the works of alexander hamilton, ed. henry cabot lodge (federal edition), vol. x

THE COLLECTOR'SFEDERAL EDITION

OF THE WORKS OF ALEXANDER HAMIL-

TON IS LIMITED TO SIX HUNDRED

SIGNEDAND NUMBERED SETSOF WHICH

THISIS NUMBER ...................

4

OL VE R WOLCO-rt

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Airxa_er_amilfonitt

gmel_e_tol_me_

The Worksof

AlexanderHamilton

Edited by

HenryCabotLodge

*'The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments ormusty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature,by thehandofthe Divinityitself,and can neverbe erasedor obscuredby mortalpower."

[HAMILTON--The Farrier Refuted, I77S, tEt. 18.]

L, We are laboring hard to establish in this country principles more and more _atianal_and free from all foreign ingredients_ so that we may be neither Greeks nor Trojans_' buttruly Americans."--[HAMiLTO,_' ao KING, 1796_ ,z_t. 59.]

VolumeX

G. P. Putnam's SonsNewYork and Londongbc 1knickerbocker I)rcs_

I9o4

2,/0

_bc_ntckcrbochcrI_rc_o,ll_cwI_ork

CONTENTS

PAGE

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE--COnt_n_d:

To RuFusKING 3TO COLONEL EDWARD CARRINGTON STo RuFusKING 6TO WASHINGTONTO ELIAS BOUDINOT 14To JOHN ADAMS IsTO WILLIAM SETON X6

TO JOHN JAY I8To -- I9To RuFus KING 2oTO -- 2I

TO OEN. C. C. PINCKNEY 22

To JOHNSTEELE 2STO JOHN ADAMS 28To JOHNJAY 29To RICHARDHARRISON 3To WILLIAMSHORT 3I

' To RUFUS KING 33TO WASHINGTON 36To JOHNJAY 38ToRuFusKING 4To JEFFERSON . 4To-- 45ToRuPusKINO 46To GEN. OTHO H. WILLIAMS 48To WASHINGTON 48TO ONE OF THE CREDITORSOF COL.DUER 49

Hi

i7600

iv ContentsPAGB

PRIVATE CoRRESP0NDENCE--'_ontin'/,_d:

To RUFUS KING . 50To MRS. GENERALGREENB 54TO JEREMIAHWADSWORTH o 56TO MISS ANGELICAHAMILTON . 57To-- 58TO COLONEL OLNEY . 59TO THE UNITED STATESSENATE 60

TO WASHINGTON 63To JAY 66TO WASHINGTON 67To RUFUS KING . 69To GEORGE _[ATTHEWS,GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA, 7ITo OLIVERWOLCOTT 76To RuFus KING 77TO A FRIEND IN EUROPE . 78To THOMASI_ITZSIMMONS. 78TO WASHINGTON 79TO WILLINK, VAN STAPHORST,& HUBBARD 84To WASHINGTON 84WASHINGTON TO HAMILTON 85To WASHINGTON 86

TO THEODORE SEDGWICK . 89To RuFus KING 89To OLIVERWOLCOTT 9_To RuFus KING . . 98To WILLIAM BRADFORD . 98To RuFus KING . IOlTO OLIVER WOLCOTT IO2

To RuPus KING io 3To OLIVER WOLCOTT iO4TO ROBERT TROUP . io7TO OLIVER WOLCOTT ][I2TO WASHINGTON I22

To OLIVER WOLCOTT o 1125TO WASHINGTON 129ToPICKERING. I33

Colltent8 vPAGE

PRIVATECORRESPONDENCE--Contin_d:ToRuFusKING .... I35TO WASHINGTON . I37

TO TIMOTHY PICKERING . . . I39

To WASHINGTON . . I40

To RuFus KING ..... r4rTO WASHINGTON .... I42

TO OLIVER WOLCOTT .... I45

TO WASHINGTON . I45

TO WILLIAM SMITH ...... I47

TO RUFUS KING I49To WASHINGTON .... ISI

To RuPusKING .... I56To WASHINGTON .... I57TO I_uFus KING . I57To OLIVERWOLCOTT .... 161To RuPus KING .... I63TO TIMOTHY PICKERING ..... I64

TO WASHINGTON .... I65

TO OLIVER WOLCOTT .... I70

TO JAMES MCHENRY . . I7ITO WASHINGTON . . ITI

ToOLIVERWOLCOTT . . I73TO WASHINGTON . , . 177To OLIVER WOLCOTT . . 179To WASHINGTON . I80

TO OLIVER WOLCOTT . . . I82

To ELIAS BOUDINOT . I82

To OLIVER WOLCOTT . . x83TO TIMOTHY PICKERING .... 184To OLIVER WOLCOTT ..... 185To WASHINGTON . . . I86

To GREENLEAF .... I87

To OLIVER WOLCOTT .... I87

To WASHINGTON . . I89

To PHINEAS BOND . IgI

To TIMOTHYPICKERING _94

vi ContentsPAGB

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE--Continued:

To -_ i95To OLIVER WOLCOTT 196To WASHINGTON i98To OLIVER WOLCOTT 20][

TO WASHINGTON 204To OLIVER WOLCOTT 209ToRuFusKING 2i5To OLIVER WOLCOTT 218To THEO. FOSTER,ESQ. e2o

To OLIVER WOLCOTT 224TO WILLIAM SMITH . 224TO _ . 227TO WASHINGTON . 229To WILLIAM SMITH . 230ToTHEODORE SEDGWICK 231TO WASHINGTON 233TO TIMOTHYPICKERING 236TO RUFUS KING 237To OLIVER WOLCOTT 238To THEODORESEDGWICK 239To JAMESMCHENRY 24xTo TIMOTHY PICKERING 243To OLIVER WOLCOTT 248To TIMOTHY PICKERING 250

TO OLIVER WOLCOTT 25ITo WILLIAM SMITH . 253To RuFus KING 254TO WILLIAM SMITH , 256To OLIVER WOLCOTT 256To _ HAMILTON 257To TIMOTHYPICKERING 26IToRufus KING 266To OLIVERWOLCOTT 267To TIMOTHYPICKERING 272To WASHINGTON . 272ToOLIVERWOLCOTT 273

Contents viiPA.G_

PRIVATECORRESPONDENCE--Contin_d:To RuI_usKING 274To TIMOTHYPICKERING _75To THEODORE SEDGWICK . 278

To TIMOTHY PICKERING 279

ToJOHNJAY 2S_To JAMESMCHENRY 28ITo RUFUSKING 283TO WASHINGTON 284To OLIVER WOLCOTT 288

To RuFusKING 29ITo TIMOTHY PICKERING . 292

To OLIVER WOLCOTT 295

To WASHINGTON 295To TIMOTHY PICKERING 297

To GENERAL DUPORTAIL 298TO WASHINGTON 299

To OLIVER WOLCOTT 304To GENERALDAYTON 305TO BENJAMIN STODDERT 306To JAMESMCHENRY 307TO WASHINGTON 3io

TO OLIVER WOLCOTT 312

To RUFUS KING 314TO FRANCISCO MIRANDA 315

TO OLIVER WOLCOTT 316To JAMESMCHENRY 317TO THEODORE SEDGWICK 318

TO TIMOTHY PICKERING 319

To JAMESMCHENRY 32OTo WASHINGTON 320

To RuPus KING 32ITo THE COUNT LATOUR DUPIN ._OUVERNET 322To WILLIAMHETH 324To HARRISON GRAY OTIS . 325

To THEODORE SBDGWICK . 327

TO JONATHAN DAYTON . . 329

viii ContentsPAGB

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE---Conti_d"

To LAFAYETTE . 336TO HARRISON GRAY OTIS 338TO THEODORE SEDGWICK 340TO TIMOTHYPICKERING 342TO WASHINGTON 343To TIMOTHY PICKERING 343TO THEODORE SEDGWICK . 345To OLIVER WOLCOTT 346TO GENERAL KNOX . 348To JAMES MCHENRY 349To OLIVER WOLCOTT .... 349

TO TIMOTHY PICKERING . . 35ToOLIVERWOLCOTT 35_To WASHINGTON - 352TO COLONEL TAYLOR 353To JAMES MCHENRY 354To JOSIAHO. HOI'FMAN .... 354

To WASHINGTON ..... 356ToTOBIASLEAR . . 356To RUFUS KING 357ToMRS i_ARTHA WASHINGTON , . 360TO CAPTAIN GEORGE IZARD . . 36ITO THEODORE SEDGWICK . . . 362

TO HENRY LEE . . 363TO WILLIAM SMITH . 364To OLIVER WOLCOTT 365TO TIMOTHY PICKERING 366TO OLIVER WOLCOTT 368TO GENERAL CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY, 368To TIMOTHY PICKERING 369To THEODORESEDGWICK . 37ITo JOHN JAY . 37ITO THEODORE SEDGWICK " 374TO TIMOTHY PICKERING . . . 376TO OLIVER WOLCOTT .... 377

To CHARLES CARROLL . . . 378

Contents ixPAGE

PRIVATECORRESP0NDENCE---'C0_t_;TO SAMUELDEXTER.... 380To JOHNADAMS . . 382TO OLIVER WOLCOTT . . 383To JAMESASHTONBAYARD . . 384To JAMESMCHENRY . . 388TO OLIVERWOLCOTT o . 389To JOHNADAMS . . 39TOTIMOTHYPICKERING 39ITo OLIVERWOLCOTT 392To THEODORESEDGWICK 397To GOUVERNEURMORRIS . _ 398ToJAMESA.BAYARD 402To JOHNRUTLEDGE. 404ToJAMESRoss 405TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS . 407

To JAMESA. BAYARD 412To GOUVERNEURMORRIS 419ToTHEODORESEDGWICK.... 420To MRs. HAMILTON. 42ITo -- 423To DR. BENJAMINRUSH . 424TO GOUVERNEURMORRIS. 425TO GENERALCHARLESCOTESWORTHPINCKNEY, 428To GOUVERNEURMORRIS. 429TO JAMESA. BAYARD 432ToRuFusKING 437TO THE EDITOROF THE "EVENINGPOST" 44ITo OLIVERWOLCOTT 442TO GOUVERNEURMORRIS. 443To GENERALCHARLESCOTESWORTHPINCKNEY, 444TO TIMOTHYPICKERING 446TO RUFUSKING 448TO GOVERNORGEORGECLINTON 450TO TALLEYRAND 455To-- 456To PHILIPJ. SCHUYLER 457

x ContentsPAGE

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE---_Ont/n_d:

TO JAMES A. HAMILTON .... 457ToTHEODORESEDGWICK.... 457TO GENERALJOHN SULLIVAN .... 458TO WASHINGTON 459A BURRTO GENERAL HAMILTON . . 460HAMILTON TO BURR .... 46xBURR TO HAMILTON . . . 463HAMILTON TO BURR . 464W. P.VAN NESS TO HAMILTON 464VAN NESS TO MAJOR NATHANIEL PENDLETON . 465PENDLETON TO VAN NESS 466VAN NESS TO PENDLETON 468REMARKS BY HAMILTON ON THE LETTER OF

JUNE 27, I804 470STATEMENT BY HAMILTON AS TO HIS MOTIVES

IN MEETING BURR 47I

ToMRS.HAMILTON . 475STATEMENT BY HAMILTON AS TO HIS PECUNIARY

AFFAIRS 476RULES FOR MR. PHILIP HAMILTON . 480LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ALEXANDER

HAMILTON. 48IEPITAPH . . 483INDEX TO PRIVATECORRESPONDENCE . 485GENERAL INDEX TO VOLS.I.TO X., INCLUSIVE 489LIST o_ LETTERS AND OTHER PAPERS WRITTEN BY

HAMILTON AND PRINTED IN THE JOHN C. HAMIL-TON EDITION OF I850 , WHICHARB OMITTED INTHISEDITION ..... 509

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE--Continued

VOLX.--Zt Z

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE

(Continued)

TO RUFUS KING

PHILADELPHIA, July 25, I79a.MYDEARSIR:

I received,lately,a letterfromyou,in whichyouexpressedsentimentsaccordingwithmy ownon thepresentcomplexionof yourparty politics,as, if aletterof mineto you didnotmiscarry,youwillhaveseen. I wishedthatClintonandhispartyshouldbeplacedin a just lightbeforethe people,and that aspiritofdissatisfaction,withinproperbounds,shouldbe kept alive; and thisfornationalpurposes,as wellas froma detestationoftheirprinciplesandconduct.

