The idea of Hamilton retiring from the army to stay home with his wife and newborn was met with a scoff: “Your private affairs cannot require such immediate and close attention you speak like a pater familias 5 surrounded with a numerous progeny.” (You can almost hear the eye roll.) Later, in July 1782, after Hamilton’s son was born, Laurens wrote to Hamilton to encourage him to stay with the army unless he were to join Congress. The implication is that Laurens had written Hamilton something along the lines of just do this girl and snap out of it, get back to focusing on the war and the country. In spite of Schuylers black eyes, I have still a part for the public and another for you so your impatience to have me married is misplaced a strange cure by the way, as if after matrimony I was to be less devoted than I am now. On September 16, 1780, Hamilton wrote to Laurens: There’s a frustration on Laurens’ part, almost a jealousy, in their conversations that follow. She gave him a home to go back to, a reason to live through the war.īut Laurens seems to treat Hamilton’s relationship with Eliza more as a distraction. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that Eliza saved his life. Then, a few short weeks later, he met Eliza. Hamilton was in a dark mindset by this point– not just willing to die, but hoping to die. ’Tis a weakness but I feel I am not fit for this terrestreal Country. In short Laurens I am disgusted with every thing in this world but yourself and very few more honest fellows and I have no other wish than as soon as possible to make a brilliant exit. In January 1780, Hamilton wrote to Laurens despairing that his request to go south and join the fight in South Carolina had been rejected. They bonded over a shared recklessness and willingness to give up their lives in service to the greater cause. Hamilton and Laurens were extraordinarily close. I think the reality is a little more complicated. The conventional wisdom is that Laurens was Hamilton’s best friend, so Hamilton is probably being the most honest about his feelings for Eliza in this letter. What he’s doing is attempting to sound very rational and reasonable about his feelings for her: she’s not a genius, she’s not a great American beauty, but she’s nice, she has good sense, she’s pretty, and he loves her. First, he’s not actually calling Eliza stupid or ugly. And believe me, I am lover in earnest, though I do not speak of the perfections of my Mistress in the enthusiasm of Chivalry.Ĭontext is really important here. She is a good hearted girl who I am sure will never play the termagant though not a genius she has good sense enough to be agreeable, and though not a beauty, she has fine black eyes-is rather handsome and has every other requisite of the exterior to make a lover happy. Have you not heard that I am on the point of becoming a benedict? I confess my sins. Good question! The full quote from Hamilton’s 30 June 1780 letter to Laurens reads:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |