Recommends Captain Robert Hamilton as Naval Lieutenant
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Recommends Captain Robert Hamilton as Naval Lieutenant
Description
Alexander Hamilton seeks a response to a letter he wrote two weeks previously about the appointment of his cousin, Robert Hamilton, to full lieutenancy. He desires to know the prospect of such appointment as soon as possible. Hamilton suggests his cousin as superior to Capt. Talbert, assigned to a frigate in port at the time.
year created
1798
month created
08
day created
21
author
sent from location
New York
recipient
in collection
recipient note
Secretary of the Marines.
notable person/group
Alexander Hamilton
Robert Hamilton
William Ward Burrows
Captain Talbert
notable location
New York
notable idea/issue
Naval Appointment
Nepotism
document number
1798082160001
page start
1
number of pages
2
transcription
N. York Aug. 21. 1798 [pencilled "531" circled to the right]
A. Hamilton Esqr
respecting
Capt Hamilton
[in pencil in another hand: NN. Hamilton, Robert]
Dear Sir,
I, about a fortnight since, wrote to you on the subject of a relation of mine desirous of entering into our Navy and recommending him as a full Lieutenant; -- to which letter not having received an answer, I am apprehensive it may have miscarried You will oblige me by your opinion as speedily as convenient how far there is a prospect for him . I anticipate that there may be scruples from his character of foreigner; but on full reflection I am satisfied it is possible to carry this objection too far. The young man I recommend is every way worthy -- I really believe he will be an acquisition. It has occurred to me that Capt Talbot lately arrived who is to take the command of the frigate building here, though an excellent man, is not a thorough bred seaman. Such a man as Capt Hamilton would be an excellent second.
[closing and signature cut out]
[pencilled "Alexander Hamilton" in another hand beside the cutout]
The Secy of the [rest of the phrase cut out]
A. Hamilton Esqr
respecting
Capt Hamilton
[in pencil in another hand: NN. Hamilton, Robert]
Dear Sir,
I, about a fortnight since, wrote to you on the subject of a relation of mine desirous of entering into our Navy and recommending him as a full Lieutenant; -- to which letter not having received an answer, I am apprehensive it may have miscarried You will oblige me by your opinion as speedily as convenient how far there is a prospect for him . I anticipate that there may be scruples from his character of foreigner; but on full reflection I am satisfied it is possible to carry this objection too far. The young man I recommend is every way worthy -- I really believe he will be an acquisition. It has occurred to me that Capt Talbot lately arrived who is to take the command of the frigate building here, though an excellent man, is not a thorough bred seaman. Such a man as Capt Hamilton would be an excellent second.
[closing and signature cut out]
[pencilled "Alexander Hamilton" in another hand beside the cutout]
The Secy of the [rest of the phrase cut out]
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | XJW20 (2 pages) | Collection: Subject File of the Naval Records Collection | NN |
| [view document] (2 pages) | XJW20a (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] |