To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 16 August 1795
From Edmund Randolph
Philadelphia August 16. 1795
Dear sir
I expected to have the pleasure of seeing you here at the supreme court;1 when I meant to Enter into, a full conversation with you. But being disappointed, I shall only beg you to read a letter, which I have this day written to Mr. Jay; and requested him to shew to you. If I do not mistake, your ideas and mine were not very different as to the provision-order2
I am dear sir with real esteem and regard yr. mo. ob. serv.
Edm: Randolph.
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. This is a reference to H’s intention to participate in arguments before the Supreme Court over the constitutionality of the carriage tax. See William Bradford to H, July 2, August 4, 1795; Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, July 28, 1795; and H to Wolcott, August 5, 1795.
2. This is a reference to a British order in council of April 25, 1795, calling for the British seizure of cargoes of grain on American ships bound for France. For the text of the order in council, see Washington to H, July 7, 1795, note 3. At issue was whether or not Washington should make his ratification of the Jay Treaty conditional on British rescinding of the order. Randolph thought that he should (Wolcott to H, July 30, 1795, note 2), and H agreed with Randolph (Wolcott to H, August 10, 1795). Washington disagreed, for on August 14, 1795, he ratified the treaty without the condition proposed by Randolph and H. See Wolcott to H, July 30, 1795, note 2.