From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [18 July 1797]
To James Monroe1
[Philadelphia, July 18, 1797]
Sir
Your letter of yesterday in answer to mine of the same date was received last night. I am sorry to say, that as I understand it, it is unsatisfactory. It appears to me liable to this inference, that the information of Clingman had revived the suspicions which my explanation had removed. This would include the very derogatory suspicion, that I had concerted with Reynolds not only the fabrication of all the letters and documents under his hand, but also the forgery of the letters produced as those of Mrs. Reynolds—since these last unequivocally contradict the pretence communicated by Clingman. I therefore request you to say whether this inference be intended.
With consideration I am Sir Yr. very Obed servant
A Hamilton
James Monroe Esqr
ALS, Lloyd W. Smith Collection, Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, New Jersey; ALS (photostat), James Monroe Collection, Library of Congress; ADf, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. This letter is document No. XXXVII in the appendix to the printed version of the “Reynolds Pamphlet,” August 25, 1797. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, July 3, 1797. See also H to Monroe, July 5, 8, 10, 1797; Monroe to H, July 10, 16, 17, 1797; Abraham B. Venable to H, July 9, 10, 1797; H to Monroe and Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, July 17, 1797; Monroe and Muhlenberg to H, July 17, 1797.