Just some random 1700s/early 1800s letters

Background is of Beatrice ('Baby Bee') of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Marie ('Missy'), Crown Princess of Romania, Alexandra ('Sandra' or 'Fatty') of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Victoria Melita ('Ducky') of Hesse just because it's super pretty.

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Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway [26th September 1788, Paris]

Your favor of Aug. the 19., my very dear friend, is put into my hands this 26th. day of September 1788. and I answer it in the same instant to shew you there is nothing nearer my heart than to meet all the testimonies of your esteem. It is a strong one that you will occupy yourself for me on such a trifle as a visiting card. But sketch it only with your pencil, my friend, and do not make of it a serious business. This would render me uneasy, because I did not mean such a trespass on your time. A few strokes of your pencil on a card will be enjoiment enough for me.

I am going to America, and you to Italy. The one or the other of us goes the wrong way, for the way will ever be wrong which leads us farther apart. Mine is a journey of duty and of affection. I must deposit my daughters in the bosom of their friends and country. This done, I shall return to my station. My absence may be as short as five months, and certainly not longer than nine. How long my subsequent stay here may be I cannot tell. It would certainly be the longer had I a single friend here like yourself. - In going to Italy, be sure to cross the Alps at the Col de Tende. It is the best pass, because you need never get out of your carriage. It is practicable in seasons when all the other passes are shut up by snow. The roads leading to and from it are as fine as can possibly be, and you will see the castle of Saorgio. Take a good day for that part of your journey, and when you shall have sketched it in your portefeuille, and copied it more at leisure for yourself, tear out the leaf and send it to me. But why go to Italy? You have seen it, all the world has seen it, and ransacked it thousands of times. Rather join our good friend Mrs. Church in her trip to America. There you will find original scenes, scenes worthy of your pencil, such as the Natural bridge or the Falls of Niagara. Or participate with Trumbull the historical events of that country. These will have the double merit of being new, and of coming from you. I should find excuses for being sometimes of your parties. Think of this, my dear friend, mature the project with Mrs. Church, and let us all embark together at Havre. Adieu ma tres chere et excellente amie. Your’s affectionately,

Th: J.

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Thomas Jefferson to Angelica Church [21st September 1788, Paris]

Dear Madam

Mr. Short’s departure for Italy gives me the pleasure of executing your commission for the duplicate volume of the Antiquités d’Herculaneum. The exchange is made and the right volume will be given to a Mr. Romilly of London who sets out for Paris within two or three days, and will send it to your house on his arrival. Should any thing put this out of his head, I am unable to give you his address: but it can be had at Mr. Benjamin Vaughan’s Jeffery’s square. However his attention to the charge he has undertaken will I hope save you the trouble of searching his address.

Kitty writes to you to-day, and I have persuaded her to write in French. Madame de Corny and myself are absolutely determined you shall not have her without coming for her. We have interest enough at Panthemont for this, and there is no habeas corpus law in this country, consequently no judge for you to apply to. We have no other means of obtaining a visit from you, nor of convincing you by experience that travelling is good for your health and necessary for your amusement. I do not know whether Madame de Corny has been able to write to you since her overset in the carriage. This happened on Monday by the breaking of the axle of the forewheel. I saw her about an hour after it happened. As M. de Corny had fallen on her, it was presumed she was hurt, and she was put to bed, treated by the Surgeons very methodically, and is now well according to the rules of the art. I am in hopes that by this or the next post she will be permitted to tell you all this herself. The question was, when I saw her, whether all the Voitures Angloises should be proscribed and sold: Monsieur for it; Madame against it. Nous verrons.  

Our treaty, my dear madam, comes on slowly. As yet your preliminaries are not proposed. Be assured they shall be received with all the favorable dispositions possible. I am preparing an article for Kitty’s continuing here, and going hence with you to America. - You see by the papers, and I suppose by your letters also, how much your native state has been agitated by the question on the new Constitution. But that need not agitate you. The tender breasts of ladies were not formed for political convulsion; and the French ladies miscalculate much their own happiness when they wander from the true field of their influence into that of politicks. Present my friendly compliments to Mr. Church, and accept yourself assurances of the sincere attachment & respect of Dear Madam your most obedient friend & servant,

Th: Jefferson

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [15th September 1790, New York]

