Alexander Hamilton and the Smuggler's Plot
By Lorenzo Mann
Copyrighted 2018
Preface
This is a work of historical fiction set in colonial America, during the late 1700's. The story is loosely based and historical events but, it does not follow any historical timeline and should be regarded as complete fiction. The author has taken creative license with the characters, settings, and situations in the story and has created this work for entertainment purposes only.
Chapter 1
1 - Hamilton on the Hunt
On a sunny, New York City morning, Alexander Hamilton was following a busty, young, lass down the street. She was not particularly attractive but, was very fashionably dressed and carried many large shopping bags. To Hamilton's keen senses this young woman smelled of money, his favorite scent on any woman.
Hamilton followed at a discrete distance. When the lady reached her waiting carriage he made his move. He stopped on the sidewalk and bowed politely, "May I help you with your purchases, madam?"
The lady appeared hesitant, and Hamilton displayed his most dashing smile, "A gentleman could not pass a lady in your predicament without offering."
She returned a shy smile, "Thank you, sir."
Hamilton helped the lady into her carriage and then handed the shopping bags to her. All the while he made polite small talk about the beautiful day and her shopping spree. When he had finished, the lady said, "Thank you again, sir. May I offer you a ride to your destination this morning?"
Hamilton was pleased with this, but decline, "Thank you, no madam. On such a beautiful morning it is a short walk to the Bank of New York where I have business to attend."
"Very well, sir." She replied.
"Alexander Hamilton, attorney at law," he said and bowed again and allowed his wallet to fall from his pocket to the street. "Forgive my clumsiness, madam," he stammered while recovering it and then quite purposely revealed the large wad of Federal currency inside. The lady's eyes widened at the sight of the money; clearly impressed by the contents of Hamilton's wallet.
She would have been differently impressed had she known Hamilton's wallet was filled with strips of newspaper and only the outside of this wad showed actual money. It was a simple trick to impress women. Hamilton had learned this deft sleight of hand from his partner, Aaron Burr.
As it was, the innocent young lady was suitably impressed by the handsome, young attorney and on a whim, dared to invite him to her home for dinner. This was merely a proper thank you for his thoughtful assistance this morning. This was more of what Hamilton had in mind and after a brief show of reluctance, he gratefully accepted her kind offer.
Hamilton called over a nearby street urchin and scribbled a note on a scrap of paper. He passed the note to the boy along with a silver coin to ensure delivery. "For Mr. Burr," Hamilton instructed the boy who nodded eagerly. Aaron Burr had most of the cities orphans on his payroll. This army of spies in the streets watched, listened, and reported to Burr on everything. Burr payed the boys in cash, beer, or cigars depending on the value of the information they supplied.
Hamilton felt this was a dirty business, but information from Burr's brats had contributed greatly to their master's success. Long ago, Hamilton had decided to look the other way at this activity, since he could also benefit from it. He had worked too hard, for too long to let a miner moral dilemma slow his rising legal career.
Along with money and success, he was watchful for anything that might help him get under more skirts. His wife and children waiting at home posed another moral dilemma he ignored.
The note Hamilton handed the boy instructed Mr. Burr to inform Mrs. Hamilton that he would be out of the city for a brief time on important legal business. She should not expect him home this evening.
Hamilton joined the lady, "Cynthia" in her fancy and clearly expensive carriage. He was overwhelmed by the intoxicating aroma of money behind this lady's lavish life style. They would spend the day getting acquainted. This evening she would make his dinner and he would have her for dessert. Delicious!
She ordered her driver to pull away and Hamilton smiled, already thinking of the story he would have for Burr at the office tomorrow. Burr would want to know if she had a wealthy friend, sister, mother or…grandmother. Disgusting, but nothing was beneath Burr. In this conquest, Burr would be disappointed since Hamilton would not share anything – except the lurid story.
The carriage wheels slowly began to rattle over the cobblestone street when a boy's voice called, "Hello, Mr. Hamilton! Mr. Hamilton, wait!" Hamilton silently cursed his luck, what could this brat want now?
He smiled at Cynthia as she called to her driver to stop. The boy ran up alongside the carriage and reached a filthy hand in a ragged sleeve through the window to hand a note to Hamilton. Yes, it was one of Burr's brats.
Scribbled on the paper in Burr's handwriting were the words; "Stop whatever you are doing and return to the office at once."
Hamilton seethed and hid a scowl. He then quickly smiled and said to Cynthia, "I am sorry dear lady, but I am afraid important business must take me away from your delightful company."
Cynthia made a pouting look, but then flashed a becoming smile, "I understand Mr. Hamilton, perhaps another day." She handed him a slip of paper with her address and Hamilton thanked her. She would wait for another day.