Passy, Sept. 28, 1783.
Dear Sir:
You was always of the number of those I esteemed, and your
correspondence would both be interesting and agreeable. I had heard of
your marriage, and it gave me pleasure, as well because it added to
your happiness, as because it tended to fix your residence in a State
of which I long wished you to be and remain a citizen.
The character and talents of delegates to Congress daily become more
and more important, and I regret your declining that appointment at
this interesting period. Respect, however, is due to the considerations
which influence you, but as they do not oppose your accepting a place
in the Legislature, I hope the State will still continue to draw
advantage from your services; much remains to be done, and laborers do
not abound.
I am happy to hear that terms of peace, and the conduct of your
negotiators, give general satisfaction: but there are some of
our countrymen, it seems, who are not content; and that, too,
with an article which I thought to be very unexceptionable; viz.,
the one ascertaining our boundaries. Perhaps those gentlemen are
latitudinarians.
The American newspapers, for some months past, contain advices which
do us harm. Violences and associations against the tories, pay an ill
compliment to government, and impeach our good faith in the opinion of
some, and our magnanimity in the opinion of many. Our reputation also
suffers, from the apparent reluctance to taxes, and the ease with which
we incur debts without providing for their payment. The complaints of
the army; the jealousies respecting Congress; the circumstances which
induced their leaving Philadelphia; and the too little appearance
of a national spirit pervading, uniting, and invigorating the
Confederacy, are considered as omens which portend the diminution of
our respectability, power, and felicity.
I hope that, as the wheel turns round, other and better indications
will soon appear. I am persuaded that America possesses too much wisdom
and virtue, to permit her brilliant prospects to fade away for want of
either.
The tories are almost as much pitied in these countries as they are
execrated in ours. An undue degree of severity towards them, would,
therefore, be impolitic, as well as unjustifiable. They who incline
to involve that whole class of men in indiscriminate punishment and
ruin, certainly carry the matter too far. It would be an instance of
unnecessary rigor, and unmanly revenge, without a parallel, except in
the annals of religious rage in times of bigotry and blindness. What
does it signify where nine-tenths of these people are buried? I would
rather see the sweat of their brows fertilize our fields than those of
our neighbors. * * * * *
Victory and Peace should, in my opinion, be followed by Clemency,
Moderation, and Benevolence: and we should be careful not to sully the
glory of the Revolution, by licentiousness and cruelty. These are my
sentiments: and however unpopular they may be, I have not the least
desire to conceal or disguise them.
Believe me to be,
With great regard and esteem, dear Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
John Jay.
Colonel A. Hamilton.