1782.
Esteem for your talents and acquirements is a sentiment which, from
my earliest acquaintance with you, my dear Viscount, I have shared
in common with all those who have the happiness of knowing you; but
a better knowledge of your character has given it, in my eyes, a
more intrinsic merit, and has attached me to you by a friendship
founded upon qualities as rare as they are estimable. Averse as I
am to professions, I cannot forbear indulging this declaration, to
express to you the pleasure I felt at receiving (after an inexplicable
delay) the letter you were so obliging as to write me before your
departure from Boston. It was of that kind which is always produced
by those attentions of friends we value; which, not being invited by
circumstances, nor necessitated by the forms of society, bespeak the
warmth of the heart. At least my partiality for you makes me fond of
viewing it in this light, and I cherish the opinion.
I was chagrined to find that you left us with an intention not to
return. Though I should be happy if, by a removal of the war, this
country should cease to be a proper theatre for your exertions, yet,
if it continues to be so, I hope you will find sufficient motives to
engage you to change your resolution. Wherever you are, you will be
useful and distinguished; but the ardent desire I have of meeting you
again, makes me wish America may be your destination. I would willingly
do it in France, as you invite me to do; but the prospect of this
is remote. I must make a more solid establishment here before I can
conveniently go abroad. There is no country I have a greater curiosity
to see, or which I am persuaded would be so interesting to me as yours.
I should be happy to renew and improve the valuable acquaintances from
thence, which this war has given me an opportunity of making; and,
though I could not flatter myself with deriving any advantage from it,
I am persuaded it is there I should meet with the greatest number of
those you describe, who, etc.: but considerations of primary importance
will oblige me to submit to the mortification of deferring my visit.
In the mean time I should be too much the gainer by communication with
you, not gladly to embrace the offer you so politely make for writing
to each other.
The period, since you left us, has been too barren of events to
enable me to impart any thing worth attention. The enemy continue in
possession of Charleston and Savannah, and leave us masters of the
rest of the country. General Greene has detached Wayne to Georgia;
but I believe his views do not extend beyond the mere possession of
the country. It is said the Assemblies of the two invaded States are
about meeting, to restore the administration of government. This
will be a step to strengthening the hands of General Greene, and
counteracting the future intrigues of the enemy. Many are sanguine in
believing that all the southern posts will be evacuated, and that a
fleet of transports is actually gone to bring the garrisons away. For
my part, I have doubts upon the subject. My politics are, that while
the present ministry can maintain their seats, and procure supplies,
they will prosecute the war on the mere chance of events; and that
while this is the plan, they will not evacuate posts so essential as
points of departure; from whence, on any favorable turn of affairs,
to renew their attack on our most vulnerable side. Nor will they
relinquish objects that would be so useful to them, should the worst
happen in a final negotiation. Clinton, it is said, is cutting a canal
across New-York island, through the low grounds, about a mile and a
half from the city. This will be an additional obstacle; but if we
have, otherwise, the necessary means to operate, it will not be an
insurmountable one. I do not hear that he is constructing any other new
works of consequence. To you, who are so thoroughly acquainted with
the military posture of things in this country, I need not say that
the activity of the next campaign must absolutely depend on effectual
succors from France. I am convinced we shall have a powerful advocate
in you. La Fayette, we know, will bring ‘the whole house’ with him if
he can.
There has been no material change in our internal situation since you
left us. The capital successes we have had, have served rather to
increase the hopes than the exertions of the particular States. But
in one respect we are in a mending way. Our financier has hitherto
conducted himself with great ability, has acquired an entire personal
confidence; revived, in some measure, the public credit; and is
conciliating fast the support of the moneyed men. His operations have
hitherto hinged chiefly on the seasonable aids from your country; but
he is urging the establishment of permanent funds among ourselves: and
though, from the nature and temper of our governments, his applications
will meet with a dilatory compliance, it is to be hoped they will by
degrees succeed.
The institution of a Bank has been very serviceable to him: the
commercial interest, finding great advantages in it, and anticipating
much greater, is disposed to promote the plan; and nothing but moderate
funds, permanently pledged for the security of lenders, is wanting to
make it an engine of the most extensive and solid utility. By the last
advices there is reason to believe the delinquent States will shortly
comply with the requisition of Congress for a duty on our imports.
This will be a great resource to Mr. Morris; but it will not alone be
sufficient.
Upon the whole, however, if the war continues another year, it will
be necessary that Congress should again recur to the generosity of
France for pecuniary assistance. The plans of the financier cannot be
so matured as to enable us, by any possibility, to dispense with this;
and if he should fail for want of support, we must replunge into that
confusion and distress which had like to have proved fatal to us, and
out of which we are slowly emerging. The cure, on a relapse, would be
infinitely more difficult than ever.
I have given you an uninteresting but a faithful sketch of our
situation. You may expect, from time to time, to receive from me the
progress of our affairs; and I know you will over-pay me.
I am, my dear Viscount,
Yours faithfully,
A. Hamilton.
To the Viscount De Noailles.