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

TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON, SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. XI (1785-1790) [1891]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890). Vol. XI (1785-1790).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

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TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON, SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 30th ultimo duly came to hand with its enclosures. For the information contained in it I thank you. The motives, however, by which the author of the communication to you was actuated, although they may have been pure, and in that case praiseworthy, do also (but it may be uncharitable to harbour the suspicion) admit of a different interpretation, and by an easy and pretty direct clue may be developed.1

We are approaching the first Monday in December by hasty strides. I pray you, therefore, to revolve in your mind such matters as may be proper for me to lay before Congress, not only in your own department, (if any there be,) but such others of a general nature, as may happen to occur to you, that I may be prepared to open the session with such communications, as shall appear to merit attention. With sincere regard, I am, dear Sir, &c.

[1 ]Acting upon a suggestion from the English Cabinet, Lord Dorchester sent Major George Beckwith to Philadelphia to sound the Executive upon the attitude of the United States in the event of a war between Great Britain and Spain. The results of this informal mission were communicated to Dorchester, and Beckwith was retained at Philadelphia, as the unrecognized diplomatic agent of the British government, a convenience while no regular minister had been appointed. In this capacity he had approached Hamilton with hints that Gouverneur Morris in his informal mission, was not so discreet as he might be, as he was in too close intimacy with the French Minister in London (Luzerne), and had given offence to the court by consorting with the opposition party, of which Fox was the leader.—Hamilton’s Works (Lodge), iv., 49. Diary and Letters of Gouverneur Morris, i., 310 et seq.

In reply Mr. Hamilton said: “It is certainly very possible, that motives, different from the one avowed, may have produced a certain communication; and in matters of such a nature it is not only allowable, but the dictate of prudence, to receive suggestions with peculiar caution.”—October 17th.