From Alexander Hamilton to John M. Taylor, 6 August 1793

To John M. Taylor1

Philadelphia, August 6, 1793.

Sir,

I have received your letter of this date inclosing one from Mr. Fraunces.2 This attempt to induce me to depart from a rule of public conduct, adopted on mature reflection by the menace of an appeal to the people, is perfectly contemptible. I can imagine no letters nor documents which are not forgeries, about the publication of which I ought to have the least solicitude. I mention this merely as a caution to you, that you may not become the instrument of any improper attempt, before you shall have taken measures to satisfy yourself. I now declare myself ready to convince you, if you will produce to me the papers to which you allude, that there has been either misrepresentation or fabrication: As to the affair of the warrants, my determination is unalterable.

Yours, &c.

Alexander Hamilton.

Mr. John M. Taylor,

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 , 17–18.

1. For background to this letter, see Fraunces to H, May 16, June 10, July 1, August 2, 4, 1793; H to Fraunces, May 18, July 2, August 2, two letters of August 3, 1793; George Washington to H, August 3, 1793; Washington to Fraunces, August 3, 1793.

On the same day that this letter was written, Fraunces wrote to Washington stating that Taylor was the person to whom an answer to his letter to Washington of July 30, 1793, should be sent, since he had “fully impowered” Taylor to act concerning the warrants and had “left every document” with him (ALS, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives).

2. Letters not found.

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Source Project: Hamilton Papers
Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John M. Taylor, 6 August 1793
Author: Hamilton, Alexander
Recipient: Taylor, John M.
Date: 6 August 1793

Reference

Cite as: “From Alexander Hamilton to John M. Taylor, 6 August 1793,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-15-02-0149. [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 15, June 1793 – January 1794, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1969, pp. 196–197.]

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