Alexander Hamilton Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-25-02-0195

From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [16 March 1801]

To Elizabeth Hamilton1

[Albany, March 16, 1801]

On Saturday, My Dear Eliza, your sister took leave of her sufferings and friends, I trust, to find repose and happiness in a better country.2

Viewing all that she had endured for so long a time, I could not but feel a relief in the termination of the scene. She was sensible to the last and resigned to the important change.

Your father and mother are now calm. All is as well as it can be; except the dreadful ceremonies which custom seems to have imposed as indispensable in this pla⟨ce⟩, and which at every instant open anew the closing wounds of bleeding hearts. Tomorrow the funeral takes place. The day after I hope to set sail for N York.

I long to come to console and comfort you my darling Betsey. Adieu my sweet angel. Remember the duty of Christian Resignation.   Ever Yrs

A H

ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

1For background to this letter, see H to Elizabeth Hamilton, February 20, 21, 25, March 9, 10, 1801.

2Margarita Van Rensselaer died on March 14, 1801, at the Van Rensselaer manor house in Watervliet, near Albany (The Albany Register, March 24, 1801; The [New York] Spectator, March 21, 1801).

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