We can learn a lot about the personalities of historical figures by reading their writing. Today, we’re going to look at two letters from Hamilton and Jefferson to George Washington to see if we can get a sense of their personalities from these letters.
Read both letters and then discuss the following questions with a partner:
Why are both Hamilton and Jefferson writing to George Washington? Based on both of these letters, what seems to have been happening in George Washington’s administration? How can you tell?
Which letter is angrier? Find a quote to support your claim.
In the table below, write one adjective about each man’s personality and find a quote to support your claim.
Partner A will write about Hamilton. Partner B will write about Jefferson.
Use this sentence frame to structure your response: In this letter, (Hamilton/Jefferson) seems to be (adjective). I'm basing this claim on the following quote: "...."
Hamilton's Letter to Washington
Jefferson's letter to Washington
Read both letters and then discuss the following questions with a partner:
In the table below, write one adjective about each man’s personality and find a quote to support your claim.