my command[6].

I hope my beloved Betsy will dismiss all apprehensions for my safety[7]; unhappily for public affairs, there seems to be little prospect of activity, and if there should be Heaven will certainly be propitious to any attachment so tender, so genuine as ours[8]. Heaven will restore me to the bosom of my love and permit me to enjoy with new relish the delights which are centered there[9]. It costs me a great deal to be absent from them, but the privation is certainly only temporary[10]. I impatiently long to hear from you the state of your mind since our painful separation[11]. Be as happy as you can, I entreat you, my amiable, my beloved wife. But let not absence deprive me of the least particle of your affection[12]. Always remember those tender proofs I have so frequently given you of mine and preserve for me unabated the only blessing which can make life of any value to me[13]…

 

Head of Elk, [Maryland] September 6, 1781.

Yesterday, my lovely wife, I wrote to you, inclosing you a letter in one to your father, to the care of Mr. Morris[14]. To-morrow the post sets out, and to-morrow we embark for Yorktown[15]. I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of writing you a few lines. Constantly uppermost in my thoughts and affections, I am happy only when my moments are devoted to some office that respects you[16]. I would give the world to be able to tell you all I feel and all I wish, but consult your own heart and you will know mine[17]. What a world will soon be between us! To support the idea, all my fortitude is insufficient[18]. What must be the case with you, who have the most female of female hearts[19]? I sink at the perspective of your distress, and I look to heaven to be your guardian and supporter[20]. Circumstances that have just come to my knowledge, assure me that our operations will be expeditious, as well as our success certain[21]. Early in November, as I promised you, we shall certainly meet[22]. Cheer yourself with this idea, and with the assurance of never more being separated[23]. Every day confirms me in the intention of renouncing public life, and devoting myself wholly to you[24]. Let others waste their time and their tranquility in a vain pursuit of power and glory; be it my object to be happy in a quiet retreat with my better angel[25].

A Hamilton

 

[Camp before Yorktown, Virginia, October 10, 1781. On October 12, 1781,[26] Hamilton wrote to Elizabeth Hamilton: “I wrote you two days since.” Letter not found.]

 

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  1. Early in 1871, Hamilton requested a position in the military, hoping to ensure a spot and win glory on the battle field, since the end of the war was imminent. However, Washington’s lukewarm responses encouraged Hamilton to ride to Dobbs Ferry.
  2. The Quarter Master General, Nathaniel Greene, was hesitant on accepting the Quarter Master position at first, because he was a businessman and thought that it didn’t prepare him for a job regarding the military.
  3. After arriving at Dobbs Ferry looking for a military position, Hamilton had written a resignation letter since there weren’t any military roles he could find.
  4. Tilghman did not accept Hamilton’s resignation and assured Hamilton that Washington would aspire to find a position for Hamilton here “by all means”. Later in the month, Washington comes back to Dobbs Ferry and grants Hamilton the command of a New York light infantry battalion in control under Colonel Alexander Scammell.
  5. Although Hamilton was liked by a lot of people, there were some who did not like Hamilton, one of which was John Adams. Adams much rather preferred Aaron Burr to be in a general position, but Washington did not appoint Burr as general. This led to the relationship between Hamilton and Burr to become more hostile.
  6. Since he did go all the way to Dobbs Ferry in hopes for a position, after the struggle, when he was offered a position, he was able to retain the resignation and decide to remain at Dobbs Ferry.
  7. Betsy is Elizabeth Schuyler’s childhood nickname. While Alexander Hamilton was away, “Betsy” stayed at parent’s home in Albany. There, Hamilton wrote her letter, this being one of the many he wrote, urging her not to worry about his safety and confidential military secrets.
  8. The quote, “Heaven will certainly be propitious to any attachment…”, implies that God will be on his side in the Revolution if any activities or disputes come up to end the war.
  9. Hamilton seems to be very poetic when he speaks to Elizabeth Schuyler and expresses his feelings for her. Hamilton says, “Heaven will restore me to the bosom of my love,” implying that God has made the couple a fate, referring to Elizabeth as the “bosom of my love”.
  10. Hamilton knows the two being apart will only be temporary because he firmly believed that the war will end soon. However, he is still in pain in the fact that he is not able to enjoy the “delights” with his wife.
  11. Right after marriage, the couple had to split due to Hamilton having to leave for the military. However, they soon got back together at New Windsor. They then moved to Albany, to Elizabeth’s parents’ house. A couple months after that, they had to separate again, Leaving Elizabeth at Albany while Hamilton left for Dobbs Ferry.
  12. Here, Hamilton uses a hyperbole to ask her not to forget about him. He says, “let not absence deprive me of the least particle of your affection,” and to always remember the affections that Hamilton poured on her. One’s particle can’t simply be deprived, but in this context, Hamilton is just urging her to remember every part of the love he gave her.
  13. The latter half of this sentence is also a hyperbole when Hamilton says, “blessing which can make life of any value to me,” to imply that the “tender proofs” the couple has shown each other is a great blessing and something they cannot forget about. However, if this sentence were to be taken literally, this means that if these blessings were not present, he would have not a purpose of life. This use of hyperbole leads the readers to conclude that the love Hamilton had for his wife was tremendous.
  14. Hamilton not only wrote to Elizabeth Schuyler while he was away, but he also wrote to his father-in-law, and all the Schuyler sisters. This implies that he had good relations with all the members of his in-laws, adding to the reason why he writes to his wife with overpowering love and affection.
  15. The start of the embark on Yorktown began by encircling Cornwallis and Yorktown with both colonists and French soldiers. About a month and a week after the start of the surrounding of the location, the siege began, ending up leading to the end of the Revolutionary War.
  16. Hamilton reminds his wife of his unrelenting love and how she is in every piece of his life. He says, “I am happy only when my moments are devoted to some office that respects you,” meaning that he is not willing to work with people that doesn’t respect his wife as well.
  17. The phrase, “I would give the world to be able to tell you all I feel and all I wish,” is a hyperbole to once again express Hamilton’s love for Elizabeth Schuyler. Realistically, it is impossible to “give the world”, but using the hyperbole, Hamilton exaggerates the things he would do for his wife.
  18. “What a world will soon be between us!” refers to the time that will come when the war is over, which Hamilton believes is after this Siege on Yorktown.
  19. This is a rhetorical question with an obvious answer, which once again praises Elizabeth Schuyler. Elizabeth Schuyler helped Hamilton with his campaign regarding military affairs, helping him write speeches while giving care to eight children, keeping the home live spirited.
  20. Connected to the last annotation, Elizabeth Schuyler has played a very important role in shaping Hamilton’s career, supporting him and helping him get through situations that might have been hard to handle alone. Since he is aware of this, he wishes to give back and be the same support she was to him.
  21. Hamilton says, “Our operations will be expeditious, as well as our success certain,” talking about the events that will lead up to and the event Battle of Yorktown Hamilton firmly believed that this will end the war, thus writing to his wife in this tone throughout the whole letter.
  22. This refers to the Battle of Yorktown, the battle that led to victory for the colonies. As mentioned in a previous annotation, Hamilton told his wife confidential secrets regarding military matters.
  23. Hamilton once again reassures his wife that the end of the Revolutionary War is imminent, hinting at the Battle of Yorktown the colonists are preparing. He does this by repeating the fact that the couple doesn’t have to be separated anymore after November.
  24. Hamilton seems to make an analogy, comparing his wife to a deity. Hamilton says, “devoting myself wholly to you”. The word “devote” is primarily used in a religious context, which leads the readers to suggest that Hamilton is looking at his wife as a God, but more realistically someone he appreciates and respects wholeheartedly.
  25. Hamilton continues with the theme of religion in this sentence. Looking at most religions, the religious people often say that their God alone is enough. Similarly, Hamilton is saying that Elizabeth Schuyler alone is enough and he is not afraid of missing out on anything else if he is with her.
  26. Between October 10 and October 12, the French troops and the colonists opened batteries, aiming to reach closer to Yorktown, consuming a frigate and three larger transportation modes.

 

 

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  2. “Alexander Hamilton.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 June 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton.
  3. ALEXANDER HAMILTON.(1804, 10). The Literary Magazine, and American Register (1803-1807), 2, 491.
  4. AN ORIGINAL LETTER OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON.(1804, 11). The Literary Magazine, and American Register (1803-1807), 2, 647.
  5. “Battle of Yorktown Begins.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-yorktown-begins.
  6. “Chronology of the Siege of Yorktown.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, nps.gov/york/learn/historyculture/siegetimeline.htm.
  7. Connett, Ian. “Portrait of a Young Officer.” Dobbs Ferry Historical Society, May 2015, http://www.dobbsferryhistory.org/Ferryman_files/DFHSFerrymanSpring2015.pdf.
  8. Dohla, Johann Conrad. “‘Battle of Yorktown Begins.’ History.com, A&E Television Networks, Www.history.com/This-Day-in-History/Battle-of-Yorktown-Begins.” Yorktown, resourcelibrary.history.org/sites/default/files/PSCollectionYorktown_0.pdf.
  9. Florus, Wilhelm Heinrich. “Letter from Wlilhelm Heinrich Florus, Graf Von Schwerin, HIs Uncle.” Yorktown, resourcelibrary.history.org/sites/default/files/PSCollectionYorktown_0.pdf.
  10. “From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [10 July 1781],” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified June 13, 2018, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-02-02-1178. [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 647–648.]
  11. “From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [15–18 September 1781],” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified June 13, 2018, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-02-02-1196. [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 675–676.]
  12. “From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 10 October 1781,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified June 13, 2018, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-02-02-1198. [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, p. 677.]
  13. Hamilton, A., & Hamilton, A. (2001). The Revolutionary Writings of Alexander Hamilton.
  14. Hamilton, A. (1817, 12). LETTER FROM ALEXANDER HAMILTON, ESQ. TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE.The Port – Folio (1801-1827), 4, 469
  15. “[July 1781],” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified June 13, 2018, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/01-03-02-0007-0003. [Original source: The Diaries of George Washington, vol. 3, 1 January 1771–5 November 1781, ed. Donald Jackson. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1978, pp. 388–404.]
  16. Morgan, Curtis F. “Nathanael Greene as Quartermaster General.” Journal of the American Revolution, 28 Aug. 2016, allthingsliberty.com/2013/11/nathanael-greene-quartermaster-general/.
  17. “October 1781,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified June 13, 2018, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/01-03-02-0007-0006. [Original source: The Diaries of George Washington, vol. 3, 1 January 1771–5 November 1781, ed. Donald Jackson. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1978, pp. 424–436.]
  18. “September 1781,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified June 13, 2018, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/01-03-02-0007-0005. [Original source: The Diaries of George Washington, vol. 3, 1 January 1771–5 November 1781, ed. Donald Jackson. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1978, pp. 417–424.]
  19. “The American Revolution.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/revwar/revolution_day_by_day/1781_main.html.
  20. “Why Elizabeth Hamilton Is Deserving of a Musical of Her Own.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 25 Feb. 2016, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-elizabeth-hamilton-deserving-musical-her-own-180958214