Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 2 February 1795

From George Washington

Philadelphia Feby. 2d. 1795

Dear Sir,

After so long an experience of your public services, I am naturally led, at this moment of your departure from office1—which it has always been my wish to prevent—to review them.

In every relation, which you have borne to me, I have found that my confidence in your talents, exertions and integrity, has been well placed. I the more freely render this testimony of my approbation, because I speak from opportunities of information wch cannot deceive me, and which furnish satisfactory proof of your title to public regard.

My most earnest wishes for your happiness will attend you in your retirement, and you may assure yourself of the sincere esteem, regard and friendship of

Dear Sir   Your affectionate

Go: Washington

Alexr. Hamilton Esqr.

ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

1On December 1, 1794, H had written to Washington stating that he planned to resign as Secretary of the Treasury, and on January 31, 1795, he sent his formal letter of resignation to the President.

On February 2, 1795, Washington nominated Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to be Secretary of the Treasury; the Senate agreed to the appointment on the following day (Executive Journal, I description begins Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate (Washington, 1828), I. description ends , 170–71). On February 4, 1795, Wolcott wrote to Washington accepting the appointment (LC, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress). Wolcott’s letter of February 4 is printed in Gibbs, Wolcott description begins George Gibbs, Memoirs of the Administrations of Washington and John Adams: Edited from the Papers of Oliver Wolcott, Secretary of the Treasury (New York, 1846). description ends , I, 179.

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