New-York, Oct. 9, 1788.
Your last letter but one met me at Albany attending court, whence I
am just returned. I am sorry for the schism you hint at among the
Federalists, but I have so much confidence in the good management of
the fast friends of the Constitution, that I hope no ill consequences
will ensue from that disagreement. It will, however, be worthy of great
care to avoid suffering a difference of opinion on collateral points,
to produce any serious division between those who have hitherto drawn
together on the great national question. Permit me to add, that I do
not think you should allow any line to be run between those who wish
to trust alterations to future experience, and those who are desirous
of them at the present juncture. The rage for amendments is, in my
opinion, rather to be parried by address than encountered with open
force; and I should therefore be loth to learn that your parties had
been arrayed professedly upon the distinction I have mentioned.
The mode in which amendments may best be made, and twenty other
matters, may come as pretexts for avoiding the evil, and securing the
good.
Yours,
A. Hamilton.