#I stopped myself from posting a picture of the Ceraccchi bust of AH

[46ten]

Beloved Matthew Clarkson, part 2

EH to Matthew Clarkson, 17Sept1804. 

Part 1 here. 

I haven’t been able to get much further with the Clarkson-AH relationship specifically, but thanks to @runawayforthesummer I do have more information about Clarkson after AH’s death, including his assistance to the Hamiltons. 

Gouverneur Morris wrote in his journal [transcribed by runawayforthesummer]: 

Mr. Hammond, who dined with us, desired me to think of some means to provide for poor Hamilton's family. Mr. Gracie and Mr. Wolcott called for the same purpose. I had already mentioned the matter to Mr. Low, who seems to think a subscription will not go down well, because the children have a rich grandfather. Mr. Hammond mentions certain engagements in bank, indorsed by Ludlow and David Ogden. The same thing probably exists as to him, Gracie, and Wolcott. Be motives what they may, I will use the occasion and freely pay my quota. Clarkson will unquestionably do as much. David Ogden says he, Clarkson, will do more than he ought. He is a worthy fellow, as, indeed, he always was, and is extremely wounded. He said to me on Thursday, just after our friend had expired: “If we were truly brave we should not accept a challenge; but we are all cowards.” The tears rolling down his face gave strong effect to the voice and manner with which he pronounced this sentence. There is no braver man living, and yet I doubt whether he would so far brave the public opinion as to refuse a challenge. The Diary and Letters of Gouverneur Morris, vol 2. pg 458

A rumor circulated that Rufus King had said that Clarkson had said that the duel between AH and Burr was “unavoidable”, with the implication that Clarkson approved of this duel; Clarkson wrote to King about it and provided his own feelings about the duel:

New York

August 20th, 1804

My Dear Sir

Since the late melancholy event that deprived us of our friend Hamilton, a report has reached me, that yourself in conjunction with Mr. Pendleton and myself had given it as an opinion that a duel was unavoidable; a report of this nature (as I abhor the practice) has occasioned me great uneasiness, and as I was only a hearer of what you related to me and had no other agency in the business, you will much oblige me by a line to this effect. I promise you that no other use shall be made of the letter but only to show it to two persons from whom I received the information-whom I am very solicitous should be rightly informed on the subject. Previous to the fatal event the silence you imposed on me was most scrupulously attended to; but which agitated my mind exceedingly; immediately upon my hearing of its having taken place I directly went to our friend, who I found had already requested that I be sent for. The scene which I witnessed has almost been too much for me, and the idea now suggested has not contributed to my repose. Let me request, my dear sir, to hear from you as soon as possible. 

P.S. We are endeavouring to obtain by subscription some property for the children of our friend; is anything of a similar nature likely to be done in Boston?  -  Life and Correspondence of Rufus King, Vol 4, pg 399

King responded to Clarkson:

Waltham near Boston

August 24, 1804

My dear Sir

I lose no time in replying to your letter of the 20th which I received last evening considering the reserve I have observed upon this subject of national affliction. I am truly surprised that any such rumor, as that you mention, should have got into circulation upon my authority: No person can be justified by any observation that you ever made to me, or that I ever made to another, in reporting that you had given an opinion that a Duel between our lamented friend and Col Burr was unavoidable.  

It was not until the challenge had been given and accepted that I mentioned the affair to you, and then under injunction of secrecy – [insert] knowing our friend’s determination to be positive [end insert] my mind was agitated with strong forebodings of what had happened; and though the correspondence was closed by the agreement of the Parties to meet each other, I nevertheless mentioned the subject to you, and asked if you would perceive any mode of interference; your answer, expressive of much sorrow, was in the negative -; I did not however infer from this answer that in your opinion our friend might not have declined a meeting with Col Burr, but merely, by the acceptance of his adversary’s challenge, that the interference of third persons was precluded.

P.S. You are absolutely to make any use of the above that you may deem proper.

