From Alexander Hamilton to Campbell Smith, 11 November 1799
To Campbell Smith, 11 November 1799
New York Nov 11. 1799
Sir,
Herewith is an Official answer to your letter. I regret the intimation with which it is closed, to which however I can & must annex no precise meaning. I will only observe upon it, that in no sense can the affair be viewed as a personal injury, or be proper for the manifestation of personal resentment in any form. Any person one, who should give him you a different opinion, can hardly be your friend—Such an opinion if followed could be productive of no possible advantage & would be attended in various ways with great inconvenience to you—
With esteem & consideratn I am Sir Yr Obed Sr
A Hamilton
(ALS, Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore; copy, in the handwriting of William LeConte, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).