From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 28 July 1795
To Oliver Wolcott, Junior
New York July 28. 1795
Dr. Sir
We have some cause to suspect though not enough to believe that our Jacobins medidate serious mischief to certain Individuals.1 It happens that the Militia of this City, from the complexion of its officers in general, cannot be depended on and it will be difficult for some time to organise a competent armed substitute. In this situation our eyes turn as a resource in a sudden emergency upon the military now in the forts—but these we are told are under marching orders. Pray converse confidentially with the Secretary at War2 & engage him to suspend their march. Matters in Eight or ten days will explain themselves.
How are things truly in Philadelphia? I had good reason to believe that the President before he left Philadelphia3 had concluded to ratify the Treaty according to the advice of the Senate.4 Has any thing finally been done? Or are we where we were?
Yrs.
A Hamilton
Oliver Wolcott Esq.
ALS, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.
1. H’s fears, as expressed in this sentence and in the remainder of this paragraph, undoubtedly arose from his experience at a meeting in New York City on Saturday, July 18, 1795, to consider the Jay Treaty. For an account of this meeting, see “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795, note 33.
2. Timothy Pickering.
3. Washington had left Philadelphia for Mount Vernon on July 15, 1795.
4. Washington took no action on the Jay Treaty before leaving Philadelphia. For his ratification of the treaty on August 14, 1795, see Wolcott to H, July 30, 1795, note 2.