To James Madison from Alexander Hamilton, [ca. 2 July] 1788
From Alexander Hamilton
[ca. 2 July 1788]1
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 20h. came to hand two days since. I regret that your prospects were not yet reduced to greater certainty. There is more and more reason to believe that our conduct will be influenced by yours.
Our discussions have not yet travelled beyond the power of taxation. To day we shall probably quit this ground to pass to another. Our arguments confound, but do not convince. Some of the leaders however appear to me to be convinced by circumstances and to be desirous of a retreat. This does not apply to the Chief, who wishes to establish Clintonism on the basis of Antifœderalism. I remain Affecty Yrs
A Hamilton
RC (DLC). Addressed by Hamilton. Docketed by JM. Hamilton sent this letter to Richmond, where it was redirected to New York. The cover bears a Richmond postmark of 11 July.
1. This approximate date is assigned on the basis of Hamilton’s remark, in the second paragraph, that the New York convention would probably complete debate on the power of taxation “to day” (, V, 141 n. 1).