But a resortto first principles,in any shape, isdecidedlyagainstmy judgment. I don't think theoccasionwill,in any sense,warrantit. It is not forthe friendsof goodgovernmentto employextraor-dinary expedients,whichoughtonly to be resortedto in casesof greatmagnitudeand urgentnecessity.I rejectaswelltheideaofa conventionas offorce.

To rejudgethe decisionof the canvassersby aconvention,has to me toomuch the appearanceofreversingthe sentenceof a court by a legislativedecree. The canvassershad a final authorityin allthe formsofthe Constitutionand laws. A question

3

4 AlexanderHamilton

arosein the executionof theiroffice,notabsolutelyfree fromdifficultywhichthey have decided(I ampersuadedwrongly),butwithinthepowervestedinthem. I donotfeelitrightorexpedientto attemptto reversethedecisionby anymeansnot knowntotheConstitutionorlaws.

Theprecedentmaysuitus to-day;butto-morrowwemayseeits abuse.

I am not evensurethat it will suit us at all. Iseealreadypublicationsaimingat a revisionof theConstitution,witha viewto alterationswhichwouldspoilit. It wouldnot be astonishing,if a conven-tionshouldbecalled,if it shouldproducemorethanis intended. Suchweaponsare not to be playedwith. Even the friendsof good government,intheirpresentmood,may fancyalterationsdesirablewhichwouldbe thereverse.

Men'smindsare toomuchunsettledeverywhereat thepresentjuncture. Letus endeavorto settlethem,andnotto set them moreafloat. I find that,strong-mindedmenhereviewthematterin thesamelightwithme, and that even Mr.Jay's characterislikelyin a degree,to sufferby the ideathathe fansthe flamea little morethan is quiteprudent. Iwishthisidea to be conveyedto himwithpropermanagement.I havethoughtsof writingto him.

Yousee,out of thereachof the contagion,I amverycooland reasonable. If I were withyou Ishouldprobablynot escapethe infection.

FrancisChilds' is a very cunningfellow. InxEditor of the New York Daily Advertiser,and proprietor,with

Freneau,of the NationalGazette.

PrivateCorrespondence 5

Philadelphia,in the personof his proxy, Freneau,he is a goodAnti-federalistand Clintonian;in NewYork,he is a goodFederalistand Jayite. Beckleyand Jeffersonpay him for the first,and the Federalcitizensof NewYorkfor the last. Observea para-graph in his Daily Advertiserof the x8th instant.Thesethingsought, in a properway, to be broughtinto view.

TO COLONEL EDWARD CARRINGTON

PHILADELPHIA, Jl_y 25,X79_.MYDEARSIR:

I havereceivedandthank youforyourtwolettersofthe I Ith instant.

WhenI askedyour opinionconcerningthe mostfit positionfor a branchof the bank, I had no ideathat the questionwould have been decidedwithso much precipitation as has happened. Aftersome loose conversationwith individualdirectors,in whichthe comparativemeritsof differentplaceswere slightlydiscussed,and left, as I understood,for further information,I was surprisedwith anintimationthat the placehad been decidedupon,that Richmondwas that place,and that somedayin Augusthad beenassignedfor choosingdirectors.Apredominatingmotive,thoughan insufficientone,appearsto have been that most of the bank-stockheld in Virginiais held by persons in and aboutRichmond.

The reasonsassignedin your letter in favor ofanother place are prodigiouslyweighty. Without

6 AlexanderHamilton

committingyou, they shallbe madeknownbeforethe thing is finallyfinished. But I suspectit hasgonetoo far.

Your observationsconcerningthe temper of thepeopleofyourStateare,as far as theygo,consoling.Reflectionsaccordingwith them had arisen in mymind,though I couldnot be surethat I mightnotoverratecircumstances.I shallwaitwith expecta-tion for the further communicationwhichyou areso obligingas to promise.

What you remark concerningthe non-executionof the exciselawin NorthCarolinais very interest-ing. The probableeffect of a continuanceof theaffairin the samepostureis obvious. It has beenthe wishto win the objectfromtime and reflection.But this can no longerbe relied upon. The thingmustbe broughtto an issue,andwillbe, as soonasthe new arrangementrespectingcompensationsiscompleted. If processshouldbe violentlyresistedin the parts of North Carolinaborderingon yourState,howmuchcouldbe hopedfromthe aid of thern_l_tiaofyourState?*

TO RUFUS KING

July 27, x792.

Desirousof examiningaccurately the questiondecidedby the canvassers,I willthank you for a

xThis letter is nowfirstprintedfromthe originalin the possessionofthe samegentlemanto whomI oweanotherletter already givenonpage 230of Vol. IX., and whosename I am unfortunatelypreventedfromgiving,as I haveexplainedin anoteon page23L


minute of all the authoritieswhichwere consultedby you whenyou gaveyouropinion.'

I shaUbe gladto havethemassoonasconvenient.

TO WASHINGTON

PmLAD_LPHXA,July30, I79_.SIR"

I receivedthe most sincerepleasureat findinginour late conversation,that there was somerelaxa-tion in the dispositionyouhad beforediscoveredtodeclinea re-election. Sinceyour departure,I haveleft no opportunityof soundingthe opinionsof per-sons, whoseopinionswereworthknowingon thesetwo points, ist. The effectofyour declining,uponthe public affairs,and upon your own reputation.2dly. The effectof your continuing,in referencetothe declarationsyou have madeof your disinclina-tion to publiclife; and I can truly say that I havenot foundthe least differenceofsentimentoneitherpoint. The impressionis uniform,that your de-cliningwouldbe to be deploredas the greatestevilthat couldbefallthe countryat the presentjuncture,

' Thisletter, and thosewhichprecede,referto oneofthe earliestandworstof our electionfrauds. Burr wishedto run againstClinton,butwas baffledby Hamilton, the result being that Jay was nominated,and, after a most heated canvass, elected. His electiondepended,however,on the votes of three counties,and the Clintonianboard ofcanvassersthrew out, on the most technicaland flimsygrounds,thevotesof thesecountiesand burned them. Therewas great wrath andexcitementoverthis "count out," as it wouldnowbe called,and aconventionandother violentmeasureswereproposed,whichHamiltonresisted. The Legislature,by a party vote, sustainedthe canvassers,and declaredClintonelectedby a majority of to8 votes.

8 AlexanderHamilton

andascriticallyhazardousto yourownreputation;thatyourcontinuancewillbejustifiedinthemindofeveryfriendtohiscountry,bytheevidentneces-sityforit.'Tisclear,sayseveryonewithwhomIhaveconversed,thattheaffairsofthenationalgov-enunentarenotyetfirmlyestablished--thatitsenemies,generallyspeaking,areasinveterateasever--thattheirenmityhasbeensharpenedbyitssuccess,andbya11theresentmentswhichflowfromdisappointedpredictionsandmortifiedvanity--thata generalandstrenuouseffortismakingineveryStatetoplacetheadministrationofitinthehandsofitsenemies,asiftheywereitssafestguardians--thattheperiodofthenextHouseofRepresen-tativesislikelytoprovethecrisisofitspermanentcharacter--thatifyoucontinueinofficenothingmateriallymischievousistobeapprehended,ifyouquit,muchistobedreaded--thatthesamemotiveswhichinducedyoutoacceptoriginallyoughttode-cideyoutocontinuetillmattershaveassumedamoredeterminedaspect--thatindeeditwouldhavebeenbetter,asitregardsyourowncharacter,thatyouhadneverconsentedtocomeforward,thannowtoleavethebusinessunfinishedandindangerofbeingundone--thatintheeventofstormsarising,therewouldbeanimputationeitherofwantoffore-sightorwantoffirmness--and,infine,thatonpublicandpersonalaccounts,onpatrioticandprudentialconsiderations,theclearpathtobepursuedbyyouwillbe,againtoobeythevoiceofyourcountry,which,itisnotdoubted,willbeasearnestandasunanimousasever.


On this last point, I have somesuspicionthat itwillbeinsinuatedto you,'andperhaps(Godforgiveme if I judgehardly)with designto placebeforeyoua motive for declining--that there is dangerof adivisionamongthe electors,andoflessunanimityintheir suffragesthan heretofore. My view of thismatteris as follows:

Whileyourfirst electionwasdepending,I had nodoubt that there wouldbe characters amongtheelectors,who,if they durst followtheir inclinations,wouldhavevotedagainstyou; but that in allprob-abilitythey wouldbe restrainedby an apprehensionofpublicresentment--thatneverthelessit waspossi-blea fewstragglingvotesmightbe foundin opposi-tion, fromsomeheadstrongandfanaticalindividuals--that a circumstanceof thiskind wouldbe in fact,and ought to be estimated by you, as of no im-portance,sincethere wouldbe sufficientunanimityto witnessthe general confidenceand attachmenttowardsyou.

Myviewof the future accordsexactlywith whatwasmy view of the past. I believethe samemo-tiveswilloperateto producethe sameresult. Thedreadofpublicindignationwillbe likelyto restrainthe indisposedfew. If they can calculateat all,theywillnaturallyreflectthat theycouldnot giveasevererblowto their causethan by givinga proofoftheir hostilityto you. But if a solitaryvoteor twoshouldappearwantingto perfectunan_mlty,ofwhatmomentcan it be? Willnot the fewnessofthe ex-ceptionsbe a confirmationof the devotion of thecommunityto a character whichhas so generally

IO AlexanderHamilton

united its suffragesafter an administrationof fouryearsat the head ofa newgovernment,opposedinits first establishmentby a large proportionof itscitizens,and obligedto run counterto many preju-dicesin devisingthearduousarrangementsrequisiteto publiccredit and publicorder? Will not thosewhomay be the authors of any such exceptions,manifestmore their own perversenessand malevo-lencethan any diminutionof the affectionand con-fidenceof the nation? I am persuadedthat boththesequestionsoughtto be answeredin the affirma-tive, and that there is nothingto be lookedfor, onthe scoreof diversityof sentiment,whichought toweighfor a moment.

I trust, sir, and I pray God,that you willdeter-mineto makea furthersacrificeofyour tranquillityand happinessto the public good. I trust that itneednot continueabovea year or twomore; and Ithinkthat it willbemoreeligibleto retirefromofficebeforethe expirationof a term of election,than todeclinea re-election.

The sentimentsI have delivereduponthis occa-sion, I can truly say, proceedexclusivelyfrom ananxiousconcernfor the public welfare,and an af-fectionatepersonalattachment. Thesedispositionsmustcontinueto governin everyvicissitudeonewhohas the honor to be, very truly and respectfully,eta.

August3d. Since writing the foregoing,I amfavoredwith your interestingletter of the 29th ofJuly. Ananswerto the pointsraisedisnot difficult,andshallas soonas possiblebe forwarded.

PrivateCorrespondence Ix

TO WASHINGTON

TRBASURYDEPARTMZNT,Aug.xo,x79_.SIR:

I havebeendulyhonoredwithyourlettersof the1stand 5thinstant. Acopyoftheletteris inclosedaccordingto your desire.

Youmaydependuponit, sir,thatnothingshallbewantingin this departmentto furnishall requisitesuppliesforthe armywithefficiencyandeconomy,and to bringto exactaccountall personsconcernedin themas faras shall consistwiththe powersofthe department. Hithertomoneyshave beenfur-nishedto the WarDepartmentas theyhave beencalledfor,forprocuringallthosearticleswhichhavenotbeenobjectsofdirectcontractwiththeTreasury.And I learnfromthe Secretaryof Warthat everythingis in greatmaturity.

