hamilton to washington (Cabinet Paper.) - Alexander Hamilton, The Works of Alexander Hamilton, (Federal Edition), vol. 5 [1793]
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The Works of Alexander Hamilton, ed. Henry Cabot Lodge (Federal Edition) (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904). In 12 vols. Vol. 5.
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- Foreign Relations ( Continued )
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- Washington to John Jay, Chief-justice, and James Wilson, James Iredell, and William Patterson, Associate-justices, of the Supreme Court of the United States
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- I.
- Ii
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- Instructions to the Collectors of the Customs 2
- Cabinet Opinion.—hamilton to Washington 1
- Notes By Hamilton, to Frame Letter of Secretary of State to Gouverneur Morris, Minister At Paris (cabinet Paper.)
- Cabinet Opinion
- Hamilton to Washington
- Hamilton to Washington (cabinet Paper.)
- Hamilton to Washington (cabinet Paper.)
- Report.
- Americanus (from the American Daily Advertiser .)
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- Hamilton to Washington (cabinet Paper.)
- Hamilton to Washington (cabinet Paper.)
- Points to Be Considered In the Instructions to Mr. Jay, Envoy Extraordinary to Great Britain
- Hamilton to Jay (cabinet Paper.)
- Treaty Project
- Hamilton to Washington (cabinet Paper.)
- Hamilton to Washington (cabinet Paper.)
- Hamilton to Randolph (cabinet Paper.)
- Hamilton to Randolph (cabinet Paper.)
- Remarks On Lord Grenville’s Project of a Commercial Treaty, Made At the Request of E. Randolph, Esq., Secretary of State
- Hamilton to Washington (cabinet Paper.)
- Remarks On the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, Made Between the United States and Great Britain
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hamilton to washington
(Cabinet Paper.)
June 22, 1794.
Sir:—The Secretary of State, on referring to you the question of the answer to be given to Mr. Hammond concerning compensation for certain captured vessels, will, I presume, transmit to you the opinions of the other gentlemen, as well as his own.
Besides the reasons hastily sketched in the memorandums given to the Secretary of State, there is one of a delicate nature, which I did not think fit to put on a paper which might become a public document but which, I think, ought to be submitted to your consideration.
Though the form of only giving the opinion of the President that it was incumbent upon the United States to make compensation in the case has been used, yet between nation and nation this is equivalent to a virtual engagement that compensation will be made: and we were all sensible in advising the President to give that opinion (which advice was unanimous), that a non-compliance with it would be a serious commitment of the character of the nation, the government, and the President. Indeed, if the Legislature should not do its part, under such circumstances, it would necessarily give birth to considerations very embarrassing to the delicacy of the President.
In such a posture of things is it not advisable to narrow the obstacles to a right issue of the business? If Mr. Jay is instructed to insert a formal stipulation in a general arrangement, the Senate only will have to concur. If provision is to be made by law, both Houses must concur. The difference is easily seen. And it is a case where the point of honor is too materially concerned not to dictate the expediency of leaving as little hazard as possible upon the issue. It is impossible that any question can arise about the propriety of giving this course to the business. When we are demanding compensation for our captured vessels and goods, it is the simplest thing in the world, to stipulate compensation for those of Great Britain, which we acknowledge to have been unlawfully made within our territory, or by the use of our means. It is also with me a material consideration, that the coupling this with the other objects of Mr. Jay’s negotiation, may tend to disembarrass in future. If the compensation we seek fails, it may be a good answer to the claim on the other side, that they were endeavored without success to be made a subject of reciprocal stipulation. I speak with reference to the individuals concerned.
I may be, perhaps, too nice. But this is one of those questions in which ideas of sincerity, good faith, and honor, in a relation which must always engage my particular solicitude, press my judgment to a course of proceeding which is calculated to dispel all doubt.
With perfect respect, etc.
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