Founding Fatherfest

Alexander Hamilton & an Irish Gentleman

Some personal incidents are related by an Irish gentleman, who the less he had the temper to buffet with the world, the more he engaged Hamilton’s sympathies. He had been a barrister in Baltimore, was introduced by General Schuyler, and arrived in New York at the height of a raging pestilence.

On presenting himself, Hamilton observed, “Have you no apprehensions from this fever ?”

“None,” Blake replied.

“I am happy,” Hamilton answered, “to see you armed with so much fortitude.” Learning his wishes, he remarked,” I will go in to Pendleton and speak to him.”

A place was kindly assured. On his return, addressing the Stranger with tenderness and respect, he said, “I have seen Pendleton and formed the ground work of your preferment in life. Come home with me.”

After listening to his little history, he laid his hand upon his shoulder, and pressing it, remarked-, “My friend, I pray -God, you may ever preserve your virtue.” Some time after he invited him to reside in his family. One day at the table he turned to him, “How are your spirits?” On hearing his reply—he remarked, “I have also experienced vicissitudes in life. I have labored with my head more than any man I know of. I have had my elevations and depressions of spirits. But I have never been happy, but when I was in the pursuit of Religion and of Virtue.”

“I find myself,” he added, “without prejudices as to sects or nations. I see around me men of every persuasion and of all nations. I am myself of every nation—I am Scotch, I am French, and what you do not know, I have a little Irish blood in my veins.” Thus kindly did he unbend, disclosing the liberality of his heart and head.

He gave to every man something. He measured the relative force of minds and feelings, and looking on the world with sympathy for its infirmities, he nurtured the consciousness of his common nature, and made that pity the fountain of an ever flowing benevolence