Underthe formersystem,provisionsand clothingwerethe only articleswhichthe Treasuryhad thechargeof procuring;thereceiving,issuing,and in-spectingtheir qualitybelongedto the DepartmentofWar by usage.

Theact ofthe last session,entitled"An act mak-ing alterationsin the Treasury and War Depart-ments," prescribesthat all purchasesand contractsforallsuppliesfor the useofthe DepartmentofWar,be made by or under the directionof the TreasuryDepartment.

As muchprogresshas beenmadein the prepara-tion for the campaign,prior to the passingof thisact, by the Secretaryof War, I thought it best tocontinuethe businessunderhis immediatecare for

l

t2 AlexanderHamilton

somethnc- till in fact all the arrangementsbegunshouldbe completed. It is now, however,deter-minedthatonthefirstof Septemberthebusinessofprocuringallsupplieswillbebegunundertheimme-diate directionof theTreasury,uponestimatesandrequisitionsfromtimeto time furnishedandmadeby the Departmentof War.

The arrangementwhichis contemplatedfor thispurposeis the fo110wing:--Provisionsandclothingwillbeprovidedasheretofore,by contractsmadebytheSecretaryof theTreasurypursusutto previousadvertisements.Articlesin thequartermaster'sde-partmentwillbeto beprocuredby him,orhisagentsordeputies;forwhichpurpose,advancesof moneywill bemade to him directly,to beaccountedforto theTreasuryby him. Ordnancestores,Indiangoods,and all contingentsupphes,willbeprocuredby anagentwhowillbe constitutedfor the purpose,withan allowanceof eighthundreddollarsa yearin lieuof commission.Accountsfor his purchases,in everycasein whichit can convenientlybe done(which will comprehendthe greatest number ofcases),willbesettledimmediatelywiththe Treasury,and the moneypaid directlyto the individuals. Inother cases,advanceson accountwill be made tothe agent, to be accounted for directly to theTreasury.

Aleadingobjectof this arrangementis to exemp_the officers,_bothof the War and TreasuryDepart-ments, from the ill-naturedsuspicionswhich areincidentto the actual handling and disbursementsof public money. Noneof the inferior officersof

PrivateCorrespondence I3

eitherdepartment,exceptthe Treasurer,willhaveany concernwith it.

Thesuppliesof everykind willbe deliveredto theorder of the Departmentof War. The issuingofthemand the accountingfor the issues(exceptastoprovisions,whichare directly issued by the con-tractors to the troops,and whichare provedto theTreasuryuponvouchersprescribedfor the purpose)appertainto the Departmentof War. The regula-tionswhichhavebeenadoptedfor the purpose,willno doubtbe eagerlyreportedto youby the Secretaryof War, as wellas thosewhichhavebeenconcertedwith the Treasury respectingthe paying and ac-countingfor the pay of the troops.

I begleaveto assureyou, that, in the applicationofthe generalarrangementwhichyouhave adoptedrespectingthe executionof the act concerningdis-tilled spirits, the greatest attention willbe paid toeconomy,as far as the precautionsof the Treasurycan insureit.

I presumeit to havebeenyour intentionthat theopinionof the Attorney-Generalshouldbe taken asto the powerof the Presidentto appoint the sup-plementaryofficerscontemplatedduring the recessof the Senate; whichshallaccordinglybe done.

It affordsme much satisfactionto observethatyourmindhasanticipatedthe decisionto enforcethelaw, in case a refractory spirit should continuetorender the ordinary and more desirablemeans in-effectual. My most deliberatereflectionshave ledmeto conclude,that the timeforactingwithdecisionis at hand; and it is with pleasureI canadd, that an

I4 AlexanderHamilton

increasingacquiescenceislikelytorendert/lis coursethe lessdifficultinthe casesin whichan uncomply-ingtempermayfinallyprevail.

I shallwithoutdelayexecuteyour directionsre-spectingtheofficersof thecutters.

TO ELIAS BOUDINOT

MY DEARSIR: PHILADELPHIA, Aug. i3, i792.Someskirmishinghavingbegunin theGazetteo_

theUnitedStatesrespectingMr. Freneau'sreceivinga salaryfromgovernment,I mentionedin conversa-tion witha friendall that I knewofthe matter, andamongotherthings, but without nam_ugyou, theinformationyouhad givenme concerningMr.Madi-son's negotiation with Freneau. Upon this hefoundeda very pointedattack upon Mr. Freneauand Mr.Jefferson,whichI dare say you have seen,as alsoMr.Freneau'saffidavitdenyingall negotia-tion with "Thomas Jefferson,Esq., Secretary ofState," etc., etc. The gentlemanhas sinceappliedto meto obtain,if possible,an authenticationofthefactofthe negotiation.

If I recollectright, youtold me that this, if neces-sary,couldbe done; and, if practicable,it is of realimportancethat it should be done. It will con-foundandput downa manwhois continuallymachi-natingagainstthe publichappiness.

Youwillobligemein the mostparticularmannerby obtainingand forwardingto me without delaythe particularsofall thestepstakenby Mr.Madison

Private Correspondence 15

---thewhenand where---andwith libertyto usethen_ameof the informant. His affidavitto the facts,ifobtainable,wouldbeofinfinitevalue. Careoughtto be taken that nothingis assertedwhichis notunquestionable.

TO JOHN ADAMS

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. i6, x792.DEARSIR:

I have beenduly favoredwith your letter of the4th inst. A warrant for one thousand dollars inyour favor has issued. If any authorizationfromyou had beensent to yoursonor any oneelse,yoursignature on the warrant would have been un-necessary. But as it is, it will be indispensable.Perhaps, however,the Treasurer may pay in ex-pectationofit.

The questionwhenthe Vice-Presidententeredonthe dutiesofhisofficeis openat the Treasury,thoughan opinionhas obtainedthat the takingofthe oathwas the criterion. This has been foundedon twoconsiderations--analogyto the caseofthe President.The Constitutionrequiresthat he shalltakean oathbeforehe entersuponthe executionof hisoffice. Hecannotenter uponthe duties of it without enteringupon the executionof it, and he cannotlegallydothe latter tillhe has takenthe oathprescribed. Thesameinjunction,however,is not laid uponthe Vice-President,and therefore,exceptby analogy,resortmust be had to the secondconsideration,namely,that the takingof the oath of officeis the legalact

x6 AlexanderHamilton

ofacceptanceandmaybesupposedto date the com-mencementofservice.

But this reasoning,it must be confessed,is no_conclusive,and thereforethe opinionof the Attor-ney-Generalwillbe taken, both as to the Presidentand Vice-President,andI presumewillguidein theadjustment.

Twentythousanddollarshavebeenappropriated,and the advancesby anticipationmay reach thatlimit.

Youforgotthat Mr.Clintoncouldfeastuponwhatwouldstarve another. He willnot, however,havean opportunityof making the experiment,and Ihope the starvation policy will not long continuefashionable.

Yourconfirmationof the gooddispositionof NewEnglandis a sourceof satisfaction. I have a letterfrom a well-informedfriend in Virginiawho says:"All the personsI conversewith are prosperousandhappy,and yet most of them, includingthe friendsof the government,appearto be muchalarmedat asupposedsystem of policy tending to subvert therepublicangovernmentof the country." Wereevermen more ingeniousto torment themselveswithphantoms?

TO WILLIAMSETON

MY DEARSIR: AugustxT,x79a.

Your letter mentioningcertain parti_l!srs re-spectingthe two bankshas beenreceivedand willbe duly attendedto. I trust, however,that certain

Private Correspondence x7

appearanceshave in no degreeproceededfromanyunkind disposition. The solution,I believe,is tobe foundin thenecessityof sendingherea consider-ablesum in specie. Largepaymentsinto the Bankof NorthAmericaon accountof the State of Penn-sylvania,subscriptionsto canals,etc.,andlargecallsuponthe Bankof the UnitedStatesfor the servicesof government,joinedto liberaldiscounts,had pro-duceda considerablebalancein favorof the Bank ofNorthAmerica,whichrenderedit expedientto drawa sum of speciefrom NewYork, not to leavetheNational Bank in any degreein the powerof theBank of North America,whichonce manifestedavery mischievousdisposition,that was afterwardsrepaidby actsof kindnessandgenerosity. Thetideis now changingand must speedilyreversethe bal-ance,and I mentionit in confidence,becauseI wishby explainingto cherishthe confidencebetweenthetwo institutionsat NewYork so necessaryto theirmutual interest.

Inclosed,my dearsir, is a letter to Mr.Donald,ofSt. Vincents,whichI beg yourmost particularcarein forwarding. I presumehe is a merchantthere,but a gentlemanlately mentioned to me that hethought the name of the Governorof St. Vincentswas Donald. If so, he is probably the person in-tended. I received a letter from him giving mesomeinformationof my father. The letter to Mr.Donaldcoversone to my father, who, from a seriesof misfortunes,wasreducedto great distress. Youwillperceivefromthis that I must be anxiousfor thesafeconveyanceofmyletter. If thereis anyperson

VOL,X,""'_.

I8 AlexanderHamilton

of whomyoucan makepreviousinquh-yeoneerningMr.Donald,youwillobligemeby doingit as a guideinforwardingtheletter. I meanto senda duplicatefromthisplace.

TOJOHNJAY(Private.)

MY DEAR SIR: PHILADELPHIA,Sept.3,x792.Theproceedingsat Pittsburghwhichyouwillfind

stated in the inclosedpapersand other incidentsinthe westernparts of this Stateannounceso deter-minedand perseveringa spirit of oppositionto thelaws,as in my opinionto rendera vigorousexertionofthe powersof governmentindispensable. I havecommunicatedthis opinionto the President, and Idoubtnot his impressionswill accordwith it. Inthiscase,onepoint forconsiderationwillbe the ex-pediencyof the next Circuit Court'snoticingthestate of things in that quarter, particularly themeetingat Pittsburghandits proceedings. Youwillobservean avowedobject is to "obstructtheoper-ationofthe law." Thisis attempted to be qualifiedby a pretenceof doingit by "everylegalmeasure."But "legal measures" to "obstruct the operationof a law" is a contradictionin terms. I thereforeentertain no doubt that a high misdemeanorhasbeencommitted. Thepoint,however,is undersub-missionto the Attorney-Generalfor his opinion.

Thereisreally,my dearsir, a crisisin the affairsofthe countrywhichdemandsthe most mature con-siderationof its bestandwisestfriends.

PrivateCorrespondence I9

I begyouto applyyourownmostseriousthoughtsto it, and favorme as soonas possiblewiththe re-sult ofyourreflections. Perhapsit willnotbe amissfor you to conversewith Mr. King. His judgmentis sound--hehas cautionand energy.

Woulda proclamationfrom the Presidentbe ad-visable,statingthecriminalityof suchproceedings,and warningallpersonsto abstainfromthem asthelawswillbe strictlyenforcedagainstall offenders?

If the plot shouldthickenand the applicationofforceshouldappearto be unavoidable,willit be ex-pedientfor the Presidentto repair in personto thesceneofcommotion?

These are some of the questionswhichpresentthemselves. The subjectwill doubtlessopen itselfin all its aspectsto you.

TO

DEAR SIR: PHILADELPHIA,Sept. _I, I792.

I take the liberty to incloseyou the copy of aletter from a very respectablefriendin NewYork.The contents surprised me---noram I quite per-suadedthat the appearanceofMr.Burr onthe stageis not a diversionin favorof Mr. Clinton."

Mr.Clinton'ssuccessI shouldthink very unfortu-nate; I am not for trusting the governmenttoomuchhathe hands of its enemies. But still Mr. C.is a man of property,and in private life,as far as Iknow, of probity. I fear the other gentlemanis

TbAsrefers to the contest for the Vice-Presidencyat the secondnational election. The struggle finallysettled down to ClintonandAdam.%and the latter waselected.

