From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [25 June 1798]
To Oliver Wolcott, Junior
[New York, June 25, 1798]
Dear Sir
I understand that the Collector of Philadelphia1 will speedily offer his resignation & that McPherson2 does not incline to be the successor—but that Major Jackson3 is desirous of it.
If all this be so—and if your experience of his conduct in his present station gives you a confidence that he would execute the Office of Collector well, it would gratify me to see him appointed. Jackson has more than once given me marks of personal regard,4 that claim a reciprocal sentiment from me & a disposition to promote efficaciously his interest as far as it can be done consistently with the public Interest.
Should it coincide with your views you may make any use of my wishes that you can imagine may be serviceable to the Major.5
Yrs. Affecty
A Hamilton
O. Wolcott Esq
ALS, RG 59, General Records of the State Department, Applications and Recommendations, 1792–1801, National Archives.
1. Sharp Delany.
2. William Macpherson, a veteran of the American Revolution, had been an aide-de-camp to Benjamin Lincoln. He was appointed surveyor of the port of Philadelphia on September 11, 1789, inspector of the port of Philadelphia on March 8, 1792, and naval officer for the District of Philadelphia on December 30, 1793 (, 25, 111, 144).
3. William Jackson was appointed surveyor and inspector of the revenue for the port of Philadelphia on January 14, 1796 (, 197–98).
4. In July and August, 1797, Jackson had served as H’s second when H and James Monroe had come close to fighting a duel. See Jackson to H, August 5, 1797.
5. On June 28, 1798, John Adams nominated George Latimer, a Philadelphia merchant, to be collector of customs for the District of Pennsylvania, and the Senate agreed to his appointment on the following day (, 282).