iafayettes:

My favourite quotes from George Washington getting stressed over Georges Washington de Lafayette: A trilogy

(For context: At this time Washington could not offer sanctuary to Georges publically when he had arrived in America as it would run the risk of causing political friction – Lafayette was seen as a traitor to the French Revolution, and by accepting his son to stay with him, Washington would damage his neutral standing. So, instead, Georges stayed with the Hamiltons for the time being).

“Did my letter to young Fayette (under cover to you) get to hand in time to be presented to him, at the interview you had with him? My desire of seeing, and assuring him from my own mouth, of my fixed determination to be his friend & supporter, is such, that I hardly know how to reconcile to my feeling, the denial of permitting him to come hither for a few moments to receive it. But supposing that whatsoever you decide on will be for the best, I shall acquiesce therein.”                

-To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 28 November 1795

“Have you seen or heard more of young Fayette since you last wrote to me on that subject? Where did he go to? Did you deliver him the letter I sent under cover to you for him? His case gives me pain, and I do not know how to get relieved from it. His sensibility I fear is hurt, by his not acknowledging the receipt of my letter to him; and yet, if considerations of a higher nature are opposed to a more uncovert countenance, it must be submitted to. If he wants money, I am ready to furnish it.”               

-To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 December 1795

Ft Alexander Hamilton:

“Young La Fayette appears melancholy and has grown thin. A letter lately received from his mother which speaks of something which she wishes him to mention to you (as I learn from his preceptor) has quickened his sensibility and increased his regret. If I am satisfied that the present state of things is likely to occasion a durable gloom, endangering the health & in some sort the mind of the young man, I shall conclude, on the strength of former permission, to send him to you for a short visit—the rather as upon repeated reflection I am not able to convince myself that there is any real inconvenience in the step and as there are certainly delicate opposite sides. But it will be my endeavour to make him content to remain away.”               

-From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 December 1795

“My mind being continually uneasy on Acct. of Young Fayette, I cannot but wish (if this letter should reach you in time, and no reasons stronger than what have occurred against it) that you would request him, and his Tuter, to come on to this place on a visit; without avowing, or making a mystery of the object—Leaving the rest to some after decision”               

-To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 February 1796

[After the Battle of Monmouth], Washington, who had been in the saddle since daybreak, threw himself under a tree to sleep, confident of a victory on the morrow. [Hamilton and Laurens went to wash their hair in the stream, and then] They sought out Washington and lay down beside him. The American army slept as though its soul had withdrawn to another realm where repose is undisturbed. […]

Once Washington awoke, raised himself on his elbow, and listened intently. But he could hear nothing but the deep breathing of his weary army. The stars were brilliant. He glanced about his immediate vicinity with a flicker of amusement and pleasure in his eyes. The young men of his household were crowded close about him; he had nearly planted his elbow on Hamilton’s profile. Laurens, Tilghman, Meade, even Lafayette, were there, and they barely had left him room to turn over. He knew that these worshipping young enthusiasts were all ready and eager to die for him, and that in spite of his rigid formality they were quite aware of his weak spot, and did not hesitate to manifest their affection. For a moment the loneliest man on earth felt as warmly companioned as if he were raising a family of rollicking boys; then he gently lifted Hamilton out of the way, and slept again.

The Conqueror, by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton

This beautiful person in 1902 wrote Washington resting in a puppy pile of his aides, she must be made this fandom’s patron saint.

(via saint-olga)

  • Ham and Laurens ‘washing their hair’ in the stream.
  • GW nearly elbowing Ham in the face.
  • the aides taking up all the space, leaving nothing for GW
  • the aides knowing he’s a softie and taking advantage of that
  • ‘rollicking’
  • gently lifted Hamilton?
  • saint-olga’s description of this arrangement as ‘puppy pile’

(via baronvonstuben)

Stealing Washington’s Clothes

publius-esquire:

“3 Dec. 1751. Ann Carroll and Mary McDaniel, of Friedericksburg, being committed to the gaol of this county by William Hunter, Gent, on suspicion of felony and charged with robbing the cloaths of Mr. George Washington when he was washing in the river some time last summer, the court having heard several evidences are of the opinion that the said Ann Carroll be discharged, and admitted on evidence for Lord the King against the said Mary McDaniel, and upon considering the whole evidence and the prisoners defense, the court are of the opinion that the said Mary Mc Daniel is guilty of petty larcency, whereupon the said Mary desired immediate punishment for the said crime and relied on the mercy of the court, therefore it is ordered that the sheriff carry her to the whipping post and inflict fifteen lashes on her bare back, and then she be discharged.”

– Tyler’s Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine

Remember that time a couple ladies stole Washington’s clothes while he was bathing, meaning he probably had to walk home naked?

