1From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [April 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Cold in my professions, warm in ⟨my⟩ friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it m⟨ight⟩ be in my power, by action rather than words, ⟨to⟩ convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you that ’till you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my friend, it was not well done. You know the opinion I entertain of mankind, and how much it is my...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 22 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Monroe is just setting out from Head Quarters and proposes to go in quest of adventures to the Southward. He seems to be as much of a night errant as your worship; but as he is an honest fellow, I shall be glad he may find some employment, that will enable him to get knocked in the head in an honorable way. He will relish your black scheme if any thing handsome can be done for him in that...
I acknowlege but one letter from you, since you left us, of the 14th of July which just arrived in time to appease a violent conflict between my friendship and my pride. I have written you five or six letters since you left Philadelphia and I should have written you more had you made proper return. But like a jealous lover, when I thought you slighted my caresses, my affection was alarmed and...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 8 January [1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I had written the enclosed and was called off. Some ruffian hand has treated it in the manner you see. I have no time to copy it. I shall take up the story where I left it. Another reason for believing the destination is your way, is that Governor Martin and divers others refugees of Georgia South and North Carolina are said to have gone in the fleet. You will have a busy time; acquit...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [30 March 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received lately two letters from you, the last dated the 24th of February and am much obliged to you for the detail you give me. I hope your expectations may not be disappointed, though I confess to you my fears are very much up about your situation. The enemy will push the point at every hazard; and I am apprehensive after all you will be vulnerable on the water-side. If they will cut...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [30 June 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I received my Dear Laurens a letter from you which came by Mr. Ternant; and I since learn you are arrived at Philadelphia on a parole restricted to the State of Pensylvania. I regret the loss of Charles Town as a public misfortune. I regret it, as it affects my friends and among these I need not tell you how much my heart distinguishes your case. I know what you must suffer ⟨to⟩ have your...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 19 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, July 19, 1780. On July 30, 1780, Laurens wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter tho dated the 19th. did not reach me till yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
We ought both my Dear Laurens to beg pardon of our friendship for mutual neglect in our correspondence, though I believe you are a good deal in arrears to me, and I am sure one of my letters must have miscarried. I informed you that the application, in favour of Portail, and yourself, had been referred to a general exchange as I expected. When this general exchange will take place is...
I wrote you fully by the post and have just time to tell you that I have received your letter of the 8th. & that tomorrow morning I set out with the General for Hartford to an interview with the French General and Admiral. My hopes increase, that Guichen is coming to enable us to act. For your own sake, for my sake, for the public sake, I shall pray for the success of the attempt you mention;...
10[From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens], [27 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Sparks Transcripts, Harvard College Library. Although this letter is attributed to H in the Sparks Transcripts, in reality it was written by Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman, H’s fellow aide. The original of the letter is in the South Carolina Historical Society. There are textual differences in the Sparks and the original, but the contents of both letters are the same. The copy in the Sparks...