From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Ledyard, [18 February 1789]

To Isaac Ledyard1

[Jamaica, New York, February 18, 1789]

Dr. Sir:

I understand you are to have a meeting at this place to morrow on the subject of the ensuing elections and accordingly inclose you to be laid before the meeting an address to the Inhabitants of your Township in regard to the appointment of a Governor. It is much to be wished the meeting may agree with their fellow citizens in New York and come to a resolution on the subject—For in Politics as in war the first blow is half the battle. The sooner we declare the better.

I am on my way to Huntington as a Messen⟨ger⟩ from the committee of New York to the Supervisors of the two Count⟨ies⟩2 who are to assemble there.

Yrs. with great regard

A Hamilton

Jamaica Feby 18 89

Copy, Columbia University Libraries.

1. Ledyard, who was a veteran of the American Revolution and lived in Newtown, Long Island, has been credited as the author of “Mentor’s Reply,” published in 1784 as an attack on H’s “Phocion” essays. See “Second Letter from Phocion,” April, 1784, note 1 (PAH description begins Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). description ends , III, 530–58).

For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see “Appointment as Member of Committee of Correspondence,” February 11, 1789 (PAH description begins Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). description ends , V, 253–54); H to the Supervisors of the City of Albany, February 18, 1789 (PAH description begins Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). description ends , V, 255–61); the Electors of Queens County to H, February 19, 1789 (PAH description begins Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). description ends , V, 261–62).

2. Queens and Suffolk counties.

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Source Project: Hamilton Papers
Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Ledyard, [18 February 1789]
Author: Hamilton, Alexander
Recipient: Ledyard, Isaac
Date: 18 February 1789

Reference

Cite as: “From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Ledyard, [18 February 1789],” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-26-02-0002-0143. [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 26, 1 May 1802 – 23 October 1804, Additional Documents 1774–1799, Addenda and Errata, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1979, pp. 478–479.]

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