To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [3 August 1793]
From George Washington1
[Philadelphia, August 3, 1793]
Dr. Sir,
Motives of Justice, friendship & candour induce me to send the enclosed for your perusal. Let me know the truth of this matter. What answer is proper to be given to it, and by whom.
The writer is urgent to receive one, having called once or twice since the delivery of it,2 for This purpose.
I am &c.
Go. Washington
LC, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1. At the bottom of the page of the letter book in which this letter appears is written: “The enclosed, alluded to above, was a complaint from A. G. Fraunces, respecting the withholding payment of Certificates which he conceived he was entitled to; & which his statement explains.”
On August 2, 1793, Edmund Randolph had returned Fraunces’s letter to Washington of July 30, 1793, with his opinion stated as follows: “The inclosed letter from A. G. Fraunces contains insinuations, which are undoubtedly without grounds, as I verily believe. Still they are of such a nature, as to render it too delicate, to pass them by, without notice. On the other hand, the gentleman, who is spoken of, has a title to know a charge like that expressed in the letter. Permit me therefore to suggest, that the papers be put into his hands, with an instruction to inform you, how the truth is, and what kind of an answer would be proper, if any, to be returned, and from whom. I shall wait your commands, if any difficulty remains with you, after his explanation” (ALS, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress).
For background to this letter, see Andrew G. Fraunces to H, May 16, June 10, July 1, August 2, 1793; H to Fraunces, May 18, July 2, August 2, two letters of August 3, 1793.
2. Fraunces wrote to Tobias Lear, Washington’s secretary, on August 2, 1793, asking whether the President had determined on an answer to his letter (AL, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives).