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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811) [1854]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 9.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON.

Philadelphia, 22 May, 1800.

Inclosed is a copy of a letter received this morning from Colonel Smith. I am at present at a loss to judge of it. Will you be so kind, without favor or affection, as to give me your candid opinion of it? Whether his request can be granted, in the whole or in part, without injustice to other officers; and whether it is consistent with the military ideas. I pray your answer as soon as possible.1

I am, &c.

John Adams.

[1 ]A letter to the same purport was sent to the Secretary of War.

Mr. Hamilton’s answer is found in the collection of his works, vol. v. p. 430. Colonel Smith had solicited to be appointed to the command of the second regiment of artillerists and engineers, and to be allowed the selection of a major and full battalion of men from his actual command, to complete the regiment.