During his (New York) Assembly tenure that (1787) spring, Hamilton voted on two measures that suggested ambivalent feelings about his childhood.—Ron Chernow, Alexander Hamilton, 2004, pp. 226-227.
Oddly enough, he supported a bill making it impossible for people divorced due to adultery to remarry. Such a draconian statute in the Danish West Indies had prevented Hamilton's parents from legitimizing his birth. If this vote suggests some latest hostility toward his mother, another vote betokens tenderness for her.
The Assembly was debating a bill that aimed to deter mothers of illegitimate children from killing them at birth. One controversial clause stipulated that if the child died, the unwed mother had to produce a witness who could corroborate that the child had been stillborn or died from natural causes.
It bothered Hamilton that the mother would have to admit openly that she had given birth to an illegitimate child. One newspaper account showed Hamilton's empathy:
Mr. Hamilton observed that the clause was neither politic or just. He wished it obliterated from the bill.When Samuel Jones supported the measure, Hamilton refuted him "in terms of great cogency" and convinced the Assembly to side with him. That Hamilton argued so strenuously for this measure hints at surviving hobgoblins from the Caribbean that still hovered uneasily in his mind.
To show the propriety of this, he explained feelingly on the delicate situation it placed an unfortunate woman in. . . . From the concealment of the loss of honor, her punishment might be mitigated and the misfortune end here. She might reform and be again admitted into virtuous society.
The operation of this law compelled her to publish her shame to the world. It was to be expected therefore that she would prefer the danger of punishment from concealment to the avowal of her guilt. (The Daily Advertiser, February 10, 1787)
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Values of Alexander Hamilton
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Thank you for the interesting post about Alexander Hamilton.
God bless and take care!
Hamilton becomes the Secretary of the Treasury due to his excellent work to Washington when he was elected as the President. As an affiliate of the new government, Hamilton makes cogent additions including compensating up a cyberbanking arrangement and a bill arrangement which are still employed today. He as well presents a significant part in the sanction of the United States Constitution.
Though this book essentially concentrates on Hamilton’s abundant work, it as well shows his obscure side. Although Hamilton wedded an affluent woman and became an affiliate of the royalty, he was as well connected to a disgraceful affair and eventually died in a fight protecting his honor.
Visit my book to see more: http://johnsmithwriter.com/ebooks/alexander-hamilton-by-john-smith.html
Post a Comment