John Jay Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Jay, John" AND Recipient="Hamilton, Alexander" AND Period="Washington Presidency"
sorted by: date (descending)
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-05-02-0246

From John Jay to Alexander Hamilton, 29 December 1792

To Alexander Hamilton

New York 29 Decr. 1792

Dear Sir

On my Return this Evening from Rye, I found your Letter of the 18 Inst: at my House.1

It is not difficult to percieve that your Situation is unpleasant; and it is easy to predict that your Enemies will endeavour to render it still more so. The Thorns they strew in your way, will (if you please) hereafter blossom, and furnish Garlands to decorate your administration. Resolve not to be drawn from your Station; and as your Situation must it seems be militant, act accordingly. Envy will tell Posterity that your Difficulties from the State of Things, were inconsiderable, compared with the great, growing and untouched Resources of the Nation. Your Difficulties from persons and Parties will by Time be carried out of Sight, unless you prevent it—no other person will possess sufficient Facts & Details to do full Justice to the Subject; and I think your Reputation points to the Expediency of memoirs— You want Time, it is true—but few of us know how much Time we can find when we set about it.

Had not your Letter come from the Post Office, I should suspect it had been opened— The Wafer looked very much like it— Such Letters should be sealed with wax, impressed with your Seal.

I rejoice with you in the Re-Election of Mr. Adams2—it has relieved my mind from much Inquietude—it is a great point gained—but the increasing Industry and arts of the Anti’s, render Perseverance, union, and constant Efforts necessary— Be so good as to forward the enclosed— Adieu my Dr Sir Yours sincerely

John Jay

Col. Hamilton

ALS, DLC: Hamilton (EJ: 10761). Endorsed. Enclosure not found. Dft, NNC (EJ: 05643).

1AH to JJ, 18 Dec., above.

2GW was the choice for president for both the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans in the election of 1792, so the real contest was between JA for the Federalists and George Clinton for the Democratic Republicans for the vice-presidency. JA’s reelection was helped by electors casting their votes for TJ and Aaron Burr instead of Clinton.

Index Entries