Coriline

From John Laurens to James Laurens, 1774 September 15

And John decided to abandon definitely medicine.

From John Laurens to James Laurens, 1774 September 15

History shows even great leaders were homasexuals

Sen. Alan Nunnelee, Republican from Tupelo, is afraid the young people in school will learn the try about "gay" people (homosexuals).

History is where one finds homosexuals from the past and will record their actions in the present/future. Example: Lt. Gen Frederich Wilhem Ludolf Gerhard con Steuben, former aide to the greatest military genius of his era, King Frederick II of Prussia, was brought to help train the Continental Army.

Gen. George Washington had to have help with the troops from 13 states, a diverse group, drillwkse and laguagewise. Gen. Steuben and King Frederick were homosexual. Then Gen. Washington assigned Steuben two French-speaking colonels from his own staff, 20-year-old Alexander Hamilton and 24-year-old John Laurens. (Do I need to spell this one out?)

Eddie Sandifer Jackson

From the Clarion-Ledger, 07 October 1956

From John Laurens to James Laurens, 1774, September 15.

John just being a responsible big brother about his younger brothers' education.

I wonder if the clarification about Harry not losing french nor arithmetic is about those were hard courses for him (or courses he used to lose). Anyway, it's always nice to see he had John at his back looking after his education.

There's many parts I couldn't figure it out and I have been in this letter for MONTHS. There's a moment when you have to admit that Mr. Garden writing is too much for you, this is mine.

"My dear Sir

Your very obliging and kind friendly letter of 4th april 1774 from geneva came very soon to my hands undereaver of your Father's letters. My obligation to you for this island of your attention and friendship are endeid great, because you have given me all the information what I could desire and much more than I expected on a point of much concern to me. Your Account of the College and your vary particular amount of the differente private methos, plans and school of ------- was exendingly submit and satisfactory. They have make me to form a much ------ ------ of them than Ever I could get before form any information that fill in my way.

Tho I imagined that my Joy will not begin his Philosophical at geneve yet I am fully will resolved that be shall study there some part of his time_

I read with much satisfaction your precis of Professor de ----- new proposed plan of Education. I think there are many things or ---- the whole that merits much attention but I cannot help thinking that the Subjects that are to be the business of the Sociall Classes are much above the years of ---- from and to 14 years of age. The objects of ------ for the --- Last Classes seen to use to be will calculated for the year of 15. 16. 17 and 19 of most young Men. So much of this subject wants amendment and ---- are the Calls of no time for amendment that --------- did will Europe will --------- indebted to this Ingenous Profession for his pointing out the way to them_ Some years ago a similar plan to this was sketched out by the Professors of the Berry's College at Aberden, a Copy of which one of those Gentleman sent me which I have now compared with Dc. Fanfiure's and I find the resemblance very great, but whether those Gentleman did actually presents the Mercy on reduce it to practice I really know rest.

When any thing of that Kind will take plan here God only knows for my part I begin almost to dispair of it for the some influence which formally hurry over this unlucky province continues to deform Society with the most ridiculous prejudices and partialities, all which must vanish and die before the public allention will be geniously learned towards the Collection of a raising generation._

Your kind wishes for my self care are very acceptable and indeed tho at all lines prove and quietruss are the beloved Objects of my Wishes yet in those days of public discord and general distress they are particularly to be wished for_

May heaven continue to bless and quiet you in the Paths of Science and virtue and return you to your Father, your friends and your Country a good and worthy Citizen and Accomplished Man. I am with my best wishes for your prosperity.

Dr Sir

Your most Obd and hble Servt

Alex Garden"

Some great women has their own Barbies, Mary Eleanor Laurens got a doll.

Published by the Columbia Record, May 04 1970.

Dolls Wear Fashions Seen In S.C. From 1770-1870

... Representing Mrs. Charles Pinckney (Mary Eleanor Laurens) this doll wears a gown of striped silk with turquoise velvet redingote designed as a calling costume. The matching turban in rose, blue, white and black stripe is typical of the period. Her husband was governor for three terms between 1789-1808. The dress was made by Mrs. C. Laney Talbert.

This was a project from the Democratic Women's Council from S.C., they were thirty dolls given by the Horsman Doll Company, planned to represent wives of State's Governors'.

