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The same yearning for rest in the country which seems to have been felt by so many men at the termination of a busy public career, came to Hamilton as well, and a few years before his death he wrote: "To men who have been so much harassed in the base world as myself, it is natural to look forward to complete retirement, in the circle of life as a perfect desideratum. This desire I have felt in the strongest manner, and to prepare for it has latterly been a favorite object. I thought I might not only expect to accomplish the object, but might reasonably aim at it and pursue the preparatory measures."

It is true that these sentiments were directly provoked by his political disappointments, as well as a realization that he must make provision for his old age, but it may be assumed that the time had come for the enjoyment of the comforts of a house of his own in the quiet country. Possibly his familiarity with Virgil's bucolics, and especially the First Eclogue, had filled his mind with sylvan longings; or, again, there may have been the influence of his early life, spent in a clime full of beauty and restfulness, that prompted him to look about for a retreat which was far enough removed from the bustle and affairs of men to enable him to find relaxation in the happiness of seclusion. It is somewhat difficult to-day to realize that the isolated place he then selected, which was eight miles from the Bowling Green, is now a somewhat crowded part of a great city which extends several >miles further north. At that time stage-coaches ran but three days in the week to a point which now corresponds with 42d Street and Broadway, and is a congested thoroughfare, although through service to Albany then enabled one to descend at Hamilton's gate. He had, during the summer and fall of 1798, leased and occupied, in company with his brother-in-law, John B. Church, a country house in the neighborhood of what was afterward his own estate.

Although his professional income at that period was comparatively large, his earnings being twelve thousand dollars annually, he was obliged, before he got through building, to make financial arrangements which would enable him to meet the demands of masons and builders, and early in 1804 his warm friend and client, Louis Le Guen, loaned him five thousand dollars on bond and mortgage. After some search he found a tract of land to his liking which, to-day, is that roughly bounded by St. Nicholas and Tenth Avenues, and which extends from 141st to 145th Streets, but formerly was much larger in extent, the western limit being the Hudson River. The Albany or Bloomingdale Road which passed diagonally through it has, of course, now entirely disappeared, but undoubtedly divided the part upon which the house stood from the farm on the easterly side. General Ebenezer Stevens, who was then a prosperous merchant, had, at the time, a country place in the vicinity, and to him Hamilton wrote, making inquiry as to available property:

Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens

25th of October, 1799.

If the owner of the ground adjoining you will take Eight Hundred pounds (£800) for sixteen acres including a parcel of the woodland, and lying on the water the whole breadth, you will oblige me by concluding the bargain with him, and I will pay the money as soon as a good title shall appear. If he will not sell a part at this rate, I request you to ascertain whether he will take Thirty pounds an acre for the whole tract and let me know.

If I like it, after another view of the premises, I shall probably take the whole at this price. But I can only pay one half down, a quarter in six months and the remaining quarter in a twelve month. He shall be satisfied on the score of security if he desires.

Yrs with regard,

A. Hamilton.

The building itself which is now in existence, although moved from its original position, stood for a long time at the corner of 142d Street and Tenth Avenue, but within recent years has been moved so that it adjoins St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and is used as a school. It is little the worse for age, despite all it has gone through, and was never an architectural triumph, although it is a type of the comfortable country house of the period. It is a square structure two stories high, and had verandas on both the north and south sides as it originally stood. The main entrance was on the west. Near the southwest corner was a group of thirteen gum trees, planted in a circle by Hamilton, one for each of the original States, but they were so closely set that they never attained a great size, and all eventually languished and died, their destruction being hastened by the depredations of the relic hunters.

The house was designed by John McComb, one of the leading architects and builders of the time, and was constructed by Ezra Weeks,1 who superseded a builder named Putnam. McComb's excellent work which remains to-day is the old City Hall, which shows the artistic influence of Sir Christopher Wren, and, in some ways, is one of the most charming old buildings in the country. It is quite probable that Hamilton himself worked at the plans, and was frequently in consultation with General Schuyler, who manifested his interest by furnishing timber from his own estate at Saratoga. In this connection he writes to his son-in-law:

Philip Schuyler to Alexander Hamilton

ALBANY, Monday, August 25th, 1800.

MY DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 13th instant with the plan of your intended house was delivered me on Thursday last, that of the 18th by the mail I received yesterday. I have delivered Mr. Putnam the builder, the plan, and a paper of which you have a copy on the other side, and expect his answer tomorrow. If the house is boarded on the outside, and then clap boards put on, and filled in the inside with brick, I am persuaded no water will pass to the brick. If the clapboards are well painted, and filling in with brick will be little if any more expensive than lath and plaister, the former will prevent the nuisance occasioned by rats and mice, to which you will be eternally exposed if lath and plaister is made use of instead of brick.

The partitions between the apartments in the interior of the house, if made of joice and then lathed and plaistered also have vacancies as receptacles for rats and mice. It is a little but not much more expensive to have the partitions of plank of 2 or 2 1/2 inches thick set vertically from floor to ceiling and joined together, but not planed, on these planks the lathes and plaister are to be put, and thus a solid partition is formed. In the bill of scantling which you have sent me I do not find any timbers for the gutters, perhaps this has been ommitted.

Should Mr. Putnam refuse to contract unless for the whole house in all its parts, except the masonry, I will receive his proposals on a statement which I shall make and transmit it to you without delay, or should he be extravagant in his demand, I shall as soon as Cornelia is brought to bed, go up and contract for the timber and purchase the boards and planks, and if possible I will cause the boards and planks to be put into water for two months and then piled up with decks between them that they may be seasoned before they are worked up.

It will save very considerable expense if the clap boards and boards for the floors were sawed to the proper breadth and thickness at the sawmills, I therefore wish you to send me how many of each Mr. -- thinks will be wanted, their breadth and thickness. I rejoice, my dear Son, that my Philip1 has acquitted himself so well, and hope that his future progress may correspond with your and my wishes.

All here unite in love to you, my Eliza and the children. I am my dear Sir

Ever most affectionately yours,

PH. SCHUYLER.

Honble M. Gen. Hamilton.

On August 22d, 1802, he wrote to Mrs. Hamilton:

I am anxious to visit you and to participate in the pleasure of your country retreat which I am informed is fast reaching perfection. Embrace my dear Hamilton and the children. He and they participate with you in your mother's and my warmest affections. May health and happiness be the portion of all. God bless you my dearly beloved child.

I am ever, most tenderly and affectionately, yours,

PH. SCHUYLER.

From Albany he again wrote to her on April 23, 1803:

DEAR CHILD: This morning Genr. Ten Broeck informed me that your horses which went from hence were drowned,

THE GRANGE -- ABOUT 1864

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and that you had lost paint, oil, &c to a considerable amount, -- Supposing this account to have been truly stated to the General, I send you by Toney my waggon horses of which I make you present.

I intended to have your house painted If you cannot recover the paint, purchase no more as I will have the house painted.

When an opportunity offers send my saddle and bridle which Toney will leave. --

Your Sister unites with me in love to you and Eliza.

I am Dr child

Your affectionate parent

PH. SCHUYLER.

As an illustration of how dwelling-houses were built in New York at the time, the mason's specifications may be produced.

Proposal for finishing General Hamilton's Country House -- Viz. To build two Stacks of Chimneys to contain eight fire-places, exclusive of those in Cellar Story.

To fill in with brick all the outside walls of the 1st and 2nd stories, also all the interior walls that Separate the two Octagon Rooms -- and the two rooms over them -- from the Hall and other Rooms in both Stories.

To lath and plaster the side walls of 1st and 2nd stories with two coats & set in white.

To plaster the interior walls which separate the Octagon Rooms in both Stories, to be finished white, or as General Hamilton may chose.

To lath and plaster all the other partitions in both Stories.

To lath and plaster the Ceiling of the Cellar Story throughout.