You do not hope in vain My very Dear love that I am tired of living alone. I was so the very hour after you left me. But I am not sure for all this that it will be possible for me to come to you. Though Mr. Eveleigh is here his health is such as to confine him wholly to his room and disqualify him intirely for business. Besides this, I am the only one of the Administration now here, and, for reasons I mention to your father, it might be very awkward for me to be absent also. In this situation, I would press you to come down with your father, who writes me that he must be here by the 27th, if I did not believe that your health may be benefitted by your continuance where you are somewhat longer. And for this object I would sacrifice any satisfaction to myself. But I leave the matter to yourself. If you feel anxious or uneasy you had better come down. If you can prolong your stay with satisfaction it may be of service to you to do it and in that case I would endeavour to return with your father.

If you know My beloved wife how delightful it is to me to have you with me you need not be told how irksome it is to be separated from you & how much I desire to receive you again to my bosom.

I have received but one letter from you & this is my third.

Adieu My Charmer Love to your Mama, Peggy & the rest of the family

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Abigail Adams to John Adams [12th September 1763, Weymouth]

You was pleas’d to say that the receipt of a letter from your Diana always gave you pleasure. Whether this was designed for a complement, (a commodity I acknowledg that you very seldom deal in) or as a real truth, you best know. Yet if I was to judge of a certain persons Heart, by what upon the like occasion passess through a cabinet of my own, I should be apt to suspect it as a truth. And why may I not? when I have often been tempted to believe; that they were both cast in the same mould, only with this difference, that yours was made, with a harder mettle, and therefore is less liable to an impression. Whether they have both an eaquil quantity of Steel, I have not yet been able to discover, but do not imagine they are either of them deficient. Sup­posing only this difference, I do not see, why the same cause may not produce the same Effect in both, tho perhaps not eaquil in degree.

But after all, notwithstanding we are told that the giver is more blessed than the receiver I must confess that I am not of so generous a disposition, in this case, as to give without wishing for a return.

Have you heard the News? that two Apparitions were seen one evening this week hovering about this house, which very much resembled you and a Cousin of yours. How it should ever enter into the head of an Apparition to assume a form like yours, I cannot devise. When I was told of it I could scarcly believe it, yet I could not declare the contrary, for I did not see it, and therefore had not that demonstration which generally convinces me, that you are not a Ghost.

The original design of this letter was to tell you, that I would next week be your fellow traveler provided I shall not be any encumberance to you, for I have too much pride to be a clog to any body. You are to determine that point. For your -

A. Smith

P S Pappa says he should be very much obliged to Your Cousin if he would preach for him tomorrow and if not to morrow next Sunday. Please to present my complements to him and tell him by complying with this request he will oblige many others besides my pappa, and especially his Humble Servant,

A. Smith

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [11th September 1790, New York]

The Albany post is arrived and not a line from my dear Betsey; though I have reason to believe she must have arrived before the departure of the Post. This is a disappointment to me, as I was anxious to learn how she & my Children got up & how they were.

I wrote you a day or two since by a Vessel & shall write you again by the Wednesday’s post when I will tell you decidedly whether I can come up or not & when.

I am in good health and in all respects as well as I can be without my very dear family - But there is a sad blank in their absence. I however reconcile myself to it; convinced that you will receive benefit by it and you know how precious your health is to me.

Adieu My Angel take care of yourself & think always of Your Affectionate

A.H.

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [8th September 1786, Annapolis]

I wrote to you My beloved Betsey at Philadelphia; but through mistake brought off the letter with me; which I did not discover till my arrival here. I was not very well on the first part of the journey; but my health has been improved by travelling and is now as good as I could wish. Happy, however I cannot be, absent from you and my darling little ones. I feel that nothing can ever compensate for the loss of the enjoyments I leave at home, or can ever put my heart at tolerable ease. In the bosom of my family alone must my happiness be sought, and in that of my Betsey is every thing that is charming to me. Would to heaven I were there! Does not your heart re-echo the wish?

In reality my attachments to home disqualify me for either business or pleasure abroad; and the prospect of a detention here for Eight or ten days perhaps a fortnight fills me with an anxiety which will best be conceived by my Betseys own impatience.

