Alexander Hamilton Papers
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From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [9 July 1790]

To John Jay

[New York, July 9, 1790]

My Dear Sir

Certain Circumstances of a delicate nature have occurred, concerning which The President would wish to consult you.1 They press. Can you consistently with the Governor’s situation2 afford us your presence here? I cannot say the President directly asks it, lest you should be embarrassed; but he has expressed a strong wish for it.

I remain yr. Affect & Obed

A Hamilton

The Honble C Justice Jay

ALS, Columbia University Libraries.

1Washington wished to confer with Jay on the subjects discussed by George Beckwith in his conversation with H on July 8, 1790 (H to Washington, July 8, 1790). On July 8, Washington wrote in his diary: “I requested Mr. Jefferson and Colo. Hamilton, as I intend to do the Vice President, Chief Justice and Secretary at War, to revolve this matter in all its relations in their minds that they may be the better prepared to give me their opinions thereon in the course of 2 or three days” (Fitzpatrick, Diaries of George Washington description begins John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Diaries of George Washington (Boston, 1925). description ends , IV, 139).

2Governor William Livingston of New Jersey, who was Jay’s father-in-law, died on July 25, 1790. A note on this letter in Jay’s writing states: “Livingston then ill.”

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