To plaster the Side walls of Kitchen, Drawing Room, Hall & passage, & to point & whitewash the Stone & brick walls of the other part of Cellar Story. To Point the outside walls of Cellar Story and to fill in under the Sills.

To lay both Kitchen hearths with brick placed edge ways.

To put a Strong Iron back in the Kitchen fire-place five feet long by 2 1/2 9" high.

To put another Iron back in the Drawing Room 3'-6" by 2'-9".

To place two Iron Cranes in the Kitchen fire Place -- & an Iron door for the oven mouth.

The Rooms, Hall, and Passage of the first Story to have neat Stocco Cornices -- Those of Octagon Rooms of Best Kind (but not inriched).

To put up the two setts of Italian Marble in the Octagon Rooms, such as General Hamilton may chose -- and Six setts of Stone Chimney pieces for the other Rooms.

The Four fireplaces in the two Octagon rooms & the two rooms over them, to have Iron Backs and jambs, and four fire places to have backs only.

To lay the foundations for eight piers for the Piazza.

Mr. McComb to find at his own expense all the Material requisite for the afore described work and execute it in a good & workmenlike manner for one thousand Eight Hundred & Seventy five Dollars.

General Hamilton to have all the Materials carted and to have all the Carpenters'work done at his expense --

General Hamilton is to find the workmen their board or to allow -- shillings per day for each days work in lieu thereof.

New York 22nd June 1801.

JOHN MCCOMB Jun

To build the Stew holes and a wall for the sink.

The whole to be completed by --?

The chimneys, which were very large, were a source of much anxiety to Hamilton and his advisers. At that time Count Rumford1 was an authority on everything scientific in this country, and his experiments on the domestic application of artificial light and heat attracted almost as much attention as did the inventions of Benjamin Franklin, whose stoves were coming into general use. Finally the matter was settled, and the comfort of the inmates of the house assured by the adoption of a proper chimney.

Plan of a Chimney on Rumford's principles.

The whole width in opening in front of the fire place 39 inches of which thirteen to from back side at an Angle of about 135 Degrees and thirteen the back.

From these dimensions the depth results --

The height from the floor to the throat about three feet and the throat about four inches wide -- and central to the base or perpendicular over the fire.

Thus

In this connection it is interesting to read of Burr's later opinion of Rumford's invention, and his own attempts to keep warm in a foreign city. Aaron Burr in his diary, in describing his room in Paris which he occupied in 1810, said:

"The fireplace (more like an oven) is three feet deep, and five feet wide, and of course smokes perpetually. Having endured this now more than two months, and finding my eyes worse for it, sent today for one of those scientific men called fumistes. Showed him the evil and proposed a remedy. 'Mais sur quelles principes mons. sont fon'es vos idees.' In vain did I take on myself the hazard of the result. 'Non c'est decarter de tous les principes,' and so we parted. Nineteen out of twenty of the chimnies of Paris (of France I might say) smoke always, and the other twentieth occasionally. In vain have Franklin and Rumford shown by fact and experiment how chimnies should be built. Their obstinacy and stupidity passes belief. And so I sit envellopped in smoke, or as you have it, sit like the gods in the clouds."

Hamilton kept minute accounts of the cost of labor and material, and it is curious to note the rate of wages paid one hundred years ago, long before the days of labor unions. We find that one Thomas Costigan, who had, apparently, been engaged in building the house, and afterward became a man-of-all-work, received, for services rendered for three and one-half years, the sum of four hundred and twenty-four dollars and fifty cents. Thomas Dunnevan was another workman upon the place, and in an entry in the expensebook it is stated that he was paid one hundred and fifty-two dollars and eighteen cents by wages, from the 8th of March, 1802, to the 4th of August, 1803, "when the poor worthy fellow was drowned. Sixteen months and twenty-seven days at 9d." This bill was receipted by Edward Kerhal, who was next of kin.

The entire cost of building the house was £1,550, and this sum was paid to Ezra Weeks.

Hamilton always had a taste for gardening and farming, and one of his friends who did much to encourage him was

Dr. David Hosack, a distinguished and fashionable physician of the time. In 1796 Dr. Hosack became a partner of Dr. Samuel Bard, and these two were Hamilton's physicians and friends. Later, upon the death of his son Philip, Bard wrote a most tender letter of sympathy to his dear friend Hamilton from his country house in Hyde Park, where he passed the remainder of his days. Dr. Hosack, whose education had been undertaken in part in Europe, had become deeply interested in botany. This led, on his return, to his appointment as professor of botany and afterward materia medica in Columbia College. For a time he became connected with the Rutgers Medical College, having associated himself with Dr. Valentine Mott and Dr. Francis, but later returned to the old college. In 1798 he formed the idea of providing a large botanical garden which could be used in connection with his teaching, and applied to Columbia College for funds,1 but without success. He then bought four plots of the so-called "common land" on the middle road (now Fifth Avenue), between 47th and 51st Streets, extending to a point a hundred feet west of Sixth Avenue. This was in 1801, and in 1804 he paid for the property.

Upon this space he laid out a diversified garden, afterward erecting glass-houses and raising a great variety of tropical and sub-tropical plants. It was his idea as well to raise vegetables for the supply of his fellow townsmen. Hamilton, who was fond of horticulture, shared Hosack's enthusiasm, and as he daily drove from his own place several miles north, was in the habit of stopping to compare notes with his enthusiastic family doctor, who donated cuttings and bulbs.

Available correspondence conveys an idea of the great pleasure the cultivation of his place gave him.

He wrote to his old comrade-in-arms, General Pinckney of South Carolina, from the Grange:1

Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

December 20, 1802.

"MY DEAR SIR: A garden, you know, is a very usual refuge of a disappointed politician. Accordingly I have purchased a few acres about nine miles from town, have built a house, and am cultivating a garden. The melons in your country are very fine. Will you have the goodness to send me some seed, both of the water and musk melons? My daughter2 adds another request, which is for three or four of your paroquets. She is very fond of birds. If there be anything in this quarter, the sending of which can give you pleasure, you have only to name them. As farmers, a new source of sympathy has arisen between us, and I am pleased with everything in which our likings and tastes can be approximated. Amidst the triumphant reign of democracy, do you retain sufficient interest in public affairs to feel any curiosity about what is going on? In my opinion, the follies and vices of the administration have as yet made no material impression as to their disadvantages. . . .

Adieu, my dear Sir

Ever Yours,

Alexander Hamilton

A few months later Pinckney replied:

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney to Alexander Hamilton

CHARLESTON, March 6th, 1803.

MY DEAR SIR: I wrote you a few lines yesterday and sent you some watermelon seeds and musk-melon seeds by the brig Charleston Packet which sails this morning. I formerly sent some to Mrs. Washington, at Mount Vernon, but she told me they did not answer so well as some she got in the neighborhood; perhaps had she planted the seeds from the melons which were produced from the Carolina seed the subsequent year, they would have adapted themselves to the climate and produced good fruit. It was by this means we obtained our fine cotton, which has been of such advantage to our State. The first year it produced but three or four pods; by planting the seed of these pods the second year, they produced thirty; and by following the same method, the third year they were thoroughly naturalized, and bore from one hundred and fifty to two hundred pods.

I will also send you by the Industry a few seeds of the salvia cocinea, or scarlet sage, which I believe you have not with you, and of the erytherina herbacea, or coral shrub; also a few seeds of the Indian creeper, and some of a beautiful purple convolvulus.

I will endeavor to obtain some paroquets for Miss Hamilton. I have not seen any for some years; ours are the large kind, by no means equal in beauty to the small African species. . . .

Hamilton left, after his death, certain memoranda regarding the arrangement of his garden, which show that he was more than an amateur. Whether he had availed himself of Batty Langley's "New Principles of Gardening,"1 which was Washington's horticulture guide and a well-known authority in those days, is not known; yet he seems to have had a practical knowledge of what was needed, and a few of the notes left by him may be appended to show what is meant.

