From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 31 January 1795
To George Washington
Treasury Department
January 31. 1795.
Sir,
I have the honor to send you the copy of a Letter of the 27 instant from the Collector of Philadelphia1—of another letter of the 30 ultimo from that officer to the Atty. of the District of Pennsylvania,2 and of a deposition of Charles Hemes taken before Judge Peters.3
These documents establish an improper attempt of Mr. Petri the French Consul4 to evade a Law of the United States, and allow a suspicion of the privity of a higher official character. It is impossible to avoid the reflection that there is too much connexion between the affair of the Powder, and the unlawful equipment of the privateer Les Jumeaux.5
I fear that agents of France have not ceased to countenance proceedings which not only contravene our neutrality but may prove a source of very serious expense to the United States.6
With perfect respect, I have the honor to be &c.
Alexander Hamilton
LC, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1. The letter from Sharp Delany has not been found.
2. William Rawle.
3. Richard Peters was United States judge for the District of Pennsylvania.
4. Jean-Baptiste Petry, French consul at Philadelphia.
6. In the Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, there is a note in H’s handwriting which presumably was attached to a draft of this letter. The note reads: “Mr. Jones before sending the papers herewith will have copies taken of Charles Heems Deposition & Delaneys Letter to Rawle concerning Petries application to him.” Edward Jones was a clerk in the Treasury Department.