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

JAY TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON. - John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, vol. 3 (1782-1793) [1891]

Edition used:

The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, ed. Henry P. Johnston, A.M. (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890-93). Vol. 3 (1782-1793).

Part of: The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, 4 vols.

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JAY TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON.

New York, 8th September, 1792.

Dear Sir:

I have conferred with Mr. King upon the subject of your letter of the 3d. inst. We concur in opinion that neither a proclamation nor a particular charge by the court to the grand jury would be advisable at present. To us it appears more prudent that the business be opened by the President’s speech at the ensuing session of Congress; their address will manifest the sense of the House, and both together operate more effectually than a proclamation.

No strong declarations should be made unless there be ability and disposition to follow them with strong measures. Admitting both these requisites, it is questionable whether such operations at this moment would not furnish the Anties with materials for deceiving the uninformed part of the community, and in some measure render the operations of government odious. Let all the branches of government move together, and let the chiefs be committed publicly on one or the other side of the question. I perceive symptoms of the crisis you mention; if managed with discretion and firmness it will weaken its authors. If matters can pass on sub silentio until the meeting of Congress, I think all will be well. The public will become informed and the sense of the nation will become manifest; opposition to that sense will be clogged with apprehensions, and strong measures if necessary will be approved and be supported. If in the meantime such outrage should be committed as to force the attention of government to its dignity, nothing will remain but to obey that necessity in a way that will leave nothing to hazard. Success on such occasions should be certain. Whether this should be done under the President’s personal direction must, I think, depend on circumstances at the time, or in other words on the degree of importance which those circumstances combined may evince.

Yours affectionately,

John Jay.