I am straitened for time & must conclude. I presume this will find you at Albany. Kiss my little ones a thousand times for me. Remember me affectionately to Your Parents, to Peggy, to all. Think of me with as much tenderness as I do of you and we cannot fail to be always happy

Adieu My beloved

A Hamilton

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [6th September 1781, Maryland]

Yesterday, my lovely wife, I wrote to you, inclosing you a letter in one to your father, to the care of Mr. Morris. To-morrow the post sets out, and to-morrow we embark for Yorktown. 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. 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. What a world will soon be between us! To support the idea, all my fortitude is insufficient. What must be the case with you, who have the most female of female hearts? 

I sink at the perspective of your distress, and I look to heaven to be your guardian and supporter. Circumstances that have just come to my knowledge, assure me that our operations will be expeditious, as well as our success certain. Early in November, as I promised you, we shall certainly meet. Cheer yourself with this idea, and with the assurance of never more being separated. Every day confirms me in the intention of renouncing public life, and devoting myself wholly to you. Let others waste their time and their tranquillity in a vain pursuit of power and glory; be it my object to be happy in a quiet retreat with my better angel.

A Hamilton

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler [3rd September 1780, New Jersey]

I wrote you last night the inclosed hasty note in expectation that your papa would take his leave of us this morning early; a violent storm in which our house is tumbling about our ears prevents him. He and Meade are propping the house (I mean the Marquis), and I sit down to indulge the pleasure I always feel in writing to you.

The little song you sent me I have read over and over. It is very pretty and contains precisely those sentiments I would wish my betsey to feel, and she tells me it is an exact copy of her heart. You seem by sympathy to have anticipated the inquiries I made in one of mine lately, and to have answered them all by this little song; a pretty method indeed when I am asking a set of sober questions, of the greatest importance, to answer me with a song. I confess however that they scarcely deserved a better and that if you should in reality refer me to your song, I shall be very well served. For after all the proofs I have of your tenderness and readiness to share every kind of fortune with me it is a presumptuous diffidence of your heart to propose the examination I did. 

But be assured My angel it is not a diffidence of my betsey’s heart, but of a female heart, that dictated the questions. I am ready to believe everything in favour of yours; but am restrained by the experience I have had of human nature, and of the softer part of it. Some of your sex possess every requisite to please delight, and inspire esteem friendship and affection; but there are too few of this description. We are full of vices. They are full of weaknesses; though I will not agree with the poet that they are, ‘Matter too soft, a lasting mark to bear. And best distinguished by black brown or fair.’ Nor will I join in the exclamation of Adam against the Creators having formed woman, ‘a fair defect of nature.’ Yet I have reason to think that these portraits are applicable to too many of the sex; and though I am satisfied, whenever I trust my senses and my judgment that you are one of the exceptions, I cannot forbear having moments when I feel a disposition to make a more perfect discovery of your temper, and character. In one of those moments I wrote the letter in question.

Do not however I entreat you suppose that I entertain an ill opinion of all your sex. I have a much worse of my own. I have seen more of yours that merited esteem and love, but the truth is, My Dear girl, there are very few of either that are not very worthless. You know my sentiments on this head. I think I have found a precious jewel. I pray you do not think your sex injured and undertake to be their champion; for it will be taking an unfair advantage of your influence over me.

We have been fortunate of late in Quarters. I gave you a description of a fair one in those we had at Tappan. We have found another here; a pretty little dutch girl of fifteen. Every body make[s] love to her, and she receives every body kindly. She grants every thing that is asked and has too much simplicity to refuse any thing; but she has so much innocence to shield her, that the most determined rake would not dare to take advantage of her simplicity. This you will say is a very favourable character; but I have summed up all her excellencies - beauty, innocence, youth, simplicity. If all her sex were like her, I would become a disciple of Mahomet. I am persuaded she has no soul; and as I am squeamish enough to require a soul in a woman, I run no great risk of becoming one of her captives.

You see I give you an account of all the pretty females I meet with; you tell me nothing of the pretty fellows you see. I suppose you will pretend there is none of them engages the least of your attention, but you know I have been told you were something of a coquette, and I shall take care what degree of credit, I give to this pretence. When your sister returns home, I shall try to get her in my interest and make her tell me of all your flirtations. Have you heard any thing more of what I hinted to you about Fleury? When she returns, give my love to her and tell her, I expected, she would have outstripped you in the Hymenial line.

Adieu My love

A Hamilton

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler [31st August 1780, Teaneck]

I had written the inclosed and left it to be sent by the last post; but by mistake it was not sent. Col Hay just calls and asks me for my commands. Do you think I could let him go without charging him with a letter for you?

In yours by your papa, you say you will expect a visit from me before the close of the campaign, and that you will think me unkind if I do not come. How will you have the presumption to think me unkind you saucy little charmer? Self-love will never per[mit] me to be unkind to you; for are not y[ou the dearest] part of myself? Have not greater interest in the visit than you can have? Should I not gain more by it, should I not enjoy more pleasure, feast upon more beauties sweetnesses, and charms? If all these must be answered in the affirmative (and with all your partiality for me, with all your diffidence of yourself you dare not answer otherwise) could I omit flying to your embrace without being more unkind to myself than to you?

Prithee Miss, no accusations of unkindness. I engage to demonstrate by all the principles of human nature, that they can never justly apply in similar cases, and that I must by every rule, be at all times more anxious to be near you, than you to have me so.

But now my love to speak of the practicability of complying with both our wishes in this article—There is none, I am obliged to sacrifice my inclination to ch[aracter.] Even though my presence shou[ld n]ot be essential here, yet my love I could not with decency or honor leave the army during the campaign. This is a military prejudice which while I am in a military station I must comply with. No person has been more severe than I have been in condemning other officers for deviating from it. I have admitted no excuse as sufficient, and I must not now evince to the army, that the moment my circumstances have changed, my maxims have changed also. This would be an inconsistency, and my Betsey would not have me guilty of an inconsistency. Besides this my Betsey, The General is peculiarly averse to the practice in question. If this campaign is to end my military services, ’tis an additional reason for a constant and punctual attendance, if it is not my leaving the army during the campaign would make it less proper to be away all the winter ’till late in the spring. In one case, my honor bids me stay, in the other my love.

I thank my Betsey for her cockade and for her [inten]tion to provide for the defence of her gainst the inclemency of the sun. But how will she manage a matter of this kind without its appearing a little odd at present?

Nothing new since my last. We are every where in suspense. The present juncture labours with great events. May they be favourable to us.

Kiss my little sister for me when she comes. I am happy on all accounts she is sent for. Present me to your Mama. I kiss your hand.

A Hamilton

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler [August 1780, Teaneck]

Impatiently My Dearest have I been expecting the return of your father to bring me a letter from my charmer with the answers you have been good enough to promise me to the little questions asked in mine by him. I long to see the workings of my Betseys heart, and I promise my self I shall have ample gratification to my fondness in the sweet familiarity of her pen. She will there I hope paint me her feelings without reserve - even in those tender moments of pillowed retirement, when her soul abstracted from every other object, delivers itself up to Love and to me - yet with all that delicacy which suits the purity of her mind and which is so conspicuous in whatever she does.

It is now a week my Betsey since I have heard from you. In that time I have written you twice. I think it will be adviseable in future to number our letters, for I have reason to suspect they do not all meet with fair play. This is number one.

Meade just comes in and interrupts me by sending his love to you. He tells you he has written a long letter to his widow asking her opinion of the propriety of quitting the service; and that if she does not disapprove it, he will certainly take his final leave after the campaign. You see what a fine opportunity she has to be enrolled in the catalogue of heroines, and I dare say she will set you an example of fortitude and patriotism. I know too you have so much of the Portia in you, that you will not be out done in this line by any of your sex, and that if you saw me inclined to quit the service of your country, you would dissuade me from it. I have promised you, you recollect, to conform to your wishes, and I persist in this intention. It remains with you to show whether you are a Roman or an American wife.

Though I am not sanguine in expecting it, I am not without hopes this Winter will produce a peace and then you must submit to the mortification of enjoying more domestic happiness and less fame. This I know you will not like, but we cannot always have things as we wish.

The affairs of England are in so bad a plight that if no fortunate events attend her this campaign, it would seem impossible for her to proceed in the war. But she is an obstinate old dame, and seems determined to ruin her whole family, rather than to let Miss America go on flirting it with her new lovers, with whom, as giddy young girls often do, she eloped in contempt of her mothers authority. I know you will be ready to justify her conduct and to tell me the ill treatment she received was enough to make any girl of spirit act in the same manner. But I will one day cure you of these refractory notions about the right of resistance, (of which I foresee you will be apt to make a very dangerous application), and teach you the great advantage and absolute necessity of implicit obedience.

