14 autograph letters signed ("Alex. H.," "A.H."), 64 pp. (size varies, but most approx. 10 x 8 in.; 253 x 203 mm), many with integral address leaf, most from Madrid, but also London, and at sea off Sandy Hook, to his parents James Alexander and Mary Morris Hamilton and other family members at Dobbs Ferry, New York; condition varies, half-page excised from one letter.

The news from Madrid. Hamilton's grandson, often styled Alexander Hamilton Jr, was secretary to Washington Irving, who served as U.S. Minister to Spain from 1842 to 1846. These charming letters paint a fascinating portrait of life in the Spanish capital, including glimpses of the Spanish court and the expatriate community.

In these letters, Hamilton refers to Washington Irving as "Uncle Geoffrey," alluding to Irving's pseudonym Geoffrey Crayon. Writing to his father on 17 December 1842, Hamilton observes, "Uncle Geoffrey,🐼 whose greatest pleasure consists in the minute accounts from the Roost, becomes very fidgety about the time of the arrival of the Mail and then hides his disappointment in his literary labors. He has had a bad cold for some days past, and been literally under the weather which has been foggy and drizzling … The Bombardment of Barcelona, the large army which is marching into Catalonia, where there seems to be a general feeling of discontent, the absence of the Regent, called by the opposition 'The Government on Horseback', and the feeling of uncertainty which exists everywhere, has cast a gloom over all …. [T]he Christmas holidays which are always carefully observed, are expected to enliven the city a little."

From the same letter: "I interrupted my letter this morning to make a few visits. All the ladies I called on had been drawn out by the bright warm day and the Prado was very gay and animated — I continued my walk to a more untried place, known as the 'Delicias,' a pleasant sheltered spot with a fine view of the City — just before me were two ladies, who after walking a short distance turned suddenly ಌround, came back a few steps and then hesitating turned again in the first direction: It proved to be the Duchess of Victor📖ia, Mme Espartero and a friend, and the cause of the movement was the advance of the little Queen, who had just alighted with the Infanta & Mme Niña, and was coming toward her with a long train of attendants, coaches & six Escorts etc. — her little Majesty stopped to have a talk with the Regentess and the sudden halt of course made great confusion in the train — the 'Niñas' as they are called are tall for their age, but pale and have a weak toddling gait which shows that they are not hardy plants."

A🔥 fine collection of amusing and gossipy letters from the American Embassy in Madrid.