From Alexander Hamilton to John Laurance, [12 December 1782]
To John Laurance1
[Philadelphia, December 12, 1782]2
I was equally sorry My Dear friend that you were absent when I called at your house: I should have been happy to have seen you to converse on many things.
You seem to wish a further explanation of the reasons which prevented the success of my application on a certain head.3 They were purely what I conjectured—a desire to conciliate a certain Gentleman on the spot and gain his influence in some matters of importance; but this I mention in confidence.
There is nothing I can recommend to your attention at your next meeting, so interesting as your system of taxation.4 In all probability the war will not end here and to carry it on we require absolutely more solid arrangements of finance, besides you ought to adopt them with a view to your own internal prosperity and to your future security as a state.
I should also be glad to see a good establishment for your militia adopted, something like that of Swisserland. God grant the union may last, but it is too frail now to be relied on, and we ought to be prepared for the worst. I inclose you a few outlines on the subject. Show them to our friend Malcolm,5 and under the character of Adjutant General or Inspector or whatever else you please, put the execution in his hands.
The affairs of Vermont will engage your attention;6 be moderate by all means. You will see our ideas in a late letter7 to the Governor. They certainly will have a good effect if adopted. Meet New Hampshire on compromising grounds. I wish the two states would appoint commissioners and make a division; if a slice were given to Massachusettes it would be good policy and silence all opposition. A measure of this nature will meet the general support of Congress. I believe something will be recommended with a view to it, so soon as we have a fuller representation.
I am Your war⟨– – –⟩ Affe⟨– – – –⟩
AH
ALS, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
1. This letter was found among the Alexander McDougall Papers. Although it is unaddressed, the contents indicate that it was sent to John Laurance and not to McDougall. The recipient had to be a member of the New York legislature, which Laurance was at this time. McDougall was not elected until 1784. That the letter was found in the McDougall papers probably is explained by the fact that Laurance had married McDougall’s daughter.
2. H dated this letter November 12. He apparently made a mistake for the last paragraph indicates that at the time it was written he was in Congress. Since he did not present his credentials to Congress until November 25, 1782, this letter could not have been written on November 12. H probably meant to write December 12.
3. H was probably referring to his suggestion to Robert Morris that William Malcom be appointed as his successor as receiver of continental taxes. See H to Morris, August 13, 1782, note 22.
4. Laurance had been elected in 1782 to attend the sixth session of the New York Assembly which met in Poughkeepsie from July 11 to 25, 1782, and at Kingston from January 27 to March 23, 1783.
5. Malcom was a member of the New York Assembly.