To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 June 1793
From Alexander Hamilton
Philadelphia June 21. 1793
Sir
Considerations, relative both to the public Interest and to my own delicacy, have brought me, after mature reflection, to a resolution to resign the office, I hold, towards the close of the ensuing session of Congress.1
I postpone the final act to that period, because some propositions remain to be submitted by me to Congress, which are necessary to the full developement of my original plan, and, as I suppose, of some consequence to my reputation—and because, in the second place, I am desirous of giving an opportunity, while I shall be still in office, to the revival and more deliberate prosecution of the Inquiry into my conduct, which was instituted during the last session.2
I think it proper to communicate my determination, thus early, among other reasons, because it will afford full time to investigate and weigh all the considerations, which ought to guide the appointment of my successor[.]3 With the most perfect respect I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most Obedient & most humble servant
Alexander Hamilton
ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS, DLC: Hamilton Papers.
1. The first session of the third Congress met from 2 Dec. 1793 until 9 June 1794. Hamilton’s resignation, however, did not take place until 31 Jan. 1795 (Hamilton to GW, 31 Jan. 1795, DLC: Hamilton Papers; see also , 18:241).
2. On the congressional inquiry into Hamilton’s conduct, see U.S. House of Representatives to GW, 23 Jan. 1793, and note 1.
3. For GW’s nomination of Oliver Wolcott, Jr., as secretary of the treasury, see GW to U.S. Senate, 2 Feb. 1795 (LS, DNA: RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–95, Senate Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Executive Nominations; LB, DLC:GW).