Alexander Hamilton Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Hamilton, Alexander" AND Recipient="Wolcott, Oliver, Jr." AND Period="Adams Presidency"
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-21-02-0171

From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [20 November 1797]

To Oliver Wolcott, Junior

[New York, November 20, 1797]

Dr Sir

Give me leave to remind you of your promise to send me the documents and information which authenticate the situation of Mr. Beaumarchais as to the unaccounted for Million.1

Allow me also to mention to you another point. I hear there is a plan among the Directors of the Bank to transfer the management of their concerns from the House of Cazenove2 to that of Baring.3 When the arrangement was originally upon the Tapis, I felt some preference to the House of Baring as of more known solidity. But after its having taken a different course I should regret a change unless upon grounds which I am persuaded do not exist—circumstances of insecurity in the conduct or affairs of the existing Agents. I verily believe they unite prudence & solidity. The change might, without cause, injure their credit and do them positive harm. It was one thing to have entrusted them in the first instance. It is another to recall that trust; which neither Justice nor the Reputation of the Bank will countenance but for valid reasons of change of Opinion. My friendship for Mr. Cazenove the Father4 corresponds with my sense of Propriety, to induce the wish that you may see fit to exert your influence in every proper way to prevent a change.5

Yrs Affectly

A H

O Wolcott Junr Esq

ALS, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.

1For information on Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais and the “lost million,” see the introductory note to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, March 29, 1792; H to Thomas Jefferson, June 10, 1793; Beaumarchais to H, October 29, 1796.

2The London banking house of J. H. Cazenove, Nephew, and Company.

3This is a reference to the fact that among the many duties of the Bank of the United States as fiscal agent of the Treasury Department was the obligation to facilitate the Treasury’s various foreign exchange operations. The bank, in turn, paid a designated foreign bank to perform these duties.

4The father of J. Henry Cazenove was Théophile Cazenove, a member of a French Protestant family that had lived for many years in Switzerland. H was well acquainted with J. Henry Cazenove’s brother, Théophile, who was American agent of the Holland Land Company.

5Wolcott endorsed this letter: “Ansd. Decr. 10.” Letter not found.

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