Mount Vernon, October 3, 1788.
Dear Sir:
In acknowledging the receipt of your candid and friendly letter of
---- by the last post, little more is incumbent on me than to thank
you sincerely for the frankness with which you communicated your
sentiments; and to assure you that the same manly tone of intercourse
will always be more than barely welcome. Indeed, it will be highly
acceptable to me. I am particularly glad, in the present instance, you
have dealt thus freely and like a friend.
Although I could not help observing from several publications and
letters, that my name had been sometimes spoken of, and that it was
possible the _contingency_ which is the subject of your letter might
happen; yet I thought it best to maintain a guarded silence and to back
the _counsel_ of my best friends (which I certainly hold in the highest
estimation), rather than to hazard an imputation unfriendly to the
delicacy of my feelings. For, situated as I am, I could hardly bring
the question into the slightest discussion, or ask an opinion, even
in the most confidential manner, without betraying, in my judgment,
some impropriety of conduct, or without feeling an apprehension that
a premature display of anxiety might be construed into a vain-glorious
desire of pushing myself into notice as a candidate. Now, if I am not
grossly deceived in myself, I should unfeignedly rejoice in case the
Electors, by giving their votes in favor of some other person, would
save me from the disagreeable dilemma of being forced to accept or
refuse. If that may not be, I am in the next place earnestly desirous
of searching out the truth, and of knowing whether there does not
exist a probability that the Government would be just as happily and
effectually carried into execution without my aid as with it. I am
_truly_ solicitous to obtain all the previous information, which the
circumstances will afford, and to determine (when the determination can
with propriety be no longer postponed) according to the principles of
right reason and the dictates of a clear conscience, without too great
a reference to the unforeseen consequences which may affect my person
or reputation. Until that period, I may fairly hold myself open to
conviction, though I allow your sentiments to have weight in them; and
I shall not pass by your arguments without giving them as dispassionate
a consideration as I can possibly bestow on them.
In taking a survey of the subject in whatever point of light I have
been able to place it, I will not suppress the acknowledgment, my dear
sir, that I have always felt a kind of gloom upon my mind as often as
I have been taught to expect I might, and perhaps must, ere long be
called to make a decision. You will, I am well assured, believe the
assertion (though I have little expectation it would gain credit from
those who are less acquainted with me), that if I should receive and
act under the appointment, the acceptance would be attended with more
diffidence and reluctance than ever I experienced before in my life.
It would be, however, with a fixed and sole determination of lending
whatever assistance might be in my power to promote the public weal, in
hopes that, at a convenient and an early period, my services might be
dispensed with, and that I might be permitted once more to retire, to
pass an unclouded evening after the stormy day of life, in the bosom
of domestic tranquillity. But why these anticipations? If the friends
of the Constitution conceive that my administering the Government will
be the means of its acceleration and strength, is it not probable
that the adversaries thereof may entertain the same ideas, and of
course make it an object of opposition? That many of this description
will be amongst the Electors, I have no more doubt than I have of
the part they will act at the election, which will be adverse to the
choice of any character who, from whatever cause, would be likely to
thwart their views. It might be impolitic perhaps in them to make
this declaration _previous_ to the election, but I shall be out in my
conjectures if they do not act conformably thereto at it, and prove
that all the _seeming_ moderation by which their present conduct is
marked, is calculated to lull and deceive. Their plan of opposition is
systematized, and a regular intercourse between the leaders of it in
the several States (I have much reason to believe) is formed to render
it more effectual.
With sentiments of sincere regard and esteem,
I am, dear Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
George Washington.
The Hon. Alexander Hamilton.