1. Transplant fruit trees from the other side of the stable.

2. Fences repaired. (Worn away) repaired behind stable. The cross fence at the foot of the hill? Potatoes Bradhursts? Ground may be removed and used for this purpose. Cows no longer to be permitted to range.

3. The sod and earth which were removed in making the walks where it is good may be thrown upon the grounds in front of the House, and a few waggon loads of the compost.

4. A Ditch to be dug along the fruit garden and grove about four feet wide, and the earth taken and thrown upon the sand hill in the rear.

After referring to the arrangement of flower beds and the laying out of a vegetable garden he proceeded:

2. The Gardener, after marking these out and making a beginning by way of example, will apply himself to the planting of Raspberries in the orchard. He will go to Mr. Delafield for a supply of the English sort and if not sufficient will add from our own and some to be got from our neighbors.

3. If it can be done in time I should be glad if space could be prepared in the center of the flower garden for planting a few tulips, lilies, hyacinths, and [missing]. The space should be a circle of which the diameter is Eighteen feet: and there should be nine of each sort of flowers; but the gardener will do well to consult as to the season.

They may be at arranged thus: Wild roses around the outside of the flower garden with laurel at foot.

If practicable in time I should be glad some laurel should be planted along the edge of the shrubbery and round the clump of trees near the house; also sweet briars and [illegible]

A few dogwood trees not large, scattered along the margin of the grove would be very pleasant, but the fruit trees there must be first removed and advanced in front.

These labours, however, must not interfere with the hot bed.

Life at the Grange was undoubtedly a merry one, for within its hospitable walls were gathered many of those clever people with whom Hamilton had so much to do during his many years of busy, official life. Gouverneur Morris often came from Morrisania, while Rufus King drove over from Jamaica in Long Island to discuss politics or gossip

REPRODUCTION OF GARDEN PLAN

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with the former Secretary. The Schuylers, too, came frequently, and sent good things from the Albany homestead, and in many of the General's letters are references to prodigious gifts of vegetables and fruit, which were consigned to his daughter by way of the river sloops, while in the winter it was rare for a beef to be slaughtered without a quarter finding its way to the Grange.

The Hamilton family was often invited to Albany, and alluring accounts of what awaited them were drawn by the devoted father-in-law. General Schuyler wrote from Wood Creek, where he was journeying July 15, 1802: "We have excellent mutton here, and as fine and fat salmon as ever were dished and I believe as cheap as Cod at the New York market. I gave half a dollar for a very fine one weighing a little more than nineteen pounds. They are taken four miles from here."

In Hamilton's periods of relaxation he was to be seen wandering through the woods of Harlem with a single-barrelled fowling-piece, on the lookout for woodcock or other game, or he found his way to the wooded shores of his estate in search of an occasional striped bass in the clear water of the North River. Before his death he gave this gun to Trumbull, the artist, and it ultimately came into the writer's possession. On the stock are roughly carved the letters "A. Hamilton, N. Y.," and this was evidently his own work. When occasions were favorable, the worries of professional work, and possibly the importunities of builders, were escaped by a visit to the theatre, Hamilton and his wife going to the city, where they were the guests of many of their old friends, and they still kept a house in Partition Street. About this time the New or Park Theatre was under the management of Hallam, or Hodgkinson, or Cooper. According to the contemporary press it appeared that the most generous and varied kinds of entertainment were there offered. Among the plays produced we find the "Tragedy of Alexander the Great with a Grand Heroic Spectacle of the Siege of Oxydrace," "The Positive Man," the "Duenna", "The Lyar," "The Manager in Distress," "Count Benyowski, or the Conspiracy of Kamskatka," and upon one occasion, "Paul & Virginia, the Plot from M. de St. Pierre's very popular novel of the same with new scenery and machinery never before exhibited, -- Dance by the Negroes, the Whole to Conclude with the representation of a Tornado in which Virginia is shipwrecked, who is seen struggling in the Water while the Ship is Burnt by Lightning."