The exhibition was made for the Tricentennial Celebration of 1970. They were on display on the Columbia's Tricentennial Celebration Center on the grounds of the Hampton-Preston Home on Blanding Street.

Using my inexistent edition abilities, I colored the picture to show how it might had looked like:

“⟨In respect⟩ to the Commission, which you ⟨received from⟩ Congress, all the world must think your conduct perfectly right. Indeed your ideas upon this occasion seem not to have their wonted accuracy; and you have had scruples, in a great measure, without foundation. By your appointment as Aide De Camp to the Commander in Chief, you had as much the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, as any officer in the line—your receiving a commission as Lieutenant Colonel from the date of that appointment, does not in the least injure or interfere with one of them; unless by virtue of it you are introduced into a particular regiment in violation of the right of succession”

“The only thing I see wrong in the affair is this—Congress by their conduct, both on the former and present occasion, appear to have intended to confer a privilege, an honor, a mark of distinction, a something upon you; which they withold from other Gentlemen in the family. This carries with it an air of preference, which, though we can all truly say, we love your character, and admire your military merit, cannot fail to give some of us uneasy sensations. But in this, my Dear J I wish you to understand me well. The blame, if there is any, falls wholly upon Congress. I repeat it, your conduct has been perfectly right and even laudable; you rejected the offer when you ought to have rejected it; and you accepted ⟨it⟩ when you ought to have accepted it; and let me ⟨add⟩ with a degree of overscrupulous delicacy. It ⟨was necessary⟩ to your project; your ⟨project⟩ was the public good; and I should have done the same. In hesitating, you have refined upon the refinements of generosity.”

Source

I haven't ever put much attention to this instance in the Laurens-Hamilton relationship, however looking back in Laurens' character and personality is so valuable he trusted enough in Hamilton's opinion and moral to talk about his fears in accepting a new rank.

In general, Laurens looked to be a reserved person about his insecurities and fears, during the war his closest correspondence was with his father and Hamilton. Doing a quick research through him and his father's correspondence, the most remarkable characteristic thing in their letters are the amount of news about war, generally Laurens didn't expose his worries to his father. (Their correspondence)

“As a Soldier, as a Citizen, as a Man—I am interested to

engage in this work—and I would chearfully sacrifice the largest portion of my future expectations to its success”

From John Laurens to Henry Laurens, 10th march 1779

That phenomenon isn't strange, and it doesn't point an negative aspect exclusive from HL's parenthood, despite their letters lack of personal matters and are over all focused in communicating military matters, considering the time and their devotion to war it isn't a surprise: Laurens being the oldest son and starting to develop an “independence” from his father through his work in the war, was expected to matter about military matters and stop searching comfort in his father, starting to being perceived as an “equal” by his father.

In fact, what is strange is that Laurens revealed some of his worries to Hamilton, and even when a new rank can look poorly important for us, for Laurens was a big step. Again, during the war, Laurens develops (or reveals) the most characteristic parts of his personality and aspirations, far from his father's influence he could develop a circle of friends he could choose by himself, being in an environment where he could (try to) achieve his fantasies about honor and martyrs. It is pretty sure you don't need to read his letters to know the war was highly significant to him.

And is for this grade of importance that military life has on him, it's so meaningful he trusted Hamilton to share his worries about accepting a new rank. Being someone with the mind so filled with idealizations about how he had to be as “a Soldier, as a Citizen, as a Man” the fact he let himself share his preoccupations with Hamilton just can mean he admired Hamilton as a Soldier, Citizen, and Man, and he trusted enough in his judgement to know Hamilton would give him a sincere and trustful advise.

And let himself be enough vulnerable to search advice and some comfort in Hamilton.

If we talk about his younger years, the correspondence is much more affectionate and personal, but this does have some explanations. First, Laurens, being a student, had mostly academical worries and generally those worries were decided or highly influenced by his tutors and father (Again, it's during war where he gains some “independence”). Second, considering his position and the 18th century concept of masculinity, it was expected of him turning more serious and reserved, or at very least, nice in a way where worries or weakness couldn't be perceived, specially being in the middle of a war. Third, I suspect due to his great desires of perfection, in some way he limited himself in expressing worries and weakness.

However, it's pretty clear he broke this illusion of ideal man with Hamilton.

“For your own sake, for my sake, for the public sake, I shall pray for the success of the attempt you mention; that you may have it in your power to act with us. But if you should be disappointed, bear it like a man; and have recourse, neither to the dagger, nor to the poisoned bowl, nor to the rope.”

