Alexander Hamilton Papers
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To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 September 1796

From George Washington1

Philadelphia 6th. Septr. 1796.

My Dear Sir,

I received yesterday, your letter of the 4th. instant. If the promised paper2 has not been sent before this reaches you, Mr. Kitt3 the bearer of it, who goes to New York partly on mine, and partly on his own business, will bring it safely. I only await here, now, and shall in a few days do it impatiently, for the arrival of General Pinckney.4

If you think the idea of a University had better be reserved for the Speech at the opening of the Session,5 I am content to defer the communication of it until that period. But even in that case, I would pray you (as soon as convenient) to make a draught for the occasion; predicated on the ideas with which you have been furnished—looking at the sametime into what was said on this head in my second Speech to the first Congress6—merely with a view to see what was said on the subject at that time, and this you will perceive was not so much to the point as I want to express now—though it may, if proper, be glanced at, to shew that the subject had caught my attention early.

But to be candid, I much question whether a recommendation of this measure to the Legislature will have a better effect now than formerly. It may shew indeed my sense of its importance, and that is a sufficient inducement with me to bring the matter before the public in some shape or another, at the closing Scenes of my political exit. My object for proposing to insirt it where I did7 (if not improper) was to set the People to ruminating on the importance of the measures ⟨as the⟩8 most likely means of bringing it to pass.

With much truth   I am Your Affectionate

Go: Washington

Colo. A. Hamilton

ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ALS, facsimile (tracing), Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

1For background to this letter, see the introductory note to H to Washington, May 10, 1796.

2Washington is referring to H’s “Draft of Washington’s Farewell Address,” which is printed as an enclosure to H to Washington, July 30, 1796. H returned this draft to Washington on September 5, 1796.

3Frederick Kitt (Kitts) was Washington’s household steward.

4Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. See Washington to H, August 25, 1796. Pinckney arrived in Philadelphia on September 15, 1796.

6Washington is referring to his first annual address to Congress, January 8, 1790 (GW description begins John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). description ends , XXX, 491–94). His first speech to Congress was his first inaugural address on April 30, 1789 (GW description begins John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). description ends , XXX, 291–96).

8Material within broken brackets has been taken from the facsimile in the Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

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