#and then I read all of post1 again and realized I actually quoted the whole Clarkson

[46ten]

AH and Matthew Clarkson, again

See my Clarkson post1 post2 post3. My investigation into Clarkson began because JCH wrote the following (LAH, vol 7): 

At [AH’s] bedside [on his deathbed] were his wife and children - the grieving clergy - his tearful physician - and his much-beloved Clarkson. 

We also know from a letter from Clarkson to King that AH requested that Clarkson be with him. 

Yet Clarkson is not mentioned anywhere that I’ve come across as one of AH’s closest friends, even though there is evidence (see post2 again) of prior knowledge of the duel, conversations with EH, and concern for the Hamilton children after AH’s death. One of the reasons for this may be the lack of surviving letters between AH and Clarkson. In mature adulthood, they also were usually both in NY, so it’s not clear how many letters there ever were. (As an aside, Robert Troup at times hung out with AH every day in the late 1790s - in law practice together, but still - why not speculate on this as AH’s most intimate friendship, Chernow?!)

The new part: I found the remainder of the letter of Matthew Clarkson to AH, 20Aug1798, with the part that’s not on Founders: 

New York August 20th 1798

Dear Sir

I have reflected maturely on our conversation of yesterday. The result is, as far as I can with propriety I decline, at present, any military appointment. The duty I owe my Family seems to demand this of me, nor can I believe I give too great weight to this consideration when I consider the very small probability there is of any serious military operations taking place in this Country and the real injury I should sustain by being called from my present pursuits [remaining text not included on Founders] These however are my reflections, if they are wrong, counsel me otherways, at any rate believe me with the greatest Regard & Esteem 

Dear Sir

Yours very Sincerely 

M. Clarkson

This does change the tone of the letter, from a formal rejection of an appointment to a more congenial “tell me if I’m wrong” informality (including the ending). Check out the original page here. 

Below is text of a letter from John Jay (married to Clarkson’s first cousin, Sarah L. Jay, Sarah and Matthew’s mothers’ were French sisters) to GW, encouraging GW to appoint Clarkson as Marshall of the District of NY (he does) (13Mar1791):

...I take the Liberty of communicatg my sentiments respecting a Gentleman who too delicate to display his own merit, possesses more than falls to the Share of many—I mean General Matthew Clarkson.1 I think him one of the most pure & virtuous Men I know—when at Boston General Lincoln (whose aid he was) spoke to me of him in Terms not only of Approbation but affection—During the war he was a firm & active Whig, and since the Peace a constant Friend to rational and good Government. Few men here of his standing enjoy or deserve a greater Degree of the Esteem & goodwill of the Citizens than he does, and in my opinion he would discharge the Duties of that or any office for wh. he may be qualified with Propriety and Honor.

What else have I not included yet - Clarkson was at Yorktown (under Gen. Lincoln). I already speculated in the prior post that because Clarkson was William Livingston’s nephew, he and AH could have known each other as early as 1773. They’re certainly around the same people all of their lives thereafter.  

Here’s the politicalgraveyard.com summary for Clarkson (helpful to have some of the relatives listed!)

Clarkson, Matthew (1758-1825) — of New York, New York County, N.Y. Born in New York, New York County, N.Y., October 17, 1758. General in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War; member of New York state assembly from New York County, 1789-90; member of New York state senate Southern District, 1793-95; president, Bank of New York, 1804-25. Died in New York, New York County, N.Y., April 25, 1825 (age 66 years, 190 days). Burial location unknown. 

Relatives: Son of Elizabeth (French) Clarkson (1724-1808) and David Clarkson (1726-1782); married, May 25, 1785, to Mary Rutherfurd (1767-1786); married, February 14, 1792, to Sarah Cornell (1761-1803); great-grandson of Anthony Brockholls and Phillip French; second great-grandfather of Peter Augustus Jay; first cousin of Henry Brockholst Livingston; first cousin once removed of Matthew Clarkson (1733-1800) and William Jay; first cousin twice removed of John Jay II; first cousin thrice removed of Charles Ludlow Livingston; first cousin four times removed of Brockholst Livingston; second cousin once removed of James Jay and Frederick Jay; third cousin of Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Robert Van Rensselaer and James Livingston; third cousin once removed of Robert R. Livingston, Edward Livingston, Peter Robert Livingston (1766-1847), Jacob Rutsen Van Rensselaer, Philip Jeremiah Schuyler, Maturin Livingston and Peter Gansevoort; third cousin twice removed of Philip Schuyler, James Alexander Hamilton, Peter Robert Livingston (1789-1859), Gerrit Smith and Elizabeth Cady Stanton; third cousin thrice removed of John Jacob Astor III and Cortlandt Schuyler Van Rensselaer. Political families: Livingston-Schuyler family of New York; Roosevelt family of New York City, New York (subsets of the Three Thousand Related Politicians).