Author: daintyfire

Any young man who diligently searched the library at Monticello for nastiness could indeed find a few corners where it lurked, but dispassionate information on homosexuality would be hard to find. Jefferson’s personal feelings about same-sex relations were not recorded, but he did discuss briefly the legal aspects in his writings on law reform. He felt it was important that the law clarify two distinct crimes which had been conflated under the heading of buggery: sodomy and bestiality. Bestiality, he believed, should be decriminalized entirely. Because “it can never make any progress” (i.e. there was no possibility of pregnancy), bestiality could not cause any permanent injury to society and therefore should not be severely punished. Sodomy, of course, can never make any progress either, but Jefferson felt that it was enough of a threat to public welfare that it should remain a criminal offense. He did suggest, however, that the penalty be reduced from hanging to simple castration.

William Benemann, Male-Male Intimacy in Early America: Beyond Romantic Friendships

You are a complex man indeed, Mr. Jefferson.

(via publius-esquire)

Rules for Philip Hamilton

frigidtsarista:

milvertons:

[New York, 1800]

Rules for Mr. Philip Hamilton from the first of April to the first of October he is to rise not later and Six Oclock—The rest of the year not later than Seven. If Earlier he will deserve commendation. Ten will be his hour of going to bed throughout the year. 
From the time he is dressed in the morning till nine o clock (the time for breakfast Excepted) he is to read Law. 
At nine he goes to the office & continues there till dinner time—he will be occupied partly in the writing and partly in reading law. 
After Diner he reads law at home til five O clock. From this hour til Seven he disposes of his time as he pleases. From Seven to ten he reads and Studies whatever he pleases. 
From twelve on Saturday he is at Liberty to amuse himself. 
On Sunday he will attend the morning Chrurch. The rest of the day may be applied to innocent recreations. 
He must not Depart from any of these rules without my permission. 

I am here, my beloved Betsey, with my two little boys, John and William, who will be my bedfellows tonight The remainder of the children were well yesterday. Eliza pouts and plays and displays more and more her ample stock of caprice.

Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton

Super adorbs.

(via foundingfatherfest)

The day before the duel I was sitting in a room when, at a slight noise, I turned around and saw my father in the doorway standing silently there and looking at me with a most sweet and beautiful expression of countenance. It was full of tenderness, and without any of the business preoccupation he sometimes had.
“John,” he said when I had discovered him, “won’t you come and sleep with me to-night?” His voice was frank, as if he had been my brother instead of my father.
That night I went to his bed, and in the morning very early he awakened me, and taking my hands in his palms, all four hands extended, he said and told me to repeat the Lord’s Prayer.
Seventy-five years have since passed over my head, and I have forgotten many things, but not that tender expression when he stood looking at me at the door, nor the prayer we made together the morning just before the duel.

John Church Hamilton (via humbleegomania)

BWHUHUHUHU ;_;

(via foundingfatherfest)