From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 8 May 1800
To Theodore Sedgwick1
New York May 8. 1800
I thank you My Dear Sir for your letter of the 5th instant2 which was received yesterday. The measure you mention has been attempted but without much hope of success.
Yet our friends are today in good spirits. The accounts from the Northward, apparently authentic, give us strong hope of still having a majority ⟨in⟩ our Legislature.3
But be this as it may, our welfare depends absolutely on a faithful adherence to the plan which has been adopted. New York if fœderal will not go for Mr Adams unless there shall be as firm a pledge as the nature of the thing will admit that Mr. Pinckney will be equally supported in the Northern states.4
Yrs. truly
A H
T Sedgwick Esq
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress[@LOC].
1. This letter concerns the presidential campaign of 1800. For information on this campaign, see H to Sedgwick, May 4, 1800.
2. Letter not found.
3. H’s optimism proved to be unfounded, but others held similar views. On May 9, 1800, The [New York] Daily Advertiser reported: “We have received favourable reports from the Northward—Washington and Columbia, Ulster and Greene are said to have given Federal Majorities.”
For the results of the election in New York, see H to Sedgwick, May 4, 1800.
4. The “plan” mentioned by H was adopted by the Federalist caucus in Philadelphia on May 3, 1800. See H to Sedgwick, May 4, 1800, note 8.