Philip Hamilton Writes Home from College, 1797
Philip Hamilton to Alexander Hamilton, April 21, 1797. (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
In this letter written on April 21, 1797, while he was a student at Columbia College, Philip Hamilton sent his regards to his family along with news about a recent academic exercise and a gift from his grandfather, Philip Schuyler. Schuyler had purchased shares for Philip in the Tontine Tavern and Coffee House as an investment.
A Letter from Philip Hamilton to Alexander Hamilton, April 21, 1797
New York Friday April 21th. 97
Dear Papa
I just now received the inclosed letter from Grandpapa in answer to a letter I wrote to him in which he has inclosed to me three receipts for Shares in the Tontine Tavern amounting to £100 I have given the receipts to Mama; I Delivered my speech to Dr Johnson to examine, he has no objection to my speaking it but he has blotted out that sentence which appears to be the best & most animated in it which is you may recollect it, “Americans you have fought the Battles of mankind you have enkindled that sacred fire of freedom, " &c. Dear Papa, will you be so Good as to give my thanks to Grandpapa for the present he has made me, but above all for the Good advice his letter Contains which I am very sensible of its being extremely necessary for me to pay particular attention to, in order to be a good man.
I remain your most
affectionate son
P. Hamilton
You will oblige me very much by sending back the Letter I have inclosed to you.
To Alexander Hamilton Esqr
Source: Philip Hamilton to Alexander Hamilton, April 21, 1797, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC09630.
A Letter from Philip Hamilton to Alexander Hamilton, April 21, 1797
New York Friday April 21th. 97
Dear Papa
I just now received the inclosed letter from Grandpapa in answer to a letter I wrote to him in which he has inclosed to me three receipts for Shares in the Tontine Tavern amounting to £100 I have given the receipts to [struck: mama] Mama; I Delivered my speech to Dr Johnson to examine, he has no objection to my speaking it but he has blotted out that sentence which appears to be the best & most animated in it which is you may recollect it, “Americans you have fought the Battles of mankind you have enkindled that sacred fire of freedom, [struck: which is now,] &c. Dear Papa, will you be so Good as to give my thanks to Grandpapa for the present he has made me, but above all for the Good advice his letter Contains [struck: which] which I am very sensible of its being extremely necessary for me to pay particular attention to, in order to be a good man.
I remain your most
affectionate son
P. Hamilton
You will oblige me very much by sending back the Letter I have inclosed to you.
To Alexander Hamilton Esqr
Source: Philip Hamilton to Alexander Hamilton, April 21, 1797, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC09630.
Background
In this letter written on April 21, 1797, while he was a student at Columbia College, Philip Hamilton sent his regards to his family along with news about a recent academic exercise and a gift from his grandfather, Philip Schuyler. Schuyler had purchased shares for Philip in the Tontine Tavern and Coffee House as an investment.
Transcript
A Letter from Philip Hamilton to Alexander Hamilton, April 21, 1797
New York Friday April 21th. 97
Dear Papa
I just now received the inclosed letter from Grandpapa in answer to a letter I wrote to him in which he has inclosed to me three receipts for Shares in the Tontine Tavern amounting to £100 I have given the receipts to Mama; I Delivered my speech to Dr Johnson to examine, he has no objection to my speaking it but he has blotted out that sentence which appears to be the best & most animated in it which is you may recollect it, “Americans you have fought the Battles of mankind you have enkindled that sacred fire of freedom, " &c. Dear Papa, will you be so Good as to give my thanks to Grandpapa for the present he has made me, but above all for the Good advice his letter Contains which I am very sensible of its being extremely necessary for me to pay particular attention to, in order to be a good man.
I remain your most
affectionate son
P. Hamilton
You will oblige me very much by sending back the Letter I have inclosed to you.
To Alexander Hamilton Esqr
Source: Philip Hamilton to Alexander Hamilton, April 21, 1797, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC09630.
Excerpt
A Letter from Philip Hamilton to Alexander Hamilton, April 21, 1797
New York Friday April 21th. 97
Dear Papa
I just now received the inclosed letter from Grandpapa in answer to a letter I wrote to him in which he has inclosed to me three receipts for Shares in the Tontine Tavern amounting to £100 I have given the receipts to [struck: mama] Mama; I Delivered my speech to Dr Johnson to examine, he has no objection to my speaking it but he has blotted out that sentence which appears to be the best & most animated in it which is you may recollect it, “Americans you have fought the Battles of mankind you have enkindled that sacred fire of freedom, [struck: which is now,] &c. Dear Papa, will you be so Good as to give my thanks to Grandpapa for the present he has made me, but above all for the Good advice his letter Contains [struck: which] which I am very sensible of its being extremely necessary for me to pay particular attention to, in order to be a good man.
I remain your most
affectionate son
P. Hamilton
You will oblige me very much by sending back the Letter I have inclosed to you.
To Alexander Hamilton Esqr
Source: Philip Hamilton to Alexander Hamilton, April 21, 1797, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC09630.
*Click the images below to view the full content