But now we are talking of times to come, tell me my pretty damsel have you made up your mind upon the subject of housekeeping? Do you soberly relish the pleasure of being a poor mans wife? Have you learned to think a home spun preferable to a brocade and the rumbling of a waggon wheel to the musical rattling of a coach and six? Will you be able to see with perfect composure your old acquaintances flaunting it in gay life, tripping it along in elegance and splendor, while you hold an humble station and have no other enjoyments than the sober comforts of a good wife? Can you in short be an Aquileia and chearfully plant turnips with me, if fortune should so order it? If you cannot my Dear we are playing a comedy of all in the wrong, and you should correct the mistake before we begin to act the tragedy of the unhappy couple.

I propose you a set of new questions my lovely girl; but though they are asked with an air of levity, they merit a very serious consideration, for on their being resolved in the affirmative stripped of all the colorings of a fond imagination our happiness may absolutely depend. I have not concealed my circumstances from my Betsey; they are far from splendid; they may possibly even be worse than I expect, for every day brings me fresh proof of the knavery of those to whom my little affairs are entrusted. They have already filed down what was in their hands more than one half, and I am told they go on diminishing it, ’till I fear they will reduce it below my former fears. An indifference to property enters into my character too much, and what affects me now as my Betsey is concerned in it, I should have laughed at or not thought of at all a year ago. But I have thoroughly examined my own heart. Beloved by you, I can be happy in any situation, and can struggle with every embarrassment of fortune with patience and firmness. 

I cannot however forbear entreating you to realize our union on the dark side and satisfy, without deceiving yourself, how far your affection for me can make you happy in a privation of those elegancies to which you have been accustomed. If fortune should smile upon us, it will do us no harm to have been prepared for adversity; if she frowns upon us, by being prepared, we shall encounter it without the chagrin of disappointment. Your future rank in life is a perfect lottery; you may move in an exalted you may move in a very humble sphere; the last is most probable; examine well your heart. And in doing it, dont figure to yourself a cottage in romance, with the spontaneous bounties of nature courting you to enjoyment. Dont imagine yourself a shepherdess, your hair embroidered with flowers a crook in your hand tending your flock under a shady tree, by the side of a cool fountain, your faithful shepherd sitting near and entertaining you with gentle tales of love. These are pretty dreams and very apt to enter into the heads of lovers when they think of a connection without the advantages of fortune. But they must not be indulged. You must apply your situation to real life, and think how you should feel in scenes of which you may find examples every day. So far My Dear Betsey as the tenderest affection can compensate for other inconveniences in making your estimate, you cannot give too large a credit for this article. My heart overflows with every thing for you, that admiration, esteem and love can inspire. I would this moment give the world to be near you only to kiss your sweet hand. Believe what I say to be truth and imagine what are my feelings when I say it. Let it awake your sympathy and let our hearts melt in a prayer to be soon united, never more to be separated.

Adieu loveliest of your sex

AH

Instead of inclosing your letter to your father I inclose his to you because I do not know whether he may not be on his way here. If he is at home he will tell you the military news. If he has set out for camp, you may open and read my letters to him. The one from Mr. Mathews you will return by the first opportunity.

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [25th August 1781, Suffern]

I had written the inclosed My Dear Betsey when the appearance of your father’s horses announcing his speedy approach induced me to defer sending it off. I flattered myself for a moment that my Betsey would accompany him; but alas! the hope was in vain. It was not my Betsey’s fault however, but the advice of her parents that prevented my seeing her. They were right my angel to dissuade you from the journey; for they did not know the particular motive I have at this time to desire its having taken place; and they naturally supposed it might embarrass me to quit my corps to meet you, as well as give a handle to the censorious. I go my Betsey not with a light heart, but resigned to Destiny and trusting that it cannot be so cruel as to make our separation very long. I will write you as frequently as possible; you must do the same. Inclose your letters to Mr. Peters of the Board of War at Philadelphia whom I will request to forward them. Your father has been as usual kind. He has offered me an order for money on Mr. Morris, and has given me liberty to draw upon him, though I shall probably not make use of it. If you have occasion for money you can draw upon Messrs. Stewart & Totten, Philadelphia. I will desire them to pay your drafts.

I charge you do not suffer your spirits to be too much agitated; remember that not only your own health, but perhaps the existen[ce] of our babe depends upon the tranquillity of your mind. Any accident would afflict me more than I can tell you.

