Based on their letters to one another, there is some speculation that Hamilton and Laurens may have had a sexual relationship.

There is no direct evidence of this. Sexual relations between men was a crime at this point in history, so if they did have a relationship of a physical nature, they would have been very discreet.

What is clear is that the two men held deep, abiding affection for one another. Consider this excerpt of one of Hamilton’s letters to Laurens, written in 1779, two years after the two of them had met:

“Cold in my professions, warm in my friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it might be in my power, by action rather than words, to convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you that ’till you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my friend, it was not well done. You know the opinion I entertain of mankind, and how much it is my desire to preserve myself free from particular attachments, and to keep my happiness independent on the caprice of others. You should not have taken advantage of my sensibility to steal into my affections without my consent. But as you have done it and as we are generally indulgent to those we love, I shall not scruple to pardon the fraud you have committed, on condition that for my sake, if not for your own, you will always continue to merit the partiality, which you have so artfully instilled into me.”

It reads so much like a love letter that it is easy to read something into it. However, this could easily just be Hamilton’s writing style. His letters to his sister in law are in a similar vein, which prompted later speculation that the two of them engaged in an affair. But there is similarly no proof of that.

Also, consider the source. Hamilton the musical is based on a biography by Ron Chernow. Chernow dismisses the idea that Hamilton and Laurens were involved sexually. Nevertheless, he calls Hamilton’s relationship with Laurens “an adolescent crush,” and “the most intimate friendship of his life.”