Abigail and Angelica Have Similar Shots as Alexander Hamilton Discussion

Does Angelica and Abigail Adams have the same type of “shot” that Alexander Hamilton has? What does this help us understand about how different groups of people experienced the time period and the concept of independence?

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March 1776Abigail Adams to John AdamsBraintree March 31 1776I wish you would ever write me a Letter half as long as I write you; and tell me if you may where your Fleet are gone? What sort of Defence Virginia can make against our common Enemy? Whether it is so situated as to make an able Defence? Are not the Gentery Lords and the common people vassals, are they not like the uncivilized Natives Brittain represents us to be? I hope their Riffel Men who have shewen themselves very savage and even Blood thirsty; are not a specimen of the Generality of the people.I am willing to allow the Colony great merrit for having produced a Washington but they have been shamefully duped by a Dunmore.I have sometimes been ready to think that the passion for Liberty cannot be Eaquelly Strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs. Of this I am certain that it is not founded upon that generous and christian principal of doing to others as we would that others should do unto us.Do not you want to see Boston; I am fearfull of the small pox, or I should have been in before this time. I got Mr. Crane to go to our House and see what state it was in. I find it has been occupied by one of the Doctors of a Regiment, very dirty, but no other damage has been done to it. The few things which were left in it are all gone. Cranch1 has the key which he never deliverd up. I have wrote to him for it and am determined to get it cleand as soon as possible and shut it up. I look upon it a new acquisition of property, a property which one month ago I did not value at a single Shilling, and could with pleasure have seen it in flames.The Town in General is left in a better state than we expected, more oweing to a percipitate flight than any Regard to the inhabitants, tho some individuals discoverd a sense of honour and justice and have left the rent of the Houses in which they were, for the owners and the furniture unhurt, or if damaged sufficent to make it good.Others have committed abominable Ravages. The Mansion House of your President2 is safe and the furniture unhurt whilst both the House and Furniture of the Solisiter General3 have fallen a prey to their own merciless party. Surely the very Fiends feel a Reverential awe for Virtue and patriotism, whilst they Detest the paricide and traitor.I feel very differently at the approach of spring to what I did a month ago. We knew not then whether we could plant or sow with safety, whether when we had toild we could reap the fruits of our own industery, whether we could rest in our own Cottages, or whether we should not be driven from the sea coasts to seek shelter in the wilderness, but now we feel as if we might sit under our own vine and eat the good of the land.I feel a gaieti de Coar4 to which before I was a stranger. I think the Sun looks brighter, the Birds sing more melodiously, and Nature puts on a more chearfull countanance. We feel a temporary peace, and the poor fugitives are returning to their deserted habitations.Tho we felicitate ourselves, we sympathize with those who are trembling least the Lot of Boston should be theirs. But they cannot be in similar circumstances unless pusilanimity and cowardise should take possession of them. They have time and warning given them to see the Evil and shun it.—I long to hear that you have declared an independancy—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing one of Friend. Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the Lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity. Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your Sex. Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection and in immitation of the Supreem Being make use of that power only for our happiness.

5. The Schuyler Sisters

BURRThere’s nothing rich folks love morethan going downtown and slummin’ it with the poor.They pull up in their carriages and gawk at the students in the commonJust to watch them talk.Take Philip Schuyler: the man is loaded.Uh-oh, but little does he know that his daughters, Peggy, Angelica, Elizasneak into the city just to watch all the guys at—

COMPANYWork, work!

ANGELICAAngelica!

COMPANYWork, work!

ELIZAEliza!

PEGGYAnd Peggy!

COMPANYWork, work!The Schuyler sisters!

ANGELICAAngelica!

PEGGYPeggy!

ELIZAEliza!

COMPANYWork!PEGGYDaddy said to be home by sundown.

ANGELICADaddy doesn’t need to know.

PEGGYDaddy said not to go downtown.

ELIZALike I said, you’re free to go.

ANGELICABut—look around, look around, the revolution’s happening in New York.

ELIZA/PEGGYNew York.

COMPANYAngelica

SCHUYLER SISTERS AND COMPANYWork!

PEGGYIt’s bad enough daddy wants to go to war.

ELIZAPeople shouting in the square.

PEGGYIt’s bad enough there’ll be violence on our shore.

ANGELICANew ideas in the air.

ANGELICA AND MALE ENSEMBLELook around, look around—

ELIZAAngelica, remind me what we’re looking for… ALL MENShe’s lookin’ for me!

ANGELICAEliza, I’m lookin’ for a mind at work. I’m lookin’ for a mind at work!I’m lookin’ for a mind at work! Whooaaaaa!

ELIZA/ANGELICA/PEGGYWhooaaaaa! Work!COMPANYWork, work! Work, work! Work, work!

Work!

BURRWooh! There’s nothin’ like summer in the city. Someone in a rush next to someone lookin’ pretty. Excuse me, miss, I know it’s not funnyBut your perfume smells like your daddy’s got money. Why you slummin’ in the city in your fancy heelsYou searchin for an urchin who can give you ideals?

