Princeton, October 16, 1783.
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the sixth of July, by some singular ill luck, never found
its way to my hands till yesterday evening.
The only part that now needs attention, is a request that I would
answer the following question: “What appeared to be my ideas and
disposition respecting the removal of Congress: did I appear to wish
to hasten it, or did I not rather show a strong disposition to
procrastinate it?” If this request had been received at the time it
ought, it might have been answered as fully as you then wished. Even
after the delay which has taken place, my recollection enables me, with
certainty, to witness, that the uniform strain of your sentiments, as
they appeared, both from particular conversations with myself, and
incidental ones with others in my presence, was opposed to the removal
of Congress, except in the last necessity; that when you finally
yielded to the measure, it appeared to be more in compliance with the
peremptory expostulations of others than with any disposition of your
own mind; and that after the arrival of Congress at Princeton, your
conversation showed that you reviewed the removal, rather with regret
than with pleasure.
Perhaps this obedience to your wishes may be too late to answer the
original object of them. But I could not omit such an opportunity of
testifying the esteem and regard with which I am
Your obedient servant,
J. Madison, Jr.
To the Hon. Alexander Hamilton, Esq.