20 Alexander Hamilton

unprincipled,both as a publicand a private man.Whenthe Constitutionwasin deliberation,hiscon-duct was equivocal,but its enemies,who,I believe,bestunderstoodhim,consideredhim as with them.In fact,I take it, he is for,or againstnothing,but asit suitshis interest or ambition. He is determined,as I conceive,to makehis wayto be the headof thepopularparty, and to climbper :fasautne_asto thehighesthonorsof the State, and as muchhigherascircumstancesmay permit. Embarrassed,as I un-derstand,in his circumstances,with an extravagantfamily,bold,enterprising,and intriguing,I am mis-takenif it be not hisobjectto playthe gameofcon-fusion,and I feelit to be a religiousduty to opposehis career.

I have hitherto scrupulouslyrefrainedfrom in-terferencein elections;but the occasionis, in myopinion,of sufficientimportanceto warrant in thisinstance a departure from that rule. I thereforecommitmy opinionto you without scruple; but inperfect confidence.I pledgemy characterfor dis-cernment, that it is incumbentupon every goodmanto resistthe presentdesign.

TO RUPUS KING

September93, I792.MY D]ZARSIR:ThoughIhadhadapreviousintimationofthe

possibilityofsuchan event,yet the intelligencecon=rainedin yourletter of the x7thsurprisedme. EvennowI amto be convincedthat the movementis anything morethan a diversionin favorofMr.Clinton;

_ PrivateCorrespondence 2i

yet,onmypart,itwillnotbeneglected.Myatten-tion,as far as shallbe in any degreesafe,willbedirectedto everyStatesouthof NewYork. I donot gobeyondit,becauseotherinflueneeswouldbequiteas efficaciousthereasmine.

AgoodusewillbemadeofitinthisState. I wisha lettercouldbe writtenhere,statingtheplan,andMr.Dallas'assertionrespectingPennsylvania,whichcouldbe madeuse of withoutreserve. Youwellknowwhocouldwritesucha letter,andofcoursetowhomit mightbe addressed.Mr.Lewiswouldbethemostproperpersonto be writtento. Thisis amatter of importance,and if practicableno timeshouldbe lost.

I wroteMr.Jay alongletter,whichI fearreachedNewYorkafterhe had set out on the circuit,in-forminghim that I had concludedto advisea pro-elamation;and my reasonsfor it, whichincludedsomematerialfactsnotbeforecommunicated,I havenot leisureto repeat. Theproclamationhas beensignedby the President,and sentto Mr.Jeffersonforhis eonnter-signature;I expectit hereonTues-day,andhavetakencorrespondentmeasures. I be-lieveallisprudentandsafe.

TOPHILADELPHIA,Sept.26, x792.

MYDEARSIR:SomedayssinceI wassurprisedwiththefollowing

intelligencein a letterfromMr.King,whosenameIdiscloseto youin confidence.

"Burrisindustriousinhiscanvass,andhisobjectiswellunderstoodbyourAntis. Mr.Edwardsisto

2_ AlexanderHamilton

makeinterestforhiminConnecticut,andMr.Dallas,whoishere,andquiteinthecircleoftheGovernorandtheparty,irfformsusthatMr.Burrwillbesup-portedasVice-PresidentinPennsylvania.Nothingwhichhasheretoforehappenedsodecisivelyprovestheinveteracyoftheopposition.Shouldtheysuc-ceed,muchwouldbetobeapprehended."Thoughinmy situationIdeemitmostproperto

avoidinterferenceinanymatterrelatingtotheelec-tionsformembersofthegovernment,yetI feelreasonsofsufficientforcetoinduceadeparturefromthatruleinthepresentinstance.Mr.Burr'sintegrityasanindividualisnotun-

impeached.Asapublicman,heisoneoftheworstsort--afriendtonothingbutasitsuitshisinterestandambition.Determinedtoclimbtothehighes_honorsoftheState,andasmuchhigherascircum-stancesmay permit,hecaresnothingaboutthemeansofeffectinghispurpose.'Tisevidentthatheaimsatputtinghimselfattheheadofwhathecallsthe"popularparty"asaffordingthebesttoolsforanambitiousmantoworkwith,secretlyturninglibertyintoridicule.Heknowsaswellasmostmenhowtomakeuseofthename.Inaword,ifwehaveanembryo-CaesarintheUnitedStates,'tisBurr.

TO GEN. C.C. PINCKNEY x

PHILADELPHIA,Oct. IO, I792.MY DEAR SIR:

I dulyreceivedyour letter of the 6th September,and havesentan extractto Mr.Churchfor the ex-

xGeneralCharlesCotesworthPinckney,o5SouthCarolina.


plauationwhich is necessary. I feel myselftrulyobligedby your friendlyallusionto my unpleasantsituation,and for the consolationwhichyou are sokind as to offerme. The esteemof discerningandvirtuousmenmust alwayssupporta mind properlyformedunderthe pressureofmalevolenceandenvy.I willnot pretendthat I am insensibleto the perse-cutionwhichI experience;but it maybe relieduponthat I shalldesertnopostwhichI oughtto endeavorto maintain,so long as my ownreputation or thepublic good may render perseverancenecessaryor proper. When it is not requisite,either to theoneor the other,my friendswillexcuseme if I re-collectthat I havea growingand hithertotoo muchneglectedfamily. It is to be lamented that sostronga spiritof factionand innovationprevailsatthe presentmomentin a great part of the country.The thing is alarmingenoughto call for the atten-tionof everyfriendto government. Let me notbethought to traveloutofmy sphere,if I observethata particularattention to the electionfor the nextCongressis dictated by the vigorousand generaleffortwhichis makingby factiousmento introduceeverywhere,and in every department,personsun-friendlyto the measures,if not the constitution,ofthenationalgovernment. EitherGovernorClinton,or Mr.Burr,of NewYork,both decidedlyof the de-scriptionof personsI have mentioned,is to be runin this quarter as Vice-President,in oppositiontoMr. Adams. The formerhas been invariably theenemy of national principles. The latter has noother principlesthan to mount,at all events,to the

24 AlexanderHamilton_

full honorsof the State,and to as muchmoreas cir-cttmstanceswill permit--a man in private lifenotunblemished. It will be a real misfortuneto thegovernmentif eitherof them shouldprevail. 'T issuspectedby somethat the planis onlyto dividethevotesof the Northernand the MiddleStates, to letin Mr.Jeffersonby the votesofthe South. I willnotscrupleto say to you, in confidence,that this alsowould be a seriousmisfortuneto the government.That gentlemanwhom I oncevery muchesteemed,but whodoesnot permitmeto retain that sentimentforhim,is certainlya man of sublimatedand para-doxicalimagination,entertaining and propagatingopinionsinconsistentwith dignifiedand orderlygov-ernment. Mr.Adams,whateverobjectionsmaylieagainst some of his theoretic opinions,is a firm,honest,and independentpolitician. Somevaluablecharactersare about to be lost to the Houseof Re-presentativesof their own choice. I feared oncethat this wouldbe the casewith Mr.Smith,'of yourState; but I believehis present intentionis ratherto continueto serve. I trust there can be no doubtofhissuccess,and I wishmeansto be usedto deter-mine his acquiescence.He is truly an excellentmember--aready,clearspeaker,of a soundanalytichead,andthe justest views. I knowno manwhoselossfromthe Housewouldbe more severelyfelt bythe goodcause. The delicacyof these observationsfrommewill,of course,occurto you; I makethemwithoutreserve,confidingequallyin yourfriendshipand prudence. Acceptthe assurancesofthe cordial

xHon. Win.Smith, SouthCarolina.


esteemand regardwithwhichI havethehonortoremain.

TO JOHN STEELEt

IVIYDEAR SIR: PHILADELPHIA,OC'_.15,I792.

Theletterwhichyoudidmethefavortowriteme,ofthez9thofSeptember,cametohandtwodaysago.Thelatesymptomsofacquiescenceinthedutyondistilledspirits,whichyouannounceinyourquarter,areparticularlysatisfactory.Ifthepeoplewillbutmaketrialofthething,theirgood-willtowardsitwillincrease.Thishashithertohappenedeverywhere,wherethelawhasgoneintooperation.Therecertainlycanbenotaxmoreeligibleorlessburthen-some.ThoughI imposeonmyselfgreatcircum-spectiononthesubjectofelectionsforthefederalgovernment,yet,inrelationtothecharactersyoumention,Ifeelmyselfmoreatliberty,andmy entireconfidenceinyouwillnotpermitme toaffectre-serve.ItakeitforgrantedthatinalltheNorthernandMiddleStates,thepresentPresidentwillhaveaunanimousvote.ItrustitwillbesointheSouthalso.A wantofunanimitywouldbe a blotonourpoliticalhemisphere,andwouldwoundthemindofthatexcellentcharactertowhomthecountryissomuchindebted.ForVice-President,Mr.Adamswillhavea nearlyunanimousvoteintheEasternStates.ThesamethingwouldhappeninNewYorkiftheelectorsweretobechosenbythepeople;butastheywillbechosenbytheLegislature,andasa

t Memberof CongressfromNorthCarolina,x79oto I793.

26 AlexanderHamilton

majorityof the existingAssemblyare Clintonians,the electorswill,I fear,be of the samecomplexion.In Jersey,Mr.Adamswillhavea unanimousvote,and, accordingto presentappearances,in Pennsyl-vanialikewise. Thepartieshavehada trimoftheirstrength here for representatives,and though theissueis not finallyascertained,thereis a moralcer-tainty, from the returns received,that the ticketsupportedby the federal interest will prevail bya large majority. The electorsnominatedby thesameinterestwillall,or nearlyall,favorMr.Adams.I believethe weightof Delawarewillbe thrownintothe samescale. And I think it probablethere willbe votesfor Mr. Adamsin Maryland. I presumenone in Virginiaor Georgia. Of North Carolina,you canbest judge. In SouthCarolinahe willhavevotes,but I am at a lossto judgeof theproportion.

This statementwillinformyou that Mr. Adamsisthemanwhowillbesupportedin the NorthernandMiddleStates,by the friendsof the Government.They reasonthus: "Mr. Adams, like other men,hashis faultsandfoibles;someofthe opinionshe issupposedto entertain,we do not approve,but webelievehim to be honest, firm, faithful, and inde-pendent--a sincere lover of his country--a realfriendto genuineliberty, but combininghis attach-mentto that with loveof order and stablegovern-ment. No man's private character can be fairerthan his. No man has given strongerproofsthanhe of disinterestedand intrepid patriotism. Wewillthereforesupporthim as far preferableto anyonewhois likelyto be opposedto him."

PrivateCorre.spondcnce 27

Whowillbe seriouslyopposedto him,I am yet ata lossto decide. Onewhile,GovernorClintonap-peared to be the man. Of late, there have beensymptomsof Col.Burr's canvassingfor it. Somesayoneor bothofthesewillbe playedoffasa diver-sionin favor of Mr.Jefferson. I do not scrupletosay to you that my preferenceof Mr. Adams toeitherof theseis decided. As to Mr.Clinton,he isa man of narrowand perversepolitics,and as wellunderthe formeras under the presentgovernment,he has been steadily, since the terminationof thewar with Great Britain, opposedto nationalprin-ciples. MyopinionofMr.Burris yet to form--but,accordingto the presentstate ofit, heis amanwhoseonly politicalprincipleis to mountat all events,tothe highestlegalhonorsof the nation,and as muchfurther as circumstanceswill carryhim. Imputa-tionsnotfavorabletohis integrityas amanrestuponhim,but I donot vouchfor theirauthenticity.

Therewas a time when I shouldhave balancedbetweenMr.Jeffersonand Mr. Adams; but I nowviewthe formeras a man of sublimatedand para-doxicalimagination--cherishingnotionsincompati-ble with regularand firmgovernment.