I hope it will not be later than November, before we are again restored to each other. Don’t think me unkind for not talking of your making a journey to the Southward. It would put us to a thousand inconveniences and would in fact be of no avail; for while there I must be engrossed in my military duties. Heaven knows how much it costs me to make the sacrifice I do. It is too much to be torn away from the wife of my bosom from a woman I love to weakness, and who feels the same ardent passion for me. I relinquish a heaven in your arms; but let me have the happiness to reflect that they ever impatiently wait my return sacred to love and me. Give your Mama, your sisters and the whole family every assurance of the warmest affection on my part. Indeed I love them all.

Yrs. with unalterable tenderness and fidelity

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [22nd August 1781, Haverstraw]

In my last letter My Dearest Angel I informed you that there was a greater prospect of activity now than there had been heretofore. I did this to prepare your mind for an event which I am sure will give you pain. I begged your father at the same time to intimate to you by degrees the probability of its taking place. I used this method to prevent a surprise which might be too severe to you. A part of the army My Dear girl is going to Virginia, and I must of necessity be separated at a much greater distance from my beloved wife. I cannot announce the fatal necessity without feeling every thing that a fond husband can feel. I am unhappy my Betsey. I am unhappy beyond expression, I am unhappy because I am to be so remote from you, because I am to hear from you less frequently than I have been accustomed to do. I am miserable because I know my Betsey will be so. I am wretched at the idea of flying so far from you without a single hour’s interview to tell you all my pains and all my love. But I cannot ask permission to visit you. It might be thought improper to leave my corps at such a time and upon such an occasion. I cannot persuade myself to ask a favour at Head Quarters. I must go without seeing you. I must go without embracing you. Alas I must go.

But let no idea other than of the distance we shall be asunder disquiet you. Though I said the prospects of activity will be greater, I said it to give your expectation a different turn and prepare you for something disagreeable. It is ten to one that our views will be disappointed by Cornwallis retiring to South Carolina by land. At all events our operations must be over by the latter end of October and I will fly to the arms of my Betsey.

Let me implore you my Dear My amiable wife, let not the length of absence or the distance of situation steal from me one particle of your tenderness. It is the only treasure I possess in this world. I shall loath existence if it should be lost or even impaired. A miser is greedy of his gold, but the comparison would be cold and poor to say I am more greedy of your love. It is the food of my hopes, the object of my wishes, the only enjoyment of my life. Neither time distance nor any other circumstance can abate that pure that holy that ardent flame which burns in my bosom for the best and sweetest of her sex. Oh heaven shield and support her. Bring us speedily together again & let us never more be separated

Adieu Adieu My Betsey

A Hamilton

I have had too little time to write this. I will write you again at large this day. Dont mention [I am] going to Virgin[ia]

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [21st August 1791, Philadelphia]

I was made very happy, my beloved Betsey by the receipt of your letter, informing me that one of mine had at length got to hand and that your spirits were recovered. I had suffered not a little at the idea that I must have appeared to you negligent. Nor am I able to imagine what can have become of my other letters. There is certainly some very foul and abominable practice, which it will not be my fault, if I do not detect.

You said that you would not stay longer at Albany than twenty days which would bring it to the first of September. How delighted shall I be to receive you again to my bosom & to embrace with you my precious children. And yet much as I long for this happy moment, my extreme anxiety for the restoration of your health will reconcile me to your staying longer where you are upon condition that you really receive benefit from it, and that your own mind is at ease. But I do not believe that I shall permit you to be so long absent from me another time.

Be chearful be happy my beloved, and if possible return to your husband with that sweet bloom in your looks which can never fail to delight him.

You must inform me before hand when you set out. My intention is to meet you at Elizabeth Town. For I am unwilling to go through the bustle of another visit to New York so soon after my last.

Think of me - dream of me - and love me My Betsey as I do you.

Yrs. for ever

A Hamilton

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [21st August 1794, Philadelphia]

Your last letter, My beloved Eliza, gave me inexpressible pleasure. It tells me that my precious boy was fast recovering. Heaven Grant that the favourable appearances may have continued.

If you have not already left Albany write to me the precise day you will certainly leave it; so that I may meet you at New Ark. When you get to New York apply to Col Fish to make an arrangement for carrying you & the Child to New Ark & when there, go to Mr. Boudinot’s till I come.

Philip & Alexander are gone to Trenton. Angelica is in good health.

Adieu my sweet. Love to all with you & best blessings on you & My dear boys.

