The debate on Indian affairs, which, I believe, is got through,
and that on the residence of Congress, which is yet in agitation,
have entirely thrown aside, for some time, the consideration of the
peace establishment. When it is resumed, I will take care that your
application comes into view; and shall be happy if any thing in my
power may contribute to its success; being, with great truth,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
G. Washington.
To Colonel Hamilton.
McHENRY TO HAMILTON.
Princeton, October 22, 1783.
Dear Hamilton:
The homilies you delivered in Congress are still recollected with
pleasure. The impressions they made are in favor of your integrity;
and no one but believes you a man of honor and republican principles.
Were you ten years older and twenty thousand pounds richer, there is
no doubt but that you might obtain the suffrages of Congress for the
highest office in their gift. You are supposed to possess various
knowledge, useful, substantial, and ornamental. Your very grave and
your cautious, your men who measure others by the standard of their
own creeping politics, think you sometimes intemperate, but seldom
visionary: and that were you to pursue your object with as much cold
perseverance as you do with ardor and argument, you would become
irresistible. In a word, if you could submit to spend a whole life
in dissecting a fly, you would be, in their opinion, one of the
greatest men in the world. Bold designs; measures calculated for their
rapid execution; a wisdom that would convince from its own weight; a
project that would surprise the people into greater happiness, without
giving them an opportunity to view it and reject it; are not adapted
to a council composed of discordant elements, or a people who have
thirteen heads, each of which pay superstitious adorations to inferior
divinities.
I have been deterred, from day to day, from sending you the extract you
desire, by a proclamation on the subject, which I expected would have
passed. It is still _in dubio_. I have reported on Fleury’s case, on
the principle you recommend. I fear his half-pay will not be granted.
Congress, some time ago, determined to fix their Federal town on the
Delaware, near Trenton. Yesterday they determined to erect a second
Federal town on the Potomac, near Georgetown; and to reside equal
periods (not exceeding one year) at Annapolis and Trenton, till the
buildings are completed. We adjourn the twelfth of next month, to meet
at Annapolis the twenty-sixth.
Adieu, my dear friend; and in the days of your happiness drop a line to
yours.
James McHenry.
P.S. Our exemplification of the Treaty has passed, and will be
transmitted to the State officially.
J. McH.
To the Hon. Alexander Hamilton, Esq.