ThushaveI openedmyselfto you withfrankness;I doubtnotI am perfectlysafein doingit.

You give me pain by tellingme that you havedeclinedservingin the House of Representativesafterthe thirdof Marchnext, and that it is doubtfulwhetheryou willattend the next session. I anx-iouslyhope that you will find it convenientto at-tend,and that you willchangeyourresolutionasto


not servingin a futureHouse. Theensuingsessionwill be an interestingone, and the next Congresswilleitheranchorthegovernmentin safetyor set itafloat.

My apprehensionis excitedwhenI see so manyvaluable members droppingoff. Mr. Lawrence*and Mr. Benson_will not serve again. Mr.Barnwell3 also declines. The House will, I fear, losemoreofits talents than it can spare.

TO JOHN ADAMS

October,x79_.

Itnls_youaresufficientlyconvincedofmy re-spectforyouandattachmenttoyoutorenderanapologyforthelibertyIamgoingtotake,unneces-sary.Ilearnwithpainthatyoumaynotprobablybeheretilllateinthesession.Ifearthatthiswillgivesomehandletoyourenemiestomisrepresent,andthoughIampersuadedyouareveryind]ffereni_personallytotheeventofa certainelection,yetIhopeyouarenotsoasregardsthecauseofgoodgovernment.Thedifferenceinthatviewis,inmyconception,immensebetweenthesuccessofMr.

John Lawrence,an Englishmanby birth and a soldierin theRevolution,was an eminent lawyerof New York, at this time amemberof Congress,and afterwardsU. S.DistrictJudgeand SenatorfromNewYork.

EgbertBenson,at thistimeamemberof CongressfromNewYork,andagainin x8i3. Attorney-Generalof NewYork,I78o-x789,andfromI794to x8oxa JudgeoftheSupremeCourtof the State,

s Robert Barnwell,memberof CongressfromSouth Carolinafromx79x to x793.


Clintonor yourself,and somesacrificesoffeelingareto be made. But this is not the only relation inwhichI deem your early presencehere desirable.Permit me to say it best suits the firmnessandelevation of your character to meet all events,whether auspiciousor otherwise, on the groundwherestationand dutycallyou. Onewouldnotgivethe ill-disposedthe triumph of supposingthat ananticipationof want of successhas kept you fromyourpost.

Youobserve,my dear sir, I speakwithout muchra_'nagement.You willascribeit to my confidenceand esteem. It is not necessaryin any view tomultiplywords. I forbearit; but allowme to addthat it is the universalwish of your friends youshouldbe as soonas possibleat Philadelph___:.,

TO .IOHNJAY

MY DEAR SIR: PHILADELPHIA,Dec.*8,*79=.Your favors of the 26th of Novemberand i6th

inst. haveduly cometo hand. I am ashamedthatthe formerhas remainedso long unacknowledged,though I am persuadedmy friends wouldreadilyexcusemy delinquenciescouldthey appreciatemysituation. 'T is not the loadofproperofficialbusi-nessthat aloneengrossesme, thoughthis wouldbeenoughto occupyany man. 'T is not the extra at-tention I am obligedto pay to the courseoflegisla-tive manoeuvresthat aloneadds to my burden andperplexity. 'T is the maliciousintriguesto stab me

*Reprintedfrom theHistoryo_thRep.blic, v., 9_.


in the dark,againstwhichI am toooften obligedtoguardmyself,that distractand harassme to a pointwhich,renderingmy situationscarcelytolerable,in-terfereswithobjectsto whichfriendshipandinclina-tion wouldprompt me.

I havenot, however,beenunmindfulof the sub-ject ofyourletters. Mr.Kingwilltellyouthe statethebusinesswasin. Nothingmaterialhashappenedsince. The representationwill probably producesomeeffect,thoughnot as greatas oughtto be ex-pected. Somechangesfor the better, I trust, willtake place.

The successof the Vice-Presidentis as great asourceof satisfactionas that of Mr. Clintonwouldhave been of mortificationand pain to me. Will-ingly,however,wouldI relinquishmy share of thecommandto the Anti-federalistsif I thought theywereto be trusted. But I have somany proofsofthe contrary,as to makeme dread the experimen_oftheirpreponderance,x

TO RICHARD HARRISON_

PHILADBLPHIA,Jan. 5, I793.DEARSIR:

Le Roy has not yet appearedwith the powersand receiptsmentionedin your letter of the 3ist

xReprintedfromLife o]_ay, iL, 2x3.RichardHarrisonwasborn in x75o. He was our Consulat Cadiz

for fiveyears,andthis letter seemstohavebeenwrittenat the time ofhisreturn fromhis consulshipand on the presentationof hisaccounts.In this year, x793,hewasappointedAuditorofthe Treasury,a positiccawhichheheld until his death,in 184L

Private Correspondence 3t

December. Every practicablefacilitywillbe givento the businesswhenit comesforward. But I be-lieve,accordingto the courseofthe Treasury,a cer-tificate, not money,will be givenfor the balance.Your account is returned with directory remarksuponit. I am sorryyou shouldhavethe troubleofso many differentapplications,but the courseofpublic businessrequiresit.

I am more sorry that we have been deprivedofthe pleasureof seeingyou. EveryfriendI seefroma placeI loveis a cordialto me,and I stand in needofsomethingof that kind nowand then.

The trillmphsof vice are no newthing underthesun,and I fear, till the millenniumcomes,in spiteofallourboastedlightand purification,hypocrisyandtreacherywill continueto be the most successfulcommoditiesin the politicalmarket. It seemstobe the destinedlot of nationsto mistaketheir foesfor their friends, their flatterers for their faithfulservants.

TO WILLIAMSHORTx

(Private.)PHILADELPHIA,Feb.5, x793.

SIR:

The spirit of party has grownto maturitysoonerin this country than perhaps was to have beencounted upon. You will see a specimenof it in

xWilliamShort,of VirgJ_a,wasM_n_,_erto the Hagueand inchargeof ourfinancialnegotiationsin Holland,andwasafterward_Ministerto Spain.

32 - AlexanderHamilton

the inclosedspeechof Mr. Giles,a memberfromVirginia. The Houseof Representativesadoptedthe resolutionsproposedby him, heroinecontra-dicente. Theobject,with a majority,was to con-found the attempt, by giving a free course toinvestigation.

I sendyou,also,a printedcopyofa letterfrommeto the HouseofRepresentatives,ofyesterday'sdatebeingthe firstpart ofan answerto thoseresolutions.The statementsreferred to in it could not yet beprinted,but lest the thing shouldpassthe Atlanticand be made an ill use of to the prejudiceof ourcountry,I sendyouthe antidote,to be employedornot, as youmay seeoccasion.

Aninvestigationintendedto prejudicemeisbegunwith respectto the circumstancesattendingthe lastpaymenton accountof the French debt,which,inits progress,may draw your conductinto question.I think, however,you needbe underno anxietyforthe result. Your hesitations,at a certain stage,were so natural, and your reasonsso weightyforthem, that they willgive little handleagainstyou,besidesthe coincidencein opinionhere about theexpediencyofa suspensionof payment. Thepopu-lar tide in this countryis strongin favorof the lastrevolutionin France; and there are many who.go,of course,with that tide, and endeavoralwaystoturn it to account. Formyownpart, I contentmy-selfwithprayingmostsincerelythat it may issueinthe realadvantageand happinessof the nation,


TO RUFUS KING

MYDEAR SIR: PHILADELPHIA,.April2, I79$.When you are acquaintedwith all the facts, I

thinkyouwillaltertheopinionyouappearto entertain. My applicationcomesliterallywithinyourrule. Theloanis necessaryforthecurrentexpendi-ture,independentofany newadvanceto France,orof purchasesof thedebt. Thishasarisenfrommyhaving been under the necessityof remittingtoHolland,forapaymentinJuneofi,ooo,oooguilders,as an instalmentofthe principal,and47o,oooguild-ersfor interestofthe Dutchdebt.

Late advicesrenderingit problematicalwhetheraloancouldbe obtainedfor the purposeofthe instal-ment, it becamenecessaryto make this remittanceto avoid dangerto the publiccredit.

Hence,without a loanfromthe bank, I oughttocalculateupon a deficiencyin the present quarter(rememberwe are in April) of 672,023dollarsand26cents,and in the next,of 325,447dollarsand 28cents.

This is the resultof asaccuratea viewof receiptsand expendituresas can now be taken. You willanticipate that, by all the expendituresnot fallingactuallywithinthe periodsto whichtheyareapplica-ble, the real deficiencywouldnot be sogreat as thecalculated; but you will,at the sametime,perceivethat the viewgivensupposesa state of the TreasmBrwhichrendersan auxiliaryindispensable.

At the same time, I cannot but think that youapply yourprincipletoo rigorously. I oughtnot to

VOL.X.--3.


be forcedto divertfora lengthoftimefunds appro-priatedfor other purposes,to the currentexpendi-ture. To compelthis would be, in substancetowithholdthe meansnecessaryfor thepublicservice;forit wouldobligethe Treasuryto employan adven-titious resource,whichoughtnot be so employed,and thattooat a timewhenit couldbe employedad-vantageously,accordingto its originaland true des-tination. I thereforethink,independentofthe realexigency,the bank oughtto makethe loan.

Theloansto governmentstand on very differentconsiderationsfrom those to individuals. Besidesthe charteredprivileges,whichare the grant of thegovernment,the vast depositsconstantly on hand,andwhichordinarilyexceedthe loansfromthe bank,frequentlyvery greatly,are an advantagewhich,generallyspeaking,bears no proportionto the ad-vantagesofthedealingsbetweenindividualsandthebank. Consider,too, what has been the state ofthingsfor some time past, and the real sacrificeswhichhavebeenmadenot to distressthe institution.

If for such accommodationsequivalentservicesare not to be rendered,they could not easilybedefended.

Besides,fromthe necessityof havinga consider-ablesumon hand in the Treasury,and the naturalcourseof the business,the bank is pretty sure ofhavingalwayson deposita large part of what itlendstothegovernment. Thisdoesnotexistin anythinglikethesamedegree,in the caseof individuals.

Youseemto calculatethat the past advanceswillnot be replaced. On the contrary,it is my int_n-

PrivateCorrospondence 35

tion, pursuantto stipulation,to repayasfast asthefundscomeinapplicableto it; andinthelastquarterof theyearI hopeto makea considerableprogressinthe reimbursement;till then,it will not be prac-ticable.

I donotknowwhetherMr.Kanestatedto youthenatureof my proposal. It wasthat thepaymentsshouldbemadein fourequalmonthlyinstalments--the firston the firstof June--and that eachinstal-mentshouldbereimbursedin sixmonths. Therealadvanceof thebankwillbeverytemporaryindeedbeforegreatersumswillcomeinto its vaults fromthe duties. In the last quarterof thepresentandthe firstquarterof the ensuingyear,verylargere-ceiptsmay be expected.

YouaresurethatwhileI seekto putmyselfin aproperposture,I shallnot fail to havea dueregardto thesafetyof the institution.

It is muchto bewishedthat I couldbeenabledtomake somepurchases,thoughthis will not be theease with the loanin question,unlessa loanshallalsohavebeenobtainedin Europe.

A meetingof the commissionershaslately beencalledby Mr.Jefferson,outof thecourseheretoforepractised,in whichI havebeenpressedto declarewhetherI hadorhadnot_undsapplicabletopurchases.I answeredsoastobesafe. Butyoureadilyperceivethe designof thismovement. Thereis no doubtinmymindthat the nextsessionwillrevivethe attackwithmoresystemandearnestness--andit is surelynot the interestof any body or any thing that aserioushand/eshouldbe furnished.


On the whole,I ampersuadedthat theb__kcando whatI ask withoutrealinconvenienceto itself;and my situationis suchthat I shallbe compelledto findanauxiliary.

Allthecryhereis forpeace. Howis it withyou?

