Albany, October 12, 1782.
Dear General:
It is an age since I have either written to you or received a line
from you; yet I persuade myself you have not been the less convinced
of my affectionate attachment, and warm participation in all those
events which have given you that place in your country’s esteem and
approbation which I have known you to deserve, while your enemies and
rivals were most active in sullying your reputation.
You will perhaps learn, before this reaches you, that I have been
appointed a Member of Congress. I expect to go to Philadelphia in the
ensuing month, where I shall be happy to correspond with you with
our ancient confidence; and I shall entreat you not to confine your
observations to military subjects, but to take in the whole scope of
national concerns. I am sure your ideas will be useful to me and to the
public.
I feel the deepest affliction at the news we have just received of the
loss of our dear and estimable friend Laurens. His career of virtue
is at an end. How strangely are human affairs conducted, that so many
excellent qualities could not insure a more happy fate! The world will
feel the loss of a man who has left few like him behind, and America
of a citizen whose heart realized that patriotism of which others only
talk. I shall feel the loss of a friend I truly and most tenderly
loved, and one of a very small number.
* * * * *
I am, dear Sir,
Truly your friend and servant,
A. Hamilton.
To General Greene.