Albany, September 30, 1783.
Sir:
I think I may address the subject of this letter to your Excellency
with more propriety than to any other person, as it is purely of
a military nature; as you are best acquainted with my services as
an officer; and as you are now engaged in assisting to form the
arrangements for the future peace establishment.
Your Excellency knows, that in March, ’82, I relinquished all claim to
any future compensation for my services, either during the residue of
the war, or after its conclusion--simply retaining my rank. On this
foundation I build a hope, that I may be permitted to preserve my rank,
on the peace establishment, without emoluments and unattached to any
corps--as an honorary reward for the time I have devoted to the public.
As I may hereafter travel, I may find it an agreeable circumstance to
appear in the character I have supported in the Revolution.
I rest my claim solely on the sacrifice I have made; because I have
no reason to believe that my services have appeared of any value to
Congress; as they declined giving them any marks of their notice, on
an occasion which appeared to my friends to entitle me to it, as well
by the common practice of sovereigns, as by the particular practice of
this country in repeated instances.
Your Excellency will recollect, that it was my lot at York Town to
command, as senior officer, a successful attack upon one of the enemy’s
redoubts; that the officer who acted in a similar capacity in another
attack, made at the same time by the French troops, has been handsomely
distinguished, in consequence of it, by the government to which he
belongs; and that there are several examples among us, where Congress
have bestowed honors upon actions, perhaps not more useful nor,
apparently, more hazardous.
These observations are inapplicable to the present Congress, further
than as they may possibly furnish an additional motive to a compliance
with my wish.
The only thing I ask of your Excellency, is, that my application
may come into view in the course of the consultations on the peace
establishment.
I have the honor to be,
With sincere esteem,
Your Excellency’s
Most obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
To His Excellency General Washington.