TO WASHINGTON

PHILADELPHIA,AprilS, 1793-Sia:

The ship _ohnBuckleyis just arrivedhere fromLisbon,whichplacesheleft onthe 23dofFebruary.

TheMessrs.Wains,a respectablemercantilehousehere,have receiveda letter from Mr.John Buckley,a respectablemerchantof Lisbon,after whom theshipisnamed,ofwhichthefollowingis an extract:

"By lettersfromFrance,by this day's post,wefindthat an embargotookplacetherethe2dinstanton allEnglish,Russian,and Dutchvessels,whichiscertainlythe preludeof war." Thisletteris datedthe 22dof February.

Messrs.Wains,in addition,inform--, that onthe23dofFebruary,themomenttheshipwasgettingunderway,Mr.Buckleycameonboardwitha letterfromMr.Fenwick,of Bordeaux,informinghimthatwarhad beendeclaredby FranceagainstEngland,Russia,andHolland. The foregoingpartiol]arsIhavedirectlyfromthe Walns.

Thereportin the cityis thatthewarwasdeclaredon the 8thof February.

CombiningthiswiththeletterofLordGrenvilleto


Mr.Chauvelin,requiringhisdeparture,andthe king'smessageto the Houseof Commons,foundeduponit--there seemsto be no roomfor doubt ofthe exist-enceofwar.

P. S.--I this instant learnthat there are Englishpapers in town,by way of St. Vincent,whichmen-tion that on the 8th of Februarythe late QueenofFrancewas alsoput to death, after a trial and con-demnation.

TO WASHINGTON

PHILADELPHIA,April 8, I793.SIR:

The papersof to-day,whichI take it for grantedare forwardedto you, will informyou of the con-fn-mationof the war betweenFrance,England,andHolland,and ofsuchotherleadingparticularsas arecontained in the English papers brought by thepacket.

The objectof this letter is merelyto appriseyouthat the whole current of commercialintelligence,whichcomesdownto the i ith of February,indicatesthus far an unexceptionableconducton the part ofthe British Governmenttowardsthe vesselsof theUnitedStates.

The informationis receivedherewith very greatsatisfaction,asfavorableto the continuanceofpeace,the desireofwhichmay be saidto be both universaland ardent.

P. S.mLest the papers may not be regularlytransmitted, I enclosethe two of this morning.


TO JOHN JAY

DEAR SIR: PHILADELPHIA,April9, x793.

Whenwelast conversedtogetheron the subject,wewerebothof opinionthat theministerexpectedfromFranceshouldbereceived.

Subsequentcircumstanceshaveperhapsinducedanadditionalembarrassmenton this point,and renderit advisableto reconsidertheopiniongenerally,andto raisethisfurtherquestion,Whetherhe oughttobe receivedabsolutelyor with qualifications. Thekinghas beendecapitated. Outof thiswillarisearegent,acknowledgedand supportedby the powersofEuropealmostuniversally,in capacityto act,andwho mayhimselfsendan ambassadorto theUnitedStates. Shouldwe in suchcase receiveboth? Ifwe receiveone from the republicand refusetheother,shall we stand on groundperfectlyneutral?If wereceivea ministerfromthe republic,shallwebe afterwardat libertyto say, We will not decidewhetherthereis a governmentin Francecompetenttodemandfromustheperformanceoftheexistingtreaties? WhatthegovernmentofFranceshallbeistheverypointindispute.Tillthatisdecided,theapplicabilityofthetreatiesissuspended.Whenthatgovernmentisestablished,we shallconsiderwhethersuchchangeshadbeenmadeastorendertheircontinuanceincompatiblewiththeinterestoftheUnitedStates.Ifweshallnothaveconcludedourselvesbyanyact,Iamofopinionthatwehaveatleastarighttoholdthethingsuspended.Tillthepointindisputeisdecided,Idoubtwhetherwe


couldbonafidedisputethe ultimateobligationofthetreaties. Will the unqualifiedreceptionof a min-ister concludeus? If it will,ought we so to con-clude ourselves? Ought we not rather to refusereceiving,or to receivewith qualifications;declaringthat we receivethe personas the representativeofthe government,in fact, of the Frenchnation, re-serving to ourselvesthe right to considerthe ap-plicabilityof the treaties to the actual situationof the parties? Theseare questionswhichrequireour utmost wisdom. I wouldgivea great deal fora personaldiscussionwith you. Imprudentthingshave alreadybeendone,whichrenderit proportion-ally importantthat everysucceedingstepshouldbewellconsidered.'

TO JOHN JAY

PHILADELPHIA,April9,1793.MY D_ARSIR:Ihavealreadywrittenyoubythispost.A fur-

therquestionoccurs--Wouldnota proclamationprohibitingourcitizensfromtakingcommissionsoneither side be proper? Wouldit be well that itshouldincludea declarationof neutrality? If youthink the measureprudent,couldyou draught sucha thing as you would deemproper? I wishmuchyou could._

"ReprintedfromLi_eof_:ay,i., _98. _Fo/d.,300.

4o AlexanderHamilton

TO RUFUS KING

PHILADELPHIA,May 2, 1793.

Thefailuresin Englandwillbe soseriouslyfeltinthis countryas to involvea real crisisin ourmoneyconcel-ns.

I anxiouslywishyoucouldbe hereto assistin theoperationsofthe Bank ofthe UnitedStates. Neverwasthere a time whichrequiredmorethe unionofcourageandprudencethanthe presentandapproach-Lugjuncture. Youcanimagineallthat I couldaddon this subject. Is it possiblefor you to spendamonthwith us?

TO JEFFERSON *

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, May 3, I793.SIR:

I regretextremelythat I did not receive yourletter respectingMr. Ternant's applicationtill twoo'clockyesterday,after a warranthad issuedin hisfavor for the sumrequested.

Agreeingentirelyin opinionwith you,that allap-plicationsfrom diplomaticcharacters,as wellthoserelatingto pecuniarymattersas others, oughtto beaddressedto your department,I shouldhave takenno step onthe presentoccasion,had it notbeenputonthefootingofa previousarrangement(asyouwillperceiveby the copyof Mr.Ternant'snote to me),and had I not myselfcarriedalongin my rn_nda

This,and the other letters to Jeffersonwhichfollow,simplyshowthe strainedrelationsbetweenJeffersonand Hamilton,andthe widen-ing of the breachwhichfinallyresultedin openenmity.


generalimpressionthatthespiritofwhathadpassedwouldcomprisetheadvancerequestedinthepar-ticularcase.

For greater caution,however,I thought it advis-ableto mentionthe matter to the President,whichwas followed(if I rememberright, upon my ownsuggestion)by the conversationwhichI had withyou.

Youwillrememberthat though yourrecollectionat the time ofwhathadpassedfromyouagreedwithwhat had been the result of your subsequentex-amination,yet you expressedan opinionthat in thespecialcase (adheringas a generalruleto the spiritof your late communication)it ought to be ad-visableto makethe advancedesired,as it wouldbewell "to part friends." And it was at my request,subsequentto this declaration,that you engagedtoreviewyour communicationsto Mr.Ternant.

HavingtoldMr.Ternantthat the matter wouldbeterminatedthe day succeedinghis application--nothavingheard fromyou on that day--understandingit to be youropinionthat, onthe whole,it wouldbewell to makethe advance,--I waitedon the Presi-dentyesterdaymorning,statedwhat hadpassedbe-tween us, and obtainedhis consentfor makingtheadvance.

I am thus particular from a desire that youmay see the groundupon whichI haveproceeded,as it wouldgiveme pain that you shouldconsiderwhat hasbeendone as the infringementof a rule ofofficialpropriety. I assure you this was not myintention.


TO x

May,x793.

Youaskmeif thenewspapersofPhiladelphiagivea true pictureof the conductof its citizenson theoccasionofthe arrivalofMr.Genet,and whetherthegreat bodyof them are reallyas indiscreetas thosepapersrepresentthem.

It givesme pleasureto be able to answeryou inthe negative. I can assureyou uponthe best evi-dencethat, comparativelyspe_ng, but a smallpro-portionof themhavehad agencyin the business.

Thoughthe papers,on the morningof the day ofMr.Genet'sarrival,announcedhis approach,andat

o'clock , three guns were firedfrom thefrigateas a signalto thosewhoweredisposedto goto meethimat Gray'sferry,as had beenpreviouslyconcertedandnotifiedin the papers,and thoughweare toldby someof the printers that all the outletsfrom the city werecrowdedwithpersonsgoingouttomeetMr.Genet,the factisthat a veryinconsider-able numberindeedwent out. It is seldomeasytospeakwithabsolutecertaintyin suchcases,but fromall I couldobserveor havebeenable to learn, I be-lievethe numberwouldbe statedhigh at a hundredpersons.

In the eveningof the sameday, accordingto no-ticein an eveningpaperwhichcameoutearlierthanusual for the purpose,a meetingwas convenedatthe StateHouseyardunderthe directionofthesame

Thisletteris undated,but it musthavebeenwrittena_thistime,as GenetreachedPhiladelphiaMayx6,x793,and _heletterrela_esthat event.


personswhohad projectedthe goingout to Gray's.This meetingwas also inconsiderable.Prom fortyto onehundredpersonsgiveyouthe extremesofthenumberspresent,as reportedby thosewhowereatthe meetingor in a situationto observeit.

Here a committeewas appointedto prepareanaddress to Mr.Genet; and anothermeetingof thecitizenswas advertisedfor the ensuingeveningatthe sameplace, the objectof which,it seems,wasto considerand approvethe address.

This last meetingis stated differentlyfrom threehundred to one thousand. An accurateobserver,whowasa by-standerand paidparticularattentionto the matter, assuresme that there werebetweenfiveandsixhundredassembled. I rely uponthis asabout the truth.

The personswhoweremet approvedthe addresswhichhad been prepared, and, as you have seen,nominateda committeeto present it, whom theyaccompaniedto Mr. Genet'slodging at the CityTavern.

On their way to the City Tavern their numberwas, as you will imagine,considerablyincreased.A crowdwillalwaysdrawa crowd,whateverbe thepurpose. Curiositywillsupplythe placeof attach-ment to or interest in the object. What numbermay have been assembledin the vicinity of theCity Tavern, it is impossibleto say. The eveningbeingpretty far advanced,wasalonean obstacletojudging.

But the true test was the meetingin the StateHouseyard. 'T is there weare to lookfor the real


partisans of the measure. And, accordingto thisstandard,it maybe pronouncedthat nota tenth partof the city participatedin it.

Youask whowereits promoters. I answer,thatwith very few exceptionsthey were the same menwhohavebeen uniformlythe enemiesand the dis-turbersof the governmentof the UnitedStates. Itwillnot be surprisingif we see ere long a curiouscombinationgrowingup to controlits measures,withregardto foreignpolitics,at the expenseofthe peaceof the country--perhapsat a still greaterexpense.

