Thursday, February 12th, 1799

My Dearest, Theodosia,

                                                 First of all, I wish to apologize for my long absence, Father has been adamant that I work hard in order to complete my studies by next year. Unfortunately, it has meant that I have had little time to do anything for myself, including reply to your letter. I hope it has in no way lessoned your opinion of me. Nor to have you view me as being envious of your betrothal. I shall try my hardest in the coming weeks to write to you more frequently, I can promise you that.

To answer your question, Theo, I am still angry with my father. I have been since the publication of the pamphlet. However, Mother has been relatively calm regarding the entire situation. She has hardly mentioned it. In fact, she spends much of her time fussing over baby William then she is to worry about what Father may or may not be doing. I suppose I have taken a page from her book. She has never been one to hold a grudge and, I suppose, that is the best way for a person to live.

Just look at Father, he has spent so long holding grudges against Jefferson that it has almost consumed him. All he talks about is what Jefferson may, or may not, be doing, and with the prospect of him running for the next Presidency, it has increased ten-fold. No one really knows what will happen if he makes the Presidency position.

As for myself, well, I have found it difficult to fully forgive Father, it is not something I intend to do completely. He will forever be seen as the man who betrayed my family, that will never change.

I hope I have been able to answer your question fully.

Love Always,

Philip Hamilton.

~~~

My Dearest, Philip,

                                        I did expect there to be a prolonged gap between our letters, after all, we are both rather busy with our own lives. You with your law studies and myself with the betrothal and the planning of my wedding to Joseph. We are both growing up and moving on, the distance is expected.

Your comment has intrigued me, Philip. For, if I remember correctly, you were determined to hold a grudge against both our father's because of their idea to keep us apart. What your father has done with this publication is far worse than simply keeping us apart, I am sure of it. How can this not be worse than that?

Forgive me if I have crossed some kind of line, Philip, I merely wish to ask.

Love Always,

Theodosia Burr.

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Notes;

It is our understanding that even before his death, Eliza Hamilton had forgiven her husband for the affair, though this is not officially confirmed. Due to our limiting understanding of Philip's life in between the Pamphlet publication, and his death, we do not know if he ever forgave his father. However, Philip held his father in high regard since he was a child, so it is likely that he ultimately forgave him for what he had done.