To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 25 April 1796
From Philip Schuyler1
Albany Monday April 25th 1796
Dear Sir
Unadvised of the measures pursuing at New York, relative to the treaty with Britain, It was not deemed prudent to convene the citizens here on the Subject, until we received information from your city.2 On Saturday morning the mail arrived, and the Herald announced what had been done3—about forty Citizens were immediately convened, and unanimously agreed to petition in the words of the new York petition, with no other variation than what was requisite to Accomodate It to the people in this quarter. Five hundred copies where immediately printed, proper persons appointed to invite the Signature of the Citizens individually, before sunset this was compleated, all having subscribed Except about 4 who declined, many decided Antifœdarelist concurred and signed.
A circular letter was prepared, directed to the Supervizers, Assessors & town Clerks, of the Several towns in this and the counties to the Eastward, northward & westward of this.5 Several of these, with copies of the petition are already dispatched, and the residue will be sent to day. We believe the Subscribers will be numerous.
The petition from this city will be sent to Philadelphia by this days mail.6
We are anxious to hear the result of the Application to the citizens of New York, and If favorable, wish It to ⟨be⟩ communicated in a formal manner, by the New York committee.7
The inclosed, is a copy of the letter, which accompanied the copy of the petition to the several towns.
Pray drop me a line, advising me of the latest intelligence from Philadelphia, on this important subject.
Adieu my Love to all with You Yours most affectionately
Ph: Schuyler
Alexander Hamilton Esqr
ALS, Lloyd W. Smith Collection, Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, New Jersey.
1. This letter concerns the efforts of supporters of the Jay Treaty both in and out of the Government to secure the adoption by the House of Representatives of legislation for the implementation of that treaty. For an account of the struggle in the House over this legislation, see the introductory note to H to George Washington, March 7, 1796.
2. For the petition of New York City’s merchants urging that the House act to implement the Jay Treaty, see H to Rufus King, April 20, 1796, note 2.
3. See The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country, April 20, 1796, which contains the texts of the New York merchants’ petition and their accompanying resolution, which also appeared in the [Philadelphia] Gazette of the United States, April 21, 1796. See H to King, April 20, 1796, note 2.
4. Space left blank in MS.
5. A facsimile of this broadside is printed in , facing page 292.
6. On April 29, 1796, the House received “the memorials of sundry inhabitants of the City of Albany, and Town of Lansingburg, in the State of New York, whose names are thereunto subscribed, stating that certain resolutions now depending before the House of Representatives respecting the late treaty with Great Britain, have already given occasion to great embarrasments, and threaten very serious and complicated evils, the whole magnitude of which it is not easy to foresee or calculate, and that, in their opinion, it deeply concerns the agriculture, commerce, peace, character, and honor of America, that provision be made to carry the said treaty into effect” (, II, 527).
7. For public support given the New York City petition, see H to King, April 24, 1796.