Wetoohave ourdisorganizers. But I trust thereis enoughof virtue and goodsensein the peopleofAmericatobaffleeveryattemptagainsttheirpro-sperity,thoughmaskedunderthespeciousgarbofanextraordinaryzealforliberty.Theypractically,Idoubtnot,adoptthissacredmaxim,thatwithoutgovernmentthereisnotrueliberty.Iagreewithyouinthereflectionsyoumakeon

thetendencyofpublicdemonstrationsofattach-menttothecauseofFrance.'Tiscertainlynotwisetoexposeourselvestothejealousyandresent-mentof the rest of the world,by a fruitlessdisplayofzealfor that cause. It maydo usmuchharm,andit can do France no good (unlessindeedwe are toembarkin the war with her, whichnobody is sohardy as to avow,though somesecretlymachinateit). It cannotbe withoutdangerandinconvenienceto our intereststo impressonthe nationsof European idea that we are actuated by the same spiritwhichhas for sometime past fatally misguidedthemeasuresofthosewhoconductthe affairsof France,

Pdvate Correspondence 45

andsullied a causeonce glorious,and that mighthave been triumphant. The cause of France iscomparedwith that of Americaduringits late revo-lution. Wouldto Heaven that the comparisonwerejust. Would to Heaven we could discern in themirror of French affairsthe same humanity, thesame decorum,the same gravity, the same order,the same dignity, the same solemnity,whichdis-tinguishedthe cause of the AmericanRevolution.Cloudsand darknesswouldnot then rest upontheissueas theynowdo. I ownI do not likethe com-parison. When I contemplatethe horrid and sys-tematic massacresof the 2d and 3d of September;whenI observethat a Maratanda Robespierre,thenotoriouspromptersof thosebloodyscenes,sit tri-umphantlyin the conventionand takea conspicuouspart in its measures--thatan attempt to bring theassassinsto justice has been obligedto be aban-doned; when I see an unfortunateprince, whosereign was a continueddemonstrationof the good-nessand benevolenceofhisheart,of hisattachmentto the peopleof whomhe was the monarch,who,though educatedin the lap of despotism,had givenrepeatedproofsthat he wasnotthe enemyofliberty,broughtprecipitatelyandignominiouslyto the blockwithout any substantialproofof guilt, as yet dis-

closed--without even an authentic exhibition ofmotives,in decent regard to the opinionsof man-kind; whenI find the doctrinesof atheismopenlyadvanced in the convention,and heard with loudapplause; when I see the swordof fanaticismex-tended to force a politicalcreedupon citizenswho


wereinvitedto submitto thearmsof Franceas theharbingersof liberty; when I beholdthe hand ofrapacity outstretchedto prostrateand ravish themonumentsof religiousworship,erectedby thosecitizensand their' ancestors;whenI perceivepas-sion, tumult, and violenceusurping those seats,wherereasonand cooldeliberationoughtto preside,I acknowledgethat I am gladto believethereis noreal resemblancebetweenwhat was the cause of.Americaand what is the causeof France--that thedifferenceis no lessgreatthan that betweenlibertyand licentiousness. I regret whatever has a ten-dencyto compoundthem,and I feel anxious,as anAmerican,that the ebullitionsof inconsideratemenamongusmaynot tend to involveourreputationinthe issue.

TO RUFUS KING

Junex5,x793.D_ARSIR:

The ideas expressedin your letter of the i4thcorrespondwithmy viewof the subjectin general.I didnot perceivethatany processcouldbe devisedto detaintheprivateer,andconcludedthattheissuewouldbeto leaveherin militarycustody. Indeed,I believethis was ratherthe expectationwith all,thoughit wasthoughtadvisableto maketheexperi-ment of a referenceto the civiltribunal.

Withregardto the Catharilce,I alsoentertainthedoubt you appear to have. In the case of theGrange,the surrenderwasbroughtaboutby a de-


mand of Mr. Genetand his interposition. But itwas in contemplationof employingthe military incaseofrefusal.

Yet, sincethat time, a libelhas beenfiledin theDistrictCourt in the case of anothervesselallegedto have beencaptured withinthe limits of our ju-risdiction. And both Mr. Lewis and Mr. Rawle,Attorneyofthe District,holdthat the DistrictorAd-miralty Courtwilltake cognizanceof this question.Theyarguethat it wouldbe a greatchasmin the lawthat there shouldnot be some competentjudicialauthority to do justicebetweenparties in the caseof an illegalseizurewithinour jurisdiction. Thatthe Courtof Admiraltyhas naturallycognizanceoftortioustakingson the highseas,and as shegivesre-lief in rein,may causea re-delivery. That though,as a generalprinciple,a court ofa neutralnationwillnot examinethe questionof prize or not prize be-tweenbelligerentpowers,yet this principlemust ex-cept the caseof the infractionof the jurisdictionofthe neutral poweritself. Quoadthis fact,its courtswillinterposeand giverelief.

This is their reasoning,and it has much force.Thedesireofthe Executiveis to have the point as-certained,and if possibleto put the affair in thistrain. There may arisenice difficultiesabout the_act,and nicepoints abouttheextent of jurisdictionat sea,whichthe courtshad best settle.

Thecontestin formmust,as you say, be betweenthe ownersand the captors. For this purposeMr.Hammondis to causethe proper instructionsto begiven.


Thereis a letterfrommeto Harrison." If Trouphas not openedit, let him doit.

+ TO GEN. OTHOH. WILLIAMS

(PrivateandConfidential.)

PmLA_LPm,June gt, t793.MYD_ARSIR:

I learnt with real pleasureyour return from theWestIndiesin improvedhealth. Be assuredthat Iinterestmyselfwithfriendshipin yourwelfare.

The Collectorof Annapolishas announcedhis in-tention to resignby the first of next month. Doyou knowa charactertherefit and probablyw_11_ugto serve? There is a salary of 2oo dollarsa year,besidesthe percentageand fees. The whole,how-ever, is moderateenough.

If any inquiryis made, it mustbe soas to avoidall possiblecommitment. For it is the President'spractice to seekinformationthroughdifferentchan-nels and to decideaccordingto the result of thewhole."

TO WASHINGTON

SIR: PHILADELPHIA,June st, x793.

Considerationsrelativeto both the publicinteres_and to my own delicacyhave brought me, aftermaturereflection,to a resolutionto resignthe office

xRichardHarrisonmentionedabove.Nowfirstprintedfromtheoriginalin thepossessionof Mr.OthoH.

Williams,of Baltimore.


t hold towards the closeof the ensuingsessionofCongress: ,

I postponethe final act to that period,becausesomepropositionsremainto be submittedby meCongresswhicharenecessaryto the fulldevelopmentof my originalplan,and, as I suppose,of somecon-sequenceto my reputation,andbecause,in the sec-ond place,I am desirousof givingan opportunity,whileI shah stillbe in office,to therevivalandmoredeliberateprosecutionof the inquiry into my con-duct whichwasinstitutedduringthe last session.

I think it properto communicatemy determina-tionthus early,amongotherreasons,becauseit willaffordfulltime to investigateand weighall the con-siderationswhichoughtto guidethe appointmentofmy successor.

TO ONE OF THE CREDITORS OF COL. DUER'

August,_793:D_ARSIR:

PoorDuet hasnowhad a longandsevereconfine-ment, suchas wouldbe adequatepunishmentfornotriflingcrime. I am wellawareof all the blametowhichhe is liable and do not meanto be his apolo-gist, thoughI believehe hasbeenas muchthe dupeof his ownimaginationas othershavebeenthe vic-timsof hisprojects. But whatthen? He is a man---he is a man with whom we have both been in

zColonelDuet remainedin prison forfiveyears (Rern_nizcenveso__amesA. Hamilton,p. 5)- I givethisletter as datedin the editionofx85o,where it is misplaced,but its languagewouldsuggest a laterperiod,somewhatnear the end of Duet's confinementin x797.

VOL.X.---4.

5 AlexanderHamilton

habitsof friendlyintimacy. He is a manwho,witha greatdeal of goodzeal, has in criticaltimesren-deredvaluableservicesto the country. He is ahusbandwhohasa mostworthyandamiablewifeperishingwithchagrinat his situation;yourrela-tion by blood,mineby marriage. He is a fatherwhohas a numberof finechildrendestituteof themeansof educationandsupport,everywayin needofhisfutureexertions.

Theseare titled to sympathy,whichI shall bemistakenif you do notfeel. You arehis creditor.Yourexamplemayinfluenceothers. Hewantsper-mission,througha letterof license,to breathetheair for five years. Your signatureto the incloseddraftof onewillgiveme muchpleasure.

TO RUFUS KINGx

DEAR SIR: PHILADBLPHIA,Aug. x3,x793.

The postofto-day broughtme your letterof thexoth,but I wastoo much engagedto reply to it byreturnof post.

The facts with regardto Mr. Genet'sthreat, toappealfromthe Presidentto the people,standthus:

OnSaturday,the6thof_uly last,thewardenof thisportreportedto GovernorMifflin that the brigLittle

xChlef-JusticeJay andMr.Kinghad declaredpubliclythat Genethad threatenedto appealto the peopleagainst the President,whichproducedprofoundindignation,and turnedthe current of publicfeel-ingagainstGenetandhis partisans. Freeman'sGazettewas frantic inits abuseof the informers,as it called them,and Genetdenied thecharge. FinallyJay and King made a decisivecounter-statement,and this letter waswrittenprobablyto aid inits preparation.

PrivateCorrespondence 5t

Sarah,since calledthe Petit Democrat(an Englishmerchantvessel,mountingfromtwotofourguns,takenoff ourcoastbytheFrenchfrigatetheAmbuscade,andbroughtintothisport),hadverymateriallyalteredhermilitaryequipments,havingthenfourteenironcannonand six swivelsmounted,andit beingunderstoodthathercrewwastoconsistofonehundredandtwentymen.

GovernorMifflin, in consequenceof this informa-tion, sent Mr. Dallas to Mr. Genetto endeavortoprevailuponhim to enterintoan arrangementforde-tainingthe vesselin port,withoutthenecessityofem-ployingforthatpurposemilitaryforce.

Mr. Dallas reportedto GovernorMifflin thatMr.Genethad absolutelyrefusedto do whathadbeenre-questedof him, that he had beenveryangryand in-temperate,thathehadcomplainedofill-treatmentfromthegovernment,and had declaredthat "he wouldap-pealfromthePresident2othepeople";mentionedhisexpectationof the arrivalof three shipsof the line,observingthat he wouldknowhowto do justice tohiscountry,or,at least,he had a frigateat his com-mand, and couldeasilywithdrawhimselffromthis;said thathewouldnotadviseanattemptto takeposses-sionof thevessel,as it wouldberesisted.

TherefusalwassoperemptorythatGovernorMifflin,in consequenceofit, orderedout I2omen_orthepur-poseoftakingpossessionofthevessel.

This conversationbetweenGenetand Dallaswasin totorepeatedby GeneralMifflinto GeneralKnoxthe day following,and the day after that the gov-ernorconfirmedto me the declarationwithregardtoappealingto the people,ownedthat somethinglike


the threat to do justiceto his countryby meansofthe shipsof the line wasthrown out by Mr. Genet,but showedan unwillingnessto be expliciton thispoint, objectingto a moreparticulardisclosure,thatit wouldtend to bring,Mr.Dallasinto a scrape.

Mr. _:efferson,on Sunday, went to Mr. Genet,toendeavortoprevailuponhimto detainthePetitDemo-cratuntil thePresidentcouldreturnand decideuponthe case,but, as Mr. yeffersonafterwardscommuni-cated,he absolutelyrefusedto give a promiseof thekind, sayingonlythatshewouldnotprobablybereadyto departbeforethesucceedingWednesday,the dayofthe President'sexpectedreturn. This, however,Mr.yeffersonconstruedintoan intimationthatshewouldremain. Mr.Jeffersonalsoinformedthat Mr.Genethad beenvery unreasonableand intemperatein hisconversation(though he did not descendto par-ticulars),andthatDallashad likewisetoldhim (Mr._efferson)that Genethad declaredhe wouldappealfromthePresidentto thepeople.

ThePetit Democrat,insteadof remaining,as Mr.yeffersonhadconcluded,felldownto Chesterpreviousto the Wednesdayreferredto, whereshe was whenthe Presidentreturned. A letterwaswrittento Mr.Genet,byorderof thePresident,informinghimthatthecaseof thevessel,amongothers,wasunderconsidera-tion,and desiringthatshemightbedetaineduntil heshouldcometoa decisionabouther,butthisrequisitionwasdisregarded.Shedepartedin defianceof it.

I givethis detail that you may have the wholesubjectbeforeyou, but I cannot authorizeyou tomakeuseof it all. The circumstanceof the letter


may be omitted. It may be saidgenerallythat arequisitionwasmadeof Mr.Genet,by orderof thePresident,for the detentionof the vessel. Allthatpart, however,whichis scoredor underlined,maybefreelymadeup. Thispart is socircumstancedas totake away all scruplesof personalor politicaldeli-cacy. 'T is not so with the rest. It can thereforeonly be confidentiallydisclosedto personswhosediscretionmaybe reliedon,and whoseknowledgeofit maybe useful.

