October 30, 1787.
I am much obliged to your Excellency for the explicit manner in which
you contradict the insinuations mentioned in my last letter. The only
use I shall make of your answer will be to put it into the hands of a
few friends.
The constitution proposed has in this State warm friends, and warm
enemies. The first impressions every where are in its favor; but the
artillery of its opponents makes some impression. The event cannot yet
be foreseen. The inclosed is the first number of a series of papers to
be written in its defence.
I send you also, at the request of the Baron De Steuben, a printed
pamphlet, containing the grounds of an application lately made to
Congress. He tells me there is some reference to you, the object of
which he does not himself seem clearly to understand; but imagines it
may be in your power to be of service to him.
There are public considerations that induce me to be somewhat anxious
for his success. He is fortified with materials, which, in Europe,
could not fail to establish the belief of the contract he alleges. The
documents of service he possesses are of a nature to convey an exalted
idea of them. The compensations he has received, though considerable,
if compared with those which have been received by American officers,
will, according to European ideas, be very scanty in application to
a stranger who is acknowledged to have rendered essential services.
Our reputation abroad is not at present too high. To dismiss an old
soldier empty and hungry, to seek the bounty of those on whom he has
no claims, and to complain of unkind returns and violated engagements,
will certainly not tend to raise it. I confess, too, there is something
in my feelings which would incline me in this case to go farther than
might be strictly necessary, rather than drive a man, at the Baron’s
time of life, who has been a faithful servant, to extremities. And
this is unavoidable if he does not succeed in his present attempt. What
he asks would, all calculations made, terminate in this, an allowance
of his five hundred and eighty guineas a year. He only wishes a
recognition of the contract. He knows that until affairs mend no money
can be produced. I do not know how far it may be in your power to do
him any good; but I shall be mistaken if the considerations I have
mentioned do not appear to your Excellency to have some weight.
I remain, with great respect and esteem,
Your Excellency’s obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
His Excellency General Washington.