From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 16 November 1795
To Alexander Hamilton
Philadelphia 16th Novr 1795.
My dear Sir,
The papers herewith enclosed are so full, on the subject of my former request, that nothing more remains than to refer to them for every information I can give, as the ground work of the Superstructure you are to build. When you are done with them be so good as to return the whole to me again, with those sent before;1 together with the letters respecting young Fayette2—and the result, relative to him.
I would beg the favor of you to run your eye over the letter from Madam de Segur & let one of your young men make some enquiry into the truth of her narrative and if found just, to seal & forward my letter to her, safely. The reason why I give you this trouble, is, that applications of the kind have been, and still are very frequent; and in more instances than one, impositions have been practiced on me. If this lady’s tale be true, her case is pitiable; and I have only to regret that the frequent calls upon my private purse, render it inconvenient for me to do more for her than the pittance I enclose to her.3 With sincere, and affectionate esteem and regard I am ever yours
Go: Washington
P.S. Be so good as to drop me a single [line,]4 merely to say that this letter & its enclosures have got safely into your hands.
ALS, DLC: Alexander Hamilton Papers; ADfS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed papers have not been identified. Presumably they concerned topics to be treated in GW’s annual address to Congress. GW had sent other papers of that nature with his second letter to Hamilton of 29 October.
2. GW is referring to the letters sent with his first letter to Hamilton of 29 October.
3. About Madame Segur’s request for aid, see her letter to GW of 7 November. GW may have enclosed her previous letter, which has not been found. GW’s reply also has not been found, but he sent her $50 (Cash Accounts, 29 Sept. 1794–17 Aug. 1797, RPJCB).
4. The text in brackets is taken from the draft.