It is true (asyouhaveheard)that things,ifpossi-ble stillmoreinsulting,have sincebeendoneby Mr.Genet; but of this at presentno usecan be made,nomorethanofsomeantecedenttransactionsnearly,if not quite,as exceptional. The masswouldcon-foundMr.Genetandhisassociates. Perhapsit maynotbe longbeforea promulgationwilltake place.

I am of opinionwithyou that the chargeoughttobe insistedupon.

P. S.--Thecasedoesnot requirethe namingGen-eral Knoxormyself,andit willthereforenotbe done.It is to be observedthat the equipmentsofthe PetitDemocratare,in thestrictestsense,an originalfittingout. She was beforea merchant vessel; here shewasconvertedintoa vesselcommissionedforwar,ofconsiderableforce.

TO RUFUS KING

MYDEAR SIR: August,x793.It is notyet finallydeterminedthat thereshallbe

a publication,and therehasbeensomedifferenceof


opinionon thepoint. But it seemsto methepub-lieationof the lettersrendersit indispensablethatthewholeshouldbe told. Yet, whenit appears,itwillprobablyincludeonlywhatis re_l__xlyoffcial,so thatthe presentquestionmay be pursuedinde-pendently.

Perhapsyouwillnotthinkit necessaryat firsttosaytowhomDallasreportedtheconversation.Yet,if youdeemit essential,it maybe done,andshouldit befinallynecessary,whichis not at all probable,GeneralKnox and myself will come forwardaswitnesses.

TO MRS. GENERALGREENE

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 3, I793.

It is not an uncommonthingforyou womentobringus poormenintoscrapes. It seemsyouhavebroughtmeintoone. Youwillwonderhow. Hearthe tale.

ShortlyafterI cameinto office,Wadsworthin-formedme that BaronGlaubeckwas indebtedtoGeneralGreene(towhomhehad behavedina veryexceptionablemanner),andthat it wasintendedtoendeavorto purchaseof Glaubecksomepay whichhadbeenjustgrantedto himby Congress,upontheplanofadvancingto hima certainsumof moneytosatisfyhis immediatenecessities,and the residuethat wasdue to him to be appliedtowardsthe in-dernnificationoftheGeneral'sestateforwhat Glau-beck owedto it. I afterwardsunderstoodthat theexecutionof this plan was committedto Flint or


Duer,or one orboth of them,andthat a purchaseof the claimwas, in fact, rnadc not, indeed, toGlaubeck,butofsomepersonto whomhehadpartedwith it for sometriflingconsideration--theobjectbeingthroughoutto benefityouby wayof indemni-ficationasabovementioned.

It likewisewouldappearfromtheTreasuryrecordsthat youhavein factreceivedthewholebenefitofthe purchase. The conversationswe hadtogetherwhenyou werelast in Philadelphiaassure me atleastthat thecertificatefor four fifthsof hisclaimaccruedimmediatelyto youruse.

Francis, late a clerkin my department(partlyfromresentmentat a disappointmenthe has metwith at the Treasury,and partly,I believe,fromit havingbeenmadeworthhiswhileby somepoliticalenemiesofmine),endeavorsto haveit believedthatthis transactionwas a speculationin whichI wasengaged,and in proofofit, showsa draftof a powerof attorney,correctedby someinterlineationsin myhandwriting,as he asserts.

I do notrecollectthispart ofthebusiness,thoughI think it very possiblethat sucha correction,insucha draft,mayhavebeenmadeby me.

For Duetor Flint, it seems,employedFrancistomake the purchase,and it is not unlikelythat adraftof a powerfor the purposemay have beenbroughtto me, to knowfromme whetherit wouldanswerthe purposeof theTreasuryas a competentinstrument,and that I (believingthe designto besuchas I have represented--onenot onlyunexcep-tionable,but laudable--onein whichmy friendship


foryou wouldnaturallytake part),may have takenup my pen and madesuch correctionsas the draf_mightappearto stand in needof.

I giveyouthis detailto showyouhowI mayhavebeenimplicated.

WhatI wishofyou is that youwillhave the good-nessto state in writingwhat you knowof the affair,ascertainingthat the purchasewas for your benefitandthe causeofit, andthat youwilltake thetroubleto makeaffidavitto the statement,andforwardit tome.

As it is an affairof delicacy,I willthank you torequestsomegentlemanofthe lawto giveformandprecisionto your narrative.

Youperceivethat it is not in onewayonlythat Iam the object of unprincipledpersecution;bu_ Iconsolemyselfwith these linesofthe poetu

But optics sharp it needs, I ween,To see what is not to be seen;

and with this belief, that in spite of call,tonythefriendsI loveand esteemwillcontinueto loveandesteemme.

TO JEREMIAH WADSWORTH

PHILADELPHIA,Sept. 3, *793-MY DEAR WADSWORTH:

ShortlyafterIcameintoofficeIrememberyourhavingtoldme thatGlaubeck(whomyourepre-sentedasaworthlessandungratefulfellow)wasin-debtedtoGeneralGreen'sestate,Ithinkformoneylenth_rn,andthatitwasyourintentiontoendeavor


to effecta purchaseof his publicclaim,and allowh_msomepart of it for his immediatenecessities,le_ing the residue be an indemnification[originalillegible]estate; or, in other words,go to the [ori-ginalillegible]that he would[originalillegible]some-thing [originalillegible]you left the city; that youhad leftthe businessin chargewith Flint.

The purchaseof the claim was afterwardsmadethrougha secondhand, and it appearsin _actthatMrs.Greenehas had the benefitof it.

Francis,latelya clerkinmy department,promptedpartlyby resentmentandpartly, I believe,by somepoliticalenemies,gives out that I assistedin thisaffairas a speculation,and, to prove it, showsthedraft of a powerfor assigningthe claim,with somecorrections,whichare saidto be in myhandwriting.

Whetherthis be so or not I reallydo not nowrecollect,but I think it very possiblethat, havingunderstoodthe matter in the light I have statedfrom you, and viewingthe transaction[originalil-legible]precisionthe courseof the transactionas itstandsin yourrecollection,particularlywhat passedbetweenyou and myself in the first instance. Ifnot inconvenientto you,I shouldevenbegladthatyou wouldattest to it.

TO MISS ANGt_LICAHAMILTON

September_x,x793.

I was very gladto learn,my dear daughter,thatyou weregoingto begin the study of the Prenchlanguage. We hope you will in every respect


behavein sucha manneras will secureto you thegood-willandregardofall thosewithwhomyouare.If you happen to displeaseany of them, be alwaysready to makea frank apology. But the best wayis to actwithsomuchpoliteness,goodmanners,andcircumspectionas never to have occasionto makeanyapology. Yourmotherjoinsin bestloveto you.Adieu,myvery deardaughter,z

TO

ALBx_, Octoberx,x793.

Contemptibleas you are, what answer could Igiveto your last letter? Theenclosedis a copyofwhatshortlywillappearin oneofthe gazettesoftheCityofNewYork:

"One AndrewG. Francis,late clerkin the Treas-ury Department,has been endeavoringto have itbelievedthat he is possessedof somefacts of a na-ture to criminatethe officialconductofthe Secretaryof the Treasury,an idea to which,for obviousrea-sons, an extensivecirculationhas beengiven by acertaindescriptionofpersons.

"The publicmay be assuredthat the saidFrancishas been regularlyand repeatedlycalled upon todeclarethe groundsof his suggestion,that he hasrepeatedlyevadedthe inquiry,that he possessesnofactsof the nature pretended,and that he is a de-spicablecalumniator."2

zReprintedfromReralnlscenceso__. A. Hamilton,p. 4.aThis letteris reprintedfromthe Historyo_theRepublic,vol. v.,p.

424. At theprevioussessionGilesand Madisonhad made this attack


TO COLONEL OLNEY*

DEAR SIR: PHILADELPHIA,Nov. a6, z793.

Someembarrassmenthas arisenon the subjectofa fit personforDistrictAttorneyof RhodeIsland.Mr.Howell2hasbeenstronglyrecommendedontheonehand,andpositivelyobjectedto onanother,andMr. -- has beenproposedin opposition. Youropiniondoesnot appearon eitherside.

The Presidentis desirousof furtherinformation,and I haveundertakento procureit forhim. Inaddressingmyselfto youon thepoint,I proceedonan assuranceof your judgmentand candor. I re-questyourideasof the candidatesfullyand freely,promisingthat it shallnot in any shapecompromityou. Be so goodas to statenot only thequalifica-tionsof each,but thecollateralcircumstancesaffectingthe _lic service,whichwillbe likelyto attend theappointmentof either.on Hamilton,whohadrepliedto them,andwhothen,onDecemberx6,x792,askedforanotherinquiry. Beforethishis enemiesattemptedtoarouse feelingagainsthim by procuringoneFrancis,a dismissedclerk,to declarethat Hamiltonhad speculatedin soldiers'certificates,andthey are said even to have sent a lawyerto Philadelphiato collectevidence.Hamiltonthereuponpublishedthe cardquotedabove,whichdashedthe wholeslanderto pieces. It was in this connectionthatthis letter waswritten, but the wholematter issoblindlystated in theHistoryof theRet_bliv that it is impossibleto tell whetherthe letterwas addressedto the lawyer just referred to, to some anonymousassailant,or to someoneof the Secretary'sopenenemies.

z ColonelJeremiahOlney,of Rhode Island, a soldierof the Revolu-tion and Collectorof Customsat Providence.

David Howell,of Rhode Island,Professorof Lawin BrownUni-versity. Hehadbeendelegateto Congress,x782-x785,and Attorney-Generaland Judgeof the SupremeCourtof Rhode Island. He wasappointedDistrictAttorney,and from,8zz till hisdeath,in *824,wasU. S. DistrictJudge.

6a AlexanderHamilton

Itisregrettedthattheaffairhasassumedtoomuch a party complexion.This suggestsan in-quiry whether there be not somethird charactercompetent,ehgible,and whowouldnot beliabletoa similardifficulty. The more speedyyour answer,the morei_willoblige.

TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE

' SIR: TREASURYDEPARTMENT,Feb.$_,z794_

I have receiveda late orderof the Senateon thesubject of a petition of Arthur Hughes. Diligen_searchhas been made for such a petition, and i_hasnot beenfound. Neitherhave I nowa distinctrecollectionof everhavingseen it. Whether,there-fore,it may not have originallyfailedin the trans-missionto me, or may have becomemislaidby atemporarydisplacementof the papersof my imme-diate office,occasionedby a firewhichconsumedapart ofthe buildingin the useof the Treasury,or bysomeof thoseaccidentswhichin an extensivesceneof businesswillsometimesattend papers,especiallythoseofinferiorimportance,is equallyopento con-viction. Thereis norecordinthe officeofits havingbeenreceived,nor doany of my clerksremembertohaveseen it. A searchin the Auditor's officehasbroughtup the enclosedpaper,whichit is presumedrelatesto the objectof the petition; but this paper,it willappearfromthe memorandumaccompanyingit, wasplacedin that officeprior to the referenceofthe petition.

PrivateCorrespondence 6_

TheAuditorof the Treasuryis of opinion,thoughhis recollectionis suppositive,that the claim hadrelation to the servicesof John Hughes as foragemn:ster. Twoobjectionsopposedits admission:(I)the not being presentedin time; (2) the name ofJohn Hughes,in the capacityin whichhe claimed,not appearingupon any return in the Treasury.

If thesebe thecircumstances,I shouldbe of opin-ionthat it wouldnot be advisableby a speciallegis-lative interpositionto exc

the works of alexander hamilton, ed. henry cabot lodge (federal edition), vol. x

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