New-York, September, 1788.
Dear Sir:
Your Excellency’s friendly and obliging letter of the 28th ultimo,
came safely to hand. I thank you for your assurance of seconding my
application to General ----. The truth of that affair is, that he
purchased the watch for a trifle of a British soldier, who plundered
Major Cochran, at the moment of his fall, at Yorktown.
I should be deeply pained, my dear sir, if your scruples in regard to
a certain station, should be matured into a resolution to decline it;
though I am neither surprised at their existence, nor can I but agree
in opinion, that the caution you observe, in deferring an ultimate
determination, is prudent. I have, however, reflected maturely on the
subject, and have come to a conclusion (in which I feel no hesitation),
that every public and personal consideration will demand from you an
acquiescence in what will _certainly_ be the unanimous wish of your
country. The absolute retreat which you meditated at the close of
the late war was natural, and proper. Had the Government produced by
the revolution, gone on in a _tolerable_ train, it would have been
most advisable to have persisted in that retreat. But I am clearly of
opinion, that the crisis which brought you again into public view,
left you no alternative but to comply; and I am equally clear in
the opinion, that you are by that act _pledged_ to take a part in
the execution of the Government. I am not less convinced, that the
impression of this necessity of your filling the station in question,
is so universal, that you run no risk of any uncandid imputation by
submitting to it. But even if this were not the case, a regard to your
own reputation, as well as to the public good, calls upon you in the
strongest manner, to run that risk.
It cannot be considered as a compliment to say, that on your acceptance
of the office of President, the success of the new Government, in its
commencement, may materially depend. Your agency and influence will
be not less important in preserving it from the future attacks of its
enemies, than they have been in recommending it in the first instance,
to the adoption of the people. Independent of all considerations drawn
from this source, the point of light in which you stand at home and
abroad, will make an infinite difference in the respectability with
which the Government will begin its operations, in the alternative
of your being or not being at the head of it. I forbear to urge
considerations which might have a more personal application. What I
have said will suffice for the inferences I mean to draw.
First. In a matter so essential to the well-being of society, as the
prosperity of a newly instituted government, a citizen of so much
consequence as yourself to its success, has no option but to lend his
services if called for. Permit me to say, it would be inglorious, in
such a situation, not to hazard the glory, however great, which he
might have previously acquired.
Secondly. Your signature to the proposed system, pledges your judgment
for its being such an one as, upon the whole, was worthy of the public
approbation. If it should miscarry (as men commonly decide from
success, or the want of it), the blame will, in all probability, be
laid on the system itself; and the framers of it will have to encounter
the disrepute of having brought about a revolution in government,
without substituting any thing that was worthy of the effort. They
pulled down one Utopia, it will be said, to build up another. This view
of the subject, if I mistake not, my dear sir, will suggest to your
mind greater hazard to that fame, which must be and ought to be dear
to you, in refusing your future aid to the system, than in affording
it. I will only add, that in my estimate of the matter, that aid is
indispensable.
I have taken the liberty to express these sentiments, and to lay before
you my view of the subject. I doubt not the considerations mentioned,
have fully occurred to you, and I trust they will finally produce in
your mind the same result which exists in mine. I flatter myself, the
frankness with which I have delivered myself will not be displeasing to
you. It has been prompted by motives which you would not disapprove.
I remain, my dear Sir,
With the sincerest respect and regard,
Your obedient and humble servant,
A. Hamilton.