In the New York Evening Post of March 8, 1802, there is an advertisement headed "The Theatrical Curiosity." "The Two Samuels which arrived a few days since from Senegal we understand will be introduced into the Triumphal Procession on Monday Evening at Mr. Cooper's Benefit, being it is presumed their first appearance on any stage."

Hamilton also attended the meetings of the Philharmonic Society, which were held at Snow's Hotel at 69 Broadway.

General Schuyler's visits to the Grange, during the latter part of his life, became less and less frequent because of his ill health. Referring to the illness of his little grandson, one of Hamilton's boys, he wrote from Albany, December 20, 1802: "I hope he is now perfectly recovered, and that I shall embrace him here, as Mr. Rensselaer says you intend to accompany the General in the next month when he must be here. This will afford us additional pleasure, and the journey be of service to you, and if the wound in my thigh and the Gout which has seized on one of my feet will permit, we will accompany you to the Grange, of whose beauties the Patroon speaks with rapture."

In this letter he refers to his grandson, Philip, his namesake, and writes: "It affords me great pleasure to be advised that he is attentive to his studies. I hope that he may make eligible Progress and become a man of Virtue." In April, 1804, a few months before Hamilton's death, he received a visit from Chancellor Kent who, in a letter to his wife, described his stay at the Grange:

"I went out with General Hamilton on Saturday, the 21st, and stayed till Sunday evening. There was a furious and dreadful storm on Saturday night. It blew almost a hurricane. His house stands high, and was much exposed, and I am certain that in the second story, where I slept, it rocked like a cradle. He never appeared before so friendly and amiable. I was alone, and he treated me with a minute attention that I did not suppose he knew how to bestow. His manners were also very delicate and chaste. His daughter,1 who is nineteen years old, has a very uncommon simplicity and modesty of deportment, and he appeared in his domestic state the plain, modest, and affectionate father and husband."

Hamilton's professional engagements about this time took him often to Albany, and he either went by sloop or mail stage, the latter leaving New York every morning at six and reaching Albany the third day after. The passengers, meanwhile, during the intervening nights lodged at Peekskill or Rhinebeck. This line was managed by William Vandervoort, and the stages departed from the corner of Cortlandt and Greenwich Streets. The proprietors of the stage line were Potter, Hyatt & Company. The fare charged was eight dollars for the entire journey, or six-pence a mile for way passengers. On these journeys Hamilton wrote frequently to his wife, and he was undoubtedly kept informed of all that went on during his absence. He certainly found time to direct those in charge of the improvements at home.

Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton

CLAVERACK, Oct. 14, 1803.

MY DEAR ELIZA: I arrived here this day, in about as good health as I left home though somewhat fatigued --

There are some things necessary to be done which I omitted mentioning to you. I wish the Carpenter to make and insert two Chimnies for ventilating the Ice-House, each about two feet square & four feet long half above and half below the ground to have a cap on the top sloping downwards so that the rain may not easily enter -- The aperture for letting in and out the air to be about a foot and a half square in the side immediately below the cap (see figure on the other side.)

Let a separate compost bed be formed near the present one, to consist of 3 barrels full of the clay which I bought, 6 barrels of black moulds 2 waggon loads of the best clay on the Hill opposite the Quakers plain this side of Mr. Verplanks

(the Gardener must go for it himself) and one waggon load of pure cowdung -- Let these be well and repeatedly mixed and pounded together to be made up of hereafter for the Vines.

I hope the apple trees will have been planted so as to profit by this moderate and wet weather. If not done, let Tough be reminded that a temporary fence is to be put up along the declivity of the Hill from the King's bridge road to the opposite wood so as to prevent the cattle injuring the young trees -- the fence near the entrance to the Helicon Spring ought for the same reason to be attended to -- The materials of the fence taken down in making the Kitchen Garden & some rubbish, which may be picked up will answer --

Remember that the piazzas are also to be caulked & that additional accommodations for the pidgeons are to be made --

You see I do not forget the Grange -- No that I do not; nor any one that inhabits it. Accept yourself my tenderest affection -- Give my love to your Children & remember me to Cornelia.

