George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 24 June 1794

From Alexander Hamilton

Treasy Dept June 24th 1794.

Sir,

The inclosed Letter from the Collector of Hampton, of the 26th of May, shews that the necessity of appointing a successor to that Officer has at length become absolute, & suggests some names for consideration.1

Another letter from mister Carrington of 19th of December last suggests another name.2 The enquiry was made of Mister Carrington with your permission, but with cautious guards against commitment, which he mentions having observed.

The papers from the office which have been under the management of Mister Smith, tho’ they are not of a nature to decide much concerning his ability, owing to the little business done in that scene, have been in good order. And the post Master General who in consequence of the circumstance mentioned in mister Smith’s letter (herewith also sent) has been consulted, says, that he was well recommended to him, and has conducted his business in that station with regularity.3

But my experience of the invariable judiciousness of Mister Carrington’s recommendations, induces me to have great confidence in the eligibility of the character he has named. Perhaps further lights where you are will assist the nomination of a proper successor. With perfect respect &c.

A. Hamilton

LB, DLC:GW.

1The enclosed letter of resignation from George Wray has not been identified. GW returned it to Hamilton on 14 July (JPP description begins Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797. Charlottesville, Va., 1981. description ends , 313).

2Edward Carrington’s letter, which GW returned to Hamilton on 14 July, has not been identified.

3James Smith had been postmaster at Hampton, Va., since October 1792. His letter of 29 April solicited the appointment as collector. GW returned the letter to Hamilton on 14 July, and it has not been identified (JPP description begins Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797. Charlottesville, Va., 1981. description ends , 313). Smith did not receive the appointment as collector, which went to his predecessor as postmaster, Thomas Jones, and in September he announced that he was leaving Hampton (Charles Burrall to Smith, 27 Sept., DNA: RG 28, Letters Sent by the Postmaster General).

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