Alexander Hamilton Papers
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To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 7 June 1790

From Jeremiah Olney

Providence 7th June 1790

Sir

Permitt an old mittilary acquaintance1 to address you (with out apology) on a Subject particularly Interesting to himself and to request your Friendship and Influence with the President of the United States, to promote his Interests (So far as it shall in your opinion be consistant with propriety & the public Good) in Support of an application he has made to the President to be appointed to the office of Collector for the District of Providence—this and the other Revenue appointments will probably soon be made—as Rhode Island have at last adopted the Enlightened policy to compleat the Band of Union2—on which happy event permitt me Sir to congratulate you! I have written my Worthy Friends Genl. Schuyler & Knox3 on this Subject who have given me assurances of their Friendship & Influence in promoting my Wishes. I am anxious to be on the Ground myself (as probably I have Several competitors) and was I not Ingaged in the present payment of Invalids4 (a Service in which I feel greatly interested because it contributes to the Relief & Comfort of that meritorous Class of Citizens) I should sett out immediately for New York. However I hope to accomplish this business in time to go on with our Senators who will probably be ready by the 20th Inst. as the Legislature is this day Specially Convened at Newport for the purpose of Choosing them. I fear we shall not be able to send Federal Characters, we shall however make every Exertion. The president of our late Convention,5 with the advise of the Governor,6 means to Keep back the Ratification untill about the time the Senators go forward, as they Wish to have all the Ante Revenue officers of the State reappointed & expect the Senators will Influence the President In the nomination of these Bitter & Uniform opposers of the Constitution. Having already Intruded too long on your important moments, I will hast to Conclude by saying that I am with all possible Respect & Esteem Sir Your Most, Obed. Hume. Servt.

Jereh. Olney

Honble. Alexander Hamilton

ADfS, Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence.

1During the American Revolution Olney rose from the rank of captain to that of lieutenant colonel commandant.

2The Rhode Island Ratifying Convention sat from March 1–6, 1790, when it referred a bill of rights and other proposed amendments to the Constitution to the voters for their approval in an April election. The Convention then adjourned. Reconvening in May, the Convention ratified the Constitution and proposed amendments to it by a vote of 34 to 32 on May 29.

3Philip Schuyler and Henry Knox.

5Daniel Owen of Glocester, Rhode Island.

6Arthur Fenner of Providence, an Anti-federalist.

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