So, on the subject of writing with feathers, observe:
This guy did not fuck around. He did have a habit of never crossing the “t” in his name, though. And judging by the many Treasury Dept letters I have looked at, I do not think anyone called him “Alexander.” He was “Alex”, his whole life, to those who knew him, even in business correspondence.
Anyway, when using a quill, why not make huge flourishes everywhere?
It makes things look more important, more formal, more beautiful.
“This is not in my opinion the true construction of the Act.” Nothing gets by Alex, you guys.
I’ll have you know, Secretary Hamilton, that my healthcare provider once gave me a 20% discount for prompt payment in full. Though I suppose this is not equivalent to customs duty, so I beg your pardon, SIR.
Those of us using steel fountain pens can only dream of such glorious penmanship, and with a goose quill no less. I guess when you churn out thousands upon thousands of documents, you get pretty good at it. (Or not; some of these guys still had atrocious handwriting.)
Notice the period and the raised “r” that rises from the “x” (like a superscript) next to “Alex”? I believe this was his way of abbreviating his first name in his signature. Ain’t nobody (particularly Alexander) got time for the “ande” part.
He has time for elaborate flourishes, but not to cross the t in Hamilton. Okay whatever Alex.
I bet he was a big nerd about penmanship. He loved it.