Source

The clear implication of Laurens' mental state is enough to prove to know Hamilton had a clear knowledge of Laurens' mental state, the fact Laurens trusted enough in him to reveal and trust those parts of him, not only going against of his hard self-views but also going against of what masculinity meant back then.

It's simply nice to see how Hamilton meant a secure place for Laurens (and how it was reciprocated), there are so many little details among them that just show how much they meant for each other. They both being obsessed with honor and glory, they were totally able to see that desired glory and achievement in the other, even after knowing their least liked sides.

 “I would not wish to have you for a moment withdrawn from the public service; at the same time, my friendship for you, and knowlege of your value to the United States, make me most ardently desire, that you should fill only the first offices of the Republic.”

Source

“Let me know fully Yr. Southern affairs. They are interesting and critical. You are judicious and impartial. God bless you.”

Source

Francis Henderson Jr, only surviving child of the marriage between Frances Eleanor Laurens (one and only children of John Laurens) and Francis Henderson, a Scottish merchant who met France in a bank, according to the newspaper of Abbeville, (I have a post about that and here you can see the microfilm of the newspaper).

In the newspaper, the author claims Francis Jr was graduated of the University of Edinburgh, they also said he was a specially well-informed and intelligent man, studying in “one of the first universities in Germany” too.

Since I read that, I asked myself what studied Francis Jr and maybe, today, I have the answer.

According to George Washington's Indispensable Men, Francis graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1819. However, I haven't seen it mentioned in any other place and even in the article from the newspaper (written by a known of Francis Jr) doesn't mention the date of his graduation and the reference they use in George Washington's Indispensable Men is a Washington's writing, therefore this can be an inexact date (as happens with the year of born of Francis Jr, which some sources have it in 1800 and others in 1801)

I didn't know it, but the University of Edinburgh has a great conservation of graduated students since 1585, unluckily, the year of 1819 isn't available in the Archive Online, however, the faculty of medicine has its own recompilation of graduates.

Honestly, I didn't consider possible Francis Jr being a physician, he was raised by his father's side of the family, who were all merchants, and considering Francis Henderson (father) was considered poor I would have thought his family too, making it more complicated to Francis Jr study medicine.

That, without mentioning he was a good friend of Andrew Jackson (being invited to the White House during the trial with his father) therefore I would have expected him being focused on law or politics.

But, as soon as I searched in the Historical Alumni, I found there's two Francis Henderson graduated in medicine, one of them graduated during 1815 and the other, during 1817.

Source

“His general character is so well known, and has been so ably fedpicted by others, that I have little to say that can increase its celebrity. His extensive information, and classical knowledge, obtained the respect of the learned. His polite and easy behavior, insured distinction in every polished society. The warmth of his heart, gained the affection of his friends, his sincerity their confidence and esteem. His patriotic integrity commanded the veneration of his countrymen— his intrepidity their unlimited applause.”

“His gallantry, in action, was highly characteristic of his love of Fame. The post of danger was his favourite station. Some, indeed, may style his display of intrepidity, at every risk, the height of rashness.”

“From such a display of chivalric gallantry in early life, may not friendship be allowed to say, without the imputation of improper partiality— To auger from the achievements which the past had exhibited, had not Death stopped the career of his glory, he would have proved a model, both of civil and military virtue, "a mirror by which our youth might dress themselves".”

From Anecdotes of the Revolutionary War in America: With Sketches of Character of Persons the Most Distinguished, in the Southern States, for Civil and Military Services by Alexander Garden.

The description Garden gives here takes a new perspective considering he met Laurens around his 15ts and literally watched him grow up, considering Laurens a good friend of him and specially, thinking in Laurens like a person who he had great expectations and opportunities in the country.

Considering his age difference I think Garden naturally would had thought John would be the one outliving him, but at the end, was him who outlived John for almost 10 years.

It's just, kinda sad to think, Garden had great expectations about Laurens and always looked to kept an eye on him even when their correspondece stopped however all of those good wishes ended up broken with his death. This brings a question, how conscientious Garden was about his pressure in Laurens? How much this pressure (alongside others one in his life) affected Laurens? The Garden's expectations over him have the tendency of being so good and so positive that it can touch the ambition of perfection in Laurens.