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Front Page  Titles (by Subject) a plain honest man - The Works of Alexander Hamilton, (Federal Edition), vol. 7
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a plain honest man - Alexander Hamilton, The Works of Alexander Hamilton, (Federal Edition), vol. 7 [1774]Edition used:The Works of Alexander Hamilton, ed. Henry Cabot Lodge (Federal Edition) (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904). In 12 vols. Vol. 7.
Part of: The Works of Alexander Hamilton, (Federal Edition), 12 vols.
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a plain honest manFor the Gazette of the United States.1792. In consequence of the intimation contained in the first number of the vindication of Mr. Jefferson, which originated in the American Daily Advertiser, that, “if any doubt should be suggested of the authenticity of the extracts published, they should be immediately made accessible to others,” a person called upon Mr. Dunlap to obtain an inspection of those originals. He replied that they had not been left with him, neither was he possessed of the necessary information where to direct or inquire, but if desired he would, by advertisement, notify the application for a perusal of the letters. A statement of this answer, as extraordinary as unexpected, was prepared to be inserted in this gazette, and was communicated to Mr. Dunlap with a view to verify its accuracy. The evening before that destined for its appearance, Mr. D. called upon the person and informed him that the originals were now to be seen, and would be communicated to any person who might incline to see them, observing, at the same time, that it appeared to him that it could not be necessary to publish the statement which has been mentioned, as intended. This was accordingly forborne. On the 17th November, Mr. D. was again applied to and again proposed an advertisement, but afterwards hinted, as a preliminary condition of the letters being seen, that the person in whose possession the letters were should be made acquainted with the name of the person who applied for that purpose. Mr. D. afterwards said he would apply again for the letters and have them in his own possession to show them, agreeable to the declaration published; but after this, being again applied to, answered as before, that the applicant must be previously known. On the—a note appeared in Mr. Dunlap’s paper of that day, which, after commenting on the disingenuousness of some doubts printed in one of the papers under the signature of “Catullus,” gives “notice that any gentleman of known honor and delicacy, who shall be named to the editor of the American Daily Advertiser shall have an opportunity of examining not only the passages extracted, but the entire contents of the original letter.” What gentleman of real delicacy would be willing to present himself under the professed character of a “gentleman of known honor and delicacy,” at the hazard of being affronted by a rejection to obtain the proffered access? Is not an offer so clogged a felo de se? What is the natural inference? If I am not, Mr. Printer, a “gentleman of known honor and delicacy,” I hope you will not think the worse of me for being only A Plain Honest Man. |
