To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 July 1794
From Alexander Hamilton
Treasury Department July 8. 1794
Sir,
From communications with the Secretary of State, in your absence,1 it would appear expedient to place the powers in Holland for making a Loan for the purpose of the Algierine-negotiation earlier than may be practicable, if the Minister resident there is to be the agent.2 Under this view of the subject, I request your instruction whether the power shall be sent to our Commissioners at Amsterdam instead of that Minister as has been contemplated.3 With the most perfect respect, &c.
A. Hamilton
LB, DLC:GW.
1. See Edmund Randolph to Hamilton, 24 June, 28 June, and 1 July (, 16:520-21, 537, 551-52). For earlier correspondence about this loan, see GW to Hamilton, 29 May (first letter) and 7 June, and Hamilton to GW, 4 June (first letter).
2. John Quincy Adams, the newly appointed minister to the Netherlands, would not sail for Europe until September.
3. GW replied to Hamilton on 9 July: "Your letter of yesterday was handed to me this day. As delay under present circumstances may attend the negotiation of a Loan in Holland by our Minister Resident there, for the purpose of the Algierine business, it appears to me expedient to send a power to our Commissioners at Amsterdam for that purpose" (LB, DLC:GW). The power authorizing the Dutch banking firm of Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard to borrow $800,000 on behalf of the United States was dated 2 July and sent with a letter from Hamilton to them dated 7 July (, 16:574-77).