Alexander Hamilton, Jr. Letters
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Scope and Contents
Four letters from Hamilton to his father, James A. Hamilton and his sister, Eliza. They are dated 10 July 1832; July 11, 1832; 9 September 1833; and 22 October 1833.
Hamilton wrote the letters while a Cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. In a letter to his father, dated July 10, 1832, he discusses possibly sexual relationships between male Cadets as "petting" and plans to steer clear of this practice. He also mentions "pets in the Corps" who are "held in great contempt."
Hamilton also mentions cholera outbreaks in New York City, the heavy summer rains, his daily events and academics, his enjoyment of Drawing classes, and inquires after the health of his father, grandmother. He also mentions family and friends, including his uncle William Hamilton, grandmother Eliza Hamilton, and friend Henry McKavitt.
The letters demonstrate a close relationship with his father.
Dates
- Creation: July 1832-October 1833
Creator
- Hamilton, Alexander, Jr., 1816-1889 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Conditions Governing Use
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Biographical / Historical
Alexander Hamilton, Jr. was the grandson of Alexander Hamilton who was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr. His father, James A. Hamilton, was Secretary of State to President Andrew Jackson and later U.S. District Attorney for southern New York. Alexander Hamilton, Jr. was a lawyer and secretary to the American writer, Washington Irving.
Extent
.01 Linear Feet
Language
English
General
Some of the letters have pencil annotations, done by an anonymous hand.
- Title
- Guide to Alexander Hamilton, Jr. Letters
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- SCRC staff.
- Date
- 2020-02-14
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository