Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-02-25
Directors.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JR.
A Man VINO Remembers the Duke O
wellington

A Man VINO Remembers the Duke of
Wellington.
The New York Sun gives the follow.
ing account of an interview with the son
of Alexander Hamilton:
Are you not Alexander Hamilton's
eldest son, sir?' the reporter asked.
Yes, | am Colonel Alexander Hamil-
ton, jr, the eldest son of Alexander
Hamilton, said the old gentleman, look
ing into the fire and folding his hands
in his lap, as though preparing for a
long, cosy chat, "and am about ninety
years Of age. lam the eldest of eight
children, two daughters and six sons.
All Of these. except the former and the
youngest Of the latter, are alive"
THE ELDER HAMILTON.
After my father had collected and
equipped the company of artillery he
was introduced to Washington by Gen.
Green. Washington made him a mem.
Der of his staff, and considered him a
valuable subordinate. Now, sir cleaning
forward and whispering), ] am going to
tell something that few know: NV
father wrote all but the first three lines
Of Washington farewell address. Wash
ington submitted sketch of his proposed
address, and in an accompanying letter,
which | have seen, said: Write your
connections, alterations and rem arks in
clear hand, so that ] can COPY them
without laundering My father thought
it best to rewrite all but the FIRST three
lines. VfFft
My father broke his connection with
General Washington's staff on account
of an undeserved reproach. General
Washington and he were in Philadel-
phia at the time the rupture was made.
My father was in the habit of issuing
ordinary orders without consulting Gen.
eral Washington. AS he was returning
one day from the quarters of Colonel
Trumbull, to whom he had given some
instructions, he met the General, who
said, Colonel Hamilton, | wish TO speak
to you, and led the way to his private
Office, where General Lafayette was
seated. Without prologue General
Washington said, Colonel Hamilton,
you have treated me with great disre.
spect! To which my father answered,
If you think So General, we can sepa-
rate.
"0n the day OF my fathers duel with
Burr my youngest brother and | we're in
his Office in Pearl street, having come
earlier in the day from the family seat, a
mile above what is now called Manhat
tanvile. The Sunday before, Colonel
Smith, son-in law Of John Adams, had
dined with us, and the result Of con.
versation on the subject was tacit
agreement on my fathers part not to
fight. When he felt his death wound he
said to his second. Take my pistol,
will not fire. But his request was not
heard, and as he fell the weapon struck
against the earth, and was discharged.
My brother Philip, who was shot two
years before my father, withheld his 6re
in the same manner My father was the
victim Of conspiracy.
" When Burr afterward visited Paris
he wrote to Talleyrand, announcing his
intention to visit him. Talleyrand's an.
swer was, / have a picture of Alexan-
der Hamilton hanging in my house.
Burr did not call While the revolution
was devastating France, Talleyrand was
a frequent and welcome visitor at our
house. On one occasion, referring to
my father, be said, / have seen the man
who made his eountry's fortune toiling
all night to support his family. After
my fathers death went to Spain and
Portugal to learn something Of foreign
manners and customs.