Can someone kinda translate this letter into modern english?

Question

Here it is:

New York, June 22d, 1804.
Sir:

Your first letter, in a style too peremptory, made a demand, in my opinion, unprecedented and unwarrantable. My answer, pointing out the embarrassment, gave you an opportunity to take a less exceptionable course. You have not chosen to do it, but by your last letter, received this day, containing expressions indecorous and improper, you have increased the difficulties to explanation, intrinsically incident to the nature of your application.

If by a ?definite reply? you mean the direct avowal or disavowal required in your first letter, I have no other answer to give than that which has already been given. If you mean anything different admitting of greater latitude, it is requisite you should explain.

I have the honor to be, Sir

Your Obedt. Servt.

A. HAMILTON


Here's the website if you want more: http://www.nysha.org/library/exhibits/burrhamilton/burrhamiltonsite/letter4.htm

Answer 1

Here is a humble attempt to paraphrase it. I only hope I can bring out the anguish and also the resoluteness of the writer of this missive.

New York
June,22,-------
,
Dear Sir,

I have received your latest letter in this correspondence today.

I am sorry to say,however, that it is in no way an improvement upon your earlier communication. I had expressly pointed out the entire one of that letter was unhelpful. In my response I had appealed to you to to take a less negative view of the issue.but I regret to find that there is not only any change in the tone but if anything it is harsher still. You have just asked me to say yes or know as simple as that. I can only say that my original response holds. However, if you can think of any alernative which is not just a Yes or No However, if you have any views other than a pereemptory order I would like to know so that I can respond suitably.

Sincerely yours,
...........

Answer 2

I guess I don’t understand your question because this is written in clear precise English. I can only guess that there are some words that you don’t understand so here are some word definitiona.


New York, June 22d, 1804.
Sir:

Your first letter, in a style too peremptory (leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative: a peremptory command),

made a demand, in my opinion, unprecedented (without previous instance; never before known or experienced; unexampled or unparalleled: an unprecedented event)

and unwarrantable (Not justifiable; inexcusable: unwarrantable criticism).

My answer, pointing out the embarrassment (unacceptable request between them),

gave you an opportunity to take a less exceptionable (Open or liable to objection or debate; objectionable or debatable)

course. You have not chosen to do it, but by your last letter, received this day, containing expressions (The manner in which one expresses oneself, especially in speaking, depicting, or performing)

indecorous (not decorous; violating generally accepted standards of good taste or propriety; unseemly)

and improper (not in accordance with propriety of behavior, manners)

, you have increased the difficulties (something that is hard to do, understand, or surmount; an impediment or obstacle)

to explanation (a meaning or interpretation),

intrinsically (belonging to a thing by its very nature)

incident (something appertaining or attaching to something else)

to the nature (he particular combination of qualities belonging to a person, animal, thing, or class by birth, origin, or constitution; native or inherent character)

of your application (the act of requesting).

If by a ?definite reply? you mean the direct avowal (an open statement of affirmation; frank acknowledgment or admission)

or disavowal (a disowning; repudiation; denial)

required in your first letter, I have no other answer to give than that which has already been given. If you mean anything different admitting of greater latitude (freedom from narrow restrictions; freedom of action, opinion),

it is requisite (required or necessary for a particular purpose, position)

you should explain.

I have the honor to be, Sir

Your Obedt. Servt. (obedient servant – A common signing off of the time)

A. HAMILTON

Answer 3

Kinda Translate

Answer 4

Your first letter made, in my opinion, an unreasonable request. My response pointed this out and gave you the opportunity to change the wording. However, it seems you do not wish to do this and have further complicated the issue by going into extreme and unnecessary detail about your application.
It seems to me that you require a definite answer to your application - possibly immediately - and I am afraid that I can only refer you to the answer which has already been given to you. If I have misunderstood your latest letter, I apologise and invite you to further explain it to me.

Yours Sincerely.....

....Basically, this guy has had an application (for a job?) from someone and has turned the person down with adequate reasons. But this person seems to be hassling him for a better reason than that which has already been given and the writer says to get in touch if there is any query.

Answer 5

There is a modern translation called The Message by Peterson. edit: You seem to focus on the King James. There is a New King James version that is more modern. edit: Scripture is spiritually discerned, so which translation is used really doesn't matter anyway as long as it is reasonably accurate. God the Holy Spirit both led yielded men to write scripture and leads us believers into understanding what is written.

Answer 6

Something like this?

I thought that the style of your first letter made unreasonable demands on me. I asked you to tone your demands down. Instead I got a rude letter which did not help your case at all.

If you meant me to reply with a denial or acceptance of [the slander against you] then I have already given my answer. If you wanted something in addition then you should make your request.

Answer 7

New York, June 22d, 1804
Sir:
Your first letter, is obviously a no, in that you made a demand, harsh. I gave you a chance not to embarrase yourself. You have sent me a cruel and harsh letter that I know isn't what you ment.
If by what you ment was true, you refuse to take my offer. Explain?
I have the honor to be, Sir
Your Obediant. Servent.

Alexander Hamilton

Answer 8

The letter basically says

in your first letter you made a bit of a cheeky request that you had no business making. I answered this request as politely as I could and gave you the chance to take another course of action. You chose to ignore my advice and have now made it impossible for me to be polite in telling you no.

I haven't changed my mind as a result of your second letter if it meant to ask the same as the first. If, however, it meant something different then write back and explain yourself better.

Answer 9

You made a demand in your first letter (which was too unreasonable in the first place) that has not and cannot, in my opinion, really be accomplished.
Now my answer to your demand was very reasonable, and gave you ample opportunity to try something else.
However, you didn’t choose to do anything else besides write to me again, insulting and mocking me and making even more demands in addition to the first (again, none of which can really be done).
So, if you really want me to give a clarified “Yes” or “No” to your original demand, I can’t; I’ve already answered you to the best of my abilities.
So, if you are looking for me to explain something other than that which I cannot explain, please let me know.

Answer 10

When you wrote the first time, you asked something I consider ridiculous and unheard of. My return letter gave you a chance to offer something better, but your second letter shows you are both vulgur and impossible to deal with. You asked for me to answer you very clearly, but I believe I have already done that. Please give more specific detail on what you need.

Sincerely,
A. Hamilton

Does that help? Who was he writing to?