From Alexander Hamilton to Andrew G. Fraunces, 2 July 1793

To Andrew G. Fraunces1

Treasury Department, July 2, 1793.

Sir,

I received your application of yesterday,2 respecting two warrants drawn by the late Board of Treasury. I do not think it necessary at present, to answer the several questions stated in your former letter, to which you refer. All I can say on the subject is, that as far as can now be judged, these warrants will constitute a good demand in favor of the holders upon the public: But there are some unsettled matters which prevent my giving you now a final opinion on the point.3

I am Sir, your obedient servant,

Alex. Hamilton.

Mr. Andrew G. Frances.

Fraunces, An Appeal description begins [Andrew G. Fraunces], An Appeal to the Legislature of the United States, and to the Citizens Individually, of the Several States, Against the Conduct of the Secretary of the Treasury. By Andrew G. Fraunces, Citizen of the State of New-York, Late in the Treasury of the United States. “E tenebris elucidit lux.” Printed for Andrew G. Fraunces, Esq. (n.p., 1793). description ends , 9–10.

1. For background to this letter, see Fraunces to H, May 16, June 10, July 1, 1793; H to Fraunces, May 18, 1793.

Fraunces enclosed a copy of this letter from H in his letter to George Washington dated July 30, 1793 (ALS, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives).

2. Fraunces to H, July 1, 1793.

3. Fraunces in his letter to Washington, July 30, 1793, commented on this letter from H as follows: “With respect to his last answer, I have nearly the same idea of it as I have of the first, I consider it as trifling and equivocal. I am really sorry if there has been, and still exists any sound objections to the payment of those warrants, that the mist was not at first removed from before the eyes of the officers of the Treasury. From the inclosed letter it appears, that what they now know has long since been known: It leads me to ask—Why they did not stop the payment in time? They might have saved for the same trial and adjustment they wish to put the balance outstanding to, nearly 158,000 dollars, and if in my opinion these are not found to be a good claim against the United States, the whole affair will have a curious appearance in the eyes of the public.

“From a conversation I had with the principal clerk of the Auditor, I found it was suspected that William Duer, the late secretary to the Board, had made too free with this paper, which was supposed to have been put in his care by the commissioners. The suspicion is certainly as cruel as it is unjust. But even admitting this to be the case, it cannot follow, that individuals should suffer for the mal-conduct of Public Officers; if they were, all public confidence would be at once destroyed.…” (Fraunces, An Appeal description begins [Andrew G. Fraunces], An Appeal to the Legislature of the United States, and to the Citizens Individually, of the Several States, Against the Conduct of the Secretary of the Treasury. By Andrew G. Fraunces, Citizen of the State of New-York, Late in the Treasury of the United States. “E tenebris elucidit lux.” Printed for Andrew G. Fraunces, Esq. (n.p., 1793). description ends , 10).

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Source Project: Hamilton Papers
Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Andrew G. Fraunces, 2 July 1793
Author: Hamilton, Alexander
Recipient: Fraunces, Andrew G.
Date: 2 July 1793

Reference

Cite as: “From Alexander Hamilton to Andrew G. Fraunces, 2 July 1793,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-15-02-0045. [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 15, June 1793 – January 1794, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1969, pp. 52–53.]

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