Adieu my darling

A. H.

Mrs. H.

To Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton,

No. 58

Partition Street.

PEEKSKILL, October 16. Saturday.

I have just arrived here and shall stay till tomorrow.

It has always appeared to me that the ground on which our orchard stands is much too moist. To cure this, a ditch round it would be useful, perhaps with a sunken fence as a guard. But this last may be considered at a future time.

If you can obtain one or two more laborers, it may be advisable to cut a ditch round the orchard -- three feet deep by three feet wide at the bottom. The clay that comes out of the ditch will be useful to give firmness to our roads and may be used for this purpose.

Yet you will consider this merely as a suggestion and do as you think best after you shall have ascertained whether

you can procure any better materials for the purpose. But remember that mere sand and stones will not answer.

Very affectionately my beloved,

Yrs, A. H.

Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton

at Haerlem,

New York.

I was extremely disappointed, my dear Eliza, that the Monday's post did not bring me a letter from you. You used to keep your promises better. And you know that I should be anxious of your health. If the succeeding post does not rectify the omission of the former, I shall be dissatisfied and pained.

Adieu my beloved, and be assured that I shall not lose a moment to return to you.

Yours tenderly,

A. H.

Saturday 2nd of October.

Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton

at Haerlem.

New York.

Sunday Morning.

I was much relieved, my dear Eliza, by the receipt yesterday morning of your letter of Monday last. How it came to be so long delayed I am unable to conjecture. But the delay gave much uneasiness in consequence of the imperfect state of health in which I had left you. I thank God you were better -- for indeed, my Eliza, you are very essential to me. Your virtues more and more endear you to me and experience more and more convinces me that true happiness is only to be found in the bosom of ones own family.

I am in hopes, that I may be able to leave this place sooner than I had counted upon, say on Friday or Saturday. But I may be disappointed and may be detained till Sunday morning. This at all events I trust will bring me home on Tuesday following. The stage is three days in performing the journey.

I am anxious to hear from Philip. Naughty young man! But you must permit nothing to trouble you and regain your precious health.

Adieu my beloved.

A. H.

The returns from his farm seem to have been trivial; a few baskets of strawberries, cabbages, and asparagus were sold in 1802, the returns from the same being £7.10.2. And the experience of the amateur farmer then seems to have differed but little from that of most of us to-day.

After the sad turn of events which followed the duel, we find the widow loath to leave the happy home, but struggling on to keep her little family together and clinging as long as possible, to the place so sanctified by tender memories. Brave to a degree and unusually masterful, she managed the estate and directed the workmen. Although the elder boys, Alexander, James, and John, were, respectively, eighteen, sixteen, and twelve years, they could be of little help to her, while all the others, except Angelica, were of tender age. Her devoted sister, Angelica Church, did her utmost to persuade her to give up the country place and come to New York, which she eventually did, but meanwhile she made a brave fight. In a letter written to her daughter in the early years of her bereavement, she said: "I rode up in the carriage that was formerly mine, and you know how very easy it was. The boat did not arrive until late in the evening. I am now in the full tide of occupation, four men to attend to, fine morning with the place looking lovely. A carriage dearest and yourself, with the house in order, would be delightful to have."

When staying later in Warren Street she received a letter from her sister, who wrote: "Your brother deems it the most prudent that you remain where you are, as it is utterly impossible for you to be at the Grange without horses, and their expense will pay your house rent. He thinks the Grange might be let. If you please early on Saturday morning -- say at seven o'clock -- I will be ready to attend you to the Grange."

It was soon after this that her necessities forced her to dispose of the home she and Hamilton had planned and built together, which was to be to their children what the Schuyler home had been to them.

Despite the generous efforts of Hamilton's friends, and even of General Schuyler himself, who died a few months after his son-in-law, no such comparative luxury was possible as that which had hitherto been enjoyed. When not visiting the Albany relations, Mrs. Hamilton made New York her home, where she brought up her children as best she could -- the two elder boys receiving help from friends and acquiring the father's profession.