Alexander Hamilton Papers
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From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 9 September 1792

To John Adams

Philadelphia Sepr. 9. 17921

My Dear Sir

I trust you are sufficiently convinced of my respect for and attachment to you to render an apology for the liberty, I am going to take unnecessary. I learnt with pain that you may not probably be here ’till late in the session. I fear that this will give some handle to your enemies to misrepresent—and though I am persuaded you are very indifferent personally to the event of a certain election, yet I hope you are not so as it regards the cause of good Government. The difference in that view is in my conception immense between the success of Mr. Clinton2 or yourself; and some sacrifices of feeling are to be made. But this is not the only relation, in which I deem your early presence here desireable. Permit me to say it best suits the firmness and elevation of your character to meet all events, whether auspicious or otherwise, on the ground where station & duty, call you. One would not give the ill disposed the triumph of supposing that an anticipation of want of success had kept you from your post.

You observe My Dr Sir, I speak without much menagement. You will ascribe it to my confidence and esteem. It is not necessary in any view to multiply words. I forbear it. But allow me to add that it is the universal wish of your friends you should be as soon as possible at Philadelphia.

I have the honor to remain very respectfully and truly Dr Sir Yr friend & Obed servant

A Hamilton

The Vice President

ALS, Adams Family Papers, deposited in the Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.

1In HCLW description begins Henry Cabot Lodge, ed., The Works of Alexander Hamilton (New York, 1904). description ends , V, 28–29, this letter is dated October, 1792, and in Hamilton, History description begins John C. Hamilton, Life of Alexander Hamilton, a History of the Republic of the United States of America (Boston, 1879). description ends , V, 92–93, it is undated.

2Governor George Clinton of New York. See H to Adams, August 16, 1792.

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