From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 1 October 1800
To John Adams1
New York October 1. 1800
Sir
The time which has elapsed since my letter of the first of August was delivered to you precludes the further expectation of an answer.
From this silence, I will draw no inference; nor will I presume to judge of the fitness of silence on such an occasion, on the part of The Chief Magistrate of a Republic, towards a citizen, who without a stain has discharged so many important public trusts.
But this much I will affirm, that by whomsoever a charge of the kind mentioned in my former letter may, at any time, have been made or insinuated against me, it is a base wicked and cruel calumny; destitute even of a plausible pretext to excuse the folly or mask the depravity which must have dictated it.
With due respect I have the honor to be Sir Your obed Servt
A Hamilton
John Adams Eqr.
President
ALS, Adams Family Papers, deposited in the Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston; ADf, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; copy, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
1. This letter was enclosed in H to George Cabot, October 2, 1800, a letter which has not been found. See Cabot to H, October 11, 1800.