From Alexander Hamilton to George Hammond, 14 May 1794
To George Hammond
Philadelphia May 14. 1794
Sir
I did not receive till this Morning your letter of the 12th instant.1 As the Secretary of State is now returned to the seat of Government, it is only necessary for me to refer that letter to him, in order that he may reply to such part of it as requires a reply, which I have accordingly done.2 With respect
I have the honor to be Sir Your most Obed & humble serv
His Excelly
George Hammond Esqr
&c
ADf, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford; copy, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
1. This letter was enclosed in H to Edmund Randolph, May 14, 1794.
For background to this letter, see Randolph to H, May 7, 14, 1794; William Rawle to H, May 8, 1794; H to Sharp Delany, May 9, 1794; H to George Washington, May 9, 1794; H to Hammond, May 10, 1794; Hammond to H, May 12, 1794.
2. On May 15, Hammond received a letter from Mayor Matthew Clarkson of Philadelphia stating that he would investigate Hammond’s complaint about the abuse of English officers by the Philadelphia populace (see H to Hammond, May 10, 1794, note 4). On the same day, presumably before Randolph had time to reply to Hammond’s letter of May 12, Hammond wrote to Randolph as follows: “I have the honor of informing you that I have this day received from the Mayor of Philadelphia a letter, of which I inclose a copy. But as there exists between this government and myself a difference of sentiment as well with respect to the nature of the outrages committed as to the mode and medium of obtaining reparation for them, and as I have submitted that difference of sentiment to his Majesty’s Ministers in England, I have not esteemed it necessary to accede to the propositions contained in the letter of the Mayor of Philadelphia” (ALS, RG 59, Notes from the British Legation in the United States to the Department of State, Vol. 1, October 26, 1791-August 15, 1794, National Archives; copy, New-York Historical Society).