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Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [17th August 1791, Philadelphia]

My Loved Eliza

I wrote you two or three times last week. But since my last I have received another letter from you which does not remove my anxiety. The state of our dear sick angel continues too precarious. My heart trembles whenever I open a letter from you - The experiment of the Pink root alarms me but I continue to place my hope in Heaven.

You press to return to me. I will not continue to dissuade you. Do as you think best. If you resolve to come I should like best your coming by land & I wish you could prevail on Doctor Stringer to accompany you. It would be a matter of course & pleasure to make him a handsome compensation. If you want money, you may either get it from your father or draw on Mr. Seton at New York for it.

But let me know beforehand your determination that I may meet you at New York with an arrangment for bringing you, or rather write to Mr. Seton who I will request to have things ready - All you will have to do will be to inform him that you leave Albany on a certain day. All here are perfectly well & join in love to you.

Adieu, my Angel

A. H.

[idkwhyiloveoldletterssomuch]

Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton [17th August 1794, Philadelphia]

My loved Eliza

I wrote you two or three times last week. But since my last I have received another letter from you which does not remove my anxiety. The state of our dear sick angel continues too precarious. My heart trembles whenever I open a letter from you. The experiment of the Pink root alarms me But I continue to place my hope in Heaven.

You press to return to me. I will not continue to dissuade you. Do as you think best. If you resolve to come I should like best your coming by land & I wish you could prevail on Doctor Stringer to accompany you. It would be matter of course & pleasure to make him a handsome compensation. If you want money, you may either get it from your father or draw on Mr. Seton at New York for it.

But let me know before hand your determination that I may meet you at New York with an arrangement for bringing you or rather write to Mr. Seton who I will request to have things ready. All you will have to do will be to inform him that you leave Albany on a certain day. All here are perfectly well & join in love to you

Adieu My Angel

AH

[idkwhyiloveoldletterssomuch]

Thomas Jefferson to Angelica Church [17th August 1788, Paris]

The urn is well worth acceptance, my dear Madam, on it’s own account, for it is a perfect beauty: but it is more flattering to me to accept it on account of the giver. I shall preserve it as sacred as I would the urns of my forefathers, had I all of them from Adam to the present day, and with this difference of estimation that it recalls to my mind a living friend. The memorial of me which you have from Trumbul is of the most worthless part of me. Could he paint my friendship to you, it would be something out of the common line. I should have been happy indeed to have made a third at Down-place with yourself and Mrs. Cosway. Your society would have been amusement enough for me. I never blame heaven so much as for having clogged the etherial spirit of friendship with a body which ties it to time and place. I am with you always in spirit: be you with me sometimes.

I have in contemplation to visit America in the Spring, as Madame de Corny has mentioned to you. I have not as yet asked a Congé, because, till the new government is in activity, I know not to whom to address my request. I presume it will not be denied me. The project of carrying with me colonies of animals and plants for my native country, will oblige me to embark at Havre, as being the nearest port. This is but twenty hours distant from London. Can you, my dear madam, sacrifice twenty hours of your life to make my daughters and myself happy? In this event we might make our trips in concert. 

I allow myself all the months of April, May, and June, to find a good ship. Embarking in either of these months we shall avoid being out during the equinoxes and be sure of fine weather. Think of it then, my friend, and let us begin a negociation on the subject. You shall find in me all the spirit of accomodation with which Yoric began his with the fair Piedmontese. We have a thousand inducements to wish it on our part. On yours perhaps you may find one in the dispositions we shall carry with us to serve and amuse you on the dreary voiage. Madme. de Corny talks of your brother coming to Europe for you. How much easier for him to meet you in Williamsburgh! Besides, I am your brother. Should this proposition be absolutely inadmissible, I will flatter myself with the hope of seeing you at New York, or even at Albany if I am master enough of my time. To see the country will be one motive: but to see you a much stronger, and to become acquainted with your father who must be good, because you are so. The fruit is a specimen of the tree. I had the honour of serving with him in Congress in the year 1775. but probably he does not remember me.

I have just deposited Kitty in good health in the Chaussée d’Antin. I had a consultation with Madame de Corny last night, the result of which was to insist on her being translated from the drawing mistress to the drawing master of the Convent. Write to me sometimes, and permit me to answer your letters. God bless you, my dear madam, your affectionate friend

Th: Jefferson