From Alexander Hamilton to William Gardner, 14 June 1792
To William Gardner1
Philadelphia, June 14, 1792
Sir,
The Comptroller2 has intimated to me that there are some expressions in a letter from you to him, indicating some disposition to resign, in consequence of the insufficiency of your compensation. The manner in which you have executed the duties of your office, has been so entirely satisfactory to me, that I shall regret your resignation not a little, and under this impression I am induced to recommend to you to wait the issue of another session. In a report which I made to Congress during the last session, I proposed an increase of your emoluments,3 and I believe if it had not been for the lateness of the session, when the impatience of Individuals to get home, produced a disposition favorable to objections which tended to prevent the entering upon new business, an additional provision would have been made. The trust of a Commissioner of Loans is so very delicate and important, that it is impossible it can be long left in any state, without such a compensation as will secure a worthy and adequate character in the execution of it.
With much esteem, I am, Your obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
Wm. Gardner, Esq.
[New York] Argus. Greenleaf’s New Daily Advertiser, July 31, 1798.
1. Gardner was appointed commissioner of loans for New Hampshire in December, 1790. In June, 1798, he was dismissed and replaced by John Pierce. In a letter dated July 13, 1798, addressed “To the impartial Public” and originally published in The [Portsmouth, New Hampshire] Oracle of the Day, Gardner attempted to vindicate his administration of the loan office. He stated that his term in office had been continued only at the special request of the Federal Government and for its convenience. Gardner also quoted part of the correspondence which he had carried on with the Treasury Department, including the letter from H printed above.
2. Oliver Wolcott, Jr.