That one scene from “Stay Alive” be like

Washington: (in front of a large group of soldiers) Before we get back to the war, I’d like to announce the name of our new general.
Hamilton: (in crowd, applauding) Yeah! Yeah! Now we’re talking! Yeah! Woo!
Washington: Yes… Well, anyway… The new general is a loyal, hard-working young man…
Hamilton: (thinking) Yes…
Washington: The obvious choice for the job…
Hamilton: (thinking) He’s right…
Washington: An orphaned immigrant you know and love…
Hamilton: (thinking) That’s me!
Washington: Please welcome our new general… Marquis de Lafayette!
Hamilton: Yes! Yeah! (shaking Lafayette’s hand) Aw, better luck next time, buddy! Yeah! All right! (runs up beside Washington) Soldiers! As your new commander-
Washington: Um, Alexander.
Hamilton: Hold up, folks, I’m getting an important newsflash from General Washington. Go ahead, sir.
Washington: (whispers in Ham’s ear)
Hamilton: I’m making a complete what of myself?
Washington: (whispers again)
Hamilton: The most embarrassing thing you’ve ever seen?
Washington: (whispers a third time)
Hamilton: And now it’s worse ’cause I’m repeating everything you say out loud?
Washington: OH FOR GOD’S SAKE ALEXANDER, YOU DIDN’T GET THE JOB!

“Advances of this Kind:” A Hamilton/Washington Slash, Part I of III

historyficsandpics:

“Indeed, when advances of this kind [have been made] to me on his part, they were rec[eived in a manner] that showed at least I had no inclination [to court them, and that] I wished to stand rather upon a footing of m[ilitary confidence than] of private attachment.” ~ Alexander Hamilton, regarding George Washington’s attempts to become closer in the army, 1781.

  •                               May, 1787

         It had been years since he had last seen him.

         He stood at the table of the Virginia delegates, talking to James Madison unassumingly. The rays of sunlight shone down upon him through the large glass windows, perhaps the final time they could do so before the delegates closed the shades to uphold the secrecy of the convention.

          He looked every inch the lawyer he had become, with his auburn hair perfectly powdered white and tied back with a black ribbon. He wore a green velvet frock coat with a gold trim and a matching waistcoat with gold buttons. His black breeches and white, silk stockings accentuated his legs, and his black shoes with gold buckles complimented the rest of his appearance. One would not typically use the term “beautiful” to describe a man, yet George Washington could not think of a more perfect word to summarize the sight before him.

         George swallowed hard and clutched his gold-handled, black walking stick more tightly than usual. He grew warm under his black velvet coat as he wondered how he was going to address the one man who he had not seen in years, yet whom he thought of every day.

         He had tried so hard to forget, too. Once he finally returned to Mount Vernon after the war’s end, he had indulged himself in his family, horses and gardens, all the while denying that he felt the way he thought he did in the army. He displayed more affection towards Martha than ever before to assure them both of his devotion. Mount Vernon quickly became his ultimate escape, the place where he could finally achieve inner peace after six years of uncertainty and self-loathing.

         Yet every time a letter from New York arrived on his desk—which was quite often—George opened it and remembered with dread how his newfound bliss was a complete charade. Indeed, it was one of those letters that convinced him to come to this Constitutional Convention and throw himself back into the national political arena. Even as he boarded his black carriage on the morning of his departure and waved goodbye to his wife and step-grandchildren, George could only think of the man he would find waiting for him in Philadelphia.

         And there he was, laughing gaily with Madison and perhaps mocking the other delegates already. The little Virginian could not have appeared more captivated as the animated New Yorker gesticulated with his hands to accompany whatever story he was telling. George noticed how other delegates ceased speaking in their circles and turned slyly towards the colonel, curious as to what the pugnacious yet charismatic delegate could be discussing. 

         Then suddenly, as if adhering to a sixth sense, Alexander Hamilton looked over and his violet eyes met George’s stare. Their gaze remained frozen upon each other for a moment, as if all time had stopped and the bustling political world surrounding them no longer existed.

         George’s heart beat quicker as Alex smiled at him, and it only increased as Alex turned to Mr. Madison and excused himself. Alex began to strut towards his former Commanding General in the confident manner George remembered. That military-like step never failed to draw people’s attention towards him. 

         “Your Excellency,” Alex said suavely. After stopping before him and bowing politely, the colonel added: “It has been far too long.”

         Despite his wish to return the greeting genially, George retained his dignified, stoic air and unexpressive tone of voice as he responded.

            “Indeed it has, Colonel Hamilton. I do hope this convention will afford us the chance to become reacquainted with one another.”

           Alex skeptically glanced at a few Southern delegates standing across the room.

           “If this convention proves as effective as the past few Congresses, we shall have copious amounts of time for recreation.”

            Had it not pained him to do so, George would have smiled. It seemed Alex’s pessimistic demeanor had not decreased over time.

           “Yet now that you are here,” Alex continued, “I feel more certain something shall be accomplished.” The colonel eyed him keenly. “These factions cannot unify without you. I think I speak for all in this room when I say I am very glad you are here, sir.”

           It was the closest thing to direct approval George ever heard Alex grant him. For a reason he could not explain, George sensed that things were going to be much different between them than they had once been in the army. 

            “I thank you for your steadfast support, Colonel. I shall endeavor not to disappoint.” 

Washington: *snores*
Martha:*covers up ears with pillow*
Washington:*snores louder*
Martha:*holds pillow tighter*
Washington: *snores really loud*
Martha:*whacks him with pillow* IM TRYIN TO SLEEP HERE GEORe
Washington: im not snoring…
*snoring comes from under bed*
Washington: WHOS THERE
Lafayette: im sorry mon general,did i awaken you?
Martha and George: LEAVE