New-York, Nov. 9, 1788.
Your last letter but one met me at Albany, attending court, from whence
I am but just returned. Yours of the 2d instant is this moment handed
me.
I am very 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 shall, therefore, be loth
to learn that your parties have been arranged professedly upon the
distinction I have mentioned. The _mode_ in which amendments may best
be made, and twenty other matters, may serve as pretexts for avoiding
the evil and securing the good.
On the question between Mr. H. and Mr. A., Mr. King will probably have
informed you that I have, upon the whole, concluded that the latter
ought to be supported. My measures will be taken accordingly. I had but
one scruple, but after mature consideration I have relinquished it. Mr.
Adams, to a sound understanding, has always appeared to me to add an
ardent love for the public good; and as his further knowledge of the
world seems to have corrected those jealousies which he is represented
to have been once influenced by, I trust nothing of the kind suggested
in my former letter will disturb the harmony of administration. Let me
continue to hear from you, and believe me to be, with very great esteem
and regard,
Your friend and servant,
A. Hamilton.
T. Sedgewick, Esq.