Recommends Captain Robert Hamilton as Naval Lieutenant
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Recommends Captain Robert Hamilton as Naval Lieutenant
Description
Alexander Hamilton recommends his first cousin, Robert Hamilton, as a Navy Lieutenant, with experience at sea in the West Indies since the age of 14. Alexander Hamilton considers the appointment "a peripheral favour to myself."
year created
1798
month created
08
day created
08
author
sent from location
New York
recipient
in collection
recipient note
Secretary of the Marines.
notable person/group
Alexander Hamilton
William W. Burrows
Robert Hamilton
notable location
New York
notable idea/issue
Naval Appointment
Reputation
Safety
Gentleman
document number
1798080860001
page start
1
number of pages
2
transcription
[in pencil? 65]
Dear Sir,
Capt Robert Hamilton, a first cousin of mine, is desirous of entering into our naval force. He is regularly bred to the sea which he has followed since he was fourteen years old. His opportunities have been of the best, among others that of voyages to the East Indies. I feel myself warranted in recommending him as an able well informed seaman -- who adds to this qualification the sentiments of a Gentleman and a good moral character, intelligence and prudence. I verily believe he will be an acquisition to our navy -- and as I feel myself extremely interested in his success I shall esteem his appointment a personal favour to myself. He is now about thirty years of age.
Were it not that he is a foreigner I should think myself warranted to solicit for him the Commission of Captain, but under this disadvantage I ask for him that of full lieutenant. Being on the point of departing for a journey I can add no more than the repetition of a strong wish that he may be able to obtain this appointment. With great respect & aftn I have the honor to be
Sir
Yr Obedt
A Hamilton
N York Ag 8 1794
[postscript to the left of the text above:]
It is his intention to settle in the Country & become naturalized as soon as our laws permiting
[address written sideways, in another hand]
N York 8 Aug 1798 531
Alexander Hamilton,
recommending
Capt Robt Hamilton
for a Lieutenancy in
Navy.
The Secretary of the Marine
Dear Sir,
Capt Robert Hamilton, a first cousin of mine, is desirous of entering into our naval force. He is regularly bred to the sea which he has followed since he was fourteen years old. His opportunities have been of the best, among others that of voyages to the East Indies. I feel myself warranted in recommending him as an able well informed seaman -- who adds to this qualification the sentiments of a Gentleman and a good moral character, intelligence and prudence. I verily believe he will be an acquisition to our navy -- and as I feel myself extremely interested in his success I shall esteem his appointment a personal favour to myself. He is now about thirty years of age.
Were it not that he is a foreigner I should think myself warranted to solicit for him the Commission of Captain, but under this disadvantage I ask for him that of full lieutenant. Being on the point of departing for a journey I can add no more than the repetition of a strong wish that he may be able to obtain this appointment. With great respect & aftn I have the honor to be
Sir
Yr Obedt
A Hamilton
N York Ag 8 1794
[postscript to the left of the text above:]
It is his intention to settle in the Country & become naturalized as soon as our laws permiting
[address written sideways, in another hand]
N York 8 Aug 1798 531
Alexander Hamilton,
recommending
Capt Robt Hamilton
for a Lieutenancy in
Navy.
The Secretary of the Marine
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | XJW19 (2 pages) | Collection: Subject File of the Naval Records Collection | NN |
| [view document] (2 pages) | XJW19a (2 pages) | Collection: Subject File of the Naval Records Collection | NN |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Alexander Hamilton | New York | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Benjamin Stoddert | [unknown] | [n/a] |