There exists in this quarter a difficulty that may disappoint our hopes of pecuniary succor for the family of our lamented friend – I allude to the misunderstandings that existed between him and Mr. Adams. Should we fail in procuring money, I understand that certain persons who purchased a tract of land in Pennsylvania of Col. Pickering, and for which they paid him $25,000 will be disposed to convey the lands to the family of the deceased. This will be a valuable property at a Distant Day, but cash only will pay Debts- *

original letter here, also found in Life and Correspondence of Rufus King, Vol 4

King follows up with another letter to Clarkson less than a week later: 

Boston

August 29, 1804

Dear Sir

Mrs. Hamilton having written to Mr. Cabot to endeavor to procure for Alexander a situation in a reputable commercial house, Mr. Higginson has readily consented to take him, and until a suitable family can be found to take Alexander in as a boarder, Mr. Higginson will receive him into his own family. This will give to the young man an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the respectable persons of the town, and with such young men as are of the best reputation-

In my answer to your letter of the 20th I omitted to say anything concerning either Mr. Pendleton or myself in regard to the Report to which your letter alludes. I have no recollection that Mr. Pendleton ever expressed to me any opinion whether General H. could, or ought to, decline a meeting with Col Burr; though I very well remember that he soberly agreed with me in opinion of the inconsistency of the General’s determination to receive the fire of his adversary, and to throw away his own –

No person can view with deeper abhorrence than I do the practice of dueling, and our lamented friend was not unacquainted with my opinion upon this Subject. 

-original letter here, also found in Life and Correspondence of Rufus King, Vol 4

So King told Clarkson about the planned duel to see if he could do something about it; Clarkson said he could not interfere at that point, but someone thought Clarkson was saying that AH was right to accept Burr’s challenge, while all of these men expressly disapprove of dueling, of course. 

By the way, King left NYC and was in Boston at the time of the duel. Washington Morton, “a young man of strong passions” (whose “conduct, as usual, is preposterous” haha) spoke “indignantly of the conduct of King, giving the impression that such was the feeling of his wife’s family” (pg 391-392).  Pendleton supposedly said at a dinner party that King’s behavior could be construed to show, “great coldness of heart,” although he didn’t hold it against King. More ammunition for James A. and JCH to sue King 20 years later.

Back to the Alexander Jr. situation and Clarkson...

In addition to the letter from Elizabeth Hamilton above, transcribed by runawayforthesummer here, and by aswithasunbeam with photo of original letter here, there’s the following letter (see this post for more context): 

EH to General Matthew Clarkson (in NY) 

Albany, September 29th, 1804

With thanks permit me to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter. The advantages my friend of placing my son [Alexander] in Boston are great, but they are all with respect to acquirements in the knowledge of making property. And his Moral and Religious Character must be entirely depending upon himself and how few are there at his age that do not want a watchfull parents care to guard them, and even there they are Hazarded by a short absence. The present day has evils of every sort assailing a young mind, that has but just stepped from the studies of a college class. The advantages of having a home, ware [where], he will meet with tenderness, to make[?] him domesticated, books that will be suited to him and see a tender virtuous father’s Bust that will press on his mind, that goodness, and Religion must be his Chief support.

With respect to myself how little am I fitted to bear the anxiety for an abscent child, the alarms for his health will be many and fears I shall constantly have, I have several children let the pain of separation be a little protracted and the eldest remain to give me some consolation and by prayers for his prosperity attentions on my part endeavor to make up any loss he may attain by a different situation.

With Esteem, E. Hamilton

This is all very sad. Clarkson does seem to have been regarded as “the bravest man,” who will do more than he “ought,” who could teach a young man about Religion and other subjects that “marked his character.” AH asked for him while dying, and Clarkson seemed heartbroken by AH’s death. All around, a good man and friend. 

*If one wants to read more about this property, check out pages 405-411 of the Rufus King volume linked above.