Chase Porter
The summer sun of 1804 had not yet risen. The grass was crunching under the feet of the four men arriving on the scene. A light breeze blew at the men’s jackets. The co-workers had now turned into enemies. Where had it all gone wrong? Alexander Hamilton was set to defend his honor, his legacy of important writing, and his name in this duel with Aaron Burr. From poor child to George Washington’s speech writer, Alexander Hamilton built his own legacy with strong writing and confidence.
Alexander Hamilton had a unique and tragic early life. Alexander Hamilton was born on January 11th, 1755, in the West Indies. When his dad got a job offer in St. Croix, Alexander’s father moved there, and his family went to a different island. After that day he never saw his dad again. Then in 1778, a fatal Yellow Fever epidemic broke out on St. Croix. It took the life of Alexander’s mother. However, Hamilton did not give up. He and his brother moved in with the Stevens’ family and Alexander became good friends with the Stevens’ son, Edward. When Edward went to college Alexander was influenced by him and was determined to go to college himself. Alexander got a job at a trading company owned by Nicholas Cruger. As a result, Alexander gained a reputation for being a good businessperson.
In Alexander’s extra time he wrote a letter to Edward and said that he wished there were a war. He wrote this because that was the only way a poor boy like Alexander could make a name for himself. In the meantime, in 1772 a fierce hurricane hit the West Indies. Alexander wrote a paper about his account of the storm. It impressed some men, as well as his boss Mr. Cruger and they started a fund to send Alexander to college in America. Alexander was thrilled to hear this news! Soon after, Alexander Hamilton went to Kings college in America. Even though Hamilton’s early life had obstacles, he was able to overcome them.
Alexander Hamilton was influenced by many things. Alexander was influenced to go to college when his friend Edward did. When Alexander finally made it to college the fights and arguments between the Colonists and the British were starting to become intense. He also came to America to make it a better place during this time. Alexander started to do this through his writing. He wrote to help the Colonies be independent and to bring change to the world. He was very skilled and was motivated to become even better.
Of course, Hamilton faced some obstacles in his life. His mother died when he was young, his son was shot and killed in a duel, and Alexander and Burr were political enemies. Because of that, they settled their final disagreement with a duel. Despite these obstacles, Hamilton was able to make a legacy for himself.
Alexander Hamilton is known for many things, but he is most remembered because of his writings. He wrote 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers. Hamilton used his writing skills to write the essays. This is important because the Federalist Papers were the first strong government for the colonies. The effects then were, it was a way the colonies could make and enforce laws. The effects now are it was the starting point of the Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton was known for creating the dime in 1791. He created it when he was the secretary of the Treasury in 1791. It is important because it was a new way a colonist could pay for something that was not linked to the British. The effects then were that the colonists could use this money across all the colonies. The effects now are that we still use the dime as part of our currency.
Alexander Hamilton is known for creating the Coast Guard in 1790. He created it when he had lighthouses built along the coast. It is important because the lighthouses could track all the ships and make sure no goods were being smuggled. The effects then were that it cut down the number of goods being smuggled and helped the Colonists keep the goods that belonged to them. The effects now are the Coast Guard is a way we can protect America from enemy attacks coming from the coast. Hamilton’s accomplishments changed history throughout the years.
Alexander’s life was short but remarkable. Alexander Hamilton died on July 4th, 1804, at the hands of Aaron Burr in a duel. Alexander was shot in the stomach by a 56 Calabar pistol. He did not die the moment he was shot. He died in New York at 2:00 pm when he was 49. Sadly, Alexander, a man so important to history was shot by his former co-worker.
Determined, hardworking, and intelligent are three adjectives to describe Alexander Hamilton. He created 51 essays that led to the Constitution, he created a new way the colonists could pay for things, and he created the guarders of the coast. Even today, people can see the musical Hamilton on TV and learn even more about him. From poor child to George Washington's speech writer, Alexander Hamilton built his own legacy with strong writing and confidence.