ANGELICABurr, you disgust me.

BURRAh, so you’ve discussed me.I’m a trust fund, baby, you can trust me!

ANGELICAI’ve been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine. So men say that I’m intense or I’m insane.You want a revolution? I want a revelation So listen to my declaration:

ELIZA/ANGELICA/PEGGY“We hold these truths to be self-evident That all men are created equal”

ANGELICAAnd when I meet Thomas Jefferson,

COMPANYUnh!ANGELICA I’m ‘a compel him to include women in the sequel!

WOMENWork!

ELIZALook around, look around at how Lucky we are to be alive right now!

ELIZA/PEGGYLook around, look around at how Lucky we are to be alive right now!

ELIZA/ANGELICA/PEGGYHistory is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world!

SCHUYLER SISTERS AND COMPANYIn the greatest city in the world!

ANGELICACuz I’ve been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine.So men say that I’m intense or I’m insane.

ANGELICAYou want a revolution? I want a revelationSo listen to my declaration: ANGELICA/ELIZA/PEGGYWe hold these truths to be selfevident that all men are created equalWhoo!ELIZA/PEGGYLook around, look around

The revolution’s happening in— ELIZA/PEGGYNew York!

In New York!FEMALE ENSEMBLELook around Look around

At how lucky we are to be alive right nowMENHey! Hey! Hey! Hey!Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!WOMENLook around, look around the revolution’s happeningHey! Hey! Hey! Hey!Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

FULL COMPANYLook around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now! History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to beALL WOMENIn the greatest city in the world

ALL MENIn the greatest city—

COMPANYIn the greatest city in the world!

COMPANYWork, work! Work, work!Work, work!Work, work! Work, work!Work, work! Work, work!

ANGELICAAngelica!

ELIZAEliza!

PEGGYAnd Peggy!

ANGELICA/ELIZA/PEGGYThe Schuyler sisters!

We’re looking for a mind at work! Hey!

Hey!

COMPANYWork, work! Work, work!

Work, work!ANGELICAWhoa!In the greatest city in the worldELIZA/PEGGYHey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!In the greatest city in the world

COMPANYIn the greatest city in the world!

2. Aaron Burr, Sir

COMPANY1776. New York City.

HAMILTONPardon me. Are you Aaron Burr, sir?

BURRThat depends. Who’s asking?

HAMILTONOh, well, sure, sir,I’m Alexander Hamilton, I’m at your service, sir. I have been looking for you.

BURRI’m getting nervous.

HAMILTONSir…I heard your name at Princeton. I was seeking an accelerated course of study when I got sort of out of sorts with a buddy of yours. I may have punched him. It’s a blur, sir. He handles the financials?

BURRYou punched the bursar.

HAMILTONYes!I wanted to do what you did. Graduate in two, then join the revolution. He looked at me like I was stupid, I’m not stupid.So how’d you do it? How’d you graduate so fast? BURRIt was my parents’ dying wish before they passed.

HAMILTONYou’re an orphan. Of course! I’m an orphan. God, I wish there was a war!Then we could prove that we’re worth more than anyone bargained for…     BURR    Can I buy you a drink?

HAMILTONThat would be nice.

BURRWhile we’re talking, let me offer you some free advice. Talk less.

HAMILTONWhat?

BURRSmile more.

HAMILTONHa.

BURRDon’t let them know what you’re against or what you’re for.

HAMILTONYou can’t be serious.

BURRYou wanna get ahead?

HAMILTONYes.

BURRFools who run their mouths off wind up dead.

LAURENSYo yo yo yo yo!What time is it?

LAURENS/LAFAYETTE/MULLIGANShow time!

BURR…like I said… LAURENSShow time! Show time! Yo!I’m John Laurens in the place to be!Two pints o’ Sam Adams, but I’m workin’ on three, uh! Those redcoats don’t want it with me!Cuz I will pop chick-a pop these cops till I’m free!

LAFAYETTEOui oui, mon ami, je m’appelle Lafayette! The Lancelot of the revolutionary set!I came from afar just to say “Bonsoir!” Tell the King “Casse toi!” Who’s the best? C’est moi!

MULLIGANBrrrah brraaah! I am Hercules Mulligan,Up in it, lovin’ it, yes I heard ya mother said “Come again?”Lock up ya daughters and horses, of courseit’s hard to have intercourse over four sets of corsets…

LAURENSNo more sex, pour me another brew, son! Let’s raise a couple more…

LAURENS/LAFAYETTE/MULLIGANTo the revolution!

LAURENSWell, if it ain’t the prodigy of Princeton college!

MULLIGANAaron Burr!

LAURENSGive us a verse, drop some knowledge!

BURRGood luck with that: you’re takin’ a stand. You spit. I’m ‘a sit. We’ll see where we land.

LAFAYETTE/MULLIGANBoooo!

LAURENSBurr, the revolution’s imminent. What do you stall for? HAMILTONIf you stand for nothing, Burr, what’ll you fall for?